Uganda is the most beautiful country in Africa, thus dubbed the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is known to have different attractions ranging from the 10 national parks and 11 wildlife reserves both savannah and forest conservation areas dotted with unique wildlife, source of the river Nile – longest river on earth, diverse culture that is so hospitable, favorable climate, large water bodies like Lake Victoria, and towering mountain peaks.
Uganda has prevailing peace and for a long time since 1986. The peace and security have been provided by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces together with the Uganda police, Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and Local Defense Units. Uganda is also in good terms with her neighbors like D.R. Congo in the west, Kenya in the East, Tanzania and Rwanda in the south and South Sudan in the north.
With that and more, Uganda’s tourism has been boosted, with the help of different organizations, associations and players like private tour operators, Uganda Tourism Board, different tourism institutions, accommodation sites, Uganda Wildlife Authority among others.
Private tours in Uganda therefore can take place in different areas and these can be tailor-made to suit clients’ interests. These safaris normally take place in national parks, communities and cities. There is a lot to get involved into during private tours since they can even be small group tours such as family private tours.
Private tour activities in Uganda.
Game drives are usually carried out in the savannah places of Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo, Murchison falls national parks among others. Game drives take place in the open roof 4X4 WD vehicles, in two shifts – morning and afternoon. Each shift takes about 2 to 3 hours and you will be able to spot different animals like lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, and antelopes like Uganda kobs, bushbucks and waterbucks. These game drives reward you with great moments like the sunset and sunrise, picnic lunch break, bush fruit breakfast like in the Murchison falls national park
Primate watching. Big primates to trek and habituate are in the heart of equatorial forests such as Kibale national park known for chimpanzees, Mgahinga national park for golden monkeys and Bwindi national park for mountain gorillas. There are other primates that you will meet on your private tour in Uganda such as Vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys among others.
Primate trekking takes an hour while in the presence of a family / troop visited whereas, primate habituation for chimpanzees takes 8 hours and that of gorillas takes 4 hours. Gorilla habituation can only take place in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Hot air balloon safari. This is another adventurous way of spotting savannah wildlife, only done in Murchison Falls National Park. The hot air balloon ride offers visitors a chance to spot wild animals from a bird’s eye and it takes only 2 hours while flying over the plains.
Upon landing, travellers are treated to a glass of Champagne while the non-alcoholics, are offered juice and a cup of coffee. The experience starts and ends with a short game drive from and to the lodge which makes it a double experience. An advantage of undertaking a balloon experience is that visitors are flown to the deep, scenic parts of the park where tourist vehicles can hardly reach during a normal game drive.
Boat cruises / launch trips. These are taken along large water bodies like Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Albert Nile, river Nile, Kazinga channel, Lake Bunyonyi and many others. As you take a boat cruise, explore water-loving birds and animals like the kingfishers, fish eagles, egrets, hippos, crocodiles among others.
A boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi will take you to visit different historical islands such as Bwama Island, Punishment Island among others. The boat cruise in the national parks like Queen Elizabeth lasts for 2 hours, including 2 shifts – morning and afternoon cruises.
Community and cultural tours. Uganda has different cultures and among others are Batooro, Batwa, Bakiga, Bagishu, Banyankole and Baganda. All these have unique ways of dressing, dancing, eating, and generally differ in all ways of life. They are normally located around the national parks and now, they have formed different associations to help them benefit from tourism among others are the Isunga Cultural community tours located close to Kibale national park. This cultural experience exposes the best of Batooro and Bakiga cultures.
Hiking / climbing experiences. Uganda hosts the third highest mountain in Africa – the Rwenzori Mountains, world’s largest Caldera on Mount. Elgon, mount. Sabyinyo with its unique summit that grants hikers to stand in three countries (Uganda, Rwanda and DRC) at the same time.
Bird watching experience. This is another incredible adventure to explore Uganda’s beauty since the country boasts over 1000 bird species ranging from the great blue turacos, green breasted pitta, warblers, vultures and shoebill stork. Birding mainly takes place in areas like swamps, forests, around water bodies, communities among others
Horseback riding tours. This can be carried out in Lake Mburo national park, in Fortportal tourism city and Jinja. The horses take visitors into wilderness and to distant places to explore the nearby crater lakes like Kigere and Saaka in Fortportal. The experience normally lasts for only 2 hours but filled with rewarding moments.
City tours. These normally take visitors to tour city-based attractions like museums, local markets, art galleries, casinos and night clubs. For example, in Kampala, one can tour around the Uganda national museum, local markets like the Nakasero market famous for fresh fruits.
There are other experiences you can take during private tours in Uganda like zip-lining, biking tours, nature walks, bungee jumping, beach relaxation, rafting adventure, kayaking, canoeing among others. Therefore, you can never regret taking a private tour in Uganda.
