Uganda National Parks and Their Location.
Uganda, an East African nation, is famous for its impressive diverse and spectacular geography. Featuring over 10% of the world’s bird and over 50 % of primate species Uganda is considered to be a paradise for anybody interested in nature and willing to experience an adrenaline rush. It is also having several National parks; which provide an Inn insight to the country’s extraordinary natural endowment. Lets briefly talk about these national parks where you will be privileged to learn about the various national parks in Uganda, their attractions, and their information.
Murchison Falls National Park
Sited in north-western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area, and has an estimated area of 3,893km2. The park gets its name from Murchison Falls, through which the great Nile River drops to a gorge about 43 meters. Some of the animals that people can easily spot in this park include lions, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. Tourism activities that can be freely undertaken include game drives, boat cruises, and hike in order to view different ecological features of the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
In the same region of South Western Uganda, is another Uganda’s national park known as Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is situated over an area of 1,978 square kilometres and famous for wildlife and vegetation. The park has over 600 bird species, thus it will please bird watching enthusiasts. The activities include the game drives, canoe Experience on both Lake Edward and Lake George, the hiking trails that cut across the park’s scarps.
Kibale National Park
Located in southern part of Uganda the Kibale National Park is a natural paradise for anyone with a passion for primates. Having an area of about 795 sq kilometres the park contains over 1500 chimpanzees and other primates including gorillas and monkeys. The guided chimpanzee treks are a perfect way for visitors to able to interact with the chimpanzees in person.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Known globally as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the southwestern region of Uganda and rated among the most biologically diverse land on the world’s surface. With a size of about 330 km2, there are more that 400 mountain gorillas also other Stocks of other primates including chimpanzees and golden monkeys in this park. Tourist can participate on organized tours to hike in the forests in order to see these wonderful creatures.
Rwenzori Mountains National park
Covering more than 120kilometres of mountain range, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is situated in western Uganda. Located in a surface area of approximately 996 sq.km the park holds some of the highest altitudes in Africa; Mount Stanley, Mount Speke and so on. It seems that visitors are allowed to go hiking in order to discover the beauty of nature in the park as well as the beautiful flowers.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a small and beautiful park positioned in western Uganda occupying about 260 square kilometres. Over 350 bird or should actions include bird watching, game viewing, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and nature walks. Tour activities include game viewing drives, wildlife tracking on foot and nature guided walks, boat cruises in Lake Mburo.
Mgahinga National Park
refers to a Uganda national park situated in the South Western part of Uganda, on the border with Rwanda and DR Congo. It is one of the four national parks that are found in the Virunga Region. It occupies a total of an area of about 33.7 sq km of land and features diverse wildlife, including the world’s critical species of primates such as the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and bird species. This park is also famous for beautiful views such as volcanic cones, grottoes and valleys.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Situated in the north-eastern part of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most accessible National Parks within Uganda. Situated on a land size of 1442 square kilometres the park offers habitats to over 70 mammal species and over 500 bird species.
Semliki National Park
Semliki is one of the most remote national parks of Uganda that is placed in the west of the country. It is located in proximity to the town of Bundibugyo and it occupies a total area of 220 square kilometre. Some of animals include chimpanzees, gorillas as well as over 300 bird species are available in this park.
Mount Elgon National Park
This park is found in the eastern part of Uganda and World Biosphere Reserve that hosts Mt Elgon with several peaks exceeding 4000m. Located in the close proximity to the Mbale town, the park has an area of about 1279 sq. kilometre. The park offers a habitat to many different animals of which are the buffalo and several types of primates.
Therefore, the 10 national parks help in creating a conservation status of Uganda, and at the same time provide an opportunity for tourists and general public to gain wonderful experiences of the country’s natural environments. Starting from Rwenzori Mountains which is surrounded by snow to Kibale National Park that has numerous troops of chimpanzees among other attractions makes each park sacred. From primates to birds, from big game animals, the Uganda national parks offer it all to anyone interested.
Getting There
Uganda’s national parks are therefore easily accessible by road or air from such cities as Kampala or Entebbe. The country has more than one international airport and accepts flights from many global airline companies. Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Uganda national parks varies, depending on the traveller’s interests he or she has towards the parks. The best time to go is during the dry season that is December to February because there are less clouds and dust around to hinder a view of the many animals. There is always a small risk of flooding from March to May which is the wet season but the scenario is green with flowers in full bloom.
Accommodation Options
Tentatively, Uganda has made great strides in the accommodation sector in its national parks, ranging from campsites to up-market lodges or hotels. Most of the lodges provide guided tours and the activities may include game drives, nature trail hikes and water-crews on lakes or rivers.
All in all, Uganda’s ten national park are some of the best that you would want to visit in the world of conservation and wildlife tourism. These parks, have varied terrains, and the wildlife and other attractions that you are bound to come across no matter the park makes the trip a complete one whether you are a first-time traveller or a traveller on a lifetime journey through east Africa .
