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Uganda’s national parks are renowned for their diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and stunning landscapes, making the country one of Africa’s premier eco-tourism destinations. With ten officially recognized national parks, Uganda offers visitors the opportunity to experience its unique biodiversity and natural beauty. From the iconic mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the expansive savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the breathtaking peaks of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda’s parks cater to a wide range of interests.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Uganda’s most famous parks, covering approximately 331 square kilometers (128 square miles) of dense rainforest. It is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making gorilla trekking a bucket-list experience for many visitors. Beyond the gorillas, the park boasts an extraordinary variety of plants, birds, and other wildlife, adding to its ecological importance.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another highlight, offering a blend of savannas, wetlands, and lakeshores that support a remarkable array of wildlife. Covering 1,978 square kilometers (764 square miles), it is home to elephants, lions, leopards, and over 600 bird species. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector and boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel, which provide close encounters with hippos and crocodiles.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its dramatic landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and alpine vegetation. Spanning 996 square kilometers (384 square miles), the park attracts adventurous hikers and climbers who come to explore its challenging trails and unique flora and fauna. The park also supports endemic species and is an essential water catchment area for the region.
Despite their ecological significance, Uganda’s national parks face challenges, including poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, and encroachment from agriculture and settlements. Conservation efforts have been bolstered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which works alongside local communities and international organizations to implement anti-poaching initiatives, community-based tourism projects, and habitat restoration programs. The introduction of revenue-sharing schemes has helped to reduce conflicts by ensuring that local communities benefit directly from tourism.
Uganda’s national parks stand as vital conservation areas and major attractions for eco-tourism, offering unforgettable experiences while protecting the country’s natural heritage. By addressing ongoing conservation challenges and fostering sustainable practices, these parks continue to play a crucial role in preserving Uganda’s biodiversity and supporting its economy.
Below is an alphabetical list of the national parks in Uganda. You can review your favorite or explore them all and learn about the eco-diversity found throughout the country.
Uganda is home to a total of ten national parks. These parks cover a diverse range of ecosystems, including savannahs, forests, mountains, and wetlands, and are renowned for their rich biodiversity and iconic wildlife species.
The national parks of Uganda are a major draw for tourists and nature enthusiasts, offering opportunities for wildlife safaris, birdwatching, gorilla trekking, and other outdoor activities.
The largest national park in Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park. It covers an area of approximately 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 square miles). Murchison Falls National Park is located in northwestern Uganda and is named after the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the Nile River plunges through a narrow gorge.
The park is known for its diverse landscapes, including savannah grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests, as well as its abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Murchison Falls National Park offers opportunities for game drives, boat safaris, nature walks, and birdwatching, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists visiting Uganda.
The smallest national park in Uganda is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It covers an area of approximately 33.7 square kilometers (13 square miles). Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, near the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Despite its small size, Mgahinga is renowned for its significant population of endangered mountain gorillas, which inhabit the dense forests of the Virunga Mountains. The park also protects other primates, including golden monkeys, as well as various bird species and unique flora.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers gorilla trekking experiences, nature walks, and cultural encounters with the Batwa pygmy community, making it a popular destination for ecotourism and wildlife enthusiasts in Uganda.
The first national park established in Uganda is Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Established in 1991, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in the Rwenzori Mountains range in western Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its outstanding natural beauty and ecological significance.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows, as well as its rich biodiversity, including endemic plant species and rare wildlife such as the Rwenzori duiker.
The park offers opportunities for mountaineering, hiking, birdwatching, and cultural encounters with the local Bakonzo people, making it a popular destination for adventure tourism and nature enthusiasts in Uganda.
The most popular national park in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in the southwestern part of the country. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its population of endangered mountain gorillas, with nearly half of the world’s remaining gorillas residing within the park’s dense, mist-covered forests. Bwindi offers one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in Africa: gorilla trekking. Visitors have the chance to hike through the dense forest to observe these magnificent creatures up close. The park also boasts a rich diversity of bird species, making it a top destination for birdwatchers.
Approximately 10% of Uganda’s land area is protected through national parks and wildlife reserves, covering around 15,000 square miles (39,000 square kilometers). This network of protected areas is crucial for conserving Uganda’s unique ecosystems, from rainforests to savannas, and for safeguarding its diverse wildlife.
In addition to national parks, Uganda has several other protected areas, including wildlife reserves and forest reserves. The Budongo Forest Reserve, located near Murchison Falls National Park, is one of the most important reserves for chimpanzee tracking.
Uganda also has wetlands and game reserves, such as the Katonga Wildlife Reserve, which protects swampy habitats and supports a variety of species, including the elusive sitatunga antelope.
Mabira Forest Reserve, near Kampala, is another significant conservation area, preserving one of the country’s largest forests and its biodiversity.
Apart from its national parks, Uganda offers several natural attractions. Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and one of the primary sources of the Nile, provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and birdwatching.
Murchison Falls, located on the Nile River, is another major attraction where visitors can see the river squeeze through a narrow gorge before plunging into a powerful waterfall.
The Rwenzori Mountains, known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” are ideal for trekking and offer dramatic scenery, including glaciers, waterfalls, and diverse plant life.
Uganda is home to several species that are regionally significant, though not strictly endemic to the country alone. The Uganda kob, a type of antelope, is one of the country’s national symbols and is commonly found in Uganda’s savannas.
The Rwenzori three-horned chameleon is endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains. Additionally, Uganda’s forests are home to the endangered mountain gorilla and several unique bird species, such as the green-breasted pitta and African green broadbill, found in the montane forests.
Uganda’s main international airport is Entebbe International Airport (IATA code: EBB), located near Lake Victoria, approximately 25 miles southwest of the capital, Kampala. It is the busiest airport in the country and serves as the primary entry point for international visitors.
The following international airline companies fly into Uganda:
The national parks in Uganda are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves. UWA promotes eco-tourism and conservation, working to ensure the protection of Uganda’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.
Additionally, several international and non-governmental organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), collaborate with UWA on conservation initiatives.
More information can be found on UWA’s official website: https://www.ugandawildlife.org.
