Uganda Safaris

UGANDA SAFARIS.

Uganda, dubbed “the pearl of Africa” by a former British prime minister – Winston Churchill, is a must-see safari destination in the globe, with snowcapped mountains, foggy jungles, thunderous waterfalls, breathtaking landscapes, rivers and lakes. It is home to 10% of the world’s bird species, a diverse range of fauna and hospitable people. Mother Nature has been vanquished by the mountain backdrops and shimmering water bodies, merging with the meandering streams, convey their undeniable beauty and wealth of attractions.

During your summer or winter break, family retreat, honeymoon, weekend, wildlife, or cultural encounter, a one-day visit may not be enough to explore Uganda’s Mother Nature. A 7 or 10 days safari might be awe-inspiring!

Uganda is a small landlocked country located in the east of Africa. The equator, a peripheral line that separates the planet into Northern and Southern hemispheres, passes through 13 countries. South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Tanzania to the south, and Rwanda to the south-west are the countries that share the boundary with Uganda. Since the country’s independence from British domination on October 9, 1962, up to 10 presidents have served, the most recent being His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Entebbe international airport, located on the banks of Lake Victoria and which you will see upon arrival, is the main international gateway into the country. Entebbe town, which was originally headquarters of the colonial authority, offers a choice of beaches, lodging options and historical sites. Your safari can begin with a trip to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Entebbe Zoo), where you can learn about Uganda’s various mammals, birds, primates and reptiles.

Safaris can be customized to fit your budget, schedule and expectations. The country is largely peaceful, with some of the world’s most fascinating features, including the rare mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and chimpanzees; Lake Bunyonyi, Murchison Falls – the world’s most powerful waterfalls, the source of world’s longest rives – R. Nile; Lake Victoria – world’s second-largest freshwater lake and tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Uganda safaris center around the 10 nationals, historical sites, cultures, game reserves, beaches, or different cities and any other destination of your choice can be arranged, in the east,  west, north, central, and the islands; with each offering a unique experience.

Notable national parks are; Murchison falls national park – home to the most powerful waterfalls on earth, Queen Elizabeth national park with the tree-climbing lions, Misty Jungle of Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park for mountain Gorillas, Semiliki national for a variety of Birds, True wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park, whispers of the wild – Lake Mburo National Park, Mountain Elgon and the snowcapped mountain Rwenzori. Travelers can do game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, hiking, camping experience, primate trekking, mountaineering and other adventures.

Along the eastern circuit, you can take a journey into African heritage by visiting the Nyero rock paintings in the Kumi district, where you can see traces of Man’s early history. No one has been able to decipher the meaning of these paintings on the rock for decades.

Wildlife in Uganda.

Uganda is undoubtedly home to one of the largest concentration of wildlife species in the world. These include; primates such as the golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, white and black Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons and the grey-checked mangabeys among others. Herbivores are not limited to the African elephants, Cape Buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas, bucks, warthogs, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, zebras, several antelope species such as the impalas and Uganda Kobs, African wildcats and many more; Birds such as the ostrich, crested cranes, sunbirds, lovebirds and Turacos to mention but a few; Reptiles such as crocodiles, three-horned chameleons, motor lizards and variety of snakes are abundant in Uganda.

Why visit Uganda? The major attractions!

Gorilla trekking.

Gorillas are some of the main attractions in Uganda. These gentle apes are man’s closest relatives, harbored only in the continent of Africa. They are only found in the continent of Africa, with Uganda offering asylum to the highest concentration in the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in the southwestern region.

Gorilla trekking starts at sunrise, with briefing and document verification at different park headquarters, followed by the tracking exercise which lasts for roughly 2-8 hours, depending on how far the apes have moved and your tracking speed. Only persons aged 15 years and above, with a valid tracking permit, get access to the park for the trekking exercise done under the guidance of an experienced ranger.

Each day, a maximum of eight people walk through the forest in search of a specific Gorilla group assigned. Gorilla trekking is safe and fun, as the apes exhibit human behaviors and appearance. They are gentle and shy, spending most of their time feeding, playing and moving from one territory to another. Gorillas feed on fruits, stems, roots and leaves to mention but a few.

A gorilla trekking permit costs 700 USD for foreign Non-residents, 600USD for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens, inclusive of Ugandans per person per day. The permit money includes a ranger guide, entrance fees, conservation fees and 10% to the communities living near the park.

Primate trekking.

Uganda is the primate capital of Africa; primate trekking is one of the major activities in the world. Visit your cousins the Chimpanzees and fall in love with their movements, feeding, melodies and social life deep in the jungle. There are over 13 unique primates harbored in Uganda with the dominant chimpanzees. Others include the white and black Colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and the red-tailed monkeys.

Cultural encounters.

