The best safari locations in Uganda

Question 1

Bwindi Forest

Answer

Set in the southwest of Uganda, Bwindi Forest is one of the prime locations in Africa for viewing mountain gorillas. The area contains a handful of good lodges and offers an excellent range of other forest and cultural activities, notably including interaction with the Batwa pygmies.

the primary location for gorillas

At just 330 square kilometres, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an island of forest surrounded by intense small-scale agriculture.

Remarkably this tiny area hosts almost half of the world’s wild mountain gorillas, with around 400 individuals in 20 troops.

Eleven troops are habituated to the presence of humans, which means that they can be approached without them legging it.

Gorilla tracking starts early morning, joining a group at park headquarters.

Sometimes the target troop is encountered right on the edge of the farmland.

On other occasions the troop may be high in the forest, two or more hour’s walk away.

Guests who are less able to hike are usually allocated onto more accessible troops.

Gorilla families are usually relaxed and approachable.

However the silverbacks are a lot more aggressive and interactions can be quite action packed.

It is very important to realise that the extremely high park fees are there to incentivise the expansion and protection of the forest …

… as well as provide income to local people to encourage their support for conservation.

So it is critical that as many people as possible visit the gorillas to ensure that they survive and prosper.

Further guided walks in the forest are also possible.

This rainforest also contains over 120 mammals, several further primates and over 350 bird species.

Cultural interaction is also possible in the various local villages, notably with local Batwa pygmy groups.

There is handful of decent lodges in the area, from which the various gorilla families can be accessed.

The best trips combine lodges in Buhoma and Nkuringo, hiking between the two. to view families in both areas.

Access is by air from Entebbe, often continuing by road to QENP and Kibale.

Go to Bwindi Forest

Question 2

Kibale Forest

Answer

Set in the southwest of Uganda, Kibale Forest is an important tropical reserve, the best location in the country for viewing chimpanzees, with guest accommodation in several lodges, of which one or two are of decent quality. The surrounding farmland is extremely scenic.

the primary location for chimpanzees

At 766 square kilometres, Kibale Forest contains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest in East Africa.

The reserve contains a range of important moist evergreen and semi-deciduous forest ecosystems.

The bio-diversity and endemism is spectacular, including thirteen different primate species.

There’s also over 325 species of birds, 4 types of cats, 60 other mammals and 250 different types of trees.

Amongst these is a population of around 400 chimpanzees, two troops of which are habituated to human contact.

It is encounters with these chimps which draws the majority of visitors to the area.

Chimp tracking starts early morning, joining a group at park headquarters.

It usually takes a hour or two of walking to catch up with the family.

Although these chimps are habituated, face to face encounters are not commonplace.

However some individuals are more aproachable than others.

If you are outdoorsy, then it is worth booking a full day out on the forest with the chimps.

The forest is surrounded by very scenic farmland areas with views west to the Rwenzori Mountains.

There are several picturesque volcanic crater lakes …

… and some very pretty tea plantation areas to visit.

Amongst the several lodge options, a couple a really rather pleasant.

Access is by air from Entebbe, often continuing by road south to QENP and Bwindi Forest.

Go to Kibale Forest

Question 3

Queen Elizabeth

Answer

Set in the remote west of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the largest savanna safari area in the country, a stop on the overland route from Bwindi Forest to Kibale Forest, with guest accommodation in a handful of decent lodges, offering a wide range of safari activities including motorboat safari, chimpanzee tracking, cultural interaction and conservation projects.

conveniently located savanna safari reserve

At 1978 square kilometres, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a substantial tract of impressive and diverse Rift Valley scenery.

Unusually the park is divided into sub-sectors with separate entrances.

In between these areas the levels of conservation seem to be much relaxed, with low wildlife and significant human habitation.

The northern sector straddles the Equator and contains broad grasslands, with herds of buffaloes and elephants.

To the west of the transit road the landscape is pocked by shallow volcanic craters containing seasonal lakes.

In the Mweya Sector the park is bisected by the Kasinga Channel, which connects lakes Edward and Albert.

