Uganda is a great eco-tourism spot, offering an incredible variety of wildlife and landscapes across its ten national parks. While the more popular parks like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls draw the lion’s share of visitors, several lesser-known parks offer equally unforgettable experiences.
These parks are rich in biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and unique features that make them worthy of exploration during Uganda safaris. Among these lesser-known gems are Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Mount Elgon National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Each of these parks provides a distinct experience, showcasing different aspects of Uganda’s diverse ecosystems, from savannahs and wetlands to forests and volcanic landscapes. Let’s delve into what makes these lesser-known parks so special and why they should be on any avid traveler’s list.
Lake Mburo National Park
Located in the western part of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is one of the country’s smallest parks, covering just 371 square kilometers. Despite its size, it boasts an incredible variety of wildlife, making it a great destination for a relaxing safari. The park is known for its acacia woodlands, grassy savannas, and wetlands, which are home to many species of mammals and birds.
The park’s highlight is its large population of zebras, impalas, and elands, along with other mammals like buffaloes, warthogs, reedbucks, waterbucks, and antelopes. While Lake Mburo is not home to the big cats, leopards and hyenas do roam the park, offering a more tranquil but equally rewarding wildlife experience. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species like the shoebill, saddle-billed stork, African finfoot, and yellow warbler among the many that call the park home.
A standout experience at Lake Mburo is the boat ride on Lake Mburo itself, where visitors can observe hippos, crocodiles, and various water birds in their natural habitat. Visitors can also explore the park on foot during walking safaris, a rare opportunity in Uganda’s national parks. This immersive experience allows guests to connect with nature in a way that traditional vehicle safaris cannot match.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park, located in the western part of Uganda, is a hidden gem nestled in the Semuliki Valley, which is an extension of the Ituri Forest in the Congo Basin. This park offers a unique blend of Central African and East African biodiversity, providing a distinct wildlife experience.
Semuliki is renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, with more than 300 species of birds recorded. Notable bird species include the rare piping hornbill, great blue turaco, Ross’s turaco, and yellow-throated nicator. Semuliki National Park is also home to a range of mammals, including savannah elephants, leopards, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and the elusive grey-cheeked mangabey and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
What sets Semuliki apart from other parks in Uganda are its geothermal hot springs, located in the western part of the park. The hot springs are a fascinating natural feature, where the water reaches temperatures high enough to cook food such as eggs and matoke (plantains). Visitors can enjoy the therapeutic effects of the springs and observe local wildlife, including monkeys and birds, in the surrounding area.
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Situated in northeastern Uganda, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is one of the country’s least visited parks, yet it offers an incredible wilderness experience. Covering 2,000 square kilometers, Pian Upe is part of the Karamoja region and is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from savannahs to semi-arid terrain.
This wildlife reserve is home to an array of species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and a wide variety of antelope species such as the Thompson’s gazelle, oryx, and topi. The reserve is also a sanctuary for endangered species like the Rothschild giraffe. The combination of its remote location, fewer visitors, and vast landscapes gives Pian Upe a sense of untouched wilderness, making it an ideal destination for those seeking solitude and adventure.
Pian Upe is also an excellent location for birdwatching, with more than 300 bird species recorded, including the rare Ostrich and the grey-crowned crane. The reserve is also home to the Batwa people, who have historically inhabited the area, offering a fascinating cultural experience to complement the wildlife safari.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park, located in eastern Uganda along the border with Kenya, is home to the magnificent Mount Elgon, an extinct volcanic mountain that is the eighth highest in Africa. Covering over 1,100 square kilometers, the park is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including waterfalls, caves, and lush forests, as well as its unique biodiversity.
The park is a haven for trekkers and nature lovers. The trek to the summit of Mount Elgon takes visitors through a variety of ecosystems, from dense forests to alpine meadows. The summit is known for its caldera, one of the largest in the world, and the park also features hot springs, caves, and unique volcanic formations.
Wildlife in Mount Elgon National Park includes elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and various primate species, such as monkeys and baboons. The park is also home to a wide range of bird species, including the endangered African green broadbill and the Jackson’s hornbill, making it a fantastic destination for birdwatchers.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which spans Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is one of Uganda’s smallest national parks, yet it offers an incredible experience for those seeking to explore the mountainous rainforests and observe the famous mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga is one of only three parks in Uganda where visitors can trek mountain gorillas, with a limited number of permits available each day. This makes it a must-visit destination for those interested in one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in the world. In addition to gorillas, the park is also home to other primates, including golden monkeys, which can also be tracked.
The park’s stunning landscape, with its steep slopes and volcanic craters, offers hikers a chance to enjoy breathtaking views and explore diverse ecosystems. The park is also rich in cultural significance, with the Batwa people, known as “the people of the forest,” living in the area and offering visitors a glimpse into their traditional lifestyle.
Why Visit These Lesser-Known Parks?
Uganda’s lesser-known parks offer a chance to experience the country’s wildlife and landscapes away from the crowds. These parks, like Lake Mburo, Semuliki, Pian Upe, Mount Elgon, and Mgahinga, provide unique attractions that are not found elsewhere in Uganda. Whether you’re interested in trekking gorillas, exploring geothermal hot springs, or spotting rare bird species, these parks offer a diverse range of activities for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventurers alike.
By visiting these lesser-known national parks, tourists can enjoy a more tranquil and intimate experience, with opportunities to connect with Uganda’s wildlife and cultures on a deeper level. These parks are truly the hidden gems of Uganda, waiting to be discovered by those who seek adventure beyond the well-trodden paths.
