Uganda
Game Parks, Uganda National Parks, Game Sanctuaries in Uganda, Bwindi,
Murchison, Queen Elizabeth
Murchison
Falls National Park
Area - over 4,000 square kilometres
Approx. distance from Kampala: 300 Km estimated transit time: 4 1/2
- 5 Hrs
The
largest park in Uganda, renowned for its scenic beauty and the spectacular
Falls from which it gets its name.No visit to Murchison Falls would
be complete without a visit to the magnificent falls. They can be viewed
from the top where the Nile River narrows from 50 meters to crash through
a 7-meter gorge, falling 45 meters to the rocks below. Avid birdwatcher
will want to seek out some of the 424 species identified in the park.
Fishermen can test their skills above and below the Falls, waiting patiently
for 20-70 kg. Nile perch. Other game fish found in the Nile include
Barbel, Electric Catfish and Tiger fish.While on the game drives, Cape
buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck
are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck,
shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bushpig. Large carnivores include
lion, leopard and spotted hyena.
Chimpanzees
and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in
the park. Crocodile and hippo will be seen along the banks of the Nile.
Some of the more common birds that can be seen include goliath heron,
Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant,
saddle-bill stork and the rare shoebill stork. A boat cruise to the
delta is a highlight for the avid birdwatcher.
Lake Mburo National
Park
Area - 260 square kilometres
Approx. distance from Kampala: 230 km estimated Transit Time: 3-4 Hrs
It
lies along Mbarara Road within easy access of Kampala. It is ideal for
a transit stop to/from the gorilla sanctuaries or Queen Elizabeth National
Park. It is an attractive park of rolling hills and open grassy valleys,
interspersed with thickets, woodlands and rich wetlands. Find here herds
of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland. Oribi and Topi are easily approached.
Along with a game drive, many visitors enjoy a boat trip on Lake Mburo.
Birdwatchers, will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in
Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther's
Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go-
Away bird.
Mgahinga Gorilla National
Park
Area – 34 square kilometres
Approx. distance from Kampala: 510 km estimated transit Time: 8-10 Hrs
It is the Ugandan part of the Virunga Conservation Area, where half
of the world's mountain gorillas make their home, this park shares boundaries
with Rwanda and Congo/Zaire. The park is comprised of parts of three
extinct volcanic mountains, Mt. Muhavura (4127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3475
m) and Mt. Sabyinyo (3645 m). The vegetation of Mgahinga is typically
afro-montane, with a forest belt, a bamboo zone, an ericacious belt
and an alpine zone. The park supports a variety of animal species including
gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, leopard and several
cat. There are also over 180 species of bird found in the region. Among
these are the handsome fancolin, the Rwenzori touraco and the side-breasted
tit.About 45 mountain gorillas use the Mgahinga sector of the Virunga
Conservation Area seasonally.
Gorilla
trekking is available here when the gorillas are in the park. They are
usually resident in the months of April, May and June and October, November
and December. Mgahinga also offers a number of other exciting half-day
hikes and the challenge of a full-day climb to the summit of Mt. Muhavura
or Mt. Gahinga, or the breathtaking Sabyinyo Gorge.
Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park
Area –330 square kilometres
Approx. distance from Kampala: 550 Km estimated transit Time: 8-10 Hrs
It
is one of the largest natural forests in East Africa, supporting a large
number of plants and animals not found elsewhere. About half the world's
population of 600 mountain gorillas reside in Bwindi. The vegetation,
as the park's name implies, is composed of tropical rainforest with
dense undergrowth. This rugged terrain makes hiking in search of gorilla
strenuous work. Visitors who trek should be prepared for up to 8 hours
of hiking. Good physical condition is required. A maximum of only 6
permits per day are available for advance booking, so confirmation 4-12
months in advance is required to avoid disappointment. Along with the
gorillas, there are nine other species of primates including chimpanzee,
blue monkey, redtail monkey, L'hoest's monkey, black and white colobus,
potto, Demidoff's and needle-clawed galago.
Three
hundred forty-seven species of birds have been recorded in Bwindi; seven
species are listed as endangered. Species of particular interest include
the Kivu ground thrush, white-bellied robin chat, red-throated alethe,
collared apallis, short-tailed warbler, yellow-eyed black flycatcher,
Rwenzori batis, blue-headed sunbird, strange weaver and the Shelley's
crimsonwing. Over 200 species of butterflies have also been recorded
here.
Queen
Elizabeth National Park
Area – 2000 Square kilometres
Approx.distance from Kampala: 440 km estimated transit time: 6 hrs
As
one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda, QENP has recently been designated
a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO. It is the home of the
famous tree-climbing lions, the Uganda kob and other antelope as well
as elephant, buffalo, hippos, baboons and chimpanzee. Over 500 species
of birds have been recorded here making it a prime target for birdwatchers.
Species recorded include the shoebill stork, black bee-eater, 11 types
of kingfishers and a variety of raptors including several falcons and
eagles. In the crater lakes, spectacular flocks of flamingos gather,
creating the image of a moving pink carpet.
The
launch trip along the Kazinga Channel between Lakes George and Edward
is a memorable way to view the abundant game in Queen Elizabeth. North
of the main gate is the crater area, one of the most scenic parts of
the park. To the East, in Kyambura Gorge, visitors can climb through
tropical forest and catch a glimpse of a variety of primates, including
chimpanzee. In the more isolated Ishasha sector of the park, search
the woodlands for the tree-climbing lions perching on the boughs of
ancient fig trees. To the southeast, travelers can explore newly opened
trails in Maramagambo forest.
Kibale
Forest National Park
Area - 766 square kilometres
Approx. distance from Kampala: 360 kms / 550 kms estimated transit time:
5 hrs / 7 hrs
It
contiguous with the northern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park, but
Kibale is much wetter with a unique moist forest habitat and an extremely
high diversity of animals and plants.This mature tropical rainforest
supports the highest number of primate species in Uganda, and one of
the highest primate densities in the world. There are 12 species of
primates located here: red colobus monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey,
redtail monkey, L'hoest's monkey, blue monkey, mangabey, olive baboons
and several communities of chimpanzee. About 400 species of birds have
been reported in Kibale. A number of these species are found only in
this park. In addition, over 150 species of butterflies and a large
number of moths can be discovered here.
