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Sputnikboy
IT
Visited:
February 2013
Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You can have a typical safari trip in either Murchinson Falls NP or Queen Elizabeth NP, but I much more preferred the trekking on the wild Rwenzori mountains (my favourite place in Uganda), where in one day you can go from rainforest, to bamboo forest, to alpine vegetation. Kibale offers more rainforest with monkeys, chimps, butterflies, insects and plenty of birds. Bwindi is a world premiere destination to track the gorillas, a truly amazing experience that I HIGHLY reccomend to anybody. I went also to Mgahinga NP to track the golden monkeys: another underrated experience. The track at the foot of the Virunga mountains is beautiful and the monkeys are very cute and funny to watch.
In Jinja the adrenaline activities
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like rafting the Nile rapids was exhilarating, but there are many more to do.And after all this, when I needed to chill out from these emotions, I headed to the shores of Lake Bunyonyi to dip into its waters and have an easy paddle with a canoe doing some islands hopping.
For these reasons I highly recommend Uganda as a destination for nature lovers.
Trui
NL
Visited:
September 2009
Reviewed: Oct 13, 2013
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
T Sharp
Visited:
July 2011
Reviewed: Jul 30, 2013
Ssesee Island Safari
Though I was only briefly in the country of Uganda, I had to privilege to visit the Ssesee Islands while I was there. We had to take a short ferry ride to get over there, but once we arrived, the landscape was lush and fertile. We spent some time with local guides wading through the forest and wetlands in search of Sitatunga, so that we could get some rare footage of them. It was a beautiful island, and had some lovely lodges that we stayed in during our time. It was really fascinating to be able to see the hard to find Sitatunga in their natural habitat, as there are few who get to do that. It was worth a short side trip to see the islands over there, and I would highly recommend looking into that next time you are in Uganda.
Matoke Tours
UG
Visited:
December 2012
Reviewed: Dec 17, 2012
Email Matoke Tours | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda, The ultimate "off the beaten track" destiantion in Africa!
Uganda is often linked with gorillas and chimpanzees. The apes are the countries main attraction and adds something extra compared to other more traditional safari destinations. However, Uganda has so much more to offer with some great game parks, unique boat safari's in 3 different national parks, huge forest areas, waterfalls, matoke (bananas) everywhere, mountains with snow, stunning lakes, volcanoes and the friendliest people in the world! On top of that you can venture off the beaten track by going to unspoiled game parks like Kidepo Valley NP. What about visiting unspoiled tribes in the east of the country (karamajong) or hike the Rwenzori Mountains. For real travelers Uganda is a MUST!
Vasia
Visited:
May 2008
Reviewed: Sep 16, 2011
Life Experience
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Elisabeth National Park". Approaching to the park we were astonished by the beautiful sunrise. Then we left it all to our communicable guide who was explaining all only in english, as the official languages are english and swahili. Small safari vans took us to indiscribably places in this huge park, driving among a lot of animals. The feeling that you get when you are so close to them cannot be discribed. It is unbelievable that you are in their natural living place. Elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys are just a few of what you can see. This is a life experience that you have never imagined!!!
Marcus Richardson
DE
Visited:
September 2006
Reviewed: Sep 6, 2011
Email Marcus Richardson | 35-50 years of age
Not like other safari destinations!
My primary reason for going on safari to Uganda (and Rwanda) was to see the mountain gorillas, and that experience is worth a whole review in itself, so all I'll say about that here was that it was an extraordinary, wonderful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Truly the highlight of my trip by far.
Also magical were walks
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in the forests, hearing chimpanzees shrieking in the trees, and coming close to them (with great care!). Those forest treks really made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Lots of fascinating monkeys to see and hear in those magical forests too.Another highlight for me (in one of the forest treks) was the encounter at the bat cave in Maramagambo Forest (although the last I heard it has been closed to the public due to health fears).
I opted to take a camping safari, rather than lodge-based. It's truly the best way to experience the magic of the bush. There is nothing quite like lying in your tent at night, listening to the sounds of lions roaring nearby, monkeys shrieking in the trees, and hippos grazing on the grass outside your tent. There are no fences and "safe" enclosed campsites - you are truly amongst nature. One night a group of elephants came into our camp, another night it was lions. Not for the faint-hearted, but truly extraordinary, and you don't experience these things in lodges. Also, it's worth bearing in mind that camping safaris are quite luxurious - I had a very comfortable tent set up for me every night, complete with bed and wash-stand. Showers and toilets were portable and therefore not luxurious, but on the other hand you can only laugh and feel the wonder of the bush when a baboon steals your toilet paper... Food was excellent, all transported along with us vacuum packed for freshness as part of a very impressive logistics operation that accompanied our safari as it moved around the country.
