Destination Highlights of a Uganda Safari Experience | Budget Gorilla Safaris
Destination Uganda, Crowned the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill in 1907, Uganda is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, abundant flora and fauna, the 1057 bird species that make up 50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the World`s bird species and a diversity of over 56 tribal cultures that combine to make Uganda a unique and bucket list destination! Wild Tavel Safaris have put together this little list to showcase Destination Uganda Highlights of a Uganda Safari Experience, just how expansive and versatile Uganda is!
Overview
Lying in a basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley, Uganda’s elevated position means a more temperate climate than its equatorial location might suggest. Most of the country is over 1,000 m in altitude and relatively flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders.
One of Africa’s most well-watered countries (Lakes, rivers and wetlands cover 25% of Uganda), the landscape is lush and green for most of the year, although northern Uganda transitions into a semi-desert.
Such a setting makes for staggering biodiversity. Uganda’s montane and lowland forests are home to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and other forest animals. At the same time, its savannah parks – Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls – offer classic game viewing & the Big Five, though not on the scale of Kenya or Tanzania.
Uganda wildlife highlights include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest, chimpanzee encounters in Kibale Forest and bird watching – with over 1,000 recorded species, Uganda is one of the world’s top birding destinations.
The Highlights
Uganda is a wildlife trove, with the world’s highest population of Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in the southwest. Travellers can also enjoy the classic wild game and sandy rivers in the far east destination of Kidepo Valley National Park.
It is rare for wildlife enthusiasts to have the opportunity to combine experiences like Gorilla trekking with a classic wildlife safari.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is another popular activity, which also includes a visit to Budongo Forest Reserve, the 100m-deep Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Remember to add them to the long list of things to do in Uganda for the chimpanzee Tracking activity. There’s also golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is steadily gaining popularity amongst primate enthusiasts.
If you’re not too tired from your trekking experiences, then how about a walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park? Or a visit to see the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park? OR get away from terra firma and head to the water with a Kazinga channel launch cruise.
There’s something for everyone, if you can think of it then Uganda probably caters for it, from all of the above to hot spring exploration in Semuliki, adventure hikes to the top of Murchison Falls – the world’s most powerful waterfall, bungee jumping, white water rafting and the source of the Nile tour in Jinja are all just a handful of the opportunities for safari adventures in Uganda.
It’s hard to believe but there is even a snow topped mountain to visit, Mount Rwenzori (5,109m) can often be seen covered by snow and is home to some of the loveliest flora in Africa, Mount Elgon (4,321m) to the east with the world’s largest mountain caldera (42km2) and the largest volcanic base on a similar scale (4,000km2). Not to mention the three Volcanoes of Muhabura (4,127m), Sabyinyo (3,669m) and Gahinga (3427m), which all offer exciting mountaineering adventures.
If all this allure hasn’t set your heart on a Ugandan adventure, consider Uganda for its recreational sites, like Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria and Lake Bunyonyi – the lake of small birds & a thousand Islands and for all the birders, you’ll want to get your binoculars ready, there are birding opportunities around every corner!
This unique and abundant diversity will leave you with the ultimate African safari memories, the only question is – what to do first!
