Wildlife safaris in Uganda can be carried out across the many national parks and wildlife reserves found around the country. Uganda has about 10 national parks found in the northern, western, south west, north eastern parts of the country. Safaris in Uganda can be done at any time of the year and there are various activities to engage in during these tours.
The national parks where safaris in Uganda are done include Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Kibale national park, Semuliki national park, Mgahinga national park among others.
- Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Uganda is among the destinations in Africa where gorillas can be seen. During a safari in Uganda gorillas can be seen in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which is found in the south western part of Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park is done in different sectors such as Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector and Nkuringo sector. Another activity which is done in Bwindi national park is gorilla habituation in Rushaga sector, bird watching and cultural tours can also be done at the destination.
The Batwa who are forest dwellers are among the people that tourists on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda can interact with. During the Batwa tour, the tourists interact with the local and get to know more about their way of life, their culture and also enjoy traditional dance performances.
There are different ways to get to Bwindi national park during wildlife safaris in Uganda and they include driving from Kampala or Entebbe which takes about 8 hours. Another way to get to Bwindi national park during safaris is by flights to Kihihi airstrip or Kisoro airstrip.
- Murchison falls national park
Another destination to visit during wildlife safaris in Uganda is Murchison falls national park which is found in the north western part of the country.
The Murchison falls are a major attraction in the national park and there is also various wildlife species found at the destination such as elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalos, kobs, hippos, waterbucks, bushbucks, reedbucks and many others.
Activities carried out during wildlife safaris in Uganda include game drives done at different times of day such as in the morning and afternoon, boat rides to the bottom of the falls, top of the falls hikes, birding, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, spot fishing, hot air balloon safaris among others.
Murchison falls national park is the oldest national park in Uganda and the safaris in the national park can be done in the northern and southern sectors of the country. There are different ways to get to the national park and this includes flight and also driving.
The drive from Kampala to Murchison falls national park takes about 5 hours and using the flight option, tourists can access the national park by flying to Pakuba airstrip in the northern part or Bugungu airstrip in the southern sector of the national park.
- Queen Elizabeth national park
Wildlife safaris in Uganda can also be carried out in Queen Elizabeth national park which is found in the western part of the country.
Queen Elizabeth national park is made up of varied habitats such as grasslands, swamps and also forests. There are various wildlife species found in this national park such as tree climbing lions which can be seen during a safari around the ishasha sector.
Other wildlife species which can be seen during a wildlife safari around Queen Elizabeth national park include chimpanzees, elephants, buffalos, kobs, waterbucks, lions, leopards, warthogs, hippos and many others.
Safari activities which are carried out around Queen Elizabeth national park include game drives, lion tracking experience, boat rides on the Kazinga channel, chimpanzee trekking, birding, guided nature walks among others.
The national park can be accessed by flight and also by driving. the drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth national park takes about 7 hours and for the flight option, tourists can book flights to Mweya airstrip and from there transfer to their lodges or continue with their safari around the national park.
- Kidepo valley national park
In the north eastern part of Uganda, wildlife safaris can be carried out in the famous Kidepo valley national park.
Kidepo valley national park is a remote wildlife viewing destination in Uganda which is home to a number of wildlife species such as elephants, zebras, buffalos, hyenas, lions, leopards, cheetahs, klipspringers, kudu, waterbucks, reedbucks, gazelles among others. The national park is also home to a variety of bird species.
Activities which are carried out during safaris around Kidepo valley national park include game drives, bird watching and cultural tours with the locals like the Karamojong and it involves interactions with the locals and getting to know more about their way of life and culture among other experiences.
The drive from Kampala to Kidepo valley national park is long and there is also an option of flying to the national park during safaris to airstrips like Apoka airstrip.
- Kibale national park
Wildlife safaris in Uganda can also be done in Kibale national park and the national park is found in the western part of Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking is the activity that brings many tourists to Kibale national park during safaris in Uganda. Chimpanzee habituation, hiking, birding, nature walks or forest walks are among the activities carried out around the destination.
During safaris to Kibale national park, tourists can also make a stop at the crater lakes and also visit the tea plantations and the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves.
The drive from Kampala to Kibale national park takes about 5 to 6 hours.
- Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is another wildlife viewing destination which can be visited during tours in Uganda.
Wildlife viewing experiences around Lake Mburo national park are exciting and some of the activities carried out around the national park involve nature walks which are done in the company of a ranger guide, game drives, cycling, boat cruise, horseback rides, and cultural experiences among others.
The national park is about 4 hours’ drive from Kampala and the wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around Lake Mburo national park include antelopes, buffalos, zebras, hippos among others.
- Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is a wildlife viewing destination in Uganda which is famous for the hot springs and it is located in the western part of Uganda.
Activities which are carried out around Semuliki national park include nature walks, bird watching, cultural tours, visiting the hot springs among others.
The national park can be accessed by driving from Kampala which takes about 7 hours and Semuliki national park is about 2 hours’ drive from Fort Portal.
- Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park is a wildlife safari destination in Uganda where gorilla trekking can be carried out and also golden monkey trekking.
The national park is located in the south western part of Uganda and other activities which can be carried out around Mgahinga national park include Batwa cultural tours and also hiking.
Apart from the wildlife parks which are visited during safaris in Uganda, there are also reserves such as Pian Upe wildlife reserve, Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve, Karuma wildlife reserve, Ajai wildlife reserve, Bokora corridor wildlife reserve, Bugungu wildlife reserve, Kabwoya wildlife reserve, Katonga wildlife reserve, Kigezi wildlife reserve, Kyambura wildlife reserve, Matheniko wildlife reserve among others.
