Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria, locally known as Nalubaale with a surface area of approximately 68,800 square kilometers (26,600 sq mi), Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake by area, the world’s largest tropical lake and the world’s second largest fresh water lake by surface area, after Lake Superior in North America. In terms of volume, Lake Victoria is the world’s ninth largest continental lake, containing about 2,750 cubic kilometers (2.23×109 acre⋅ft) of water.
The lake was named after Queen Victoria by the explorer John Hanning Speke, the first Briton to document it. Speke accomplished this in 1858, while on an expedition with Richard Francis Burton to locate the source of the Nile River.
Lake Victoria receives its water primarily from direct rainfall and thousands of major and minor streams. The Kagera River is the largest river flowing into this lake, with its mouth on the lake’s western shore. Lake Victoria is drained solely by the Nile River near Jinja, Uganda, on the lake’s northern shore.
Lake Victoria occupies a shallow depression in Africa. The lake has a maximum depth of 84 metres (276 ft) and an average depth of 40 metres (130 ft). Its catchment area covers 184,000 square kilometers (71,000 sq mi). The lake has a shoreline of 7,142 kilometers (4,438 mi) when digitized at the 1:25,000 level, with islands constituting 3.7 percent of this length, and is divided among three countries: Kenya (6 percent or 4,100 square kilometres or 1,600 square miles), Uganda (45 percent or 31,000 square kilometres or 12,000 square miles), and Tanzania (49 percent or 33,700 square kilometres or 13,000 square miles).
Geologically, Lake Victoria is relatively young – about 400,000 years old – and it formed when westward-flowing rivers were blocked by an upthrow crustal block. During its geological history, Lake Victoria went through changes ranging from its present shallow depression, through to what may have been a series of much smaller lakes. Geological cores taken from its bottom show Lake Victoria has dried up completely at least three times since it formed. These drying cycles are probably related to past ice ages, which were times when precipitation declined globally. Lake Victoria last dried out about 17,300 years ago, and it refilled 14,700 years ago.
Lake Victoria receives 80 percent of its water from direct rainfall. Average evaporation on the lake is between 2.0 and 2.2 metres (6.6 and 7.2 ft) per year almost double the precipitation of riparian areas. In the Kenya sector, the main influent rivers are the Sio, Nzoia, Yala, Nyando, Sondu Miriu, Mogusi, and Migori. Combined, these rivers contribute far more water to the lake than does the largest single river entering the lake from the west, the Kagera River.
The only outflow from Lake Victoria is the Nile River, which exits the lake near Jinja, Uganda. In terms of contributed water, this makes Lake Victoria the principal source of the longest branch of the Nile. However, the most distal source of the Nile Basin, and therefore the ultimate source of the Nile, is more often considered to be one of the tributary rivers of the Kagera River (the exact tributary remains undetermined), and which originates in either Rwanda or Burundi. The uppermost section of the Nile is generally known as the Victoria Nile until it reaches Lake Albert. Although it is a part of the same river system known as the White Nile and is occasionally referred to as such, strictly speaking this name does not apply until after the river crosses the Uganda border into South Sudan to the north.
The lake exhibits eutrophic conditions. In 1990–1991, oxygen concentrations in the mixed layer were higher than in 1960–1961, with nearly continuous oxygen super capacity in surface waters. Oxygen concentrations in hypolimnetic waters (i.e. the layer of water that lies below the thermocline, is non-circulating, and remains perpetually cold) were lower in 1990–1991 for a longer period than in 1960–1961, with values of less than 1 mg per litre (< 0.4 gr/cu ft) occurring in water as shallow as 40 metres (130 ft) compared with a shallowest occurrence of greater than 50 metres (160 ft) in 1961.
List of national parks and wildlife reserves in Uganda
Uganda list of national parks and wildlife game reserves in Uganda that are maintained by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, if there is any we have missed out please feel free to advise us and since we regularly updated our website.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is in the south-western Uganda. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is situated along the DR Congo (DRC) border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the Albertine rift. Composed of 331 square kilometres (128 sq mi) of both montane and lowland forest, it is accessible only on foot. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated as World Heritage Site.
