National Parks Uganda
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park which was established
with a main purpose of protecting the mountain gorillas of the Ugandan
sector of the Virunga Conservation area that straddle Rwanda and the D.R.C.
Of the 600 mountain gorillas left in the world, 300 are found in the Virunga
Volcanoes, whilst the other 300 are in the nearby Bwindi National Park.
Mgahinga is a dense tropical rainforest on the lower slopes of the volcanoes
where the vegetation includes bamboo and lots of lichens and mosses –
delicacies to a mountain gorilla. There is only one group of mountain
gorillas in Mgahinga that is habituated to humans. Known as the Nyakagezi
group, these gorillas can be visited on a gorilla track. A Mgahinga safari
will take you to the richly forested Virunga Volcanoes for an audience
with a mountain gorilla.
Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls National Park is cut in half by the mighty River Nile
as it squeezes itself through a 7-metre gap in a cleft of rock, creating
an explosion of white water. It’s the most powerful natural flow of water
anywhere on earth and the rock actually shakes from the force of the water.
You may catch a glimpse of a Nile perch being spat from the river. These
huge fish weigh up to 100 kg and are strong enough to withstand the pressure.
The park is composed of the Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife Reserves. This
park derived its name from the Murchison falls where the mighty River
Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid
river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and
bufalloes. The park has three eco systems, that is to say: Savannah, Wetland
and Tropical Rain Forest coupled with woodland.
The Wildlife in the park includes among others the lions, leopards, heartbeast, topi, bushback(s) monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees to mention but a few tied with numerous bird species including the rare shoebill and some West African rarities.
ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK
Spot Fishing
The most popular fish caught are the Nile Perch and tiger-fish which provide
an awesome experience to Anglers. Sport fishing is possible in the river
sections above and below the falls. Prior booking with the park has to
be made, as the number of people doing sport fishing at designated sites
at a given time has to be regulated. You are advised to bring your own
fishing equipment and boats are availed on a hire basis given prior booking.
Game Drives
Before every sunrise, making a drive through the numerous trails in the
park, you will notice that the park is endowed with a profusion of game
on the Buligi, Victoria, Albert Delta and Queen's tracks all of which
are found north of the Victoria Nile. At Nyamusika Cliffs you can picnic,
enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides.
Go well prepared for a four-hour game drive and ensure a ranger guide
accompanies you in case you don’t trust you driver guide in the interpretation
of wildlife.
Nature Walks and Bird Watching
Murchison falls National Park offers the opportunity to explore the wild
on foot most especially in the southern part of it. Animals, birds and
plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are offered at
Rabongo Forest, Top of the falls and Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest Reserve.
Kaniyo Pabidi
Kaniyo Pabidi is an undisturbed area of natural forest within Budongo
Forest Reserve, where you can walk beneath mature mahogany and iron wood
trees. Chimpanzee tracking and habituation are the most illustrious activities
in this area.
You will certainly see many forest birds, including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thigh hornbill and puvel's illadopsis which are endemic to only this area in East Africa. Kaniyi Pabidi is on Masindi-Paraa road, in the southern sector of the park 8kms from Kichumbanyobo gate. There is a campsite where water and firewood are available. The National Forestry Authority manages this site
Rabongo Forest
Rabongo Forest Ecotourism centre is situated in on an island of tropical
riverine forest southeast of the Park. The forest is surrounded by Savannah
grassland and is 1 to 2hour drive from Paraa Safari Lodeg. Our guide accompanied
with a ranger guide will help you explore the forest on foot, spotting
primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons
and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals, birds, medicinal plants
and trees. You can picnic and camp by the Wairingo River, which is also
an ideal place for student groups.
Launch Cruise on The Mighty Nile
One of the highlights of a safaris to Murchison Falls National Park is
the launch trip from Paraa upstream the calm Victoria Nile to the base
of the falls stopping just tens of meters from the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’,
this trip lets you marvel at the toothsome hippos, crocodiles and over
the 17km stretch you sight plentiful wildlife . This is also among the
excellent areas of bird watching.
this trip takes about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the Delta
(28km) and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar
variety of animals and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and
1400hr every day. Any special time arrangement can be made with Park management
at an extra cost.