Motorboat safari here is a major highlight, providing the chance to see buffaloes, elephants, hippos and crocodiles.

The large and commercial Mweya Safari Lodge sits above the channel, but is not somewhere we often recommend.

To the northeast, the modest Kyambura Gorge contains a evergreen glades which are home to an isolated population of chimpanzees.

The chances of good sightings are reasonable, although not as good as Kibale Forest, so visitors tend to track in both locations.

This area contains a handful of decent lodges, both by the gorge and up on the escarpment, from where the Mweya Sector can also be accessed.

The journey south is a straightforward transit, with little wildlife and surprisingly low traffic.

Ishasha is the prime area for wildlife in QE, but finding the animals in the long grass can be a challenge.

There are lions and elephants around, but they are very skittish and clearly under pressure.

A real highlight are the Ugandan kobs, which are closely related to Zambia’s iconic pukus.

The Rift Valley of western Uganda used to witness mass migrations of kobs to rival the wildebeest in Serengeti.

The usual stay duration is 1 or 2 nights in the Kyambura Gorge area, with an optional 1 or 2 nights in the Ishasha Sector.

Access is by road, usually between the primate areas of Bwindi Forest and Kibale Forest.

Go to Queen Elizabeth

Question 4

Murchison Falls

Answer

Set in the remote northwest of Uganda, Murchison Falls is a substantial wildlife reserve, offering excellent motorboat safari, modest savanna safari and lesser options for chimpanzee tracking. Guest accommodation is in a handful of decent lodges, all offering a wide range of activities.

an iconic waterfall on the Nile

At 5308 square kilometres, the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area is really considerable protected reserve.

It is comprised of a wide range of scenic forest, savanna and riverine landscapes.

The falls themselves are located on the Victoria Nile, 35km upstream from Lake Albert.

From here the Albert Nile leaves the lake on its 6000km journey to the Mediterranean.

The wildlife here was decimated by poaching during the 1980’s, but is now much recovered.

Herbivores include elephants, hippos, zebras, buffaloes, kobs and hartebeest.

Predators including lions and leopards are rarely seen, unlike the numerous crocodiles that line the river.

The main activity is motorboat safari up the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls.

Heading downstream towards the delta at Lake Albert, there are good chances of rare shoebill storks (which this isn’t).

The main area for savanna safari lies between the two rivers and is accessed by means of a motorised pontoon.

To the south the Budongo Forest provides an alternative to Kibale Forest as a location for chimpanzees.

The best place to stay is the rather attractive Bakers Lodge.

Access is usually by scheduled flight from Entebbe.

Go to Murchison Falls

Question 5

Kidepo Valley

Answer

Set in the remote north of Uganda, Kidepo Valley is a real trophy location for experienced safari travellers, with impressive landscapes and a good range of wildlife. Guest accommodation is in just one good quality lodge. Dry season is Nov-Apr, converse seasons to most safari areas.

remote savanna safari with a converse season

At 1442 square kilometres, Kidepo Valley is a substantial reserve, the heart of a large conservation area which crosses into South Sudan.

It is comprised of sweeping grasslands, drained by seasonal rivers and backed by impressive granite mountains.

Wildlife is surprisingly diverse, with 77 mammal species including elephants, zebras, buffaloes and waterbucks.

Predators include lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The main activity is vehicle safari, often punctuated by scenic picnics and sundowner drinks.

Some modest walking safari may also be possible, but is unlikely to include deliberate approaches onto potentially dangerous animals.

This area experiences very low visitor numbers, so every single person represents a significant contribution to conservation.

The best place to stay is undoubtedly the high quality Apoka Lodge.

Access is by shared charter flight from Entebbe.

Go to Kidepo Valley

Question 6

Jinja

Answer

Set on the north shore of Lake Victoria, 100 km east of Entebbe, Jinja is a modest town alongside the source of the Victoria Nile. It is a renowned location for white-water rafting. Guest accommodation is in a modest range of lodges, mostly focused on river and cultural activities.