What Should You Expect On Safari In Uganda : A Comprehensive Guide : Uganda is one of the best safari locations in East Africa best known for chimpanzee and Mountain gorilla trekking safari experience. You may be wondering what specifically makes Uganda such a distinctive and special safari destination that it has earned the moniker “the pearl of Africa.” A Uganda safari offers much more than just gorilla trekking, which is undoubtedly the country’s most well-known safari activity. Actually, even without going gorilla trekking, you can still take in the best of this country.
Compared to its eastern rivals, Uganda is a distinctive location for an African safari. When going on safari in Uganda, you should be prepared for a more varied landscape, including the savannah plains and the rugged western area, which is home to a variety of game, primates, and rare bird species. Thanks to significant wildlife concentrations, a temperate climate, and expansive landscapes, general game viewing is excellent year-round.
Three-row, generally closed 4x4s with a pop-top roof hatch are typical Uganda game-viewing safari vehicles. The majority of the lodging is provided in tented camps and real, traditional lodges. Uganda is Unique and probably the best safari destination for seeing primates, going on guided bushwalks, taking cultural tours, going on game drives, and going on boat safaris.
Most safari trips in Uganda begin in Entebbe, a peninsula on the northern shores of Lake Victoria that houses the country’s only international airport. They then travel west to a broad belt that contains the majority of the safari parks.
The most striking feature as you travel west is the beautifully terraced, rugged landscape engulfed in emerald green hues. Uganda is located in a basin between the eastern savannah plains and the western rainforest jungle ecosystem, creating spectacular terrain for a wide range of safari experiences.
A typical safari in Uganda includes a traditional game drive for viewing wildlife, a boat safari, and gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking through pristine rainforest jungles to locate our distant relatives. With more than 1050 bird species congregating in exotic habitats, birding safari is exceptional. The prehistoric shoebill, which hunts in the swampy areas of Entebbe and Murchison Falls National Parks, is the bird that true birders most desire to see.
Although Uganda’s big game safari parks don’t have the same levels of wildlife as destinations in the east, game viewing on Uganda safari trips is still very rewarding. Because fewer people visit Uganda’s game parks than other, more developed countries, a safari there is a more intimate experience. Sightings of lions, elephants, or leopards are rare, and you shouldn’t expect to share them with hordes of cars.
The rainforest of Uganda continues to offer the best and easiest primate encounters in the world. Expect the best chimpanzee trekking adventures leaving from the Kanyanchu trailhead in Kibale National Park, with more than 1500 chimpanzees swinging in the forest canopies. Although they only offer a modest chimpanzee trekking experience, chimpanzee sanctuaries like Maramagambo, Budongo, and Kyambura are worth checking out.
Spending priceless time with the magnificent mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, 230 miles (480 km) from Entebbe, is the highlight of any Uganda safari trip. With a variety of safari lodges dispersed among the four trailheads on the park’s borders, Bwindi and Mgahinga in the far southwest offer excellent opportunities for gorilla trekking adventures.
WHO IS THE UGANDA SAFARI FOR?
Uganda safaris are best suited to solo, couple, and adventurous travelers. It is intended for travelers seeking the pinnacle of a primate safari experience in a natural setting. Expect to walk alongside human-habituated gorillas and chimpanzees in the ancient and enchanting rainforest jungle of southwestern Uganda, arguably the best primate viewing adventure in the world. The country is home to over 13 primate species, including more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The top Uganda vacation adventures, promising dramatic primate encounters and charming experiences, are trekking human-habituated gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
Uganda safaris are for people who want to get down and dirty in the tall, tangled scrubs and ancient trees that carpet western Uganda’s rainforest with a machete, heavy boots, thick trousers, and a ridiculous hat to keep the thorns out of their heads, patience, and a sense of humor. Such dramatic encounters are rare, but tracking chimpanzees is thrilling even on a slow day.
If the cute chimps don’t pique your interest, the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks will. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an exotic adventure that is difficult to match on any Africa safari vacation, with over 500 mountain gorillas, five trailheads, and 20 habituated gorilla groups.
Because gorillas are on the verge of extinction and trekking is a highly restricted activity, meeting wild gorillas is regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Watching a family of mountain gorillas relax in their lush forest home is an incredible privilege and a memory you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Birding in Uganda places any birdwatching enthusiast in the midst of an abundance of bird species, making Uganda a fantastic destination for avid bird-watchers. Bird-watchers can expect to see a remarkable avian diversity of over 1050 bird species in the most accessible habitats of any African safari destination.
The Shoebill waterbird, which looks like it crawled straight out of Darwin’s evolution box with its out-of-proportion features and a massive dirty-yellow bill that resembles an old battered shoe, is the highlight of birding safari in Uganda, just like seeing the mountain gorilla.
