Comprehensive Guide to Planning a Family Safari in Uganda

Exploring Uganda with children is a life-changing experience for your kids and other family members. There is obviously nothing more exhilarating than seeing the wide smiles on your children’s faces after meeting face to face with wild animals in the wild, not in the zoo or documentary.

For nature-loving families, the Pearl of Africa offers the most excellent option and introduction into Africa. This land-locked country in the East African region is a haven to superlative National Parks (10), Wildlife Reserves (12), Sanctuaries, Forest Reserves, beautiful Towns and Cities, and tranquil white-sand beaches. Additionally, Uganda boasts of a developing tourism infrastructure that favors family safaris in Uganda.

Of all the countries in Africa offering safaris, Uganda is undeniably the best for family safaris, involving even young children. It is undoubted that the roads in this country are in a poor state, poverty levels are still alarming and some places still don’t have access to clean water and electricity but one thing you should be sure of is that your family safari in Uganda is going to be memorable. Your children will get first-hand information and knowledge on animals and their unique ecosystems, not in documentaries or class lessons. For this purpose, we bring you the comprehensive guide to planning a family safari in Uganda-with information on places to go, the best time to go on a family safari, and what to pack for your trip to Uganda with children.

Why explore Uganda with kids?

If you are a safari enthusiast, you will concur that tours centered on Mother Nature and wildlife are always the record-breaker for kids. Interestingly, Mother Nature is the most remarkable playground for children, and Uganda sure has a great deal of it.

When it comes to wildlife viewing, Uganda is one of the best African countries and is a haven to the popular Murchison Falls National Park (home to the World’s most powerful waterfalls) and sweeping savannah plains, Queen Elizabeth National Park (renowned medley of natural wonders including the tree climbing lions), Kidepo Valley National Park (the true African wilderness) where visitors are guaranteed of seeing African game in the wild.

Uganda is undeniably land-locked but is endowed with some of the most beautiful Lakeside beaches and if you have plans of unwinding choose Entebbe beaches or cultural experience across the country, and your children will be appreciative of that.

Is Uganda safe for family safaris?

Crater Lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park

It is every parent’s concern to be worried about safety during a safari and that shouldn’t be an issue; Uganda is absolutely safe to travel with your kids. Like most Cities (including the ones we all love and admire to visit), threats of bombings are common in Kampala City but the outskirts and remote destinations (especially National Parks and Wildlife Reserves) are relatively safe.

Additionally, you are obviously perturbed by the viral videos of leopards jumping on safari jeeps but such occurrences are rare because the wildlife normally stays a reasonable distance from visitors. These animals will leave visitors in peace, provided that they are not disturbed.

Another threatening issue is health and sanitation concerns resulting from malaria, yellow fever as well as food poisoning. First, National Parks and Reserves in Uganda are malaria-free, although anti-malarial tablets, as well as yellow fever vaccination, are recommended before traveling into Uganda.

Family-friendly safari destinations and places of lodging

There are numerous family-friendly safari destinations in Uganda plus their respective places of lodging, which include;

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the best choice for family safaris in Uganda with extraordinary activities for adults and kids alike such as boat rides, wildlife viewing, horseback rides, guided bush walks, and quad biking tours with chances of seeing Burchell’s zebras, Rothschild giraffes, Hippos, Cape buffaloes, Olive baboons, Defassa waterbucks, elands, and vervet monkeys among others. Stay at Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, Arcadia cottages, and Mihingo Safari Lodge during your family trip.

Also, you can’t say you organized a successful and memorable family safari in Uganda without including Queen Elizabeth National Park. The boat rides, game drives, bush walks, and cultural tours are perfect for families. There are many choices of accommodation for travel with kids and some include Mweya Safari Lodge.

The Uganda Wildlife Education Center and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offer wildlife viewing opportunities in captivity.

Murchison Falls National Park in north-western Uganda features the country’s most powerful and beautiful waterfalls, which are clearly viewed during boat rides along the Nile. Spending several days, the family will most likely see Hippos, Defassa waterbucks, African bush elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, Nile crocodiles, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, African rock pythons, Cape buffaloes, and Uganda Kobs among others. Travelers can also add Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary while transferring to the northern part of the country.

Family safaris with teenagers (above 15 years) can add chimpanzee trekking tours in Kibale and Budongo forests as well as gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, given the physical and emotional demands of these adventures.

Add relaxation/unwinding to your family safari in Uganda by staying at the different Resorts/Lodges/Hotels along the tranquil shores of Lakes Bunyonyi, Victoria, and Mutanda with several kid-friendly activities.

When to go to Uganda with kids?

The best time of the year to go to Uganda with kids is from June to September and December to February because they are considered the best for game viewing. Primate treks are also popular during the dry seasons hence expect huge crowds.

How long should the family safari in Uganda be?

There are endless options of things to do in Uganda with kids and therefore the recommended time is between one and two weeks to discover the hidden gem at a more comfortable pace.

Interesting things to do in Uganda with kids

Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Entebbe)

Some of the interesting things to do with kids in Uganda include visiting the Rhinos in their natural habitat (Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary), feeding giraffes at Uganda Wildlife Education Center (Entebbe), seeing different Uganda’s traditional dances at Ndere Cultural Center, undertaking game drives in any of the savannah National Parks, visit a Batwa village/community, see the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, try out the hot air balloon tour over Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, unwind on the shores of Lakes Victoria and Bunyonyi, to mention but a few.

What to include on your packing list for Uganda safari with kids

Your ultimate packing list for Uganda safari with kids should include swimsuits, hiking shoes (adults and kids), comfortable convertible safari pants, rain jacket, breathable socks, sunscreen, safari hats, insect repellants, sandals, underwear, nature-toned safari-themed t-shirts, guidebooks on African wildlife and birds, binoculars (including for kids), flashlight, good camera, and many others.