There are a lot of things to do while on holiday in Uganda. From soft adventures to adrenaline adventures, Uganda has a wealth of activities for tourists.The best adventure activities include trekking to the highest peak of Mount Rwenzori (5109m), rafting the Nile, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, bungee jumping, kayaking, forest hikes etc .
Animal lovers can enjoy game drives through well preserved national parks, go birding, visit Reptile Villages etc! There are cinemas, museums, art galleries, health & beauty spas and glitzy casino’s. We have lots of ideas to enhance your stay in the Uganda, so look no further.
Top Things to Do in Uganda
Big five adventure Safaris
Big Five safaris in Uganda are a must-do for anyone fascinated by wildlife. Big Five refers to buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhino and the term comes from the animals considered most dangerous to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.
In Uganda, Prepare to be awed. To see a leopard dozing in the bough of a tree, spotting a white rhino half-hidden in thick shrubs, finding a pride of lions in the shade after a kill, or watching a large herd of elephants or Cape buffalo move soundlessly across the road – these are all priceless moments. Always remember that you’re dealing with wild animals, and that you’re in their territory. There are rules of engagement relating to Big Five safaris in Uganda.
Big Five tour in Uganda you can opt to go to almost any region in Uganda, but the Queen Elizabeth National Park in western region and Murchison falls national park remains an iconic tourism draw card. The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) abound in the park, and you see them by self-drive, guided drives or guided walks.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda is one of the most popular Uganda tour activities. The Chimpanzee commonly shortened as Chimp is one of the primates found in Uganda. Chimpanzees are known to be the closest specie of apes to humans, sharing 98% of the genes that we also have.
While on a Uganda Safari, Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda can be done mainly in Kibale National Park. This park also hosts other primates including a variety of monkey species. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can be done at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary which habituates these chimps.
The weight of a full grown adult male chimpanzee is about 35 to 70 kgs, with about 3 meters tall compared to a female with about 26 to 50 kgs and 2 to 4 feet tall. the life expectancy of Chimpanzees is at the age of 40 while those in captivity can stretch to 60.
Efforts to conserve the chimps are widely acknowledged and supported. The Jane Good all Foundation plays a big role in the conservation of the Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Uganda. Gorilla hub tours ltd is proud to be associated with the Conservation of these primates.
White water rafting
White water rafting is high on many people’s list of things to do in Uganda. With some lots of good rapids and a stunning river with high level its superlative. There are some very exhilarating sections with space between to lay back and float along taking in the landscape and enjoying the nature, particularly the many species of birds to be found here. There are four rafting companies offering day trips and two-day trips covering (45km) with overnight camping. Adrift Adventure Company and Nile River Explorers have been in service since 1996, Equator Rafts started in 2002 and Nalubale Rafting begun operating in 2005
Top class safety equipment and highly qualified and skilled guides run the largest rapids possible. Total rafting is for 25 km of river including some of the best rapids in the world. You don’t have to do all the side runs, except if you want to. The river is graded 4+ to 5 and provides one of the finest day rafting trips on Globe! Massive standing waves leap from the clear blue skies and rock walls tremble from the power of the booming rapids. Be among the first to be familiar with the incredible adventure and excitement of the Nile water rafting.
Carry a swimsuit, a pair of sandals and shorts to wear on the river. You will get wet, so bring a change of outfit. Amenities exist for cameras to be protected from the while on the river. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a grin.
Bungee jumping
Bungee Jumping into Nile River in Uganda is done in Jinja, the adventure Capital of East Africa where your adrenaline is put to full use. With a variety of adventure sports like White water rafting on the longest river in the world-Nile, Kayaking, Zip lining, jet boating, there is one activity that will leap you into a life-change from atop a bungee Jump bridge.
Nile high bungee jump meets the safety standards operated by Award-winning 5-star jump crew, by far the most experienced on the continent. The Purpose-built bungee jump was constructed and operated to the highest Australasian standards. Only persons above 13 years of age are permitted to participate in the thrilling experience.
The view before you jump captures all the majesty and tranquility of the River Nile. Nile high camp is the only bungee jumping service provider and uses pendulum bungee technology to ensure the smoothest, most comfortable bungee jump possible. Jumpers are secured in a full-body harness combined with an ankle connection.
As Gorilla hub tours, we take an extra mile to help you participate in the activity if you are not suffering from any heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, a neurological disorder, or any life threatening disorder. Kindly do not attempt the 44 metres jump, but rather book for horse-riding in Jinja.
Bird watching Safaris
Uganda is a Super birding/bird watching safari destination. This safari is for all categories of birders that is to say twichers, young, old, learners and the safari will be led by a birding instructors with varied experience and knowledge of other wildlife. Our Super Birding Safari starts from central Uganda, down to Lake Mburo one of the best savannah Parks for birding in Uganda as it attracts species from Northern Tanzania, after here we visit Africa’s number one birding site according to African Birding Club, Queen Elizabeth with the biggest birding checklist ever recorded in any game reserve, Kibale Forest the best birding site for the Green Breasted Pitta, Semliki a home to the Guinea Congo Biome Endemic birds, Murchison Falls the No. 3 birding spot of Africa divided into four sections all with excellent birding – Kaniyo Pabid popular for the Puvel’s Illadopsis, The Royal Mile, Busingiro and Northern Murchison Falls gifted with savannah northern migrants plus other endemics, we have also included the isolated Mount Elgon National Park which is another home to the highland species.
