Excursions in
Uganda

Back to Uganda

Excursion

Visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre

A visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre is well worthwhile for visitors wanting to explore in their first afternoon in the country. Set on 72 acres of land on the shores of Lake Victoria, the centre was established in 1994 with a remit to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife. The 'behind the scenes tour' provides a fascinating insight the work the centre does in looking after its residents on a day to day basis,or there is a Chimpanzee Up Close tour for a chance to assist the staff with their work with the Chimpanzees.

Excursion

Trip to Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary

Catch a boat across from Entebbe to the forested 100 acre Ngamba Island, home to approximately 45 orphaned who now co-habitat together in conditions as close to the wild as possible. The chimps are free to roam the island and visitors get a tour of the sanctuary as well as the chance to be present when the chimps approach for morning and afternoon feeding. The trip takes the form of a half day tour (either as part of a group or on a private basis) or there is the opportunity to upgrade your visit, shadowing the caretakers of the island as the look after the chimpanzees and go about their daily tasks.

Excursion

Spotting Shoebills from Entebbe

A half-day trip by boat across Lake Victoria from Entebbe, puts you with a great chance of spotting the elusive African Shoebill, which inhabits the Mabamba Swamps. The morning is the most popular time to visit, to coincide with their hunting behaviour - anything from mudfish, frogs is fair game. Head into the swamps quietly by canoe and keep your eyes peeled for a prehistoric looking predator standing in wait for its prey.

Excursion

Nkuringo Walking Safaris

For the active traveller, consider a walk into the Bwindi area, starting from Kisoro and canoeing across Lake Mutanda before heading through the forests and valleys to get to Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. Traversing the forest walkways with guides provides an insider perspective on this area and surrounding village life as you explore at a relaxed pace, stopping to gain more insight into particular places of interest, viewpoints over mist shrouded valleys or wildlife sightings. Specialist birding interests can be catered for, and the walking element of any itinerary can be extended to include multi-day treks.

Excursion

Birding safaris

With National Parks boasting up to 600 species, it is safe to say that bird-watchers are well catered for in Uganda! Let us know if you are particularly interested in birding - we can arrange for you to spend time with specialist guides to make the most of your time.

Excursion

Tracking the Gorillas

For many, this is a once in a lifetime chance to get up close with mountain gorilla families and explore their habitat. Awe-inspiring, majestic and humbling, a glimpse into the social structure and lives of these primates is sure to be a talking point for months after you've travelled. Be prepared - hikes to see them can be strenuous, but you will have the back-up of expert guides and porters to assist you every step of the way. For those wanting more exclusivity (trekking groups have up to eight people), consider a full-day gorilla habituation experience instead - you spend four hours with the gorillas, alongside rangers and researchers working to habituate new groups to human visitors. The habituation experience is only available in the Rushaga sector in the southern part of Bwindi.

Excursion

Batwa Community Walk

Learn all about the Batwa – a community of people who once resided and lived off the land in the forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but as a result of the park becoming a world heritage site to help protect the gorillas and local wildlife, they were forced out of the forest and into community living. Since their initial exile, they have built a farming community at the edge of the forest, but there are still those that keep up the traditions of the Batwa and now have a designated section of the forest that they are allowed to live in. Today, many work as tour guides to teach visitors about their disappearing way of life and old customs. Your trail walk will introduce you to the history of the Batwa pygmies, their lives in the forest, how they have evolved to 'modern' living, the crops they now grow and witness the traditions of those that still live in the forest. For the true Batwa experience, you can take the guided hike deep into the forest to see first-hand the homes of the pygmies or for the shorter trail, you are guided around the village community and experience the Batwa pygmy traditions from a designated section of the forest.

Excursion

Bottom of Murchison Falls Cruise

Travel by boat along the Nile as it bisects the national park, enjoying views of passing wildlife including elephant, buffalo and antelope as you pass by. Cruise past pods of hippo, and keep a look out for huge crocodiles as they makes their way through the river or bask on the river banks.The cliffs along the river banks are home to large number of birds, making this trip ideal for avid birders. The end point is the Fajao Gorge at the base of Murchison Falls, which provides a stunning place to view the water as it cascades 141 foot down from the escarpment above.

Excursion

Rhino Tracking

A trip to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can be arranged as a day trip from Kampala, or as a highlight of the transfer drive between the city and Murchison Falls. The sanctuary is located on a 7,000 hectare reserve, and is the headquarters of Rhino Fund Uganda, who have established a successful breeding program with a longterm view of relocating the rhino back into protected areas within Uganda. Approaching rhino on foot is a awe-inspiring experience, as your guides and trackers get you to a position where you can watch the rhino up-close without affecting their movements. Depending on the behaviour and mood of the animals on the day, the overall activity (including time to locate them) is around 1.5-2.5 hours. Other wildlife can be seen in the reserve too - keep a look out for Ugandan kob, bushbuck and waterbuck.

