Introduction
As pearl of Africa, Uganda's beauty is only surpassed by its most famous attraction- Bwindi, home of the elusive and treasured gorilla. Uganda's long string of tragedies since independence in 1962 has featured in the western media to such an extent that most people probably still regard the country as dangerously unstable and to avoid. The reality is very different, Stability has returned to most parts of the country. Kampala has virtually returned to normal  and now is the modern, bustling capital of Uganda with the fastest growing economy in Africa- the change has been astonishing. Half of the total population of the world's gorillas live in Virunga Mountains where Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi borders meet. The other half are found in the forest of Bwindi, formerly known as the Impenetrable Forest.

IMPENETRABLE BWINDI NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi National Park is one of Uganda's most recently created national parks, and is in the southwest of the country, close to Zaire border. Its best known as Impenetrable Forest, the park, which covers 331 Sq Km, holds one of the last remaining habitants of the about 600  mountain gorillas . Bwindi National Park has been the main and most popular place in East Africa for viewing the Mountain Gorillas. The fate, in this very vulnerable part of Africa, depends on careful management and constant monitoring, all of which cost Money. Today the mountain gorillas are present them as a flagship for the conservation. A proportion of finances generated through the tourism is shared by the park with the local people living .  Other games found here includes elephants in the park ( around 24 animals), at least 10 species of primate, including chimpanzee, Columbus monkey and baboon, duiker and bushbuck and the rare giant forest hog, as well as a host of birds and insects species. The park headquarters is at buhoma, on the northern edge of the park, and it's here that the gorillas trekking starts from here.

Bwindi's Impenetrable Forest is true African Jungle. It is so called because of the dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation make it almost 'impenetrable'. It's mysterious and awesome. The lowland rainforest and montane forest vegetation constantly struggles to reach heights that will allow it to receive more light. Huge trees are festooned with creepers and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the humid atmosphere and, where sunlight breaks though, the elegant heliconia, or lobster claw, spreads its colourful petals.

MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
Mhahinga National Park is tucked away in the far south-western corner of the country. It covers just 34 km and the tropical rainforest is another mountain gorilla habitat. The park is continous with the Parc National  des Virungas in Zaire. The three together form the Virunga Conservation Area, which covers 420 sq km, and is home to an estimated half of the world's mountain gorilla population of around 640 animals . As at Bwindi, it possible to track gorillas here, but access is less convenient and the gorillas groups also have a tendency to duck across the mountains into Rwanda or Zaire. Wildlife Colobus Monkey, Jackal, Porcupine, Golden Cat, Gorilla, HoneyBadger, Duiker, Aardvark, Elephant. This Park is the second home of the rare Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) in Uganda. Other animals in the area include golden monkey, leopard, giant forest hog, bushbuck and buffalo. There is a wealth of birdlife. Activities here. Two of the three volcanoes in the Park ( Mt Muhabura at 4127 m and Mt Gahinga at 3437 m) can be climbed. There is also a 14-km nature trail which give you a chance to spot some of the 185 species of birds found in the park. Caving. The Garana Cave is about two Km from the park headquarters.

KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale, 766 km2, is one of Uganda's enchanting forested parks. Here, you can hike in the park for hours observing the drama of life in a rainforest. The park contains pristine lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp. This tropical rainforest provided a substantial foliage for large herds of migrating forest elephants. Although they're rarely seen, and dangerous, the signs of these elephants' presence are abundant. However, Kibale's claim to fame is its enormous variety of primates such as habituated chimpanzees . Here, on a daytime or evening guided forest walk, you may find families of chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees. The sightings of birds in the forest are no less impressive - there are at least 325 species. In addition, there are over 144 species of butterflies. Kibale, with trees up to 55 metres in height, is a wonderful place to experience the extraordinary diversity of life in a tropical rainforest. Take part in a guided forest walk , climb up a tree house viewing platform to see the exotic looking Dura River screw palms, or walk along the Kanyanchu river. You will certainly be impressed by the grandeur of the forest and the abundance of exotic life forms thriving. A system of trails has been developed within the park, and tour guides are available to guide visitors.

