Top 10 Activities To Do On Your Uganda Safari
From captivating wildlife including the endangered mountain gorillas and the rare tree climbing lions to vibrant urban centres, serene lakeshores to lush rainforest, Uganda is a land of enchanting diversity. In 1908 book titled My African Journey, Winston Churchill referred to Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa” – a nickname neatly summing up the country’s beauty in three simple words.
Wondering what to do in Uganda, here are the top activities to do on your Uganda Safari.
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Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is on top of the top 10 activities to do on your Uganda safari, search for the rare and endangered mountain gorillas is one of the exhilarating wildlife experiences to do in Africa. Uganda hosts two gorilla habitats that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, providing sanctuary half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas.
These two gorilla destination are situated in the south western region of Uganda and can be accessed on 8-9 hours journey from Kampala by road or a one and a half flight by a domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip landing at Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.
Your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, you trek through a strenuous hike through the emerald forest in search for one of the habituated gorilla family. Get to spend one hour watching them go on with their life in the forest, watch the silverback protecting the family, female gorillas caring for their babies and others playing around. For those interested in spending more time with mountain gorillas, opt for a gorilla habituation experience on which you will spend 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family.
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Chimpanzee Trekking
With over 13 primate species and the largest population of chimpanzees in the world (1,500 individuals) found in Kibale Forest National Park – the best chimpanzee trekking destination on the planet. Uganda offers incredible chimpanzee trekking experiences.
In addition to Kibale Forest National Park, other chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda include Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is an exhilarating adventure allowing you to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat while admiring their distinctive appearance and characteristics which are human-like. Chimpanzees share 98% of human DNA. For travelers interested in spending more time with chimpanzees, opt for the chimpanzee Habituation Experience, a full day activity that allows you to spend four hours in their habitats.
To see the rescued orphaned chimpanzees, you can visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center and the Ngambi Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. You can observe the chimpanzees feeding, watch them groom and picking fruits at Ngamba and UWEC.
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Birding
Uganda is a world class birding destination with over 1,080 bird species, roughly 50% of Africa’s bird population. The country has one of the largest concentrations of bird species per square kilometer in Africa.
Birding safaris in Uganda offer birding fanatics unforgettable birding experiences in its incredible birding destinations including the Mabamba Swamp for the pre-historic Shoebill stork, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Semuliki National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Lake Mburo National Park among others.
Some of the bird species to lookout for on a birding safari in Uganda include African Skimmer, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Swamp Flycatcher, African Fish Eagle, Long-tailed Cormorants, Martial Eagle, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek, Gabon, and Slender-tailed Nightjars. Bird species like the Shoebill, White-winged Warbler, Thin-tailed Nightjars, White-winged Terns, Grey-ramped Buttonquail, Squacco Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, and Collared Pratincole among others.
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Cultural Encounters
Uganda has a diversity of cultures with many ethnic groups of people, creating a metropolis of cultural experiences that will amaze you. Uganda is a multilingual country with over 40 indigenous languages, though the official languages are English, Kiswahili and Luganda, one of the major local languages is widely spoken.
Each culture in Uganda is unique, identified by distinctive parameters. Based on lifestyle, food, language, tradition, folklore, and socio-economic activities. While on a cultural safari in Uganda, sample our traditional cuisines such as the well-known Luwombo from Buganda, Eshabwe from Ankole, the Atapa from Teso’s homeland, the Malakwang from Acholi, and the Maleewa from the Bagisu of the east.
Head on the Batwa Trail in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to be entertained by local dances and drama, witness how they use to live to the gorilla forests, visit the National Museum,the Igongo Cultural Centre, the Ndere Centre, the National Theatre among others.
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White Water Rafting on the Nile River
Jinja –the adrenaline capital of East Africa offers incredible white water rafting done of the Nile River, there are a variety of water rafting choices available, including the Raft River Board, Grade 3 full – day rafting, Grade 5 Extreme Rafting, and 2-Day Water Rafting.
Following this amazing water adventure, you can go on thrilling activities along the banks of the Nile, where native music, bonfires, barbecue, and dancing celebrating your experience.
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Classic game viewing
Game drives are one of the highlights of any Uganda safari, this relatively small country has a number of incredible destinations – parks and reserves offering classic game viewing such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park among others.
The most rewarding time of the day for game viewing is in the early mornings and late evenings, the game drives are offered as morning, afternoon and evening game drives, lasting from 2-4 hours to full day’s excursions.
Some of highlight animals to lookout for on game drives in Uganda including lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, warthogs, zebras, hyenas, herds of buffaloes and Uganda kobs among others.
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Hiking the Virunga Volcanoes
Hiking the Virunga Volcanoes in Uganda is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, this full-day hike is physically challenging, but the stunning vistas are worth the effort. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park consists of three volcanoes that is Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga which you can hike.
Each of these volcanoes can be hiked on a separate 1-Day Tours. Each hike starts at the Ntebeko Gate, here you assemble for a briefing about the hiking rules and regulations. You are escorted by an experienced ranger guide to the summit of the volcanoes, your physical fitness will be tested while move through the bamboo and montane vegetation as you ascend.
When you reach the summit of the volcanoes, you are rewarded with lovely views of other volcanoes, crater lakes and vegetation.
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Canoeing in crater lakes and Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda and the second – deepest in Africa, the beautiful lake is a haven for small birds and a chain of beautiful islands which have beautiful folktales behind them.
Lake Bunyonyi has over 29 islands interspersed with terraced vegetable gardens and as you sail on the calm waters you will visit the islands and your guide will explain stories behind the islands such as the punishment island where girls who got pregnant before wedding where left for dead.
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Kampala City Tour
Kampala City – the Capital of Uganda is more than just a city, it is also a beautiful travel destination with so many places to visit including museums, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife and theaters.
Most safaris to Uganda’s national parks and reserves start and end in Kampala, so reserve a day or two to explore and the city’s sights and sites including the National Museum, the Owino Market, the Bahai Temple, the National Theatre, the Gadhafi Mosque, the Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo among others.
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Boat Safaris
The thrilling boat safaris in Uganda are done on rivers and lakes found in both protected and non-protected areas. This popular experience offers a relaxation combined with incredible sightings of amazing wildlife and panoramic views.
Best places for boat safaris in Uganda include Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo, Lake Victoria, The Nile Delta and the Bottom of the Falls in Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga Channel in Murchison Falls National Park among others.