The
Uganda Wildlife Authority is a government agency established in
1996 and charged with the responsibility of managing the country’s
parks and game reserves. The country is home to healthy populations
of wildlife and bird species including Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees,
Monkeys, Buffalo, Elephant, Zebra and Impala. Bird species include;
pelicans, stork, eagle and flamingo.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: home to the largest population
of Mountain Gorillas in the world, the park occupies a rainforest
remnant. The park can be visited by road from Kampala and other
Ugandan towns. Bwindi is situated in southwestern Uganda near
the town of Kabale in the Albertine Rift Valley. Other animals
found here are; elephant, antelope and the colobus monkey.
Mgahinga National Park: situated in southwestern Uganda near
the country’s border with Rwanda and Congo DRC; on the
Ugandan part of the Virunga Mountain ranges. The park is also
home to Mountain Gorillas which are the main attraction here.
Rwenzori National Park: encompassing the Rwenzori mountain range;
the mountain’s peaks have permanent snow cover. Rwenzori
stands at a height of 5,109 metres. The park is good for hiking
and is home to an elephant population.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: situated in southwestern Uganda
near the town of Kasese on the shores of Lake Edward, this park
is home to a large population of birds (more than 500 species)
and animals such as; lion, elephant, hippos and buffalo.
