Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi is located in south western part of Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley or commonly known as the albertine rift. This park protects to a the remaining mountain gorillas in Uganda. It is very famous for mountain gorilla trekking and birding and forest walks.

Kibale Forest National Parks

Kibale Forest National Park Kibale is one of the countries most attractive national parks endowed with a vast tropical rainforest, and a multiplicity of animals. Kibale harbors the principally chimpanzees and more than 1,450 are protected inside the park. At Kanyanchu, a community of chimpanzees have been habituated to facilitate tourists to see these great apes in their natural environment. Threatened red colobus monkeys and the rare Lhoesti monkey are also found in the park. At the same time the forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks. This national park is 1,442 square kilometers. Kidepo harbors scenery that can not be found in any other parks in east Africa. Kidepo is tucked into the corner of Uganda’s bordering with Sudan and Kenya

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park, was designated in 1982, and is situated western Uganda. It is the only park that contain an entire lake. The attractive acacia-dotted savanna (158 square miles) is home to huge herds of impala, as well as uncommon topi, eland, klipspringer and other antelope. Other animals found in the park include Zebras and buffaloes.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in the country. It is about 38 sq km. Though it is very important as it is one of the two parks in Uganda that are habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in south western Uganda, in Kisoro district. This park was gazetted in 1999 and is part of the Virunga Conservation Area. This park adjoins Rwanda’s Volcano National Park, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park.

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. Located in the east of Uganda spanning the Uganda and Kenya border the closest large town is Mbale.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda which is named after the falls of the same name where the mighty river Nile violently forces its way through a narrow gorge before becoming a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, water bucks, crocodiles, and buffaloes. The flora and Fauna at Murchison is characterised by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife at Murchison Falls National Park includes,elephants, lions, leopard, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, orbis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species including the rare shoebill stork.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

The Rwenzori are the highest mountain range in Uganda. The first foreigner to climb its peak was an Italian in 1906 when Luigi Amadeodi Savoy duke of the Abruzzi climbed to the top of the mountain. A trip into the Rwenzori is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one, which must be well planned. The key to an enjoyable visit is to be prepared! The central circuit takes six nights or seven days and reaches an altitude of 14,000ft.(4,267m) above the sea level. The conditions on the mountain are a challenge to even an experienced trekker.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park along with Kyambura and the Kigezi Wildlife Reserve bring together the most diverse ecosystem in Africa. Open savannah dotted with acacia and euphorbia trees provide habitat for, leopard, elephant, lion, Uganda kob, in addition to big herds of buffalo.The park also harbors primates including chimpanzees.Waterbuck, giant forest hog, topi, hyena, and crocodiles are among the many animals distinguished frequently in the park

Semliki National Park & Semliki Game Reserve

The Reserve previously known as Toro Reserve, lies near the northern base of the Rwenzori in Uganda. The rich habitat of grassland, savannah, forest and wetland is home to diverse fauna, in addition to 400 bird species and 300 butterfly species. The national park tucked behind the Rwenzori and bordering the DR Congo is an extension of the vast Ituri forest of the DR. Congo. The park harbors many forest bird species not to be seen elsewhere in the country.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi ”Place of many little birds” lies in south western Uganda in Kabale district. The lake is the deepest in Uganda and is the second deepest lake in Africa.

It is a magical spot that has been renamed the ”Switzerland of Africa” and as its name ”Bunyonyi” suggests in the local language, the lake is a haven for bird watchers. The lake has got distinct bird species which include a variety of Herons, grey crowned cranes, egrets, weaverbirds among others. More so it’s probably the best place in Africa to see otters-the diurnal spotted-necked otter. 

It is also a popular location for water sport and scenic viewing.

Accommodation
Bushara Island Camp
Heritage Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Bunyonyi Safaris Resort
Arcadia Cottages
Natures Prime Island
Sharp’s Island

Access
Lake Bunyonyi is some 8 hours drive from Kampala. The route passes through Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale. The accommodation venues located on the islands provide boat transfers and secure vehicle parking on the mainland.

Mabira Forest Reserve

This is the largest ecotourism site in Uganda covering a total area of 306 square kms. The forest is a home to various species of monkey and 317 species of bird. Many of Uganda’s forest birds can be found here in this very accessible forest located along Kampala – Jinja highway. The most notable activities that take place in the forest include bird watching, picnicking, forest walks, education and research.

Accommodation
Mabira Forest Lodge – Upmarket
The National Forestry Authority have 3 cottages and a campsite within the the ecotourism site.

The Nile

The source of this great river is located close to Jinja at its outflow from Lake Victoria. This is the longest river in Africa stretching through Sudan, Egypt and finally to the Mediterranean Sea. The source of the river was discovered by John Speke in 1862. A visit to the source of the Nile remains a moving and wondrous experience, no less so to those who have seen the same river as it flows past the ancient Egyptian temples at Aswan and Luxor some 6000km down stream.

Bujagali falls on the Nile

The Bujagali falls are found on the mighty River Nile, some few kilometers from the dam wall at Jinja. The falls are as a result of a series of large rapids that split the flow of the Victoria Nile. Popular activities are white water rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.

Accommodation
Many visitors stay in Jinja where both hotel and guest house accommodation is readily available.
On the Nile below the dam there are some wonderful accommodations with superb views that include:

The Nile Porch – Upmarket
Nile Resort – Upmarket
Explorers River Camp – Budget
Adrift Camp – Budget

The Ssese Islands

There are 84 different islands that make up the Ssese Islands. Bugala island in particular, grants more incredible experiences of life in Africa’s biggest Lake Victoria. The Islands are also a wonderful getaway destination from the shove and flurry of the mainland with in Uganda.

Accommodation
Ssese Islands Beach Hotel – Upmarket
Ssese Palm Beach Resort – Mid range
Mirembe Resort – Mid range