Visiting the top of the Falls
Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the water's edge. You
have an opportunity to hike to the top of the falls from the boat landing
and to get close to a narrow gorge through which the river explodes into
the falls, while here you will come to realize that this fall influenced
the naming of the park. Campsites, picnic sites and walking safaris are
available here.
Access
By road from Kampala through Masindi (via Kichumbanyobo gate), which is
approximately a 5 hours drive to Paraa Safari Lodge. A four-wheel drive
is recommended. The ferry at Paraa operates on scheduled time between
the southern and northern bank of River Nile.
By air:
Charter services are available to all-weather aerodromes at Pakuba about
19kms northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13kms from Paraa, which are always
done with the help of Eagle Air.
Distances (km)
Accommodation
Campsites are available at the Top of the fall, Rabongo Forest, Paraa
and the Delta area. Toilet or pit latrines/ showers or bathing shelters
are provided at the sites. Traditional and self-contained bandas are available
at Red chilli Rest Camp also offering meals and beverages. In addition,
luxurious accommodation is available at Nile Safari Camp, Sambiya River
Lodge and Paraa safari Lodges.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi is one of Uganda's most recently created national parks.
Formerly known as the Impenetrable Forest, the park covers 330 sq km (128
sq mi) in the south-west of the country, very close to the Congo border.
It encompasses one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla,
and is home to half of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world -
an estimated 320 individuals. Because of the unrest in Rwanda and eastern
Congo, Bwindi has become the main place in East Africa to see the gorillas.
The chance to come face to face with the exceptional Mountain Gorillas and Looking deep into their expressive brown eyes is surely the most thrilling and poignant wildlife encounter that Bwindi has to offer on the African continent as the most rewarding and an emotive experience, however, this should not distract us from Bwindi’s broader biodiversity of other primates like the Chimps, birding ranks the best in Africa, with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics, diverse numbers of mammals, the unique cultures of the different people most of all the Batwa, (Pymies) the scenic features of the Montane forest and much more in fact the park is one of the richest areas in Africa for flora and fauna, containing elephants, the rare giant forest hog and at least 10 species of primate.
Kibale Forest National Park
Uganda’s Kibale equatorial rainforest is an enchanting park full
of lakes, grasslands, marshes and forests on the lower slopes of the Rwenzori
Mountains in western Uganda. It’s best known for its healthy population
of approximately 500 chimpanzees, though it’s also home to twelve
other primate species and a few elephant. Chimpanzee tracking starts at
the entrance to the park where you will meet the experienced guides and
rangers – all with expert knowledge of Kibale’s flora and
fauna. A Kibale Forest safari offers an excellent opportunity to see chimps
– though once found keeping up with them can be quite a challenge
if they decide to move on through the branches at high speed.
Semliki National Park
Semuliki National Park (SNP) is situated in the extreme west of Uganda,
in Bundibugyo District and lies along the Uganda DRC border within the
western arm of the great East African Rift Valley. This Park is an eastern
extension of the vast Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It forms part of the forest continuum resulting out of the climatic upheavals
of the Pleistocene and therefore one of the richest areas for both flora
and fauna in Africa with a combination of the species from West African
countries.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park with an area of 220 sq kms, was gazetted in October
1993. The park occupies a flat with gently undulating landform ranging
from 670 metre to 760 metre a.s.l. Since all streams and rivers from the
surrounding areas drain through the park, coupled with the poor drainage
and topography, many areas in the park are flooded during the rainy season.
This is the only Park in the lowland tropical rain forest in East Africa classified as moist and semi-deciduous. There are 336 tree species recorded of which 24 are restricted to Semuliki National Park, to the eastern part of the range, or are shared with only one or two neighbouring forests; they include Isolana congolan, Nesogordonia kabingaensis and Ejacis guineesis. Some tree species in Semuliki Natioanl Park such as Cordia millenii and Lovoa surymertonii are considered to be endangered.
