Top 10 Uganda National Parks & their Locations

Uganda National Parks: All 10 Uganda National Parks compared — gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, and birding activities, plus entrance fees and best time to visit.

Uganda is home to 10 national parks, each offering a genuinely distinct opportunity to experience some of the world’s rarest wildlife and safari activities.

From dense, gorilla-filled rainforest to open savannah teeming with big game, Uganda’s national parks range across forest and savannah ecosystems, each sheltering unique species that make the country one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations. This guide walks through all 10 national parks in Uganda — the wildlife, the signature activities, and what makes each one worth building a trip around.

Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Safari Combo

Uganda National Parks Include;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits along the Western Rift Valley (Albertine Rift) in southwestern Uganda, bordered by the Kabale, Kisoro, and Rukungiri districts.

Designated a national park in 1991 and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Bwindi spans an elevation range of roughly 1,160 to 2,607 metres across a genuinely lush, impenetrable rainforest.

Bwindi protects 120 mammal species, including 7 diurnal primates, alongside 200 butterfly species and 360 recorded bird species, all set within a dense Afro-montane forest of vines, ferns, and shrubs.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is the park’s headline activity — home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas — alongside nature walks along six major trails including the Muzabajiro Loop, Munyaga Waterfall Walk, Ivi River Walk, Habinyanja Trail, and the Buhoma-Nkuringo Trail.

Birders should watch for the white-tailed blue flycatcher, short-tailed warbler, common bulbul, and African emerald cuckoo, while cultural encounters with the Bakiga and Batwa communities, plus cycling, round out the park’s activity list. See our full Bwindi Impenetrable National Park guide and our 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda itinerary for current permit and booking details.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park, home to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, is Uganda’s largest safari park by land area and the only one in the country’s northwest, forming part of the wider Murchison Falls Conservation Area alongside Karuma Wildlife Reserve, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, and Budongo Forest.

Founded in 1952 and spanning 3,840 square kilometres, the park’s namesake waterfall is a genuine natural spectacle — the entire Nile forces itself through a narrow 7–8 metre gorge before dropping 43 metres and continuing toward the Albert Nile.

Beyond the falls themselves, game drives and boat cruises in Murchison Falls reveal the Nile-Lake Albert delta, big game including buffaloes, elephants, lions, and leopards, Karuma Falls, and resident chimpanzee populations.

Birders will find 451 recorded species here, including the prized shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, squacco heron, goliath heron, and grey crowned crane.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the only place in Uganda — and one of very few in all of Africa — where both gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking are possible within the same park.

The smallest of Uganda’s 10 national parks at just 33.7 square kilometres, Mgahinga sits within the Virunga region, protecting 3 of the 8 Virunga volcanoes: Sabyinyo (3,645m), Gahinga (3,474m), and Muhabura (4,127m).

Beyond the primates, top attractions include volcano hiking, birding, the Batwa Trail, and Garama Caves — genuinely enough packed into a small park to justify a dedicated visit.

Chimpanzee Tracking Spots in Kibale Forest

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is one of Africa’s leading chimpanzee tracking destinations, protecting over 1,500 chimpanzees and widely regarded as the primate capital of the world — home to 13 primate species in total, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons, and red colobus monkeys alongside its chimpanzees.

Beyond primates, Kibale shelters bush pigs, duikers, buffaloes, and elephants, plus 375 recorded bird species including six species found nowhere else and several Albertine Rift endemics — the blue-breasted kingfisher, African green-breasted pitta, red-faced woodland warbler, and black bee-eater among the highlights. The Crater Lakes in the nearby Kasenda area and cultural visits to Batoro communities round out a Kibale itinerary.

Officially gazetted in 1993, Kibale covers 795 square kilometres at an elevation of 1,100–1,590 metres, combining wet tropical forest, woodland, and savannah grassland patches.

The park sits in western Uganda, roughly 5–6 hours by road from Kampala, or just 26km from Fort Portal town — and can also be reached en route from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, or Murchison Falls National Park. See our 3 Days Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale itinerary for a dedicated primate-focused trip.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a genuine “medley of wonders” and the only place in Uganda to see tree-climbing lions. Located in western Uganda between Lake George and Lake Albert, the park was named after Queen Elizabeth of England in 1954 and spans 1,978 square kilometres of genuinely varied habitat.

Beyond the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, the park hosts 620 recorded bird species and the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Albert and Lake George and shelters a large population of Nile crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic birds — best explored by boat cruise.

See our full Queen Elizabeth National Park guide and 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari itinerary for current game drive and boat cruise options.

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park sits in eastern Uganda, home to Mount Elgon itself, which rises to 4,321 metres and hosts one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. The park spans 1,121 square kilometres and shelters forest elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, and birds including the white-starred forest robin, black-collared apalis, lammergeyer, and mountain widowbird.

Hiking and mountaineering are the park’s signature activities — caves including Chepnyalil, Kitum, Makingeny, and Ngwarisha are must-visits, and hikers shouldn’t miss Sipi Falls or the challenge of summiting Wagagai Peak via routes such as the Sasa, Piswa, or Sipi trails.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park, in western Uganda, is one of Africa’s most popular mountaineering destinations and a genuinely biodiverse UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation it received in 1994.

The park covers 1,000 square kilometres and hosts over 60 mammal species and 200 bird species, including elephants, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, red-tailed monkeys, and leopards, alongside birds like Rwenzori turacos, red-faced woodland warblers, and the dwarf honeyguide.

