7 best places to safari in Uganda
7 best places to safari in Uganda, In a country filled with vast areas of savannah plains and secluded Wilderness Areas filled with a plethora of African game, it would be remiss to ignore the calls of the wilderness. To fully explore and appreciate the beauty of Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa, it is now time to list down the best and unmissable places to undertake safaris. Uganda is undeniably one of the best countries in Africa for wildlife safaris and while everyone thinks of Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, there are other places that shouldn’t miss on your bucket list for safaris. Wondering on what places to explore for memorable experiences, we’ve got you covered. Therefore, here are the 7 best places you can enjoy unmatched safari experiences in Uganda;
Murchison falls National Park#7 best places to safari in Uganda
Murchison falls National Park is undoubtedly the most popular and most incredible place to safari in Uganda. It is no brainer that this Protected Area is the first place that comes to everyone’s mind when you talk of safaris in Uganda. Situated within the north-western side of the country and occupied a vast area of land, totaling to about 3840 square kilometers hence making it the largest Park in Uganda. Murchison falls National Park is known for its powerful waterfalls (Murchison, from which the Park was named) offering amazing backdrop for photography and is also home to about 76 mammal species as well as 500 bird species.
This beautiful Park explored via game drives, guided bush/nature walks, bird watching, hot air balloon tours, cultural tours, boat rides to the bottom of the falls, hikes to the top of the falls and chimp treks. Also served by daily scheduled flight into its airstrips- Pakuba, Bugungu and Chobe and these are usually from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. However, you can opt for a road trip from Kampala/Entebbe with opportunities of Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary but it will be a long day (7-8 hours) hence an early start is recommended.
Queen Elizabeth National Park#7 best places to safari in Uganda
This 1978-square kilometer National Park particularly famed for its magical tree-climbing lions (that are only found in two places in the whole World, the other being Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania). However, there are over 95 mammal species and birds here, and the common highlights are lions, elephants, leopards, spotted hyenas, Hippos, Topis, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, mongoose and jackals. The stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park has been in existence for 7 decades and sits about 6-7 hours’ drive from Kampala hence making it one of the most accessible places to explore.
At an area of 1978 square kilometers, Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second largest National Park and offers the amazing chances of enjoying game drives, lion tracking, chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, boat rides long the Kazinga Channel, community walks, mongoose tracking, nature walks, photography and so much more.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park#7 best places to safari in Uganda
Unlike Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks that offer wilderness experiences, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers an outstanding jungle experience, with an amazing biodiversity ever witnessed in a single destination. This Park covers an area of only 321 square kilometers but surprisingly shelters over 120 mammal species and over 350 bird species. At Bwindi, you will be able to track one of the 20 habituated gorilla families and spend one hour learning as well as photographing the Great Apes, enjoy mountain biking, undertake one of the most unforgettable cultural experiences with Batwa pygmies, take part in forest walks and try out the bird watching trails that will leave you breathless. Other than Bwindi, travelers can trek the Mountain Gorillas at Mgahinga National Park.
Lake Mburo National Park#7 best places to safari in Uganda
Lake Mburo National Park in the west of Uganda rewards travelers with some of the rarest sights of animals not found in the popular places like Bwindi, Queen and Murchison falls National Parks. There are rare sightings of Burchell’s zebras, impalas, giant elands, Roan antelopes, Klipspringers, jackals, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, Topis, warthogs, Olive baboons, bushbucks, vervet monkeys, hippos and so much more at budget car rental as a solo traveler or with friends and family. To have a deeper understanding of this protected Area, you have to sign-up for some of its riveting tourist activities that include horseback rides, game drives, bush walks, quad biking tours, bird watching, biking while watching animals and boat rides. Getting there is by road (3-4 hours’ drive from the City) or air (into Mbarara airstrip, one hour’s drive to/from the Park).
Kidepo Valley National Park#7 best places to safari in Uganda
Kidepo valley National Park, situated within the remote North-eastern Uganda is a spectacular 1442-square kilometer safari destination offering the rawest and most extraordinary experiences. Unlike Queen, Lake Mburo and Murchison falls National Parks (also savannah-dominated Parks), Kidepo is actually more difficult to access for most travelers. From Kampala/Entebbe to this safari destination, the drive is over 8-10 hours, but the best alternative is to book a scheduled flight to Kidepo Airstrip then connect to the Lodge by road.
The wildlife in Kidepo valley National Park is prolific, with over 80 mammal species that include rare ones like cheetahs, jackals, zebras as well as over 470 bird species. This one of the places that offer real African wilderness experience, derived from the Lodges like Adere Safari Lodge and Apoka Safari Lodge among others.
Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park offers both jungle and wilderness experiences for travelers who don’t seem to decide what exactly they wish to go for. Which is a good thing because here, visitors can track the chimpanzees, undertake game drives, enjoy nature walks to sight some of its beautiful natural features like hot springs, undertake bird watching and take part in cultural tours.
If you are longing to experience an off-the-beaten-track experience, then try out Semliki National Park. This safari destination has about 53 mammal species and over 441 bird species especially the Congo-Guinea biome species.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park another wonderful place to safari in Uganda, especially interested in primate walks and forest birding experiences. This 795-square kilometer Park is in western Uganda and is famed for being the “Primate Capital of the World” with over 13 primate species that include chimpanzees (over 1450 of them are here) chimpanzee trekking is the most done safari activity done Kibale forest. L’Hoests monkeys, grey-cheecked mangabey, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Patas monkeys, Pottos, bush babies and black and while colobus monkeys among others. Here you will enjoy excellent chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, bird watching and community tours.
You can have a well organized safari, OR you can decide to explore on your own in your rental self drive car. You can contact us and get your jeep on a cheaper costs.