Top 8 adventure activities to do in Uganda 2024
Top 8 adventure activities to do in Uganda 2024 ; Uganda also known as the Pearl of Africa is one of the top adventure destinations to visit due to the fact that it has a lot of safari activities to offer including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain climbing among others. This article will therefore highlight some of the top 8 adventure activities to engage in during your safari in Uganda 2024.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the top activities that tourists can engage in during the safari in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in south western part of Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of over 22 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors buhoma sector, nkuringo sector, ruhija sector and rushaga sector while Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of one habituated gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle which takes about 2 to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. Once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is an interesting and the second best done activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done in Kibale forest national park which harbors over 1,500 chimpanzees, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park. Chimpanzee trekking starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking which takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees and once they are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with the chimpanzees which gives you a chance to learn about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
Game drives/ wildlife viewing
Game drive is another interesting activity in Uganda where tourists will be able to explore the savannah national parks in a comfortable pop up safari vehicle with a professional driver guide. Game drives/ wildlife viewing in Uganda is done in different national parks namely Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park and Lake Mburo national park. Game drives can either be done very early in the morning when animals are more active, in the afternoon or at night where you will be able to view nocturnal animals. During the game drives in the savannah national park, you will be able to spot various animals including the big five mammals that is the lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos in Ziwa rhino sanctuary. You will also be able to view other animals like Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, elands, topi, oribi, giraffes, hippos, warthogs among others.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is another adventure activity that you can engage in during your safari in Uganda. Golden monkey trekking is an active activity that is only carried out in Mgahinga gorilla national park which is the smallest national park in Uganda. Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 2 to 5 hours and once the golden monkeys are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat where you will get an opportunity to watch them play, jump up in tree branches, take photos among others.
Bird watching
Uganda is a home of over 1,082 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemics, savannah birds, forest birds, water birds and migratory bird species which makes Uganda one of the best birding destinations. The top birding spots in Uganda include Mabamba swamp, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale forest national park, Murchison falls national park, Mount Rwenzori national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park Budongo forest, Semuliki national park, kidepo valley national park among others. During bird watching which can either be done very early in the morning or in the evening, you will be accompanied by an experienced park guide who will help you to spot different bird species including the illusive Shoebill stork, Nahan’s Francolin, Karamoja Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, Brown-chested Lapwing, Black Bee-eater, African Green Broadbill, Fox’s Weaver, Short-tailed Warbler, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Handsome Francolin, Archers Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, Archers Robin-chat, Collared Apalis, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Dusky Crimson Wing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Grey Crested Crane, Strange Weaver, Kivu Ground Thrush among others.
Mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is another adventure activity in Uganda that tourists can engage in during the safari. Mountain climbing in Uganda takes place in various areas that is mount Rwenzori national park with the third highest peak in Africa, Mount Elgon national park and the three Virunga mountains that is Mount Sabinyo which is 3,645 meters above the sea level, Mount Muhavura which is 4,174 meters above the sea level and Mount Gahinga which is 3,474 meters above the sea level.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise is an interesting activity in Uganda where tourists will be able to explore the water bodies and enjoy great views, wildlife species among others. Boat cruise in Uganda is carried out on River Nile to the source of the Nile, boat cruise on Lake Victoria, boat cruise on lake Mburo, boat cruise on lake Bunyonyi, boat cruise on Kazinga channel and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. During the boat cruise, you will be able to view different water animals like hippos and Nile crocodiles, view animals like buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, giraffes, waterbucks among others along the shores, view water birds like cormorants, kingfishers, fish eagles, bee-eaters, hornbills among others.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is an adventurous activity in Uganda which is commonly done in various places that is Murchison falls national park, Lake Mburo national park, Lake Victoria, Sipi falls and Ssese islands. During the sport fishing experience, tourists will be able to catch different fish types including tilapia, Nile perch, tiger fish, cat fish, lung fish, barbell among others.
There are other interesting activities in Uganda that tourists can engage in during safari such as guided nature walks where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, Rhino tracking at ziwa rhino sanctuary where you will be able to view rhinos, horseback riding where you will be able to explore the national park on a horseback, white water rafting, quad biking, bungee jumping, cycling where you will be able to explore the national parks on a bicycle, cultural experiences where you will be able to interact with the local people among others.
Best time to visit Uganda 2024
Uganda can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the national parks therefore access roads and trekking trails will be dry and passable, vegetation in the parks will be short which gives you an opportunity to have clear views of different wildlife species.
For more information about the top 8 adventure activities to do in Uganda 2024, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages.
