The safari's in Uganda are unique in the world. The landscapes are spectacular and the boat trips on 3 out of 4 national parks are unique. You probably have never seen that many birds, that many hippo's and such huge crocodiles from such a close range. In Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national park you are very likely to see bathing elephants and buffalo's on top of that!
Most people enjoy the game drives especially because there are few tourists. You won't have to be afraid to surround a lion with a dozen of cars.
The tree-climbing lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth national park are spectacular and unique.
Lake Mburo National Park is one of the few places in the whole of Africa where you have the possibility to do an authentic game walk. Together with a guide you will walk through the park, the swamps and feel one with nature.
Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and to the west by the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lake Mburo National Park covers an area of 260 sq km and is located 420kms south west of Kampala. It is one of the more popular parks, due to its relatively close location to Kampala, being particularly busy with city weekend visitors. The landscape consists mainly of savannah and the area contains four lakes. The open valleys on the western side of the game offer the best game viewing opportunities, with large herds of elephants and buffalo roaming the land. Other wildlife encountered include; leopard, hyena hippo and a large variety of antelope including the rare Impala. It is the perfect destination for ornithologists, a huge variety of birds are found within the park particularly round the lakes, including Bronze-tailed starling, Marabour stork, Crowned Crane and bee-eaters. It's the one National park where you can do a walking safari. As well you can do a boat safari and game drives.
The largest park in Uganda covering on area of over 3,840 sq kms, Murchinson Falls park is also one of the most famous for its scenic beauty, magnificent falls and high concentration of game. It is situated approximately 350 km north west of Kampala. The mighty Nile river divides the park into the north and south sections with the spectacular Murchison Falls dropping some 40 meters through a narrow crevice. The river attract large numbers of game, and a boat ride up the river provides the perfect opportunity to see and photograph the animals. Wildlife viewed in this park include elephant, giraffe, hippo, lion, leopard, buffalo, Nile crocodile, monkeys, and over 450 species of birds. including the magnificent shoebill stork. There are plenty of activities in the park including river trips. game drives, forest walks, fishing and bird watching
The park covers an area of almost 2,000 sq km and lies between the Rwenzori Mountains to the east and Lake Edward to the west., approx 470kms from Kampala. This parks wildlife once suffered from heavy poaching, but recent conservation efforts have restored much of the game and it now claims to be one of the best places on the continent to see high concentrations of hippo. Other animals found are elephant, buffalo, Ugandan kob, lions, leopards, variety of antelope, baboons and chimpanzees and the famous tree-climbing lion.
There are also over 500 different specifies of bird making it a excellent destination for ornithologists. A boat trip along the Kazinga channel between Lake George and Edward is a rewarding methods of game viewing. The game drives are great and when the roads allow you to, it's a must to go to the south of the parc (near Isasha gate) where you might find the tree-climbing lions.
Kidepo Valley is maybe the only national park left in the whole continent where you can have the park all by yourself. We believe that safari's in this park must be like safari's in Kenya 35 years ago! The great savanna landscapes and the mountains on the background make you feel like being at the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater at the same time. If you go for bush camping you have a good chance of being visited by lions and jackal. If you meet more than 3 different cars on one day you're unlucky! Kidepo hosts as well most animal species of all national parks in Uganda, including lion, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, leopard, ostrich and cheetah. Kidepo is for sure the best kept secret in Uganda! Located in the extreme North of the country bordering with Sudan and Kenya, Kipedo Valley National Park covers an area of 1,344 sq.km.The park is home to the Karimojong pastoralists.
If you love adventure, unique and beautiful landscapes, and areas seldom visited by tourists, trekking either the Rwenzori Mountains or Mount Elgon is a 'must-do' when visiting Uganda. Along with some stunning scenery, challenging climbing and a range of flexible trips on offer, all you have to do is ensure that you are on 'peak' form!
Mount Elgon is the eighth highest mountain in Africa, a relic of an extinct volcano which first erupted over 20 million years ago. At 4,321 meters, the Wagagai summit is the second highest peak in Uganda and the mountain also boasts one of the largest calderas in the world - an impressive 8km, surrounded by a series of jagged peaks. Straddling the Kenyan border, the mountain is also dotted with crater lakes, giant heathers and lobelias and hot springs.
