A trip to Uganda and things to do on your wedding anniversary

A trip to Uganda and things to do on your wedding anniversary. Spending your wedding anniversary in Uganda is the best decision ever because of the many safari destinations you can go to celebrate your milestone. Uganda, as a country, has a wide range of activities that will keep you entertained throughout your anniversary celebrations.

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Wedding anniversary activities in Uganda include boat cruises, primate trekking, game drives, birding, and cultural visits. The majority of the safari destinations are not located within the city center but found in the countryside, adding to the adventures as you travel to the goals, which include Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga, Lake Mburo national park and Lake Bunyonyi among others.

Things to do in Uganda on your wedding anniversary

Below is a list of things you can engage in while on your wedding anniversary in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking 

Gorilla trekking is the number one activity on a wedding anniversary. A handful of people (only 8) are allowed to trek with a gorilla family per day, and if you plan on trekking in Bwindi, you need to book early to get the trekking permits. Gorilla trekking is a unique experience and a fun way to spend your safari with the endangered species.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in Mgahinga National Park, which is home to one habituated gorilla family, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has the world's half population of gorillas. Trekking gorillas in Uganda is on the top list for many tourists. Therefore, if you wish to participate in the exercise on your wedding anniversary, you must book the activity in advance by purchasing a gorilla permit, which is $800 for foreign non-residents, 300 000 UGX East African citizens, and $700 for foreign residents. The permit is best purchased through a local tour operator, although you can buy one directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The exercise can be carried out all year round; however, the best time is June to September and December to February because the weather is conducive during these months, the trek routes are easily passable and accessible, and the Mountain gorillas can be seen. As you trek the gorillas, know that you indirectly contribute to their conservation.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzees in Uganda can best be spotted in areas like Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi. Chimpanzee trekking is carried out all year round, and it gives you a chance to get close to the primates and study their behavior in the one hour you spend with them. Kibale National Park has the highest number of chimpanzees in the country and is the best place to exercise. Besides chimp trekking, you can also participate in the chimpanzee habituation process. Chimpanzee tracking involves a walk through the forest with experienced trackers searching for the assigned chimpanzee families until you get to them. 

Before going for a chimpanzee trek exercise, you need to purchase a permit to see them, which can be bought through the tour operators. The permits need to be bought in advance because of their high demand and do not forget that without the permit, you will not be able to track the chimps. The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit depends on the trek destination. For example, the permit costs $300 in Kibale and $50 in Kyambura Gorge, although this can change anytime.

Game drives

Wildlife in its natural habitat is a sight to see, so why not spend your wedding anniversary enjoying game drives in one of the national parks in the country? A variety of wild animals is found in national parks across the country, and. In contrast, some are common in almost every national Park; some are specifically found in particular national parks. Uganda has a variety of national parks in the different countryside, including Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park, among others. 

There are usually two sessions of game drives carried out, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon after lunch. Early morning game drives start as early as 7:00 am, and this is considered the best time to spot the different wildlife species. This is carried out in a 4x4 safari vehicle. The game drive will take about 2 to 3 hours before you go on your lunch break. The afternoon drive, on the other hand, starts at around 3:00 pm and takes roughly two hours.

Night game drives are also offered in some of the national parks found in Uganda, starting right after dinner. It is the best time to spot the nocturnal animals, wildlife that hunts at night, and other species. 

Some of the wildlife you get to see on game drives includes spotted hyenas, hippos, buffaloes, warthogs, forest hogs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs although rare, lions, crocodiles, Topis, antelopes, sitatungas, and several bird species among others. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park: If you enjoy nature and game drives, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best destination for your wedding anniversary. You get to enjoy the over 96 wildlife species in the park and go bird watching with over 615 bird species. 

Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is the oldest and largest national Park in the country and is one of the safari destinations that you can visit on your wedding anniversary. The park is best known for its strong falls and various wildlife. Activities carried out in Murchison include game drives, bird watching, guided nature walks to the falls, and boat rides.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in a remote area in the northeastern part of the country and is one of the best-hidden jewels of Uganda. Kidepo has over 470 recorded bird species, which makes it the 2nd best bird-watching destination. Although the National Park is far more challenging, it has been named the most beautiful Park by CNN. 

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best national parks to visit if you want to enjoy a boat cruise along the lake. Like other national parks, some activities include game drives, boat rides, guided nature walks, and bird watching, among others.

