Tips for planning a perfect wildlife safari in Uganda

Just like her neighbors Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda is fast becoming a top safari destination receiving more tourists every year. Best known for primate trekking especially gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, traveling to Uganda was made easy due to the different airlines that fly into the country either directly or through other countries. 

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The country has two seasons which are the rainy and dry seasons and this is due to the landscape that comprises Lakes and rivers, Mountains, hills, and lowlands. Uganda was described as the pearl of Africa and for a good reason below is a list of what you should do to have a good first-time safari to Uganda.

Different terminologies are used in safaris and these include the big five ....are top tourist destinations in Africa and these include lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinos, and Buffalos, Sundowner and this is a happy hour where tourists get to relax with a drink as they enjoy the sunset and the bush and this is basically where the wildlife if found. It might not look like a bush, but it is still home to the wild and that is why it is referred to as bushveld. There are so many activities that you can carry out while on a safari in Uganda including fishing expeditions, gorilla trekking, game drives, birding, hiking up the Mountains, and many more others.

Uganda is an all-year-round safari destination whether you are planning on game drives, water activities, or birding and it is extremely important if you properly plan for the safari to be able to enjoy it. When planning a perfect Uganda safari destination, there are things that you need to consider and these include the following:

Decide on the destination

Uganda is an all-around destination with a lot of destinations to choose from. Uganda is mainly a wildlife destination with about 10 main National Parks that you can choose from and these include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Pian Upe National Park, and Semuliki National Park among others. The best time to visit the National Park is during the dry season when the animals can easily be spotted.

Uganda is home to different wildlife species which include both birds and animals. Some of the most common animal species that you are likely to see while on a safari in Uganda include buffalos, elephants, different monkey species like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, and red colobus, climbing lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, warthogs, hippos, Nile crocodiles, baboons, Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Rhinos, sitatungas and many more others.

Decide on the duration of your safari

The number of days that you plan on spending on your safari will determine the activities that you will carry out on your safari in Uganda. If this is your first time, there is a lot that the country has to offer and the most taken safaris include 3-day safaris, 4-day safaris, and 5-day safaris to Uganda. You can however spend more days exhausting almost all the safari destinations within the country.

We suggest that you first plan on a gorilla trek and a big five-game drive safari as you plan for other activities. Note that the more days that you spend on a safari, the more money you are going to spend, and the reverse is true. We suggest that you try and spend at least 8 days on your first visit to Uganda to exhaust all the fun activities.

Decide on when to go

The next step is to decide when you are going to travel. When you have the perfect destination, you need to know that Uganda experiences two seasons which are the dry and wet seasons and these are high determinants of when you are to travel due to the different activities that are carried out in the different seasons.

The dry season is generally experienced twice a year from December to February and June to August. This is the best time to carry out activities like game drives where you get to see numerous animals in the different National Parks across the country, guided nature walks, gorilla trekking activities, and many more. This is also known as the peak season so expect to pay almost double or sometimes triple the normal price on everything, especially the lodges.

The wet season on the other hand also known as the low or shoulder season is the best time for tourists traveling on a budget. Although other activities can be carried out during the wet season, birding is the highlight of the season due to the presence of numerous migratory bird species. We also advise that you advise that you first find out if your destinations have any restrictions before making arrangements.

In conclusion, the best time to go for a wildlife safari in Uganda depends on the safari activities you wish to engage in.

Accommodation arrangements and activities

The next step is finding out the different activities and choosing the ones you prefer to do. If you are planning on trying out an all-inclusive safari, you will have to use a local tour operator to help you organize the trip and this includes transportation and accommodation. 

Activities are highly determined by the seasons experienced in the country. The local tour operator will help you choose the best activities carried out in the different seasons and since this will be your first time, we suggest that you listen to their advice since most of them have been organizing safaris in Uganda for a long time. When we talk about activities, there are several that you can engage in while on a safari to Uganda and these include boat rides, bird watching, game drives, guided nature walks, cultural trips, kayaking, and primate walks among others. When you pay for the safari, game drives are already catered for but other activities will be paid for separately if you wish to engage in any.

