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Entebbe, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda safaris and tour vacations unveil the uniqueness of the tourist attractions hidden in the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda was first described as the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, who alluded to the beauty of the country’s natural environment, beautiful features, and breathtaking wildlife.
Discover the rich endemic life and some of the most sought-after wildlife in the world on your Uganda safari tours.
While visiting the different tourist destinations of the country, you will be able to watch some of the over 345 mammal species, more than 1,100 bird species, and about 1,240 butterfly species, among others.
The top tourist attractions in Uganda are the endangered Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, wild animals on the savannah plains, birds, more so the Albertine Rift Endemics, and various physical features.
Therefore, Uganda will offer you unique tourist activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, nature walks, hiking, and bird watching.
Get a thrill from the magnificent physical features like the River Nile in Jinja, Lake Victoria, which is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains, which protect the fourth highest peak in Africa (Margherita Peak), etc.
Safari Destinations in Uganda – Places to Visit in Uganda
Uganda safaris and tours bring you to remarkable tourist destinations like national parks, national reserves, sanctuaries, cultural sites, cities, physical features, and religious centers, among others.
Read below to learn more about these destinations for safaris in Uganda, Africa.
National Parks in Uganda
The Uganda National Parks are the most famous tourist destinations in the country. Uganda has 10 beautiful national parks with each offering unique experiences as discussed below.
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Famous for protecting over 459 endangered Mountain Gorillas, Bwindi Uganda, is the most famous Mountain Gorilla trekking destination in the world.
Bwindi is also home to over 120 mammal species for the best animal viewing experiences and more than 350 bird species, including Albertine Rift Endemics, which will grant you unforgettable bird-watching adventures.
2. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Known to be the most famous Ugandan safari destination, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, brings you unforgettable wildlife excursions on its savannah plains.
Travelers to this biodiverse park will discover a plethora of wildlife, including more than 96 mammal species and over 600 bird species. Thus, offering you remarkable wildlife experiences.
3. Murchison Falls National Park
The oldest and largest Uganda park in Northwestern Uganda houses the most powerful waterfalls in the world. Murchison Falls flows from the mighty River Nile, whose shores harbor various wildlife species.
Murchison Falls National Park protects over 144 mammal species and 556 bird species spread through the water shores, savannahs, and nearby forests.
4. Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest is the best destination for tracking the chimpanzee species in Africa, and it is also called the “Primate Capital of the World”.
Walk through the magnificent trails to meet a habituated chimpanzee community, various forest bird species, mammal species, and tree species, among others.
Kibale will allow the chance to explore over 370 bird species and 120 mammal species.
5. Kidepo Valley National Park
Rich for its wildlife spread within the golden plains and the unique indigenous cultures (the IK and Karamojong) living within the park, Kidepo Valley Park provides some of the best Uganda safaris.
Discover over 476 bird species and 77 mammal species while on your tours in Uganda at Kidepo Park.
6. Lake Mburo National Park
Visit Uganda safaris at Lake Mburo National Park for outstanding wildlife safaris as you come close to over 68 unique mammal species and more than 315 bird species in their natural habitat.
This smallest national park in Uganda and is famous for its early morning walks in the beautiful savannahs, which allow visitors to get up close and personal with the animals.
7. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Uganda, through the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, offers world-class mountain hiking adventures to Margherita Peak, the fourth-highest peak in Africa.
Explore the beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains through the vegetation zones, which are home to more than 217 bird species and 70 mammal species.
8. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is also a mountainous area offering incredible mountain hiking experiences and also a renowned birding area, especially for the unique Albertine Rift Endemics.
The park protects over 108 bird species and 76 mammal species to watch as you safari in Uganda at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
9. Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park creates unique birding adventures as it is also known as a “true birder’s haven”. Visitors to Semuliki Park can explore over 441 bird species and 120 mammal species in the beautiful tree species.
10. Mount Elgon National Park
With over 300 bird species and 30 mammal species, Mount Elgon National Park is renowned for Mountain hiking adventures at Mount Elgon, which has the largest caldera in the world.
National Reserves in Uganda
Uganda has 12 amazing national reserves with unique wildlife experiences and some of the best safaris in Uganda. These are
- Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
- Toro Semliki National Reserve
- Kyambura Wildlife Reserve
- Katonga Wildlife Reserve
- Matheniko Wildlife Reserve
- Kigezi Wildlife Reserve
- Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve
- Bugungu Wildlife Reserve
- Ajai Wildlife Reserve
- Karuma Wildlife Reserve
- Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve
- East Madi Wildlife Reserve
Sanctuaries in Uganda
The major wildlife sanctuary in Uganda is the Ziwa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a renowned place to track the Rhinos (one of the African big five) on foot.
Cultural and Historical Sites in Uganda
The cultural sites in Uganda provide a unique way to learn about the different ways of the locals and their traditional ways. Below is a list of the major cultural sites in Uganda.
- The Kabaka’s Palace
- Uganda Museum
- The Coronation Grounds
- Ntanda Pits
- Bigo bya Mugenyi
- Sezzibwa Falls
- Ndere Center
- Kasubi Tombs
- Wamala Tombs
- Igongo Cultural Center, etc
Cities in Uganda
Cities in Uganda are great tourist destinations in the country with different attractions like waterbodies, cultural centers, religious sites, markets, and tribes, among others.
