Top 10 Best tourist attractions and places to visit in Uganda.
Uganda is a stunning safari destination known as ‘’ Pearl of Africa, ‘’ is a country of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a unique mix of dense rainforests, vast savannahs, Might Rivers and stunning mountains, making it a perfect destination for both wildlife lovers and adventure seekers. Here are top 10 best places to visit in this welcoming East African nation.
- Bwindi impenetrable National Park; The gorilla home.
The most famous attraction in Uganda is the Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Hiking through the thick, misty jungle to spend an hour with these powerful yet gentle creatures is a truly unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. The park is also rich in other wildlife, including chimpanzees and many bird species.
- Murchison Falls National Park; the Nile’s Power.
Murchison falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. Its main feature is the spectacular Murchison falls, where the immense power of the Nile River is squeezed through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging into a lower pool. Visitors enjoy exciting game drives on the savannah to see lions, elephants, giraffes and buffaloes. A boat safari on the Nile River to the base of the falls offers incredible views of hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
- Queen Elizabeth national park; three climbing lions.
This park is Uganda’s most popular savannah reserve, offering a wide range of ecosystems. Queen Elizabeth national park is famous for its tree-climbing lions found in Ishasha sector a rare sight. A highlight is the boat trip on Kazinga channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake Gorge. The channel banks are crowded with vast numbers of elephants, buffaloes and the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa.
- Kibale Forest National park; the chimpanzee capital.
For those fascinated by primates, Kibale forest national park is the best experience. It is known as the ‘’Primate Capital of the world’’ because it protects the largest population of the chimpanzees in the country. Going on a chimpanzee tracking expedition offers an incredible chance to observe these intelligent animals in their natural forest home. Besides chimps, you can spot over ten other primate species and various colourful birds.
- Jinja; Adventure Hub and Source of the Nile.
Jinja is located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, is where the legendary Nile River begins its journey to the north. It’s recognized as the adventure capital of Uganda. Thrill seekers come for exhilarant activates like world white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, quad biking and others. Visits can also take a quiet boat ride to the exact point where the Nile starts.
- Lake Bunyonyi; island retreat.
Known as the ‘’place of many little birds,’’ Lake Bunyonyi is often considered as one of the Africa’s most beautiful lakes. It provides a scenic contrast to the bust safari parks. Surrounded by terraced green hills the lake is dotted with 29 islands each with its own story. Its perfect place to relax, go birdwatching or explore the island using a canoe.
- Kidepo valley national park; untouched wilderness.
Located in the remote northeast, Kidepo valley national park offers a true experience of Africa’s untouched wilderness. Though isolated, the journey is rewarding, with stunning landscapes of rugged mountains and open savannah. It’s a home to animals found nowhere else in Uganda like cheetahs, ostriches and offers an exclusive quieter safari experience.
- Rwenzori mountains national park; mountains of the moon.
Rwenzori mountains, often called the ‘’Mountains of the moon,’’ are a UNESCO Word Heritage Site with Africa’s third highest peak, Mount Stanley. Despite being near the equator, the peaks are permanently snow-capped. This park offers challenging multi-day treks through varied zones of unique vegetation, giant groundsels and stunning alpine scenery, perfect for mountaineers and serious hikers.
- Ziwa Rhino sanctuary; bringing back the rhino.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see the wild white rhinos. Rhinos were once extinct in Uganda but are now being protected and bred here to be reintroduced into the national parks. Visitors can go on a walking safari with trained rangers to see rhinos up close, which is a key step in seeing all of Africa ‘’Big Five’’ animals in Uganda.
- Kampala; the vibrant capital city.
The bustling capital city of Kampala sits on several hills and is the heart of Ugandan life. While known for its energy and traffic, it offers rich cultural sites like Kasubi Toms (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial grounds for the Buganda kings) the Uganda Museum and various colourful markets. It’s a great place to experience local culture, food and nightlight.
