Things to see and do in Southwestern Uganda in 2024-25

Things to see and do in southwestern Uganda in 2024-25. The southern western part of Uganda has plenty of activities, and the majority are eco-friendly. The prime Uganda safari activity in the southwestern part of Uganda is gorilla safaris, which include gorilla trekking and habituation experience. Additionally, while in this area, you can do golden monkey safaris, birding, mountaineering excursions, tranquil Lake Bunyonyi, Batwa pygmy community visits, scenic viewing, and much more.

Most Popular Safaris

4 Days Gorillas and Golden Monkey Safari

2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari through Kigali

3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari

5 Day off season Gorilla and Chimp Safari

5 Day Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Safari

16 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari

5 Day Gorilla & Chimp Tracking Safari

5 Day Low season Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari

5 Day Uganda Gorillas & Game Safari via Kigali

5 Day Gorilla Habituation & Chimps

Exhausting the possible safari activities you can engage in while in southwestern Uganda is hard. To explore the majority of attractions and activities in western Uganda, you need a well-planned and tailored itinerary covering most of your interests and within your African holiday time frame. This is because these attractions are separated by the rugged terrain of this area, moving from one place to another challenging.

Some of the Uganda safari destinations of southwestern Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhavura, and others.

What to Do in South Western Uganda 2024 -2025

Gorilla safaris

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are Uganda's only gorilla safari homes. Uganda hosts almost half the total number of the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world. You can choose to do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience.

Gorilla trekking is an adventure where tourists follow a fully habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them. Currently, Uganda has over 21 gorilla families in the four regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, and in Mgahinga National Park. The maximum number of gorilla trekking permits is 8 to minimize the effects of mass tourists to the forest.

The gorilla habituation experience is a safari where tourists follow a team of researchers and rangers in the wilderness to be with a semi-habituated gorilla family for four hours. These gorilla families may present some odd behavior but follow the instructions of the researchers and ranger guides as they now have clues on dealing with these mountain gorillas.

One must secure a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to access gorilla safaris. Still, due to overwhelming demand worldwide, the number of permits is restricted, so booking is recommended.

How much is the gorilla permit for Uganda?

Currently, the cost of an Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 per person for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000shs for East Africans.

A Gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $1000 for foreign residents, and 750,000 for East African residents.

The cost of a gorilla permit for Uganda covers park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, security during gorilla safari, one hour of gorilla trekking or four hours of gorilla habituation experience, government tax, a certificate after the safari, and mountain gorilla conservation. 

Golden monkey safaris

The natural rain forests in western Uganda provide a home to the charming golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park. Scientifically, the golden monkeys are called Cercopithecus mitis kandti. They are some of the most endangered primates in the world, with a population of about 2,000 to 4,000. The golden monkeys are charming and habituated to be in company with; they still bear their natural traits.

Golden monkeys have golden brown hairs at the lower bottom and a considerable body structure compared to the normal size of other monkey species.

 You can do golden monkey trekking, following a fully habituated troop of monkeys and having one hour with them, or have a golden monkey habituation experience. 

You accompany a team of habituators and researchers in the wilderness and spend four hours with the golden monkeys.

 To access the golden monkey activity, one must possess a golden monkey permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Packing the right golden monkey gear makes you comfortable walking in the jungle.

 On the golden monkey day, you have to present the permit for registration. They attend the briefing, allocate a golden monkey troop, and then follow the ranger guide in the forest. Only one hour is allowed with full-habituated golden monkeys and four hours with a semi-habituated troop.

How much is the Uganda Golden Monkey permit?

 A Golden Monkey trekking permit costs $60 for foreign nonresidents, $40 for foreign residents, and 40000 shs for East Africans.

A golden monkey habituation experience permit costs $100 for foreign nonresidents, $80 for foreign residents, and 100,000 for East Africans.

The golden monkey permit covers ranger guide fees, security, government tax, golden monkey conservation support, community support, one hour with the golden monkeys 

during golden monkey trekking or four hours with the golden monkeys during the habituation experience.

The price of Golden Monkey permits excludes Park entrance fees, transport, snacks, porter hire, and any other personal expenses. 

 Birding in Uganda in southwestern Uganda

The southern part of Uganda provides a comfortable home for several bird species to thrive. The varying vegetation zones of this area act as a magnet to several bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in Uganda. The forests of the southwestern part of Uganda are home to several bird species, and with a well-tailored Uganda birding itinerary, you can have the best of this destination.

Some of the birding destinations of southwestern Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda swamps, and Mafuga forest, to mention but a few.

During birding in the southwestern part of Uganda, you may encounter birds like Rwenzori Turaco, Lagden's Bush-shrike, Dusky Turtle Dove, Shelley's Crimsonwing, Malachite Sunbird, Alpine chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, and others.