Some of the cities and towns to visit for your tours in Uganda are Entebbe, Kampala, Jinja, Fort Portal, and Kasese, among others.
Physical Features in Uganda
Uganda is home to many wondrous natural features, for example, the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Victoria, the River Nile, Lake George, Lake Edward, Mount Elgon, etc.
These physical features provide adrenaline-pumping experiences, awe-inspiring scenery, and other unforgettable experiences for travelers.
Religious Centres in Uganda
Ugandan religious centers present the religious history and present practices of different religious groups. The famous religious centers in Uganda include the Namugongo Shrine, Namirembe Cathedral, Bahai Temple, etc.
Types of Safaris in Uganda
Discover the different types of safaris in Uganda as you explore the country’s tourist destinations. Below are the different common safari types in Uganda.
1. Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
Gorilla trekking safaris are the highlight of all Uganda safari activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi National Park attracts the highest number of visitors for gorilla trekking in Uganda because it has the highest number of habituated gorilla families.
There are 23 habituated gorilla families at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spread over the 4 trailheads of the park which are Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija.
On the other hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one gorilla family, which is the Nyakagezi gorilla family that visitors can explore during their trips.
Gorilla safaris in Uganda will make you spend one hour with these primates as you take their photos, and watch them as they feed, play, groom, etc.
2. Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris in Uganda
Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda are also one of the country’s most famous safari activities, famously occurring at Kibale Forest National Park.
The park will offer you the chance to meet one habituated chimpanzee family you will spend one hour with them as you watch them playing, feeding, and interacting with each other.
Chimpanzee watching in Uganda can also occur at the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest near Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and Ngamba Island in Entebbe.
3. Wildlife Safaris in Uganda
Uganda is likewise renowned for its game-viewing safaris, especially on the open savannah plains of national parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Game viewing safaris are a beautiful way for travelers to watch different animals like the African Big Five, which are the Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Rhinos, and buffalo. You will also be able to watch other beautiful animals like the Zebras, Giraffes, and Antelopes, among others.
4. Birding Safaris in Uganda
Uganda is home to more than 1,100 bird species. Therefore, the birding experience in Uganda will take you to watch various bird species like water birds, savannah birds, and forest birds, among others.
Birding enthusiasts can visit renowned birding destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park, among others.
5. Cultural Safaris in Uganda
Explore Uganda’s culture through unique indigenous cultures like the Karamojong, IK, and the Batwa, who will enlighten you about their traditional cultures, like their cooking, stories, songs, dances, and farming, among others.
Additionally, Uganda has over 56 tribes, thus giving you the chance to explore different people belonging to the Bantu and Nilotics, among others.
6. Mountain Hiking Safaris in Uganda
Experience the best hiking safaris in Uganda by booking a trip to mountain parks like the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Mount Elgon National Park to hike the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountain and Mount Elgon.
7. Adventure Safaris in Uganda
Experience Uganda’s amazing adrenaline-pumping experiences that bring you closer to nature. Jinja source of the Nile, is the spring of such activities as bungee jumping, quad biking, and kayaking.
What to Pack for Your Safaris in Uganda
The important things to pack for your safari trip in Uganda include insect repellents, sunscreen lotion, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a notebook, a pen, a guidebook, backpack, among others.
What to Wear on Your Uganda Safari
The important clothes to wear during your safari experiences are long trousers, long-sleeved shirts or blouses, strong, sturdy shoes, socks, and garden gloves.
Best Season to Travel to Uganda
The tourism destinations in Uganda can be visited through the high season (dry season) and the low season (rainy season).
However, Uganda’s tourism industry can best be visited during the dry season when the tracks are drier and thus can easily be passed through on trekking activities.
How to Get to Uganda
You can get to Uganda through air transport or road transport, depending on the destination you are travelling from.
By air transport, you will land at the Entebbe International Airport and connect through domestic flights to different safari destinations within the country.
Conclusion
Uganda safaris rank among the best safari experiences in Africa, offering unique primate adventures, wildlife experiences, and nature explorations.
Inquire with our professional team and book your budget, midrange, or luxury safaris in Uganda today for unforgettable experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uganda Good for Safaris?
Yes, Uganda is among the best places to have a safari in Africa. You will be exposed to some of the world’s amazing attractions in the country, for example, the Mountain Gorillas, Albertine Rift endemic birds, and snowcapped peaks, to mention but a few.
How Much Does it Cost to Go on Safari in Uganda?
Ugandan safaris are fair in cost and dependent on different factors like the number of days spent on the safari, the number of activities done during a safari, mode of transportation and accommodation, and the type of safari, whether it be luxury Uganda safaris, midrange, or budget Uganda safaris.
A good Ugandan trip will cost between 2500 dollars to 3500 dollars.
How Many Safari Parks are there in Uganda?
There are 10 national parks in Uganda, and they are the top tourist destinations in the country.
Is it Safe to Visit Uganda?
Uganda is among the safest countries to visit in Africa. The national parks are guarded by both soldiers and armed rangers, lodges have enough security, and you will also have an armed guide/ranger as you are for your experiences in the forest.
However, it is still important to be cautious while in the country and therefore avoid walking at night, especially when alone, do not count money in public, and hold your belongings well to avoid pickpocketing that usually takes place on the streets.