Dreaming For Travelling Uganda Safaris! Know the Best Time and Why to Visit

Spending some tranquil moments in the utterly magical Uganda is a dream for many nature and wildlife lovers. Covered with sloppy peaks and lush misty rain forests the country is a well-deserving title holder of “Pearl of Africa”. Compiled with 10 national parks and wildlife reserved areas Uganda is one of the charming countries of the African continent. 1.4 million People are coming on Uganda Safaris every year worldwide.  

The country is quite famous amongst the tourists for its unraveling beauty as well as the iconic mountain gorillas who are the highlight of the country. Many tourists solely plan Uganda Safaris just to go for Uganda Gorilla Safaris, as the country has almost half of the Mountain Gorilla population in the world. Not only mountain gorillas but this small country has sealed a lot into itself like Africa’s tallest mountain range; the Rwenzoris and the Nile, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake. If you are looking for planning Uganda Safari Tours here is some expert advice for you like the best weather to go, what activities to do etc. 

The Best Time to Visit Uganda:

The best time to view wildlife and especially if you are planning for Uganda Chimpanzee Tracking or Uganda Gorilla it is better to plan on dry season. As in the dry season, the country offers less rain, the weather becomes less cloudy and the mountain routes that take to meet the primates become dry and easy to hike on. The usual average temperature of the country is 21.5°C which sometimes at night drops to 12°C. Here is the month wise weather condition that can help you plan your safari tour to Uganda.

Are you thinking about what are special activities to explore on your Gorilla trip; here are some of the highlighted activities to explore:

Game Viewing:

Uganda is though more famous worldwide for its prime attractions mountain gorillas and primates life, however, the national parks of the country is filled with abundant wildlife. Here are 5 iconic national parks that offer excellent game-viewing for the travelers;

• Queen Elizabeth National Park: Famous for the unique tree-climbing lions, the national park offers a great opportunity to explore plenty of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, antelope species, the rare giant Hogs, leopards and many more.

• Kidepo Valley National Park: The national park is one of the high-rated national parks visited by most of the travelers coming to Uganda. The national park is home to more than 75 mammal’s species that include buffaloes, elephants, leopard, lion, Rothschild giraffe, eland, and more.

• Murchison Falls National Park: Plenty of games can be spotted inside the national parks including Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kob, Cape buffalo, warthogs, waterbucks, elephants, hartebeest, lion, leopard and spotted hyena, etc.

• Mburo National Park: The national park hosts many species of animals that include buffaloes, zebras, leopard, Burch ell’s zebra, eland, and more.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking:

Sharing 98% of DNA with Humans Mountain gorillas are the prime attractions of Uganda Safaris, more than 1 million visitors are coming to the country only to meet these iconic animals and enjoying their human-like activity. The country hosts half of the mountain gorillas of the world in its misty mountain forest. The vegetation and climate of the country make it a great place for these iconic animals to live. While planning your Uganda Gorilla Trekking make sure you book your gorilla tracking permit at least 4-6 months prior.

While planning for a gorilla trek you need to take care of your clothes properly, here are few tips of what clothes you should pack for your gorilla trip:

• Pack greens, khakis, and generally dark colors cloths
• Bring a long-sleeve shirt, bring a good safari shirt.
• Bringing a rain jacket would be considerable
• Gaters or long hiking socks are recommended
• A good pair of safari boots
• Walking Stick
• Binocular
• Gardening gloves
• Insect repellent with DEET
• Bring a good carry-on sized backpack
• Don’t forget your camera

Bird Watching:

Uganda is not only a land of spectacular views, landscapes, and primates but also the country hosts more than 1,050 bird species. The range of forests, swamps and agricultural lands, to lakes and savannahs has become the homeland for these striking birds. Crossed by the equator and the Albertine Rift valley the pearl of Africa is a great place for the bird lovers. Take some time out to watch the spectacle of these beauties in the national park of the country, these spectacular birds viewing when combined with animals makes the trip a memorable one. Here are the few national parks where you can spot these iconic birds;

• Queen Elizabeth National park; it hosts more than 550 species of bird including White-faced Whistling, Spur-winged Plovers, Squacco Heron, Fish Eagle, Pink, and white-backed Pelicans, Long-tailed Cormorants, and more.

• Mabamba Bay Wetland at Lake Victoria; you can spot shoebill, swamp flycatcher, papyrus gonolek, malachite kingfisher, pied kingfisher, black-headed heron, black kite, African open-billed stork, African jacana, lesser jacana, winding cisticola, and many more.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; hosting more than 350 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics showcases African green broadbill, Chapin’s flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, handsome francolin, mountain-masked, and more.

• Murchison Falls National Park; home to 450 bird species you can watch some elusive shoebill, swamp flycatcher, goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, northern red bishop, red-throated bee-eater, African quail finch, pied, malachite and giant kingfishers.

• Semuliki National Park; hosting 441 species in its area you can spot some Nkulengu rail, piping hornbill, blue-billed malimbe, yellow-throated cuckoo, dwarf honeyguide, and white-crested hornbill inside the park.

Chimpanzee Trekking:

The giant mountain gorillas sometimes overshadow chimpanzees residing in Uganda; however, Chimpanzee Safari Uganda is another prime attraction of the country. Chimpanzees are also considered to be one of the closest relatives of human beings as they share 98% of human DNA. Thus most of their activities are just like humans, like they tend to hug, kiss, show angry expressions, and more just like humans. Here are a few tips if you are planning for a Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda.

• Both the dry and wet season are good as in dry season chimps tracking is easier but rainy season enables discounted prices along with lower visitors.
• Book your Chimpanzee tracking permits 4-6 months prior
• Don’t go near chimps if you have any contagious diseases as chimps can catch it easily.
• Rainproof gears and hiking boots are recommended to carry as the weather is unpredictable.
• Use insect replant.

Boat Safaris:

Uganda offers many extended activities to its visitors if you are not satisfied with a Chimpanzee Tracking trip, or gorilla safaris, or bird watching you can try on a boat safari in Uganda. Being a land to magnificent falls and Rivers the country offers better views of wildlife, reptiles, and birds through a boat safari. Here are a few places where you can enjoy the beauty of this country by getting into the water;

• Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
• Murchison Falls National Park boat safaris
• Lake Victoria Boat Safaris
• A boat safari on Lake Mburo

Uganda is a land of magic and beauty while planning your Uganda Safari Tours make sure you choose a good trekking operator who will let you discover the best of this country. We at “SASO Uganda Safaris” believe to let our travelers experience the best of this country that will attract them to come back again to this country. Book your Uganda Gorilla Safaris, or Uganda Chimpanzee tracking safari with us and avail the best service of the country has to offer. Do you have any more questions about this spectacular country? Let us know in the comment section.