Uganda, a key safari hotspot in Africa is rich with biodiversity, landscapes and unique wildlife species among others. Also known as the ‘Pearl of Africa,’ Uganda is situated in East Africa, within geographical coordinates of approximately 1.3733o N and 32.2903o E. The country shares its borders with Kenya to the east, South Sudan to the north, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
Uganda Gorilla Safaris
Uganda has diverse ecosystems, ranging from vast savannahs, forests, wetlands and water bodies such as lakes, rivers and streams among others. These offer shelter to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, reptiles, higher plants, lower plants and insects among others. Ugandan citizens are generally hospitable and come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, tribes and ethnic groups among others.
Uganda typically experiences a tropical type of climate, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season typically occurs in the months of December to February and also from June to August, with relatively warmer average temperatures and minimal precipitation. These are suitable for outdoor activities like gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruises and wildlife viewing among many others.
On the other hand, the rainy season typically occurs in the months of March to May and also from September to November. These cause relatively higher average rainfall patterns with regular showers to facilitate the growth of vegetation as well as replenishing water sources in the tourist sites. These are favorable for birdwatching as migratory birds from Europe and Asia come to the sites for breeding. Annually, Uganda receives 1,000 to 2,000 millimeters of rainfall.
In regards to average temperatures, Uganda enjoys consistently mild and stable temperatures year-round, thanks to the country lying at the equator. The average day time temperatures range from 25o C to 29o C (77o F to 84o F). These temperature conditions are comfortable and pleasant for tourists to engage in uninterrupted outdoor activities such as gorilla safaris and wildlife viewing adventures among others.
Types of Safaris in Uganda
Gorilla Trekking Safaris
With over 600 endangered mountain gorillas, Uganda gorilla safaris present the best tour experiences for visitors desiring to locate these primates in their natural habitat. Guided by experienced trackers, the visitors traverse the dense forests of either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to encounter these primates. Upon encountering the gorillas, visitors are allowed only an hour to observe and photograph their complicated behaviors.
Gorilla Trekking National Parks in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Covering at least 321 square kilometers in southwestern Uganda, this is one of the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Bwindi has at least 400 mountain gorillas and 24 habituated gorilla groups, that offer visitors a massive chance to view these primates during gorilla trekking safaris. Visitors can also engage on various tourist activities, including gorilla habituation experiences, birdwatching, forest walks, Batwa trail and exploring the unique flora in the forest among others.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Spanning up to 33.7 square kilometers in southwestern Uganda, this is another destination for gorilla safaris in Uganda. Mgahinga has only one habituated gorilla family that offers a more intimate gorilla trekking safari. Other tourist activities in Mgahinga include the golden monkey trek, birdwatching and hiking the Volcanic Mountains Sabyinyo and Muhabura.
Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
Uganda wildlife safaris offer exceptional opportunities for visitors to spot Africa’s most sought-after mammals and birds in their natural habitat. With a myriad wildlife species in at least 10 national parks and 10 wildlife reserves, Uganda is blessed with the African Big Five game (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino). Other iconic wildlife species are giraffes, pangolins, caracals, cheetahs, antelopes, and numerous bird species among others.
Wildlife safaris are mainly done in national parks with unique landscapes and ecosystems such as savannah grasslands and woodlands, swamps and lakes and rivers among others. These parks comprise of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park. Uganda safaris can also be done in the numerous game reserves, including Kabwoya, Pian Upe, Kabwoya and Matheniko etc.
Wildlife Safari Activities in Uganda
Game Drives
Visitors on game drives have a perfect opportunity to explore Uganda’s lovely national parks to spot a diverse range of mammal and bird species. The activity essentially involves moving through park tracks in a safari vehicle to encounter lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, hippos, buffalos and antelopes among others. The best sites for game drives include Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo and Kidepo National Parks etc.
Birdwatching safaris
Uganda is a birding hotspot offering the best opportunities for enthusiasts to spot a range of colorful bird species in their natural habitats. There are over 1,000 recorded bird species in the country, including the shoebill, grey crowned crane, great blue turaco, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco and the African fish eagle among others. These and more can be spotted in Mabamba Bay, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park etc.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Visitors can experience the best chimpanzee trekking adventures to locate the playful primates in their natural habitat. With a minimum of 3,500 chimpanzees in Uganda, visitors can enjoy guided chimp tracking adventures in Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve and Kyambura Gorge etc. While on the guided chimpanzee trekking, visitors get to spot the red colobus monkey, vervets, grey-cheeked mangabey, and black and white colobus monkey among others.
Golden Monkey Trekking
This is a fascinating and unique activity that involves locating golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the Virunga conservation area. Visitors are guided into the lush terrain of Mgahinga to locate groups of these delightful primates. The trek offers visitors a glimpse into the behaviors of these endangered primates as they forage for food while leaping from one tree to another. For one-hour visitors can take exciting photos of them.
Nature walks
The guided nature walks offer visitors on Uganda safaris to traverse the varied ecosystems on foot. Nature walks are intimate experiences that also offer opportunities for the hikers to encounter various flora and fauna including mammals, birds, plants, landscapes and indigenous people among others. Guided nature walks can be enjoyed in Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Mburo, Kibale, Murchison Falls, Kidepo and Mgahinga National Parks among others.
Cultural Safaris
Uganda culture safaris offer visitors unique opportunities to experience the vibrant traditions and rich cultural legacies of the country’s varied tribes and ethnic groups. Visitors usually explore rural areas and communities to interact with the indigenous people. The visitors also participate in traditional activities, and also gain insight into their history and customs. Visitors, can experience at least 52 ethnic groups, each with a distinct language, beliefs, and customs.
Mountain Hiking Safaris
These offer thrilling adventures to visitors through the most spectacular and varied landscapes to reach the summit. Mountain hikes are mostly done on the pristine Rwenzori mountains, the ‘Mountains of the Moon,’ and trekkers engage in multiday hikes to reach its snow-caped peaks, the highest of which stands at 5,109 meters. There are other destinations where visitors can engage in mountain hiking safaris; including Mountains Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Elgon.
Coleb Ataho