
Semuliki National Park
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The top 10 amazing National parks in Uganda can be explored during Uganda safari tours in the country. Tourists can enjoy unforgettable African bush safaris in ten of the most beautiful parks in Uganda, featuring breathtaking sceneries.
The three most renowned and popular national parks in Uganda are Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Murchison Falls.
While Bwindi houses critically endangered mountain gorillas, Murchison Falls shelters the world’s strongest and most powerful waterfalls, and Queen is illustrious with diversified flora and fauna, including exclusive tree-climbing lions.
National parks in Uganda are distinguished from other popular tourist destinations in Africa owing to rare species such as mountain gorilla (only found in Bwindi forest and the Virunga conservation area), golden monkey, and chimpanzees.
For this reason, exploring Uganda national parks is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot unusual species during Ugandan trips.
Here is a List of 10 Most Beautiful National Parks and Game Parks in Uganda:
A deep, virgin, impenetrable forest in southwest Uganda named after a local word, which means “a place full of darkness.” The remarkable Bwindi national park is found at the edge of the Great Rift Valley.
Adorned with a distinct topography carpeted by 160 different species of trees, more than 100 different types of ferns, mountain gorillas, birds, and much more, it is one of the best Uganda national parks to visit during tours in Uganda.
Bwindi is a natural world heritage site delegated in 1994. Bwindi National Park has an elevation of 1,650–2,607 meters.
Bwindi was initially gazetted as a forest reserve split into two blocks in 1932. In 1964, the forest reserve was elevated to an animal sanctuary, and in 1991, it became a national park.
Both Bwindi Forest and the critically endangered mountain gorilla are major attractions at Bwindi. However, the park offers additional attractions (other highlights), like:
Bwindi is home to a wide variety of animals, including mountain gorilla, colobus monkeys (both black and white), buffalo, elephants, chimpanzees, olive baboons, bush pigs, and many more.
Avian Bird Species found In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park: The Park is home to 348 bird species, 14 of which are considered unique to Bwindi. African harrier hawks, crowned hornbills, black bee eaters, and Neumann’s warblers are all part of Bwindi birds.
Tourists primarily visit the four sections of Bwindi National Park to go gorilla trekking. Other things to do at Bwindi during trips to Uganda include;
Bwindi national park is best visited in June–August and December–February. This is because the hiking trails are in better shape and the vegetation is less dense, making it simpler to see gorillas in the forest and making your gorilla safari in Uganda easier.
Four sectors make up Bwindi: the Nkuringo, the Rushaga, the Ruhija, and the Buhoma sectors. The best choice would be to stay at a hotel in a region where one can get a gorilla trekking permit.
Below are the accommodation options located in each of the four sectors:
Buhoma Sector | Rushaga Sector | Ruhija Sector | Nkuringo Sector | |
Luxury | Buhoma Lodge | Four Gorillas Lodge | Ruhija gorilla Lodge | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge |
Midrange | Buhoma Haven Lodge | Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Trekkers Tavern Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge |
Queen Elizabeth National Park is among the best holiday parks in Uganda, frequented by travellers from across the world. At an elevation of 910 to 1200 meters above sea level.
Elizabeth National Park occupies 1,978 square kilometers, making it the second-largest national park in Uganda.
The location of Queen Elizabeth Park is in western Uganda. The park was initially established as Kazinga National game Park in 1952. The park’s name was later changed in 1954 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II of England’s visit.
Amazing tourist attractions seen at the park include:
The outstanding Park offers a multitude of activities, such as;
The dry seasons is the best time to visit the park. This runs from June to August and December to February. During these times, there is less vegetation and animals are easier to spot. November through April are great months to go bird-watching in the Park.
While booking accommodation in the Queen Elizabeth Park, lodging options vary from low-cost, midrange, to high-end. Below are some of the lodge options to choose.
Luxury option | Midrange options | Budget options |
Mweya Safari Lodge | Enganzi Game Lodge | Mweya Hostels |
Marafiki Safari Lodge | Buffalo Safari Lodge | Tembo Safari Lodge |
Elephant Plains Lodge | Park view Safari Lodge | Kazinga Channel View Resort |
The park is a top-notch game park in Uganda. The world’s premier location for chimpanzee safaris is Kibale Park, also called the “primate capital of the world,” which is home to thirteen distinct primate species.
Kibale Moist Evergreen The glowing forest, the last major remnant of pre-montane forest, is home to 229 different species of trees, superabundant birds, and over 1500 endangered chimpanzees.
Among the best national game parks in Uganda to visit while on a Ugandan tour is Kibale National Park
Kibale was founded in 1992. Kibale Park ranges between 1100 and 1600 meters above sea level in the western region of Uganda.
