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THE SIX NEW UGANDA NATIONAL PARKS
The government of Uganda, through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, confirmed the creation of six new Uganda national parks on 19th September 2025, as a move to boost the country’s tourism sector, making Uganda a premier safari destination.
This also came as a need to reduce the human-wildlife conflict and curb encroachment on wildlife areas, brought about by the increased human population.
The addition of the 6 new parks brings the total of national parks in Uganda to 16, which is considered an increase in efforts to conserve wildlife.
The newly gazetted national parks to visit on a Uganda safari include Bukaleba National Park, Echuya National Park, Kigezi National Park, Kyambura National Park, Toro National Park, and Katonga National Park.
These parks were upgraded from the status of forest and wildlife reserves to being recognized as national parks in Uganda.
By promoting these wildlife areas to a status of national parks, the government seeks to establish a stronger foundation for conservation efforts and the promotion of a balanced cohabitation within these areas.
An Overview of The New National Parks in Uganda
Bukaleba National Park
Bukaleba National Park is one of the new national parks in Uganda, located in the Mayuge District on the shores of Lake Victoria in Eastern Uganda, about 120 kilometers east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
It was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932, and it was formerly known for the Bukaleba Forest Project, which focused on reforestation and community development. Some of the tree species include Prunus Africana for herbal medicine, pine, eucalyptus, etc.
This park, which covers an area of about 97 square kilometers park is expected to become one of the popular safari destinations, especially for those seeking diverse wildlife encounters alongside the stunning beauty of Uganda’s lakeside regions.
Besides numerous tree species, other attractions in the park include over 47 bird species, animals like antelopes, and some primates like monkeys, among others.
When on a Uganda safari, to this park, visitors should expect to be involved in activities like bird watching, nature walks, community tours, and carrying out scientific research on some plant species, among others.
Echuya National Park
The Echuya National Park, another new Uganda national park, is situated in the southwestern Kibale and Kisoro districts between Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro, covering over 34 square kilometers.
The park was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1939, and its upgrade in September 2025 was after Kisoro Authorities advocating for the government to elevate the reserve to the status of a national park.
The park is also home to over 100 bird species, including Grauer’s swamp warbler, primate species like red-tailed monkeys, reptile species, and amphibians.
With these attractions, the park promises interesting birding tours, nature walking tours, and game viewing safaris that can complement Uganda gorilla tours in Mgahinga National Park.
Kyambura National Park
This was formerly a game reserve part of the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is the most visited park in Uganda.
It was first gazetted as a Kyambura Wildlife Reserve in 1965, covering an area of 156 km2, where some of the animals from Queen Elizabeth NP.
This area was made a national park to enhance the protection of wildlife species and promote chimpanzee trekking since it is home to chimps in the Kyambura Gorge.
Besides chimpanzees, the park is also home to primates like the red-tailed monkeys and a variety of bird species.
In addition to chimpanzee trekking, visitors should also expect nature walks, bird watching, and cultural tours, among other fun activities.
Toro National Park
This new Uganda national park is an upgrade of the Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, which was established in 1926, covering an area of 542 square kilometers.
The upgrade to a national park aims to intensify conservation efforts for a variety of animals and their habitats.
Among the animals in this park are waterbucks, giant forest hogs, and primates like baboons and red-tailed monkeys, among others.
This park will cater to visitors seeking interesting wildlife encounters, cultural tours, and bird watching in Uganda’s western region when on a Uganda wildlife safari.
Katonga National Park
Katonga National Park is located in the Ibanda and Kamwenge districts in western Uganda. Its upgrade was made from Katonga Wildlife Reserve, which was established in 1998.
The reserve, which covers an area of 207 km2, was upgraded to national park status to enhance conservation and protection of a variety of wetland and savannah species.
Some of the animals in this park include elephants, antelopes, and predators. It promises interesting photography safaris, cultural experiences, and game drives.
Kigezi National Park
Kigezi National Park is situated south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the Rukungiri District in south-western Uganda. It was first established as a Kigezi Game Reserve in 1952.
This new park covers an area of about 265 square kilometers, and it’s famous for its expansive savanna corridor that connects to different ecosystems.
The expansive savanna plains act as a grazing field for buffalo, elephants, antelopes, among other herbivores. Other animals in this park may include predators like lions, leopards, among others.
Some of the activities to enjoy in this park include game drives, photography, nature walks, and cultural tours.
