Uganda

Land of gorillas, chimpanzees, savannas and spectacular waterfalls

There are 10 National Parks and multiple nature reserves in Uganda, and each of them provides a different view of wild Africa, the one from within. The country is home to more than 50% of the world’s mountain gorilla population, as well as the habitat of chimpanzees, lions, elephants, hippos, leopards and more than 1,000 species of birds.

The climate is tropical, with two main dry seasons:
December–February and June–September, when the conditions for trekking and safari are the best.
The rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) bring lush nature and less crowded, but can make it difficult to access more remote regions.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Savannahs, craters and the Kazinga Canal

Uganda’s most famous and visited national park, located in the southwest of the country between Lake George and Lake Edward. It is known for its incredible diversity of ecosystems, from open savannas to tropical forests, crater lakes and wetlands.

The park is home to more than 95 species of mammals and over 600 species of birds, making it one of Africa’s richest ornithological zones. Here you can see lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, crocodiles, hippos and many other species and much more.

Boat Safari – Kazinga Canal

The Closest Encounter with the Wild

One of the absolute highlights of a stay in Queen Elizabeth Park. The Kazinga Canal is a 32-kilometer-long natural water passage that connects Lake George and Lake Edward.
On a boat safari, you sail right along the coast, while hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous birds watch you from a few meters away.

Suitable for all ages, the boat safari lasts about two hours and is ideal for photography, especially in the afternoon when the animals gather by the water.

Ishasha Sector – Lions in the Trees

A unique sight in the African savannah

To the south of Queen Elizabeth, the Ishasha sector provides a completely different safari experience. This is one of the few places in Africa where lions routinely reside and rest in trees, usually on fig and acacia branches.

In addition to lions, the sector is also known for its large herds of buffalo, elephant and antelope, and the crowds are far smaller than in the central parts of the park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla trekking – a life-changing experience

Uganda’s deepest, densest jungle and home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. You don’t go on safari from a jeep here, you walk here, quietly, patiently and respectfully.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi lasts between 2 and 6 hours, but every minute of effort is rewarded with the moment you come face to face with 200 kilograms of pure, peaceful wild life.

Trekking is done in small groups of 8 people, accompanied by trained rangers and guides. The number of permits is limited and must be reserved in advance. The cost of the license is currently $830 per person.

Chimpanzee trekking – meeting your loved ones

Uganda is one of the few countries where you can track chimpanzees in the wild. The most famous location is Kibale Forest, but it is also possible to see them in Kyambura, within the Queen Elizabeth Park.

The trek lasts 2-3 hours, and chimpanzees often move in groups, jumping from branch to branch, with incredible sounds, screams and behaviors that remind us of ourselves.

Lake Mburo National Park

It is the smallest national park in Uganda, but the only one where walking safaris are allowed. An ideal place for the first contact with African nature in a different way, without jeeps, without noise, just you, the guide and the animals.

On a walking safari you can see zebras, giraffes, impalas, eland and various species of birds. The safari takes place in the early morning hours, when nature is most active.

The park is also great for horseback riding, a real chill zone after intense treks.