Highlights of a Uganda Safari Experience | Budget Gorilla Safaris
4-5 minutes
Crowned the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill in 1907, Uganda is renown 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 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 000m in altitude and relatively flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders. One of Africa’s most well-watered countries (25% of Uganda is covered by lakes, rivers and wetlands) the landscape is lush and green for most of the year though northern Uganda grades into 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 while its savannah parks – Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls – offer classic game viewing & the BIG 5, 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 south west. Travellers can also enjoy the classic wild game and sandy rivers in the far east destination of Kidepo Valley National Park.
Rwanda Gorilla Tracking; Gorillas in the mist at Virunga Range – Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Mother & Baby of the Sibinyo Gorilla Group
It is seldom that wildlife enthusiasts have the opportunity to so easily combine experiences like Gorilla trekking with a classic wildlife safari.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is another popular activity, as is Budongo Forest Reserve with the 100m deep Kyambura gorge as well as Kalinzu Forest Reserve – just add them to the long list of must do things in Uganda. There’s also golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga which is steadily gaining popularity amongst primate enthusiasts.
Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking – Uganda Safari
If you’re not too tired from your trekking experience 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.
Murchison Air Baloon
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 bino’s 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 do to first!