With over a thousand species dispersed across its numerous ecosystems, Uganda is also attractive to birdwatchers. In addition to the attractive francolin, dwarf honeyguide, and purple-breasted sunbird, a skilled birder can observe numerous other species that are challenging to observe elsewhere. Uganda not only surpasses all other safari destinations for primate safari categories due to its lush ecosystems and diverse wildlife, but it is also a fantastic location for a classic safari by vehicle or boat.

Why Visit Uganda?

So, why should you go on a Uganda safari? With the highest population of 468 mountain gorillas, the Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s only tree-climbing lions, white water rafting on the Nile, and over a thousand bird species, Uganda is one of the finest birding safari destinations in Africa. You will visit the magnificent Murchison Falls and tour the grasslands, fauna, lakes, and rivers of Uganda. Uganda is one of the most hospitable countries in the world, making it the premier cultural safari destination in Africa.

Uganda is distinct in that it is a less crowded safari destination than neighboring Tanzania and Kenya, and this is an excellent way to observe safari animals. Uganda is a superior safari destination than Tanzania and Kenya because it has all six big game animals instead of only five. In addition to elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, and rhinoceros, it has mountain gorillas, which are not found in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, or South Africa.

Uganda is home to the continent’s largest freshwater lake, the source of the continent’s longest river, the world’s most powerful cascade, the world’s greatest concentration of primates, and the world’s greatest concentration of mountain gorillas.

Wildlife Safari.

Unlike other East African tourist destinations such as Kenya or Tanzania, Ugandan wildlife literally “hangs out” in verdant green forests, which are home to a variety of primates, including mischievous chimpanzees and playful gorillas. Uganda is an excellent destination for an East African wildlife safari, in addition to being home to some of the world’s last 820 mountain gorillas. Instead of Tanzania and Kenya, visit Uganda to observe chimpanzees and go on a gorilla safari.

Tanzania and Kenya should be avoided at all costs for wildlife safaris focusing on chimpanzees and gorillas, while Uganda should be explored for its offerings in this category; there are no migrations like in Kenya and Tanzania, but Uganda is the ideal location for a primates safari experience. Uganda is the finest and most ideal tourist destination for chimpanzee trekking, and the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is an excellent location to observe them.

A fantastic location to visit, Uganda is home not only to chimpanzees but also the Golden Monkey. This incredible creature resides in Uganda’s smallest national park, Mgahinga National Park.

Mountain Gorillas: The Mountain gorillas of Uganda are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla found exclusively in the rainforests of east-central Africa. As their name implies, they reside exclusively between 8,000 and 13,000 feet above sea level in the highlands. According to a recent report, there are only about one thousand mountain gorillas left on Earth. There are mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mgahinga is a park in southern Uganda that is a home to a single gorilla family that travels between Rwanda and Uganda. It resides in the shadow of the majestic Virunga Volcanoes. We do not recommend observing this family because of its diversity. Nkuringo in Southern Bwindi, however, is one of the most challenging regions to monitor gorillas and is home to only one family.

The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha, in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, are yet another distinguishing feature of Ugandan wildlife excursions. A wildlife safari in Uganda is distinctive in that it combines green, lush forests and wild savannah, and Queen Elizabeth National Park offers some of the finest traditional game-viewing with the majestic Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop. Also keep a watch out for leopards, giraffes, elephants, and hippos in this national park.

Gorilla and chimpanzee expeditions, in addition to tree-climbing lions, make Uganda a unique and unrivalled safari destination in East Africa.

Bird Safari.

Enjoying birdwatching during your trip to Uganda will enhance your safari and ensure that your expectations are met. Uganda is home to over 1050 bird species, making it a popular destination for African birdwatchers. The number of species accounts for 10% of the world’s avian species. It also contains 24 endemic species from the Albertine Rift, with the remainder found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. Throughout history, Ugandan birds have been protected due to cultural norms, such as clan totems.

Cultural Safari.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking and game drives are more popular than cultural excursions. This should not be the case, as Uganda has much more to offer than animals alone. Ugandans are among the kindest individuals in the world. They are tolerant and get along well with strangers. One reason for this is that the nation’s ethnic groups have learnt to coexist peacefully. As a consequence, it has become much simpler for Ugandans to accept immigrants without reservation.

Uganda is also a nation with a diverse cultural heritage. Numerous cultural sites and communities across the nation attest to this fact. The most popular cultural encounters in Uganda are the Batwa trail in Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and visits to the Ik and Karamojong people in the northeast. The Batwa trek will transport you to the Batwa pygmies, who were expelled from Mgahinga National Park to make room for the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

 City Tour.

After trekking for gorillas and chimpanzees in the forest, complete your safari by visiting Kampala, Uganda’s largest and capital city, also known as the “Pearl of Africa.” Kampala City Tours offers numerous opportunities for sightseeing in Kampala, including excursions to famous monuments, the Uganda National Museum, and craft markets. The simplest way to describe Kampala City is as a small but vibrant metropolis.

The purpose of the Kampala City Tour is to provide you with a fundamental understanding and overview of Uganda’s history, people’s daily lives, the Ganda culture (who make up the majority of Kampala’s residents), historical sites, the National Museum, entertainment venues, and the most popular eateries, among other things.

Hiking Safari.

The most unforgettable trekking safari experiences in Uganda can be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Climbing a volcano is a test of character, perseverance, and, ultimately, an accomplishment that leaves you feeling more proud than before you began. Hiking up the mountains is more than just a difficult ascent; it’s also a scenic trek through the lush forests that grow on the slopes of the volcanoes, a chance to see the rare birds that have made these highlands a birder’s paradise, and a glimpse of the gorillas that traverse the bamboo in the Virunga massif.

Tourist attractions in Uganda.

 Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda and one of the continent’s most visited tourist destinations. The park, dubbed “variety of marvels” by the residents, is an excellent habitat for large mammals, ten primate species, and over 600 bird species. Mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forests National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park, among other tourist destinations and attractions.

When is the best time to go on safari in Uganda?

Uganda is accessible year-round, with temperatures between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius and a generally mild climate. June through August is the ideal time to travel to Uganda. June, July, and August are the best months for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. December, January, and February are the finest months for birdwatching in Uganda (Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla). July, August, December, and January are the best months for wildlife viewing excursions. March, April, and May are the rainy season, so this is not the best time to visit Africa’s treasures.