Are you looking for things to do in Uganda? If you are planning for a Uganda safari, then there are lots of things to do in Uganda. It will depend upon your budget and desire otherwise for an open-minded person, you have not made a mistake.
The things to do in Uganda are some of the most unique things to do in world. One of those unique things to do in Uganda is mountain Gorilla Trekking.
Mountain gorilla trekking can only be done in three countries, all of which are found in Eastern Africa. Other than Uganda, we have Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the other mountain gorilla trekking destinations.
Uganda is Just Not About Gorilla Trekking on Things to do in Uganda
There are also hidden gems in Uganda that most people don’t know. They include African wildlife safaris, cultural tours and a great lake region.
Remember that it is in Uganda where the East African rolling savannah grassland meets West Africa’s tropical rain forest. Because of this beauty, Sir Winston Churchill baptized Uganda as the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda is blessed with all kinds of African wildlife and many people don’t realize all there is to see. The capital of Kampala will make you feel like you’re an Asia with electronics shops on every corner.
The people Uganda are extremely friendly. The new integration of Uganda into into the Eastern Africa Community is great for tourism as well.
Now what are the top most things to do in Uganda
Primate Safaris
Uganda is home to 2 large primates. You will find the mountain gorillas living within the forest in the south western corner of the country.
The chimpanzees are found in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Murchison Falls National Parks. Trekking these large primates should not miss in your list of things to do in Uganda
Uganda Gorilla Trekking
An African safari to Uganda cannot be complete without trekking the mountain gorillas. Uganda gorilla trekking is the hall mark of any Uganda safari.
Uganda is actually the best place to go if you are looking for great possibility to trek. This is because the country has the largest number of mountain gorilla families.
The Mountain Gorillas is the largest Primates in the world found only in the heart of Africa. Uganda is home to well over half of the Mountain Gorillas in the world with 480 plus. There are over 400 in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and 80 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
You can opt for gorilla trekking experience which is one-hour experience with the gorillas and up to 4 hours of trekking. The other option is gorilla habituation experience that allows you some 4 hours close up with the mountain gorillas.
Chimpanzee Tracking
In addition to gorilla trekking in Uganda, you can get up close and personal to chimpanzees. There are many other natural forests as well where you can find plenty more animals.
Uganda has more Chimpanzees than any other East African Country. There are about 5000 individual chimps in Uganda. 1,500 Chimpanzees are in Kibale Forest together with 12 species of primates.
There are also other places to trek the chimpanzees that include Murchison Falls and Kalinzu Forest. However, chimpanzee trekking experience is ranked the best in Kibale Forest.
You may choose to go for one-hour trek or spend all day with the chimpanzees on a Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.
You can also trek Chimpanzees at the second best trekking location, Kalinzu Forest where there is a 95% success rate. This is not far away from Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Big Game Safari
While Uganda is famous for gorilla trekking, it is also another destination for the big game safari. With over 10 National Parks and game reserves, there is diversity of African wildlife species that you will encounter. This should probably not miss in the bucket list of your things to do in Uganda.
Go on Safari
Safaris are probably one of the most recognizable things in Sub-Africa. Uganda also has some amazing national parks, which are perfect for safari.
The most popular and visited national park on Uganda safari tours are Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth. If you are an off roader and prefer less visited places, don’t miss out on the Kidepo national park.
It is far northeast and just below the Sudan border with Kenya on the eastern side. Seeing all the animals in their natural inhabitant is one of the best experiences of the Uganda travel.
You will watch the elegant giraffes, big elephant’s families, hunting lions, playful antelopes, lazy water-buffalos, curious monkeys… I guarantee you, you will be speechless.
Track the Rhinos in Ziwa
Even though you will not be able to see the Rhino in Uganda’s national parks, don’t give up to quickly. You have a pretty good alternative in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here there are more than 15 southern white rhinos are living in a big walled area.
The area is unfortunately behind the fence, but that is only to protect them from the wild hunters, which killed the very last white northern rhino, the original rhinos in the country in 1982.
