While Uganda boasts of 10 National Parks, not all are extensively explored. Often, Uganda safaris focus on the few leaving out others untapped. But here is a chance for you to embark on a journey to unearth some of the least visited parks in Uganda with Maranatha Tours and Travel.
Among the least visited game safari parks in Uganda include the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Lake Mburo, Semuliki National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
Least Visited Parks in Uganda
Kidepo Valley Game Park
Lying in the far Karamoja region, northeastern Uganda, Kidepo Game Park is the least visited National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park prides itself on abundant wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. It is one park where nature enthusiasts are guaranteed of unmatched and true African wilderness experiences.
Gazetted in 1962, Kidepo is 1442 sq. km which makes it Uganda’s third largest game park and is bordered by Kenya and South Sudan. Within the vast savanna grassland and other habitat in Kidepo, there are diverse wildlife to explore. These include cheetahs, lions, cape buffaloes, aardwolf, black-striped jackals, hyenas, Uganda Kobs, Rothschild giraffes, mountain reedbucks and more.
More than 475 species of birds are also concentrated in Kidepo making it a great birding tour destination. As an important birding area, Kidepo National Park’s diverse bird species include among others Karamoja apalis, white-faced scoops owl, riparian woodlands, Jackson’s hornbills, standard winged nightjars, long-tailed nightjars, chestnut weaver bird, and golden pipit.
Top things to engage in on Uganda safaris in Kidepo include bird watching, game drives, nature walks, community visits, and hiking (on Mount Morungole, Lotukei, and Lamoj).
Getting to Kidepo requires a full day if you are taking road transportation. You can drive from Kampala via the Luweero-Gulu route or Kampala through the Jinja-Mbale-Kidepo route. Or you can fly from Entebbe International Airport to Apoka Airstrip.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park in Bwamba County, Western Uganda is one of the least explored parks. Established in 1993 and occupying a land area of 220 sq.km, Semuliki is a popular bird-watching destination. Over 441 species of birds exist in this single protected area including the elusive shoebill stork, African crakes, African pygmy goose, Abyssinia ground hornbill, pennant-winged nightjars, red-necked falcon, marsh chakra, and more.
Semuliki is also a special game-viewing destination of its own. The park protects different wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, and a good population of primates including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Other attractions in Semuliki include the powerful Sempaya hot spring.
On a safari in Uganda, places to consider for a night stay include Ntoroko Safari Lodge, Kirimia Guesthouse, Semliki Safari Lodge, and UWA Bandas.
Mgahinga National Park
Lying in the extreme Southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest of the 10 game parks in Uganda. Established back in 1991, Mgahinga occupies only 33.7 sq.km of land area but is endowed with the world’s most sought-after attractions.
Within Mgahinga, there exist 3 scenic Virunga Volcanoes which make this park hikers’ favorite spot. They include Mt. Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga Mountain Massifs. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park supports a diversity of wildlife in its varying habitats. These include the rare mountain gorillas, bushbucks, forest elephants, duikers, bushbucks, sitatunga, giant forest hogs, and golden monkeys.
A good population of birds can also be spotted in Mgahinga including the Rwenzori batis, cape robin-chat, speckled mousebirds, dusky crimsonwing, Rwenzori turacos, Kivu ground thrush, cinnamon bracken warblers, African paradise flycatchers, pin-tailed whydah, black kite, white-necked raven and double-collared sunbird, etc.
A safari in Mgahinga allows you to engage in diverse activities including mountain gorilla trekking, bird watching, golden monkey tracking, cave exploration, and the Batwa cultural trail. Places to stay in and around Mgahinga include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, Traveler’s Rest Camp, and more.
Getting to Mgahinga National Park is possible starting from Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route or driving from Kigali via the Chanika border to Kisoro. By air, fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip for about 2 hours to Kisoro Airstrip.
Rwenzori Mountains National Game Park
Rwenzori National Park is an incredible destination of its own but remains the least visited in Uganda. Located in Western Uganda at the border with the D.R. Congo, Rwenzori Mountains National Park offers unbeatable mountaineering adventures. Classic mountaineering adventures here are perfectly enjoyed on Mount Rwenzori home to snow-capped block mountain. Mountain hiking on Mt Rwenzori is all about conquering Mt. Stanley 5109m where Margherita Peak is found.
The Rwenzori Mountain ranges feature scenic waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. Rwenzori Mountains National Park has been a recognized UNESCO Site since 1994 and shelters over 70 mammal species, about 200 species of birds, and more. The different fauna in Rwenzori National Park includes blue monkeys, chimpanzees, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Birds in this park include white-naped pigeons, Rwenzori turacos, red-eyed doves, blue-headed sunbirds, slender-billed starlings, montane sooty boubou, archer’s robin-chat, and more.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mt. Elgon National Park is known for its rich ecosystem characterized by mixed montane forest, bamboo, and mountain heath as well as moorland. Elgon National Park is found in Eastern Uganda and it also falls on the Kenyan side.
A huge concentration of wildlife exists around the slopes of Mt. Elgon. These include the cape buffaloes, elephants, 300 bird species, primates –especially the blue monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. Other wildlife species to explore in this park include squirrels, oribis, spotted hyenas, Defassa’s waterbucks, and more.
Birds to search for on birding tours in Mount Elgon National Park include Jackson’s francolins, black-collared apalis, tacazze, black-shouldered kite, lammergeyer, and others.
Activities to engage in and around Mount Elgon National Park include bird watching, abseiling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trout sport fishing. You can access Mount Elgon National Park from Kampala via Jinja-Mbale-route, about 5-6 hours’ drive.
Best time to visit Uganda’s safari parks
Visits to Uganda National Park can be done at any time of the year. However, the dry months of the year are the best to explore and experience the stunning national parks in Uganda. This can be done during the long dry months; June to September or short dry months that is from December to February.
Contact Maranatha Tours and Travel for any more information and bookings of Uganda tours and adventures
