Why consider visiting the community on your Uganda Safari

Interacting with the community during Uganda safari gives you chance to learn more about the life of the people in Uganda. Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa with friendly people ready to welcome strangers as this is a manner taught from childhood. Ugandans have a saying that “in the house there is no road”

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What to do when in the community is very important as this helps in selecting those you are to deal with. You can interact with the community socially, conducting some educational camps, heath camps and more but you need to provide suitable documents to back up your desires.

During Uganda safari, you may engage in activities like gorilla safaris, chimpanzee safaris, golden monkey trekking, game safaris, birding and more. With the help of a tour operator, may tailor and customize a Uganda safari itinerary within your time and budget or use some prepackaged Uganda safari itineraries.

Which Uganda Community To Visit During Safari

For Uganda cultural experience

A choice of visiting the traditional institutions of Uganda gives you a glimpse in the local life of some of the oldest traditional institutions in Uganda. In Uganda, there are significant kingdoms including Buganda kingdom, Tooro kingdom, Busoga kingdom, Bunyoro kingdom and more. The history surrounding these Uganda kingdoms speaks volumes of resilience and dedications of their subjects.

While on safari in Kibale a visit to Tooro kingdom is the real deal with a stunning oval palace that overlooks Fort Portal city and compound designed with well-kept beautiful gardens. While in Kampala the capital city of Uganda, a visit to Bulange Mengo the main headquarters of Buganda kingdom is amazing, the view of the manmade Kabaka’s lake and mesmerizing features in the palace.

When on the visit to the source of River Nile in Jinja, a visit to the Busoga palace in Bugembe is exceptional.

Medical Outreaches in Uganda

As a person in the health sector, if you wish to extend medical services to the community, you need to be in touch with a hospital or ministry of health before conducting any health related camp. You need to avail all necessary documents as requested by the ministry of health or hospital. Cover letter, relevant accompanying Curriculum Vitea and more.

Education outreach in Uganda

Uganda has several institutions where you can conduct community outreaches on matters related to education but you need to seek permission from the right authorities. In case you are not directly in contact with the education institution or school, at Encounter Africa safaris through our team, we may assist as ground handlers but patience is necessary.

It is best to follow the right procedure to obtain permission to do an education out reach in Uganda so that your presence is not deemed unlawful. You can volunteer at the elementary, primary, secondary or institutional level.

Religious outreaches in Uganda

Depending on your religious denomination, you can reach out to the communities in Uganda. Uganda has freedom of worship so you can reach out to the religious leaders of your denomination or we may assist with on ground coordinating in relation to your religion.

You need to indicate your reasons for choosing to do a religious out reach in Uganda and other necessary back up documents to assist with convincing the religious leaders to allow your visit.

In Uganda some of the religions include Roman Catholics, Church Of Uganda, Pentecostal, Muslims, Seventh day Adventists, Buddhism, traditional worships, Hindu and more.

In Uganda, there are some religious grounds that are known internationally like the Uganda martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo where a number of young religious men were burnt to ashes, Bahai temple, Gaddafi mosque, Rubaga cathedral, Namirember cathedral and more.

Home Stay Experience in Uganda

While on Uganda safari, you can plan to engage in a home stay adventure to have chance to know more about the daily routine of the people in Uganda. There are some homes ready to take in visitors to have atleast a night and go through the day’s routine at an affordable cost.

When at this home, you may participate in food preparations, try on traditional attires, engage in gardening and more. All these require advance booking so that all necessary preparations can be made for your arrival.

Get in touch for more information.

What to do on Uganda Safari

Gorilla safaris in Uganda

While in Uganda, you can do gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience. Two gorilla safari destination are open in Uganda include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National park.

One must book a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority to participate in this Uganda safari. Do some exercises before engaging in gorilla safaris and pack the right gears to use when on ground.

Chimpanzee Safaris In Uganda

Chimpanzees are the closest human  relatives but to see them, you may choose to do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation Experience. Currently Uganda has a population of about 5000 chimpanzees according to the last census.

In Uganda chimpanzee safaris happen in Kibale National park, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo forest, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and more.

Water activities in Uganda

Even though Uganda is a landlocked country with no coast line, the water bodies within the country are significant in offering a number of water activities. While in Uganda, you can do launch trips especially in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. While on the launch, you can watch amazing wildlife that graces the shoreline and an array of birds that flock to pick some freebies.

A boat trip on the fresh water lakes of Uganda is relaxing like on Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, River Nile, Lake Albert and more. Anglers may get a chance to catch some fresh water fish species including tilapia, Nile perch, cat fish, lung fish and more. One needs a fishing permit to engage in Uganda fishing adventures.

More activities to engage in include swimming, beach activities, kayaking, tubing, visit to the source of River Nile and more.

