101 Adventurous Things to Do in Uganda
Almost everyone visits Uganda the Pearl of Africa majorly for gorilla tracking within the impenetrable forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
However, there are heck of a lot of things and ways to have the time o your life without tracking or just supplementing on it. If you’re after free things to do in the pearl of Africa then you’re sure are on the right track. There are lots of things to do on Uganda safaris; visit the Pearl of Africa, check out the beautiful scenery, enjoy the wonderful climate, the unique cultures, a swim in the lake, rending the beautiful African craft shops or get a tone by sun bathing in the lake.
Here are some of the best adventure activities you can do on a holiday in the Pearl;
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi
- Game Viewing in national parks; Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley Park, Lake Mburo National Park
- Cultural Tours and visits to the local museums, royal tombs,
- Local Community Tour including Batwa Experience
- Kampala Nightlife – visit local clubs, theatres, discotheques, bars and night clubs
- Raft the Wild Waters of the Mighty River Nile
- Bungee Jumping in Jinja
- Quad Biking in Jinja or Lake Mburo National Park
- Horse Riding in Jinja,
- Abseiling to Sipi Falls
- Foot Safari in Lake Mburo National Pak
- Nature Walk in Maramagambo Forest
A game drive is always beautiful as you’re get to see a lot of wildlife in its wilderness but you have already experienced that so why come to the Pearl and do the same things you have been doing over and over again. Thing about this, a safari which includes gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and then transfer to Sesse Island for a boat ride, a swim, sun bathing or relaxation. Or better yet you can leave out gorilla tracking and unsteady go for rafting or even hiking Mountain Rwenzori but later en route to a more relaxation place were you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and by the end of your safari you wont be having stiff muscles or back pains from the more adventurous activities.
Now that you have known some of the other interesting activities that you can enjoy in the Pearl of Africa, all you have to do is try out some of the activities and place suggested as above and you sure won’t regret it. If you want more information safaris that have a remix of both adventure and relaxation, all you have to do is to visit our sites and you sure a granted to find what ever you are looking for. From now on wards don’t ever limit your self just enjoy the pearl to the fullest as there are a thousand things that can be done in the Pearl of Africa. Invite friends and family and just enjoy and have the time of your life.
Read More3 Best Boat Ride Experiences in Uganda
With lots of water bodies within its territory, Uganda is really the most amazing place to have a boat ride experience. Uganda is located in the great lakes and has a total of 27 lakes, rivers, and streams all combined. More to that, Uganda has the largest inland water body in Africa in Lake Victoria and the longest river in the world, the Mighty Nile.
With a series of freshwater bodies, Uganda is an ideal gem for boat ride experiences. There are a plethora of boat ride spots in Uganda but there are some spots that have a cutting edge over the others. These spots give a vacationer a lifetime experience, an experience that one would cherish for ages.
Below are the 3 best boat ride experiences in Uganda;
1. Kazinga Channel Boat Ride Experience at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kazinga channel is a 20-mile water stretch that connects the two great lakes of Edward and George in the western part of Uganda. This peculiar water channel is found in Queen Elizabeth national park, one of the most popular national parks in Uganda. The Kazinga channel is one of the major highlights of the park. The Kazinga channel pulls lots of amazing wildlife that epitomizes its beauty.
While on the waters of the Kazinga channel, a tourist has an opportunity of encountering a pool of hippos, the ruthless Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, and elephants at the banks quenching off their thirst. The eye-catching colorful and beautiful bird species on the waters of the Kazinga channel cannot be forgotten.
The boat ride at Kazinga channel is majorly organized by Uganda Wildlife Authority and Mweya safari Lodge under Marasa. There are two boat ride sessions namely the morning boat ride that takes place between 9 am-11 am and the evening one from 3 pm-5 pm. On special request, it can be done in the late morning from 11 am-1 pm. The boat ride starts from Mweya dock close to Lake Edward sails to other parts of the channel.
