Top Experiences in Uganda: From the mesmerizing mountain gorilla encounters, big game viewing to thrilling African cultural experiences, Uganda is without doubt a spectacular destination full of unique experiences. Located at the heart of Africa, Uganda is described as the Pearl of Africa for a good reason- an exceptional destination where you can find all that Africa has to offer.
Top experiences in Uganda
Mountain gorilla trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking features on the top list of experiences in Uganda. Gorilla safaris in Uganda are enjoyable in 2 locations that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is a lifetime wildlife encounter offering tourists a chance to enjoy a close interaction with the massive mountain gorillas right in the wild.
Only 1063 mountain gorillas still live on earth and they exist in only Uganda, Rwanda and Congo and never at the zoo. 21 habituated gorilla families are open for gorilla trekking in Uganda alone as of 2022. Trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is open to visitors above 15 years and gorilla permits are required, each costing USD700 per person.
Other thrilling primate trekking experiences to enjoy on Uganda safaris include chimpanzee tracking/trekking in Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge; golden monkeys tracking, mountain gorilla habituation, chimpanzee habituation etc.
Whitewater rafting on the Source of the River Nile
Whitewater rafting on the Nile River is one of the top experiences in Uganda. It is conducted right in Jinja on the Nile River where adventure lovers challenge themselves with powerful grades and rapids of class range 1 to 6. There are also other thrilling adrenaline adventures to take part on Uganda safaris and they include kayaking, jet-boating, boat cruise, bungee jumping or go horseback riding, quad biking in the local communities while viewing the Source of the Nile.
Game drive/wildlife viewing
Uganda is known to offer extraordinary guided game drives. A game drive in Uganda is a great opportunity for nature lovers to immerse themselves into the verdant savanna parks such as Murchison Falls National Park- the largest and oldest park with 4 of the big 5 game members, world’s powerful waterfall- Murchison Falls and over 500 bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park a hot spot to see the tree climbing lions in Uganda and a home to all 96 mammal species, 620 bird species, primates; Kidepo Valley National Park a true wilderness paradise to enjoy authentic African experiences, Lake Mburo National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking or trekking is one of the top experiences in Uganda, offering primate lovers a lifetime opportunity to interact with chimpanzees in their habitat. Unlike at the zoo, trekking to see chimps in the wild is without doubt an extra-ordinary experience and in Uganda, there are about 5050 chimpanzees distributed all over the country.
5 key locations to go enjoy Uganda chimpanzee trekking include Kibale Forest National Park with chimpanzee trekking permits costing USD200 per person per day, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo Forest and Semliki Wildlife Reserve/Park.
Cultural safaris
Uganda features a distinct cultural heritage with 56 tribes all living peacefully. The top cultural experiences in Uganda include the Batwa cultural encounter, Entanda cultural experience, Karamojong and IK and their cultures, Imbalu circumcision, Kasonga community experience at Queen Elizabeth National Park, etc.
Birding
Birding is with no doubt the top experience in Uganda, offering birders a remarkable opportunity to identify diversity of birds. A total of over 1080 bird species have been recorded in Uganda alone 50% of which are Africa’s bird species and 11% of bird species in the world. The bird check-list in Uganda include shoebill stork, African darter, African green breasted pitta, great blue turacos, kingfishers, African green broadbill, etc.