Some "normal" game drives were also included in this safari, and while perhaps not as spectular as others I have been on in East Africa, there was still some excellent game viewing to be had. Highlights of game drives included the incredible tree-climbing lions (seen several times), a leopard strolling in front of our vehicle, and of course the spectacular birds (even as a non-enthusiast I couldn't help but be blown away by the incredible birdlife). Guides were very hard-working and dedicated, always making every effort to find the most elusive wildlife and get us up close, but always respecting nature at the same time. They were very, very few other tourists around, so we didn't experience the "20 vehicles surrounding a lion" phenomenon that often blights safaris in the more popular safari destinations.
In short, I can say that Uganda is perfect for the more adventurous safari-goer who wants to do something a little different (more on the wild side). If you're willing to get wet, muddy, bitten by ants, and exhausted in order to get up close, on foot, to some of the most wonderful and rare creatures on earth, this is the place. For me, Uganda is all about spine-tingling experiences in magical forests, and getting face to face with the wildlife, with no vehicles or fences to separate you. I've never been anywhere quite like it.
Markus Janser
CH
Visited:
October 2024
Reviewed: Nov 20, 2024
Email Markus Janser | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What a nice surprise
However, we where surprised and charmed by the overall Safari experience we had. Wildlife in abundance (organised between the different parcs) and close up - a lot on foot. So Uganada is not only a Gorilla and Schimpanzee destination, but big 5 country. Lots of elephants, hippos (grazing), buffalo, giraffes, white rhinos (in a sanctuary but not to be missed), lions, leopards, gorillas, schimpanzees, etc., etc.
The lodges were good and authentic (Mwyea your Out of Africa lodge, Paraa nicely on the NIle River bank, Kimbali Forest Camp a mid-range absolute fair value, Rushuga Gorilla Camp and luxury Kimbari Lodge), food well prepared and people very kind and accomodating.
Our trip was organised by Tuable Safari. Jamal was our local guide and driver. Excellent Safari
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vehicle, very knowledgable guide. There was a mix-up with one of the lodges, but it got sorted out. The organisation was spot on and I can highly recommend the tour operator.Due to the cost of the gorilla and schimpanzee permits Uganda is not a cheap Safari destnation, but absolutely worthwile. Overall you find a top offering at a fair price.
Jorge Camacho
ES
Visited:
October 2024
Reviewed: Nov 5, 2024
Email Jorge Camacho | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experience
Our recent trip to Uganda could not have met our expectations more. The country has well deserved the title of ‘pearl of Africa’, the country is impressive, the landscapes are spectacular and having an endangered wonder like the gorilla cannot be a greater attraction to visit it. If you add to that the possibility of seeing chimpanzees in their habitat, lions, hyenas, leopards, etc....
On the downside is the infrastructure, access to Biwindi Park is poor, something I think the country needs to improve. Nor is it perceived that the money paid to enter the park goes directly to the local communities.
Regarding the operator, I can only recommend it highly: East African Jungle Safaris, Ruth was attentive to all our needs and the accommodations are of excellent quality, the food too and the driver/guide assigned was very good too, thank you very much Ruth!!!!
Leah
CA
Visited:
September 2024
Reviewed: Oct 23, 2024
Email Leah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful country with exceptional service industry and private wildlife encounters
We travelled through Uganda and Tanzania over three weeks. The time we spent in Uganda was incredible. The country is a lot quieter to travel through, which makes the game drives feel intimate when you have the wildlife all to yourself during encounters. Though it is not as popular as other destinations in Africa, it should be. The wildlife viewing was amazing, the accommodations (we stayed mid range) were way above anything we could have dreamed, and the service and kindness we experienced from locals was unmatched. The scenery was gorgeous, the varying landscapes accross the country were awe inspiring. My husband and I had the most memorable trip of our lives here and would recommend it to anyone.
Trip of a lifetime!
Ronnie with Dav Safaris was awesome. The people and weather was great. We always felt safe. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking was amazing. We paid extra to spend time with the chimps that were less acclimated to people. Don’t do that because they stay high in the trees. We LOVED the time with them on the regular trekking tour.
All the tours were worth every penny. Lots of animals to see. We visited the Shoebill birds as a side trip. So glad we did!
We’re def coming back!!