What Are The best Uganda Safari Activities To Do in 2024 to 2025
What Do I Need For A Gorilla And Wildlife Safari In Uganda Through Kigali
November 30, 2023
What Are The Most Popular Rwanda Safari Activities
December 8, 2023
Uganda the pearl of Africa is a wonderful African safari destination with gorilla tours as the fore most activity. Two Uganda safari destinations host the mountain gorillas that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. You can engage in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience which gets you closer to the few leftover mountain gorillas in the world.
One needs a gorilla permit to have access to the mountain gorillas as they are highly protected primates whose numbers are still growing after the 1980s census. When mountain gorilla census was carried out by American Naturalist Dian Fossey,a population of 250 mountain gorillas were found to be living in the world. The mountain gorillas were listed among the highly endangered primates in the world. Thanks to activities like gorilla trekking and habituation experience the funds needed to support there conservation are being collected and the current mountain gorilla numbers are about 1000.
Popular Uganda Safari Itineraries
4 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari
5 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari
7 day gorilla, wildlife and chimpanzee safari
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda gets you closer to some of the largest communities of chimpanzees in Africa. Chimpanzees are the closest human relatives but among the endangered primates.
Uganda game drives are exceptional and can best be experienced early morning and late afternoon when wild animals are leaving or returning to there night hiding places.
Visiting the source of River Nile the longest river in the world makes you wonder about the myth around that point of departure. Jinja in Uganda has the spot where River Nile water violently departs from calm Lake Victoria water.
White water rafting on River Nile is fascinating as you get to beat and sail through the tough tides River Nile caused by embedded rocks beneath the water. White water rafting may stimulate some adrenaline but worth choosing because no experience is needed and on ground instructors are present to take you through all necessary procedures.
Uganda is a country gifted by nature and this is apt for the Uganda safari activities you can choose to engage in while on holiday. At Arch Safaris And Tours, our Tours consultants are always ready to provide information, advise and necessary quotations of Uganda safaris and beyond. CONTACT US for any help
What To Do On Uganda Safari in 2024 to 2025?
Gorilla safaris
As mentioned previously, gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation are top activities to engage in during the Uganda safari, Gorilla trekking safari is an adventure where you follow a fully habituated mountain gorilla family then take one restricted hour with them. Gorilla habituation experience gets you closer to a semi-habituated gorilla family to have four hours with them in company of team of researchers and ranger guides.
Uganda gorilla safari destinations include Bwindi Impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga National Park. To be allowed to do gorilla safaris in Uganda, you must possess a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
At Arch Safaris And Tours, we can assist book your gorilla permits when contacted to lift off your shoulder the burden of checking availability and booking other safari amenities. We only need the period of travel and the number of people hoping to travel with for the gorilla safari in case you have company. In case you hope to travel with kids, 12 years and over is the age limit for gorilla safaris Enquire Now
What is the cost of Uganda Gorilla safari permit?
The current cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and 250000 shs for East African nationalities. Advance booking is required because Uganda gorilla permits sell out fast yet limited to maximum 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family.
When you purchase the gorilla trekking permit, its cost covers park entrances, mountain gorilla conservation, security, one hour with the mountain gorillas, certificate, ranger guide fees and so much more.
For gorilla habituation experience, the cost of gorilla permit is currently $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $1000 for East Africa residents and 750000shs for East African residents.
Within the gorilla habituation permit costs is four hours with the mountain gorillas, researcher fees, park entrance fees, security, ranger guide fees, certificate after the gorilla tour, government tax and others.
The Uganda gorilla permit cost excludes porter hire, snacks packed lunch and others personal expenses.
Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda
Uganda has a population of over 5000 chimpanzees living in various destinations. Kibale National Park is the prime chimpanzee safaris destination of Uganda hosting about 1500 chimpanzees. Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is another Uganda chimpanzee trekking destination, Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison falls national Park hosts another community if Uganda chimpanzees. Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary, Uganda wildlife education Center, Kalinzu Forest reserve on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park and others.
During Uganda chimpanzee safaris, you can do chimpanzee trekking or habituation experience. Chimpanzee trekking adventure gives you chance to have one hour with a fully habituated chimpanzee troop.
Chimpanzee habituation experience allows tourists to accompany a team of researchers in the wild to have one hour with a semi-habituated chimpanzee community.
For each chimpanzee safari adventure you need a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority or any accredited Authorities.
Game drives in Uganda
Uganda is a great game safari destination with different destinations you can visit like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Lake Mburo National Park , Kidepo Valley National Park.
On an early morning or evening game drive gives you chance to a variety of wildlife like lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, giraffes, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, cheetahs, aardvark, zebras, impalas, warthogs, impalas and so much more.
The tracks in the game parks of Uganda are dusty, bumpy and slippery during severe rainy seasons so you need a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition with enough window seats or porch to get around. Having a knowledgeable and experienced driver guide is an added advantage during Uganda game safaris. They get you to mesmerizing points of the game parks.
Launch trips on Uganda safari
During the launch trips on Uganda safaris, you may get to view several animals that love gracing the shoreline to quench thirst.
