Safari Tours

Safari Tours : Great Nest Image safaris specializes in organizing sightseeing tours in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Our package prices are pocket friendly with a wide range of tour options perfect for families as well solo travelers. Whether you are interested in different tour activities, we are more than delighted to help you plan your itinerary. When you book with us, be rest assured that you will be in the right hands of  tour professionals.

Furthermore, we have well trained experienced tour guides who have been to almost all national parks in Uganda. Additionally, all our safari cars are in good condition. They have a pop-up roof and adequate cargo space in rear ensuring you enjoy your holiday. More so our packages take you to different destinations with a list of activities thus helping you make the right tour decision.

Why do a Uganda safari?

Uganda is famous for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Forest National Park. Firstly, Uganda is home to half the population of Mountain Gorillas in the world. Secondly,  you can climb Mount Rwenzori to the Margherita peak. Thirdly, you can see the tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Finally, you can enjoy white water rafting on the Nile and the powerful water falls in Murchison Falls National Park.

With over 1000 bird species, undoubtedly, makes it a top birding destination in Africa.  Besides, Uganda is a better country for a safari  since it harbors the big five. The country has also got Eastern Mountain Gorillas that you cannot find in most of the African countries. Besides the ordinary safari, you will be able to engage in sport fishing  with different fish species.

Booking with a tour company

There are a number of safari companies in Uganda and among the best is Great Nest Image safaris. It’s very important to find out whether a tour company belongs to a certain tour professional association. These include; Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Uganda Tourism Board, Tourism Uganda etc.

MUST GO PLACES WHILE ON A SAFARI IN UGANDA

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The world’s highest population of mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Park is a home to over 400 Eastern Mountain gorillas. These gorillas share 98% of our DNA which makes them our closest cousins . Besides gorilla trekking, you can engage in gorilla habituation experience, thereby giving you enough time to spend with the gorillas. Additionally, you can also do birding, nature walks as well as cultural experience. Arguably, Bwindi National Park is a must go destination once in Africa.

• Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo valley national park also known as “the true African wilderness” is by far Uganda’s top wildlife safari destination.  It is located in the uncharted northern region of the country also known as Karamoja. Basically, the Kidepo valley never ceases to amaze those interested in a unique safari experience, and cultural extravaganza. While here, you can view a plethora of game such as lions, giraffes, leopards, elephants, cheetahs etc. The Park is also the only national park where you can see ostriches and cheetahs in the wild. Finally, you can also take a guided walk to meet the ethnic Karamoja group; learn about their ways of living.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park

To begin with, this medley of wonders is by far Uganda’s most scenic and visited national park in Uganda. The park holds massive variety of habitats including the savanna grassland as well as different swamps and volcanic features. In addition, tropical rain forests gives the park its distinctive look. Queen Elizabeth National Park is an ideal place to sight animals, go birding since the park has got over 612 bird species. Other activities include cruising on kazinga channel, chimpanzee tracking among others.

• Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park is also known as “the world’s greatest waterfall” famous for its powerful waterfall. The Nile waters spray dramatically and violently out of a narrow gap between the rocks, covering its surroundings in a fine layer of spray. Below the cascades, the Nile widens out to either side of the river. However, Murchison falls has a fantastic array of wildlife residing within its confines. Take a boat trip on the Nile and watch the lovely landscapes of the park as it slowly drift before your eyes.

• Kibale Forest National Park

The Park has the greatest density of primates in East Africa, thereby making it a wonderful addition to any safari. Besides, there is a total of 13 species to be found here, apart from chimpanzees. These include the black and white colobus, the endangered red colobus, blue monkey, potto, olive baboon etc. 

Once you locate the chimps, you obviously spend up to one hour with them before the forest walk continues. The Park also has mammals but hard to sight due to the thickness of the foliage such as buffaloes. However there’s variety of birdlife, over 300 bird species that live within the forest.

• Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo national park also known as the “whispers of the wild” is Uganda’s nearest and smallest savannah park. Basically, the Park contains much woodland because there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. The Park consists of over 313 bird species like the African grey heron, pelicans, to mention but a few. In addition, there are over 68 mammal species; zebras, impalas, elands, oribis, buffaloes. The park has also got different fish species and the common ones being the Tilapia, lung fish, Nile patch and more.

