Uganda safari tours can be conducted in different tourist places of your choice such as cities, national parks and many other tourism places depending on your travel plan. In order to have a successful Uganda tour its better to get in torch with a trusted tour operator. It will be there to help you in booking for hotels, permits and also secure your transportation means. Some of the tourist attraction places where you can go are described in this article as follows;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is located in Southwestern Uganda -Kanungu. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and its population of endangered mountain Gorillas. It covers an area of approximately 331 square kilometers and the park is characterized by its dense misty forests, towering trees and steep terrain.
The park is a home to an estimated half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorilla population making it one of the best places in the world for Gorilla Trekking. Visitors can embark on guided hikes through the forest to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, an experience that offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of those critically endangered primates.
In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also a home to wide variety of other wildlife including several primate species such as Chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and blue monkeys. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 350 bird species recorded within its borders including numerous Albertine Rift endemics.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park boasts a wealth of tourist attractions that draw from around the world for visitors to explore and enjoy. Some attractions include; Mountain Gorillas, Birds, Cultural encounters (Batwa pygmies), scenic Beauty and views among others.
Come explore the lush rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the chance to come face-to-face with the majestic mountain gorillas. A safari tour to this park is your opportunity to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of trekking these incredible creatures and to observe the diverse wildlife of the park. With over half the world’s population of mountain gorillas living in this park, there’s no better place to get up close and personal with these critically endangered species. Gorilla trekking is at US$800.
Apart from gorilla trekking, visitors can also engage themselves in other tourism activities such as Gorilla Habituation experience (US$1500), Bird watching, Batwa cultural experience, Forest walks/hiking, Mountain biking, Buhoma community walks and Lake Mutanda visit on their trip in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable national park has constructed accommodation facilities with good amenities. Some of these facilities include; Buhoma lodge, Nkuringo safari lodge, Mahogany springs lodge, clouds mountain gorilla lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is Uganda’s most popular and visited wildlife conservation area. The park lies in the western part of Uganda in the districts of Kamwenge, Rukingiri, Rubirizi and Kasese. Queen Elizabeth National Park currently occupies an area of about 764 square miles. The park borders Uganda’s Kibale National Park and is an extension of Congo’s Virunga National Park. The Kyambura gorge, Maramagambo forest, Kazinga Channel, sections of Lake George and Edward are all part of the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park spans the equator line; monuments on either side of the road marking the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00.
The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of England. The park is home to over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
The Katwe explosion craters mark the park’s highest point at 1,350m above sea level, while the lowest point is at 910m, at Lake Edward.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for a classic big five such as lions, leopards among others, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
It is set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo, and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.
The main local tribes living near the park’s boundaries are the Banyankore, Bakiga and Bakonjo. The Bakiga and Bakonjo depend on subsistence agriculture while the Banyankore are known pastoralists. Salt mining is a popular economic activity especially among the Bakiga living near the park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages the park while also collaborating with several wildlife conservation organizations and teams of international and local researchers.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance, music, and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystems which in turn benefits the surrounding communities.
Most of Queen Elizabeth comprises open grassland and savannah which tends to be moist and woody in the west than the eastern part, Thorny Acacia dominates this savannah habitant with the high concentration of candelabra shrub a cactus that grows along the Kazinga channel and on the kasenyi plains.
Queen Elizabeth national park is close to Bwindi impenetrable forest, Kibale Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. This implies that visitors can combine a full wildlife safari and gorilla trekking in Bwindi for great experience.
There are a lot of tourist activities that can be done while at Queen Elizabeth National Park though at an affordable fee. Some of these activities include; bird watching for avians, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, game drives, spot tree climbing lions in Ishasha though they are rare to be seen.
Tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park have a variety of lodges and hotels to choose from. The lodges offer services that are of budget, mid-range and ultra-luxury quality. Most of the lodges are built in typical safari banda style with wood, stone and grass thatched roofs. The final choice of hotel depends on one’s interests and budget. The lodges may allow outside camping in selected places for clients with their own tents. Here are some of the them;
Mazike Valley Lodge. Mazike Valley Lodge was formerly known as Kyambura Game Lodge and has recently undergone extensive rebranding. Mazike Valley is located in Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
It is perched on the walls of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The opulent cottages of the lodge offer breathtaking views of the vast game park, the Maramagambo Forest and the Kazinga Channel in the horizons.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp: This hotel is built near the Ishasha sector along the banks of river Ntungwe. The building and rooms in the lodge are built with stones, time and roofed with grass. The lodge’s lounge area offers great views of the nearby river from wooden but comfortable chairs and coffee tables. The lodge has a bar, a restaurant, a fire place and a curio shop. The 10 self-contained tented rooms have Free Wi-Fi, a verandah, double and twin beds, a desk, table and carpet and flush toilet bucket. The lodge provides opportunities to spot some of the park animals like elephants, baboons, warthogs and antelopes that come to feed nearby.
Kyangabi crater resort. It is situated in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Rubirizi District and it offers a comfortable and convenient place for visitors to relax after having a long day.
The resort has over 44 different styled rooms designed to meet guest’s personal preferences. It has conference rooms that are flexibly set for different types of meetings, seminars, trainings. Parties and special events can be held in the resort’s gardens and VIP lounge can be used for private meetings. The facilities include; massage, gym, swimming pool among others.
The resort’s goal is to make its clients comfortable on their stay. The resort offers all fitness and physical health needed by visitors. It also offers a spacious workout area and provide exercise mats for warm ups and stretches. Basic physical exercise equipment such as dumbbells, exercise bicycles, treadmills, inclined bench-press and resistance bands are also available.
It has a restaurant with a priceless panoramic view including central dining room, internal and external bar. Craft shop where you can stock up on some of the best African attires and decorations. Some of the amenities include; Satellite TV, two conference rooms, a lounge, terrace and viewing deck, WIFI available throughout the property.
Enganzi lodge. Enganzi Lodge is nestled on a hill bordering the Queen Elizabeth National Park and overlooking unspoilt bush in the cradle of western Uganda’s magnificent wild. The lodge has over 5 cottages which offer a picture-perfect view of the Queen Elizabeth National Park bush expense, guests will be spoilt for choice in glimpses of nature’s best at flora and fauna. have double or twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. The Cottages are powered by a generator.
Room facilities include; twin beds, double beds, en-suite, mountain views, balcony or patio, Single beds, tea and Coffee facilities. The lodge gives a discount of USD 20 to residents. Lodge amenities include; laundry Facilities, barbecue, indoor fireplace, free parking among others.
Guests can enjoy nature walks, Game viewing, bird watching and the location offers a breathtaking advantage for sightseeing. Your experience at Enganzi Lodge will be crowned with an unforgettable imprint of sheer luxury in natures wild.
Kasenyi safari camp. It is located in the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers guests the perfect base for a thrilling wildlife adventure. Since its built at the starting point of the safari tracks, the camp provides easy access to the park’s big savannah game animals. Guests can get a chance to see a variety of wildlife including lion pride, hippo, leopard, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, Kob, hyena, warthog and many more.
Being nestled on the edge of Lake Bunyampaka a creator Salt Lake, Kasenyi Safari Camp offers stunning views of the flamingo-colored lake shores and the northern plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kasenyi Safari Camp’s eight spacious safari tents are suspended off the ground and face the Salt Lake hence providing guests with stunning views of the surrounding area. Each tent is fitted with modern amenities including ensuite bathrooms, spacious living areas, and private decks.
The camp’s main lounge and dining area is a standout feature combining African architectural ambiance with a contemporary safari experience. Guests can enjoy delicious meals while admiring the breathtaking views of the Salt Lake and the park’s northern plains.
Amenities include; Laundry Services, En-suite bathrooms, Hot/Cold Water in bathrooms, Wi-Fi Available, Restaurant and Bar, Mosquito net and many more.
Enjojo lodge. It is a hidden gem located on the southern border of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Ishasha sector. It offers great access to the park’s tree-climbing lions. The lodge is situated on 40 hectares of lush vegetation, acacia forest, scattered grassland, palm trees, and a small lake providing guests a serene getaway.
