Lake Mburo SafarisBest Safaris In Uganda
Uganda is a small landlocked country found in East Africa. A good part of the country is covered by Lake Victoria and other water bodies like the river Nile. Uganda is a country truly “blessed by nature.”
Uganda has 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. In these protected areas, there are unique plants and creatures, some of which are endemic to the country.
More so, the country is blessed with the 5 iconic wildlife species such as lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants and leopards. One of the most attractive features is its half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, other small primates and over 1060 bird species.
Uganda also has common wild mammals like zebras, hyenas, giraffes and several species of antelopes. However, this article takes you through some of the best safaris in Uganda that promise to leave an everlasting memory of adventure in you. They include
Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences not just in Uganda but also across Africa.
This exciting adventure involves trekking through the lush forest in search of man’s closest relatives in their natural setting and watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat for about an hour. The reason why tracking mountain gorillas is so popular is that they are an endangered species, with only around 1,000 left in the wild.
These rare mountain gorillas are also found in a few countries, such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In Uganda, you can spot mountain gorillas in two main locations: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda start early in the morning at 8:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations as well as the expectations while in the forest.
After the briefing you’ll be located by an armed guide who will lead you to the forest to search for the gorillas in their natural habitat. The chances of seeing the gorillas in Uganda is 98% since it has half of the world’s population of these great endangered apes
Once you have found these fascinating primates, you will be allowed 1 hour of interaction with them as you watch how they do their daily activities, such as feeding, breastfeeding, playing and interacting with each other, among others.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is another main highlight for safaris in Uganda. Kibale National Park offers the highest concentration of primates in East Africa, hence offering the best chance to spot them. These intelligent creatures are the closest relatives to humans. These clever primates have a way of surprising anyone who watches them with their playful behaviors and social interactions.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is a favorite activity among visitors, ranking just after the famous gorilla trekking. This adventure means taking a hike deep into the lush tropical rainforest to find the chimps.
Once you locate them, you get a precious one hour to watch their fascinating behaviors up close. Besides Kibale National Park, these fascinating creatures can also be tracked from Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park costs $250 for foreign tourists who do not reside in the country, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX 180,000 for East African nationals. While chimpanzee habituation costs $300 per person for foreign non-residents, $250 per person for foreign residents, and finally UGX 250,000 per person for East African citizens.
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Embarking on a guided game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers you a true nature encounter. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular national park in Uganda, one of the savannah parks found in the Kasese district in western Uganda.
A game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best ways to see the wildlife in the park, including all 4 of the Big 5 animals. Game drives are done in different areas: Kasenyi Plains, Ishasha area and Mweya Plains.
The game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park start very early in the morning at around 6:00am for chances to see animals such as elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kobs, baboons, and many species of birds.
Besides Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can also choose to embark to explore Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park for an exciting game drive safaris in Uganda.
Birding
Uganda is a paradise for bird lovers, boasting an impressive variety of bird species. In fact, about one-third of the world’s total species can be found here. With Uganda being home to over 1060 different resident and migratory birds.
Once you land in the country, you will notice birds everywhere. However, to truly experience the richness of Uganda’s avian diversity, it’s best to visit certain renowned spots designed for birdwatching.
Some of the top destinations for birding in Uganda include the Mabamba Wetlands Sanctuary in Entebbe, the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the expansive Murchison Falls National Park.
Additionally, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the picturesque Mabira Forest, Lutembe Beach, Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in Kibale National Park are all fantastic locations to explore.
Among the many birds you might encounter are the elusive shoebill stork, crested cranes, great blue turaco, ostrich, sunbirds, egrets, bar-tailed tragon, handsome spur fowl, papyrus gonolek, standard-winged nightjar, white-faced whistling duck, white-backed duck, guineafowl, and so much more.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga national park
In Uganda, monkeys are quite common and can be spotted in many forests. However, the golden monkey stands out due to its uniqueness and special characteristics.
These charming creatures are rare, found only in certain forests in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Golden monkeys are easily recognized by their striking gold fur, which adds to their appeal.
Their diet mainly consists of bamboo leaves, but they won’t hesitate to explore nearby gardens in search of food. Their primary threats come from humans and the golden eagle, their only natural predator.
Their only true enemies are man and the golden eagle. Golden monkey permits cost $100. This experience is often packaged with other wildlife adventures, such as gorilla trekking, making it a great way to enjoy Uganda’s rich natural heritage.
Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains are the third highest mountains in Africa, following Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The highest point, known as Magherita, rises to an impressive 5,109 meters above sea level. One of the striking aspects of the Rwenzori is its snow-capped peak, which is quite unusual for a region that enjoys plenty of sunshine most of the year.
This mountain range is not just about the height; it also houses a national park that boasts remarkable biodiversity. Visitors can encounter unique plants, chimpanzees, smaller primates and birds.
Many hikers set their sights on reaching the summit of Mount Stanley, one of the prominent peaks in the range.
To summit all three peaks in this area, hikers typically need about 9 to 10 days, which includes time for hiking and resting at different huts. Aside from exploring the Rwenzori Mountains, adventurers can also take on climbs of other mountains in Uganda, such as Mount Elgon, Mount Moroto, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Gahinga.
Exploring the Sempaya Hot springs in Semuliki National Park
Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park is located in western Uganda; the Sempaya hot springs are one of the park’s main highlights. The water here is remarkably hot, reaching around 103°C.
The local people actually use the warm water to boil eggs or as therapy for smoother skin.
A trip to the hot springs can be included in a broader safari adventure, where you can also see various animals such as buffaloes, warthogs, bush pigs, bush bucks and the different species of primates in the park that call the park home.
White water rafting, quad biking and horseback riding in Jinja.
In Jinja, Uganda, whitewater rafting on the River Nile is an exhilarating adventure that really gets your heart pounding. Before the construction of a second hydroelectricity dam, Uganda offered one of the best three water rafting experiences in the world, boasting grade 7 rapids. However, now the highest you can experience is grade 5 rapids.
Despite this change, Uganda remains one of the top destinations for white-water rafting globally. You can choose between two types of rafting experiences: a full day on the water or a shorter half-day adventure.
Many visitors like to mix whitewater rafting with other exciting activities, such as bungee jumping over the Nile, quad biking, tubing the Nile and horse riding. These activities take you deep into the Uganda countryside to experience life as lived by the local people.
Best Safaris In Uganda
Uganda is a small landlocked country found in East Africa. A good part of the country is covered by Lake Victoria and other water bodies like the river Nile. Uganda is a country truly “blessed by nature.”
Uganda has 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. In these protected areas, there are unique plants and creatures, some of which are endemic to the country.
More so, the country is blessed with the 5 iconic wildlife species such as lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants and leopards. One of the most attractive features is its half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, other small primates and over 1060 bird species.
Uganda also has common wild mammals like zebras, hyenas, giraffes and several species of antelopes. However, this article takes you through some of the best safaris in Uganda that promise to leave an everlasting memory of adventure in you. They include
Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences not just in Uganda but also across Africa.
This exciting adventure involves trekking through the lush forest in search of man’s closest relatives in their natural setting and watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat for about an hour. The reason why tracking mountain gorillas is so popular is that they are an endangered species, with only around 1,000 left in the wild.
These rare mountain gorillas are also found in a few countries, such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In Uganda, you can spot mountain gorillas in two main locations: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda start early in the morning at 8:00am with a briefing about the rules and regulations as well as the expectations while in the forest.
After the briefing you’ll be located by an armed guide who will lead you to the forest to search for the gorillas in their natural habitat. The chances of seeing the gorillas in Uganda is 98% since it has half of the world’s population of these great endangered apes
Once you have found these fascinating primates, you will be allowed 1 hour of interaction with them as you watch how they do their daily activities, such as feeding, breastfeeding, playing and interacting with each other, among others.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is another main highlight for safaris in Uganda. Kibale National Park offers the highest concentration of primates in East Africa, hence offering the best chance to spot them. These intelligent creatures are the closest relatives to humans. These clever primates have a way of surprising anyone who watches them with their playful behaviors and social interactions.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is a favorite activity among visitors, ranking just after the famous gorilla trekking. This adventure means taking a hike deep into the lush tropical rainforest to find the chimps.
Once you locate them, you get a precious one hour to watch their fascinating behaviors up close. Besides Kibale National Park, these fascinating creatures can also be tracked from Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest Reserve and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park costs $250 for foreign tourists who do not reside in the country, $200 for foreign residents, and UGX 180,000 for East African nationals. While chimpanzee habituation costs $300 per person for foreign non-residents, $250 per person for foreign residents, and finally UGX 250,000 per person for East African citizens.
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Embarking on a guided game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers you a true nature encounter. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular national park in Uganda, one of the savannah parks found in the Kasese district in western Uganda.
A game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best ways to see the wildlife in the park, including all 4 of the Big 5 animals. Game drives are done in different areas: Kasenyi Plains, Ishasha area and Mweya Plains.
The game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park start very early in the morning at around 6:00am for chances to see animals such as elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kobs, baboons, and many species of birds.
Besides Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can also choose to embark to explore Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park for an exciting game drive safaris in Uganda.
Birding
Uganda is a paradise for bird lovers, boasting an impressive variety of bird species. In fact, about one-third of the world’s total species can be found here. With Uganda being home to over 1060 different resident and migratory birds.
Once you land in the country, you will notice birds everywhere. However, to truly experience the richness of Uganda’s avian diversity, it’s best to visit certain renowned spots designed for birdwatching.
Some of the top destinations for birding in Uganda include the Mabamba Wetlands Sanctuary in Entebbe, the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the expansive Murchison Falls National Park.
Additionally, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the picturesque Mabira Forest, Lutembe Beach, Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in Kibale National Park are all fantastic locations to explore.
Among the many birds you might encounter are the elusive shoebill stork, crested cranes, great blue turaco, ostrich, sunbirds, egrets, bar-tailed tragon, handsome spur fowl, papyrus gonolek, standard-winged nightjar, white-faced whistling duck, white-backed duck, guineafowl, and so much more.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga national park
In Uganda, monkeys are quite common and can be spotted in many forests. However, the golden monkey stands out due to its uniqueness and special characteristics.
These charming creatures are rare, found only in certain forests in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Golden monkeys are easily recognized by their striking gold fur, which adds to their appeal.
Their diet mainly consists of bamboo leaves, but they won’t hesitate to explore nearby gardens in search of food. Their primary threats come from humans and the golden eagle, their only natural predator.
Their only true enemies are man and the golden eagle. Golden monkey permits cost $100. This experience is often packaged with other wildlife adventures, such as gorilla trekking, making it a great way to enjoy Uganda’s rich natural heritage.
Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains are the third highest mountains in Africa, following Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The highest point, known as Magherita, rises to an impressive 5,109 meters above sea level. One of the striking aspects of the Rwenzori is its snow-capped peak, which is quite unusual for a region that enjoys plenty of sunshine most of the year.
This mountain range is not just about the height; it also houses a national park that boasts remarkable biodiversity. Visitors can encounter unique plants, chimpanzees, smaller primates and birds.
Many hikers set their sights on reaching the summit of Mount Stanley, one of the prominent peaks in the range.
To summit all three peaks in this area, hikers typically need about 9 to 10 days, which includes time for hiking and resting at different huts. Aside from exploring the Rwenzori Mountains, adventurers can also take on climbs of other mountains in Uganda, such as Mount Elgon, Mount Moroto, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Gahinga.
Exploring the Sempaya Hot springs in Semuliki National Park
Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park is located in western Uganda; the Sempaya hot springs are one of the park’s main highlights. The water here is remarkably hot, reaching around 103°C.
The local people actually use the warm water to boil eggs or as therapy for smoother skin.
A trip to the hot springs can be included in a broader safari adventure, where you can also see various animals such as buffaloes, warthogs, bush pigs, bush bucks and the different species of primates in the park that call the park home.
White water rafting, quad biking and horseback riding in Jinja.
In Jinja, Uganda, whitewater rafting on the River Nile is an exhilarating adventure that really gets your heart pounding. Before the construction of a second hydroelectricity dam, Uganda offered one of the best three water rafting experiences in the world, boasting grade 7 rapids. However, now the highest you can experience is grade 5 rapids.
Despite this change, Uganda remains one of the top destinations for white-water rafting globally. You can choose between two types of rafting experiences: a full day on the water or a shorter half-day adventure.
Many visitors like to mix whitewater rafting with other exciting activities, such as bungee jumping over the Nile, quad biking, tubing the Nile and horse riding. These activities take you deep into the Uganda countryside to experience life as lived by the local people.