The Murchison Falls National Park launch trip starts from the pier at Paraa down river and along the way, you may spot several animals like giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, hartebeest and others. Chances of spotting a number of water bird area high. The River gets rough as you approach Murchison falls where River Nile water squeezes through a 6 meters wide gorge, violently pushes through and cascades a 43 meters high cliff.
This is the most beautiful a moment on River Nile and on a clear sunny day a rainbow may form right before you.
Kazinga channel launch trip on the floor of the rift valley in Queen Elisabeth National Park is exceptional. From the pier at Mweya Peninsular, you take about 3 hours return trip on Kazinga channel. Look over for amazing wildlife, along the shores, a plethora of birds that linger the marshy shoreline and stunning features like the Rwenzori ranges.
Taking either the public or private launch trip on Uganda safari is relaxing and indulges you with the beauties on the floor of the rift valley.
Uganda Birding safari
Uganda has an unrivaled population of birds in Africa with over 1000 species recorded according to ornithologists. To explore the best Uganda birding destinations, you need an itinerary tailored to your needs and the number of days you hope to spend on tour. The long of Uganda bird species is awed to the various habitats that favor the survival numerous birds.
Some Uganda birding destinations include Mabamba swamp, Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga forest, Botanical gardens, Mpanga forest, Musambwa Island, Lutembe beach, Mabira forest, Lake Bunyonyi , Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo forest and others.
A few of Uganda’s birds you may have chance to spot include shoe bill stork, African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing , Western Green Tinkerbird, Red-faced woodland Wabler, African Hill Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco and others.
For the best Uganda birding photo or film collection and itinerary, state the birds you are most interested to see and have enough birding safaris time. Hiring a professional birding guide is an added advantage. There are fewer professional birding guides in Uganda so advance booking is required.
Other Primates safaris in Uganda
Uganda provides a comfortable environment for several primates to thrive and others than the mountain gorillas, primates like the golden monkeys, black and white colobus, olive baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys bush babies, grey cheeked mangabey are others are residents.
The golden monkeys are a special and endangered primate specie whose body is larger than the normal monkeys. They live in communities with an alpha male as there leader. Although golden monkeys are habituated, they still possess there charming nature. During the golden monkey trekking or golden monkey habituation experience, these primates keep you on your toes.
One must obtain a golden monkey permits from the Uganda wildlife authority to gain access to this primate adventure.
Mountaineering on Uganda safari
If you want to test your fitness level, Uganda has one of the best opportunities to hike several highlands. Climbing mountain Rwenzori is one of the best experiences where you get to enjoy all year round glaciers in the tropics. Magheritah is the highest peak of RwenziriAlong the way, you encounter unique plants that are rarely seen on ground. Hiking Mountain Rwenzori has minimum 7 day guided return trip.
Excursion mountaineering in Uganda is possible on mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura and Mountain Sabyinyo. These three volcanoes are in Mgahinga national Park and are part of the six Virunga Volcanoes.
Visit the source of River Nile in Uganda
River Nile has its source in Uganda Jinja town. You must sail to find the point where River Nile water separates from Lake Victoria water. The mystery behind the drama as these waters separate is hard to explain. The banks of River Nile are amazing to watch as several water birds love gracing it.
White water rafting on River Nile
Uganda has some of the best spots of River Nile and white water rafting is one of the activities you can engage in on River Nile. No need to have experience to do white water rafting because there professional instructors on ground to take you through all necessary procedure. During the white water rafting adventure, keep beating the tides with the peddle to sail through.
Uganda cultural experience
Uganda is a multicultural destination which gives you a variety of cultures to experience. When in central Uganda, the Ganda culture dominates with Kabaka as there leader. You can visit the historical tombs called Masiro where remains of fallen Buganda royals are laid to rest.
The Omukama of Bunyoro kingdom and Omukama of Tooro kingdom represent the cultures of most of Ugandans in the western part of the country. Kyabazinga of Busoga outstands as you seek cultures of eastern Uganda and others.
Ethnologists have a lot to uncover about the multicultural Uganda
Sports fishing in Uganda safari
For one to be allowed to do sports fishing in Uganda, you must secure a fishing permit from Uganda wildlife Authority. Some of the sports fishing destinations of Uganda include Murchison falls national park, Lake Victoria and others.
You may have to carry your own fishing equipment to enjoy this adventure. Hire a fishing bait and captain too for full day or half day sports fishing in Uganda.
Kampala city tour
While in the Uganda Capital Kampala, you can do a city tour to places like the Uganda Museum, Bulange Mengo Palace of Buganda, Kabaka’s manmade Lake, Bahai temple, Uganda martyrs shrine in Namugongo, religious centers of Uganda and others.
You must have a well planned itinerary considering traffic jam in Kampala since this serves as the commercial capital of Uganda.
Scenic viewing in Uganda
If you wish to get away from the chaos of the city, a visit to some of Uganda’s tranquil destinations is worth every moment. Some of the ecofriendly paradise of tranquility include Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, Ssese Island, Bulago Island and others. Taking a honeymoon to some of these destinations in Uganda is mesmerizing.