Enjojo Lodge offers seven luxury cottages with unique charm and en-suite baths featuring a rustic outdoor shower. Four of the cottages are tucked away in lush vegetation with swaying palm trees and are accessible by a wooden elevated walkway leading to and from the restaurant. Three cottages overlook an open grassland where elephants often roam. Guests can unwind, relax and enjoy the African wilderness from the spacious verandah’s easy chairs.
Under a cool thatched roof, the central lounge and dining area provide a comfortable environment for meals and relaxation during the heat of the day.
The amenities include; Laundry Services, En-suite bathrooms, Hot water ‘bush showers’, Recharging facilities, Wi-Fi Available, Restaurant & Bar, Drinks at the Bar, Mosquito net among others.
Enjojo Lodge offers a variety of experiences to make your stay unforgettable. First, the lodge’s small waterhole, Akanyanza is abundant with fish ranging from tilapia to lungfish and catfish which you can catch with fishing rods rented from the Enjojo reception. If you prefer to explore on foot, a 2-hour nature walks in the countryside behind the lodge will bring you closer to nature and enrich your trip.
The lodge is a 5-minute drive from the Ishasha Sector entrance gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park making it a perfect base for watching the tree-climbing lions and other big mammals such as elephants, buffalos, hippos, hyenas, and leopards.
Ishasha pride lodge. Ishasha Pride Lodge is a beachfront campground in Kihihi offering guests a sustainable accommodation with scenic sea views. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and full-day security, free Wi-Fi, family rooms. This property also provides guests with a sun terrace.
Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is 17 km from Ishasha Pride Lodge so here guests can get a chance of seeing animals like lions, leopards among others. The nearest airport is Kihihi Airstrip and it is 14 km from the accommodation and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Sightseeing tours are available in the neighborhood. A car rental service and a private beach area are featured at the campground and guests can also go fishing in the surroundings.
The hotel has about 8 rooms and to check for their availability, guests can use online reservation.
The lodge has a tent that can feature a dining area, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The tent has river views. The unit has 2 single beds and also WIFI is available in public areas and is free of charge and many more.
The lodge has a deluxe double or twin room with river view and it consists of 3 beds that’s to say 2 single beds and 1 large extra double bed. The room has a private bathroom plus free WIFI and many more.
The lodge has also got a vacant lot and it accommodates a maximum of 1 guest with 1 bunk bed.
Ishasha Savannah hotel. The hotel has 32 grass thatched bandas, 10 standard rooms and 2 deluxe suites. The single, double, twin and triple bandas are all equipped with comfortable en-suite facilities. The standard rooms have a private balcony as well and all units are self-contained. The Single rooms are equipped with comfortable en-suite facilities. This room is designed to create a most exquisite experience promising memories to last a lifetime.
There is a full day functioning restaurant with meal effective chiefs. This means that food can be obtained all day. Dinner menu is usually huge and varies and it offers full board for guests.
Facilities and services include; fast free Internet, free parking, airstrip transfer services, gold facility, offer safari adventures like nature walks, bird watching, car rental services for self-drive among others.
Buffalo safari lodge. This vacation home is located in Rubirizi. The area’s natural beauty can be seen at Kyambura Game Reserve. It is as well situated in Queen Elizabeth National Park at Katunguru Bridge close to the impressive Kazinga Channel 1km off Kasese Mbarara road in western Uganda.
The lodge offers both standard and deluxe cottages and it consists about 17 rooms. The lodge can accommodate a group of approximately 20 guests. The rooms are specious and well decorated.
You can relax in the comfortable beds and enjoy the sounds of the nature. From the lounge you have a spectacular view over the National Park and the two nearby lakes. You can see the spectacular flora and fauna such as elephants, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs and birds.
The lodge offers a lot of activities such as; a tennis court, walking tours and canoeing. Family rooms are available and there is also a lot to do for kids like an indoor and outdoor play ground.
There is free Wi-Fi available, a laundry service, satellite TV and much more.
