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What to see on Uganda safaris & Tours?
- Endangered Mountain Gorillas
It is estimated that over 1063 mountain gorillas are in the world however half of these are in Uganda. This makes gorilla trekking the biggest and most sought-after activity in Uganda. People fly from all over the world to stare at these amazing mammals. In Uganda, majority of these species can be caught sight of in Bwindi national park and others at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Pristine National parks
The Pearl of Africa has a collection of unending beauty that includes the 10 National parks that the country has with each having different unique attractions to offer. The most visited being Queen Elizabeth National Park because of its rare beauty that includes tree climbing lions, Kazinga channel and so much game.
Other wildlife parks in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park with its unforgettable waterfalls, Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks for the rare mountain gorillas, Semliki national park, Mountain Elgon, Rwenzori Mountain national park, etc. all have a collection of nature that heals the thirst of visitors.
Kampala city tours.
The capital city of the Pearl, dubbed “city that never sleeps” is a one stop center for visitors as it collects numerous gems. Ranging from historical sites, religious places, monuments, night life, culture and people, cuisine and typical vibrant life of an African city.
What to do in Uganda?
- Gorilla trekking safaris
It seems unfair for gorilla trekking lovers to fly to the Pearl of Africa and do not spot on the rare gigantic mountain gorillas as Uganda is among the few countries worldwide that keep these amazing apes.
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris
Visitors should either trek gorillas or chimpanzees while on their Uganda tour, because that’s the beauty that this country has to offer. Chimpanzees are closely related to humans and a visit to the prestigious Kibale National Park gives tourists surety of chancing the amazing chimpanzees jumping over trees. Other chimpanzee trekking destinations include Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary.
- Golden monkey trekking
Uganda would surely miss a percentage of being the Pearl of Africa if it missed having primates such as the golden monkeys. The beauty that befell Mgahinga national park includes charms from the small golden monkeys that jump highly in the bamboo trees of Mgahinga lush forests and their beauty is worth searching for.
- Stop at the equator landmark
Visitors get to feel the magic of being light while being in two different hemispheres at the same time. Those who undertake tours to the western region destinations get to bypass the equator in Kayabwe town and experience a unique phenomenon. Highlights of the equator include taking memorable photos, buying souvenirs from the craft shops around, engaging with the local people or grab a cup of coffee.
- Visiting the source of River Nile
The Nile River is a darling to many as it majestically flows through many countries giving hope and life to multitudes of people, however Uganda is blessed to have the source of this magical beauty. While in Jinja city, the Nile River flows on a journey of over 6,650 km before it rests in Egypt and is feasibly the longest River this world has ever had. Different tour activities to do at the source of river Nile include boat cruises, white water rafting, Kayaking, water tubing to mention but a few.
- Hiking / mountain climbing adventures
Mountains are a good contributor to the beauty of Uganda and hence visitors in love with figuring out what the top of the mountains have should endeavor to hit this juicy safari destination. Mountains like Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Moroto, Muhabura, Rwenzori – the gigantic mountain all have adventurous trails to follow for visitors interested to watch the world from high above the sea level.
- Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
The last wild Rhino was seen in 1982 due to poaching and political instabilities hence these creatures cannot be spotted in any national park in Uganda. However, there are a number of white rhinos being bred from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Tourists who visit this Nakasongola-based Rhino sanctuary get to watch them graze peacefully in the wilderness.
- Canoeing / boat cruising on Lake Bunyonyi
Uganda boasts many water bodies each known for its glam. The charm Lake Bunyonyi gives to visiting is canoeing and boat cruising on its calm waters while enjoying its cool breeze and the views of more than 20 islands.
Lake Bunyonyi is undeniably the second deepest lake in Africa. Visitors get to enjoy lush green environment, chirps of the birds, beautiful undulating hilly landscape, historical islands, communities and more.
- Boat cruises in Uganda
Kazinga channel is an amazing stretch that joins Lake Gorge and Lake Edward. Undoubtedly, this place has the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Tourists can take a boat trip on this amazing waterbody as they enjoy the views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds leaving visitors with unforgettable memories
- Visiting Lake Katwe
Each lake in Uganda has a special attribute. Lake Katwe is worth visiting because of its salt pans. While on this lake, tourists get to see how the locals mine and process salt traditionally.
