Uganda Safaris
Amazing Uganda Safaris: Uganda gained independence from the UK on 9th October 1962 and this is when it became a landlocked country. Uganda lies within the Nile basin and has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country, including the capital Kampala. The people of Uganda were hunter gatherers until 1,700 to 2,300 years ago, when Bantu speaking populations migrated to the southern parts of the country. English and Swahili are the most common languages used and Christianity is the most practiced religion. People in rural areas of Uganda depend on farming as the main source of income and 90 per cent of all rural women work in the agricultural sector and as a matter of fact women on average work longer hours than men. You climb up and at the end there’s a wonderful new world Uganda the “Pearl of Africa” the most stunning destination in Africa describing it as a fairy tale with unique environmental attributes and the moderate climate due to country’s location on the equator, abundant biodiversity, color, brilliant life and its serene beauty.
Tour Experiences that must not be missed out in Uganda include:
Mountain climbing
The magnificent Rwenzori known as mountains of the moon will live you in awe of beauty as you behold different ecological habitats from savannah grasslands, rainforest, health, alpine and permanent ice and snow. Some of its striking peaks are covered with glaciers, and it’s the third high mountain in Africa and the most difficult to climb.
Beautiful National Parks
Uganda has 10 National Parks but each National Park is quite unique and different from the others. Murchison Falls National park with the “World’s Greatest waterfall” in the northern part of Uganda and has spectacular game drives coupled with a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, Bwindi Impenetrable forest, “The Ultimate gorilla experience” with the endangered mountain Gorillas, Lake Mburo National Park, “Whispers of the wild”, Semiliki National Park “The birders’ Haven”, Kidepo valley National Park “The true African Wilderness”, Mountain Elgon National Park “The World’s largest mountain caldera”, Mgahinga National Park “Where silver meets the gold”, Mountain Rwenzori National Park “The mystical challenge” Kibale Forest National Park, “The primate capital of the world”, Queen Elizabeth National Park, “Medley of wonders” which is a must visit while in Uganda. If you are a bird lover, get prepared to record over 600 species of birds some of which are migratory ones. You can take a game drive in Ishasha in search for the tree climbing lions or visit the crater lakes region.
Mountain Gorillas
Uganda is among the only three countries on planet earth with the only remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda has half the number of mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world. Today we know better: we have nothing to fear from these gentle and highly endangered primates. And visiting them in their natural habitat-the mountain forests of equatorial Africa Bwindi Impenetrable forest in Uganda, Mgahinga National park in Uganda, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda & Virunga National park in Congo, has become one of the planet’s ultimate wildlife experiences in Uganda, Congo & Rwanda.
Chimpanzee tracking
Uganda is marked as a primate country and indeed, chimp tracking in Kibale Forest National Park “the primate capital of the world “ and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kyambura reserve is one activity you should consider on your Uganda safari. All the above need a permit which can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can participate in chimpanzee habituation experience & chimpanzee trekking and get to learn more about our closest cousins.
Hospitable People
Uganda is popularly known for having very nice, beautiful and happy people. Ugandans are so hospitable that they are always welcoming, and willing to help. Ugandans’ smiles are as warm as their sun. Uganda is made up of a number of ethnic groups from the central and south, east, west, and north, each with its own language, distinctive customs and norms. From the west to the east, from the south to the north and to the central, you will find Ugandans the best and lovely people to visit. This therefore makes your holiday in Uganda so peaceful and relaxing.
Conducive climate
Uganda lies astride the equator but its climate is not truly equatorial due to several factors such as water bodies, relief, and vegetation among others. Uganda’s sun blazes all the year. This therefore means that Uganda can be visited all year round. Because of our climate, we are able to grow enough fresh food and fruits that you will enjoy while on your visit to Uganda.
Source of the Nile
The mighty River Nile, the second-longest river in the world, whose largest source is in Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile is prettier due to its largest fresh water lake in Africa and the longest on the planet. If in doubt, visit Uganda and make sure you take a boat/canoe to the source of the Nile and that’s when you will believe that indeed the source of the Nile is in Uganda and only in Jinja. There have been many claims that the source of the Nile is in Rwanda but the truth remains that it is in Uganda. So visit Uganda and visit the source of the Nile.
Uganda’s taste buds rich cuisine
Uganda’s food is as rich as its culture, because each tribe has its own staple food. A proper Ugandan meal is a celebration in itself, and some meals are prepared as early as the day before, to be served at lunch the following day. Then there is the street food, the most notable being the Rolex. While a Rolex is a timepiece in most countries, in Uganda it’s a popular street food that can be eaten any time of the day. It’s an omelet that is rolled with a chapatti and some onions and tomatoes; bonus points if the tomatoes are raw and if you eat it by the stall.
