Uganda is home to 16 national parks, spread across the country. Each one offers something different. So, which national parks in Uganda are the best? That depends on what you are looking for. Do you want close encounters with primates? Classic savanna safaris? Mountain hikes? Remote and untouched wilderness? Or a journey that combines it all? Uganda makes this possible. Rainforests sit next to open plains. Rivers cut through savannas. Mountains rise above the clouds. Below, we highlight Uganda’s best national parks and what makes each one special. If you would like to explore further, we have created a dedicated page for every national park in Uganda.
Best National Park in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
For many travelers, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the main reason to visit Uganda. The park lies in the far southwest of the country. It is ancient, dense and often wrapped in mist. Bwindi protects almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. They live in small, close-knit families, hidden deep inside the forest. Gorilla trekking here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You hike through thick jungle. You climb steep, muddy trails. You push through vines and giant ferns. Then everything changes. The forest grows quiet. And suddenly, you are face to face with gorillas. You watch them feed, play, rest, and care for their young. The moment is emotional, powerful, and deeply humbling. Beyond gorillas, Bwindi is a haven for bird lovers. More than 350 bird species live in the forest. Many of them are rare and endemic. The terrain is demanding. The forest is unforgiving. But the reward is extraordinary.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest park. But it is also one of the most dramatic. It sits high in the Virunga Mountains, right on the border with Rwanda and the DR Congo. Three extinct volcanoes dominate the skyline; Mount Sabinyo, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga.
The scenery is breathtaking. Mist drifts through bamboo forests. Volcanoes rise sharply into the sky. Mgahinga is special for one main reason. It offers two rare primate experiences in one place; mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are fast, playful, and beautifully colored. They move in large groups and often very close to you. The national park is also rich in culture. It is the ancestral home of the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers. Mgahinga feels quiet, remote, and timeless.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is known as the Primate Capital of Africa. No other park on the continent has such a high diversity of primates. More than 13 primate species live here. But the biggest attraction is chimpanzee trekking. Kibale is the best place in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. Over 1,500 chimpanzees live in this forest. Chimpanzees are energetic. Loud. And highly social. You watch them climb trees. Feed on fruit. Play. Fight. And groom each other. They feel incredibly human. Kibale Forest National Park is also home to many other monkeys. Red colobus. Black-and-white colobus. Blue monkeys. Red-tailed monkeys. Olive baboons. The forest is lush and green. Light filters through the canopy. Birdlife is excellent. Forest walks are calm and peaceful. Kibale is a place to slow down. To listen. And to connect with the forest.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most diverse safari park. It lies in the Great Rift Valley between Lake Edward and Lake George. With the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains rising in the distance. The landscapes are classic Africa. Wide savanna plains. Scattered acacia trees. And endless open skies. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions. They are found mainly in the Ishasha sector. Here, lions rest high in fig trees. A rare sight seen in only a few places in Africa.
The Kazinga Channel is the heart of the park. It connects Lake Edward and Lake George. It holds one of the highest concentrations of hippos on the continent. Boat safaris here are unforgettable. You glide past hippos. Crocodiles bask on the banks. Buffalo gather at the water’s edge. Elephants come to drink and bathe. Queen Elizabeth is also a top birding destination. More than 600 bird species have been recorded. From kingfishers to fish eagles. This park offers variety. Game drives. Boat cruises. And chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. That makes Queen Elizabeth National Park ideal for first-time visitors. And for travelers who want to see it all in one place.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest park. The Nile River flows through it. Calm and wide at first. Then suddenly violent. The river is forced through a narrow gorge. Only a few meters wide. This creates Murchison Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the world. The sound is thunderous. The spray fills the air. The ground vibrates. The park offers classic African safari scenery. Rolling savanna. Riverbanks. Woodlands. Wildlife is abundant. Elephants. Lions. Leopards. Giraffes. Buffalo. Boat safaris on the Nile are a highlight. They offer excellent chances to see hippos and crocodiles. And often the rare shoebill stork. Murchison Falls is dramatic, wild, and unforgettable.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is remote. Wild. And incredibly beautiful. It lies in the far northeast of Uganda. Near the borders with Kenya and South Sudan. Few travelers reach Kidepo. And that is its greatest strength. The landscapes are vast and open. Golden plains stretch endlessly. Rocky hills rise in the distance. Kidepo is the only park in Uganda where you can see cheetahs. And ostriches. Large herds of buffalo roam freely. Lions and leopards are often seen. The park feels raw. Untouched. And deeply African. Cultural encounters with the Karamojong people add another layer to the experience. For many safari lovers, Kidepo is Uganda’s most beautiful park.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is small b full of surprises. It is the closest savanna park to Kampala and easy to reach. The park is dotted with lakes and wetlands and surrounded by rolling hills. Lake Mburo is the best place in Uganda to see zebras. It is also home to impalas and Rothschild’s giraffes. There are no elephants and lions. This allows something rare. Walking safaris. Cycling safaris. Horseback riding. You can explore the park on foot. Or by bike. Surrounded by wildlife. Night game drives offer good chances to see leopards. Lake Mburo feels calm. Personal. And relaxing.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains are known as the Mountains of the Moon. They are wild, rugged, and mysterious. Unlike volcanoes, these mountains were formed by tectonic forces. They are sharp and dramatic. Mount Stanley is Africa’s third-highest peak and glaciers still exist here. Hiking in the Rwenzoris is challenging. Often muddy. Often cold. But the scenery is unreal. Giant lobelias. Heather forests. Alpine zones. This park is for serious hikers. And true adventurers.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon is an ancient volcano. Older than Kilimanjaro. It has one of the largest calderas in the world. The park lies on the border with Kenya and offers gentler hiking than the Rwenzoris. Trails pass through forests, caves, waterfalls, and open moorlands. Sipi Falls nearby add to the experience. Mount Elgon is peaceful, scenic, and less crowded.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park feels different from anywhere else in Uganda. It is a lowland tropical rainforest, an extension of the Congo Basin. The air is warm and humid. The forest feels ancient. Semuliki is famous for its hot springs. Boiling water bursts from the ground. Steam rises into the forest. Birdlife is exceptional. Many species are found nowhere else in East Africa. Semuliki is ideal for travelers who want something unique and off the beaten path.
Newly Gazetted National Parks In Uganda
In 2025, Uganda added several new national parks. This strengthened conservation and protected key ecosystems.
- Kyambura National Park: deep forest gorge, home to chimpanzees and many primates.
- Bukaleba National Park: located near Lake Victoria and ideal for wetlands and forest walks.
- Katonga National Park: a wetland park, famous for the rare sitatunga antelope.
- Echuya National Park: a high-altitude forest rich in birds and Batwa culture.
- Kigezi National Park: protects wildlife corridors, quiet and scenic.
- Toro National Park: near the Rwenzori Mountains, excellent for kob, birds, and views.
Uganda takes good care of its national parks
As you have read above, Uganda boasts many national parks. There are also several reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Both the parks and reserves are closely managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, ensuring that wildlife has access to space and a healthy environment. In short, Uganda is serious about developing and protecting its natural resources.
You can easily drive from park to park
The infrastructure between the Uganda national parks is constantly being optimized. As a traveler, you can see more and more in a shorter time. But don’t just focus on the parks: there are also all sorts of beautiful things to discover between them. Take, for example, the vibrant Ugandan life.
Want to visit national parks in Uganda yourself?
You have already read that Uganda boasts many beautiful parks, each with its own unique characteristics. Want to experience the most beautiful sights on your own tour of Uganda? We’re happy to help you plan a unique tour of Uganda.
Curious about our tips? Then read: Top 10 experiences in Uganda
