Wishing to have unique top safari experiences in Uganda? Uganda has a bunch of exciting safari types to partake in. Each safari is designed to provide a contrasting experience from the other and different attractions are encountered and enjoyed. The country is gifted by nature and one of the top safari destinations in Africa.
Uganda has several natural wonders to explore and discover on a safari, for example, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison Falls National park, Rwenzori Ranges, River Nile and its source, Lake Victoria, Kampala city and its historical and cultural sites, Entebbe beaches, Lake Bunyonyi, Mountain Elgon and so forth. The aforementioned tourist destinations are visited on different Uganda safari trips as classified by the local tour operators. Below are some of the types of Uganda safaris you need to experience
Wildlife safaris
These are the commonest Uganda safaris booked and conducted by visitors. They involve visiting open savannah game parks to explore their expanses on a game drive to encounter the common exotic animals. The national game parks where the Uganda wildlife safaris are conducted include Murchison Falls national park located in the north of the country, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo National park situated in the west and Kidepo valley national park in the northeast.
The wild animals sought after in the savannah parks comprise lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, leopards, hyenas, elands and bushbucks to mention but a few. During the game viewing expeditions, visitors explore the parks by a 4×4 vehicle with a popup roof to see the various animals. The visitors are either under the stewardship of the company safari guide or Uganda Wildlife Authority park guide to easily relocate the breeding places of the wild animals. The game drives are arranged both during day and night. Visitors can visit one or more national parks on a wildlife safari.
One would ask why do I have to visit two savannah parks; don’t they offer the same experience? All we can say, it is logical to visit two or more savannahs on a Uganda wildlife safari. These savannah parks are different in terms of landscape, physical features and also some animals. For instance, Murchison falls National park is highlighted by River Nile and its powerful waterfall, Murchison falls and has some unique wildlife species like giraffes, shoebills and hartebeests. Queen Elizabeth National park is characterized by the Kazinga channel, a waterway that is a lifeline of a plethora of hippos and birds. The western Uganda based protected area is also home to the tree-climbing lions, which are not seen elsewhere in the country.
Primate safaris
The primate safaris are categorized into gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris and golden monkey safaris. The primate safaris are taking over the wildlife safari because they are peculiar experiences.
There are a few countries in Africa and worldwide arranging primate safaris. The primate safaris are about visiting the different forest parks in Uganda to watch and meet varied primate species at close range. The primate parks in Uganda are Bwindi impenetrable national park- the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, Kibale national park- the capital of primates and Mgahinga national park- where silver meets gold (a habitat for both Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys).
As earlier mentioned primate safaris have subsidiary safari tours for example gorilla safari which involves visiting Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga national park to meet the mountain gorillas at proximity in what is called a gorilla trekking experience. Chimpanzee trekking safaris take place in Kibale national park and golden monkey tracking safaris are organized in Mgahinga national park.
Hiking safaris
Uganda is a landscape with towering mountains awash with greenery and other interesting features like crater lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and wildlife species. The popular places for hiking safaris are Mountain Rwenzori, Mountain Elgon and the three volcanoes of Mgahinga, Muhavura and Sabinya on Virunga Massif. Mountain Rwenzori, the mountains of the moon situated in western Uganda in the Albertine rift is the most hiked landform in the country.
Travellers who explore the Rwenzori ranges want to experience its snow-capped areas at the summits. The Rwenzori has a life area gazetted as a national park with varied forest mammals, monkey species and unique plant species. Mountain Elgon is another popular raised landform to hike in Uganda. It has one of the largest intact calderas in the world. Elgon is a national park too with lots of amazing rare wildlife species and physical features to enjoy on a hike.
The three volcanoes of Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabinya are known for their scenic sightings. These three are part of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, the Virunga Ranges. The Virunga Massif comprises undulating smoky highlands fleeced with outstanding foliage and within, there are different types of primates including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and colobus monkeys.
Adventure Safaris
Boat Cruise at the source of the Nile
Uganda has a chain of water bodies to anchor adventurous activities. The most prolific spot for adventure safaris is Jinja where the source of the Nile is located. The first course of the River Nile is in Jinja and holds features like waterfalls, tides and cliffs which harbour activities such as rafting, bungee jumping, water tubing, kayaking and boat cruises. At its source area (lake victoria), boat ride experiences and Nile tubing are carried out, at Itanda falls, 5-grade white-water rafting, the most dreadfully in Africa and bungee jumping at the Kimaka (Kayitabawala) cliff. Adrenaline levels are put to test while engaging in these adventurous activities.
Cultural and Historical tours
Uganda is a country with a diverse culture and rich history right before colonial rule, during colonial rule and after independence. Most of the prominent historical and cultural sites are found in the central region where Buganda is located, the most dominant kingdom in the country.
To be specific, the sites to visit on a cultural safari are found in Kampala, the capital of Uganda and some of them include the Uganda Museum, Lubiri Mengo, Namugongo Shrine, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Gadhafi National Mosque, Baha’i Temple and Kasubi tombs. In the remote areas of Uganda especially around the various national parks, there are traditional cultures worth a visit for example Batwa around Bwindi impenetrable national park, Bagisu and Sebeyi around Mountain Elgon National Park, Ike and Karamanjo within the Kidepo area. The Tooro kingdom in Fort Portal is also noteworthy. These cultures have interesting and mind blogging traditions and rituals to enjoy and wonder about.
Interested in a Uganda safari? Contact us for more information about tours in Uganda and other destinations in the region.
