Destinations to Visit in Uganda!

These are just a few of the fantastic safari destinations available in Uganda. We are able to satisfy all your safari needs, inclusive of arranging your hotel or lodge bookings and Gorilla permits. Personal tastes will affect your itinerary a great deal, and we would recommend that you make your choices taking into consideration your need for comfort or your ability and desire to “rough it”. Here are the top places to visit in Uganda;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is the most popular of Uganda’s national parks. The wild jungles of Bwindi Forest hosts almost half of the remaining population of the mountain gorillas left in the whole world. Gorilla trekking is the major adventure activity taken in this park. Other activities that can be done in Bwindi are nature walks, Local Community Tours, Village Stays etc.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The less known Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits astride the Rwanda and DRC borders in the Virunga volcano chain. Bookings for Mgahinga cannot be made but are done on a “first come first served basis”; the cost is US$220 for a gorilla-tracking permit. Additional activities include volcano climbing in which no specialized gear is required; Mt Sabyinyo (3669m); Mt Gahinga (3474m) and Mt Muhavura (4127m).

Lake Mburo National Park

A much unvisited Park that affords the visitor sights of the impala (only found here in Uganda), waterbuck, buffalo, topi, zebra, eland and Leopard. Hippos are very vocal and feed in the open during the daylight hours.

Guided walks with a ranger can be organized and give the visitor a very unusual perspective on game viewing! This Park is also remarkable for its bird life with a species count of 310 including the chestnut-bellied heron and the Finfoot.

Places to stay: - Basic bandas at Rwonyo camp and camping on the lake shore or more luxury facilities at Mantana tented camp.

Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve

The Semliki Safari Lodge is the only place to stay and boasts a beautiful main lodge with luxurious tents finished with thatched roof and furnished with four poster bed and plush Persian carpets.

Night game drives are exclusively conducted by Semliki and offer the opportunity to view Leopard and other nocturnal species. Walks are offered along the forest streams for Chimpanzee and the opportunity to fish in Lake Albert for the Nile Perch are also available.

Kibale Forest National Park

The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates to be found in any forest of Africa. The Park also has 320 species of birds including the Yellow spotted nicator; Green breasted Pitta and the African Pitta.

Butterflies are also in abundance including the largest African butterfly, African Giant Swallowtail, with a wingspan of 20-23 cm. Guided walks are offered to track the Chimpanzee during the early hours of the morning.

Places to stay: - Ndali Lodge 17 km’s outside the Park features lovely cottages overlooking a crater lake; CVK resort next door to the Park entrance and is an inexpensive option for the budget conscious and provides easy access for the early morning start.

Lake Bunyonyi

A very deep lake set in amongst “the Switzerland of Uganda”, steep slopes with abundant terracing and a cool climate. Bird watching opportunities abound and canoe tours of the lake are a must. The local delicacy is the garlic freshwater crayfish served at all locations.

Places to stay- Tented accommodation at Bushara Island camp or far out camp.

Ruwenzori Mountain National Park

The Ruwenzori are a range of mountains stretching some 100 kms in length by 45 kms wide, along the western border of Uganda with the DRC. This is a beautiful and arduous trek through often wet conditions and requires a good 7-8 days, more depending how many peaks are to be tackled.

Fitness is definitely required and also sound weather-proof attire. Of note are the Giant Lobelia and Groundsel, which in Europe and the US usually attain heights of a few inches, but here can tower above you to 20-30 ft. Mount Stanley features two accessible peaks Margherita (16,763 ft) and Alexandra (16,703 ft) and there are 7 additional peaks over the 14,000 ft mark awaiting you.

Peak climbing should be undertaken with all necessary safety equipment- ropes, ice axe, crampons and a good guide!

Mount Elgon National Park

Mt Elgon is an ancient and extinct volcano that has the largest surface area of any volcano in the world, 50 km by 80 km. It features a caldera, with a collapsed crater, which covers 40 km2 at the top of the mountain and is encircled by rugged peaks (Wagagai 14,172 ft).

The average circuit takes about 6 days and is less arduous than the Ruwenzori, but nevertheless offers some striking scenery and testing terrain.

Places to stay: - The Crows nest caters for the budget tourist and has some of the best views of the Sipi falls, Mount Elgon and the plains below. Sipi Falls Rest camp is more up-market and offers a good location for viewing the falls and starting out on forest walks.

Enjoy The Islands of Beautiful Lake Victoria!

These are just a few of the fantastic safari destinations available in Uganda. We are able to satisfy all your safari needs, inclusive of arranging your hotel or lodge bookings and Gorilla permits. Personal tastes will affect your itinerary a great deal, and we would recommend that you make your choices taking into consideration your need for comfort or your ability and desire to “rough it”.

Ssese Islands & Lake Victoria

Located some 40 km from Entebbe in Lake Victoria; these islands are still unspoilt and feature rain forest avifauna. Fishing is good for the giant Nile Perch (>100 kg’s) and expeditions can be arranged by boat or by vehicle, crossing from Bukakata to Bugala island.

Places to stay:- Various basic facilities exist and can be booked.

Ngamba Island

This is a Chimpanzee sanctuary set up and run by the Jane Goodall Institute for rehabilitating young Chimpanzees freed from captivity and confiscated from smugglers. It is a day trip by large canoe (20 km) from Entebbe and offers good sightings and a most enjoyable day out.

Bulago Island

This is a 500 acre privately owned island lying some 35km south of Kampala on Lake Victoria and takes about 1 hour by boat. This is definitely a place for relaxation by whichever means you choose- sailing, swimming, fishing, croquet, horse riding, bird watching, boating and water sports.

Accommodation is provided in individual, private cabins with thatched roof and “sun downer” veranda.