#1. Unbeatable Primate Trekking
When it comes to primate trekking, Uganda is hard to beat. Primate trekking is available in not just one, but five national parks across the country.
Gorilla trekking is a major draw for travelers to Uganda, and rightly so. Uganda is home to over half the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas.
Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a chance to spend a magical hour with the habituated gorillas in their native habitat. The conservation project has become one of Uganda’s biggest wildlife success stories. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also home to the elusive golden monkey, which can be tracked there, as well.
Chimpanzee trekking is another popular attraction in Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park is often called the “Primate Capital of the World,” as it boasts 13 primate species and five habituated groups of chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking is also available in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
#2. A Chance to Spot the Big Five
Lion. Cape Buffalo. Rhino. Elephant. Leopard. Uganda is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including the Big Five.
Visitors can even track carefully conserved rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. And depending on the region you’re traveling in, you might also look out for wildlife including giraffe, zebra, Eland antelope, Uganda Kob, oribi, crocodiles, hyena, ostrich, and hippo.
In addition to game drives and guided nature walks, Uganda offers several places to see wildlife at the water on a boat safari. Boat safaris in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Lake Mburo all offer a chance to observe various animals at the water’s edge—elephants bathing themselves along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, weaver birds building their nests along the Nile at Murchison Falls, or crocodiles sunning themselves on the shore at Lake Mburo.
#3. Incredible Birdwatching
With over 1,050 species, the relatively small nation of Uganda is home to 12% of the world’s bird species and 50% of Africa’s bird species. Every year, birders and wildlife enthusiasts embark on safari to spot some of the country’s most incredible birds.
A few of Uganda’s most popular birding destinations include:
- Mabamba Swamp: A morning canoe ride through the Mabamba Swamp is a chance to spot the rare Shoebill Stork.
- Lake Bunyonyi: Bunyonyi translates to “place of many little birds,” and the lake lives up to its name. Keep out for species such as the White-tailed blue monard, African Harrier Hawk, and Levilant Cuckoo.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: After your gorilla trek, spend an extra day exploring the park’s nature trails, where birders can spot species including the Cinnamon-chested bee eater, Blue-headed sunbird, and Shelley’s crimsonwing.
- Kibale Forest National Park: In addition to chimpanzee trekking, the Kibale region is home to an extraordinary array of birds, including the Purple-breasted sunbird, African pitta, and Great Blue Turaco.
#4. A Vibrant and Welcoming Culture
Ugandans are well-known for greeting any visitor with the phrase, “You are most welcome.” And they mean it. A genuinely warm and welcoming culture, Ugandans are proud of their heritage and their country’s beauty, and are happy to make any guest feel at home.
And travelers looking for authentic cultural experiences won’t be disappointed, either. Uganda is home to over 50 different tribes and 40 unique languages, with a rich variety of cultural experiences across the country.
Guided village walks, basket-weaving demonstrations, traditional dance performances, and visits with the Batwa hunter-gatherer tribe are just a few of the opportunities that can be added to your itinerary. And because Hornbill Treks & Safaris focuses on community-run cultural experiences, you can enjoy your visit knowing that it directly benefits the local communities you’re meeting along the way. (To learn more about how your safari with Hornbill makes a difference, click here.)
#5. Travel Off the Beaten Path
“I had no idea Uganda was such an incredible country.”
“This trip completely blew my expectations out of the water. Amazing!“
“My image of Uganda will forever be a gorgeous country with generous, hardworking people and exquisite wildlife. What a trip!”
This is the kind of feedback we hear from travelers to Uganda. As a relatively off-the-beaten-path safari destination, Uganda allows safari goers to witness its incredible wildlife—without the crowds.
And when you pair that with its range of accommodations, its rich cultural heritage, its stunning biodiversity, and its welcoming, genuine people, it’s easy to see why Uganda’s star continues to rise.
Looking for more reasons to visit Uganda? Get inspired by browsing our itineraries or exploring the country. Every Hornbill safari is customized to meet your travel needs, so contact us to create your own private tour.
