When it gets to holiday time; time to go on a long safari, time to rewind in wilderness, rejuvenate, eat, chill and explore nature; choosing the right destination is a big deal. Looking through the Map, drag your finger tip to East of the continent of Africa, and if on google; type the six-letter word “UGANDA”, make a booking and get your safari itinerary right away. Uganda is a tiny landlocked country in the east of the Continent of Africa, neighbored by the Republic of Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and South Sudan.
It is a country with incredible natural diversity, ranging from mountains, breathtaking landscapes and unmatched savannah cover. It is understandable why Winston Churchill referred to Uganda as “the Pearl of Africa” in his book “My African Journey.” Take part in excursions like hiking, birdwatching, gorilla trekking, game viewing, cultural encounters, and chimpanzee expeditions with your family, friends, by yourself, in a group, or as newlyweds. While on your Uganda safari, you can communicate with the natives in English, which is the official language, Swahili, Luganda, French, and other regional languages if you are fluent in any of them. While you can use any currency during your trip, it is simple to carry out transactions in the local currency – Uganda shillings.
There are 10 national parks in Uganda, distributed in various regions. These include Mount. Elgon National Park, which has the magical Sipi Falls in the east, Kidepo Valley National Park in the north for its virgin wilderness, Murchison Falls National Park in the north west with its powerful waterfalls, Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree-climbing lions, Lake Mburo National Park for Impalas and large herds of zebras, Semliki National Park for birds and Mount Rwenzori National Park.
Accessing each of the national parks requires paying the entrance fees, with exception of gorillas and chimpanzee parks, where the trekking permit covers entrance fees. For sunrise activities, the parks open at 6:00am and close at 7:00pm. All visitors are expected to follow set rules, which include not exceeding the posted speed limits of 40km/hour, not leaving trash in the park, not driving off-track, and more. The violators usually pay a price to save the environment and its residents.
One of the best safaris in Uganda to undertake is gorilla trekking. A once-in-lifetime experience, seeing gorillas in their natural environment. Only the African continent, specifically the nations of Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo, is home to endangered gorillas. This activity is carried out in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks. Only those who are 15 years old and have a valid gorilla trekking permit will participate in this activity.
Every day, a group of up to eight individuals may visit a specific gorilla family under the leadership of a knowledgeable ranger guide who describes the life and traits of these apes. All trekkers must purchase a gorilla trekking permit, which costs 700 USD per person per day, 600 USD for foreign residents, and 250,000 Ugx for East African nationals.
Safaris for chimpanzee trekking take you to Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu forest and Murchison Falls National Park’s Budongo forest. Man and chimpanzees are closely related, having around 98% of similar DNA. Depending on your hiking pace and how far the chimps have traveled, it will take you between one and five hours to trek them on foot. You are given an hour to snap pictures and be amongst them.
Get the Rhythms that keep you on your toes jumping; smiling and wanting more. An encounter with any of the 56 cultures in Uganda leads to very thrilling safari experience when it comes to authenticity and cultural diversity. Ugandans are proud of their cultures and at any given point will display to visitors. They dance, sing, take you around the Village, and tell stories. It is a unique unforgettable experience in a rural setup; a remind to you the urban dwellers that cultural is vital and need to be upheld.
Among the tribes to lookout for are; Batwa pygmies living around Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks; The IK and Karamojong’s in the north near Kidepo valley national park; Buganda and not forgetting the Isunga cultural community living around Kibale forest National Park.
Rhinos are one of the members of the Big 5 family and can only be tracked in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola district south of Murchison Falls National Park; their only habitat in the country. They are the white Rhinos. Rhino tracking lasts for approximately an hour, with Ranger guides leading you to where they graze.
Not to the weak hearted, yet to all who lookout for unforgettable safari ventures in Uganda. Adventure activities are not for the weak hearted but for those with the love for it. Get to Uganda for the rewarding white water rafting on Nile rapids; Mountain Hiking and Bungee jumping, camping experience and more.
Big 5 safaris in Uganda take you to the unspoilt savannah parks to encounter the Big 5 mammals notably; the lions, leopards, African elephants, Cape Buffaloes and Rhinoceros. It takes a lucky day to encounter all these animals though present in the country. The safari takes you Kidepo valley national park, Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, and the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Reward yourself with amazing boat cruises on the Nile-longest River on earth and Lake Victoria; one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Boat cruise are done in the different national parks and beaches in the morning and afternoon hours. You get to sail on water on a canoe or motorized boat, enjoy the fresh water breeze, as you watch the birds, animals, and more.
Uganda is open to visitors all year round with exciting activities in different destinations starting at day break. The best months to visit without fear of much rains that can interrupt the experience is from December to March, and June to September.
March to May, October to November have rains but visitors get to enjoy great discounts on accommodation and other offers.
Uganda is one of the premier safari destinations in the world. Visit and enjoy the best untouched nature, top class accommodation facilities, serene environment, variety of flora and fauna, culture and more during your safari holiday vacation.