Besides the park’s main attraction—the chimpanzee primates—other interesting attractions to see during chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda’s Kibale Forest Park include:
Animals Found in Kibale National Park: About 1500 Chimpanzees live in the heart of Kibale forest park. On a wildlife tour to the rainforests, you can witness other incredible primates, such as:
In Uganda Kibale forest park, visitors have a chance to do activities like;
The best time to visit Uganda Kibale National Park is when the weather is dry and conducive for chimpanzee trekking and other park activities.
Exquisite, affordable, and moderately priced lodging options abound in Kibale Forest Park. Here are only a handful of the lodges that visitors can choose from.
Luxury | Mid-range | Budget |
Primate Lodge | Isunga Lodge | Rweteera Safari Park |
Ndali Lodge | Chimpanzee Forest Guest House | Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve |
Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge | Mountains of the Moon Hotel | Rwenzori View Guest House |
Travelers on safari in Uganda often go to Murchison Falls, one of the popular national game parks in the country. Commanding an area of 3,893 square kilometers, Murchison National Park is the biggest national park in Uganda.
The longest river in the world cuts through the park, cutting across a canyon that is only 7 meters wide, creating the “Devil’s Cauldron,” the world’s fiercest waterfalls.
Murchison Falls National Park is a popular game-viewing park in Uganda due to its abundance of diverse ecosystems.
While touring the country, tourists can see 556 different kinds of birds, 144 different kinds of animals, and 51 different kinds of amphibians.
Established in 1952, Murchison Falls National Park is located northwest of Uganda.
The exceptional Murchison is popular with visitors for many reasons, including:
Murchison Falls National Park offers tourists a wide range of activities to do, such as
While in Murchison falls, animals like elephants, buffalos, giraffes, Ugandan kobs, lions, leopards and avian species such as the rare shoebill stork, grey-crowned cranes, Senegal thick kneesand Abyssinian ground horn bill, among others,.
The driest months—June–August, December, and February—are the best months to visit because that’s when most of the animals congregate around the park’s most vital water sources.
As a guide to some of the few accommodations at the park, visitors can pick from three different types of lodgings seen below:
Luxury lodges | Midrange Lodges | Budget Lodges |
Paraa Safari lodge | Pakuba Safari Lodge | Boomu women’s Camp |
Nile Safari Lodge | Sambiya River Lodge | Red Chilli Rest Camp |
Baker’s Lodge | Twiga Safari Lodge | Uganda Wildlife Campsite |
Mgahinga’s broad views of rolling hills, gorgeous lakes, tumbling waterfalls, and misty forests make it a beautiful game park in Uganda. One of just two national parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking safaris can be done.
The only national park in Uganda where golden monkey can be found is Mgahinga Gorilla Park. It is situated at a range of 2,227 to 4,127 meters in the southwest region of Uganda, overshadowed by the Virunga Mountains.
Mgahinga, the smallest national park in Uganda, was gazetted by the British colonial authorities in 1930 and granted national park status in 1991. Its total area is 33.7 square kilometers.
The park is home to three of the eight Virunga volcanoes found within the borderlines of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mgahinga National Park ranked third on the list of must-photograph tourist places in the globe because of its stunning attractions. Among these attractions at Mgahinga are:
Tourists visiting Mgahinga National Park are interested in activities such as:
Close to 200 bird species have been documented at the park, including those restricted to the Albertine region: black kite, speckled mouse bird, cape robin chat, blue-headed coucal and scarlet tufted malachite sunbird, among the rest
The best months to visit Mgahinga National Park are June through August and December through February, when the weather is suitable for park activities
The choices and price range of visitors will determine where they stay at Mgahinga. Below are some of the park’s lodges to stay in during Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga:
Luxury accommodation | Midrange accommodation | Budget accommodation |
Mount Gahinga Lodge | Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge | Travellers Rest Hotel |
Gorilla Heights Lodge | Mutanda Lake Resort | Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp |
Chameleon Hill Lodge | Mgahinga Safari Lodge | Ntebeko River Camp |
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the top five national parks in Uganda. Kidepo’s exclusive terrain boasts eye-catching hills with altitudes ranging 914 to 2,750 meters.
Kidepo is located in a secluded location in Karamoja region in north-eastern Uganda, bordering south Sudan, It was created in 1962. Kidepo, which was listed as one of the top 8 safari destinations in Africa by CNN Travel, is worth visiting
Kidepo valley is unpopulated by tourists, making it a literal African wilderness to visit on Uganda wildlife safaris. Some animals and birds, such as ostriches and cheetahs, present in Kidepo can’t be seen in other Uganda national parks.
Along with wildlife watching, Kidepo wilderness safari trips in Uganda offer traveler’s opportunity to get immersed in the amazingly entertaining cultures of the minor Ik and pastoralist Karamojong tribes.
