Uganda National Parks at a Glance

Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, Uganda Travel, uganda safaris

The park is located in the extreme west of Uganda in Bundibugyo District. It lies along the Uganda and Congo Border within the western arm of the rift valley. It hosts the Sempaya hot springs of 130 degrees C ,a pool of 12 meter diameter oozing boiling water.

Rwenzori National park gorilla Trekking, Uganda gorilla tour to Mountain Rwenzori

The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5,1OO metres. Here are the legendary 'Mountains of the Moon a World Heritage Site - and these incomparable, beautiful, mist-shrouded peaks provide a unique backdrop to one of our most magnificent national parks. In the centre of the range, which boasts Africa's third highest mountain, some of the peaks carry permanent snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forest. Walking trails on the lower slopes do not call for mountaineering experience; although the higher you go the fitter you need to be. Excellent walking routes, including the Bujuku circuit, are provided through wonderful and unique scenery.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda has been glorified for having one of the highest biodiversity of any game park or reserve on planet earth. The history of the park has it that as early as 1925, the number of elephants was more than that of the villagers and as such, the incovenience of destroying crops and other property was paramount.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most spectacular in Uganda, and indeed in the whole of Africa. This is the largest game park in the country (3,840 sq.km.) and has the most intense concentration of animals along the river. Here is the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the River Nile hurls itself in appalling convulsions through a narrow crevice and then plunges 40 metres in one breathtaking leap.

Mountain Elgon National Park, Sipi falls exploration, Mt Elgon Climbing

Mountain Elgon has been an extinct volcano that first erupted more than 24 million years ago. With the largest surface area of any extinct Volcano in the world (50km by 80km), Mount Elgon is the fourth highest mountain in East Africa, with the second highest peak in Uganda (Wagagai peak, 4321 m). It contains the largest intact caldera, a collapsed crater covering over 40kms at the top of the mountain, surrounded by a series of rugged peaks.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

This is the smallest national park and it covers an area of 36 sq km and it was established in1991.It is the Ugandan part of the Virunga National park but with rare species. It is in the far south west of Uganda in Kisoro. It may be small but it is arguably considered as the most panoramic park. It is found in the extreme Southwestern corner of Uganda that borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. It includes parts of Muhavura, Mgahinga and Sabino Volcanic Mountains. The summit of Muhavura has a small crater lake and forms the highest point (4127m) in the Park. The summit areas are dominated by wort and dwarf heath vegetation.

Lake Mburo National Park

Two brothers, Kigarama and Mburo lived in a large valley. One night, Kigarama dreamt that they were in danger. When he awoke the next morning, he told his younger brother Mburo of his dream and said they should move. Mburo ignored this advice, but Kigarama wisely moved up into the hills.

The valley flooded and a lake was formed, drowning Mburo. Today the lake is named after him, and the hills are called Kigarama after his brother.
The word mburo is similar to the mboro, the Runyankole name of the cassine tree which has a powerful aphrodisiac effect.

Kidepo National Park, Uganda Safari, Kidepo Bird Watching

Kidepo is one of the most spectacular parks in Uganda (1,344 sq.km). The Park possesses scenery unsurpassed by any other park in East Africa. In the vast panorama you can take on a safari to watch a constant parade of wildlife: elephant, zebra, buffalo, countless antelope and over 200 species of birds. As Kidepo Valley is quite remote, it is easily the most tranquil park. Tucked into the corner of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, the Park contains sensational mountain and savannah landscapes. The Northern section of the Park is currently closed due to insecurity in Sudan.

KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

It is located south of Fort portal, at an altitude of about 1,230m above sea level. The forest covers an area of about 760sq km and is divided into seven zones for management purposes, research, natural reserve, civic-cultural, recreation, harvest, community and protection. Kibale Forest National park is one of the most gorgeous and marvelous Forest in Uganda. It is the most popular habitat for the closest living relative to man that is; the endangered Chimpanzee and even the colobus monkeys with the l'hoesti monkey. This park has one of the highest numbers of primate in Africa totaling to around 13 species with blue monkey, red tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkeys(which is the emblem of Kibale national park ) bush babies, grey cheeked mangabey and pottos.
In general, this park puts emphasis on conservation, sustainable utilization and non consumptive use of the forest. Kibale forest national park has got nature trails into the forest.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi Impenetrable national park covers an area of about 331 square kilometres with an altitude Range of Approximately 1160 metres (Ishasha gorge) and 2607 metres (Rwamunyonyi Peak). It receives an annual Temperature Range of 7-20 degrees Celcius the coldest Period being June-July Annual Precipitation is 1130 mm - 2390 mm and it experiences the heaviest rains in March-April and September - November other months being generally dry. Majority of the local people living around the park are Bakiga and Bafumbira, and it constitutes the densest settlements in Uganda, ( 233 people/ square kilometers )

Bwindi is a home to 326 gorillas, almost a half of the worlds population of mountain gorillas. It has about 120 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates and about 30 elephants.
There are about 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This Afro -montane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines, shrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur no where else in Uganda.