2023 has just began we have got to travel! YES, be ready with your backpack, get on the road and explore the World. Uganda the Pearl of Africa is certainly one of the destinations you MUST visit in this year 2023. We bring you the top things to do in Uganda in 2-13 rewarding you with a lifetime experience. Uganda tourism is expected to shoot high in 2023 given the situation at hand. Apparently, the country is free from deadly pandemics especially covid19 and Ebola epidemics which have been hindering tours in the country. More so, Uganda is one of the safest places to visit in Africa. For over a decade, the Pearl of Africa has not registered any cases of security threats and rebel attacks. Africa Adventure Safaris the leading safari company brings you a list of the top things to do and see in Uganda in 2023. These include:
Mountain gorilla trekking
Travel to Uganda and meet up with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. and Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Uganda is one of the three countries where these endangered primates live. The Pearl of Africa shelters over 450 mountain gorillas, which make half of the world’s total gorilla population. Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires you to buy a gorilla permit to allow you visit the endangered gorillas. Each permit costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. The permit allows you to spend an hour with the gorillas in their respective families. When going for trekking, travelers are grouped into 8 and allocated a single gorilla family to trek. Trekking begins at 7:00am preceded by a pre gorilla trekking briefing on the regulations of this trek. Trekking us only allowed for travelers aged 15 years and above.
Game Viewing
Explore the big and small game in Uganda’s savannah National parks on your 2023 Uganda safari adventure. Game viewing in Uganda offers you great sceneries of numerous wild animals both predators, browsers and grazers living their lives. You will a variety of wild animals which include Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Zebras, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Uganda kobs, Elands, Topis, Gazelles, Giraffes, Hippos, Hippos and colubus monkeys among others. The best time for game viewing is early in the morning and evening when animals are actively grazing and hunting before retiring for day and night rests respectively. The best places for game viewing in Uganda are Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Valley National Parks. Each of these parks shelter different animals and offer you a unique game viewing experience.
Boat cruising
A boat cruise is a not miss on your Uganda safari. YES, a cruise to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls, source of the Nile, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga channel or Lake Mburo is a lifetime experience of its own kind. Boat cruising is a luxury relaxed venture, which allows you to refresh your mind especially after hectic adventures for example gorilla/chimpanzee trekking. The cruise is a best spot for game viewing, bird watching and scenic views of neighboring islands and fishing communities. A boat cruise is normally done as a complement to other tourism activities especially game viewing.
Chimpanzee trekking
Trips to see chimpanzees rank second after mountain gorilla trekking experience. Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda are best done in Kibale Forest National park, which is also known as the “Primate Capital” of Africa. Another bunch of chimpanzees in Uganda live in Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls in Murchison Falls, Kalinzu Forest and Ngamba Island. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest allows you to spend half day with the endangered primates. Chimpanzee permits in Uganda costs $200 for foreign non-residents, $150 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens. In Kyambura gorge, a single permit costs $50 for foreign non-residents, $40 for foreign residents & UGX 30,000 for East African Citizens. For chimpanzee habituation experience, each permit costs $250 for Foreign Non Residents, $ 200 for foreign residents and UGX200,000 for East African citizens.
Mountain Climbing
For adventure seekers, enjoy guided mountain climbing safaris to the snow capped Mount Rwenzori located in Kasese district in western Uganda. Our 10 Days Mt Rwenzori hiking adventure is a suitable package to conquer this iconic mountain. Still in Uganda, hike to the summit of any one of the three extinct Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. These are Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhabura and Mt Sabyinyo both located in southwestern Uganda.
Bird Watching
Explore the rare birds of Uganda 10% of which are not found anywhere else in the world. As of September 2021, Uganda registered a total of 1086 bird species scattered in different corners of the country. There are several Important Birding Areas in Uganda, which shelter different bird species. Visit Mabamba swamp home to the famous shoebill stork. Other best places for birding in Uganda include Murchison Falls, Park, Kazinga channel in QENP, Lake Mburo, Bwindi Forest, Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Birds in Uganda are categorized into Ostriches, Duckes, Geese, Waterfowl, New World quail, Pheasants, Grouse, Allies, Flamingos, Grebes, Pigeons, Doves, Bustards, Sandgrouse, Turacos, Cuckoos, Nightjars, Swifts, Coots, Flufftails, Gallinules, and Guineafowl among others. Birding in Uganda can be done throughout the year. However, November to April is the best time to see migratory birds.
In conclusion for whoever wants to have the best of his/her 2023, Uganda has a lot to offer. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris, book a Uganda safari, coma and explore the Pearl of Africa.