While at the Kazinga boat ride, there is an interesting and insightful commentary about the channel and its wildlife rendered to the tourists by the guide. Like they say you cannot truly get the real picture of something unless you experience it. The real euphoria of a boat ride at the Kazinga channel can be consumed by visiting the spot.
2. The source of the Nile boat ride experience in Jinja
This is one of the most famous places in Uganda. Many of the people who have been to Uganda have visited the source of the Nile due to its rich history and legendary status. The source of the Nile is where the longest river in the world “The Mighty Nile” starts its journey of about 6600km to the North of Africa in Egypt. A boat ride on the waters of Lake Victoria to the actual spot known as the source of the Nile is a breathtaking one. On a boat ride, you have a panoramic view of the different developments on the shores of the water body from the fishing landing site, the new bridge on the river, the resort beaches, bars, and restaurants to the few greenery that is left around the place.
The boat ride takes you to the small island where one visibly watches the water vigorously force its way out of the underground streams to spread out to create a flowing river. Seeing this amazing watermark gives you the contentment that indeed Lake Victoria is the source of the Nile.
3. Boat ride experience at Murchison falls
As the Nile gets to the north of Africa, it passes through one amazing natural biodiversity, the Murchison falls national park in the north of Uganda. The Nile forms a sensational feature “the Murchison falls” that has made the national park the most visited park in Uganda and East Africa at large. Within this park, the Nile meets another water body in Lake Albert to make a boat ride experience possible. There are two boat ride experiences that are done in the Murchison falls region. There is the bottom of the falls boat ride and the Albert delta boat ride and these all start at the Paraa dock.
The bottom of the falls boat ride is one of the most fascinating water experiences one can ever come across. While you sail towards the falls, you get an opportunity of viewing a wide range of wildlife species namely; a school of hippos docking in water, elephants taking a bath at the shores, and countless bird species trying to poke seafood. This gets better when you get to a spot where you can clearly have a view of the magical falls but you cannot get near the devil’s cauldron because of the ragged rocks and the vigorous flow of water around it. The bottom of the falls boat ride is also a link to the hike of the top of the falls.
The Albert delta boat ride is an amazing water encounter as this is where tranquility meets unique nature. The waters here are serene and very calm with lots of biodiversities around like the elephants, hippos, warthogs, oribis, and also the elusive shoebill adds a spark to this boat ride experience. The shoebill is one of the most sought-after birds in the world and for any bird lover, this is an avenue for you to get sight of the incredible shoebill.
Read More
Uganda Safari: See all the Animals with No Crowds
While it lacks the recognition name like its neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda is one of the best places to enjoy an ecotour. This relatively small country lies astride the Equator and it is one of the few places on earth where travelers can visit the endangered mountain gorillas.
Uganda has a network of ten national parks that protect amazing wildlife. Though its parks are overshadowed by the neighboring Serengeti and Kruger Park, Uganda’s national parks having all the animals, minus the crowds is one of the greatest pullers of visitors to this lovely country. On your holiday through Uganda, you will enjoy game viewing in non crowded parks and experience the best out of your lifetime trip.
Visit the Mountain Gorillas
Uganda’s national parks protects a wide range of flora and fauna. However the most popular attraction to the country are the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Mountain gorillas are the largest primates and they are found only in Uganda plus the neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest hosts nearly half of the remaining world population of the endangered gorillas. Many travelers go for a Uganda gorilla safari to this park located in south western Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is one of Uganda’s largest parks where you can follow up your morning game drive with a cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls – the perfect way to view elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and loads of hippos while you relax with a beer on the boat. Murchison Falls is one of the top visited national parks in Uganda. Many travellers taking a Uganda gorilla safari visit this park and the park’s diversity is very rewarding; from the Scenic Murchison Falls formed by the Mighty River Nile to amazing habitats that include savanna grasslands, wetlands, tropical rain forests.
