Thinking of a trip to Uganda but not sure of what to see or do? Well, if Uganda is your dream destination, expect to enjoy a lot more. A trip to this renowned pearl of Africa means a great opportunity for you to discover its diverse landscapes, unique cultures; precious wildlife and safari activities in its pristine national parks. Whether you are looking to a cheap Uganda Safari or ultimate luxury, there are lots of things to do in the country. Uganda dubbed the pearl of Africa the fact that it is where you can find nearly everything that Africa has to the world.
What to see and do while on Uganda safari
Gorilla Tracking
With only 1004 mountain gorillas that do exist in the world, Uganda that one magical gorilla destination that offers you great opportunity to strike your imagination with these dramatic creatures while in their natural habitat. In Uganda, gorilla treks are only conducted within the pristine rain forest of Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The two national parks lie suitably within southwestern about 9 to 10 hours’ drive off Kampala city center. Uganda is a host to about 500 of all the mountain gorillas that thrive on earth today and over 15 groups have been habituated and set for tourism. They include-in Bwindi National Park-Mubare group, Rushegura, Habinyanja, Katwe, Nshongi, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya, Nkuringo, Christmas and others. Only 1 habituated family is assigned to you to track in a group of 8 visitors. Permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda cost $600 per person and can be obtained through a reliable, trust worthy ground tour operator or through reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Chimpanzee Tracking
A trek to see chimpanzees in the wild is incredibly the most thrilling experience that you need not to miss to be part while on Uganda safari. Over 5000 of these unique creatures are confined within this magnificent landlocked country. They are distributed in varied tourist sites which include Kibale Forest National Park that comprises of over 1500 chimpanzees. To track these unique creatures in this park, you need $150 to secure a permit. Other sites include Budongo forest and this is perfect for visitors on wildlife safari to Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu forest around Queen Elizabeth National Park. The unique bit of this primate adventure is that not only do you have a chance to meet these rare creatures but also a great opportunity for you to sight at numerous primate species and bird species that make your experience a memorable one. Alternatively, you can embark on chimpanzee habituation experience and have adequate time with these amazing apes in the wild.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Besides magical encounters with mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are a few other most exceptional creatures that you need to catch a glimpse at while on Uganda safari. Golden monkeys can be tracked in Mgahinga National Park southwestern Uganda and alternatively, you can as well be part of golden monkey habituation experience.
Game Viewing
Game viewing is one main safari experience that Uganda offers for its world travelers. While on wildlife safari in the pearl of Africa, you have a chance to catch a glimpse at its diverse wildlife species including elephants, lions plus rare tree climbing lions which are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, impalas, topis, warthogs, birds, hippos, crocodiles and others. The other alternative is for you to embark on boat cruise which gets you excellent views over hippos, crocodiles and many water bird species. The best places for you to visit for wildlife viewing experiences include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and others.
Rhino Tracking
The best way to make your big five game tour in Uganda complete is by embarking on rhino tracking tour at Ziwa rhino sanctuary. For visitors on Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, this sanctuary lies just along the way and serves as a main stopover for most visitors. Rhino trekking takes you through excellent views over these amazing mammal species while on foot. This sanctuary is a conservation and preservation project that is aimed at re-introducing rhinos back to the wild.
Birding Safaris
Make your trip more exceptional in Uganda by embarking on birding tour. A bird watching trip in this spectacular landlocked country rewards birders with incredible sights at bird species such as African green breasted pitta, African green broadbill, pelicans, the Great Blue Turaco, flamingos, king fishers, papyrus gonoleks, shoebill stork and red headed bluebill.
Explore the mighty Nile
For adventure enthusiast, source of the mighty Nile at Jinja should be a must to visit while on Uganda safari. Jinja is remarkably a capital of adrenaline adventure and while on safari in this particular part of the country, you have a great opportunity to engage in thrilling adventures like white water rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating, boat cruise/sunset cruise, kayaking, horseback ride a mention but a few.
Experience the Batwa Trail
Love cultural encounters? Meet the Batwa pygmies the famous forest dwellers who spent over 500,000 years in the jungles while hunting and fruit gathering. They left without leaving any negative environmental effect. For visitors on gorilla safari to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park, don’t miss to add a visit to Batwa pygmy community in your travel plan. A cultural tour in the Batwa community gets you the best of authentic African cultural experiences. The Batwa were displaced around 1991 from Bwindi impenetrable forest to pave way for conservation of mountain gorillas and other wildlife species so as to promote tourism. Today, they are the most marginalized group around Bwindi and Mgahinga national park.
