Uganda is a landlocked East African country that offers an incredible diversity of landscapes. From the snow-peaked Rwenzori Mountains to immense Lake Victoria, it's filled with wildlife like chimpanzees and rare birds.
The most popular national park in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth, where you'll spot 96 mammal species at close range. You'll also find the majestic Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A massive 764 square miles of savannah, forest and wetlands, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to an astonishing array of wildlife. Boat cruises on the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel, forest walks in Maramagambo and kayak trips on Lake Edward are all ways to get close to a wide variety of animal life.
Uganda’s most popular safari destination, Queen Elizabeth is home to the world’s largest concentration of hippos and other big game animals. The park also has plenty of chimpanzees and a lion conservation unit.
The Ishasha sector of the park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, who climb to escape heat and insects. This is one of the best places in Africa to spot this unique species.
Murchison Falls National Park
Considered one of the world's most powerful waterfalls, Murchison Falls is a must-visit on any Uganda safari. With a dramatic backdrop of papyrus-lined waterways and verdant forests, the park is home to plenteous wildlife including four of Africa's Big 5.
There are many activities you can enjoy while visiting Murchison Falls National Park. Among them are game drives, delta cruises, and hot air balloon wildlife viewing.
Besides the waterfalls, the national park offers great savannah grasslands, forests, and wetlands where you can find giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and more. It also hosts more than 450 bird species and provides habitat for a number of endangered animals such as rhinos.
A trip to Murchison Falls National Park is an unforgettable experience for all visitors. Whether you're enjoying a cruise up the Nile, taking a hike to the top of the falls or simply admiring the scenery, you will definitely want to return!
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is one of Uganda’s last remaining tropical rainforests, encompassing a range of altitude zones from lowland to montane. It’s also one of the best places to track chimpanzees, and has an impressive list of bird species.
Located in western Uganda, Kibale Forest is close to Queen Elizabeth and Semliki National Parks, and forms a wildlife corridor that connects the country’s three most famous parks. It’s also home to a number of crater lakes, some of which are worth exploring.
In addition to chimpanzee tracking and birding, Kibale’s proximity to Fort Portal means that there are plenty of activities available for visitors. These include a trip to the nearby community, where you can visit local homes and learn about their traditions and culture.
Lake Mburo National Park
One of the most accessible savannah parks, Lake Mburo is a great place to stop off midway between Kampala and Bwindi, or as a base for trips to the western forests. Its wetlands and woodlands are home to almost 70 mammal species, including zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, reedbuck, leopard, hyena and hippo.
Birders will find plenty to keep them occupied, with over 300 species recorded here in the acacia woodland and wetlands. The swamps are a haven for the sitatunga antelope and the rare shoebill stork.
The best time for a game drive is during the early morning or late afternoon, when animals are most active. You can also take a boat safari to Lake Mburo to see hippos and crocodiles.
Jinja
Known as the adrenaline capital of Uganda, Jinja is an ideal base for exploring the country's best national parks and other adventure activities. Located at the confluence of Lake Victoria and the Nile River, this fun-filled city offers a wide range of adventures, including white water rafting (up to grade 5), kayaking, and more.
The town is also home to a lively market, full of eager smiles and vibrant shouts. This is one of the most authentic parts of Uganda and an exciting insight into a typical African town.
In the past, Jinja was the country's leading industrial centre until the expulsion of all Asians by President Idi Amin in the 1970s caused the economy to collapse. However, the arrival of tourism has helped to rejuvenate this once-flourishing town.
