Uganda the Pearl of Africa is fortunate to have a network of 10 beautiful National Parks and about 8 game reserves. Are you planning to take a safari in Uganda? Whether you are hoping to travel to the west or to the east, there are more than enough opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy a safari through some of Africa’s most magnificent parks. Uganda is a land gifted by nature.
The allure of adventure and discovery accompanies you as you travel around Uganda. Uganda is a home to the endangered Mountain Gorilla and is a primate paradise. The 10 National Parks and wildlife areas play host to Africa’s ‘Big 7’ animals such as Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Leopards, Buffalos, Gorillas and Chimpanzees. Each park has its own unique attraction ranging from gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, mountain climbing, bird watching, big game viewing, spot fishing, boat trips, nature walks among others.
From the iconic savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park to the misty rain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda’s safari parks and reserves offer a diverse range of experiences for travelers seeking adventure and wildlife encounters.
To enjoy your Uganda safari at your own pace as I enjoyed mine in August 2024, trust Nature Adventure Africa Safaris for unforgettable memories.
On my safari adventure, upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, I was picked up by an experienced representative from Nature Adventure Africa Safaris who briefed me about the safari and then he transferred me to Mabamba swamp for a shoebill search and later went to check-in at Protea Hotel for dinner and sleepover.
The next day I woke up in a cool environment of the Entebbe city, had breakfast and later met my driver for a brief discussion about the journey we had to Murchison Falls National Park. On the way to Murchison Falls National Park, we had a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking and the experience was worth the money I paid. ($50). After getting up close to the rhinos, we took some photographs and videos for remembrance and later proceed to Masindi town where we had our an enroute lunch from Masindi hotel one of the historical hotels in Masindi district.
Upon arrival in Murchison Falls National Park, we visited the top of falls and got a chance of sight-seeing the lush vegetation of the Karuma wildlife reserve and also its breathtaking views. The sounds from the falls really show the liveliness of the nature. After taking some photos, I showed people back home, we proceeded to Karuma town where we enjoyed a road trip while learning about the culture of local people leaving around Karuma area. Later checked-in at Nile Safari lodge for dinner and overnight.
The next morning after having breakfast, headed for a game drive and spotted different wildlife species such as herds of elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalos and bee-eater among others. After the game drive, returned to the lodge for refreshment, lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, we went for a boat ride along Nile River. While on a boat cruise along the Nile, we spotted a number of animals such as crocodiles, hippos and also buffaloes as they were drinking water at the river bank. In evening, returned to the lodge for dinner and sleepover.
The next morning after having breakfast, I was transferred to Kibale National Park with my packed lunch via Hoima to Fort portal passing through traditional homesteads and farms along the Albertine rift escarpments where we spotted more wildlife animals such as red and blue duikers, bushbucks, sitatungas, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, common warthogs, African buffalo among others. We also got a chance of sight seeing the mountains of the moon but from far. On arrival to Kibale National Park, checked-in at Kyaninga lodge for dinner and overnight.
The next morning after having breakfast, we proceeded to park’s headquarters for briefing on rules, regulations and guidelines of conducting chimpanzees in their natural habitat. After being grouped into groups of 6 members and when the allocation of the families is done, we entered the jungle to start searching for chimpanzees and this took about 4 hours before finding these creatures.
After finding them, we stayed in the forest 1 hour together with these giants in the natural habitat while watching them feeding the young ones and we also took some photos and videos for remembrance. Apart from chimpanzees, we also got a chance of seeing other wildlife and primates like bush pig, elephants, blue monkeys, baboons among others, bird species and ever green savannah vegetation of Kibale National Park. Later returned to the lodge for lunch and in the evening went for a guided nature walk in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary which is full of a variety of butterflies, birds and insects. After the Bigodi Walk, returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
The next day after having breakfast, I was transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector known for the rare climbing lions in the tree trucks. Apart from lions, I also spotted some few animals such as buffaloes, water buck, Uganda Kobs among others. Later I checked-in at Mweya Safari lodge for lunch and later in evening went for a boat ride at Kazinga channel and I got a chance of seeing hippos and crocodiles plus some bird species. After the cruise, returned to the lodge for dinner and sleepover.
Woke up, took breakfast and headed for a game drive in kasenyi plains with my packed lunch. Early game drives are so interesting you can get a chance of finding when the animals are still sun bathing when they have not yet set off for hunting. Here, we spotted a variety of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards and some bird species. After the game drive, I headed for a nature walk. While on a guided nature walk, we encountered a lot of animals at a close range while on foot. One of the most popular guided nature walking tours is to Maramagambo bat caves. Upon the completion of the nature walk, returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
The following day, I went for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura wildlife reserve. The trek started with a briefing at the headquarters. After the trekking experience, trekked back to the headquarters to receive my chimpanzee trekking certificate and spent my evening relaxing at the lodge.
In the morning, we embarked on our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector and this time around we got a chance of seeing the rare climbing lions in the fig trees. Had lunch at Ishasha Pride Lodge and after continued to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. When we reached the park, checked-in at Buhoma lodge to keep my luggage, relaxed and then headed to the Batwa village. The Batwa people experience showed us how they live, hunt, cook and also on how they use plants for both food and medicine. These people also shared with us their past stories. Later returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
The next morning, was for gorilla trekking and we started the trek with a briefing at the headquarters and in the briefing, we were divided in groups of 8 members. After briefing, we entered into the jungle led by experienced guide. As we were hiking, we came across some primates like monkeys and also some bird species. When we finally found the gorilla family allocated to us, we spent about 1 hour in the forest while watching these creatures as they were eating leaves and playing with each other and also took some photography to have unforgettable moments. This experience in the forest was a special moment I will never forget in my life. After a long day of trekking, I met the driver and returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
In the morning, I woke up to the sound of birds singing outside the window. It was a beautiful start to another day of adventure. After breakfast, proceeded to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Lake Bunyonyi is a big lake surrounded by green hills and its water is clear and calm whereas perfect for swimming and boat riding. I enjoyed a boat ride on the lake and explored some small islands such as the Akampene island where unmarried pregnant girls were left to die of hunger taking it as an example to other young girls. Each island on this lake is like a little paradise with sandy beaches and lush vegetation. Lake Bunyonyi has cool water good swimming to those interested.
After a long day of swimming and boat riding, I checked-in at a charming Arcadia lodge for dinner and sleepover. The lodge has cozy cottages with beautiful views of the lake. The staff at the lodge is very friendly and welcoming.
On my last day of the trip, I had my breakfast and later went for a simple swimming. After swimming, I checked-out of the accommodation facility, met my driver and headed back to Kampala with a stopover at equator for lunch enroute and some refreshments and later proceeded to Entebbe in order to catch up with my flight back home and this where my safari ended with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris’ team.
