BWINDI
INPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
260 Kilometers, South West of Kampala
331 Sq. Km (1, 160M –
2,607M)
The third largest,
forested park in Uganda, it shares a border with the Virunga National Park
in neighboring Congo, but, more importantly it offers some of the best
opportunities for sightings of Mountain Gorillas and there is really no
experience quite like it. Situated along the Western Rift Valley Bwindi extends
over a series of steep ridges, its massive rainforest almost impenetrable,
its secretive interior providing the perfect habitat for over half of the
world's gorilla population. Other wildlife includes a large variety of primates
,including chimpanzee, Blue Monkey and Black & White Colobus monkey,
antelope and forest elephant as well as a remarkably high number of bird
species.Terrain varies from swamp and bamboo forest to dense thicket from
the ankle up which makes up 90% of the park, thus making gorilla trekking
work hard! However there is no doubt in my mind that this cathedral of vegetation
is a magical place, the confines of which hold many secrets
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MGAHINGA
GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
290Kilometers, South West of Kampala
33.7 Sq. Km
Sharing a border
with neighbouring Congo (Parc National des Virunga) and Rwanda (Parc National
des Volcans), Mgahinga is the country's smallest national park and protects
the Ugandan part of the 'Virunga Mountains,' a range of extinct and active
volcanoes that straddle the border. A tropical rainforest, much of the lower
slopes have been depleted by the encroachment of farms, however, the bamboo
and alpine forests remain largely intact and offer refuge to visiting gorilla
groups from neighbouring Congo & Rwanda. These gorilla groups frequently
'pop in' and take temporary residence for a couple of months at a stretch.
Additional wildlife includes Blue Monkey, Black & White Colobus monkey,
leopard, forest elephant, giant forest hog as well as numerous species of
birds. As well as being famous as a refuge for 'Gentle Giants' Mgahinga is
also a favorite with hikers who come to explore the many caves and the three
volcanoes, which lie partly within the park's borders.
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QUEEN
ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
200 Kilometers, South West of Kampala
1, 978 Sq. Km
One of Uganda's
oldest, richest and most popular parks, it is a labyrinth of open savanna,
bush lands, extensive forest, wetlands, rivers and lakes including Lake Edward,
the Kazinga Channel & Lake George. Like many other parts of Uganda its
wildlife was severely depleted during years of instability, however with
the return of peace the situation is clearly reversing, and a total of over
90 mammal species within its boundaries is evidence of this. Its diverse
scenery is home to a multitude of game and the wonder of searching out the
many different species within the boundaries of this contrasting habitat
is great fun and puts Queen Elizabeth National Park in a class of its own.
Wildlife includes chimpanzee, L'Hoest monkey and Black & White Colobus
monkey, a large number of predators, elephant, buffalo, numerous antelope
including the elusive, semi-aquatic Sitatunga, and perhaps Uganda's greatest
concentration of bird-life with over 600 species of bird recorded as well
as one of Africa's largest congregations of hippo, along the Kazinga Channel.
A trip on the channel should not be
missed!
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KIBALE
NATIONAL PARK
180 Kilometers, South West of Kampala
766 Sq. Km
A fairly
new park, Kibale in essence is a migratory route and corridor between Queen
Elizabeth National Park and parks to the north such as Murchison Falls National
Park. Probably the most accessible of Uganda's large forests it is home to
an extremely large diversity of flora and fauna and secret trails, within
it's recesses, pounded by generations of elephant, giving credit to old wives
tales of 'elephant grave yards' and big tusked, solitary bulls. Chimpanzee
groups have been habituated and can be visited with relative ease.
Accommodation is available at near by Ndali Lodge as well as inside
the park.
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RUWENZORI
MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK –
‘MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON’
200 Kilometers, West of Kampala
996 Sq. Km
As the name
implies the magic of the Rwenzoris snow-capped peaks, glaciers and forestation
has long inspired mankind's spirit of adventure. Its slopes shrouded in mist
lend it an eerie atmosphere that has earned it the additional name 'The Land
of Mist' and it's a must for the serious hiker, and there's a mysteriousness
about it neither Mt. Kenya nor Kilimanjaro share. It is also thought to be
the origins behind the legend of 'the Mountains of the Moon' which Roman
geographer Ptolemy wrongly claimed to be the source of the Nile in AD 150!
