Uganda Safari Activities, What To Do Best, When to Do Uganda Tour

Uganda Safari Activities, What To Do Best, When to Do Uganda Tour

When planning a Uganda safari, some of the best activities that the country has include primate safaris, with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking in the leading position of the highly sought after. Uganda is a country bestowed with nature and a cradleland of beautiful sceneries in Africa most of which are untouched. Contact Us

During the Uganda safari, tourists on an African safari may choose to engage in activities including game drives, water activities, hiking experience in Uganda, Birding Uganda, Cultural experience and others. It is the way you arrange your itinerary and time you give to this Uganda safari holiday that you make it memorable.

Most Uganda safaris happen in the National Parks of which at the moment 10 Uganda National Parks are confirmed that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, , Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Semuliki National Park.

Other notable Uganda safari destination includes Lake Bunyonyi with its magnificent beauty in the rift valley, source of River Nile, Ssese Islands, Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary and others. While on a visit to Uganda, you can never run out of options of what do in the shortest time especially if your program is tight.

What Uganda safari activities to Do

Gorilla safaris in Uganda

Uganda is one of the only three countries in the world where mountain gorillas are living. During the Uganda safari, one can choose to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.

The difference between gorillas trekking and gorilla habituation experience is that

Gorilla trekking is when maximum 8 tourists follow a fully habituated gorilla family and have one hour with them. The time with the mountain gorillas is limited to one hour as a conservation measure as the presence of humans disrupts the day today life of these primates.

During gorilla habituation experience maximum 4 tourists accompany a team of researchers and trackers to have four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

At the moment Uganda has about 20 gorilla trekking families open to the public and four gorilla habituation experience families open to the public. To do a gorilla safari in Uganda, one must book a gorilla permit first. Currently the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 for international nonresidents, $700 for international residents, $500 for other Africans and 180000shs for East Africans

The gorilla safaris destinations in Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Uganda at the moment has about 5000 chimpanzees according to the last census and most of these live in the forested areas within the country. During Uganda safari, one may do chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX).

During chimpanzee trekking tourists are allowed one hour with a fully habituated chimpanzee troop. In Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is happening in Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu forest, Budongo forest and others. The cost of the Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit varies with destination.

Chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) is an adventure where maximum four tourists accompany a team of researchers to follow a semi-habituated chimpanzee community for four hours. At the moment chimpanzees habituation experience in Uganda is possible in Kibale National Park and Budongo forest. The cost of the chimpanzee habituation experience permit of Uganda varies with destination.

The current cost of chimpanzee habituation experience permit for Kibale National Park is $300 for international nonresidents, $250 for international residents, 250,000 for East Africans. The cost of chimpanzee habituation experience permit for Kibale National Park is inclusive of park entrance fees, four hours with the chimpanzees, security, chimpanzee conservation, research and others

Game safaris in Uganda

The game safaris in Uganda are mesmerizing and rich but not crowded. Some of the game safari destinations in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. These Uganda safari parks are distributed in different areas of the country.

To get a better game experience in Uganda it is best to start the game safari earlier morning before the wild animals start there day or late evening as they return home. Some animals are specifically found in particular game parks so if you have interesting in seeing a certain animal, it is best to communicate with your safari operator so that you are advised accordingly. Note that game drives donot guarantee seeing the animals you are interested in.

Some of the wild animals you may expect to see on Uganda game safari include lions, herds of Elephants, Zebras, Elands, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, statungas, Oribi, Cheetahs and others. Ensure to abide by the rules of game safaris in Uganda in order not to be penalized or bounced out of the game park.

Water activities on Uganda safari

Even though Uganda has no ocean or sea coastline, the different water bodies in various parts of the country serve the same purpose when on a Uganda visit.

• Launch trips on Uganda safari.

When on Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park, the launch trip is the highlight of all park activities.

During the launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park, tourists sail on river Nile with chances of spotting several animals that find there way to the river banks to quench thirst or enjoy a bath. Abundant bird life can be spotted on the banks of River Nile during the launch trip. Finally, when you find your way to Murchison Falls you watch the River Nile squeeze through the 6 meters wide gorge to burst out and form a cloudy appearance.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park the launch trip on Kazinga channel where a number of animals come from the plains to quench thirst and enjoy a bath at the banks. Hippos and crocodiles never miss showing up as they are permanent residents of the channels. An array of birds flocks the shores of Kazinga channel on a daily.

