Spread in the East, west, north and south, Uganda boasts of 10 national parks with unique and unspoiled vegetation cover, mammals and birds. Thousands of visitors annually visit to find peace, have fun and uncover Mother Nature; with primates, birds, four of Africa’s Big 5 and primates. Any or all these should be your ideal destinations for a honeymoon, picnics, family vacation, primate trekking, adventure, summer / winter break or nature photography among others. Below are some of the major national parks in Uganda;-

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; Ultimate Gorilla experience!

Home to the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world; Bwindi is located at the foothills of the vast Virunga chain of Mountains, in the southwestern region of Uganda. This is one of Uganda’s most visited national parks, with about 350 birds, over 400 individual mountain Gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest mammals.

The park is divided into four sectors namely; Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Rushaga. At the park, engage in Gorilla trekking, cultural adventure, bird watching, and a guided nature walk.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; where gold meets silver!

This is one of the smallest parks in Uganda, covering approximately 33 sq. km of land. Mountain gorillas, the rare golden monkeys and many more primates, birds and forest monkeys call the misty jungle home. Mgahinga is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, at the foothills of giant Virunga chain of mountains, next to Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park offers a thrilling Batwa forest experience, cave exploration, birding, guided nature walk and chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking.

Queen Elizabeth National Park; Medley of Wonders!

This is the most visited park in Uganda, gifted by a beautiful landscape, swamps, savanna plains, forested gorges, magnificent Kazinga channel and crater lakes. The park is in the southern region of the country and is most popular for the rare tree-climbing lions.

Wildlife viewing is done within Kasenyi sector and during a boat cruise on Kazinga channel, whereas there are also well-established birding and nature walk trails. It has one of the highest concentrations of bird species. The park’s extension of Kyambura underground forest offers an amazing opportunity for chimpanzee trekking and primate viewing.

Murchison Falls National Park; The world’s most powerful waterfalls!

Located in the southeastern part of Uganda; Murchison Falls national park is one of the Must-visit destinations in Uganda. It is located approximately 305km from Kampala – the capital of Uganda. The park is famous for the most powerful waterfalls on earth, the Murchison Falls, which squeezes its water through a 7 meter gorge to the Nile.

This has paused one of the most spectacular sceneries in the world. The falls and Budongo forest area in the south, whereas game drive and other activities take place in the northern section. There are six gates, variety of mammals, birds and vegetation. Activities offered include; day and night game drive, boat cruise, guided nature walk, bird watching, hot air balloon safari, top of the falls visit and a guided nature walk among others.

Semuliki National Park; True Birders haven!

Semuliki is a diverse paradise in the south, overshadowed by the great snow-capped Mount. Rwenzori. Over 441 bird species call the park home; about 230 being forest residents, about 80 are central African species and variety of migrants. There are also a variety of mammals, unique plants and reptiles.

Deep in the forest, you find the Dwarf Hornbill, yellow-throated nicator and many more. The same destination is amazed by the magnificent Sempaya hot springs, where you can boil an egg to the point of getting ready.

Kidepo Valley National Park; True African Wilderness!

One of the most breathtaking wildernesses in the continent of Africa is here. It is located in the far ends northeastern part of Uganda, neighboring the republic of South Sudan.  A game drives through the Narus valleys and other parts offer a great chance of spotting some rare mammals and birds such as the ostrich, cheetah, stripped hyenas, Aardwolf and the rock lions among others. The Karamojong live around the park and entertain visitors through stories, community walk and dances.

Kibale Forest National Park; Primate Capital of the world!

This park is located in the south, Kibale forest National Park sprawls through a 795 sq.km of land and is most famous for its primates. Over 13 unique species have been recorded, more of the chimpanzees, rare white and black colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and grey-checked monkeys.

The main activity in the park includes chimpanzee trekking, bird watching and a guided nature walk. Visitors also go to the nearby Bigodi swamp for its impressive bird population.

Lake Mburo National Park; whispers of the wild!

This is the nearest destination to the capital Kampala, just a three to four-hour drive. It is located along the great rift, a few kilometers from the Equator. The park is dominated by different Antelope species, notably the Impalas and Topis. Other residents include zebras, Bushbuck, Cape Buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Hippos and crocodiles among others.

Mount. Rwenzori National Park; Mystical challenge!

Also known as the Mountains of the moon, it is one of the most gifted National Parks in the western part of Uganda. It is snowcapped, and towers to 5,109metres above sea level.it has glacier-carved valleys, giant lobelias, groundsels, afro-alpine rift plants, collared mosses and an amazing montane wonderland. Encounter the three-horned chameleons and have a 5-7 day hike to the summit.

Mount. Elgon National Park; The World’s largest caldera!

Mountain Elgon is situated in the eastern region of Uganda. It is reported to be one of the oldest volcanic mountains in the continent of Africa, surrounded by forest cover, plantations, and caves. The park offers hikes Wagagai summit through the caldera, Sipi falls expedition, and so much more.

Uganda’s ten national parks offer a perfect safari adventure. The entrance fees range from 35-40 USD for foreigners and 10,000ugx to 20,000ugx for Ugandan and east African nationals.