No African Safari standout like the Combo of Uganda safari and Gorilla trekking expedition. It’s a relaxing trip that enters you into the full life Africa’s wilderness. The untamed nature of wild animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, zebras ushers you into the reality of free style life.
Classic Uganda Safari Activities
Game drives
Most of the wild game parks that Uganda conserves are physically dispersed throughout the country. Each has something that is unique from another and also some similarities too.
Queen Elizabeth National park
Located on the western floor of the Great Rift Valley is Queen Elizabeth National park. Its early morning game drives especially on the Mweya peninsular may give you chance to locate lots of buffaloes, herds of elephants, leopards, tree climbing lions, topis, mongoose, water bucks, bush bucks to mention but a few.
On its floor are mesmerizing crater lakes but the most outstanding are blue lake, Katwe salt lake where mining of salt has been done by the locals for ages, Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell. A huge number of crater lakes both dry and wet create an amazing network of water bodies.
The land forms within and on the borders of the park provide an adorable view like Rwenzori ranges with a sparkling snowcapped peak that comes into view on a clear sunny day. The Kyambura gorge is home to the famous chimpanzees, when standing on a cliff, you get a better view of the Rift valley and all the amazing components it holds.
A boat cruise on Kazinga channel is one of the highlights of this park activities giving you a chance to watch wild animals as they get to the banks to quench thirst. Watching the sun get behind the horizon in the evening while on a boat ride is epic.
During the boat ride, you get to enjoy the rich avian life with both local and foreign migrant birds over 612 species that flock a shore. Some birds African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, greater and lesser flamingos, papyrus gonolek, shoe bill to mention but a few.
Murchison Falls national Park
Bisected by River Nile is famous Murchison Falls National park. An early morning game drive to the northern part of this park may provide you the chance to see animals like Rothschild giraffes, oribi, hartebeests, hippopotamus, warthogs, lions, leopard, hyenas to mention but a few.
Hiking to the top of the falls is an opportunity to witness the River Nile drama as it stumble and rambles with rocks to push its way through a 7 meters wide gorge. This power full action is breathtaking.
It’s a travel sin to leave Murchison Falls National Park before the launch cruise. Each day the ride departs at about 0900hrs and 1400hrs. Giving you chance to view wonderful riverside animals like elephants, cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, lions, elephants, hartebeests to mention but a few.
The strong energy emitted as River Nile water cascades the 44 meters high cliff is unbelievable. Water vigorously bursts out of the gorge forming a cloudy appearance and a rainbow may form right before your eyes on a clear sunny day
Each time water hits the bottom, you feel the boat vibrating as a foamy appearance covers the surface of the river. It’s a wonderful moment watching the strongest water falls in the world on River Nile.
Ziiwa Rhino sanctuary is another spot to stop at as you leave or before going into Murchison Falls National park in Uganda. After Rhinos were wiped out from Uganda due to regular civil wars and poaching for trophies or ritual performances, they are slowly being rehabilitated.
Trekking the rhinos in Ziiwa gives you a great opportunity to feel the natural life of the rhinos and watch them fend there own meal.
Kidepo Valley National Park
This is home to most of the rare African carnivores like cheetahs, lions, leopards, Jackals, hyena and others. Its possible to locate at least four of the great African big five in this pack. If you are interested in catching carnivores in action, Kidepo Valley Park is your ideal destination. The unique topography of this area with flat plains almost shielded by a series of hills in its back drop area is stunning.
The local communities close to this park are occupied by Karamanjogs with authentic cultural norms are still original. Modernization has not yet antagonized with the cultural reality of Karamajongs. They live in large extended homes called Manyattas and this give extra manpower to protect the large herds of cattle that each family owns.
Kibale Forest National Park
Do you want authentic primate circus show in the wilderness, then Kibale Forest Park is the ideal spot. Numerous primates are natural residents of tropical Kibale forest but the most outstanding area chimpanzees.
Not only are chimpanzees forest masters, they are also human closet cousins in kingdom wilderness. Living as communities is there strongest strategy in the forest under a democratically chosen Alpha male. The chimpanzees government is so interesting in that the contenders have to display there capability to the community to prove there ability to lead and defend others.
Each morning or Afternoon a maximum of about 6 tourists per trip is allowed to visit the chimpanzees with an escorting guide. Before starting your trek, briefing at Kanyanchu station is important.
Other Kibale forest dwellers include black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, bush babies, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and the list is endless. Numerous birds freely live in the forest but the rare shoe bill may be the most outstanding. Bigodi Swamp in Kibale Forest is the to go to point for Birding fanatics.
Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
A combo of game drives and chimpanzee trekking is like cheery on top of a cake. When on an African safari, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best destination. Located on the floor of the western part of the East African Rift valley is a community of chimpanzees.
This chimpanzee trekking experience involves hiking the gorge to catch up the mobile chimpanzees that go about there day today activities in the forest. Other primate also live in this gorge like red tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, vervet monkeys to mention but a few.
Kaniyo Pabidi In Murchison Falls National Park
Chimpanzees love Uganda’s forest so here is another forest where they are residents. Not only do you have the chance to see the longest river in Africa River Nile but the chimpanzees too.
Each day, the enchanting community of chimpanzees de-nests from there overnight spot to search for a meal. They are generally vegetarian but in times of scarcity, they may resort to eating fresh although not commonly seen.
This is another primate haven with several monkeys hoping from one tree branch to another.
Having an opportunity to select some the famous Uganda game safari activities combined with gorilla trekking experience is a life time treat.
Gorilla trekking gets you close to the fiercely looking gorillas yet gentle enough to win the soul of those who visit them.
Most travelers are threatened by the high competition to secure a gorilla permit but when you finally win this lottery, its exciting.
Putting together the fun of wild game drives and gorilla trekking gives you almost entire picture of Africa’s rich wilderness. Most tourists crave this authentic experience but a few get the opportunity to select the right parks to offer them this total satisfaction.