Top Things to Do in Uganda

Uganda has a variety of activities for travelers interested in wildlife, nature, and adventure. Visitors can trek mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees, take boat trips to see wildlife, or explore the savanna on a game drive. For those looking for something different, Jinja offers activities along the River Nile. The best choice depends on your fit. interests, budget, and travel time.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga

For many travelers, this is the reason they come. You’ll trek through forest with trained guides until you find a habituated gorilla family, and the walk can take anywhere from an hour or two to most of a day, depending on where the gorillas moved overnight and how muddy the trails are.

Treks run in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the southwest. Bwindi is divided into four sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo), while Mgahinga sits in a volcanic landscape. Book your permit well ahead.

Check Out our Uganda Safari Travel Guide for advice on best times at each location, Uganda Safari Travel Guide:

 

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest

Kibale National Park is a good place to see chimpanzees. Guides lead you into the forest, help you find the group, and explain what you’re watching. You’ll see them feeding and grooming.

If you’d like longer with the chimps, ask about the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, where you spend more time alongside researchers and habituation teams.

Boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile

A boat gives you a different view of wildlife. On the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can expect hippos, crocodiles, birds, and sometimes elephants coming down to the shore. In Murchison Falls National Park, boat trips on the Victoria Nile pass wildlife along the banks.

See: How to Survive Your First White Water Rafting Experience

 

Game drives in the national parks

A game drive is a main part of any Uganda safari. You ride in a safari vehicle with a driver/guide, looking for animals in their own habitat. Murchison Falls is known for elephants and giraffes. Queen Elizabeth has more varied scenery, and the Ishasha sector is where people go to look for tree-climbing lions.

Rhino tracking at Ziwa

At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you follow trained guides on foot to track southern white rhinos. You’ll also learn about rhino conservation in Uganda. It’s an easy stop on the road between Kampala and Murchison Falls.

White water rafting and more in Jinja

Jinja is Uganda’s adventure town, set on the River Nile. Rafting is the main draw, and the experience varies with water level. You can also go kayaking, take boat trips or try other outdoor activities.

Also See: Visiting the Batwa Cultural People in Uganda

 

Planning your Uganda safari

How many days you need depends on what activities you are interested in. A short trip can center on gorilla trekking. With more time, you can add chimpanzee tracking, game drives, and boat safaris. Book primate permits early, and choose accommodation close to the activities you’ve picked.

Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris organizes private safaris in Uganda and can combine them with time in Rwanda. Tell us your dates, interests and budget, and we’ll build an itinerary around them.