Katara Lodge: This lodge is built near the village of Katara and the Katunguru gate of the park. The lodge has beautiful gardens with buildings that are covered with grass known as bandas. The lodge has a swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant and a lounge area with comfortable sits and tables. Inside the rooms there is a spacious bedroom, a table, a chair, a flush toilet, showers, bathtubs and a personal verandah. One of the things that make the lodge special is the stunning views of the park, Lake Edward, the Virunga and Rwenzori ranges of mountains. The quality of the service is also great while giving a feeling of being at home away from home.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge: This lodge is located close to the Kyambura Gorge with beautiful views of the park and the Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge is perfect for travelers who prefer privacy especially honeymooners. The eight bandas are self-contained with Wi-Fi, double and twin beds, lighting, mosquito nets, flush toilet and a shower. Kyambura Gorge Lodge is ideal for primate lovers who wish to visit the unique gorge and primates like baboons and chimpanzee.
Mweya Safari Lodge: This luxury lodge is built in a strategic location with good views of the great Kazinga Channel. The lodge has both double and twin rooms that can accommodate up to 4 adults. The rooms are self-contained and of high quality with large beds with air conditioning. The lodge also has a bar, a restaurant and a high-end swimming pool. Mweya safari lodge organizes boat cruises to the Kazinga channel using its own fleets of boats for those who wish to have a more private boat cruise without the crowds in the public boat.
Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge: The lodge is located in the middle of the park near the Mweya and Kasenyi areas of the park just off the Mbarara to Kasese road. The lodge has ten self-contained rooms that are made of local material with eco-friendly toilets and showers. Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge is managed by Nature group of Lodges and is suitable for those who have come for a game drive to the Kasenyi sector or tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. Residents can sight many of the park animals like the inquisitive baboons from the comfort of their room verandahs.
Jacana Safari Lodge: Jacana Safari Lodge is built on the banks of a crater lake near Maramagambo forest next to the Mbarara to Katunguru road. The lodge has well designed accommodation with about 10 lavish chalets along with a family cottage. The lodge provides a favorable atmosphere to all visitors with facilities such as en-suits, Verandah along with big windows that give a magnificent view of lake Nyamusingire. This view will enable you enjoy a good morning breakfast served by a waiter. Facilities in the safari lodge include; Restaurant with both international and local foods, the great Virunga Lounge, swimming pool, sundowner bar that overlooks Lake Nyamusingire, internet services, en suits facilities including safes and wardrobe and many more.
Tourists can engage in activities such as launch boat cruising on Kazinga channel, kayaking on Lake Nymusingire, wildlife drives along with game viewing, adventurous Forest walks during their stay at the lodge.
Elephant Plains Lodge. Elephant Plains Lodge is an affordable stayover located in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overlooking Lake Kikorongo, this safari vacation accommodation offers a total of 8 cottages in specifications of a large double bed or twin single beds. Mosquito netting covers the beds, and a small seating arrangement is also placed in the room. Families and larger groups can opt for the 2 Family Cottages that have two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. These units can sleep up to 5 traveling companions. The ensuite bathroom features twin vanities and a bathtub. You will also have a patio outside.
Hippo Hill Camp: The camp is a luxury facility built on a hill at the boundary between the park and Katwe. The camp has beautiful views of the crater lakes of Munyanyange and Lake Edward. There are ten self-contained luxury tents with comfortable beds, hot showers and toilets. The camp also has a bar and restaurant which serves dishes continental dishes. Residents with their own tents can set them up in designated locations.
Mweya Hostel. It was formerly known as the Mweya Institute of Ecology. Mweya hostel is located on the Mweya peninsular just near the more Luxurious Mweya Safari Lodge. With an authentic hostel-like style, the lodge used shared facilities for the bathroom and offers both single and twin share occupancy options. Accommodation starts at 40 USD for single occupancy.
Kazinga Channel View Resort. The resort offers low-cost accommodation just outside of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Resort has rooms of various capacities as well as bandas which are located separately from the main block.
The resort also has a spacious camping ground which can be used by the guests who prefer camping. Accommodation rates start from as low as 40 USD for single occupancy.
Simba Safari Camp. As part of the Uganda Lodges’ group of safari lodges, Simba Camp greatly benefits from the shared quality of service. Simba Safari Camp offers incredible views of Lake George, Lake Kikorongo and the undulating Savannah.