There are 63 species of mammals, 9 species of which are diurnal forest
primates (e.g. Chimpanzees, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and olive baboon),
while nocturnal primates include poottos and galagos. The following species
of mammals are also found in Semuliki National Park: forest buffaloes,
blue duiker, beecroft’s flying squirrel, pigmy squirrel, little
collared fruit bat, water chevrotaain and target rat.
At least 374 species of butterflies and moths have been identified including
46 species of forest swallowtails and charaxes plus at least 81 species
of large moth, 12 of which are classified as restricted. The wide range
of species is attributed not only to the forest’s location, but
to the varied habitats, forest swamp, grassland, bush land and an extensive
system of hotsprings, warm swamp and savannah woodland.
The park is surrounded by the Bamba, Bakonjo, Batuku located in the rift valley floor, The Batwa (pigmies) who are fruit gatherers and hunters at the same time who used to live in the and still depend on the forest
Semuliki National Park is breathtaking especially for bird, primate, butterfly and plant lovers. The jungle walk takes one up to the meandering River Semliki, the only one of its kind in East Africa. You may also see forest buffaloes and elephants, sitatungas, leopards, crocodiles, various primates and a wide range of forest and water birds.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an East African game park with crater-dotted
hills and open grassland supporting an abundance of wildlife, including
elephant, lion, leopard and the unique Ugandan antelope, the kob. The
Kazinga Channel is said to contain the world's largest concentration of
hippo schools and numerous Crocodiles – all easily viewed from a boat
cruise. The park is home to more than a quarter of Africa’s total birdlife.
With more than 560 species of birds within its borders, the park is a
bird watcher’s paradise! A Queen Elizabeth Safari offers the opportunity
to see game in unusual landscapes and the park is one of East Africa’s
best kept secrets. The animals here aren’t being hounded by dime-a-dozen
minibuses.
This park was as a biosphere reserve with the furthest objective of harmonizing
human activities with the conservation and protection of wild life, wet
lands and natural resources. There are eleven fishing village enclaves
within the protected area. The ethnic groups virtually attached to this
area are; Banyankole Bakiga, and Bakonjyo.
Queen Elizabeth National Park together with Kyambura and Kigezi Wild life
reserves form one of the most diverse Eco systems in Africa. Here, the
melting glacier waters of the Rwenzori Mountains create a vast wetland
system comprising of two main lakes George and Edward being channeled
by the mighty Kazinga which stretches for about 37 kilometers to the remote
Ishasha River in the south. This park has an extensive diversity of habitats
that range from savanna and Wetlands to Tropical and lowland forest. This
park is remarkable for its diversity in birds with a record of over 605
species and that's why I may right to name it the birders' Paradise, the
largest of any protected area in Africa to the Murchison Falls National
Park. The lake shore lines are congregations of thousands of hippos as
the patent Savannah speckled with Acacia and Euphorbia trees which furnish
a dwelling for Elephants, Lions, Leopards, big herds of buffaloes, the
Uganda Kob, and much more
Facts about Q.E.N.P
It covers approximately 2056sq-km2 Kyambura wild life reserve covering
about 154sq. km2 and Kigezi wild life reserve covering an area of 256sq.
km2. It receives an average maximum temperature of 28ºC and 18ºC. The
park lies on an altitudinal range of 910 m at lake Edward to 1845m a.s.l
that is at the top of the escarpment of the western arm of the Great Rift
Valley
It is a habitat for a medium altitude moist semi-deciduous forest, riverine
bush land, moist thicket, riparian forest, open grassland, seasonal and
permanent swamps, open woodland, lakes and rivers.
This place can be best timed from December - February and the tour can
be for at least 2-3 days.
It has recorded about 95mammal species and 606 bird species.