These birds thrive in habitats like montane forests, bamboo, Afro-alpine moorland, medium altitude moist evergreen forests, swampy vegetation, and others.

Lake Bunyonyi scenic tour

Lake Bunyonyi is a tranquil but scenic lake in southwestern Uganda. Its 29 islands dotted around it are worth navigating. The most outstanding island is Akampene island, where girls who got pregnant out of wedlock were abandoned to die or drown, trying to swim in this deepest lake.

Several birds linger in the swamps around Lake Bunyonyi, but locally, the word Bunyonyi means small birds, which is apt for this area. Several small birds can be spotted around the lake and the nearby forest.

While in Lake Bunyonyi, you may navigate the different islands by boat. Enjoy the incredible scenery of Lake Bunyonyi, take part in thrilling zip lining, swim in the lake, take a community visit, and more.

Excursion Mountaineering on the three volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park

Within Mgahinga National Park is mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhavura and Mountain Sabyinyo. You can do an excursion mountaineering adventure of 8-hour return hike on either of these highlands. 

Hiking mountain Muhavura to its pretty crater lake. While hiking, you get up about 1800 meters to more than 4100 meters. You walk through Mountain Muhavura's alpine vegetation and superb panoramic views.

You go through the Muhavura trail, which provides the quickest and shortest ascent. From the top of Mountain Muhavura, you can spot five other volcanoes: the Rift Valley, Lake Edward, and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Hiking mountain Sabyinyo gets you to the peak, where you can simultaneously see the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo as they converge on the summit.

A guided hike on Mountain Gahinga gives you an opportunity to walk through a bamboo forest to the lush swamp close to the crater on the summit. Taking photographs of the surroundings for future memories is worth doing.

Batwa Cultural Visits

Batwa were some of the victims of mountain gorilla conservation as they were evicted from their ancestral and sole provider, the forest, which they shared with the mountain gorillas. The Batwa occupied areas around the mountain gorilla destinations like the Bwindi and Mgahinga forests.

Visiting the Batwa community is one way to support their livelihood. You can get on a guided private Batwa community walk with a Mutwa guide in the lead with special arrangements. The Mutwa guide understands their past and takes tourists through their ancestors' trails and forest life.

The most prominent Batwa community destination is around the Mgahinga forest, where you can visit the Batwa trail and Garama cave. This trail leads from the base of mountain Muhavura to Garama cave. The Batwa also practiced subsistence hunting and gathering life in the forest.

Visiting the Gautama cave, which lies beneath plateaus near the northern edge of the park, is about 3 kilometers from Ntebeko. In the past, the Garama cave was located deep in the forest. The cave also acted as the council of chambers point or retreat spot after the Batwa raided the Bafumbira farmlands.

From the Garama cave, you can enjoy the folk tales of the Batwa or local dance moves, but this requires booking.

Besides the Batwa, you can also visit other communities in and around the southwestern part of Uganda. Take the Buhoma or Nkuringo community walk to participate in banana brewing and see the traditional healer, blacksmith, and others. 

Visit Lake Matanda

If you wish for some quiet time and moments away from the chaotic life of the city, Lake Mutanda offers you the best destination. Enjoying the lush green vegetation around Lake Mutanda. Taking a boat ride on this beautiful lake is rewarding.

Nature walks in the forests of Southwestern Uganda

The nature walks in the forests of southwestern Uganda allow you to see other primates like olive baboons, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, chimpanzees in Bwindi forest, black and white colobus, and red-tailed monkeys. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and quietness from the different spots in this area.

Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park 

On your way to the southwestern part of Uganda, you can engage in game drives through the tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is a biosphere reserve with several features to look out for, like the jagged Rwenzori ranges and several wet and dry crater lakes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park seats on the floor of the Rift Valley, where several wild animals find a home. During the game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, rare leopards, topis, and climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the pack.

 A launch trip on the Kazinga channel is rewarding as you relax and also opens opportunities to see wild animals along the shoreline that you may have missed during the game drive. Animals regularly move down to Kazinga channel banks to quench their thirst and bathe. 

What to Pack For A tour to the Southwestern Park of Uganda

When planning and packing for a safari in the western part of Uganda, you do not need to pack over but carry what is relevant.

• Warmers are needed as the southwestern corner of Uganda gets so cold in the early morning or late afternoon. 
• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far-ranging objects.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays 
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• Extra fully charged batteries are to be changed in case one runs low.
• Travel An adapter and charger in case you need them for your electronic equipment.
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Raincoat in case it rains during chimpanzee trekking
• Comfortable shoes for trekking in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness.  
• Sunglasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water from the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects 
• Some cash is used for on-ground purchases because credit cards are not commonly used in Africa because of the lengthy procedure of acquiring money from them.
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you.
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the chimpanzee trekking experience and other activities you combine with. 

Contact us to plan your trip in Southwestern Uganda today.