Discover Uganda’s 10 Must-Visit National Parks — A Visual Journey
3 min readDec 14, 2024
If you are looking for a new travel adventure, then you should think about visiting some of the amazing national parks in Uganda. Here are 10 of the best you can visit for your next adventure.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: This is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda and it’s easy to see why. This park contains stunning scenery, including mountains, grasslands, crater lakes, and even volcanic craters. It is also home to a wide variety of animals, including lions, elephants, hippos, and leopards. If you are interested in bird watching, this is the place to be. More than 500 different species of birds call this park home.
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park: This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. If you visit, you will see some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. The park is home to the Rwenzori Mountains, which are part of the Virunga Mountains. Other features include glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, and Africa’s third-highest peak.
- Lake Mburo National Park: This park is a photographer and bird-lover’s dream. It is home to hippos, zebras, impalas, leopards, and 350 different species of birds. You can go boating on the lakes or enjoy the scenery while hiking.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: One of Uganda’s most remarkable destinations for visitors, Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Africa’s richest ecosystem. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to a wide range of creatures, including 348 types of birds, mountain gorillas, and 200 types of trees.
- Semiliki National Park: Semiliki is one of Uganda’s newest national parks, and its most famous feature is the Sempaya Hot Springs, where you can boil an egg in the 1000 degrees C water. But that’s not all. This park is also home to lowland tropical forests and some unique primates like grey-checked mangabeys and De Brazza’s monkeys.
- Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s largest national park is home to Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge. The park is home to a huge number of creatures and even features the “big four” — the elephant, lion, leopard, and Cape buffalo. If you’re on an adventure trip, this is the park to choose.
- Kibale National Park: Kibale National Park is considered one of Uganda’s most beautiful tropical forests. You’ll find chimpanzees and other wildlife here, making it a very popular safari destination. But if you go during the rainy season, be sure to bring your raincoat.
- Kidepo Valley National Park: Located near Uganda’s borders with Kenya and Sudan, the Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the country’s most isolated national parks. But it is well worth the long journey. This park is home to over 77 species of mammals and more than 475 species of birds. Plus, if you love a challenge, the park allows for game-viewing vehicle trips on dirt roads in any weather.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: This park is near the Kisoro region, so it’s best to hike in the area. It’s also home to the extinct volcanoes of the Mgahinga, which provide a stunning backdrop for your hiking trip. You’ll also find rare mountain gorillas, so be sure to keep an eye out for these majestic creatures.
- Mount Elgon National Park: Mount Elgon National Park is located on the Uganda-Kenya border. The mountain itself is the largest extinct volcano in the world. In this national park, you will see stunning flora and fauna. You can also explore the nearby hot springs and an ancient cave with cave paintings.