Best 5 National Parks to Go Camping in Uganda
Camping is arguably the easiest and cheapest way of exploring the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’, especially the low earners and those who are not so financially stable. Uganda is a small but naturally a heavily gifted country with beauty, climate and above of all this; is its abundant wildlife. Below are the five best national parks in Uganda that are most ideal for you to go camping:
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is the most unique national park in Uganda and if you are indeed a true wildlife lover, just opt for this one. The Park has a varied wildlife more than any other Park in Uganda and it is referred to as the ‘’True African Wilderness’’ since it is a refuge to almost each and every African wildlife species, complemented with its magnificent and picturesque landscape which all give you a run for your money. You are guaranteed to view a wide range of wildlife in Kidepo such as; Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Nile Crocodiles, Hippos, Leopards, Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeests, and over 500 bird species, and many others.
Kidepo boasts a very well maintained camping site called ‘’Kakine Self-Catering Campsite’’, which is so close to Apoka Visitor Centre; the Park’s tourist centre. The campsite has no provision for meals and thus the travelers should move with their own food stuffs – the campsite has good water and firewood for cooking. The campsite offers a wilderness camping encounter for the camping travelers, hence what you need to do is to contact your tour operator earlier such that it organizes for you good camping equipment, like; dome tents, cutlery, stoves or gas cookers, mattress, and others.
Murchison Falls National Park
This is one of the best national parks to go camping while on a Uganda safari as it comprises of various adventurous things that you are guaranteed to explore and there are camping sites as well, where you will compose your own camp. The Park is locally known as Kabalega National Park and it is under the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) – which comprises of the Kabalega Park and other two wildlife reserves, Karuma Falls and Bugungu reserves. The Park is a home to the Murchison falls found on the course of the great Nile and the falls attracts various wildlife species such as; hippos, the Nile Crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and water bucks. When camping in this Park, you will enjoy several interesting activities such as; game drives, visiting the top of the Murchison falls, launch trips, hot air balloon safaris, nature walks, and birding. Visitors who will travel to Murchison Falls/Kabalega National Park will construct their camps in the Park’s various camping sites such as; Boomu Women’s Group Bandas or Shoebill Campsite.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Are you that kind of traveler who wants to go camping in various extraordinary national parks in Africa or you don’t have enough money to stay in the expensive luxurious accommodation in the Parks and you have decided to go camping? Queen Elizabeth National Park is a better Park to go camping and feel the true nature of Uganda and the African continent at large. Besides being cheap, camping offers a nice atmosphere, in terms of staying more close to the nature. The Park is the second largest national park in Uganda, after Murchison Falls National Park, and it is one of the most sought after destinations in Uganda. Camping is one of the most interesting experiences that you should not miss in the Park and there are different camping grounds in the Park, such as; Engiri Game Lodge and Camping Site, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Crater Campsite and Country Lodge, Kitandara Hippo Hill Camp, and Nyanzibiri Eco-community camp. Among the amazing things you are to enjoy during your camping in the Park, include; the unusual tree climbing lions and very many others that will offer you a great and memorable safari in Uganda and Africa at large.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forests National Park
This is one Park that you should go camping wherever you land to Africa. Bwindi is globally known for its inhabitants, the rare endangered mountain gorillas, which only exist in three African countries; Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, and in four national parks. The only four refuges in the world for mountain gorillas are; Bwindi and Mgahinga Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Out of the four refuges of mountain gorillas, Bwindi is the most recommendable one to visit as the Park harbors almost half of the total number of mountain gorillas remaining in the world. You can therefore enjoy your gorilla expeditions in Bwindi while camping in order to save some money, as the gorilla safaris are somehow expensive since you have to buy a gorilla permit in order for you get involved in this lifetime experience of trekking the gorillas. However, the gorilla permit in Uganda is relatively cheaper, costing US$ 600, as compared to that of Rwanda which costs US$ 1500.
Therefore since camping is very cheap, you will have saved some money which you will have spent on the Park’s luxurious lodges and camps. The most ideal camping sites/grounds in Bwindi include; Buhoma Community Campsite and Bandas, Nshongi Campsite, Bwindi Forest Farm & Campsite, and Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, among others.
Kibale Forests National Park
Kibale, found in western Uganda, is also an ideal destination to go camping especially to the primate lovers. The Park protects several primate species more than any other protected area in Africa, of which the major primate species and attraction in the Park are the common chimpanzees. Chimpanzees have various interesting behaviors that you will enjoy during your camping experience in the Park and of course these primates (chimpanzees) share 98.7% of human DNA, hence you are guaranteed to experience some human behaviors/characteristics possessed by the chimpanzees. The best campsites in the Park include; campsite at Primate lodge, Frog Campsite & Lodge, campsite at Kibale Forest Camp, and Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite.