Uganda Safaris : Uganda is a land of untamed beauty, where the thrill of the wild awaits. The country is knowns as the pearl of Africa, this enchanting country is home to some of the most incredible wildlife and landscape on the continent. The country is home to a snow-caped peaks of Rwenzori mountains and the also hosting half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world living in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Uganda’s diverse geography is a haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers. while on a Uganda safari, you will have the chance to venture in to the wild, where majestic animals roam free. The famous mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and lions are just a few of the many species that call Uganda home. With its cultural heritage and warm hospitality, Uganda is a destination they will leave you with awe of its natura beauty and human spirits.
Types of safaris in Uganda
Wildlife
Uganda, a country located in the heart of east Africa, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and incredible wildlife diversity. the country is home to some of the most unique African animals’ species and wildlife safari in Uganda is an experience like no other. Uganda is home to one of the best national parks and reserves that offers the best for wildlife safaris in the country such as Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kibaale national park, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Lake Mburo national park, Kidepo valley national park among others offer excellent opportunities for wildlife safaris. Visitors on a guided game drives have opportunity to drive through the national parks to spot a variety of wildlife species such as lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros, as well as other iconic African species such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles as well as bird species the common spotted species such as ostriches, secretary birds, stork. Uganda is also home to many different primates’ species such as gorillas, chimpanzees, the L’Hoest’s monkeys, black and white monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, the dog-faced olive baboons, golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and red-tailed monkey. With the guidance of experienced rangers, visitors can explore the kanya’s national park’s diverse habitats and observe its resident wildlife up close, making for exhilarating and remarkable safari adventure in Uganda
Gorilla trekking
Uganda is one of the best places of the world to go gorilla trekking. The country is home to over 1,000 mountain gorillas, with half of them living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park and the others half in the Mgahinga gorilla national park. The country’s gentle slopes and dense forest offers ideal habitat for these incredible animals. Gorilla trekking in Uganda typically begins early in the morning at the park headquarters with a brief briefing about the trekking guidelines and thereafter you will be allocated with the experienced guide who will lead you through the dense forest in search for these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. This journey takes you through the dense jungles, navigating steep hills, muddy trails and dense forest. the trek can be challenging, but the reward is well worth the effort. While on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will allows have the chance to meet with others creatures on your way. Once these fascinating creatures are a located you will be allowed one hour interaction with them while observing how they do with their daily activities and socializing in the wildlife among others. For one to participate in this thrilling activity is required to purchase a gorilla permit, this is an illegal document that allows on to participate in a gorilla trekking and these permits are obtained directly through Uganda wildlife authority or through a reputable tour operator at the cost of $ 800 per person for foreign non resident, $ 700 per person for foreign resident and UGX 300,000 per person for east African resident. the best time to go for a gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December to march and then June to September).
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is a thrilling adventure that allows you to venture into the heart of the jungles, getting up close and personal with these intelligent and social animals. chimpanzees are our closet living relatives, sharing about 98% of our DNA. They are one of the most social structures, tool use, and problem-solving skills. In Uganda, chimpanzees inhabit the tropical forest is Kibale national park, queen Elizabeth national and the Budongo forest reserve. Chimpanzee tracking experience begins early in the morning with the brief briefing at the park’s headquarters about the guiding rules and expectations during the track and thereafter you will be allocated experienced guide who will venture you through the park’s lush forest, muddy trails, navigating steep hills in search for these fascinating primates in their natural habitats. Chimpanzee tracking permits in Uganda depend on the prefeed destination for example Chimpanzee permits in Kibale national park cost $250 per person for foreign non-residents, $ 200 person for foreign residents and UGX 180,000 per person for nationals from East Africa habitat whereas Chimpanzee permits Kyambura cost $100 per person for foreign non-residents, $ 80 person for foreign residents and UGX 50,000 per person for nationals from East Africa.
Birdwatching
Uganda is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 1,000 species of birds recorded within its borders. The country diverse habitat from tropical forest to savannah and wetlands including savannah national parks supports a wide range of avian life. Birdwatching in Uganda is an exciting adventure that allows you to spot some of the most spectacular and rare species in the world. During your birdwatching tours in Uganda, you will have the chance to spot variety of colorful birds such as Secretary bird, osprey, balk-winged kite, European honey buzzard, African cuckoo hawk, African harrier hawk, palm-nut vulture, Egyptian vulture, bateluer, black-chested snake eagle, white-headed vulture, lizard buzzard, African fish eagle, and Eurasian buzzard. Long-crested eagle, crowned eagle, martial eagle, white-fronted plover, long-toed lapwing, spur-winged lapwing, black-headed lapwing, Eurasian thick-knee, Senegal, thick knee, three-banded lapwing, common greenshank, common redshank, spotted thick knee, black-winged pratincole, black-tailed Godwit, hadada ibis, African spoonbill, African scared ibis, great cormorant, African darter, hamerkop, shoebill, white crested tiger heron, great white pelican among others.
