tourism in western uganda

10 Places to Visit in Western Uganda

Western Uganda is internationally known for hosting a variety of tourist attraction in Uganda at large. Many travelers who plan Uganda safaris visit Western Uganda, a place known to host several national parks, game reserves and unique places to see. Some of the popular tourist attractions not to miss in western Uganda include mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Mountain Rwenzori (Mountains of the moon), birds among others.

Below are some of the tourist destinations in Uganda:

• Lake Bunyonyi – Its among the deepest lakes in Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is known for hosting a variety of birds thus obtaining its name. While at Lake Bunyonyi, you can swim, enjoy a birding Canoe ride, Visit different islands, chill at the shores, cultural trip among others.
• Kisiizi Falls – The beautiful Kisiizi falls lie on Kyabamba River a few meters from Kisiizi Hospital in Rukungiri district which borders with Kabale – in “the Switzerland of Uganda” found in the south western corner of Uganda. These falls are about 27 metres high dropping water into a gorge continuing the flow of the River. Visitors to the Kisiizi falls are met by mist from the falls at least 100 meters away, indicating that you are approaching the beautiful sight with a sad cultural history according to me.
• Bwindi Forest – situated in south western Uganda and famous for protecting almost half of the world’s mountain Gorillas. In 1991, Bwindi Forest was ranked among national parks in Uganda. BINP was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1994 and to date, Gorilla trekking is conducted every day, all year round.
• Kitagata Hot springs – Kitagata Hot Springs are natural hot springs in Bushenyi district of western Uganda. The springs are believed to have natural healing powers and by experiment, the hot water can boil eggs or bananas.
• Katonga wildlife Reserve – With an area of 207 square kilometers, Katomga Wildlife Reserve was gazetted in 1964 as a game reserve, to serve as a corridor for migrating wildlife from Western Uganda to Tanzania and Sudan. is a savannah grassland ecosystem located within Kyenjojo and Kamwenge districts. The journey into the Reserve is a three-hour drive from Kampala to Kyegegwa Town Council.
• Semuliki Wildlife Reserve – The Semliki Wildlife Reserve, formerly the Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, is a conservation protected area in the Western Uganda. It is located in Kabarole District, in the Toro sub-region, on the floor of the rift valley, where Lake Albert, the Rwenzori Mountains and the Kijura escarpment create backdrops.
• Kibale National Park – situated in western Uganda and known for protecting chimpanzees. Uganda is currently charging US$200 for chimpanzee trekking permit and chimpanzee trekking is the major activity in Kibale National Park. There are 13 species of primates including chimpanzees living within its 795km2 land cover with the most beautiful and most diversified tracts of tropical forest in the whole of Uganda.
• Lake Mburo National Park – the smallest savanna park in Uganda. Lake Mburo National Park is known for consisting many lakes, Zebras, Giraffes and kobs among others. It is situated along Kampala- masaka – Mbarara road in Kiruhura district.
• Queen Elizabeth national Park – the second largest National Park in Uganda. It’s a savannah park. It’s the best place to see lions and above all the tree climbing lions and the most popular savannah park in Uganda.
• Queen Elizabeth National Park is a great diversity of habitats including wetlands, hills, savanna glass land, mammals among others. The major tourist activities here include game drives, boat cruise, cultural tours among others.
• Mountain Rwenzori National Park – famous for protecting the highest block mountain in Uganda. The park is situated in western Uganda at the boarders of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). he 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.

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7 Best Places to Visit in Western Uganda

Western region consists several districts including Mbarara, Bushenyi, Kasese, Kiruhura, Kabarole, Rubirizi, Mitooma among others. When it comes to tourism, western Uganda out competes other regions due to its tourist attractions and activities that offer memorable experience.

A combination of beautiful land scape, rivers, lakes, variety of bird and primate species and many other wild animals offer you a fascinating experience when you visit western Uganda.

Western Uganda attracts many tourists because of its major tourist destination below:

Queen Elizabeth National park.

It is located in western Uganda spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi and Rukungiri, extending from Lake Edward and Lake George separated by Kazinga channel. It is located along Mpondwe road in Rubirizi district and Uganda’s second largest National park covering a land of 1978 square kilometers.

Queen Elizabeth National park is the most popular destination well known for its concentration of wild animals, bird species and primate species. The activities in Queen Elizabeth National park include game drives in the Kasenyi sector, Mweya peninsular, Katwe salt mines, Bunyaruguru Crater Lake, Munyanyanga Crater Lake, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, nature walks, cultural encounters to Kikorongo community village, leopard village, the Equator, launch trips on Kazinga channel.

Queen Elizabeth National park shelters over 600 bird species and more than 95 mammal species including elephants, lions, leopards, warthogs, antelopes, buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, chimpanzees, monkey species, hippos, Uganda kobs, Elands, Topis, tree climbing lions which are only found in Ishasha sector, birds like whited winded, swamp nightjar, Africa fish eagle, African kingfisher, white egrets, African morning dove, weaver birds among others. There are chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge in Maramagambo forest.

All these wild animals can be viewed during day and night game drives, boat cruise on Kazinga channel, guided nature walks, birding and cultural tours.

Queen Elizabeth National park has beautiful accommodations which  exceptional  and wonderful services where visitors spend their time when they visit the park including; Mweya safari lodge, Queen Elizabeth bush lodge, Buffalo safari lodge, Ihamba lake side lodge, Kyambura game lodge, park view lodge, Enganzi lodge, Katara lodge among others.

Kibale National park.

It is located in western Uganda in Kabarole district characterized of lowland, montane and rain forest type of forests. Kibale National park is the most popular destination for chimpanzee trekking, however there other areas where chimpanzee trekking is done including Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park, Toro Semuliki game reserve in the west and Kalinzu forest close to Queen Elizabeth National park but Kibale National park is the leading chimpanzee destination with over 1500 chimpanzees that consist of habituated and non-habituated chimpanzees. Besides chimpanzees, Kibale National park also hosts several wild animals like forest elephants, warthogs, bush pigs, duikers, African buffaloes among others, then monkey species like black and white colubus, olive baboons, blue tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, Red tailed, L’Hoests monkeys among others.

Kibale National park also hosts over 325 birds species which include yellow potted nicator, African King Fisher, weaver birds, African grey parrot, pigeons, little greenbul and so on which can be viewed Kibale forest and others in Bigodi swamp sanctuary during nature walks.

Kibale National park has several accommodations including crater, safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge, Ndali lodge, primate lodge, chimpanzee safari lodge, Isunga lodge, Rweteera safari park among others which offer fascinating services.

Bwindi impenetrable National park.

Bwindi impenetrable National park is situated in south western Uganda in the district of Kanungu covering an area of 321 square kilometers. It is characterized with a thick tropical rain forest which shelters mountain gorillas which are Uganda’s major tourist attractions.

Bwindi impenetrable National park is well known destination for gorilla safaris in Uganda done in 4 sectors; Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector in the southern part of the park.

Bwindi impenetrable National park consists of 18 habituated gorilla families that are being trekked. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National park is the major tourist activity in western Uganda and in Uganda generally due to its highest population of mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable National park shelters over 449 mountain gorillas which are half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas which attracts the biggest number of tourists from all parts of the world.

Mountain gorillas are endangered primate species that are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo in the whole world. A trip to western Uganda offers you the breath taking and memorable experience of gorilla trekking that you will not encounter anywhere else in Uganda. Gorilla trekking starts from the park headquarters with briefing in the morning guided by the ranger guides then they lead you to the forest for trekking, depending on how far the gorillas are, trekking may take 1-8 hours though not predictable.

Trekkers are advised to go with their trekking gears like rain jacket, trousers, long shirts and blouses, hiking boots, insect repellant, hut to protect from direct sun and rain, warm sweater and they should be above 15 years.

Lake Mburo National park.

Lake Mburo National park is located in Kiruhura district few kilometers from Mbarara city. Lake Mburo National park was formerly a hunting area but later gazette in to National park in 1963.

There are tourist activities done in Lake Mburo National park which attract travelers include game drives both day and night game drives, boat trips, nature walks, horse riding, fishing among others.

The park is the smallest savannah National park with a variety of animals like Antelopes, Zebras, Giraffes, hyenas, warthog, Eland, Uganda kob, impalas, Jackal and many others with over 300 bird species that attract travelers.

The park also has a variety of accommodations including Mihingo lodge, Arcadia lodge, Mburo safari lodge, Mantana tented camp, Rwakobo rock resort, Rwonyo rest camp and so on.

Mountain Rwenzori National park.

Mountain Rwenzori National park is located in western Uganda situated within the mountains of the moon in the East African Rift valley bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain Rwenzori is the third highest mountain In Africa with 5,109 meters high and its highest peak Margherita which is snowcapped.

Rwenzori National park and also a conservation area of the mountain is a UNESCO heritage that covers of 995 square kilometers shared by the districts of Kabarole, Bundibigyo and Kasese. It can be accessed via Fort Portal Kasese road to Rwenzori National park for 5-6 hours.

Rwenzori National park consists of several activities like mountaineering which is the major activity that attracts a number of travelers that come from different countries to hike mountain Rwenzori. Over 7500 travelers each year visit mountain Rwenzori especially to the highest peak of mount Stanley Margherita.

There is also hiking and nature walks done around Lake Mahooma and Buraro chimpanzee forest, Bundibugyo area through Bwamba pass where you come across wild animals like forest elephants, giant forest hog, duikers, leopards though rarely seen, the three horned chameleon which is only found in Rwenzori because it only stays in places which are 3000 meters above sea level, it is always fascinating on sighting it. Cultural encounters with the Bakonzo people and learn more about their cultures, daily activities, traditional dances, storytelling among others, the visitors also enjoy birding in Rwenzori National park with over 217 bird species that can be traced in the montane forests on the slopes of mountain Rwenzori.

Semuliki National park.

Semuliki National park is located in Bwamba County in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of Uganda’s newest National park and second last smallest National park covering an area of 220 square kilometers.

Semuliki National park has a variety of plant and animal species with ever green vegetation for game viewing activities, the park has over 40 mammal species and 600 bird species mostly enjoyed by birders.

Semuliki National park consists of wild animals including leopards, elephants, civets, hippos, forest buffaloes, primate species like chimpanzees, monkey species like olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, de brazzas monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, black and white among others.

Semuliki National park has variety of activities that travelers enjoy while on your safari to western Uganda including game drives which are done in the savannah grasslands of the park which offers views of wild animals like elephants, leopards, bush pigs, warthogs, birds and so on, then the sempaya hot springs which is the most popular tourist attraction in Semuliki National park. It is also said a safari to Semuliki National park with a visit to sempaya hot springs is incomplete, the hot water at sempaya hot spring is more than 100 degrees Celsius that is boil eggs until they are ready. Hiking and trails through the red monkey trail where you spot the monkeys buffaloes, elephants on the river and kirimia trail where you see a variety of bird species.

Cultural encounters to the Bambuti community where you learn more about their life style as the people of the forest, hand craft making, enjoy their music and dances and the birding at sempaya and Ntandi sites which offer excellent views of the white crested horn bill, pipping horn bill, yellowed throated nicator, great shoe bill among others. Semuliki National can be accessed via the shortest distance from Kampala Fort Portal via Mubende for 4-5 driving hours. It can be accessed via Kampala Masaka Mbarara Kasese Fort Portal for 7-8 hours which is quite long.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is located in western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale districts and close to border with Rwanda. It is also referred to as a bird paradise where it derived its name Lake Bunyonyi meaning a lake of small birds in the native language. It is the second deepest Lake in Africa.

Lake Bunyonyi is close to Kabale town in south western Uganda, it is about 6-7 hours drive from Kampala to Kabale and around more 8km from Kabale to Lake Bunyonyi on your way to Bwindi forest.

Lake Bunyonyi is also known to be with over 29 islands with 5 major ones that include Bushara island, Akampena (punishment) island, Kahungye island, Bwama and Njuyeera (sharp’s) island and Bucuranuka (upside down) island and each island has its history attached to it for example the punishment island is where the girls who got pregnant before marriage were thrown to die.

