Ivan Shim

Uganda’s National Parks

Uganda’s National Parks - Ranked by Popularity

Rank	National Park (NP)	Approx. Annual Visitors (2006–2013)	Notes
1	Queen Elizabeth NP	44,000–88,000	Most visited, tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel
2	Murchison Falls NP	26,000–71,000	Largest NP, iconic waterfall on the Nile
3	Lake Mburo NP	12,500–23,000	Closest to Kampala, zebras & impalas
4	Bwindi Impenetrable NP	9,600–21,700	Gorilla trekking hotspot, UNESCO site
5	Kibale NP	7,000–15,800	Chimp trekking capital, crater lakes
6	Mgahinga Gorilla NP	1,900–9,000	Single habituated gorilla group, golden monkeys
7	Semuliki NP	1,300–5,800	Hot springs, Congo rainforest biodiversity
8	Mount Elgon NP	1,600–3,700	Extinct volcano, Sipi Falls nearby
9	Rwenzori Mountains NP	900–2,700	Snow-capped peaks, trekking
10	Kidepo Valley NP	800–3,200	Remote but spectacular, lions & cheetahs

Reference: Visitor numbers are from Uganda Ministry of Tourism statistics (2006–2013), summarized in Tourism in Uganda – Wikipedia.

Entry fee (per 24 hrs):

Foreign non-residents (FNR): US$35–45
Foreign residents (FR): US$25–35
East African citizens (EA): UGX 20,000–25,000

Special permits (per person):

Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP): US$700 (FNR), US$600 (FR), UGX 250,000 (EA)
Chimp trekking (Kibale NP – main site; also Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth NP, Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls): US$200 (FNR), US$150 (FR), UGX 150,000 (EA)
Rwenzori mountain climbing (Rwenzori Mountains NP): US$35 (FNR), US$25 (FR), UGX 20,000 (EA)

Uganda’s National Parks - Direction & Distance from Kampala

North-West Murchison Falls (~300 km)	North -	North-East Kidepo Valley (~570 km)
West Kibale (~310 km) Rwenzori (~400 km) Semuliki (~360 km)	Kampala (Centre)	East Mount Elgon (~230 km)
South-West Bwindi (~480 km) Queen Elizabeth (~410 km) Lake Mburo (~240 km) Mgahinga (~510 km)	South -	South-East -

References:

Updated: 26th August 2025