How And Where To Do Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Uganda has numerous destinations as wildlife destinations with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park being the foremost choice as it is the home to the only left over mountain gorillas in the world. For Game safaris in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park taking the lead.

If you are interested in less interrupted yet authentic primate adventure on an African safari, Uganda has some of the best choices of destinations that host numerous primates in untamed environment. Some of the famous Uganda primate destinations include Kibale National Park home of the chimpanzees and over 12 other primate species. Mgahinga National Park the other home of the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and other primates.

Most of the Uganda destinations still hold there authentic appearance since they are less traveled and disturbed by mass tourism. Most wildlife destinations in the world compete for space with the population around them or even the visitors that wish to spend holiday time in them. Global warming is claiming a number of wildlife destinations world over but Uganda has some of the few leftovers.

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Uganda Wildlife Safari Destinations

Murchison Falls National Park

Situated a stride the River Nile is the famous Murchison Falls National Park a haven for game safaris in Uganda. River Nile is the life blood of Murchison Falls National Park as it bisect the park into the southern and northern part. It is very easy to spot a number of animals that often make there way to the River Bank to quench thirst or even take a bath

While on a game drive in the Murchison Falls National Park driving through the different tracks is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the aromas of wilderness. Driving on the tracks like the Buligi grassland track may be that great opportunity to spot a number of animals including lions in drama.

Some of the wild animals of Murchison Falls National Park include herds of Buffaloes, lions, hyenas, waterbucks, hartebeests, reedbucks, giraffes, oribi and others. A plethora of birds flock Murchison Falls National Park and can visibly be spot while driving on the tracks.

Take a relaxing launch trip to Murchison Falls may be fascinating but also an opportunity to spot the riverine birds and animals that make there way to here. An impressive population of hippos and crocodiles cannot be missed as you head to the Murchison Falls. Finally the crazy moment of Murchison Falls manifest as River Nile pushes it way through the narrow bend of about 6 meters then burst out strongly to produce a thundering sound and a cloudy appearance.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest cannot be missed for those interested in spending time with the closest relatives of humans in animal kingdom. There are a several other primate species that freely live in this forest too.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Seating on the floor of the great east African Rift valley is Queen Elizabeth National Park with its expansive area and a back ground of the blue Rwenzori Ranges. An early start for a game drive on the tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you my get the opportunity to spot a number of animals. Driving in Kasenyi plains on the eastern part of Kasese is a likely chance to catch lions in action as this is an open grassland area where numerous  Uganda kobs spend there day.

While on game drive, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals like herds of elephants, topis, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs and others.

Taking a launch trip on Kazinga channel is the highlight of a tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga channel is the link between lake George and Lake Edward in western part of Uganda. As you move far down in the southern part of the park, you may spot the tree climbing lions. During the launch trip on Kazinga channel, you may spot some animals that often move down to quench thirst or take a bath. The shoreline of the Kazinga channel is a magnet to a flock of birds including international migrants.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge is an encounter that gets you closer to untamed community of chimpanzees. You may spot other primates that are common residents in this area.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a unique wildlife experience and home to the few leftover mountain gorillas in the world. For one to do gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you need a permit for either gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla trekking is an adventure where maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit a fully habituated gorilla family for an hour. Gorilla habituation experience is an adventure where maximum 4 tourists are allowed to visit a semi-habituated gorilla family.

The gorilla permits for Bwindi are purchased according to the area under which the park is divided that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. It is better to also book accommodations for Bwindi within or closer to the area where your gorilla permit is booked.

The name Bwindi locally means impenetrable and indeed this double meaning fits the factual description of this forest. Bwindi is a biosphere reserve hosting over 350 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. The forests hosts about 200 tree species, 120 mammals, 310 butterflies, 88 months, about 10 primates and others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Going on a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park is a paradise of wildlife encounter. This park is situated in a semi arid area with flat plains and from Apoka, the savanna land extends in all direction of the park far beyond the gazette area.

Kidepo Valley National Park is watered by two seasonal rivers that is Narus Rivers which completely dry out in the dry season. The permanent water sources of Kidepo Valley National Park are in the wetlands and remnant pools in the southern Narus Valley.

While on a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park, you may spot animals like cheetahs, black backed and side striped jackals, lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, greater or lesser kudus, Burchell’s zebras, oribi, aardwolf, zebras, jackson’s hartebeests, Kavirondo Bushbaby and others. by driving in the Narus valley of this park, you have more chances of spotting a number of wild animals

Kidepo Valley National Park has an elaborate list bird species as so far over 463 bird species have been recorded as residents of this park including the ostriches. Some of the bird species in Kidepo Valley National Park include kori bustard, secretary bird, red throated bee eaters, Abyssinian scimitarbill, yellow billed and Jackson’s hornbills, Kidepo Apalises, Egyptian Vultures and others.