THE KEY BIRD SPECIES IN THE PARK INCLUDE:
Grey-headed Kingfisher, Grey-capped Warbler, African Mourning Dove, The
beautiful Black-headed Gonolek, Swamp Fly-catcher, Collard Pranticles,
Gabon and Square-tailed Nightjars, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Pin-tailed
Whyda, Martial Eagle, Common Squaco Heron, Shoebill Stork, African Fish
Eagle, African Open-billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers,
African Skimmer, White-tailed Lark, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Black Bee-eater,
White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Great white and Pink-backed Pelicans,
Papyrus Canary, White-winged Terns Black Bellied Bustard, to mention but
a few
TOURISTS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Game Drives
This is the act of driving through the park for the purpose of viewing
animals. It is best done in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Q.E.N.P provides well-maintained trails, which give visitors access to
the park's game. The tracks pass through the mating grounds of the great
Uganda Kob. The allegorical giant forest hog is seen moving around the
bush. See the hungry lions looking for prey. In hot days, Elephants make
their way down to the water while bush backs and buffaloes can be found
on the channel track and juxtaposed circumference. The out standing panorama
along the crater track brings you to a volcanic crater at the foothills
of the misty mountains of the moon, of course The mighty Mt. Rwenzori.
One who has experienced this game drive in Q.E.N.P will believe that it
is awe-inspiring and remarkable.
Nature Walks In Maramagambo Forest and the Kyambura Wildlfie Reserve
Marvel waits! A diversity of long to short guided nature walks are offered
at the mighty Queen's park. Observe the pythons in the isolation of the
bat caves floor and their prey the bats. This bat's cave is near the picturesque
blue lake and hunter' cave. Other trails lead you to the heart of the
surrounding craters and habitats to some primates like the Chimps and
many forest birds.
A Nature Walk in the Kyambura Wild Life Reserve, this is found in the
eastern part of the protected area and supports similar mammals to the
rest of the park.
It has three saline crater lakes, which attracts a large number of flamingoes-
not found anywhere else in Uganda. The steep Kyambura gorge, formed by
the turbulent waters of the roaring Kyambura River, provides a luxuriant
riverine forest, which is a home to chimps, Black and white colobus together
with the Red Tailed monkeys, olive baboons and other primates as well
as plenty of forest birds. Lions, snakes and many others. Visit the gorge
with a great opportunity to see chimps in their natural habitat.
The Launch Cruise
A boat trip along the hippo crowded banks of kazinga channel gives visitors
a unique unmatched wild life experience. Crocodile have become a common
sight and occasionally a common leopard may be seen. Many buffaloes rest
in the water while the big herds of elephants enjoy themselves drinking
and playing along the channel banks. See the Hippos surrounded by a vast
number of migrant and resident birds, the boat puts one, right in the
hearts of nature.
Visit Ishasha
The true pearl of southern part of the park! This part of the park gives
many chances of seeing the tree climbing lions always on large fig tree.
See the Topi, Uganda Kob, elephants and Buffaloes graze in the acacia
studded savannah not leaving out the butterflies flitering from one flower
to another together with several species of birds.
Visit The Traditional Salt Lakes
See the way the salt ore looks like since the 14 century, salt has been
mined traditionally and it is still in use today. Check how the salt mines
have been sub divided and distributed to various tribes in Uganda. Your
guide will explain to you the cultural strings attached to the salt mines.
ACCOMMODATION
Mweya safari lodge, Jacana safari lodge at maramambo forest and bandas
located in Ishasha sector, Camp sites at Mweya, Maramagambo forest and
Ishasha Toilets or pit latrine, shower or bathing shelters are provide
at these sites. The park hostel at Mweya with 48 bedrooms of 6.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP) is a very special place; every part of
it is alive with variety, interest and colour. LMNP contains an extensive
area of wetland. The park harbours several species of mammals including
zebras, impalas, elands, topi and buffaloes. Unique bird species, the
park is situated in Mbarara district. It is about 3.5 hours drive from
Kampala. The park is accessed from the Masaka-Mbarara road; turn left
to Nshara gate (13kms past Lyantonde) or alternatively turn left at Sanga
trading centre (27kms past Lyantode) which brings you through Sanga gate.