There are several activities at Lake Bunyonyi while on your safari to western Uganda and after hectic activities like gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable like canoeing and visit the different islands to see wild animals, birds, swimming since the lake is bilharzia free, relaxing at the beach, visiting the batwa village among others which offers travelers with experience of breath taking nature of Lake Bunyonyi.

Western Uganda is naturally blessed with exceptional tourist attractions worthy visiting like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Kibale National Park, Mountain Rwenzori National park, Semuliki National parks, Lake Bunyonyi and many more that attract a number of travelers to Uganda each year which offers remarkable experience.

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• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Lake Mburo National Park
• Kibale Forest National Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park
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• Mount Elgon National Park
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Queen Elizabeth National Park

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• Semuliki National Park
• Budongo Forest
• Busingiro Ecotourism Site
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• Mpanga Forest
• Rabongo & Kaniyo Pabidi Forests
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5 Must Visit Places in Western Uganda

• May 14, 2019
• Destinations

With so many exciting places to see in western uganda, it is not easy to come up with a list of the must see places! Here are the most stunning places that you should not miss while exploring the most endowed tourism region of Western Uganda;

Bwindi Impenetrable National park

This is the most visited of all Uganda’s national parks. The main reason why many tourists visit Uganda is from a nature perspective. They come to enjoy incredible mountain gorilla safaris within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The jungles of Bwindi is home about 440 mountain gorillas and the number has been increasing steadily over the years. Gorilla tracking, is the major activity carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Many people are interested in tracking the habituated families of the gorillas in the four sectors of Buhoma and Nkuringo being the best interesting gorilla tracking area, Ruhija and Rushaga. A maximum of 8 people is allowed to track each gorilla family at any given time and the duration of the trek depends on the family allocated in each sector. Each gorilla permit costs USD 600.

Bwindi contains many other animals as well as the gorillas and protects around 90 species of mammals, including 10 different primates. This is the richest area in for mammals in Uganda and there are many other species to see, such as the black and white colobus monkeys, green monkeys, Schmidt’s red-tailed monkeys, and duiker.

In addition to the gorillas in Bwindi, the birds here are also incredible. The Forest contains some fantastic habitat for a variety of birds and there are around 350 different birds recorded with 23 birds only found in this region. This means the forest is home to 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics. The favorite species to find in the forest include the Turner’s eremomela, Chapin’s flycatchers, Shelley’s crimson-wings, African green broadbills, bee-eaters, Grauer’s swamp warbler, and the abundance of butterflies. Other bird species to find in the Bwindi area include the black billed turaco, black bee-eater, blue-headed sunbird, short-tailed warbler, bar-tailed blue trogon, and kivu ground thrush, yellow eyed black flycatcher, Garner’s warbler, Africa blue and white-tailed blue flycatchers and red-headed bluebill. Therefore, Bwindi is one of the must places to be visited in western Uganda because of the rich attractions it possesses.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular tourist destination in Uganda, which is linked to the area’s diversit best for wild life. The protected area contains many different wildlife-filled habitats, such as forests, wetlands, savanna grasslands, and a number of lakes.

The park has a variety of flora and fauna and it is acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with over 612 species of birds. On top of all, this park has 4 types of vegetation that is, Bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Swamp vegetation and Forest grassland. The grasslands are habitats to Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, Warthlog, lion, leopard, hyena, Giant forest hog and Elephants. Topis can be found in Ishasha and Primates can be found in Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo forest.

It is very rare to find tree climbing lions but once you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will find them reason being that it is one of their day behavior. One of these lions are found within the Ishasha sector in the south part with in the park.

You can enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for the icons of the African plains, such as lions, elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes. There are over 200 km of game tracks throughout the park. Being part of African Great Lakes region, there are some fantastic lakes to visit where you can enjoy cruises on the glistening waters to scout for a range of wildlife. There is also a fantastic channel to enjoy between Lake Edward and Lake George to see hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, and a multitude of birdlife.

In addition to exploring the area on game drives, one of the most spectacular ways to experience these savanna environments is by hot air balloon, which you can book as an additional experience.

Lake Bunyonyi

This is located close to Kisoro and Kabale and near the border with neighboring Rwanda. This is one of the largest of Africa’s lakes by depth and contains 29 different islands.

Not only is a popular tourist attraction for international visitors but also the lake is also a popular relaxation destination for locals.

Lake Bunyonyi is known as one of the few lakes in Uganda free of bilharzia, making its waters safe for swimming. It’s also free from dangerous wildlife like hippos and crocodiles. The only warning to visitors is that it is very deep. In other words, swimmers should take this in mind as they are swimming into the water. The most common mode of transportation on these waters is the dugout canoe, which offers a completely different perspective of the lake.

The real spectacle of the lake, however, is the incredible scenery. For its beauty alone, the lake is regarded by many visitors as one of their favorite lake destinations. It makes a fantastic add-on experience to see some breathtaking scenery. More so, there are so many Lodges around lake Bunyonyi which include Birdnest, Arcadia Cottages, Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Bunyonyi Overland, Bushara Island, Cater Bay Cottages and many other that are comfortable for all groups of tourists. Therefore, accommodation is no more a problem at Lake Bunyonyi.

Murchison National Park Falls

This is the largest national park in Uganda and the Murchison Falls sits as the jewel in the crown of the protected area. The falls was named after a president of the Royal Geographical Society and is the main attraction. The falls, is a fantastic natural attraction which with a few other protected areas create the Murchison National Park. Murchison Falls is a fantastic spectacle with water violently crashing through the narrow, rocky gorge. The falls ejects the Victoria Nile River through a 7 meter wide chute, which cascades down 30 meters to the Nile River. Because of the spray of water, you can see a constant rainbow over the falls adding to the spectacle of this must-visit Ugandan attraction.

The protected area is home to many different mammals, including hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, chimpanzees, and many different birds.

There are a number of activities that can be done while in the park apart from visiting the top of the falls. For example; Chimpanzee tracking at Budongo forest, Guided nature walks through Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, guided swamp walks, Sport Fishing on the banks of the River Nile, the experience on the boat cruise offers good opportunities for bird watching and the game drives where you can get to see some of the big five that is; Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard.

Kibale forest National Park

The Kibale Forest is recommended to any tourist as the best place in the whole of East Africa for seeing chimpanzees. The most popular trail in the park is the walk from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center, which lasts about three hours to visit the chimps and to see a diversity of wildlife enroute. When we encounter the chimpanzee groups, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour observing the fascinating animals, as they play, feed, and relax in their group.

In addition to the chimpanzees in Kibale, you will also encounter some of the other primates inhabiting the area, such as blue & red-tailed monkeys, red-colobus mangabeys, and the grey-cheeked mangabeys swinging in the forest’s canopy. Another of the favorite trails is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk to see some of the park’s thirteen species of primate.

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• Western Uganda

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

By Susan Swanepoel

Safari Travel Planner

Encompassing the vast majority of the country’s parks and reserves, Western Uganda dazzles with its blockbuster wildlife, excellent birding and astonishing landscapes and natural attractions, making it the most popular region with travellers.

In the southwest corner of the region, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the majority of Uganda’s mountain gorillas, so it’s usually at the top of any safari itinerary. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, at Uganda’s most south westerly corner on the border with Rwanda and the DRC, is home to just one habituated gorilla group, which sometimes moves outside of Uganda’s borders, which means that finding the group here isn’t 100% reliable.

Further to the north of the region, Queen Elizabeth National Park, with its open savanna and huge variety of animal and bird species, is the most popular safari destination, and while Murchison Falls National Park is less visited, it offers East Africa’s most impressive waterfall and spectacular wildlife in beautiful landscapes. Chimpanzee trekking is another top activity in Western Uganda: Kibale Forest National Park and Budongo Forest Reserve are two of the best places to go in search of our closest living relatives. Close the capital of Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park is the easiest wilderness area to access in Western Uganda, and while it can’t compete with other parks for scenery and wildlife diversity, it’s worth a visit for its special species not seen elsewhere.

Western Uganda isn’t just about wildlife: it’s also home to some of the country’s most astonishing landscapes, from the dramatic snow-dusted Rwenzori Mountains to the shimmering blue crater lakes.

Going gorilla trekking in the mountainous tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is, without a doubt, one of Africa’s best wildlife experiences. It’s a thrilling adventure to hike through the lush, hilly forest to find your assigned gorilla group, but coming face-to-face with these majestic apes is a moment you’ll never forget. There are two options for gorilla trekking: you can either spend an hour with a habituated group, or pay more to spend four hours with a group that is in the process of being habituated. Aside from gorillas, Bwindi’s other animal life (l’Hoest monkeys, forest duikers, olive baboons, bushbuck and black-and-white colobus monkeys) and 350 bird species can be spotted on guided walks through the forest.

Close by to Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi is a popular spot for people to base themselves in for a few days to go gorilla trekking in the park and then relax at the beautiful lake, which is surrounded by green terraced hills and small villages. There’s plenty to fill a few days here, from birdwatching and hiking to canoeing, swimming and mountain biking.

For primates, Kibale Forest National Park is hard to beat, boasting the largest number of primate species of any reserve in East Africa, from the rare red colobus monkeys and olive baboons to l’Hoest and blue monkeys, which you may be able to spot while going on the search for one of five habituated groups of chimpanzees.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most biodiverse wilderness area, playing host to a magnificent array of wildlife – 95 mammals and 20 predators – as well as habituated chimpanzees. The park’s standout highlight is the tree-climbing lions (there’s only one other place in Africa where they do this) so catching this sighting is particularly special, while the birdwatching is spectacular, with more than 600 species. Wildlife viewing on boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel for magnificent scenery and fantastic wildlife spotting (including Africa’s greatest concentration of hippos) are not to be missed. While you can go chimpanzee trekking in the park’s Kyambura Gorge, you have a better chance of seeing chimps at the nearby Kalinzu Forest.

The largest park in Uganda, the remarkably beautiful Murchison Falls National Park, has a lot to offer: East Africa’s most dramatic waterfall, wildlife and birdwatching from boat cruises along the Victoria Nile, large herds of elephant, giraffe and buffalo, as well as sightings of lion and leopard, and the chance to see one of Africa’s most sought-after birds, the elusive shoebill stork.

The snow-dusted, jagged Rwenzori Mountains – the “Mountains of the Moon” – Africa’s highest mountain range, soar up to 5109 metres high along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountains are protected by Rwenzori National Park, and provide thrilling landscapes for adventurous hikes and mountaineering trips.

Treks can be anything from one day to a multi-day mountaineering expedition to the top of Mount Stanley, Africa’s third highest peak, and along the way you’ll be treated to scenery of cloud forests, tropical rainforest, bamboo glades, dramatic valleys and glacier lakes.

In a remote part of the region on the western side of the Rwenzori Mountains and lying alongside the border with the DRC, Semliki National Park sees few tourists due to its isolated location and undeveloped infrastructure, but those who do make it out to the park are rewarded with one of the best forest birding hotspots in Africa. The park protects one of Africa’s oldest forests, and with it, a remarkable number of bird species – more than 400 – as well as 300 butterfly species. Highlights include Central African birds such as black-wattled hornbill and Congo serpent eagle that aren’t found in any other place in East Africa.

Dozens of crater lakes formed by volcanic activity some 10 000 years ago stud the landscape between Fort Portal and Kibale National Park like blue jewels. These photogenic lakes, which are fringed with tropical forests home to monkeys and an incredible diversity of bird species, offer plenty of hiking and birdwatching opportunities, with trails leading you through small villages and tea plantations, as well as other activities such as canoeing and fishing.

Practical Information

Western Uganda is best visited during the drier months of June to August and December to February, when it’s easiest to go gorilla trekking in hilly Bwindi and the wildlife viewing in the parks is at its prime. Travelling during the rainy low season months of March to May and September to November does have its budget-friendly benefits though – you’ll get cheaper room rates at hotels and lodges and it is possible to get discounted gorilla trekking permits, but be prepared for muddy roads, torrential downpours, challenging hiking and low visibility for wildlife.

