How good is a safari in Uganda? – What to expect on safari in Uganda?
How good is a safari in Uganda? – A striking feature that is most often seen in the areas near the rainforests is the use of terraced agriculture, which rings the green hills in thousands of shades. Beginning at the main point of arrival at Entebbe International Airport, most Uganda safaris will head west to the broad belt of National Parks that form the western border.
Due to the country being situated right on the meeting point of the Eastern savannah and Western jungle ecosystems, Uganda has excellent terrain for a wide variety of safaris, from traditional game drives, boat safaris through golden grassland seeking Lions or Elephants to strapping on your hiking boots and trekking through lush rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Bird watching is superlative, with the variation in habitat attracting a vast array of species, including the crowning glory of the Shoebill, a highly sought-after sight for the true bird watcher. The traditional Big Five of Uganda in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park do not yet match the game densities of their contemporaries.
That said, the game viewing is still very much alive and well and the National Parks boast a mere fraction of the tourist numbers that may dilutes the experience for those visiting the more developed destinations. Sightings of lions, elephants or leopards here are moment to treasure and are seldom shared with other vehicles.
Who is it for?
Uganda is the dream destination for those in search of the absolute pinnacle of primate safaris. Chimpanzees roam in numbers in Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, as do colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, de Brazza monkeys and a host of other species.
The Mountain Gorillas are carefully protected in the Impenetrable Forest of Bwindi National Park. There is absolutely no exaggeration in Gorilla tracking as life-altering. The destination is just as much sought after by bird watchers, as Uganda boasts over a thousand different species among its varied habitats.
A keen bird watcher can hope to encounter the handsome francolin, dwarf honey guide and purple-breasted sunbird, among many other species that are very difficult to see anywhere else. And, like the Mountain Gorillas, there is the highlight of seeing the unforgettable Shoebill.
Uganda outshines all other safari destinations in these two areas, but, in addition, it remains a superb destination for traditional safari by vehicle or by boat, thanks to its lush habitats and variety of species. For those in search of something fresh and vibrant, Uganda is the perfect choice.
How long can i stay?
The length of a typical Uganda safari will vary. Those seeking to track the Mountain Gorillas will fly into Entebbe International Airport and often overnight on the shores of Lake Victoria before flying out to the south western National Parks the following morning.
We recommend tracking the Mountain Gorillas twice, as the first time is often a little overwhelming and guests don’t take it all in. After the Gorilla tracking experience, you can fly back to Entebbe International Airport to continue their safari elsewhere or to head out onto the Ugandan safari circuit with visits to Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park. Further north, at the very tip of the country, you can explore the untouched open spaces of lesser-known Park of Kidepo Valley National Park. On average, however, stays range between four to six days.
When should i go?
How good is a safari in Uganda? – Uganda is a good year-round tourism destination, but the rainy seasons of the months of March to May and November to December can make logistics a little tricky. Rain also increases the difficulty of tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla and Kibale Forest National Parks, rendering the mountain slopes muddy.
Uganda has a major advantage in terms of temperature, although its location is equatorial, the high altitude eases the heat, meaning that the weather remains temperate all year round. The high season for Uganda safari, falls in line with other East African destinations, which means during the winter months in the southern hemisphere, from the months of June to October.
Where to go on safari in Uganda?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi is one of the top destinations to visit for Mountain Gorilla Tracking. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to half of the mountain Gorilla population in the world and thus is the number one destination to track these endangered species. While in Bwindi Forest, there are several other things you can see including the Bird species, Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants.
There are also several nature trails and walks that you can visit. If interested in a cultural encounter, you can opt to visit the Batwa Pygmies, a group of indigenous people who lived in the forests of Bwindi hunting and gathering before it was gazetted into a National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park
If you are interested in a wildlife safari/ Big five Safari, Murchison Falls National Park is the best park to visit to see wildlife in Uganda. Its home to four of the big five (The Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, leopards), with The Rhino’s available to be tracked in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary located in Nakasongola en-route to Murchison Falls National Park. The Murchison Falls National Park also previously known as Kabalega falls are also popular for having one of the strongest falls in the world, the Murchison Falls, located at a point in the park where the Nile forces its way through a gorge only 8 meters wide.
Kibale Forest National Park
The Kibale Forest National Park is known as the primate capital of the world, its home to 13 primate species including the Chimpanzees, L’hoest monkeys, White and Red colobus monkeys, Patas Monkeys, and several others. This is the number one Chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda and it’s there recommended for individuals looking for an experience with our closest cousins in the Primate world, sharing about 99% of their DNA with humans. While at Kibale Forest National Park, one of the added activities you can do is visiting the Bigodi wetlands for a nature walk, rewarding with sighting of more monkeys, Bird species and butterflies.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your Uganda Safari cannot be complete without a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most popular parks in Uganda. While at Queen Elizabeth National Park, the top things to do include Game drives in Kasenyi, and in the Ishasha sector to see the tree climbing lions, visiting the crater lakes and salt licks, a Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura or the Kalinzu forest, visiting Maramagambo and the bat caves, Community walks and visiting schools.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the closest safari parks to access from Kampala. The Park is home to Zebras, Eland, Buffaloes, Impala, Kobs, Giraffes, and several other antelope species. You can also see the Leopards especially if you do the night safari. Lake Mburo is also one of the parks in Uganda where you can do the walking safari.
Mountain Rwenzori National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is popular for Mountain trekking, with many travellers coming to Uganda to hike this marvellous mountain popular for having a snow capped peak known as Margherita peak on mount Stanley at an Elevation of 5,109 m above sea level.
Kidepo Valley National Park
The Kidepo Valley National Park is by far Uganda’s top wildlife safari Destination. Located in the unchartered northern region of the country also known as Karamoja, the Kidepo Valley never ceases to amaze those interested in a unique safari experience, and cultural extravaganza.
The other National Parks in Uganda are the Semuliki National Park and the Mount Elgon National Park, both unique and amazing in equal measure as the above parks.