It provides home to over 120 species of Mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many endangered species. Floristically, the park is among the most diverse forests in East Africa, with more than 1,000 flowering plant species, including 163 species of trees and 104 species of ferns. The northern (low elevation) sector has many species of Guineo-Congolian flora, including two endangered species, the brown mahogany and Brazzeia longipedicelleta.
The park is a sanctuary for colobus monkey, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. It is most notable for over 880 Bwindi endangered mountain gorillas, half of the world’s population. It has four gorilla trekking centers that is Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector all sectors have well habituated gorilla groups tracking.
In 1964, the park was designated as an animal sanctuary to provide extra protection for its mountain gorillas and renamed the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve. In 1966, two other forest reserves became part of the main reserve, increasing its area to almost 321 square kilometers (124 sq mi). The park continued to be managed as both a game sanctuary and forest reserve.
In 1991, the Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve, along with the Mgahinga Gorilla NP and the Rwenzori National Park, was designated as a national park and renamed the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It covered an area of 330.8 square kilometers (127.7 sq mi).The park was declared in part to protect a range of species within it, most notably the mountain gorilla. The reclassification of the park had a large impact on the Batwa pygmy people, who were evicted from the forest and no longer permitted to enter the park or access its resources. The park’s management changed: Uganda National Parks, since renamed the Uganda Wildlife Authority, became responsible for the park.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is old, complex, and biologically rich. Diverse species are a feature of the park, and it became an UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its ecological importance. Among East African forests, Bwindi has some of the richest populations of trees, small mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, and moths. The park’s diverse species are partly a result of the large variations of elevation and habitat types in the park, and may also be because the forest was a refuge for species during glaciations in the Pleistocene epoch.
Bwindi is thought to have one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There are an estimated 120 mammal species in the park, of which 10 are Primates and more than 45 are small mammals. The park is important for the conservation of the afro montane fauna, especially species endemic to the western rift valley’s mountains. Along with mountain gorillas, species in the park include the common Chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s monkey, African Forest elephants, African green broadbill, cream-banded swallow tail, black and white tailed colobus monkey and red tailed monkey, vervets, the giant forest hog and small antelope species. There are also many carnivores, including the side-striped jackal, African golden cat and African Civet. The Park has more than 350 bird species and more than 200 butterfly species. The fish species in the park’s rivers and streams are not well known.
Mountain gorillas
The park is inhabited by about 880 individual mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringe beringei). Known as the Bwindi population, which makes up almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world, the rest of the worldwide mountain gorilla population is in the nearby Virunga Mountains. A 2006 census of the mountain gorilla population in the park showed that its numbers had increased modestly from an estimated 300 individuals in 1997 to 320 individuals in 2002 to 340 individuals in 2006. Disease and habitat loss are the greatest threat to the gorillas. Poaching is also a threat.
Mountain gorillas in general are endangered species, with an estimated total population of about 880 individuals. There are no mountain gorillas in captivity. In the 1960s and 1970s, mountain gorillas were captured to begin a population of them in captive facilities. No baby gorillas survived in captivity and no mountain gorillas are known of that are currently in captivity.
Gorilla tracking is the park’s main tourist attraction, and it generates much revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tourists wishing to track gorillas must first obtain a permit. Selected gorillas families have been habituated to human presence, and the number of visitors is tightly controlled to prevent risks to the gorillas and degradation of the habitat. You are able to reserve your gorilla tracking permits through us. The gorillas seldom react to tourists. There are strict rules for tourists to minimize the risk of diseases passing from humans to animals and from animals to humans. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the only countries where it is possible to visit mountain gorillas.
Other Top Things to Do and See in – near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park:
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga:
It is only in Uganda that you can be with a Mountain Gorilla Family for 4 hours on a Gorilla Habituation Experience along with researchers in Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest – this amazing experience – to be with a Mountain Gorilla Family as it is being habituated is a one of a kind experience in Africa that everyone should not miss on a vacation to Africa.
There are presently two family groups being habituated, meaning that they becoming used to human contact and will not run away from visitors trekking them.
Mountain Bike Rides – Buhoma Area:
Ride 4 a Woman which is a community support group offers mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma area of the park.