If you want to go gorilla trekking, you need to book your permit several months in advance through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour operator, as there’s a limited number of permits that sold every day and during the most popular months for trekking (June to August) the permits can sell out five months in advance. For chimpanzee habituation experiences it’s best to book around three months in advance.

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5 National Parks That Prove Why a Uganda Safari Is Special

A visit to uganda’s wild spaces may include encounters with hulking gorillas, cruises along the nile river, and treks through snow-capped mountains..

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The hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are home to half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas.

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Traveling through western Uganda offers a lesson in stark contrasts. There are few regions that can boast the world’s most powerful waterfall, ancient forests filled with orchids and ferns, lush jungles, and imposing glaciers. And that is to say nothing of the wildlife: Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population call Uganda home, as do cheeky chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, and hundreds of unusual bird species.

Starting in Kampala, here are the five stops you should make while taking a counterclockwise tour of western Uganda’s national parks. We have noted drive times between the parks, but there are flights that can make travel shorter.

Visitors to the Murchison Falls, also known as the Kabalega Falls, are often treated to a rainbow emerging from its mist.

Photo by Radek Borovka/Shutterstock

1. Murchison Falls National Park

• Go for : The world’s most powerful waterfall and wildlife
• Location : Google Maps

Start your trip by driving 4 to 5 hours northwest from Uganda’s bustling capital, Kampala, to the southern entrance of the country’s largest national park. The centerpiece of Murchison Falls National Park is the world’s most powerful waterfall: enormous volumes of water from the Victoria Nile (one of the two main tributaries of the Nile River, along with the Blue Nile) thunderously plunge 140 feet into a pool known as the Devil’s Cauldron.

Beyond the falls, visitors can see a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, crocodiles, hippos, and three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes. These species can be enjoyed in a game drive, in a boat along the Nile River, or by hot air balloon.

Kibale Forest National Park is home to nearly 1,500 chimpanzees, who share 98.8 percent of their DNA with humans.

Photo by Kim Paffen/Shutterstock

2. Kibale Forest National Park

• Go for : A chance to spend time with habituated chimpanzees and other primates

From Murchison Falls, take a daylong drive southwest to Kibale Forest National Park , which has a relatively small footprint at just less than 300 square miles but offers a stunning diversity of primates. Nearly 1,500 chimpanzees live here, as do 12 other types of primates, including blue monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and red colobus monkeys. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy nearly 400 species, along with 250 types of butterflies.

Kibale Forest National Park boasts rich cultural tourism. Travelers can learn about cultural traditions of the Batoro people and the Bakiga people, walk through a nearby village, and meet members of the Bigodi Women’s Group , who make and sell baskets, jewelry, and other handicrafts.

Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to lush jungles, alpine forests with unique flora such as tree heathers, and snowy peaks.

Photo by Arnav Kapur

3. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

• Go for : Africa’s highest mountain range

From Kibale, it’s a daylong drive southwest toward the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to arrive at Rwenzori Mountains National Park. This national park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, owing to its endangered species and unique flora.

The Rwenzoris are Africa’s highest mountain range, with multiple 15,000-foot peaks. Its vast alpine area includes the highest source of water for the Nile River, which visitors can experience through its scenic rivers and dramatic waterfalls.

The Rwenzoris, also known as the “mountains of the moon,” are best experienced by foot. Hikers may traverse through lush jungles on the lower slopes, which give way to alpine forests with huge tree heathers and colorful mosses and, finally, snow-capped peaks.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitors may see lions lounging in fig trees.

Maarten van den Heuvel / Unsplash

4. Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Go for : Wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, and scenic landscapes

From the Rwenzori Mountains, it’s a two-hour drive to Uganda’s second-largest national park, which is also the country’s most popular. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famously home to tree-climbing lions, along with nearly 100 species of mammals. It’s also one of the most important birding destinations in Uganda, with more than 600 species, such as the shoebill stork, Pel’s fishing owl, and grey crowned crane, which is the country’s national bird.

A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 20-mile long natural channel that connects Lake George and Lake Edward, may reward visitors with sightings of Nile crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and much more. Beyond the wildlife, travelers can experience a wide range of natural landscapes in Queen Elizabeth National Park, from forests and grasslands to swamplands and volcanic craters.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda is home to half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

Ylenia Vimercati Molano / Unsplash

5. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

• Go for : Silverback gorillas and a chance to learn about the Batwa community

The final park on a circuit of western Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park , which is a 3- to 4-hour drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This park is home to about half of the world’s 750 remaining silverback mountain gorillas , earning it a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1994. The ancient forest dates back 25,000 years and is densely vegetated with orchids, tree ferns, red stinkwoods, and tangled vines.

Bwindi offers visitors the opportunity to meet people from the Batwa community , who are the original inhabitants of the rainforest. Take a guided walk with a Batwa community member, who can teach you about ancient hunting traditions, medicinal plants, and traditional songs.

Tour Operators in Uganda

Uganda’s parks are best visited with a tour operator, who can organize a trip to either one or several of these parks. Here are our top choices, as well as a guiding company for trekkers interested in the Rwenzori Mountains:

Abercrombie and Kent

Abercrombie and Kent offers small-group and tailor-made tours that visit most parks along this circuit. With them, travelers also have the opportunity to visit one of the programs supported by A&K Philanthropy, such as the Bwindi Women’s Bicycle Enterprise or the Bwindi Community Hospital and Nursing School .

The Uganda Safari Company

The Uganda Safari Company has been offering high-end safari circuits across Uganda since 1993. Guests may have the opportunity to visit smallholder farmers, traditional healers, and rangers who work on anti-poaching measures.

Wild Frontiers

Wild Frontiers has more than 25 years of experience running tours across Uganda. Most staff members are Ugandan, and there are opportunities for travelers to take part in a diverse set of community projects, from youth wildlife clubs to sewing programs for women.

Rwenzori Trekking

Rwenzori Trekking offers guided tours around the Rwenzori Mountains, including weeklong trips to summit Mount Margherita. Please note that summitting Mount Margherita, the continent’s third-highest peak, has been classified as a technical climb and requires specialized equipment such as crampons and ice axes.

This article originally appeared online in 2011; it was most recently updated on January 12, 2024, to include current information.

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Top 10 places to visit in western Uganda

Top 10 places to visit in western Uganda : The western part of Uganda is known for its various attractions and breathtaking scenery as well as diversity in culture. This part of the country is famous for its primate tours and wildlife safaris including gorilla trekking experiences and chimpanzee trekking and Uganda can be accessed through flights to Entebbe international airport which is a starting point for safaris in the country.

The different sites found in western Uganda are found in different parts of the region and they include the following;

• Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western part of the country and is among the popular tourist destinations with a wide variety of wildlife species including tree climbing lions, elephants, leopards, hippos, impalas, kudu, waterbucks, hartebeests, hyenas, warthogs and also over 600 species of birds.

 Tourists during their tours around Queen Elizabeth national park can engage in game drives, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, lion tracking, bird watching, hiking, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge and also nature walks through the park’s diverse ecosystems.  Another activity that is done around the national park is visiting the Katwe salt mines.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is another popular tourist site and is in the south western part of Uganda and is home to mountain gorillas.

The national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering tourists experiences such as gorilla trekking , gorilla habituation, guided nature walks and hikes, Batwa community tours and bird watching tours in the dense forests.

Different sectors of Bwindi national park can be visited for gorilla trekking tours including Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector and Nkuringo sector.

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another important tourist site for gorillas located in south western Uganda.

The national park is also a destination where tourists can engage in golden monkey trekking and habituation as well as hiking Virunga mountains found in Mgahinga national park such as Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura and also engage in other activities such as cultural experiences with the Batwa Pygmy community.

• Kibale forest national park:

Kibale Forest National Park is the home of chimpanzees located in western Uganda and this tourist site is also known for its high density of primates which are about 13 species.

 The primates which can be seen around Kibale national park include chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, baboons, red tailed monkeys among others. There are also numerous bird species found at the destination including Albertine endemic bird species.

Tourists visiting Kibale national park can participate in activities such as chimpanzee trekking and habituation through the tropical rainforest, visiting the Bigodi wetlands, and also guided nature walks.

• Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo National Park is also located in western Uganda and is one of the small national parks in Uganda where tourists can engage in wildlife safaris.

Activities done around the national park include guided nature walks, night game drives, horse riding, game drives in the morning and afternoon, boat rides on Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo national park is home to wildlife species such as giraffes, lions, hippos, buffalos, warthogs, impalas and zebras as well as over 300 bird species.

• Rwenzori Mountains:

The Rwenzori Mountains are a tourist site best known for hiking adventures in Uganda and it is also referred to as the Mountain of the Moon.

These stunning mountain ranges in western Uganda have a snowcapped peak and the highest peak is the Margherita peak at 5109 meters. Mount Rwenzori has different hiking routes such as the central circuit route, Kilembe trail and Bukurungu tail which are used to hike through its different zones which have unique flora and fauna.

Visitors can embark on community tours and interactions with the Bakonzo people and also climbing expeditions on the Rwenzori mountains, exploring their diverse ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes.

• Semuliki national park

Semuliki National Park is another tourist site located in western Uganda and it is found in Bundibugyo District on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo.

One of the unique attractions found in Semuliki National Park is the Sempaya Hot Springs. There are also different wildlife species like colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and numerous bird species found around the national park.

Activities done around Semuliki national park include guided forest walks, bird watching and also cultural visits in the neighboring villages.

• Top 10 places to visit in western Uganda : Crater lakes

There are different crater lakes which can be seen during tours around western Uganda and these lakes can be seen around Fort Portal and also around the Rubirizi area.

Crater lakes in Uganda were formed as a result of volcanic activity and they are known for breathtaking views and are also habitat for various bird species and aquatic life. Some of the crater lakes found in the country include Lake Nkuruba, Lake Lyantonde, lake Nyabikere, Lake Nyinambuga, the Ndali-Kasenda craters, Bunyaruguru crater lakes among others.

Around the crater lakes, tourists can engage in bird watching, boat rides and also hiking.

• Top 10 places to visit in western Uganda : Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru

The Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves are a popular tourist destination in western Uganda and can be visited during tours around Fort Portal,

It is believed by the locals that these caves were the breast of Nyina Mwiru and tours around the destination involves hiking, guided nature walks exploring the caves, learning about the local culture, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

• Top 10 places to visit in western Uganda : Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is another attraction visited in Uganda and it is found in the southwestern part of the country in Kisoro District.

The lake is also surrounded by terraced hills and Lake Bunyonyi also has about 29 islands which can be visited during Uganda safaris around the destination. Activities which are done around the lake include boat rides, bird watching, swimming, zip lining and also community tours.

Many other parts of Uganda including the east, north and central regions can also be visited during tours in the country.

• Rushaga Sector
• Nkuringo Sector
• Buhoma Sector
• Ruhija Sector

Lake Bunyonyi

• Lake Mutanda
• Bwindi Altitude
• Getting There
• Buhoma Community Development Association
• Buhoma Community Tour
• Buniga Forest Walk
• Nkuringo Community Tour
• Nkuringo Cultural Center
• Nyundo Community Trails
• Rubuguri Village Walk
• Ruhija Community Walk
• Day Trip to Bwindi Gorillas
• 2 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek
• 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience
• 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari
• 3 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Lake Bunyonyi
• 4 Days Bwindi Gorillas (2 Treks)
• 4 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Lake Bunyonyi
• 4 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Nature Walks
• 5 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
• 7 Days Ultimate Gorilla Safari
• Mountain Gorillas
• Chimpanzees
• Batwa People
• Gorilla Trekking
• Gorilla Habituation
• Hiking & Trekking
• Batwa Cultural Experience
• Coffee to Cup Experience
• Bird Watching
• Accommodation
• Tour Operators
• Altitude & Acclimatization
• Gorilla Trekking Rules
• Is Gorilla Trekking Safe?
• Gorilla Tracking Rules
• Packing for a Gorilla Safari
• Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking
• Packing for Gorilla Trek
• When to Visit Bwindi
• Cancellation of Gorilla Permits
• Responsible Travel

Lake Bunyonyi is situated in South western Uganda between Kabale and Kisoro district. It’s close to Uganda- Rwanda boarder and it’s the deepest Lake in Uganda and the second deepest in Africa. Lake Bunyonyi is among the top tourist attractions in western Uganda and the best place for relaxation after Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). Lake Bunyonyi is a lake with five islands and each has unmissable great history.