Beach tours
Beach tours in Uganda offers a chance to relax and unwind on the shores of Africa’s largest lake, surrounded by lush vegetation and vibrant culture. One of the most popular destinations for beach tours in the country is along the shores of Lake Victoria Entebbe beach, located about 45 km from Kampala, Entebbe beach is the most popular and developed beach in Uganda, it is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing and water sport. Another famous destination is the Lugogo beach, this is quite beach town which offers tranquil atmosphere and stunning sunset, it is a great spot for relaxation and water activities like swimming and kayaking. Other destinations include Mukono beach, Bukakata beach, Nkoma beach, Kampala beach and Namasunba beach among others.
Hiking
Uganda offers the best hiking safaris to one of the renowned mount Rwenzori peaks, known as the mountains of the moon, is a UNESCO world heritage sites located in the western Uganda. This mountain range stretches for over 120 km and offers some of the most spectacular hiking trails in African such as margherita trail takes you to the summit of Mount Stanley (5,109m) and Mount Speke (4,890m), baker trails take you to the summit of Mount Baker (4,844m) and finally Simpson trail takes you to the summit of Mount Gessi (4,715m)
Where to go for a Uganda safari
Uganda Safaris : Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most biodiverse protected areas in east African. the national park is located in southwestern Uganda, this park is home to over 450 endangered mountain gorillas, making it one of the best destinations in the world o trek these fascinating endangered creatures in their natural habitat, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park’s lush rainforest and bamboo forests offers a unique habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, including many endemic species. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park was established in 1991 to protected the ark’s unique ecosystems and the endangered mountain gorillas that inhabits it. The park covers an area of approximately 330 square kilometres and is situated in the Virunga mountains, near the border with democratic republic of Congo. Beside the captivating mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to diverse range of wildlife including primates like chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and mangabey, several antelopes. More so Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 350 species of birds recorded including the Albertine rift endemics. Visitors on a Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park have the opportunity to engage in a numerous adventurous activity such as gorilla trekking, birdwatching, hiking, and cultural encounters among others.
Uganda Safaris : Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the Uganda’s most popular national parks, located in the western part of the country. the national park is known for its diverse wildlife, scenic landscape, and abundant water sources, making it a haven for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 to protect the park’s diverse wildlife and habitats. the park covers an area of approximately 1,978 square kilometres (763 sq mi), making it one of the largest national parks in Uganda. The park is situated in the western rift valley, near the borders with democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 mammal species inkling lions, elephant, leopard, hippos, crocodiles and several antelopes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a birder’s paradise. with over 600 species recorded including ostriches, secretary birds, stocks and kingfishers among others. During your wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll have the chance to participate in a number of activities such as game drives, chimpanzee tracking, lion tracking, nature walks, boat cruise, birdwatching and hiking among others.
Uganda Safaris : Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is also one of the Uganda’s most iconic national parks, located in the northwest part of the country. The national park is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife and thrilling adventure opportunities. The national park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952 to protect the parks’ diverse wildlife and habitats. Murchison Falls National Park covers an area of about 3,893 square kilometers (1,503 sq mi), making the Park was largest national parks in Uganda. The park is situated long the shores of lake albert and the Victoria Nile river, near the border with democratic republic of Congo. The park is also famous for its breathtaking spectacle powerful falls known as Murchison falls. Murchison Falls National Park is home diverse array of wildlife species including lion, elephant, giraffe, leopard, hippo, crocodile, and several antelopes. the park is also a birder’s paradise, over paradise 451 species recorded including ostriches, secretary birds and storks among others. while on a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll have the chance to engage a number of activities such as game drives, nature walks, birdwatching, boat cruise, water rafting, hiking and chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo forest among others
Uganda Safaris : Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the Uganda’s remote and last visited national parks, located in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda, near the border with the South Sudan. The national park is approximately 220 kilometres (137 miles) form Moroto, the nearest town and 750 kilometres (466 miles) from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park was established in 1958 to protect the park’s diverse wildlife and habitat. The park covers an area of approximately 1,442 square kilometers (556 sq mi), making the kilometers third largest national parks in Uganda. Kidepo Valley National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda Kobs, cheetahs, hartebeest among others. The park is also a have for bird lover, with over 475 species recorded including Ostrich, Kori bustard, secretary birds, red-throated beetles, Golden Pipit, Ring-necked Spurfowl, Taita Fiscal, Rufous Chatterer, Fox’s Cisticola, Yellow and Red Spotted Barbet, Fox’s Weaver, Lesser Kestrel, Pallid Harrier, Black-winged Pranticole, White-crested Hartlaub’s Turacos among others.
Best time to visit Uganda for a safari
The best time visit Uganda for a safari is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to September and then December to February. During this time, the weather is typically characterized by mild and the skies are clear, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. With the vegetation sparse and animals congregating around water sources, sightings of iconic species such as mountain gorillas, lions, and elephants are more common, making for exceptional safari experiences. The dry season also coincides with the peak travel season in Uganda, so you can expect to see a higher concentration of tourists and availability of accommodations and tours, so it’s advisable to book accommodations and activities well in advance.