You can hike the Morungule Mountains with an escorting ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority to enjoy some of the best view of the Kidepo Valley National Park and its surroundings from a more elevated point.

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is a Chimpanzee safari anchorage with some of the huge numbers of members in a chimpanzee community. While in Kibale National Park, you can do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience. Chimpanzees trekking tourists are allowed to visit a fully habituated chimpanzee troop for one hour. Chimpanzees habituation experience maximum 4 tourists are allowed to visit a semi-habituated chimpanzee community for 4 hours.

There are two chimpanzee trekking sessions in Kibale National Park that is morning and afternoon. The search for the chimpanzees takes unpredicted time but you may look out for other forest dwellers like other primates, birds, several tree species and others.

Other forest dwellers like about 13 primate species, more than 325 bird species, 315 tree species and others are residents of Kibale forest. Some animals also cross from Queen Elizabeth National Park via the migration corridor which extends from Ishasha in the southern sector of the Park.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park

For an authentic African safari tour to undistorted wilderness destinations Mgahinga National Park is a perfect choice. Mgahinga National Park is another biosphere reserve a position acquired from its long time existence.

Mgahinga National Park is a gorilla trekking destination in Uganda but so far one family is confirmed open to the public that is the Nyakagezi gorilla family. This gorilla family has a history of migrating from Uganda into Rwanda which made it quite hard to presale its gorilla permits.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family is currently steadily stationed in Mgahinga National Park and available to pre-book. 

Other than the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park hosts the golden monkeys an endangered monkey specie with a unique body compared to other monkey. The golden monkeys have a larger body, golden brown fur on the lower bottom, keep you on your toes even though they are habituated.

More primates are residents of Mgahinga forest including blue monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey and others.

A day’s hike on either of the three volcanoes that is Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura and mountain Sabyinyo is an unforgettable adventure.

Lake Mburo National Park

For a quick wildlife get way from Kampala or Entebbe, lake Mburo National Park serves the right choice. Lake Mburo National Park is at a distance of about 228 kilometers from Kampala. Which takes about 3 hour drive time.

By driving on the tracks of lake Mburo National Park, you may find animals like zebras, elands, reedbucks, warthogs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants and others. The scenery around lake Mburo National Park is exceptional with Rock kopje on the margins of the Park.

The boat ride on lake Mburo is relaxing with a beautiful scenery of grassy escarpments rising above the shoreline, there is the Rubanga forest with an outstanding closed canopy. A number of birds flock the par and so far about 315 bird species have been recorded as residents of this park.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary is a second home to abandoned, orphaned, rescued chimpanzees that cannot return to there original community. The Ngamba Island is in Lake Victoria so you need to board a boat from the pier to this island. While there, you can engage in chimpanzee feeding from the platform.

Taking a walk along the shores of Lake Victoria is another activity you can engage in, chimpanzee up-close, keeper for the day and others. Time spent at Ngamba Chimpanzee Island is unforgettable and this can also be your last activity on a Uganda safari before checking in time at Entebbe Airport.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center

The Uganda Wildlife Education Center is like the summary of wildlife in Uganda the National Parks. This sanctuary is situated just a few meters from the Entebbe Airport. The animals in this center are kept in exhibits similar with an environment similar to the destinations in Uganda were they are commonly found. You can do a guided tour or self guided tour in Uganda Wildlife Education Center

You may look out for animals like cheetahs, jackals, lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, chimpanzees, birds, ostriches, giraffes, zebras and others.

What Guidelines To Follow On A Wildlife Safari In Uganda

Never move in the forest to search for wildlife in Uganda without a Uganda Wildlife Authority

Keep driving on the tracks within the game park following the demarcated routes so as not to drive off shoulder.

Feeding the animals is forbidden as they are wild animals that must depend on the wilderness and not human prevision. These animals may be often visited by tourists but they must not depend on humans to survive. Some animals may reach out for a piece of what you posses but donot feed them. Depending on human supplies may push these animals to get used to human dependence.

Dumping garbage in the wilderness is forbidden as this may alter the nature of the environment where these animals survive.

Making noise or hooting while on a game drive or chimpanzee or gorilla searching may push these animals into a bad mood.

Donot use flashlight when with the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys search because they are very intimidated by unfamiliar occurrences before them.

Keep the distance allocated to you in the guidelines when with the chimpanzees, golden monkeys, gorilla safaris and others.

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