What is it like combing Uganda safari and volunteering

Combining Uganda safari and volunteering in Uganda depends on your reason for choosing Uganda as your destination. Uganda as an African safari destination has so much options of adventurous activities open all year.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day Murchison Falls National Park safari

2 Day Lake Mburo game & Boat safari

3 Day Lake Mburo wildlife, boat & walking safari

4 Day Kidepo Valley Fly in Safari

3 Day Queen Elizabeth wildlife safari

3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking safari

16 Days Primates, Game & Culture

19 Day Best of Uganda Safari

3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation Safari

5 Days Gorillas & Game Safari

A number of safari activities are open for booking in Uganda including primate safaris, game safaris, water activities, cultural experience, physical challenges, relaxing activities and more. Uganda is a country gifted by nature but to enjoy its safari adventures you need to select which activities suit your desired budget so that an itinerary can be customized to your interest.

Volunteering in Uganda ranges from education to wildlife support to health to religious or social support and more. It is best to suggest which category of voluntary service your interest is so that necessary in ground arrangements can be made. Try to avail the details of your volunteering services so that arrangements can be made in advance.

What to do on Uganda safari

Gorilla safaris

Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences stand on the top tier of all Uganda safari activities. Uganda is one of the only countries in the world that host Mountain gorillas with Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Every tourists booking a gorilla safari in Uganda must acquire a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority as the only confirmation to this adventure. The number of gorilla permits is restricted to maximum 8 per trek in order not to overwhelm these highly suspicious primates with masses.

Gorilla safaris in Uganda happen in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in the southwestern part of the country.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda happen in various parts of the country because their habitants are distributed in different parts of the country. A chimpanzee safari in Uganda requires having a permit to do either chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience. Uganda currently has about 5000 chimpanzees as per the last population census.

Kibale National park is the primary chimpanzee sanctuary of Uganda, Kaniyo pabidi forest in Murchison falls National Park, Kyambura gorger in Queen Elizabeth National park and more.

Chimpanzees in Uganda live in communities under the leadership of an alpha male who is democratically chosen and not an inherited duty.

Game safari in Uganda

Uganda is a great game safari destination and home to some unique wild animals with atleast the four of the big five as residents in the country. Some of the game safari destinations in Uganda include Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls National park, Kidepo valley National park and lake Mburo National Park.

While on a game drive in Uganda, some of the possible animals you may spot include lions, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs and more. Even though all these animals are not found in one location, when interested in finding a particular animal, request for guidance from the safari consultant so that the right advise can be given.

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is an avian rich country with over 1000 bird species discovered throughout the country. The varied vegetation zones in different part of the country offer chances to spotting a wide range of birds. Some of the birds to see on Uganda birding safari include shoebill stork, saddlebill stork, handsome francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Egyptian Geese and more.

Some of eth birding destinations in Uganda include Mabira forest, Mabamba swamp, Musambwa Island, Botanical gardens, Mpanga forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo National Park and more.

Water activities in Uganda

Uganda may have on ocean coastline but the water sources within its boundaries offer chances to various water activities. Some of the water activities to do in Uganda include white water rafting, launch trips, sports fishing, beach activities, Island get aways and more.

Mountaineering in Uganda

Hiking in Uganda is amazing where you may get the chance to test your fitness level. Mountain Rwenzori is the highest mountain in Uganda with snowcapped Magheritah at a height of 5109 meters. Excursion guided hikes in Uganda can also be arranged on request including mountain hiking on Muhavura, Gahinga and sabyinyo.

Cultural walks in Uganda

Uganda is a multi-cultural country having so much to discover for ethnologists. In Uganda, there are different tribes with tribal leader especially leading cultural institutions including Buganda kingdom, Bunyoro Kingdom, Tooro kingdom, Busoga kingdom and more.

Having a taste of local cuisine in Uganda is amazing  but these are prepared differently giving you multiple taste of varied foods from a number of tribes.

Nature walks in Uganda

Make peace with nature by taking a guided nature walk in various safari destinations. There are several natural walks that can be arranged during Uganda safari that take you through the aromas of nature. Walk out for the amazing sceneries including stunning features, luxuriant green cover, different resident animals, birds and more.

Nature walks like to the top of the falls in Murchison Falls National park take you to the point where the drama that led to the formation of powerful Murchison falls is generated as river Nile wonder over a bed of rocks for over 80 kilometers then squeeze through a 6 meters wide gorge.

Volunteering Activities in Uganda

Uganda offers volunteering chances that range from education to social support, to heath, to religious and more. To Volunteer in Uganda, you need to select where your interest is then through our information office we can assist trace where you can serve during the volunteer time in the country.

Provide details of where your Volunteering preference is so that we can get in contact with them to make necessary arrangements for your time in case you do not have specific arrangement with them.

Avail your personal details and other personal details they request for but we request for your patience because sometimes in Africa work may not be done as quickly as you wish.

