Described by Sir Winston Churchill as the "Pearl of Africa"Uganda
boasts ten(10) national game parks and a number of Game reserves
the best of which I have highlighted here.Uganda's image is synonymous
with rich,fertile landscapes,rolling hills and dense forest and
is perhaps best described as East Africa's unspoiled green belt.
BWINDI INPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
260km,South West of Kampala;331sq.Km(1160m - 2607m).
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 Great 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 word's
gorrilla 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 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 sercrets.
MGAHINGA GORRILA NATIONAL PARK
290km,South West of Kampala - 33.7sq.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 and Rwanda.These Gorilla
groups frequently 'pop in' and take temporary residence for a
couple of months at a stretch.Additional wildlife includes Blue
Monkeys,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 favourite
with hikers who come to explore the many caves and the three volcanoes,which
lie partly within the park's borders.
200Km,South West of Kampala - 1978 sq.Km. One of Ugand's oldest,richest and most popular park,it is
a labyrinth of open Savanna,bush lands,extensive forest,wetlands,rivers
and lakes including Lake Edward,the Kazinag 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 deverse
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 put 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 Statunga, 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!
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
180Km,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 extremly
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.Chimpazee 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.
RUWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
"MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON" 200Km,West of Kampala -
996 Sq.Km. As the name implies the magic of the Ruwenzori 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 of the serious hiker,and there is a mistariousness
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 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.Primarly 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 1800m which is home
to the majority of the parks resident mammals,dense bamboo forest(3000m/4500m),moorland(4375m),steep
glacial passes to the Mountains of the Moon's highest paeaks(5109m).This
mountain range is described as being perhaps the toughest hiking
challenge in East Africa,requiring above average fitness and stamina.
140Km North of Kampala - 3840 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
7meter split in the rocks before crashing 43 meters to pools.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 wildilife,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 regular watering hole.
SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK & SEMLIKI WILDLIFE RESERVE.
50Km 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 the
more localized De Brazza's monkey.
Formerly known as the Tor 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 Rwenzoris
is a rich mosaic of grassland,savanna,forest & wetlands.Of
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.
MBURO NATIONAL PARK:
A 2 hours drive west from Kampala along the Mbarara Road 1Sq.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
top,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 area 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 western parks and reserves.
200Km 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.
UGANDA
WILDLIFE NATIONAL PARKS
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