Also referred as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is a real paradise that is endowed with fantastic attractions including more than 100 species of mammals such as the extraordinary mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, big five animals (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffaloes), breathtaking water bodies inform of lakes (Victoria, Bunyonyi, Kyoga, Mutanda and Katwe among others), River and waterfalls as well as birds, butterflies and Reptiles especially Nile crocodiles among others.
It is always recommended to plan in advance when considering undertaking a safari to the Pearl of Africa. It involves booking for tickets early (which has been made easier due to advancement in internet), parking early and booking for transport as well as accommodation. You might be wondering why but these are the key reasons why it is advisable to book for Uganda safaris in advance;
You always have different options to choose from
If you book for a safari earlier, you will always have a number of options to choose from than someone that does last minute bookings. This is very critical especially during the peak season where advance booking prevents disappointment since you will always be able to choose what you desire. For instance, you will be able to get several budget friendly Lodges within the busy destinations such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks that are always fully booked during peak seasons and school holidays. Therefore, tourists are always advised to book for safaris at least 3-6 months in advance.
Lowest Priced Gorilla Permits
Since Rwanda increased its gorilla permits to a whopping $1500, Uganda has remained the most popular budget gorilla safari destination. Till 2019, gorilla permits are booked at USD 600 per person. Therefore if you are planning to take a gorilla safari in Uganda, it is imperative to book your safari well in advance.
Gives more time for planning
Having a vacation is undeniably the most exciting and interesting thing in anyone’s life but when you book for a safari in advance, you will have enough time to plan for whatever you need for your trip to the Pearl of Africa. With at least a month to your safari, you will be left with plenty of time to go shopping for clothes, accessories and other items needed during the safari. Not only that, you will have enough time to get or renew your travel documents such as passports, Identity Cards, Visas and Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates.
Saves money and time
It is obvious that when you plan for your safari in advance, you will be able to save more time and money. If you book late, you will discover that all the budget accommodation facilities have been taken and you might end up paying more for what you need but when you book at least 3 months in advance, you can choose the cheap facilities with all the amenities you desire. Not only that, it also applies to air fares because when you plan earlier, you can be able to get the cheaper airline seats thus will be able to save more for other expenditures for the safari.
Allows prior research
When you book early, you will still have time to find out more about the destination you are visiting especially the extra activities to engage in during the itinerary, the popular sites such as market places, places of chilling or passing time such as the clubs, Cafes, restaurants and bars, Resorts as well as National Parks and Wildlife Reserves to explore.
Therefore, booking in advance for your Uganda safaris not only avoids last minute disappointments but also allows enough time for research, saves more time and money, allows tourists to make right decisions from the many options and also gives more time for planning for the safari.