Birding in Uganda Safari

Uganda is home to more than 1000 bird species a list that is unmatched in Africa. The birding adventures in Uganda may take a day or more depending on your time and budget. Having the company of a birding guide is recommended.

Some of the notable birding sights in Uganda include Mpanga forest, Mabamba swamp, Musambwa Island, Mabira forest, Budongo forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga forest and more.

Some birds in Uganda include shoebill stock, Franser’s Eagle Owl, Angola Swallow, Great Black Headed Gull, Green Sandpiper, Little Bittern, Little Egret, Great White Pelican and more.

Cultural Experience in Uganda

As a multicultural center is amazing to visit with several cultural institutions situated in various parts of the country.  The kingdoms in Uganda weigh a bigger part of the cultural experiences on Uganda safari. Some of the outstanding kingdoms in Uganda include Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Tooro, Rwenzururu and others. Each of these Uganda kingdoms has a king with titles according to the native tribe they lead.

A number of cultural spots can be visited to get a glimpse into the rich culture of the people in Uganda some include the famous Kasubi grass thatched tombs, Karambi tombs, Bulange Mengo Place, Tooro Place, Bugembe place and more. Each of these cultural spots has a rich history which may be explained by the care takers you find on ground but expect language barrier.

Game safaris in Uganda

Uganda National Parks are home to a number of wild animals both herbivores and carnivores. By starting the early morning game drive in Uganda, you may get to see a number of animals before they disperse for the day.

Some of the Uganda game parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

During the game drive in Uganda, you may spot animals including lions, leopards, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, warthogs, cheetahs, aardwolf and more. Even though not all these animals can be spotted in one Uganda game park, in case you are interested in spotting a particular wild animal, state this in advance so that our safari consultant can advise accordingly.

Hiring a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle is better because of the rough nature of the terrain in most game parks. During the season that is March to May and November, most tracks in Uganda game parks are slippery from the heavy rains that fall and decomposing matter.

Religious Centers in Uganda

Uganda has freedom of worship and the country hosts some significant religious centers that attract tourists from world over. The Namugongo Uganda martyrs’ shrine stands out with a history of the massacred of young religious men who were burnt alive. The Bahai Temple is one of its kind in Africa and a special place with stunning views of the Kampala city and well kept compound. The Gadaffi mosque is one of the amazing mosques in Africa seating on old Kampala hill.

How Safe Is Volunteering During Uganda Safari

Uganda is safe for a visit and in case you choose to volunteer during Uganda safari, you need to report to the local authorities about your business especially about the security while on ground. The people of Uganda are very friendly but for your security when on ground is important too.

If volunteering in a Uganda wildlife spot, you need to follow the guidelines necessary to be around these animals. Sometimes you may be required to take some shots especially if you have to get up close. For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, you must attend briefing to get better information about how to behave before and after meeting these primates.

Do pack the right gears for the Uganda safari including a first aid kit with some emergency medications. Do not forget to take antimalarial drugs because Uganda is a tropical country where mosquito bites are rampant. Even when on ground, do sleep under a mosquito net day and night.

Try to keep your belongings especially the valuables away from public access because anyone can pick them and yet tracing them may be quite challenging.

Carry your travel documents with you all the time when in Uganda in case you need identification. Do not forget to have insurance cover when on Uganda safari. Reach out for more information.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Safari And Volunteer In Uganda

The dry season is the best time to do a safari and volunteer in Uganda that is June, July, August, September, October, December and January. The weather is expected to be dry most of the day so you can explore the safari destinations or where you can volunteer.

The population of tourists expected to do Uganda safari activities in the dry season is higher because of high demand for travel to destinations in Africa.  While on Uganda safari, the tracks and trails in different safari destinations throughout the country are quicker to explore. Even those regularly known to hold high humidity can be better explored in the dry season some include Bwindi forest, Mgahinga forest and more

Demand for safari supporting amenities including accommodations, transport is over the top because it is peak season.

While volunteering in the community, the dry season enable you to cover a wider area especially when moving on foot.

Do not give up on visiting Uganda for a safari and volunteering in the wet season which is March, April, May and November. There are normally less tourists reported to visit for safaris in Uganda but an opportunity to enjoy exclusive time around the Uganda safari destinations and volunteer in most destinations of your choice.

Chances of gaining discounts during the Uganda safari are more possible in the wet season when fewer tourists are expected in the country. Most safari service providers lower their costs to breakeven so if you have a low budget, you may take advantage of this low season.

When you volunteer in Uganda especially amongst the community, you support the life of several disadvantaged people. From volunteering in the wildlife centers, you get to learn more about how to take care of these vulnerable animals in the jungle.

Contact our team for more information.