Africa as a continent has several destinations to visit and adventure with one pointed destination most visited “Uganda” named the pearl of Africa because of its unique and special attractions to Visit. Uganda the pearl of Africa is found in the eastern part of Africa, it is bordering Democratic Republic of Congo in the west, Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Sudan in the north, Rwanda & Burundi in the south western part. When it comes to security don’t worry about that if you are interested in visiting Uganda because it is more politically, economically and financially secure and stable. It has favorable climate situated with green vegetation and convectional rain fall although it experiences both hot and rainy seasons, it also has mountains, rivers, falls and lakes.
Uganda has over ten top National parks to visit and adventure with wide varieties of tourist attractions. All routes heading to these National Parks are stable and in good condition which enables the proper movement of the safari jeeps.
Where to take Uganda Tours, Safari & Adventure
As I told you this country has several destinations to visit and experience different activities as you engage in and they are located in different parts of Uganda and they are as follows;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park should be your first choice on the list if you are planning to visit Uganda for discovery and adventure because of its unique shy endangered mountain gorillas which are mostly visited by the visitors to Uganda according to Statistics. This National park hosts almost half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population and is located in the south western part of Uganda and you can better reach it when you use Kampala- Masaka high way, or from Kigali – Katuna border and apart from gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the park has more activities to engage in like the Batwa cultural walk, Birding and Gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National park costs $600 USD in the peak season and $450 USD in the low season (April, May & November) every year. Gorilla habituation experience goes for $1500 USD per person and this experience goes for 04 hours when you are with these Mountain Gorillas in the mist.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another alternative for Mountain gorilla trekking if not Bwindi impenetrable National park .It is also found in the western part of Uganda and these parks are bordering each other with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park in the Virunga Massif. Mgahinga National Park has only one gorilla family for trekking known as the “Nyakagezi family”. Apart from gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a part of the Virunga Massifs you can do Golden Monkey tracking and the Batwa cultural experience “Batwa Cultural experience costs $80 USD per person”. To add on that Golden Monkeys in Uganda are only found in Mgahinga National park.
Murchison Falls National Park mostly known for its great Murchison falls is located in the North western part of Uganda, it’s the biggest National Park in Uganda and you can better reach it from Kampala when you use Kampala – Masindi – Guru high way, you will have stop over at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for the Rhinoceros.
Queen Elizabeth National Park which is nominated to be the third biggest National park in Uganda is found in the western part of Uganda and you can better reach it when you use Kampala- Masaka high way and you will have en-route stop over at the equator for adventure, Snacks and Photos. It is commonly known for its Tree Climbing lions.
Semliki National Park commonly known for its Male & Female Hot springs is also found in the western part of Uganda. You can better reach it when you use Kampala- Masaka high way. Not only hot springs but it’s also a good destination for birders because of its wide varieties of bird species to sight.
Mountain Rwenzori National Park is also found in the western part of Uganda and its only best for hikers who have passion to climb the Rwenzori Mountains up to the peak.
Kidepo Valley National Park commonly known for its wide varieties of wildlife primates is found in the North Eastern part of Uganda. These primates are usually spotted while on a game drive around the park. Some of the primates in Kidepo Valley National Park are Elephants, leopards, Zebras, Kobs and more.
Lake Mburo National Park is also commonly known for its wide scope of wildlife and it’s found in the Western part of Uganda. This park is known to be the smallest in Uganda and it’s located in Kiruhura district. It is also home to over 350 bird species.
Mountain Elgon National Park is located in the Eastern part of Uganda commonly best destination for hiking where always clients climb this mountain up to the peak .The hiking activity is always arranged in groups and it costs $ 75 USD per person per day. You can better reach this destination when you use Kampala – Jinja – Mbale high way.
Kibale Forest National Park commonly known for Chimpanzee tracking and habituation is also found in the western part of Uganda. It has wide scope of wildlife primates like Vervets, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Red Colobus Monkeys and more plus the wide varieties of Bird species.
What to Do and See in Uganda
Uganda has several interesting activities to do and many attractions to see in different destinations.
Gorilla Trekking
This activity is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park because in Uganda Mountain Gorillas are found only in these two national parks. This amazing budget gorilla tours involves entering into the jungle and search for these shy endangered mountain gorillas with the park ranger guiding you into the Jungle. When you see these shy endangered mountain gorillas you are allowed to stay in the presence of these apes for one hour while sharing with them and taking photos. Before you go for this activity you have to first buy a permit which qualifies you for this activity and it costs $600 USD per person in the peak season & $450 USD per person in the low season but you have to book for it with a local Tour Operator in advance to avoid inconveniences.