An island is a piece of and surrounded by water. Continents are also surrounded by water bodies but because they are so big, they can’t be called islands. Most of the islands are formed by Vulcanicity process. The erupted magma can build a hill and when it stands above the surrounding water, it forms an island.

• Akampene Island or punishment Island – It’s one of the small islands on Lake Bunyonyi. Historically, this island was a punishment ground for unmarried pregnant girls. They were taken and left at the islands to die from hunger however, men who could not afford to pay dowry used to rescue those girls from the island and marry them. The intention was to educate other girls in the society not to act adulterous before marriage.
• Kyahugye Island – its near to the main land, one of the most exciting islands with many tree species including Eucalyptus, pinus species and so on. Kyahugye is the only islands with animals like Kobs, Impala, waterbucks and so on. For a mini version of a game drive, with a view of the glittering sun-kissed waters at a distance and fresh breezes, an hours’ ride will be a perfect addition.
• Bushara Island – This Island is gifted with many bird species. If you are a serious birder please move with your camera and binocular to capture great moments of birds.
• Bwama Island or Njuyeera (sharp’s island) – It’s the largest island on Lake Bunyonyi and heavily inhabited by people. Dr Leonard Sharp was a Scottish missionary that came to Uganda in the 1920s and in 1931 started up a sanctuary for people suffering from Leprosy. He set up a Leprosy treatment Centre where people would come to be treated without feeling mistreated or neglected. This is strongly embedded in the island’s history. Currently, these hospital structures are being used as schools for the island inhibitors.
• Bacuranuka Island: It’s also called upside down island from a myth of a beggar who was not given local brew- here it goes- the mythical story about this island is quite a tale. Long ago, 20 men were making local brew (obushera) when an old woman came upon them and requested for a sip of the drink. The men refused to offer her a sip of the drink in an ungentlemanly manner. The old lady requested them to offer her a ride to the mainland to which they accepted gladly for they wanted her out of the way. One of the men was sent with her to the mainland, out of frustration, the old lady cursed the island which turned upside down and swallowing the men brewing ‘bushera’ on the island.

After your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, take a sip while relaxing at the shores of Lake Bunyonyi or Visit any of the islands to see more attractions.

What To See And Do Around Lake Bunyonyi

Stretching to the extreme south of kabale district, lake Bunyonyi is a hidden unsploit treasure, a place to chill and relax with its breathtaking sceneries. The lake is a place of restoration; quietness, tranquility and rest best for all travelers especially after a strenuous gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla national park or else hiking the Virunga volcanoes.

The lake derived its name “Bunyonyi” from the many little birds, which inhabit the lakeshores, the surrounding swamps and the forests and is also known as a scene from lord of rings and the second deepest lake in Africa. Regarding its history, lake Bunyonyi is interesting by its mystical formation, the size and depth all that make it one of the most beautiful lakes after which Uganda was named the pearl of Africa.  Lake Bunyonyi comprise of 29 islands both in different shapes and sizes enclosed by terraced farm which make it worth visiting.  Among the things to see and do in lake Bunyonyi include among others:

Canoeing/boat riding

A boat ride takes you to each of the 29 islands, as well as local villages and forests in different corners of the lake Bunyonyi. On reaching the islands, experienced guides explain in details information about each specific island for example the punishment island where un married pregnant girls would be taken and left to die alone among others.  Travelers can choose for a self or else hire someone to paddle you all around.  A boat ride rewards you with a fresh feeling of clean air, as well as spectacular views of the neighboring community villages and plantations surrounding the lake.

Bird watching

Just like its name, lake Bunyonyi is a home to over 200 bird species which make birding a not miss.  Birds are clearly seen on a boat ride to the islands, during the nature walks and sun bathing in the morning hours. While walking though forests on any island, travelers enjoy the sweet sound of birds singing up in the trees, which melodies. Among the commonly spotted birds include woodpecker, white tailed Monard, yellow-backed wavers, Rufous-breasted wryneck, harrier Hawk, slender-billed, Levillant cuckoo and Baglafetch and some of these birds are migratory. Experienced guides help to explain the unique characters of each spotted bird specie.

Nature walks

Take a nature walk on the islands as you follow various foot trails, which have been put by local people. Here you will meet and interact with local people as they go to gardens, grazing or even in their homes relaxing.  Interestingly, these hikes are not strenuous and experienced guides lead you. Nature walks are a not miss since they reward you with scenic views of the entire lake, plantations, islands and the neighboring communities.  Some lodges on the islands such as the Bunyonyi eco lodge has wildlife such as zebras and camels and impalas, which make it surely interesting.

Community walks

Go for a fantastic hike through villages on either mountain, which surround lake Bunyonyi. This is a pleasant experience, which brings you in close interaction with the local people in their homes, gardens and businesses, which make a safari surely wonderful. Visit Batwa community villages who introduce you to their traditional forest life as well as visiting good Samaritan preparatory schools around the lake to interact with the school going children. While visiting the local families, travelers are introduced to local life in terms of their traditions, norms and cultures. Travelers take part in local activities such as preparing local foods, making local beers as well as digging, which make them feel as part of the local communities. You can also visit community projects such as schools as well as markets to buy local made products and agricultural produce and meet many local people buying and selling different commodities at a cheap price.  

For the swimmers, lake Bunyonyi is best for swimming with clean waters and safe from bilharzia, hippos and crocodiles. Various sections have been enclosed for swimming and travelers are reminded to keep in the shallow water to avoid drowning.  Only travelers with experience can swim in Lake Bunyonyi it being very deep. Swimmers are also reminded to keep in the enclosed areas.

Where to sleep

Lake Bunyonyi is served with various lodges and resorts providing excellent /first class food and sleeping services to travelers at a fair price. The services offered are both luxury and budget depending on a travelers’ interest. These include Bunyonyi eco resort, Bunyonyi island camp, Bunyonyi rock resort, Bushara island camp and Amagara Island among other.  By staying at any of these paces, travelers are assured of a memorable experience being in a home outside home.

When to visit

Lake Bunyonyi can be visited all year round and all activities done at any time of the year. However dry season is the best time for canoeing and village walks.

Conclusively therefore, visit lake Bunyonyi, chill, relax, visit local communities and take part on a fantastic boat ride to the islands for a memorable experience.

Uganda Tourism Guide

Exploring Western Uganda: 5 Must See Things!

Known as the mother of the pearl of Africa Uganda, southwestern Uganda has a lot to offer clients not to miss out on for the greater and memorable experience. The region host the most varied circuit anywhere in Africa, studded with national parks and other protected areas shielding a range of habitats that embraces everything from the snow capped glacial peaks. The frosty Afro-alpine moorland to marsh-fringed Rift Valley lakes and forest-swathed volcanoes – not some vast tracts of the archetypal African savannah. The southwest is Uganda’s top wildlife-watching region and one of the world’s best places to spot primates some of which are very rare and not found in many other destinations except the few. The very distinctive features to explore include among others:

The mountain gorillas

Found in the Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park in the Virunga conservation area, mountain gorillas are the best wildlife encounter in the whole world recommended for every traveler looking for a greater and memorable experience. South western Uganda is home to over 480 mountain gorillas in the whole world alongside volcanoes national park in Rwanda and the Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo. There are 13habituated gorilla families in Uganda with Bwindi having twelve and 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The gorilla permit is sold at 600usd and travelers to Uganda have the greatest opportunity to see the mountain gorilla due to the available permit as compared to other destinations.

Chimpanzees

These are found in the Kibale forest national park also in south western Uganda. Trekking the chimps started as really as 1993 and is done in Kanyanchu village, the chances of locating them are excellent and the guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and last an average of three hours, depending on various factors. In the process of trekking the chimpanzees, travelers also look out for the black & white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey and the many bird and butterfly species.

Game drives

These are done in the open savannah grasslands f queen Elizabeth national park. Travelers view a wide variety of wild anilams among which includes the elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, impala, Uganda kobs and bush babies. As travelers drive towards the southern section of the park, the ishasha sector, they are blessed to see the rare climbing lions which are not found in any other national park except Manyara in northern Tanzania. This is a real great experience as travelers see the big five as they hunt and graze, it is indeed memorable.

The volcanoes

There are there volcanoes in Mgahinga national park which include Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhabura and Mt Sabyinyo both in south western Uganda. Volcano hike/climb can take up to 8 hours and travelers need to have a clear climbing gear and should be physically fit. Each of these peaks has its own amazing view. No matter which volcano you choose to climb the ascent into the afro montane zone which has plants and vegetation covering you have probably never seen before is exciting and worth the trip and the effort.

Lake Bunyonyi

The second deepest lake in Africa with the depth that vary between 44m (144ft) and 900m (2,952ft), the lake is known as a place of many little birds and it lies in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale close to the border with Rwanda. It is Located at 1,962 m (6,437 ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km (15.5 mi) long and 7 km (1.35 mi) wide.

In conclusion, therefore, southwestern Uganda is the best tourism destination with many natural, cultural and historical features all of which provide a great and memorable experience.

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Top 20 Tourist Attractions in Uganda

Here is our selection of the top attractions and things to do in Uganda.

We will mention some attractions in the cities, countryside, protected areas and tours. We will also mention some travel bloggers who have visited these areas to give their own opinion.

Gorilla Watching in Bwindi National Park

A main reason to visit Uganda from a nature perspective is to enjoy incredible mountain gorilla trekking tours. The gorillas are only found in this region.

Mountain gorillas differ from their lowland cousins as their fur is thicker and adapted to the colder temperature at high altitude.

Gorillas live in groups of around 10 individuals and are led by the most powerful silverback with the rest of the group comprising females and younger males. The silverback makes important decisions for the group and protects them from danger.

To see these animals, you can enjoy gorilla tours from Kisoro, which is about 460 kilometres (290 mi) from the capital city of Kampala. Kisoro is located in a fantastic area of Uganda and is in the African Great Lakes region.

This is where the African continent is slowly splitting apart revealing the beautiful lake scenery. Because of the incredible landscape, many people refer to this part of the continent as the Switzerland of Africa.

From Kisoro, you have access to the incredible Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are comfortable lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is one of the best places to see the gorillas and was named after the forest’s many stands of bamboo.

Bwindi contains many other animals as well as the gorillas and protects around 90 species of mammals, including 10 different primates. This is the richest area in for mammals in Uganda and there are many other species to see, such as the black and white colobus monkeys, green monkeys, Schmidt’s red-tailed monkeys, and duiker.

There are currently about 400 gorillas in Bwindi and the number has been increasing steadily over the years. Many researchers feel the slow growth of the population can be attributed mainly to visitors wanting to see the gorillas, which helps provide money and global attention for the remarkable animals. Your can learn more about Uganda’s gorillas here .

The gorillas are spread among 15 habituated groups, which you can visit on tour by purchasing a gorilla permit and booking a stay at one of the wonderful gorillas lodges.

One of the most accessible gorillas groups from Kisoro is the Nkuringo group, which you can visit on tours from the highly regarded Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge .

Positioned high on the Nteko Ridge, the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge provides incredible views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and offers a comfortable base to explore the region.

Activities at the lodge include:

• Visiting Batwa pygmies
• Enjoying a guided village walk
• A guided multi-day trek to/from Kisoro via Lake Mutanda
• Walking through Bwindi Forest to the park headquarters at Buhoma
• Tracking the Nkuringo Gorilla family (assuming you have a tracking permit).
• Tracking the Nshongi Gorilla family at Rushaga (assuming you have a permit).
• Simply enjoy the amazing vistas of the gallery forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga volcanoes

To contact the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, you can use the tour bubble below, which sends you request directly to the lodge to organize your Ugandan experience.