Murchison Falls National Park. The sprawling 3,840 square kilometers of Murchison Falls National Park, found 300-plus kilometers northwest of Kampala, make it Uganda’s largest protected natural area. It is also the oldest, originally established in 1952.
Famous as the location of Murchison Falls—the thunderous cataract where the Nile River squeezes through a six-meter gap and then plunges 43 meters—the park is also a magnet for birders and animal lovers. The 450 species of fowl recorded here include the rare shoebill stork and many endemics, while the 76 mammals include four of the Big Five (all but the rhinoceros, which live in special protected isolation at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary).
Although game drives are a customary means of scouting for wildlife here, a special game cruise on the Nile is a relaxing way to take in the park’s changing landscape. The views of the water’s edge and up to the falls are not to be forgotten, as is the hike from the boat landing to the falls, which are visible from below and above.
Lake Mburo National Park. Spanning 370 kilometers square and within close proximity of the capital city of Kampala is Lake Mburo National Park. A perfect scenery for photographers and bird enthusiasts, Lake Mburo is home to a variety of leopards, hippos, zebras, hyenas, impalas and others animals, and to 350 species of birds. But the adventurous park doesn’t only showcase animals. Underneath the park’s surface are ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks that are over 500 million years old, making for a geologist’s dream tour. Together with 13 other nearby lakes, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50-kilometer wetland system and has much woodland.
Semiliki National Park. Semiliki National Park is one of the newest national parks in Uganda, made famous by the Sempaya Hot Springs. But the hot-springs are not for bathing as the water temperature is over 1000C. Try boiling an egg in it as a test. It should be hard-boiled after ten minutes. If you love a good nature tour, the park has primate creatures like grey-checked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, elephants, chimpanzees, De Brazza’s monkey, pygmy antelope and many diverse species of birds. It also houses a lowland tropical forest showcasing some of the richest and most diverse flora and fauna in Africa.
Kibale National Park. Home to one of Uganda’s most beautiful tropical forests. Kibale National Park is known for chimpanzees and other wildlife and these make a great safari tour. Kibale National Park is endowed with density and diversity of primates, including endangered species in their natural habitat. The northern section of the park experiences plenty of rainfall during the months of March to May and September to November, so be sure to take along a raincoat during those wet months. A simple bus ride from Kampala will get you to the park any day of the week.
Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is the most isolated national park in Uganda. Nevertheless, it is worth the long journey through the wild frontier region of Karamoja to witness such splendid beauty. Kidepo Valley lies in the rugged savannah between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. The park houses over 77 species of mammals and more than 475 species of birds. If you are up for some game viewing, then this park is ideal. Game viewing is made possible with vehicles that travel on dirt roads in the park during any weather condition.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Located way up in the clouds close to the Kisoro region is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is a dense forest and a natural habitat for the rare mountain gorillas and the endangered golden monkey. Not only is a tour around the park an exciting opportunity to see rare animals, but it is a significant cultural experience. The indigenous Batwa pygmies, a tribe of hunter-gatherers, were the forest’s ‘first people’ and used to call it home. Come and be impressed by Mgahinga’s three conical extinct volcanoes, providing an outstanding backdrop to the already wonderful scenery.
Mount Elgon National Park. Intersecting the border of Kenya and Uganda, Mount Elgon National Park is an extinct volcano with the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world. The Kenyan part of the park was gazetted in 1968, and the Ugandan part in 1992 covering 1110 square kilometers (430 square miles). Bird-watchers and photographers will have opportunities to see mammals as well as birds, invertebrates and beautiful flora and fauna. There is also a cave with ancient paintings near the trailhead, and the hot-springs in the former volcano craters are a must see.
On your safari tour in Uganda, you can also visit cities such as Kampala known for a lot tourist attractions such as Bahia temple, kabaka’s lake and palace, religious places, markets, malls among others and you also visit Jinja know for source of Nile, kagulu hill, Mabira Forest and many more. So, get connected with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris to help you plan for your safari trip in Uganda. We are eagerly waiting to tour with you.
