Walking Safaris in Uganda
Guided walking safaris in Uganda are undoubtedly a thrilling way to experience Uganda’s spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife up close. Experienced guides perfectly conduct walking safaris and tours in Uganda. Uganda walking tours involve exploring the National Park as you observe the diversity of wildlife in their natural environment, and you also have time to appreciate the country’s natural beauty.
Walking safaris in Uganda introduces you deep into the wilderness to have a close interaction with nature and witness your favorite wildlife. The beauty of guided walking safaris is that you get to penetrate deeper into spots hardly reached by safari vehicles.
Where to go for Nature walks in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park is the name of a national park.
Murchison Falls National Park sits in northwestern Uganda and is a premier destination with abundant wildlife. The park extends up to 3840 sq. km and offers amazing walking experiences in most of its enriching spots. The best locations to visit for nature walks or forest walks include Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest, Albert Delta, Rabongo Forest, and others.
While on a guided walking excursion, expect to come across wild animals such as waterbucks, elephants, warthogs, plus many bird species. Also expect to appreciate the breathtaking views of the scenic Albert Nile and the Congo Blue Mountains.
A guided nature walking tour in Murchison Falls National Park allows you to spot not only wildlife but also a variety of bird species. The different bird species to explore in Murchison Falls National Park include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, grey-crowned crane, giant kingfisher, black-headed lapwing, sandpipers, yellow-fronted tinker bird, long-toed plovers, African darters, malachite kingfishers, etc.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park for your nature walking excursion is possible by road or air. Road transportation requires you to spend about 6-7 hours, which includes en route to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. By air, you can fly from Entebbe Airport up to the airstrips in the park, including Pakuba.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers exceptional walking experiences in various locations. The key areas to explore on guided walking tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kyambura Gorge (Valley of Apes). The lush rainforest at the Kyambura Gorge shelters a range of wildlife, including chimpanzees, baboons, colobus monkeys, and many bird species.
Diverse bird species to find on nature walks in Queen Elizabeth National Park include among others African skimmers, common sand martin, Caspian plovers, black bee-eaters, African hobby, African fin foot, African fish eagle, Great blue turacos, grey blue turacos, black-rumped buttonquail, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, broad-billed rollers and more.
You can reach Queen Elizabeth Park from Entebbe or Kampala via the Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route. This route requires you to spend about 7-8 hours driving. You can also connect to the park via Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal–Kasese, approximately a 6-7 hours’ drive.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo’s popularity stems from its off-beaten path experiences, and a guided walk provides a fantastic opportunity to explore its lush beauty and wonders. Kidepo is home to diverse wildlife, including buffaloes, zebras, and more. The key areas for walking tours in Kidepo include Narus Valley, Lamoj Hills, and more.
Kidepo boasts of its diverse bird species. It counts for about 475 species of birds, including the little bee-eaters, Karamoja apalis, white-bellied go-away-birds, red-throated bee-eaters, purple grenadiers, Northern carmine bee-eaters, Kori bustards, rufous chatterers, red & yellow barbet. Kidepo also protects birds such as golden pipit, Clapperton’s francolins, black-breasted barbet, Abyssinian rollers, common ostriches, Jackson’s hornbill, Greater kestrel, Dark chanting goshawk, Chestnut weaver birds, and secretary birds.
Kibale National Park
Known for its enriching chimpanzee trekking, Kibale is a unique destination worth visiting to experience more than primate treks. Guided forest walks and nature walks are available, ushering nature lovers deep into the lush Kibale Forest. Visitors can embark on the 12-km Kibale Forest walk trail, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. The hikes/walks through the scenic Kibale Forest involve navigating via the riverine forests, swamps, and grassland.
Kibale Forest National Park offers day and night walks. Day forest walks are best done along the 12 km walking trail. Guided walks begin from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center with great sightings of diverse faunal and floral species. The nocturnal walks involve spending 1-2 hours with an experienced guide as you search for the nocturnal species. Kibale National Park is most popular for nocturnal species such as bushbabies and pottos.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Nature walks in Bwindi offer an incredible addition to enchanting gorilla trekking adventures. Guided nature walks through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest involve exploring various trails, including the waterfall trail, the Ivy River trail, the bamboo trail, the Munyaga River trail, and Kashasha etc. These trails enrich visitors with bird sightings and other forest species.
Like gorilla trekking, nature walks in Bwindi begin from the sectors. The four sectors to explore in Bwindi during a nature or forest walk include the Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ruhija sectors.
Why visit Uganda for Guided Nature Walks
Appreciate eco-friendly vacations
To reduce carbon emissions, walking safaris are ideal. Walking safaris create a smaller carbon footprint than many safari vehicles concentrated in one area. Walking safaris in Uganda promotes sustainable tourism in most of the destinations.
Deeper interaction
Nature walking tours take you on a deep exploration of what nature offers the world. Visitors have a higher chance of having a close interaction with nature. The complete immersion into the wild is a great opportunity to unearth what you can’t find when on a game drive or safari drive through the designated game track.
Educational experience
If you are interested in learning or educational tours, then you have every reason to embark on a guided walking safari tour in any of the parks in Uganda. It is during the walking excursions you have time to learn more about the unique floral species that are of medicinal significance. Tourists can also explore more about the various conservation practices intended to achieve wildlife conservation efforts/goals.
Amazing tips on planning walking safaris
Safety first: When you think of guided walking tours, safety should be the priority. Embark on a walking expedition with an experienced guide. Maintain a certain distance from the attractions as you interact with nature.
Pack right: Consider packing the right gear. The checklist of items to pack includes long-sleeved shirts, a waterproof daypack, long trousers, a camera, a first aid kit, and sunscreen.
Keep yourself hydrated: Carry with you adequate bottled water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the walking session.
Protection: Ensure that you don’t forget about the insect repellent to protect yourself from the biting insects. You may pack sunscreen, a safari hat, and waterproof walking boots.
Best time to travel for walking safaris
People excellently conduct walking safaris in Uganda during the dry seasons. On a travel calendar, there are strictly 2 phases of the dry season to consider when planning for your vacation. The long and short dry seasons are rewarding, especially for nature enthusiasts who prefer hikes/walks with less stress from muddy or slippery ground. The long dry months happen from June to September or December to February.
Uganda’s walking safaris provide an unparalleled, intimate experience of its diverse wildlife, landscapes, and ecosystems. Guided walking tours in Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley immerse you in nature, whether you’re tracking zebras, encountering buffalo, or exploring the raw wilderness. In 2025/2026, adventurous travelers seeking unique experiences should consider Uganda’s walking safaris, which offer more than the usual game drive.