Excursion

Trip to Top of the Falls

Atmospheric and awe-inspiring - a trip to the Top of the Falls viewpoint is a highlight of time spent in Murchison Falls National Park. Parking at the top, you make the short walk to the top where you stand and admire the crashing majesty of your surroundings as the river squeezes through an 8-metre gap in the escarpment. When combined with a sedate boat cruise to the bottom of the Falls, visitors experience the beauty of the Falls from both perspectives and can include some wildlife viewing on the riverbanks on the way.

Excursion

Chimpanzee tracking in Murchison Falls

There are several places to visit the habituated chimpanzee troupes, with the most well-known being in Kibale National Park. However, within Murchison Falls you have the Budongo forest which has the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda and the permits are cheaper, compared to popular Kibale National Park. Treks run twice a day at 7am and 3pm and can last up to three hours with your Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide. You might find yourself following a family through dense jungle or steep gorges, so a level of agility and fitness is required! You will spend approximately an hour with the chimps watching their acrobatic through trees, peaceful meanderings or lively interactions. Whilst sightings are never guaranteed, guides know the chimps movements so chances of a successful trek are definitely in your favour.

Excursion

Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

There are few things more idyllic than a boat trip in the middle of national park, where you can sit back and watch as you pass wildlife by unobtrusively, soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. The Kazinga Cruise lasts for around 2 hours. The Kazinga Chanel spans 32 kilometres between Lakes Edward and George drawing elephant to it's banks in the warm afternoons, and huge concentrations of hippo and Nile crocodiles reside in the river.

Excursion

Chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park is known as the Valley of the Apes, with a significant number of habituated chimpanzees. You might find yourself following a family through dense jungles or steep gorges, so a level of agility and fitness is required! You will spend approximately an hour with the chimps accompanied by rangers, watching their acrobatics through trees, peaceful meanderings or lively interactions. Whilst sightings are never guaranteed, guides know the chimp's movements, so chances of a successful trek are definitely in your favour. For those on a budget, the trekking permits are cheaper here compared to Kibale.

Excursion

Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park has an abundance of wildlife spanning 1,978 square kilometres. It is also home to many village communities who share this wilderness with the local wildlife, as such a conservation unit was established in 2006 to protect the wildlife and the livelihoods of the communities. To ensure the continued protection and growth of wildlife, the resident population of lions and leopards are actively monitored by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) through the use of radio collars. Along with your expert tracker, you head out in your safari vehicle in search of these carnivores, learning about the work they do to ensure the continued safety of these animals. With your tracker, you will be able to head deep into the reserve where no other vehicles can traverse to ensure a sighting of these animals, no matter where they are residing that day.

Excursion

The Bigodi Swamps

Head to the Bigodi Swamps near Kibale National Park for some of the country's finest monkey and bird-watching opportunities - with a focus on quality rather than quantity. Keep a look out for the Great Blue Turaco and red colobus monkeys on the 4.5km trail, as well as the occasional chimpanzees foraging fruit. Serious birders should head out in the morning for the best sightings and a visit to the Bigodi Cultural Centre opposite provides an interesting insight into traditional local customs following the walk.

Excursion

Traditional meal and home stay

A chance to learn more about traditional life in Uganda - and try delicious local fare. Some communities welcome visitors to give them an insight into their way of life and there is the opportunity to try a variety of dishes, accompanied by herbal teas and fresh fruit platters. Extend your time to experience more of the local culture with an overnight homestay - assist your hosts with food preparation, share a meal and stories as the evening draws in, and perhaps finish with the local children showing off their dance steps. This is a sensitively managed and authentic opportunity to discover more about the traditions and way of life of local Ugandans.

Excursion

4x4 Game Drives

The classic safari activity - and whether you are a seasoned safari goer or a first timer to the plains of Africa, game drives in the national parks are exciting excursions. Head out with truly expert guides, who have undergone years of training to explore diverse habitats - no two drives will be the same. A typical safari day starts around 05:30 with a light breakfast before you head out with your guide to into the parks, keeping your eyes peeled for all kinds of wildlife. Bigger mammals are always exciting to see, but your guides knowledge reaches all aspects of the biodiverse environment and the creatures that live there. Full day game drives are on offer from some lodges, though more often, activities are broken by a mid-day break, and you will head out again in the afternoon, drawing back to your lodge as the sun goes down, ready to share your experiences of the day around the campfire and over a hearty dinner.

