UGANDA, THE PEARL OF AFRICA

Uganda Destination Tours
Destination Uganda is a country full of contrasts with the Central African forests merging with the East African Savanna and open plains that sink beneath the great lakes in the Albertine Rift valley rising to chill the snow-capped mountain tops. The country offers excitingly varied tourist activities in the 10 national parks and 13 game reserves and other touristic places around the country. Here you can look out for the lions in the open savanna grasslands or fig trees of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National park before going further south to enjoy a shared cold lounge with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
For primate lovers you have a chance to encounter 13 primate species including the chimpanzees in the shady forests of Kibale national park or you can opt to spend an afternoon with the yawning hippos and crocodiles on the banks of the waters as you cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Love to see the world from heights? You can trek the 3 volcanic musketeers that make Mgahinga gorilla national park, the Elgon Caldera that is protected by the Mt. Elgon national park and the snowcapped but equator crossed Mt. Stanley in the Rwenzori National park.
Tick off some birds from the birders haven (Semliki national park) whose deep forest sit on the hot floor and enjoy driving in the vast semi-arid savanna plains of Kidepo Valley national park full of big game surrounded by a multitude of rugged hills to the thundering waters of the Nile as they force into a 6M gorge. All this make Uganda one of Africa’s most valid and memorable destination for safari seekers.
ABOUT DESTINATION UGANDA
- LOCATION OF UGANDA
- WEATHER AND CLIMATE
- LANGUAGE
- CURRENCY
- THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE
- PASSPORTS AND VISAS
- GETTING AROUND
- GETTING TO UGANDA
The 241038sqkm country is in Eastern Africa and bordered by other 5 countries which include Rwanda in the South West, Kenya in the East, D.R. Congo in the West, Tanzania in the south and South Sudan in the North. This makes Destination Uganda a land locked country since Kenya and Tanzania deny her a chance to access the coast.
The country’s lowest point is 621m at Lake Albert in the Western part of the country and the highest point is at Margheritta at Mt Stanley which is 5109m. Uganda has a concentration of inland water bodies which include lakes like Victoria (the largest), Albert, Edward, George, Kyoga, various crater lakes and also the world’s longest river- Nile.
Uganda is crossed by the equator and this gives the country a chance to experience a tropical climate. The country experiences two seasons (Dry and wet). The wet season is experienced in the months of March to May and September to November. December to February and June to August are dry however rain can’t be predicted mostly when visiting the rainforests.
Uganda has about 50 languages from the tribes but English is official language which Uganda inherited from the British colonialists and can be widely spoken. In 2005 Kiswahili was also added as an official language since it is also spoken by most of the East African Community countries.
The Ugandan Shilling is Uganda’s currency. It consists of Bank notes from 50000, 20000, 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and denoted in coins of 1000, 500, 200 and 100.For easy transactions travelers are advised to exchange their money from foreign currencies to Ugandan shillings. The US dollar is widely accepted at different facilities together with the British pound sterling, South African Rands and the Euros. Major facilities like shopping malls, hotels, airlines accept credit cards. Also cards like VISA and MasterCard.
Destination Uganda has 4 ethnic groups which include the Bantu, Nilotics, Nilo Hamites and the Hamites. The groups make over 40 dialects and all have different practices, cuisines, dress codes, dances and ways of living.
You need to navigate Uganda’s red tape to access the country. You must have a valid passport which you are sure it will not expire in 6 months. At the border or airport you present a health certificate showing that you had a yellow fever shot. A standard single entry visa to the country costs 50USD valid for 3 months. You can also opt for an East African Tourist visa that allows you to access Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya with a single visa that is if you are travelling to 2 or all of these countries. This can be bought in advance at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ or you can attain it upon arrival.
Most travellers book through tour/safari companies however there are different car rental services that can offer vehicles for self-drive. Also there are bus services that operate to different upcountry districts. While in the capital Kampala, one can use special hire/taxis like Uber, Motorcycles (Boda boda) are the easiest to navigate through the city heavy traffic and now with innovations like Safe boda, Uber, Jack boda, Taxify it is easy since they use apps.
Destination Uganda has 40 immigration points around its borders. These include Entebbe International airport (EBB) which is the country’s only airport at the moment and the major entry point by international travelers. However you can also use border crossing if you like overland safaris.
Airlines that operate in Uganda Include Uganda Airlines, Kenya Airways, Fly Dubai, Rwanda Air, Emirates, Ethiopians, Etihad Airways, Brussels, Egypt Air, KLM, South African, Airways, Jambojet.
