Uganda, popularly named as the pearl of Africa is among the most diverse and eye catching safari destinations for an african safari. situated in the centre of east Africa, Uganda provides a memorable mixture of abundant rainforests, large savannahs, snowcapped mountains and sparkling lakes. What makes Uganda different from the other countries is its connection of the national parks where every park offers a unique and memorable safari experience.
Activities range from the mountain gorillas within the dense forests to observing powerful waterfalls and a massive wildlife plains. Uganda as a country offers tourists with a true and immersive african safari.
Uganda is home to 10 national parks which are managed and controlled by the Uganda wildlife authority. Each and every national park protects a different ecosystem and safari experiences starting from the wildlife spotting and primate trekking to birdwatching as well as cultural experiences.
Lake Mburo National Park Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest national park and the nearest park to both Entebbe and Kampala. Tourists planning a wildlife safari in Uganda or
Kidepo Valley National Park Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most remote and least explored national park, but it is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness areas.
Kibale National Park Kibale National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda, and it’s a tropical rainforest that shields a variety of wildlife species, which has attracted a number of tourists
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in southwestern Uganda on the boundary of the rift valley and it’s one of the most ancient and biologically diverse
Murchison Falls National Park Murchison Falls National Park was previously known as kabalega national park and it’s the oldest as well as the largest national park in Uganda. Initially it
Murchison falls national park is Uganda’s largest and oldest park and it offers the most powerful and thrilling safari experiences in east Africa. situated in the northwestern Uganda, the national park is separated by the Nile river which defines the landscape and wildlife
The parks jewel is the thrilling Murchison falls. The Nile pushes through a narrow 7meter gorge before falling 43meters into the roaring pool beneath. The sound of the falls are memorable thus making it the most striking natural attractions on any Ugandan safari.
Murchison falls is home to a number of wildlife species such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes and Rothschild’s giraffes. Game drives from the northern bank provide tourists with the best wildlife viewing in Uganda with its massive open plains and excellent chances of spotting predators.
Other activities within Murchison falls include Nile boat safaris which are carried out at the bottom of the falls and also towards lake albert, chimpanzee trekking in budongo as well as birdwatching.
Queen Elizabeth national park is the most famous and diverse savannah park and it lies between lake George and lake Edward connected by the kazinga channel. The national park is home to wildlife species such as lions as well as tree climbing lions of ishasha, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and Uganda Kobs.
Game drives in queen Elizabeth are carried out in the kasenyi plains and offer tourists chances to observe predators and large herds of grazing species.
Boat cruises along the kazinga channel are among the most captivating activities. Tourists are able to spot hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and a number of bird species.
Besides that, tourists can as well carry out chimpanzee trekking in the kyambura gorge which is a forested ravine which is frequently named the valley of apes. The trekking of the primates adds depth to the Uganda safari.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda on the border of the rift valley. The national park has an area cover of 331 square kilometres which is characterised by primates such as the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and L’hoests monkeys, animal species such as forest elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs and buffaloes as well as bird species, plants, butterflies and many more.
Bwindi national park was gazetted in 1991 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The major activity carried out in Bwindi impenetrable national park is gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking
The gorilla trekking is an activity that allows tourists to hike deep into the forest in search of the fully habituated gorilla family and once they are located, tourists spend an hour with them. Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to over 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in the 4 sectors that is rushaga in the south, nkuringo in the south, Buhoma in the north, ruhija in the east.
Gorilla habituation experience
Besides gorilla trekking, tourists can participate in the gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to the presence of human. Gorilla habituation experience allows tourists to spend 4 hours with the gorillas and this starts in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations at the park headquarters.
After the briefing, tourists will hike into the forest with the team of researchers, doctors and guides. While on the hike, tourists will encounter monkeys, chimpanzees mammals such as elephants, buffaloes and bird species.
Other activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park include birdwatching, Batwa cultural experience, nature walks and many more thus making the african safari memorable.
The national park is famous for its unique primate diversity and the Kanyanchu primate walk stands as the parks crown experience. The trekking offers tourists a rare opportunity to explore the 13 different primate species with monkeys such as red colobus, black and white colobus, L’hoests monkey and grey cheeked mangabey often spotted in the forest canopy. However, the major highlight of the walk is the chimpanzees, one of Uganda’s greatest wildlife display
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is carried out daily at 8am, 11am and 2pm starting from the Kanyanchu visitor centre. The treks last between 2 to 5 hours depending on the chimpanzees movements as well as other factors such as weather and rain. Once the chimpanzees are located, tourists spend an hour in their presence to observe their social interactions, playfulness and feeding habits thus offering an adventurous african safari.