After the Murchison Falls tour, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a better chance of spotting the elusive leopard or otherwise the only tree-climbing lions in the whole of East Africa.
Few tourists make it as far north as Kidepo Valley since it’s a long drive, but those who do are rewarded with not only the best selection of animals, but some of the most spectacular scenery in Uganda. And if you’re hoping to have a date with the big five Big Five, add Ziwa Sanctuary to the list of places you will have to visit, as this will provide an opportunity to get up close to the white rhino, which are tracked on foot.
Read MoreGorilla Safari Holidays in Africa
Gorilla trekking tours offers one of Africa’s most profound wild encounters – their populations even in protected reserves are counted in hundreds rather than thousands.
The world’s largest primates survive in what remains of their natural habitat, in the last protected stretches of Africa’s central rain forest. Thanks to the income earned from gorilla trekking tourism, Uganda’s mountain gorillas’ population is on the increase. Nature Adventure Uganda recommends doing gorilla treks in two different destinations because you’ll be contributing twice to gorilla conservation as well as spending time with two different gorilla families. There are three recommendable best places for gorilla trekking tours in Africa so the choice of the best place is put to you.
Rwanda: Easy In, Easy Out. Africa’s most straight-forward gorilla trekking is found in Rwanda, the tiny Central African country that punches way above its weight in sheer natural beauty. Its flagship reserve, Volcanoes National Park, lies only 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital’s airport and is home to about half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
This is authentic Gorillas in the Mist country; you can even pay your respects at Dian Fossey’s grave. It’s a well-protected and monitored reserve full of monkeys and forest birds where the chances of encountering gorillas are a reassuring 90 per cent (as with any activity involving wild animals, there are no guarantees). Speaking of statistics, some 10 per cent of the revenue from tourism goes to community projects around the park, reinforcing the positive impact of gorilla trekking and making conservation of the great apes meaningful to rural communities in a very practical way. In fact, in some cases, reformed poachers are now employed by conservation projects that allow them to earn a legitimate income.
Fly into Kigali to start your gorilla trekking tour. You’ll be driven straight to Volcanoes National Park to check into a comfortable lodge. When you trek, you’ll be guided into the forest by expert guides and rangers. Take a peek at our 4-day Fly-in Uganda Gorilla Trek.
Uganda: Big Apes & Big Game. Uganda’s gorillas live in the apically named Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a cloak of tangled green that covers the country’s south-west mountains. It’s more than a day’s drive from the capital Kampala or a quick flight so you’ll work a little harder to get there than in Rwanda, but it’s worth it! Bwindi is a World Heritage Site with over 350 bird species and 200 kinds of butterflies – and, thanks to income from gorilla trekking, its mountain gorilla population has grown by a third in recent years. Trekking in Bwindi is well-established and if you have a couple of days to work with, gorilla sightings are more or less assured. Bwindi’s trump card lies in tailoring your Uganda itinerary to include nearby Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, allowing you to add chimpanzee trekking and big game viewing to your gorilla encounter. Fly into Entebbe International Airport to kick off your tailor-made tour. Accommodation, trekking permits and guides are all included, along with the option to add chimp trekking and game viewing. The 9-day Chimp, Gorillas and Wildlife safari is a 4X4 guided tour that delivers Africa’s most iconic forest and Savannah animals in a single itinerary.
Congo: New Kid on the Block. Congo is not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the two are distinct countries in Central Africa. And while the DRC is enormous, Congo is small but perfectly formed. Odzala National Park is still relatively little known but is attracting deserved renowned for its conservation of lowland gorillas. Unlike their mountain cousins, lowland gorillas are smaller and less shaggy, with softer fur. But like their altitude-dwelling relatives, they are always a joy to behold. Another boon to Congo is that you can bracket your gorilla trek with big game viewing or highly satisfying birding. Congo is scattered with ‘bais’, a kind of clearing in a forest wetland where the plentiful water and good grazing attract forest elephants and buffaloes, large antelope known as bongo and bush pigs. Fly into the capital Kampala, and then be whisked off to one of two of Congo’s fly-in lodges, which have both been designed to have as light an environmental footprint as possible. Click here to watch our team on a gorilla-trekking expedition to Congo to see what to expect – we think you may be very pleasantly surprised!