WHAT TO SEE IN UGANDA
- KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
- MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
- QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
- KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
- MT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
- MT RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK
- SEMLIKI VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
- MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
- LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
- ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY
- SIPI FALLS
- LAKE BUNYONYI
- KAMPALA CITY
- NGAMBA ISLAND
- JINJA
Voted third best African park in 2013 by CNN Travel, Kidepo Valley National park is one of Uganda’s least visited parks. The park is in the remote and semi-arid northeast but it is unarguably Uganda’s secret gem and the true wilderness. Spreading to over 1442sqkm, Kidepo is Uganda’s third biggest park and is home to a variety of savanna big game and birds. The plains here are ringed by mountains which give the park a scenic landscape. Wildlife here regularly inhabit the Narus Valley which has a permanent water source unlike other area that are always dry and hot during the dry season.
Kidepo protects 77 mammal species second to Queen Elizabeth National park and here 20 of these species which include the bat eared fox, black backed jackal, aard wolf, cheetah, caracal etc. can only be seen here in Uganda. The park also hosts 5 species of primates.
The area was formerly occupied by the two groups of the IK and the Karamojong who moved when the park was taken up by the government. The IK moved to the 2750m mount Morungole and the Karamojong occupied the other areas.
The park has seen a rise in the number of wildlife among which Elephant numbers rose from 200 in 1990’s to over 600 now and the buffaloes have the largest individual population of about 10000. Other species include the warthogs, zebras, giraffes, reedbucks, dik-dik, Kudus, eland, oribi among others. The park hosts the second highest number of bird species with 470 species on its checklist and 60 of these are only in Kidepo and not it any other Ugandan park. These include the Clapperton’s francolin, Rose Ringed parakeet and a good number of raptors.
To do at the park include Cultural visits to the Karamojong and the IK, Game drives, Birding, Hiking, Nature walks, research.
Where to sleep. The park has less but growing number of accommodation facilities which include, Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, and Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp.
Bwindi is Uganda’s hotspot for tourism and most tours to Uganda are always deemed complete with a visit to the 331sqkm forest park in the rugged steep hills and valleys of Kigezi Highlands in the districts of Kisoro, Kanungu and Rubanda in the Albertine Rift Valley.
The famous activity here is gorilla tracking since the diverse fauna here includes the half population of the giant apes. The first group of gorillas was tracked in 1993 after the habituation process that started in 1991 at Buhoma which also doubles as the park headquarters and major trail head. Later other 3 trail heads were opened up at Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga which are all operational and each is a starting point to access one of the 19 gorilla groups available for tracking at the park.
The park is one of the most biodiverse parks in Africa with about 160 tree species, 120 mammal species which include over 500 individuals of mountain gorillas, 200 butterflies, 350 bird species that include 23 Albertine endemic species like the Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Narina Tragon and other species of reptiles, Amphibians. It is this diversity that was brought into account by International Union for Conservation of Nature- IUCN that made the park listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO IN 1994.
In the communities outside the park are cultural programs that offer a chance to interact with the Batwa pigmies who were settlers in the forest and were evicted to protect and conserve the forest. A visit to the centers where these programs are helps improve the welfare and also is a benefit from tourism to the communities and helps a lot in conservation.
To do list include Gorilla tracking, nature walks, birding, research, community tours
Where to Sleep. Each of the four sectors is served by a number of lodges from luxury, mid-range and budget.
At a point 45m high on the Nile River where the waters of the Nile River squeezes its self through a 7m gorge is where the park derives its name. The 3840sqkm (with other reserves that are under its conservation area) became a park in 1952 and this make its Uganda’s biggest conservation Area. The palm dotted park is bisected by the Victoria Nile into the Northern and southern sector.
The explosive froth of the waters make the most powerful waterfalls in the world and the “Rainbow” trade mark at the “Devil’s Cauldron” see while on the hike to the top of the falls.
Game viewing here is traditional with safari vehicles and boat trips on the Victoria Nile. The northern section is the savanna and filled with the big game and the southern part is more of Forest which include the Kaniyo Pabidi forest. The cruises to the bottom of the falls and the Delta offer remarkable sightings of the regular visitors to the riverbank which include hippos, elephants, waterbucks, crocodiles, buffaloes and resident water birds.