There are some rules governing this activity most especially when you are in the presence of these apes and always you are briefed about them by the park officials before entering the jungle and they are as follows.
- Always if you fill any signs of an infectious disease you are not allowed to go for the trekking activity to avoid spreading them to these apes.
- Never eat in the presence of these apes
- Always maintain your voice at low tone when in the jungle as you may scare them
- When you see these apes please keep a reasonable distance from them
- Don’t throw your rubbish in the park
- Please when photographing these apes do not use flush cameras as you may scare and force them to attack you.
After your gorilla trekking activity you will descend back to the park offices for the certificate awarding which shows your gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.
Gorilla Habituation experience
This experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga sector. This activity involves training these apes and put them in a state of behaving and sharing with human beings, it always goes for a full day when you are with these apes in the Jungle. The permit for this experience costs $1500 USD per person and once money is paid is non refundable unless you are detected to be with infectious diseases.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
This activity is mostly done in Kibale Forest National Park although you can do it in other national parks like Murchison Falls National Park in Budongo Forest. It involves entering into the jungle and Search for these primates, after seeing them you are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour while sharing with them and taking photos. The permit for chimpanzee tracking costs $150 USD per person. If not tracking you can do the feeding in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
This is only done in Kibale Forest National Park and it’s also the same as to Gorilla habituation it goes for the full day while in the jungle with these primates. The permit for this activity costs $220 USD per person.
Batwa Cultural Tours
This experience is always done by visiting the Batwa people in their local communities and share with them, participate in their cultural activities like dances, use of their tools like knives, spears and more. These people are found in Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga and Semliki National Park. The Batwa trail experience is only done in Mgahinga National Park and it costs $80 USD per person.
Tree Climbing Lions
These primates are only found in Queen Elizabeth National Park and every visitor to this park doesn’t fill whether the Safari has come to an end if she or he misses to sight them while hanging in the tree branches as it’s a great experience to take photos of these wildlife primates. Tree climbing Lions in Queen are usually sighted while on a game drive around the park mostly in the Ishasha sector.
Boat Cruise
This activity can relieve you from stress and it’s always good for your holidays in Uganda, it’s usually done water and in Uganda it’s done in different National Parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Kazinga Channel, Murchison Falls National Park on the great Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and More. The boat Cruise both in Murchison falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park costs $30 USD per person and that of Lake Mburo costs $15 USD per person .This Cruise usually takes approximately 2 hours in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 3 hours in Murchison Falls National Park. The boat cruise of Murchison usually takes a maximum of 45 people and that of Queen Elizabeth takes a maximum of 40 people.
Game Drive
This activity is done in different National Parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo National Park and more, it’s the best opportunity of spotting different bird species for birders and all other wildlife primates. A game drive costs $20 USD a day per vehicle if it is during daytime but if its night times it costs $30 USD per person.
Mountain Hiking
This activity of Mountain hiking is usually done in group and it comes to Uganda it’s done in either Mountain Rwenzori or Mountain Elgon National Park where you hike up to the top and sight the scenic and aerial view of the geographical area while at the top. Mountain Hiking costs about $75 USD per day; it includes entrance fees but excludes tent and porter fees. For a simple note you can also hike the Mgahinga Volcano while in Mgahinga National Park which costs $80 USD.
Golden Monkey Tracking & Experience
In Uganda Golden Monkeys are only found in Mgahinga National Park therefore if you have any desire for this activity you should put all your eyes to Mgahinga National Park, Golden Monkey Tracking usually costs $50 USD per person and the experience costs $100 USD per person.
Nature Walks & Birding
Birding usually go hand in hand with Nature Walks as it’s the best way to spot different bird species like the scarce most wanted shoe bill. You can also spot bird species while on game drives & boat cruises. Nature Walks are usually done in National Parks like Queen Elizabeth National Parks which is a best destination for bird watching in the Ishasha sector and more. Birding costs $30 USD per person, day nature walks cost $30 USD and night nature walks cost $40 USD, Gorge walk in Mgahinga cost $30 USD per person and top of fall Walk cost $15 USD.
White Water Rafting in Jinja
Do your adventures in Uganda as you visit Jinja for white water rafting on the Waters of River Nile.
What to Know about Uganda
It’s located in the Eastern part of Africa and it has a good & favorable climate which experiences both rainy and hot season. It has good and stable roads which are in good conditions heading to different destinations in Uganda. When it comes to security this country is more stable and secure.
