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Picture green rolling hills and mesmerising crater lakes, a wealth of biodiversity around you. You feel your excitement rising for the adventure you’re about to undertake in this natural wonderland. This is Western Uganda. This region of the country is home to several national parks and primate trekking opportunities, making it a must-visit during Uganda safaris and tours.
Must-Visit Areas in Western Uganda
You’ll be awestruck by the incredible wildlife, excellent birding, and stunning landscapes and natural attractions during a Uganda safari:
Rwenzori Mountains National Park: Mountains of the Moon
This UNESCO World Heritage Site enchants with its snow-capped peaks and stunning scenery. The Rwenzori Mountains encompass Africa’s third highest peak and provide thrilling landscapes for hikes and mountaineering trips. An adventure here will take you past glaciers, waterfalls, clear blue lakes, and a variety of vegetation.
Kibale National Park: Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale chimpanzee trekking is a highlight of a Uganda safari tour! During this experience, you’ll hike through the rainforest of the national park – an incredible adventure all on its own – to find a chimpanzee family. You’ll spend about an hour observing these fascinating primates, gaining an insight into their complex social structures. This forest is also home to almost 400 species of birds, making it an amazing environment for birdwatching in Uganda.
Lake Bunyonyi: Waterside Relaxation
This scenic lake is surrounded by terraced hills and is perfect for relaxation and water-based activities. Lake Bunyonyi is an ideal stop during Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla trekking, as this lake neighbours the park. There’s a lot to keep you busy here, including birdwatching, hiking, canoeing, swimming, and mountain biking.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Western Uganda?
Plan your Uganda safari for the dry season, which is from June to August and December to February. The dry weather creates the ideal conditions for trekking and wildlife activities.
Animals Found in Western Uganda
Kibale National Park is a primate haven. While its most famous inhabitants are the chimpanzees, other species to look out for include black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys.
If you’re lucky, you may spot an elephant, buffalo, leopard, or lion wandering around the forest, as it borders Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Lake Bunyonyi houses 200 species of birds, making it a great stop during birdwatching tours in Uganda. Some species to see include herons, weaver birds, grey crowned cranes, egrets, and Levaillant’s cuckoos.
How to Get to Western Uganda
From Entebbe International Airport, you can catch a domestic flight to Kasese Airport, which is only a one-and-a-half-hour transfer to Kibale National Park. The Rwenzori Mountains are a short transfer from Kasese Airport.
