Uganda Safaris
Uganda Safari : Uganda is still one of the top destinations to go on a safari because it offers amazing opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife in its many national parks, such as the critically endangered mountain gorillas, entertaining chimpanzees, rare shoebill storks, the big five, and breathtaking views of the savannah as you travel through the park. If you want an unforgettable safari experience in Africa, Uganda’s incredible options should be at the top of your list.
A mind-blowing and exhilarating experience, gorilla trekking safari in Uganda necessitates that you arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park prepared to face these gentle giants. You can get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in both locations, observing and learning about their diverse behaviours and characteristics as they go about their daily lives. Remember to capture every moment with your camera. Make sure you bring the right clothes for the gorilla tracking activities in order to prevent any problems.
A trip to one of the well-known savannah parks in Uganda, where you can observe a variety of animal and bird species as they graze, is a must for any safari experience. It draws a diverse range of wildlife, including the big five and other species like giraffes, antelopes, cheetahs, and leopards because of its unique habitat. Take advantage of the chance to learn more about seeing wildlife while taking a game drive in a 4X4 open-roof safari vehicle or going on a guided nature walk. Binoculars are the best instrument for observing wildlife because they give you a clear, distant view of the animals.
Uganda has over 1085 bird species, and more are regularly discovered. It is widely known as a birdwatcher’s paradise. It also has many excellent birdwatching spots, all of which are national parks. Aside from parks, there are places to go birdwatching that are really great, like Mabamba Swamp, which is home to the shoebill. Use your binoculars to get a clear, wide-angle view of the different species.
Uganda offers a plethora of stunning hiking destinations that allow you to discover the unique topography of the nation. See the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon near the Kenyan border, and the magnificent Sipi Falls at the foot of Mount Elgon when you visit Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible in Kalinzu Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park in addition to gorilla trekking. Watch the gregarious and social primates as they groom, eat, and jump from branch to branch. Take note of their human-like behaviour and other routines as they go about their daily lives.
Where in Uganda should I go on a wildlife safari? Uganda is home to numerous stunning national parks that provide visitors with an amazing wildlife safari experience.
1. Murchison falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park, located in Northwestern Uganda (Masindi District), is Uganda’s largest conservation area. The park is located in an area that is roughly 3,800 km2 in size and is named after one of its primary attractions, the Murchison Falls. The Nile River flows through a small canyon before plummeting 42 metres with a mighty roar, creating the Murchison Falls. Due to unchecked poaching and historical national insecurity, the park has undergone changes over time. However, the park has recovered as a result of more recent conservation initiatives.
Though the main attraction is the waterfall, there are many animals in the park. Over a thousand Rothschild giraffes, which are currently endangered, reside in the park that Uganda visit. A Uganda Wildlife safari tour promises an amazing journey up and down the Nile, spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, Nile crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes, and birds feasting along the riverbanks. With our Murchison Falls safari package, you can go chimpanzee trekking in the Budongo forest of the park.
2. Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Uganda’s 2,056 square kilometer Queen Elizabeth National Park is located near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most visited park in Uganda is Ishasha, home to the Uganda Kobs and the tree climbing lions. Due to the park’s profusion of flora, fauna, and birds, Uganda wildlife safaris are highly popular among visitors. More than 500 different bird species can be found in the park, including flamingos, eagles, storks, and kingfishers. The critically endangered Shoebill Stork can also be found in the park. The park is home to a wide variety of tree species, craters, savanna grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and other volcanic phenomena.
A safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best way to see the African Big Four of the big five mammals while lacking the rhinos while on a Uganda wildlife tour. Elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons, and several antelope species can all be found in the park. Lake Edward and Lake George are home to Nile crocodiles, and Kazinga Channel provides chances for chimpanzee tracking, game viewing, and birdwatching. If you’re travelling to Uganda, the best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park is during a dry spell.
