The Nile River is the world’s longest river and can be explored with a 2-hour riverboat cruise which usually starts from the newly formed Bujagali Lake, between Owens Falls Dam and the Bujagali Dam. The spot is at the Source of the Nile, in Jinja. You will be able to see beautiful scenery, birdlife, and animals. You can enjoy lunch cruises or even a breathtaking sunset cruise offered by Nile River Explorers, Noah’s Ark, and Nile River Camp.
At Murchison Falls National Park, the launch trip upstream from Paraa to Murchison Falls’ foot presents a fantastic display of wildlife and birdlife. The launch departs at 9 am and 2 pm daily and takes three hours. A boat trip to the Nile-Lake Albert Delta is a 4 to 5-hour return voyage and takes in various other wildlife and birds. This voyage is recommended for birders on a morning cruise downstream to sight the elusive Shoebill. Alternatively, a tranquil sundowner cruise offers the classic view of a tropical sunset reflected on the river.
At Queen Elizabeth National Park, The boat cruise at the Kazinga channel is enriching for viewing most wildlife that comes to the channel’s banks for water. The boat cruise is operated from 11 am – 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm local time. The boat cruise begins at the Mweya peninsula, 20 km west of Kasese-Mbarara main road through Katunguru.
Bush camping allows you to spend the night in the midst of the park’s wildlife..
During your wilderness adventure you can take guided nature walks, thrilling night drives and learn more about the park as you sit around the campfire for storytelling.
Our closest cousin, the chimpanzee, shares at least 94% of its DNA with humans. Sociable, communicative and intelligent, one of the chimp’s most astonishing traits is its ability to use tools such as rocks for smashing nuts, empty pods for scooping water and sticks for drawing termites from their nests.
As these skills are passed from generation to generation, it has been observed that different troops are specialists in different tasks, depending on their habitat and diet.
Chimpanzees live in communities containing 10 to 100 members. They hold hands, kiss, groom each other and babysit for each other’s offspring – young chimps do not become independent until around the age of four. But they can also be aggressive and unfriendly, particularly towards unrelated individuals.
Though they spend a lot of time on the ground, chimpanzees usually eat and sleep in trees. Their varied diet includes leaves, fruit, flowers and seeds.
This is a relaxed and mellow ride for family or young children. It is an ideal trip for younger children to get a chance to float and swim down a peaceful stretch of the river. Drift down calm green pools in the sunset while getting up close to the remarkable birdlife along the Victoria Nile.
You can also take the houseboat safari with the capacity to accommodate 8 people and has 2 crew members who will also provide the meals. You will relax and enjoy fishing, scenery landscape, primates and birdlife.
In Murchison Falls National Park game viewing can be enjoyed while on a game drive in several designated game drive areas. The main areas are the Delta where there are great chances of seeing the Lions in wait for prey as they go to drink, the Buligi Peninsula and the southern sector famoulsy known as the heart of Murchison. Our exprienced gu
The network of game tracks in the east of the park passes a variety of landscape features including acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rock outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife.
For a classic African safari experience, the tracks through Kasenyi, the North Kazinga Plains and the Ishasha Sector offer virtually guaranteed buffalo, antelope and elephant sightings, along with warthogs and baboons. With our experienced guide in the early morning or at dusk, is the most successful way to track down a pride of lions, and maybe even the odd leopard. Climbing lions in ishasha sector can also be available for encounter.
For game drives in this park, our guides will help you spot the lions that may be sitting on the valley’s various rocks. Other wildlife includes elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, ostrich, buffalo and much more, in the wild Narus Valley.
NARUS VALLEY GAME DRIVE
Wildlife is most active in the Narus Valley during early mornings and late afternoon. 6am and 4pm are optimum times to set off on game drives.
The southerly Narus Valley contains the park’s only permanent water points and wildlife congregates in this area for much of the year. Look for buffalo and elephant in the swamps along the valley floor, giraffe and eland on the drier slopes above and scan the rock outcrops for lions.
KIDEPO VALLEY DRIVE
The dry Kidepo Valley is short on big game but massive on scenery. The hour-long drive to Kanangorok Hot Springs passes some magnificent landscapes. 30 kilometers north of the park’s tourism hub at Apoka, the road crosses the dry, sandy bed of the Kidepo River to enter an expansive plain lined to the east by the Morungule mountain range and to the north by the looming, 2975m high Jebel Lotuke in South Sudan. Mammals are rare in this area but ostriches and secretary birds are often seen.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is best known for its Mountain Gorilla populations and gorilla tracking.
There are 4 locations for tracking gorillas in BINP these are Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. The 4 locations have a total of about 18 families as of December 2018. Tracking permits must be bought before tracking by booking directly with the reservations office at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Headquarters or through a reputable tour agent. Permits can be paid for up to two years in advance.
Only 8 visitors are allowed to view the gorillas for one hour per day, participants must be aged 15 or over. and they will be accompanied by UWA guides while with the Gorillas.
Tracking the gorillas can last from a few hours to a whole day, depending on how far the group has moved since it was observed nesting up the previous evening.
