Activities in Uganda

What to do in Uganda

Relax in the spa

Massage

True deep tissue massage can be one of the most therapeutic and healing massages. Although not as rhythmic as other massage types, deep tissue massage interacts the most with the body’s muscle groups. Sore and tired muscles often become revived and energized feeling as if they have had a strenuous yet impactful workout.

Catch the sunset

Sundowner

“Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a gin and tonic in hand! The views are spectacular, the sunsets and cocktails on the sunset deck are an experience not to be missed.

4x4 safari vehicle

Game Drive

Game Drive in special build 4×4 safari vehicles. Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.

Private guided safari tour in Tanzania, featuring a close encounter with lions.

Located in a beautiful meadow

Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave

Located in a beautiful meadow nestled between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes are the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her beloved research gorillas. For anyone interested in gorilla conservation in Rwanda, or interested in Fossey’s personal story, the trek to her grave is highly recommended. This trek starts early in the morning, can take 6-8 hours and is operated by the National Park.

Tree planting project

Kyambura Buffer Walk

Enjoy scenic views over the Gorge, the Park and Kyambura reserve, and the chance to experience the local homesteads. Approximately 3000 trees have been planted in the buffer area, with the help of the local community and VS guests.

Explore The Kazinga Channel

Boat Cruise

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.

Walk in the rain forest

Chimpanzee Tracking

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.

The forest is home to 350 bird species

Waterfall Walk

This escorted walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, traces the river up into the park, where 3 beautiful waterfalls can be found along the way. The forest is home to 350 bird species of which is 23 endemic bird species, clouds of butterflies and rare plant life. This walk offers excellent photographic opportunities and the guide will provide a great insight into this globally important habitat.

Beautiful walk through the forest

River Walk

At Bwindi Lodge the beautiful walk to the river takes you through the lush grounds of the lodge with the magical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the other side of the river. Gorillas, chimps and birds can often be heard in the undergrowth. A natural pool in the river can be used for quick cool dip!

Enjoy local tapas

Visit Bwindi Bar

At the award-winning Bwindi Bar informal local tapas are served in the wonderful garden overlooking the forest. Guests can even make their own “rolex” wrap. It’s like the Harry’s Bar of Bwindi! Located near the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The bar provides a practical training institution for local disadvantaged youths living near the Bwindi National Park in Buhoma.

Learn about how tea is grown

Tea Processing Tour

A tea tour is available to interested guests, demonstrating how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed in Uganda. The tour also shows how ‘black’, ‘green’ and ‘white’ teas are produced and differentiated. Guests are invited to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour whilst looking out over the impressive forest.

Exclusive experience

Private Gorilla tracking

This exclusive experience allows a total group of 8 guests to track a gorilla group in the forest on their own. This enables guests to have a deeper connection with these fascinating animals, accompanied by their own guide who can give them personal briefing.

Traditional dance

Batwa Group

Supported by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, the local Batwa community visits Mount Gahinga Lodge and performs their traditional song and dance for lodge guests.

Cultural exchange

Batwa community

Supported by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, this hands-on experience will open your eyes to another world – that of one of Uganda’s longest surviving tribes. Visit the local Batwa community in their traditional dwellings and learn about how they have lived for generations in the surrounding forest.

The art of bird spotting

Bird watching

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

Adventure through the rain forest

Gorilla Tracking

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

Meet the last Golden Monkey

Golden Monkey

With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Characterized by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes, to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.

Climb the Virunga volcanoes

Volcano hiking

Guests of Virunga lodge have easy access to the Virunga chain of volcanoes, which offer challenging hikes and stunning panoramas. The three most popular volcanoes to climb are Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo, and Mt. Muhavura. These hikes are of varying difficulty and typically take a full day. The treks starts at 7:00am from the park headquarters, from where visitors will have to drive / be driven to the base of the volcano.

Massage

Relax in the spa

Sundowner

Catch the sunset

Game drive

4x4 safari vehicle

Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave

Located in a beautiful meadow

Kyambura Buffer Walk

Tree planting project

Boat Cruises

Explore The Kazinga Channel

Chimpanzee Tracking

Walk in the rain forest

Waterfall Walk

The forest is home to 350 bird species

River Walk

Beautiful walk through the forest

Visit Bwindi Bar

Enjoy local tapas

Tea Processing Tour

Learn about how tea is grown

Private Gorilla tracking

Exclusive experience

Traditional dance

Batwa Group

Cultural exchange

Batwa community

Bird watching

The art of bird spotting

Gorilla Tracking

Adventure through the rain forest

Golden Monkey

Meet the last Golden Monkey

Volcano hiking

Climb the Virunga volcanoes

Uganda

Uganda's popular safari packages

The best of Uganda & Kenya

Mgahinga, Virunga & Zanzibar

The best of Uganda & Masai Mara

Explore Mt Gahinga

Mgahinga & Virunga Safari

The best of Uganda

When to visit Uganda

What to do in Uganda

Relax in the spa

Massage

Catch the sunset

Sundowner

4x4 safari vehicle

Game Drive

Located in a beautiful meadow

Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave

Tree planting project

Kyambura Buffer Walk

Explore The Kazinga Channel

Boat Cruise

Walk in the rain forest

Chimpanzee Tracking

The forest is home to 350 bird species

Waterfall Walk

Beautiful walk through the forest

River Walk

Enjoy local tapas

Visit Bwindi Bar

Learn about how tea is grown

Tea Processing Tour

Exclusive experience

Private Gorilla tracking

Traditional dance

Batwa Group

Cultural exchange

Batwa community

The art of bird spotting

Bird watching

Adventure through the rain forest

Gorilla Tracking

Meet the last Golden Monkey

Golden Monkey

Climb the Virunga volcanoes

Volcano hiking

Massage

Sundowner

Game drive

Visit Dian Fossey’s Grave

Kyambura Buffer Walk

Boat Cruises

Chimpanzee Tracking

Waterfall Walk

River Walk

Visit Bwindi Bar

Tea Processing Tour

Private Gorilla tracking

Traditional dance

Cultural exchange

Bird watching

Gorilla Tracking

Golden Monkey

Volcano hiking

Where to stay in Uganda

Hotel Number 5

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Bwindi Lodge

Mt Gahinga Lodge

Destinations in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

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