Top 15 Adventure Activities in Uganda

Top 15 Adventure Activities in Uganda are some of the most thrilling adrenalin rising activities that travellers after adventure, as well as an extreme adventure can do when they do visit Uganda. The Pearl of Africa is endowed with spectacular features like mountains, Rivers, Lakes and dense tropical rainforests all of which are ideal for adrenaline thumping adventure activities in Uganda. Are you an adrenaline junkie looking to satisfy a wild craze? Or are after facing your fears? Uganda has amazing adrenaline thumping adventure activities that you shall enjoy with most of them being in Jinja on River Nile, for Jinja is a popularly known as the Adventure Capital of Uganda and East Africa as a whole. Some activities however can be found in some parks say Lake Mburo National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

These 15 adventure activities in Uganda, and more, range from lazy relaxation adventure activities to intense crashing through grade five rapids of the River Nile. Whichever one’s range is, these 15 adventure activities in Uganda and more are also suitable for families, for there are activities that can be enjoyed as a family, catering for even those young ones. Some activities shall however have age and weight restrictions.

Top 15 Adventure Activities in Uganda that you may enjoy include:

Bungee Jumping: Bungee jumping in Uganda is one of the most amazing adventure activities in Uganda that travellers after thrilling adventure. Get to challenge your fears for heights for an opportunity to touch the source of the Nile River up from a free falling tall structure of 44m. The bungee jumping spot in Uganda is only 3km upstream from Bujagali falls. You shall be rewarded with stunning views of the Nile River. You can choose between an ankle tie and a full-body harness, and given that the weight limit is 235kg, you can enjoy bungee jumping with a friend and not go solo. Age restriction is 13 years, and can also be done in the night.
White-water Rafting: White-water rafting in Uganda is done on the Nile River. River Nile is considered widely as one of the safest yet wildest grade 5 white-water rapids in the entire world from where one would enjoy an adrenaline white-water rafting experience. Whereas there are huge rapids that have you hitting through them fiercely, there are also calmer waters along the way where you get time to relax and swim and take a breather before you hit other rapids. Grade 4 and 5 rapids are usually challenging, while grade 3 is slightly mild compared to the others. White-water rafting in the more challenging grades of 4 and 5 have you rafting alongside an experienced river guide on a small inflatable boat. Before embarking on white-water rafting in Uganda experience, you are given some training and a brief. The age restriction for white-water rafting in Uganda is 8 years but they are only allowed to raft the grade 3 rapids. The activity usually starts at 9am in the morning. Adrift are the most commonly used for white-water rafting in Uganda.
Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is one of the exciting 15 adventure activities in Uganda that one can enjoy while exploring the nature, wildlife and scenery. Horseback riding is available for both children and adults, and can last up to 3 hours. Horseback riding in Uganda savannah parks like Lake Mburo National Park have travellers getting up-close with wild game, as well as riding alongside the wild game. Just imagine being on horseback amidst zebras, antelopes, kobs, with birds chasing after you! Horseback riding is done in the company of a ranger guide if in the park. For safety reasons however, horseback riding has a weight limit of 90kgs.
Hot Air Balloon Safari: Hot air balloon safari is one which has one floating over savannah plains to watch the amazing wild game, scenery, landscape and also enjoy a sunrise or sunset depending on the time of one’s hot air balloon safari. Hot air balloon safaris in Uganda can only be found in Murchison Falls National Park and the medley of wonders, Queen Elizabeth National Park. Hot air balloon safaris are particularly perfect for honeymooners. A hot air balloon safari lasts only one hour, with an option of having breakfast in the wild. Children below the age of 6 are not allowed to participate and only 8 people are allowed per balloon.
Kayaking: Kayaking is an alternative to white-water rafting in Uganda. Kayaking the Nile River in Uganda has one using a double-sided paddle to explore the Nile River.
Jet Boating: Jet boating on the Nile River has a traveller moving up the Nile rapids at breath-taking speed while enjoying 360 degree spins to enjoy amazing scenery. There are jet boats of various sizes that can take people of ages between 5 and up to 85 years. You don’t necessarily need to have prior swimming expertise to enjoy jet boating.
