5 Top Uganda Safari Destinations

Uganda is majorly known for being a gorilla tracking destination but the country also hosts a number of other unique destinations with incredible animals and scenery. When you book a road tour in Uganda, you get to see more enroute while flying Uganda tours reduce on the time you take to get to the destination since most are remote. Some of the most renowned destinations include.

Murchison Falls National Park

This park is about 4 to 5 hours drive from Kampala. It is crossed by the River Nile with the most spectacular view of the Murchison Falls. The river Nile squeezes through the 7 meters wide gorge, bursts out to produce a thundering sound and plunge down the 44 meters high cliff to continue with the course.

Enjoy a game drive in the northern sector of the park with chances of seeing animals like lions, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, duikers, a variety of birds and so much more. A boat cruise on the Nile to Murchison Falls is very interesting as you get to drive closer to the Water Falls to enjoy its spectacular view. Fishing in Uganda is super in this park too. In addition, the Kaniyo Pabidi part of this park is this park is endowed with chimpanzees that cab be trekked.

Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee tracking is the commonly known activity in this park. Chimpanzees are the closest neighbors to humans because they have about 98% of human genes.   Chimpanzee trekking has two sessions that is the morning and afternoon session. A number of primates co-exist with the chimps and for keen birders, this is a haven for birding.

They are habituated and live in communities under the leadership of the Alpha male. Just like humans, they democratically vote there leader not based on age but popularity and capability.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This at times called biosphere reserve is home to a variety of animals that can be seen during the game drives especially in the crater lakes area like lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, chimpanzees and so many birds that you pass by.

During the Launch cruise, you get to see a rich avian life where you may get to see birds like greater and lesser flamingos, Egyptian geese, marabou stalk, king fisher and so many birds including the foreign birds that fly from other continents during winter. Chimpanzee trekking in this park is done in Kyambura gorge but you need to hike the gorge to find them.

Bwindi forest National Park

This is home to the mountain gorillas and to get to see them, you must have a gorilla trekking permit. For conservation reasons, only 8 gorilla trekking permits are released each day per gorilla tracking family. Uganda has only 10 gorilla trekking families so the demand for the permits is so high. CONTACT US

You must have booked accommodation in the area where your gorilla permit was booked to avoid waking up so early to drive to the trekking area for briefing. Birding is another renowned activity in this park as a number of unique birds live in this park especially the albertine endemics. The unique visit to the Batwa Pygmies after or before gorilla trekking is rewarding

Ngamba Chimpanzee Island

During your stay in Uganda, you may have the chance of seeing the orphaned, rescued and homeless chimpanzees that live in the Koome Islands. You enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Victoria and the scenic view on the land. Participate in feeding the chimpanzees and watch then play. In case you have a night flight, you may take the chance of spending your day with the chimps

White Water Rafting

White water rafting is an adventurous tour you can be part of while in Uganda. It is done in Jinja on the Itanda falls. There are a variety of packages including family rafting to advance water rafting in Uganda. You beat the water tides as you go through the rafting.

You may also visit the source of the Nile where the River Nile water physically separates from the lake Victoria water. Bungee jumping is another adrenaline stimulating activity that you may be part of. The family can also take part in Quad biking which is very interesting to be part of.

Luxury Accommodations to Book During Gorilla in Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking accommodation  can also be booked to make your tour comfortable and memorable.  luxury gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is possible as you have a number of options of accommodation to choose from but remember these are located in different areas. When you book a gorilla trekking permit, you must be careful where you book your accommodation.  Some of the luxury accommodations to book during gorilla trekking according to the area include

Buhoma gorilla trekking accommodations

Gorilla Forest Camp

Gorilla forest camp if a super luxury lodge located within Bwindi forest National Park. This lodge offers specious rooms with appealing décor.  

Each tent is well placed with a great view of the forest. This lodge is placed close to the briefing point of gorilla trekking. On arrival you are welcomed with a drink and briefed on your stay you are offered drinks on the cost on your room cost. The lodge offers massage and has a spa where you can relax after gorilla trekking.

