Mar 06, 2024 By Sean William
You've always wanted to go on a real adventure. Well, it's time to stop dreaming and start planning the trip of a lifetime to Uganda. This exotic land of gorillas, lush rainforests, and thundering waterfalls is calling your name. Prepare for the most epic journey with these five unforgettable ways to go wild in Uganda. From tracking chimps in the wild to white water rafting down raging rapids, your adrenaline will be pumping nonstop. Don't just read about it, live it! This action-packed Ugandan vacation will create memories to last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? It's time to go wild!
Home to almost half of the world's mountain gorilla population, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the top spot for tracking these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Join a Gorilla Trekking Group: The only way to spot gorillas in Bwindi is by joining an official gorilla trekking group. You'll be assigned a group of at most eight people and a guide who is knowledgeable about the gorillas' locations and behaviors. Before setting off into the forest, the guide will brief you on appropriate conduct.
Sit in Awe Among the Gorillas: When you finally spot a gorilla family, observing them in their natural environment is a humbling experience. Sit quietly while the giant silverbacks, females, and playful babies do daily activities like feeding, nesting, and playing. Their human-like behaviors and social interactions are truly remarkable to witness.
Rafting the White Nile River in Uganda is one adventure you'll never forget. The White Nile begins at Lake Victoria and flows north through Uganda into South Sudan.
Choose Your Adventure: For a wild ride, head to the upper section near Jinja, which features over 30 rapids in just 10 kilometers. The rapids have colorful names like "Silverback" and "Nile Special." If you want something more mellow, the lower section will satisfy you with stunning scenery and a few easy rapids. Most rafting trips last around half a day, so you'll have time to experience more of what Uganda offers.
Stunning Scenery: Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river as you plunge through the rapids. Watch colorful birds flit through the trees and spot wildlife like monitor lizards or otters along the shore. Rafting is an exciting adventure with a beautiful backdrop provided by the various landscape.
A hike up Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, rewards you with giant forest elephants in their natural habitat.
Spot elephants along the trails: As you hike the network of trails, including the famous 40 km long Sasa Trail, watch for elephants grazing on the foliage or stripping bark from trees. The best times to spot elephants are early morning and late afternoon when they are most active. Move slowly and quietly to avoid startling them. Always give elephants plenty of space, and never get between a mother elephant and her calf.
Explore spectacular caves and waterfalls: Be sure to explore some of the park's scenic geological features, like the enormous Tutum Cave with 40-meter-high walls. You may spot hyraxes sunbathing at the entrance. Check out the scenic Chebonet and Wanale Falls, plunging over 50 meters high into a misty gorge. The thundering waterfalls are awe-inspiring during the rainy seasons.
Nestled in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places in the country to go wild.
Boat Trip to the Base of the Falls: When you visit the park, take the chance to take a boat trip up to the base of the falls. The raging waters and churning whirlpools in the gorge below the falls are a sight to behold. You'll spot hippos lazing in the river, crocodiles basking on the banks, and elephants trekking along the shore. You may also see the rare shoebill stork or catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard hidden in the brush.
Exploring the African Savanna: Head out on a game drive across the sprawling savanna. You'll likely encounter giraffes gracefully sauntering by, buffaloes wallowing in mud baths, and a pride of lions lounging in the shade of acacia trees.At dusk, return to your lodge or camp in time to watch the sunset paint vibrant colors across the sky.
One of the best ways to go wild in Uganda is on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spread over 1,978 square miles, this massive park is home to over 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
Take a Game Drive: The best way to spot wildlife is on a game drive. You can rent a 4x4 vehicle to explore the park or hire a guide to track animals. Drive the Kasenyi Plains or the Katunguru Bridge route, where you may see elephants, buffalo, hippos, and antelope. At dawn or dusk, you have the best chance of spotting the "big five": lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo.
Go Chimp Trekking: For a truly wild experience, go chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest. Guides will lead you through a thick jungle as you track chimpanzee troops in their natural habitat. When you find them, spend an hour observing these incredible apes swing from trees, groom each other, and go about their daily activities. Encounters with our closest living relatives create memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you want to swing through the trees like Tarzan, get up close and personal with some of our closest cousins, or go full-on Planet of the Apes, Uganda's got you covered. Sure, you could spend your vacation on a beach somewhere, but where's the adventure? In Uganda, you'll make memories that'll stay with you long after you get home - try not to go too ape! This place will unleash your wild side in ways you never thought possible. So grab your passport, pack your safari hat, and prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.