PARKS IN UGANDA

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular savanna park in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions; making it the perfect destination for adventurers. This park was named after the Queen of England following her visit in 1954. Its size is around 1800 square kilometres, home to over 600 bird species. Making it the perfect destination for wildlife photographers and Birding enthusiasts. It is also home to at least 10 Primate species such as the chimpanzee and other incredible animals. Thought there are many other attractions to be found inside the park such as 

• The Kazinga Channel (home to a large number of hippos, Nile Crocodiles, elephants and hippos)
• Kasenyi Plains (home to a very large number of antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, lions and several large predators)
• Lake Katwe Salt works (learn and observe the traditional method of salt mining)
• Mweya Peninsula (perfect game drives, views and tracks)
• Kyambura Gorge (deep valley with peculiar is home to a large number of primates)
• Kalinzu Forest (Perfect location for Chimpanzee trekking)
• Katwe Explosion crater Lakes (sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, Lake George and Edward.)

This Particular National Park is located towards the Southwest of Uganda. Its been dated back 25,000 years, making it one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. In 1942 it was gazetted as the ‘Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve’. Then ‘Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’ in 1922. In 1994 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site. Fun fact; the word ‘Bwindi’ actually means ‘Impenetrable’ as well.

There are about 400 varied plant species to be found as well as exactly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas (300+ mountain gorillas). In addition to the impressive mountain gorillas there are also over 300 bird species and more than 200 species of butterflies, 300+ species of trees, ten of which are only found here in the entirety of Uganda. Attractions found here are;

• Gorilla Trekking
• Birdwatching (hundreds of bird species to discover. The River Ivi Trail is perfect for this)
• Nature Walks (Habinyanja, Kashasha river, Bamboo and Muzabajiro trails)
• Waterfalls (Munyanga River Falls, Kashasha River and Ndego waterfalls)
• Cultural Interactions (Interact with locals like the Batwa people, visit Rubuguri Village and the Buniga Forest)
• Mountain Biking (this is possible around/in the Buhoma Sector)

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is located on the shores of Lake Albert, in northwest Uganda. First Gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 then becoming a national park in 1952. It is both the oldest and largest park in Uganda spanning around 3900 square kilometres. There are many activities and sights to be seen such as the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, where the Nile squeezes through a small gorge creating a beautiful and unique rainbow. Murchison Falls is Blessed with over 500 bird Species including the Shoebill, plenty of Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibious animals to discover. This National Park is great all year round. Notable Visitors of this park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemmingway and the British Royals. Murchison Falls National Park has many attractions including;

• Budongo Forest (great for Chimpanzee trekking)
• Victoria Nile & Lake Alberta Delta (Birdwatchers alley)
• The River Nile (Boating, fishing, photography, etc.) 
• Paraa (‘Home of hippos’)
• Boomu Village (Learn of the culture and traditions. Stay overnight in a traditional African hut)

Ruwenzori Mountains National Park

The Rwenzori mountains National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. Mr. Henry Stanley was the one who placed the Rwenzori on the map in May,1888. labelling it Ruwenzori, a local name which he believed to mean ‘Rain-Maker’. It was then gazetted in 1991 then again, a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994. This park is mostly famous for mountaineering, trekking, hiking and climbing safaris, boasting Africa’s third highest peak named the ‘Margherita Peak’ on Mt. Stanley. A 78-year-old, Ms. Beryl Peak, is currently the oldest recorded person to reach this peak. The park hosts 70 mammals, over 200 bird species and some of the world’s rarest Flora. Some other attractions to see are;

• Margareta Peak (highest point of Mt. Stanley at 5109 Meters)
• Mount Baker (Peak at 4,842 Meters)
• Lake Mahoma & Bujuku Lake
• Bulemba Bulemba Houses (Remains of the first King of Rwenzururu Kingdom)

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is the smallest park in Uganda measuring just 33.9 square kilometers. Founded in 1991, as it is one of the few places mountain gorillas are found. As well as being home to Golden Monkeys, elephants, buffalos, forest frogs, bushbucks, etc. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains and surrounds three inactive volcanoes (Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Gahinga, and Mt. Sabyinyo). In altitude the national park ranges from 2,227 to 4,127 m (7,306 to 13,540 ft). Other Attractions Available are;

• Gorilla Trekking (Nyakagezi and Hirwa Groups)
• Batwa Pygmy People (Last remaining members of the endangered Batwa Pygmy tribe)
• Garama Cave

Kidepo National Park

Kidepo National Park is located in the north-east of Uganda, close by the borders of South Sudan and Kenya. It extends across 1,442 square Kilometers. The park was gazetted in 1962. Kidepo’s remote location makes it Uganda’s most isolated national park as well as Uganda’s third largest national park. Only Queen Elizabeth National Park contains greater biodiversity. Other attractions include;

• Lomej Hills (A great viewing point for Birding and wildlife)
• Namamukweny Valley (A valley in the North west filled with many bird species)
• Lonyili Mountain (Home to primates such as the Colobus Monkey)
• Kidepo River 
• Kanangorok Hot Springs (A place to see exceptional views of the landscape)

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in the Western Region of Uganda. The park is named after Lake Mburo, which is one of the five lakes found within the park’s limits. The park is only 260 square kilometers, being the smallest of the Uganda’s savanna National Parks. It was originally gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area and upgraded to a game reserve in 1963. Then upgraded to a national park status in 1983. Lake Mburo is notably blessed with over 315 bird species and probably the best place to view acacia-associated birds and other wildlife.

Mt. Elgon National Park

Mt Elgon was once Africa’s highest mountain, far higher than the Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. Millennia of erosion has reduced its height to 4,321m, dropping it to the 4th highest peak in East Africa and 8th on the continent. At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. It is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mt. Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321m Wagagai Peak, but the descent into the vast 40km² caldera. Attractions at this park includes;

• Kitum Caves 
• Sipi, Sasa and Piswa Trails (hike to Tutum Caves, Kapenguria hills and Nandi hills)
• Nkokenjereru Ridge
• Jackson Pool and Jackson Peak