Top 10 Uganda Experiences – Uganda is regarded as one of the ‘bucket-list and the best safari experience’ in the world by major local and international travel experts. For both the avid traveller and the first-timer, the biggest attraction to Uganda is to see and interact with the endangered mountain gorillas. While seeing gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga is a mind-blowing experience, Uganda has so much more to offer. Otherwise, it would have been a gross exaggeration to call Uganda the Pearl of Africa.
The experiences contain activities that cover interests for cultural tours, family-friendly vacations, classic wildlife adventures, and extremely active activities. This means, that whatever your interests are, there is something for you. And if you want to be more specific about what is available for your interests, feel free to contact us with any of your questions.
Let us get into the experiences that you can enjoy, in the Pearl of Africa.
Top 10 Uganda experiences – Located in a mountainous area in southwest Uganda (near the border with Rwanda in the south), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is most famous for its giant primates inhabitant the Mountain Gorillas.
There is a reason why Uganda’s tourism has skyrocketed because of gorilla trekking, and the reason is that this is a wonderful experience. The personal experience of seeing these gentle giants as they go about their daily routine is nothing close to any description.
Home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, the property represents a conservation frontline as an isolated forest of outstanding biological richness surrounded by an agricultural landscape supporting one of the highest rural population densities in tropical Africa. Community benefits arising from Mountain Gorilla trekking tourism and other ecotourism may be the only hope for the future conservation of this unique site.
Known to be the Primate World in Uganda, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is a popular activity that allows you to have personal encounters with our closest animal cousins. An encounter with these Chimpanzees allows one to reflect on how their behaviour thoughtful, vocal and social is related to our own ways of life. Learning about their ways of life from the experienced guides is something many more people should be able to experience.
Rhinos were extinct in Uganda back in 1960s. This was during the era of political instability that didn’t facilitate their proper conservation. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has however changed that and reintroduced the White Rhinoceros back in Uganda.
At the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Rhinos can be tracked on foot and the guides do share all the information about how they are planning to re-enter them into their natural habitats in the national parks of Uganda.
Top 10 Uganda experiences – A Shoebill stock is must-see bird in Uganda mainly for bird-watchers. Seeing the Shoebill stock as it hunts in the swamps for mudfish and other fishes is an incredible sight.
The Shoebill stock can be spotted in places like Mabamba swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Lake Mburo National Park. While on this experience you will be able to encounter many other bird species like the Papyrus Gonolek that shares the same natural habitat.
The unique appearance of the Golden monkeys due to their outstanding golden-orange colour makes them such a sight. Their playful nature and fast speeds make the experience both enjoyable and hard to capture in a picture but all the more worth it.
Uganda has got more than 330 mammals in its National Parks, one can spot the big five, the all-time favourites like zebra and so many others that most people wouldn’t identify from afar. Whether it is the massive elephants or the tree-climbing lions, the diversity and abundance of wildlife in Uganda are enormous.
Uganda records more than 1040 different bird species, every corner of Uganda is rich in birdlife and bird watchers get to enjoy the 1000 bird songs in all the various parts of the country. Most special bird species are the Great Blue Turaco, the Shoebill stock, the Ibis among many others.
Besides being the world’s longest River and a mystery that baffled the Greeks and Egyptians of old times, the River Nile provides one of the best water rafting experiences in Africa. The River’s force creates powerful rapids, which are incredible for the grade 5 white water rafting so many people love.
Doing White water rafting on the mighty Nile River is an adrenaline-pumping activity that many people can’t leave Uganda without partaking.
This natural rain tropical forest that is located a mere 44 kilometres away from Kampala; Mabira Forest makes it a very accessible place to visit for short day/weekend activities.
Zip lining in the Mabira Canopy allows you to soar through the tallest trees of this rain forest. Along the way, you will also be able to see many primates and birds.
The network of 5 zip lines stretches across 250 meters and is outfitted with equipment that adheres to strict international safety standards.
Sipi falls is located 270 km from Kampala, in Kapchorwa district. Sipi River is on the foothill of Mountain Elgon and goes down over a distance of 7km, to form 4 waterfalls. The main falls drops close to 100 meters over a cliff.
For people who enjoy nature and hiking, Sipi is a perfect little getaway. Hiking Sipi falls is hugely enjoyed by both international visitors and local Ugandans and East Africans.
At the foot of the rift’s Kichwamba escarpment, the Kyambura River flows through the deep, cliff-lined Kyambura Gorge towards the Kazinga Channel. The Fig Tree Camp at the gorge’s edge provides a giddy view down into the 100m-deep chasm.
The canyon contains a beautiful riverine forest in which travellers can track one habituated chimpanzee community with gorge’s forest. Chimpanzee trekking excursions head out twice daily at 8:00am and at 14:00.
Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the ravine offers a remarkable nature hike that’s a great compliment to savannah game drives on the plains above.