If you are talking about top countries with a rich biodiversity in the world, then Uganda is among the top nations and by far the best in Africa. Amazingly among the country’s ten National parks, each is unique in its own way. Talking about the rarest species in the world, the mountain gorilla, it’s only in Uganda where you can track these few remaining gentle giants in two different Jungle forest parks. Beautiful Lakes and Rivers, large and thick rainforests, 3rd highest mountain in Africa, the Rwenzoris also known as Mountains of the moon, amazing weather, big five safaris, Beautiful sand beaches on Ssesse Islands and thunderous waterfalls, lots of colorful birds, among the many adventures. Below are some of the thrilling adventures to enjoy in Uganda.
Uganda is the known as the Pearl of Africa. Let us take you through this great adventure of country of right away from Entebbe Airport to where you experience will the best during your safari.
Top Things to Do
Cruises – Enjoy cruises and boat rides along the Lake Victoria , which is shared by three East African Countries; Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya
Enjoy a Kampala City Tour – Travel through Kampala exploring the cultural, historical and heritage sites
Visit & Tour Jinja Town – Enjoy a boat ride to the source of the river Nile in Jinja. Enjoy white water rafting, bungee jumping, horse riding, quad biking and more.
Top Adventure Activities in Uganda
Most tour adventures in Uganda are like morning sunshine that make the day brighter and warm. On every Africa safari tour, sunshine puts a smile on every ones face the same way most tour activities do in Uganda. They are very important that every safari in Uganda is characterized by only favorite tour activities that match the interest of a traveler. Uganda tour activities give meaning to holidays and offer details of many different beautiful places and conservation areas in the country.
Gorilla Trekking is one of them and it’s not only beautiful but it’s also a natural heritage adventure that changes lives and to Uganda it’s the top tourist activity that attract thousands to the country every year. With the large number of mountain gorillas, Batwa culture and birds all in both gorilla trekking parks make gorilla trekking the most loved tour adventure to all visitors to the country. Gorilla trekking is the highlight of Uganda tourism and a great example of wildlife conservation worldwide. Recent reports confirm that the increase of mountain gorillas’ families in the park is a result of conservation .Remember the people of the forest, those who visit the park are advised to respect the gorilla park rules and regulations.
- Gorilla Watching Trips – Enjoy gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park. From Kisoro you can easily visit the mountain gorillas in Rwanda & Congo as well as the low land gorillas in eastern DRC)
Wildlife Viewing, also known as the most loved tour adventure in Uganda can be best experienced in Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and many different forest reserves where wildlife lives. This tour adventure is best done in mornings and evening hours in all game viewing areas a right time to spot the top wildlife roaming around the park especially the big five. Wildlife viewing amuses any one including children and adults and it’s something tourists like on different vacations be it family, private or sole vacations.
- Wildlife Safaris in savanna National parks (Enjoy game Viewing and boat cruises). Animals can you expect to find in Uganda’s parks including the tree climbing lions of Ishasha Sector, elephants, buffaloes, leopards etc.
Chimpanzee Trekking is one of the most done in the country by primate lovers and those on gorilla trekking tours make it appoint to experience it.Chimpanzee trekking is done in various forests including Kibale forest,Budongo forest reserve in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest reserve in Queen Elizabeth national Park, Semulik forest reserve etc. Chimpanzees from the forests are monitored, habituated and conserved by different government bodies responsible for protecting the different primate species in the forest.
Quick Tip: Chimpanzee Trekking – There are several prime destinations where one can see chimpanzees in their natural homes including Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Islands etc.
Bird Watching – The country has over 1065 bird species that can be seen in various places including forests, wetlands, grasslands etc. Bird watching is one of the conveniently located tour activity in Uganda enjoyed in famous conservation areas for wildlife, chimpanzees and gorillas. These places include Murchison falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and many other beautiful islands and lake areas on the Nile and Lake Victoria. Bunyonyi is one of the favorite islands for bird watching that open doors to all the best species you ever searched for.
