Uganda Safari Holidays, Where To Go, What To See, Packages and Cost

Uganda  is a country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. Famously called the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, it is home to one of the most diverse and concentrated ranges of African fauna including the highly endangered mountain gorilla and the endangered common chimpanzee.

The country is repossessing this gleam! There isn’t any other African safari country on the continent just as Uganda  a country that even stunned the ancient explorers. These were thrilled by its splendor, its natural wonders, and amazing people. This paved way for the first Uganda safari tourists. As modern means of travel became accessible to tourists Winston Churchill who journeyed here and explore across Uganda and was thrilled by what he discovered thus naming it “The Pearl of Africa,” and that was even before tracking of gorillas and chimps.

Uganda – unique unlike any other country in Africa hidden to many is symbolic ; most impressive scenic Wonders – the significant River Nile, the very powerful waterfall – the Murchison Falls, the highest Mountain Range the Mt. Rwenzori – the Mountains of the Moon,  the Virunga Volcanoes, the most wonderful in all of Africa with Lake Bunyonyi plus Lake Mutanda. You will find sandy tropical beach  Islands, the rare Mountain Gorillas, impressive Chimpanzees – this is the true representation of African wilderness all compacted into a tiny nation.

Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, the home to the mountain gorillas as well as the source of the Nile. Recently featured a top destination in National Geographic and Lonely Planet, Uganda safari tours cover more than 10 separate destinations. Everyday here is genuinely an African Adventure.  Visit the 400 mountain gorillas in Bwindi in what is termed as the gorilla trekking experience, climb the ice capped Rwenzori mountains, take on a chimpanzee tracking tour, enjoy white water rafting on the Nile, see the Murchison falls and so much more as you observe Uganda’s scenic wonders- savannahs, wildlife, lakes and rivers; and also personally interact with the local people of Uganda! The options are endless! You will almost see all the animals you find in neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya, the difference is, Uganda is not a crowded destination! A perfect way to spy on the animals!

Uganda has a lot to offer to all the people who come to visit this wonderful country. The biggest lake on the African continent, Lake Victoria featuring its intimate and heavenly islands give you an amazing resting place after a lengthy safari. Relax under a tree on the sandy beaches along the equator and pleasure in weather with temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius throughout the year; this is the perfect  weather for a holiday even in 2 rainy seasons.

Wildlife – Amazing views of Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees plus other wildlife living in their natural habitat all in a secure environment. Uganda presents the Big 5 animals worth seeing on your safari in Uganda. Out of the 330 mammal list in Uganda, there is no critically endangered specie, while 7 are endangered, 2 vulnerable and 17 near threatened.Besides the wild animals such as the lions, zebras, giraffe, rhino, buffalo and others, you can decide to visit the Murchison Falls, or take on white water rafting on the Nile, visit cultural and historic sights or take on bungee jumping and so much more on your adventure trails. There is so much to see and do while on Uganda safaris. This is probably the most abundant countries across Africa, in a number of areas it’s possible to harvest as many as 3 crops every year. in the south eastern corner close to Rwanda, the recently cultivated apple trees are producing 2 crops every year. Coffee in plenty and the best mountain cultivated Arabica beans, as well plenty of Robusta beans offer the basis for the majority of instantaneous coffee plus cola drinks in the western world.

The most frequently asked questions about Uganda! Well, the answer is simple! You can visit Uganda anytime of the year!  Its a warm and tropical climate here. The difference could be the cost of a safari,  usually higher during the peak season. Average temperatures are 21.5°C and when they drop, its usually to a minimum of 12°C While its true that we have some rainy seasons, the rains are not so bad to stop you from traveling and enjoying a safari. May and April are usually discounted by many safari operators and Uganda Wildlife Authority itself by giving a discount of $ 150 less for a uganda safari gorilla permit. I hope you are realizing that this amazing country, this spectacular land, having the equator running through-it from east to the west, with the magnificent Rift Valley creating its mark from the South to the  North and also the source of  Nile river here that flows through Uganda northward to the Mediterranean Sea is all worthy visiting. June, July and August, December, January and Feb are the best months for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.

Lets try to do some costing together. Right? A gorilla permit per person goes for $ 600. Accommodation ranges from 150 to 900 depending on where you choose to stay. Roughly a simple 3 day safari to Bwindi should cost about $ 1200 per person, that should be the cheapest. Other destinations such as Murchison and Queen Elizabeth could cost about $ 1000 for budget safari travelers.  If you are to travel with other people, the price is incredibly reduced. If they are 2 of u, its possible to save over $ 300 on a 3 day trip.