In terms of primates and birding safaris, Uganda outperforms all other safari destinations. Furthermore, because of its lush habitats and diverse species, it remains an excellent destination for traditional private safaris by vehicle or boat. Expect an enchanting African vacation experience on a Uganda safari for travelers looking for something undiscovered, less crowded, fresh, and vibrant.
HOW LONG IS A UGANDAN SAFARI?
Uganda safari experts recommend four to six days to get the most out of Uganda’s unique attractions. The length of the safari, however, will vary depending on a variety of factors.
Gorilla trekking trips typically begin in Entebbe, where you fly in and spend the night before flying to the southwestern mountain gorilla park the next day. Travelers with more time on their travel itinerary should plan to spend an extra day in Entebbe to explore introductory Uganda safari attractions such as Ngamba Island and the Botanical Gardens, as well as do some shopping before their long journey into the countryside.
Expect a nearly 8-hour drive southwest from Entebbe International Airport (just outside Kampala) to reach the two mountain gorilla destinations on the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If you have a limited budget and want to avoid the more than 8-hour drive, there are two small airports outside of Bwindi, in the north and south. Expect a one-hour scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip, followed by a two-hour drive to the mountain gorillas.
Our safari specialists advise trekking with the mountain gorillas twice. For first-timers, the experience may be overwhelming, and they may miss out on the blissful moments. However, expect the second time to balance out the excitement and be more delightfully pleasing when you bag the cameras, wait in anticipation, and relax around the imposing mountain giants.
Expect it to take a long time to reach the primates. The jungle is unpredictable, and the primates forage freely on a daily basis. As a result, expect to trek for an unpredictable length of time with expert trackers to find the habituated primates, which usually takes 30 minutes to 4 hours. Expect to spend about an hour watching their antics, social behaviors, foraging, and communication skills while wearing facemasks and standing at a safe distance of about 32 feet.
An all-inclusive Uganda safari will fly visitors back into Entebbe or Queen Elizabeth National Park after the gorilla trekking experience. Most safari packages will visit Mgahinga in the bottom southwest and Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Murchison Falls in the top southwest.
Expect big game adventures on game drives and a boat safari on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. From Queen, the adventure will continue north to the scenic Murchison Falls National Park for another game drive and boat safari before connecting to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking.
Further northeast, at the very tip of the country, visitors can explore the lesser-known but most rewarding Kidepo National and Pian Upe Game Reserves. Expect a Mara-like experience here, with more privacy, diverse wildlife, and lower animal densities. Kidepo is a fantastic place to see lions, cheetahs, Rothschild’s giraffes, and hunting dogs.
An all-inclusive Uganda safari covering all of the country’s major attractions should take at least 14 days. A shorter duration will not provide the great experience that you should expect from an African safari vacation.
WHEN SHOULD I GO?
Uganda safaris are enjoyable all year, but the rainy seasons (March to May and September to November) can make getting around difficult. Because of the slippery, uneven terrain and sudden downpours, expect rain to disrupt your primate trekking experience.
In general, the two dry seasons of December to January and June to August will provide you with a better safari vacation in Uganda. The dry season is the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda because the forest floors are less damp, the trails are passable, and we don’t expect you or your photography equipment to get soaked in the torrential downpours. However, because you’re hiking in a rainforest, it’s best if you don’t rule out rain.
When the skies are clear, there is less rain, more sunshine, and less vegetation. The dry season is also the best time to expect excellent game drive adventures in Uganda’s wildlife savannah reserves. The water holes act as an animal magnet, attracting both large and small game to the main water sources. During the dry seasons, expect to see more wildlife around the national park’s main water sources. Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park will be more rewarding during this time.
Uganda’s high or peak travel season is typically June to September and December to January. Unlike Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda’s savannah parks are not as crowded during this time of year. So, on game drives, expect to have vast savannah plains almost entirely to yourself.
The majority of visitors will consider visiting Uganda during the peak season. In this regard, gorilla trekking permits become scarce during this period. During Uganda’s peak seasons, booking a gorilla permit will be difficult. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that trekkers book the gorilla permit with Achieve Global Safaris at least 4–12 months in advance.
START PLANNING YOUR UGANDA SAFARI!
When you travel with Achieve Global Safaris, you can expect a more comfortable planning experience as well as the most rewarding vacation safari adventure in Uganda. We handle everything so you don’t have to, from selecting the most rewarding adventures to booking you into the best vacation rentals, transportation, meals, and everything in between. Our local experts shine when it comes to connecting with strangers and are passionate about providing great experiences for those who enjoy every day adventure.
“Our consultants are standing by to assist you in planning your all-inclusive Uganda safari. One thing to keep in mind is that we tailor all of our trips to your preferences and travel style, so get in touch with us”