- Explore Kampala city.
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and it has various exciting features that are worth exploring. Selfie times are every time while touring Kampala because every corner of the city offers nothing but uniqueness.
Kampala city is a collection of historical buildings like the parliament, UNESCO sites like Kasubi tombs, prestigious religious places like Gadhafi National Mosque, Lubaga and Namirembe cathedrals, as well as the Indian temples, nature of work by the locals in Kampala city are all a thriller to visitors.
- Visiting local markets
The local markets offer such amazing experiences as visitors get to enjoy day-to-day way of lives of these indigenous people. The congestion in markets like Kalerwe, Nakasero, Kibuye, Nakawa, and Owino turns out artistically beautiful and its worth squeezing around because the market is a one stop shopping area for a collection of items, ranging from food stuff, clothing, crafts and a lot of basic stuff, all at affordable prices.
- Visit Sempaya hot springs
There are two hot springs in Semliki National Park and historically locals refer to them as the male and female hot springs separated by just a 30-minute walk. The temperature of these geothermal springs hits up to 100 degrees Celsius.
Where to go / Uganda Safari Destinations.
National parks in Uganda.
Beauty lies in the hands of the beholder; however, everyone beholds the beauty possessed by each of the country’s 10 national parks upon reaching their pristine environments.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga national park wows tourists with the amazing mountain gorillas that are not found in many parks around the world.
This national park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also home to the three volcanoes enclosed in its premises that is Muhabura, Sabinyo and Gahinga which tourists can choose to hike any of them. The park has about 184 bird species,76 mammals that include elephants, bush backs, leopards, etc. While in Mgahinga gorilla national park, visitors can spot golden monkeys that are as rare as hen’s teeth.
It is risky to miss cultural tours because the Batwa people have a lot of amazing performances and stories that are worth learning.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the most popular of all national parks in Uganda and it boasts a huge collection of nature. Over 500 bird species can be spotted in the park, not forgetting the rich culture of people around.
Queen Elizabeth national park is a one stop centre for spotting exciting creations like tree climbing lions, hippos, Nile crocodiles that lay on the shores of Kazinga channel, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes and birdlife.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The impenetrable forest of Bwindi National Park blossoms in the western part of Uganda with varieties of natural attractions like over 500 plant species, mountain gorillas, wildlife and bird species.
The park has a great deal of history worth listening to while on cultural encounters and nature walks but the climax of the beauty that falls in this park are the mountain gorillas as it harbors the biggest population in the continent.
- Semuliki National Park
The park was crowned one in 1993 and since then, the smallest park of the country has not looked back at attracting tourists. The park is an extension to of Ituri forest in Congo.
It’s just an abomination for one to visit and fail to gaze at the two hot springs that are found in this glorious park.
- Lake Mburo national park.
This is one of the smallest parks and yet it offers exhilirating spots for tourists. Highlighting the beauty that falls in the park, Lake Mburo is the biggest of all 13 lakes that are found in the park. The dry months of the year get all animals collect around Lake Mburo to quench their thirst as other lakes tend to dry out in dry seasons, this is one of the spectacular views that tourists shouldn’t miss seeing while in the park.
- Kibale National Park
Just as mountain gorillas are to Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks, chimpanzees are to Kibaale national park. This park is north of Queen Elizabeth national park and is the best location for chimpanzee trekking. Better yet, the park has over 60 mammals and 280 bird species worth viewing.
- Mountain Rwenzori National Park
Located in Kasese district, this park is home to the beautifully unfolding mountains of the moon that rises to 5,109 meters above sea level making it the third highest in Africa.
Rwenzori mountain national park has a great deal of bird species that are roughly estimated to be 217 that include Rwenzori collared birds, turaco, dwarf honey guide among others. Mount. Rwenzori was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site and a Ramsar site. Cultural walks lead tourists to the Bakonjo communities.
- Kidepo National Park
Uganda is uniquely gifted because even in the country’s seemingly semi-desert region shines a park. In the north- eastern based district of Kaabong lies Kidepo National Park resting on about 1,442km2 piece of land.