Mahogany springs.

This lodge is situated closer to the forest and at times visited by the gorillas. It overlooks the Bwindi forest and a small water fall can be spotted while at the balcony of the lounge. On several occasions a number of bird are seen relaxing in the vegetation close by.

Monkeys also keep playing from the compound. The rooms are specious, aerated and well positioned to give you a chance of seeing the dense canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The lodge serves a variety of food and on arrival you may be given a welcome drink. In case you book a flying gorilla tracking tour, they offer transfers to the airstrip at an affordable price.

Volcanoes lodge

This is a luxury lodge located a few meters away from the Uganda Wildlife authority headquarters in Bwindi. This lodge offer different options of rooms ranging from singles to double rooms. In case you travel with the family, you will be catered for.

When you go for gorilla trekking, you are offered massage after the hike to freshen up. The Lodge offered a well-stocked bar and restaurant with a variety of options to choose from and there rates are on full Board basis. The rooms are specious, have a great view and have regular housekeeping.

Nkuringo Gorilla trekking area

Clouds Lodge

This luxury lodge is well placed in southern part of Bwindi with super services. In case you have booked a flying gorilla tracking safari, they offer picks ups and drop offs.

It has specious rooms and kept warm by the fire place. It has a well-stocked bar and restaurant which serve a variety of cuisine. Place you order and you will be served what you ordered.

Gorilla Safari Lodge

This lodge is located in the southern part of Bwindi Called Nkuringo. The lodge has spacious self-contained rooms with large beds. It has a super view of the forest, offers bar and restaurant services. There rate is full board too. 

Gorilla trekking tours to book

6 day gorilla trekking and wildlife safari

4 Day gorilla trekking and Ngamba tour

3 day gorilla trekking holiday

7 Day gorilla and wildlife safari

4 features to see while trekking to see the gorilla in Uganda and Rwanda

As you trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you are anxious to see the gorillas but afraid of what you might meet on your way.  At the start of your trek, all those doing gorilla trekking are briefed at the ranger station. You are advised that the time of meeting the gorillas is not known because of there regular movements in search for food. It is approximated that you may take between 2 hours to over 8 hours depending on the conditions of the day. You use the trails that were created by the regular visitors through the path where they were last seen the previous day but what do you expect to find on the way. CONTACT US

Other primates

Black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey checked mangabey, olive baboons, l’hoest, wild chimpanzees, golden monkeys are some of the renowned primates that you may not miss out to see. They live freely in the forest.

Uganda is the only country with a park in the world where two big primates that is to say chimpanzees and mountain gorillas co-exist in the same forest. However the chimpanzees are not habituated. Rwanda has the golden monkeys that are trekked. They live in Virunga forest and at a certain fee they are trekked very early in the morning.

Birding in Bwindi forest and Volcanoes National Park

A variety of birds live in these forests and the renowned are the albertine endemics that are common to this area like the African Green Broadbill and shelley’s Crimsonwing.More to spot include mountain and yellow steaked Greenbuls, 

Western Green Tinkerbird, African Hill Babbler, collared Apalis, Montane sooty Boubou, Red-faced woodland Batis, Mountain Masked and Chestnut- throated Apalises, cinnamon-chested Bee eaters to mention but a few. Ruhijah gorilla trekking area is the birder’s haven. It is easy to identify a number of birds while gorilla trekking in this area.

Natural trees

For herbalists, while you trek to see the gorillas, you may get to identify a number of tree species that have been destroyed by deforestation in other area.

Your ranger guide gives you the chance to ask which ever question you wish to know so get ready to ask about the vegetation you pass by but you are not allowed to pick anything from the forest unless authorized by management for conservation reasons.\

Butterflies

As you trek to see the mountain gorillas you may have the chance of identifying a number of unique butterflies that dwell in the forest. For scientists who deal in bio- conservation, you enjoy the way Bwindi forest is capable of conserving a variety of creatures that you may not find elsewhere in the world.

