Find updated travel guide to Uganda for a flawless Uganda safari adventures tailored and guided by Superfine Safaris Limited. Located in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is a small land locked country known for its alluring natural attractions and its warm and welcoming people. The Pearl of Africa is an ideal destination which reward travelers with diverse travel experiences ranging from gorilla trekking, game viewing, bird watching and more adventures offering lifetime memories. The country is most popular for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultures. Uganda safaris promise thrilling experiences and great encounters to all kinds of travelers.In this complete and updated travel guide to Uganda, explore the hidden secrets, amazing destinations, and unique experiences to enjoy. You will also discover the ideal time of the year to travel for a vacation in Uganda, what to pack, plus all essential travel tips for planning successful Uganda safaris.
Best places to visit for Uganda safaris
Uganda is a small country endowed with a variety of destinations that spark the adventurous spirit among nature travelers. Up to 10 stunning National Parks are distributed across the 4 regions in Uganda and are worth exploring on your Uganda safaris. Each of the vibrant destinations in Uganda has unique attractions of interest while on a vacation. Here are the top places to visit in Uganda;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an extraordinary destination, a home to the largest population of mountain gorillas. Lying in Southwestern Uganda, Bwindi is a biodiversity hotspot. The 331 sq. km Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park holds up to 120 species of mammals, 200 colorful butterfly species, 400 tree species, 1000 flowering plant species, and 350 species of bird species plus numerous reptiles.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The main attractions in Bwindi include mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park also offers refuge to a wide array of other wildlife, including l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, duikers, giant forest hogs, sitatunga, and forest elephants.
Bwindi supports a total of 350 species of birds majority of which are the Albertine rift endemic species. The birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the Rwenzori batis, white-bellied robin-chat, fine-banded woodpeckers, mountain masked apalis, grey cuckoos-shrikes, bar-tailed trogon, African wood owl, Chapin’s flycatchers, Kivu ground thrush, dusky twin spot, Shelley’s crimson wing, regal sunbird, tit hylia, and Doherty’s bush shrike, etc.
A safari in Bwindi comes with the opportunity to engage in multiple experiences, including mountain gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience, birding, forest walks, Batwa cultural experience, and more.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is a special place that guarantees great primate encounters. Kibale is home to huge concentrations of primates and supports over 13 primate species. These include the grey-cheeked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, red-colobus monkeys, olive baboons, pottos, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and bush babies.
Kibale National Park also supports a diversity of bird species. These include the African green-breasted pittas, little greenbul, pin-tailed whydahs, purple-headed starling, black bee-eaters, black-capped apalis, blue-breasted kingfishers, grey-headed olive back, African wood owl, alpine swift, black-billed turacos, speckled mouse birds, papyrus gonoleks, chestnut-throated apalis, scarlet-chested sunbird, bronze sunbird, and blue-throated rollers, etc.
What awaits you on Uganda safaris in Kibale National Park? Expect to enjoy the unmatched chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience, birding or bird-watching, and forest/nature walks.
Murchison Falls National Park
Set in Northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is home to diverse attractions. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s biggest park and the leading wildlife tour destination in the Pearl of Africa. Murchison Falls Park extends up to 3840 sq. km and features unique attractions such as the powerful Murchison Waterfalls. In addition, Murchison Falls National Park supports a diversity of wildlife, including African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, plus antelopes such as waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, oribis, Jackson’s hartebeest, bush bucks, and others.
Additional wildlife to see on a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park includes spotted hyenas, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, Nile crocodiles, hippos, and many bird species. The exciting experiences to enjoy in Murchison Falls Park include guided game drives, boat cruises, hiking to the top of the falls, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation, and more.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Situated in Kasese district, western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is most popular for its unique and diverse wildlife. This is Uganda’s 2nd largest park, home to abundant wildlife such as the tree-climbing lions, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, African bush elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs, topis, hippos, spotted hyenas, and 625 species of birds.
Queen Elizabeth National Park tours promise amazing wilderness experiences. Expect to enjoy guided game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee tracking, community visits, lion tracking, and others.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Lying in western Uganda, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a perfect destination for adventure seekers in search of something classical. This is where you can find the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon). Overall, Mount Rwenzori contains 6 peaks, including Mount Luigi di Savoia (4627m), Mount Speke (4890m), Mount Emin (4798m), Mount Stanley (5109m marks the Margherita peak), Mount Baker (4843m), and Mount Gessi (4715m).
