Located in East Africa, Uganda also known as the “Pearl of Africa” is a landlocked country that has increasingly become a popular safari destination in recent years. From its lush forests and savannahs to its diverse and unique cultures, stunning landscapes and wildlife, Uganda has something to offer every kind of traveler.
In this article, we will explore some of the most popular activities and attractions that make Uganda a must-visit destination.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
One of the main attractions in Uganda is gorilla trekking. The country is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and visitors have the opportunity to trek through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides an unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with one of man’s closest cousins. Visitors are accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who help locate the gorillas and provide insight into their behavior and conservation efforts. This activity costs $700 per head for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. One needs to be physically and mentally fit to take part in this activity as it involves hiking to high altitude areas.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
Similar to gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is a unique and unforgettable adventure that allows visitors to witness the process of getting wild gorillas used to human presence. It is an immersive experience that offers a rare opportunity to observe and study these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
The gorilla habituation experience takes place in two national parks in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. These parks are home to more than half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, and visitors can choose to trek through either of these parks to experience the gorilla habituation process.
The gorilla habituation experience begins early in the morning, with visitors gathering at the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations governing gorilla habituation. Visitors are also assigned to a specific gorilla family group that they will be following during the habituation process. Each group is led by an experienced guide and a team of trackers who will help locate the gorillas.
The trek to find the gorillas can take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family group. Visitors will hike through the dense forest, up steep hills and through thick bushes, guided by their experienced guide and trackers.
Once the gorilla family group is located, visitors will spend up to four hours unlike the 1 hour granted to gorilla trekking, observing and studying the gorillas as they go about their daily activities. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the gorillas interact with each other, feed, play, and even take a nap.
During the habituation experience, visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from the gorillas, to avoid any direct contact with the animals, and to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the park authorities. Visitors are also required to wear protective gear such as face masks and gloves to avoid transmitting any diseases to the gorillas.
Chimpanzee Trekking
In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda is also known for its chimpanzee trekking opportunities. Kibale National Park is home to over 1,000 chimpanzees, and visitors can trek through the park’s forests to observe these primates up close. Visitors can also go on guided nature walks and bird watching tours in Kibale National Park, which is also home to over 375 bird species.
Culture Safaris
Uganda is home to over 50 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and traditions. Visitors can explore these diverse cultures by participating in cultural safaris, which include visits to traditional villages, interacting with local communities, and learning about local customs and traditions.
Some popular cultural safaris include visits to Batwa Pygmies in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Karamojong in northeastern Uganda and Bagisu in Eastern Uganda near Mount. Elgon.
Rhino Trekking Tour
Another popular activity in Uganda is rhino trekking. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in central Uganda, is the only place in the country where visitors can see rhinos in the wild. The sanctuary is home to over 20 rhinos, and visitors can go on guided walks to observe these endangered creatures up close.
Epic adventures
Uganda is a country with a diverse landscape that provides ample opportunities for adventure activities. Visitors can go white-water rafting on the Nile River, which provides a thrilling experience with rapids ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 5.
Other adventure activities include bungee jumping, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking to the top of Mount. Elgon, an extinct volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya.
Big 5 Safaris
Uganda is also known for its Big 5 safari animals, which provide visitors with the opportunity to see some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos. Some of the top national parks for Big 5 safaris include Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi district, Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district and Kidepo Valley National Park in Kaabong district.
Boat Cruises
Uganda is home to several lakes and rivers, providing ample opportunities for boat cruises. Visitors can take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which provides views of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Boat cruises are also available on Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and the Nile River whose source is in Jinja District.
Best Time to Visit in Uganda
The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry season, which runs from December to February and from June to September. During this time, the weather is pleasant and the wildlife is easier to spot as they congregate around water sources.
However, gorilla trekking can be done year-round, and the rainy season (March to May and October to November) can provide a unique experience as the landscape transforms.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The largest of greatest rare apes are caught sight of in Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park, at the base of Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes. With 12 families available for trekking daily, eight gorilla permits are offered to each and this tasks visitors into hiking altitudes between 2500m to 400m to chance getting lost in the views of these huge mountain gorillas.
One hour offered to tourists gives them an opportunity to admire, learn, compare the lives of the gorillas as they spend their day with their families. Rwanda has the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony that occurs each year that tourists can engage in as the off springs of the fantastic mother gorillas are being given names.
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest National Park
While in Rwanda, gorillas are not the only apes that raise the spirit of tourists as the forests of Nyungwe National Park don’t flourish alone but with the presence of chimpanzee that bounce on and off the trees in succession.
Similarly, to gorilla trekking, 8 permits at a cost of $90 are issued out per family and this gives tourists a full one hour of appreciating chimpanzees which comes with a sweat due to the fact that tourists have to run around with chimpanzees as they are having a great time.
Cultural safaris
The ethnic groups in the country have low key been forgotten and replaced by national unity but this hasn’t shaken on any of the fantastic cultural values that the Banyarwanda hold dear. While tourists come into the country, they can engage in activities that unite, harmonize, all the individuals like Umuganda, Kwita izina.
There are various memorial sites that one can visit and pray for the individuals who lost their lives in genocide like the Kigali Genocide memorial site, Murambi site, Biserero genocide memorial site among others.
Golden monkey trekking
These small and charming belle monkeys are as beautiful as the rainbow. They have a spark of amazing colors that define them. While in Volcanoes National Park, tourists do not just gaze over these primates, but also spend over 1 hour with them.
Big five safaris in Akagera National Park
The country’s only savannah national park serves well tourists as it is still the only place where big five animals can be spotted in Rwanda. While most of the great animals went into extinction during genocide, their reintroduction into the park has made the area flourish with all the greatest of animals.
View the Big 5 either during morning drives, or during night game drive which effectively allows tourists to spot rare animals like lions, and leopards as they scavenge on their prey while elephants, buffaloes and rhinos can be joyfully spotted at aimlessly as they are grazing along with other animals in the park. Antelope species here include Topis, Reedbucks, Elands, roan antelopes, bushbucks among others.
Boat cruises
Sailing on water in the comfort of a luxurious boat offers tourists a lot of opportunities to spot variety of water creatures like hippos, crocs, water bird species like shoebills, fish eagles, egrets among others.
Visitors can embark on morning, mid-morning, afternoon or sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema or Lake Kivu and enjoy the adventure that is given off by the striking waters.
Best time to visit Rwanda
The best chance of spotting wildlife wonders in this country is during dry months of June to October but exceptionally, chimpanzee lovers definitely blossom with joy during the wet months of March to May and in November as it is quieter in this season and tourists don’t have to hike over long distances to glimpse at chimpanzee troops since they keep around their nests during cold conditions.