Almost 20 years went by, before Uganda got its first male and female couple from Kenya again. From then on, the Rhino Fund in conjunction with Uganda Wildlife Authority started a breading program. This is aimed to revive bring back these giants in Uganda again.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a large sprawling rhino wildlife reserve on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. At the sanctuary, you can trek Rhinos on foot and get closeup for some great photo opportunities.
The Sanctuary is a conservation and Preservation Project with the intent of restocking Murchison Falls National Park with them.
The Rhino Trek is taken by most of our clients that are going on Safari to Murchison Falls Park.
Tree Climbing Lion Experience in Ishasha
Ishasha Region in Queen Elizabeth Park is the best location in Uganda to see Tree-Climbing Lions. There about 50 plus lions in four prides that daily climb up into the Fig-Trees especially when the sun is high up.
The Lions are best seen in the trees after 11 am and before 6 pm – they sleep the day away, up to 15 hours, in the comfort trees.
Scientists are still trying to figure out why and their various ideas such as avoiding insects on the ground or even something unique to these Lions.
Bird Watching
Uganda is among the most well-known birding destination in the whole of Africa. It has a diversity of bird species a number of which are not easily spotted in any other part of the African continent.
There are several birding destinations within the country and these have made Uganda certainly one of the finest birding paradises. There are more than 1010 bird species all of which you certainly enjoy on a Uganda safari.
The various National parks within Uganda are actually the biggest habitat for most of the bird species in the country. As you take time to marvel at the spectacular birds, you will certainly come across a diversity of additional wildlife that will turn your bird watching safari into a very memorable encounter. The most ideal time to spot these birds is actually early in the morning as well as late in the evenings.
Find the Elusive Endangered Shoebill Stork
The Shoebill Stork has its habitat is under threat. Myths and legends have gotten it killed. Her eggs have been stolen for International Trade. In spite of all of that, you can see the Shoebill Stork throughout various parks and places in Uganda.
If the Shoebill Stork is the Bird that you would like to see on Safari with us, we will make sure that you do. The Shoebill Storks can be found in Mabamba and Lugogo Swamps, along the River Nile. Along Lake Georg in Queen Elizabeth Park to name a few places.
Enjoy Cultural Experience
Experience the rich diverse cultural heritage of Uganda. These safaris give you an insider look at our cultural heritage. Among the things to do in Uganda when culture is involved is the Batwa Experience.
The Batwa Pygmies – the Forest Keepers
The Batwa People where the first people to live in the Southwest Uganda, neighboring Congo and Rwanda. They lived in forests, they were hunters and gatherers and lived in harmony with nature, never taking more than they could use.
The Batwa People were evicted in 1991 from the forests to make room for tourism. This was done without compensation when the parks were established. Their lives were reduced to begging, they became squatters, a people without representation.
Today they are keeping the culture alive by taking tourists into the ancient forests and showing them as to how the used to live, the medicines that they gathered, the berries that they ate and the small mammals they hunted. You can do spend time with them in the Buhoma Area of Bwindi Forest, in Buniga Forest and in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Extreme Adventure
Looking for out of the ordinary experience, Uganda is home to Nile water rafting and Nile bunjee jumping.
Explore go White Water Rafting in the river Nile
It is said, that we can find the spring of the river Nile in Uganda. Visit the town of Jinja and find it here. This glorious river, which flows through eleven countries, is the longest river in the world and you will encounter it few more times during your Uganda travel.
If you like adrenalin water sport, don’t miss out on the white-water rafting in Jinja or see its rich animal life on its shores in the Murchison Falls National Park.
The Nile River is the longest river in the world and it starts in Uganda. Make sure to check out rafting opportunities which last anywhere from an afternoon to 3 days.
The list of things to do in Uganda is long. If we are to go deeper and deeper, then we will finish a year writing. Just let us know what you want to do and we will help you fulfil the same. That is why African Safari Tour Holiday (ASTHO) Vacations is here.