Uganda is located in East-Central Africa and covers an area of up to 236041sq.km. Uganda is dubbed the pearl of Africa the fact that it hosts nearly all that Africa has to offer making it a remarkable safari destination with not only variety of tourist attractions but a destination with a lot more exciting things to enjoy. When it comes to African safaris, Uganda has every traveler covered.
Below are some of the most exciting things not to miss to do in Uganda;
Visit Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park is located in northwestern Uganda. It spans up to 3840 sq.km making it the largest of all the ten national parks in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is boasts of its huge concentration of wildlife species, most of which can be spotted while on a game drive. They include elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, hartebeest, giraffes, birds, buffaloes and many others. While on safari in Murchison Falls National Park, you can take part in a number of safari activities including bird watching, game drive, boat cruise, hike to the top of the falls (Murchison Falls which is one of the world’s powerful waterfalls); chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, boat cruise, sport fishing, air balloon tours and many others.
Gorilla trekking
Uganda is a home to mountain gorillas a good reason thousands of visitors flock into this magical country. Gorilla trekking is a lifetime experience and in Uganda, you can take part in this adventure in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, you need $600 to help you secure a gorilla permit that will allow you to trek one of the habituated groups in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. You can obtain your gorilla permit through a trust worth ground tour operator or reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Adventure activities
Uganda has a lot more to offer and adventure enthusiasts are never left out. For life changing adventure experiences, a visit to source of the Nile in Jinja is worth it. The most thrilling adventures not to be missed in Uganda include white water rafting, hiking/nature walk, mountaineering, sport fishing, kayaking, Zip lining, canoeing, bungee jumping to mention but a few.
Batwa cultural experience
The Batwa cultural encounter should be a must to include in your travel plan. It is such a unique experience not to be missed in Uganda. The Batwa are believed to have lived in the forest for over 500000 years as hunters and gatherers but later left and today, they are the marginalized group around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. A visit to Batwa community allows you explore in depth about their unique cultures, traditions, dances, music performances, ancient hunting and gathering techniques and others.
Game drives
Game drives in Uganda are a perfect way to catch a glimpse at varied savanna wildlife species. On a game drive, you have a chance to see the African elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs and many birds (Uganda is a home to over 1080 bird species thus making it one of the best birding destinations in Africa) to mention but a few. In Uganda, the best safari destinations to visit for game drives include Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Semuliki National Park.
You many also take part in rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, viewing tree climbing lions at Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park, volcano hiking to mention but a few.