As you ascend the mountain, you will come across some distinct vegetation zones including: lush, evergreen montane forest, dense bamboo, spectacular moorland hyraces, fascinating and rare endemic plant species, (including giant lobelia elgonensis) and dotted clusters of peculiar groundsels, which are unique to Africa. The main ethnic tribes living around the mountain are the Bagisu and Sabiny, who earn their living through agriculture.
Trekking Mount Elgon is also a bird lover's paradise, and to date, there are approximately 300 recorded species. These include: the endangered Lammergeyers, the rare Jackson's Francolin, Guinea fowls, Sunbirds and the Turaco. There is also a high concentration of primates, as well as Bushbuck, Antelope, Civet, Wildcat and the elusive Leopard. Bush duiker, Hyena, Jackal, Rock hyrax, Buffalo and Elephant also roam between the forest and the moorland.
Visiting Mountain Elgon National Park presents an exciting setting for extended hikes, interesting and unique flora and fauna, magnificent water falls, enormous caves, scenic peaks, gorges and hot springs which bubble up to 480 Celcius! The best times to visit are during the drier seasons (June to August) and March to December. No technical climbing equipment or skills are required, as all major peaks are accessible
Fancy climbing Africa's highest mountain range and straddling the equator at the same time? Head to the Rwenzori and try your hand at reaching the Margherita (5,109 meters) or Alexandra (5,083 meters) Peaks which are exceeded in altitude only by Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, both of which are extinct volcanoes standing in isolation above the surrounding plains.
The Rwenzori Mountains are unique among East Africa's major peaks in that they are not volcanic in origin, but they do rise directly from the Rift Valley floor and their formation, like that of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, was linked to geological glacial peaks in the Rwenzori: Mt. Speke (4,890 meters), Mount Emin (4,727 meters), Mount Gessi (4,715 meters) and Mount Luigi da Savoia (4,627 meters). These mystifying 'Mountains of the Moon' have often been regarded as the Source of the Nile - a legend which began in cAD 150 with the Roman geographer, Ptolemy.
Known primarily for their challenging hiking and climbing possibilities, the Rwenzori also supports a diverse range of animals including 70 mammals and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics. The ever-changing landscape gives way to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, forests of bamboo, giant heathers, lobelias and swampland. On the lower regions of the mountain, Forest Elephants and Chimpanzees meander and crash through the undergrowth and if you're lucky, you may spot a shy Bushbuck or Golden Cat.
Banda's are typical African huts. The people in the Ugandan villages live in these round and simple huts. Most of the time you won't have your own shower and toilet and sometimes you have to use oil lamps by lag of electricity. The Banda includes a bed, mosquito net and a small table. It offers you the comfort of a roof, a bed and an African atmosphere.
Tented camps are big pre- build tents, often with a grass-attached roof. The tents have all the basic needs you wish for, including beds, closet, own shower and toilet facilities. They can be very luxorious as well. It's perfect for the ones who don't like to go camping and yet like to have some kind of an African camping experience. It's in between camping and staying in a hotel and most people love to use this kind of accommodation. All of the tented camps have an amazing view.
In the cities (Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Kabale, Gulu, Lira etc.) you can find hotels. Many different price ranges are available, depending on how big the city is. The hotels are safe and offer you a good shower, a nice bed and good food; something you might seek for in general or after camping for a while.
There are some great lodges in Uganda. They have all a beautiful setting of luxury , Mid range and will make your stay comfortable and pleasant. A lodge combines comfort and atmosphere in a beautiful setting in the National parks in Uganda.
To get the true Ugandan Experience you might consider to go to one of the beautiful villages. Staying in these villages means you will absorb the daily Ugandan life. Making banana beer, visiting the Karamojong cultural home , Acholi, Langi home stay and the Batwa community ,grinding maize flower or visiting a primary school are just a few of all the things you will see and do. To contribute to - and enjoy these villages we can arrange a home stay. You will camp at the farmers land or stay in the house of a farmer to be sure you experience it all.
To be able to customize your trip according to your wishes and budget we offer different ways of transport: Air,domestic flight in Trourism, Boat cruise and Road trips
When you travel in groups the mini busses are an excellent option. The maximum capacity of the minibuses is 9 persons but we usually put a maximum of only 7, to ensure you to have a window seat! Because the mini busses have a huge pop-up roof, it's perfect for spotting wildlife. Of course all our mini busses are 4 wheel drive and fully insured! The mini bus always comes with a driver.
