Brief Insight into Uganda’s 10 National Parks

Insight into Uganda’s 10 National Parks. Uganda has over 10 national parks that contain a variety of Wildlife habitats in large numbers, right from snow-capped mountains, papyrus swamps, thick tropical forests and the open savannah plains. These are homes to quite a range of wildlife, with over 1047 bird species, forest primates, for example, gorillas, chimpanzees, whereas the game animals are found in the savannah plain parks.

Below is a brief Insight into Uganda’s 10 National Parks and some of the animals you should expect to see in Uganda.

1. Lake Mburo National Park.

This lies in an area of 260 sq km, located in the southwest part of Uganda in a district called Kiruhura. For a single-day trip, this could be one of the parks you shouldn’t miss visiting.

It offers a great view and you will see Buffalo, Topi, large herds of Zebras, and a variety of bird species and many more. This is the only park in Uganda where you’ll find the Impalas.

2. Murchison Falls National Park.

Also known as the World’s most powerful waterfalls. Located in North-Western Uganda, in a district called Masindi, lies the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometres.

This is said to be the largest national park in Uganda, covering an area of over 3,800 sq km, though its existence is determined by the Murchison Falls, whose rushing water is forced to pass through a narrow gorge, something that leaves everyone who has visited wondering.

You’ll see a tower of giraffes, families of elephants, buffalo, lionesses and lions, hippopotamuses, and leopards, to mention but a few.

3. Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Due to the number of tourists that visit each year, this is the most visited park. Covering an area of over 1,900 sq km, the park is located in southwestern Uganda.

It’s blessed with crater lakes, forested gorges, the beautiful Kazinga channel, home of a variety of wildlife, and it’s famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha region. It has the highest number of bird species in Uganda. Chimpanzee Tracking activities are done in the Kyambura Gorge.

4. Kidepo Valley National Park.

In the northeastern part of Uganda, in a district called Kaabong, you will find the park covering an area of approximately 1,400 sq km.

The big game favourites, namely, Elephants, Giraffes, Elands, Lions, Hyena, Cheetah and Africa’s single herd of buffalos are all seen here. Animals and birds that are rare in other parks will be spotted in here, for example, Cheetah, Striped Hyena, Ostriches, etc.

5. Semuliki National Park.

Covering an estimated 190 sq km, the park is located in western Uganda in a district called Bundibugyo. It is one of the richest areas of flora and fauna in Africa. Blessed with over 400 bird species, plants and animal species.

Among the birds, Shunning blue KingFisher, and with mammals including Forest buffalos, leopards, mona monkeys, bushbabies, duikers, and elephants, to mention but a few.

6. Mt Elgon National Park.

The park is partially bisected by the Uganda-Kenya border. Covering an area of over 1250 sq km, Uganda takes over 1100 sq km, whereas the Kenyan part takes about 150 sq km.

This is one of the oldest volcanoes in Africa.

Its surrounding forests inhabit several bird species and mammals in a list; for example, small antelopes, buffalo, forest monkeys, i.e the black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, cutting the list short. List of the birds includes: Jackson’s Francolin, Taccazze sunbird, etc.

It offers a variety of other beautiful sceneries such as the caves, waterfalls that you see on ur climb to the peak of Wagagai and many more.

7. Mt Rwenzori National Park.

It’s also known as the “mountain of the moon” with a snowy attachment to it. It’s almost 1,000 km² in size and has Africa’s third-highest mountain peak, Margherita, waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in south-western Uganda (Kasese District) on the east side of the western (Albertine) African rift valley. It lies on Uganda’s border shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Africa’s fourth and fifth highest peaks, ie Mount Speke and Mount Baker, are also located in the park.

Expect to see over 89 bird species and a variety of mammals such as forest elephants, duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, to mention a few.

8. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

It covers approximately 38 sq km, making it the smallest national park Uganda has. It’s located in Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda. The park has 3 of the eight Virunga Volcanoes, namely Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Muhabura.

Mt Gahinga and Muhabura lie on the Uganda-Rwanda border, and Mt Sabinyo on the Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo borders and hence make these dormant volcanoes international. It’s the second habitat of the Mountain Gorillas.

9. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

It’s located in the southwest part of Uganda in Kanungu District. It’s home to many of the world’s remaining mountain Gorillas, who feed on roots, leaves and fruits from the park’s many trees and also inhabits quite a number of bird species and butterflies.

Restrictions on the number of permits help in protecting the endangered Gorilla families; a maximum of 8 individuals is granted access to the great mountain gorillas a day.

This is the official site for gorilla trekking activities. Other mammals that inhabit the park include: Chimpanzees, Black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, to mention but a few.

10. Kibale National Park.

It is located in the western part of Uganda. It covers an area of about 780 sq km. The park is an important tourism and safari destination due to the fact it adds a forest extension to Queen Elizabeth National Park and hence offers a wide range of mammals inhabiting in there; for example, Its popular for its the population of habituated Chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs, duikers, bush bark and other mammals species.