Best off season safari experiences in Uganda

Best off season safari experiences in Uganda. The off season of Uganda is the low tourism season in the country which is normally March, April, May and November when less tourists are expected to visit the country. Uganda is an all year around safari destination so it is quite hard to determine the best off season safari experience in the country.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

8 day Uganda safari via Kigali

5 days gorillas and chimp safari

8 days gorilla tracking tour

19 day best of Uganda safari

15 days Uganda Rwanda safari

18 day Uganda Ultimate Safari

16 day primate game and culture

11 days gorilla tracking safari

5 days gorilla and Nile river source

17 day Uganda birding and wildlife

Some of the famous Uganda safaris include Gorilla safaris which gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences that happen all year, game safaris in Uganda, water activities, chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, birding in Uganda, cultural activities in Uganda and others.

Uganda is one of the unique countries in Africa with favorable weather and not so much affected by extreme weather conditions. The country receives two seasons that is wet and dry season. This is why it is one of the most sought after safari destinations in Africa thus the name the “Pearl of Africa”. Contact us for more information.

What to Do In Uganda During the Off Season.

Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Gorilla safaris are all year around adventures in Uganda. Two gorilla safaris are available in Uganda that is gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla trekking is an adventure where a maximum 8 tourists are allowed to visit a fully habituated gorilla family for one hour per day. Gorilla Habituation experience is an adventure where a maximum 4 tourists are allowed to visit a semi-habituated gorilla family for 4 hours.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the only habitats for mountain gorillas in Uganda.

To do either gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, you need a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Note that even during the off season, the demand for gorilla permits still remains high because there supply is limited therefore play safe by booking it in advance. Expect rain to fall any time during the search for the mountain gorilla no matter the season.

Game safaris in Uganda

Uganda offers some of the rich game safari destinations and these are not seasonal but all year. Some of the most outstanding Uganda game parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Uganda boasts some game reserves too.

In Uganda, the best time for game drives in the National Parks no matter the season is either morning or late afternoon where chances of spotting more wild animals, birds and other park inhabitants are more open. Even though the low tourism season in Uganda is normally characterized by rains, this doesn’t stop game safari activities most of the time.

Before entering the game park, every visitor is expected to pay park entrance fees which last 24 hours from the time of entering the park

Note that you need a 4x4 wheel vehicle in good condition to use for game drives in Uganda as the ground in the National Parks gets messy sometimes. Do not step out of your safari vehicle during the game safari in the parks of Uganda unless recommended by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide.

Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda

The chimpanzees are the closest relations humans have amongst the wild animals. Uganda has some of the few habitats where chimpanzees thrive. For chimpanzee safaris in Uganda, you can do Chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience (CHEX).

Chimpanzee trekking is an adventure where tourists are allowed one hour with a fully-habituated a chimpanzee troop. Chimpanzee habituation experience is an adventure where a maximum 4 tourists are allowed 4 hours to follow a semi-habituated chimpanzee community.                                                              

Some of the Uganda chimpanzee safaris destinations include Kibale National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, Kyambura gorge, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda Wildlife Education Center.

In Uganda, two chimpanzee safaris session are available that is either in the morning or afternoon.

Sports fishing in Uganda

The presence of different water bodies in various parts of Uganda, which favors the existence of different fish species, supports sports fishing in the country. Catch and release policy is advised to be used during this sports fishing safari in Uganda.

Secure a sports fishing permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to get the chance to catch some fish. Carry own fishing equipment to use for this safari adventure. Hire a boat to use during the time of the fishing adventure in Uganda but it is best to reserve it in advance because there are not so many available and yet they are used for other activities.

Some of the sports fishing destinations in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park on Victoria Nile, Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, private fishponds and others. Some of the fish species to catch in Uganda include Tilapia, Catfish, lungfish, Nile Perch and other freshwater fish species.

Birding in Uganda

During the off season which is normally characterized with rains, chances of spotting a number of birds with less disturbance from other tourists are more possible in the low season especially in the game parks. Uganda is a birding haven in Africa with over 1000 bird species recorded and this long list is owed to the diversity of habitats in the country. 

Some of the Uganda bird destinations include Mabamba Swamp, Mabira forest, Mpanga forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mabira Forest, Kibale Forest, Musamba Island and others.

Amongst the long list of birds in Uganda are some on the red list of IUCN including the shoebill stork, Albertine rift endemics and other species.

Some of the birds in Uganda include Yellow eyed black Flycatcher, African Hill Babbler, African wood owl, African Green Broadbill, Grey headed Sunbird, Dusky-blue flycatcher, Pink-footed puff  back, saddle bill storks, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, African Finfoot, White-winged warbler, Archer’s robin Chart, Black  collared barbets, Rwenzori Double Collared Sunbird, Band Prinia, Grey headed Gull, White-headed and regal sunbird and others.

Cultural Experience In Uganda

Uganda is a multi-cultural country with so many tribes united by diversity. Some of the cultural experiences to enjoy in Uganda include a visit to the cultural centers including the Kasubi tombs, Karambi tombs, attend a traditional ceremony and others.