This forest has existed since the ice age period and so is Volcanoes national Park in Rwanda. Even humans once existed in the forest with the mountain gorillas. The Batwa pygmies had this as their ancestral home and sole provider of all there food stuffs until 1991 in Uganda when they were evicted for conservation reasons.

How mountain gorillas teased us

We awoke to a mountain gorilla tracking tours with our friends. It was a very cool day quite chilly after the early morning rain shower. As read from one of the websites that In Bwindi forest it rains at any time without warning, we had the chance of experiencing this as we awoke to enjoy the day’s breakfast. We sat at table and all over sudden, we had it rain so heavily but close to the briefing time, it stopped and we went briefing.

Carrying our lunch and a support stick we proceeded to find the gorillas. Our ranger guide was very helpful to the group because we had an aged lady on the crew. Walking slowly passed the vine in the forest we preceded to the walking board across the river. CONTACT US

  

Monkeys were giggling from the branches as a number of birds sung sweet hymns that kept us enjoying the search. Our guide Thomas kept explaining what we would ask each time we came across anything new. As for me, buried between frantic and anxiety I kept thinking how I would react when I finally look into the eyes of a gorilla. I had earlier read that the silverback is very huge and scary so I imagined which reception he might give us when in his territory. what a great gorilla tracking safari .

As we kept wondering passed several trails which I imagine might have been created by earlier trackers, all over sudden we heard a backing sound from the background. Most of us dashed into the bush while others fell to the ground including the ranger.  Poor old lady had been soaked in mud beyond recognition. Suddenly we heard several sounds which notified us that we had actually got closer to where the gorillas were feeding. They all seemed to giggle about what they had done according to what I noticed. With his quest for recognition and majesty, the silverback emerged from the bushes as he posed around while others showered support. We were amused with all that we saw and even forgot what had happened earlier.  This was a trip in Uganda that we still talk about.

Gorilla trekking and Wildlife Experience In Africa

Gorilla tracking although known for being a great African Safari you must be very keen with all the requirements for it to be successful. Gorilla tracking can only be possible if you book a gorilla permit. What is surprising is that although  gorilla tracking is highly demanded, only 8 gorilla permits are released to be booked each day each family. Uganda has only about 10 gorilla families open for tourism while Rwanda has also most the same number and also issues 8 gorilla permits per group per day. CONTACT US

Accommodation to stay at while on a gorilla trekking safari is determined by the area where the gorilla permit is booked. Many travellers who book gorilla safaris on their own have fallen victim of missing out on this great experience as they discover that where they spent the night is fur away from the area where their gorilla tracking permit was booked. You must be very informed about Bwindi area and where the gorilla families are. You need to know that gorilla trekking starts as early as 8.30am on a normal day and you must be briefed at the ranger station with other trackers to avoid missing out on the very important details of the jungle.

After gorilla tracking, in Uganda you may also head for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This drive is between 5 to 6 hours on a scenic road where you may get the chance of meeting animals like the lions, leopards, water bucks, bush bucks, elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and so many others.

During the launch cruise on the Kazinga channel, you have the chance of seeing other animals that move to the shore to quench their thirst and wallow in the mud. Birds like great and lesser flamingos, cattle egrets, Egyptian geese, shoe bill, marabou stalk keep flocking the shore. Schools of hippopotamus, crocodiles also make this trip very interesting. Watch the Rwenzori ranges that stand erected as you sail on the channel. On a clear day, you may have the chance of seeing the snow cap on the Rwenzori. 

In case you also have the opportunity of sloping down the Kyambura gorge to meet the chimpanzees that live freely in the forest. This trek to see the chimpanzees requires you to be quite fit because you have to trek to see them at the bottom of the gorge. During the dry season, they move closer to the river to cool off the day’s heat so you must be ready to find them.