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Uganda National
Parks
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Lying in the south west of the country,
414 kms from Kampala, on the border with The Congo, the park covers an
area of over 330 sq kms. As the name dictates - this park real African
jungle area, with dense undergrowth, vines and a wide variety of flowers
and aphrodisiac plants.
Most visitors come to the park to catch a glimpse of the Mountain
Gorillas, but the park is home to over 120 species of mammals, including
chimpanzees, black & white colobus, blue monkey, bushpig, duiker,
leopard, jackal and elephants in the south east of the park. There are
also over 350 species of bird , 202 species of butterflies and over 200
species of trees found within the park
Kibale Forest N P
Located in western Uganda, covering an
area of over 760 sq kms, Kibale Forest National Park lies 35 kms south
of Fort Portal and adjoins with Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kibale is the perfect place to experience the the true diversity of
wildlife and flora found in a tropical rainforest. The park contains the
largest population of forest elephants found in Uganda but they are
rarely sighted. Rich in wildlife and particularly noted for is primate
population, of 11 different species, including the red-tailed money,
blue monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, black, white and red colobus and
white cheeked mangabey. Other mammals found are bushbuck, red and blue
duiker, Uganda kob, Scaly-tailed flying squirrel, tree pangloin,
buffalo, waterbuck and hippo as well as a large number of birds.
Kipedo Valley N P
Located in the extreme North of the
country bordering with Sudan and Kenya, Kipedo Valley National Park
covers an area of 1,344 sq.km. Due to it's remote location this park is
less visited, but it has the most spectacular scenery of mountains and
vast savannah landscapes.
The park is home to the Karimojong pastoralists. Animal species found in
the region include; giraffe, ostrich, elephant, cheetah, leopard, kudu,
zebra, buffalo, amongst others.
It is 840km from Kampala and although the journey can be tough, taking
up to two days, the diverse landscape past makes the journey worthwhile.
There is also a light aircraft airstrip at Akopa
Lake Mburo N P
Lake Mburo National Park covers an area
of 260 sq km and is located 420kms south west of Kampala. It is one of
the more popular parks, due to its relatively close location to Kampala,
being particularly busy with city weekend visitors.
The landscape consists mainly of savannah and the area contains four
lakes. The open valleys on the western side of the game offer the best
game viewing opportunities, with large herds of elephants and buffalo
roaming the land. Other wildlife encountered include; leopard, hyena
hippo and a large variety of antelope including the rare Impala. It is
the perfect destination for ornithologists, a huge variety of birds are
found within the park particularly round the lakes, including
Bronze-tailed starling, Marabour stork, Crowned Crane and bee-eaters.
Mgahinga Gorilla N P
Uganda's smallest park, covering an area
of just 34 sq kms, located on the south western tip of the country on
the border with Congo (Zaire) and Rwanda, 510km from Kampala.
Mgahinga is the second home to one of the last remaining habitats of the
mountain gorilla found on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Access to
visit the gorillas is strictly controlled , with only small groups being
allowed at any one time and always accompanied by a ranger. Booking to
see the gorillas must be made well in advance. Other wildlife found in
the park include bushbuck, elephant, leopard, aardvark, honey badger.
jackal and a wealth of birdlife.
Three extinct volcanos rise within the park, Mt. Muhuvura, Mt. Gahinga
and Mt Sabinyo. The peak of Muhavura has a small crater lake and is the
highest point in the park rising to 4,127 metres. A selection of Volcano
Tours is available from
Mt Rwenzori N P
Lying along the western border of Uganda
and covering an area of over 995 sq kms, named "Mountains of the Moon"
for its mist-shrouded, snow-capped peaks.
The mountain range has six peaks, carrying permanent snow and glaciers
and offering spectacular scenery. In the centre of the range is Africa's
third highest mountain, Mt. Margherita reaching a height of 5,109 mtrs.
This is an excellent destination for keen hikers and climbers, although
the higher slopes are demanding and require some mountaineering skills.
The best time of the year for hiking is during the dry seasons from mid
December to end of March and from June to mid August.
Wildlife encountered in this park includes, elephant, genet, Vervet
Monkey, Rwenzori Colobus, Chimpanzee and Duiker.
Mt Elgon N P
Lying 256 kms north east of Kampala,
bordering with Kenya in eastern Uganda, Mt. Elgon covers an area of 1155
sq. kms.
If offers a diverse variety of scenery, vegetation and cultures. Mt.
Elgon is an extinct volcano with a gradual slopes to the crater rim,
lying at 4,321 metres above seal level. Mountaineering skills are not
required. The whole region is excellent for hikers and climbers, with
caves, rock painting, gorges, waterfalls providing excellent scenery.
Sipi Falls, at the foothills of the mountain is a favourite destination.
The parks has a variety of small game including, duiker, hyena, leopard,
chimpanzee, buffalo and elephant and numerous species of birdlife.
Murchison Falls National Park
The largest park in Uganda covering on
area of over 3,840 sq kms, Murchinson Falls park is also one of the most
famous for its scenic beauty, magnificent falls and high concentration
of game. It is situated approximately 350 kms north west of Kampala.
The mighty Nile river divides the park into the north and south sections
with the spectacular Murchinson Falls dropping some 40 meters through a
narrow crevice. The river attract large numbers of game, and a boat ride
up the river provides the perfect opportunity to see and photograph the
animals. Wildlife viewed in this park include elephant, giraffe, hippo,
lion, leopard, buffalo, Nile crocodile, monkeys, and over 450 species of
birds. including the magnificent shoebill stork.
Queen Elizabeth N P
The park covers and area of almost 2,000
sq kms and lies between the Rwenzori Mountains to the east and Lake
Edward to the west., approx 470kms from Kampala.
This parks wildlife once suffered from heavy poaching, but recent
conservation efforts have restored much of the game and it now claims to
be one of the best places on the continent to see high concentrations of
hippo. Other animals found are elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, variety of
antelope, baboons and chimpanzees and the famous tree-climbing lion.
There are also over 500 different specifies of bird making it a
excellent destination for ornithologists.
A boat trip along the Kazinga channel between Lake George and Edward is
a rewarding methods of game viewing. The best time of the year to visit
the park is just after the rains, between October and November and March
and April when high concentrations of animals roam the whole area.
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