Balloon Safaris
Uganda Ballooning safaris usually take place in two national parks; Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park and are run by two companies (Dream Balloons & Balloon Tours Uganda Ltd), all licensed by Uganda civil aviation authority to operate balloon rides in Uganda. Hot Air Ballooning in Uganda is a very awesome adventure but many get freaked out by the $380 and $180 fee for adults and children respectively. It can definitely be the best way to view wildlife in both these national parks if you are willing to spare those extra dollars for it.
All the Uganda ballooning packages above have optional hot air ballooning activities and you should request for it while inquiring with us. Not so many companies will offer you this activity at discounted rates! This activity will sure give you memories and when you are out there, just enjoy every minute of the amazing moment and take as much photographs as you can. Book any of the packages above to get started.
Zip lining adventures
The Mabira Forest Canopy Super Sky way is a canopy “zip-line” system that sends you soaring between the tallest trees in the rain forest. Mabira forest Super Sky way is the most thrilling zip line in Uganda and by far the best zip lining in East Africa which is run by a team that’s well-versed in giving visitors one of the best experiences of ziplining. These Sky Captains make sure you have a safe and fun experience! You will have the opportunity to fly through the rainforest canopy and experience a bird’s eye view of the lively forest below.
other ziplining super skyway are being developed at Itanda Falls that makes you cross over the river nile above the itanda super water falls, Kisiizi waterfall is another superzip line already developed by eauropeans running Kisiizi hospital
Have you ever wondered what primates and birds find fascinating about the forest canopy? Mabira forest in Uganda is a pioneer in canopy exploration, where thick branches serve as platforms for the adventurous traveler, more than 100 feet above the jungle floor. If you’re wondering why you’d want to head to the top of a tree just to look around, remember that 90% of Uganda’s primates and bird species in rainforests live in the upper levels of the trees. When you explore that far off the ground, the view is spectacular and is something you’ll never forget!
Mountain Climbing
Besides Ugandan lying on the equator line, Uganda fascinates a number of climbers in the whole world, because of the snowcapped high ranges of the Rwenzori with Margarita its highest point at 5109 meters above sea level and Muhabura Mountain in the west, alongside the wonderful experience in rugged rocks of Mt. Elgon and Mt. Moroto in the East.
While on the stunning trek of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, expect views of the green tropical rainforests under the equator submerge into the sky as heath forests, while alpine plants like lobelia and everlasting flower appear – a lifetime experience for adventurers with no acrophobia.
Both Mt. Elgon and Mt. Rwenzori are popular destinations for nature lovers providing an exclusive fascination for backpackers trailing the numerous bird species and the rich variety of vegetation zones and wildlife.
Nature walks
Uganda is blessed with beautiful ever green forests where different tourism activities like nature walks or forest walks are conducted. This east African nation has various stunning, unexplored forest reserves attracting many Eco-tourists and researchers to undertake walking tours and safaris to Uganda mainly to enjoy different interesting natural environment offered in these forest sites.
The remarkable forest reserves where visitors on Uganda safaris can enjoy nature walks include the endowed Budongo Forest located in north western Uganda and also formatting part of the Murchison falls conservation area. The forest is one vast forest reserves where travelers on safaris to Uganda interested in having nature walks can enjoy their trip. Participating in the nature trails in the forest reserve offers rare chance for visitors to view different primate species such as the human cuisines i.e. Chimpanzees as well as red and black colobus, monkeys, among others. Besides the primates the interesting nature walk through the dense ever green tree species in the forest enable the visitors to have an encounter with different forest bird species such as white-thighed horn-bill as well as species of puvel’s illadopsis housed in the forest.
The other recommendable forest reserve where one can enjoy nature walks while on his or her safari tour to Uganda is Mabira Forest which is just located mere 54km from Kampala Uganda’s capital city along Kampala –Jinja route. The green thick Mabira Forest can be explored discovered through participating in one of the extensive nature trails.
Boat Cruise adventures
Boat cruise at times called boat trip, launch cruise, this tourist activity is so enjoyable while on a Uganda safaris. The activity is done by the boat sailing on water with a helmsman inside plus the tourists on Uganda safari are carried out on the lakes like, Lake Victoria ,lake George and so many others. It is also enjoyed in the National Parks of Uganda by the Tourists on their safaris in Uganda. National parks like Murchison falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyonyi National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and so many others give tourists the best of this activity therefore having fun on their Uganda safaris.
Tourists that carryout the boat cruises are always exposed to the water animals like the crocodiles, hippos, birds and so many others. The activity also extends you to different wildlife attractions as you drive round the areas near the lakes. This is so interesting that all tourists on Uganda safaris should not miss this activity.
Beach holiday vacations
Beaches? In Uganda? Yes. We may be a landlocked country but this is also the Great Lakes region so you can round off your safari with a couple of days relaxing at the beach, on the Sesse Islands, in Lake Victoria.
This is the perfect place to unwind. Enjoy the white sandy beaches, indulge in a spot of fishing or bird watching or wander around the island and enjoy unrivalled views of the lake. Spa treatments are also available if you would like a little pampering before returning home. The Sesse Islands are also the perfect place for a honeymoon with romantic walks along secluded beaches and candle-lit suppers by the lake shore.