Planning an African safari in 2019, then Uganda is one of the top destinations to visit in Africa. Uganda is the third largest country in East Africa is gifted by nature. Uganda safari is synonymous with This is because mountain gorillas in the wild will only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also offers world-class white water rafting at the source of the Nile and some of the region’s more peaceful national parks where wildlife viewing doesn’t involve long waits in line behind a dozen or more vehicles.

Gorilla Trekking

This is one of the major reasons travelers come to Uganda. It is possible to trek to the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks in the southwest at a cost of US600$ per permit.

Gorilla Families

Uganda habituates 17 gorilla families for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla in Bwindi is split into four sectors, which make up the park and these are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the southern part of the national park. Gorilla groups in Uganda include Nshongi family, Nkuringo family, Mishaya family, Bitukura family, Oruzogo family, Mubare family, Habinyanja family, Rushegura family, Bushaha family, Bikyingi family, Christmas family, Katwe family, kahungye family, Bweza family, Nyakagyezi family and Kyaguliro family.

Chimpanzee tracking

Primate tracking is a very popular activity in Uganda and there are several places where viewing Chimpanzees is possible. With 5,000 Chimpanzees for Chimpanzee Trekking which includes a 1-hour visit with a Chimpanzee or Group or the All-Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. Kibale Forest is the foremost place for chimpanzee tracking and the all-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, but both can also be done in Budongo Forest (Budongo during the off-season) near Murchison Falls Park. To guarantee seeing chimpanzees the sanctuary on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria is also a place to consider, the chimps here live in a semi-tame, protected environment.

The Chimpanzees are one of Uganda’s main attractions along with the Mountain Gorillas. Chimpanzee Trekking is one of the most popular activities in Uganda.

Minimum Age for Chimpanzee Trekking is 15, except in Kalinzu Forest where it is 12 years.

White Water Rafting

Only in Uganda is it possible to raft the source of the mighty Nile River, the water here is very big, with four grade five rapids waiting for the uninitiated. Hit the water for a really wild ride! You don’t have to be super-fit or have rafted before, but this activity is not recommended for anyone who isn’t a reasonable swimmer, just in case you capsize.

Bird watching

With more than1000 birds species, Uganda is the top destination for a birding safari with the shoebill stork found in the west while the country’s unique geographical position allows the visitor to view Albertine rift endemics in Semliki and the northeast Kidepo valley national park. Even amateurs will be enthralled by the diversity of beauty among Uganda’s bird life.

Bungee Jumping

If the idea of throwing yourself from a great height with only an elasticized cord saving you from sudden death is your idea of a good time, then look no further. This activity is done at the source of the river Nile in Jinja.

Guided walks

Guided walks are offered in many of the forested national parks and a number of smaller forest reserves throughout Uganda. The most popular are the chimpanzee viewing walks, however, there are also a variety of other forest walks available at Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks offering an opportunity to view some of Uganda’s many birds and monkeys. Other areas that provide guided walks are Mabira and Mpanga forest reserves near Kampala, Sipi falls in eastern Uganda, at Lake Mburo national park it’s possible to undertake a walking safari with an armed ranger.

Wildlife drives

There are four national parks that offer the opportunity for wildlife drives; Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo. The greatest variety of wildlife is to be seen on a drive through Queen Elizabeth, as it has the highest number of species of any park in Uganda. However, Murchison fallsnorth of the Nile offers the larger mammals in greater concentration and fast recovering populations of giraffes not seen in Queen Elizabeth. In Kidepo much of the wildlife is found within a short walking distance of the Apoka rest camp. Lake Mburo is famous for zebras which you see as you drive into the park.

Mountain climbing

The two main opportunities for Uganda safaris mountain climbing are the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon. The Rwenzoris present one of the most challenging mountain experiences in Africa and offer the chance for genuine climbing if you attempt one of the peaks. However, Mount Elgon is a more affordable option for the casual climber. It is also possible to climb the three volcanoes at Mgahinga Gorilla national park -Mt Muhavura, Mt Sabinyo, and Mt Mgahinga. The views towards Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are spectacular.

Launch trips

There are three famous launch trips on offer in Uganda; the journey up the Victoria Nile River to the base of Murchison falls, the cruise along Lake Mburo and the cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth national park. All these trips offer the opportunity of viewing at close quarters hundreds of hippos, buffaloes and often a few elephants. Although it is often more common to see predators such as lions and leopards along the banks of the Kazinga Channel, the Murchison falls trip is ultimately the more spectacular- the falls themselves are awesome and there is a reasonable chance that bird watchers will spot the elusive shoebill stork.