SPOTLIGHT ON UGANDA’S SIX NEW NATIONAL PARKS

In a strategic move to strengthen conservation and protect wildlife from encroachment and human-wildlife conflict, Uganda has elevated six former wildlife and forest reserves to national park status, increasing the country’s total to 16.

The former wildlife and forest reserves were in different regions of the country, and some of these were part of the traditional parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Ugandan cabinet confirmed these new national parks on September 19, 2025, and they include Kigezi, Bukaleba, Echuya, Kyambura, Katonga, and Toro National Parks.

An Overview of The Six New National Parks 

Kigezi National Park

Kigezi National Park borders Queen Elizabeth National Park, and it is one of the largest grazing areas for wild animals that call Queen Elizabeth NP their home. This new park was created to expand the savannah corridors.

Some of the animals in this new national park include elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and predators, among others.

This new park promises interesting safari drives, cultural experiences with locals living near the park, photography, and bird watching, among other activities.

Bukaleba National Park 

Bukaleba, initially a forest reserve, was also elevated to the level of a national park. This wildlife area is located in the Mayuge District, along the shores of Lake Victoria.

In an area of about 97 km², Bukaleba National Park provides habitat to diverse wildlife, which includes reptiles, antelopes, birds, monkey species, and aquatic life.

Echuya National Park

Echuya National Park is among the newly gazetted national parks of Uganda, located in the Kisoro and Rubanda districts in the southwestern part of the country, near Uganda’s border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This wildlife area is a blend of montane and bamboo-forest vegetation from the Albertine Rift, making it one of Africa’s most endangered and biodiverse ecoregions.

It beautifully complements the gorilla tourism available in Mgahinga National Park, thereby offering a unique experience for nature lovers.

Kyambura National Park

Kyambura Park is renowned for its stunning gorge (Kyambura Gorge) that is home to chimpanzees, monkey species like the red-tailed monkeys, and numerous bird species.

Upgrading Kyambura Game Reserve to a national park was done to have legal protection of wildlife and to promote primate tourism, especially chimpanzee trekking tours.

Toro National Park

Toro National Park was formerly Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, and it was elevated to the status of national park for improved safeguarding of woodlands, grasslands, rivers, and the wildlife inhabitants.

This elevation makes this wildlife area a wonderful place for game drives, birding, and nature walks in its grasslands and woodlands.

Katonga National Park 

In a recent upgrade, the former Katonga Wildlife Reserve has been officially designated as Katonga National Park.

This new park, known for its extensive wetlands and savannah grasslands, is situated in the Kyenjojo and Kamwenge districts and follows the course of the Katonga River.

It is home to over 150 bird species and wild animals, including sitatunga, waterbuck, elephants, otters, warthogs, and reedbuck, among others.

The Reason Behind the Creation of The Six New National Parks in Uganda 

The creation of the six new national parks in Uganda is aimed at curbing the encroachment and human-wildlife conflict, which is a result of the increasing human population.

To broaden Uganda’s tourism portfolio beyond chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park, mountaineering in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and other activities in other traditional parks.

To increase the chances of year-round safaris, because diverse ecosystems attract more visitors to Uganda during different seasons.

This initiative is aimed to offering unique and authentic wildlife experiences that are far from the crowded traditional national parks.

In conclusion, the creation of these new national parks represents a strategic move by Uganda to strengthen its conservation efforts, expand its tourism, and promote sustainable development through community engagement.