Uganda Safari
Uganda Safari: While planning a Uganda safari, there are a whole lots of things too put into consideration in order to really have the best of your adventure in the pearl of Africa. In this article, we bring you the best destinations to visit on a Uganda safari, the top attractions, the best tour operators for the Uganda safari, why you should visit Uganda, where to stay and many more.
To begin with, Uganda the pearl of Africa is a landlocked country situated in the East African region in border with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan. Uganda is one of the best destination to visit while on an Africa safari due to the fact that the country harbor a lots of beautiful fauna and flora species that are seen while on a Uganda safari. Uganda is blessed with more than 50% of the still remaining mountain gorillas making it the top destination for gorilla trekking safari, Uganda as well harbors more than 1000 species of birds, several mammals, different species of primates including Chimpanzees, Golden moneys, Olive baboons and many more, several species of butterflies, Reptiles, moth and stunning flora species that all thrill within 10 national parks, Wildlife reserves, sanctuaries and many more.
Covid 19 Updates: About Covid 19 that has badly hit the world, Uganda has by all means tried to manage and contain the spread of the virus with only 24 patients remaining in hospital as per the presidential speech on the 14th March 2021 which is great news to Uganda and the tourism sector. And with the great of the vaccination that has already commenced in Uganda, we probably hope for the best sooner than later.
The parks to visit while on a Uganda safari include, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park for Gorilla trekking, Kibale forest national park for chimpanzee trekking, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo National park, Kidepo valley national park, Semliki national park, Mount Elgon national park, Rwenzori mountains national park that all thrill; with unique and stunning attractions.
Best tour operators to use for a Uganda safari,
Uganda has several registered tour companies that organize safaris to different destinations in Uganda and other neighboring countries. To mention a few, I probably recommend companies like Achieve Global Safaris, Explore Rwanda Tours and Focus East Africa Tours which are famous for organizing both Uganda safaris and other safaris to Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Kenya. However, before embarking on your safari, ensure that the company you choose to use is registered and trusted and for the case of Uganda, it should be at least registered under AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and many other organizations.
Why you should visit Uganda for your safari
There are several reasons as to why you should choose Uganda for a safari. Trust me, there is a whole lots of things to see while on a Uganda safari ranging from wildlife species such as Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Olive baboons, several mammals including the big 5 game such as Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Giraffes and many other mammals like Uganda Kob, Zebras. With these wildlife, Uganda is one of the best country to visit in Africa most especially for Gorilla trekking as Uganda harbors the largest population of habituated mountain gorillas with the remaining population thrilling in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Apart from Bwindi, Gorillas in Uganda are as well trekked in Mgahinga gorilla national park, trek chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park, enjoy wildlife tours in several savanna park and many more. Uganda as well is a home to the source of the River Nile. Other safaris to enjoy while on a Uganda safari include Mountain climbing, white water rafting, zip lining, nature walks, birding, cultural and community tours, boat cruise and many more. Another fascinating reason as to why you should choose Uganda for your safari is the fact that Uganda the pearl of Africa is a safe country free from Guerra thus can be visited at any given period of time. With the perfect weather conditions of 2 seasons in Uganda, Uganda is indeed a place to go for your African adventure.
Where to stay while on a Ugandan safari,
Uganda is one of the best countries that offers a variety of accommodation to their tourists ranging from both budget, midrange and luxury depending on the wish of the travelers. Some of these accommodations are situated inside the parks, in cities and within the communities around the parks. You will find 5 star lodges, Bandas, camps and campsites among others. I may not list these accommodations but while planning your Uganda safari, ensure that you let your tour consultant know the exact accommodation you need to spend your nights either luxury, midrange or budget all offering best prices and amenities.
When to visit Uganda for a safari
You could be amongst people that frequently ask this question of when is the best time to visit Uganda. Well, the answer is Uganda the pearl of Africa can be visited at any given period of time depending on what one intends to do and see. As mentioned early, the climate in Uganda is one of the best probably in the world, with only 2 season that is dry and wet season though even in wet season, uganda still receives warm days making the your safari fascinating at any given period of time. Uganda usually receive rains in months of April and May yet they are best months for birding in Uganda. While months of January, February, June, July, August and December are best months for game drives in savanna park as well as gorilla trekking as the vegetation is always minimal and trails passable.
What is the cost of a Uganda safari?
Depending on which safari one intends to do. Since gorilla trekking is the most and top done activity in Uganda then take a look at a 3 days gorilla trekking safari. In this case, a gorilla trekking permit costs $700 per person for foreign Nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents, and Ugandan shillings 250,000 for Ugandans and other East African Community member states. The permit includes the park entrance fees, and ranger fees but excludes the porter hire fees, tips and gratuity. So on top of the gorilla trekking permits, one needs to add on accommodation which is usually in range of $90 to about $500 per night. For chimpanzee trekking, the permit costs $200 for foreign nonresidents, $150 for foreign residents and Ugandan shilling 250,000 for Ugandans and East African Community member states. However, for those option for a wildlife safari in savanna parks, the cost get even more cheaper since the most considered things are the park entrance fees which by now costs $40 per day then park activities like boat cruise at $30 and other activities that are enjoyed in savanna parks.
