THE NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDA TO VISIT
Queen Elizabeth : Queen Elizabeth
National park boasts of one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any
game park or reserve in the world, almost 100 mammal species and 600
bird species. Elephants, Hippos, the elusive giant forest hog, the
Uganda kob and the famed tree-climbing lions, among others are found
here. The Park is 6 Hours drive from Kampala through Mbarara. Activities
include game viewing and launch trips.
Semliki Valley : This
is an extension of the vast Ituri rainforest in the Democratic Republic
of Congo and is situated in the Semliki Valley in the remote corner of
the extreme west of Uganda in Bundibugyo District. Named after the
Semliki river that forms the Uganda border with DR Congo, it is 300 KM;
an approximately 5 hours drive from Kampala via Fort Portal and Mubende.
Activities included primate, bird and scenery viewing and the famous
Sempaya hot Springs. The Park has a wide range of mammals from the
elephants and chimps to the Brazza's monkey and pygmy antelopes.
Murchison Falls : Located
in northern Uganda, this is the largest game park in Uganda, covering
3840 sq KM. It is covered mostly by untamed African Savannah and is
bisected by the River Nile. The highpoint is the spectacular Murchsion
Falls where the mighty Nile explodes violently through a cleft in the
rift valley escarpment.
It
is a 3 hour drive from Kampala on the Gulu highway. Activities included
game viewing, bird watching, chimp tracking and launch trips. Murchsion
falls is also home to the largest concentration of wild animals
including elephants, hartebeests, giraffe, buffalos, crocodiles,
antelopes and countless birds, many of which can be seen grazing or
basking in the sun along the banks of the River Nile, not far away from
the spectacular Murchison falls after which the park is named.
Kidepo Valley : Isolated
from mainstream Uganda by the harsh plains north of Mt. Elgon, Kidepo
is one of Africa's last great wilderness areas. It harbours a large
number of animal species (66), 28 of them found nowhere else in the
country. Activities included game viewing, bird watching, hiking and
cultural performances. But it is the thrilling sense of isolation that
distinguishes this rare slice of wild Africa as yet undiscovered by the
mass safari market. It is 810 KM from Kampala and can be reached by road
and air.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest : Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest National Park, located in south western Uganda,
is home to half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. It is
famous for Gorilla tracking. The park is 534 KM from Kampala and can be
reached through Kabale or Rukungiri by private or public road transport.
The drive takes 10 hours, Charter flights can be arranged to Kayonza
Airstrip.
Kibale Forest :
Located in western Uganda, Kibale Park is 322 Km (6 hours driving) from
Kampala. It can be reached by road either through Fort Portal or
Kasese. Kibale is home to 13 primate species including chimpanzees,
man's closest relative. Other activities included bird watching and
nature walks.
Lake Mburo : The
Park is covered by extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has a markedly
different Fauna from other parks and reserves. Named after Lake Mburo,
the park is 230 KM (4 hours driving) from Kampala on the Mbarara
highway. It is the best place to see the gigantic eland antelope as well
as zebras, topi and impala. The five lakes within the park also have
many hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds.
Mgahinga National Park : Located
in the extreme south-western Uganda that borders Dr. Congo and Rwanda,
Mgahinga Park covers 33.7 sq Km. It is 510 KM from Kampala through
Kabale. Mountain Gorilla tracking is the major activity. Small
populations of elephants, leopards, buffaloes, the black and white
colobus monkeys and at least 12 bird species are found here. It is a
spectacular setting at the base of the Volcanoes, the tallest of which
reaches 4.507 m.
