Uganda national parks pack an amazing amount of Africa into one small country. Winston Churchill called Uganda the “Pearl of Africa”, and you will soon see why. In just a few days, you can track mountain gorillas in misty rainforest, follow chimpanzees through tall trees and watch lions on open savannah. Then, you can cruise beneath one of the most powerful waterfalls on the Nile.
The country has ten national parks, and each one feels different. For example, Bwindi and Mgahinga protect gorillas in the far southwest, while Kibale is famous for chimpanzees. Meanwhile, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo offer classic game drives. All of them are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which also issues gorilla and chimpanzee permits.
At Roots Tours & Travel, Uganda is our home. We are based in Kampala, and we plan tailor-made safaris to every corner of the country. Below, you will find our guide to the parks we visit most. That way, you can compare them and pick the ones that suit you best.
Semuliki National Park feels like a slice of the Congo Basin inside Uganda. It lies in the far west of the country, in Bundibugyo District, on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The park borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Lake Albert to the north. The park covers about
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular safari park, and it is easy to see why. In one park, you can watch elephants and hippos on the Kazinga Channel, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and track chimpanzees in a hidden gorge. All of this sits below the jagged
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and one of its most exciting safari destinations. Here, the mighty Nile squeezes through a gap just 7 metres wide and plunges into a thundering gorge. Around the falls, open savannah teems with elephants, giraffes, lions and buffaloes. The park covers
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, but it packs in a lot. You can trek mountain gorillas, track golden monkeys, hike volcanoes and walk with the Batwa, all in one place. The park lies in the far south-west of Uganda, where the country meets Rwanda and the
Lake Mburo National Park is the closest savannah park to Kampala, and it is a great first or last stop on a Uganda safari. It lies in western Uganda, about 240 km from the capital, which is a drive of three to four hours. Covering around 370 square kilometres, it
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most remote and, for many travellers, its most rewarding wilderness. It lies in the far north-east of the country, in the Karamoja region, close to the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. In fact, many safari lovers rank it among the finest wild places
Every park in Uganda has its own highlights. So, it helps to know what makes each one special before you plan your route. Here is a short guide to the main parks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the top gorilla destination in Africa. This ancient rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it shelters around half of the world’s mountain gorillas. You trek with a ranger through steep, green hills until you find a gorilla family. Then, you spend an unforgettable hour with them. In addition, Bwindi is a paradise for birders, with many species found only in the Albertine Rift.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest park, yet it is full of character. It sits on the slopes of three volcanoes in the Virunga range, close to Rwanda and Congo. Here, you can track gorillas or go golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest. You can also hike a volcano or learn about the traditions of the Batwa people.
Kibale Forest National Park is the best place in Uganda to see chimpanzees. The forest is home to 13 primate species, including red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. After your chimp trek, you can join a guided walk in the nearby Bigodi swamp. It is a great spot for birds and monkeys.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular savannah park. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel takes you close to hippos, buffaloes, elephants and crocodiles. On game drives, you look for lions, leopards and herds of Uganda kob. Moreover, the Ishasha sector in the south is famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. Here, the Nile forces its way through a gorge just 7 metres wide, and the roar is incredible. You can take a boat ride towards the base of the falls and then hike to the top. North of the river, game drives reveal giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and, with luck, lions.
Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the remote northeast, near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. It is wild, beautiful and rarely crowded. The Narus Valley attracts lions, buffaloes, elephants and zebras. Kidepo is also one of the few places in Uganda where you may see ostriches and cheetahs.
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks. Even so, it is a lovely stop on the way to or from the southwest. It is the only park in Uganda where you can see impalas, and it is also known for zebras and elands. Because there are no elephants here, you can enjoy guided walks and boat trips on the lake.
Semuliki National Park sits in the far west, on the border with Congo. Its lowland forest is an extension of the Congo Basin. As a result, it holds many birds and animals that are hard to find elsewhere in East Africa. You can also visit the bubbling Sempaya hot springs.
You can go on safari in Uganda all year round. However, most travellers prefer the two dry seasons. These run roughly from June to September and from December to February. During these months, forest trails are less muddy, so gorilla and chimpanzee treks are easier. On the savannah, the grass is shorter and animals gather near water.
The rainy seasons usually fall from March to May and from October to November. Still, they have real benefits. For instance, the parks are greener and quieter, and the birding is excellent. Rain often comes in short afternoon showers, so you can still enjoy most activities. For more detail, read our guide to the best months for gorilla treks.
Most safaris start and end in Entebbe or Kampala. From there, the parks form a natural loop through the west of the country. For instance, many trips head north to Murchison Falls first. Next, they go south to Kibale for chimps and Queen Elizabeth for wildlife. Finally, they reach Bwindi or Mgahinga for the gorillas. On the way back, Lake Mburo is a handy last stop.
As a rule, plan at least two nights in each main park. Road journeys can be long, so this gives you time to rest and enjoy early morning game drives. If you are short on time, scheduled flights can link Entebbe with several parks. In addition, Bwindi and Mgahinga are easy to reach from Kigali in Rwanda.
To make planning easier, we have created sample itineraries. You can book them as they are, or we can adjust them to your pace and budget.
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based safari company and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). Our guides know these parks well. So, we can help you choose the right mix of gorillas, chimps and game drives for your trip. First, tell us when you want to travel and what you hope to see. Then, we will send you a clear, personal itinerary for free. Get in touch today and start exploring the national parks of Uganda.
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