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
The second largest national park in Uganda at 1,978 sq.km and lies north and south of the equator to the south west of Uganda. It is contiguous with Kibale NP, Uganda Parc Nationale des Virunga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a world bio-sphere reserve (UNESCO, 1979) includes a RAMSAR wetland site and is a classified Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. QENP has 568 of Uganda’s 1017 species of birds. You will spot eagles soaring and vultures perching. You will view lions relaxing and elephants ambling and giant forest hog snuffling.  And, in its lakes you'll see hippos swimming and kingfishers darting. Queen Elizabeth National Park is close to the Southern most tip of the tabled, mist covered "Mountains of the Moon - Rwenzori Mountains. It is a region of varied habitats including, open grassland with thickets, thick bush, forest, swamps and lake-shore. Launch trips on Kazinga Channel down the shore of Lake Edward provides a unique vantage for viewing savannah wildlife. A launch trip starts at Mweya the park headquarters along the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lake Edward and Lake George. Truly, this is among the most exciting and memorable experience offered by the Park. While on the trip expect to be thrilled by yawning hippos and a closer view of water birds along the shores. In the southern part of the park is the Ishasha Sector with substantial tree climbing lions found perched on savannah fig trees.
Maramagambo Forest
Maramagambo Forest is a medium altitude, moist, semi-decidious forest. It has very spectacular lakes and craters. Other features of attractions in the forest include: primates, e.g. Lhost monkeys, chimpanzees, bush baby, baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, etc. The bat and the hunters cav are other pleasant experiences that the forest offers, and of course some forest birds.
Northern Crater Area
This area comprises a scenic area of explosion craters. These unique concentration of unspoiled craters forms a unique scenic vantage point and are important as dry season watering points for animals. The crater area is such a captivating and breathtaking phenomenon.
Kyambura River Gorge
Kyambura river gorge is situated on North-Eastern side of the Park (QENP) - 35 kms from Mweya the park headquarters. The Gorge spans a distance of 16 kms or 10 miles long and 100m/300ft deep, with thewidest point over 500 metres. The Gorge emerges between savannah grasslands. It forms an outstanding topographic feature in dramatic contrast to surrounding savannah landscape. The Gorge has a riverine virgin forest that transits to papyrus swamps towards the Kazinga Channel. It is the only place in the Park where you can view the chimpanzees at close range - "Habituated" ,Colobus Monkey, Red-tailed monkey, baboons and vervet monkeys. Peregrine Falcon, Falcon peregrinus, black be eater- Merops Mulleri and African Finfoot etc are also found.  

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
  Situated between Masaka and Mbarara in Western Uganda. Beautiful and tranquil Lake Mburo National Park is situated in rolling hills and open grassy valleys. games found here include impala, eland, waterbuck, klipspringer, zebra ,buffalo. ,Aardvark, Hyrax, Porcupine, Hippopotamus, Zebra, Pangolin, Warthog, Hyena, Leopard, Buffalo, Civet, Genet, Topi, Eland, Klipspringer, Oribi, Sitatunga, and crocodile  There is an excellent variety of bird species (357 bird species) like crested crane, the rare shoebill stork, marabou stork and bronze-tailed starling, bee eaters and even more exotic birds like Blue Naped Coucal, Bare-faced Go-Away Bird, Nubian Woodpecker and swamp flycatcher. The surrounding papyrus swamps hide the beautiful sitatunga, a very special antelope with narrow, elongated hooves which allow them to move freely on marshy land. An exquisite panoramic view of the lake land expanse from a hilltop vantage point, or the sight of locally ranched long-horned ankole cattle grazing with wild impala and zebra. Don't forget to take a wooden Ssese canoe trip on the lake .

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
It covers an area of 3,840 sq.km and has the most intense concentration of animals along the river. Here is the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the River Nile hurls itself in appalling cataracts through a narrow crevice and then plunges 40 metres in one breathtaking fall. Before the Murchison Falls themselves, are the Karuma Falls where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometres of rapids in a breathtaking sight. Elephant, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Leopard, Warthog, Lion, Giraffe Aardvark, Chimpanzee, Pangolin, Civet, Buffalo, Hyena, Crocodile, Oribi, Patas monkey, Uganda kob, baboon can be admired at the water's edge as the launch glides along. The Park, with its   variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swamp lands to broad Savannah, provides the opportunity of seeing many of the animals found. In the southern section of the park is the beautiful Rabongo Forest, home to several families of chimpanzees and other primates. Make sure you have plenty of film for your camera, although they are difficult to spot in the thick canopy above. The River Nile divides the park into the north and south sectors and forms falls where it flows over the western rift valley escarpment. A boat cruise upstream to the falls provides an unforgettable experience. The falls can also be viewed from the top which gives a completely different impression. Fish in the Nile include Nile perch, Tilapia and Tiger fish. 450 species of bird including Pel's fishing owl, pennant winged nightjar, red-throated bee eater and the magnificent shoebill stork. In the southern sector of the park, there is Rabongo Forest, a home of chimpanzees