Land Cruisers are designed for driving off-road. The Land Cruisres have a pop-up roof and are 4-wheel drive. The Land Cruisers contributes to the "Africa feeling". The maximum capacity of Land Cruiser - depending on the type - is 3 to 5 persons.Of course all our Land Cruisers are 4 wheel drive and fully insured! The Land Cruiser always comes with a driver.
Water should always be used sparingly. Energy is used in sewage and clean water processing; overuse could be depleting the water table and causing further pollution. ALL should follow the following policy:
The following policy should be adhered to when disposing of rubbish from camps at nature areas:
Ugandans spend a lot of time on greeting. They will ask you at least in three different ways how you are, before asking you how your family, your country and your tour is. When you are visiting a village or a person, take time for this important social part in Ugandan culture.
A Ugandan inviting you for dinner is the greatest form of respect. If you except the invitation, stop eating anything before you arrive, because Ugandan's eat a lot! You should finish at least your first plate! Always leave just a little bit of your food on the plate to show you are satisfied. If you finish your plate totally they think you are still hungry. If you are a vegetarian tell them in advance that you don't eat meat. Don't say you're a vegetarian, because they won't understand. Use religion or medical reasons as an excuse.
It is not advisable to give any money, sweets, gifts, medicines or presents to children, neither to adults.
We discourage giving to beggars that are begging to tourists only/ in particular. Whilst in Uganda some people depend on begging for their livelihood, we regard giving money as a short-term solution to a more fundamental problem. Pick Wild Safaris Uganda LTD work with Community Base Organization (CBO) Drop out school children, Orphans, widows and Northern Uganda war victicms in Northern Uganda to find ways we and our customers can offer more long -term support to the communities visited by supporting local charities and HIV+ Children support projects.
Where possible, we will inform our clients about a development project or organization within this destination. It is preferable that this organization is supported by a foundation from your country of origin and has a website; you will have the possibility to give follow-up by contacting this foundation.
Always ask permission to visit a school, hospital or development project. If they allow the group to visit the spot, we will ask whether somebody from the school, hospital or project can give us a brief explanation while guiding us around.
After the guidance and explanation it is respectful to hand over a gift for the school, hospital or project. Distinction can be made between a small gift for the person who has been guiding and a present/money for the project itself. Interesting presents are pens, paper, exercise books, reading books, information books, (new and clean) clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tea, sugar etc.
We do not encourage to give 'second hand' medicines to hospital with description in languages that the people in hospital do not understand.
The following general advises should be given and besides this, each specific destination might have some specified instructions:
To respect Ugandan culture you can start with dressing appropriate. As long as you are at a lodge or a tourist activity you can wear whatever you like. When you go to town, a restaurant, a school or a market make sure you wear clothes with long sleeves. Woman should not wear tight shirts and shorts or skirts. It has to cover at least the knees. Men suppose to wear long pens as well. When going to church, weddings, funerals, introductions or official meetings you should dress as smart as possible. Don't wear sandals in these occasions! Never go top less sun bathing, where ever you are. It's offensive and disrespectful.
We promote local sourcing of food and other local products. We encourage our clients to visit Craft shops, local bars and restaurants and experience local products and cuisine.
Uganda is located around the equator. Because of this the climate is pleasant the whole year through! Traveling in Uganda is for this reason not limited by climate! The temperatures are in average between 22 and 28 Celcius. In the higher located areas the temperature drops quite a lot (mainly at night). This is in areas like Bwindi, Kisoro, Lake Bunyonyi, Mount Elgon, Sipi Falls and Rwenzori Mountains.
Uganda is a green country. This has a reason; there is enough water and enough sun!. Due climate changes it's hard to predict when rain season will be. However; The heavy rainy season suppose to be in March-May, light rainy season November-December, though there will always be plenty hours of sunshine. When rain comes in during your tour roads can get rough and journey times may extend.
You can buy your Uganda visa (US $ 50,-) at Entebbe airport. This is valid for 90 days. Please note that your passport has to be valid for 6 months upon departure from Uganda.
When you travel from Uganda to Kenya and/or Tanzania, upon your return to Uganda within 90 days, your visa for Uganda is still valid. However, if you travel from Uganda to Rwanda, upon your return to Uganda, you have to buy a new visa for Uganda.
Your Rwanda Visa should be bought in advance to avoid hours of waiting at the border (price depends on nationality).