Which Are The best Uganda Safari Activities To do in Summer Holiday

The best Uganda safari Activities to do during summer holidays very from Uganda primate safaris, to the rich game drives, to a variety of water activities to mention but a few. Uganda has only two seasons experienced that is the dry and wet season and the country is not so much affected by extreme weather conditions that may end in shutting down so safari destinations as it is un some countries. Contact us

Most of the Uganda safari activities happen all year around but the fore most is the gorilla safari adventure. The mountain gorillas in Uganda are some of the highly endangered primates in the world whose population is estimated to be about 1000 still existing in the world but almost half of this total are residents of Uganda.

Uganda is a country gifted by nature yet less traveled but those who get the chance of visiting and exploring this hidden gem can testify about it beauties most of which is untamed. Uganda is the pearl of Africa indeed with its welcoming people who unconditionally extend a smile to strangers they come across as it is a culture taught from home to be kind to everybody. As you plan the Africa Safari to Uganda during summer, below are some of tour activities you may choose from.

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The best Uganda safari Activities to do during summer holidays very from Uganda primate safaris, to the rich game drives, to a variety of water activities to mention but a few. Uganda has only two seasons experienced that is the dry and wet season and the country is not so much affected by extreme weather conditions that may end in shutting down so safari destinations as it is un some countries. 

Most of the Uganda safari activities happen all year around but the fore most is the gorilla safari adventure. The mountain gorillas in Uganda are some of the highly endangered primates in the world whose population is estimated to be about 1000 still existing in the world but almost half of this total are residents of Uganda.

Uganda is a country gifted by nature yet less traveled but those who get the chance of visiting and exploring this hidden gem can testify about it beauties most of which is untamed. Uganda is the pearl of Africa indeed with its welcoming people who unconditionally extend a smile to strangers they come across as it is a culture taught from home to be kind to everybody.

As you plan the Africa Safari to Uganda during summer, below are some of tour activities you may choose from.

Best Uganda Safari Activities To Do During Summer Holiday

Gorilla safaris in Uganda

Uganda is one of the only countries that host the mountain gorillas in the world with Rwanda and D.R.Congo. For gorilla safaris in Uganda, you can choose to do gorilla trekking where one hours is permitted with fully habituated mountain gorillas or gorilla habituation experience where four hours are permitted with semi-habituated mountain gorillas.

In Uganda, two safari destinations host these mountain gorillas that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. At the moment about 20 gorilla trekking families are open to the public where as 4 gorilla habituation experience families are open to the public.

To do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience safari in Uganda, you must have a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority but note that maximum 8 gorilla trekking permits or maximum 4 gorilla habituation permits are open to the public per day. This is a conservation measure taken to reduce on the effects of mass tourism.

During the summer holidays which is normally the dry season in Uganda that is June to October or December to February, it is peak tourism season where the demand for the permits is overwhelmingly high. To be on the safe side, it’s best to book the gorilla permits  and other related amenities in advance to avoid last minute disappointments when you find no availability.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda    

Chimpanzees are the closest human relatives in animal kingdoms with about 98% human DNA and choosing a Uganda safari to see these primates is not incredible. Chimpanzees in most parts of the world are kept in confinements where they may not get the chance to showcase there authentic characteristics but in Uganda, they live a free life that is controlled by humans.

According to the current estimates about 5000 chimpanzees are residents of Uganda and these are surviving in different parts of the country. Some chimpanzee safaris destinations of Uganda include Kibale National Park the Uganda primate haven with over 1500 chimpanzees, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve and others.

To do chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, you can choose to do chimpanzee trekking where 1 hour is allowed with fully habituated chimpanzee troop or chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX) where four hours are allowed with semi-habituated chimpanzee community.

Book the chimpanzee safari permits in advance because there supply is restricted too and yet demand for these activities is over the top especially during the high season. the cost of Uganda chimpanzee safari permits vary with destination and activity you choose.

Uganda Game Safaris

Uganda has four known national game parks with a reasonable population of wild animals and amazing sceneries not found in most safari destinations in Africa. During the dry season, the game parks in Uganda are busier as grass in these parks is lower providing chance to spot a number of wild animals.

In Uganda, the game parks include Murchison Falls National Park stride river Nile, Queen Elizabeth National Park on the floor of the rift valley, Kidepo Valley National Park the carnivore haven of Uganda and Lake Mburo National Park the herbivore home of Uganda.

Even though not all animals can be spotted in all these Uganda game parks, there some that are specifically residents of particular parks. When booking the Uganda safari and wish to see a particular animal, ask our safari consultant which Uganda tour destinations may offer you that chance to find it. Note that game drives are a chance adventure so it is not a guarantee all the time that you will come across that particular animal of your interest it is best to be open minded to enjoy the entire experience.

Some of the animals you may spot during the game safari in Uganda include lion, elephant herd of buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, waterbucks , reedbucks, oribi, statungas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, aardvark, caracals, topis and others.

Birding In Uganda

Birding in Uganda is open all seasons but the dry season is more rewarding. Uganda has over 1000 bird species an unrivalled position in Africa, The long list of Uganda birds is attributed to a wide range of habitants where these birds thrive. Some of the birding destination in Uganda include Mabira forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabamba swamp, Kibale forest, Bwindi forest, Mgahinga forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Mpanga forest, Budongo forest, Maramagambo forest and others.

