The most underrated Uganda safari expeditions: When it comes to Uganda safari expeditions, what often comes at the back of most visitors is tracking mountain gorillas. But this country has a bucketful of exciting safari activities beyond gorilla trekking. Visit Uganda this 2023 to experience the unusual part what Africa has to offer the world in a single destination.
Besides the most sought-for mountain gorilla trekking adventures, this article presents to you a list of the most underrated Uganda safaris that reward visitors with distinct experiences. Everything in Uganda leaves holidaymakers with lasting memories.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda offer tourists lifetime opportunities to get up close and personal with the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Uganda contains over 5600 chimpanzees and these are available in the country’s diverse habitats. Most often, the popular Uganda safari expeditions such as mountain gorilla trekking incorporate chimpanzee tracking.
The bucket-list destinations to consider for your chimpanzee tours in Uganda include Kibale National Park with an estimate of more than 1500 chimpanzees and this park has over 4 habituated chimpanzee communities. Visit Budongo Forest in the Southern side of Murchison Falls National Park (more than 800 chimpanzees survive with Budongo Forest), Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest.
During chimpanzee trekking adventures in Uganda’s pristine natural forests, tourists get exposed to not only chimps but also a myriad of other primates. These include the red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys etc.
Cultural safaris
Uganda is such an incredible cultural tour destination, most famous as a boiling pot of cultures. Different tribal groups live in Uganda, each with its distinct cultures and traditions worth sharing on Uganda cultural tour. Overall, 5 ethnic groups live in Uganda and over 30 indigenous languages are spoken.
Birding tours
Uganda contains an estimated bird population of 1080 species which makes it a true birder’s paradise. These represent 60% of Africa’s bird species and 10% of the birds in the world. The bird species to search for on Uganda birding tour include bar-tailed trogons, standard-winged nightjars, green-breasted pittas, Doherty’s bush shrikes, grey-crowned cranes, the great blue turacos, shoebill stork, Shelley’s crimson wings and many others.
The other underrated activities include mongoose tracking, lion tracking, chimpanzee habituation experience and more.
Big game & other wildlife tours
Other than Kenya & Tanzania, Uganda is that one destination many have not fully explored when it comes to the big 5 game safaris. All the big 5 game members live in Uganda –The Pearl of Africa and most of them can be spotted clearly in the country’s sweeping savanna plains. A remarkable big game safari in Uganda allows you to search for the big five game (rhinos which live in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes). Other wildlife species are a must-see in their abundance including antelopes such as roan antelopes, oribis, waterbucks, bushbucks, Topis, Uganda Kobs, hartebeest, and more.
The top places to visit for big game safaris in Uganda include Kidepo Valley National Park. This is located in the far Northeastern side of Uganda, 10-12 hours’ drive from Kampala and holds 4 of the big 5 game members –the bush elephants, cape buffaloes, leopards, and lions. These survive in the same habitat with other wildlife including the Rothschild giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, striped jackals, reedbucks, aardwolf, Uganda Kobs, and more.
Over 475 bird species also exist within the Kidepo NP including chestnut weavers, long-tailed nightjars, white-faced scoops owl, secretary bird, Jackson’s hornbill, Northern carmine bee-eaters, Golden pipit, Rufous chatter, Abyssinian roller, African grey flycatcher, standard winged nightjar, ostriches and others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s 2nd largest park, mostly dominated by savanna plains. This park offers excellent big game viewing experiences and what distinguishes it from the rest is the fact it is home to the tree climbing lions. Visitors enjoy the view of these unique mammals and other animal species including elephants, topis, buffaloes, warthogs, bird species and more.
Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s biggest and most attractive park with abundant wildlife and other attractions. This park is lying in Northwestern Uganda, stretching 3840 sq.kms and its diverse animal species to be spotted include elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, Kobs, giraffes, warthogs and others.
Semuliki NP, lying in the Western side of Uganda, this park is perfect for visitors interested in nocturnal wildlife watching. The park contains several nocturnal species such as leopards, bush babies, nightjar birds and many others.
When to travel for a tour in Uganda
Uganda enjoys favorable weather and climatic conditions all year long. But the most favorite time is the dry season- June, July, August and December, January to February of each year. Birding expeditions are excellent during wet season also known as the nesting and breeding season.
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