When British statesman and tourist Sir Winston Churchill came to Uganda in 1908 for a safari, he was marveled by how Uganda was endowed with lots of natural beauty and so in his own words he said “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale – Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa.” This still holds up to date with Uganda being one of the best destinations on the continent for an African safari. Uganda has over 10 national parks and reserves each uniquely blessed with distinct wildlife. In terms of primates, Uganda has a variety including over 400 gorillas in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale and Ngamba islands, baboons spread out across many parks, golden monkeys and gorillas in Mgahinga and over 20 monkey types spread evenly across the national parks.
A Uganda safari also offers one the opportunity to see Africa’s big 5 which include the lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and the elephants. The 10 Uganda national parks are, Bwindi national park, Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Mt Elgon national park, Mt Rwenzori national park, Kidepo valley national park, Semuliki national park, Lake Mburo national park, and Murchison falls national park. Uganda also has over 700 bird species a number bigger that of those found in Europe and America combined. Some of the major Uganda safari activities include, gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, white water rafting, game viewing , Kazinga boat cruise, Mburo launch cruise, white water rafting and bungee jumping on the Nile, fishing safaris, birding , hiking the Rwenzori’s and cultural tours.
