Best Uganda Wildlife Safari Ideas for tourists post COVID-19

The Uganda Wildlife Authority opened up all wildlife national parks in Uganda for domestic tourists about a week ago and many wonder what the best Uganda wildlife safari ideas are for during and post COVID-19.

Only the Savannah parks have been opened up to domestic tourists these include Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Semuliki, Rwenzori Mountains, Mt. Elgon, and Lake Mburo National Parks. International tourists cannot visit at the moment since Entebbe International Airport which is the only international airport is still closed from international flights.

However, national parks and destinations with primates are not yet open to tourists. This is so because primates or great apes are very susceptible to catching human diseases and experts warn that they could contract the coronavirus. Therefore national parks that inhabit mountain gorillas which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park still remain closed.

And also Uganda’s chimpanzee trekking destinations like Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls National Park still remain close. For now, if planning any Uganda safari, then primate tracking should not be a part of your trip. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary that also is home to the chimpanzees is closed for now.

With the fact that savannah parks are now open for domestic tourists, Ugandan’s and those residing in Uganda now should take this opportunity to take short affordable trips with families and enjoy the beauty in the wild. If you need any Uganda wildlife safari ideas, then here are some of the activities and destinations to visit post-COVID-19.

Wildlife safari game drives

Tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth national park

Uganda is home to a diversity of wildlife ranging from the “Big five” something that has made wildlife safaris in Uganda a top choice for tourists that tour Uganda.

Uganda is home to about 330 mammal species. Among these include the big five African games which are the buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards.

Some of the wildlife species that can be seen on a wildlife tour in Uganda include the lions with tree-climbing lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park, giraffes, elephants, oribis, antelopes, zebras, hartebeests, waterbucks, bushbucks, dik-dik, cheetahs, side-striped jackal, buffaloes, elands, warthogs, Ugandan kobs, leopards, duikers, and many more.

These mammal species comprise East African and West African species found in forests and especially savannah plains. The top wildlife viewing parks in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Birding/bird watching

Birding Uganda should be a top option for all passionate birders since the country has more than 1,080 confirmed bird species within its boundaries. This is almost half of the bird species in Africa’s reason for Uganda birding safaris to be at the top choice on any birders on Africa bird watching tours.

Uganda is home to forest, woodland, water, and savannah bird species. The top bird-watching spots include Mabamba wetland, Bwindi forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Moaning National Park.

Some of the bird species that can be spotted in Uganda include Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Rwenzori Turaco, Stripe-breasted Tit, Grauer’s Broadbill, Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Dusky Crimson-wing, Archer’s Robin-chat, Blue-headed Sunbird, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Grauer’s Warbler, Dwarf Honeyguide, Black-faced Apalis, Rwenzori Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, African Green Broadbill and many more.

Boat cruise

To explore the aquatic wildlife, choose to book a boat cruise or launch a trip for an amazing experience. Due to the current situation, boat safaris take a limited number of people and therefore ensure to make your booking early.

The reduction in the number of people who take each trip on the boat cruise is done to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Boat cruises can be done at the Kazinga channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls, and at Lake Mburo National Park.

For now, the best way of exploring these parks is by taking wildlife safari game drives. A game drive can be done either in the morning or evening.

Bird watching is also safe and can be undertaken in any national park. Acacia Safaris is very much ready and prepared to organize safe safaris in Uganda for groups and individuals.

Some of the best Uganda wildlife safari itineraries to book