The climax of beauty in this park include; Mountain Morungole and its oases, Kidepo and Narus rivers, the IK people and Dodoth pastoralists are other highlights of Kidepo National Park with their rich culture like praying to ancient gods, wearing various necklaces, art and crafts, energetic dances, etc.
Kidepo national park boasts being home to over 475 bird species including the singing bushlarks, Karamoja apalis and so much more enjoyed by the visitors.
A safari to Kidepo National Park offers tourists the true definition of Africa’s virgin environment because this beautiful remote park is largely unknown and undiscovered by many.
- Mountain Elgon National Park
The park lies within the premises of mountain Elgon – one of the tallest mountains in Africa. The park offers a very good challenge to the visitors and this is not only reaching Wagagai peak but also spotting the naturally crafted caldera on its top.
- Murchison Falls National Park
This national park is as big as an elephant because it is the biggest in Uganda, occupying a space of about 3,893 sq.km. people who visit Murchison National Park are usually so intentional about gazing the Karuma falls that oozes out of a small narrow gorge. While it finds its way downstream, it forms an amazing river that harbors bountiful aquatic animals like crocodiles, fish, hippos among other animals.
A trip to the west and Masindi District is worthwhile as this is where the amazing Murchison falls is found. The park hosts about 76 mammals, over 400 bird species, and four of the big five animals. Those who visit Murchison Falls National Park can easily enroute via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for another iconic adventure – rhino trekking.
Main lakes in Uganda.
Uganda is a collection of various types of lakes that include fresh waters, crater lakes, salty lakes, man-made and much more that add up to 165 in number. The most iconic include Victoria, Bunyonyi, Lake Kyoga, lake Mburo, Lake Albert, George and Edward, lake Mutanda.
- Lake Victoria
This lake is worth visiting because it tops all the lakes in world in being the largest tropical water lake and second largest fresh water lake worldwide. The lake is worth visiting due to its wondering history that involves both the locals and white explorers and has over 3000 islands. While at the lake, tourists can carry out spot fishing, visit the source of the Nile, honeymooning among others.
- Lake Bunyonyi
Bunyonyi means birds in some of Uganda’s local language and hence tourists should quench their bird thirst on reaching this lake.
The lake is the second deepest in Africa. Canoeing is the biggest adventure on this lake and it offers relaxation to all visitors after gorilla trekking.
- Lake Edward and George
These two are found in Queen Elizabeth national park and a tourist can take a boat cruise from one lake to the other via Kazinga channel. Kazinga channel is believed to have the largest concentration of hippos in the world.
Mountains in Uganda
Uganda is a land of mountains with majority of its towering naturally crafted mountains bordering the country in almost all sides. Mountains are also at the spotlight of Uganda safaris and tours
Main mountains in Uganda worth hiking include:
- Mount Sabyinyo
Sabyinyo comes from a Kinyarwanda word that means old man’s tooth. The mountain is an extinct volcano and rises 3669m high. The mountain has three trails that lead to its three peaks and while at the top, tourists get to be in three different countries at the same time.
- Mountain Muhabura
This is another extinct Virunga Mountain that offers a challenging and lovely hiking experience to visitors. “The guide” as this is the meaning of Muhabura in Kinyarwanda has a height of 4127m above sea level and is the third highest of all the 8 mountains that make up Virunga ranges.
- Mount Gahinga
This dormant volcano lies between Sabinyo and Muhabura. It is the smallest with a height of 3473 and hence beginners can start their challenge from this mountain.
Gahinga means small piles of stones and this amazing stone made mountain has a variety of wildlife it habits not forgetting the caldera on its peak.
- Mount Stanley
This is the tallest of all the six peaks of Rwenzori ranges and is the third highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Hiking to the top of this mountain requires an extra level of fitness. However, tourists who are not that much fit can just encounter the trek on the lower of this mountain.
Facts about Safaris in Uganda.
- People who spot mountain gorillas from Uganda should be sure that they have seen from the true source. This is because Uganda is not only for Ugandans but also for the amazing rare mountain gorillas. Uganda hosts almost half of the population of these mountain gorillas that are in the world.
