What makes Uganda a unique destination?

Uganda boasts of its abundant features. On Uganda safaris, guests have a lot to explore or experience. Here is what makes Uganda a unique destination;

Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda (Explore Bwindi & Mgahinga).

Mountain gorillas are on the top list of Uganda’s tourist attractions making it an exceptional destination. These unique apes reside in the 2 parks, thus presenting more opportunities to guests to track them unlike Rwanda and Congo each with single mountain gorilla trekking destinations. In Uganda, gorillas occupy the Southwestern part of the country and these apes share about 98.8% of their DNA with humans making them our closest relatives in the wild.

Gorilla safaris in Uganda offer a long-day search for the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild with the lead of an experienced park guide. Each of the two gorilla trekking parks has well-trained park guides. Mountain gorillas are unique to only 4 places and in Uganda, they reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical forest-dominated protected area with over 459 mountain gorillas. Four gorilla trekking regions are all open for tracking in Bwindi and one sector is found in Mgahinga National Park. In Bwindi, the 4 regions include Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Ruhija sectors. The 4 regions host 25 habituated families of mountain gorillas;

• Buhoma sector gorilla groups to trek- Rushegura, Katwe, Mubare, and Habinyanja group.
• Nkuringo gorilla trek- Nkuringo, Bushaho and Christmas.
• Rushaga gorilla trek- Bweza, Mucunguzi, Rwigi, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya, Bikingi, Kutu, and Nshongi.
• Ruhija gorilla trek- Mukiza, Bitukura, Kyaguriro and Oruzongo gorilla family.

The Mgahinga gorilla trek is done in the Nyakagezi gorilla family. This park lies in Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda. This is the smallest park in Uganda, occupying only 33.7 sq.km, and features 3 of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes- Mount Gahinga (3474m), Mount Muhabura (4127m) and Mt. Sabyinyo (3645m).

Budget, Midrange & Luxury Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda

Tracking mountain gorillas is a dream come true. Budget, standard, and luxury gorilla safaris in Uganda guarantee you something extraordinary. You spend a night is one of the comfortable luxurious places including Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge.

Mid-range lodges in and around Bwindi include Bwindi Engagi Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. Luxury lodges in and around Mgahinga National Park include Mount Gahinga lodge. Midrange lodges/accommodation include Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Travelers Rest Hotel, and Lake Chahafi Resort.

Gorilla Trekking Permits

The gorilla permits for Uganda are issued at USD 800 for foreign nonresidents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and shs. 300,000 for East African citizens. Gorilla habituation experience permits cost USD1500 for foreign nonresidents and USD1000 for foreign residents while shs. 750,000 for East African citizens visiting Bwindi to explore gorillas.

Murchison Falls

The Murchison Falls is one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls with its rapids often observed squeezing into a narrow rock of 7m. This magical waterfall lies in Northwestern Uganda within Murchison Falls National Park.

Rwenzori Mountain ranges

located in Western Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains are the highest in the Pearl of Africa. Rising up-to 5109m, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges comprise of Mt. Stanley where the Margherita peak is found at 5109m, Gessi (4715m), Speke (4890m), Emin (4791m), and Alexandria (5083m).

National Parks -Best for Uganda Safaris

10 National Parks make Uganda a complete destination. Each of these parks offers unique wildlife experiences and for primate safaris, the ideal places to consider a must-visit on Uganda safaris or Uganda tours include Kibale National Park (for chimpanzees), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (for mountain gorilla encounters). The lush forests to consider visiting for primate tracking or chimpanzee tracking include Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, and Kyambura Gorge.

Wildlife Tours on Uganda Safaris

Uganda wildlife tours guarantee you epic encounters of wildlife in the natural setting. Majority of wildlife tours in Uganda usher you in the lush savanna, forest, and wetland areas. If you are interested in primates in Uganda then expect great encounters of the grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, bush babies, pottos, and more.

Herbivores -rhinos, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeest, elands, and others. Carnivores- cheetahs, lions, hyenas, leopards, and African wildcats. Reptiles in Uganda include chameleons, pythons, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and more.

Wildlife viewing locations in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Wildlife in Uganda includes elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions (including the unique tree climbing lions), leopards, giraffes, zebras, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, topis, elands, and others.

Birder’s paradise.