Enjoy a tailor-made experience depending on your budget, days available and choice of accommodation. Your tour can be extended to include Kibale Forest to see chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park for a wildlife safari and Lake Mburo, to name just a few options.

The Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge

Positioned on the Nteko Ridge overlooking the world famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the award-winning Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge provides a fantastic ...

Bird Watching in Bwindi National Park

In addition to the gorillas in Bwindi, the birds here are also incredible and the forest ranks as one of East Africa’s best regions for birdlife and birdwatching.

From some of the Bwindi Lodges, such as the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or the Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge, you will have some fantastic birdwatching opportunities. Head out with your knowledgeable guide to spot many of the fascinating birds that call this forest home.

The favorite species to find in the forest include the Turner’s eremomela, Chapin’s flycatchers, Shelley’s crimson-wings, African green broadbills, bee-eaters, Grauer’s swamp warbler, and the abundance of butterflies

The drier months, which are June to August (most tourists) and December to February (less tourists) are the favored time to visit Bwindi, but birders may prefer the wetter months for a higher chance of seeing more bird activity. The wetter months are then from March to April and September to November.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest contains some fantastic habitat for a variety of birds and there are around 350 different birds recorded with 23 birds only found in this region. This means the forest is home to 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics.

Other favorites to find in the Bwindi area include the black billed turaco, black bee-eater, blue-headed sunbird, short-tailed warbler, bar-tailed blue trogon, and kivu ground thrush, yellow eyed black flycatcher, Garner’s warbler, Africa blue and white-tailed blue flycatchers and red-headed bluebill.

There are some different birding trails around the area, including the Ivy river trail, Kashasha river valley, Buhoma waterfall trails, and the Mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija. Birders visiting the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge who want to focus on endemics have especially enjoyed visiting a small pocket forest named Nombe.

There are a team of very enthusiastic birding guides at the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge and you can organize some specific birding itineraries.

Hike from Kisoro to Nkuringo and Buhoma

Given the fantastic scenery of the region, there are many different hiking opportunities to see the area.

Local guides who know the region best will show you the most scenic hiking trails, such as between the hamlet of Buhoma on the north side of the Bwindi Forest National Park and the town of Kisoro in south western Uganda.

The classic and much loved walking trail is between Kisoro and Buhoma, which you can also combine with a gorilla trekking adventure. The usual amount of time to do the trek is over two days where you will enjoy fantastic views, including the incredible Virunga Volcanoes.

Spend a night on the shore of Lake Mutanda, which you will then cross in traditional dugout canoe to begin your trek. We will then follow village trails to see fantastic scenery to enjoy rainforest, mountains, the lake, and the form of the land.

While on the walk, you will enjoy some fantastic cultural experiences to see how people live in this part of Africa. In addition to this and the incredible scenery, there is a lot of wildlife to see enroute, such as many different interesting birds, monkeys, and if you choose, you can combine with a memorable gorilla trek to see these gentle giants of the forest.

There are many other trails in the region to make the most of the spectacular mountainous scenery, such as the walks to the different volcanoes of Mt. Margarita (5109m) Mt. Rwenzori, and the Elgon Wagagai Peak (4321m).

This tour can be arranged with the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge .

See Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park

Near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west of Uganda you can find the Kibale Forest National Park.

Although these forests are connected and chimpanzees are found in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we recommend seeing our closest relatives in the Kibale area, as it’s a little easier to find the chimpanzees.

In fact, the Kibale Forest is recommended as the best place in the whole of East Africa for seeing chimpanzees.

The most popular trail in the park is the walk from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center, which lasts about three hours to visit the chimps and to see a diversity of wildlife enroute. When we encounter the chimpanzee groups, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour observing the fascinating animals, as they play, feed, and relax in their group.

The 7-Day Primate Tour

Currently, TourTheTropics.com cannot help you book this experience. However, you can visit the tour operator's website for more information.

As with the gorilla treks, to visit the chimpanzees we recommend booking your chimpanzee visiting permit and tour in advance, as visits per day are tightly controlled for the chimpanzees’ welfare and they quickly book up.

In addition to the chimpanzees in Kibale, you will also encounter some of the other primates inhabiting the area, such as blue & red-tailed monkeys, red-colobus mangabeys, and the grey-cheeked mangabeys swinging in the forest’s canopy. Another of the favorite trails is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk to see some of the park’s thirteen species of primate.

To combine the chimpanzees in Kibale with the gorillas, enjoy the 10-day Primate Tour .

Savanna Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Queen Elizabeth National Park region is the most popular tourist destination in Uganda, which is linked to the area’s diversity. The protected area contains many different wildlife-filled habitats, such as forests, wetlands, savanna grasslands, and a number of lakes.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park sits in the western side of Uganda, which is a few hours drive southwest of the country’s capital and largest city, Kampala. There are a few different towns close to the protected area such as Kasese and Bushenyi.

The park contains a lot of wildlife, such as the iconic African safari animals, but is also fortunate to protect a population of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. Towards the north and across Lake George, the park connects to the Kibale Forest National Park mentioned above.

You can enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for the icons of the African plains, such as lions, elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes. There are over 200 km of game tracks throughout the park we can explore.

Being part of African Great Lakes region, there are some fantastic lakes to visit where you can enjoy cruises on the glistening waters to scout for a range of wildlife. There is also a fantastic channel to enjoy between Lake Edward and Lake George to see hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles and birdlife.

In addition to exploring the area on game drives, one of the most spectacular ways to experience these savanna environments is by hot air balloon, which you can book as an add-on experience.

Golden Monkey Trekking

The golden monkeys are a fantastic group of primates to see in the wild and can be encountered on guided treks through the forest. There are a couple of different areas to find the monkeys, but the best place to track the monkeys in Uganda is the Mgahinga National Park at the foot of the Virunga Mountains.

The monkeys enjoy hanging around the stands of bamboo forest within these protected areas and the monkeys are now used to people, which means they’re more easily observed. However, the monkeys move fast so make sure you’re using your fastest lens speed.

The golden monkeys make a fantastic add-on experience to enjoy with the gorillas or the chimpanzees. The trip provides an ideal short stay to experience the Virunga Mountains. This is where you find the monkeys, as there are only a few thousand individuals remaining. On tours to see these fascinating primates, you can visit the habituated groups for an hour at a time.

Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary protects Uganda’s only wild rhinos and is located just north of Kampala near the famous Murchison Falls.

In total, the sanctuary protects 15 rhinos and is also a fantastic place to see other wildlife.

Enjoy bird watching, nature walks, relaxing, and of course finding and watching the rhinos. The rangers of the sanctuary will guide you around the reserve to find the wildlife, including the rhinos themselves, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes and much more.

Birders often enjoy the reserve and spend time finding some of the 250 different species. You can find some fascinating birds within the sanctuary boundaries, including a number of rare species.

The sanctuary was founded by various wildlife and conservation organizations in an attempt to restore Uganda’s rhinoceros population.

The sanctuary protects rhinos while they breed and grow. They are then re-introduced into Uganda’s protected areas, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park. While awaiting their reintroduction, visitors can enjoy seeing these remarkable animals while helping to spread the importance of rhino conservation in the country.

A total of 80 rangers and guards watch over the sanctuary day and night to maintain the animals’ safety.

The sanctuary covers 7, 000 hectares, which you can explore with your highly trained ranger. You can enjoy different facilities and infrastructure, such as a tourist lodge, camping area, and budget guesthouses to accommodate all types of tourists.

Visit Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is a fantastic natural attraction located in the aptly named Murchison Falls National Park, which with a few other protected areas create the Murchison National Park. The park has been visited by the likes of Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and various royals over the years.

The protected area is home to many different animals, including hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, chimpanzees, and many different birds.

However, because of intense hunting in the 1900s, the wildlife is not as it once was. Animal populations have been recovering and you’re sure to see some examples, including some of Africa’s icons.

This is the largest national park in Uganda and the Murchison Falls sits as the jewel in the crown of the protected area. The falls was named after a president of the Royal Geographical Society and is the main attraction.

Visit Kampala

Kampala is Uganda’s capital city and makes a fascinating stop on your Ugandan adventure. This is a great place to spend a day or two experiencing the country’s most important city. Ugandans in general are very friendly and Kampala offers a more relaxed atmosphere than its neighbor of Nairobi across the Kenyan border.

The city is relatively calm and safe. So much so, Kampala has a stable expat community with many different NGOs running various humanitarian and conservation projects. The city has some modern areas with top of the line restaurants and bars, which is where expats and visitors enjoy spending their time.

You can enjoy many different markets selling a variety of produce, clothing, and crafts. There are also different attractions to see in the city itself, which will keep you entertained over a couple of days. These include temples, cathedrals, markets, galleries, areas of historical significance, and museums.

Despite being an old building in need of a little love, a popular attraction is the old Uganda National Museum. This shows the cultural heritage of the country, including exhibits on Uganda’s cultural and natural history. There are also a few different galleries you can enjoy that display paintings, photography, sculptures, and exhibits from local artists.

Visit the Ndere Center

The Ndere Center is a highly recommended attraction to experience the country’s traditional dance and music.

For a few days a week the center has a high energy show of Ugandan culture. Enjoy a dinner and theater performance and see dances from a variety of Uganda’s tribes. The show takes place in a 700-seat amphitheater on Sundays at 6pm, Wednesday at 7pm, and Fridays from 7pm.

The Ndere name is from the word for flute, which is the symbol of the troupe because of its diverse and beautiful sound, but also as it’s one of the only musical instruments found across all cultures and is a metaphor for unity.

The mission of the center and its dancers and musicians is to help rekindle a sense of pride for Ugandan culture while promoting it to the world. A team of dedicated Ugandans carefully research and respectfully present parts of all the cultures that make up the Ugandan people.

Historically, a repeated theme across sub-Saharan Africa is that information didn’t exist in written form. Instead, the information was passed between generations through performances, such as dance, storytelling, poetry, and music.

The Ndere Troupe are a definite must-see attraction in Uganda and the award-winning performers have been practicing their art for nearly 25 years.

See Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the world’s largest freshwater tropical lake and sits as the jewel in the crown of Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Sitting across the borders of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, this is where the Nile begins, which is one of the world’s most historically significant rivers.

The lake itself is home to some fascinating features, such as the different islands and reefs. Around 200 species of fish and over 350 different birds call the Lake Victoria region home, which you can spot on some fascinating lake tours.

The peninsulas and islands of Lake Victoria are home to some luxury lodges where you can relax near the glistening waters and take tours around the lake to see some of the unique features and wildlife.

A great place to experience the Lake Victoria region from Uganda is the town of Entebbe. From here, you can feel the breeze from the fantastic lake.

Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the botanical gardens, which are visited by many different bird species. You can also meet one of the sources of the great Nile in Jinja to imagine where this river runs and the history linked to this incredible waterway.

The most popular Lake Victoria island to visit from Entebbe is Ngamba Island, which is home to a private chimpanzee sanctuary protecting orphaned chimpanzees.

The sanctuary was set up by the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) and funded by a number of organizations, including the Born Free Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the Jane Goodall Institute.

See Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is located close to Kisoro and Kabale near the border with neighboring Rwanda.

This is one of the largest of Africa’s lakes by depth and contains 29 different islands. Not just a popular tourist attraction for international visitors, the lake is also a popular relaxation destination for locals. Around the lake, you can find the towns of Muko and Kyevu, and you can enjoy a range of lakeside accommodation.

There are few buildings on the islands, aside from some infrastructure for tourists and a couple of schools. The main community is the Bufuka Village, which is mainly composed of members of the Bakiga and Batwa tribes.

A popular attraction is to see the traditional dances of the Batwa. Another of the favorite things to do here is to take a cruise and go island hopping around Lake Bunyonyi.

The real spectacle of the lake, however, is the incredible scenery. For its beauty alone, the lake is regarded by many visitors as one of their favorite destinations.

Because of its proximity to Bwindi Forest for gorilla trekking, which is the main reason visitors venture to this corner of Africa, the lake makes a fantastic add-on experience to enjoy breathtaking scenery.

Visit Lake Mburo National Park

A relatively small protected area, Lake Mburo National Park is classed as a savanna area containing different wildlife.

You can spot antelopes, hyena, hippo, buffalo, zebra, and many different birds. There is also a lot of woodland because of the lack of elephants. Elephants are ecosystem engineers and usually tame savanna forests.

There are 13 other water bodies in the region, but the star lake is Lake Mburo. Mburo is part of the protected area”s wetland system, which is why it’s such a great place for birdlife. There around 350 different bird species to find and it’s a must-visit birder destination.

There are many different activities to enjoy both on and around Lake Mburo, such as boat cruises on the lake itself to see hippos, crocodiles, and a number of different birds. Around the lake, you can then enjoy game drives in the protected area to spot the different African wildlife. You will easily find zebra and impala, which are the stars of the park.

See the Kasubi Tombs

Another attraction in Kampala, to learn a little of the region’s cultural history we recommend a tour of the Kasubi Tombs. This is a Unesco World Heritage Listed Site and the burial ground of four Ugandan kings.

Originally built in 1882 as the palace of Kabaka Mutesa I, this was converted to his tomb after his death. The site later became the burial place of the three following kings.

The site gives a look at Buganda culture, and not only the care they took over their royalty, but other culturally important artifacts, such as the Buganda drums used to communicate important events over long distances.

The palace is composed of around 35 buildings and around 300 people live on the grounds themselves. A fireplace is in the middle of the area where the fire is kept lit to warm the spirits.

The Buganda Kingdom is the largest of Uganda’s four tribal kingdoms and has a high cultural importance for the country. On tours of the palace, you will learn about the various practices and rituals of the Buganda. A visit gives a fascinating insight into some of Uganda’s traditional ways of life.

See Lake Mutanda

A small and beautiful lake in the Kisoro District of south-west Uganda, Lake Mutanda is in an area affectionately known as Little Switzerland .

The lake can be visited from Kisoro and resides in the African Great Lakes area at the foot of the Virunga Mountains. The mountains are across the Ugandan border, which can be seen from the lake. From here, you can see Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga.

The lake contains different islands and is drained by the Rutshuru River. The forests around the lake provides home for a number of fascinating animals and plants, including habitat for the mountain gorillas.

The gorillas and a healthy population of golden monkeys live in a nearby protected area called the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Closer to the lake, you can then find other wildlife, such as many different birds

Enjoy spotting cranes, ibis, weaver birds, and different kingfishers. The forests are also home to different chameleons, monitors, and a variety of frogs. Enjoy tours over the lake to focus on scenery, relaxation, or birdwatching.

You can also enjoy a visit to Kyangushu Island and village trips to see how the locals live their lives. Visit the Mutanda Island, which is the largest of the inhabited islands where you can enjoy views of the Congo border, Bwindi National Park, and Lake Mulehe.

Visit the Ssesi Islands

The Ssese Islands are an archipelago in Lake Victoria that deserve their own mention. Positioned in the north-west corner of the lake, the largest of these islands is Bugala Island where you can find Kalangala town.

The Sesse Islands are home to the Bantu tribe and is a spiritual location for the local people.

Some of the 84 different islands are only 10,000 square metres (2.5 acres) in size. Bugala Island (the largest) is around 275 square kilometers (67,000 acres). Around half of the archipelago is inhabited. The ecnomoy here is focused on fishing for the Nile perch and tourism.

The islands are home a variety of animals and you can spot several different monkeys on guided tours. To relax, you can also visit the beautiful white-sand beaches.

Although not full of activities, the archipelago offers attractive scenery and makes an excellent relaxation spot for a few nights, as there are a number of accommodation options. There are also areas where you can hire a canoe and have a paddle around.

Visit a Local Market

Markets in Uganda offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of the local people and make an interesting experience for visitors.

There are a few different markets to visit in and around Kampala, such as the famed Owino and Nakasero markets. Owino is known for its hustle and bustle with chaotic looking stalls, whereas Nakasero is a little more relaxed and a preferred first choice.

Owino market is understandably chaotic, as this is one the largest in this area of Africa. The most abundant product sold is second hand clothing, but you can really find most things in the market, such as traditional medicine and electronics.

Stand at the Equator

A popular attraction is to visit the equator, which is one of the most famous landmarks in the country.

The mark represents the section of Earth that receives more sunlight than any other. Because of this, it’s where you find the world’s most wildlife-rich forests. Tropical rainforests cover just 7% of the world’s surface, but contain 50% of all the Earth’s animals and plants.

The equator passes straight through Uganda. The main equator landmark is about 70 km from Kampala towards the south west of the district. This takes about one hour to reach from the city. However, there are also markers in other areas. You can find other markers in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is Uganda’s largest national park.

See the Start of the Nile

While you’re in this region of Africa, it’s worth seeing the start of the Nile River. Imagine the important events in history and the countries this great river has touched before gushing into the Mediterranean Sea.

This all starts in this region and you can visit one of the Nile’s sources.

The Nile is one of the longest rivers in the world and ranks as the world’s largest alongside the Amazon River in South America. You can see one of the sources of this incredible waterway at Jinja, which is about a two hour drive from Kampala through the Mabira forest.

You can enjoy some boat trips around the lake and visit the hydroelectric power plant at Bujagali Falls. The area around Jinja is also known as the adventure capital of East Africa. You can enjoy mountain biking, horse riding, and other adrenaline activities. The town itself is also worth a visit to see some examples of colonial architecture.

While here, there are many different accommodation options to choose from to make your stay comfortable. The lodges can often arrange your tours and cruises in the region to help maximize your experience at the start of the Nile.

Try the Food

It’s always one of the best attractions to sample the local cuisine and Uganda is no exception to the rule. Enjoy a variety of tasty dishes to learn more about Ugandan culture.

Fish features prominently on the menu due to the number of lakes and rivers in the country, such as tilapia with a peanut sauce. In addition to fish, meat stews are a popular food. The influences for flavor include Arabian, Asian, and English dishes. Indian spices and food were popular in Uganda, which have been incorporated into a number of dishes.

Many of the different tribes in Uganda have their own traditional dishes. Traditional cuisine revolves around potatoes, vegetables, chicken, pork, fish, bananas, and yams. Peanuts and sesame seeds feature a lot in Ugandan cuisine and add a delicious flavor when combined with some of the other ingredients.

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5 Top Places to Tour in Western Uganda

Western Uganda is a beautiful region in Uganda where you will find ample opportunities for tourism at various destinations. You will find varied tourism options in this region that will never let you disappointed. You will enjoy lots and treasure a unique experience of lifetime after sightseeing and tourism in Western Uganda. The main tourism attractions in this region lie in fascinating destinations like Bwindi National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kabale region, Lake Bunyonyi, Mgahinga National Park, Kisoro town, Lake Mutanda, Kibale Forest National Park, Mt. Rwenzori and so many others. Bwindi National Park is one of the 4 most popular tourist destinations in the region that are visited by a number of international tourists each year. Exploring these fascinating destinations will provide you a brilliant opportunity to see some of best Uganda Safari destinations.

Bwindi National Park

Home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable forest is the best place to see mountain gorillas in the world. Located in south western Uganda, Bwindi is a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO, and it is the most visited of all Uganda’s national parks. There are now 10 mountain gorilla groups which are habituated for gorilla trekking within the forest. Some of the groups include include, Nkuringo, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Mishaya, Kahungye, Oruzogo, Nsongi and so many others. Besides Mountain Gorillas, the forest is also well known for bird watching since it habits more than 130 species of birds. Bwindi is among the UNESCO World Heritage sites and therefore Gorilla Safaris in Uganda are the basically done tours be it on budget or on luxury holidays. Most of the Uganda Safaris have to include a 3 days Gorilla safari in Bwindi National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park: the park is famous for hosting different 13 species of primates including the Chimpanzees which are Man’s closest friends and cousins with almost 95% same characters. Other primates here include Vervet Monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and so on.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: with the Kasenyi track where one can be able to spot a number of animals like Lions, Buffaloes, Elephants, warthogs and so on. The Kyambura gorge in this park is famous for the Chimpanzee tracking activity as well as bird watching. The Launch cruise offers you a chance to see the Kazinga Channel which is believed to be having the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa.

The Rwenzori Mountains

Also refered to as the “Mountains of the Moon”, the snow capped mountain Rwenzoris offer great opportunities to hikers. Whether you are a starter or an experienced mountain climber, the Rwenzoris will give you an experience of your lifetime. The hike to Magherita Peak the highest peak of this Great Mountains, takes 7 Days for those who are experienced or 8+Days for beginners! The hike takes you various climatic zones till you reach the snow capped peaks.

LakeBunyonyi

The dotted islands of Lake Bunyonyi are some of the best places to visit for a leisurely holiday in Uganda.

Other interesting sites in western Uganda include , crater regions, Semliki National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and lots of other sites. You can explore best attractions of the above Western Uganda regions by Packages which are tailor made to suite your travel needs and interests.

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8 Days Best of Western Uganda Safari

 This 8 days best of western Uganda  safari takes you to the  key tourist attractions which include; gorillas and chimpanzees. It also offers you  classic game viewing activities including on foot rhino trekking, game drive safaris and boat rides. You will go on an adventure through 4 national parks which include Murchison falls, Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi impenetrable forest national parks.  

Game drives and boat cruises in Murchison falls national park and queen Elizabeth national park offers an opportunity to spot large mammal species. These include lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kob, waterbucks, hippos, Nile crocodiles, water birds. devil’s cauldron. You will visit Ziwa rhino sanctuary and track the white rhinos on foot. 

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Murchison falls national park

When you arrive at Entebbe international airport, meet and greet with Travel Time driver guide and set off 6-hour drive north west to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, branch off the main road inNakasongoro district to visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for rhino trekking on foot with a ranger. Rhinos became extinct in Uganda in the 1980s and this project is trying to bring them back to the protected area. 

From Ziwa, you will continue to the park and visit the world’s strongest waterfalls. At Murchison falls, the river squeezes through a canyon and plunges over a 40-metre cliff with a thunderous roar into the devil’s cauldron. Dinner and overnight in Murchison falls.

Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise

After a cup of tea, you will get out of the lodge early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise rise at the Nile River followed by a game drive until noontime. Murchison falls National Park attracts over 79 mammal species including the big 4: lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. You might encounter Nubian giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbuck, waterbucks, buffalo, warthogs, Uganda kobs, oribi and there are over 445 species of birds.

After lunch, take a relaxed boat cruise which lasts 3 hours as you sail from Paara to the bottom of the falls. Along the banks of the Nile, you might spot Nile crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards and water birds such as African fish eagles. Elephants and buffalos may also be encountered while coming down to drink water. Enjoy funtime aboard with refreshments and a cool view of the Nile makes you feel good. The guide will pick you up when you return back to Paara for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

In the morning after breakfast, transfer to Kibale forest national park about a 6-7 hour drive. Along the way, make a stopover for lunch in Fort Portal town (Kabalore), the home of Tooro Kingdom led by one of the youngest king Oyo. Proceed to Kibale just 1 hour drive from the town and relax at your lodge the rest of the evening.

Kibale is known as the primate capital of the world because it’s home to the highest concentration of primates with 13 species including over 1400 chimpanzees. It proves the best opportunities to see chimps in the wild while helping to conserve their habitats.

Dinner and overnight stay at Kibale Forest

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk

After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll head to Kanyanchu to start your chimpanzee trek, there will be a briefing on the dos and don’ts. Guides will accompany visitors into the forest so they can spend an hour up close and personal with the chimpanzees. During the walk through the forest, you might spot other primate species such as the blue monkey, the grey checked mangabay.

