The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa’s third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). The region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. The park has many natural habitats of endangered species and a rich and unusual flora comprising, among other species, the giant heather.

The mountains play a crucial role as a major source of water worldwide. This ecosystem holds immense global significance, being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2006. It provides a home for numerous species that are unique, endangered, threatened, or rare, particularly those native to the Albertine rift, some of which have limited ranges.

The mountains possess a range of conservation values. They offer breathtaking natural beauty, distinct layers of vegetation, wetlands, glaciers, and snow-covered summits. The area holds potential for valuable research, contributes essential resources for local communities, and holds cultural importance as it’s believed to contain sacred sites and be a dwelling place for deities.

Key species within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park include the Rwenzori duiker (cephalophus rubidus), Rwenzori black-fronted duiker (cephalophus nigrifrons rubidus), elephants (Loxodonta Africana), L’Hoest’s monkeys (Cercophithecus l’hoestii), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), snow leopards, and three-horned chameleons.

Visitors to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park can engage in various tourism activities. The primary attractions are mountain hiking, nature walks, and bird watching. The park is home to an impressive array of wildlife, with 70 mammal species and 217 bird species, including 19 endemics from the Albertine Rift. Additionally, the park boasts some of the rarest vegetation types globally.

The Rwenzori mountains are renowned as a premier destination for hiking and mountaineering. Accomplished climbers can embark on a nine- to twelve-day trek to reach the highest peak, Margherita. However, shorter and less technically challenging treks are also available for scaling the neighboring peaks.

Semuliki Forest Reserve was established in 1932 and later became a national park in 1993. Situated in East Africa, it stands as the sole expanse of genuine lowland tropical forest in the region. This remarkable park is home to 441 documented bird species and 53 different mammals.

During the wet season, substantial portions of this low-lying park might become flooded, serving as a brief reminder of a time when the entire valley was submerged beneath a lake for an astonishing seven million years.

Within the vicinity of the park, you’ll find four distinct ethnic groups residing. Bwamba farmers inhabit the base of the Rwenzori mountain range, while the Bakonjo people cultivate the mountain slopes. Batuku cattle keepers, on the other hand, occupy the open plains. Additionally, the Batwa, a group of pygmies known for their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle, live on the edge of the forest.

Though the species within Semuliki have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park itself contains evidence of even more ancient processes. Hot springs emerge from the depths, showcasing the mighty subterranean forces that have shaped the rift valley over the course of the past 14 million years.

In this region of incredible biological diversity, over 120 more mammal species find shelter, including various primates like baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. The forest also hosts around 350 bird species, with 23 of them being unique to the Albertine Rift area.

The Semuliki River is home to common sightings of hippos and crocodiles. The area boasts over 300 identified butterfly species, including 46 types of forest swallowtails, along with 235 species of moths. The bird checklist for Semuliki National Park includes an impressive 435 species, encompassing 35 bird species specific to the Guinea-Congo forest biome. Among them are the spot-breasted ibis, Haartlaub’s duck, Congo serpent eagle, chestnut-flanked goshawk, and red-thighed sparrowhawk. Moreover, there are 12 species with extremely limited distribution, such as the western bronze-naped pigeon and the yellow-throated cuckoo

Tourism in Semuliki National Park primarily revolves around nature walks, bird watching, and visits to the Sempaya hot springs.

Covering an expanse of 160 square kilometres in the northern region of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park forms a part of the Greater Virunga Landscape that is shared among the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda.

Located in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park safeguards the steep inclines of a remarkable mountain range. This area is not only the habitat of the endangered mountain gorilla but also hosts a diverse array of montane ecosystems. These encompass evergreen and bamboo forests, open grasslands, swamps, and heathlands.

Named after the series of dormant volcanoes constituting the Virunga Massif, the Volcanoes National Park includes prominent peaks like Karisimbi, which is the tallest at 4,507 meters, Bisoke with its lush crater lake, as well as Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura.

Initially, the park covered a smaller vicinity around Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Bisoke volcanoes. It was designated as a protected area to combat the imminent extinction of Mountain gorillas due to rampant poaching.

Among the Virunga Mountains, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda serves as one of the three habitats for the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Alongside gorillas, the park provides a haven for golden monkeys, diverse bird species, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and various other creatures

The Main Tourism activity in the Volcanoes National Park is the gorillas trekking, in addition, the golden monkey tracking, birds watching, mountains Kalisimbi, Muhabura, Gahinga, Bisoke hike, nature walk, Musanze caves, Dian Fossey Tomb tour, Ibyiwacu cultural Village, Buhanga eco-park….
To ensure the continued recovery of the tourism industry, the Rwanda Development Board has put in place promotional rates which are valid until December 31st, 2023. For further information, it is advisable to reach out to the Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda Development Board

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest protected areas. Originally gazetted as the Lake George and Lake Edward game reserves in 1925, it was upgraded to create one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952. Queen Elizabeth lies directly on the equator. A pair of concrete hoops marks the spot where the 0O line crosses the Kasese road.

