The Top 5 Best National Parks In Uganda To Visit For The First Time : Uganda, also referred to as the Pearl of Africa, is a stunning nation full of historical, cultural, and natural wonders. Due to its proximity to the equator, the nation has a pleasant climate that supports the development of a wide variety of flora and wildlife, drawing numerous visitors all year long.

You will have a distinctive experience in each of Uganda national parks because they are all distinctive. There are roughly ten national parks in the area, some of which are home to endangered animal species like mountain gorillas and others whose fascinating histories can be learned from knowledgeable tour guides.
A first-time trip to a new location can be both exciting and difficult to plan. When you don’t know what to expect, what to bring, or even where to start your visit, it’s normal to feel anxious. But it’s fun to explore fascinating places in Africa, especially if you have the right advice.
Are you considering visiting Uganda for your first safari? It would be best to get started packing as soon as you can because the beauty that awaits you here is breathtaking. Here are the top 5 national parks in Uganda for first-time visitors:
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in southwest Uganda and borders both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park is known for the nearby critically endangered mountain gorillas and other primates, and it provides wonderful gorilla trekking safari trips. The 321-square-kilometer park is a portion of the Virunga Mountains, which are shared by Congo and Rwanda.
The name Bwindi, which translates to “impenetrable,” is appropriate given the region’s thick undergrowth, which makes travel difficult. Due to the compacted tree canopies, which prevent sufficient light from reaching the ground, the interior of the forest is darker.
The conditions in the forest, however, have produced the perfect environment for gorillas to flourish. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since it was established. Although the park is open all year, the dry season is the ideal time to visit.
Activities
- The park’s main draw is its gorilla population. You can see the renowned mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, the Bwindi forest, by participating in the park’s gorilla trekking Safari experience. However, reservations for trekking permits must be made in advance with the Kampala office of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or us at Focus East Africa Tours.
- The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a fantastic location for bird watching. 300 different bird species live in the woodland, including African green broadbills and black-billed turacos.
- In the region, walking safaris are very popular. Enjoy wonderful escorted nature hikes and even canoe trips on Matunda Lake.
- Last but not least, a visit to Bwindi would be incomplete without learning about the critically endangered Batwa pygmy community and their traditional way of life in the forest.
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Another incredible and distinctive game reserve that you absolutely must visit on your first visit to Uganda is Lake Mburo National Park. The national park is located in southwest Uganda, close to the Mbarara dry corridor and west of Lake Victoria. One of Uganda’s smallest national parks, Lake Mburo National Park, has an area of about 260 square kilometers.
National Savannah Park Lake Mburo Park has a wide variety of wildlife. There are more than 350 different types of birds, in addition to zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, buffalo hyenas, hippos, leopards, and other animals. Due to its low predator density, the park is much safer for intrepid strolls through the savannah.
The park is open all year, but from June to August and from December to February are the best times to see wildlife because they congregate around the lake and other water sources during these dry seasons.
Activities
- Lake Mburo is the best location in Uganda to see the vast eland antelope and hundreds of zebras because it is savannah land.
- Enjoy going on wildlife drives, especially at night when there is a good chance you will see a leopard.
- Another thing you can do in Lake Mburo National Park is take a guided walking safari.
- A houseback safari is another way to get close to the zebras and is primarily handled by the Mihingo resort.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Situated north of Kampala and Entebbe in the Albertine Rift Valley’s northern region. The largest park in Uganda, covering 3,800 square kilometers, is Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls, the area’s most popular attraction, inspired the name.
The falls are created when the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge before roaring violently to the ground. Beautiful, breathtaking rainbows are produced when the sunlight interacts with the mist from the falls. The waterfall is not the only attraction in the park, though. Murchison Falls National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife conservation areas, is home to the most Rothschild Giraffes in East Africa.
Additionally, all five of the big five mammals can be seen there due to its proximity to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The dry season, which runs from December to February, is generally the best time for game safaris in the park. On the other hand, the wet season, which lasts from June to November, has more picturesque scenery.
Activities
- Enjoy game drives to see large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and lions, especially in the park’s northern region. At the base of the falls, one can take a boat safari.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
One of the most popular travel destinations in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is well-known for having the greatest diversity of life in Africa. It is situated on the rift valley floor, surrounded by lakes and breathtaking wilderness.
The Nile does not flow through Queen Elizabeth National Park like it does in Murchison Falls National Park. The Equator, on the other hand, passes through the park. Elephants, lions that can scale trees, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, and over 600 different bird species can all be found in the park.
Additionally, the park is consistently green throughout the year, guaranteeing tourists stunning scenery and photos. While on a Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth safari, there is a chance of seeing chimpanzees because Queen Elizabeth is close to Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Kibale.
Activities
- Game drives in and around Mweya, the northern circuit, and the isolated Ishasha plans in the southwest, which are renowned for the tree-climbing lions,
- You can go on boat safaris on the Kazinga channel to visit one of Africa’s top birding locations.
- Chimpanzees can be seen in Kyambura Gorge. Additionally, there are flamingos in the region’s numerous crater lakes.
Tree Climbing Lions
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
The best place to locate chimpanzees in Africa is Kibale National Park, which is referred to as the primates’ capital of the world. The park is thought to have more than 1500 chimpanzees among its more than 13 species of primates.
Chimpanzees forage all over, unlike mountain gorillas, who prefer to stay in one place at a time. In most of the other parks where they are found, it is challenging to guarantee seeing them on a particular day due to their mobility. But this is unusual for this place. The likelihood of seeing primates is quite high due to their widespread distribution.
With more than 335 different species of birds in the area, the park is also a well-liked destination for birds. One of the best places to visit is the Kibale-Fort Portal area, which is home to a variety of animals, including primates, birds, butterflies, and the rarely seen forest elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. Kibale National Park is best visited in the dry season, which is between January and February or June and September.
Activities
- The primary draw of Kibale National Park is chimpanzees. One of the main things you can do in the area is go chimpanzee trekking. Our experts can assist you in obtaining the permit from the Uganda wildlife authorities, which is another requirement.
- In addition to seeing chimpanzees, visitors may also see monkeys, forest elephants, and antelopes.
- Bird watching is another well-liked pastime in the region. As many different species of birds as you can count can be seen during a guided tour of the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
- Visits to the community and tours of Carter Lake are additional enjoyable activities.
- First-time visitors to Uganda should make the most of their brief stay by taking advantage of everything the country has to offer. Even though it might be impossible to take in all of the amazing sights and fascinating animals at once, our team of experts is always prepared to plan your Uganda Safari itinerary to maximize your time there.