• Mountain Rwenzori National Park

This mystical challenge stands on 5109m high. It is the third highest mountain range within Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro of Tanzania and Mountain Kenya. Additionally, the Park is home to one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its extraordinary natural beauty. Besides, this mountain has also got 6 peaks including Mount Baker at 4,843m. Mount Stanley which is 5,109m, Mount Speke at 4,890m, Mount Emin at 4,715m as well as Mount Savoia at 4,627m. The highest peak is Margherita peak at 5109m thereby ranking the Rwenzori as 3^rd highest African mountain range.

• Semliki National Park

Semliki national park the “true birders Heaven” located along the border of Uganda and the DRC. It covers an area of 220 square kilometers with over 53 mammal species and 11 species which are endemic to the park. The Park has got East Africa’s only remaining lowland rainforest. The forests in the park are an extension of the great Ituri forest in the DRC creating conditions typically seen in Central Africa. The forest extension has enabled the park to attract bird species not commonly seen in East Africa. The park is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda. Not only is the park a birder’s haven but also a home to two fascinating hot springs.

• Mabamba Swamp

Mabamba swamp is one of the best places in Uganda to spot the highly sought-after shoebill. Regularly featured on tourism brochures are these appealingly rare birds with their pre-historic features and oversized yellow bill. Generally, bird watching here is achieved mostly by a canoe, where you’ll navigate waterways comprising lily pads and papyrus swamp. Furthermore, the swamp has over 260 bird species and the notable birds include the pallid harrier, blue swallow etc.

• Entebbe Golf Club

This is the oldest of all the golf courses in the country and near the shores of Lake Victoria. It was set up by the British colonial administrators in 1901. The Entebbe golf course is an 18-hole golf course which hosts different international and local tournaments. The green and well-manicured lawns catch the eyes of the visitors who come into the country. Everyone is welcome to play golf on the grounds as long as you can afford the fee. Besides the golf course, there is a cricket oval and basketball court for members of the club. 

• Lake Victoria

Are you interested in experiencing the Heart of Uganda?  The story begins with Lake Victoria, which is the birth place of the Nile River. This is Africa’s largest lake shared by three countries; Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and boasts one of the world’s largest ecosystems.  The lake was named in 1858 by a British Explorer “John Speke”. It receives its water from thousands of small streams such as River Kagera and rainfall. Generally, Lake Victoria is the perfect place for those that find serenity in looking at the water, enjoy boat cruise and fishing excursions. There is also much natural beauty and wildlife to see here; from scenic mountain views birds and animal species.

• Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This Island is situated just 23 kilometers southeast of Entebbe in Lake Victoria. The Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998 to provide the traveler with a place to observe these intelligent great apes in a natural habitat. The chimps on this island are orphaned, saved from a life of captivity by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. While here, they are offered care and rehabilitation in the safe-haven of Ngamba.

• Ssese Island

The Ssese islands are a group of islands found in Lake Victoria with most of them under Kalangala district. It is the most notable one is Bugala island where the district headquarters are found. This is the most developed and visited island of all the 84 Ssese island. Further more, Bugala has got fancy resorts for accommodation and a number of activities one can engage in. Activities include swimming, sunbathing, primate viewing, canoeing, nature walks, quad biking, to mention but a few.

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

This sanctuary is Uganda’s only habitat to the white rhino species located in Nakasongola district. It was setup to conserve Rhinos which will later be reintroduced in areas that once had them, before they were poached to zero. A visit to the Ziwa rhino sanctuary is always a good addition to the safaris to Murchison falls national park.

• The Equator

Uganda is blessed to be one of the few countries where the Equator passes. While at the Equator, try out the exciting water experiment to see how water swirls in opposite directions. You can also get the iconic photo of you standing right in the middle of the Equator landmark. In other wards, you stand in both the southern and northern hemisphere at the same time.

• Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo)

The Uganda wildlife education centre was established as a zoo in 1952. It is found in a small tropical forest on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. It began as a sanctuary for injured and rescued animals from Uganda’s national parks before turning into a zoo. The Uganda wildlife education centre has got most of the wildlife species that you can as well find in protected areas.  While here, expect to come across different wildlife such as chimpanzees, lions, elephants, warthogs, buffaloes, cheetahs, tigers, crocodiles etc. For the bird lovers, expect to come across the rare shoebill, the great blue turaco, crested crane etc. Besides wildlife, endeavor to take part in the different activities such as; swimming, boat cruising etc.

