What are the best safari activities in Uganda? The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has actually limited us from travel and enjoy the nature and we used to before the pandemic. Of course, we cannot stay home forever, country are lifting lockdowns, internal flights are on now and the internal boarders are being opened following the standard operating procedures. In Uganda, like other countries were affected by the pandemic though not very much as compared to other world countries. Uganda is now fully open for tourism with in the country for both international and domestic visitors. Tourism is open and all visitors must follow Standard Operating Procedures as advised by World Health Organisation, Uganda Tourism Board, United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Association Of Uganda Tour Operators , Ministry of Health Uganda and all other standard operating procedures provides various organisation such as maintaining social distance, putting on masks, washing hands a among others. Uganda is a rich tourism destination with a lot of tourism attractions including the primates, cultural diversity, wildlife viewing and activities based on water resources. 

Today, I discuss the best safari activities that you can do and explore in Uganda while considering your safety.

Primate tracking / Watching in Uganda:

Primate tracking is one of the highlights of safari activities in Uganda and most of the tourists in Uganda have known Uganda as the tourism destination because of primate tracking. There are very many primate species in Uganda such as chimpanzees, the endangered Mountain gorillas, vervet monkeys, Baboons, golden monkeys among others. While in Uganda you will be able to chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking all of which are done in a group of 8 people and once the primate being trekked is seen, visitors are allowed only one hour to see them. Currently, visitors are free to come to Uganda and do engage in this activity in different national park including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla and Golden monkey Trekking, Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National parks for chimpanzee trekking. All the activities are done following the SOPs for COVID-19 spread control.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda:

Gorilla trekking is one of the travel life-changing and enjoyable activities that one would not miss participating in while in Uganda. The activity of gorilla trekking involves the visitors visiting gorillas in forests which they inhabit naturally, by trekking the well-habituated gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in only two national parks of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Gorilla trekking starts at 7:00 am at the respective park headquarters with a briefing, the briefing is intended to make you aware of what you’re supposed to do and not as you move in the forest searching for the endangered Mountain Gorilla. Here you will need a gorilla trekking permit to be able to see mountain gorillas and each gorilla trekking permit USD700 for the foreign non-residents, USD600 for the East African Residents and Uganda shillings 250,000 for the East African Citizens. Once you have paid for the permit, you will be allowed to trek gorillas and once you see them, you will be given only one hour to see them , learn how they interact with each other’s and their feeding habits. However, one can decide to book for gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you can spend 4 hours with gorillas and the gorilla habituation experience permit costs 1500 per person per trek.

Wildlife viewing safaris in Uganda:

While is Uganda, believe me you will enjoy fantastic wildlife encounters crisscrossing over the savannah grassland in savannah parks of Queen Elizabeth National park, Kidepo valley National Park, Lake Mburo National park, Murchison Falls National Park among other interesting national parks and wildlife reserves. Get ready to see interesting animals such as the lions, leopards, buffaloes, wild dogs, hyenas, elephants, warthogs, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras among others. Come and enjoy the best wildlife viewing safari country Uganda.

Mountain Hiking and cycling safari in Uganda:

This presents another best safari activity what you can do in Uganda on your Vacation. Uganda’s topography composed of hills and steep slopes and rugged landscape offers an opportunity for those interested in adventurous activities. Visitors coming to Uganda will be able to engage in mountain climbing of different mountains and hills for example the Ruwenzori Mountains that are covered by snow on top, mountain Elgon, Moroto. Gahinga, Sabinyo Muhavura among other great hills that are so interesting. Hiking safaris can last for 2 hours to 7 days depending on which mountain you have decide to Hike.

Boat excursions in Uganda:

Uganda has got very many water resources including the largest fresh water Lake Victoria and the fact that it is the source of the longest river Niles. Other water bodies include the deepest lake Bunyonyi, Lake Albert, lake gorge and Edward joined by a large channel called Kazinga Chanel among other water bodies. Because of these rivers, boat safari trips are common and provides you with undistinguished experience of encountering Uganda’s wildlife while on Ugandan waters. Most boat cruise safaris are conducted on Lake Mburo in Lake Mburo National Park, Kazinga channel joining Lake George and Edward in Queen Elizabeth National park, river Nile boat cruise safari on river Nile in Murchison falls National Park among others.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda:

Chimpanzee tracking is also one of the best safari activities that is done in Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking is done in Kibale forest national park and the park has got over 15000 chimpanzees and it referred to as the world’s primate capital. Other places in Uganda where chimpanzee trekking is done in Uganda include the Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu Forest.  Chimpanzee trekking is done in early in the Morning and in the afternoon and at Africa Adventure Vacations we book chimpanzee trekking permit in a place of your interest. The permit for chimpanzee trekking goes for United states dollars 200 for the foreign non-residents then Foreign residents pay  United States Dollars 150  and 30 unites states dollars for East African  citizens. Like gorillas you will have 1-hour encounter with chimpanzees except if you opt to do for chimpanzee habituation process that will take you for about 6 hours.

Bird watching Safaris in Uganda:

Uganda is one of the best safari destination in Africa with the highest concentration of birds. The birds recorded in Uganda are over 10,000 spread into different locations and places within the country. Those interested in Migratory birds should better pack their bags and come to Uganda. Albertine endemics and the rare shoe bill are some of the birds that you must see when in Uganda for safari. In fact, from the time you land at Entebbe international airport, you will be able to start bird watching as you will be welcomed by bird even the moment you leave the airport. The major spots for birding in Uganda include, queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison falls national park, Bogodi wetland, Mamamba wetland, Kibale forest national park, Mubwindi swamp and all other national parks in Uganda. The common bird species that you will see include Back-bellied Bustard, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Marabou stork, Giant Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, Grey-crowned crane, African Jacana, and Black-headed Lapwing among other bird species.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Uganda:

As the matter of fact in east Africa it’s only in Uganda and Rwanda where Golden monkey tracking is done. In Uganda, golden monkey tracking is done in Mgahinga Forest National Park. Like any other primate visitors will spend only one hour seeing the golden monkeys and the golden monkey trekking permit costs USD100. Still you can opt to do golden monkey habituation experience and spend more time with the primate (4) hours and visitors interested in this activity will be able to pay United States dollars Golden 140.

Cultural encounter in Uganda:

Uganda is one of the countries that is diverse with cultures and has got more than 50 tribes with each trip having its own cultures and their way of live. Every destination/attraction in Uganda is surrounded by the community with a unique culture and therefore it’s good that young include cultural safari tours on your itinerary to Uganda.

When can you best Visit Uganda for best safari activities?

Uganda is one of the best country with favorable climate which on its own, has acted as the tourist attraction. The country Uganda is crossed by the equator which determined the climate and mostly equatorial is the type of climate that receives both rainy and wet season .Yes, mostly it’s favorable for people to visits Uganda during the dry season instead of wet season. This is because the rainy season presents challenges especially in navigating to the parks trails  for game viewing and doing primate trekking. And thus the best time to go to Uganda for the best safari activities is during the dry season in of December to February and  June to October.