When Winston Churchill chose to name Uganda the Pearl of Africa, he indeed found a befitting name for it. It is located in the heart of East Africa, neighboring Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. She is an ideal destination for African safaris and does dominate in that area.
She blends rainforests, savannah grasslands, beautiful mountains, wetlands and unique wildlife, giving you the real deal of adventure. The uniqueness of Uganda can be seen and felt by choice of your experience. From the gorilla trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, spotting lions, tracking chimpanzees among others.
This writing is going to highlight to you ten of the best safaris you can only experience in the Pearl of Africa.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: This is the most prominent activity that, a jewel that brings hundreds of thousands from many nations to come and sight mountain gorillas. Deep in this rain forest of Bwindi carries almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
This experience is unique in a way that for it, you take a hike through the dense forest usually led by tour guides to locate these species, than traditional safaris where animals are sighted in a car. Trackers used in the process use and follow signs such as foot prints, broken branches, to help you easily find them. The trek takes from one to several hours.
Watching the silverback guard his group, protecting his family and also see juveniles play and mothers take care of their ones for just one hour, you will have the most captivating story to tell.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park: Chimpanzees are basically entertainers found in Kibale national park, known as the primate capital because it holds the greatest number of chimpanzees in the whole world.
In this experience, you will hear the animals before you see them as they keep on hooting, having their echoes spread all over the place. Once you find them, expect chaos but in the most entertaining way as you will sight them swinging through the trees, communicating loudly and grooming and caring for each other.
Tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth national park: This is one of the most unique experience you will only have in Uganda, specifically in Queen Elizabeth national park. These lion are often seen resting on tree branches in the Ishasha sector, making them a very distinctive sight since lions are known for being ground dwelling predators.
You sight lions resting lazily across branches, giving you the confirmation that it is a very rare experience, seen in only few places in Africa. You will leave this site wondering why they do so because no one knows, thus giving you a whole area of research.
Remote wilderness in Kidepo valley national park: In the far- north east is Kidepo valley national park, the less crowded park in Uganda. It has dramatic landscapes consisting of open savannahs framed by rugged mountains and wildlife in abundance.
Going to this park is also an experience and adventure of its own and when you accompany the road experience with game drives, bird watching in a very remote areas, it will be like going back in time to what and how Africa was.
Murchison falls national park: Thinking about the greatest water falls in the world, come to Uganda and drive or be driven to the north-west and see the majestic but magnificent Murchison falls.
You will have a boat cruise to the base of the falls, and again have a taste of the real magic when you hike to its top-you will indeed say Uganda is indeed the Pearl. This will be a real natural experience as you have a real experience with mother- nature.
Boat safari on the Kazinga channel: Life on water totally hits differently from the wildlife sighted on dusty and rocky roads. Kazinga channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George gives a real and beautiful boat cruise experience, allowing you sight the champions of water such as the crocodiles, hippos and the largest land mammals, the elephants drinking water at the shoreline.
Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga gorilla national park: This park is a twin to Bwindi that over shadows golden monkeys with gorillas. Chimps are fast moving primates that live in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga. They have a golden-orange fur are very playful in nature, offering you quite an interesting experience in Uganda than you will ever have elsewhere.
Rhino tracking on foot in Zziwa rhino sanctuary: This is the real home of rhinos in Uganda as it harbors the numerous unique endangered black and white rhinos. While here, you will track rhinos on foot, something too unique in the history of safaris.
During this activity, you are guided by rangers who lead you as you walk through the bush until you find these large creatures grazing in peace. It becomes thrilling and more appealing because you are not obstructed by any vehicle, you are fully on ground, coming eye to eye with this mass.
Cultural encounters with local communities: Surprisingly, having a safari in Uganda is not only about seeing animals and bird but also the unique cultures found there. Very culture in Uganda is different and unique in its own manner, but there are those rare but beautiful people that attract many.
You can visit communities such as the Batwa located around Bwindi and the Karamonjong you will encounter when you head to Kidepo. Their ways of life are unique and they will also entertain you through their story telling, dances and guided village walks. You can also purchase souvenirs from them, specially the Karamajongs who are famous for their beautiful bead work.
Bird watching experience throughout Uganda: In all the national parks you will visit, there are beautiful birds you will sight. This will be from the rare shoebill stork in Mabamba swamp to the colorful bird species scattered across the different forests.
This experience is one of the most beautiful you will have in Uganda, that allows get captivated and lost in the beauty of diversity.
In conclusion, the mentioned activities in this writing are top notch, delivering beyond the ordinary. The nature feels so unique, untamed, appealing, giving you an intimate experience with wildlife.