The park hosts 76 mammals which include lions, leopards, Uganda Kob, Oribi and the largest number of Rothschild’s Giraffes in the world among others, 451 bird species and the key bird species include the Denham’s bustard, Abyssinian ground hornbill among others.
To do while at the park includes Game drives, boat trips, Birding, Sport fishing, Hot Air balloon Safaris, Hiking to the top of the falls.
Extending to 1978km2, the former Kazinga National park is Uganda’s second largest national park. The Biodiverse Park is set on the floor of the Albertine Rift valley in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. The equator crossed park was renamed in 1954 two years after the visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth National Park has various ecosystems from grasslands, Forest, water and wetlands which accommodate 95mammals, 600 birds and other life.
The park is the most popular park and is a convenient add on to a safari for visitors to Kibale and Bwindi impenetrable National parks. The 40km long and 8m deep Kazinga Channel which connects the two lakes of George and Edward offers classic boat afternoon cruises to and from the Jetty at the Mweya peninsular past the visitors to the banks which include crocodiles, buffaloes, Kobs, elephant families, hippos, and variety of water birds which include the Spoon bill, Pink backed pelican, African fish eagle among others.
The major highlights in Queen Elizabeth National park are the drive in the Kasenyi plains and Mweya peninsular in search of the big cats and game watching, a walk into the 100m deep Kyambura gorge inside the park in search of chimpanzees and a drive to the small but bountiful Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions. The backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountain and dozens of crater lakes give one of the most beautiful scenery to the “Medley of wonder”.
Visitors to the park engage in game drives, boat cruises, exploring the expanse of Ishasha for the tree climbing lions, crater drives, chimpanzee tracking, Birding, community tours, research, salt mining tours and experiential tours.
Kibale national park is Uganda’s premier primate destination protecting 13 primate species on its 766sqkm forest habitat. The park was first gazetted as a forest in 1930’s and later upgraded to a park status in 1993.
Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity at Kibale forest block. This starts with an orientation at Kanyanchu Visitors Centre. Kibale National park is dominated by a forest but interspersed with grassland and swamp ecosystems making it have a diversity which boasts with over 351 tree species, 70 mammals which include Chimpanzees, Monkeys like the Vervet, Ugandan Mangabey, Black and white colobus, Blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s, and Olive baboons, elephants, Buffaloes, and nocturnals like the bush babies and galagos which can be tracked at night when the day residents are inactive.
It’s not only chimpanzees that are a great deal here, for birders the park offers superb forest birding with its 355 species which include the Green breasted pita, Nahan’s Francolin, Blue headed bee-eater among others. The Bigodi wetland sanctuary managed by the community is an extra for birders and the primate seekers and the board walk makes the activity easy through the swamp.
Visitors can engage in Chimpanzee tracking, birding, nature walks (day and night), butterfly identification, harping and community tours.
Mount Elgon National park is made of the on the 4321m high Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. The park is 1145 sqkm and the border with Kenya divides the mountain forming two National parks which protect flora and fauna in both countries. It is also a Trans-boundary conservation area and UNESCO has declared it a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
An 80km in diameter massive and extinct volcano with its vast rising from 3000m above the hot and dusty plains of Karamoja provide a cool respite for humans and a refuge for plant and wildlife. The park is home to large mammals like the rarely seen buffalo and Elephant, bush duikers, butterflies and about 300 species of birds plus the curious Afromontane plants peculiar to East Africa’s highest mountains.
The highest peak of Mount Elgon lie along the jagged rim that encloses a giant Caldera, 8km across. The ‘mountain of illusion’ tag derives from historic confusion regarding the true summit of the mountain. The Bagisu, a local tribe named their candidate as seen from their side of the Mountain as Masaba after their founding deity. European Climbers found Masaba to be a 4165m high volcanic plug on the Mountain’s flank lower than the Mubiyi peak at 4209m named after Masaba’s supposedly diminutive wife. Subsequent expeditions made cases for various high spots along the Caldera rim before the 4321m Wagagai, overlooked in the South west corner of the caldera rim was finally identified as the true summit.
To do at the park. Hike to the peak of the caldera, tick off birds off the checklist, visit Sipi falls, community tours, coffee tours.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border with the highest snow peak the third highest point in Africa. The lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and moist montane forest.The mountains on the Uganda side are under the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unfortunately due to global warming the snow has shrunk.
The high Rwenzori’s comprises several mountains with permanent snow and glaciers despite being a few miles north of the Equator. The highest is Margherita peak on Mounts Stanley (5,109m). Others are Speke (4,890m) and Baker (4,843m). The snow peaks can be reached by hiking the Central Circuit and Kilembe trails.
