5 Best top places to safari in Uganda in 2024- 2025: Uganda is one of the most exhilarating African countries; known as “the Peral of Africa” after the British prime minister Winston Churchill coined the phrase in reference to the county’s rich landscapes. Uganda is located in central Africa, bordering the democratic republic of Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Uganda is home to an exceptional array of natural wonders, including the tallest mountain ranges, the source of the river Nile, the world’s longest river and Africa’s largest lake.
Lake Victoria, also called Victoria Nyanza, has an area of about 69,484 sq km (26,828 sq mi). Uganda is also the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, after Lake Superior in North America. Uganda is home to the UNESCO-listed Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The Rwenzori Mountains are the tallest mountain range in Africa and include Africa’s third-highest mountain, Mount Margherita. Uganda is a fascinating safari destination for amazing thrillers. The land offers a variety of exciting wildlife species, culture, and natural beauty. Here are some of the 5 best places to safari in Uganda in 2024–2025.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the top 5 safari places to explore in Uganda in 2024–2025. The park is situated in the southwestern part of the country, in Kanungu District. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park was gazetted in 1991 and lies in southwestern Uganda, covering 321 sqkm. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to half of the world’s remaining large population of mountain gorillas, with over 400 individuals. The national park is among the few places on the planet where you can encounter these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has over 25 habituated mountain gorilla families, and gorilla trekking is the main highlight of any safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park as well as a highlight of any safari in Uganda, making it one of the most popular safari destinations in Uganda. Besides the mountain gorillas, the park is home to about 350 bird species, 125 mammal species, 200 butterfly species, 324 tree species, and 12 other primates species, including chimpanzees. Beyond the main highlight, gorilla trekking, the park offers other amazing safari activities to visitors on a Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Visitors on a gorilla trekking safari can also embark on other safari activities such as gorilla habituation experiences, nature walks or hikes, community encounters with the Batwa cultural group, and the Indigenous community who are living in the forested areas, among others.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is also one of the top 5 safari places to explore in Uganda in 2024–2025. A majestic national park is situated in the northwest part of Uganda, is the largest protected area in the country, and has one of the most widely diverse biodiversity. Murchison Falls National Park is home to the world’s powerful waterfalls-Murchison falls and the park was named after its majestic waterfalls. It is a stunning waterfall where the Victoria River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters into the Albert Nile. The national park is home to a large variety of wildlife species and is home to four of the five big African animals including buffalo, lion, elephant and leopards. Other wildlife species include giraffes, antelopes, spotted hyenas, and chimpanzees over 450 different species of colorful birds. During your safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll have ample opportunity to engage in a number of thrilling activities such as game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, birding, hot air balloons, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest reserve, bush camping, cultural encounter among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also one of the best places you should consider exploring while on a Uganda safari in 2024-2025. The park is the only place on the planet where you can spot tree-climbing lions. It is also home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, large school hippos, and over 600 species of birds. The park gives you spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the Kazinga Channel, the large area of the swamp, the beauty of the open savannah around Lake George, the beautiful crater lakes, and a lot more. During your safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in different tourism activities such as boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel, game drives, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, bird watching, cultural encounters, and fishing, among others.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the famous and best places to explore while on your Uganda safari. The national park is a biodiverse haven known for its exceptional and large population of chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National Park is often referred to as the “Primate capital of the World”. Its a home to an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees, making it one of the best destinations in Africa where visitors can observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Besides the chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National Park is home to primates including L’Hoest’s monkey, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, among others. The forest also contains other thrilling species such as buffaloes, elephants, leopards, a large number of reptiles, and butterflies, along with bird species such as the great blue turaco, African grey parrots, and the endemic green-breasted pitta, among others. During your safari in Kibale Forest National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in various activities, including chimpanzee trekking, forest walks, chimpanzee habituation experiences, night walks, birding, cultural visitors, and children’s activities, among others.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi, also known as the place of little birds, is a fascinating and relaxing freshwater body. It is believed to be the second-deepest lake in Africa after the magnificent Lake Tanganyika, with an uncertain depth of 40 to 900 meters in different parts of the lake. The water temperatures range from 24-250 °C, and it is one of the few lakes that are free from bilharzia, therefore safe to swim in. It is surrounded by green hills and is the ideal location for a getaway. Lake Bunyonyi is the ideal birder paradise, with over 200 bird species, including the grey-crowned crane. In addition, the lake has over 29 islands, all found at the heart of the lake. These islands include Akampene, Bushara, Bwama, Bacuranuka, and many more, each with a mind-blowing legend behind them. The beautiful lake is also home to a variety of fish, such as crayfish. Mud also offers sailing on the calm and quiet waters in a canoe. The canoe rides are done during the day as well as at night, listening to the melodies of the frogs, crickets, and nocturnal birds. This experience is rather exciting and worthwhile. While on your safari at Lake Bunyonyi, you will be amazed by a variety of activities such as swimming, birding, nature walks, batwa, and Bakiga community visits.
