It is undeniable that first-time travelers to Uganda will wish to undertake game drives (in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, or even Lake Mburo National Park), and go gorilla tracking in Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, there is more to the Pearl of Africa than these two unforgettable wildlife experiences. We bring you some of the undiscovered wildlife experiences that you should consider the next time you make a plan to go on a Uganda safari in a remarkable and breathtaking country.
There are lots of wildlife safari experiences that you can enjoy in Uganda. From rare experiences such as gorilla trekking to traditional game viewing safaris in national parks, there is a lot to do. Here are the top safaris;
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking (chimpanzee trekking) in Kibale Forest, the Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Pabidi Forest (Murchison Falls) and Nyungwe Forest National Park (Reserve Forestiere de Nyungwe). See the orphaned chimpanzees in the Chimp sanctuary on Ngamba Island
- Game drives (safaris) on the savannas of Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley NP and Akagera National Park (Parc National de l’Akagera). Spot the tree climbing lions on the plains of Ishasha, southern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Walking safaris in Semuliki National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, Nyungwe Forest and Mgahinga National Park
- Go for birding in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable and Akagera National Park. Go for birding in Mabira Forest, Kaniyo Pabidi (Budongo Forest), Sebitole (Kibale NP), Bigodi Swamps, Maramagambo Forest (Queen Elizabeth) Ruhija (Bwindi), Mubwindi Swamp, Mabamba Swamp and Lake Bunyonyi.
Experience Tourism Adventures
One of the undiscovered wildlife Experiences in Uganda is Experiential Tourism Adventures that include lion tracking, bird counts, Hippo Census, and Mongoose tracking. If you ever desire to enjoy any of these activities, then Queen Elizabeth National Park is the place for you. These activities are virtually undiscovered yet are worthwhile and more rewarding. Most visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park will prefer the ordinary game drives yet chances of sighting big cats especially lions are by luck. However, with lion tracking, you will even go off-track and are guaranteed to see the “Kings of the Jungle”. These lions are marked with locater trackers and when you participate in this activity, you can learn their behavior. Hippo Census provides a closer encounter with the Hippos in Kazinga Channel, compared to the ordinary boat rides.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Often left unnoticed by visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Golden Monkey Tracking is one of the thrilling yet undiscovered wildlife experiences in Uganda, scientifically known as “Cercopithecus kandti”, golden monkeys are species of Old-World monkeys that occupy the Highland Bamboo forests of Virunga Mountain slopes. In Uganda, they can be tracked in the country’s smallest Protected Area, but most visitors ignore the adventure, preferring mountain gorilla tracking, yet their long golden hair mixed with Orange are a sight to behold. Tracking them isn’t as exhausting as Gorilla trekking because they occupy the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains, in addition to the fact that they don’t build their new nests each day thus no need for trackers to go ahead of time to find them.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience
This activity is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and allows visitors to track and meet semi-habituated mountain gorillas to spend up to four hours with these Giant Apes. Providing more private and intimate encounters, this Experience is done by only four visitors who track the only available gorilla family at the time of writing in the Rushaga sector, in the southern part of the Park. During your rare adventure, you will get the chance to walk through the natural habitat of the mountain gorillas and have the exceptional privilege of taking as many photos as you can, something that many visitors can’t get when undertaking the standard gorilla treks that allow spending only one hour with the mountain gorillas.
See the Tree Climbing Lions
The Tree-climbing lions in Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park known as Ishasha sector are often overlooked by visitors to this National Park in favor of the game drives in the Northern part of the Protected Area. Surprisingly, the tree-climbing lions are found in only two places in the Whole World Ishasha and Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania and therefore seeing them is always a once in a lifetime Experience. Coupled with the seclusion of the sector and other remarkable wildlife species that roam through the area, sighting the extraordinary tree climbing lions is a truly irresistible yet undiscovered wildlife experience in Uganda.
There is no scientific evidence as to why these big cats climb and spend the larger time of their days on trees but some believe it is a behavioural adaptation to protect themselves from the irritating insect bites that they are likely to face on the ground, while others say it is a way of escaping the scorching heat.
Conclusion
Uganda’s hidden wildlife experiences offer a fresh and exciting perspective for those seeking more than the typical safari activities. From tracking lions and golden monkeys to witnessing the rare tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, the country’s less-explored activities provide an intimate connection with nature. These adventures not only allow you to discover new species and ecosystems but also offer a deeper understanding of Uganda’s biodiversity. The next time you plan a trip to Uganda, consider stepping beyond the usual attractions and immersing yourself in these extraordinary wildlife encounters.