Why Uganda is the Coolest Safari Destination in East Africa

Uganda is a hidden gem and was definitely not the first African country that came to mind when we were looking for a once in a lifetime way to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. However, the more digging we did, the more we were convinced that Uganda was the best choice for a safari in East Africa. Kenya and Tanzania may have the Big 5, but Uganda has so much more: iconic apes and gorillas, hundreds of fascinating bird species, lush fields of tropical fruits at every turn, and four of the Big 5 animals not to mention the happiest people in Africa. Reflecting on our trip, we are convinced that Uganda is the coolest safari destination in East Africa. Here are 12 reasons why. 1. Track Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas The number one reason to visit Uganda is to trek into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas. There are only about 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild with half of them in Uganda. Yes, you can also trek to see gorillas in Rwanda and the Congo but Uganda is an ideal place to see mountain gorillas with treks ranging from ‘easy’ to extremely challenging. 2. Spend a Day with the Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest Uganda is not just about gorillas. Meet chimpanzees, humanity’s closest relatives, in Kibale National Forest. There is also full day chimpanzee habituation trek. Deep in the forest,. Staying mostly in the treetops, the chimps came down periodically and are in the dense forest as they went about their business. 3. Go Bird Crazy in Uganda Uganda is also heaven for birdwatching and is the premier destination in East Africa for birders with over 1000 recorded species. You don’t have to be an avid birdwatcher to appreciate Uganda’s avian wildlife. Uganda’s birding is very accessible with many species sunning themselves on power lines along the roads. Uganda’s national parks are also a great spot for twitchers. Crested cranes are often seen in pairs as they mate for life. Given that this was our 20th anniversary trip, we now consider the crested crane to be our personal mascot. 4. Search for Shoebills, the Most Awesome Bird in Africa! The shoebill is the most crazy, bizarre, and simply awesome bird I’ve ever seen. Uganda features over 1000 species of birds but there is one bird at the top of many birders bucket lists: the venerable shoebill. Uganda’s shoe-billed stork is endangered and elusive. Your best shot of seeing a shoebill is in Mabamba Swamp about an hour’s drive from Entebbe. 5. Pop the Top and Look for The Big 4 (and More!) in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to four of the Big 5 safari animals: leopards, lions, buffalo, and elephants. We personally saw three of the big five: 3 lions and countless buffalo and elephants. The buffalo and elephants were especially abundant and in contrast to Kenya and Tanzania,. Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to the Ugandan kob, an antelope featuring a stunning set of striped horns. 6. Cruise the Hippo-Filled Kazinga Channel Running through Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Kazinga Channel is another of Uganda’s safari gems. Expect to see hippos by the hundreds as well as herds of buffalo and elephants. We also encountered crocodiles with razor sharp teeth and a Nile monitor lizard roaming in the grasses near the channel. Two hour cruise on Uganda’s Kazinga Channel is one of the top experiences during our East African safari. 7. Admire Volcanoes Where Uganda, Rwanda and The Congo Meet The scenery in Uganda is simply stunning and changes daily as you drive across the country. We saw rolling green fields (not dissimilar to the landscape in Ireland), papyrus swamps, semi-arid savanna, and thick forests. The Virungas lie at the intersection of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The pinnacle of the highest peak is shared by all three countries. 8. Sample Matoke, A Ugandan Staple Food Matoke are green bananas (kind of like plantains). They are not edible in their raw form but instead are steamed in leaves and mashed as a side dish to accompany spicy Ugandan stews. 90+ percent of Ugandans are subsistence farmers and grow all manner of food in Uganda’s fertile soil. Matoke is a local staple. We saw large plantations of palm-like matoke trees growing along the roadside. 9. Bite Into the Freshest Mangos and Pineapple You’ll Ever Taste Because the land in Uganda is so fertile, Ugandans cultivate a wide range of crops. Locals also pick wild fruit and sell it at the roadside. The most tasted ,freshest and sweetest mangoes and pineapple that are ever tried in Uganda. 10. Take a Walking Safari in Uganda’s Lake Mburo National Park Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park. They are countless zebras and newly introduced giraffes from the comfort of the safari vehicle. Because there are limited numbers of predators in the park, Lake Mburo offers walking safaris. 11. Straddle the Equator Not Once But Twice On the southwest of Uganda, you cross the equator not once, but twice. Of course, where you can get an obligatory picture of me standing in one hemisphere . 12. Tour Western Uganda’s Community Run Bigodi Swamp On your trip to Uganda, your impressed with the people that you met along the way. There is time out for a 3 hour guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetlands is situated near Kibale Forest and is run by KAFRED, the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development. Bigodi Wetlands is a protected area at the edge of the community and features an incredible variety of birds and primates.