VACATION IDEAS - The top attractions in Uganda for a vacation

Gorilla Tracking:
Uganda 's star attraction is the endangered mountain gorilla, the bulkiest of living primates, and among the most peaceable. With only about 650 individual gorillas left in the whole world, Uganda gives you the opportunity to meet the more than 50% of the world's surviving species. Being in the presence of these gentle giants, who share 95% of their genes with humans, is as awe-inspiring as it is exhilarating; no less so when one realises that about 650 survive, divided between Bwindi National Park and the Virunga Mountains . Within Uganda , five habituated gorilla troops – four in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga National Park - can be visited by a total of 30 tourists daily. Gorilla tracking is thus captivating and a lifetime experience involving guided walks in the forest wilderness in search of these great apes.

Game and scenery viewing:
Uganda has a diversity of wildlife. Game drive is full of great glimpses of the indigenous wildlife/scenery. We boast of diverse habitats ranging from savannah, wetlands, forests and mountainous ecosystems and their corresponding diverse species.

Chimpanzee tracking:
Uganda is also home to man's closest relative, the chimpanzee, a delightful ape whose evocative pant-hoot call is a definitive sound of the African rainforest. Chimpanzee communities have been habituated for tourism at Kibale Forest Budongo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park 's Kyambura Gorge. A community of orphaned chimps, most of which were confiscated from poachers, can be visited on Ngamba Island, which lies on Lake Victoria 45 minutes by motorboat from Entebbe. The feeding habits, response to humans, mating, and care given to their young ones is just amazing.

Bird watching:
Being a world birding destination, Uganda attracts migrants from the North and south and is the richest country for birds in Africa . Out of 1,500 bird species found in East Africa, over a thousand species of these exist in Uganda compared to about 700 in the whole of Europe . Uganda is Africa's most complete bird watching destination, with more than 1,000 species recorded within an area comparable to that of Great Britain . Specialist birding tours through Western Uganda routinely notch up an incredible tally of 400 species within two weeks, while enthusiastic amateurs might reasonably hope to aim for 300 species within the same time.

For dedicated ornithologists, Uganda 's prime attraction is the presence of more than 100 West African forest species at the most easterly – and most accessible – extent of their range. This alluring list of forest specialists includes the psychedelic Great Blue Turaco and the raucous Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, as well as the gem-like Green Broadbill and 23 other species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Uganda is the best place to see what many rate as the most sought after African bird: the Shoebill, a massive prehistoric-looking swamp-dweller notable for its heavy clog-shaped bill.

Forest and primate walks:
In most of Uganda 's National Parks and wildlife reserves, a network of trails is developed through which the tourist can experience the best of nature walks. The quietness of the wildness with the songs of birds and gentle winds in the leaves of the tropical rain forests. Monkeys are exceptionally well represented in Uganda . Kibale Forest boasts the greatest primate variety and density in East Africa , with five or six species likely to be observed over the course of one afternoon walk. Elsewhere, Mgahinga National Park hosts habituated troops of the rare golden monkey, while Murchison Falls is one of the few East African strongholds for the spindly, plains-dwelling patas monkey. The fossilised 20-million-year-old bones of Morotopithecus, the earliest-known ancestor of modern apes and humans, were unearthed in the 1960s near Moroto in Eastern Uganda, and are now housed in the National Museum in Kampala .

Sport Fishing:
Referred to as fishing for pleasure with a single rod, reel, or line where any fish caught are not for sale or barter. Sport fishing has started with full vigour and is one of those exciting moments to experience as a tourist in Uganda .

Mountaineering:
Ever heard of snow at the equator then experience the 5,119m high snow covered Rwenzori Mountains also known as the mountains of the moon and protected not only as a national park but also as a world heritage site. A trip to the Rwenzoris is a lifetime adventure and an exhilarating and rewarding experience that takes you about 7 days/nights.
Mt. Elgon , which is 4,321m, also has a national park situated at the border with Kenya , where mountaineering can be experienced and may include cross-boarder tourism into Kenya . At the top, lies a beautiful and large caldera of 40km. Further east, Mount Elgon, Africa's eighth-highest mountain, offers an excellent and relatively undemanding introduction to Afro-montane climates and vegetation, culminating in the ascent of a 6km wide volcanic caldera studded with small waterfalls, caves and hot springs. Another estimable hiking destination is the Virunga Mountains , where mountain gorilla tracking can be supplemented by a tough day ascent to one of the three extinct volcanoes protected within Mgahinga National Park , the tallest of which is the 4,127-metre Muhabura.

Hiking:
Is yet another self-rewarding activity that you can engage in at Mt. Mgahinga , home to the famous gorillas. Virunga volcanoes which offer three extinct volcanoes (Mt. Sabyinyo 3669m, Mt. Gahinga 3474m, and Mt. Muhavura 4127m).
At Mt. Sabyinyo , a hike up to the top of the 3 peaks guarantees you to be in Rwanda , Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda at the same time. Boasting three separate montane destinations topping the 4,000 metre mark, all protected within national parks, Uganda offers some of Africa 's top hiking and climbing possibilities. Serious mountaineers need look no further than the majestic Rwenzori, whose trio of craggy 5,000-plus metre glacial peaks offers a genuine challenge to experienced alpine climbers, while fit hikers will find the six-day loop trail through the Rwenzori's forest and moorland zones to be as rewarding as it is demanding.

White water rafting, Quad biking, Bungee jumping and Kayaking at Bujagali Falls
Uganda is a classic adventure tourism destination. Indeed, Bujagali Falls, which lies downstream of the Source of the Nile an hour's drive east of Kampala, is the East African counterpart to more southerly ‘adrenaline capitals' such as Victoria Falls and Cape Town. Bujagali is the launching point for a commercial white-water rafting route that ranks as one of most thrilling but also one of the safest in the world, passing through three heart-stopping Grade Five rapids in one day. Other activities at Bujagali include kayaking, mountain biking, quad-biking and a new 44 metre-high bungee jump from a cliff above the Nile .

TAILOR MADE SAFARIS
Packages can be put together to suit the individual tourists interest. Such as;

8 Days Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Wildlife and Scenery
This tour will include Kibale Forest , Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi National Parks . Attractions include the famous mountain gorilla and chimpanzee treks, game drives, boat cruise and birding. This trip is ideal for those who want to discover and interact with the Gorillas and chimps.

7 Days Murchison Falls, Wildlife and Chimpanzees
This takes you to Murchison Falls , Kibale forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks . Highlights include the mighty Murchison Falls , Chimpanzee treks, game drives, boat cruises and birding.

3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart from Kampala in the morning after breakfast and go through Uganda 's beautiful green countryside. Watch out for the Equator en-route as well as plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Proceed to the Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving at Jacana Safari Lodge in time for lunch. After lunch proceed for an evening game drive where you will also see the crater Lakes. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

3 Days Magnificent Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, transfers to Murchison Falls National Park with a stop over in Masindi for lunch. Proceed to the top of the dramatic falls that are crashing through a narrow gorge. Enjoy the sunset as you return to the lodge. Excellent services of Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Camp or Sambiya River Lodge.

10 Days Hike the Rwenzori "Mountains of the Moon "
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport on the shores of Lake Victoria . From here you will be transferred to Kasese town through Kampala before heading for the foothills of the mountains of the moon. Check in at hotel Margarita for dinner and overnight rest.
 
8 Days Hike the Elgon Mountain
7 Days Birding
14 Days Cultural Tour
8 Days Fishing
3 Days Gorilla Express

And finally the ultimate safari; 14 Days Best of Uganda , which includes: