Uganda National Parks: Distances, Wildlife & Travel Guide

Uganda boasts 10 spectacular national parks, each with its own magic—rugged mountains, dense forests, sweeping savannas, volcanic landscapes, and hidden hot springs. Based in Kampala, here’s everything you need to know: distances, destinations, transport, wildlife, communities, lodges, and more.

Distances from Kampala & Between Uganda national parks

Park	Distance (km)	Drive Time
Lake Mburo	255 km	~4 h 50 m theugandatrips.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1
Mount Elgon	226 km	~4 h 57 m
Murchison Falls	282 km	~4 h 23 m
Kibale	292 km	~4 h 50 m
Semuliki	331 km	~5 h 30 m
Rwenzori	374 km	~6 h 36 m
Queen Elizabeth	372 km	~6 h 27 m
Bwindi	469 km	~8 h 43 m
Mgahinga	480 km	~9 h 11 m
Kidepo Valley	692 km	~10 h 54 m

Park-to-park driving times vary: e.g., Queen Elizabeth–Bwindi is ~129 km (~3 h 35 m) .

1. Lake Mburo National Park

Established: Gazetted as forest reserve earlier, national park in 1983 (various sources)
Unique features: Nearest park to Kampala, diverse wildlife including zebras, impala, buffalo, giraffe; boating, horseback safaris
Transport: 4–5 h drive along Kampala-Mbarara highway; safari drives & boat launch on-site
Communities: Local Banyankole, pastoralists; eco-lodges support local livelihoods
Lodges: Mihingo Safari Lodge, Mburo Safari Lodge, Ssana Community Lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

2. Mount Elgon National Park

Established: 1968 (gazetted 1929 forest reserve, became NP 1993 in Uganda?)
Unique features: Largest intact volcanic mountain base; Sipi Falls, caves, hot springs, birdlife
Transport: ~5 h drive east; also accessible via Mbale/Sipi by public transport
Communities: Bagisu, Sabiny, Benet (Ndorobo); cultural hiking guides
Lodges: Sipi River Lodge, Suam Guesthouse, Pian-Upe Wilderness Camp. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

3. Murchison Falls National Park

Established: 1952 (originally game reserve 1926)
Unique features: Mighty falls where the Nile blasts through a gorge; rare shoebill, classic Big Five (minus rhino)
Transport: ~4–5 h drive; charter flights to Pakuba
Communities: Banyoro; community tours & craft markets
Lodges: Baker’s Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

4. Kibale National Park

Established: Gazetted 1932, NP formally 1993
Unique features: “Chimpanzee capital” with 13 primate species and rich forest ecology
Transport: ~5 h drive west; daily flights to Kasese, then land transfers
Communities: Batooro, Bakiga; agriculture around edges
Lodges: Crater Safari Lodge (nearby), Kanyanchu Visitor Centre lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

5. Semuliki National Park

Established: 1993
Unique features: Uganda’s only lowland tropical rainforest; over 400 birds, hot springs like Sempaya geyser
Transport: ~6 h drive via Mubende-Kyenjojo-Fort Portal; remote access
Communities: Bwamba; cultural eco-trail guides
Lodges: Semliki Safari Lodge, Kirimia Guesthouse

6. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Established: 1991; UNESCO Heritage Site 1994
Unique features: “Mountains of the Moon” with snow peaks, alpine flora, rare wildlife, source of Nile
Transport: ~6–7 h west via Fort Portal/Kasese; trekking logistics needed
Communities: Bakonzo, Bamba; homestays and cultural guides
Lodges: Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Rwenzori View Guest House. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

7. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Established: 1952 (originally Kazinga NP)
Unique features: Diverse eco-zones, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, chimpanzees, boat safaris on Kazinga Channel
Transport: ~6–7 h; flights available to Mweya, Kasese
Communities: Bakonzo and Basongora; salt pan visits at Lake Katwe
Lodges: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

8. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Established: 1991; UNESCO Heritage Site
Unique features: Habitat for ~400 mountain gorillas (half of global population), rich biodiversity
Transport: ~8–9 h drive; domestic flights to Kisoro, Kihihi
Communities: Bakiga, Bafumbira, Batwa; Batwa heritage village at Mgahinga
Lodges: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

9. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Established: 1991
Unique features: Volcano trekking, golden monkeys, Virunga mountain views; one of Africa’s smallest NPs
Transport: ~9 h drive; flights to Kisoro Airport then road
Communities: Batwa, local farming villages; Mount Gahinga Batwa village project
Lodges: Mount Gahinga Lodge by Volcanoes Safaris – strong community integration. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

10. Kidepo Valley National Park

Established: 1958
Unique features: Remote, semi-arid savanna; wild game like cheetah, ostrich; 475 bird species
Transport: ~11 h drive north-east; charter flights to Apoka Airstrip
Communities: Karamojong pastoralists; community-led safaris and crafts
Lodges: Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge. Click This Link To Request For Your Free Quote Now

Preferred Means of Transport To Uganda national parks

• Self-drive 4×4 or chartered safari vehicle is most flexible for multi-park routes.
• Domestic flights (to Kisoro, Pakuba, Apoka) save time but cost more.
• Public minibuses are available, but lengthy and less comfortable.
• In-park: game drives, boat cruises, guided walks, gorilla/primates tracking.

Cross-border Connections

• Mgahinga borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP and DR Congo’s Virunga.
• Semuliki is adjacent to DR Congo’s Ituri/Congo Basin forests.
• Kidepo touches South Sudan to the north.
• Rwenzori and Queen Elizabeth are close to DR Congo.

Lodges & Community Impact

Uganda’s lodges range from luxury ecolodges to community-run bandas:

• Luxury/ecoluxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness, Apoka Safari Lodge kandooadventures.com+15vogue.com+15theugandatrips.com+15osteensafaris.com+2volcanoesparkrwanda.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2backtothesourcetours.com+7ultimateexpeditions.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7chaloafrica.com+9backtothesourcetours.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9kabiraugandasafaris.com+5theugandatrips.com+5gorillasafaridiscovery.com+5cntraveler.com+1cntraveler.com+1
• Mid-range/community: Ssana Lodge, Kirimia Guesthouse, Sipi River Lodge
• Conservation & communities: Mount Gahinga Lodge funds Batwa resettlement; Kyambura Gorge Lodge supports rewilding volcanoesparkrwanda.org+1kampalacitytour.com+1visitrwandagorilla.com+8cntraveler.com+8architecturaldigest.com+8

Best Time to Visit

• December–February & June–August: Prime dry seasons for wildlife viewing, tracking, and hiking.
• Wet seasons (Mar–May, Sep–Nov): Lush landscapes, fewer crowds, gorillas still accessible.
• Seasons vary across parks, especially mountainous ones like Rwenzori and Mt Elgon.

Internal Link: Visit Uganda