Top Safari Attractions in Uganda
Murchison Falls National Park
Named for the roaring mighty waterfalls that cough right through the middle of the tropical woodlands of the Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda safari Murchison falls is one of the most-visited safari opportunities in Uganda. The Park is actually the largest National park in Uganda with a whopping account of nearly 4,000 square kilometers between its borders. The biggest attraction is the point where Victoria Nile crashes through a tight-knit Gorge and over an escapement of more than 40 meters in height. However, travelers can also look forward to game viewing on a safari in Uganda Murchison Falls which is enhanced with a boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls or to the delta point of Lake Albert, both cruises offer you a game viewing experience and a perfect bird watching encounter respectively on your booked Uganda tour. The Park is blessed with various wildlife species to include; the big five, over 450 species of birds, and chimpanzees at Budongo Forest Reserve.
Kibale Forest National Park
This 296-square-mile (766-km2) park consists of lowland tropical rain forest, tropical deciduous forest, marshes, grasslands and crater lakes, and is the best place in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking. Kibale Forest is considered by some experts to have the largest and most diverse population of primates in the world.
In addition to escorted walks, the park offers a Chimpanzee Experience. The program starts at 6:00 a.m., from the time the chimpanzees leave their nests until slightly before dark, which allows guests to observe the chimps de-nesting and nesting as well as their other daily activities. The Chimpanzee Experience needs to be booked well in advance. Kibale Forest National Park is home to 12 other species of primates including black-and-white colobus monkey, red colobus, gray-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey. Some of the other wildlife species include blue duiker, Harvey’s red duiker, bushbuck, bushpig and over 100 species of butterflies. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded, and experienced local guides — with their knowledge of calls and behavior — are invaluable in this challenging bird watching environment. Green-breasted pitta, black bee-eater, white-headed woodhoopoe and the tiny chestnut wattle-eye are among the possible delights for keen observers. The park is located northeast of Queen Elizabeth National Park, 22 miles (35 km) south of Fort Portal.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The major attraction of the 127-square-mile (330-km2) Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the population of over 300 gorillas known to inhabit the park, that are in fact a different sub-species (yet to be named) from the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Bwindi is a forest of enormous hardwood trees, giant ferns, tangled undergrowth and hanging vines — the quintessential equatorial jungle. The size and altitudinal range of montane and lowland forests at Bwindi support more species of trees, ferns, birds and butterflies than any other forest in East Africa. It is also the only one inhabited by both chimpanzees and gorillas. As of this writing, there are 5 groups that may be visited by up to 8 tourists per day that are accessed by accommodations in Buhoma in the northern part of the park, and 4 from the southern (Kisoro) side of the park. And as of this writing, the group makeups were as follows — but keep in mind that changes occur on a regular basis.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated on the slopes of Mt. Muhabura and Mt. Gahinga in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda and the D.R. Congo. A joint commission has been set up by Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo to protect the mountain gorilla in the Virunga Mountains where the borders of the three countries meet. One gorilla group has been habituated for tourism, however, as its natural range lies across political borders, gorilla viewing at Mgahinga National Park cannot be guaranteed by any means, and therefore the reserve is not recommended for international travelers with limited time. While gorilla trekking is the main activity in this 12-square-mile (34-km2) reserve, other mammals such as the rare golden monkey (a sub-species of the blue monkey), buffalo, black-fronted duiker, leopard, golden cat and serval may be encountered. Bird life is not prolific, however, gems such as the red-tufted malachite sunbird, white-starred robin and Ruwenzori turaco may be observed in this highland region.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Legendary snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains are presumed to be the Mountains of the moon as described in AD 350 by Ptolemy. Also considered Africa’s tallest mountain ranges, Mountain Rwenzori or mountains in western Uganda borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo with several of the peaks permanently covered by ice and glaciers all year long. The highest peaks in the range are Margherita (5109m), Alexandria (5083m), and Albert (5087m) all on Mt Stanley, Africas third highest mountain. The favored mountains of the Moon are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination as you explore Uganda safari Holidays to southwestern Uganda.
The Rwenzori Mountains are Africa’s tallest mountain ranges exceeded in altitudes by mountain Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, this National Park is also called true heritage to the neighboring communities. What’s more, the park permits required for your Uganda Safari Holiday are less and half the price of those neighboring countries so you get more. Queen Elizabeth National Park the most popular game park is set against the backdrop of these mountains and anyone enjoying a Uganda Safari tour with game drives in this park would have a scenic view from afar.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Another major landmark for your Uganda tour is the Queen Elizabeth National Park located in southwestern Uganda. With its topography of abundant breathtaking patterned rolling hills with narrow valleys, the park derives its name from the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the second. At 1978 square kilometers the fertile equatorial area is Made up of tropical rain forests, lash Savanna Grasslands, and two lakes. The beauty to explore while on Uganda African Safari to the park is simply indescribable with extensive Savannah Forest, rivers, and Lakes, the park is one of the very few remaining wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Queen Elizabeth also consists of other major highlights such as the boat rides along the Kazinga channels and the tree-climbing lions. Comparing the two alternatives, chimpanzee trekking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is cheaper compared to Kibale since chimp permits in queen Elizabeth are relatively cheaper compared to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park in western Uganda is a wildlife haven with about 300 species of birds and a range of wildlife to include; impalas, buffaloes, and zebras.
