Best National Parks in Uganda

Best National Parks in Uganda ; Absolutely, Uganda is one of the best travel destinations in the world due to its natural beauty and unique attractions to explore which are greatly memorable – enjoy the dense misty forests, snow-peaked mountains, glassy lakes, and sprawling savannas as well as its wonderful natural feature that convinced Sir Winston Churchill named it ‘’the Pearl of Africa’’.

In Uganda, the most tourist attraction is the unique Mountain gorillas which allure many visitors there is a variety of attractions for tourists to adventure thus making Uganda a true safari destination as follows;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the top world safari destination for gorilla trekking since it hosts half the remaining mountain gorillas that still exist in the wild. The park is located in the southwestern Uganda region on the rim of the rift valley and it is mist-covered hillsides blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years.

However, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest sound like one of the richest ecosystems in Africa and contains over 400 species of plants. More so, it estimates more than 650 mountain gorillas individuals marking roughly half of the world’s population,350 bird species, and around 120 mammal species among others. Bwindi is comprised of 22 habituated gorilla families-groups, splinted into four gorilla sectors that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. One to be able to meet up with these unique mountain gorillas, you are required to obtain a gorilla permit. Uganda gorilla permits can be purchased directly from ‘’UWA’’ or with the help of trustworthy tour agents.

Gorilla trekking permits cost USD700 per person per trek and Gorilla Habituation -a full-time experience inclusive of 4 hours to spend with gorillas -costs USD1,500 per person per trek.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the top most visited safari location by thousands of tourists on Uganda’s Wildlife Safaris. This is because the park is home to the rare tree-climbing lions and worldwide Queen Elizabeth is among the fee. Despite the fact, the park lies in western Uganda and was named after Queen Elizabeth 11 and was created in 1954. More so, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a diverse ecosystem, which includes sprawling savannah, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands thus making it an ideal habitat for the big game, various primate species including Chimpanzees and around 600 species of birds.

Animals to see in Queen Elizabeth National Park include; hippopotamus, topi, waterbuck, warthog, giant forest hog, Nile crocodile, leopard, spotted hyena, chimpanzee and lion, African buffalo, Uganda Kobs, and tree climbing lions among others. The park is approximately 5 to 6 hours drive from Kampala or Entebbe to reach the main destination.

Best National Parks in Uganda : Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountain first known as ‘’Mountain of the Moon’’, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies in western Uganda along the Uganda -Congo border. More fact, this mountain ranks as the third highest point in Africa, while the lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo, and rich as well as montane forest. The park is home to over 70 mammals and 217 species of bird including 19 Albertine Rift endemics as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.

Best National Parks in Uganda : Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park ranks as Uganda’s largest national park with captivating falls – the world’s most powerful waterfall which is forced through a very small gorge that established tremendous pressure shaking the nearby rocks. Furthermore, it measures approximately 3890 square kilometers which is the habitat of 76 species of mammals and over 451 birdlife. By road, it can be reached within a 4 to 5 hours’ drive from Kampala or Entebbe.

Animals to see in Murchison Falls National Park includes; waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Elephants, Hartebeests, Oribi, and Giraffe among others. Some of the birds to see includes; rare shoe bill stork, Pied kingfishers, Sandpipers, Silver bird, Yellow-billed stork, Weaver birds, Long-tailed Nightjar, Black-billed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Rock Pratincole, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Giant Kingfisher, Osprey, Long-toed plover, Grey-headed kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Senegal Thick-Knee, Saddle-billed stork, Read-throated Bee-eater, Secretary bird, African Jacana, Giant Heron many more.

Best National Parks in Uganda : Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is famously known as the kingdom of primates because it hosts the highest concentration of chimpanzees in the entire Africa with more than 1,500 individuals and Uganda has a total of 5,000 chimpanzee individuals. The park is located in the western Uganda region, covering an area of about 795 square kilometers which is encompassed primarily by moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. It contains both lowland and montane forests and is home to a total of 70 mammal species and famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee and over 375 species of birds.

Things to pack for a trip -Uganda includes;

Carry long-sleeved shirts to protect you from the sun and insects during your Uganda Safari -hiking, nature walks, gorilla trekking, bird watching, and chimpanzee trekking.

Bring clothes in neutral colors like green, khaki, and light brown

Carry a warm sweater /fleece Jacket.

Comfortable hiking shoes and sandals

Lightweight -waterproof hiking boots

Cotton long socks.

Strong gardening gloves

Sunglasses

Umbrella

A wide-brimmed safari hat