Uganda’s National Parks: A Guide to All Ten Parks

Updated 19 October 2026

Uganda has ten national parks, all managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority: Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla for mountain gorillas; Kibale for chimpanzees; Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo for savannah wildlife; and Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon and Semuliki for mountains and forest. Around them sit wildlife reserves, community wildlife areas, forest reserves managed by the National Forestry Authority, and private sanctuaries such as Ziwa for rhinos. Here is what each park offers and how they fit together.

Primate parks

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south-west holds about half of the world’s mountain gorillas, with trekking from four sectors; the permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, on the Virunga volcanoes, adds one habituated gorilla family, golden monkeys and the Batwa Trail. Kibale National Park near Fort Portal is the best place for chimpanzee tracking, at US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027. See our guide to Kibale.

Savannah parks

Queen Elizabeth, the most visited, combines the Kazinga Channel boat trip, the Kasenyi plains, Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions and chimps in Kyambura Gorge. Murchison Falls, the largest park, is split by the Nile, with game drives to the north and the dramatic falls. Kidepo Valley in the far north-east is remote and beautiful, with cheetahs and few visitors. Lake Mburo, the closest savannah park to Kampala, has zebra, impala, eland and walking and cycling safaris. See our guide to safari animals in Uganda.

Mountain and forest parks

Rwenzori Mountains National Park protects the “Mountains of the Moon”, with glaciers and Afroalpine plants, and multi-day treks to Margherita Peak at 5,109 metres. Mount Elgon National Park, on the Kenya border, has a huge caldera, caves and quiet hiking, with Sipi Falls nearby. Semuliki National Park in the far west is a lowland rainforest linked to the Congo Basin, known for rare birds and the Sempaya hot springs. Both Rwenzori and Bwindi are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. See our guide to the Rwenzori Mountains.

Reserves and other protected areas

Uganda also has wildlife reserves such as Toro-Semliki, Pian Upe and Katonga, which allow some regulated use, and community wildlife areas. Budongo and Mabira are forest reserves under the National Forestry Authority, Budongo with chimp tracking. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is privately run with UWA. Most parks charge daily entry fees on top of activity fees, so check current UWA tariffs when budgeting. See our guide to the history of Uganda’s national parks.

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