Uganda is a country filled with wonders. It is an amazing destination with lots of striking features that will make an African safari a memorable and unforgettable journey! Discover the best of Africa’s wilderness only in Uganda’s most pristine national parks. Though the country doesn’t have grand scale national parks like Tanzania’s Serengeti or South Africa’s Kruger, a safari through Uganda takes you through wilderness areas of impressive beauty and dramatic landscape. From popular forest parks to savanna game parks, there are lots of amazing places to explore while on well-crafted Uganda safaris by different tour operators. For wildlife enthusiasts, here are 5 best wilderness national parks in Uganda that will leave you with lots of lasting memories. Each of these gets visitors on Uganda safari the best encounter at diverse wildlife species.
Murchison Falls National Park
The popular Murchison Falls National Park is situated in northwestern Uganda. It was gazetted in 1952 and expands up to 3840 square kilometers making it the largest of all the 10 national parks in Uganda. It is blessed with over 451 bird species including terrestrial and water birds, elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, warthogs, the iconic Murchison Falls and many others. Murchison Falls National Park is best to visit for game drives-day and night game drives, bird watching, hiking to the top of the falls, boat cruise, nature walks in Rubongo Forest, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest and due to its strategic location-you can combine your safari in Murchison Falls with rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This park is best to visit during the dry season (June, July, August, September and December, January, February) for game viewing, hiking and wet season (March, April, May and October, November) is ideal for bird watching.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo National Park is a lonely destinationset in extreme northeastern Uganda. It is one of the best wildlife safari destinations and if you are in search for that one off-beaten path sites in Africa then count Kidepo National Park a must to visit. Kidepo National Park is true wilderness paradise, offering visitors with authentic experiences. It is a home to over 475 bird species, big game including the African elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes as well as several antelopes.
Kidepo Valley National Park is best to visit for game drives, night game drives, bird watching, cultural tours, nature walks and others. It is best to visit this park for a safari during the dry season which begins from September to March and this is perfect for game viewing. December to February can be very dry but gets you the best of game drive. The worst weather is usually experienced in December, January, February and the best weather happens to be in September, October, November.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Another rewarding savanna national park to visit in Uganda is the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Located in western Uganda, it lies within a distance of about 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city. It covers an area of about 1978sq.kms making it Uganda’s second largest park. It consists of about 95 mammal species including two populations of lions including the tree climbing lions, African elephants, leopards, buffaloes as well as 10 primates including chimpanzees, crocodiles, hippos, over 620 bird species and others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is perfect for game drives, bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise and others. To have the best of your wildlife safari experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park is best to visit in the dry months of the year-June, July, August, September and December, January, February.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in southwestern Uganda. It was established in 1991 and in 1994, it was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site. Bwindi National Park consists or forms part of the vast and virgin Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-a dense rainforest where over half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas that live earth today are confined. It is also a home to more than 350 bird species, primates including chimpanzees, baboons as well as elephants and antelopes.
Bwindi National Park is a perfect place for you to visit to track mountain gorillas, hiking, nature walks, biking/cycling, bird watching, Batwa encounter and many more. To have the best of your gorilla trekking adventure, Bwindi National Park is best to visit during the dry season which begins in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February.
Kibale Forest National Park
For all primate lovers, a visit to Kibale National Park never leaves visitors in regrets. Kibale Forest National Park is set in western Uganda and it is largely comprised of a lush rainforest where over 13 distinct primates thrive including over 1500 chimpanzees, rare L’Hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus and many others. There are also over 350 birds to look out in this pristine national park including the rare African green breasted pitta. It is lovely place to track chimpanzees, chimpanzee habituation, birding, primate walk and other exciting activities.
Kibale National Park is best to visit for chimpanzee tracking during the dry season which begins from June to September and December to February.
Conclusion
Uganda has a network of ten national parks. There are more parks that are amazing ad well as wildlife reserves that you should consider visiting during your next holiday in Uganda. Other magnificent Ugandan Parks to visit in Uganda include Mount Elgon National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