River Boarding or River Surfing: For white-water enthusiasts, river boarding or river surfing on the Nile River. Travellers interested in riverboarding on the Nile are given a river board, flippers, helmet, and a life jacket before embarking on the thrilling activity. When some rapids do form waves, you can surf then. Age restriction for river boarding or river surfing is 14 years.
Sport Fishing: Sportfishing is catching and releasing the fish back into the water. Sometimes however, sport fishers are allowed to take their catch and devour it at on a meal. Sport fishing in Uganda is usually done in Murchison Falls National Park along the Nile River rocky surfaces, the bottom of the falls, and at the banks of River Nile. Fish usually caught include Nile perch, tilapia, catfish and yellow fish. For those very keen sport fishers, they can look for the very big Nile perch using GPS and fish finder. All fishing equipment, safety gear and drinking water are aptly supplied. Travellers are however advised to be cautious of the hippos and Nile crocodiles that are abundant in the waters.
Boat Cruises: Boat cruises are a common occurrence in Uganda for the country is filled with many water bodies which support boat safaris. Most boat cruises last about 2 hours, giving travellers an opportunity to enjoy sighting various wild animals, birds, scenery and great landscape. A boat cruise to the source of the Nile River has travellers seeing the starting point of River Nile as it journeys to the Mediterranean Sea, while a boat cruise on the amazing Kazinga channel that joins Lake George and Lake Edward found in Queen Elizabeth National Park has you spotting wild game like elephants taking a drink to quench their thirst on the fresh water, as well as water animals like hippos and crocodiles and other wild birds. Boat cruises or boat safaris can also be done in Murchison Falls National Park to the bottom of the falls, in Lake Mburo National Park on Lake Mburo, Lake Victoria among so many other places.
Mountain Biking and Cycling: Mountain biking or cycling is not only an adventurous activity but also a form of exercise for one to keep fit even while on a Uganda safari. Mountain biking and cycling has travellers enjoying scenic sights with great panoramic views of lakes, rivers, wild game, communities and birds as well as plant life in the forests. Biking and cycling can be done in various places like Lake Mburo National Park and in Mabira forest. Bikes are available for hire, just consult your tour operator to have them booked for you should you want to take part in the activity while on your Uganda safari.
Quad Biking: Quad biking in Uganda is an exhilarating activity for all ages of people, all levels of expertise and all kinds of adventure. Quad biking experiences take travellers to different scenic areas for different challenges depending on one’s preferences and capabilities. Quad biking do not necessarily need one to have prior knowledge of the activity given that you can be trained before the start of your quad biking experience.
Mountain Climbing/Hiking: Mountain climbing or hiking is one of the many adventure activities in Uganda that travellers on a Uganda safari can enjoy. With many mountains like Mountain Rwenzori, Mount Elgon and volcanoes like Mount Muhavura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga, mountain climbing or hiking is an activity that adventurous travellers can do to challenge themselves. During mountain climbing or hiking, travellers are rewarded with spectacular views of wildlife, nearby communities and for travellers who get to climb Mount Muhavura, they get an opportunity to be in three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo at the very same time!
Floating Safaris: Floating safaris are a mellow ride perfect for even families with young children. Travellers get to float or even swim on a peaceful stretch of the Nile River.
Zip Lining: Ziplining in Mabira forest has travellers enjoying the activity on the Mabira Forest canopy super skyway. Travellers get to zip line six platforms in the tree tops on zip line that stretch 250m across River Musamya. The maximum weight capacity allowed is 250kg. Travellers get to spot a variety of species including monkeys, mangabey, bird species, butterflies, flowers and various plant life.
Hiking the falls: Uganda has a number of waterfalls that travellers can hike. Sipi falls on Mount Elgon, Murchison falls in Murchison Falls National Park, Ripon falls and Ssezibwa falls can be hiked. Hiking Sipi falls and Murchison falls in particular is very exciting given the variety of scenery there is to gaze at and appreciate.

Other adventure activities in Uganda that travellers can enjoy include abseiling, snorkelling and so much more. All these 15 adventure activities in Uganda can be done, only reach out your trusted tour operator to plan and put together an amazing Uganda adventure safari and you shall indeed agree with the fact that Uganda is really the Pearl of Africa.