Uganda captivates with its incredible charm! Nestled in the heart of Africa, this relatively compact nation holds a unique position at the crossroads of the continent's eastern, western, northern, and southern regions. This strategic location contributes to its extraordinary diversity, making Uganda a fascinating mosaic of cultures and landscapes.
Get to know Uganda
For Us, There Are 2 Distinct Ways In Which Uganda Is Visited:
There are two primary approaches to exploring Uganda, each offering a distinctive experience. The first and more commonly known method involves combining it with another safari destination. Typically lasting between 1 to 7 nights, this option places a significant emphasis on primate viewing.
The second, less-frequented way to enjoy Uganda is by dedicating over 7 nights to delve into the remarkable diversity among its National Parks. This approach is particularly appealing due to the affordability of extended visits within the country. For those mindful of a budget and seeking to maximize their travel investment, this extended stay provides an excellent opportunity.
A valuable tip: The cost of tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda is currently less than half of that in neighboring Rwanda. This significant price difference has led to a surge in tourism in Uganda, especially among budget-conscious travelers, making it an increasingly popular destination for those seeking both value and unique experiences.
This enchanting country boasts the iconic ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and serves as the source of the Nile River. With its diverse landscapes encompassing tropical rainforests, expansive savannas, and lush swamplands, coupled with a rich cultural tapestry, remarkable birdlife, and the renowned big 5 of African animals, Uganda is a treasure trove of experiences. If you were to select just one African nation for a comprehensive visit, Uganda stands out for its ability to offer an unparalleled array of attractions.
Furthermore, Uganda shares borders with Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda, making it an ideal destination to seamlessly combine with any of these countries for an East African safari. Global visitors are drawn to Uganda’s exceptional primate diversity and immersive tracking experiences. The primary allure lies in the mountain gorillas, with Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park housing half of the world’s population. Whether observing these majestic primates or encountering Uganda’s vibrant chimpanzees, it adds a unique dimension to a classic safari in Kenya or Tanzania, earning it a prominent place in our top recommendations.
Quick Facts
- Uganda boasts a population of approximately 43 million people, representing a rich tapestry of over 50 diverse tribes.
- English serves as Uganda’s national language, facilitating seamless international travel for visitors.
- The country is a sanctuary for nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
- The local currency is the Ugandan Shilling, providing the monetary backdrop for transactions and exchanges within the country.
- To ensure public health, Yellow Fever vaccinations are mandatory for entry into Uganda, prioritizing the well-being of both visitors and residents.
- For most tourists, obtaining visas is a necessary step when planning a trip to Uganda. Fortunately, the process can be conveniently completed online prior to arrival, streamlining entry procedures and ensuring a smooth start to the exploration of this captivating nation.
Where to go
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
This is Uganda’s largest national park, named for the dramatic Murchison Falls where the Nile, the world’s longest river, explodes violently through a narrow cliff in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 40 meters below. The Nile River is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo and crocodile populations as well as a dazzling array of water birds, including the rare and elusive shoebill stork. The lush borassus grassland to the north of the river offers frequent sightings of elephants, buffalos, giraffes, a wide variety of antelopes and sometimes even an encounter with lions or leopard. Rabongo Forest in the southeast part of the park provides a lush tropical habitat for chimpanzees, monkeys and many other rainforest species.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park spreads over 1,978 sq km in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both riverine and savannah habitats, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with its tree climbing lions and Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda. The northern Mweya area, traversed by the equator and dominated by the scenery of crater lakes, is often occupied by large flocks of flamingos. A boat trip from Mweya along the Kazinga Channel, which joins Lakes Edward and George, provides one of the most memorable experiences offered by the park.
KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale National Park, known for its superb chimpanzee tracking and bird watching, is home to over 60 different mammal species. With the greatest variety and concentration of primates of any forest in East Africa, the 766 sq km park extends south from Fort Portal all the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dominated by tropical forest, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, the park reaches altitudes of 1100-1590 meters. This diverse habitat and climate provides the perfect environment for Kibale’s rich primate populations including nine diurnal primates. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to encounter vervet, red tail, H’oest and blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, red and black and white colobus, olive baboon, chimpanzees and a wide variety of birds and other mammals.
KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
This park, located on the Southern Sudan border in the farthest corner of Uganda’s Karamoja District, is one of Africa’s most magnificent wild habitats. Big game favorites such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, elands, hartebeests, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs can all be found in this park. Africa’s largest single heard of cape buffalos roam the rolling grasslands that extend in all directions out to the distant mountain ranges. Kidepo is also home to some of Uganda’s more rare and elusive animals such as the aardwolf, bat eared fox, striped hyena, and ostrich. This remote park provides visitors with a chance to get off the beaten track and enjoy the solitude of one of Africa’s most wild places.
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo, gazetted in 1982 as Uganda’s fourth national park, consists of 260 sq km of grassland, wetland, and acacia woodland habitat. At the centre of the park lies Lake Mburo which, along with 14 other lakes in the area, forms part of an extensive wetland system. Lake Mburo National Park is home to several animal species including topi, eland, klipspringer, zebra, buffalo, oribi, sitatunga, leopard and a variety of water and acacia savannah bird species such as the marabou stork, bronze tailed starling, and Uganda’s national bird, the beautiful grey crowned crane.
Your stay at Lake Mburo will provide opportunities to experience the park’s vast wildlife in a variety of settings including morning and afternoon game drives, guided walks, and canoe rides around the lake. Your schedule and itinerary will be personalized based on your party’s individual preferences and interests.
Popular Safaris
11 Days Wonders of Uganda