Whichever destination you choose, it pays to prepare well for your trek. Hiking through mountainous, equatorial rain forest is muddy work. It can be hot and humid with occasional short downpours too, so appropriate clothing, sturdy hiking boots and gear, like poles and gaiters, all add up to a comfortable trek. It’s a bucket list experience precisely because it isn’t easy to get close to gorillas in the wild, but when you do, you’ll be more than thrilled…
Read More
Chimpanzee Tracking In Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest hails with in the western realm of the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. Budongo covers an area of 318.5mi2 and the nearest town is Masindi, it can also be traced for in the north western direction of Kampala-Uganda’s capital, one takes the route to the lavishing Murchison falls National Park to whose south stands the foundations of the great Budongo forest. It also lays on the north eastern escarpment of yet another popular attraction, Lake Albert; locals call it a magical forest because of the diligent efforts by the area’s traditional kings to protect it over generations. The Budongo forest is just a 3 hours’ drive away from Kampala on road via Masindi, it’s a significant East African Forest, because back in the 90’s it was used for research purposes, intended to generate ways of conserving chimpanzees and it possessed a great deal of good mahogany trees. Budongo Forest is famous for chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda.
Budongo forest is the biggest natural surviving forest in the country with a total surface of 825 square km approximately; to some people Budongo is a single day chimpanzee trek outing in Uganda. It’s a home for habituated chimpanzees that rise to a collection of up to 80 in number. Indeed nature thrives in the Budongo forest and this is the flawless point to engage in this rather elating chimp trekking adventure with in the tropics. I recommend you to trek deep through the Budongo in your expedition to seek a chimpanzee troop; fact is, it’s such a magnificent experience and when you find one, there is guarantee of incredibly getting close, gazing at their interactions and watching their infants playing together will leave you feeling contented. And when the magic is felt, compel your guide to keep you close for an hour and then the greatest sentiments in your lives will rise and keep you drowned in ecstasy yielding into, ‘a once-in-a life time experience’, exactly the one you will live to tell all your life. And such is an example of unforgettable experience.
Just in the heart of Budongo lays the sparkling Budongo Eco Lodge and nominee for the ‘2011, Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Awards!’ And the essence is to elevate quality in companion services and culminate into a high level of comfort and satisfaction of all tourists who visit Budongo Forest Reserve. With excelling services at hand, the Lodge presents pocket friendly accommodation, serving you in one of the most beautiful natural environments, characterized with a natural calm, threshing and thrilling eco sounds of birds and primates, and definitely splendid sights at nature; chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, birds and vegetation. How wonderful! In Budongo, nature is truly at its best.
Come explore Uganda by undertaking a Chimpanzee trekking safari within Budongo forest and go back to spread the good news about what you seen and help bring another visitor to experience exactly the same. On a good note, please be kind to nature and yourself by listening and practicing the rules that will be dictated by your guide, because the safety of our clients and what we offer too is paramount.
Other Activities In Budongo Forest Reserve:
Apart from the chimp trekking experience, Budongo forest provides recipe for an exclusive jungle encounter in Uganda, ranging from Chimpanzee habituation, forest / nature walks, birding, among others.
Birding in Budongo forest; Budongo Forest reserve is one of the high priority birding areas in Uganda for avid birders. Travellers would find Budongo a significant birding pearl, containing a total of over 360 species of birds. Birding tours in Budongo are usually full or half day long being guided by very experienced and knowledgeable bird guides. The most notable birding spot in this region is certainly the “Royal Mile” which is a short distance away from the headquarters in the Busingiro area of Budongo.
