We have teamed up with Msafiri tours to escape tourism: they involve you in local communities and take you to the hidden places in Uganda. You can discover gorilla reserves (at extra cost), and take part in activities such as safaris, helping with community development projects, painting and planting trees, white water rafting and city tours. You can make a difference all while enjoying a safari and experiencing the ‘other’ Uganda. As all our guides are local and we work with small locally owned businesses rather than big international chains, this strengthens local communities and raises the overall quality of life. East Africa is a must!
If you’re looking to adventure, travel, and learn more about Uganda, its people and wildlife, we can help make this once in a lifetime experience a reality. You can select activities and locations that suit your style of trip and school group.
National Parks
Uganda is home to a great number of National Parks, which are used for conservation and protection of nature and culture in their areas. The sustainable use of natural resources is an important part of this as they seek to avoid the extinction of certain species. These parks, therefore, aim to promote enjoyment and learning of the local area for both tourists and locals. Here are 4 of the 10 national parks in Uganda, and what they offer to tourists.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most well-known national parks in Uganda, established in 1954 and named after Queen Elizabeth II. This park has a wide variety of exotic wildlife, such as lions, leopards, hippos, elephants, chimpanzees and many more. More than 500 species of bird call the park home, making it a fantastic location for bird-watchers.
Volcanic features are another great part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, such as volcanic cones and deep craters. Other features of the park include two lakes; the north-eastern Lake George, and south-western Lake Edward. These two lakes are connected through the park by the Kazinga Channel which attracts animals and birds, including a large number of hippos and crocodiles.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Made a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an exciting location for visitors. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. The indigenous Batwa people lead tours in a nearby buffer zone, where they teach tourists about their traditions and practices, including hunting, harvesting, music and dance.
One of the biggest features of this park is the natural habitat that supports a diverse range of species. This includes 120 species of mammal, 348 species of birds, 27 species of frogs, chameleons and geckos, and 220 species of butterfly. The BINP is also a sanctuary for many different endangered species, such as colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, hornbills and turacos. It is also notable for housing a significant percentage of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas, also known as Bwindi gorillas.
Murchison Falls National Park
Covering 3,840 square kilometres (1482.63 square miles), the Murchison Falls National Park is one of the biggest and oldest protected natural areas. This park has become famous for the narrow 7m gorge which the Nile flows through, before plummeting 43 metres. The nearby wildlife is also a popular attraction, with over 450 species of fowl and 76 species of mammal including four of the Big Five, which you can scout for on one of the customary game drives.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is a beautiful region of Uganda, isolated in the north of the country. Most of the landscape is a rugged savanna, consisting of two major valleys. The vegetation and animals that can be found in each valley varies due to the difference in rainfall. Jeep safaris allow you to watch the 475 species of bird and 77 species of mammal that reside in the park, including ostriches and cheetahs.
Lakes
Part of what gives Uganda its natural beauty is the life-giving water sources around the country. The country lies almost completely within the Nile basin and is influenced by the various lakes and marshlands. Uganda has 165 lakes, including one of the largest in the world. Here are some of the lakes that you can find on a Uganda tour.
Lake Victoria
One of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Victoria was renamed from Lake Nyanza by John Hanning Speke in 1858. One of Africa’s largest lakes by area, it’s also the world’s largest tropical lake and second-largest freshwater lake by surface area. The lake supports a wide range of wildlife, including otters, hippos and crocodiles.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi lies in south-western Uganda and is known for its abundance of bird species, including water and migratory birds. Visitors can also enjoy water activities such as swimming and boat cruising. The local area also has plenty of hikes and nature walks, alongside community walks where you can learn more about traditional culture.
Lake Mburo
Part of Lake Mburo National Park located in western Uganda, which is also Uganda’s smallest savanna national park. Wildlife in the area include zebras, hippopotamus, impalas, buffalo, jackals, leopards and many species of bird. Boat trips are available where you can get a clearer view of the nearby wildlife.
Why a School Expedition?
A school trip to Uganda offers a plethora of learning opportunities and experiences: not only do the students have amazing opportunities to go on safari but also discover what village life is like and be able to help in a local school and projects such as painting a health clinic. The value of being immersed in such a culture, even for a short period, is immense as it shapes the views and understanding of the student.
We can help develop a bespoke tour package for your group which covers all of your requirements. Contact us using the buttons below to begin your journey.