This is the largest conservation area in Uganda covering an area of over 3,840km  deriving its name from its famous waterfall; the Murchison falls. These falls are formed when the Victoria Nile powerfully forces its way through a narrow cleft as it thrusts 43m down with a thunderous roar. These falls form the centre piece and this is th most visited.

Man’s closest living relatives are Chimpanzees which share 98% of human genes. Throughout Africa they are found in 21 countries however they are better sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Kibale forest is very good for chimpanzee tracking trips however Uganda safari chimps can also be sighted in Budongo forest in Murchison Falls national park and also in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.

This is by far Uganda’s most scenic and visited game reserve. A massive variety of habitats including the savanna grassland mixed with various kinds of trees and grassy plains as well as different swamps and volcanic features which include volcanic cones and deep craters and tropical rainforest give the park its distinctive look. Queen Elizabeth National park is an ideal place to sight large game, go bird watching on the Kazinga channel, and track chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge as well as the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha.

Though remote, Kidepo valley national park is a true nugget of Uganda’s nature with great savanna landscapes and rising mountains in its background. It covers an area of 1,442km2 with an altitude of 900-2750m. The population of visitors here per day (an average of six visitors daily) is not high and it is likely to be the only park left in the continent where you can have the opportunity to have the park to yourself.

This is one of Uganda’s smallest wildlife parks although very rich in wild game. Plentiful of bird life flourishes here with more than 315 different bird species, a rich animal life including 68 different mammals like impala, leopards, buffalo, jackals and hyenas to see on a Uganda safari. Aside all this, it is only here that you will find zebras.

Sipi falls is arguably the most gorgeous chain of waterfalls in Uganda sitting in the foothills of Mt. Elgon as they overlook a vast plain. The falls have three levels all with unspeakable beauty although the 95m main drop attracts more visitors to this place and more to that, Sipi’s lodging looks out over it. Spending a night or two in this spectacular but peaceful place is an encounter you cannot afford to miss.

This is at most the loveliest lake in Uganda. The lake contains 29 islands and most of these are inhabited and terraced for agriculture. Enjoy seeing school children paddle dug-out canoes through the misty morning as crested cranes fly overhead in the wake of the morning.

Lying just north of Kisoro, this scenic lake makes a relaxing base from which you can explore the area as well as track the famous mountain gorillas in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The misty Virunga ranges in the background, papyrus swamp with plentiful opportunities of Uganda safari hikes, bird watching and a range of water activities all to yourself leave you envying the inhabitants of this place.

Arguably the most biologically diverse area on earth, with half of only surviving population of endangered mountain gorillas in the world, Bwindi impenetrable forest is a must go destination once in Africa. This Africa’s treasure was recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site mainly for its biological significance.

Located near the town of Fort Portal in the Western part of Uganda, east of the Rwenzori Mountains. The evergreen rain forest covers 766km2 and an altitude ranging between 110 and 1600m. This forest is one of the few remaining expanses that contain both montane and lowland forests forming a never ending forest with Queen Elizabeth national park.

This impressive range of mountains is located on the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Its highest snow capped peak Margherita stands at a height of 5109m. It stretches to about 110km in length. This UNESCO world heritage site includes an astonishing range of landscapes, from the bizarre afro-alpine moorland to the thick tropical rainforest on the lower slopes and lastly the glaciers at the highest reaches.

This park lies on the border between Kenya and Uganda. Mountain Elgon by far has the largest surface area any extinct volcano in the world has with a caldera that covers over 40km2 at its top. This is the second highest mountain in Uganda after mountain Rwenzori and its highest peak Wagagai sits at a height of 4,321m.

This is a lush archipelago of 84 islands sitting along the north-western shore of Lake Victoria. The stunning white sand beaches make Ssese a great place to kick back, relax to a good book read after your Uganda safari. You can enjoy a good canoe ride but you are advised against swimming due to the risks of biliharzia and the occasional visits of hippos or crocodiles.

The parks spans to a 220sqkm of valley floor that constitute a link between the heights of the huge steaming jungles of central Africa and EastAfrica. Intriguing wildlife as well as sulphur hot springs that can be spotted on a short day walk all call this home.

Aside being the chief reservoir of the Nile, it is also the largest lake in Africa and the second world largest fresh water lake. In the centre; great plateau there is a shallow depression in which Lake Victoria fills with its waters and this stretches between the Eastern and western rift valleys.

http://www.visituganda.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda
http://www.aboutuganda.com/travel