• Pian Upe wildlife Reserve

This is the second largest wildlife reserve after Murchison falls national park. Found in the Karamoja region and featuring predominately woodlands and savanna grassland. Because of its close proximity to the Kidepo Valley National Park, you are likely to glimpse ostriches. There are two pastoralist groups that are found here that the reserve derived its name. The “the pian” falls on the Karamoja side while “the Upe” on the Kalenjin speaking also known as the Pakot on the Kenyan side. This reserve protects animals such as the bush pigs, Jackson’s hartebeest, eland, reedbuck, baboon, cheetah etc. In addition, the park hosts water snakes, rock pythons, puff adders, chameleons, savannah monitors and geckos.

• Kampala city

It is located in the south-central part close to the shores of Lake Victoria and a home to a steady expert community. Some of the beautiful places to tour in Kampala include; art galleries, temples, cathedrals and museums. You can also browse throbbing markets such as the Owino Market (said to be the largest market in Central-east Africa). The capital also offers a good range of hotels for accommodation, restaurants for fast foods and bars for enjoyment and relaxation. While in Kampala, you can taste the frenetic energy of day-to-day Ugandan life between the sun-cracked streets of Central Kampala. So, when visiting places in Uganda, don’t miss to check out Uganda’s capital city, Kampala.

• Sipi Falls

Sipi falls is a series of 3 water falls highest being 100m, second at 85m and the third one being 65m. With the rainbow at its bottom, natural showers, the best sight they have offered, one cannot resist reaching these falls. It was named after the “Sep” a plant indigenous to the banks of the river resembling a type of wild banana.  Therefore, a visit to the falls gives you a chance to climb Mount Elgon on which the falls cascade down.

• Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa and most beautifully, dotted with 29 islands. Akampene island is where people from neighboring communities used to punish young girls who got pregnant before marriage. The locals used to take you by the boat to the punishment island and would be abandoned there. The Bwama and Nyuyeera islands or call them the sharp islands were visited by  missionary Leonard in 1921. He later established a leprosy Centre in 1932. The leprosy victims where isolated to live on this island and be treated so that they don’t affect other people. A boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi is very rewarding as you will be able to visit several islands.

• Source of the Nile

The second-longest river in the world, whose largest source is in Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile is prettier due to its largest fresh water in Africa and the longest on the planet. If in doubt, visit Uganda and make sure you take a boat to the Source of the Nile. Surely, you will believe that indeed the source of the Nile is in Uganda and Jinja. So, visit Uganda and visit the source of the Nile.

THE WEATHER IN UGANDA

The conducive weather is another reason why the country is among the must visit destinations on the African continent. The country experiences a temperate climate which makes it possible for travelers to enjoy the various safari activities all year round. Different activities for example the game drives, bird watching, gorilla trekking, boat cruising, nature walks and many more. Be sure to take the right safari clothes suitable for an African safari.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A UGANDA SAFARI?

While planning for a safari in Uganda endeavor to come with the following;

• Travel documents such as visa, passport, yellow fever vaccination card, flight tickets, covid test documents. Uganda gorilla permit issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, cash, safari designed itinerary.
• Gadgets like the mobile phones, camera, binoculars, memory card, extra battery and headlamp.
• Medical kit that includes pain killers, bandages, spirit, cotton, antiseptic, anti-diarrhea etc.
• Safari clothes; the best clothing for safari is Khaki but don’t forget the jumper, waterproof jacket, long flowy skirts etc.
• Safari shoes such as the light weight hiking shoes, jungle boots to track mountain gorillas and also flip-flops.
• Sun protection like the sunscreen cream, moisturizers and sun glasses.
• Toiletries; wipes, teeth accessories and tampons for women.

HOW TO GET TO UGANDA

A number of prominent airlines fly to Entebbe International Airport. Kenya Airways, Fly Dubai, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Delta, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines etc. Uganda is a safe country to travel in but as you plan for your safari, note that most airlines have an allowance of 20kgs so, think about what you carry in and out of the country. Its very important to leave room for souvenirs to take back home for memories as you remember the Pearl of Africa.