A guide to Uganda’s National Parks
Uganda is well known for this title the pearl of Africa which is rather a beauty to reckon with. The geography of the country is diverse with thick tropical forests, and large savannah areas and this makes the wildlife to be as diverse. This guide looks at the most visited national parks in Uganda and the aspects that make each park an amazing place to visit.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be regarded as the most famous park in Uganda; however, this park is famous and popular not only in Uganda but also in the whole world. It is renowned for having some of the best populations of mountain gorillas in the world in the southwestern part of Uganda which is listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where you can be privileged to see these giant beasts up close. You get a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority and you and your guide head into the jungle to meet a family of gorillas that are eating leaves, branches, or even bamboo. It may take a few hours to almost a day to be able to trek to the gorillas, and when you get to see them, these creatures stand at 7 feet (2. 1 m) when they are on their two legs and with arms that are 3 feet (0. 9 m) long, it makes the cost of the permit seem almost worth it.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen of Uganda’s parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park beckons tourists through its beautiful sceneries as well as the various animals. This western Uganda park is one of the largest covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers and is famous for the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Kazinga Channel which is found in the park is simply stunning and stretches through the length of the park and is inhabited by many animals as well as bird species, water animals and fish that you would want to take as many photographs as you can for keeps. Roaming or lazing in the sun lions, elephants, hippos and many other forms of life that have evolved over ten thousand of years are a great form of living beauties in this place.
Murchison Falls National Park
The biggest of the Uganda’s national parks is the Murchison Falls National Park which occupies an area of over 3,840 square kilometers. It is named after the Murchison Falls through which the great Nile River flows and plunge through a 7 meter wide gorge. It harbors some of the biggest beasts like the lion, the elephant, the leopard, the buffalo and the rhinoceros popularly known as the Big Five. Boat safaris to the base of the falls offer spectacular view of the falls as well as animals that flock around the area. The northern area of the park is recommended for game viewing drives. Thus, from the hot air balloon one is not only able to distinguish the park as a flat area but also as a physically rich landscape vertically.
Kibale National Park
Situated in the western part of Uganda Kibale is the perfect park for those who love primate cruises. This conservation area is blessed with a sizeable population of chimpanzees; the exact figure being estimated to be about 1500 in the wild. This activity ranks high on things to do in the park because one may get a chance to track these great apes. Anyone with even the slightest interest in the natural world should not miss it. Other monkeys that can also be seen in Kibale include the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey alongside the always mischievous olive baboons.
Lake Mburo National Park
Size wise, it is relatively small with an area of 370 square kilometers and is one of Uganda’s most popular parks. Nevertheless, it presents a different and quite rich fauna experience. Other animals that are hosted in the park include zebras and impalas which are not common in other Ugandan parks. Furthermore, it is among the only a few places in the country where you can be privileged to spot elands which are the largest type of antelopes in Africa. Other activities include the game drives, the boat cruises on the Lake Mburo as well as the guided nature walks. The fact that this particular park is not very large and has rather an open territory makes it a perfect place to watch the wildlife.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Nestled away in the far northeastern region of the beautiful country of Uganda is the magnificent Kidepo Valley National Park; one of the last true wilderness of Africa. Kidepo valley is one of the most beautiful regions with steeped mountain and vast plains that are suitable for a large number of animals. Kidepo is also one of the most isolated parks in Uganda and situated about more than ten hours’ drive from Kampala the Uganda capital city. Because of this isolation, coupled with the fact that the park is rather uninhabited, Kidepo is a classic backcountry establishment. Since Kidepo is still off the beaten path for most tourists, the game drives and guided walks are done in the park without having to see other tourists.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The “Mountains of the Moon” that are situated in western Uganda and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site are officially known as Rwenzori Mountains National Park. For those who can’t get enough of the visual beauty of the mountains, this park is a must visit as it boasts of snow capped peaks, glaciers and valleys. Snow and ice also Grace Margherita peak, the highest point of Rwenzori Mountains which is at an altitude of 5119m/16763ft. The major activities include trekking and mountain climbing and several trails are available for different categories of climbers. The central circuit of the park takes about seven days to hike and apart from the picturesque sceneries of the peaks, one is also able to explore the Rwenzori’s diversity.
The wildlife perspective in Uganda’s national parks is as good as those of other East African countries’ parks at a relatively cheaper rate. However, for the best experience, it is advised that one visits the parks during the dry season coinciding with the wildlife’s activities. Wildlife in Uganda’s national parks is seen well during the months of December to February and June to September with the most convenient weather for hiking and driving in the game. So put on your most comfortable pair of shoes and do not forget to carry your hat and sun screen lotion. Clothes that are light in weight are ideal for the early part of the day as well as the later part of the day with a good amount of strengthening insect repellent.
