National Park
Katonga National Park
Uganda 211 km² (81 mi²) Est. 1998
About Katonga National Park
Katonga Wildlife Reserve protects a mosaic of seasonal and permanent swamps, grasslands, and tropical forest along the Katonga River in western Uganda. At 211 square kilometres, it is a quiet, seldom-visited reserve best known for its sitatunga population — the elusive semi-aquatic antelope that is extremely difficult to spot elsewhere.
The reserve supports small populations of elephants, buffalo, leopards, and bushbuck, along with good birding. Katonga is primarily a walking and canoe safari destination, offering a peaceful alternative to the busier parks.
0
Safari Tours
3.0
Avg Rating
28
Years Protected
Highlights
- Best place in Uganda to see the elusive sitatunga antelope
- Peaceful and virtually unvisited
- Canoe safaris along the Katonga River
- Good walking safari options
Considerations
- Very limited wildlife density
- Minimal tourism infrastructure
- Swampy terrain limits accessibility
- Not a mainstream safari destination
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
Not present
🐆
Leopard
Not present
🐘
Elephant
Not present
🦬
Buffalo
Not present
🦏
Rhino
Not present
Notable Species
Baboon
Common
Hippo
Common
Waterbuck
Occasional
Fish Eagle
Common
Saddle-billed Stork
Occasional
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Katonga is approximately 4 hours drive from Kampala via the Kampala-Fort Portal road. The reserve headquarters are near Kabagole.
Nearest Airport
Kasese Airstrip
Nearest City
Kyenjojo
Drive Time
4 hours