Uganda is a land locked country found in East Africa. It’s bordered by Kenya in East, Tanzania in the south, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the west and Sudan in the north. The country is gifted with amazing wildlife, relief, drainage and interesting culture among others. The fact that Uganda has a lot to offer, it justifies the fact that there are a number of different trips to be enjoyed.
- Gorilla Tracking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts a variety of mountain Gorillas with currently 18 habituated groups and others which are not yet habituated. For that case, the park conducts Gorilla trekking on daily basis making it the most expensive and attractive tourist activity in Uganda. The cost of Uganda Gorilla permit currently cost US$600 but starting from 1st July 2020, it will be increased to US$700 for foreign non-residents.
Mgahinga National Park is another destination for mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda with Nyakagezi as the only habituated Gorilla family. There is also an allegation that one of Rwanda’s Gorilla group known as Hirwa, shifted to Mgahinga National park but the duration of its visit is not known yet. The only Nyakagezi Gorilla family use to shift from one place to another rotating in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park and Virunga National park respectively. Gorilla trekking experience needs adquate preparation, well equipped with the trekking gear, ensure some physical fitness and above all contact a reputable tour operators to make advance booking of your Gorilla permits.
For international visitors, Gorilla tours can start from Entebbe Airport in Uganda or Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.
- Chimpanzee tracking
There are five destinations in Uganda where chimpanzees can be sighted or trekked. The destinations include Kibale National Park (the best chimpanzee trekking is done here), Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Toro-Semuliki Game reserve and Budongo Forest of Murchison Falls National Park.
Like Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee permits are also booked in advance. You can book it yourself or look for a credible tour operator to book for you or run your full primates safari in Uganda.
- Golden Monkey Tours
You can plan a golden monkey safari in Uganda to Mgahinga national Park. The demand for this activity is not too much like for mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees because you just need to go to Mgahinga National Park-make payments and then move to encounter Golden monkeys in their natural habitat with rangers and park guides.
- Boat trips
Uganda is drained by many water bodies including Lakes, Rivers and swamps among others. Boat trips are majorly done on Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, Lake Mburo, Lake Edward and Gorge, Kazinga channel among others. It’s amazing to sail on water while viewing a variety of water loving mammals and birds. While on Uganda waters, expect to see crocodiles, Hippos, Monitor lizards among others. Water bodies crossing in the National parks will offer you an opportunity to see a variety of animals such as Elephants and Buffaloes quenching their thirst from the shores.
- Mountaineering Adventures
Mountains of the moon (Rwenzoris) and Mountain Elgon represents Uganda’s hiking adventures in Uganda. Other destinations for hiking trips include Mount Gahinga, Mt. Muhavura, Mt. Moroto and Morungore in Kidepo National Park among others. Mountaineering exercise requires high level of fitness because it involves serious climbing of mountains from lowlands to the uplands. All mountain climbers are advised to be with hiking gear.
- Culture and Local communities
Uganda is gifted with a number of tribes exhibiting different cultural norms and behaviors. If you visit different regions in Uganda, you will testify that Uganda has a lot to offer! Cultural centers include Museums, tombs, sacred places and so on.
Visit Baganda to interact with Fortune tellers, medicine men and local priest among others. Tour the northern Uganda to see the “Manyata” style of homestead setting, enjoy the Choli dance, the Karamajong dance. Visit the western Uganda to enjoy the Chiga dance, Kinyankole dance – listen to sweet voices featured with traditional instruments.
- Birding
Uganda hosts more than 500 species of birds sighted in different locations including Lake Bunyonyi, Ngamba Island sanctuary, Mabamba Shoebill sanctuary, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mabira Forest, Kidepo Valley national park, Mountain Elgon National park, Kibale National Park and Semuliki Valley National Park among others places. If you are a serious birder Endeavour to deal with expert birding guides- there are many birding guides in Uganda.
- Spotting the tree climbing lions
Ishasha sector is known for protecting the tree climbing lions in Uganda. It’s interesting to see lions swinging on fig tree enroute from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can hire game rangers for experiential tree-climbing lions trip in Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha sector.
- Rhino Tracking
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is found in Nakasongola district on the way to northern Uganda. Presently, the sanctuary is home to twenty two southern white rhinos. The sanctuary has become increasingly popular with tourists; for Rhino Tracking, Shoebill Trek and Canoe Ride, Bird Watching, Night Walk, Nature Walk and Relaxation.
- The Equator safari
Uganda is crossed by the Equator which is the imaginary line that divides the world into two halves. Along Masaka – Mbarara road at Nabusanke Village, there is a monument showing where the Equator bisects the world into two. The visitors can leave the Airport and drive to the Uganda Equator for memorable photos and experiments. You can as well visit the gift shop or take a cup of Ugandan coffee here. Another Equator monument is found in Queen Elizabeth National park along Kasese road.
- Kampala city tour
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda with five divisions namely; Nakawa, Kampala centre, Kawempe, Lubaga and Makindye division. Kampala is Uganda’s National and commercial capital bordering Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater Lake. Hills covered with red-tile villas and trees surround an urban centre of contemporary skyscrapers. In this downtown area, the Uganda Museum explores the country’s tribal heritage through an extensive collection of artifacts. On nearby Mengo Hill is Lubiri Palace, the former seat of the Buganda Kingdom.
Kampala consists of many tourist attractions like Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Lake, The city Arcades, Local markets, night clubs and worshipping centres among others.
- Lake Victoria
This lake is surrounded by beaches and different islands. You can have fun at any beach or hire a boat to visit different Islands like Ngamba Island, Koome Island and many more islands in Kalangala district.
- Entebbe town tour
Located in Wakiso district and it’s where Uganda International Airport found. While in Entebbe, you can visit Uganda wildlife Education centre formerly called “Entebbe Zoo”, you can as well board a boat to Ngamba Island to see the orphaned and confiscated chimps, Visit Entebbe Botanical gardens for bird watching, Mabamba bay for more birding adventure including the rare shoebill stork.
- Jinja Town tour
Visit the source of River Nile, tour around the town; enjoy white water rafting on River Niles and so on. The source of the Nile, at Coronation Park, is marked by a garden and a monument honoring British explorer John Hanning Speke. Owen Falls Dam and Bujagali Dam both span the Nile. Farther north on the river, Itanda Falls is known for its white-water rapids. East of Jinja, on Lake Victoria, Samuka Island is home to birdlife, including little egrets.
- Sipi Falls trip
Sipi falls is among the powerful water flowing from the mountains of Kapchorwa district of East Uganda. Sipi falls are found at the edge of Mount Elgon National park and it’s the starting point for visitor to this park.
In conclusion therefore, basing on the above 15 things to do on a Uganda safari, it’s a clear evidence that Uganda is the true ‘Pearl of Africa”, with some unique to activities you can never experience in any other part of the world. For example, Uganda is the only safari destination one can see the African Big 5 (Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Lion & Leopard) and the Mountain gorillas on the same safari.