What to do apart from gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a famous and known activity to many tourists who come to visit the country. Gorilla trekking which is done in two national parks of the country i.e. Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga National Park brings about a big number of visitors to the country. Nevertheless, Uganda also offers a variety of many more attractions and activities a visitor or a tourist coming to Uganda can enjoy to the maximum and his or her safari destination becomes colorful. Due to the Uganda’s diverse cultures and traditions, the vibrant attractions and its unique experiences waiting to be discovered, Uganda was made” the pearl of Africa.’’
For the cultural lovers, kingdoms like the Buganda kingdom and the Toro kingdom can give you a great experience on your safari. You can also learn about different religious sites in the country the like the Uganda martyrs shrine Namugongo among others. Uganda can give you a lifetime of memories and diversity of things for you to see on your safari destination in the country.
Apart from gorilla trekking in Uganda, variety of activities can be in the country which can include the following.
Chimpanzee Trekking.
Besides the gorilla trekking in Uganda, chimpanzee trekking is also among the best and popular activities being done on your safari destinations in Uganda. The major safari destination of the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is the Kibale national park, but alternatively, the can also be found in the Budongo forest in the Murchison falls national park and the kyambura gorge in queen Elizabeth national park among others. On your safari to chimpanzee trekking. Before your chimp trekking in the forests, you are first briefed by the ranger guide about the does and the don’ts to follow while on your trek. A group of only 6 members shall be allowed to trek around the chimpanzee families by an experienced ranger guide. The chimpanzees in the forests shall be trekked for about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where thy shall be found because thy normally move from place to place searching for food. On your search of the chimpanzees in the forests you shall be able to also see different species; the different bird species, animal species, plant species among others.
Upon finding the chimpanzees on your trek, you shall spend one hour around them watching them playing, feeding, jumping from trees to trees and also take photos with them. Besides the chimpanzee trekking, you can also enjoy the chimpanzee habituation experience where only a group of 4 people is allowed and spend 4 hours with the chimpanzees.
The Golden Monkey trekking experience.
The golden monkey experience in Uganda is another fantastic safari destination on your safari. You are to see the endangered golden monkeys in only one place in Uganda, which is the Mgahinga national park which harbors over 4000 golden monkeys where silver meets gold. Before trekking the golden monkeys in the forests, experienced trackers first move around the forests and search for the golden monkeys in their natural habitats. You also have to first book your golden monkey trekking permit which will give you easy access to the golden monkeys. During your search for the golden monkey monkeys in the forests, you shall be able to meet different species in the forests which include the bird species, different animal species, and different plant species among others. Once you spot the golden monkeys, you shall be given one hour around them, seeing how thy feed, how they play, climbing the tree branches, jumping from trees to trees. You can also experience the golden monkey habituation experience where you are allowed to be with the golden monkeys for 4 hours.
Birding in Uganda.
The variety of birds recorded with in the country, has made Uganda become a paradise for birders. With the numerous safari destinations Uganda has had around the country, Uganda has become a haven for bird lovers. Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Kidepo valley national park, among others are of the best destinations to see the birds in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth national park which is the most visited national park in the country, has got a variety of habitats and the different interesting bird species which include the African fish eagle, the saddle billed stork among others. You are also able to spot the different and amazing bird species in the Bwindi impenetrable national park and they include the turaco, the rare African green broadbill among others. In the north eastern part of the country where the Kidepo valley national park is located, you are able to see the unique mix of the east African birds and the North African birds like the vibrant lilac-breasted roller among others.
You can view the birds during your nature walks, boat cruising on the lakes and rivers of Uganda and also on the game drives in the forests and the trained local guides in the different birding safari destinations can help the visitors tosspot the different bird species whether the common and the rare bird species.
Game drives in Uganda.
Game drives in Uganda can be done in different areas which include in game parks and the wild reserves while searching for the big 5 animals is the aim. You can enjoy your game drives in the two sessions i.e. the morning and the evening sessions. For the morning sessions, where animals shall be active most, you shall be to see the lions hunting, see the buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, tigers among others. Some of the best places to do your game drives in Uganda can include the queen Elizabeth national park where you shall have the best view of animals in the kasenyi plains, the Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda with well-maintained game drives tracks, lake Mburo national park which is the smallest savannah game park in Uganda and semi desert national park no other than Kidepo valley national park with the stunning mountains, beautiful scenery and countless herds of buffaloes and others.
You can carry your camera to take beautiful photos during your game drive in the different parks.
Cultural tours.
Uganda has got various, interesting, unique and different cultures. The different game parks in Uganda harbor different cultures of different people within. The cultural tours in Uganda help the visitors learn the different ways of leaving of people like the greetings, the dressing codes, among others. The Batwa people also known as the pygmy’s who are found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Mgahinga national park, their hunting skills, fruit gathering skills can be very interesting on your cultural tour. The Karamajong and the IK people who are found in the Kidepo valley national park who have the amazing cultural dances, interesting cultural wears combine both wildlife viewing and the cultural tour experiences. You can learn interact with the local people, play with them, and enjoy their local foods which makes your cultural tour interesting and amazing.
Horse riding in Uganda.
Horse riding in Uganda is an experience that gives you memories and adventurous time during your horse riding safari. It is something that gets you close to the Uganda cultural and nature and experience the country’s eco system a peaceful and friendly way. The Uganda’s land terrains can give you the ideal spots to ride horses and include;
- Lake Mburo national park:
Lake Mburo is the best spot for riding horses on your horse riding safari where you shall be able to see herds of buffaloes, herds of zebras, various wild life and the numerous bird species among others. You can also explore the warukiri hills where you can find the warukiri ridge the gives you the 360 degree views of the surrounding. You can take your horse ride for 1-2 hours, this is the short time, and for long time rides can take 3-4 hours.
The other ideal spots for horse riding in Uganda can include Jinja and the Nile river valley, fort portal and the Rwenzori Mountains.
During your horse riding, you are advised to pack items that can help you through your horse riding safari and they can include; the Riding boots, the camera which shall help you capture some of the memories during your horse ride, water bottle which shall help you carry water on your ride, the hat which shall protect you from the sun in case it gets strong. For your horse riding experience to get more adventurous, the drier seasons can be the best seasons for you since it shall be easier for you to the wildlife.
Visiting cities in Uganda.
Uganda is a land locked country and referred to the pearl of Africa. Uganda’s cities are vibrant and rich in cultural, they offer unique life styles for the urban life and the historical land marks. You can find rich cultures, economics and the political hubs in each of the Uganda’s cities. The cities can include;
- Kampala city: Kampala city is the largest city in Uganda and Uganda’s capital city which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Upon reaching the Kampala city, be assured of visiting various and interesting places within the area where some of them can include the Uganda museum, the Kisubi tombs and The vibrant markets like the Owino markets and the Nakasero markets which offer a variety of goods. The local and the international foods in different bars, clubs and hotels in the city of Kampala serve both the local and international visitors and can make the safari amazing.
- Mbarara city: mbarara city is known as the cattle city and the large city in the region of Ankole. It’s called the cattle city because of its many cattle ranches, and also plays a very important role in the Uganda’s agricultural sector. The city has many bars, shops, and restaurants that serve both the local and international people.
- Fort portal city: the city is also called the tourism city because of the different many activities done in the city. The city is also known for the Kibale national park which is known for the for the famous chimpanzee trekking experience adventure. You can also explore the royal palace in the Toro kingdom and learn about the traditions of the Toro people.