The bird paradise
Uganda has got the highest concentration of birds in Africa boasting with over 1040 species of birds, in Uganda you will find migratory birds from North Africa and Europe. Lake Bunyonyi, meaning “lake of small birds,” is located in southwestern Uganda. It is the second-deepest freshwater lake in Africa and is a stunning view when seen from one of the hills around it. Its beauty is such that it is printed on one of Uganda’s currency notes. There are 29 islands in the lake, and it’s a heaven for bird love. So visit Uganda and visit Lake Bunyonyi.
Below are some of the customized tours which you cannot miss out in your itinerary to Uganda and Ssemambo Tours & Travel is ready at your service to organize for you one of the best tour trips in Uganda.
Cultural tours
Uganda has many different tribes-peoples practicing age old cultures, customs and traditions including the pygmy Batwa in Bwindi, the Banyakole famed for their magnificent long horned cattle, as well as the nomadic Karamojong living in the remote, semi-arid North East bordering Kenya and South Sudan. Historical relics including the Kasubi tombs, the Uganda Martyrs Shrine (a much more modern religious shrine), the world’s most hospitable people definitely makes Uganda one of the most ideal cultural tourism destinations in the world.
Adventure tours
When it comes to adventure, nothing beats a coming face to face with giant mountain Gorilla silver back, eight times the power of a grown man, in its natural habitat, although an encounter with the over 100 strong families of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. To partake the wildest white water rafting amongst the rapids of the magnificent river Nile, the world’s longest River in World .You can also climb ‘Mountains of the moons’, the Ruwenzori and marvel at their ice capped peaks astride the equator. If you take a launch boat on the Nile, in Murchison Falls National Park, come up close to the base of the glorious Murchison Falls itself where the mighty river forces its entire self through a narrow 7m cleft to tumble 43m down in a thunderous show of mighty power; without a doubt some of the most breathtaking sceneries imaginable. You could also take a hike up to the top of the falls and marvel at the falls from above, there just so many things you could do Uganda must truly be the adventure capital of the world.
Recreation holidays
Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest fresh water lake, provides numerous opportunities for beach tourism on its edge in Entebbe as well as at various islands including Ssese Islands and Bulago Island, Mabamba wetland,where one can enjoy walks on the beach, boat rides, lazy bird walks, some water sports, visits to the local fishing villages etc.
Relax on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, enjoy the peace, beauty and tranquility at the source of the Nile in Jinja, and visit the Mahatma Gandhi Shrine, the universal apostle of peace and non-violence; his ashes were immersed in the river Nile in 1948, as he requested. Enjoy launch cruises on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park or step out to mix and mingle with local Ugandans on a night outing in Kampala and feel the pulse of this buzzing capital city; Ugandans love to have a giant amount of fun – you’re more than welcome to join!
Best time to visit Uganda
Because of the favorable climatic conditions Uganda experiences, the country can be visited all year- round. Nonetheless you should also understand and consider that there are two major tourism seasons each offering different safari prices, that is; peak and low season. During the peak-tourism season that starts in December to February as well as from June to September, gorilla trekking permits plus accommodation prices are high. For the best views of wild animals, we recommend that you take the savavnah Game viewing Safaris, in the dry months January to February, and June to September as the animals frequently converge around the various water-holes in the parks. Also bird watching is an all-year round activity however best views are from November to April when migrant species have arrived to Uganda due to the winter season in search for the summer seasons.
Where to stay / accommodation on a Uganda safari
During your stay in Uganda, there are different choices of accommodation in which one chooses from. These are generally categorized into three: the Budget Accommodation, Mid-range / moderate Accommodation and the Luxury Accommodation – so there is something for everyone that suits their budget. Among the various accommodation facilities are beach Resorts, Hotels, Lodges, and Safari camps, Cottages, Guest Houses and Inns.
Our safaris
3 Days Uganda gorilla trekking safari
3 Days Queen Elizabeth national park
4 Days Kidepo valley park safari
4 Days Uganda gorilla & chimpanzee safari
5 Days Uganda gorilla & wildlife safari
6 Days Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi & Lake Mburo park safari
6 Days Uganda gorilla Rwanda safari
7 Days Uganda holiday adventure
9 Days Uganda chimpanzee, gorillas & adventure safari
