Top 5 Uganda National Parks for an Epic Experience

The top national parks are:

• Bwindi impenetrable Forest
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Murchison Falls Naitonal Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Lake Mburo National Park.

Have you ever wondered why Uganda is often referred to as ‘the Pearl of Africa?’ That’s because we have so much to offer. We don’t mean to brag, but we’re the best.

 

Imagine yourself face-to-face with a majestic silverback gorilla. Its gaze both powerful and serene. But also scary. Or maybe you prefer tracking the elusive chimpanzees through a lush rainforest canopy? Now that, is but a taste of the epic adventures that awaits in Uganda’s national parks.

 

This is your chance to experience the best of what Uganda has to offer.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Did you know that Bwindi Impenetrable has about half if not more of the world’s gorilla population? Damn right! 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is popular for the endangered species of mountain gorillas and several primates that make a visit to this wonderful place worth it. The name ‘Bwindi’ means Impenetrable, and its mist-covered hillsides are covered by one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests.

 

Nested in the southwestern part of Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is about 331 square km and is part of the Virunga mountain range, that runs into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and offers a unique ecological tapestry.

 

Bwindi Impenetrable borders the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, and then seamlessly connects to the vast Sarambwe Nature Reserve in DRC. 

Here are the main reasons why it’s so famous:

• Biodiversity: There are over 120 species of mammals that have been recorded here, and they include elephants, chimpanzees, and the black and white colobus monkeys. There is also a wide range of bird species  and that makes it a birder’s paradise.

• Scenic Beauty: The views in Bwindi are simply breathtaking, and stunning. This park is covered in dense rainforest with long bamboo forests at higher elevations. Here’s more, there are also valleys, waterfalls,  and mountain peaks.

I don’t know about you but spotting mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable is the crowning jewel of any Ugandan safari, and arguably the best and most thrilling wildlife experience in East or all of Africa.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Did you know that Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited in Africa? Queen Elizabeth National Park is commonly known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. It is  also Uganda’s most popular and is considered to be the best park in Uganda for wildlife viewing.

From the open savannah to the beautiful rainforest, dense papyrus swamps and the vastness of Lake Edward. It is no wonder that Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity rates of any game park in Africa. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park explodes and features one of Africa’s most dazzling displays of wildlife. Imagine spotting a majestic lion lazying around in the trees. That’s worth the trip, trust me.

Not to mention it is strategically located between the Kibale Rainforest (in the north) and the one and only Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the southwest. Queen Elizabeth should be at the top of your road trip itinerary if you’re a first-time visitor to Uganda. A logical sequence for your trip would be Entebbe/Kampala, Lake Mburo, Bwindi then Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and the rest follow. 

Murchison Falls National Park 

Here is another fun fact – Did you know that Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park? That’s right. It also features the strongest waterfall. If you ask me, its name doesn’t do this wonder justice. Oh, and it’s also a day’s drive from Kampala. It gets better, Murchison Falls also covers a large area of African savannah which, btw, is intersected by the River Nile. 

Did you know that Murchison Falls was named after the dramatic falls, where the Nile River violently breaks through a narrow gap, forming the beautiful and breathtaking falls? This park also features large herds of elephants, giraffes, and lions, buffalos.

• While at Murchison Falls, you can enjoy a boat safari from the Paraa Lodge jetty to the bottom of the Falls.
• You could even choose between diving (only if you go with a diver) or hiking to the top of the falls.

Kidepo Valley National Park 

Are you up for a trip to one of Uganda’s most remote and Africa’s last, but great wilderness safari? Then add Kidepo Valley National Park to the list of places you want to visit once in Uganda. It is located in the far northeast of Uganda and borders South Sudan. Kidepo is home to 500+ bird species and 77+ different mammals.

While a visit to the park is kind of a must, it is the thrilling sense of supreme isolation and experiencing nature that many animal enthusiasts enjoy more. 

Lake Mburo National Park 

Lake Mburo National Park is the closest to Kampala, which makes it an ideal first stop on a road trip if you’re heading towards Lake Bunyonyi or Bwindi Forest. This breathtaking landscape covers extensive acacia woodlands and is dotted with several lakes. 

Oh, and Lake Mburo is also the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. However, its size shouldn’t fool you – this park is home to nearly 350 bird species. Furthermore, it has zebras, defassa waterbuck, leopards, giraffes, impala, eland antelopes, buffalo hippos and hyenas. Here’s why you should visit Lake Mburu: 

• You can explore the park on a mountain bike 
• With a guide, you can enjoy night game drives, which is great for spotting leopards. 
• You can enjoy a horseback safari and get up close and personal with zebras. 

Bottom Line

With the incredible wildlife, and diverse landscapes, Uganda’s national parks promise an epic adventure. Start planning your dream safari and discover the magic of Uganda, the pearl of Africa. Do check out our next article about –  6 Must-visit Historical Sites in Uganda.