Top Uganda safari experiences
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is Uganda’s leading tourist experience, attracting the biggest number of travellers into the country. The experience takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the southwestern region of the country. Bwindi is the most visited park for gorilla trekking and protects the highest number of mountain gorillas with 21 habituated groups of the subspecies that are visited every day. The gorilla groups in Bwindi Forest include Mubare (oldest gorilla family), Habiyanja, Kyaguliro, Rushegura, Kahungye, Nkuringo, Rwigi, Bitukura, Katwe, Oruzogo, Nshongi, Bweza, Mishaya, Kutu, Christmas, Kahungye, Busingye, Muyambi, Mukiza, Bushaho, Bikyingi and Mucunguzi gorilla family. On the other hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park shelters only Nyakagyezi gorilla family. Each habituated gorilla group is visited once per day by a group of not more than 8 trekkers according to the gorilla-trekking rules and regulations. Trekkers are permitted to spend one hour in the presence of gorillas to minimize the human influence on these primates and allow them to thrive in their natural habitat.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda goes for $700 per person for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and Shs250,000 for East African citizens. The best period for gorilla trekking in Uganda is the dry season between June to September and December to February. Travellers interested in gorilla trekking are encouraged to book for their gorilla permits at least 6 months in advance because of their limited availability.
Uganda gorilla safaris also entail gorilla habituation experience which takes place in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park . The experimental experience is about training wild gorillas to make them familiar with people. Each permit for gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 allowing travelers to spend four hours with the endangered wild gorillas.
Game Viewing
Uganda is one of the best destinations for game-viewing safaris with about 5 savannah parks where travelers can enjoy amazing game drives and see hundreds of wildlife species. The leading destinations for game drive experiences in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest, Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west, Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast and Lake Mburo National Park in the southwest. The country is home to famous Africa ‘big five’ which include lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Other popular game species commonly seen in Uganda parks include giraffe, zebra, several antelope species, hippos, and warthog, among others.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is another interesting activity done in Uganda. The best place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda is Kibale Forest National park located in western Uganda. Also, known as the “primate capital of africa” Kibale Forest National Park is home to roughly 1,500 chimpanzees, the highest number in the whole country. Uganda Wildlife Authority has habituated several communities of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest to ease access to and interaction with these endangered primates. In addition to chimpanzees, Kibale Forest National park houses other 12 primates which include Colobus monkeys, Patas monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabey, Vervet Monkeys, Olive baboons, Red tailed Monkeys, Uganda Mangabey, Black and White colobus, L’Hoest monkeys, Pottos, Uganda Red Colobus and Demidoff Galago. While on a trek to see chimpanzees, travelers normally meet some of these other primates in Kibale Forest National park. Chimp treks in Kibale forest are scheduled in the morning and afternoon sessions. You can therefore choose which session is suitable for you. Each chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest costs $200 for foreign non residents, $150 for foreign residents and UGX 150,000 for East African citizens. You can also engage in chimpanzee habituation experience for a half day interaction with wild chimps. The CHEX permit costs $250 for foreign nonresidents, $200 for foreign residents & UGX 200,000 for East African citizens. The other destinations for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda are Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest.
Bird Watching
By August 2021, Uganda has a record of 1086 confirmed bird species ! This qualify the Pearl of Africa as one of the best bird watching destinations in Africa. Birding safaris in Uganda introduce you to the notable birds of the country some of which are rarely found anywhere else in the world. Come and see the rare shoebill stork at Mabamba wetland plus several notable birds scattered in different Important Birding Area across the county. The best spots for birding in Uganda include Mabamba wetland, Kazinga channel in QENP, Bwindi Forest, Semliki Valley Park, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Lake Mburo Park and Murchison Falls Park. Our 20 Days Uganda birding safari gives you the best bird watching experience in Uganda. Expect to see birds like shoebill stork, yellow billed stork, white egrets, Pied kingfisher, African Jacana, African Kingfisher, African Skimmer, Swamp Flycatcher, Collared Planticole, African finfoot, African Skimmer, Papyrus gonolek, Spotted Redshank, Great blue turaco, Yellow throated cuckoo, African Harrier Hawk, Crowned Hornbill, Giant Kingfisher, Regal sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Black bee eater, Mountain masked apalis and African Broadbill among others. November to April is the best time to see migratory birds in Uganda. However, birding in Uganda is done throughout the year
Book a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda guided by Africa Adventure Safaris. The trips entails early pick up from Kigali, transfer to Bwindi Forest, trek gorillas and later transfer back to Kigali. Find Out More
Guided 3 Days Uganda chimpanzee tour to Kibale Forest National park, the primates capital of Africa. The 3 Days chimpanzee safari is a chance to meet the endangered primates which are close relatives to human beings. Find out more
The 4 Days Uganda game safari offers you a lifetime game viewing experience. You will visit Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National parks which shelter different animals including grazers, browsers and hunters. Find out more
