BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO site nestled at the age of the western rift valley in south western Uganda.
The park is renowned for inhabiting over half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorilla population.
Bwindi was gazzeted as a National Park in 1991 and declared as a UNESCO site in 1994 after the habituation of the first gorilla group (mubare group) in Buhoma. Currently there are fifteen habituated groups tracked from four sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. This gives a chance to tourists to get up close to the gorillas without congestion.
This park itself has a wide area of 321 km2. its altitude of 2607m above the sea level enables it to have a colder temperature of 70C-200C throughout.
Bwindi impenetrable national park was ranked in top 5 national parks in May 2007.
Your visit to Bwindi impenetrable national park rewards a face to face encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas accompanied with a bunch of other wildlife species after the park being a home of 320 butterfly species, 51 reptile species, 357 bird species and 120 mammal species inclusive of several
primates among the chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys and the star of the show- the Mountain gorilla.
Besides the gorilla trekking activity, you can do other activities around the park. These include; nature walk, bird watching, community walks, visiting the pygmies (batwa)who are believed to be the forest legends and the oldest tribe in Uganda.
Their vibrant culture, lifestyle, entertainment will blow your mind. Their life history about their life and relationship with the mountain gorillas in the park is truly fascinating.
A safari in Uganda without gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park remains incomplete and a gorilla safari in Uganda without the Batwa cultural experience is still considered as incomplete.
Best time to visit Bwindi forest is in the dry season June to September and December to late February
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s most visited national park renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, incredible biodiversity, spanning savannah, wetlands and tropical forests hence a great reward to a wide range of safari experiences.
The park’s main significance icon are the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector.
Queen Elizabeth national park has lived for about 99 years as of 2024 being one of the oldest national parks in Uganda after being gazetted in 1925 as lake George and lake Edward wildlife reserve but was later in 1952 upgraded becoming one of Uganda’s oldest national parks.
Besides the presence of East Africa’s largest climbing lions’ population, the tourists also have a chance to see 4 of the big five animals, Namely, African cape buffaloes, African savannah elephants, Lions and Leopards. Queen Elizabeth national park is also a home of wild chimpanzees spotted in Kyambura gorge.
Queen Elizabeth national park has 95 more mammal species than any other park in Uganda, over 600 bird species.
Must do activities in Queen Elizabeth national park include Game drives, nature walk, visiting the Equator and a boat cruise at Kazinga channel is the best option to have an immersive afternoon in the park. This activity guarantees a close encounter with huge schools hippos as close as 2M away rested along the banks, crocodiles, huge flocks of fishing birds. The channel is also a refreshment center for other big mammals like elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes etc.
The park consists of many crater lakes inclusive lake katwe where Salt mining is carried out from.
Queen Elizabeth national park is crossed by the 0° latitude equator which allows tourists to simply stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere of the world and the other in the southern hemisphere.
The park sits on an area of 1978 km².
The best time to visit Queen Elizabeth national park is not specific, the park is visitable all year round.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
This Uganda’s largest national park is famous for it’s most powerful falls in the world where the Nile Plunges 45 meters through the narrow gorges with a width of 7 metres into the devil’s cauldron.
This Dramatic waterfall is the park’s main actor of the show and the surrounding environment is teaming with wildlife.
The park was first gazetted as bunyoro and gulu wildlife reserve in1962 and was later upgraded to form one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952.
Murchison falls national park inhabits a wide range of wildlife encounters among over 555 bird species which include the Albertine Rift Endemic birds, over 144 mammal species, 51 reptile species, and 51 amphibians.
The park also harbors various primate species including over 800 chimpanzees with habituated families in budongo forest. Other primates are the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, among others.
A visit to Murchison falls national park offers you a chance to meet the big five on breathtaking game drives, except the white rhinos that are tracked separately at Zziwa rhino sanctuary enroute to Murchison falls national park.
Other attractions and activities are Nature walks, spot fishing, boat cruise on the Victoria Nile that offers a close encounter with the nile crocodiles and witnessing the flow of the Nile waters, Top of the falls hike offers stunning panoramic views of the park and the Nile.
The best time to visit Murchison falls national park is the dry season in june to September and December to late February.
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Kibale national park is located in western Uganda in Kabarole district. It is a home of 13 primate species inclusive of the largest chimpanzee population (over 1500 chimpanzees).
The park’s lush tropical forest also harbors red colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys and grey checked manga bays.
Chimpanzee trekking is the front cover of any visit to Kibale national park offering a chance to spend a full hour on a face to face encounter with these intelligent and social primates in their natural habitat.
Beyond the large series of various primates, the park is also a center of a wide range of bird species. There are 372 bird species in Kibale national park including the six that are endemic to the Albertine region namely, Black-capped apalis, collared apalis, blue headed, sunbird, and red faced woodland, webler. There’s a rare opportunity to meet with other large mammal species like the elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs etc.
Best time to visit; dry season ( June – September)
KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
For those seeking the off-the beaten safari adventure, Kidepo valley national park in North eastern Uganda bordering Kenya and South Sudan is a hidden gem.
Remote and rugged, Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park offering unspoiled wilderness and incredible wildlife sightings.
The park is a home of an abundant wildlife including elephants, zebras and the rare cheetahs. This park was first gazzeted as a game reserve and upgraded to national park status in 1962.
The park is settled on an area of 1442 km2 and lies 2750m above the sea level.
Besides the furthest distance from Uganda’s capital, Kidepo’s road access is quite not good. The roads will demand a 4-wheel drive vehicle and fueling stations are not present in Kidepo but as we have always known that bad roads always lead to the most beautiful destinations, the experience is amazingly thrilling. The roadtrip before the park entry through the stunning Landscapes and beautiful slums isore than just a bonus. The park offers the most incredible game drives.
The climate of Kidepo valley national park is semi-arid with only one rainy season throught the year (April– September)
Attractions and Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park include the scenic game drives, nature walks around Apoka rest camp coming with a chance to spot zebras, hartebeests and reedbucks and longer walks to through the open grasslands lead to giraffe, lion, buffaloes and Elephant sightings. All walks inside the park require a ranger guide. Beyond the large mammals in the vast savannah, the park is a home of many birds 9 over 475) second to Queen Elizabeth national park with 604 species. birds are easily encountered on almost every activity.
Mountain climbing lovers are highly hospitalized by a hike to morungule mountain which rises from the plains to the north east Apoka.
Alternatively, you can take a local community walk to the Karamojong tribe traditionally pastoralists, tourists can visit their homesteads, enjoy their unique kind of dances and take a look at their crafts. You can also visit the Ik tribe Uganda’s most isolated tribe with the smallest population.
Best time to visit Kidepo Valley National Park is December to March.
In conclusion, Uganda’s diverse landscapes and unique wildlife make it worth being the pearl of Africa and one of the top African safari destinations.
Whether you are a tracking the majestic primates in Bwindi and Kibale, marveling at the power of Murchison falls or exploring the remote wilderness of Kidepo, these must visit safari destinations offer extra ordinary opportunities for wildlife encounters, immersive nature and culture experiences.
Start planning now with Visit Uganda-the Pearl of Africa to have a memorable safari experience.