You can even do the Village Walk on a bike with a guide. There are Birding Bike Rides, or simply a ride into the Forest such as the Ivy River Trail. The average Bike Ride is 3 hours or longer in length with much to see along the trail or road.
The guides are all well-trained, some specialize in birding, others in culture but all know Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which they all love and want to conserve.
The Batwa Forest Experience:
The Batwa were the original people of the forest, they were here for thousands of years before the Bantu People, the Cultivators of the Land arrived and until now they are still in their real true Bushmen life style which is so much exciting.
The Batwa People – are pygmies – were hunter-gatherers and lived in the forests of Southwest Uganda and beyond. They left a small ecological footprint on the forest and lived in harmony with nature. You can visit the forest (actually outside of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) with the Batwa People and learn of their traditional ways of hunting and gathering.
The Batwa Experience takes place in the Buhoma area – if you are in South Bwindi you can visit the Buniga Forest with the Batwa people there.
The Buhoma Village Walk:
Here you have a 3-hour cultural walk through the village – you learn the ways and culture of the people that live in the Buhoma area on the edge of Bwindi Forest. The Village Walk is with a local guide who is friendly and knowledgeable about local culture and customs.
You will see how people make local crafts such as baskets with the most intricate designs – beer made from Bananas, and a distillery that makes the local Waragi Gin from Bananas, meet a traditional healer and learn of what is gathered in the ancient forest and how it is taken and applied to ailments – you will be amazed –
See how the growing of local produce is done and harvested, food preparation over charcoal or open fire, visit a school, and meet the Batwa Pygmy community as they perform a dance for you just to name a few. It is certainly a cultural learning experience and the cost of the walk supports the local community – so a win-win for everyone. (3 hours in length and difficulty level is easy – Location – Buhoma Area)
Hiking through the Forest:
The Hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be one day or the longer hike from the north of Bwindi to the South – called Nkuringo – there one can stay overnight and continue the next day down to scenic Lake Mutanda where you paddle across in a wooden dugout and continue to the town of Kisoro.
This is the most popular hike along two trails of Bwindi – there are however other trails and nature walks, most from easy to moderate in and near the Forest that can be explored on foot and require from an hour to all day long.
Hiking through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is always with a guide. The through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Hikes have become more popular over the last few years, especially with those who choose to trek gorillas twice, once in Buhoma and once in the South of the Park.
Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it is one of the prime birding destinations in Africa. There are over 347 species of forest birds recorded in the Park, at least 70 out of 78 montane forest bird species occurring in the Albertine Rift region are found in the forest, and 22 of the 36 endemic species in the region.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has been picked as Africa’s Number One Birding Site where you find many species endemic to the forest.
Now visitors come from far and wide to spot some of Africa’s rarest birds and at the same time, they can track the Mountain Gorillas and enjoy other nearby prime birding spots.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park:
By Road
Bwindi forest can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the northern just 2 to 3 hours’ drive, from Kampala through Mbarara about 6 to 8 hours’ drive or from Kabale town to the southern just 1 to 2 hours. These roads then converge at Butogota, just 17 kilometers from the Buhoma entrance-gate. A 4×4 vehicle is needed through the rainy months. A daily bus service leaves Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihiihi.
By Air
Travelers can choose to fly from Entebbe or from Kampala at Kajansi airfield to the up to date tarmac airstrip found at Kisoro. Additionally Planes may as well be chartered to the Savannah or the grass Kayonza airstrips.
Bwindi is actually well served by 3 airfields at Kihiihi plus Kayonza for the northern area in addition to Nyakabande found in Kisoro for people going to track mountain gorillas within the southern area (Mishaya, Nshongi plus Nkuringo).
Bwindi is located in the south-western part of Uganda with approximately 7 h 35 min (463.7 Km) via Masaka Road. from Kampala .The easiest means of transport to Bwindi is by road.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya)- Kihihi-Buhoma.
On your way to the park, you will pass through Ishasha and you will enjoy seeing the climbing lions along with monkeys on the road. Bwindi covers an area of about 160 km from Mweya and about 64 km from Ishasha.
Kampala – Kabale – Kanungu – Buhoma.