The park protects the highest parts of the 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori mountain range and is home to 70 mammals and 217 bird species including 19 Albertine Rift endemics, as well as some of the world’s rarest vegetation.
The mountain range measuring about 120 by 50km is a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination that takes nine- to twelve-day treks to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak. Shorter and non-technical treks are possible to scale other surrounding peaks.
On the hot floor of the Semliki Valley near the Congolese border is a 220sqkm forest that merges the extensive Congo forests the East African Savanna in the western side of the Rwenzori Mountains. The winding road on the steep slopes of the region down the valley make the trip to the park a breathtaking one.
Species in the park have been growing for years in this low land tropical forest across the valley floor giving the park a unique diversity. The diversity includes species that crossover from the Ituri Forest of Congo which gives a reason for many dedicated wildlife lovers who opt for this park in search these rarities. Semliki hosts 441 bird species and 35 of these are from the Guinea-Congo biome giving ornithologists a chance to swim in a variety of avi life. Also the park is home to 53 mammals of which 11 of these occur nowhere else in Uganda.
The Sempaya male and female hot springs boiling at 1030C are the iconic features that make the park famous. The hot springs are made of a geyser that spouts up to 2m just about 500m from the Sempaya Visitors Centre and a board walk through the swamp leads to a teaming pool (Male hot spring) at the far side after a walk through the old forest.
Activities; Nature walks, birding, primate watching, butterfly identification, visiting the local communities, Visit Sempaya hot springs.
Made of 3 mountains that are part of the Virunga Massif, the 33.7sqkm in the south west is Uganda’s smallest national park. The protected area incorporates the Congo and Rwanda Side on the 3 volcanoes. The park was established in 1930 as a gorilla sanctuary and gazetted in 1991 as a national park. Mgahinga sits high between 2227m and 4127m and protects a forest which inhabits the endangered mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys earning its self a tagline “where gold meets silver”. The extinct volcanoes make Mgahinga one of Uganda’s most scenic park offering views of Bwindi, parts of Northern Rwanda and sights of nearby towns in D.R Congo.
The park has one habituated gorilla family unlike the counterpart Bwindi which has a dozen plus. It is a great place for independent and private visitors, travelers who would like to challenge themselves on a day hiking adventure from above 2000m to 4000m and those who pick interest in golden monkeys.
The diversity in the park includes 76 mammals that include the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys (endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley), buffaloes, duikers and a birdlife of 115 species which include 12 Albertine endemics.
Mgahinga before was home to the forests first people “Batwa pigmies” who were fruit gatherers and hunters and after being gazetted they were moved and resettled outside the park. A community tour and a Batwa trail walk will give you a chance to get a piece if the ancient intellect owned by these people on the forest giving you the cultural significance of the forest.
Activities; Golden monkey tracking, Gorilla Tracking, Hiking, Birding, Batwa trail walk.
The scenic gem dominated by lakes and 20% of wetland surface is surrounded and restricted to the green hills of Nyabushozi county, Kiruhura district near Mbarara city. The 260km2 park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park.
Despite the ease to access the park (just 253km from Kampala and a few Kilometers off the Mbarara-Masaka Highway), many travelers have bypassed it because it is low on the count of the mammals that bring them down to Africa- the Big 5. The park has no elephants, it’s rare to see a lion and leopard though they have been sighted at the park but of recent the park has gained popularity and visitation from travelers who break on transfer to Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National parks or to Kampala.
Lake Mburo may be low on the heavyweights but it has excellent and not easily seen species in the country. It hosts the only population of impalas in the country, it is one of the two parks with Zebras in Uganda other wildlife species here include the Eland, defassa waterbuck, hippos, buffaloes, common duiker, mongooses, reedbucks, topi, oribi and hyenas. The park is rich with acacia and water birds counting up to 350 bird species that include the African Fin foot. In 2015, giraffes were introduced to the park from Murchison Falls National park as a way to control on the acacia that was taking over the park.
Unusually, the park can be experienced on a horse back, foot or on a mountain bike for active travellers and still the traditional ways of driving and watching game on vehicles and a boat safari on the lake.
Activities at the park include boat rides, birding, guided nature walks, horseback safaris, and mountain biking, game drives.
