Why The Best Time For Uganda Safari Including Gorilla Tour Is In The Dry Season

Choosing the best time to do Uganda safari with gorilla tour in the dry season is because the environment favors better chances to explore the wilderness. When planning to do a Uganda safari including gorilla tour in the dry season, ensure to purchase the necessary requirements. Before confirming any safari involving gorilla tour, ensure to reserve gorilla permit. For gorilla safaris in Uganda, there are two choices that is gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience.

The dry season in Uganda is normally June to October and December to early February and the animals explore several parts of there habitats in search for better feeding locations. For the mountain gorillas, the dry season is used to search for feeding locations closer to the ground. Even through the forest topography is covered by highlands, the animals spend most of the time closer to the ground.

In Uganda, the destinations for gorilla safaris include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These parks are situated in southwestern part of Uganda.

For chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, some of the destinations include Kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Budongo forest, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and others. Game safari in Uganda happens in Queen Elizabeth National Park , Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park. A number of animals both carnivore and herbivores are residents of these Uganda game parks but there some that are special to particular game parks. Uganda has the big five that is lions, leopards, Rhinos, elephants and buffaloes but they are not all found in one Uganda safari destinations

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Why Do Uganda Safari in The Dry Season

Animals are quicker to spot during game drives in the dry season because they disperse throughout the park in search for better feeding grounds to hideouts from predators. The grass in the grasslands is lower providing better visibility of the environment around the park.

In Bwindi or Mgahinga forest, more sunlight is let in through the dense canopy to the ground creating a brighter effect to take photos of the mountain gorillas and other forest inhabitants.

The roads or trails in the Uganda National Parks are quicker to navigate during game drive or gorilla safari or chimpanzee safaris. In the Uganda game parks, the dry season is characterized with dusty environment from the so many vehicles expected in the park that drive on the tracks. The trails in the forests during the dry season have less undergrowth protruding through to obstruct the way.       

If you wish to have company during Uganda safari the more the merrier, the dry season may be that opportunity to share the same space with others because this is the high tourism season in Uganda.

Most of the Uganda safari activities are done out doors and the dry season provides that great environment to enjoy each moment in the park as it unfolds. During the dry seasons in the game parks the carnivores are like to be more active putting up a show. The mountain gorillas or chimpanzees move freely in the forest and you may get chance to witness nap time for the entire troop.

Note that the cost of the Uganda safari packages for the dry season is higher due to high demand for the safari activities and logistics that support tourism in this season.

How Much is the Cost of Uganda Safaris in The dry Season

The cost of the Uganda safaris in the dry season depends on the choice of activities you engage in. When you choose to do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience or chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, ensure to purchase the necessary permits in advance. the gorilla and chimpanzee safari permits for the dry season sell out in advance because they are limited.

At the moment the cost of Uganda gorilla trekking permits is $800 and gorilla habituation permit cost is $1500 per person.

Current cost of chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National Park is $250 and chimpanzee habituation experience for Kibale is $300 per person.

When destined for Uganda game safaris, the cost of Park entrance fees is currently between $40 to $45 per person per 24 hours.

Other necessary Uganda safari costs may include

Accommodation costs on Uganda safari which vary with category that is luxury, mid-range and basic.

Transport costs to use during Uganda safari need to be considered as these include gas or fuel costs, driver guide hire, vehicle hire, vehicle maintenance and other expense.

Carry some hard cash to use for on ground purchases as direct cash is the main means used to purchase goods. In case you wish to tip, hard cash is a better way to do so.

How To get To The Uganda Safaris Destinations

Road Transport on Uganda safari        

The best means to get to different Uganda safari destinations is by road transport. Using a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle gives you better comfort while on Uganda safari. The roads in the countryside get messy and impassable sometimes.

Having a professional and experienced driver guide on Uganda safari is recommended because they know better alternative routes to getting around to different destinations in Uganda. the driver guides have even extra in ground information about the different destinations in the country that may not be documented.

Donot expect a smooth ride on and from the Uganda safari destinations as the roads are bumpy and in case you get road sickness, swallow the necessary pills in advance. Donot be confused when strangers wave and smile at you as you drive to the Uganda safari destinations because people of Uganda are welcoming and free spirited.

Flying Uganda Safari

Save sometime on the road by taking the scheduled daily flights for your Uganda safari to the various destinations. Note that most of the air crafts used are small and so even the baggage allowance is limited per traveler. Donot forget to hire a transfer vehicle from the air strip to the safari destinations

Charter flight services for a more private travel to the Uganda safari destinations is available on request. Advance booking is recommended so that all necessary clearances can be made in advance.