Home to the largest mountain range in Africa only Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt.
Kenya in neighboring Tanzania and Kenya overshadow it but only in elevation.
The Ruwenzori mountains are unique, in the fact that they are not volcanic
in origin, but were forced 'up' during the upheaval and formation of the
Great Rift Valley. Primarily attracting hikers and climbers, the park also
supports an impressive number of mammals including elephant, cats, chimpanzee,
giant forest hog and many of the shyer species of antelope such as duiker,
as well as a diverse and colourful variety of bird-life. Like its neighboring
mountains in East Africa the Ruwenzori range consists of several altitude
zones: a forest zone at 1,800M which is home to the majority of the parks
resident mammals, dense bamboo forest (3,000M/4,500M), moorland (4,375M),
steep glacial passes to the Mountains of the Moon's highest peaks (5,109M).
This mountain range is described as being perhaps the toughest hiking challenge
in East Africa, requiring above average fitness and
stamina.
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MURCHISON
FALLS NATIONAL PARK
140 Kilometers North of Kampala
3,840 Sq. Km
A perfect
example of nature reclaiming its own, Murchison Fall's saving grace was an
outbreak of sleeping sickness at the turn of the century which forced the
majority of it's human population to evacuate the area. Uganda's largest
park, I'm best describing it as a spectacular, natural haven that offers
some of most pristine scenery in Africa. Its highlight is the falls itself
where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow 7 meter split in the rocks
before crashing 43 meters to pools below. It's thundering crescendo can be
heard for miles, the foaming water and inevitable spray of mist often crowned
by a rainbow making it a photographer's delight. Rich with wildlife, giant
crocodiles litter the banks of the River Nile, whilst elephant, buffalo,
leopard, lion and a wide variety of plains game including giraffe have made
this part of the Nile their regular watering
hole.
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SEMLIKI
NATIONAL PARK & SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE
50 Kilometers from Fort Portal
221 Sq. Km & 558 Sq. Kms respectively
Situated Within the remote Semliki Valley, the park protects an extension
of the Congo's vast Ituri rainforest. It abounds with birds, including
40 essentially Congolese species found nowhere else in Uganda. The Sempaya
Hot Springs, named after the river what forms the Congolese border are also
situated in the park. The forested area harbours many mammals, ranging from
elephant, chimps and th more localized De Brazza's monkey.
Formerly known as the Toro Game Reserve this large reserve adjoining site
of the Sempaya Hot Springs has a large variety of plains game including giraffe
that have made this part of the Nile their regular watering hole. Lake Albert
and the northern base of the Rwenzoris is a rich mosaic of grassland, savanna,
forest & wetlands. Of the 400 bird species recorded, Shoebill are
regularly spotted. Both of these secluded wildlife areas are of prime
importance to bird enthusiasts, and therefore a major destination for visiting
ornithologists from around the world.
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MBURO NATIONAL PARK
A 2 hour drive west from Kampala along the Mbarara Road
1 Sq. Km & 558 Sq. Kms respectively
Lake Mburo is the
best place in Uganda to see gigantic eland antelope as well as most plains
game including the rusty coloured topi, which always stand like a sentry
ready to sound the alarm at any sign of approaching danger from carnivores.
The park boasts a huge number of migrant and habitual species of birds,
and the five lakes within the park attract hippos, huge crocodiles as well
as waterbirds. Fringing swamps are a perfect habitat for the rare and shy
sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Mburo is the
closest park to Kampala and offers the perfect stopover for those travelling
to or from the western parks and reserves.
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KATONGA
WILDLIFE RESERVE
200
Kilometers west of Kampala
211 Sq. Km
Katonga is a recent
addition to Uganda's list of protected wildlife areas. The reserve protects
a network of forest fringed wetlands (along the Katonga River) and is best
explored by foot and by canoe. Home to over 40 species of mammal and
over 150 species of birds (many specific to wetland habitats) it is an
ornithologist's haven. Commonly sighted are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck,
colobus monkeys and river otter, as well as the shy sitatunga, semi-aquatic
antelope with web hooves. Viewing this game from a canoe, whilst they
come to the water's edge to drink is a thrilling and memorable experience.
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