Uganda trails away from classic Africa safari destinations with exclusive attractions and this Best of Uganda safari holiday ensure you capture that uniqueness. The trip starts in Entebbe, where you most probably will jet in, and takes the southwestern circuit into the lush highlands before taking the southern route following the Nile through Murchison Falls to Kidepo valley.
Intense nature moments, like the encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and meeting without playful cousins in Kibale, are well curated into this exclusive journey to help you create lasting memories and stories. Seeing mountain gorillas is a top highlight highly recommended by almost all visitors to the Pearl of Africa. However, it will require all participants to be physically able to hike the uneven jungle terrains to get to a habituated mountain gorilla family.
A visit to Africa is not complete without immersing yourself in the native cultures. In Bwindi, you’re introduced to the native forest people commonly known as the Batwa, and in Kidepo, you get deep into the Karamojong nomads. These two strong cultures have not been so much changed by modern civilization and will give you some insight into the ancient lives of native tribes.
Discover the stunning aerial view of the southern region of the Pearl of Africa. Unforgettable encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Meet, explore and learn from the local native communities
Support sustainable tourism initiatives
Check in with Mabamba swamp one of the few remaining swamps in the country protected by the local communities. It is an extensive papyrus swamp, with a labyrinth of channels and lagoons, and is home to several pairs of Shoe bills, Uganda’s most famous avian resident. This charismatic monotypic species is undoubtedly among the most sought-after birds in Africa. Paddle through the channels by boat. View a good selection of classic East African water birds to observe along the way.
Go for game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the boat trip on the Kazinga Channel – the 36 km waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward, which allows special viewing of game and birds on the river banks as the boat passes through pods of hippos. Crocodiles have only recently been seen in the Channel, and they disappeared for 8,000 years after they were eliminated from Lake Edward by toxic ash from local volcanoes.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest parks officially opened in 1952. The park was initially known as ‘Kazinga National Park’ before it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth National Park hosts 95 species of mammals, more than any other park in Uganda, and 619 bird species, the second-highest of any park in Africa the sixth-highest of any park worldwide.
The Best of Uganda Safari takes an exciting turn as you head into the African jungle to find the elusive mountain gorilla. Your driver will transfer you to the trailhead to brief the dos and the don’ts while tracking and spending time with the gorillas.
You’ll be escorted into the jungle with a guide, two rangers, and seven other fellow trackers for your chosen gorilla family. This activity can last from a few hours up to a full day, depending on the gorillas’ location as they range freely in the impenetrable forest. Strict rules have to be adhered to keep you safe and keep the gorillas in their habituated mood.
