The pearl of Africa- Uganda, like the name suggests has a lot to offer you while on your safari to Africa. Uganda is a rich destination for adventure ranging from the gorilla safaris to African big five safaris and so much more. Before we ponder upon what the top ten safari experiences in Uganda are, you may need to discover what makes it a ‘great safari experience’.
What makes a great Safari experience?
The ultimate safari experience is achieved according to how you feel during your safari. It is the authenticity and realness of the experience that leaves each guest feeling overwhelmed and excited beyond belief when they visit Uganda.
What are Uganda’s top 10 safari experiences?
A list of top ten Uganda safari experiences has been put together to enable you obtain an ultimate safari experience while in the pearl of Africa. Here are the top 10 Uganda safari experiences:
- Mountain Gorilla safari
The notion ‘best gorilla trekking experience’ differs from every single traveler. In my opinion, gorilla safaris in Uganda are an incredible must try adventure only achieved from the south western part of the country. For the longest time, mountain gorilla safaris have been the leading safari experiences in Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are the only two places where mountain gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation is done in the country. The two national parks reward visitors with a stunning view of these great endangered apes not to mention the incredible photographic moment. The chance to stay around half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas alongside other magnificent forest species including forest elephants and antelopes is incomparable to any.
- Golden monkey Tracking
Mgahinga national park is the best safari destination to track golden monkeys in Uganda. The park rewards trekkers with a thrilling experience where they watch golden monkeys jump from one bamboo branch to another. Just like gorilla tracking, golden monkey trekking starts with guests being briefed at the park about the dos and don’ts when tracking the monkeys. Tracking golden monkeys is not so strenuous like tracking mountain gorillas since golden monkeys live in lower areas. Visitors are allowed one hour in the midst of a golden monkey family where they are able to spot their bright orange- gold body, cheeks and tail. Although golden monkey safaris are not as popular as those for mountain gorillas, I would recommend a blend of gold and silver experiences in cases where visitors tour Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
- Chimpanzee safari
Kibale forest national park is Uganda’s leading chimpanzee tracking destination. The park has the highest diversity of primates including over 1500 chimpanzee population. Popularly, the park rewards guests with incredible chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation experiences. The stunning encounter with man’s closest relative is an unforgettably once in a life time experience that you need to explore on your safari to Uganda.
Other places to track chimps in the country include Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest reserve, Toro- Semuliki wildlife reserve, Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary and Uganda wildlife conservation education centre.
- Birding watching safari
Uganda is known as Africa’s prime bird destination with a list of about 1000 bird species recorded. The country is a birders paradise hosting over half of Africa’s birds, making it one of the richest birding destinations in the world. Birds in Uganda are found in diverse habitats from the shoreline of great lakes; to the forests in the Albertine rift and banks of the River Nile. Here are some of the bird species in Uganda: shoe bill, green-breasted pitta, African green broad bill, Great blue Turaco, Shelley’s crimson wing, Standard- winged night jar, short- tailed warbler, Doherty’s bush shrike, bar- tailed trogon, Black- breasted barbet, pelicans, and many others.
- Sport Fishing safari
As a country rich with drainage systems, sport fishing in Uganda is incomparably one of the best sport fishing destinations. Uganda is blessed with several water bodies which support the sport especially numerous lakes, incredible rivers, beautiful swamps, wetlands among others. Over 350 fish species have been recorded to be found in Uganda water bodies such as tilapia, the big Nile perch, cat fish, tiger fish and many others.
This life time adventure in Uganda can be explored at Murchison falls national park usually at the base of the falls as you spice up your game viewing; Lake Victoria where it is an all year round adventure; Mount Elgon around the Sipi falls area found near the park; Lake Mburo national park especially at Mazinga and many others upon prior booking. Interested guests are advised to carry their own fishing equipment or hire from the park head quarters if interested in the sport.
- Mountaineering safari
Uganda has two best mountaineering destinations- Mountain Rwenzori situated in the West and Mount Elgon located in the far East. Rwenzori Mountains are Uganda’s prime destination for mountaineering safaris rewarding trekkers with stunning view points of relief and vegetation. While on a mountaineering safari, skilled mountaineers take on the adventure of climbing the two mountains (Rwenzori and Elgon) on the quest to reach the mountain summits. Rwenzori Mountains have two main circuits, Kilembe and the central circuit trail with each lasting for 9-12 days where one is rewarded with a sight of the snow peaks: Stanley, Speke, Baker, and the highest Margherita. Mt Elgon on the other hand has three circuits, Sasa trail, Sipi trail and Piswa trail which last for 3-4 days.
Other mountains on which mountaineering can be done include: Mount Moroto situated in the far east along the Kenyan border and Mount Muhabura located in south western Uganda.
- Cultural safari
For the longest time the need to cherish and appreciate culture has been at the fore front of Ugandan tourism. Many visitors while on safari to Uganda are encouraged to learn about the lives of the people who live around the national parks. During a cultural safari, guests learn about the ways of life of the people in different communities, their food and forms of worship, dress code and farming among others.
Meet the Bakonzo and Banyaruguru together with other local people around Queen Elizabeth national park; the Bakiga and Batwa people around Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park; the Boomu and Mubako communities around Murchison falls; Batooro around Kibale forest national park; Batwa hunters around Semuliki national park; the Bamasaba and Sabiny around Mount Elgon national park and many others.
Although there are many diverse tribes in Uganda, the most sought after during the cultural tours are the minority Ik tribe of north eastern Uganda near Kidepo Valley national park; Batwa of south western Uganda around Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park; and Bambuti people of western Uganda near the Rwenzori mountains national park.
- White water rafting safari
Uganda is known for some of the finest white water rafting activities in the world. This unforgettable experience is popular along the River Nile in Jinja where the Nile River explorers enjoy a day’s raft along giant water slides. Guests are given the opportunity to choose between an easy or more difficult route before the rafting begins. Participants are given life and strong helmets to protect in case they trip over. Despite the intensity of some rapids, guests who engage in this activity agree that it teaches one to remain calm under pressure.
In conclusion, the fore mentioned experiences are among the many other experiences each visitor should explore while on a safari to Uganda.