The Top 10 National Parks in Uganda to Visit

The natural beauty of the National Parks in Uganda has hardly escaped notice.

In 1909, Winston Churchill called it “the Pearl of Africa,” a sentiment echoed today whenever travelers ooh and ahh over the country’s diversity of people, wildlife and ecosystems. 

Uganda occupies a special geographical position, spanning the land where western and eastern Africa come together.

Its highland rainforests are home to the famous Mountain Gorillas and teeming with beautiful birds, its tropical rainforests populated with chimpanzees, and its savannas populated by big mammals.

This also explains the wide range of habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, moorlands, mountains, rivers and lakes (approximately 20% of the country is covered by water).

No wonder Lonely Planet ranked Uganda #1 on its Best in Travel list in 2012, which was the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.

But in a country of superlatives– the world’s largest free-standing volcano and second-largest freshwater lake, African’s highest mountain range, the headwaters of the world’s longest river– how do you choose which things to do in Uganda?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by Uganda’s national parks, its status as one of Africa’s most popular birding destinations (with around 1,050 species– 50% of those on the continent and 11% in the world), and its 18 primate species.

To help narrow down your choices, here’s a look at the best 10 Uganda National Parks to visit, many of which offer outdoor activities such as fishing, mountaineering, rafting, cultural tourism, and more. 

READ MORE: 20 Endangered African Animals You Can See On A Safari

National Parks in Uganda Guide

1. Queen Elizabeth National Park
2. Murchison Falls National Park
3. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
4. Kibale National Park
5. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
6. Kidepo Valley National Park
7. Lake Mburo National Park
8. Semuliki National Park
9. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
10. Mount Elgon National Park

READ MORE: The 15 Best National Parks in the World for Wildlife Watching

1. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in the southwest about 400 km from Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second-largest and most popular national park in Uganda.

Its 1,978 square kilometers were first gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, but its name was changed two years later in honor of a visit by the British monarch.

The…