Accommodation is categorized into three categories basic facilities, mid-range facilities, and luxury accommodation facilities. your budget will determine which type of facility you are to use and this is where the tour operator comes in, helping you make the best choice that fits into your budget and needed services. Accommodation includes tented camps, deluxe rooms, and family suites, and many of these are located either within the National Parks or in the towns nearby to enable easy transportation of tourists. The rooms are always decent and have basic facilities like bathrooms and toilets. Meals from different parts of the world are prepared by a professional chef and these are provided at the accommodation facilities.

What to pack for your safari

Packing for a Ugandan safari can be a little tricky especially if it is your first time but the one thing that you should put into consideration when packing for your safari is the time when you plan on visiting the country. You do not need to carry a lot of things because heavy luggage might make it hard for you to enjoy your safari. Safari charter small planes and vehicles do not have space for heavy luggage so you need to make sure that whatever you have packed is essential. A few general essential things that you might need to pack for your safari include good strong hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants (all in neutral colors, since bright colors attract the attention of the animals and camouflage, is attached to the army), a camera and extra batteries, binoculars, waterproof backpack, and rain jacket for the rainy season, sunscreen, sunhat, toiletries, and insect repellent among others. Lodges provide laundry services but at an extra cost and that is why we say that carry what is only essential and nothing more.

Cost of the safari

Research and find out the cost of your safari as part of your safari plan. Many people say that African safaris are so expensive but the reason why some costs are high is because of the poor infrastructure leading to the National Parks and the remoteness of where they are located. The cost of a safari normally includes park entrance fees, transport, accommodation, and an experienced local guide. The cost also sometimes includes government permits but it does not include your air ticket and extra costs. An average safari per person in Uganda can go as low as $200 per day and as high as $1000 per day.

The cost of the safari is influenced by several factors which include the type of accommodation you choose when you plan on traveling to the country (dry or wet season), the number of activities you intend on participating in during the safari, the size of the group (big groups tend to pay less because of shared costs) and tips among others. Note that the cost of the safari to Uganda differs depending on the tour company you have decided to go with because individual operators have different operational costs that you should research.

Read more about the safari destination

All safari destinations in Uganda have rules and regulations that you have to follow if you don’t want to pay fines or be banned from the premises. When you are through with deciding on where to go, research and read more about the safari destination and find out about the dos and don’ts so that you don’t make any mistakes. Note that most of the safari destinations in Uganda are found in remote areas and you will have to at least learn a few phrases in the local language to ease the communication although this is not a must.

Get a licensed local safari company

This does not only work for tourists visiting the country for the first time but it also applies to seasoned tourists. If you carry out extensive research, you will notice that many people will recommend using a licensed and trustworthy safari company by reading through reviews online. Note that the local tour company that will help you in planning your safari will be responsible for your transportation from one place to the next and your accommodation plus meals.

The reason why local tour operators are the best is that they know more about the various destinations, what to expect, where to spot the animals, the best birding spots, and how to beat the traffic and get the best deals out of everything.

Local tour operators come with local tour guides who pick you up from the airport, drive you to different destinations, and generally manage your whole safari stay in Uganda. The local tour guides make sure that everything is in place by being in touch with the different service providers like the lodges. Every person that you get to meet while on your safari is a professional and these provide excellent services to their guests. The only thing that will not be included in your safari is the extra expenses like tips, money for souvenirs, and extra days spent on a safari.

Don’t forget about travel insurance

Planning a safari to Uganda and Africa, in general, is not an easy fit. The process involves investing a lot of money in booking transportation, accommodation, and flights. Travel insurance is necessary because of unavoidable circumstances like cancelling flights which is not a rare case in Africa and besides travel insurance, you will also need medical insurance because you do not want to be taken to the general state hospitals when you get a medical emergency.

If you are not planning on organizing everything on your own, planning a safari to Uganda even if it is your first time is an easy fit and we are here to help you plan an unforgettable trip. We will focus on what you want, and the fun activities, and make sure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout your stay. Contact us at Encounter Safaris to ensure that you have the best experience on a Uganda Wildlife safari.