Are you planning to spend your next vacation in Uganda but you do not know which things (tourist attractions or activities) can make your dreams come true? Whereas Uganda has become one of the most sought after safari destinations in Africa, most visitors are still left out puzzled with which tourist activities or exciting things to undertake while on vacation and hence raising several questions like what can I do in Uganda.
Uganda is exceptionally a hidden gem! Situated in East Africa, Uganda is best described as the Pearl of Africa, meaning visitors have opportunity to explore all that that Africa has in offer to the world. Its small size is ideally nothing but the experiences that come from its diverse attractions is something worthy sharing in life. Uganda offers refuge to countless wildlife species including the big five game, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges which features as one of the highest mountains in Africa, the source of the mighty River Nile that ranks among the longest Rivers in the world, Lake Victoria one of the only fresh water Lakes that are left in the world and features among the largest in Africa. Besides, a normal tradition Uganda safari, the country is one of the only 3 countries in the whole world where the rare mountain gorillas are found as well as other primates like chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’Hoests and many more that make it primate world.
Uganda is remarkably one of the growing tourist destinations that come with diverse attractions and this means that visitors on safari in Africa have the best choice to make to make their dreams come true.
Below are some of the 5 best things for you to participate in while on safari in Uganda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda
Mountain gorilla trekking is only done in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With fewer than 900 mountain gorillas that still thrive on earth today, all the 480 individuals are confined in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, southwestern Uganda. This also translates to nearly half of all the individuals that thrive in the world. About 12 groups have also been habituated for visitors to track these critically endangered apes in the wild and they also represent about 96 trekking permits that are always available everyday for visitors to track a group of these endangered apes. Permits in Uganda are a must to have for you to be allowed to track one habituated family and they sold at $600 per visitor. An hour with a group of these Great apes in the wild exceptionally magical!
Wildlife viewing
When it comes to authentic African safaris, Uganda is incredibly one of the excellent safari destinations that you should consider for wildlife spotting. It offers visitors opportunity to spot most of its big five game in the wilderness. Uganda’s big game include the African elephants, Cape Buffaloes, Leopards, African Lions as well as the rare tree climbing lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Other wildlife species for you get a glimpse at while on vacation in the pearl of Africa are the antelope families that make up about 29 distinct species for you to spot, warthogs, mongoose, side striped jackal, hyenas and many more. The best safari destinations for you to spot the big game plus other incredible savanna wildlife species in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Birding
For unforgettable birding experiences in Africa consider Uganda one of the destinations that you should pay a visit. It is credited with about 1070 different bird species translating into 11% of the world’s bird species and 60% in Africa and they are all confined in various habitats that range from forests, savanna grassland and woodland to water bodies (salt and fresh water). With diversity of birding areas that are widely spread in Uganda, the notable birds for you to sight include the rare shoebill stork, green breasted pitta, African pitta, African broadbill, Great blue Turaco, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Standard winged nightjar, Short tailed warbler, Bar tailed Trogon, Black breasted barbet, Doherty’s Bush shrike, Ostriches, Black bee eaters, Red throated bee eater, White fronted bee eater and many bee eaters, Kingfishers, Nightjars, Great white pelicans and many more.
Adrenaline adventures
If you are adventure enthusiast and you are looking for the most breathtaking adventures then Jinja should be a must to include in your bucket list. Jinja is best described as a capital of adrenaline adventures in East Africa. For adventure lovers, Uganda offers variety of thrilling adventures especially at the source of Nile, Jinja and the leading ones include White water rafting. This adventure doesn’t any experience but only requires you to know how to swim and you will certainly fall in love with this adventure of a lifetime. Other thrilling adventures to participate in include bungee jumping which offers you opportunity to kiss the water of the Nile; Kayaking, boat cruise, quad biking, horseback rides and many more.
Cultural experience
A safari in Uganda is more exciting when you combine wildlife tours with cultural encounters. With more than 60 different tribes and 9 varied indigenous communities, Uganda is truly a boiling of cultures. Each ethnic group or tribe comes with its own experiences. For ultimate African cultural experiences in Uganda, you can engage in Batwa encounter while you in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking adventures. The Batwa are famous as the forest dwellers. They lived harmoniously with the forest while hunting and gathering a period of over 500000 years and left without any impact. A cultural encounter with these unique people is the most thrilling experience that you shouldn’t miss out in life. You have a chance to explore more about their lifestyle, tools that they used to hunt and above all you will be amazed as they sing songs of sorrow as why they were removed from the beloved forest. You can also pay a visit to Kasubi tomb site, Igongo cultural center; visit the Karamojong manyatta homes and Ik people, taste the local dishes in Uganda, Ndere center and many more.
Other things for you to do while on safari in Uganda include chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey, sport fishing, hiking to various waterfalls, mountaineering at Rwenzori Mountain ranges and many more.
In conclusion, Uganda features variety of exciting things that are worthy exploring while on safari in Africa. With the above listed things, we believe that you will have a memorable experience in Uganda.
