Mostly hidden in Uganda’s beautiful corners are her 10
national parks displaying Africa’s best in terms of wildlife. When it comes to
nature, Uganda is largely blessed with stunning features both the landscape and
the drainage offering the best wildlife safaris in Uganda.
Fortunately, some of the national parks in Uganda are enclosed in the attractive mountain
ranges, alluring tropical and montane forests. Even the parks too encircle
various attractions like crater lakes, waterfalls, caves so many more.
Each national park in Uganda has different attributes that
attract different groups of travelers on Uganda
safaris. And the flagship of each park is its unique features and
activities that are not easily found in any other place except that park. Also
the accessibility, accommodation and other accompanying tourism facilities
determine which park to visit and not.
These factors have caused a total imbalance in the number of
visitors doing game safaris in Uganda
to these parks. Some parks receive even more travelers than their carrying
capacity where as some barely receive tourists.
Therefore while on your safari
in Uganda, which national parks should you consider first? These are the
five most visited national parks and the reasons for their ranking.
Queen Elizabeth national park. This is undeniably the most visited park in Uganda because of its
premier wildlife. Located in the southwestern region of the country, Queen
Elizabeth Park covers approximately 1978 square kilometers.
The park encompasses diverse ecosystems like the sprawling
savanna, humid forests, sparkling lakes, shady and fertile wetlands which form
perfect dwellings for over 95 mammal species, 10 primate species including
chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
Queen Elizabeth national park also encloses dozens of epic
crater lakes in its rolling hills all creating an impossibly amazing scenery
that will emotionally catch your sight. A launch cruise at the Kazinga channel
exposes tourists to banks lined with hippos, elephants and buffaloes.
The most unique flagship of Queen Elizabeth national park
are her tree climbing lions found in the ishasha sector; the most sought
species here in the world. Also encounter with various wildlife species like
the warthogs, jackals, bushbucks, lions, elephants, hippos, buffalos, antelopes
and many others not forgetting the chimpanzees
in Kyambura gorge.
Besides the natural part of the park, also the cultural encounters in Queen Elizabeth
are extremely awesome. Tourists have many opportunities to meet the local
people and also experience the way of life in the local communities.
In terms of distance, the park’s proximity to Uganda’s
capital Kampala together with the good connecting roads have made this park the
most visited park in Uganda.
Bwindi impenetrable
national park is the second most visited park in Uganda. It is popularly
known for its ultimate gorilla trekking
experiences that cannot be got anywhere else in the whole world.
Positioned at the extreme southwestern border of Uganda and
Congo, in the Virunga ranges, Bwindi impenetrable national park homes over 400
mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s remaining total population of
these endangered species and they are the main attractions here. It covers a
total land area of 331 square kilometers of both montane and tropical forest harboring
over 600 bird species, forest elephant, and reptiles like snakes and other
primates like monkeys.
Visitors on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda also get a chance to encounter with the ancient
Batwa pygmies, and explore their way of living. Learn about the ancient local
herbs and how they used to hunt with an arrow and bow. A taste of the Batwa’s
local cuisine is also guaranteed except to the ones who don’t want to have one.
Unlike other parks, Bwindi’s proximity to Queen Elizabeth national
park makes it so easy for travelers to transfer from one park to another,
providing a full packaged tour experience. Indeed one can’t fail to have an
awesome Uganda tour in Bwindi
impenetrable forest national park.
Most visitors on wildlife safaris in Uganda, undoubtedly
also yearn to explore Murchison Falls
national park. This is the largest park in the country with a total space
area of 3840 square kilometers sitting on the shores of Lake Albert in the
northwest of the country.
This park is popularly known for its focal point; the Murchison
falls which is the world’s most powerful waterfall. Water falls about 45 meters
down through a gorge to form these fall. The park also has various wildlife
species summing to over 70 mammal species and over 300 bird species. Spot the
lions, bushbucks, warthogs, jackals, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes
and many others on a game drive in Murchisonfalls national park.
The cultural encounters especially with the Basongola women
group is an experience of its own that all travelers shouldn’t miss. For adventurous
tourists, Murchison falls would really be the best recommendation.
Kibale national park
comes fourth on the list. This is the true primate capital of Africa with over
300 chimpanzees. Almost 80% of the best chimp trekking in Uganda is done here. Just at the edge of the park there is the
Bigodi community which also offers amazing cultural encounters to visitors.
It’s the second closest park to Kampala after Lake Mburo
national park, and its strategic position to Bwindi and Queen has increased its
number of visitors. Are you a primate lover? Spend only one day trekking the
chimps in Kibale national park and you will never face any regrets on your Chimp safari in Uganda.
Lake Mburo national
park is the smallest park in Uganda covering
only 370 square kilometers. It is conveniently located close to the Kampala
highway connecting to the western region of the country. The park’s diverse eco
system homes 350 bird species plus impalas, eland, zebra, buffalo, oribi, topi,
hyenas, antelopes and other wildlife species.
Lake Mburo is said to be the best place to spot the leopard
on night game drives. Visitors in this park also enjoy an amazing launch cruise
while viewing the beautiful scenery of the park. For the birders, it’s simply a
paradise.
Its convenient location that is very close to Kampala and
way between the popular western parks of Queen and Bwindi has positively
impacted on the number of its visitors.
If you ever plan a wildlife
trip in Uganda, those top five best national
parks of Uganda should be on your itinerary for supreme experiences.
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