Known as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is a country that is a must-see for tourists who want to see wildlife, especially in its unspoiled and pristine national parks.
Often referred to as the “Pearl of Africa” due to its beautiful natural surroundings, Uganda is one of these African countries you must visit, especially if you wish to see wildlife in untamed national parks.
Surprisingly, most tourists tend to think that only countries like Tanzania and Kenya are the only African countries able to offer this. Well, they’re wrong. In this article, we share a list of the ten national parks in Uganda.
Uganda, which is a landlocked country is home to some of the wildest and most breathtaking wildlife you’ll ever come across.
Our list of 10 national parks in Uganda will have you wondering why you didn’t visit earlier.
The undeniable center of attention must be Uganda’s famed mountain gorillas. It is quite amazing to see them up close in their natural environment, and it provides for some priceless memories.
Below is a list of Uganda’s top 10 national parks
Kidepo Valley National Park
Located near the border with South Sudan, Kidepo Valley National Park is characterized by rough, desolate landscapes.
Its remote location has contributed to the protection and preservation of the breathtaking, sweeping plains and savannahs, which are only broken up by distant mountain ranges.
Elephants, giraffes, and lions are among the many animals roaming the vast park, which seems to never end as herds of zebra and buffalo cross the plains.
With its 2,750 meters of height, Mount Morungole stands over the lowlands and provides sweeping views of Kidepo Valley. Safaris in the park, which are majestic in appearance feature richness of species that will undoubtedly leave you with treasured memories.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The most visited park in the entire country of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is well known for its breathtaking beauty and variety of species.
Bird lovers will find the park to be a paradise with over 500 different species of birds flitting and soaring about. The Maramagambo Forest is the ideal location to see them.
The forest is home to a large variety of primates, which offer an unforgettable experience to walk down the trails while chimpanzees swing off to the side of the walkways. Drifting on the serene waters of one of the many stunning waterways, such as Lake George or Lake Katwe Crater, is a dreamlike experience.
The park’s main lure is its huge mammals, which traverse its constantly shifting topography despite its exhilarating attractions.
Animals such as lions, hippos, elephants, and leopards manoeuvre through the volcanic features of Queen Elizabeth National Park, fully at home in this undiscovered natural beauty.
Mount Elgon National Park
The national park, which bears Mount Elgon’s name, actually cuts through Kenya and Uganda, with the Kenyan side’s highest summit. The breathtaking panorama is breathtaking to view, and hiking on Mount Elgon, a long-extinct volcano, is a blast.
It is an incredible experience to descend into the caldera, and passing waterfalls, gorges, hot springs, and sheer cliff walls only adds to the park’s beauty. The caves scattered across the mount and the beautiful view atop Endebess Buff make for some incredible exploring.
This national park must be seen to be believed, with its prehistoric cave art, an abundance of species, and the unstoppable Mount Elgon rising so spectacularly from its surroundings.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park may be a small national park but it undoubtedly contains a variety of wonderful attractions. The park’s name-giving lake, Lake Mburo, is the most spectacular of the five lakes that are located inside its borders.
The enormous lake reaches into the horizon, and it is pleasant to take a boat journey on its calm waters.
Visitors should be able to witness crocodiles and hippopotami either lounging on the banks or leisurely cruising through the river. The park’s wetlands and waterways make all this possible for the animals.
The national park is also home to zebras, buffaloes, and leopards, and a horseback safari is an unforgettable and thrilling way to get up close to the wild animals.
Another fantastic way to pass the time is to go on a ranger-led hike into the forests and savannah, which provide a variety of unique habitats. A large variety of animals congregate around the salt lick to enjoy the salty earth.
You’ll enjoy approaching the animals while on foot. Overall, it will be a memorable encounter.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Thankfully, the dense foliage has shielded the area’s greatest attraction for ages: the rare and elusive mountain gorilla. The immense trees that enclose this Bwindi national park give the impression that it is impenetrable.
The biodiversity on display as you navigate the dense undergrowth is amazing considering the park’s vast diversity of diverse plants and animals.
Head deeper into the highlands for a chance to see the majestic mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat. It will also be fun to listen to the lovely birds singing echoing around you in the humid forests.
Murchison Falls National Park
Our list of the best national parks in Uganda would be incomplete without Murchison Falls National Park. Among all the other attractions in the region, the stunning falls that give this national park its name are a must-see.
Here, the Nile waters erupt spectacularly and forcefully through a small opening between the rocks, enveloping the area in a fine mist.
Visitors can view buffalo, crocodiles, and hippos going about their everyday lives on either side of the Nile as it spreads below the falls.
Only the rhinoceroses are missing from the collection of animals that call Murchison Falls home, which is home to four of the big five. Take a boat tour on the Nile to see the beautiful park scenery float before your eyes.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
When visiting the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, be ready to be astounded by the breathtaking scenes that the landscapes on display paint below the heavens.
One of the most breathtaking places on earth, the park’s distinct and distinctive scenery makes for some incredible hiking that you won’t want to miss.
It is spectacular to see the towering mountain range that gives the park its name, and the highest sections of the mountainside are dotted with breathtaking waterfalls and frozen glaciers.
Peaceful lakes offer a respite from the craggy rocks and towering summits, and the park’s immensely diverse topography is intermingled with the snow-capped Mount Stanley.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west of the nation, is a hotspot for biodiversity. Numerous different species of birds flock to the park’s lush forests and undergrowth because of its rich and diversified fauna and flora.
The environment is breathtaking. It’s nice to watch the sun reflect off the Semuliki River, which flows through the park, as well as the Sempaya hot springs, which violently erupt from cracks in the ground.
Semuliki National Park is home to huge species like elephants, forest buffaloes, and leopards, as well as several indigenous tribes. As a result, park visitors can get a glimpse of the way of life and culture of the Basua people, who hunt and gather their food in the Semuliki forest.
Kibale National Park
Numerous primates live in the lovely forests that span the hills and valleys of Kibale National Park. Tourists will enjoy seeing them as they gleefully swing from branch to branch amongst the trees.
The park’s main draw is these endearing animals, and many visitors come to see the chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys that Kibale preserves.
Various species of primates live in the area, and birds are also common throughout the park. All of which is mostly due to the range of tree species available. Kibale National Park is well worth a visit because it has one of the greatest primate populations in Africa, and the scenery is nice too.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a ton to offer despite being the smallest national park in all of Uganda. These lofty peaks, which include three volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, are what give the park its distinctive and lovely features. They also make for some incredible hikes to their summits.
A family of gorillas calls the rich foliage and beautiful woods that cover their slopes home. And, traveling through the underbrush to see them in their natural setting is an exciting experience.
These forests are also home to the native Batwa people, whose culture and local history are fascinating to learn about. This wonderful national park’s attraction is only increased by the breathtaking scenery on display.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many national parks in Uganda. They are some of the best sure enough to offer tourists a safari for a lifetime.
There are other national parks in Uganda and you can visit them if you have more time. But these will give you a taste of everything from mountain gorillas, lions, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, birds, and a lot more.
