Walking safaris in the awakening of authentic Safaris in Uganda are definitely a “Go for it” kind of adventure. Unlike other tourist destinations in east Africa where Guests spend most of their time stuck in Safari land cruisers viewing endless game, Uganda which is also known as the Pearl of Africa is a paradise for authentic walking safaris. As mentioned by many travel writers, Uganda is heavily equipped with many wonders among many other travel destinations. That’s why it’s the ultimate landing place for all sorts of safaris including authentic walking safaris crafted and included in Group safaris, private safaris, solo travel and family safaris. Walking safaris come in handy to explore the off beaten tracks as it involves traversing by foot which in turn presents a lot to see very closely.
With well confined forests, hills, savannahs, different National parks, picking out Uganda on your walking safari is the fore most option to consider. Uncovering many attractions on foot is something quite different from game drive, Horse riding, Bicycle rides and much more. It is coming into direct contact with nature. Imagine ascending with step after each step following the footpath of an endangered mountain Gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while you visualize the memories and experiences felt. No wonder many enthusiastic travelers pick Uganda as the best Destination for crafting a variety of walking safaris.
Here are some aw-inspiring activities and attractions any traveler can opt for or craft on a walking safari in Uganda.
Trekking Mountain Gorillas On Foot.
For many guests Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Virunga massif, so picking Mgahinga National Park for gorilla tracking experience or mghahinga national Park comes in handy and will definitely involve a walking safari amidst the forest mountains. Though Mgahinga is one of the smallest National parks in Uganda, the park has exceptional experiences to offer to visitors. Did you know that this park is made up of 3 Volcanoes which are part of the Virunga Forest shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo? Tracking Mountain gorillas in this park is enjoyable, the forest is not thick like the impenetrable Bwindi forest. Other than the Mountain Gorilla Trekking on foot as part of the walking Safari, the park is also a home to another endangered species the Golden monkeys.
Trekking Mountain Gorillas on Foot as part of the walking safari is also possible in the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable national Park _ Uganda. The journey starts with a brief in the morning at respective headquarters and later set off into the jungles in search for the great apes. Led by an armed park ranger and escort Uganda wildlife Authority rangers, The walking safari to the mountain Gorillas takes you through the tiny pathways, thickets, get rangers busy clearing bushes, crossing rivers, ascending and descending within the forest until you can joyfully find the Endangered Mountain Gorillas. The walking routes apply for the same journey back and still ranks as the best experience on a walking Safari in Uganda with much to learn of the forest plants, insects birds, scenery, experiences presented while walking to find the mountain Gorillas.
Related Story: Mountain Gorillas – Folowing The Great Apes In Virunga Massif Mgahinga National Park.
Volcano Hiking In Mgahinga National Park.
Trekking the Virunga Mountains on foot is another highlight in Mgahinga and also for the Mountain gorillas. Most trekking interests are hiking Mountain Sabyinyo and stand on top which also means standing between 3 countries, Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The walking trip up the sabinyo can be done as a day trip visit and the park ranger guides will escort you while directing you the major trails and explaining different attractions on the way. The Walking safari to and from the Sabinyo Top is breath taking for hikers on safari. This is one of the walking Safaris offered in southern Uganda other than the walking to see the Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga mountain on the same chain. The walking safari presents an ending adrenaline experience and jaw dropping scenic views beneath the all green forest and community.
The Batwa Experience In Mgahinga National.
Walking in steps of the Batwa minority indigenous community is an Experience to reckon. Famously referred to as the Godfathers of the Forest, The Batwa Community experience and demonstration of how these people used to stay in the forest where the local Batwa guides will lead you though to Garama cave which was regarded as the Hiding place for the Batwa, they will also show you the hunting recipe, how to make fire in the forest and much more.
Another part of the Batwa Walking Experience are the traditional songs and dances of the Batwa indigenous that consist a lot of different meaningful traditional rythms. Other than enhancing a Uganda Safari Experience, Going on a Batwa walking Safari through the Mgahinga Community surroundings is a way of positively contributing directly to the wellbeing of this community around the park hence creating more awareness to protect the park and the attractions including Mountain Gorillas.
Nature Walks In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A walking safari is another form of Nature walk in Bwindi impenetrable forest with different obstacles. The trail might be rough and tiresome but the different attractions encountered during the walking Safari will Rejuvenate your mind and regain energy to go further and take more photos. Other than simple walking safari encounters, there is quite a lot to see on the trail heads. Possibilities are that you will come across different types of Monkeys, Different bird species, water falls, medicinal plants, and much more. Some of the trails tend to be long taking almost a whole day while others can take half a day.
Our most favorite walking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park is the choice between the Long and short walk from Bohoma to Nkuringo or the other way round. The beautiful long enriching walking safari in Bwindi also known as the ivy walk takes about 6 hours and would take out at Nkuringo trading center from Buhoma. Doing these walking Safaris before the Mountain Gorilla trek in Bwindi prepare you for a walk over of the next day Mountain Gorilla experience in Bwindi Trail heads. Liaise with the tour consultant on which trail will be appropriate for you.
Chimpanzee Tracking In Kibale National Park.
