Uganda Attractions
Uganda attractions. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a beautiful East African safari destination that travelers can visit any time of the year for unforgettable African safari tours.
There is a diversity of attractions that travelers can enjoy on Ugandan safaris; the people of Uganda, climate, dense forests, lakes and rivers all offer amazing African safari experiences.
The most sought-after is gorilla trekking in Uganda, to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Beyond the gorillas, there is so much that travelers can enjoy. The below are the different things to enjoy while on a Uganda safari tour.
Gorillas
Gorillas are the most sought-after Uganda attraction that sees many travelers visit for gorilla trekking experiences. Uganda hosts mountain gorillas that can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking, which is an activity that sees you following rangers and guides to see the gorillas for 1 hour, and gorilla habituation, that allows you up to 4 hours, can be enjoyed in Uganda all throughout the year. Be sure to book your gorilla permits well in advance for they sell out very fast.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees in Uganda can be found in Ngamba Island, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kibale Forest National Park. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is the most common and sought after by travelers after primate safaris in Uganda.
Kazinga Channel and Tree-Climbing Lions
Both the Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the best savannah parks of Uganda. The Kazinga Channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward, allowing you a chance to enjoy a boat safari seeing animals drinking or dipping at the shores and in the waters (crocodiles and hippos), as well as water birds. Tree-climbing lions can be seen in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kampala City Tour
A Kampala City tour is a must-do for a chance to explore and learn about the different historical and important sites in Uganda. The Uganda Museum, the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Gadhafi Mosque, the Ndere Cultural Center for folklore and dance, the Kasubi Tombs, and Owino Market, which is one of the most intriguing markets in Africa, where you can taste local delicacies like a Rolex and Luwombo and do much more, should be included on your tour. The Bahai Temple, Nakasero Market, seeing the Independence Monument, visiting art galleries like the 32 degrees East Ugandan Arts Trust, Lubiri Palace, and more are available to add to your Kampala City tour: you could actually have up to 2-3 days simply exploring the city.
Source of the Nile River
Uganda is where the source of the River Nile, the longest river in Africa, flows through different countries until the Mediterranean Sea. The River Nile gets its waters from Lake Victoria. The source of the River Nile is only about 2 hours away, in Jinja.
Murchison Falls National Park
A top tourist attraction in Uganda, Murchison Falls of Murchison Falls National Park is a wonder to look at. Murchison Falls National Park is home to chimpanzees, antelopes, giraffes, leopards, lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and so much more, as well as over 450 bird species. While game viewing is a given, it is watching, let alone hearing, the thunderous waters force through the 7m gorge that marvels many.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the nearest Ugandan savanna park to Kampala City, so travelers pressed for time can choose to visit it on a day safari. The park is the smallest park in Uganda but inhabits a number of animals, including buffaloes, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and the largest zebra population in Uganda. Leopards can also be spotted. Apart from the usual game drives, Lake Mburo National Park has unique activities like guided walking safaris, horseback safaris or even quad biking. These unique activities are possible because of the absence of lions. Lake Mburo National Park is also a beautiful birding destination, with over 350 birds recorded in the park.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is found just before Murchison Falls National Park, established to protect Uganda’s last few remaining white rhinos: Uganda previously had over 1,000 white and black rhinos. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary currently hosts over 27 individuals that travelers can visit as they make their way to or from Murchison Falls National Park, or simply as a visit there solely. Rhino tracking in Ziwa is done in the company of armed rangers and researchers. Apart from rhinos, other wildlife in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary include the elusive shoebill stork, antelopes, crocodiles and hippos.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi simply means the place of many birds. Found near Kabale and Kisoro, Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Africa. Given its natural beauty and calming nature, the lake is a beautiful destination, especially for couples, to relax in the quiet. Apart from relaxing, travelers can opt to go canoeing to explore the 29 little islands and villages and visit the local Batwa or Bakiga communities, as well as go birdwatching.
Lake Mutanda
Found in the southwestern part of the country in the Kisoro district, Lake Mutanda is a beautiful water body that lies at the foot of 3 volcanoes of Mgahinga Gorillas National Park. It is a perfect stop after your gorilla trek, exploring the different islands on a canoe or boat. Birds and a number of monkeys can be spotted.
Birding
Apart from the primates and big five animals in Uganda, birds are another amazing attraction that sees a good number of birders choosing Uganda as their birding destination in East Africa. There are over 1,050 birds in Uganda. Common birds spotted include the African Green Broadbill, Black Bee-eaters, Karamoja Apalis, Green-breasted Pitta, Red-fronted Antpecker, and the much-sought-after Shoebill Stork. Birding in Uganda can be done almost anywhere; simply let your consultants know your preferred bird list and they shall tailor your Uganda birding safari accordingly.
Explore Jinja: White Water Rafting, Quad Biking, Bungee Jumping, Horseback Riding
Jinja the Stone City is an adventurous destination with so many activities to enjoy while on a Uganda safari tour. The Nile River, whose source is in Jinja on Lake Victoria, offers an adrenaline experience with white-water rafting in the Grade 5 waters of the Nile. If white water rafting is too extreme for you, there is tubbing the Nile, bungee jumping over the Nile River, quad biking and horseback riding along the communities while viewing the Nile River every other time.
Mount Rwenzori Climbing
Another adventurous attraction in Uganda is Mount Rwenzori, which is 5,119 m above sea level. Mount Rwenzori is the highest mountain in Uganda and the third-highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. Mount Rwenzori is, however, the highest non-volcanic mountain in Africa. Climbing Mount Rwenzori is considered one of the most challenging and yet scenic trekking destinations. Summiting Mount Rwenzori takes 9 to 10 days and rewards travelers with very scenic views of breathtaking scenery, tropical glaciers, alpine vegetation, birds, primates, river and 9 lakes. Mount Rwenzori lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Rwenzori is snow-capped.
Apart from the Rwenzori Mountains, other mountains in Uganda include Elgon, Moroto, Mt. Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura. While summiting the Rwenzori takes 9-10 days, summiting Mt. Elgon takes about 4 days only. The 3 volcanic mountains of Sabinyo, Muhavura and Gahinga can be hiked in a day each and are very much rewarding with stunning views.
Sempaya Hot springs in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is one of the national parks in Uganda offering amazing wild game experiences. Semuliki National Park has a unique biodiversity, with forests that are an extension of those found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are the Ituri and the Congo. The park has unique animals as such and is one of the top birding destinations in Uganda. Apart from the wild game, the Sempaya hot springs, boiling at 103 degrees Celsius and more, shoot out in the form of sprays.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island is located in one of the Ssese groups of islands and was turned into a chimpanzee sanctuary by the Jane Goodall Foundation and partners. The chimpanzees are brought to the sanctuary for rehabilitation. There are well over 50 chimpanzees in the sanctuary that travelers can visit for a day visit, with multi-day visits having an opportunity to feed them available. Apart from the chimpanzee sanctuary, Ngamba Island is also a beautiful bird haven; swimming, kayaking and nature walks are all possible here.
There is so much to see and experience while on any Uganda safari tour. Other things to consider to include on your Uganda tour, apart from the abovementioned, include visiting the UWEC Zoo, the Uganda Museum, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, the Uganda Reptile Village, experiencing the nightlife, and much more.
For whatever you are looking to experience, reach out to our trusted safari planners who will craft a tailored experience for you any time of the year and get to explore Uganda.
