There are countless places to discover in Uganda despite its compact size and its position away from coastline. From National Parks, Nature/Wildlife Reserves, Natural Forests, Waterbodies, Mountains to distinct historical and cultural sites, tourists have plenty to choose from while on Uganda safari.
Explore Uganda The Pearl of Africa, a home to all 10 spectacular National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves each with extra-ordinary attractions and experiences. Here are some of the best places to discover in Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park – QENP is amazingly one of the best places to discover in Uganda. Very few places exist on earth with such intense wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, vast plains, wetlands, bushland and stunning natural forest like Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is nestled 6-7 hours’ drive away from Kampala capital, Western Uganda.
Established in 1952 and named after Queen Elizabeth of England, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest National Park in Uganda. It is undoubtedly one of the most famous Uganda safari destinations with unique wildlife species such as the tree climbing lions.
Spanning on the land area of up to 1978sq.kms, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to intense wildlife species of nature lovers interest on Uganda safaris. They include about 100 mammal species, 620 bird species, reptiles, 10 primate species and more. The park’s numerous wildlife includes hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, lions, warthogs, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons etc.
The primate species in Queen Elizabeth National Park dwell within the lush Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo Forest. A Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park presents nature enthusiasts with plenty of opportunity including guided game drives, launch or boat cruise, birding, guided nature or forest walks, lion tracking, hippo census/counting, mongoose tracking etc.
The places worth discovering on Uganda tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kazinga Channel 32kms long, Kasenyi sector, Ishasha sector, Mweya Peninsula, Maramagambo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and the nearby Kalinzu Forest.
Murchison Falls National Park
Located at the extreme of Albertine Rift Valley, Murchison Falls National Park is amazingly the only Uganda safari park that is perched right in Northwestern Uganda. The park is approximately 5-6 hours’ drive from Kampala capital and it is the largest of all the parks in Uganda, spreading to cover an area of up to 3840sq.kms.
Murchison Falls National Park together with Karuma, Bugungu and Budongo Forest Reserves constitute the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA). It is located between Masindi and Nwoya district, featuring the powerful Murchison Falls that forces itself into an 8m narrow rock and adjacent to Murchison waterfalls, there is Uhuru Falls.
Naturally, Murchison Falls National Park is a biodiverse safari park inhabiting 4 of the big 5 game, about 550 bird species including the elusive shoebill stork, reptiles such as the Nile Crocodiles; huge profusion of hippos, the Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, antelopes like hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, duikers, waterbucks, bushbucks, different primates thriving within Budongo and Kaniyo-Pabidi Forests etc.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is interestingly one of the must visit places on Uganda safaris. Think of unforgettable mountain gorilla encounter in the wild and think not beyond Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located at the rim of the rift valley Southwestern Uganda 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city.
A 321sq.kms tropical forest Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home to 120 mammal species including an estimate of over 459 mountain gorillas. These also share the same habitat with other wildlife such as chimpanzees, forest elephants, colobus monkeys, 360 bird species like the African green broadbill, lots of reptiles, beautiful butterflies and more.
Gorilla trekking is without doubt a major reason why most nature enthusiasts consider Bwindi their must-visit African safari destination. Bwindi N. Park has 20 habituated gorilla families all open for gorilla tracking in its 4 main sectors of Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Buhoma. To trek mountain gorillas, visitors have to obtain valid gorilla permit and these are available at affordable price each at USD700.
The Source of the Nile
The Source of the Nile River is one of the extraordinary spots any enthusiastic traveler on Uganda safari shouldn’t miss to visit. Visit Jinja 80kms East of Kampala to explore the Source of the Nile, enjoy the breathtaking view of where the Nile flows out of the scenic Lake Victoria.
On Jinja tour to explore the Nile River, there are plenty of thrilling experiences for adrenaline adventure seekers. The popular adrenaline adventures to engage in while at the Source of the Nile Jinja include whitewater rafting to conquer thrilling series of grade 5 rapids, kayaking, jet-boating, boat cruise, bungee jumping and on the land, embark on quad biking, cycling or horseback riding.
Kibale National Park
For primate lovers, Kibale National Park is the right place to consider for thrilling guided chimpanzee tracking experiences. Kibale is a compact rainforest park with its borders stretching up to 795sq.kms but a stronghold of 13 primate species and they include 1500 chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys to mention but a few.
Other best places to discover in Uganda include Sipi Falls, Lake Mburo National Park, Maramagambo Forest, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Ssese Islands, Lake Victoria, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, etc.