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With nature walks, you have a great opportunity to get close to nature. It is remarkably the best way that visitors can discover what Uganda holds in terms of biodiversity. Ideally, it is an experiential adventure of its own that takes you through the distinct habitats with diverse wildlife species which at the end rewards you with memorable experiences. In most cases, nature walks/village walks take you to rural areas which equally get you the best of an experiential African safari. While at the local communities adjacent to the park, you have a chance to interact with locals and this allows you experience their different lifestyles, traditions, and cultures. As you have a chance to pay a visit to traditional homesteads depending on the destination that you will be.

Nature walks are done countrywide and depending on what your travel interests are while on Uganda safari, you have the opportunity to sight at varied bird species, primates, butterflies, mammals, unique tree and plant species that are of medicinal importance. Besides, you have the best views of the breathtaking sceneries with beautiful papyrus wetlands, lush forest cover, or perhaps scenic volcanic peaks and waterfalls. The nature walk is not just an exciting experience but also very critical in ensuring that the terrains still offer authentic experiences for visitors on an African safari in Uganda. The fact that nature walks can be done in any part of Uganda, the notable places to get you the best of this experiential activity include;

Murchison Falls National Park

Set suitably in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is remarkably that one exceptional safari destination in East Africa that needs to pay a visit, and you will have the best of nature walks. This spectacular conservancy area expands up to 3840 square kilometers and boasts of its breathtaking sceneries and landscape. It boasts of its lush and vast savanna plains, swamps, forests, and above all, intense wildlife species and unique cultures, as well as powerful waterfall ‘Murchison-falls’ where it derived its name from. Murchison Falls National Park is home to big game-the African bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and due to its strategic location, you can add the rhinos at Ziwa rhino sanctuary and make a complete list of the big five African game. Besides, there are also over 451 bird species to identify here, several antelope species including Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest; butterflies, sausage trees, warthogs a mention but a few.  Most of this park’s natural wonders can be best explored while on foot through varied trails. They include among others the trail to the top of the falls, Rabongo forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi. Nature lovers on Uganda safari have the opportunity to embark on either a hike or nature walk that gets you the best of this park’s unique floral and faunal species.

Hiking to the top of the falls

This is mainly done as soon as you get at the bottom of Murchison falls then you on footwork along the trail. This will take you about 45 minutes on a guided hike and your physical fitness is a key factor here. While here, you get the best of amazing rolling hills, lush vegetation, birds, and welcome of the thunderous roar of the falls. At the top of the falls, get the best of this powerful waterfall as it squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of about 8 meters before plunging for about 43 meters.

Kaniyo Pabidi walk

A nature walk through Kaniyo Pabidi takes you through the rainforest that makes up Budongo forest reserve which straddles approximately 8 kilometers off Kichumbanyobo gate if you are traveling from the Masindi side. While here, you have higher chances of catching a glimpse at chimpanzees, birds including hornbills, chocolate-backed kingfishers and not to forget several floral species.

Rabongo forest

This is equally ideal for nature/forest walks. Rabongo forest is set southeast of Murchison Falls National Park about an hour and a half drive away from Paraa. The nature walk through this forest rewards you with exciting views over diverse primate species including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys a mention but a few.

Equally, you can also embark on a 2 to 4 guided swamp walk along the Nile Delta which gets you the best of this park’s diverse ecosystem and above all, spot out the shoebill.

Other popular sites for you to take part in nature walks include Kibale Forest National Park and you can add this on your chimpanzee tracking tour, Bwindi national park which takes you through different hiking trails including Muyanga waterfall walk, Muzubijiro loop, Rushura hill walk, Ivi Riverwalk, Buhoma-Nkuringo trail, Habinyanja trail, and many others; Lake Mburo National Park which takes you through guided nature walks along Rwonyo to salt lick for you to catch a glimpse at varied wildlife species that confine within this area. At Queen Elizabeth National Park, the vibrant areas for nature walks include the Maramagambo forest, Ishasha River, Mweya peninsular, and many others.

