Uganda beyond mountain gorillas. What safari activities are there for tourists
Although there are many safari activities available in Uganda, gorilla trekking is the most popular.
Game drives, launch trips, chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, Uganda birding, white water rafting, and bungee jumping are just a few of the safari activities offered in Uganda.
The majority of the well-known safari activities in Uganda take place in the country’s national parks. Although some creatures are found in nearly all of Uganda’s ten national parks, each one has its own unique wildlife. The following are a few of the national parks in Uganda: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable, Semuliki, Mountain Elgon, Kibale, Mgahinga, and Rwenzori.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking takes place in the southwestern regions of Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. To enter any of these national parks, you need to get a gorilla permit.
Additional Safari Activities in Uganda
Safari game drives in Uganda
Visitors can enjoy wild creatures in their natural habitat in the several Ugandan wildlife parks. You may take in the breathtaking scenery and the variety of wild animals that spend the day in these parks with the help of an experienced driver guide or ranger guide.
Kidepo Valley National Park in the country’s northeast, Lake Mburo National Park in the country’s west, Murchison Falls National Park in the country’s north, and Queen Elizabeth National Park in the country’s west are a few of Uganda’s wildlife parks.
Lions, leopards, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, water bucks, oribi, giraffes, warthogs, giant forest hogs, impalas, zebras, hartebeests, cheetahs, aardwolves, and other creatures may be sighted during early morning or late afternoon game drives in these parks.
Some of the aforementioned creatures are unique to certain parks, but not all of them can be seen in all of these parks.
Start excursions on the Uganda Safari
As you get ready for your Uganda safari, you can make reservations in advance for one of two well-known launch tours.
Murchison Falls National Park launch trip
You can visit the world’s and the Nile River’s strongest falls on this launch excursion. A launch boat or private boat takes you out from the dock. Savor the stunning sight of the creatures that adorn the Nile River’s shore. Hartebeest, giraffes, cape buffaloes, serried crocodiles, schools of hippos, a variety of birds, and other creatures may be visible to you. Savor the breathtaking views of the plateaus of the Rift Valley and much more.
The strong River Nile water that falls to the bottom to continue the course increases the likelihood of boat turbulence as you get closer to the falls.
When the falls are in sight, you can observe how forcefully the Victoria Nile water squeezes through a ravine that is six meters wide before exploding with intensity and creating a foggy look. The water from the River Nile joins the remainder of the stream after tumbling down a steep cliff that is roughly forty-three meters high.
Trekking to the Falls’ Summit
You can trek to the top of the falls, where all the drama begins, to get a better idea of how fierce the River Nile is. As the water of the Nile River acquires power to navigate the small bend, it trips over underlying rocks as it travels over a bed of rocks for around 80 kilometers.
Because of the strong water flow as it strikes the rocks, this exhilarating location might not be suitable for those who are easily frightened.
Kazinga Channel Launch Trip
The stunning launch journey takes place in the Kazinga Channel at the base of the Rift Valley in Queen Elizabeth National Park. From the pier, you cruise while taking in the various wild creatures that like drinking from the canal banks.
While there are public launch trips, the Kazinga channel also offers private launch experiences.
Numerous animals that enjoy visiting the shore may be visible to you, including herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, topis, and others. Numerous birds, especially migrants from other countries, are drawn to this canal.
From the bottom of the rift valley, you might be able to see the snow-capped, glittering summit of Mount Rwenzori. One of the greatest things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park is the launch voyage in Kazinga Channel.
Ugandan chimpanzee trekking
One of East Africa’s top locations for chimpanzee trekking is Uganda. Chimpanzee habitats vary throughout the nation and are found in various wooded locations.
Some privately owned chimpanzees may require a trekking permission, while others may not, but you will need to pay a certain amount.
With more than 1500 chimpanzees, Kibale National Park is Uganda’s most well-known chimpanzee trekking refuge. A chimpanzee hiking permit must be purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale National Park currently cost $300 per person per expedition. Park fees are included in this price.
Another location for chimpanzee trekking is the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The forest gorge at the base of the Rift valley level of this park is home to the chimpanzees.
Because it’s so steep, you should expect to hike to the chimps’ location. Wear the appropriate safari shoes to assist you navigate wet, slick slopes, particularly during the rainy season, which typically lasts from March to May and November.
To enter Kyambura Gorge, you must get a Chimpanzee Trekking Permit, which presently costs $50 and does not include park admission fees.
Murchison Falls National Park’s Kaniyo Pabidi
The distance between Kichubanyombo Gate and this chimpanzee habitat is roughly 8 meters. You get to see some of the mature mahogany trees that Uganda still has when you go chimp trekking in the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest.
Other primates found in the forest include blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white colobus.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ngamba
Chimpanzees are provided another home here, one of the few places they do so. Chimpanzees that have been rescued, orphaned, or abandoned and are unable to rejoin their native populations in the jungle are housed in this refuge.