• Boat Trips in Lake Mburo National Park

In Lake Mburo National Park, you may get the chance to do a boat trip where you enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding. Hippos and crocodiles may show there presence in the late too. The banks of Lake Mburo are usually covered by evergreen vegetation where a number of water birds spend time. A number of wild animals may also make there way to quench thirst from the lake banks some of these animals include elands, zebras, waterbucks, elephants, buffaloes and others.

• White water Rafting on Uganda safari

Experience the thrill of the River Nile rapids by embarking on White water rafting adventure. During white water rafting, tourists peddle through the rough tides with the guidance of an instructor. There is no need for experience to do White water rafting in Uganda as on ground there are professional instructors to take you through all that is necessary.

White water rafting us not for the faint hearted and you can stop at the level where you most feel comfortable. In Uganda, white water rafting happens at Itanda falls and Murchison Falls National Park on River Nile.

• Visit Lake Bunyonyi during Uganda safari

Lake Bunyonyi in western Uganda is a place of tranquility where you can have chance to reflect with less disturbance but amidst the calls of nature. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest rift valley lake in Uganda with about 21 islands that can be explored on a boat. The most significant Islands is called Akampene where girls who got pregnant before being wed locks were abandoned to die as they tried to swim to the land.

While at lake Bunyonyi, watch out for a number of birds, enjoy zip lining, community tours and others.

• Beach Safaris On Uganda safari

Uganda has a number of beaches where tourists may spend some time even though they area not of world standards. Entebbe area is where most beaches in Uganda area found. There are several private Islands where you can enjoy some off the main land including Bulago Island, Ssese Island and others. Some of these destinations are nice honeymoon destinations in Uganda. There are accommodations by these beaches and Islands where you may spend your holiday time in Uganda.

• Visit the Source Of River Nile

The source of River Nile which is the longest River in the world is in Uganda at Jinja. The point where River Nile separates from lake Victoria water is dramatic as water emerges from underground then separates. The mystery behind what may cause this visible separation is still hanging as Lake Victoria water appears calm whereas River Nile water merges with vigor.

To get to this point, you need a boat which you hire from the pier. There is a craft shop in the middle of River Nile close to this point where you may purchase some souvenirs.

Sports fishing During Uganda safari

Anglers on Uganda safari may get the opportunity to catch some of the fresh water fish in Uganda’s lakes and rivers. To do sports fishing in Uganda, you need to have a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority which allows you to participate in this adventure. Some of the fish species like to catch during Uganda safari include tilapia, lung fish, cat fish, mud fish, Nile perch and others Carrying your own fishing equipment is very relevant.

Golden monkeys safaris in Uganda

To go on a golden monkey safari in Uganda, you can choose golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience. The golden monkey safaris in Uganda are happening in Mgahinga National Park.

To go for a golden monkey safari in Uganda, you need a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Golden monkeys are a special monkeys species with a body that is larger than the normal monkeys. They live in troops under the leadership of an alpha male. Even though they are habituated, golden monkeys still bear there natural characteristics as they hope from one tree to another most of the day.

Mountaineering on Uganda safari

Uganda has a number of highlands where you can do mountaineering including Mountain Rwenzori, Mountain Elgon, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga and others. To hike some of these mountain, it may take days or a day depending on the distance you cover. Carry your hiking gears for those mountains where you have to spend days.

Birding on Uganda safari

Uganda is one of Africa’s most outstanding bird watching destinations with over 1000 bird species confirmed as residents. The varied variety of habitants where these birds thrive may be the reason why the long list is ever expending and birding in Uganda is always result oriented. It is best to draft an itinerary to cover the destinations where these birds thrive. Some of the birds in Uganda include Shoebill, Saddle billed stock, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and others.

Nature walks on Uganda safari

If you want to make peace with Nature, Uganda has some of those spots were you can enjoy a nature walk. Right in Entebbe, the Botanical gardens provide that environment where you can do a nature walk, Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabira forest and others.

Cultural Experience on Uganda safari

Uganda is a rich cultural destination in Africa with people from different parts of the country. The culture differences that unit the people in Uganda are what makes it a unique destination. Most of the tribes in Uganda are under the leadership of cultural leaders including kings and chiefs.

Some of the most notable cultural institutions in Uganda include Buganda kingdom, Busoga kingdom, Bunyoro kingdom, Rwenzururu kingdom and others. There are some significant cultural destination in Uganda include Bulange Mengo which is the administration of Buganda kingdom, Bugembe palace for the Basoga, Tooro palace  where eth Omukama of Tooro reigns and others.

It is best to have a local guide to accompany you during the visit in order get more details about the culture of the institution you visit or the tribe