Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest park, taking its name from the Queen Elizabeth the second. The park boasts of its command of beauty, the breathtaking sceneries are worth appreciating on Uganda safaris. Located in Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to a huge mammal species 95 mammals; the lions (inclusive of the tree climbing lions also spotted in Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania), elephants, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, birds, reptiles, over 620 bird species (including shoebill storks, collared pratincole, slender tailed nightjars, kingfishers, swamp flycatchers, gonoleks, skimmers) and more.

Established in 1952, Queen Elizabeth National Park occupies the land area of 1978sq.kms stretching. Variety of exciting safaris activities can be enjoyed here including guided game drives, boat cruise, birding, nature walks, hot air balloon, lion trekking, etc.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is found in the Southwestern Uganda, Kisoro district bordering Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo Virunga National Park. The park was founded in 1991 to protect mountain gorillas, and it stretches to cover land area of 33.7sq.kms.

Lying between altitude 2227m and 4127m, Mgahinga National Park hosts diversity of exceptional attractions; 3 of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes (Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo), over 76 species of mammals: giant forest hogs, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, elephants, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, black fronted duikers; 184 bird species especially the Albertine rift endemic species.

The popular safari activities to expect to indulge while on safaris in Mgahinga include gorilla trekking with gorilla permits available for booking at USD700 per person, golden monkey tracking, mountain/volcano climbing, birding, nature walks, Batwa cultural trail, etc.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies in Kasese district, Western Uganda, a home to the legendary Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Rising at altitude of 5109m, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon is the key area of interest for tourists on Uganda safaris at this park. It has 6 mountain massifs, and margherita peak is the highest peak, 3^rd in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park was founded as a Uganda National Park in 1991, declared as a UNESCO Site in 1994. The park occupies 996sq.kms of land area featuring a range of other attractions including distinct vegetation zones like lobelias, bamboo forests, montane, moorland, heath, groundsels, hagenia and others.

The animal species that live at the Rwenzori Mountains N/Park; leopards, giant forest hogs, elephants, bushbucks; primates -black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, etc. Birds totaling up to 217 species including the Kivu ground thrush, red-faced woodland warblers, shelley’s crimson wing, Ruwenzori collared birds, purple breasted sunbirds, dwarf honeyguide, collared apalis, strange weavers, etc.

Activities offered at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park: mountaineering, cultural encounters, birding, game viewing, hiking or nature walks, and others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in the extreme Southwestern Uganda, a naturally endowed park with the world’s most sought for primates. Covering an area of 331sq.kms, Bwindi protects over 120 mammal species and these include 459 mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, plus other primates; 200 butterfly species, 360 bird species, 320 tree species, etc.

The activities to engage while at Bwindi National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site include mountain gorilla trekking (carried out in any of the 4 sectors- Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo), birding, nature/forest walks, gorilla habituation experience, etc.

Other destinations to visit in Uganda include Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve, Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Ssese Islands, Jinja the Source of the Nile, Budongo Forest, Sipi Falls, Mabamba Wetland (for birding safaris especially if you are interested in shoebill stork and other aquatic birdlife), etc.

Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the extreme Northeastern Uganda covering the land area of 1442sq.kms. This is a home to variety of mammals like cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, zebras, a total of 475 bird species including Karamoja apalis, superb starling, secretary bird, Nubian woodpecker, and many others.

Established in 1962, Kidepo National Park offers a range of safari activities including game drives, birding, nature walks, community tours in the Karamojong and IK communities and more.

Lake Mburo National Park lies just 4 hours’ drive from Kampala capital. It is a compact savanna park, and a treasured Uganda safaris destination. The park stretches on land area of 370sq.kms, inhabiting wildlife such as zebras, leopards, hyenas, impalas, topis, elands, birds, hippos, crocodiles, about 5 scenic lakes, etc. The main safari activities offered at Lake Mburo National Park include birding, game drives, boat cruise, nature or forest walks, cultural tours, and more.

Located in Eastern Uganda, about 6 hours’ drive from Kampala, Mount Elgon National Park is where the legendary Mount Elgon volcano is found. The park lies at the extreme East at the border with Kenya. It stretches covering 1122sq.kms of land area, protecting over 300 bird species (including baglafetch weaver, African goshawk, lammergeier), mammal species like buffaloes, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.

Activities done at Mt. Elgon National Park: birding to sight birds such as cinnamon bee-eaters, tacazze sunbird, African goshawk, African blue flycatchers, bronze-napped pigeon, moustached tinkerbird, Chubb’s cisticola, bush shrikes, white chinned prinia, Doherty’s and more; cultural encounters, mountaineering, hiking the Sipi Falls, nature/forest walk, caving, abseiling, trout fishing, rock climbing, camping and others.

Founded in 1993, Semuliki National Park is one of the smallest parks in Uganda, occupying only 220sq.kms. It protects a portion of the vast Congolese Ituri Forest. It is located in the western side of Uganda, bordering Congo and the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Albert lies on the Northern side.

Semuliki National Park is famous for its unique attractions such as Sempaya hot springs accessible on the Sempaya trail; 60 mammal species like hippos, buffaloes, elephants, leopards plus over 441 bird species. Semuliki NP is best to visit for game drives especially night game drives, birding, nature walks, etc.

Lying in the Western Uganda, Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world is the lush rainforest park. It is the leading chimpanzee tracking destination and one of the best in Africa to chimpanzees in the wild. Occupying the land area of 795sq.kms, Kibale is a home to 13 species of primates; over 1500 chimpanzees, olive baboons, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, pottos, red colobus monkeys, vervet, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys; buffaloes, elephants, golden cats, mongoose, butterflies, 375 bird species and others.

Special activities to do while at Kibale National Park; chimpanzee tracking, birding (birds to look out for include African green breasted pittas, black bishop, superb sunbird, yellow-spotted barbet, yellow billed barbet, white spotted flufftail), chimpanzee habituation experience, nature or forest walks, etc.