3. Kidepo Valley National Park.
The stunning Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the extreme northeast of Uganda and covers an area of about 1,440 km^. Owing to its remote location, the park receives fewer visitors during a Uganda tour, but its abundance and diversity of flora and fauna make it unmatched. This undiscovered gem makes for an amazing wildlife tour in Uganda and is a great example of how Africa was before increasing human intrusion. It is ranked among the top three parks in Africa by CNN Travel.
Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda offers stunning mountains and wild Savannah. This park offers a safari experience where visitors can see lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, Oryx, buffalo, and hippopotamuses. The park is also home to over 220 different species of birds, baboons, ostriches, elephants, and bush babies. The animals here live side by side with the Ik people and the Karamojong, who reside atop Morungole Mountain. Safari visitors to Uganda’s Kidepo National Park should be in for a real treat.
4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, close to the Virunga National Park. Because of its diverse landscape and ecosystem, Bwindi is often referred to as the Switzerland of Africa and is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The incredibly beautiful and lush forests of Bwindi National Park are home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. The remaining creatures are found only in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. One of the top three things to do in Africa is mountain gorilla tracking, especially if you’re on a safari in Uganda.
To witness the critically endangered gorillas, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park is an experience of a lifetime that cannot be compared to anything else. Bwindi not only provides gorilla tours but also serves as a sanctuary for birdwatchers and Colobus monkeys. Among the bird species are African green broadbills, black-billed turacos, chap-in flycatchers, and bee-eaters. The best time to go bird watching in Uganda is during the wet season, when all resident and migratory birds gather to stuff themselves with an abundance of forest fruits and insects.
5. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Situated in southwest Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is well-known for gorilla trekking safari. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga includes visits to the park’s lone habituated mountain gorilla family. In Uganda, golden monkeys are found only in Mgahinga. You’d have to go to Rwanda to see more groups of golden monkeys. Beyond gorillas and monkeys are not the only animals that call the park home. In addition to buffalo and leopards, the park is home to jackals, woodland elephants, and several varieties of antelope. A safari in Mgahinga National Park offers visitors the opportunity to go cave exploring on the Batwa trail, in addition to hiking one of the park’s three volcanoes, Mount Sabinyo, Mt. Muhavura, and Mount Gahinga.
6. Kibale Forest National Park.
Kibale Forest National Park is located near the Rwenzori Mountains and shares a border with Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is commonly known that the forest is the best place in East Africa to track gorillas. While chimpanzees can be found throughout Uganda and Africa, the sheer volume of these primates roughly 1500 in Kibale Forest guarantees up close encounters during your safari. Chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale forest can be combined with nature walks and a visit to the Bigodi swamp.
The park is home to thirteen different species of monkeys, including L’Hoest’s, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and red colobuses, in addition to chimpanzees. Antelopes, giant forest hogs, and over a hundred different species of butterflies can all be found in the park. Rwanda’s Kibale National Park includes grasslands and wetlands, home to about 290 different species of birds.
7. Lake Mburo national park.
Lake Mburo, Uganda’s smallest but most accessible national park, is close to Kampala, the country’s largest and capital city. The park is a birder’s paradise, with over 300 species congregated around the lake and its marshy beaches. The absence of elephants in the park is a plus for the massive forests. The Savannah grass of the park is home to many different animals, including antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, jackals, and hyenas. When the animals gather at Lake Mburo to drink during the dry season, it’s the ideal time to go on a safari in Lake Mburo National Park.
8. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is situated along the route that leads to the Murchison Falls National Park. The sanctuary wants to protect rhinos in the country and eventually repopulate the larger parks. Rhinos in several Ugandan parks have been the victims of horn-peddling for their valuable horns. By protecting rhinos from poachers and human interference, Uganda Wildlife Tours ensures that rhinos have a secure area in which to breed. In addition to interacting with the park’s over 60 rangers and guards, visitors can also view rhinos up close and speak with conservationists to learn more about the project and rhinos.
Most tour operators include a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary when organizing safaris from Uganda to the Murchison Falls national park. Rangers can help locate hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and monkeys in addition to rhinos. Over 240 different bird species can be seen while relaxing, going on nature hikes, and canoeing through the sanctuary.