Uganda has been rated the eighth best African country for safari travel by SafariBookings.com for its diverse wildlife viewing.
The online marketplace for African safari tours conducted an investigation to find the winner of the best African safari country title.
After examining more than 3 000 reviews compiled by both safari-goers and African travel experts, to come up with best 08 Safari countries in Africa.
SafariBooking.com says Uganda is a great destination to experience wildlife viewing in both forest and savannah.
Not to be missed is gorilla tracking in Bwindi, while chimps can easily be spotted in Kibale Forest.
Parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls offer wonderful savannah safaris with good wildlife viewing.
The rates vary between US$207 (Shs 806,600) to U$518 (Shs 1,916,600) per day.
Best time to Visit Uganda
The drier months from June to August and December to February are the best for wildlife watching in Uganda. This is particularly so when it comes to the rainforest habitat preferred by primates, but it also applies down on the savannah where animals have little bush to hide in. There’s also plentiful sunshine at this time. In the wetter months, there’s the possibility that rain will cut off roads and wash out your primate tracking adventure.
Wildlife
Elephant, hippo, buffalo and zebra are plentiful in Uganda, with giraffe and leopard less so. The birding in the country is a real highlight. So is the tracking of primates, in particular gorilla and chimp, but there are many other species worth watching. These include the red-tailed monkey and the grey-cheeked mangabey. The antelope known as the Uganda kob is found pretty much everywhere and is a favorite of predators such as the lion
Overall, Botswana was rated the best African country for safari travel for its scenic tapestry containing a diverse wildlife found in few other places on the continent.
Always a close rival, Tanzania was ranked as the best country overall for wildlife. Zimbabwe shot up the popularity stakes for safari-goers sizzling to number one overall.
SafariBookings.com co-owner Jeroen Beekwilder described Botswana as a magical country that combines awe-inspiring deserts with an impossibly wet delta system.
“Contributions included safari-goers from around the globe. It also included the reviews from 22 guidebook authors – working for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s, Bradt and Footprint – who make up the SafariBookings expert panel.
“Given the exceptional wildlife-viewing opportunities in Botswana, a country that specialises in an exclusive safari experience, and luxury in the bush, this is understandable,” Beekwilder said.
Top Rated Safari Countries
Tanzania has three safari circuits and each one of them would make Tanzania a top wildlife destination. The popular Northern circuit with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater offers one of the best classical safaris in Africa, especially if timed with the annual wildebeest migration. The process of getting a Tanzania tourist visa is now a very simple process.
Botswana is the leader in low-impact, upmarket tourism. This eco-friendly approach promotes a true wilderness experience in this unspoiled country. The beauty of the Okavango Delta is best discovered by mokoro canoe, while abundant wildlife can be encountered in Chobe and Moremi parks.
A safari in Zambia is not about checking off the Big Five. High-quality guides will share their knowledge on game drives, night drives and walking safaris. A canoeing safari on the Zambezi River is not to be missed by the more adventurous.
Kenya is a top wildlife destination, recommended especially for those booking a first-time safari. The Masai Mara offers excellent big cat encounters and is the setting for the yearly wildebeest migration. Palm-lined beaches offer a perfect place to relax after an action packed safari.
South Africa is a great destination for a varied holiday. It offers fantastic wildlife viewing, beautiful beaches, trendy cities and much more. Kruger is its flagship park with many self-drive and budget options, and all of the Big Five are easily seen.
Namibia is characterized by its desert habitat and a remarkable variety of landforms. This harsh environment forms a magnificent backdrop for a different kind of safari. Animal populations are smaller, but sightings in this sparse setting tend to be rewarding. Not to be missed is Etosha National Park, a seasonal wildlife magnet.
Due to the political situation in Zimbabwe, tourists are few and prices are competitive, but the main parks are still cared for and well worth visiting. Hwange is not to be missed and Mana Pools offers great canoeing safaris on the Zambezi River.