Top 10 Safari Destinations in Uganda, Uganda, often referred to as the “Pearl of Africa,” is a country of astonishing biodiversity, dramatic landscapes and some of the rarest wildlife experiences on the continent. From dense Mountain rainforests and snow-capped peaks to vast savannas and volcanic plains, Uganda offers a safari experience that is as diverse as it is unforgettable.
What makes Uganda truly unique is its combination of savannah wildlife viewing and primate tracking, particularly Gorilla and Chimpanzee treks—something no other safari destination can match. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or a nature-loving traveler, Uganda has something extraordinary in store for you.
Here’s a detailed guide to the Top 10 Safari Destinations in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Home of the Mountain Gorillas
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the crown jewel of Ugandan tourism. The Park is located in South Western part of Uganda in Kanungu district. It covers an area of about 331 sq.kms. The Park has almost half of the Word’s population of Mountain Gorillas with a population of about 459 individual Mountain Gorillas, 21 habituated Gorilla families in the different sectors of the park such as Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga and Ruhija which gives a great opportunity for Gorilla Trekking g and Gorilla Habituation. The park is also a home to 120 mammal species such as Civets, Forest Elephants, Giant Forest hogs, Golden cats, Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, stripped jackals among others. The park also harbors 348 bird species such as Rwenzori nightjar, black billed turaco, black bee eater, montane oriole, handsome francoline etc.
Trekking through the dense, mist-covered rainforest to observe a gorilla family in its natural habitat is a deeply moving and humbling experience.
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Where Savannah Meets Wetland
This is Uganda’s most visited national park and one of the most ecologically diverse in Africa. Queen Elizabeth National Park features vast savannas, tropical forests, crater lakes and papyrus swamps—all teeming with wildlife. The park obtained its name from Queen Elizabeth II of England after her visit to Uganda. It was established in 1952 and it covers an area 1,978 km². Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. The park is has about 95 mammals such as Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Elephant, Antelopes, Warthogs, Uganda kobs, Water bucks, Oribi, Topi, Giant forest hog etc. Primates like Chimpanzees, Monkeys and baboon. It is also a home to over 600 bird species such as Marital Eagle, Swamp flycatcher, African jacana, rare saddle-billed stork, grey crowned heron, Black bee-eater etc.
Its Ishasha sector is famous for tree-climbing lions, while the Kazinga Channel offers boat cruises where you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species up close.
Murchison Falls National Park – Power and Wildlife Combined
Uganda’s oldest and largest National Park is bisected by the Nile River, which crashes through a narrow gorge to create the thunderous Murchison Falls—a spectacular sight to behold. This is the strongest waterfalls in the World which is located in North Western part of Uganda covering areas like Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, Amuru and Pakwach. The park cover an area of 3840 sq.kms. It is a home to diverse wildlife and large savannah. You will encounter the big 5 game such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes and Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You will also get an opportunity to view the Nile crocodiles, Hippos, Waterbucks, Monkeys, Warthogs, Zebras, Antelopes etc while on a game drive and boat cruise. The Park is also a home to 350 bird species such as Rare Shoebill, Red throated bee eaters, Black bee eaters, King fishers, Cormorants, Fish Eagles etc.
Kibale Forest National Park – Primate Capital
Kibale Forest National Park is a lush tropical rainforest known as the primate capital of East Africa. Known for having about 1500 Chimpanzees which gives a great opportunity for Chimpanzee Trekking and Habituation, the park is located in Kabarole District Western Uganda. The park is also a home to 120 mammal species like warthogs, bushbucks, bush pigs, antelopes. Primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons etc. And over 300 bird species like hornbills, black billed turaco, kingfisher, weavers, cuckoos, purple breasted sunbird and crowned Eagle among others. During this trip, you will experience the best the Pearl of Africa has to Offer.
Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda’s Hidden Wilderness
Kidepo is Uganda’s most remote park, but those who make the journey are rewarded with some of the most untouched safari experiences in Africa. Tucked away in the semi-arid Karamoja region in the north eastern corner of Uganda. Covering approximately 1,442 square kilometers, it is known for its dramatic landscapes, including vast savannahs, mountain ranges, and seasonal rivers like the Kidepo and Narus. The park is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and over 475 bird species. Its isolation makes it one of Uganda’s least visited but most pristine national parks, offering a unique and uncrowded safari experience.
The surrounding Karamoja region offers unique cultural experiences with traditional warrior-nomadic communities.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a small but ecologically rich wildlife reserve located in western Uganda, about 240 kilometers from Kampala. Covering around 370 square kilometers, centered on Lake Mburo and features a mix of savannah, woodland, and wetland habitats. It’s the only park in Uganda where you can find large herds of zebra and impala and it’s also great for walking safaris and horseback riding—offering a more intimate wildlife experience.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Small Park, Big Adventures
Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Mountain range and borders Rwanda and DR Congo. While it’s the smallest park in Uganda, it’s rich in biodiversity and offers gorilla trekking in a quieter setting than Bwindi. The park is renowned for its three dormant volcanoes—Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo—which rise between 2,227 and 4,127 meters above sea level. These peaks offer breathtaking views and are popular for hiking and mountaineering. The park is also one of the only places where you can track golden monkeys, a rare and endangered species.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is a biodiverse gem located in western Uganda’s Bundibugyo District, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. A lowland tropical rainforest that is an extension of the Congo Basin. It’s ideal for birdwatchers and those looking to experience unique geological and cultural wonders.
These geothermal springs are the park’s most famous attraction, featuring a geyser-like female spring and a large male spring. Visitors can boil eggs in the hot pools, offering a unique experience.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Conservation Success Story
Located approximately 180 km north of Kampala, near Nakitoma in Nakasongola District, Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. This sanctuary is part of Uganda’s Big Five restoration efforts and provides an up-close look at these endangered giants on foot, in a secure, guided setting. Beyond rhinos, the sanctuary is home to over 40 mammal and reptile species, including antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and various monkeys. Birdwatchers can spot more than 350 species, notably the rare shoebill stork.
Mount Elgon National Park – Scenic Treks & Waterfalls
Mount Elgon is an extinct volcanic mountain located on the border between eastern Uganda and western Kenya. It is the fourth highest mountain in East Africa, with its highest peak, Wagagai, reaching 4,321 meters (14,177 feet) on the Ugandan side. The mountain known for having one of the largest intact volcanic calderas in the world and a diverse range of ecosystems, from montane forests to alpine moorlands. Mount Elgon National Park, which protects the area, is home to wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, and various primates, as well as over 300 bird species. The mountain is popular for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring ancient caves once used by pastoralists.
It’s perfect for travelers interested in trekking, birdwatching, and exploring the Sipi Falls region.