Mountain Gorilla

Uganda Safaris

temp_ugandan-f.gif
Map of Uganda

The lush, vibrant landscapes of Uganda include dense rainforest, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, terraced hillsides, many lakes, waterfalls and impressive rivers.

Uganda's wildlife is fantastic, with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and beautiful bird life alongside the striking scenery and the friendly, welcoming people. Chimps can be seen in Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge, while tracking Uganda's mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a magical experience.

The Queen Elizabeth II National Parks has excellent opportunities for a Uganda safari, as well as boat trips on the Kazinga Channel. Mount Elgon and the Rwenzori Mountains offer great trekking, and there are fresh water fishing opportunities on Lake Victoria.  Above all, seeing Uganda's mountain gorilla families is an incredible privilege that our clients tell us they will never forget.

Read our newsletter articles on Gorilla Tracking >>

Uganda Safaris - Travel Tips


  • Although Uganda is an ideal year round destination, keep in mind that there is a long dry season from June to September, and wet seasons from March to May and October to December.
  • For the best gorilla tracking experience, try to include two separate locations to see the different families in varied habitats.
  • Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda all combine well with Uganda for a long trip.

Uganda Safaris - A Personal View

Alice GullyUganda is quite unlike any other African country I have visited. With its wonderfully lush vegetation, terraced hills, beautiful Rwenzori Mountains, open plains and a different view around each corner it really does have a bit of everything.

Unique wildlife like the Uganda kob, giant forest hog and the extraordinary shoebill stork go hand in hand with villages full of smiling, waving children.

Seeing the mountain gorillas is perhaps the first time my breath has genuinely been taken away. It is quite magical to sit high in the rain forest canopy and watch some of the world’s most endangered animals go about their daily lives.

Alice Gully - One of Aardvark Safaris' Uganda specialists

Uganda Safaris - Ideas You Might Not Have Thought About

Chimps, Ngamba Island, Uganda  

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Ngamba, located on Lake Victoria is no ordinary island as you’re the guest of 39 orphaned chimpanzees. Ngamba Island provides orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, also educating visitors and local communities about this remarkable species.  Visitors are able to view feeding sessions or take forest walks, which allow a unique opportunity to join a group of infant chimpanzees on a one hour walk through their forest habitat.  Since these chimpanzees are used to human contact they will play-bite, climb on you or even just walk along holding your hand.

 

     
Chambura Gorge, Uganda  

Tracking Chimps in the Kyambura Gorge

The Kyambura Gorge marks the boundary between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Game Reserve.   It is 10km long and supports thick forest which is home to many different forest living species, including chimpanzees. A guide leads an adventurous descent on foot into the gorge to locate the chimps, where you will have the opportunity to observe and photograph these fascinating creatures feeding or playing in the forest canopy.

 

     
Bird watching, Kizinga Channel, Uganda  

Bird Watching by Boat

A boat trip along the Kizinga Channel between Lake George and Lake Edward in the Queen Elizabeth II National Park is an excellent opportunity for birders to spot numerous species, including the huge numbers of pied kingfishers that are found here. Gain from the expert knowledge of a National Park guide who will accompany you on a two hour excursion.

     
Wildlife, Kibale Forest, Uganda  

Kibale National Park

This is the most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests and is home to a remarkable 13 primate species. Kibale's major attraction is the opportunity to track habituated chimps, where guests can also be part of the habituation team that studies the chimps’ behavior. A network of shady forest trails allows easy access to view these delightful apes that are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play.


     
Trekking, Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda  

Rwenzori Mountain Trekking

Experienced climbers can join a tour trekking in the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains on the Uganda/Congo border. The area offers superb and varied trekking through forests, bogs and glaciers and challenging climbing with fabulous views and unusual scenery. The option of climbing to the summit of Mount Margherita, at 16,761 ft, requires the use of crampons and ice equipment, and is available to climbers with the appropriate experience.