Below are the top safari destinations in Uganda;
Murchison falls national park: Murchison falls national park is undoubtedly one of the top tourist destination in Uganda the pearl of Africa. Murchison falls National Park is not only the oldest but yet the largest savanna park in Uganda covering a land area of approximately 3,840 square kilometers famously known for the world’s most powerful waterfall that gushes out water through a tinny hole of about 43M with a thunderous sound leaving travelers mesmerized. The best way to vie this waterfall is by taking a boat cruise upstream to the falls and again taking on a game drive on top of the falls will offer a rewarding experience of watching the waterfall from above.
Bwindi impenetrable national park: This is yet another fascinating destination to visit on a Uganda safari especially for primate adventures. Bwindi impenetrable national park is the major destination for Gorilla trekking safari. The park is also a UNESCO world heritage site as a result of harboring the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Bwindi impenetrable national park was gazette in 1991.
Mgahinga gorilla national park: Apart from gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park is also another destination to visit while on a Uganda safari to trek the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home to only one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi which used to cross borders between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with in Mgahinga, Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park respectively. Just like Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park was as well gazette in 1991 situated in south western part of Uganda the pearl of Africa. Mgahinga gorilla national park is also the only destination in Uganda where Golden monkey trekking is conducted.
Kibale forest national park: This is as well a stunning tourist destination in in Uganda famous for Chimpanzee trekking safari. The park is a home to over 13 primate species including Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkey, Red tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, and many more that make this park a capital primate of the world. Chimpanzees can as well be trekking in Murchison falls national park in Budongo forest, Queen Elizabeth national park in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest.
Queen Elizabeth national park: This is a beautiful savanna park in Uganda famous for harboring the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Queen Elizabeth national park is as well a home to the Kazinga channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. This Kazinga channel offers a stunning boat cruise amidst bathing Hippos and Crocodiles plus a view of other wildlife along the shores. Queen Elizabeth is yet amongst the best destination for game drive safaris in Uganda as well as birding safaris.
Kidepo valley national park: this is the most beautiful savanna park in Uganda situated far from the city center making it hard for tourist on a short Uganda safari to explore it. However, a few tourists that get a chance to visit this park have truly enjoyed the true definition of wilderness in Uganda as they get an opportunity to spend time in a green vegetation cover of Kidepo valley national park. The park covers a land area of about 1,442Square Kilometers situated in border with Kenya, and south Sudan. This is a best place to go for game drive safari in Uganda as well as community tour to encounter with the IK people and the Karamojong.
Lake Mburo national park: This Park is small but very stunning and worth a visit while on a Uganda Safari and it is the nearest park from Kampala the capital of Uganda. Lake Mburo national park is famous for game drive, walking safari, boat cruise, horseback ride and many more.
Semliki national park: Semliki national park is another stunning destination visited while on a Uganda safari. Semliki national park is famous for the hot springs especially the female hot spring that boils water to over 100 degrees Celsius capable of boiling an egg or a plantain in a few minutes. This park covers a land area of about 220sqkm and is yet a place to spot primates plus other wildlife species.
Sipi falls: These Sipi falls are other stunning attractions enjoyed while on a Uganda safari. Sipi falls are situated at the foot of Mount Elgon and the water falls consist of 3 falls situated at different elevations at 95M, 85M and 75M conservatively. A 2 days Uganda safari to Sipi falls is all you need to explore these beautiful falls.
Lake Bunyonyi: Lake Bunyonyi is situated in Kabale and is a very wonderful destination to visit while on a Uganda safari. Lake Bunyonyi harbors more than 29 islands that are easily explored on a canoe ride. You may as well take on a boat cruise, nature walks, community tours and many more.
Ssese Island: this is the best place to visit for honeymoon and leisure. Ssese Island consist of several islands along Lake Victoria that thrill with beaches that make the islands more fascinating and worth a visit while on a Uganda safari. While at Ssese Island, one can participate in boat cruise, canoe ride, sport activities and many more.
Lake Victoria: This Lake is situated closer to Entebbe international airport and a few kilometers drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. Lake Victoria is shared by 3 beautiful East African countries including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania situated along the rift valley region. A visit to Lake Victoria while on a Uganda safari is such a memorable experience as you will be able to view stunning islands along the lake, watch abundant of birdlife, and many other unique attractions.
Conclusion,
Apart from the few mentioned, Uganda thrills with very many other safari destinations including Jinja, Lake Mutanda, Mabira forest, Mount Elgon, Mount Rwenzori and many more. Let us know where you wish to visit and we shall organize the best itinerary for your Uganda safari. We as well offer safaris to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Check us out for more adventures at any given period of time.