Besides classical mountaineering adventures, there are also diverse wildlife to encounter along the base area of the Rwenzori Mountains. They include amazing mammals such as buffalo, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, elephants, chimpanzees, leopards, and blue monkeys.
Where else should you visit for a Uganda Safari?
The other exceptional places to consider visiting to enjoy your Uganda safaris include Mount Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Semuliki National Park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Sipi Waterfalls, Ssese Islands, and Jinja (perfect for whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, & kayaking, etc), to mention but a few.
Top Things to do in Uganda
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the astonishing experiences awaiting you to enjoy on any of Uganda safaris or tour. The amazing bit about gorilla safaris in Uganda is that visitors embark on the great adventure to explore more about mountain gorillas. This primate expedition is entirely done in the natural forest and involves interacting with a habituated family of mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a special primate adventure offered only from the two parks, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Engaging in the gorilla trek in Uganda is possible, provided you have a valid permit, which costs USD 800 per person.
Chimpanzee tracking
Uganda is where the highest chimp population resides, accounting for over 5050 chimpanzees. This makes it an ideal spot to explore chimpanzee tracking. The key spots to consider for chimpanzee treks in Uganda include Kyambura Gorge, Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, and Kalinzu Forest.
Game drives
Game drives in Uganda involve exploring the spectacular savanna parks to enjoy sights of the Big game and other mammals. The special places to consider for game drives in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Boat cruise
Launch cruise/boat rides offer visitors a great chance to embark on a journey to encounter most of the aquatic life. These include hippos, crocodiles, and water bird species. The interesting places to consider visiting for boat cruise excursions in Uganda include Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Victoria, Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and others.
Mountaineering
Uganda offers unmatched mountaineering expeditions. Key places to consider for mountaineering adventures in Uganda include Mount Elgon, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo Volcanoes, as well as the Rwenzori Mountains.
When to visit Uganda
Uganda safaris can be arranged at any time of the year. But the dry season is the best period of the year to experience the magical wilderness of Uganda. This can be from June to September and from December to February –the best months of the year when most destinations in Uganda record no or less rainfall. Navigating through the game tracks or through the forests is easier during the dry months of year than during the wet or rainy season.
The low season runs from March to May and from October to November. These listed among the wet or rainy months of the year. Due to the heavy rains and other weather conditions, most visitors avoid traveling around the wet months, especially for gorilla trekking, hiking, mountaineering, and more.
What should you carry for Uganda Safaris?
Pack right for Uganda safaris starting with essentials such as a valid passport, visas, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a camera, extra camera battery, first aid kit, a sweater, a rain jacket, good and waterproof hiking boots or shoes, a safari hat, sunglasses, anti-malaria tablets, adequate drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, and yellow-fever vaccination card.
Is Uganda safe for Tourism?
YES, Uganda is one of the safest destinations in Africa, a perfect place to begin and end your African safari holiday. For decades, Uganda has enjoyed prevailing peace and security, making it a safe and secure destination to visit for a vacation or even business trips/city tours. Exercise individual safety first before any intervention. While you are in the city, be mindful of your surroundings and keep your valuables safe and secure. If possible, keep all valuables back in your hotel room.
As you search for what to eat, ensure that you purchase it from a clean place. Avoid street food –get a good restaurant or hotel to settle for food. Avoid drinking tap water –get yourself a bottle of drinking water. Get yourself travel insurance to protect you from risks as you enjoy your vacation in Uganda –the Pearl of Africa.
Where to stay on Uganda safaris
When planning a safari to Uganda, choosing the right accommodation should be a must, and your local tour operator can assist you through the steps necessary to secure a place to stay. Most of the destinations have comfortable lodges ranging from budget, midrange, to luxury, and you choose the one that fits your travel style. Top lodges in Uganda include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Primate Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge, and more.
Are visas needed in Uganda?
Visas and passports are among the essential travel documents to have if you plan to have your next Uganda safari. Visas can be applied in advance through the relevant authorities https://visas/immigration.go.ug. Alternatively, a visitor can book the East African Tourist visa to enjoy multiple entry to the East African Community member states.
What languages are spoken in Uganda?
Uganda is described as a boiling pot of cultures and in deed it is. Very many languages are spoken in Uganda but the official one is English, then Kiswahili. Before you embark on actual tour, learn some of the words for local languages like Luganda or Lusoga, etc.
Getting around
While in Uganda, it is possible to get around by road, and you can opt for a rental car. The rental cars can be provided by the local tour operator who plans your Uganda safaris. You may take a flight, for instance, visitors can fly from the Entebbe International Airport to various destinations including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park, and others.