Mount Rwenzori Hikes

Most popular as ‘Mountains of the Moon’, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges are undoubtedly Uganda’s highest mountain rising up to 5109m. It is snow-capped and features one of the highest peaks in Africa. Mount Rwenzori lies at the Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), within Rwenzori Mountains National Park making it the best hiking/mountain climbing spot in Uganda.

Hikers trek to the Margherita peak of Rwenzori Mountain range on Mt Stanley or different peaks via the different trails. This block mountain is a forest, featuring distinct vegetation which you can explore as you hike through the different elevations. Hiking to the summits of Rwenzori Mountain Ranges is strong-hearted but there are options taking you to nearby peaks. Your trek to Margherita peak is rewarding as you get to enjoy the breathtaking views of valleys set in between different ranges and not leave out the scenic lakes like Lake George. It takes hikers 8 to 10 days to get to Rwenzori Mountain’s ape.

Kibale Forest Walks/Nature walks

Kibale Forest National Park in Kabarole district, Western Uganda is another best place you should expect to visit for rewarding Nature and Forest Walks in Uganda. The park sits on 795sq.km and is largely forested with the best trails for nature lovers to embark on.

The notable trails in Kibale Forest National Park include the Nocturnal Forest Walk, this extends 12kms; The Bigodi Swamp Walk. Nature and Forest Walks in Kibale is a great opportunity for you to explore different primates which make up a total of 13 primate species in Kibale National Park alone, variety of forest birds, butterflies, reptiles, floral species etc. Other incredible areas worth visiting for hikes include Amabeere caves or walk around the stunning Crater Lakes.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Hiking trails

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park isn’t popular for Gorilla Trekking but also for visitors to experience the best of hiking adventures. The 33.7sq.kms park features several hiking trails along its Virunga Volcanoes with the best hikes offered on Mount Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo Volcanoes. Another incredible trail worth embarking on while in Mgahinga National Park is the Gorge trail.

Nature and Forest Walks in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Most holidaymakers on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park come purposely to see the big game including the tree climbing lions but there is a lot more than guided game drives. The 1978sq.kms savanna protected area is an incredible place worth visiting for Guided Nature and Forest Walks in Uganda.

The best Nature trails in Queen Elizabeth National Park exist in Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest, Mweya Peninsular, Kalinzu Forest etc. In Kalinzu Forest alone, nature lovers have 4 hiking trails to explore and they offer exceptional view of the Lake Edward, Kazinga Channel, the Rwenzori Mountain ranges and also comes with great bird sightings.  You can also explore the Kasyoha-Kitoma Forest Trail which is set on the southern side of Kazinga Channel and Lake George. This trail exposes nature lovers to different primates, birds and you have the best views of the Crater Lakes.

Nature and Forest Walks in Lake Mburo N/Park

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best places worth visiting for guided game drives and nature walks in Uganda. There are several trails to embark on a guided nature walk or go for Forest Walks in Rubango Forest. Lake Mburo is found very close to Kampala/Entebbe, accessible within 4 hours of driving in a good mechanical rental car in Uganda.

Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls

Set along the Eastern Safari Circuit in Uganda, the Sipi and Mount Elgon are iconic sites you should consider a must-visit for hiking or mountaineering adventures. The Sipi Falls is composed of 3 waterfalls, these can be explored while on a half-day or whole day trek in Eastern Uganda or go hike Mount Elgon which is set Uganda border with Kenya.

Mabira Forest Walks/hikes

Mabira Forest remains among a few natural forests still surviving in Uganda and the African continent. It is set along the Kampala-Jinja highway and it is incredibly a home to diverse forest birds and primates etc. The forest boasts of its best trails each ushering visitors into its natural endowment. Due to its strategic location on Kampala-Jinja highway, Mabira Forest is one of the best spots one can make a stopover to enjoy a forest walk before connecting to Jinja for White water rafting or Sipi Falls for hiking.

Semuliki Valley hiking trails

If you are interested in exceptional Nature or Hiking experiences via the savannas and forests then to hot springs then there is no better place to visit than Semuliki National Park. The park features a diversity of hiking/nature trails perfect for bird watching, animal sightings especially crocodiles, hippos especially as you walk along R. Semuliki or walk up to the Sempaya Hot Springs, a few powerful hot springs on the planet.