When it comes to African safaris, Uganda is that one safari destination that takes visitors through its exceptional walking experiences. With walking safaris, it is all about foot work and depending on what your travel interests are, the key safari experiences to take part while on Uganda walking safari include chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla tracking, community walks/visit, mountain hiking, primate walk, forest walk a mention but a few. Very few area do offer these distinct experiences and most importantly;
If it is mountain gorilla adventure that you wish to take part while on walking safari in Uganda then Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the two best options set for gorilla trekking. This takes you through the 4 trailheads within Bwindi (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector) each of which comes with its own habituated families for visitors to track. In Mgahinga National Park, there is only 1 group that has been habituated and readily available for visitors to track. While on gorilla safari in Mgahinga national park, Nyakagezi group is the only 1 group which has been habituated and set for gorilla adventures.
Bwindi’s trails also come with amazing sights at varied wildlife species including birds, primates, flora and butterflies among others. On a forest walk, you will have the best view over the park’s beauty, primate encounter especially the black and white colobus monkeys, butterflies, waterfalls a mention but a few. On Buhoma village walk, you have a chance to explore different farming practices and also learn more about the Batwa’s unique cultures and traditions.
Buhoma community walking safaris on other hand take you through the northern part of Bwindi National Park. It involves a cultural walk in Buhoma village and it begins and ends at Buhoma community rest bandas and you will guided by local guide. He will take you through the banana, tea and coffee plantations. As well, pay a visit to varied community development projects within Buhoma.
Nkuringo walking safaris equally take you through different part of Bwindi National Park. This will reward you with astonishing sights at varied primate species, butterflies, birds a mention but a few. For those of you who are interested in a little more challenging hike/walks, Nkuringo is the best option for you to take up.
As you head off to Kibale National Park, a forest walk through this park never leaves you in regrets. It gets you the best sights at varied bird species, primates that make up about 13 species in this park alone including black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, chimpanzees which you can sight while on chimpanzee tracking and many others. There are also several birds to identify while you are on walking tour in Kibale National Park. The notable birds to look out in this park include the African green breasted pitta, blue headed bee-eaters, Nahan’s francolin, masked apalis, Cassin’s spine tail, African pied wagtail and many others.
Besides, pay a visit to Bigodi wetland while on Uganda walking safari and have exciting moment with playful primates including black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys as well as bird species including the great Blue Turaco, weaver birds, yellow rumpled tinker bird, blue breasted kingfishers, dusky crimson wing, black bee-eater, black capped apalis, crowned eagles, black bishops, white spotted fluff tail a mention but a few.
The other significant area for walking safaris in Uganda is Lake Mburo National Park. This comprises of fewer predators and a walk through it gets you clear views over wildlife species like impalas, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes and many others.