As you are planning your Uganda safari, you are probably wondering what to expect there. You can expect a lot of things depending on where you are. The list below has what you should expect while on a safari in Uganda.
- GAME DRIVES
Early morning game drive; This is one of the most popular ways to see wildlife and will be the highlight of your safari. A vehicle will take you each day of your safari and will drive through the parks in search for all sorts of incredible Wildlife. Each day of your safari will include an early morning and an afternoon game drive with a short break for lunch. Waking up early is yet another experience one should expect while on a safari. Most days on a safari begin before dawn. This is because the 1st two hours of daylight are the best to see wildlife. In the early morning, most animals are most active as the sun comes up. Most camps and Lodges have attendants or a tour guide that will wake you up. You will be served tea or coffee or some light breakfast.
Afternoon game drives; This is the best time to see predatory animals as they begin to wake up after seeking shade to rest in during the hottest part of the day. Once the sun starts to cool down around 3-4pm you will have tea and snack before heading out again. You will rarely go hungry while on a safari. This drive follows the same format as the morning one although this can go up to late evenings. Game drives are usually in open vehicles and for a thorough game drive within the parks approximately 5 hours can be enough.
2. Abundant wildlife
during your safari, you will be able to see a variety of wild life like the big five animals that is lion, leopard, rhinos, buffalo and other animals like antelopes, Uganda kobs, eland, mountain reed, buchelles zebras, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles, water-bucks, Jacksons, oribi’s, topi, monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys in game parks like Murchison falls
National park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale forest national park among others.
3. Chimpanzee trekking
This is the second done safari activity after gorilla trekking. It is commonly done in Uganda because the country’s national park that hosts the highest percentage of endangered chimpanzees of over 5000 individual chimpanzees. Travelers who desire to visit their natural habitats to encounter these exciting great creatures which are said to share 98% human DNA. Travelers are given an hour to spend with these chimpanzees which is quite an awesome encounter and a great opportunity for the visitors to get close to their related cousins and learn about their life style in their natural habitat. To enjoy this experience, trekkers are entitled to purchase a Chimpanzee permit that costs about $200 per person. This is a breathtaking experience where visitors enjoy as they have a glance at the primates feeding, jumping from tree to tree.
Chimpanzee habituation is done at Kibale national park in Uganda. Here travelers who prefer to spend more time with chimpanzees other than just spending an hour in trekking. Chimpanzee habituation is the art of hiking deep within the forest alongside armed rangers, researchers in search of these chimpanzees that are not used to human presence. During this activity traveler are in position to learn a lot of chimpanzee characteristics like viewing their daily activities, sleep, feed, breastfeed, copulate among others.
4. Gorilla trekking
This is one of the most common and major tourism activity for visitors who come on a safari. This is an amazing experience that will have you hiking through the forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is mainly done in Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park. In Rwanda it is done in volcanoes Rwanda national park and in
Congo at Virunga national park. While on a Gorilla Trekking safari, visitors should expect to spend an hour with the endangered mountain Gorillas. For one to take part in this safari activity, one must be 15 years of age and obtain a gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. You can book your gorilla trekking permit before your tracking Experience to have a better gorilla trekking experience.
5. Golden monkey tracking and Golden Monkey Experience are a unique activity that is done in Mgahinga National Park. With habituated Golden Monkeys makes it Possible for travelers to track them when in the park. Travelers need to purchase golden monkey tracking permits at $60. Incase one is interested in the Golden monkey tracking Experience $100 to be allowed to take part in either of this amazing activity. They can be purchased from Uganda wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator.
6. Birding
While on a safari, travelers should expect to see a variety of bird species. Various national parks in Uganda like Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park and many others. Uganda ranks high among the wealthiest destinations for birds in Africa and globally. There are 31 restricted range species in Uganda, five of which are globally threatened. Twenty four of these species are endemic to the albertine rift
mountains like; Archer’s Robin-chat, dusky crimson –wing, Shelley’s Crimson –Crimson –Wing, strange weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared sunbird, Blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, collared Apalis, kivu Ground Thrush, Red –throated Alethe among others. Birders should therefore carry their binoculars and enjoy the smooth sounds of the birds that are worth enjoying on every safari.
7. Community and cultural walks
Many lodges and safari camps in most locations work closely with local communities. You are likely to get opportunities of visiting local people and learning more about the local community.
While on a safari, going for community and cultural walk will take you deep to some of these culturally rich tribes. Here you will be exposed to their dressing, music dance and drama, cultural heritage, way of life plus the food. A safari to mountain Elgon national park will have you exposed to the bagisu and sabiny culture of circumcision.
8. A lot of eating
Food plays a major part in most safaris. With 5 animals a day, light breakfast, brunch, high tea in the evening, sun downer and dinner. Camps will serve biscuit with coffee or tea, huge breakfast, three- course lunch, and dinner as well as other snacks throughout the day.
9. Walking safari
This is one of the safari activities that travelers can expect. Guided walks and treks are offered in many of Uganda’s national parks and reserves. A walking safari is simply walking in a protected area or national park with full guidance of a profession guide. Walking safari will give you a chance to get a closer look at the different attractions in the country, from the hills and valleys, the thick forests,
the plain Savannah grasslands, the rivers, wildlife among others. A Uganda walking safari offers you a chance to actively get involved in any safari by walking to see the different wildlife in national parks.
National parks like Lake Mburo national park, Kidepo valley national park, Kibale national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park offer quality time on walking safaris.
10. Mountain hiking
This will give you most unforgettable hiking experience in Uganda. Expeditions to Rwenzori mountains national park, mountain Elgon national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park will give you a breath taking experience. Hiking up a volcano is a test of character, strength that will leave you
prouder than before the hike. Hiking the volcanoes does not only a scenic walk through the dense forests that grow on the slopes of the mountains but also give you an opportunity to reach the peak and explore the vast wildlife along the slopes.
11. Hot air balloon
This is yet another experience you should not miss out while on a safari. This will reward you with a stunning view of the wildlife and beautiful landscape. The spectacular views from above will leave you feeling relaxed and blessed by wondrous gifts of nature. It is a great way to watch sunrise and enjoy the scenery. Hot air balloon is however done only in Murchison falls National Park.
12. Fishing
This is a life time experience that allows visitors to explore the country’s fishing spots especially done on the fresh waters of Lake Victoria, Murchison falls national park and Lake Mburo national park. Uganda is the best sport
fishing destination in Africa with unexploited fishing spots for anglers to experience the most exhilarating adventures in their lives. Uganda caters for all interests of anglers who are on their safaris in Africa.
Accommodations in Uganda have earned a reputation for Excellence in hospitality. There are many good camps and lodges throughout the national parks that cater for all kinds of clients. Visitors to Uganda are sure to have a luxury experience throughout their stay.
14. Iconic landscape
Uganda scenery is beautiful as it comprises of lush rolling hills, forests, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, rivers and Savannah grasslands. Visiting all these landscapes will introduce you to a variety of attractions found within Uganda.
- Great company
The people are so welcoming to visitors to their villages. Visitors are normally welcomed with songs and dances with smiling faces. Here you can be able to taste their local food and the locals can as well teach you how to prepare it and teach you how to make some local crafts like clothes and beads.