Interact with authentic Ugandans, by visiting them in their different local communities. Cultural tours take you to the rural communities with organized cultural setting and unmatched entertainment. You will walk with the locals, feed, dance and listen to the folktales. Some of the most notable cultures include the Batwa Pygmies-former hunters and gatherers, the Karamojong herds’ men, Ik people and so many more.

Bird watching.

A journey to the swamps, mountains, shorelines or forests in Uganda, your bird list well thought for. Uganda is home to 10% of the total bird species in the world, thus being a top birding destination in the world.  The notable birds include the ostrich, crested cranes, the shoebill stock, Turacos, sunbirds, and many more.

When is the best time to visit Uganda?

Uganda is open for visitors all year round, with the peak tourism season stretching from June to September, and December to February is also the most ideal season for Travel. March to May and October to November receive heavy rains but are still the best for activities like Bird watching. Activities like hiking, mountain climbing, game drives and cultural adventures are most suitable in the dry season – June to September.

Be informed that the rains don’t last for the entire day, but just hours, and then the sunshine follows. The national parks and other destinations open for tourists by 07:00 hours and close by 07:00 pm. Arrival before or after the set time is not allowed.

Is Uganda safe for tourists?

Definitely yes! This is one of the most peaceful and safe countries in the world, with the most warm and happy people. The national parks, cities, streets and different national parks are well-guarded and protected by Uganda wildlife authority, an agency responsible for conservation and protection of all national parks. All tourists are safe and free to move around the streets, local communities and different attractions. However, it is advisable to take personal security seriously as there are incidences of pick pockets and minor theft especially in big cities; these may snatch phones and other personal items on the streets.

 Covid-19 safety protocol for Uganda.

The outbreak of Covid-19 came with a lot of restrictions to ensure all travelers are safe from the start to end of their trips. It is expected of all travelers to arrive at the airport with a negative PCR covid-19 undertaken within 72 hours, children aged 3 years and below are exempted from this test, always wash hands with clean water or alcohol based sanitizer, stand at least 2 meters from the other person and wear a face mask all the time.

Curfew begins at 19:00hours local time and ends at 05:00am local time, thus no one is expected to be moving or driving in the streets during that time. Passengers arriving at the airport or proceeding to their districts past curfew time are allowed to reach their accommodation facilities. Concerts, schools, Videos halls and bars are still closed, until further notice.

Vaccination requirements for Uganda.

As you plan to travel to Uganda, we recommend the following vaccines. Not all are mandatory, but depending on where you are coming from, you should consult your travel agents for which vaccine is required. Taking the recommended vaccines is to protect you and those around you in case. Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all travelers, chicken pox, Rabis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for personal need, influenza and Pneumonia for those from high-risk counties and anti-Malaria drugs or repellants to protect you against the Mosquito Bites and the Malaria illness. It is advisable to take the recommended vaccines at least a few months in advance.

Packing for Uganda safari.

Nature of activities you intend to do and the number of days on your safari must help you know what to carry because, at the end of it all, no one wants to carry what will stress them or cost much. What to carry for your Ugandan trip may not be limited to; a waterproof Jacket, warm cloths, insect repellants, gloves to protect the hands from scratches and thorny shrubs, pair of stockings, a trouser, toiletries, a sun hat, good hiking shoes, professional camera for quality photos, binoculars, chargers, smartphones or tablets, some casual clothes like jeans and shorts, and long-sleeved shirts to mention but a few. Additionally, mind the type of clothes you pack because any cloth exposing the thighs, breasts or chest in public is regarded as indecent and unacceptable among many Ugandan cultures.

Uganda visa requirements and fees.

A valid visa is one of the requirements for all travelers to Uganda and can be secured within three working hours. Processing Ugandan Visa has been made much easier and possible through the online platform – https://visas.immigration.go.ug.  The Visas are grouped in different categories, and each with different purpose and fees.

Multi entry visa is valid for 24 months costs $150; Multi entry Visa Valid for 36 Months at $200; Student visa for non-nationals at $100; Tourist East African Visa valid for three months, giving access to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda at $100. Visa is no longer issued at the airport, but rather you can apply online or get upon arrival after a complete online application.

To apply for a Visa, your need a confirmation of travel itinerary and hotel booking, Yellow fever certificate, original passport, proof of status, personal invitation where applicable, passport-photo photograph and complete payment of the required fee.

Tipping on Uganda safari and currency used.

Tipping in Uganda is generally accepted and encouraged to all the visitors happy with the service rendered.

Choose to tip a driver/guide, porter, ranger guide, waiter at the lodge or any other person with whom you are pleased. The amount of tip is dependent upon how satisfied you are but it can range from any amount from $5 to 20$. Feel free to tip using any other item rather than money, as it is also accepted. You may tip in US Dollars or Ugandan shillings because the two are the most common currencies used. There are no conditions attached to tipping since it is on a personal basis.

Uganda is an exciting destination and a must-visit for your next safari holiday. It is open all year round and offers the best of wildlife, cultural encounters, adventure and primate trekking adventures.