Uganda Safaris

Top things to do on a Uganda safari

A safari in Uganda can be full of thrills, good for the soul, or an experience to keep for life. If you don’t have a plan for what to do in Uganda while on safari, your trip might not be as exciting, you might not get the most out of it, or it might even be stressful. Here is a list of ten things you can do on your Uganda safari that will make it useful.

1. Gorilla trekking.

A Uganda gorilla trekking safari is about a lot more than just looking for the famous mountain gorillas in the jungle while they are feeding their babies or just being themselves. You can get the most out of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that makes your Uganda safari the most incredible. Remember to listen to what your guide tells you, get ready to do a lot of strolling during gorilla trekking safari, and only go if you’re in good health so you don’t infect the gorillas. Gorilla trekking is a thrilling adventure that is worth every minute you spend doing it.

2. Chimpanzee trekking.

Uganda is a great place to see primates, and chimps are one of the more than 13 species that live in Uganda. Chimps can be seen in the wild in places like Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Tooro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, and Budongo Forest. The chimp habituation experience gives you more time with the chimps in the wild that is four hours than the chimp trekking safari experience that takes one hour. You can see young chimps in places like Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Watch chimps eat fruit, watch each other, and groom each other as they go about their daily lives.

3. Uganda Bird watching.

Uganda’s birds chirp by the water of Lake Victoria, fly over the flow of the River Nile, and walk through the swamps of Mabamba Island. Uganda has over 1050 known bird species, so a tour in Uganda would not be complete without birding. Many birds live in tropical rain forests, grassland, swamps, and the edges of lakes. Mabamba Island is a good place to catch a glimpse of the famous shoebill stork, which is one of the must-see birds. Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the Albertine Rift Endemics; the Bigodi Wetlands to see a Great Blue Turaco; Murchison Falls National Park to see savanna endemics like Denham’s Bustard; Mabamba Swamp to see a shoebill; and Semuliki National Park to see species from central Africa.

4. Cultural tour experiences.

Uganda has more kinds of variety than just the birds, animals, and plants. Our culture is a mix of sights, sounds, colours, and tastes. Each tribe and local community will have a different recipe, culture dress or style, language, traditional song, and dance. Try the famous Luwombo from Buganda, Eshabwe from Ankole, Atapa from the land of Teso, Malakwang from Acholi, and Maleewa from the Bagisu of East as you learn about Uganda’s culture and main foods. You could get a feel for Uganda’s culture by going on the Batwa path, visiting museum, Igongo Cultural Centre, Ndere Centre, the national theatre and among others.

5. Water Rafting on River Nile.

White water rafting on River Nile is a must-do while on a safari in Uganda. The river’s strong current, electric breeze, and adrenaline-pumping waves make it a must-do. This exciting safari along 25 kilometres of River Nile takes about 6 hours. Water rafting is not for people who are scared of water. It is for people who want to see the Nile in an amazing way by diving into it quickly one time at a time.  You can do Grade 5 Extreme Rafting, the Raft River Board, Grade 3 Full Day Rafting, or 2 Day Water Rafting. When you’re done with this exciting safari activity, you’ll find local music, bonfires, bbq, and dancing on the banks of the Nile.

6. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi and Craters.

Lake Bunyonyi winds and curves through a beautiful scenery with 29 islands and gardens built on terraces.  When you canoe on Lake Bunyonyi, you can look up at the hills and down as far as you can see into the water. You can also listen to traditional stories about the lake and watch the birds. Your way around the site and from island to island will be in a traditional dugout boat. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi should be on your bucket list because it’s peaceful and gets you deep into the Bunyonyi Region.

7. Game viewing on safari.

4X4 wheels, an open roof, binoculars, a good camera, your eyes, the wilderness breeze and wildlife are a summary of what a game drive involves. It is the handiest way to see wild animals. The tour guide or ranger will be your compass. They will know where to take you to see tree-climbing lions, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo groups, ostriches, hyenas, zebras, and birds. This can be done in Savannah parks, like Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. There are game drives in the morning, afternoon, and night game drives.

8. Volcano Hiking in Virunga.

Uganda has hills, rivers, beautiful plains, and Volcano Mountains. Mount Elgon is 4,321 metres tall and is located to the east of Uganda. It has the biggest caldera in the world. The mighty Virunga Ranges are in the west of Uganda. Mount Mgahinga, Muhavura, and Sabinyo, which stand at 3,474 metres, 4,127 metres, and 3,645 metres, respectively, call to those with a sense of adventure. Not only is hiking up the volcanoes a rocky climb, but it is also a walk through the thick forests that grow on the fertile slopes of the volcanoes and a chance to see the gorillas that walk through the bamboo in the Virunga Ranges and the rare birds that have made these hills their home. Hiking up a volcano is a test of your character and strength, and when you reach the top, you feel more thrilled of what you can do than you did before the walk.

9. Boat safaris.

Tourists on a boat safari along Kazinga Channel, one of the best places for a boat safari in Uganda, can hear the swish-swash of small waves. When you go on a boat tour at the Murchison Falls, you might see water birds, hippos drinking fresh water at noon, and wild animals coming to the shores to quench their thirst for the day, watching 29 islands on the deepest lake Bunyonyi and enjoying viewing different bird species during the boat safaris and among others. A Boat Safari is one of the most relaxing ways to see Uganda, and it should be on your list of things to do while on a safari in Uganda.

10. Kampala City Tour.

Kampala is the capital of Uganda, and it is currently built on several hills. Whether you choose a bicycle tour, a ride in a vehicle, or a walk tour, your Uganda safari would be incomplete if you didn’t visit Kampala, the city. Kampala’s greatness comes from places like Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, Rubaga Cathedral, Namirembe Cathedral, Bahai Temple, Hindu Temple, and Independence Monument, Kasubi tombs, which are all architectural and historical sites. Even though the sights are beautiful, don’t forget to eat a Rolex while you’re in Kampala. That will seal the deal.