The route has a tarmac highway to Kabale and covers an area of about 414 km and it’s a 5-6 hour’s drive. The next route has a murram road and has about 120 km. the route goes through Kanungu as well as Kanyantorogo and it takes about 4-5 hours. The most convenient vehicle is a 4WD.
Kampala – Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma.
The easiest and most convenient route is from Kampala direct to the tarmac road Rukungiri and has about 390 km in addition to murram road to Buhoma.
Kampala – Kabale – Ruhija – Buhoma.
This route covers an area of about 95 km2 on the murram road and its takes about 3-4 hrs. The only vehicle that can pass through Ruhija is a 4WD.
Kampala – Kabale – Nkuringo.
It covers a distance of about 105 km from Kabale town and it takes about 4 hours to get to the mountainous murram road. Many tourists take up nights in Kisoro town and the remaining distance is about 80 km from Kabale prior to Nkuringo. Kisoro road is a meandering 35 km and takes about 1-1.5 hours. The most suitable car for this area is the 4WD.
By means of public transport, a bus set on everyday from Kampala to Butogota.Thereafter a tax can be got the last 17km to Buhoma.Nkuringo has no public means and the best thing to do is to hire a vehicle from Kisoro.
Another means of transport can be by Air; Tourits can fly from kajjansi airfield or Entebbe and land off from Kisoro airstrip. Those who may want to visit Buhoma may take on the charter planes and land off from Kayonza airstrip.
Bwindi National Park a home to tremendous biodiversity because of two factors. First of all, its slopes stretch over a broad altitudinalrange of 1447 meter to create habitats roaming from lowland forest at 1160m to unique Afromontane vegetation above 2600m.
Second, it is extremely old since most of Africa’s forests were destroyed during the arid conditions of the final ice age(12,000-18,000 years ago), Bwindi was among a few ‘refugia’ that remained.
As a result, as most of nowadays forests are not further than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over 25,000 years, in the process accumulating an extensive species list. This consists of 310 species of butterfly, 200 trees, 88 moths, 51 reptiles, and a tremendous 120 varieties of mammal including 10 primates. The latter are red tailed, chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s and blue monkey, black & white colobus, baboon, as well as Bwindi’s most famous resident,
Local people
The local people near the park are mos’ and Bafumbira. Minor Batwa communities are (Pygmy!) also present. The Bwindi area holds up one of the rural population densities in Uganda with a number of 350 people.
Getting Around
The diverse trailheads of Bwindi can be accessed by vehicle. But there aren’t any roads inside the park itself that is traveled around on foot. The Bwindi is appropriately named as ‘impenetrable forest’; the paths go through thick vegetation and may be steep. Make use of walking sticks provided at the beginning of the walk.
Climate and best time to Visit
Bwindi is cold in the mornings and in the nights with moderate temperatures between 7⁰C and 20⁰C. Actually the coldest time in Bwindi is from June to July, while the wet seasons starts in March to May as well as from September to November experiencing a total annual rainfall of 2390mm. the Rains received in March to May are actually short. September to November receives heavier although these are long hours of gentle drizzles.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale is one in all the most attractive national parks in Uganda with tropical rain forest, and a multiplicity of animals. The most famous of its 13 species is the chimpanzee, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzees represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, bush baby and potto.
Also an estimated 500 elephants are present, along with buffalos, leopards, warthogs, bush pigs, golden cats and duikers. A keen observer may spot reptiles and amphibians as well as a colorful variety of 250 species of butterflies. Kibale national park also boasts of more than 375 species of birds.
Kibale Forest National Park Uganda is one of the best safari destination in Africa for chimpanzee tracking tour with tropical rainforest, and a multiplicity of animals. The park is most famous of its 13 primate species including the chimpanzees, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzees represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, bush baby and pottus. Also an estimated 500 elephants are present, along with buffalos, leopards, warthogs, bush pigs, golden cats and duikers. A keen observer may spot reptiles and amphibians as well as a colorful variety of 250 species of butterflies. Kibale national park also boasts of more than 375 species of birds.