176km away from Kampala in the North is Uganda’s home to the only population of southern white Rhinos and was established in 2005 in Nakasongola for the reintroduction of Rhinos a project by Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Rhinos which were in Murchison falls national park came to extinction in 1980’s and the establishment of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary saw the glory of having Rhinos return to Uganda. The sanctuary started with a breeding population of 6 individuals and this grew to 19 in 2015 and now the sanctuary has over 31 southern white Rhinos.
Other than experiencing a trek to the rhinos on foot with an experienced ranger, the sanctuary also host about 20 other mammals that include the warthogs, waterbucks, monkeys and over 300 bird species all on the 7000 hectares of land. Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a major stop and add to safaris that go to Murchison falls national park.
Lying in the Eastern Part of Uganda- Kapchorwa in the Sipi valley, the waterfalls are phenomenal and lie on the edges of Mount Elgon where they pick their water as they flow and the Kenyan Border. The falls are a series of three prominent waterfalls on Sipi River that over the 3 basalt cliffs during its descent to the plains beneath. The longest drops as high 100m, second drops 75m below and has upper cascades before the plunge. The third waterfall plunges 85m and is tall and columnar.
A 277km drive to Kapchorwa will have you after reaching Sipi engage in abseiling, hikes to the falls, coffee tours with the help of local guides.
Encircling 29 islands, Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s best water front chill-out venue. Believed to be Africa’s second deepest lake after Tanganyika, Bunyonyi and its beauty deserve to be on your African travel radar. The lava dammed lake is 25km long and 7km wide and is located between Kisoro and Kabale districts in southwestern Uganda and is near Bwindi Impenetrable national park and this makes it easily visited together with gorilla tracking.
Bunyonyi translates to “A place of little birds” and being at the lake you always have company of over 200 bird species, spot necked otters and the crystal clear water for you to swim in. Bunyonyi is crocodile, hippo and bilharzia free.
Visitors to the lake can engage in swimming, zip lining across the lake, canoe cruises, community walks, boat cruises and island tours.
Ssekabaka Mutesa I, the former king of Buganda, had chosen the area that grew to become Kampala as one of his favorite hunting grounds. The area was made of hills and wetlands which were a breeding ground for a species of antelopes- Impalas in whose names the city was named Kampala (Area of Impalas). The impalas are no more in Kampala but can be seen in Lake Mburo National park. The city grew as the capital for Buganda Kingdom from which several building and kingdom property survive including the Kasubi tombs (built in 1881) now a World Heritage Site, the Lubiri palace, Buganda Parliament and Buganda Court of Justice.
Kampala was the city of seven hills but over time it has grown and covers a lot more. The earliest hills include Kasubi Hill, where there are the Kasubi tombs where the decade kings of Buganda are buried, Mengo hill where the Lubiri (King’s palace) is and it also has the headquarters of the Buganda court of Justice and the Lukiiko, Buganda’s Parliament. Kibuli hill which is home to Kibuli mosque where Islam started before spreading to all over Uganda, Namirembe hill which is home to Namirembe Anglican cathedral, Rubaga Hill where the Rubaga Catholic cathedral and was the headquarters for the White Fathers. Nsambya hill where there is Nsambya hospital and Kampala Hill also known as Old Kampala Hill where the ruins of Lugard’s fort are. It also is the seat of one of Africa’s biggest mosque and this is the hill where Kampala started to spread too cover hills now including Nakasero, Tank Hill, and Mulago among others.
The first time you enter Kampala and you are from a very organized city, one would wonder “how humans live in the city” because it’s like a maze, some visitors go ahead to ask how people living in the slums are able to locate their houses. Taxis horn noisily as Boda boda- Motorcycle taxis race at breakneck speed, Human traffic stomp the streets as the sun above melts you- you will need a hat. But this is not the definition of a city tour experience in Kampala, once you scratch, there is more than this. There is a lot to see whether you are a first time visitor or have been here many times. The city has impeccable eateries for local foods, historical sites, religious sites, art galleries and charm of attractions for a visitor to see.
Ngamba Island is surrounded by Lake Victoria and a home to about 50 orphaned chimpanzees that are rescued from traffickers and poachers and have less chances of surviving in the wildness when re-introduced at that moment of rescue. The sanctuary was established in 1998 to act as a home to these orphaned chimps and also to live out their lives due the impossibilities of returning them to their natural habitats as well as sensitizing both the tourists and the villagers about the importance of conserving the forest habitats of these highly rare but endangered species.
