Planning a Wildlife Safari Experience in Uganda

A wildlife safari in Uganda is a true African wilderness expereince, exclusive and personal, bringing you up-close to a variety of game. Although ranking below its neighbors of Tanzania and Kenya in terms of wildlife density, Uganda delivers an all-round expereince – a combining trek-expereince to encounter the mountain gorillas and chimpanzee in their native forest habitats with an African Big 5 wildlife safari.

Uganda is for travelers seeking exclusiveness and total immersion in the natural world, attracting them to its diverse and less-crowded national parks and wide variety of activities-to-do while its small and compact size makes it easy to navigate.

About Uganda National Parks and Wildlife Biodiversity

Uganda’s 10 national parks and over a dozen wildlife reserves are some of the most diverse in Africa, differing in both character and form, protecting a plethora of wildlife including over 1090 species of birds.

These protected areas include Africa’s tallest mountain ranges of Rwenzori, mountain gorilla and Chimpanzee ancient rainforests of Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale. Kidepo Valley NP tacked in the country’s north-east is Africa’s best wilderness while Murchison Falls hides the world’s most powerful water falls that occur along River Nile. Queen Elizabeth NP in western Uganda is the most diverse protected area in Africa by size protecting over 600 bird species, sunken forest of Kyambura, the hippo-fested Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lion prides.

Uganda’s wildlife checklist include the two largest of apes namely the mountain gorillas and chimpanzee, the endemic Golden Monkey and a collection of smaller primates. Herds of African Elephants, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Nubian Giraffe, East Africa Eland, Uganda Kob, Topi, Impala and Plain Zebra patrol woodlands and more. Water ways are tamed by Hippo and Nile Crocodile.

This array of herbivores is tamed by a cast of carnivores namely; the Leopard, Lion including the unique tree-climbing prides, Spotted Hyena, Jackals, and other small invertebrates.

Highlights on a Uganda Wildlife Safari

Lioness showing off her arsenal at Murchison Falls NP

Popular Wildlife Safari Packages in Uganda

As it is in every destination, holiday packages are categorized under various themes to match the visitors interests. These packages are often tailored to your dream safari expectations and interests.

Uganda Classic Uganda Wildlife Safari

A Uganda classic wildlife safari package is tailored to travelers with a focus on the African Big 5 listers (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo). These thoughtfully packages are private and led-by our own wildlife safari expert guide with vast knowledge of the bush and animal behavior to ensure a rewarding expereince. Included in here are slow-paced game drives, boat safaris and guided walking tours intended for you to gain insights on diverse animal social structure, behavior patterns, interactions and relationships across Uganda’s natural habitats.

But beyond the wildlife, the package offers plenty of personal time to appreciate stunning scenery and landscapes, capture those sunsets and sunrises or sink into nature’s loneliness and remoteness of these Uganda’s wild places away from the busy world. Enjoy the clear open skies and reflect as you drive through woodlands, open savanna and close to water edges in these expansive wild places.

Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari Package

Uganda is a premier birding destination attracting both dedicated naturalists and enthusiasts to twitch its 1090 species checklist across a wide range of habitats. Because birding occurs in protected areas, the package includes ample time to watch wildlife encountered on game tracks, forest trails and water ways.

Adventure and Uganda Wildlife Safari Package

This active safari packages combines a wildlife safari expereince to see the African Big 5 with a series of adrenaline activities. Key adventure highlights include; white water rafting and kayaking on River Nile, walking safaris, cycling, horse riding mountaineering and hiking among other.

Primates trekking and Wildlife Safari Package

This is Uganda’s most premier package that combining a trekking expereince to encounter the mountain gorillas and chimpanzee in their native rainforest and a wildlife safari. Uganda protects over 50% of the global population of mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks while Budongo and Kibale has the largest population of chimpanzee. Across these sites, daily trekking adventures are offered where visitors are guided on a trek to encounter these charismatic apes.

