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Uganda Game Parks, Uganda
National Parks, Game Sanctuaries in Uganda, Game Reserves in Uganda
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.
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