Despite being one of the smallest national parks in Uganda, the savanna grasses and rocky habitats terrains come with buffalo herds, zebras crossed by waterbucks and stocked with hyenas. Today much of the area is covered in young forestry which springs up the swampland that dominates along the shores of Lake Mburo. The Park is great for game viewing on a Uganda safari Holiday during the dry season when most of the wildlife congregate around the lake. Lake Mburo National Park is one of the most accessible going with easy access along the highway from Kampala the capital. It is an ideal destination for planning a Uganda safari tour involving; game viewing, sport fishing, boat rides, horseback riding, and hiking
Lake Bunyonyi
The beautiful views of Lake Bunyonyi located in the district of Kabale in southwest Uganda is also a major highlight of a Uganda Safari Holiday Package. The calm waters of the lake reflect the verdant hills around it. This picturesque Lake Bunyonyi is one of the famous tourist spots in Uganda and it is a perfect getaway for a relaxation experience while on a safari tour to Uganda.
Much of the shoreline around the lake and swaths of the larger of the 29 Islands have been converted to subsistence farming. While this has no doubt robbed the lake of the deep green beauty of Uganda’s natural vegetation the snaking course of the water’s edge and the rolling hills that overlook it are still undeniably stunning. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the safest lakes in Africa with no hippos or crocodiles and is a perfect place for a splash in the water. A number of budget and luxury accommodation options are available around Lake Bunyonyi for overnighting on your safari in Uganda and in the nearby Kabale town to enhance your Uganda Safaris . Whether you’re on your way to visit the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Forest National Park or in Rwanda, Lake Bunyonyi is an ideal choice for a stopover.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Isolated from the Ugandan mainstream by the harsh plains to the north of Mount Elgon, Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s second largest national park. Kidepo is one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas, a tract of rugged savannah dominated by Mt. Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers. Perennial running water in the Narus River makes Kidepo an oasis in this semidesert. While the game viewing is excellent, it is the sense of supreme isolation that distinguishes this rare slice of wild Africa — as yet undiscovered by the mass safari market. Wildlife includes elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion, cheetah, ostrich, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbuck, zebra, Guenther’s dikdik, kudu, lesser kudu, eland, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and Patas monkeys. Occasionally African wild dogs are spotted near Kanantarok Hot Springs close to the border of Sudan.
Semliki Game Reserve
Formerly called the Toro Game Reserve, this 85-square-mile (220-km2) reserve of grassland, savannah, forest and wetland habitats is bordered by Lake Albert to the north and the Ruwenzori Mountains to the southwest. The tropical lowland forest conserved in this park is ecologically linked to the Congo basin and provides a very different Ugandan wildlife experience. The giant hardwood trees and tangled undergrowth of the forest are home to many fascinating mammals such as Africa’s smallest ungulate—the tiny pygmy antelope, which is hardly bigger than a hare. Chimpanzees in the area are becoming habituated and sightings are now quite good. Other primates including the gray-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey and De Brazza’s monkey may also be seen. Other wildlife includes elephant, the Uganda Kob (the most common large mammal) and warthog as well as infrequently seen buffalo, leopard, lion, hyena, bushbuck, waterbuck, reedbuck, duiker and forest hog. The reserve is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers, with 35 of the 385 species occurring nowhere else in East Africa. Specials such as the chestnut owlet, white-crested hornbill, African piculet and fiery-breasted bushshrike attract enthusiastic observers from far and wide.
Entebbe
Another landmark to watch out for on a Uganda Safari Tours or Day Trips is Entebbe Town, this resort town is famous for all its beaches and wildlife. The Uganda wildlife center is here, and it provides information about different animals which include Lions crocodiles Eagles as well as snakes. Within the radius of Entebbe is Kalangala Island, a top-notch resort Island for beach relaxation, honeymoons which can be prepared with a visit to the chimpanzee of Ngamba Island of Lake Victoria.
Jinja
Jinja Town in Uganda is also known as East Africa’s Adventure city, while on your Uganda Safari Adventure, you will explore attractions such as Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, Mighty Itanda Falls, and Mabira Forest in Jinja. Uganda holds the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Africa, lake Victoria, which is also the source of the mighty River Nile in Jinja as it begins at a 6000 km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Other Uganda Safari attractions in Jinja include the stunningly beautiful Itanda Falls an ideal spot for white water rafting. Bungee jumping is another blood-pumping sport, this 44mm plunge into the source of the Nile is simply awesome jet boating and river surfing also take these here. While in Jinja on your safari in Uganda there is also a chance to visit Mabira Forest, nature’s 7th heaven and true African tropical jungle home to many plants and animal species.
Interestingly, these gorillas share 98% of their genetic composition with us humans. “Very relaxed, not disturbed and in their natural habitat. Only 8 people are allowed to see the gorillas in their natural habitat each day. Because their habitat is very fragile the number of visitors allowed into their habitat is strictly controlled.
Some of the bird species recorded include the iconic shoebill stork, the colorful turacos, the striking African fish eagle, and a variety of sunbirds, weavers, kingfishers and endemic species such as the African green broadbill, the Rwenzori turaco, and the handsome francolin. The diversity of birdlife in Uganda provides endless opportunities for birding enthusiasts to add new species to their life lists.
Accessories for Wildlife Viewing
Committed to responsible tourism for sustainable development, we prioritize eco-friendly practices in all aspects of our safaris. From the use of fuel-efficient and well-maintained vehicles to staying at eco-friendly safari lodges and camps, we strive to minimize our environmental impact and support conservation
Uganda Safaris and Tours offer some of Africa’s finest geographical and natural beauty taking you to a home of the highest concentrations of primates in the world, including half of the remaining mountain gorillas roaming freely in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. Source to the mighty River Nile, the world’s longest river, that surges out of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.