Both junctions have clearly marked signposts. It is about 13kms from Sanga
trading centre to Sanga and 8kms from the main road to Nshara gate. It
is about 20 minutes drive from either gates to Rwonyo park headquarters.
Its sculptured landscape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic lakeshores
has a varied mosaic of habitats: forest galleries, rich acacia tree valleys,
seasonal, and permanent swamps which all support a wealth of wildlife.
The park covers an area of 370km2 it’s the easily accessible and
smallest of Uganda’s Savannah national parks. Its mosaic habitat:
dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes, thickets, open and wooded savannahs,
forests, lakes and swamps are home to a surprising diversity of plants
and animals.
The Park is famous for its richness in biodiversity with about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones being the zebras, impalas, buffaloes, topis and elands that are herbivores predators like, lions leopards, hyenas and jackals are also oftenly seen. The park is also rich with a bird checkl;ist of more than 315 different species of including the rare shoebill stork, papyrus yellow warbler, African fin foot, brown chested and wattled plover, carruther’s and tabora cisticola, great snipe, Abyssinian ground hornbill white winged warbler and much more. The woody vegetation of lake Mburo is dominated by Acacia species, Olea species and Boscia species.
The park has a number of tourist trails crisscrossed by numerous animals
that are used for game drives. Impala track exposes the visitor to a diverse
species of animals. Impala is the most common species viewed along this
track although one may sight number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and
zebras.
Zebra track leads to harems of Burchell’s zebra with other species
like bushbuck, oribi and reedbuck. The Zebra Track leads to the junction
of Ruroko Track, a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub
and woodland, with olive trees and eurphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops)
found along the Ruroko track, are home to the elusive klipspringers to
which the rock is the best habitat.
The Kazuma Track passes through wooded grassland where black-bellied
bustards often patrol the area. For visitors to experience a real exposure
of thisl Park, they should climb Kazuma hill, which is high enough to
enable them see what they could have missed. The five lakes within the
park and the rolling hills become more visible and attractive. Its better
seen than read or heard! Come travel with Africa Pride Safaris.
Kigambira Loop takes you through a wooded wilderness with scattered thicket
and while you are here, look out for bushbucks and bush duikers.
The Lakeside Track is specially designed to facilitate viewing of water
plants and animals. The park has a diversity of water birds and woodland
birds, which can be sighted along these tracks
RUBANGA FOREST
This forest offers a variety of habitats, conducive for birds thereby
making it a very attractive place for bird watchers. There are over 40
species of birds recorded in Rubanga forest, 5 of which are forest “specialists”.
Some of the common species are the harrier hawk, greenpigeon, narina trogn,
grey-backed cameroptera and double-toothed barbet. The forest though small,
is a real high forest with closed canopy. Some common trees are markhamia
platycalyx, sapium, erythriana and acacia.
BOAT TRIPS
The presence of Lake Mburo within the park is a blessing. The lake is
rich with a diversity of animal and plant species, which can only be viewed
clearly while on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippopotami and
birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, cormorant and fish eagle but
you may also see the arre shoebill stork, all of which will furnish your
visit with pride.
GUIDED WALKS:
Nature Trail The nature trail offers the visitor a chance to admire nature
on foot. Visitors have the opportunity to walk in the circuit at their
own pace in company of an armed guide. Information on trails is also available
at the Rwonyo headquarters
SALT LICK:
A walk to the nearby salt lick is a highlight platform. A strategically
located wooden plat-form offers a chance to see at least four different
species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. The
observation point is strategically located in such a way that close observation
can be done without distracting the animals from their salt lick.
Note: Rutoto Nature ensures that enough armed rangers must accompany the
visitors.
FISHING
Lake Mburo has about 6 species of fish, the common one being tilapia.
Visitors planning to enjoy sport fishing on Lake Mburo should carry their
own fishing gear and fish at the designated point at Mazinga.