Much as it’s the most isolated national park, Kidepo valley national park is endowed with outstanding, stunning attractions such as;
Animals at Kidepo Valley National Park include African bush elephants, buffalos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, wild dogs, caracals, aardwolf’s, patas monkeysand mountain reedbucks.
Tourists on Uganda tours to Kidepo can do a number of activities, as can be seen below:
Birds in Kidepo National Park: One of the best parks in Uganda to go birdwatching is Kidepo. Out of the 500 species of birds documented there, 56 are raptors. Kidepo is home to a variety of birds, some of which can be seen below.
Kidepo Valley National Park is open year-round; however, during the rainy season, it can be challenging to get to due to bad roads. Kidepo is best visited in September through December and in January through early April.
Kidepo Valley National Park’s lodging is still not well developed; visitors are advised to make reservations in advance. The following lists places to stay while on Uganda wildlife tour in Kidepo.
Luxury: Apoka safari lodge
Mid-range: Kidepo savannah Lodge
Budget: Apoka Bandas
The stunning Rwenzori Mountain National Park in western Uganda is home to Mount Rwenzori, the third-highest mountain in Africa, following Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro and Kenya’s Mount Kenya.
At 5,109 meters above sea level, the Rwenzori, popularly known as the “mountains of the moon,” can be conquered during Ugandan mountaineering trips to the national park.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is among the most breathtaking destinations in Uganda for a vacation safari. It prides itself on being one of Africa’s most beautiful national parks, endowed with natural beauty and ecological zones.
The park’s most popular attraction, the majestic Mount Rwenzori, is one of the most beautiful alpine regions in Africa and a natural World Heritage Site, according to UNESCO.
Rwenzori Game Park is distinguished by its snow-covered ranges, glacial peaks, pristine lakes, scenic valleys and ridges, cascading waterfalls, splendid rivers, and abundant tree and plant species.
The greatest and highest permanent source of the Nile River is the snow-capped Rwenzori mountain.
The staggering Rwenzori Mountain is the park’s primary attraction. The national park’s other attractions can be seen below:
The main activity done by tourists who visit Rwenzori national park is mountain climbing, Travelers can also engage in other available activities, such as;
The perfect time to visit Rwenzori mountain national park for unforgettable mountaineering experience is from late June to August and December to February, when the mountain trails are in good shape and weather is good for superb views.
There aren’t many lodging options at Rwenzori Mountain National Park. Tourists can stay at Geolodge Equator Snow Lodge, Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel, Rwenzori Travelers Inn, or Ruboni Community Camp before and after climbing Mount Rwenzori.
Travelers will spend the night at certain campsites and huts along the route up Mount Rwenzori, which include;
Mount Elgon National Park is one of outstanding Uganda national game parks and a must-visit national park during Uganda holiday safaris. This national game park is home to a striking and varied flora and fauna that varies with altitude.
Mount Elgon takes great pleasure in possessing the world’s largest volcanic base and mountain caldera. It is the largest isolated extinct volcano in East Africa and the oldest geographical feature in Uganda.
The presiding Mount Elgon at the park, rising at 4,321 meters and covering an area of 1,121 km2, commands superb views of distant Karamoja plains, Kalenjin plains, Lake Bisina, and Lake Kyoga.
Situated in eastern Uganda, at the Kenya-Uganda border, Mount Elgon was formed in 1992.
Attractions found at the spectacular national park include;
The park is also home to the following species of animals: forest elephants, forest buffalos, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, duikers and red-tailed monkeys, among others.
Over 140 bird species have been documented at the park, including the endangered lammergeyer. Other birds at the park include:
Things to Do at Elgon Park can be seen below:
During the two dry seasons—June–August and December–February—Elgon National Park is most beautiful. Participating in park activities is also a great idea during this time.
Although lodging is still limited in the park, visitors can stay at the UWA Bandas Sand Campsite or, alternatively, in the towns of Sipi or Kapchorwa. Among a few of these accommodations in Mount Elgon Park are:
The only lowland tropical rainforest in East Africa is anchored by Semuliki National Park, a beautiful national game park in Uganda. Semuliki is renowned for its striking views of Lake Albert, Rwenzori Mountains, and the Albertine Rift.
Semuliki Valley National Park is home to the greatest variety of plant and animal life in Africa. Nearly 400 species of birds, 53 species of animals, 460 kinds of butterflies, 8 species of primates, and Ugandan kobs call this park home.
Travelers on holiday safaris in Uganda visit the intriguing Sempaya hot springs, one of the primary attractions of the park.
If you’re a serious birdwatcher, you should definitely make an effort to visit Semuliki National Park in Uganda. The 441 bird species found in the park include 66% of Uganda’s forest bird species, including those from the Guinea – Congo biome area.