Uganda has cultural institutions under traditional leaders such as kings like Kabaka of Buganda kingdom, Omugabe of Ankole kingdom, Kyabazinga of Bisoga kingdom, Omukama of Bunyoro kingdom and others.

The unique traditional styles of Uganda also makes the experience even more excited that is the difference in dress code, foods, language spoken, and traditional ceremonies to mention but a few. There are some seasonal cultural ceremonies you may attend like circumcision amongst the Bagishu who perform this ceremony in an even year only. 

Religious Tour in Uganda

Uganda has freedom of worship and you can plan to tour some of the notable religious destinations in the country including the Uganda Martyr’s Shrine in Namugongo where the religious each year gather on the 3rd of June to celebrate the Uganda Martyrs. These were religious men massacred by one of the Kings in Uganda accusing them of being insolent. A visit to the Namugongo Marty’s shrine is open any time of the year.

The Bahai Temple which is the only one of its kind in Africa is found at Kikaya in Uganda with its well kept gardens and surroundings.

Other religious places in Uganda include Namirembe Cathedral for the Anglicans, Rubaga Cathedral for the Roman Catholics, Gaddafi mosque for the Muslims and others.

Mountaineering in Uganda

Mountain climbing in Uganda is possible too during the off-season. A number of highlands are dotted in different parts of Uganda where you can plan to go for this adventure. Rwenzori mountains in Western Uganda have the highest peak called Magheritah which is 5100 meters can be hiked on a minimum 7 days return trip.

Advance arrangements need to be made so that all necessary preparations are done.

Uganda has other highlands to climb including Mountain Elgon, Mountain Muhavura, Sabyinyo, Gahinga to mention but a few. Even during the rainy season which is the off-tourism season in Uganda, you can enjoy an excursion on some of the highlands in Uganda.

Visit Lake Bunyonyi and Mutanda

The visit to Lake Bunyonyo and Mutanda is a reward of tranquility during a Uganda safari, it is a moment to cherish as you immerse yourself into the aromas of nature away from the often polluted environment of towns. Lake Bunyonyi is a small bird paradise in Uganda nestled in the western part of Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda and has over 20 Islands that can be visited by boat. The most outstanding Island of Lake Bunyonyi is called Akampene Island where girls who get pregnant out of wedlock were abandoned to die as they tried to swim to the shores.

Education Adventure in Uganda

Schools and Institutions in Uganda and open all year except the holidays period. Education of Uganda is according to grades from pre-primary schools, to primary education institutions, Secondary education and tertiary or University education.

In case of research about the education system of Uganda, you need to make advance arrangements so that time of the visit is allocated to you as these schools and institutions work according to the timetable

How safe is Uganda For safaris during the Off Season

Uganda is safe to visit all year and most of the safari destinations in the country have security on ground. For wildlife parks in Uganda, there are ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to offer security within these destinations. There are other Uganda security organs on ground to maintain law and order.

Personal safety must be every tourist’s priority by following the guidelines set up by the management of these Uganda safari destinations.  Protect your belongings from public access by not keeping them in the open especially some of your valuables.

For a taste of Uganda cuisines, try not to eat street food especially in hygienically unsafe locations to protect yourself from food poisoning.

In case you have to attend a briefing before activities like gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris, golden monkey safaris ad others, ensure you attend because sometimes the information to be given concerns your safety. There are rules and guidelines to these safari destinations in Uganda that you need to abide by to be safe.

Avoid dealing with strangers especially those engaging in unlawful activities regarded illegal in Uganda as you may end in prison or pay a hefty penalty. Contact us for more information.

What to Pack For Uganda Safari

• A Camera to keep memories of the Uganda safari experience in Uganda. Uganda has some unique safari destinations worth adding to your bucket list.
• Binoculars to bring closer the far-ranging features at the destinations as sometimes visibility is obstructed by obstacles around these features.
• Rack sack or backpack to carry with your belongings and keep them from scattering.
• Raincoat or waterproof gear in case it is the rainy season and some destinations in Uganda receive untimely rains.
• Swimming costume in case you wish to relax by the pool after a long day in the jungle
• First aid kit with properly prescribed medication in case of an emergency. Most safari destinations in Uganda are in the wilderness
• Warm clothes as temperatures get colder in the morning and late afternoons.
•  A torch to use for lighting in the night in case power runs out
•  Extra fully charged batteries in case one runs out of power
• Travel adapter and charger in case you need to recharge your gadgets
• Water bottle to carry drinking water in case you need it.
• Safari shoes to protect your feet from the harsh conditions in the jungle in case you have to walk in the jungle
•  Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects that may hurt your skin.
• Large brim safari hat to protect your head from buzzing insects that roam the wilderness and other destinations.
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t supply them or just to be sure of them
• Some cash in case you need on ground purchases as credit cards are not a common means of exchange in Africa,
• Sunglasses to use as Uganda is a tropical country where the sun shines so bright

Get in touch with us for more information and please check out our trip advisor for our client's reviews.