Family safari holidays in Uganda – Best family vacations – Family safaris in Uganda with Kids
Family safari holidays in Uganda – Uganda as a tourist destination is a wonderful choice for a family adventure holiday, offering some of the most memorable wildlife experiences on the continent, game safaris in National parks without the crowds; island and lakeside beaches for relaxing days and more outdoors activities.
For family safari holidays in Uganda, Western Uganda is the top region to visit since it is a home to most of the Uganda’s national parks, reserves and natural attractions. It offers spectacular wildlife, astonishing landscapes to explore and lots of outdoors activities.
For families with older children of 15 years and above, Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking are two top highlights, while children of all ages can enjoy wildlife viewing in the most popular national parks of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks and guided nature walks to spot many different bird species and monkeys in the beautiful rainforests of Uganda.
Uganda also has some wonderful attractions for families. Children above the age of six can track the Rhinos on foot and go in search of shoebill storks in canoes at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and for children who are under the age of 15 and can’t go Chimpanzee trekking, a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a great alternative. Scattered in Lake Victoria, the Ssese Islands also make for a relaxing beach destination with some fun activities, such as wind surfing and fishing.
For active families, the Eastern Uganda is home to the adrenaline capital of East Africa, Jinja, which lies at the source of the Nile River. For children above the age of eight, white-water rafting is a heart-pumping adventure and there is plenty more fun to be had on the Nile River, including boat safaris, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. On land there is bungee-jumping, horse-back riding, quad biking and mountain biking to keep even the most energetic of children entertained for a few days.
Highlights
Highlights for families travelling in Uganda include wonderful wildlife encounters tracking Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Rhinos and Shoebill storks and seeing rescued Chimpanzees on Ngamba Island, exploring the savannah and water bodies of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, to see Lions, Elephant, Giraffe, Leopards and Hippos, experiencing and learning about the amazing primates, bird species and butterflies of Western Uganda’s bio diverse rainforest on guided walks and exciting activities, from windsurfing in the Ssese Island archipelago to white-water rafting on the River Nile.
Travel tips
Tracking Mountain Gorillas is a big reason why people travel to Uganda and it is a wonderful activity to do as a family, but note that there is a minimum age limit of 15 for Gorilla a walk, the same age limit applies for Chimpanzee trekking. Many other safari and wildlife activities also have an age limit for example; Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is only for children above six years.
Uganda’s roads are mostly unpaved and rough, which means that travelling by car between destinations can take a lot longer than you would expect, given the distance. If you are self-driving or hiring a driver to travel around Uganda with your family, it makes sense to limit your itinerary to fewer places, spending more time in each destination, rather than trying to see all of the highlights on one trip.
There is a risk of contracting several mosquito borne diseases in Uganda. Malaria is the biggest risk, and children are particularly susceptible to catching severe and fatal malaria. It’s essential that you consult your doctor before travelling about taking antimalarial medication for your children, and that while you’re travelling you try to prevent them getting bitten by wearing suitable clothing, insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
Before you book any lodging, check up on the minimum age policies of lodges, as many of them won’t accept children under a certain age (and some don’t allow any children). Some lodges have a policy of only allowing children on game drives if you book a private vehicle and guide. Some lodges, however, are particularly child-friendly, offering family rooms and things like children’s menus and guided nature walks for kids, so it’s worth doing research on the best lodges for families before your trip.
Uganda culture
Uganda is one of the African countries with many different cultures; it’s customary for Ugandans to exchange friendly greetings before launching into the topic of conversation. To be polite, you should stick to this cultural practice, even if you are simply asking a stranger on the street for directions.
Public displays of affection are considered impolite in Uganda: so restrict your affection towards your partner.
Ugandan women tend to dress conservatively, wearing long dresses and skirts that cover their knees. Contact Great Adventure Safaris for more information about family safari holidays in Uganda and we help you plan your Uganda safari accordingly.