It’s a 12km hike and usually done in the dry seasons. The months are mid Novermber-Fedruary, June and September. Hiking helps discover the park’s assorted habitats such as river line forest, swamp, grassland and tropical rainforest.nVisit Bigodi a top birders spot. It’s famous for wildlife such as chimpanzees, red colobus, black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, bushbuck as well as mongoose. It has about 138 bird species seen on nature walks within.
Cultural Trail
The nature walk begins from Kanyanchu or Sebitoli and it takes about 2-6 days. The enroute will help discover the forest and late rest in the community-run campsites close to the villages of Kikoni,Nyakalongo and Nyaibanda.
Additionally the wettest area is Northern Kibale , receiving an average annual rainfall of equal to 1700mm, mainly during March-May and September-November. The climate is usually pleasant with an average annual temperature range of 14 to 27oC. Temperatures are at maximum (& rainfall lower) in the south where the terrain drops onto the blistering rift valley floor and forest provides way to open grassland.
Southern Kibale borders Queen Elizabeth National Park and collectively these preserved areas maintain a 180 kilometer long migration corridor for wildlife that stretches from the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in “Ishasha”, to the north of Kibale in “Sebitoli”. The Kibale-Fort Portal region is one of Uganda’s most pleasing places to explore. The park is located close to the calm Ndali Kasenda crater area & which takes a half day’s drive to Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains & Semuliki National Parks along with the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Flora and fauna in Kibale Forest
Kibale’s varied altitude holds up different varieties of habitat, ranging from moist evergreen forest (wet tropical forest) along the Fort Portal plateau,then through the dry tropical forest (moist semi deciduous), and then to the woodland & savanna along the rift valley floor.
In the central part of the park, around Kanyanchu, the high forest consist of a mixture of evergreen trees and deciduous with the evergreen species being dominant. Vegetation rise to over 55m and establish a semi closed canopy of massive stratified tree crowns. With shade tolerant herbs, a variety of ferns, shrubs and broad leaved forest grasses, the undergrowth is sparse. 351 tree species have been registered in the park.
Chimpanzee Safari Uganda Kibale
The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most well known of its 13 species are the chimpanzees, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzee indicate Uganda’s biggest population of this threatened primate. A Uganda safari can enable you to see all these primates. Additionally Kibale is home to the uncommon I’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkey. The black & white colobus, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, grey cheeked mangabey, bush baby and potto are among the other primates.
Other mammals are also present, though they are hardly seen. These consist of buffalo, leopard, bush pig elephant, and duiker. A neat viewer could also see amphibians and reptiles and a colorful variety of butterflies.
The park is a home to 325 variety of bird species, including 6 that are native to the Albertine Rift destination, that is to say dusky crimsonwing, black-capped apalis, blue-headed sunbird, collared apalis,red-faced woodland warbler and purple-breasted sunbird. Other Kibale specials are the green breasted pitta,African pitta, black bee-eater,Abyssinian groundthrush, yellow spotted nicator, little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, brownchested alethe, yellow rumped tinker bird, blue-breasted kingfisher, along with the crowned eagle.
Local people
The people living around Kibale National Park are mostly Batoro and Bakiga. The Batoro are native to the region while the Bakiga are just immigrants from the thickly populated southwestern part of the country. The Batoro carry pride in the ethnical heritage of the Kingdom of Toro, a scion of the ancient kingdoms of the Great Lakes region un Africa. The king (Omukama) and the kingdom personify the traditional along with cultural values of the Batoro. The immigrants (Bakiga) still hold their culture and tradition as expressed in their dance,folklore, as well as language.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo valley is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks. It contains one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan national park. This national park is 1,442 square kilometers. Kidepo harbors scenery that cannot be found in any other parks in east Africa.It has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species as well as around 475 bird species.
Lake Mburo National Park
It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It is home to 350 bird species as well as zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, making it one of a birding destination.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga gorilla national park is the smallest park in the country, it sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227 m and 4,127 m. It was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies.
This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivaled.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mt. Elgon is an extinct volcano that first erupted more than 24 million years ago. With the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world (50 km by 80 km) The Park is named after Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya.The botanical diversity of the park includes giant podocarpus, juniper and Elgon olive trees cedar Juniperus procera, pillarwood Cassipourea malosana, elder Sambucus adnata, pure stands of Podocarpus gracilior and many orchids. 400 species have been recorded.
