Uganda, known for its natural beauty, has taken a big step by establishing six new national parks. The country, often praised for its pristine landscapes, now offers even more latest national parks for visitors to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature.

These new national parks are upgraded from the former wildlife and forest reserves, bringing the total of national parks in Uganda to 16.

The establishment of new national parks is a strategic move to strengthen the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats. This action is aimed at promoting Uganda’s tourism sector and strengthening the national economy, as tourism is a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth.

The newly created national parks include Bukaleba, Echuya, Kyambura, Kigezi, Toro, and Katonga National Park.

A Close Look at the Six New National Parks

Bukaleba National Park 

Bukaleba National Park is located in the Mayuge District along the shores of Lake Victoria.

It was first established in 1932 as the Bukaleba Central Forest Reserve with an area of about 97 square kilometers.

It is renowned for having a mix of lakeside and forest ecosystems, and it was originally a colonial plantation, but it turned out to be home to diverse wildlife.

It provides habitat to smaller primates like the vervet monkeys and to over 47 bird species, including the black and white hornbill and African dwarf kingfisher, among others, which make it a beneficial place for ecotourism.

Visitors on a Uganda wildlife tour to this park enjoy activities like forest walk, bird watching, game viewing, and learning about the conservation of the environment.

Echuya National Park 

Echuya National Park, which is about 34 square kilometers, lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift, and it is split about 20% in Bufumbira County (Kisoro District) and 80% in Rubanda County (Rubanda District).

It was first established in 1939 as the Echuya Central Forest Reserve. It consists of a mix of bamboo and montane forest, and it also features a high-altitude swamp (Muchuya Swamp), which adds to the area’s biodiversity.

This new park is known for being home to endemic birds, including Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, etc., making it a good spot for bird watching in Uganda.

It is also home to wild animals like L’Hoest’s Monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Antelopes, agile Blue Monkeys, and duikers, among others.

Visitors also have an opportunity to visit the Batwa community for fascinating cultural experiences, do butterfly watching, and game viewing, which make a Uganda safaris memorable. 

Kigezi National Park 

Kigezi National Park is in the Rukungiri District in western Uganda, popular for providing savannah corridors that connect to different ecosystems (sections in Queen Elizabeth NP).

It was first established in 1952 as a Kigezi Forest Reserve, covering an area of 265 square kilometers, where a variety of animals graze.

Commonly spotted animals include elephants, antelopes, buffalo, and others. There are also numerous avian species, e.g., the Grey-crowned cranes, Ruwenzori turaco, and Peregrine falcon, etc., which make it a birder’s haven.

In this park, expect interesting game drives, bird watching, and cultural encounters with the locals living around this protected area, among other fascinating activities.

Toro National Park

Formerly known as Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, established in 1926, Toro National Park, a newly created park, is a good choice for a Uganda holiday.

This new park has a wide range of habitats, including savannah, woodlands, and riverine systems. It lies in the Western Great Valley floor between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert in the Ntoroko and Kabarole districts.

Some of the attractions in the park include elephants, buffalo, Uganda Kobs, primates like the red-tailed monkeys, Mona monkeys, and bird species like Blue-breasted and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, among others.

When on a Uganda holiday, expect interesting activities like birding, game drives, and game viewing in this new park.

Katonga National Park 

Katonga National Park is an upgrade of Katonga Wildlife Reserve situated in Kyenjojo and Kamwenge districts along the banks of the Katonga River. 

This new national park covers an area of 207 square kilometers, and it is renowned for its wetland ecosystems. It is home to riverine species, water birds, and antelopes like sitatungas, among others.

The park promises interesting canoeing along the Katonga River, game viewing, and bird watching, among other fun activities.

Kyambura National Park 

Kyambura National Park is situated in the Rubirizi District in southwestern Uganda, northeast of Queen Elizabeth National Park, covering an area of 156 km².

It was formerly referred to as Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, which formed a buffer zone for animals moving out of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

It is renowned for Kyambura Gorge, which is home to a significant number of chimpanzees, making Kyambura National Park a perfect place for chimpanzee tracking.

Besides chimps, other wild animals to spot include leopards, buffalo, hippopotamus, elephants, and a variety of antelope species, among other wildlife.

When on a Uganda wildlife safari, expect interesting chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, game viewing, nature walks, and much more.

The 10 Traditional Uganda National Parks 

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Located in Kanungu District, Southwestern Uganda

• Home to over 459 mountain gorillas

• Famous for gorilla trekking tours

2. Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Located in Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi & Rukungiri Districts, Western Uganda

• Known for vast savannah, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife

• Offers exciting game drives and other wildlife experiences

3. Murchison Falls National Park

• Located in Nwoya, Buliisa, Masindi & Kiryandongo Districts, Northwestern Uganda

• Known for Murchison Falls and the Nile River

• Offers boat cruises, game drives, and various wildlife adventures

4. Kibale Forest National Park

• Located in Kabarole & Kamwenge Districts, Western Uganda

• Home to a large population of chimpanzees and rich flora and fauna

• Best known for chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experiences

5. Lake Mburo National Park

• Located in Kiruhura District, Western Uganda

• Home to diverse wildlife and the only park with impalas in Uganda

• Popular for boat cruises, game drives, and other wildlife activities

6. Kidepo Valley National Park

• Located in Kaabong District, Northeastern Uganda

• Uganda’s most remote park with a high concentration of large mammals, especially buffalo

• Offers memorable game drives, hiking, and wilderness experiences

7. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

• Located in Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda

• Home to over 30 mountain gorillas and many golden monkeys

• Known for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking

8. Semuliki National Park

• Located in Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo Districts, Western Uganda

• Home to diverse wildlife including primates like chimps

• Famous for the Sempaya Hot Springs

• Offers nature walks, game drives, and cultural experiences

9. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

• Located in Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo Districts, Western Uganda

• Famous for the Rwenzori Mountains (“Mountains of the Moon”) and unique wildlife

• Offers a remarkable mountaineering and hiking experience

10. Mount Elgon National Park

• Located in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda

• Known for Mt. Elgon, unique vegetation zones, and diverse fauna

• Popular for mountain climbing, nature walks, and scenic exploration

Why Does the Expansion of More National Parks in Uganda Matter? 

• Diversifying Uganda’s Tourism Industry – New national parks will offer unique wildlife experiences in addition to those found in traditional parks.
• Mitigating the Human-Wildlife Conflict – Creating more parks is intended to curb encroachment on wildlife areas, and to achieve this, proper boundaries for the new parks have been set to enhance the protection of wildlife.
• Fostering of Ecotourism and Community Involvement—New national parks are expected to boost local economies and improve livelihoods by creating jobs for residents, such as tour guides and cultural performers, which directly increases their income.

Conclusion

Uganda’s network of national parks has expanded, creating exciting new safari opportunities for visitors. The creation of new parks to add to the existing ones is seen as a strategic conservation effort to enhance protection for diverse ecosystems while opening up new areas for unforgettable experiences. Book your safari with us and get a chance to explore these new destinations and discover the untamed beauty of Uganda.