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What To Expect During Uganda Safari Including Gorilla Tour In The Dry Season

During Uganda safari is the dry season expect a rise in the temperatures of the day so carry sun screen because Uganda is a tropical country.Carry clothes that you can wear under the hot weather without violating the traditions of the people of Uganda.

Expect to drive for longer hours to some Uganda safari destinations except if you have to make stopovers. The direct drive time to the gorilla safari destinations fromKampala or Entebbe is about 8 to 9 hours excluding stopovers. This may be such a long drive but you can break the journey by visiting enroute destinations include lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and others.

Expect traditional meals on ground especially in the local restaurant and inter-continental dishes are hard to find except in high-end restaurants. Tropical fruits are available and these vary with season. In case you wish to taste exotic fruits like those back home, you may visit the big Uganda super markets as these are hard to find in the local markets.

Expect to find mosquitoes while in Uganda because this is a fertile ground for them as the country is a tropical country. Do take some anti-malarial and sleep under a mosquito net both day and night.

When on Uganda safari in the dry season expect to find more tourists on ground because this is the peak tourism season in the country too. Uganda safari destinations are not so much crowded even during the peak season.

Donot forget to carry some warmers even in the dry season because most of the Uganda safari destinations are very cold in the morning and late afternoon.

Most Uganda safari activities start early morning that is gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris, birding in Uganda, game drives and others. This is to enable you to enjoy the presence of wildlife before they start the day activities.

Which is Uganda’s best Safari Activity and Destination

The best Uganda safari activity or destination varies with reason for visiting. Uganda is a country endowed by nature and diversity of destinations which you can choose from. Gorilla safaris stand out as the star in the galaxy of Uganda tours. Gorilla safaris that include gorillas trekking or gorilla habituation experience are the choices you can choose from.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the home of several primates in Uganda other than the mountain gorillas

Other Uganda primate destinations include Kibale National Park, Kyambura gorge the chimpanzee safari haven.

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park  and others cannot be ignored. Besides the rich game in these destinations, the stunning features that stand beautifully in the parks cannot be ignored.

For honeymooners and those seeking places of tranquility away from the noise and immerse into the aromas of nature, Uganda has a basket full of choices. Ssese Island in Lake Victoria, Bulago Island, Lake Bunyonyi, Mabira forest and others are available to saticify your safari quest.

Why Do Uganda Safari With Gorilla Tour In The Dry Season         

Uganda is one of the rich Africa wildlife destinations even though less traveled and under estimated. Even during the peak tourism season, most of the Uganda safari destinations are not crowded giving you chance to view several animals without fear of being interrupted by another vehicle.

Winston Churchill named Uganda the Pearl of Africa after enjoying some of its amazing beauties. Indeed such spots are still available and open to the public but you need to make your booking in advance. World over there are fewer rich and luxuriant wild life destinations left but Uganda is still one of the few.

Eco tourism is priority during Uganda safari and sustainable tourism is number one goal for any Uganda tour. Responsible travel is encouraged to most of those who visit Uganda too. To support such a venture, more funds are required but some of these funds can only be accumulated from visitors that book Uganda safaris.

Uganda may be a land locked country but even the waters distributed around the country can compensate for the absence of larger water bodies. During Uganda safari, you may get the chances to do a number of water activities including boat cruise, swimming, white water rafting, sunset cruise and others.

What To Pack On Uganda Safari In The Dry Season

Safari clothing in colors that are wilderness friendly like tan, khaki which donot attract stinging insects.

Safari waterproof boots especially if you are to explore the forested areas where there is s dense network of rivers.

Garden gloves to protect your palms from rough surfaces in the jungle

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and afternoon

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects as the wilderness is infested with stinging insects.

A pair of stockings to tack in the clothes and prevent creepers from getting in.

Camera to keep memories of your Uganda safari.

Safari large brim foldable hat for protecting your head and hair from buzzing insects

Raincoat or poncho as it falls any time without warning

Treats to keep reenergizing because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day.

First aid kit with emergency medication

Toiletries

Extra fully charged batteries in case on runs power low.

Backpack to pack in your belongings.

Extra clothes to change into after the day’s activities

Packing bag to keep in your shoes so that they donot stain other items

Travel adapter and charger

Some hard cash in case you have to do on ground purchases like porter hiring

A torch as solar is the main source of power in most destination and when the sun doesnt shine, the batteries may run out of power.

A pair of binoculars for closer look at far ranging features.

Foldable water bottle

Flip flops to change into after a day in the wilderness.

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