Semuliki National Park

Established in 1993 and covering 220 square kilometres in western Uganda, Semuliki National Park forms an extension of the vast Ituri Forest and is home to the Sempaya Hot Springs, a genuinely unusual geothermal attraction.

The park protects De Brazza’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, Mona monkeys, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and baboons, alongside hippos, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants, with birds including the white-crested hornbill, orange-cheeked waxbill, and blue-headed crested flycatcher rounding out the park’s genuinely underrated appeal.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park, in Uganda’s extreme northeast, is a true wilderness destination — founded in 1962, sitting on rugged savannah in the Karamoja region, roughly 520km from Kampala.

The park spans 1,442 square kilometres, home to 77 mammal species and 475 bird species, with the surrounding region home to the Karamojong and Ik communities.

Kidepo shelters substantial populations of elephants, antelope, buffaloes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and warthogs — genuinely one of the best game drive destinations in Uganda for travelers willing to make the journey. Birders should watch for the Ethiopian swallow, white-bellied tit, scarlet-chested sunbird, and superb starling.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest savannah parks, sits in the country’s western region, spanning 370 square kilometres across 13 lakes. Established in 1983, the park shelters 350 bird species alongside leopards, zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos, and reedbucks — genuinely one of the few parks in Uganda where zebras are commonly seen.

Activities at Lake Mburo include horseback riding, game drives, boat cruises, birding, nature walks, and cultural experiences, making it a genuinely well-rounded, accessible park for travelers with limited time.

Uganda National Parks Entrance Fees 2026

Entrance fees vary by visitor category across Uganda’s national parks. Here’s a general overview:

National Park	Foreign Non-Resident	Foreign Resident	East African Community	Category
Murchison Falls NP	$45	$35	UGX 25,000	A+
Queen Elizabeth NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Bwindi Impenetrable NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Mgahinga Gorilla NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Kibale NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Lake Mburo NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Kidepo Valley NP	$40	$30	UGX 20,000	A
Rwenzori Mountains NP	$35	$25	UGX 15,000	B
Semuliki NP	$35	$25	UGX 15,000	B
Mount Elgon NP	$35	$25	UGX 15,000	B

Adult rates shown. Children (ages 5–15) pay roughly half these rates; children under 5 enter free. A day’s entrance ticket is valid for 24 hours. Ugandan citizens pay separately in UGX (not itemized above). Vehicle entry is charged separately — UGX 20,000 for Ugandan-registered saloon cars, $40 for foreign-registered ones. Source: UWA Conservation Tariff, July 2024–June 2026 (official PDF).

These fees cover general park entry only — they don’t include the separate permits required for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, or other specific guided activities.

Fees are also subject to change, so always confirm current rates with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or directly with our team before booking.

Best Time to Visit Uganda National Parks

The right time to visit depends heavily on which activities you’re prioritising, but Uganda’s two dry seasons — December to February and June to August — generally offer the most favourable conditions overall.

December to February, the short dry season, is genuinely excellent for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga, with firmer, less muddy trails making the hike itself more manageable.

June to August, the long dry season, is peak tourism season and the best window for game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, with more predictable weather and excellent overall wildlife visibility.

The wetter seasons — March to May (long rains) and September to November (short rains) — bring real benefits of their own. March to May sees heavy rain and muddier trekking conditions, but rewards visitors with lush, vividly green landscapes and noticeably fewer crowds. September to November’s lighter rains often come with better accommodation deals and quieter parks.

For birding specifically, the wet seasons are genuinely preferable, since many species become more active and migratory birds are present in greater numbers. See our full guide on the best time to visit Uganda for activity-by-activity timing advice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda National Parks

Which Uganda national park is best for gorilla trekking? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the largest number of habituated gorilla families and remains the most popular choice, though Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers the same experience with the added option of golden monkey trekking in the same trip.

Which national park has the tree-climbing lions? Queen Elizabeth National Park, specifically the Ishasha sector — one of very few places in the world where this behaviour is regularly observed.

Which Uganda national park is best for chimpanzee tracking? Kibale National Park, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and widely known as the primate capital of the world.

Do entrance fees include gorilla or chimpanzee permits? No — park entrance fees cover general access only. Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and other guided activity permits are booked and priced separately.

What is the best national park in Uganda for a first-time visitor? Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park, both offering strong, reliable game viewing alongside boat cruises, making them accessible and rewarding even on a shorter first trip.

Uganda National Parks map

uganda national parks map

Plan Your Uganda National Parks Safari With Us

With 10 genuinely distinct national parks to choose from, deciding which ones to prioritise is often the hardest part of planning a Uganda safari — and it’s exactly where Hail Tours Uganda can help.

Our team builds itineraries around the specific parks and activities that matter most to you, whether that’s gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, or a full multi-park circuit covering the country’s best game drives and primate encounters.

Explore our Uganda safari activities guide for a full activity-by-activity breakdown, compare gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda if you’re weighing both countries, or browse our 12 Days Uganda Safari for the deepest single-country circuit we offer.

Shorter on time? Our Weekend Gorilla Safari Uganda and 4 Days Uganda Safari itineraries both deliver genuine headline experiences without a two-week commitment.

Read our guide on how to book a gorilla trek and safari before you commit to dates, or get in touch directly and let us match a full itinerary to the Uganda national parks you don’t want to miss.

Email: info@hailtoursuganda.com