5 Top tourist activities in Uganda
5 top tourist activities in Uganda: Uganda the pearl of Africa is one of the most beautiful countries to explore while on an adventure to Africa. Uganda thrills with plenty of tourist activities but this article comes with the 5 topmost tourist activities done in the most visited parks of uganda including Bwindi impenetrable national park, Kibale forest national park, Kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Lake Mburo national park, and many more.
Below are the top 5 top tourist activities in Uganda;
Mountain Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda
Trekking mountain gorillas has always been the topmost tourist activity done by almost the largest percentage of travelers on a Uganda safari thus most of booked Uganda safaris always include in an adventure with the endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda thrills with the largest population of the still Surviving endangered mountain gorillas with in Bwindi impenetrable national park situated far in the south western part of Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable national park has become the top tourism destination in Uganda especially due to Gorilla trekking as well as habituation experience. The park comprises of 4 gorilla trekking sectors including Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Ruhija that all receive trekkers all year round. However, Uganda also is blessed with another gorilla trekking destination and its none other than Mgahinga gorilla national park that harbor only one Nyakagezi Gorilla family thus allowing only 8 trekkers per day since that the maximum number of trekkers allowed to encounter a particular gorilla family per day. Apart from Gorilla trekking in Uganda, there are other destinations in Africa where one can trek gorillas including Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. The gorilla trekking permit varies from one country to another depending on different board governing the wildlife in respective countries. Apart from difference in Gorilla trekking permits, most of the gorilla trekking rules and regulations are the same in all the 3 countries that harbor this unique specie of the gorillas such as the maximum duration of 1 hour with the gorillas, the maximum number of trekkers being 8 per gorilla family, the maximum age limit for gorilla trekking being 15 years and many more. Gorilla trekking always start with briefing where the rangers brief the trekkers about gorilla trekking, the dos and don’ts and all other expected encounters during the trek. After briefing, trekkers are grouped into 8 persons and each group allocated a gorilla family and finally the adventure begins as you walk via different rails in search of these giants in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking time is usually unpredictable thus it will depend on the movement of gorillas, and the trekkers themselves though we normally estimate between 2-8hours including 1 hour of close vicinity with gorillas.
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda
Apart from Mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking has also been listed amongst the 5 top tourist activities done in Uganda the pearl of Africa. Though Uganda thrills with several chimpanzee trekking destination, Kibale forest national park always leads in this game as it’s a home to over 13 primate species that are always seen in Kibale forest. Trekking Chimpanzees in Kibale is such a rewarding adventure that never misses out on any bucket list of primate lovers as it gives travelers an opportunity to search for the habituated troops of chimpanzees then spend 1 hour with them closely interacting and taking photographs with them. Apart from trekking chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park, one may as well opt to trek chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge, Toro semliki and Budongo forest.
- Game drive safaris in Uganda
With stunning savanna national parks in Uganda, Game drive safaris are indeed some of the tourist activities that should never miss out on any travelers bucket list especially for nature lovers. Taking on a game drive adventure in savanna parks of Uganda rewards travelers with an encounter with different species of fauna and flora that is so eye catching and thrilling. The climate conditions in Uganda with both dry and wet seasons makes game drive safaris amongst the 5 top tourist activities to do in Uganda. The best parks for game drives in Uganda include Murchison falls national park the oldest and largest park in Uganda yet the one of the best savanna park that harbors all the big 5 games as tourists usually stopover at Ziwa White Rhino sanctuary to trek the endangered white rhinos then the remaining big 4 games are spotted inside the park while on a game drive in these thrilling savanna vegetation. Apart from Murchison falls national park, game drive safaris in Uganda are also conducted in Kidepo valley national park though it is most visited by travelers on longer Uganda safaris due to its far location in border with Kenya and South Sudan. There is yet more parks that conduct game drives in Uganda including Lake Mburo national park the nearest savanna park to Kampala the capital city of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth national park that is famous for existing of tree climbing lions as well as Semliki national park the best park for night game drive safaris in Uganda. Different park harbor different Wildlife species that are seen during game drive and these include primates like monkeys, Mammals such as Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, impalas, zebras, uganda kob, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, forest hogs, serval cats and many more without forgetting several species of birds.
- Boat cruise safaris in Uganda
Several tourists usually combine boat cruise adventure with game drives since most of them are conducted inside the parks thus after enjoying a game drive, it’s very easy to proceed with a boat cruise safari making it one of the 5 top tourist activity done in Uganda. Cruising on top of water is such a relaxing and fascinating experience enjoyed by different categories of people irrespective of age since it has no age limit. Boat cruise safaris in Uganda can be conducted in several destinations most especially inside the savanna parks including Queen Elizabeth national park where travelers cruise along the Kazinga channel to view a huge school of Hippos that always visit the water in the afternoon to cool off their huge bodies. There is yet another fascinating Nile boat cruise done in Murchison falls national park upstream to visit the water fall as well as delta boat cruise that is down downstream to search for the rare bird species including the rare shoebill stork. Another destination for boat cruise safaris in Uganda is Lake Mburo national park. During boat cruise, tourists are rewarded with a view of nature at glance as well as enjoy sailing on top of water especially over hot scotching sun enjoying the cool breeze. Boat cruise safaris in Ugandan parks usually last between 2-3 hours.
- Golden Monkey trekking safari in Uganda
Amongst the 5 top tourist activities done in Uganda is Golden monkey trekking that is only conducted in one park, Mgahinga gorilla national park situated far in south western part of Uganda. Trekking golden monkeys is not different from Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking as it as well starts with briefing and involves forest walk to search for the habituated troop of Golden monkeys in their natural habitats.
Other tourist activities in Uganda include; Nature walks, Volcano Hiking, cultural tours, zip lining, birding, Rock climbing, sport fishing, white water rafting, Batwa trail, City tour and many more though some of them can be enjoyed as optional activities after major activities.