Best Tourist Attractions in Uganda

Uganda, also known as the Pearl of Africa has 15% of its land covered by water. Lake Victoria which is the biggest water body in the land is found in the southern part of the country and it’s shared by Kenya & Tanzania. Uganda has a tropical climate with temperatures always changing throughout the year and no real winter or summer. The hottest months are January and February when the average daytime range is 24-33°C (52-91°F) with peaks of up to 40°C/104°F in the far north. Uganda shares borders with Sudan, Kenya, Lake Victoria, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda’s attractions range from mountains, Lakes, rivers, national parks & game reserves, monuments, museums etc. Among the top attractions include the Source of the Nile River (the longest river in Africa) and Bwindi impenetrable forest which is famous for having half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas…

1. Bwindi impenetrable forest

Ranked among the top attractions in Uganda, Bwindi offers an amazing experience for visitors to stand just meters away from the gentle giants – the mountain gorillas. Over 300 mountain Gorillas are found in this impenetrable forest of which an estimated 116 are habituated. Located in south-western Uganda on the edge of the rift valley, Bwindi’s mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. Over 120 mammals are found here with 350 species of birds recorded, including 23 endemics. Local communities like the Batwa pygmies and Bakiga live around the forest and you can enjoy great cultural encounters after your Gorilla trekking experience. Also Nature walks & hiking along the trails of Buhoma or mountain biking are available for most visitors.

2. Queen Elizabeth national park

This is Uganda’s most popular destination with the famous “Tree Climbing Lions” in Ishasha and the Kazinga Channel where you can get to see a bunch of hippos floating in the water. Queen Elizabeth Park has a diverse ecosystem which includes sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands. These make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. Queen Elizabeth national Park has very many areas of interest to any visitor and it’s location is set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. Gorges, explosion craters, forests, wildlife, birds and a lot more make this an interesting destination for any visitor coming to Uganda.

3. Murchison falls national park

This is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area and one of the most spectacular in Africa. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45 meters over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. A boat ride along the Nile river to the foot of Murchison Falls is a rewarding experience for nature lovers, as the northern bank teems with a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. Guided nature walks along both the north and south banks are another refreshing activity, and sport fishing is also possible here. Most people who have visited this place have lifetime memories from one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

4. Source of the Nile

The second world’s longest river is found in Africa, with Lake Victoria as its source and starts its 6,500km journey from here to the Mediterranean Sea. A visit to the source of the Nile is a truly rewarding moment and this will give you an unforgettable experience.  There is a golf course unwinding along the banks and the source of the Nile provides a pretty focal point to the flow of water from Lake Victoria’s only outlet. The Nile river rapids over an opportunity for you to go White water rafting & kayaking as well which can be organized by Nalubaale rafting – Uganda’s friendlist rafting company.

5. Kibale forest national park

This is one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. The primate capital of the world is found here and it’s 1450 chimpanzees represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, bush baby and potto. Common activities like Chimp tracking & Birding can be done here.

6. Kidepo Valley National park

Uganda’s most isolated national park located in wild frontier region of Karamoja. Kidepo valley national park has a savannah landscape that extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges. The Narus valley in Kidepo has a variety of wild animals such as lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffaloes, giraffes, oribis and reedbucks. The Kanangorok Hot Springs located 11km beyond the Kidepo River offer a glorious place to sit and view the mountains beyond the frontier. Also found in the park is Mount Morungole which stands at 2,750m and is crossed by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers that nourish the park’s wildlife and this natural habitat as a whole. Kidepo Valley National park was nominated in World Travel Awards 2017 in the Category of Africa’s leading National park against the others like Masai Mara in Kenya & Serengeti in Tanzania and many others.

7. Rwenzori Mountains

The alpine highland graciers, snowfields and blue cirque lakes, make Rwenzori  one of Africa’s beautiful mountain parks. Rwenzori is Africa’s tallest mountain range exceeded in altitude by Mount kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya carrying Africa’s third fourth and fifth highest peaks that are visible from miles around. Huge tree-heathers and colourful mosses are draped across the mountainside with giant lobelias and “everlasting flowers”, creating an enchanting, fairytale scene. The Rwenzoris are a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. A nine- to twelve-day trek will get skilled climbers to the summit of Margherita – the highest peak – though shorter, non-technical treks are possible to scale the surrounding peaks. The Rwenzoris can be visited anytime of the year and are located withing four districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Kabarole in western Uganda. Rwenzori mountains national park is home to 18 species of mammals, 217 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles & 6 species of amphibians. The nearest towns of fortportal and kasese offer budget & midrange accommodation to most visitors who come to Hike the Rwenzori’s

8. Lake Victoria

This is Africa’s largest lake shared by three countries – Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania. The Lake was named after Queen Victoria by a British Explorer called John speke in 1858. Lake Victoria receives its water mainly from thousands of small streams like the kagera River and Rainfall. There are a number of Islands located on Lake Victoria and the most common ones are the Ssese Islands. The Ssese Islands are an archipelago of eighty-four (84) islands in the northwestern part of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The Ssese Islands – listed among the world’s best secret Islands by Lonely Planet are a well-known destination for Ugandans for its beauty, affordability and ease of access. And on top of that amazing sunrises, sunsets and Holiday weather all-year long.  Also found on Lake Victoria is the Ngamba Island where the Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located.

9. Lake Bunyonyi

Many tourists and travelers who undertake a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or come to Uganda after their Rwanda Gorilla safari experience rest and relax at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. They get to enjoy one of the best sceneries in the whole world and involve themselves into various cultural and community activities like canoeing. Lake Bunyonyi is located in south western Uganda between two districts of Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. It’s also said that it’s the second deepest lake in Africa. Activities at Bunyonyi include canoeing, boat riding, and local tour, swimming, hiking the highlands around the lake, pygmy village tour and birding.

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