The 100 acre island has 95 acres which are forested and they provide a conducive are for the chimps and a wild feel. The forest is protected from the camp by an electric fence over which food is thrown to the Chimps from a raised platform. Visitors to Uganda who stay in Entebbe can do a day tour to the island via the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre where they board from.
Jinja lies in South Eastern Uganda about 87km from Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria near the source of River Nile and is the capital of Busoga Kingdom. In 1907, it was a fishing village and the name comes from the language of the two people (Baganda and Basoga) that lived either side of the Nile River. In both languages “Jinja” means “Rock” and in most African countries the Nile River would hinder migration creating ethnic boundaries.
Jinja has been named the adventure capital of Uganda because of being on the shores of Lake Victoria and near the source of the Nile River. River Nile has always been ranked by travel media and advisories as an outstanding hub for water adventure especially white water rafting and it being the world’s longest river (6853KM) it is among Africa’s seven wonders.
Nowhere else does adventure come alive like in Jinja and every year thousands of adventure seekers flock Jinja to get themselves a fix of some of the adrenaline activities like white-water rafting and tubing, Kayaking, quad biking, mountain biking and cruises on the Nile River. Experiencing the grade five whitewater rafting on the Nile River will beat you, challenge you and have you screaming for more and nothing will surpass it to stand on the brink of the Nile.
The Nile River is a classic river with deep and calm pools in between islands, powerful, and exciting rapids and different channels. In between the channels is where someone can take a dip or swim under the rays of the hot African sun and these islands allow the expert guides to make options for those not willing to subject themselves to dunking in the river.
KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Voted third best African park in 2013 by CNN Travel, Kidepo Valley National park is one of Uganda’s least visited parks. The park is in the remote and semi-arid northeast but it is unarguably Uganda’s secret gem and the true wilderness.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi is Uganda’s hotspot for tourism and most tours to Uganda are always deemed complete with a visit to the 331sqkm forest park in the rugged steep hills and valleys of Kigezi Highlands in the districts of Kisoro, Kanungu and Rubanda in the Albertine Rift Valley.
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Made of 3 mountains that are part of the Virunga Massif, the 33.7sqkm in the south west is Uganda’s smallest national park. The protected area incorporates the Congo and Rwanda Side on the 3 volcanoes. The park was established in 1930 as a gorilla sanctuary and gazetted in 1991 as a national park.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
At a point 45m high on the Nile River where the waters of the Nile River squeezes its self through a 7m gorge is where the park derives its name. The 3840sqkm (with other reserves that are under its conservation area) became a park in 1952 and this make its Uganda’s biggest conservation Area.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Extending to 1978km2, the former Kazinga National park is Uganda’s second largest national park. The Biodiverse Park is set on the floor of the Albertine Rift valley in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. The equator crossed park was renamed in 1954 two years after the visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Kibale national park is Uganda’s premier primate destination protecting 13 primate species on its 766sqkm forest habitat. The park was first gazetted as a forest in 1930’s and later upgraded to a park status in 1993.
Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity at Kibale forest block.
MT. ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Mount Elgon National park is made of the on the 4321m high Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. The park is 1145 sqkm and the border with Kenya divides the mountain forming two National parks which protect flora and fauna in both countries. It is also a Trans-boundary conservation area and UNESCO has declared it a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
The scenic gem dominated by lakes and 20% of wetland surface is surrounded and restricted to the green hills of Nyabushozi county, Kiruhura district near Mbarara city. The 260km2 park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park. Despite the ease to access the park , many travelers have bypassed it because it is low on the count of the mammals that bring them down to Africa- the Big 5.
RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border with the highest snow peak the third highest point in Africa. The lower slopes are blanketed in moorland, bamboo and moist montane forest.The mountains on the Uganda side are under the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
On the hot floor of the Semliki Valley near the Congolese border is a 220sqkm forest that merges the extensive Congo forests the East African Savanna in the western side of the Rwenzori Mountains. The winding road on the steep slopes of the region down the valley make the trip to the park a breathtaking one.
KAMAPALA CITY
Ssekabaka Mutesa I, the former king of Buganda, had chosen the area that grew to become Kampala as one of his favorite hunting grounds. The area was made of hills and wetlands which were a breeding ground for a species of antelopes- Impalas in whose names the city was named Kampala (Area of Impalas).
JINJA
Jinja lies in South Eastern Uganda about 87km from Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria near the source of River Nile and is the capital of Busoga Kingdom. In 1907, it was a fishing village and the name comes from the language of the two people (Baganda and Basoga) that lived either side of the Nile River.