Planning a Christmas safari? Uganda is here and ready to fulfill your holiday dreams this year with some of the best offers for a lifetime experience. Could you be looking forward to spend your Christmas holiday in the wild watching amazing species, taking on adventurous encounters, enjoying the beauty of mother nature or hanging out with amazing people for cultural experiences? Look nowhere else, Uganda is your ultimate answer.
“The Pearl of Africa” should be on every traveler’s bucket-list this festive season especially those that have not visited it before. The peaceful environment, beautiful scenery , warm weather, welcoming and happy people as well as numerous tourist attractions for wildlife, adventure, and cultural experiences across the country make Uganda a perfect holiday destination.
A comprehensive Uganda Christmas safari will lead you to the best experiences the country has to offer including breathtaking wildlife encounters like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and primate tracking, bird-watching, game viewing and nature walks in large and beautiful national parks. More brave-hearted and adventurous visitors can go for white-water rafting or bungee jumping at the source of the Nile or climb to the snow-caped top of the Rwenzori the third-highest mountain in Africa.
What to do and see on your Uganda Christmas holiday
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the leading tourist attraction in Uganda today. The experience takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the southwest of the country. Travellers are guided through the thick montane forests to meet their allocated group of mountain gorillas in the park. Many past visitors have described the experience of being in the presence a gorilla family as one of the best in the wild. Gorilla trekking rules require visitors to spend only one hour in their presence, a time which has been referred to as magical. During this breathtaking period, gorillas, which share 98% of the human DNA can be observed going about their routine family activities including foraging, playing and resting. Visitors are allowed to take photographs and videos of these animals as long as they maintain silence and keep a minimum distance of at least 7 meters away from them. Visitors will observe the human-like behaviour of gorillas in their family which include being led by a father-head figure known as a silverback which lead a family consisting of several females which are also mothers to the infants in the group as well as a few young males.
Game viewing
With over 10 national parks and several game reserves around the country which protect hundreds of game species, Uganda offers some of the best game viewing experiences in Africa. Best Ugandan parks for a game drive experience include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Popular game species which are commonly seen in these parks include lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino. Others include giraffe, zebra, antelopes, warthog, hippos, among others. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to the rare tree-climbing lions which are found in the southern sector of Ishasha.
Chimpanzee tracking
Uganda is one of the best destinations in the world for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest National Park in the west of the country is the best spot for the experience. It is popularly known as the Primates’ capital of the world with about 13 primates species living within its boundaries. These include Chimpanzees, baboons, and several monkey species. Other popular sites for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria near Entebbe International Airport. Like gorillas, chimpanzees also share 98% of the human DNA which makes them man’s closest relatives and this easily be observed in the way they behave.
Bird watching
Uganda is arguably the best bird-watching destination in Africa. With over 1,090 species of birds confirmed to be living within her boundaries including Rift Valley endemics, Uganda is indeed the most ideal destination for all bird enthusiasts. Popular bird-watching spots in Uganda include national parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park where over 600 species are found, Kibale Forest National Park, Semuliki National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Some of the popular bird species commonly seen in these places include ostriches, ducks, geese, waterfowl, Guineafowl, New world quail, pheasants, grouse, allies, flamingos, grebes, pigeons, doves, sandgrouse, bustards, turacos cuckoos, among others.
Adventure experiences
Mountain climbing
Travellers interested in mountain climbing in Uganda can try out their hand at Mount Rwenzori in the west or Mount Elgon in the East. The ultimate goal is to reach their peaks Margherita (5,109m) for Rwenzori and Wagai for Elgon (4,321m). Rwenzori is the third-highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya and therefore a popular spot for mountain climbers. There is a lot more to see than just climbing to the top as hikers pass through several vegetation zones along the slopes of the mountain. Climbers discover the several flora species and how they change at different altitudes along the mountain slopes as well as some fauna like birds before reaching the peaks.
White water rafting
It is the most popular adventurous activity at Jinja, near the source of the Nile the longest river in the world. Almost all visitors here are introduced to white water rafting to test the Nile waters as they go through the magnificent rapids. Rafting at the source of the Nile gives visitors a thrilling experience and enjoyment of a true Ugandan encounter.
Cultural, historical and social experiences
Kasubi tombs
The Kasubi tombs is the site of burial grounds for the kings of Buganda Kingdom located on the outskirts of Kampala. It became a World Heritage Site in 2001. The strategic location of Kasubi tombs in the capital makes the place easily accessible to travellers coming in from Entebbe International Airport. Visitors learn about the traditions, norms and culture of the Buganda, the most active and powerful kingdom in the Great Lakes region.
Namugongo Martyrs Shrines
Religious visitors especially of Christian faith can pay tribute to the Uganda Christian martyrs at Namugongo just outside the capital Kampala. This is the burial ground for the martyrs who were killed on the orders of former Buganda king Mwanga in the late 1880s simply because they refused to denounce their Christian faith. The country has gazeted June 3 of every year as a day of pilgrimage at Namugongo to remember and honour these martyrs. Pilgrims from all over the world also join in and visit the site on this day while others come in at any time during the year.
Shopping
Enjoy shopping in Uganda as you buy amazing local items including food stuffs, crafts, clothes, and more in the various markets and shopping malls around Kampala. The best Uganda shopping experience is derived when you visit popular city markets like Owino, Nakasero and Kikuubo where you meet thousands of local traders and buyers transacting in these ever busy markets. Buy your favourite local products at very low prices for memories of this once in a life time experience in Uganda.
Food and beverages
Taste the best of the best of Uganda’s cuisine in several hotels and restaurants in Kampala or in any town around the country. Some of the best delicacies you shouldn’t miss include fresh fish of Lake Victoria, local meat like pork, beef, goat and chicken. This can be taken with the famous matooke to give you the complete Uganda dish. For beverages both local and international beer brands and soft drinks are all readily available pending your order.
Check our tailored Uganda safari packages and let us know which one suits you! All our packages can be adjusted to match your budget, available time and interests