Walking safaris with Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park is one of the many off the once in a life time experiences in Uganda. Walk through the forested jungles in search for human Closesst Relatives – The Chimpanzees. It is with no doubt Kibale National Park is the foremost place to track and see chimpanzees. Besides being a popular forest and investigated for its 13 primate species, Kibale is regarded as the national park with the highest population of habituated Chimpanzees in Uganda and a place with higher chances of trekking and seeing Chimpanzees while on foot. Thanks to Chimpanzee habituation process, tracking these apes is simple as they are already familiar with human presence. Though chimpanzees are familiar to human presence, nature of chimpanzees involves fast movement characterized with tree climbing and running and jumping around. Unlike the gentle Mountain gorillas, while on a walking safari in the forest for the Chimpanzees, be ready to follow them in the rugged forest faster as they move on with their daily life.
Bigodi Swamp Wetland walk.
Bigodi swamp is a collection of nature in Paradise. Taking a walking safari after or before the chimpanzee trekking is an experience to Reckon. Situated on the boundery of Kibale National Park, the wetland is blessed with many attractions which will be encountered on forest pathways and trailheads, board walk and a tree house in the canopy. Known as the home of great blue Turaco, this wetland is perfect and heaven for bird watching experiences. Be ready to encounter birds like Turacos, parrots, kingfishers and much more.
The Wetland is also full of life from different types of monkeys and baboons, antelopes; like the rare sitatungas, bush backs and much more. The walking Safari is a guided trip and the sanctuary guide will explain each and every attraction you come across while walking within the forest covered Wetland.
Local & Authentic Community Walks
While on Safari in Uganda, Craft in some walking excursions for the community or village walks on the boundaries of the famous Kibale National Park – The primate capital of the world. There are quite a number of community organizations to show you around and the real life of the people around the National Park. BICOWA is one of the Local community organizations arranging Community tours as part of your walking safaris in Uganda. These community tours take you through a village experience that involves hand craft demonstrations, the 150 weavers in bigodi women’s group have more to show guests how they weave and sell baskets, mats, bags, jewelry, and much more. Buying some souvenirs to take home will be helping directly the local communities around the national Park.
A cultural walk is also something not to miss around Bigodi areas, spend some time with the traditional healer who will disclose to you different magics, knowledge about herbs, different medicinal plants and other traditional way to heal diseases. The traditional portray the origins of Africans before western culture influence. Visit the homes of elderly women and men who will narrate to you stories of traditional marriage, clan and different African cultural ceremonies.
Conclude the Village walk with Traditional meal. This will be prepared in a traditional way, enjoy organic fresh food sitting under an African grass thatched roof. Learn more about the Kitooro way of life, stories traditions while on a walking safari in Uganda.
Also Read: Choosing Between Gorilla Trekking And Gorilla Habituation? What You Need To Know
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino sanctuary on the north west of Uganda towards Murchison falls national Park is the only place in Uganda where you can encounter Rhinos while on a walking safari. Walking Safari is done on guided by trained rangers through the bush in search for the white Rhinos. While on the walk, there is so much to see and encounter like oribis, bush bucks and water bucks, Kobs and much more. For bird lovers, ziwa is a birders paradise where the famous Shoebill can also be seen on a boat cruise excursion.
Ziwa being a great combination with Murchison falls national park is a great stop-over after 3 hours drive from Kampala en-route to the biggest national game reserve in Uganda. The crafting of a walking safari is a great idea while walking to find the rhinos on foot, Have a lunch stop and later proceeding to Murchison falls. Under the management of Uganda wildlife authority, Ziwa Rhino’s walking safari cost USD 50 per person for the 1-2 hours walking experience.
Best Time To Do Walking Safaris.
Walking safaris in Uganda can be done any time but the best recommended time is the dry season also commonly refered to as high season. These include months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. Other months are regarded as low season months which experience rains, but still walking safaris are possible.
Where To Stay On A Walking Safari
There are many accommodation facilities in and around protected areas of Uganda with different levels. Depending on your preferences, the tour consultant will give options to choose or mention some of the lodges meeting your interest to be considered in the Itinerary. Some of the good lodges include, Gahinga lodge in on the bounderies of Mgahinga national Park, Clouds Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla forest camp, Buhoma Lodge in Bwindi forest national Patrk, Primate lodge in Kibale national park, Ndali lodge on the kasenda crater, Amuka lodge in the ziwa Rhino sanctuary or Further north in murchion Nile safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Chobe safari Lodge
How to access the Destinations for walking Safari
Walking Safari destinations in Uganda can be accessed by air transport where domestic flights which can be booked to different air strips in the country, like Kisoro and Kihihi airstrip for a Mgahinga and Bwindi walking safari, Pakuba airstrip for the ziwa Rhino and murchion falls walking safari, Chobe, Mbarara, semuliki and kasese air strip.
By road with a comfortable 4×4 safari jeep is by road and the most preferred way of travel in Uganda. You could access by road to the start of the walking safari or be picked up at the end of the walking safari. This option also presents a situation of seeing much of the local life in detail.
Here are some of our well crafted journeys with walking safaris included.
Here are some of our well crafted journeys with walking safaris included.
4 Days Double Gorilla trekking
Charter a plane to & from a Gorilla safari while getting up close and personal with the gentle giants. 4 Days of Double Gorilla Safari Uganda are very extraordinary rewarding.
9 Days Primates in Style Safari
Exclusively follow on foot the Chimpanzees of Kibale National Park. Descend into the jungles deep in Bwindi searching for humans closest relatives, The mountain Gorillas. Double the adventure with Inspiring but yet adventurous authentic local experience including vibrant but yet spectacular wildlife encounters.
12 Days Predators & Primates Safari
Fly and see Uganda’s best kept secrets while slumbering in Top Notch Safari Lodges. Maximize time at each destination and trek the Endangered Mountain Gorillas.. See More Details
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