The park is also home to a variety of small antelope and forest monkeys, including the Black-and-white Colobus and Blue Monkey. Over 300 birds can also be found in the area, Elephants and buffalo, Other scenery like cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The most popular areas are the four explorable, vast caves where frequent night visitors such as elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls, enters 200 m into the side of Mt. Elgon.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park sometimes referred to as Kabarega National Park is the largest park in Uganda and the most visited. It is named after the Murchison falls where the mighty river Nile bangs through a narrow gorge flowing down to be converted into a placid river. In the park you will see hippos, water bucks, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species including the rare shoebill. The flora and Fauna at Murchison is characterized by savannah, riverine forest and wood land.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park along with Kyambura and Kigezi wildlife resource brings together the most diverse ecosystem in Africa. Thousands of hippos populate these water shores. Open savannah dotted with acacia and euphobia trees provide habitat for, leopards , elephants, lions, Uganda Safari kobs, in addition to big herds of buffaloes. The park also harbors primate species, ten in number which include chimpanzees and monkeys. Waterbucks, giant forest hog, topi, hyenas, and crocodiles are among the many animals distinguished frequently in Queen Elizabeth national park.The park is also famous for its volcanic features, comprising volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes such as Lake Katwe, from which salt is extracted.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has Africa’s third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. The park is known for its beautiful plant life.The Rwenzori Mountains are higher than the Alps and are ice-capped. Mount Stanley is located in the park. Margherita Peak, one of Mount Stanley’s twin summits, is Africa’s third highest peak with a height of 5,109 m (16,762 ft). Africa’s fourth and fifth highest peaks (Mount Speke and Mount Baker) are also located in the park.It has a high diversity of plants and trees. The park is noted for its botany, which has been described as some of the most beautiful in the world. There are five distinct vegetation zones in the park, which change according to changes in altitude. The park has 89 species of birds, 15 species of butterfly, and four primate species. You will find forest elephants, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, duiker, and Ruwenzori Turaco.
Semliki National Park
The rich habitat of grassland, savannah, forest and wetland is home to diverse fauna, in addition to 400 bird species and 300 butterfly species.It is one of the richest areas of floral and faunal diversity in Africa, with bird species being especially diverse. The park has two hot springs in a hot mineral encrusted swamp. One of the springs – Mumbuga spring – resembles a geyser by forming a 0.5 m high fountain. These hot springs attract a large number of shorebirds and they are a source of salt for many animals.The park has over 60 mammal species, including forest buffalos, leopards, pygmy hippos, Mona Monkeys, water chevrotains, bush babies, civets, elephants, the Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Idiuus zenkeri) and nine species of Duikers.
Wildlife game reserves in Uganda
Katonga Wildlife Reserve
Many of the species of plants and animals in the Katonga Reserve are unique to the reserve’s wetland environment. The vegetation of the Katonga Reserve is mixed savannah with acacia scrubland or woodlands.There are over forty animal species and over one hundred and fifty bird species found within the reserve, you will find Sitatunga, Reedbuck, Waterbuck, Warthog, Bushbuck, Colobus monkey, Elephant, River otter
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
The Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is a conservation area in the Karamoja sub region of northeastern Uganda. It is the second largest conservation protected area in Uganda. Most of the Reserve is covered by undisturbed grassland and wooded grassland. Small areas of riverine woodland, kopjes also exist.Dominant tree species are red acacia and desert date. Also present are bushwillows, Harrisonia abyssinica and red spike-thorns. Shrubs include butterfly pea and wooly caper bush. It is home to enormous rock pythons and smaller but venomous puff adders. Harmless water snakes, lizards are also found there.
Matheniko Game Reserve
The Matheniko Wildlife Reserve is a conservation area in the Karamoja sub region of northeastern Uganda. It is the fifth most-threatened conservation protected area in Uganda. Matheniko is a part of the corridor of protected areas that stretches from Kidepo National Park down through Bokora and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserves. The Reserve’s northeastern boundary is also the Uganda-Kenya border.