The common bird species you won’t miss spotting in Budongo include, among others; –White spotted fluff Tail, Pygmy crakes, Kingfishers( Chocolate backed, blue breasted, dwarf), Cassins spine tail, Nahan’s Francolin, Ituri Batis, Brown twin Spot, Yellow crested Woodpecker, Cameroon Somber, Pulvus Illadopsis, Sabine’s spine tail, Grey headed Sunbird Cassins hawk Eagle, Forest Robin, Little green Sunbird, Crowned Eagle.
Guided nature / forest walks in Budongo;
Guided nature / forest walks are availed to visitors at Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro sectors which are rich with numerous navigable trails and excellent network of foot tracks that provide plenty of attractions including exceptional flora – trees, shrubs, unique wildlife such as the Cicada, monkeys, animals, birds, and also a chance of seeing chimpanzees.
Read MoreGorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking in Africa
Are you wondering exactly where to go for chimp and gorilla trekking in Africa? Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo have the best chimp and gorilla trekking tours with high primate population concentration that you can never imagine. Trekking gorillas and chimpanzees is one of the most amazing adventures in Africa and top on most travelers list to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. For many years now chimpanzees and mountain gorillas are the prime attractions of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo attracting thousands across the globe for gorilla and chimpanzee safaris. The three countries have also done a great job to keep and protect primates though several conservation programs hence maintaining gorilla and chimpanzee tourism in the region. Sensitization has been done to surrounding park communities for gorillas and chimpanzees that today all value the life and survival of primates including the Batwa people of Bwindi forest who sacrificed their ancestral home for mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking in Africa
The silverback eyes look bright than the camera flash light in Bwindi forest national park, Virunga national park, Volcanoes national park, Mgahinga national park and Kahuzi beiga national park the only gorilla trekking parks in East Africa. The biggest primate species on earth and the most impressive –the gorillas can be trekked and seen in just a day and seeing them in their natural parks is a grantee of about 98%.All gorilla tourists are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas for observation and photography after enjoying the forest beauty and other forest habitant encounter during the search of the silverback and its family members.
Gorillas are only tracked by adults above 15 years of age due to challenging hikes during the trekking process. Somehow it’s for the fit not those with healthy problems since the trek is estimated to last between 2-6 hours. One is also allowed to track gorillas twice provided he or she has two free days around the park since treks are done one a day. However, Uganda has opportunities for mountain gorilla habituation so one can spend more time with the gorillas just like researchers. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost US$1500 year round, US$600 in Uganda and US$450 for Congo, the same price that goes down to only US$200 in Congo from mid march to mid May and US$450 in Uganda for April, May and November. All gorilla trekking destinations are open year round for those looking forward to trek gorillas in their natural habitats.
Chimpanzee Trekking & Habituation
Looking at first moving primates in their conserved home is a great experience in Africa especially if done in Nyungwe forest, Virunga national park, Kibale forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest the best chimpanzee viewing spots in East Africa. The sight of a populated chimpanzee family as they play and jump across tree branches is a greatest primate display on earth found only in Africa. The chimpanzee trekking, viewing and habituation experience can be enjoyed year round depending on the availability of chimpanzee permits in your favorite location.
However, chimpanzee permits for Virunga and Nyungwe forest cost $100 per a trek,$150 in kibale forest in Uganda.$80 for Budongo low season,$110 Budongo high season and $50 in Kyambura gorge plus Kalinzu forest. Chimpanzee habituation goes for all day from the time chimp’s wake up to the time they retire while trekking lasts between 2-4 hours. Those interested in Chimpanzee feeding and viewing at Ngamba Island, make sure you get the necessary vaccinations before heading to the island to spend time with the beautiful amazing primates. To sum it up chimpanzee and gorilla trekking go hand in hand when it comes to primate safaris in Africa.
Read More