List of National Parks Travel 2 Uganda goes to Print

Queen Elizabeth : Queen Elizabeth National park boasts of one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, almost 100 mammal species and 600 bird species. Elephants, Hippos, the elusive giant forest hog, the Uganda kob and the famed tree-climbing lions, among others are found here. The Park is 6 Hours drive from Kampala through Mbarara. Activities include game viewing and launch trips.

 

Semliki Valley : This is an extension of the vast Ituri rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is situated in the Semliki Valley in the remote corner of the extreme west of Uganda in Bundibugyo District. Named after the Semliki river that forms the Uganda border with DR Congo, it is 300 KM; an approximately 5 hours drive from Kampala via Fort Portal and Mubende. Activities included primate, bird and scenery viewing and the famous Sempaya hot Springs. The Park has a wide range of mammals from the elephants and chimps to the Brazza's monkey and pygmy antelopes.

 

Murchison Falls : Located in northern Uganda, this is the largest game park in Uganda, covering 3840 sq KM. It is covered mostly by untamed African Savannah and is bisected by the River Nile. The highpoint is the spectacular Murchsion Falls where the mighty Nile explodes violently through a cleft in the rift valley escarpment.

 

It is a 3 hour drive from Kampala on the Gulu highway. Activities included game viewing, bird watching, chimp tracking and launch trips. Murchsion falls is also home to the largest concentration of wild animals including elephants, hartebeests, giraffe, buffalos, crocodiles, antelopes and countless birds, many of which can be seen grazing or basking in the sun along the banks of the River Nile, not far away from the spectacular Murchison falls after which the park is named.

 

Kidepo Valley : Isolated from mainstream Uganda by the harsh plains north of Mt. Elgon, Kidepo is one of Africa's last great wilderness areas. It harbours a large number of animal species (66), 28 of them found nowhere else in the country. Activities included game viewing, bird watching, hiking and cultural performances. But it is the thrilling sense of isolation that distinguishes this rare slice of wild Africa as yet undiscovered by the mass safari market. It is 810 KM from Kampala and can be reached by road and air.

 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, located in south western Uganda, is home to half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. It is famous for Gorilla tracking. The park is 534 KM from Kampala and can be reached through Kabale or Rukungiri by private or public road transport. The drive takes 10 hours, Charter flights can be arranged to Kayonza Airstrip.

 

Kibale Forest : Located in western Uganda, Kibale Park is 322 Km (6 hours driving) from Kampala. It can be reached by road either through Fort Portal or Kasese. Kibale is home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees, man's closest relative. Other activities included bird watching and nature walks.

 

Lake Mburo : The Park is covered by extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has a markedly different Fauna from other parks and reserves. Named after Lake Mburo, the park is 230 KM (4 hours driving) from Kampala on the Mbarara highway. It is the best place to see the gigantic eland antelope as well as zebras, topi and impala. The five lakes within the park also have many hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds.

 

Mgahinga National Park : Located in the extreme south-western Uganda that borders Dr. Congo and Rwanda, Mgahinga Park covers 33.7 sq Km. It is 510 KM from Kampala through Kabale. Mountain Gorilla tracking is the major activity. Small populations of elephants, leopards, buffaloes, the black and white colobus monkeys and at least 12 bird species are found here. It is a spectacular setting at the base of the Volcanoes, the tallest of which reaches 4.507 m.