Up to 1080 bird species live in the different habitats in Uganda -terrestrial, aquatic, and forest birds. Birding tours are ideal in Semuliki National Park while mountaineering adventures are perfectly done in Mount Elgon National Park or Rwenzori Mountain National Park. Distinct birds to identify on bird-watching safari in Uganda include African green-breasted pitta, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, shoebill stork, great blue turacos, Doherty’s bush shrike, bar-tailed trogon, standard winged nightjar, African green broadbill, etc.

Adrenaline Adventures,

For enthusiastic adrenaline adventure seekers on a safari tour in Uganda, Jinja should be a must-visit destination. The adrenaline adventures to try out while on the Jinja tour include whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, boat cruise, tubing, kayaking, jet-boating, and more.

Cultural Encounters on Uganda Safaris

Uganda is comprised of mixed ethnic groups and it is without a doubt, a boiling pot of cultures. There are 3 major ethnic groups in Uganda; the Nilo-Hamatic, Nilotic, and Bantu. These are represented in their kingdoms or chiefdoms. More than 65 indigenous communities exist in Uganda making it a culturally diverse destination. The country’s diverse cultures make it a perfect destination to experience authentic African cultures.

There are Bantu-speaking groups including Basoga, Bagisu, Banyankole, and Baganda. The Eastern Nilotic-speaking tribes include Iteso, Kakwa, and Karamojong. The Western Nilotic consist of Acholi, Alur, and Langi. Each tribal/cultural group has something unique to offer the world- the dances, traditions, cultural practices, music performances, and more.

Top Uganda Safaris & Tour Destinations to Inspire You

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in Western Uganda is the scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to over 97 mammal species. This is Uganda’s 2^nd biggest park with a land area measuring 1978sq.km and supports a variety of wildlife to be spotted while on a wildlife/game viewing tour.

The wildlife species to see on the Uganda tour include lions -tree climbing lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, antelopes, hyenas, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and more than 620 bird species. Primates in Queen Elizabeth NP reside within Kyambura Gorge including olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is comprised of regions/sectors, each with special attractions to explore. The Ishasha sector is an ideal spot to find the tree climbing lions; Kasenyi Plains, Kyambura Gorge, Kazinga Channel, Maramagambo Forest, Mweya Peninsular, Katwe Crater Lake, and others.

Uganda safaris to Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park –BINP 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a favorite gorilla tour destination in Uganda, home to 459 mountain gorillas and 20 habituated gorilla family groups. This was gazetted as a park in 1991 and occupies 331 sq.km of land area, hosting 120 mammal species.

Bwindi is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It supports 11 species of primates including DeBrazza’s monkeys, blue monkeys, mountain gorillas, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, baboons, Galagos, black and white colobus monkeys. Other mammals include golden cats, elephants, black-fronted duikers, civets, buffaloes, duikers, side-striped jackals, bats, rodents, and more.

Birds- 350 bird species live in Bwindi including 23 Albertine rift endemic species. These include black-billed turacos, regal sunbird, mountain-masked apalis, collared apalis, grauer’s broadbill, chapin’s flycatchers, purple-breasted sunbird, western bronze-napped pigeon, white-bellied robin chat, etc.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a splendid protected area located in Southwestern Uganda, a 9-10 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe city center. This was founded in 1991, occupying a land area of only 33.7sq.km. Mgahinga sits within the Virunga Conservation Area together with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo.

Mgahinga is home to 3 Virunga Volcanoes – Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes. 39 mammal species including golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, duikers, bushbucks, elephants, buffaloes plus 115 bird species reside within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The main tourism activities to do while in Mgahinga include gorilla trekking, volcano hiking, golden monkeys, birding (birds include the Rwenzori batis, regal sunbird, blue-headed sunbird, double collared sunbird, crowned hornbill, red-faced woodlands, cape robin chat, brown crowned tchagra), nature/hiking tours, Batwa cultural encounter/trail experience.

Murchison Falls National Park -Best for Uganda Safaris

Located in Northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s biggest park, home to one of the world’s powerful waterfall- Murchison Falls. This park is 3840 sq. km and supports a variety of mammals and birdlife. 76 mammal species and 451 bird species are supported in Murchison Falls National Park.

The different animals/wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park include cape buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, leopards, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kobs,

Birds in Murchison Falls National Park include black-headed lapwing, goliath heron, shoebill stork, Senegal thick-knee, swamp flycatchers, silver bird, saddle-billed stork, martial eagle, white-thighed ground hornbills, black-billed barbets, long-tailed nightjar, shoebill stork, and more. Visiting Murchison Falls NP for game viewing also allows you to pay a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (ZRS) to see rhinos.

