Uganda & Rwanda National Parks and Reserves

Uganda and Rwanda are small countries, set in the heart of the African continent. Their national parks and reserves are some of most alluring in Africa, with lush forests, lakes and volcanic mountains, which are home to half of the worlds wild mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National de Volcans) in Rwanda is home to 7 habituated Gorilla families. A short drive 3 hour drive from Kigali, this area is part of the vast Virungu Volcanoes Conservation area, shared by Uganda and the Congo.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The name “Impenetrable” definitely applies here, with the dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation in this lush mountain forest. Bwindi contains 1/2 the worlds’ population of mountain gorillas, currently estimated at 750 individuals. 7 families have been habituated to humans.

Kibale National Park
Kibale is home to the rare Forest Elephant, rarely seen and sometimes dangerous. It also home to an astonishing 12 species of primates, including families of habituated chimpanzees.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Area
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda and is part of the larger Virunga Volcanoes Conservation Area, home to some 350 Mountain Gorillas. Currently the only habituated troop here is on the Rwandan side in Volcanoes National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda’s largest park, Queen Elizabeth covers 1,229 sq. miles (1,978 sq. km). It is a region of varied habitats including, open grassland with thickets, thick bush, forest, swamps and lake-shore. The park is home to many large mammals including hippo, buffalo, lion, elephant, chimpanzees and a vast array of birds.