White Water Rafting
White water rafting tops the list on Uganda’s adventure travelers. With lots of good rapids and a stunning river, the Nile, enjoy adventure which is characterized with high level of its superlative waterfalls. There are many exhilarating sections with space between to lay back and float along taking in the landscape and enjoying the nature, particularly there are many species of birds, butterflies to be found here. There are four rafting companies offering day trips and two-day trips covering (45km) with overnight camping. Adrift Uganda Adventure Company and Nile River Explorers have been in service since 1996, Equator Rafts started in 2002 and Nalubale Rafting begun operating in 2005
Top class safety equipment and highly qualified and skilled guides run the largest rapids possible. Total rafting is for 25 km of river including some of the best rapids in the world. You don’t have to do all the side runs, except if you want to. The river is graded 4+ to 5 and provides one of the finest day rafting trips on Globe! Massive standing waves leap from the clear blue skies and rock walls tremble from the power of the booming rapids. Be among the first to be familiar with the incredible adventure and excitement of the Nile water rafting.
Carry a swimsuit, a pair of sandals and shorts to wear on the river. You will get wet, so bring a change of outfit. Amenities exist for cameras to be protected from the while on the river. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a grin.
Game drives
Big Five safaris in Uganda are a must-do for anyone fascinated by wildlife. Big Five refers to buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhino and the term comes from the animals considered most dangerous and hard to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.
While in Uganda, Prepare to be impressed. To see a leopard dozing in the bough of a tree, spotting a white rhino half-hidden in thick shrubs, finding a pride of lions in the shade after a kill, or watching a large herd of elephants or Cape buffalo move soundlessly across the road – these are all priceless moments. Always remember that you’re dealing with wild animals, and that you’re in their territory. There are rules of engagement relating to Big Five safaris in Uganda.
Game drives in Uganda you can opt to go to almost any region in Uganda, but the Queen Elizabeth National Park in western region, Murchison falls national park and Kidepo valley National park remains an iconic tourism draw card. The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) abound in the park, and you see them by guided game drives or guided walks.
Birding
Uganda is a birder’s paradise. Over half of all bird species in Africa can be found here, making it one of the richest birding destinations on the continent. Crammed into this diminutive country is an astonishingly rich diversity of habitats, from the scenic shores of Uganda’s many great lakes to the lush forests of the Albertine Rift and the banks of the mighty Nile River.
Though Uganda has only one endemic bird (Fox’s Weaver), 23 Albertine endemics occur here which are rarely observed elsewhere. These include the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing among others.
The record for the number of species recorded in a three-week period is 665… pack your binoculars, some sturdy shoes and your checklist, and challenge yourself to spot even more!
Visit our Birding page to book your place today!
Boat Cruise in Kazinga Channel & Murchison Falls
A river boat cruise is the perfect way to enjoy a few relaxing hours on the Nile during your Uganda safari tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. However, about cruise on the Kazinga channel is Fabulous because it gives you the opportunity to see hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, birds, wildlife in company of fresh water winds that make you feel fresh all through. Again another in Murchison falls that ends at the bottom of the might falls giving a chance to hike to the top of the falls and grab impressive views of the water fall, crocodiles, hippos and wildlife is another thrilling experience you have to go for while on your Uganda safari tour. There are many other places where you can relax and sail on e\water like on lake Victoria in Entebbe, jinja source of the Nile, Lake Bunyonyi among others.
Wildlife Research Trips
Want to be more than just a tourist? How would you like to go off-limits in the park, get up close to Uganda’s wildest species, and make a valuable contribution to wildlife research and conservation? For the first time, Queen Elizabeth National Park is opening its gates to a new kind of tourism. Visitors can join researchers as they track lions using radio collars, and learn learn to identify these fabulous felines through their facial markings, calls and behavior.
If lions are a bit much – try monitoring the banded mongoose! You’ll have fun observing these sociable little creatures, as well as monitoring the weather and their surroundings.
All the valuable information you gather will be added to the research databases to support conservation efforts, and the tour fee goes directly to funding these important projects – making this an all-round worthwhile tour!
Safari Adventures
There are lots of predefined itineraries that you can follow to explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Most popular safaris include;
- Gorilla Trekking Safaris
- Wildlife Safaris
- Mountain Hiking Tours
- Chimpanzee Watching Safaris
- White Water Rafting Adventures