Safari Treks: Roots & Roads
Discover Uganda in its fullest expression—through the winding roads of its wild landscapes and the deep roots of its vibrant cultures.
Safari Treks: Roots & Roads isn’t your average safari. It’s a soulful, immersive travel experience that blends raw nature with real connection. You’ll explore Uganda’s breathtaking national parks and rich biodiversity—but you’ll also go deeper, meeting its people, tasting its food, and listening to its stories.
Designed for curious, open-hearted travelers, this is a journey that honors both the land and its lifeblood: the communities that call it home.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Famous for: Gorilla trekking
Step into one of the world’s most magical and ancient rainforests, where nearly half of the remaining mountain gorillas make their home. Bwindi’s thick, mist-shrouded hills offer an unparalleled wildlife experience — trekking here is as much a journey of the heart as it is an adventure. Walking quietly through the dense forest, you may come face to face with a family of gorillas, watching their intimate social moments unfold in the wild.
Birdwatchers will be enthralled by over 350 species, including rare sunbirds and turacos. Wander to hidden waterfalls, where the forest’s music swells with the sound of rushing water. Visitors can also connect with the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants, to learn about their ancient culture and symbiotic relationship with this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site — recognized globally for its biodiversity and cultural importance.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Famous for: Tree-climbing lions & the Kazinga Channel
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wildlife lover’s paradise where classic African savannah meets shimmering crater lakes and vibrant wetlands. The park’s famous lions, unique for their ability to rest and hunt in trees, provide a spectacular sight for visitors. A boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel winds between two large lakes, bringing you incredibly close to hippos submerged in mud baths, elephants drinking at the water’s edge, and large herds of buffalo.
Leopards prowl the dense bush, while salt lakes create stunning seasonal landscapes attracting flamingos and other waterbirds. The park is also home to thriving community tourism initiatives, empowering local groups through sustainable wildlife tourism and cultural sharing.
Murchison Falls National Park
Famous for: The Big Five and the world’s most powerful waterfall
Witness nature’s raw power where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge, plunging in a thunderous cascade known as Murchison Falls. This spectacle is just one highlight of Uganda’s largest national park, a vast expanse of savannah, riverine forest, and rolling plains. Wildlife here is abundant, with giraffes elegantly browsing acacia trees, prides of lions lounging in the shade, and elephants wandering the floodplains. Crocodiles bask along the riverbanks, completing the quintessential African safari scene.
Enjoy boat safaris to see hippos and birds from the river’s vantage point, or hike to the top of the falls for breathtaking panoramic views. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting rare species like the white-throated bee-eater and African fish eagle.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Want to complete the Big Five on your trip to Murchison Falls? Add a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see the rare white rhino in the wild. On a guided walking safari, you’ll get up close to these magnificent animals while learning about the important conservation work being done to restore the rhino population. A unique and safe experience that perfectly complements your Murchison Falls adventure.
Kibale National Park
Famous for: Chimpanzee trekking
Kibale Forest is renowned as one of Africa’s premier primate habitats, with the highest concentration of primates on the continent. Trekking through this lush rainforest offers a thrilling opportunity to observe chimpanzees in their natural environment, swinging, grooming, and calling out to each other. This intimate glimpse into our closest relatives’ lives is both educational and deeply moving.
More than chimps: Explore guided forest walks to discover over 370 bird species, forest elephants, and rare monkeys. Kibale is also home to community-run eco-tourism projects that support conservation and provide local livelihoods, offering visitors a chance to engage meaningfully with the region’s people and nature.
Lake Mburo National Park
Famous for: Zebras and walking safaris
Just a few hours from Kampala, Lake Mburo is Uganda’s most accessible park and a wonderful choice for shorter trips or first-time safari-goers. It is the only national park in Uganda where you can embark on walking safaris, allowing you to intimately explore the bush alongside experienced guides. The park is renowned for its striking herds of zebras, as well as impalas, buffalo, and several species of antelope.
Peaceful boat rides at sunset, and spot hippos and crocodiles in the calm waters. The park’s open woodlands and savannah provide a peaceful, less crowded alternative to the larger parks.
Create Your Own Journey
At Roots of Uganda, every retreat is a beginning, not a limit. All destinations can be combined—whether you long for island stillness, mountain air, or wild savannas, we help weave them together into one meaningful journey. Your booking is fully customizable, shaped around your rhythm, your wishes, and what your soul most needs.