Uganda the pearl of Africa is crossed by the equator guaranteeing all year pleasant weather and climate. The country is also an ultimate wildlife adventure safari destination and the locals are the friendliest in Africa. Therefore to combine wildlife, adventure, and culture, weather together at one destination while traveling can be a life changing safari. Let’s list out the 3 outstanding places that will inspire and change your way of life.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park– the best place to see mountain gorillas in the world.
Bwindi is a UNESCO World heritage site is home to 400 critically endangered mountain gorillas. With less than 900 gorillas in the wild, Bwindi represents more than half of their population and the human threats like habitat destruction due to encroachment and farming, poaching, climate change means that a visit to Bwindi rain forest could be the time for responsible travelers to bring about positive change towards gorilla conservation and community development.
To see mountain gorillas, there are set gorilla tracking rules set to guide tourists hence with gorilla tracking an eco-friendly and sustainable safari is guaranteed for visitors. Bwindi rain forest is a restricted area yet local people need to depend on natural resources like water, medicinal herbs, fruits, timber. That means that more and more sustainable projects like environment initiatives, food security, and job creating enterprises are major areas that need emphasis to reduce poverty and over reliance on natural resources if we’re to conserve gorillas for the future generations.
A village walk is one way that allows visitors to learn and experience the local culture of Batwa ancient forest people and Bakiga including their food, traditional dance, arts and crafts, history and conservation progress. Therefore, ideas and investment opportunities are open to create more and more projects in addition to what Uganda wildlife authority has done in partnership with local people.
Today, the chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is very rare but Bwindi rainforest presents a big deal with 15 habituated gorilla families including 1 found in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The best way to see gorillas is to plan a gorilla trekking safari and acquire a gorilla permit which gives you permission to visit one of the habituated gorilla families for 1 hour or up to 4 hours during gorilla habituation experience.
Jinja Town, the Adventure Capital of East Africa
The world’s longest river, the Nile starts in Jinja along Victoria Nile to flow about 6853 km northwards into the Mediterranean Sea. The best way to experience the Nile is get into the water. Professional white water rafting as well as beginners and children included can take on white water rafting. With grade 1 to 5 rapids, rafting and kayaking are exciting, you just need to have faith that you’ll not drawn as rescuers as ever following you. Bungee jumping is another life changing activity as you take a leap of faith, live in a moment and jump over a 40 meter cliff to fall into the Nile. Other activities to enjoy in Jinja include horseback riding, swimming, cycling, quad biking, house boats, jet boating, fishing, boat cruises and bird watching and exploring Jinja town.
Murchison Falls National Park- wildlife safari experience and world’s strongest water fall
Apart from Victoria Falls, the 2nd strongest waterfalls in Africa are Murchison falls found along the River Nile in Murchison Falls National park. The falls impresses every tourist who sees it for the first time because the magnitude of rapids is so strong in addition to beautiful scenery of a trademark rainbow and mist. You hike to top or cruise to the bottom of the falls to get a clear view of the falls.
Murchison Falls National park is the largest conservation area in Uganda covering 3,480sq km. With a mixture of savannah grasslands, Nile-Albert Delta wetland and River Nile, Murchison Falls Game Park is full of wildlife including the big five mammals, the African elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes and small game such as Uganda kob, eland, heartbeats, serval cats, porcupine which can all be seen during day or night game drives. Boat cruises along the Nile is a chance for children to see Nile crocodiles, Hippos and water birds especially the shoebill stork.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Sitting in the clouds, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the best safari destinations for gorilla trekking.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the largest biosphere reserve in Uganda. The park is one of the richest destinations hosting a wide range of flora and fauna.