Return for lunch and later in the evening go enjoy a community walk in Bigodi wetland, which is home to 8 primates, 100 species of birds, sitatunga. Besides being a wildlife habitat, Bigodi is also a source of medicinal plants and weavers obtain papyrus reeds to produce baskets. 

Dinner and overnight stay at Kibale forest

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park for boat cruise

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national arriving in the afternoon for a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The freshwaters attract elephants and buffaloes as well as hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species. 

After the boat cruise, arrive at the lodge and check in for dinner and overnight stay. 

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest

An early morning game drive will be done in the Kasenyi game tracks in search of lions, leopards and hyenas and breakfast will be served when you return. Thereafter, transfer to Bwindi through Ishasha wilderness, where you might see tree climbing lions while enjoying breathtaking views of the rift valley and Kigezi hills. Arrive and check in your room for a good night rest ahead of gorilla trekking in the morning the following day.

Day 7: Gorilla tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

You will get up early for breakfast and move to the gorilla centre for a briefing. A packed lunch and drinking water is required given that you’re gonna spend 1 to 5 hours in the forest. Visitors will be led into the forest by guides and rangers in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, guests can spend an hour watching and photographing gorillas in their natural habitat.

When you return from the forest, you will have lunch thereafter and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s most beautiful lake with 19 islands and terraced rolling hills. Dinner and overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to the predetermined departure destination. End of 8 days best of Uganda tour. 

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Home » Blog » Best places to visit in the western Uganda

Best places to visit in the western Uganda

Best places to visit in the western Uganda : Uganda, which is known to be a land locked country, is considered as the most beautiful country among all other countries in Africa and Sir Winston Churchill named it as “the Pearl of Africa”. More so, one should know about Uganda is that it is divided into four regions for example; the Eastern region, Northern region, Central region and the Western region. Most tourists travel to Uganda because of its good climate compared to the weather in other countries and it has a beautiful nature and many tourist attractions such as; stunning water bodies, various wildlife species, cultures, mountains and many more.

The western region of Uganda is made of many beautiful places with many tourist attractions that tourists can visit and explore through as they gain new experiences during their safaris in Uganda . This part of the country is occupies by different tribes like; the Banyankole, Bakiga, Batooro, Bakonzo, the Bamba people, the Batwa, Batgwenda, and the Bafumbira among others. Tourists get to interact with these people by engaging in community visits/ cultural encounters where they opportunities to watch the traditional dances and drama of several groups, how they prepare their traditional meals, listen to their traditional folk songs; learn how they speak and many others.

Top places to visit in the West of Uganda. 

Queen Elizabeth National park.

Queen Elizabeth national park in Kasese district and it is known as the second largest national park in the country, which covers a total surface area of about 1980 sqaure kilometers from the south west of Kampala. This national park is also considered as the most visited national park by tourists because it is famously known because of its tree climbing lions, however it is also a home to many other wildlife species like; elephants, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes, flamingoes, lions, pelicans, and it harbours bird species which are most spotted within the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park.

 Tourists touring around Queen Elizabeth national park are offered great opportunities to engage themselves in various activities within the park such as; bird watching, lion tracking, chimpanzee trekking , wildlife viewing, cultural encounters, community visits, hot air ballooning and see various attractions like; lake katwe explosion craters, kazinga channel, tree climbing lions, lake George among others.  More so, tourists having their stay at this national park are offered accommodation facilities that are always available for their guests such as; Queen Elizabeth Bush lodge, Kasenyi safari camp, Kyambura George lodge, Katara lodge, Simba safari camp, Ishasha jungle sector, elephant plains lodge, park view lodge, and many more.

Lake Bunyonyi.

Lake Bunyonyi is located in the southwestern region of Uganda and it famous and commonly visited because it is known as the deepest lake in the country and in the whole of Africa after Lake Tanganyika. Lake Bunyonyi derived its name from a local word, which means small birds, and therefore, it is always referred to as the place of little birds.

This lake is a beautiful place all surrounded with wonderful nature, and its vegetation is filled with the bushes that are ever green, beautilful islands, and hills that are filled with terraces hence making it a good destination for nature lovers to visit as they have great experiences as they enjoy the breathtaking views of the lakes and more so, it is always the best destination for couples on a honeymoon to visit as they chill and relax off all the exhaustion from the wedding.

Tourists having their tour in lake Bunyonyi are always blessed with opportunities to engage in several activities like; swimming, canoeing, mountain biking, bird watching, hiking and guided nature walks, guided nature walks, fishing and  community visits among others.

Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Mgahinga Gorilla national park is known as the smallest park in Uganda, which is located in Kisoro district in the southwestern region of Uganda, and it covers a total surface area of 34 square kilometers. This national park neighbours with Virunga National park, which is situated in the Democratic republic of Congo and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Mgahinga national gorilla national park is considered among the best places to visit in the Western region of Uganda and famously known because of its endangered mountain gorilla species  and it has other tourist attractions  like; the Virunga volcanoes, caves such as the Garama caves, Ntebeko visitors centre, and wildlife species because it is a home to over 76 mammal species such as; golden monkeys, buffaloes, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, olive pigeon, L’hoest monkeys and it also harbours around 180 bird species such as; Rwenzori turaco, cape robin chat, blue headed coucal, Rwenzori batis, speckled mouse bird, paradise flycatcher and many others.

Visiting Mgahinga Gorilla national park also gives tourists great opportunities to participate in different activities like; mountain gorilla trekking , guided nature walks, hiking through the bamboo forests and Rugezi swamp, bird watching, volcano climbing, community visits and cultural encounters  where they get a chance to interact with the Batwa people.

Lake Mburo National park. 

Lake Mburo national park is located in Kiruhura district in the western region of Uganda just a few kilometers away from Mbarara city. This park was originally known as a hunting area, which was later established as a national park in 1963.  More so, it is among the best places to visit while on a safari in the west region and tourists always create memories and have a new experience as they engage in several activities like; fishing, milking, guided nature walks through Rubanga forest, bird watching, game drives which are best done in the morning and in the evening, boat cruise among others.

More so, Lake Mburo national park offers its guests with well equipped, comfortable accommodation activities that range from; luxury, mid-range and budget depending on what visitors prefer and also considering with what matches with their budget. In addition, these accommodation facilities include; Mburo safari lodge, Arcadia lodge, Rwonyo rest camp, Mpogo safari camp, Mihingo safari lodge, Rwakobo rock resort and many others.

The best time to visit these places.

The most favourable time for tourists planning to go on a Uganda wildlife safari in the western region of Uganda is best during the dry season which is between months of January to March and August to December when are less rains which enable visitors to enjoy their stay without any distractions.

Contact our trusted tour operators in case of any information and inquires about the best places to visit in the western region of Uganda and Book with our tours and travel companies such as Achieve Global Safaris, which offers the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Kibale Forest National Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Rwenzori Mountains National Park
• Semuliki National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Chimpanzee Tracking
• Gorilla Trekking Rules & Regulations
• Gorilla Habituation
• Lion Tracking
• Wildlife Safaris
• Rhino Tracking
• African (Cape) Buffalo
• African Elephant
• Banded Mongoose
• Black and White Colobus
• Burchell’s Zebra
• Hippopotamus
• Jackson’s Hartebeest
• Patas Monkey
• Rothschild Giraffes
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Best Places to See Leopards in Uganda

Best places to visit on family trips in uganda, best places to see lions in uganda, 4 amazing uganda parks for night game drives, best places where to see rothschild giraffes in uganda, 5 must visit places in western uganda.

With so many exciting places to see in western uganda, it is not easy to come up with a list of the must see places! Here are the most stunning places that you should not miss while exploring the most endowed tourism region of Western Uganda;

Bwindi Impenetrable National park

This is the most visited of all Uganda’s national parks. The main reason why many tourists visit Uganda is from a nature perspective. They come to enjoy incredible mountain gorilla safaris within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The jungles of Bwindi is home about 440 mountain gorillas and the number has been increasing steadily over the years. Gorilla tracking, is the major activity carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Many people are interested in tracking the habituated families of the gorillas in the four sectors of Buhoma and Nkuringo being the best interesting gorilla tracking area, Ruhija and Rushaga. A maximum of 8 people is allowed to track each gorilla family at any given time and the duration of the trek depends on the family allocated in each sector. Each gorilla permit costs USD 600.

Bwindi contains many other animals as well as the gorillas and protects around 90 species of mammals, including 10 different primates. This is the richest area in for mammals in Uganda and there are many other species to see, such as the black and white colobus monkeys, green monkeys, Schmidt’s red-tailed monkeys, and duiker.

In addition to the gorillas in Bwindi, the birds here are also incredible. The Forest contains some fantastic habitat for a variety of birds and there are around 350 different birds recorded with 23 birds only found in this region. This means the forest is home to 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics. The favorite species to find in the forest include the Turner’s eremomela, Chapin’s flycatchers, Shelley’s crimson-wings, African green broadbills, bee-eaters, Grauer’s swamp warbler, and the abundance of butterflies. Other bird species to find in the Bwindi area include the black billed turaco, black bee-eater, blue-headed sunbird, short-tailed warbler, bar-tailed blue trogon, and kivu ground thrush, yellow eyed black flycatcher, Garner’s warbler, Africa blue and white-tailed blue flycatchers and red-headed bluebill. Therefore, Bwindi is one of the must places to be visited in western Uganda because of the rich attractions it possesses.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular tourist destination in Uganda, which is linked to the area’s diversit best for wild life. The protected area contains many different wildlife-filled habitats, such as forests, wetlands, savanna grasslands, and a number of lakes.

The park has a variety of flora and fauna and it is acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with over 612 species of birds. On top of all, this park has 4 types of vegetation that is, Bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Swamp vegetation and Forest grassland. The grasslands are habitats to Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, Warthlog, lion, leopard, hyena, Giant forest hog and Elephants. Topis can be found in Ishasha and Primates can be found in Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo forest.

It is very rare to find tree climbing lions but once you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will find them reason being that it is one of their day behavior. One of these lions are found within the Ishasha sector in the south part with in the park.

You can enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for the icons of the African plains, such as lions, elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes. There are over 200 km of game tracks throughout the park. Being part of African Great Lakes region, there are some fantastic lakes to visit where you can enjoy cruises on the glistening waters to scout for a range of wildlife. There is also a fantastic channel to enjoy between Lake Edward and Lake George to see hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, and a multitude of birdlife.

In addition to exploring the area on game drives, one of the most spectacular ways to experience these savanna environments is by hot air balloon, which you can book as an additional experience.

Lake Bunyonyi

This is located close to Kisoro and Kabale and near the border with neighboring Rwanda. This is one of the largest of Africa’s lakes by depth and contains 29 different islands.

Not only is a popular tourist attraction for international visitors but also the lake is also a popular relaxation destination for locals.

Lake Bunyonyi is known as one of the few lakes in Uganda free of bilharzia, making its waters safe for swimming. It’s also free from dangerous wildlife like hippos and crocodiles. The only warning to visitors is that it is very deep. In other words, swimmers should take this in mind as they are swimming into the water. The most common mode of transportation on these waters is the dugout canoe, which offers a completely different perspective of the lake.

The real spectacle of the lake, however, is the incredible scenery. For its beauty alone, the lake is regarded by many visitors as one of their favorite lake destinations. It makes a fantastic add-on experience to see some breathtaking scenery. More so, there are so many Lodges around lake Bunyonyi which include Birdnest, Arcadia Cottages, Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Bunyonyi Overland, Bushara Island, Cater Bay Cottages and many other that are comfortable for all groups of tourists. Therefore, accommodation is no more a problem at Lake Bunyonyi.

Murchison National Park Falls

This is the largest national park in Uganda and the Murchison Falls sits as the jewel in the crown of the protected area. The falls was named after a president of the Royal Geographical Society and is the main attraction. The falls, is a fantastic natural attraction which with a few other protected areas create the Murchison National Park. Murchison Falls is a fantastic spectacle with water violently crashing through the narrow, rocky gorge. The falls ejects the Victoria Nile River through a 7 meter wide chute, which cascades down 30 meters to the Nile River. Because of the spray of water, you can see a constant rainbow over the falls adding to the spectacle of this must-visit Ugandan attraction.