Excursion

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale

There are several places to visit the habituated chimpanzee troops, but the most well-known and for the best experience, Kibale National Park is the place to do this. You might find yourself following a family through dense jungle or steep gorges, so a level of agility and fitness is required! You will spend approximately an hour with the chimps accompanied by rangers watching their acrobatics through trees, peaceful meanderings or lively interactions. Whilst sightings are never guaranteed, guides know the chimps movements so chances of a successful trek are definitely in your favour. To reach the stage of complete habituation, like the main troop in this forest, the chimpanzees have to go through a few years of habituation training and you can be a part of this. The habituation experience starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations. After the briefing, you start trekking through the forest in search of the troop. Once located, you are allowed up to four hours with the troop as they acclimatise to your presence. This can be a full-day trekking experience and you will be able to view other primate species and birds along the way.

Excursion

Crater Lakes tour

Kasenda Ndali craters in Kibale are known for their stunning natural beauty, home to some bird species, canoe rides and nature walks. All these craters have a rich history relating to their formation and their significance to the local community. The crater lakes tour can be done by vehicle or a guided hike. The drive takes about 2.5 hours, and the walks/hike can take about 3-4 hours. On guided walks of the craters, you will see primates, birds, butterflies or just enjoy spectacular views. There is a chance to meet and interact with the locals as they go about their daily day activities or simply relax and take in the serene views or take photographs.

Excursion

Tea plantation tour

The Kibale area is famous for growing Tea in Uganda. A 2-hour tour of one of the plantations would be a wonderful experience for both tea enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. You will have the opportunity, on a guided walk through the tea plantation, to interact with the farmers and gain a deeper appreciation for the labour-intensive nature of tea production. You'll see the tea plantations and learn about the tea cultivation process, and growth cycles, and discover the techniques used for harvesting and processing tea leaves. They also reward you with breathtaking views where you can capture some memorable photographs of not only the tea plantation but its surroundings including on a clear day, the Rwenzori mountains.

Excursion

Cultural tour

As well as encountering the local wildlife, you can also take some time to interact with the local community through a guided walk or bike ride. Your expert guide will introduce you to the life of the Bahima people to learn about their cultural traditions, the heritage Ankole long-horned cows, the ghee-making process and taste some of the milk, perhaps even trying your hand at milking. *The cost of the community visit goes to the Mihingo Conservation Foundation which helps to protect and conserve the leopard and hyena population as well as supporting the community and various schools*

Excursion

Lake Mburo Boat Trip

A boat trip on Lake Mburo is an excellent way to extend your safari experience. You'll encounter some of the water-based safari animals including hippos, crocodiles and large water birds. For the keen birders, we recommended the early morning boat safari, but late afternoon boat trips are available for the beautiful visuals of the setting sun.

Excursion

Lake Mburo Walking Safari

A walking safari is a magical way to experience the bush up close and some of the smaller animals that you might miss from a safari vehicle. Within the park of Lake Mburo you'll walk with a specialist guide for a 2-hour loop around the valleys and ridges that you can see from your lodge and coming closer to the zebra and giraffe. Alternatively, you can take a guided walk outside of the park through the local community. *The cost of the walking safari goes to the Mihingo Conservation Foundation which helps to protect and conserve the leopard and hyena population as well as supporting the community and various schools*

Excursion

Lake Mburo Horseback safari

Mihingo Lodge is the only lodge where you can experience a safari on horseback, a far quite and more natural experience compared to a vehicle. Your guide can cater to any riding ability, from beginners riding at a relaxed pace, to those at a more advanced level cantering off into the park in search of the local giraffe population. Rides can last anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours and can include a bush breakfast.

Excursion

Lake Mburo Mountain Bike safari

For the more adventurous and those wishing for a different safari experience, then a mountain bike safari is for you. Your biking safari guide will hand-pick the correct mountain bike for your height and then you set off from the lodge down into the park. You do not cycle through the protected reserve, so as to avoid the buffalo, but you will meander through the open park, passing grazing zebra, antelopes, warthog and some of the smaller animals you might miss from a game vehicle. This is not an extreme mountain bike ride and the sandy tracks are meant for a gentle ride, with rides lasting anywhere between 1 and 5 hours, depending on what you might spot and when you are happy to end the ride. *The cost of the bike goes to the Mihingo Conservation Foundation which helps to protect and conserve the leopard and hyena population as well as supporting the community and various schools*

Image

We'd love to keep in touch.

Sign up to get our latest team news, travel tips and holiday inspiration straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Holiday Architects ltd. All Rights Reserved.