Besides chimpanzee trekking, tourists can take part in a visit to the Bigodi wetland for bird watching and primate sighting. All these make sure that tourists experience a memorable and adventurous Ugandan safari.
Situated in the far southwest of Uganda, Mgahinga gorilla national park is among the most beautiful and private safari destinations. Inspite of it being the smallest national park, it provides an amazing and rewarding african safari experience. It forms part of the Virunga mountains, a chain of striking volcanoes that spread across Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo.
The national park is defined by the three extinct volcanoes that is mount Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. these peaks create a striking background of mist covered slopes, bamboo forests and montane vegetation.
Mgahinga national park offers amazing gorilla trekking experiences while on a Uganda safari. the park is home to one habituated gorilla family thus making the permits limited and the experience more private.
Besides gorilla trekking, tourists on an african safari can as well participate in golden monkey trekking and other primates. Tourists can as well participate in the Batwa trail experience for a cultural encounter. This offers a more traditional forest life, hunting techniques and ancient survival skills.
Kidepo valley national park situated in the far northeastern of Uganda and is called Uganda’s most remote and untouched wilderness. Established against the background of the dramatic mountains and massive open plains, the national park provides raw and genuine african safari experience.
The national park was gazetted in 1962 with an area cover of 1,442 square kilometres. The park has the best savannah wildlife park within Uganda with the highest number of animals. Kidepo national park is the only park where tourists can see ostriches and cheetahs. the park as well has two rivers that is the Narus valley river and Kidepo valley river which disappear in the dry season leaving only pools for the wildlife.
The national park is situated in the western Uganda and it’s the closest savannah park to Kampala. Despite of its small size, the park offers a rich and diverse african safari experience thus making it perfect for short safaris or stopovers to other safari destinations.
The national park is characterised by rolling hills, acacia woodlands, open grasslands and lakes. The national park has a number of activities that tourists can take part while on their Uganda safari and these include;
All these activities make the national park a more captivating and interactive african safari destination.
The Rwenzori mountains frequently called the mountains of the moon is situated in the western Uganda along the Uganda and democratic republic of Congo border. The national park was gazetted in 1991 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and later designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2008 highlighting its ecological importance globally.
The Rwenzori’s were first documented by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150 who referred to them as the “mountains of the moon,” believing them to be the source of the Nile. The explorer Henry Stanley on May 24th, 1888, placed the Rwenzori’s on the world map officially recording the name “Ruwenzori” which he documented as meaning the rain maker or cloud king in the local language.
History was made when Ms. Beryl park at the age of 78 became the oldest recorded climber to reach margherita peak in 2010 proving that the Rwenzori’s continue to challenge and inspire adventures of all ages.
Situated in the western Uganda on the border of the democratic republic of Congo, the national park is among the unique ecosystems in east Africa. the national park is an extension of the massive Congo basin forest.
Sempaya hot springs
The national park is popular because of its attraction the sempaya hot springs. The geothermal springs are divided into two main places that is
While on the visit, tourists can boil eggs within the steaming waters thus adding an exciting and unforgettable experience while on the Uganda safari.
Besides the hot spring visit, tourists can participate in other activities such as;
Semliki national park remains the best kept secrets of Uganda for a captivating and educational african safari.
Mount Elgon national park is an extinct volcano and one of Uganda’s oldest geological formations with its first eruption happening around in the 24 million years ago. According to history, it was Africa’s tallest mountain standing higher than Kilimanjaro’s 5,895m. however, millions of years of erosion have reduced its height to 4,321m, ranking it as the highest peak in east Africa and the 8th highest on the continent.
Mount Elgon is a home to the bagisu and sabiny tribes while Ndorobo community has historically lived within the forests of benet. According to the bagisu, the mountain represents their ancestral father, Masaba and they continue to honour this heritage by referring to the mountain by his name.
Mount Elgon national park supports over 300 bird species including lammergeyer, tucazze sunbird and Jackson’s francolin. Besides the birds, the park is home to a number of mammals such as elephants, leopards and hyenas, bushbucks and duikers as well as primates such as blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many more.
Mount Elgon national park has major attractions for the trekkers and these include
