Elgon National Park(1145 Sq km) isbetween 1,460- 4,320 metres above sea level. It is anexitinct volcano and the highet mountain in East Africa.The park has magnificent water falls, gorges, hotsprings, caves and is a home to over 300 Bird species and numerous wildlife varieties.

For years, mount Elgon remained the exclusive domain of the serious backpacker because good birding trails were non-existent and relatively intacthabitat a long day’s hike from the nearest road. This neglect by birders was further compounded by the presence of productive, more accessible forest areas in south western Uganda.

With the recent construction of the “Forest Exploration Centre” at Kapchorwa allowing birders access to excellent montane forest, this site can easily be incorporated into a 5-6 day “Eastern Extension” that includes the localities
for Fox’s Weaver and the arid savannah around Moroto.

The mountain is excellent for hiking and does not require any climbing equipment or skills. Full trekking course takes about 4 to 5 days to complete but there also 3-7km route that take 3days. The Sipi falls not far from the park are an addition to your experience.

The trekking circuit has 5 camping sites along it in addition to the accommodation at Kapkwata rest house and the Forest exploration centre.

Kidepo is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Uganda on the border with Kenya and Sudan and is not only one of Uganda’s most impressive parks but is also the most remote park in Africa. It covers an area of 1442km2 and the scenery is more like the arid savannah found elsewhere in East Africa than the lush Greenery of Uganda’s other National Parks.

It can be reached by air and by road thus visitors are guaranteed an almost private safari. With 80 species, Kidepo supports a wider diversity of mammals than any other Ugandan park and the animals you should expect to see include zebras, herds of elephants and buffalo, dik-dik, lesser kudu and waterbuck. Sightings of lion and giraffe are common, while more rare is the possibility of seeing leopard and cheetah.

The game viewing is particularly spectacular during the dry season when the animals remain in one valley, overlooked by Apoka safari lodge, ornithologists the official checklist includes 462 species with verraux’s eagle, the lammergeyer and five different species of hornbills amongst them. Kidepo, due to its remote location is unique park that enchants the few who reach there and it would almost definitely be the high point of any African safari.

One of Uganda’s newest National Parks, located in the northern foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Semliki is composed primarily of tropical lowland forest.

Visitors will be treated to spectacular views as the road descends the Rwenzoris from Fort Portal some 46km away. On arrival in the park they can visit the hot springs and small waterfalls of the area or enjoy a forest walk, often seeing black and white colobus, red tailed monkey and baboons as well as other primates. For the enthusiasts there are over 400 species of birds and approximately 300 species of butterflies that can be seen.

Also from the park one of the surrounding pygmy communities can be visited although due to the large number of visitors in the past this is often a fairly contrived experience.

Semliki is mainly for those who want to get off the main tourist circuit, and is ideal for wildlife special interest groups.

The Rwenzori Mountains or Mountains of the Moon are 120 km long and 48 km wide and were forced up during the creation of the East African Rift Valley system. Subsequently over time the erosive forces of rivers and glaciers have left the spectacular range that can be seen today.

Containing Africa’s third highest peak (Margherita at 5109 above sea level), and several vegetative zones, plainly demarcated by temperature and altitude, and easily apparent to the hiker, the Rwenzoris have for visitors more than merely the spectacular scenery that can be admired along the route.

A typical Rwenzori hike would comprise a “Central Circuit Trail” (about 6-7 days) with the option of scaling a peak (extra 1-2 day), although shorter hikes can be arranged (2-3 days) for those merely wishing to experience a taste of this spectacular range. Accommodation along the route is on bunk beds, in huts that sleep a maximum of 15 people. It should be stressed that even on the circuit, altitudes of over 4000m are reached and during the hike other difficulties from marsh and mud to scree and steep descents mean that the trip should not be taken lightly.

Despite the presence of porters to carry food and equipment, hikers should be prepared for an often arduous but ultimately rewarding trek and should come fully prepared both physically and with the right equipment - warm and waterproof clothing, sturdy walking boots, sleeping bags, woolen hat and gloves etc: (further details available on request). It should also be noted that the dry seasons (July-August and December - February) are by far the best times to tackle the trip and outside these times a hiker’s enjoyment may be impaired by poor weather and adverse conditions.

Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest National Park at 33.7sq km, and sits in the southwest -corner of the, country on the Virunga range of volcanoes bordering Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The three-country Virunga conservation area contains approximately half the remaining world’s population of mountain gorillas and these are the main attraction for visit to the park.

The vegetation is typical of afro-montane comprising a montane forest’ belt, a bamboo zone, an ericaceous belt and an alpine zone thus making it suitable for a range of other mammals including the rare golden monkey, buffalo and elephant, although the latter are rarely encountered by visitors.

Mgahinga provides six gorilla tracking permits per day, and although these are bookable in advance it is only expected, and not guaranteed that visitors will see the gorillas, as they move over the border to Democratic Republic of Congo for an average of 1-2 days per month. Thus suitable for those who are unable to secure permits for Bwindi and are very keen to see the gorillas, and are willing to take a chance.

As well as the gorilla viewing available, the park offers the opportunity to climb one to the Volcanoes, take a nature walk or visit the caves within the boundaries.

One of Uganda’s smallest National parks at 260 sq kms, Lake Mburo National park is only 3 hours (219 kms) drive from Kampala. It is an attractive and popular park of rolling hills and open grassy valleys, interspersed with thickets, woodlands and rich wetlands. The park provides ideal habitats for many species of wildlife, including hippo and crocodile around the lake. On land there are herds of buffalo, zebra, eland and other antelope as well as impala. There are also leopard, hyenas and jackals in the park although these are rarely seen.

This less pronounced presence of the larger predators means that visitors have the rare opportunity of a walking Safari, enabling a very different wildlife experience to when restricted to vehicles. The park is also famous for its birdlife which includes the rare shoebill, the abyssinia ground hombill, and the saddlebill stork, as well as many other species and in particular waterbirds.

The Kibale forest lies east of the Rwenzori Mountains and is predominantly composed of mature tropical rainfall forest. This makes it an ideal habitat for primates and is why the forest supports the highest number of primate species in Uganda (twelve) and one of the highest primate densities in the world. Visitors taking forest walks here often see chimpanzee, red and black and white colobus, red tail, blue and L’hoest’s monkey as well as mangabey and olive baboon.

Added to this, approximately 352 species of bird (some endemic) can be seen, making the forest a popular destination for many people with diverse interests. The forest walks leave both Morning and afternoon and last between 2-3 hours. Group sizes are limited to six people in order to limit damage done to the forest by each group, although there is no specific restriction on the number of groups that can visit the forest in one day.

Uganda’s largest National Park, at 3840km, Murchison Falls contains many spectacular features, none more than the Victoria Nile that bisects the park east to west, and the spectacular falls along the river that give the park its name.

Highlights of a visit to the park include a launch trip to the bottom of the falls, along the river Nile during which large numbers of hippo and crocodile can be seen as well as elephant, giraffe, buffalo and the other “big game” coming down to drink. Views from the top of the falls are also spectacular and a visit there is “a must” giving the opportunity to get soaked by the spray, or merely witness the rapids leading to the falls and the spectacular scenery beyond them.

During game drives there is the opportunity to view elephant, giraffe, buffalo, a profusion of antelope and for those who are lucky, can see leopard or spotted hyena which represent the parks carnivores. For bird watchers the varying habitant, Particularly around the river and Lake Albert in the west, makes for excellent viewing, with amongst others the opportunity to see the rare shoebill.

The park has had various development projects including improvements in roads, accommodation and infrastructure in general. The park’s airstrip makes it a convenient destination for flying safari.

Rules and Guide Lines for Queen Elizabeth Safaris and Tours

Dos and Don’ts While IN the Park

• Light fires only at the fire rings at the campsites.
• Do not bring firearms or ammunitions into the park.
• Do not bring pet animals into the park.
• Do not litter.
• Stay in your vehicle except at designated areas.
• Do not drive more than 45km per hour.
• Do not start fires or throw cigarettes ends.
• Get your permit before entering the park.
• Drive only between 7:00am and 7:00pm and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Give animals right of way and don’t disturb wild life.
• Do not sound your horn.
• Do not pick or cut any plants or animals.