What Safari Activities Can I Do in the Wet Season in Uganda
Want to visit Uganda during the wet or rainy season and you are not certain of the safari activities you can do? There are countless safari activities that visitors can do in the wet season in Uganda. They range from primate adventures to cultural encounters. Uganda is an all-year-round destination which means even if you travel around the peak wet season, you have something to do. The various activities to do in the wet season in Uganda are available in the National Parks and other tourist sites.
Note, the wet season in Uganda often occurs around March, April to May then October to November. This occurs across most Uganda safari tour destinations. Here is the list of rewarding safari activities that you can engage in during the wet or rainy season in Uganda.
Mountain gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is generally the top safari activity on the list of adventures to do in Uganda. While it is usually recommended to do it during the peak dry season, there is also an option to visit Uganda around the wet season and be part of this exhilarating primate adventure. Trekking mountain gorillas in the wet season can be done in any of the parks in Uganda; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda around the wet season is the perfect alternative for budget travelers or if you desire treks free of crowds.
It is during the wet or rainy season when Bwindi and Mgahinga record a low number of trekkers. The advantage of visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking during the peak wet season is that there is a lot for gorillas to feed on which keeps them in the nearby places. As a result, there is the possibility of spending fewer hours for you to search for these apes in the jungles. This is not the case with the dry season when there is a lot of scarcity and gorillas are forced to walk long distances to search for what to eat during the day. As a result, visitors’ trek is lengthened as well.
Game drives
When you think of game viewing, often, companies recommend the dry season as the best season. But it is possible to have a successful game drive in Uganda’s savanna parks and you enjoy the sight of your favorite wildlife. Top places to visit for game drives in Uganda include Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, and Murchison Falls National Parks. A game drive in most of the savanna parks in Uganda guarantees you great sights of the Big game and birdlife. The beauty of engaging in a game drive in the wet season is that you have a chance to explore not only wildlife but you will also capture great views of the savanna plains characterized by scenic green vegetation.
Birding
Bird watching is without doubt the best activity to do in the wet season in Uganda. It is around this period when you can have a great sight of birds, especially migratory species and resident species. It is during the wet season when the majority of avifaunal species breed. Uganda alone protects up to 1080 species of birds which include countless Albertine rift endemic species.
The birds in Uganda include among others Chapin’s flycatchers, blue-checked bee-eaters, bar-tailed trogons, African green broadbill, red-throated alethe, crowned lapwing, great egret, Rwenzori batis, great blue turacos, eastern grey plantain eaters, African darters, and others. The diverse species of birds in Uganda are distributed across different birding sites (Important Birding Areas-IBAs) such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with over 350 species of birds, Kibale National Park with more than 375 bird species, and Kidepo Valley National Park with 475 species of birds. Other birding sites in Uganda include Mabamba Wetland, Budongo Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.
Chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda is a primate activity often conducted during the off-season (wet season). It is around this period when trackers engage in habituating chimpanzee communities. This is best done in Kibale National Park, home to over 1500 chimpanzees plus 12 additional primate species. Kibale chimpanzee habituation involves a long day of following a chimp community. The main aim is to make chimpanzees get used to human presence. This is a step-by-step process where chimps are trained to get familiar with the presence of humans before being opened to official chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzees in Uganda can also be trekked even during the wet season. The best places to enjoy the captivating chimp trek include Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, and Kalinzu Forest. During the Uganda chimp trek, visitors get to explore the different behaviors of chimpanzees in the wild, take photos, and so on. The chimpanzee trekking is done with the company of an experienced guide.
Packing for your safari holiday in Uganda during the wet season
The essentials to consider on your packing list if you have plans to visit Uganda during the wet season include waterproof hiking or walking boots, a waterproof daypack, and long-sleeved shirts. Other items include a waterproof rain jacket or poncho, a first-aid kit, anti-malarial medication prescribed by professional doctors, insect repellents, sunscreen, sunglasses, and others.
Can I go on a safari in Uganda in the wet season?
Yes! Uganda safaris do not get halted because it is the wet season. Safaris can be arranged even during the rainy season. Talk to your expert – Native Africa Tours to plan and book an unforgettable Uganda safari in the wet season or dry season.
Why visit Uganda for a safari in the wet season?
There are multiple benefits that visitors can enjoy when they visit Uganda in the wet or rainy season. They include;
Discounted offers
The majority of the safari lodges across destinations in Uganda tend to cut down on the cost of accommodation during the peak rainy season. This is of great advantage to backpackers/budget travelers to make their travel dreams come true. You can enjoy the discounted offers provided by different accommodation properties in different destinations in Uganda.
Less crowds
Not everyone enjoys crowds and if you are such a traveler who desires to explore destinations without stress from crowds, then you have every reason to be in Uganda in the wet season. This is ideal, especially for primate adventure seekers interested in gorilla trekking in Bwindi/Mgahinga National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and game drives in the savanna-protected areas.
Easy to find a comfortable car
It is easier to find a car for a road trip in the wet season, also regarded as off-season compared to the peak dry season. Around this period, you can even request for discounted offer on your rental car. Getting this offer on car hire services is nearly impossible during the peak dry season when there is a high demand for rental cars in Uganda.
Best places to visit in Uganda
All the 10 National Parks in Uganda can be considered for visitor exploration. They offer primate and savanna wildlife encounters as well as hiking adventures. Savanna wildlife parks in Uganda include Queen Elizabeth Game Park, Murchison Falls Park, Kidepo Valley Game Park, and Lake Mburo National Game Park.
Primate safari destinations in Uganda; Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Hiking destinations include Mount Elgon National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Game Park.
