Uganda: Planning a Trip to National Parks | #WhereisAJ?
AJAY JAIN
Sub-Saharan Africa is teeming with wildlife across many countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia to name a few. But Uganda is where you may want to be in despite it not featuring on too many itineraries.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority ( is doing a good job managing over 10 national parks and I was fortunate to visit three of their finest recently. Join me in my game drives and plan your own itinerary accordingly.
PARKS VISITED
* Murchison Falls National Park
* Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
* Queen Elizabeth National Park (drove through Ishasha wildlife sector to get here and got a good sense of this park too)
PLANNING AN ITINERARY IN UGANDA’S NATIONAL PARKS
No amount of time is enough is you really love being in the wild and close to its flora and fauna. But we all need to draw a line somewhere - do provision for at least 2-3 full days in each park. When you visit Bwindi, you can be there for just two nights - you arrive on day one, go gorilla tracking the following morning, and return the following day.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF EACH NATIONAL PARK
* Murchison Falls National Park: It gets its name from falls by the same name on the Nile river. Don’t miss out on a river cruise where you can get close to the falls and feels sprays all over you (and your cameras!!). The river itself is home to countless hippos and crocodiles while the park boasts an impressive line-up to include lions, leopards, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, water buffaloes and many species of birds, reptiles and other mammals. The landscape draws you in - from the crack of dawn till night falls. Magical is the word for Murchison.
* Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: You go to Bwindi for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. They sure make you work hard for the sightings. Expect to be out all day tracking them through thick forests and slushy paths; the hilly terrain tests you, and be prepared to fall, slip and slide on your backside. A good scrub is what you will need at the end - but the sightings of gorillas will leave you glowing.
* Queen Elizabeth National Park: Another park that will leave you stunned with its virgin beauty. Elephants are to be found in abundance here - as are many other species of birds and animals. Take sunset cruises in the Kazinga channel and go up close to hippos, water buffaloes, crocs and thousands of birds hovering around you. Vast plains with pockets of thick forests make game drives a pleasure and an adventure - you never know what lurks around the corner.
SELECTING THE RIGHT GAME DRIVE VEHICLE AND GUIDE
Your experience in the jungle is largely shaped by your guides and the vehicles they use. You can choose from the comfortable closed vehicles with an opening in the roof or from those open on all sides; I prefer the latter as I can shoot from all angles and also remove the soft covers should I need angles from higher up. I always interview guides before selecting one - not only is their knowledge important, but they should have a good sense and intuition in tracking animals. Of course, no one can guarantee any sightings.
DO YOU BOOK A GAME DRIVE VEHICLE ALL FOR YOURSELF OR SHARE?
It all depends on your budget. A shared vehicle in obviously cheaper but it gives you lesser flexibility in choosing shooting positions as well as asking the guides to take you to your areas of interest. Personally, I save elsewhere but prefer to have a vehicle and guide to myself. I cherish the relative privacy too - it resonates well with the silence of the forest.
HOW DO YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDA?
Most parks in Uganda are within a few hours driving distance of each other. Of course, it can take longer if you were to go directly from, say, Murchison to Bwindi. The road network in quite extensive in Uganda, and they are mostly of good quality with low traffic density. You can also book rides on small planes that land on strips inside reserves but these are more expensive than equivalent flights in countries like Kenya; lower numbers in Uganda lead to higher operating costs here.
READY TO HAVE A WILD TIME IN UGANDA? MARASA AFRICA ( MAY BE THE RIGHT BRAND TO HOST YOU.
Top10 Recommended Hotels in Kampala, Uganda
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Top10 Recommended Hotels in Kampala, Uganda: 1. Kampala Serena Hotel *****
2. Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort *****
3. Speke Resort and Conference Center ****
4. Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa ****
5. Skyz Hotel ****
6. Cassia Lodge ****
7. Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala ****
8. Pearl Of Africa Hotel *****
9. Sheraton Kampala *****
10. Mestil Hotel & Residences ****
Address:
1. P.O Box 7814 Kintu Road, Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $274 - $539
Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Kampala Serena Hotel is located in Kampala. Free WiFi access is available.
2. P.O. Box 446, Kampala, Uganda, Munyonyo, Uganda, Price range: $194 - $312
Featuring a garden, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort is located in Munyonyo. Featuring a bar, the resort has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each room has a private bathroom. The property features an onsite restaurant and outdoor pool.
3. Wavamunno Road, 7036 Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $128 - $195
Offering an outdoor pool and a spa and wellness center, Speke Resort is located in Kampala. Free WiFi access is available in this resort.
4. Lweza - Kigo Road, off Entebbe Road Kampala, Kigo, Uganda, Price range: $215 - $323
Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa is located in Kigo. The property offers a spa and wellness center. Guests can relax in the garden and terrace.
5. National Water Road 1 Water Lane, Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $161 - $195
Located in Kampala, 4 km from Lugogo Mall, Skyz Hotel provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also welcomes guests with a restaurant and a terrace. Free WiFi is offered.
6. Plot 15, Buziga Hill, Munyonyo, Uganda, Price range: $138 - $178
Set on a hillside with panoramic views of Lake Victoria, Cassia Lodge offers accommodations in Kampala. Cool down in the outdoor pool or keep in touch with complimentary WiFi.
7. Kafu Road, Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $180 - $217
Set in Kampala, 0.7 mi from Uganda golf course, Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala features an outdoor pool and views of the pool. The hotel has a spa center and sauna, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property and free private parking is available on site.
8. 28 Nakasero Road, Kampala Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $130 - $153
Set in n Kampala, Pearl Of Africa Hotel features a fitness center, sauna, garden, a terrace and bar. This property has air-conditioned units with a private bathroom. Guests can enjoy meals at an onsite restaurant.
9. Ternan Avenue, Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $188 - $305
Offering an outdoor pool and restaurants, Sheraton Kampala Hotel is located at the Sheraton Garden in the heart of Kampala. The hotel is 1.2 mi from Uganda Golf Course.
10. 20 Barracks Drive, Nysambya, Kampala, Uganda, Price range: $146 - $180
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, Mestil Hotel & Residences is located in Kampala and is a 12-minute walk from Clock Tower Gardens - Kampala. The hotel provides a spa experience, with its sauna, fitness center and hammam. The restaurant serves International cuisine.
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