Adventure Tours in Uganda are categorized in two ways and these are soft and hard adventures. Uganda is known as the pearl of Africa and this is due to its diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery all over the country accompanied by diverse cultures covering over 50 unique tribes and this promises unforgettable adventure.
From mountain gorilla trekking in far southwestern Uganda through Nile rafting in the eastern to game drives and culture in the northeastern part of the country. Some of the notable adventure Tours in Uganda include;
Mountaineering / Hiking
This can be done in different mountains and hills all over the country. For instance, trekking in Rwenzori mountains also known as the mountains of the moon is rewarding as you enjoy wildlife, and fresh air and then stand at the highest point in Uganda Margherita Peak (5109m).
Hiking Mount Sabyinyo in Mgahinga National Park a home to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. This hike offers you a chance to stand in 3 countries Uganda, Rwanda, and D. R. Congo at one point. Some of the hikes take a day or hours while others can last for 6 days. Great memories as you pass through different vegetation zones with unique plants.
Water adventures
Water adventures are mostly done on the river Nile in Jinja and this is the longest river in the world. As it begins its journey to the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile River forms rapids and falls which call for different water sports games such as white water rafting, tubing, water sliding, swimming, and more. Rafting is the most adrenaline adventure and can go up to grade 5 rapids and this provides a heart-pounding thrill for adventure enthusiasts. Taking a boat cruise on the calm waters in the savannah national parks like Lake Mburo National Park is a rewarding adventure to enjoy wildlife and the surrounding scenery.
Wildlife Safaris
These are categorized as primate watching, game drives in the savannah, nature walks, hot air ballooning, and more. Primate watching involves trekking the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys in their localities. There is also habituation of these primates mostly the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Trekking offers you an hour to spend in the presence of the primates whereas habituation allows you to spend a maximum of 4 hours following the habituated primate. Game drives and nature walks are normally done in savannah-protected areas to enjoy the beautiful wildlife such as the African big animals, big cats, predators, and more.
Cultural Adventure tours
Uganda is rich in cultural heritage which is another dimension to the adventure. The country harbors over 50 unique cultures informed of traditions and customs such as visiting the Batwa pygmies in southwestern Uganda gives a rewarding experience as you learn about how they used to live in the forest, depend on herb medicine, and hunt plus traditional music and dances.
The traditional ceremonies such as the Imbalu circumcision ceremony in eastern Uganda, the empango festival in Fort Portal, the Nyege Nyege festival, and many more others. These cultural tours involve community walks while exploring the different ancient homesteads, the beautiful scenery of the village covered with crater lakes, banana plantations, tea plantations, and many more others.
Bird watching
This is another adventure tour on a Uganda safari. For the love of birds, the Uganda birding tour safaris take you to the best birding spots for bird watching. The notable birding destinations are Mabamba Swamp, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semulik National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and others. These areas offer the best birding spots with unique and rare bird species such as the shoebill stork, blue turaco, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, pelicans, and many more. Some of the birding activities can be done on foot or on a boat cruise in case you are targeting water-loving animals.
When to take an adventure tour in Uganda?
Any time of the year is possible to take an adventure tour. Choosing the best time to take an adventure experience in Uganda can significantly enhance the experience, as the country’s climate and weather keep changing throughout the year. The dry season happens in December to February and June to August. In this season, the weather is generally sunny and warm hence supporting adventure activities such as wildlife viewing, primate watching, mountain climbing and hiking, water adventures like rafting, and more.
During the time of March to May and September to November, this is a wet season, and there is plenty of rainfall which calls for the presence of food. Activities that can be done include birding because birds are active during this period. Other activities such as hiking and chimpanzee and gorilla trekking can be hindered since the trails are impassable and muddy. This period can easily suit budget tourists since some lodges tend to reduce their prices.