Traditional National Parks in Uganda
There are 10 national parks in Uganda that were formerly known, which, when added to the newly created parks, make a total of 16
The traditional parks in Uganda include the following
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Location: Kanungu District, Southwestern Uganda
Established: 1991
Area: 321 km²
Main Attractions:
Mountain gorillas
Other wildlife species
Numerous bird species
Famous Activities:
Mountain gorilla trekking
Bird watching
Batwa cultural tours
2. Kibale Forest National Park
Location: Kabarole & Kamwenge Districts, Western Uganda
Established: 1993
Area: 766 km²
Main Attractions:
Chimpanzees
Diverse flora and fauna
Famous Activities:
Chimpanzee trekking
Forest walks
Bird watching
3. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Location: Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi & Rukungiri, Southwestern Uganda
Established: 1952
Area: 1,978 km²
Main Attractions:
Big game
Iconic landscapes
Famous Activities:
Game drives
Bird watching
Crater Lake exploration
4. Murchison Falls National Park
Location: Nwoya, Buliisa, Masindi & Kiryandongo, Northwestern Uganda
Established: 1952
Area: 3,840 km²
Main Attractions:
Murchison Falls
Nile River
Diverse wildlife
Famous Activities:
Hiking to the top of the falls
Game drives
Bird watching
5. Lake Mburo National Park
Location: Kiruhura District, Western Uganda
Established: 1982
Area: 370 km²
Main Attractions:
Diverse wildlife
Lakes (including Lake Mburo)
Various bird species
Famous Activities:
Wildlife viewing
Bird watching
Boat cruises
6. Semuliki National Park
Location: Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda
Established: 1993
Area: 220 km²
Main Attractions:
Various primate species
Other wild animals
Diverse bird species
Sempaya hot springs
Famous Activities:
Nature walks
Primate trekking
Bird watching
Visiting Sempaya Hot Springs
7. Kidepo Valley National Park
Location: Kaabong District, Northeastern Uganda
Established: 1962
Area: 1,442 km²
Main Attractions:
Unique wildlife
Nomadic tribes
Famous Activities:
Game drives
Hiking
Bird watching
8. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Location: Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda
Established: 1991
Area: 34 km²
Main Attractions:
Mountain gorillas
Golden monkeys
Famous Activities:
Gorilla trekking
Golden monkey tracking
Garama Cave exploration
9. Mount Elgon National Park
Location: Mbale District, Eastern Uganda
Established: 1992
Area: 1,110 km²
Main Attractions:
Mount Elgon
Unique flora and fauna
Famous Activities:
Hiking Mount Elgon
Game viewing
Nature walks
10. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Location: Kasese, Kabarole & Bundibugyo Districts, Western Uganda
Established: 1991
Area: 996 km²
Main Attractions:
Rwenzori Mountains
Unique flora and fauna
Famous Activities:
Hiking
Game viewing
Why Were the New National Parks Created?
- This reclassification intends to curb human-wildlife conflict, safeguard sensitive ecosystems, and prevent encroachment into the protected areas.
- It is also aimed at boosting Uganda’s ecotourism by diversifying its attractions beyond the ones known in the traditional parks.
- Upgrading reserves to national park status is intended to provide legal protection and conservation, thereby safeguarding vulnerable species in these wildlife areas.
- Enhancing community benefits through ecotourism, where people living around these national parks are expected to get jobs, and even through cultural experiences, their incomes are more likely to increase.
Conservation And Community Benefits for Uganda
- The upgrade of the six forest and wildlife reserves is expected to promote conservation of wildlife, thereby attracting more tourists to the country.
- The communities near these parks will experience an improvement in their livelihoods. This will be achieved through the jobs created in the park management and ecotourism, and the revenue generated will be shared to improve the people’s standard of living.
- The creation of more national parks is another way of distributing tourism evenly in Uganda since many parks are located in the western part of the country.
We anticipate that this upgrade and distribution will attract more visitors to different regions of the country (e.g., Bukaleba National Park in eastern Uganda), leading to an increase in tourism revenue, which will, in turn, boost the national income of Uganda.
Conclusion
The establishment of the six new Uganda national parks, together with the traditional parks, signals positive changes and enhancements in Uganda’s tourism. Book your Uganda safari now to get a chance of exploring these new national parks, behold the impressive attractions, and enjoy the fascinating activities they offer.