Things to consider while planning a wildlife safari to Uganda

Best time of the year for a wildlife safari Uganda

Uganda enjoys two annual hot/wet climate variations influenced locally by major topographic features across the country. The dry seasons occur between June-September and a short spell from Jan and Feb. Wet months are March and April plus October and November.

For wildlife safari and photographers, the dry season are the best time to travel here for it is when wildlife concentrates along water sources and green courses, offering quality chances to observe and capture beautiful closeups.

The wet season brings in more rains and life onto savannas and forests. This abundance also means the wildlife have plenty of food and will therefore spread far and wide. Game tracks in wet season become difficult to drive thus requiring a good and functioning 4WD. The wet season also coincides with a low-season on a tourist calendar, attracting crowd-conscious travelers seeking quietness, and will be rewarded with exclusiveness and better prices.

Best time of day for game drive experience on a Uganda wildlife safari

A rewarding wildlife safari depends on how knowledgeable your guide is. From the local experience and animal behavior, the guide ensures well planned game drives, taking in a few considerations like local weather patterns that influence local seasonal migrations, salt licks, water places, local mating grounds for “lekking species” where predators love to stalk. This crucial knowledge of animal social structure, behavior and foraging time improves your sightings and experience across Ugandan savanna wildness.

During the game viewing safari, drives are often tailored along the social and diverse behavior of local species. For example, among the cats; lions are the most social, living in prides and are most active at night, engaging in hunting and territory patrol among other activities. An early morning drive will therefore increase chances to encounter the now-stomach-full prides resting from their busy nights, but as the sun gets hotter, they retire to nearby thick woodland and rocks for a shade.

Leopards on the other hand are elusive and shy, mainly solitary and would be encountered lounging up in thick-leaved trees in woodlands. Smaller carnivores like serval cats and mongoose species are usually seen on the drives too. The cunning spotted hyenas are also very busy at night only encountered very early and evening returning or leaving their dens from/to a hunt.

That said, with the best and knowledgeable guide; “anytime is a safari time” in Uganda’s savanna parks!

Packing essentials for a wildlife safari in Uganda

A right packing list ensures you are well prepared to explore at ease Uganda’s wilderness.

To a game-drive experience, boat cruise or forest walk;

Dress in nature blending colors like browns, greys and khakis. Avoid reds, deep blues and blacks, these make you visible and avoided – you don’t want this!
Binocular, to bring those distant objects close.
Camera, to catch those memorial encounters.
Hat, for the hot and windy conditions.
Lots of Sun scream
Shades/glasses to shield your eyes from the strong ultraviolet sun lights.
Easy and comfortable shoes/opens while in a game viewing vehicle and safari boat
Quality walking boots (not snickers) for guided forest and nature walks
Rain jacket/poncho for walking safaris
Water bottle, it gets hot on the plains!
Lastly, while in these natural areas, observe the park rules/regulations; this is for your safety. It’s WILD out there!

Best places to go for a wildlife safari in Uganda

Uganda’s savannas parks offer diverse wild experiences from game drives, boat cruises experience, wildness camping and guided walking safaris tailored to one’s interest.

Below are the Uganda’s best national parks for the utmost wildlife experience;

Murchison Falls National Park; This is Uganda’s biggest protected park popular for large herds of giraffes, lion prides and a boat cruise up stream to the mighty Murchison Falls.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, most notable for Tree Climbing lions of Ishasha and the boat cruise on the hippo-fested Kazinga Channel.
L. Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park popular for nature walks, cycling, horse riding and boat cruise safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, mountain gorilla trekking, excellent nature walks and hiking
Kidepo Valley National Park is undoubtedly Africa’s true wilderness park popular for its stunning landscapes, wildness camping options, nature walks along stunning dry river beds, herds of buffalo, elephants and large prides of lions.

And with plenty of time on your hands, explore these less visited Uganda wildlife reserves for an intimate time in the wilderness, where options include; walking safaris, hiking, cycling, canoeing, wilderness camping and birdwatching. these include;