Since the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located on Koome Island in Lake Victoria, you must travel there by boat. You have the opportunity to feed the chimpanzees if you arrive at feeding time. It’s incredible to see the drama as the teacher tries to catch a meal.
Uganda Wildlife Education Center
Only a short distance from Entebbe Airport is the former Entebbe Zoo. There are two options for getting to the chimpanzee exhibit: a self-directed stroll or a guided walk.
See the Nile River’s Source
The only place where Lake Victoria water separates from River Nile water is Uganda. This location in Jinja is well worth a visit. The dramatic moment when the two split apart raises questions about what might be going on underneath.
Rafting on white water on the Nile River
It’s incredible to beat the Nile’s tides. Professional teachers are available to teach you all the necessary details, so you don’t need any prior expertise.
You can choose where to conclude your white water rafting adventure at Itanda Falls, which is subject to varying tide levels. Make sure you fasten your safety gear and adhere to the directions. Others can engage in tubing, kayaking, and other sports.\
Uganda Safari Birdwatching
With more than 1000 bird species, Uganda is one of Africa’s top birding sites. It is thought that this population is larger than all of Europe.
For the finest experience, you’ll need a well-planned Ugandan birding itinerary and an excellent birding guide.
Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga Forest, Mabamba Swamp, Lutembe Beach, Mpanga Forest, Musambsa Island, and others are among the places in Uganda where birdwatchers can go.
Additionally, the nation is home to foreign bird species that travel from as far away as Europe, particularly during the harsh winter months.
Bungee Jumping on Safari in Uganda
A bungee jumping trip, in which you dangle by the rope from the top of a cliff to touch the River Nile, is a great way to get your heart racing.
You can dismount the rope and board the boat that is waiting to take you from below.
Safari Quad Biking in Uganda
You can ride a quad bike through the villages and along the shore of the River Nile. Savor the refreshing River Nile breeze and the beautiful gardens you see.
Ugandan mountaineering
There are several highland hikes in Uganda that you may do to test your fitness, but you must book in advance to be assigned a ranger guide.
The most notable is Rwenzori Mountain, where a round-trip hike could take more than seven days. To securely reach Margeritah, the snowcapped summit, you must have mountaineering equipment with you.
On other days, climbing excursions can be undertaken on mountains such as Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo, among others. You might not need trekking gear.
Sport Fishing on Safari in Uganda
There are both fresh and saltwater bodies of water in Uganda. In Uganda, freshwater environments are used for the majority of sport fishing adventure safaris. You must need a fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in order to engage in sport fishing on the Nile, particularly in Murchison Falls National Park.
When Is the Best Time to Reserve Safaris in Uganda?
The majority of visitors choose the dry season, which runs from June to mid-September or December to January, although Uganda safaris are available throughout the year.
In the Ugandan game parks, the grass is lower and the wildlife vibrancy is at its most during this time, making visibility better.
There is less humidity in even the parks where you must hike, like as Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking, which makes the conditions ideal for chimpanzee trekking.
However, because of competition for services, Uganda safari packages are expensive.
Low tourism also occurs during Uganda Safari’s wet season, which typically runs from March to May. This may be the ideal time of year to make reservations if you want to spend some undisturbed time at various Uganda safari locations because there are comparatively fewer tourists there.
This grace period is available to everyone with a little Africa Safari budget for Uganda. There may be opportunities to negotiate lower rates with service providers during off-peak hours.
How Much Does a Safari in Uganda Cost?
The price of the Uganda safari is divided into three categories: luxury, mid-range, and budget. You must be aware of how much you plan to spend on this vacation in Africa.You must first obtain a permit if you need to reserve one, such as a chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National Park.
Uganda safari quotes are determined by a number of criteria, including:
The duration of the Uganda Safari
The cost of a Uganda safari increases with the number of days. You must be aware of how long you must spend on safari.
The more people that go on safari in Uganda
The cost of a Uganda safari is reduced per person when more people travel with you since you split the costs.
When to Make Your Uganda Safari Reservation
Many tourists typically plan Uganda safaris during the busiest times of the year, which are June to mid-September and December to January. Accommodations, car rentals, and other service providers may offer reduced prices during the off-peak period.
To what extent is Uganda a safe place to go on safari?
With the exception of a few rare acts of terrorism, Uganda has remained quiet for more than 30 years.
The Ugandan ranger guides are extremely watchful of any strangers who might appear suspicious in the parks. To maintain peace and order in the majority of Uganda’s destinations, they work in tandem with other Ugandan security organizations.
Safaris in Uganda are available for free, and you can be confident that you’ll get back home safely. All you have to do is focus on your personal safety. When on safari, you must keep your driver guide informed of your whereabouts.
If you must go on a nature walk in the forest, reserve a ranger guide in advance to ensure that you are safe from any attacks.
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