Memorable Uganda Safaris to Kidepo Valley National Park

Lying in far Northeastern Uganda, Kidepo National Park is the 3^rd largest park and the only park to find cheetahs and caracals. It is an ideal place to enjoy game drives to see zebras, giraffes, lions, elephants, antelopes, and over 475 species of birds.

Kibale National Park -Epic Uganda Safaris & Tour Destination

Kibale National Park lies in Kabarole district, Western Uganda. This is 795sq.km protected area, home to 13 species of primates, 375 species of birds, and several butterflies, reptiles as well as floral species. Created in 1993, Kibale is a significant primate safari destination where chimpanzee trekking is done.

Over 1500 chimpanzees reside within Kibale National Park and these share the same habitat with other primates including l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, bush babies, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Other wildlife species in Kibale include elephants, bush babies, bush pigs, duikers, buffaloes, and more.

Birds in Kibale include the blue-breasted kingfishers, African green pittas, little greenbul, yellow-rumped tinker bird, yellow-spotted nicators, and others. Visiting Kibale National Park for primate viewing also allows you to combine your Uganda safari with the Bigodi wetland tour. At Bigodi, there are 138 species of birds to be identified and several primates likes black and white colobus monkeys.

Other National Parks in Uganda include Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and Mount Elgon National Park. Wildlife Reserves in Uganda include Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Semliki, Ajai, Matheniko, Kabwoya, Bokora, Karuma Wildlife Reserves, Kigezi Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura, and more.

Best Uganda Safaris in Kampala city

For memorable city tours, Kampala should be a must to explore. Located in central Uganda, Kampala is a capital city with plenty of cultural and historical sites to be visited on Uganda safaris. A Uganda tour in Kampala is an incredible opportunity to visit sites such as Kasubi tombs, Gadhafi Mosque, Rubaga cathedral, Namirembe cathedral, Ndere cultural center, Uganda Museum/National Museum, Buganda palace, Kabaka’s Lake, and others.

Jinja is another important city in Uganda. This is found in the Eastern side of Uganda and it is where you can experience the rich Basoga cultures and also engage in numerous adrenaline adventures such as whitewater rafting, jet boating, kayaking, bungee jumping, quad biking, cycling, and others.

Entebbe -Best to Start Uganda Safaris

Entebbe city is one of the newly created cities and it is one of the best places to start your tour in Uganda. Places to consider visiting in and around Entebbe include the reptile village, Mabamba swamp (ideal birding spot to see shoebill storks), Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda Wildlife Conservation Center/Entebbe Zoo, Ngamba Island, and Ssese Islands, etc.

Water bodies to Explore on Uganda Safaris 

Uganda is endowed with water bodies and they offer refuge to most of the aquatic life. These include Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in East Africa shared by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya; Lake Kyoga, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake George, Source of the Nile, Kafu River, and more.

Waterfalls of Uganda- these include the Sipi Falls, Sezibwa waterfalls, Karuma, Murchison Falls, Aruu waterfalls, Munyaga river falls, Kisizi falls, Itanda waterfalls, Ripon falls, Bujagali falls, Mpanga falls, others.

Best Time to Visit (Weather & Climate) for Uganda Safaris

Uganda safaris can be carried out at any time of the month or day of the year. But the dry seasons offer favorable conditions for nature lovers to explore and experience what this country has to offer the world. The 2 dry seasons to mark on your travel calendar are; December, January, February, June, July, and August. These are the best months of the year to visit Uganda for game spotting/viewing, chimpanzee, and mountain gorilla trekking.

Birding tours- the best time to visit Uganda for bird-watching is around May to September, November & April. These are the best months to enjoy the sight of migratory birds and also resident bird species.

What to pack for Uganda Safaris

The packing list for your Uganda safari tour includes essential travel documents, gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, daypack, gardening gloves, first aid kit, cameras, safari hat, comfortable shoes, pair of socks, money belt, rain jacket, sweater, insect repellents, pair of binoculars, torch, and others.

Where to Stay on Uganda Safaris -Wildlife Tours & Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Luxury hotels in Kampala: Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Kampala Serena Hotel, Pearl of Africa Hotel, Speke Resort, Le Petit Village Boutique Hotel & Spa, Golf Course Hotel.  Luxury Hotels in Entebbe : Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe and Frontiers Hotel.

Luxury lodges in Uganda: Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge -Murchison Falls National Park: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Elephant Plains Lodge, Katara Lodge -Queen Elizabeth National Park. Buhoma Lodge, The Retreat, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, -Bwindi