Uganda Safaris – Wildlife Tours & Gorilla Tours

At Lets Go Tours Rwanda, we offer a wide range of Uganda wildlife safaris including; gorilla safaris, mountain climbing, chimpanzee tracking, cultural tours, wildlife viewing, Birding tours. We organize tours to suit all travelers – individual, families and group travels. We also offer scheduled safaris, Last minute deals, tailor-made trips, fly in safaris and for all travelers, be assured of memorable guided safaris.

Uganda is often called the “Pearl of Africa” because of its beautiful landscapes, rich wildlife and friendly people. Uganda safaris are a great choice for travellers who want a mix of wildlife, primates, beautiful sceneries and culture in one trip. The country is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, over 1,000 bird species and many different habitats from thick rainforests to open savannah plains. Whether you are planning a short holiday or a longer adventure, Uganda safaris offer many memorable experiences.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is one of the main highlights of Uganda safaris. It takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in the southwest of the country. These parks protect Uganda’s mountain gorillas and are among the few places in the world where visitors can see them in the wild.

The trek starts with a briefing from park rangers. Visitors are then placed in small groups and assigned to a habituated gorilla family. With the help of guides and trackers, they walk through the forest in search of the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from one to eight hours depending on where the gorillas are on that day. Once the gorillas are found, visitors spend one hour watching them feed, rest, groom each other and care for their young.

Uganda is also the only country that offers the gorilla habituation experience. This special activity allows visitors to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family that is still getting used to human presence. It gives a closer look at gorilla behaviour and the work done by researchers and park rangers.

Wildlife safaris in Uganda

Apart from gorilla trekking, Uganda safaris also include game viewing in several savannah national parks. The country has more than 340 mammal species including the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinos. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and one of the most popular safari areas. It is known for the powerful Murchison Falls where the Nile River passes through a narrow gorge before dropping into the river below. Game drives here often bring sightings of elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and many bird species. Boat trips on the Nile also give visitors a chance to see hippos, crocodiles and the base of the falls.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is another favourite on Uganda safaris. It is famous for its rich wildlife, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise and the tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector. Visitors can also see elephants, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and many kinds of antelope. Kidepo Valley National Park in the far northeast offers one of the most remote safari experiences in Uganda. Its wide open plains are home to lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, ostriches and other animals that are not always easy to find in other parks.

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks but it still offers rewarding wildlife viewing. It is a good place to see zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, buffaloes and hippos. It is also one of the few parks where visitors can enjoy walking safaris, horseback safaris and cycling. For rhino viewing, visitors can stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Rhinos once lived in Uganda’s national parks but they disappeared many years ago. Today, Ziwa gives travellers the chance to track them on foot with trained guides.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is another popular part of Uganda safaris. Kibale National Park has the highest number of chimpanzees in East Africa and is widely known as the best place in Uganda to see them. Guided forest walks give visitors the chance to watch chimpanzees feeding, playing and moving through the trees.

Chimpanzees can also be tracked in Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest. Each of these places offers a different forest setting and a different safari experience.

Birdwatching

Uganda is one of the best birdwatching destinations in Africa with more than 1,090 recorded bird species. Bird lovers can explore forests, wetlands, lakes and savannah parks in search of different bird species.

Some of the top birding places in Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mabamba Swamp, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. One of the most sought-after birds is the shoebill which is often seen in Mabamba Swamp near Kampala.

Boat safaris

Boat trips are also part of Uganda safaris because they give visitors a different way to see wildlife. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise is very popular. It offers close views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and many water birds. In Murchison Falls National Park, boat cruises on the Nile take visitors to the base of the falls. Along the way, it is common to see buffaloes, elephants, hippos and birds along the riverbanks. Lake Mburo National Park also offers boat rides where visitors can enjoy views of hippos, crocodiles and water birds.

Mountain hiking

Uganda safaris can also include mountain hiking for travellers who enjoy outdoor adventure. The Rwenzori Mountains also called the Mountains of the Moon are known for their high peaks, glaciers and beautiful alpine scenery. These mountains offer some of the most challenging hikes in Africa. Mount Elgon on the Uganda-Kenya border is another good hiking destination. It has gentler trails, waterfalls, caves and one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. Visitors can also hike the Virunga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These include Mount Sabinyo, Mount Muhabura and Mount Gahinga. Each mountain offers a different hiking experience and lovely views of the surrounding area.

Cultural experiences

Uganda safaris are also a chance to learn about the country’s people and traditions. Uganda has more than 50 ethnic groups each with its own language, customs and way of life. Travellers can visit local villages, watch traditional dances, shop at craft markets and learn about daily life in different communities. The Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi and Mgahinga is especially interesting. It introduces visitors to the history of the Batwa people who once lived in the forest before it became a protected area. In northeastern Uganda, the Karamoja region offers another unique cultural experience. Here, visitors can meet the Karamojong people and learn about their pastoral lifestyle and traditions.

Adventure activities

For travellers who want more action, Uganda safaris can include several adventure activities. Jinja located on the shores of the Nile is known as East Africa’s adventure capital. Visitors can go white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, bungee jumping, quad biking and sunset boat cruising. There are also many places in Uganda where travellers can explore caves, waterfalls and crater lakes. In several national parks, walking trails allow visitors to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace and connect more closely with nature.

Why choose Uganda safaris?

Uganda safaris are a good choice for travellers who want variety in one trip. You can go gorilla trekking, see wildlife, track chimpanzees, watch birds, take boat cruises, hike mountains and enjoy cultural visits all in the same country. Uganda is also easy to travel around compared to many larger safari destinations which makes it possible to visit more than one park during a single holiday. From rainforests to savannahs, from rivers to mountains, Uganda safaris offer a rich and memorable travel experience. Whether it is your first safari or your next African adventure, Uganda has something special to offer.