Some of the birds in Uganda include shoe bill stork, black headed gonolek, green winged pytilia, spotted morning Thrush, Blue naped Mouse bird, saddle billed stork and others. It is best to do birding in Uganda at the end of the dry season as the first rains start because the birds are busy trying to construct nests where to shelter during the heavy rains.

Water activities on Uganda safari

Uganda may be landlocked with no coastline but this is not missed in the country as there are so many fresh water bodies that can substitute this. Some of the water activities to do on Uganda safari in summer holiday include

• White water rafting in Uganda

Where no experience is required because on ground there are professional instructors to take you through most of what is necessary. Prepare yourself to cut through the heavy tides by peddle on a tube boat. Active participation is very important and securely buckle up your safety gears. Some of the white water rafting destinations in Uganda include Itanda falls, Murchison Falls National Park and others.

• Launch trip on Uganda safari

Taking a launch trip on Uganda safari is exciting especially in the game parks especially in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park which expose you to a concentration of waterside wildlife. The launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park you sail on river Nile and while watching a number of animals that move to the banks to quench thirst and past an impressive population of hippos and crocodiles.

The launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park starts from the Mweya peninsula, sail on Kazinga channel while enjoying the shoreline where you may spot a number of animals including serried crocodiles, hippos, herds of elephants, waterbucks, reedbucks, Uganda kobs and others. An array of birds can be spotted all the time including foreign migrants. This launch trip may take about 3 hours return trip.

• Sports fishing on Uganda safari

Doing a sports fishing safari during Uganda tour is impressive but you need a fishing permit. Carry own fishing equipment to use and hire a boat to use during the time of your fishing trip. Some if the sports fishing destinations in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park on River Nile, Lake Victoria and others.

We encourage a catch and release practice for sustainable existence of the different fish species. Some of the other fish species you may catch during the sports fishing trip in Uganda include Nile perch, tilapia, cut fish, lungfish, mudfish and others.       

Beach safari experience during Uganda safari even though the beach safaris destinations in Uganda are not of world class. Most of the beaches in Uganda are situated in Entebbe area but you can arrange to enjoy the beach experience at the exclusive Islands within lake Victoria especially in excluded Islands including Ssese Island, Lake Bunyonyi, Bulago Island and others.

Visit Source of River Nile during Uganda safari

The source of River Nile is in Uganda where River Nile water separates from lake Victoria water a great experience that keeps you wondering the mystery behind that point. River Nile starts its journey with vigor as Lake Victoria water peacefully gets away.

To get to this point, you need to hire a boat and captain to sail to this point while enjoying the different views along the riverine with several birds that flock the banks, rich vegetation cover and others.

Cultural Tours On Uganda Safari

Uganda is a multicultural safari destination with a number of tribes from different cultural beliefs. Most of the cultural institutions in Uganda have leadership including kings, chiefs and other leaders. While in Kampala the capital city of Uganda, some of the famous cultural destinations you may visit included Kabaka’s lake in Ndeeba, Mengo Kabaka’s palace, Naggalabi coronation grounds and others.

While on safari in western part of Uganda, you may visit cultural destinations including Tooro kingdom palace in Fort Portal, Bunyoro kingdom in Hoima and others

You may get the opportunity to be part of a traditional wedding ceremony while on Uganda safari in case you desire to get that opportunity.

 Honeymoon destinations on Uganda safari

Uganda has a number of destinations where honeymooners can spend quality time without disturbance from the crowds. Some of the exclusive honeymoon destinations in Uganda include Ssese Island and its great beaches, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, and others. Even those wishing to have some meditation time, it is a moment you can grab.

What To Do And Not To Do On Uganda Safari During Summer Season

• The roads in the pack are dusty, rough and get slippery during the rainy season. Hiring a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is necessary for a comfortable adventure in Uganda National Park. You must respect the 40 kilometer speed limit too.
• Drive only on designated roads as driving off track may call for a penalty. You may knock down an animal when you go off track. In case you must go off track, you need to seek permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority
• Never hoot or play loud musics while in the park because you may scare the wild animals. Unfamiliar noise may arouse the animal anger or push them away yet other visitors may want to see them.
• Walk in designates areas because the park has wild animals that are dangerous. The walks must be guided by a ranger so that in case there is need to defend you, the ranger is equipped.
• Never litter the forest but place all waste in designates places in the park or the lodge. Indecomposable waste alters the nature of the forest where wild animals feed.
• No entering Uganda National Park with dogs or cats because they may move into the wild. They are not wild animals and may be grabbed for a meal.
• Do not tease or approach wild animals or feed them. They have feelings to that change with what happens to them. Wild animals must fend for there own food and not depend on human provision.
• Never walk outside the lodge after dark without an escorting ranger because you may make a meal for the carnivores
• Keep children close to you during the Uganda safari so that they do not wander into the wild. There are dangerous wild animals.
•  Do not expect a toilet during a game drive as this is the wilderness. You can only do short calls close to the vehicle.
• Carry hard cash on you in case you need to do some extra purchases like some lodges do not include drinks in the accommodation cost. Credit cards are not commonly used in Africa because of the lengthy procedure of obtaining moneys from them.