What are the Top National Parks in Uganda?

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The Top National Parks in Uganda

The Ultimate Guide to Uganda’s Best National Parks for Safari

This East African destination has gained a reputation for its thriving chimp and gorilla populations, found in Kibale and Bwindi National Parks. But there’s much more to this dynamic country, best experienced on WT’s Uganda safari tours. As one of the biodiversity capitals of the world, Uganda will have you doing everything from spotting the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo) at Queen Elizabeth National Park to cruising the Nile Delta at Murchison Falls National Park.

best parks in uganda

Kibale Forest National Park

This lush rainforest is one of the world’s primate capitals, with more than a dozen species inhabiting its towering trees. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best places for chimpanzee trekking due to population size and habituation, allowing visitors to observe them closely without disruption.

When to Go

December to February, June to September

Reasons to Visit Kibale Forest National Park

Trek for chimpanzees. Discover humans’ most closely related animals as you witness them play, hunt, and groom in ways that aren’t that different from us, often from just a few feet away.
Don’t overlook Kibale’s other primates. With over a dozen species of primates, more than any other park in Uganda, Kibale has more than just chimps. On treks, spot grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and multiple colobus species during the day, and nocturnal species like pottos and galagos at night.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Mountain Gorilla Safari | The Ultimate Uganda Safari | Uganda Private Safari

best parks in uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set between the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and hippo-filled Lake Edward, Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered one of the most diverse havens in the world for its landscapes that range from savanna and wetlands to volcanic craters. It’s also Uganda’s most popular park—visitors who come for an African safari here might see its famed tree-climbing lions and 600-plus species of birds.

When to Go

December to February, June to September

Reasons to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spot tree-climbing lions. The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of two places in Africa where you can spot lions lounging in trees, a behavioral adaptation that researchers believe is a way to stay cool, escape fleas, and survey for prey.
Take a boat safari along Kazinga Channel. This 20-mile freshwater channel between Lake Edward and Lake George is an incredible vantage to spot wildlife, including water buffalos, Nile crocodiles, more than 100 species of water birds, and one of the largest concentrations of hippos in the region.
Go birdwatching. Some 600 bird species have been recorded in Queen Elizabeth National Park, more than any other park in Africa. Head to Lake George to spot the rare saddle-billed stork, the Kasenyi Plains for a chance at grey crowned cranes, and the swamps of the Ishasha sector for sightings of the shoebill stork.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Mountain Gorilla Safari | The Ultimate Uganda Safari | Uganda Private Safari

best parks in uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its biodiversity, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for its dense, mist-covered forests and being one of the last refuges of endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking through the park’s rugged terrain to observe gorillas is a bucket-list adventure.

When to Go

June to September, December to February

Reasons to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Come face-to-face with gorillas. It’s one of the world’s incomparable experiences: tracking wild mountain gorillas in Bwindi. On WT’s Mountain Gorilla Safari, we spend two days tracking gorillas here with an expert guide—the experience of sitting near a silverback and its family is unforgettable.
Witness rich biodiversity and unique flora. Along with being home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a crucial habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, much of which is endemic. The park has the highest diversity of tree species in East Africa, which supports over 200 species of butterflies.

Which Trip Should I Book?

Mountain Gorilla Safari | The Ultimate Uganda Safari | Uganda Private Safari

best parks in uganda

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park showcases the mighty Nile River crashing through a narrow gorge, creating one of Africa’s most dramatic waterfalls. Besides its namesake waterfall, the park offers a blend of savanna and river ecosystems teeming with wildlife, making this park a great spot for safari tours.

When to Go

December to February, June to September

Reasons to Visit Murchison Falls National Park

Boat to the base of Murchison Falls. A highlight of WT’s Ultimate Uganda Safari (and available as an extension on our other itineraries) is a private boat excursion to the base of the famous falls, where the thunderous White Nile squeezes with explosive force through a 7-meter-wide rocky gorge before tumbling down 13 stories.
Go on a Nile Delta boat safari. Along with venturing to the base of the falls, a boat excursion in Murchison Falls National Park will have you safariing along the Nile Delta. You’ll embark along a wonderfully calm stretch of water—one that’s also a key area for birdwatching and viewing game like crocodiles, hippos, and elephants.
Spot four of the “Big Five”—and so much more. Game-viewing opportunities abound via driving safaris in Murchison Falls National Park, too, where lions, leopards, and buffalo roam, along with Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbucks, waterbucks, the endangered Nubian giraffe, and some 450 bird species.

Which Trip Should I Book?

The Ultimate Uganda Safari | Murchison Falls Extension

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Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Uganda trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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