7 THINGS TO DO ON A UGANDA SAFARI AND TOUR

Taking on the pearl for wildlife safaris and tours around the country, can be a fulfilling journey. For many travelers, a satisfying experience, beautiful memories and connection with the local communities, is what they look for. Uganda has proved to the destination entrusted in satisfying the diverse interest of each tourist, as they visit the touristic destinations.  All the four regions of Uganda are uniquely gifted with rich attractions. These attractions range from the beautiful landscapes, cultures, wildlife and many more and they all make art of a unique Uganda safari.

On a Uganda safari or tour, there a number of activities that should be ticked off to a bucket list. These include the following

Gorilla trekking

A visit to witness the endangered mountain gorillas of the pearl is truly an exceptional experience. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in the two gorilla parks of Uganda that include Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. These national parks are located in the south western region of Uganda. Gorilla trekking encounter, give trekkers a chance to personally interact with the different gorilla families. Getting to see how these gentle species live in the forest, feeding, resting, mating and interacting with each other is truly an experience not to miss out.

Gorilla safaris in Uganda, take place throughout the year, but during the high seasons, it is advised to book the gorilla trekking permits earlier for the activity. The gorilla trekking experience only allows one hour interaction with the mountain gorillas by group of 8 trekkers, per gorilla family.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing in Uganda is one of the most loved activities by the tourists. Endowed with vast species of wildlife in the savannah and forest of the pearl, wildlife viewing is truly best done in Uganda.  The savannah parks of Uganda are the most ideal places to find wildlife while on a safari in Uganda.  A view of the wild big five mammals, aquatic and semi aquatic mammals, reptiles to mention but a few is truly worth.

Wildlife viewing is usually done, on game drives, cruises and boat rides. Where mammals such as the lions, leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, crocodile, tigers. Etc. Besides the wild game, is Uganda safari in never complete without the view of various primates’ species. These include the chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys’ mangabey monkey, white and black Colobus monkeys, golden monkeys and many more.

Wildlife viewing is Uganda is usually done in the savannah national parks that include, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park and kibale national park.

Cultural encounters

Cultural safaris in Uganda are a no miss, for those that love to immerse and get to know different tribes. Cultural encounters in Uganda avail a chance to experience the different way of life of the various cultures. Visits to local communities’ exposure the indigenous people and how they take on life. And this activity is done as a supplementary to the main activities and attractions in the tourist destinations. After a game drive in Kidepo valley national park, a visit to the Ik community, the Karamojong’s homesteads, the Manyatta home steads all in the northern Uganda. Or a visit to the Batwa community and different community initiative is one activity to look out for on a Uganda safari.

Kampala city tour

The site of the “city that never sleeps” is among the fun ventures of a Uganda safari. Kampala city can be explored by foot, a vehicle or use the Kampala sight-seeing bus.  On a Kampala tour, the seven hills of the city are explored. These include the Namirembe hill, Kampala hill, Nakasero hill, Rubaga hill, old Kampala hill and Makerere hill. Other attractions that are sighted in the city include historical buildings, roads, monuments, historical markets, palaces and other different cultural sites.

Mountaineering

For the daring and most adventurous tourists, mountaineering is experienced on the slopes of the ragged mountains of Uganda. Hiking through the slopes of the mountain, rewards a sight of the mountain peaks, and surrounding of the park. The high peaks of the Rwenzori ranges, mountain sabyinyo, mountain Elgon, and mountain Muhavura are hiked by many mountain climbers in Uganda.

Cruising

In Uganda this water activity is done on the different water bodies that are located in the different regions of the country. The presence of Lake Victoria, River Nile, waterfalls and many other physical attractions. These have favored various recreation activities and enjoyment to both the local people and tourists. A boat cruise on Murchison falls, is one of the major highlight in Murchison falls national park. Adventurous activities on the Nile such as tubing, bungee jumping, water white rafting, kayaking etc. These have been a great preference for many that visit the areas near the water bodies.

Birding

Birding in Uganda, as picked up as a tourist’s activity over the areas. With different birding sites with over 1066 different bird species. Birding in Uganda has picked interested for many, and if one can spare some time on their Uganda safari. Birding tours should be given a chance. The major bird sites in Uganda include Mabamba wetland in Entebbe, a home to the rare shoe bill stock and the papyrus gonolek. Bigodi wetland sanctuary in fort portal is a place to visit to view the Great blue turaco among the other species that are found in the area. Semiliki national park, the “true birders “haven holds the highest population of birds in Uganda. All these places worth a visit to engage in the birding activity for those that have interest.

With the few mentioned above, Uganda has still far more to offer to the different tourists that visit the country. But with a Uganda safari there are a lot more options to choose from when one visits Uganda.