Uganda hosts a number of tourist attractions offering wide range of things for tourists to see and this make it on one of the most exceptional safari destinations in the East African region with a good number of the big five game, the rare mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the amazing volcanoes, Mountains of the Moon and many more. Uganda is undoubtedly a primate destination with over 480 mountain gorillas compared to its counterparts taking about half of the world’s population which is about 900 individuals.Would you like to plan a holiday in Uganda? The Guide to Uganda lists the following as the best 10 places and attractions for safari in Uganda;
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This feature among Uganda’s most sought after safari destinations. It refuges mainly the rare tree climbing lions that you can sight at Ishasha sector, variety of wildlife including African elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, crocodiles, the largest number of hippos in Africa, chimpanzees in the lost valley of western Rift-Kyambura Gorge, antelopes, birds of about 620, stunning Crater Lakes, rainforests and incredible people around the park all waiting for you to encounter in person.
Murchison Falls National Park
This is Uganda’s biggest protected area and features the largest number wildlife with its strongest waterfalls known as Murchison falls. It is perfect destination for you to see large numbers of African elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Antelope family, Leopards, Giraffes, Savanna with Borassus palm trees which you not see in other parks in East Africa, Nile crocodiles, Hippos, Nile monitor Lizards and not to forget over 450 bird species including the rare shoebill stork.
Other Waterfalls: There are also a number of waterfalls for you to view on safari in Uganda and they include the Sipi falls, Ssezibwa falls, Kisizi falls, Bujagali falls, Ripon falls, Karuma falls and many more.
Budongo Forest
The Budongo Forest is part of the larger Murchison Falls Conservation Area. There is a lot more to explore in this tropical rainforest right from chimpanzees, birds, and other wildlife species as well as several unique tree species and many more. This can be sighted while on Chimpanzee Habituation Experience or nature walk which leads you to the Catholic Church set up by Polish refugees during the Second World War.
Kibale Forest National Park
Located in western Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is exceptionally the capital of primates in East Africa. Over 13 primate species call this park their home including the chimpanzees that represent over 1500 out of 5000 that are estimated to live in Uganda.
There are also other wildlife species which include birds that make up 370 species including the rare Green breasted pitta, crowned eagle, dusky crimson wing, Abyssinian ground thrush, black capped apalis, purple breasted sunbird and many more; 70 mammals (elephants, buffaloes, hippos and many more); over 200 butterflies, tree and plant species.
Kidepo Valley National Park
The remote Kidepo Valley National Park lies in Northeastern Uganda and features as the third largest safari destination in Uganda. While on safari, you will sight 475 birdlife including the karamoja apalis, black breasted barbet, pygmy falcon, long tailed and standard winged nightjars, ostriches and many more; as well as bat eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, 5 species of primates, trees and plant species. This ranks the second destination with the largest number of birds and ranked the third best destination for tourists to visit by CNN.
Lake Mburo National Park
This is Uganda’s smallest savanna protected area! Closest to Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park offers visitors a chance to see the burchell zebras, endangered Rothschild giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes and many more. There are also over 350 bird species including the shoebill stock.
Semuliki National Park
The Semuliki Park is credited for its amazing wildlife and the hot springs. While on safari, you will sight over 63 mammals, nine of which include the diurnal forest primates like chimpanzees, olive baboons, blue monkeys and vervets. You will also sight forest bee crofts flying squirrel, little collared fruit bat, buffaloes, blue duiker, pygmy squirrel and water chevrotain. There are over 374 bird species to be sighted, 81 moth species and many others.
Hot springs: While on Uganda safari do not miss to see different hot springs. Popular ones include the Sempaya, Kitagata, Nyasimbi, Amoropii, Rwagimba, Buranga, Kibiro, Ihimba hot springs. These hot springs are of significant value as they are known for their healing power.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon features as the tallest mountain range in Africa taller than the Alps of Europe, and good for hikers and climbers. There are various trails that lead to the mountains peaks including the Mahoma trail which lead visitors to Lake Mahoma.
Other protected areas include;
- Mount Elgon National Park and the Sipi falls,
- the source of the Nile at Jinja and Lake Victoria which features among the seventh natural wonder of Africa,
- Ssese islands that make up 84 tropical islands,
- Lakes especially Lake Bunyonyi where you will sight over 29 islands, Lake Victoria, Lake Mutanda,
- the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is perfect for rhino viewing,
- Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre for a variety of wildlife and birdlife,
- Kampala City and neighboring places that include the Mabamba swamp for shoebill watching, Ngamba Island, Mabira rain forest, Ssezibwa waterfalls etc.
In conclusion, Uganda is natural paradise. There is a lot more in offer for visitors to sight while on safari to this remarkable destination.
