Family Safari in Uganda-Everything You Need to Know on Visiting Uganda with Children

Uganda is an ideal destination for family safaris including travel with children. There are several family friendly safari activities in Uganda that can be undertaken by families that are traveling with children. When planning to have a Uganda safari, these packages help you have your travel sorted with activities that are good for both adults and children. Some activities like chimpanzee trekking, gorilla tracking in Uganda have a set age limit and therefore children cannot undertake. Some activities also are very vigorous or risky for minors to undertake. Therefore in case you are planning to have a family safari in Uganda, here are the best 10 family Uganda safari activities suitable to undertake;

• Cycling

One of the easy and fun activities to undertake is cycling especially in a wildlife habitat. Lake Mburo National Park is the top place for such an experience.  Since the park is not infested with carnivores, cycling is one wonderful way to go through the park. Choose to take a cycling tour through the park and see lots of wildlife closely to nature. It is a much more remarkable experience than the game drive and can only be found here. There is need to book early for preparation of kid bikes.

• Quad biking

Quad biking is such an epic and thrilling experience that families can undertake. The quad biking experience does not need prior experience and it gives a less strenuous experience compared to cycling making it suitable for those who can’t go through rough trails. Places to have a quad biking experience include Lake Mburo National Park and Jinja at the source of the Nile.

• Boat cruise

Boat cruises can be undertaken with family. Best places for a family boat trip is Jinja at the source of the Nile and Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo is one spot where most of the wildlife comes to quench its thirst and therefore can be seen here. Taking a boat cruise can help you have a great experience and also a spot to see lots of wildlife at once. Schedule a boat cruise trip before planning to visit the park to ensure that it will be available.

• Horse riding

Horse riding will definitely give excitement for the youngsters. Horse riding can be done during a wildlife viewing experience at Lake Mburo National Park or at a visit to the Nile River at Jinja.

• Visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center

The center was created as a reception Centre for wild animals that were found as causalities. A tour to UWEC is beyond just seeing animals but learning and participating in conservation efforts. UWEC helps rescue animals and veterinary staff and animal keepers are always on standby to attend to injured, sick or stressed animals.

• Rhino tracking

Rhino tracking in Uganda is such a relaxing and family friendly activity where individuals enter the home of the southern white rhinos on foot. Tracking can be done along with children above 6 years of age. The activity is guided by well-trained ranger guides who take individuals through the home of the rhinos.

• Visit Sipi falls

Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls located in Uganda’s eastern district of Kapchorwa at the edge of Mount Elgon National Park.  Of the three waterfalls at Sipi, the longest drop is 100m. The falls are formed by the Sipi River as it cascades downhill from the upper slopes of Mount Elgon into the Kyoga Basin. With a cooler climate this is a very nice place to unwind, relax and literally chill out away from the very busy towns and cities.

• Community or cultural tours

There several types of culture in Uganda and cultural differences offer the diverse Uganda cultural tours experiences. Uganda is comprised of a variety of ethnic groups with over 50 different cultures. These have different traditions, beliefs, norms and more. With the tribes in Uganda, the Bantu tribe has the highest population found in central, eastern and in southern regions, the Nilotics are mainly in the northern and north eastern region.

On Uganda safaris, any cultures can be visited but in most cases, the marginalized groups are the most visited. The most visited cultures include in Buganda where different traditional sites are visited including the Kasubi tombs, ssezibwa falls, palace and many more.

• Nature walks

Walking in the wilderness is indeed such a great experience. Have a nature walking experience alongside an experienced guide and let the youngsters enjoy the jungle and discover a lot of things to see in the bush. Nature walks are available in the savannah parks of Uganda.

• Game drives

A game drive is a very best way of seeing wildlife in the jungle. It is very safe as the activity is done in a safari vehicle and no one is allowed to move out of the safari vehicle. Enjoy a game drive during Uganda wildlife tours on a visit to the savannah parks.

Family Safari in Uganda Travel Tips

• Age limits are applicable for some activities for instance tracking mountain gorillas minimum age limit is 15 for and the same age limit applies for chimp trekking. Many other safari and wildlife activities also have an age limit – for example, rhino trekking at Ziwa is only for children above six.
• If you’re self-driving or hiring a driver to travel around for your family safari in Uganda, it makes sense to limit your itinerary to fewer places, spending more time in each destination, rather than trying to see all of the highlights on one trip.
• There’s a risk of contracting several mosquito-borne diseases in Uganda. Malaria is the biggest risk, and children are particularly susceptible to catching severe and fatal malaria. It’s essential that you consult your doctor before travelling about taking antimalarial medication for your children, and that while you’re travelling you try to prevent them getting bitten by wearing suitable clothing, insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets.
• Before you book any lodging, check up on the minimum age policies of lodges, as many of them won’t accept children under a certain age (and some don’t allow any children). Some lodges have a policy of only allowing children on game drives if you book a private vehicle and guide. Some lodges, however, are particularly child-friendly, offering family rooms and things like children’s menus and guided nature walks for kids, so it’s worth doing research on the best lodges for families before your trip.