- Wilderness of the country is fantastically rich. The country presents wondrous national parks in all parts of the country. Traveling to the east reveals beautiful sceneries from parks like Elgon, Kipedo national park in the North-east, Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth national park, Semliki national park and Lake Mburo National Park in the west, hence being crowned the Pearl of Africa because beauty is all over and everywhere in the country.
- Uganda has 50 tribes with different cultures. This means each corner and part of the country has an intriguing exposure to a mesmerizing tribe with tantalizing cultural practices.
- Birders should definitely gather in Uganda to quench the thirst of gazing at the amazing colorful sky creatures as the Uganda poses with over 1200 bird species. The country has about 10% of the world’s species and about 50 of Africa.
- Tree climbing lions remain a myth until one visit Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth national park. The pearl of Africa is among the few countries in the world that have physically fit lions that climbs trees.
- Visiting Lake Victoria gives tourists a chance to wow on Africa’s largest Lake.
- The country boasts with about 350 mammal species that include about 20 species of primates. Touring Uganda can’t spare the tourist eyes from spotting at least on a gorilla, golden monkey, chimpanzees, elephants, among another mammal species.
Cost of Uganda Safaris
The cost of safaris in Uganda mainly depends on the activity and where the tourist goes undoubtedly, bountiful factors also contribute to the price of the safaris like seasons, tour operators, accommodation, number of travelers, duration among others.
However, on average, tourists can spend around $ 200 per day per person. Some of the common standard rates for popular activities include gorilla trekking – 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 UGX for East Africans.
Game drives range between 35-40 US Dollars depending on the national park.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park costs 250 USD per permit. It is very crucial for tourists to note that the final cost of a safari in Uganda is influenced by a variety of factors.
Weather on Uganda Safaris
The best safaris are offered during dry season which runs from December to February and June to September. Best for hiking, trekking and viewing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Light rains fall in November to December however the weather remains unpredictable hence tourists can expect some rainy days even during dry season.
Uganda Safaris clothing
Enjoying a safari also depends on the type of clothes the tourists where because there is nothing as discomforting as uneasy clothes. It is important for tourists to have comfort that conforms to the rules and norms of Uganda as explained below.
The color of the clothes is very vital and hence tourists should choose neutral colors. Clothes of khaki, green, light brown are highly recommended because they don’t attract the attention of the animals.
- Long sleeved clothes
Activities such as hiking, nature walks have tourists walk through the thickets of the forests and hence long sleeves can save tourists from insect bites and tree scratches.
- Dresses and Skirts are highly advised for women
These should be of an average height especially for tourists interested in nature walks, village walks as due to the values that the locals attach to women who dress in a particular kind of way.
- Light safari jackets
The jackets should as well be waterproof because the weather of the country is slightly unpredictable. Also, the forests get to be cold and a jacket would keep the tourists warm.
- Hiking jackets
Generally, the nature of Uganda’s landscape is sloppy, filled with thickets, and so light hiking boots are effective at battling out the harsh landscape.
- Safari hats
The scorching sun can tempt the tourists into hating the vacation and hence its recommended that a wide brimming hat is used to prevent the direct sunlight from hitting direct on the faces.
- Sunglasses
Not just for beauty and taking cool pictures, sunglasses are a good cloth supplement for a safari because they guard against the harsh sun, dust while the tourists are viewing animals, hiking and nature walks.
- Gardening gloves
The gloves support trekkers in a way that they protect their hands while they are trekking against thorns, piercing branches.
- Sweater
The mountainous areas, forests and water areas usually have a cool weather which tends to be cold during the evenings and late hours of the night hence a sweater shouldn’t be left behind for tourists who love night game drives, night forest camps among others.
How long should a Uganda Safari be?
Ugandan is a welcoming country and hence tourists can spend as much as they desire because the Pearl of Africa feels like home. Thoughtfully, a week can accommodate visiting almost all the national parks situated in the west starting from Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Kibale national parks.
Two weeks give tourists the west attractions to the fullest and add sites like Murchison falls national park, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Kidepo and some parts of northern region.
Tourists who have enough time can have three weeks and enjoy all the above and the joy brought by River Nile. Visiting Jinja includes going to the source of the Nile, Hiking Sipi falls and enjoying the glamorous East.
Time spent on a safari clearly depends on the scheduled plan and number of destinations one wants to visit.