Bird watching on your wedding anniversary

If you and your partner are ardent bird lovers, Uganda is the best place to go bird-watching. Uganda has numerous birding destinations with over 1088 recorded bird species, with over 24 Albertine endemic bird species and some on the red list of IUCN. Choosing the best birding destination in Uganda might take some work. Still, some of the best birding spots include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mabamba Swamp, Botanical Gardens, Murchison Falls National Park, Mgahinga, Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi, among others. Some of the bird species to look out for include the Great Blue Turaco, secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Hamerkop, Shoebill, Fish skimmer, Uganda Kob, ostriches, African finfoot, Rufous rumped lark, Piapiac, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Brown-throated wattle eye, Black bee-eater, African pitta, Lesser flamingo, Green wood hoopoe, papyrus yellow warbler, slender-billed gull, African broadbill, Egyptian plover and cape wagtail among others.

Visit Ssese Islands

Ssese Islands, located in Kalangala, is one of the best getaways for newlywed couples and those celebrating milestones not only because of the beautiful scenery but because it is far from Kampala's chaotic and loud life. The island can be reached by boat, charter flight, or ferry, depending on your preference. Surrounded by the fresh waters of Lake Victoria, you get to enjoy nature walks through the forests where you get to see primates like vervet monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys, take a swim in the water, enjoy spot fishing (although you have to carry your fishing equipment) and enjoy bonfires at night. The accommodation in Ssese is also part of the scenery with some of the best hotels/lodges, including Victoria Forest Resort and the Brovad Sand Lodge.

Cultural trips on your wedding anniversary

Cultural trips are no exception when celebrating your wedding anniversary. Uganda is a multi-diverse country with different cultures worth knowing about because each culture is unique. Examples of communities to see on your safari include the Karamojong who live around Kidepo Valley National Park, the Batwa people around Bwindi and Mgahinga Park, the Gishus people around Mount Elgon, and other communities within the different parts of the country. Cultural tours are the best way to learn more about the locals, their cultural food and brew, how they live their day-to-day lives, and enjoy the traditional song and dance.

Mountain hiking in Uganda on your wedding anniversary

Hiking is a tiresome but fun experience for couples looking at a different scenery besides game drives. It would help if you could participate in hiking up the mountains in Uganda, some of which include Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo, and Mount Muhavura, all located in the southwestern part of the country. If you are looking for a more challenging scene, you can climb Mount Rwenzori (the tallest mountain in Uganda), also called the mountain of the moon. Unlike other mountain hikes, you need to prepare physically for the Rwenzori climb, and booking has to be done in advance. Mountain Elgon is also a perfect spot for exercise, and you get to hike the Sipi Falls.

Enjoy boat rides

Uganda is home to enough water bodies where you get to enjoy a boat ride. Boat rides are usually carried out in different sessions, that is, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, and this is considered to be one of the best ways in which one gets to view the wildlife in the national parks. Boat rides in Queen Elizabeth National Park are carried out along the Kazinga channel, which separates Lake Edward and Lake George. During your boat ride along the Kazinga channel in QENP, you see various wildlife, including crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, and numerous bird species.

A boat ride in Murchison Falls National Park is carried out along the Nile River, where many animals are along the banks. Boat rides can also be carried out on Lake Bunyonyi, the 2nd deepest Lake in Africa. The word Bunyonyi loosely translates as small birds, and during your boat ride, you get to see the different bird species around the Lake. The Lake has about 29 small Islands and each of these adds beautiful scenery to the surroundings. And the best way to get to the islands is by canoeing. Other activities that can be carried out along Lake Bunyonyi besides boat cruises include bird watching, canoeing, nature walks, swimming (the Lake is bilharzia-free), and relaxing on the islands, among others.

What to pack for a wedding anniversary trip to Uganda 

Packing right for a safari is essential, and some of the things that you need to fill for your wedding anniversary in Uganda include neutral-colored clothes (long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and undershirts), rain jackets and warm sweaters, a first aid kit, refillable water bottle, gaiters, strong ankle hike boots, recognition books, a camera and extra batteries, binoculars, a waterproof day backpack, insect replant, sunhat, sunscreen, Garden gloves, snacks and screen among others.

Your decision to organize your trip to Uganda will be the best because you get to do the above and more depending on the number of days spent celebrating your milestone. For more information about how to organize a trip and wedding anniversary safari to Uganda, kindly contact us to help you organize the best trip for you with the best itineraries.

We are ready to organize the best wedding anniversary trip for you in Uganda, Please contact us for more information.