UGANDA NATIONAL PARKS

Bwindi can be accessed from Kampala via Mbarara, (6-8) hours. There are several luxury-tented camps, lodges, rustic but clean bandas run by the local community and camping facilities available around Buhoma park gate.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
It’s the smallest gorilla home just 33.7kms wide located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda and DRC Congo. Its 14 km's from Kisoro town. Gorilla tracking, caving and volcano hikes are the major tourist activities. It is a 9-hour drive from Kampala via Kabale to Kisoro town. En route is the lovely 38 Island –Lake Bunyonyi hemmed in by the terraced hills in what has been branded “the Switzerland of Africa” An up market lodge, community run bandas and camping site are available at Ntebeko park gate. There is a variety of mid range accommodation in Kisoro town.

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Stretching 1979 sq km's over the districts of Kasese, Bundibunjo and Bushenyi in Western Uganda, the Park includes parts of lakes Edward and George, which are linked by Kazinga Channel. From Kampala. The park can either be accessed either through Mbarara or Kasese via Fortportal. Either way, the journey will take between 6-7 hours by bus. Scheduled launch trips on Kazinga channel and game drives offer excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing. Chimp tracking is also done in Kyambura gorge. A modern lodge, a campsite and student’s hostel is available at Mweya. Another lodge is on the fringes of Lake Nyamusingiri crater in Maramagambo forest.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Named after the Rwenzori Mountains, the park covers 998 sq km's in western Uganda, bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. The Nyakalegija trailhead is 3kms off Kasese fort Portal road. Transport to the park headquarters can be arranged from Kasese of Fortportal. Mountain climbing on the 7-day loop trail is a tough but rewarding expedition past the boggy vegetation and glacier peaks. The mountain has 6 snow capped peaks. Only experienced hikers are recommended to attempt the high peaks. The best period to visit the park is in the dry seasons of December to February and June to August. There is a hostel and campsite at Nyakalengija, basic hiking huts, mid range hotel and several budget lodging at the nearby Kasese town.

Kibale Forest National Park
It is a tropical rain forest with its headquarters at Kanyanchu in western Uganda. The park is located 36 km's from Fortportal and is accessible by public transport. Chimpanzee tracking and guided forest walks are major activities here. Birders never miss Bigodi wetland sanctuary, a fantastic site developed by the community fringing the park. A series of tranquil crater lakes lie between Fortportal and Kibale forest, a must see. There are affordable bandas and campsites at Kanyanchu and other lodges.

Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park, 3840 sq km's in size. The park head quarters in Paraa are about 6 hours from Kampala. An experience not to be missed is the 2-hour launch trip to the base of the falls that offer fantastic game viewing and birding. There are also game drives through the park. Boat trips to Lake Albert delta provide a great chance of sighting the Shoebill storks Chimp tracking and birding can be done in Rambogo, Kaniyo Pabidi and Karuma forest reserves. A nature walk to the top of the Nile waters bursting thorough a 7-meter gorge to an awesome 45 meters plunge producing a thunderous roar and forming a rainbow. There are two lodges, a luxury tented camp and simple chalets and bandas.

Semliki National Park
Semliki is 221 km's sq in size. The park is located in western Uganda and its head quarters are at Ntandi about 52kms on Fortportal Bundibungyo road. Traveling from Fortportal to the park provides a spectacular view of the Rwenzori Mountains, meandering Semliki River and steaming Sempaya hot springs. Bird watching and short-guided walking safaris to the hot springs, forest walks and pygmies are the major activities in the park. Accommodation can be sought at Ntandi or in the nearby towns of Bundibungyo and Fortportal.

Lake Mburo National Park
Located in Mbarara, is south –western Uganda, it is the only National Park with an entire lake. The park covers 370 sq km's with Lake Mburo in its Center. Along Masaka Mbarara road, turn off left at Sanga Trading Center; follow that one road to Rwonyo Park Headquarters. Game drives, sport fishing and boat trips are the major activities in the park. A luxury tented camp, a rest camp run by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a student’s hostel and campsite with chalets are available for accommodation purposes.

Mount Elgon National Park
1121 sq km's in size, Mount Elgon NP is located near Mbale town on Uganda’ eastern border with Kenya. Budadiri, the main tourist center is a 4 hours drive from Kampala. Activities include day walks and hikes from either Budadiri or the forest exploration center. Well worth visiting is the romantic Sipi Falls. There are lodges at Sipi falls as well as mid-range hotels in Mbale. Inside the park, there are only campsites.

Kidepo Valley National Park
Found northeast to the Sudanese border, its 1436 sq km's in size. The popular and easy wt to reach the park is by a charter flight from Kampala to Apoka strip. A 13 hours drive form Kampala via Mbale through Moroto requires a good 4WD safari vehicle. The thrilling game safari across the Narus valley is the main activity. Enjoy the isolated wilderness; don’t miss the traditional Karamojong pastoralists with few linguistic affiliations to rest of Ugandan groups. For accommodation, there is a lodge near the entrance to the parka rest camp provided for by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.