UGANDA - National Parks
Across the pearl is a network of 10 national parks and several other protected areas offering wildlife fans a thrilling opportunity to experience Uganda’s rich biodiversity? Not only the fascinating tracts of thorn bush savannah teeming with the Big 5 usually linked with equatorial East Africa, but also abundant expanses of tropical rainforest, fertile valleys, and the towering snow-capped peaks of Africa’s tallest mountain range.
Murchison Falls National Park
A trail to the countries largest protected area, Murchison falls National Park, will leave you marveling yet enjoying the great experience of a life time as you literary feel the world tremble at the world’s most powerful natural flow of water.
At the park you will be able to experience enthralling game drives to see lion, elephant, giraffe and antelope, you will take enchanting jungle walks to see chimps and baboons, among the ten species of primates, see the amazing bird life of over 250 species including the rare and exotic shoebill stork. Above all you will be able to enjoy the Victoria Nile herself, as on her journey from her source at Lake Victoria to join Murchison falls national park with lake Albert she provides a unique and spectacular show case of the enormous diversity of Uganda’s wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Any visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park cannot fail to be impressed by the parks amazing diversity set in the west of the great East African rift valley and bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (the legendary mist-capped mountains of the moon).
Queen Elizabeth incorporates a variety of fresh water lakes and you will never forget the sight of a crater lake full of flamingoes. You may imagine how such enormous variety of habitats could support enormous variety of wildlife. And you would be delighted to discover the bird list alone runs to over 550 species, the largest of any protected area in Africa.
Boat riding; The park is one of the most popular national parks in Uganda for many reasons, but mostly because of the two hour launch cruises tourists take up to the 33km Kazinga channel. Tourist numbers have shot up as everyday seeks to get a taste of this exciting activity.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Bark
One of the richest areas for flora in Eastern Africa and home to the world mountain gorillas is best known for its superb gorilla tracking. The forest is also a refuge to elephants, chimpanzee, monkeys and various small antelope, as well as bird species restricted to the Albertine Rift.
Semliki National Park
The lower-lying and more remote Rainforest set at the base of the northern Rwenzori, is of special interest to ornithologists for some 40 Congolese bird species recorded no where else in the country. The park is home to eight species of primate, 400 birds and 300 butterfly species, elephant, buffalo, leopard, civet bush baby and flying squirrels.
Nearby, the spectacular semliki wildlife reserve, which adjoins Lake Albert, is one of the best localities for sightings of the mysterious, swamp dwelling shoebill.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National park is a primatologists dream. It hosts a population of more than 1, 00 chimpanzees, of which 80 strong community has been familiarized to tourist visits as well as half a dozen readily observed monkey species including the acrobatic red colobus, black and white colobus including the handsome Hoest’monkey.Almost 300 species of bird life 144 types of butterfly, Bushbuck waterbuck, duicker and forest hog have been identified.
Kidepo Valley National Park
In the far northeast, the remote and wild kidepo valley national park provides refuge to a long list of dry country species not found elsewhere in the country, including cheetah and greater kudu, while its perennial waters attract large numbers of elephant and thousand strong buffalo herds, especially during the dry seasons.
Lake Mburo National Park
The closet savannah reserve to Kampala, Lake Mburo national park is centered on a series of swamp fringed lakes known for their rich birdlife, notably the secretive African fin foot. The green acacia woodland surrounding the lake harbors dense populations of zebra, warthog, buffalo, impala and various other grazers, including the last surviving Ugandan population of eland, the largest of African antelope. There are also over 357 species of birds including marabou stock and the crowned crane.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National park protects the eastern slopes and glacial peaks of the120km long rwenzori mountains or mountains of the moon, known for its world class hiking and mountaineering destination. rising from the rift valley floor the rwenzori supports large tracks of evergreen and bamboo forest; while the higher moorland zone is known for its other worldly cover of giant forests.
Mgahinga National Park
Mountain gorillas also form the main attraction at Mgahinga National park, which protects the Uganda portion of the virungas an imposing string of nine free standing extinct and active volcanoes that run along the border with Rwanda and the Congo. Other wildlife includes the leopard, giant forest hog, Bushbuck, Buffalo, and golden monkey.
Mount Elgon National Park
Set on the Kenya border near mbale, Mount Elgon national park encompassed the 4,321 meter mountain from which it is named, which has the largest base of an extinct volcano in the world. A lush mosaic of afro-Montana forest, grassland and moorland habitants makes this park a highly rewarding destination for hikers and other natural history enthusiasts.
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