Discover All 10 National Parks in Uganda – Wildlife, Gorillas & More
Uganda is nature’s playground. Lush forests, volcanic mountains, and rolling savannas meet rare wildlife in one of Africa’s most biodiverse destinations. With ten national parks scattered across the country, Uganda is a goldmine for travellers seeking raw, unfiltered beauty.
Each park offers something different. From the misty slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains to the roaring Nile in Murchison Falls, every journey reveals another layer of the Pearl of Africa.
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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is a dense rainforest in southwestern Uganda. It’s famous for one thing: mountain gorillas. Over half of the world’s remaining gorillas live here. Trekkers move through tangled vines and steep ridges, inching closer to these great apes.
The park also shelters 120 mammal species and 350 bird species. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site due to its ecological importance and unmatched biodiversity.
Best for: gorilla trekking, birdwatching, hiking.
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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth lies between Lake Edward and Lake George. It’s Uganda’s most visited park and home to tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Herds of buffalo, elephants, and antelope graze the savannahs.
Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel offer close views of hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife. Crater lakes and volcanic cones dot the landscape, making the park both scenic and rich in wildlife.
Best for: Game drives, boat cruises, scenic views.
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Murchison Falls National Park
This is Uganda’s largest national park. The Nile River slices through it before exploding through a narrow gorge to form the thunderous Murchison Falls. That raw power defines the park.
Wildlife roams in abundance. Expect to see giraffes, elephants, leopards, lions, and hundreds of bird species. Nile boat safaris bring visitors face-to-face with hippos, crocodiles, and the falls themselves.
Best for: Waterfalls, big game viewing, and birding.
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Kibale National Park
Kibale sits in western Uganda and holds the title of primate capital of East Africa. Over 1,500 chimpanzees live here, along with 12 other primate species. The forest is dense, humid, and alive with sounds.
Chimp trekking is the main activity. Visitors follow expert trackers into the forest for close-up encounters. Forest elephants, bush pigs, and duikers hide in the undergrowth.
Best for: Chimp trekking, forest walks, primate tracking.
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Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo lies in the Ankole region, not far from Kampala. It’s Uganda’s smallest savannah park but packs variety into its compact borders. Unlike others, Lake Mburo has no elephants, which means safer walking safaris.
Zebras, impalas, elands, and hippos dominate the scene. Acacia woodland, swamps, and lakes offer ideal habitats for birds and reptiles.
Best for: Walking safaris, cycling, birdwatching.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga shares borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s part of the larger Virunga Volcano range. One habituated mountain gorilla family lives here, offering more intimate trekking experiences.
The park also protects golden monkeys, unique to the Albertine Rift. Volcano hiking draws adventurers looking to summit Mount Sabinyo, Gahinga, or Muhabura.
Best for: Gorilla and golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking.
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Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The “Mountains of the Moon” rise from western Uganda. Rwenzori’s jagged peaks and glaciers attract trekkers from around the world. Mount Stanley’s Margherita Peak, the third highest in Africa, presents a true alpine challenge.
Beyond climbing, the park holds a variety of plant zones, rare birds, and mammals. Mist clings to the slopes, giving the park an almost otherworldly feel.
Best for: Trekking, alpine climbing, high-altitude biodiversity.
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Semuliki National Park
Semuliki is a rainforest tucked in the western rift valley. It feels more Central African than East African. The park features lowland tropical forest, warm swampy plains, and hot springs that bubble from underground.
Birdwatchers flock to Semuliki for species found nowhere else in East Africa. Primates, including baboons and vervet monkeys, swing through the trees.
Best for: Birdwatching, cultural visits, hot springs.
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Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon straddles the Uganda-Kenya border. It’s an extinct volcano with the world’s largest volcanic caldera. Gentle slopes and cool highland air make it ideal for hiking without extreme altitude risk.
Caves, waterfalls, and bamboo forests line the trails. The mountain supports many mammals and over 300 bird species, including the endangered lammergeier.
Best for: Trekking, caves, waterfalls, cultural interaction.
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Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is Uganda’s most remote national park. Located in the northeast, near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya, it offers raw wilderness few places can match.
Expansive savannahs and rugged hills stretch for miles. Lions perch on rock outcrops. Ostriches roam the plains. Giraffes and cheetahs thrive in this semi-arid landscape. Few visitors reach Kidepo, so solitude comes guaranteed.
Best for: off-the-beaten-path safaris, scenic isolation, predator sightings.
Plan Your Ugandan Safari
Uganda’s national parks go beyond typical safaris. You will find rainforest trekking, volcano climbing, waterfall cruising, and rare wildlife watching. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, each park tells its own story.
Most parks are accessible by road or domestic flights. The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the best wildlife visibility. Book gorilla or chimp permits early—they sell out fast.
Uganda is ready. Just bring your boots, your camera, and a sense of wonder.
