Reasons Why Your Next Safari Should Be in Uganda

Reasons Why Your Next Safari Should Be in Uganda

Several reasons surround the question of why your next safari should be in Uganda. This incredible country located in the East African region is a dream for any safari enthusiast and nature lover. Uganda is the epitome of all the safari experiences one can think of or even dream of. The country is well situated along the equator and serves an equatorial type of climate as much as the environment. The landscape ripples with various terrains, from steep slopes to lowlands, valleys, and highlands. The country’s abundant nature is filled with incredible and spectacular features and species.  These put Uganda at the forefront of any adventure and safari destination in the world.

Although Uganda is a landlocked country with no access to the coast, its well-distributed attractions have pinned its presence on the map of Africa. Hence, crafting it is the formidable Pearl of Africa. Visitors to Uganda have their high expectations met with plenty of natural wonders, like the dense tropical forests, vast savannahs, swamps, tranquil lakes and rivers, imposing mountains, valleys, and plateaus, among others. Uganda’s beauty and overwhelming tourist attractions cut across its borders to the entire world and can take forever to exhaust.

Why consider Uganda your next safari destination?

Uganda fits anyone’s safari dreams because of the variety of adventurous attractions it poses. As unveiled below, Uganda should be your next safari destination.

Mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas are the country’s formidable and unmatched top-seller. These primate species dwell in the mountainous regions of the Virunga conservation area. Uganda is proud to have two of its protected areas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in this Virunga conservation area. Mountain gorillas are by far one of the leading tourist attractions of Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts over 50 gorilla families and 26 families are habituated. These are part of the 559 gorillas in the park distributed in the four gorilla sectors. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern region of the country bordering Rwanda. It harbors over 100 gorillas in its 33.7 square kilometers of land mass. The mountain gorillas have attracted several visitors across the world and are one of the biggest reasons why your next safari should be in Uganda.

Tree-climbing lions

The mere fact of thought of the lions climbing trees alone can put Uganda as your number one safari destination. The Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park is one place in Uganda flourishing with tree-climbing lions. Visitors can seem not to get over the adventure of tree-climbing lions as every experience demands more of the same. While on a 4×4 safari vehicle, visitors can witness the lions of Ishasha high up on the branches of fig and acacia trees. This adventure has helped to keep Uganda at the forefront of any safari destination hence why you should also consider it as your first choice safari adventure destination.

Murchison Falls

Imagine witnessing and experiencing a jaw-dropping moment at the strongest waterfall in the world. You don’t have to imagine as Uganda puts this incredible adventure right before your eyes to experience the mighty Murchison Falls. Located at the Victoria Nile, a tributary of the longest river, the Nile, Murchison Falls is a wonder of Mother Nature. As the water rushes downstream, driven by gravity, its path is blocked and forced through a small opening between the rocks. It pushes through here with absolute force, falling 45 meters, and plunges into a small pour at the bottom of the falls. Hence, this causes a thunderous roar that can be heard over a mile away. As calm resorts back to the Nile as water flows from the falls, a rainbow is formed above the falls as a sign of the calmness of the Nile.

Wildlife

The abundance of wildlife in Uganda creates a great and solid reason why your next safari should be in Uganda. The country floods with spanning and unique wildlife species scattered across its territory in the protected areas. Uganda has over 10 national parks, and these are packed with abundant wildlife species like Africa’s Big 5 species, lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, and rhinos. Other wildlife species to look out for include antelopes, waterbucks, reedbucks, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, spotted hyenas, duikers, warthogs, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, etc.

Source of the Nile

The longest river to ever bless Africa and the world in general has its source in Uganda. As the River Nile begins its 6,650-kilometer journey to the Mediterranean Sea, it crosses over 11 countries. What an adventure it would be to witness the source of life for more than 11 countries. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater in Africa.  It stretches in three countries, with the biggest part in Uganda, where the source of the Nile is. The lake feeds the Nile, preparing it for the long journey, forming the Rippon Falls as the Nile leaves Lake Victoria. This experience alone is a reason why you should put Uganda as your next safari destination.

Birdlife

What doesn’t Uganda have? Many usually exclaim like this because of the plenty of flora and fauna that bless it, an epic land of wonders. The birdlife in Uganda is made plenty and possible by the vast landscape of various ecological systems that are a perfect habitat for the birds. The bird species that roam the ecological systems of Uganda include the resident and migratory birds. These resident birds, also called endemic birds, are the natives of this land, while the migratory ones are the seasonal fly-ins who come to breed.

The birdlife of Uganda includes a variety of species, as shown below white-bellied robin chat, brown-necked parrot, blue-headed sunbird. More so, short-tailed warbler, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, blue-headed sunbird. Furthermore, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, bush shrike, Rwenzori nightjar, mountain masked apalis, handsome spurfowl. Additionally, African harrier hawk, giant kingfisher, cinnamon chested bee-eater, regal bird, white-bellied kingfisher. Furthermore, Nkulengu rail, Grant’s bluebill, crested malimbe, leaf-love, Rwenzori ibis, etc. The birdlife of Uganda makes the country to be your next safari destination, as some species encountered here may not be anywhere else.

Chimpanzees

Uganda alone harbors over 5,000 chimpanzee primates, making it one of the best primate destinations in the world. The tropical rainforests of Kibale, Kalinzu, Budongo, and Kyambura Gorge, among others in Uganda, host these primates. Kibale Forest is the primate capital of the world, with over 1,500 chimpanzees. These primates can be encountered on a chimpanzee tracking experience in any of the chimp destinations in the country. This abundance of these chimpanzees in the country makes Uganda a perfect destination to be considered for your next safari.

Golden monkeys

Golden monkeys in Uganda are only located in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These primates are popular because of their elusive nature and rare factors. These monkeys are distinctive, with golden fur on their cheeks and back with dark limbs. These monkeys live in troops along the base of mountains in Mgahinga in the bamboo plantations. This alone should be a reason for you to make Uganda one of the next safari destinations.