What is the most popular less visited Game Parks in Uganda? Uganda is home to 10 national parks, but many of them aren’t well-known or fully explored. Most Uganda safaris ted to concentrate on the popular parks, overlooking some hidden gems. However, with Achieve Global Safari, you can discover the lesser-known game parks in Uganda. Some of these less-visited game parks includes Kidepo valley national park, Mount Elgon National Park, Semuliki National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park as explained below,
Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is considered one of the least visited game parks in Uganda due to its remote location in the northeastern corner of the country, making it a seclude and pristine wilderness experience for those seeking an off-beaten-path adventure. Kidepo Valley spread over 1, 444 square kilometers and consists of unique landscape such as savanna woodlands, trees, and shrubs. The park is located approximately 562 kilometers from Kampala and its the most remote tourism destination in the Pearl of Africa.
Kidepo valley national park was established as a national park in 1962, Kidepo is a true safari treasure, boasting an incredible variety of big game, unique landscapes, and rich birdlife. It is home to over 77 mammal species and an impressive 476 bird species, making it a prime destination for wildlife lovers and adventure seekers. Surprisingly, this isolated park one of the best places to see Rothschild’s giraffes, other animals sighted in this park includes, cape buffaloes, aardwolf, black-striped jackals, hyenas, Uganda Kobs, cheetahs and lions among others.
Kidepo valley national park is also isolated bird’s paradise boating a variety of tourist world wide. some of the popular bird species found here includes ostriches, Abyssinian ground hornbills, red and yellow barbet, secretary birds, Karamoja Apalis, Little Bee eaters, and Kori Bustards among others.
Embarking on a Uganda safari in Kidepo valley national park rewards your adventure dreams, the park offers one of the best exciting safari activities such as iconic game drives, birding, nature walks, community visits (indigenous Karamojong or Ik community), and hiking (on Mount Morungole, Lotukei, and Lamoj) among others.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is another considered least visited game parks in Uganda, but it boasts a wonderful variety of nature. Located in Eastern Uganda, it also stretches into Kenya, featuring a mix of montane forests, bamboo groves, mountain heath, and moorland. The park is designated a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, recognizing its ecological significance and the need for long-term conservation efforts. the park was named after the Mount Elgon -an extinct volcano and one of Uganda’s oldest geological formations, with its first eruption occurring around 24 million years ago. Its one of the Africa’s tallest mountains, standing even higher than Kilimanjaro’s 5,895m and also ranked as the 4th highest peak in East Africa and the 8th highest on the continent.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, particularly along the slopes of Mount Elgon. Visitors can see cape buffaloes, elephants, numerous bird species (over 300), and various primates like blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Additionally, the park is teeming with other animals such as leopards, forest elephants, squirrels, oribis, spotted hyenas, and Defassa’s waterbucks.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, notable species to look for the endangered Lammergeyer (bearded vulture), Tacazze sunbird, and Jackson’s francolin.
There are plenty of fun activities to do in and around Mount Elgon National Park, including bird watching, abseiling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trout fishing. To reach the park from Kampala, you can take the Jinja-Mbale route, which takes about 5 to 6 hours by car.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the far southwest of Uganda and is the smallest of the country’s ten national parks. It covering an area of about 33.7 square kilometers, yet it is home to some incredible attractions. It was established in 1991, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
This park is one of the least- visited game parks in Uganda, making it a hidden gem. It features three stunning Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhabura, and Gahinga Mountain Massifs, which are popular spots for hikers. Mgahinga is rich in wildlife and hosts various species in its different habitats, including the rare mountain gorillas, forest elephants, bushbucks, duikers, sitatungas, giant forest hogs, and playful golden monkeys.
Birdwatchers will also be delighted with the wide range of birds found here, such as the Black Kite, Pin-tailed whydah, Double-collared sunbird, Speckled mouse bird, Paradise flycatcher, Ibis, Speckled Mouse birds, Fire Finch Stonechat, Waxbills, Grey Capped Warbler, Archer’s robin chat, Blue-headed coucal among others.
Visitors to Mgahinga can enjoy a variety of activities, including trekking to see mountain gorillas, bird watching, tracking golden monkeys, exploring caves, and experiencing the Batwa culture. There are several accommodation options nearby, such as mount gahinga lodge, Mgahinga gorilla triangle lodge, imbogo dinners and lounge, Amajambere Iwacu Camp, and Traveler’s Rest Camp.
To reach Mgahinga National Park, you can drive from Kampala using the Masaka-Mbarara-Kisoro route, or you can travel from Kigali by crossing the Chanika border into Kisoro. If you prefer to fly, you can take a flight from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro Airstrip, which takes about two hours.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is found in western Uganda in the district of Bundibugyo which lies on Uganda’s border with DR Congo. The park is bordered by Lake Albert in the northern side and the Rwenzori Mountains on the south Eastern side. The park is also one of the country’s least visited game parks. Established in 1993, it covers an area of 220 square kilometers. The park is famous for birdwatching. You can find over 441 different bird species here, including the he Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Capuchin Babbler, Dwarf Honey guide, Forest Ground Thrush, orange weaver, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Sassi’s Olive Greenbul and White-tailed Hornbill.
This park is also great for wildlife viewing. It’s home to elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, and a variety of primates, such as blue monkeys, chimpanzees, De Brazza’s Monkeys, Guereza Colobus, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. One of the park’s unique features is the Sempaya hot spring, known for its impressive hot water geysers. Tourist on a Uganda safari in Semuliki National Park can embark on a remarkable safari activity such as Forest and Nature Walks, Visiting the Semuliki River, Visiting the Sempaya Hot Springs, Birdwatching, Game drives, chimpanzee tracking and Cultural visits and experiences among others
If you’re planning a trip to Uganda and want to stay overnight, consider options like Semliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, Kirimia Guesthouse, Hotel Vanilla, Campsites and Bandas by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of Uganda’s hidden gems, making it one of the least visited parks in the country. This stunning location, found in Western Uganda near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is famous for its amazing mountaineering experiences. The park is most known for Mount Rwenzori, which boasts breathtaking snow-capped peaks. Adventurers love hiking here, especially on the journey to Mount Stanley, which stands at 5,109 meters and is where you’ll find Margherita Peak.
The park is filled with beautiful sights, such as picturesque waterfalls, clear lakes, and stunning glaciers. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to more than 70 species of mammals and around 200 bird species. Some of the wildlife you might encounter includes blue monkeys, chimpanzees, bushbucks, and black and white colobus monkeys.
When it comes to birdwatching, you can spot various species like white-naped pigeons, Rwenzori turacos, red-eyed doves, blue-headed sunbirds, slender-billed starlings, montane sooty boubou, and archer’s robin-chat, among others.
Best time to visit Uganda’s least visit game parks.
You can visit Uganda’s Game Parks any time you like, but the best months to really enjoy them are during the dry seasons. The long dry season runs from June to September, while the short dry season is from December to February. These periods are ideal for exploring and getting the most out of your safari experience.