There is gorilla tracking in Mgahinga
The moment you visit the park, the welcoming atmosphere is evidence of adventure filled with natural beauty. A day ‘trek through the forests of Mgahinga with a well-trained guide who explains the gorillas’ behaviours along the way is a lifetime experience.
Normally, Gorilla trekking Safari starts from Ntebeko Entrance gate t around 8:00amin the morning daily taking 2-4 hours. A visitor is expected to budget for his/her time well while with a gorilla family since the maximum time allowed to spend with them is one hour.
A gorilla trekking tour in East Africa’s mountain jungles will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the most celebrated mountain giants. This experience cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world.
Mountain Gorilla adventures have seen a spiking interest in Africa safari travelers in the recent decade because of their successful conservation story that has seen them off the critically endangered IUCN list . This was evidenced during the 2018 mountain gorilla census, that showed that we now have 1004 mountain gorillas in the jungle.. Visitors that have had this experience can testify how no other wildlife encounter in Africa matches the outstanding experience of spending time face-to-face with East Africa’s wild mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking takes place in a handful of far-flung East Africa jungle locations, adding a layer of exotic adventure to Africa safaris that is hard to match any other itinerary. The fact that gorillas as a species are on the brink of extinction and treks are a highly restricted activity, encountering wild gorillas is considered a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. To watch a family of mountain gorillas relaxing in their lush forest home is an awe-inspiring privilege and a memory you would take away and remember forever.
Horseback riding is an exciting activity to explore the tranquility of nature, wildlife, and birds. This experience can be suitable for all ages, including children and aged persons. The activity caters to people of different skill levels, from beginners to advanced. You do not have to worry if you have no prior experience. The horses are well trained to react to your skill level, making it easier to enjoy the ride. The guides are professional and well-trained and will take you at a comfortable pace.
Horseback riding packages are short rides of 1 to 3 hours with packages such as pony rides, mixed group safaris, advanced rider safari, and overnight horse safari. For safety reasons, there is a weight limit of 90kgs. You can enjoy this experience either in the East at Jinja or in the West at Lake Mburo National Park.
Hot air ballooning can only be found at the Murchison Falls National Park and the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and is handled by the Dream Balloons. Hot air ballooning is a perfect activity for those on honeymoon safari, the adrenaline junkies, and those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The scenes up there are spectacular, and the air fresh and soothing. The unique spectacular experience of flying in a hot air balloon occurs with one of the following options;
Sunrise/Post sunrise hot air balloon safari with/without bush breakfast
Sunset hot air balloon safari- This flight starts precisely at 4:00 pm. However, this one does not come with any special offers like bush meals after the ride. They are short rides for large groups and students.
However, for now, only eight passengers are permitted to fly up in the balloon. Children below the age of 6 and below are restricted. Your experience will include seeing the general scenic view of the park, the Lake Albert and Victoria Nile views, the Off-road animals hidden, the bush breakfast experience in the wild, the pickups from the different destinations, the participation certificates, crossings by ferry, and the ride on the hot air balloon. This ride lasts for one hour.
An alternative to rafting is to go solo and kayak through the raging river or take a more leisurely paddle on flat water. You can challenge the Nile and use the double-sided paddle to explore the mighty river. A kayak school aims to ensure your experience is enjoyable, feel confident, and gain control of your kayak. You will learn forward paddling, capsize, control skills, backward paddling, rescue techniques, and rolling at the rolling clinic.
You can maximize your experience at:
Tandem Kayaking (grade 5)- full day/ half day
Extreme Rafting
Sit-on-Top Kayak / Canoe Cruises
Stand-Up-Paddleboarding (SUP)
The all-inclusive safari package includes an experienced and knowledgeable guide, high-flotation life jackets, helmets, spray jackets, light snacks, and drinks.
Apart from its popularity with mountain gorillas, the Pearl of Africa is the best destination to experience mountain climbing adventure with various mountains and volcanoes located in different country corners. There are short and long hiking spots to meet your skill, fitness, and expectations situated in World Heritage Sites as Rwenzori National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Mt Elgon National Park. The mountaineering spots reward hikers with spectacular views of nearby communities, wildlife, and other neighborhood attractions
Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the moon,” are found along the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwenzori is the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in the whole world. Mt. Stanley/ Margherita, the highest peak, stands at 5109m and is also one of the only three on the continent with permanently snowcapped peaks, which often melt into rivers flowing to the lowland river Nyamwamba and River Mubuku. At the base of the mountain is Mount Rwenzori National Park, which was gazette in 1991. The Rwenzori’s support an array of rare and endemic wildlife, tropical rainforests, stunning glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and lakes.
Travellers follow different trail depending on their fitness level and the endpoint;
Central Circuit- Longest trail- 8 days to Margherita.
Muhoma Loop- easier trail- 3 days.
Chimpanzee Trail- 1 day.
Kilembe Trail- 1 day
With 6 snow-capped mountains, Margherita Peak is the highest.
