No destination beats Uganda when it comes to favorable weather conditions, abundant wildlife and spectacular landscapes. This is one destination where you can explore in depth about Africa with no worries about crowds.
Looking for a destination to spend your winter holiday? Uganda has you covered for all winter holidays in Africa. Whereas North America or Europe is grey and frosty, Uganda’s weather conditions remain favorable with abundant sunshine and cool weather. This is especially during the rainy season/months March, April, May and late September, October, to November.
Uganda is a destination full of abundance thus guaranteeing everyone something to see or do. It is in Uganda where the largest population of mountain gorillas exists, about 459 out of 1063 individuals that are left on earth.
Where to see mountain gorillas during your winter holiday?
Bwindi & Mgahinga N/Parks
Uganda’s mountain gorillas reside within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These 2 mountain gorilla highlands are located in Southwestern Uganda, and getting there takes 8-10 hours’ drive. The gorilla families to be tracked in Uganda include Nyakagezi gorilla group, Mubare, Rushegura gorilla family, Mukiza, Kyaguriro, Habinyanja, Busingye, Bweza, Kutu, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Nkuringo, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Bushaho and Christmas.
Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are open for gorilla trekking all year round, but you should have valid gorilla permits to participate. Every gorilla trekking permit whether you are visiting Bwindi or Mgahinga- costs US$700 per person. The tour operator on ground is in position to make arrangements of your trip and it includes booking/securing valid gorilla permits on your behalf.
Going on a Uganda safari during winter holidays is perfect, especially if you are interested in gorilla habituation experience. There is only one place in the world to enjoy gorilla habituation and that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is the best chimpanzee safari destination that you should consider spending your next winter holiday. Hosting over 13 primate species, inclusive of 1500 chimpanzees, Kibale offers excellent chimpanzee habituation experiences to guests and this is perfectly done during the wet/low season (winter season).
During this period, low visitor turn up is recorded allowing you to explore the park with no worries of crowds. A single chimp habituation permit in Kibale is obtainable at US$250 per person, and you can have it booked by the reliable tour operator on the ground.
Budongo Forest is the other must-visit destination in Uganda if you are interested in chimpanzee habituation experience. It being excellently done during low season by trackers and researchers, you have a reason to consider visiting this lush tropical forest for winter holiday. Other primates to see in these forest protected areas: olive baboons, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and pottos.
Murchison Falls National Park
Situated in Northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is an extensive savanna grassland area, home to not only lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes but also abundant primates. The park extends covering 3840 sq.km and hosts useful primates including over 800 chimpanzees (surviving in Budongo Forest), blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.
Mabamba Wetland
Winter season/wet season is an excellent period for birder’s to make their dreams come true. A visit to Mabamba Wetland for birding should be a must-do. The low/rainy season is the breeding season for most birds not only in Mabamba but also other birding spots. At Mabamba Wetland, expect to look out for shoebill storks, the grey-capped warblers, yellow-breasted apalis, vieillot’s black weavers, swamp flycatchers, splendid starling, brown-throated wattle-eye, village weavers, lesser striped swallow, and more.
Kidepo Valley National Park (winter holiday)
Kidepo National Park lies far from the great lakes area and offers excellent game viewing experiences. At Kidepo, there are plenty of faunal and avifaunal species to be spotted. The 1442 sq.km park is a rich destination with buffaloes, bush elephants, cheetahs, caracals, elands, hartebeests, (birds such as ostriches, Karamoja apalis, secretary birds,) giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, and others.
Other places to visit on Uganda safari holiday include Rwenzori Mountains NP, Semuliki National Park, Mount Elgon NP, Sipi Falls, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth NP, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ssezibwa Falls, Maramagambo Forest, Lake Victoria, Ssese Islands to mention but a few.