Why Choose Uganda Safari and Volunteering

Ugandans are friendly people and offer a warm welcome to every stranger because this is taught from childhood. Note that in Uganda, offering someone a smile is at free will and this you can notice as you drive or walk along for those who choose to volunteer in the country.

By visiting the Uganda safari destinations, there is so much to enjoy beyond the information given to the public. This is why Uganda is one of the rich safari destination in Africa although its beauties are underrated. Uganda which is also referred to as the Pearl of Africa is a primate haven, a great game safari, birding anchorage, source of River Nile and so much more.

When you do a Uganda safari you contribute to the conservation of nature especially when you pay required conservation fees. For gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey safaris in Uganda, purchasing permits supports the survival of these endangered primates.

While on Uganda safari, you have a chance of combining several wildlife safaris without crossing borders.

When Is The Best Time To Do Uganda Safari And Volunteering

Uganda is open for safari activities all year because the country is not affected by extreme weather. Uganda has two major seasons that is wet or dry season but these do not stop safari activities

The dry season however is most favored timing for Uganda safaris because most activities are outdoor. The humidity is lower at most Uganda safari destinations permitting faster movement for those on foot or driving through. Even gorilla safaris that happen in extremely cold destinations in western Uganda where rainfalls without warning are not affected by change in weather.

For volunteering in Uganda, the dry season enable those working in the community to explore them well

During the wet season, Uganda safaris are open too even though fewer tourists are received in the country. The wet season which is March to May and November is normally the low tourism season in Uganda too.

The environment in the wilderness and most Uganda safari destinations is characterized by wet conditions and fully grown vegetation in the National parks. For those desiring to have undisturbed moments while on Uganda safari, this is the ideal time when no or few people are expected at most destinations.

How Much Is The Cost Of Uganda Safari And Volunteering

The costs of Uganda safari are categorized into three that is luxury, mid-range and basic. The cost of some universal items depend on the choice of safari activity you choose. The choice of gorilla, chimpanzee or golden monkey safari each requires booking a permit but there costs cut across all safari categories.

Additional expenses expected to be incurred during Uganda safari include accommodation costs, transport costs, meals, diver guide hire and more.

On your personal expenses, include some extra hard cash to use for on ground purchases and extra services that are excluded on your final safari quotation.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we encourage our clients to extend a generous hand to those who offer great service while on safari by tipping them. Tipping is a token of appreciation but an encouragement to service providers to even better their worker.

General Information about Uganda To know When On Uganda safari and Volunteering

The roads in Uganda are bumpy right from the city centers to the countryside so donot expect a smooth ride.

People of Uganda are friendly even to strangers because this behavior is taught right from childhood so do not be shocked by a free smile or someone reaching out to you.

Heavy traffic in Uganda especially the town center especially at peak time hours so in case you are to travel to different spots in towns, plan for traffic interference too.

No common local Language spoken in Uganda other than English which is the official language but not everyone is literate and can effectively communicate to you.

Mind the safety of your precious belongings while moving in Uganda town centers because there are pick pocketers.

Move with your travel documents in Uganda for identification in case you are lost or need assistance. Most in Uganda roads are not clearly demarcated or on google map so you need a driver guide familiar with various routes in Uganda in case you have to travel upcountry for the first time.

How safe is Uganda as a safari destination

Uganda is a safe safari destination with Uganda Wildlife Authority in control of most destination. Each Uganda safari destination has rules and briefing is compulsory before attending activities that require walking in the jungle including gorilla safari, chimpanzee safaris, golden monkey safaris, nature walks and more.

When on Uganda safari in a game park, ensure you do not get out of your jeep unless in company of an armed guide even when you wish to take toilet breaks. This is because you do not know what may be watching from the woods or acacia trees. Do not move outside pof your room at night because the wilderness is dangerous.

Do not push your head out of your vehicle window while on game drive on Uganda safari because a predator may jump over and hurt you. Try not to tease or hoot at the wild animals while on game drive because this may cause them to charge at you.

Drive at a recommended speed while on a game drive in Uganda and try not to go off track because you will put down the wild animals and end up being penalized.

Try to plan hikes during Uganda safari in the dry season so that you can move faster and don’t forget to carry the right hiking gears.

As you move in town centers in Uganda, try not to keep your valuables in visible spots of your baggage because pick pocketers are on the watch.

When on safari in Uganda, the safety of your belongings and yourself starts with you.

What To Pack For Uganda Safari And Volunteering

When planning to travel to Uganda for a safari and Volunteering, take note of the season that is dry or wet so that you pack accordingly. During the wet season, Uganda is very cold in most places and very cold in most game safari destinations especially in the morning and late afternoon.

• Safari attire
• Warmers
•  Safari hat
• Extra changing clothes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Garden gloves for safaris in the wilderness
• Flip flops
• Camera
• Backpack
• Insect repellants
• Water bottle
• Fully charged batteries

For more information, please get in touch with us.