Stanley/Margherita Peak – 5109m ASL the range stretching some 120 km north/south and 48 km east/west
Speak – 4889m ASL
Baker – 4843m ASL
Gess – 4797m ASL
Emin – 4791m ASL
Luigi de Savio – 4626m ASL
Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) is an indigenous, non-governmental organization entrusted with a concession won from The Uganda Wildlife Authority to provide trekking tourism services/support on the Central Circuit Trail within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. They operate six mountain camps for accommodation in the mountains, arrange guides and porters for visitors, administer a campsite/accommodation at the trekking head/base, coordinate transport to Kasese, may provide food, and provide climbing and equipment rental. The charges are inclusive of National Park entrance fees. The maximum weight permitted is 25kgs of his/her luggage as per the trip tariff. Any additional weight will require payment for an extra porter.
Virunga Volcanoes
There are 8 Virunga mountain volcanoes shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda shares 3 of the Volcanoes offering excellent day hikes with lots of unique and rare wildlife such as the Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, endemic birds, and mountain vegetation.
Muhabura (4127m)
The third highest peak starts the chain of the Virungas, situated on the Rwanda – Uganda border. It is a long hike to the summit taking about 5 hours, making it tough, and coming down takes roughly the same. It has a small crater lake at the summit, which can easily be circumnavigated to get access to spectacular views of adjacent Karisimbi in Rwanda and Mikeno in DRC.
Mgahinga (3474m)
It is the smallest of the three located between Muhavura and Sabinyo, which is shorter and easier to hike. It has a larger crater lake though it is difficult to circumnavigate to gain better views.
Sabinyo (3645m)
This is the more challenging of the three to hike but the most interesting. It is located on the border of the three countries; Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. Much as the three countries share it, Mount Sabinyo is best hiked from Uganda. The rugged terrain and the many crater lakes on Rwanda and Congo’s sides make it difficult to hike in these countries. The volcano has three peaks that look like three spaced teeth, hence the local name Sabinyo which translates “Old Man’s Teeth,” one in Uganda and the other two in Rwanda and DRC.
Mountain Elgon (4321m)
Mountain Elgon lies in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya, with its highest peak Wagagai situated on the Ugandan side. It was once the highest peak, but soil erosion reduced it and is now the 8th highest peak in Africa and the 4th in East Africa. Apart from climbing Mt. Elgon, one can enjoy the fascinating wildlife along the slopes, varied vegetation, caves, water pools, falls, and incredible scenery.
There are two major trails that take 4 to 5 days to the peak are;
– Sasa trail or Budadiri trailhead- accessible from Mbale, is the more direct to the peaks and going through the bamboo forest.
– Piswa trail- it is easier to hike that Sasa trail.
The Sipi Falls
The Sipi Falls is arguably the most beautiful waterfall set of three stunning waterfalls (85m, 75m, and 100m) situated along Mountain Elgon’s foothills. The falls originate from the hot springs at the summit of Mount Elgon in the border of Uganda and Kenya.
You are required to pack sturdy hiking shoes, drinking water, energy snacks, a safe sleeping bag, warm jackets, and sweaters to deal with the cold nights. Please do not bring any valuables such as a camera, jewelry, or electronics in all other water activities because you might lose them. You can, however, carry a change of clothes, sunscreen, towel, and medication you may need.
Riverboarding is a memorable experience for serious whitewater enthusiasts. The Nile has eight major rapids for which you will experience different skill challenges depending on the water levels. The trip entails rafting and river boarding. You can relax during flat sections and safely raft the fewer rapids that are considered unsafe for riverboarding.
Some rapids form waves that you can try surfing. Every trip includes a safety raft, kayakers, and professional photographers to capture those memorable moments. You will engage in extensive safety briefings and practice drills. You’ll be equipped with your river board, flippers, helmet, life jacket, and you’ll follow the experienced guide into the heart of the rapids. The minimum age for this challenging activity is 14 years. The package includes boarding equipment, experienced guides, food and drinks, and free photographs.
The Nile is considered one of the safest and yet wildest grade 5 whitewater rapids globally, perfect for adrenaline junkies and learners to face the mighty rapids. The trips include huge rapids and beautiful scenery, with time to relax and swim on calmer stretches and let you take a breath, ready for the next section of raging white-water action.
Grade 4 and 5 rapids are usually challenging, and the guide will explain to you about the planned route through, for you to choose if you would prefer to join the safety boat or, where possible, walk around and then rejoin the raft. Grade 3 rafting is milder than grade 5 rafting. Extreme rafting is wild, faster, greater rush, extra challenges, and is usually an exclusive trip with only you and an experienced river guide on a small inflatable raft. You will be provided necessary briefings and training on rafting.
Children are allowed to go rafting but under conditions. They must fit into an adult life jacket. They are aware that there is a compulsory walk around two rapids. They will make a Grade 3 trip, where they either run in the safety raft or on a paddle boat that will run the rapids but do conservative lines.
The activity usually starts at 9 am, and the age limit is eight years. You will receive safety briefings, life jackets, helmets, spray jackets, custom-made rafting equipment, plenty of water, breakfast, and lunch midstream. Every trip includes a professional guide, safety rafts, kayakers, and a professional photographer who will capture every memorable moment. You must carry loose clothing, shorts & t-shirt, hat, sunscreen, towel and a change of clothes.