Semuliki originally created in 1932 as a forest reserve, Semuliki National Park was elevated to the status of a national park in 1999. Located in western Uganda, the park spans 220 square kilometers and is situated between 670 and 760 meters above sea level.
Semuliki National Park is one of the most beautiful game parks found in Uganda, endowed with unique attractions, some of which can be seen below:
Birds to see while at Semuliki Park include 23 Albertine rift endemics, 46 species of forest swallowtail and 35 Guinea-Congo biome species. Some of the examples of these Semuliki birds include;
Semuliki National Park offers visitors the following activities:
January, February, June, July and December are the best time to go to Semuliki Park. During the wet season floods may occur and some roads and tracks at the park may become impassable.
Below are a few hotels you can book while visiting Semuliki National Park for Uganda tours:
Luxury accommodation | Mid-range accommodation | Budget accommodation |
Semuliki safari Lodge | Hotel Vanilla | |
Kyaninga lodge | Semuliki river camp | Kirumia guest house |
Ntoroko game Lodge | Mountains of the moon hotel | UWA Bandas and Campsite |
Nyati game lodge | Chimpanzee Forest Guest House | Rwenzori view Guest House |
Exciting weekend vacations to Uganda’s Lake Mburo National Park are common because it is the closest game park to Kampala City. Covering an area of 370 km2, this Ugandan national park is the smallest savannah park in Uganda.
Lake Mburo is widely considered to be one of the top parks in Uganda because of its picturesque terrain, which encompasses a diversity of species, verdant rolling hills, and thirteen lakes—five of which are located within the park and the others also within its borderlines.
There is just one Ugandan national park where visitors can do horseback safari wildlife viewing within the park and that is: Lake Mburo National Park. The park’s 370-square-kilometer land area sits between elevations of 1,220 and 1,828.
Horseback safaris at the park allow visitors to see animals in their natural habitat. This is an exciting activity compared to everyday game drives.
Mburo is a common rest stop for visitors to western Uganda national parks, such as Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The park was first gazetted as a hunting area in 1933. The area was upgraded to a reserve in 1963 and got national park status in 1983.
A few of the tourist attractions found in the park include:
Animals of Lake Mburo Park: Aside from being the smallest savannah game park in the country, this park is endowed with various animals, such as zebras, impalas, warthogs, giraffes, common eland, African buffalo and hippos.
Many different types of tourist activities are available to those who visit the park. Here are a few examples of these activities:
Long dry months (June–August) and short dry season (December–February) are the best times to visit the spectacular park, although it is open all year.
Lodging alternatives and prices for visitors to the park vary; nonetheless, a selection of some is shown below.
Luxury | Mid-range | Budget |
Mihingo lodge | Rwakobo rock lodge | Rwonyo rest camp |
Acardia cottages | Mpogo safari Lodge | Hyena hill lodge |
Kigambira safari lodge | Eagles nest Mburo | Rangeland Mburo lodge |
Lake Mburo luxury tented camp | Manatana tented camp | Leopard rest lodge |
Wildlife safaris in Uganda take travelers through ten (10) of the country’s breathtaking national parks. There are 10 national parks in Uganda named above.
In close proximity to two other outstanding Uganda national parks—Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park—Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited national park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its fantastic sights and profusion of species. In all its splendor, Queen is the best Ugandan national park for birdwatching safaris, and it is ranked as the as the second-best birding destination in Africa.
There are two locations in the world where tree-climbing lion species may be found, one of which is Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park. These lions are found in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth.
With a massive park area of 3,840 km2, the Great Murchison Falls National Game Park surpasses all other Uganda national parks, making it the largest national park in Uganda.
Famous for housing the world’s unique and most powerful waterfalls, Murchison Falls Park is a popular tourist destination.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda. Despite its size, Mgahinga is regarded as one of the most beautiful game parks in Uganda.
Mgahinga Game Park ranked third among the best photogenic vacation locations in the world in 2019. Mgahinga is adorned with spectacular landscapes inhabited by mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
On the other hand, Lake Mburo National Park is the country’s smallest savannah national park. Safaris to Uganda’s western national parks typically include a stop at the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda is the most visited game park in Uganda; however, most visitors to the country combine their Uganda wild life tours with visits to other national parks within the county alongside Queen.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest Park, and Murchison Falls National Park are among the other popular and most visited game parks in Uganda.
All Uganda wildlife parks offer unique experiences; however, the best wildlife parks include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous and renowned for the mountainous gorillas. Please note that gorillas are also present at Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Thus, visitors can view gorillas in two Uganda national parks.
Overall, Uganda national parks significantly contribute to its reputation as the “pearl of Africa.” Tourists in Uganda can enjoy a wide range of activities, such as gorilla treks and get amazed by attractions at each of these 10 game parks managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government body responsible for the conservation effort in the country.