Uganda is one of the best destinations in East Africa and is dubbed the Pearl of Africa. It is popular for its scenic landscapes and diverse natural wonders, including the Source of the Nile River, rich wildlife, and unique cultures. The world’s second-largest freshwater body, Lake Victoria, also lies in Uganda, making it an exceptional destination. As a destination, Uganda promises captivating experiences for nature lovers to appreciate. Culturally, Uganda has a composition of 56 tribes, each holding distinct cultures, traditions, and cultural heritage worth sharing.
Geographical Location of Uganda in East Africa
Uganda is found in East Africa and is set astride the Equator. It is one of the few countries in the world that is crossed by the Equator and enjoys favorable weather conditions that make it an all year round destination. Its eastern and western borders are mainly marked by mountains. Uganda, as a country s surrounded by Kenya in the East, South Sudan to the North, then Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Best Places to Visit in Uganda
Below are the 10 National Parks and other destinations to explore in Uganda. Each of these destinations comprises unique attractions and experiences for you appreciate on a safari in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is Uganda’s premier destination, home to about 500 mountain gorillas and many other attractions. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was created 34 years ago (1991) and is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is popular for its amazing encounters, especially with mountain gorillas and other attractions. The key highlights to expect on a visit to Bwindi Forest include gorilla trekking.
Beyond mountain gorillas, Bwindi’s rich biodiversity also comprises a range of other animals and birds. Other wildlife includes forest hogs, colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, side-striped jackals, red-tailed monkeys, African golden cats, sitatungas, bushbucks, baboons, forest elephants, reptiles, and amphibians.
About 350 bird species also reside in Bwindi Forest, including different Albertine Rift endemic species. The key birds to identify include Grauer’s broadbill, African green broadbill, handsome francolins, regal sunbirds, Chapin’s flycatchers, and more.
Kibale National Park
Explore Kibale National Park in Kabarole district, Western Uganda, which is also home to 13 primate species. Kibale National Park is a naturally endowed tropical forest park and offers captivating primate encounters. A visit to Kibale is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the jungle and witness the diverse primates plus birds. The diverse primates present in Kibale comprise over 1500 chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, red-colobus monkeys, pottos, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and l’hoest monkeys, etc.
Kibale also supports other diverse animal species, including sitatungas, warthogs, bush bucks, buffaloes, duikers, forest hogs, African civets, and golden cats. The park holds a total of 375 species of birds, including the rare birds such as Kandt’s waxbill, masked apalis, African green-breasted pittas, oriole finch, and others.
The safari activities to expect in Kibale include chimpanzee tracking, forest and nature walks, birding, and chimpanzee habituation experience.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park to experience the best of Uganda’s wildlife and birdlife. This park contains diverse ecosystems ranging from savanna to lush forests, plus lakes & wetlands. It is endowed with over 95 mammal species, 600 species of birds, and other animals. The diverse animals present in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, bush pigs, bushbucks, topis, and sitatunga. Aquatic life in this park comprise Nile crocodiles, hippos, while primates mainly consist of the red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, and colobus monkeys.
Queen Elizabeth National Park promises thrilling wilderness experiences including game drives, launch or boat cruise, bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, and others.
Murchison Falls National Park, home to mighty falls and abundant wildlife
Explore Murchison Falls National Park, which is set in the district of Nwoya, Masindi, Northwestern Uganda. This is Uganda’s biggest park and holds the highest concentration of wildlife, plus birdlife. Murchison’s special attractions include the Murchison Waterfall, wildlife that range from 4 of the big 5 (leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, & lions), crocodiles, hippos, Rothschild giraffes, hartebeest, waterbucks, and Uganda Kobs. Murchison Falls National Park is also home to different primates such as chimpanzees, olive baboons, and colobus monkeys.
About 451 bird species also reside in the diverse habitats in Murchison, including goliath herons, shoebill storks, saddle-billed storks, and African fish eagles. The safari activities that await you include game drives, launch cruise, birding, chimpanzee tracking, and hiking to the top of the falls, etc.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Explore Kidepo in the Karamoja sub-region, Northeastern Uganda. This is Uganda’s 3rd largest park and holds abundant wildlife, including 4 of the big 5 game: giraffes, zebras, bat-eared foxes, cheetahs, and over 475 species of birds. It is also surrounded by scenic and rugged mountains, including Mt. Morungole, which stands at an altitude of 2750m; Mt. Lonyilli and Lomej Hills. The only available water sources to the park include the Narus and Kidepo Rivers.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Located in Southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is a special destination you should expect to explore. It is Uganda’s smallest park but comes with a range of attractions such as golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, 3 Virunga Volcanoes –Sabyinyo, Gahinga, & Muhabura. While in Mgahinga, expect to indulge in the number of unique experiences such as birdwatching, mountain gorilla trekking, volcano hiking, Batwa cultural trail, golden monkey tracking and habituation.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is situated in Western Uganda, Kiruhura district and comprises mainly savanna dwellers. Lake Mburo alone is blessed with abundant wildlife including hyenas, zebras, topis, cape buffaloes, elands, giraffes, baboons, warthogs, hippos, leopards, and elands. This is the best park in Uganda to encounter a range of antelope families and also interesting birds.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park lies in Eastern Uganda and is endowed with unique wildlife and birds. This park is home to buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, duikers, leopards, spotted hyenas, bush pigs, Oribis, and hyraxes. Over 300 species of birds also exist in this park and include the endemic lammergeyer.
Semuliki National Park
Explore the wonders of Semuliki, home to 53 species of mammals and 441 bird species. The lush Semuliki National Park contains wildlife such as leopards, forest elephants, hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, and flying squirrels. Other animals to explore in the Semuliki National Park include chimpanzees, DeBrazza’s monkeys, Mona monkeys, bush babies, waterbucks, red-tailed monkeys, and bush pigs.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Lying in Western Uganda, Rwenzori National Park holds a diversity of attractions, including wildlife and the legendary Rwenzori Mountains. The different animals that you should expect to find in this park include the Rwenzori otters, elephants, giant forest hogs, colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, plus buffaloes. To bird enthusiasts, expect to explore different endemic birds such as golden winged sunbirds, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, handsome francolin, Rwenzori turacos, and giant lobelias.
When to visit Uganda
When planning a tour to Uganda, it is important to take note of the ideal time to enjoy your activities. The dry season (months) is notably the best time for you to go for game viewing or chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, and that is from June to September or December to February. To those who love birding, the off-peak months are the best (March-May/October-November)-these being the breeding/nesting season and also an ideal time for you to spot migratory birds.