The park is home to over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. The park’s highest point, 1,350m above sea level, is found in the Katwe a

Queen Elizabeth National Park, initially known as Kazinga National Park when it was established in 1952, was later renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of England who visited it two years later. This magnificent park spans an area of 1978 square kilometers and is unique in that it straddles the equator, with monuments on both sides of the road indicating the precise location where the equator intersects latitude 00.

Within the park’s boundaries, you can discover an impressive array of wildlife, including more than 95 different mammal species and a diverse population of over 600 bird species

Explosion Craters while the lowest point is 910m on the shore of Lake Edward. Scenic and biodiverse, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is Uganda’s most popular protected area. Diverse ecosystems, including sprawling savanna, shady forests, sparkling lakes and lush wetlands, provide ideal habitats for classic big game, forest primates, and birds.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, near the Rift Valley. This park features mist-covered hills covered by one of Uganda’s oldest and most diverse rainforests, dating back over 25,000 years and containing nearly 400 plant species. Notably, this forest is home to approximately 459 mountain gorillas, which is about half of the global population. Some of these gorilla groups have become accustomed to human presence and can be tracked by visitors.

This ecologically rich area also provides habitat for around 120 mammal species, including various primates like baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. The forest hosts around 350 bird species, including 23 species found only in the Albertine Rift region. Additionally, Bwindi is a habitat for over 200 butterfly species, including eight endemics to the Albertine Rift, and various reptiles

Bwindi Impenetrable offers a range of attractions appealing to both tourists and researchers. There’s a wide array of activities to engage in at the park.

The nearby towns of Buhoma and Nkuringo offer a variety of accommodations, from luxury lodges to simple campsites, along with restaurants, craft stalls, and guided services. Visitors have opportunities to immerse themselves in the local cultures of the Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy peoples through performances, workshops, and village walks.

Similar to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the main activity in Bwindi Impenetrable is gorilla trekking. Other activities include:

Community Tourism

Visitors can participate in cultural encounters such as the Rubuguri Village Walk, Nkuringo Cultural Center (NCC), Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF), Buhoma Community Tour (Mukono Development Association), and Buniga Forest Nature Walk. These experiences offer insights into local cultures.

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga

Uganda offers a unique opportunity to spend 4 hours with a mountain gorilla family during their habituation process, along with researchers in Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest. This is an exceptional experience in Africa.

Mountain Bike Rides in Buhoma Area

The community support group “Ride 4 a Woman” provides mountain bike rentals and guided rides in and around Bwindi Forest. Birding bike rides and forest exploration are also available.

The Batwa Forest Experience

This experience is centred around the Batwa people, the original inhabitants of the forest who lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. The Batwa Forest Experience takes place in the Buhoma area.

The Buhoma Village Walk

A 3-hour cultural walk through the village provides insights into the local way of life. Knowledgeable guides share information about the area’s culture and customs.

Hiking through the Forest

Hiking options range from a one-day hike to longer hikes spanning from the north to the south of Bwindi. This can include overnight stays and even crossing scenic Lake Mutanda. Guided hikes are the norm.

Bird Watching

With its diverse habitats, Bwindi is a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting around 350 bird species, including 23 endemics.

Virunga National Park is Africa’s most biodiverse protected area, home to over one thousand species of mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian as well as 1/3 of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. Located on the eastern edge of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, Virunga has become known as the park of fire and ice for its diverse habitats ranging from the Rwenzori peaks to savanna and volcanic plains.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest National Park of Uganda. It covers an area of 33.7 km.sq and is located in the Southwestern part of Uganda. The Park was founded in 1991 and happened to be one of the few national parks in the World that habour mountain gorillas the rest being Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Park’s most prominent features are the three of the Virunga’s six extinct cones. These are Muhabura (4127m), Sabinyo (3669m) and Gahinga (3474m). Despite being small, the park is an area of high biodiversity, high endemism and an important water catchment. It is habitat to over 40 known species of mammals including the endangered mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys, over 100 species of birds including some Albertine Rift endemics, diverse vegetation types including woodlands, bamboo forest and afro-alpine and ericaceous among others.

Eight tourists’ activities are conducted in Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla Trekking is the major activity carried out in Mgahinga gorilla National Park. In addition to that activity, golden monkey tracking, mountain climbing where the park has three dormant volcanoes within its heart where visitors can do hiking adventures, golden monkey habituation experience, Batwa cultural experience, birding, nature walks and children-based activities are also tourism activities carried out in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.