The protected area is home to many different mammals, including hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, chimpanzees, and many different birds.

There are a number of activities that can be done while in the park apart from visiting the top of the falls. For example; Chimpanzee tracking at Budongo forest, Guided nature walks through Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, guided swamp walks, Sport Fishing on the banks of the River Nile, the experience on the boat cruise offers good opportunities for bird watching and the game drives where you can get to see some of the big five that is; Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard.

Kibale forest National Park

The Kibale Forest is recommended to any tourist as the best place in the whole of East Africa for seeing chimpanzees. The most popular trail in the park is the walk from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center, which lasts about three hours to visit the chimps and to see a diversity of wildlife enroute. When we encounter the chimpanzee groups, visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour observing the fascinating animals, as they play, feed, and relax in their group.

In addition to the chimpanzees in Kibale, you will also encounter some of the other primates inhabiting the area, such as blue & red-tailed monkeys, red-colobus mangabeys, and the grey-cheeked mangabeys swinging in the forest’s canopy. Another of the favorite trails is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk to see some of the park’s thirteen species of primate.

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34 Best Places To Visit In Uganda

Posted on December 26, 2022 |

Uganda, an East African country , offers diverse attractions including lush rainforests, exotic wildlife such as gorillas, elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, and cheetahs, as well as vibrant local culture.

The landscape features volcanoes, lakes with white sand and deep blue water, waterfalls, natural hot springs, and accommodations ranging from treehouses to luxurious lodges.

In this article, discover the 34 best places to visit in Uganda. This country’s culture is characterized by creativity, beauty, friendly locals, and fascinating festivals celebrating African heritage.

Traveling in Kampala is most affordable and convenient via boda-bodas, and bicycle taxis that can take you almost anywhere in the city.

Kampala offers many cultural and historical sites to explore . Notable attractions include the Kasubi Tombs, the first Baha’i house of worship on the African continent, the Uganda National Mosque, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Hindu and Baha’i temples, and the Nakayima Tree, symbolizing religious harmony and peace.

The Uganda Museum, located in green gardens near the British High Commission, showcases the country’s rich and diverse heritage. The Culture Village nearby features local musicians demonstrating their instruments.

Jinja, a town in southern Uganda on Lake Victoria’s shore, offers several attractions. The Coronation Park marks the source of the Nile and features a monument dedicated to British explorer John Hanning Speke.

Other sites include the Bujagali and Owen Falls Dams, Itanda Falls with whitewater rapids, and Samuka Island for birdwatching, including little egrets.

Jinja provides a range of activities and accommodations for different budgets, along with unique hotels and chic restaurants. Itanda Falls, originally known as Bujagali Falls, is another popular attraction.

Now a power plant site, visitors can still enjoy the waterfalls’ beauty and surrounding wildlife, with options for picnics or camping trips.

The Source of the Nile

To experience nature and culture, visit the Source of the Nile in Uganda, in Jinja. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the source offers craft shops with African pieces that have historical ties to the region.

The Nile starts its journey in Uganda at Ripon Falls near Jinja, flowing north over 130 kilometers to Lake Kyoga. From the lake’s western shores, it turns north towards Masindi, passing through Karuma and Murchison Falls before flowing westward to Lake Albert, forming a significant river delta.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a large primeval forest in southwestern Uganda, is located at 1,160 to 2,607 meters on the Albertine Rift’s edge. The forest offers gorilla tracking as its main attraction, although it can be challenging and energy-consuming.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to nearly half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas, with more gorilla families and tracking permits than other parks.

In May 2017, CNN named it one of the best African destinations . Bwindi hosts around 400 habituated mountain gorillas, making it the world’s premier gorilla trekking location. There are also chimpanzees and other primates.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, one of Africa’s largest lakes, is the world’s largest tropical lake and second-largest freshwater lake. Its natural beauty attracts birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts to the surrounding area.

Nearby attractions include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and the Entebbe Botanical Garden, established in 1901. Notable wildlife includes the spotted neck otter.

Mfangano Island, located on the Kenyan side of the lake, features ancient rock paintings estimated to be between one thousand and four thousand years old. The paintings, found mainly in the Mawanga cave and a rock shelter further inland, are preserved largely unaltered by locals.

Ssese Islands

The Ssese Islands, a group of 84 islands in Lake Victoria, are located northwest of the mainland. Activities on the Ssese Islands include hiking, bicycle riding, and game fishing, with the Nile perch being a prized catch.

Accommodations cater to various budgets. While Bugala is the most popular island , others offer more privacy and fewer crowds, especially for cycling enthusiasts. The Ssese Islands are ideal for honeymoons, family retreats, and weekend getaways.

Their location allows for combining a Ssese Island vacation with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, and wildlife viewing in Murchison Falls National Park.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park offers various activities, such as visiting the popular Sempaya Hot Springs, with water temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius and steam spurting up to two meters in the air. Historically, locals used the boiling pools for cooking, making it an interesting tourist attraction.

The park’s wildlife includes forest elephants, hippos, forest buffaloes, antelopes, black and white colobus monkeys, and numerous bird species. The Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve within the park is ideal for chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Lake Victoria offers chimpanzee observation and interaction opportunities. The sanctuary provides a volunteer program.

Overnight stays, day trips, and guided forest walks are available. Activities include feeding chimps, attending informative talks, and enjoying sunset boat rides, with visitor groups limited to three people.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, a stunning lake near the Uganda- Rwanda border, features 29 small islands and hosts diverse birdlife. It’s a beautiful natural water body surrounded by the green hills of the Kigezi range, which rise to 2,200 to 2,478 meters.

The terraced hillsides create a unique setting, attracting domestic and foreign tourists. Accommodations cater to various budgets, and activities include bird watching, canoe rides, and more.

Nyero Rock Paintings

The Nyero rock paintings are ancient geometric artworks created by early inhabitants of the region. These red pigment paintings depict animals, circles, and canoes, resembling traditional African artwork.

There are six Nyero rock painting sites, with Nyero Rock being the first, consisting of six rock shelters featuring various designs.

At Nyero 1 and Nyero 5, paintings can be found, although those at Nyero 2 are partially covered with mineral salts. Nyero 5’s rock shelter has six concentric circles and a central acacia pod shape.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is a spectacular park bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Virunga National Park.

Covering 366 square kilometers, the park features lush vegetation, waterfalls, glaciers, and unique flora species. Reaching Margherita Peak is demanding, but shorter hikes are also accessible throughout the park.

The Rwenzori Mountains host endangered wildlife species like the African forest elephant and eastern chimpanzee, as well as black-fronted and red duikers.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area spanning 1,503 square miles, is reachable by road or flight from Kampala. The falls, where the Victoria or White Nile drops over a rocky escarpment, house the largest Nile crocodile population.

Once renowned for the “big five” – lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos, the park now lacks rhinos due to poaching, with the remaining ones visible at the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a 2.5-hour journey away. The Buligi circuit is ideal for game viewing.

The park provides birdwatching chances, featuring hundreds of species such as white-thighed hornbills, spotted mourning thrushes, and bluff-bellied warblers. The Verreaux’s eagle owl can be spotted at night.

The Kasubi Tombs

The Kasubi Tombs are the burial site for the Baganda royal family. They remain a crucial religious, political, and spiritual location for the Ganda people, exhibiting traditional architecture.

The tombs consist of two courtyards and multiple traditional houses. The first courtyard includes a gatehouse and drumhouse for royal drums, while the second courtyard, located on the hilltop and enclosed by a reed fence, is accessed via a wooden gatehouse.

Four Kabaks, including Muteesa I and Mwanga II, along with Sir Edward Muteesa II, are interred in the tombs. As the tomb houses a sacred forest containing the kings’ spirits, entry is not permitted. Traditional ceremonies, such as welcoming the new moon, occur within the tombs.

Itanda Falls

Itanda Falls, in Jinja, is a waterfall offering activities like kayaking, rafting, and birdwatching. Located around 100 km east of Kampala and 30 km from Jinja Town, it is accessible by car in 45 minutes. They are also reachable by rafting the Nile River.

Itanda Falls is popular for adventure sports like white-water rafting and kayaking. The waterfall’s roaring waters and stunning sights create a thrilling experience for visitors.

Ssezibwa Falls

The Ssezibwa Falls, 35km east of Kampala, hold a cultural and spiritual significance. It’s believed to bring good fortune, love, happiness, and success.

Visiting during the rainy season is advised. The Buganda people consider the waterfalls sacred, and various wildlife species can be found there.

Access the falls by car from Kampala or Jinja, preferably with a 4WD vehicle due to the Murram route and potentially muddy road during the rainy season.

Sipi Falls, with three waterfalls, the highest at 85 meters, hosts bird species like the African Blue Flycatcher, Sunbird, and Weaver Bird.

The area offers year-round beauty and a tropical climate. Accommodations include campsites and safari lodges, providing a serene environment.

Reach Sipi Falls by car in 5 hours from Kampala via Jinja and Mbale, or by taxi/minibus in just over an hour. The region offers excellent hiking and multi-day trekking.

Nearby Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda’s richest birding region, has more bird species than Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks combined. Birding tours are available in the Sipi area.

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park, near the Kenyan border, features an extinct shield volcano (4,321m). Its diverse habitats support around 400 plant species, 143 bird species, half of Uganda’s butterfly species, and wildlife like black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, buffaloes, and elephants.

Three hiking trails are available, with trailheads at Budadiri and Kapkwata’s forest exploration center. The Sasa trail, the original route to Wagagai, takes two hours and offers stunning views of the Sebei and Karamajong regions.

Mount Elgon’s trails are less crowded than other East African trails, providing a serene hiking experience.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is one of the few Ugandan locations to spot impalas, along with other mammals like buffalo, defassa waterbuck, elands, zebras, African leopards, and hippopotami. It also hosts a lion conservation unit.

The lake is part of a wetland system containing five lakes. Despite its smaller size, Lake Mburo features diverse habitats and many bird species.

Activities include cultural experiences, hiking, horse riding, night game drives, horseback safaris, boat cruises, and sport fishing.

The Uganda Museum

The museum, established in 1908 in Kampala, showcases Uganda’s cultural heritage through ancient art, music, archaeology, and artifacts.

The cultural village exhibits traditional lifestyles, including beadwork, baskets, pottery, horn work, and leather crafts.

Serving as an educational and research archive, the museum offers insights into various eras, such as the Stone Age, and traditional life, including clothing, musical instruments, and flint knapping. It is a popular destination for school tours.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda, established in 2005, is ideal for observing endangered Southern White Rhinos in their natural habitat. It spans a 70-km square area.

Currently hosting around 20 rhinos, the sanctuary’s breeding program aims to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda’s national parks, with visitor fees contributing directly to the conservation effort .

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers close encounters with animals guided by knowledgeable staff and is home to various bird species, reptiles, mammals, and nocturnal creatures.

Lake Mutanda

Lake Mutanda, a small freshwater lake in western Uganda, offers beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife, making it an ideal day trip destination.

Surrounded by rainforests, the lake is home to various bird species, including the grey-crowned crane, pin-tailed whydahs, and sunbirds. Chameleons and monitor lizards can also be spotted on the shores.

Activities include hiking, canoeing, island hopping, canoe rides, and nature walks through coffee plantations.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mount Gahinga, a dormant volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the Rwanda border, is one of the best places globally to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

It’s the only park with gorillas and golden monkeys. It hosts 180 bird species, including 24 Albertine Rift endemics, and over 76 mammal species.

Guided treks allow visitors to observe gorillas, other primates, birds, and trees in the rainforest. Habituated golden monkeys can also be tracked with a local guide.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 600 species of birds and 95 mammal species, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus monkeys across grassland, woodland, moist tropical forest, wetlands, freshwater rivers, and saline lakes.

The park also features large areas of medium-altitude semi-deciduous forest. It’s accessible by road or charter flight, the park is approximately 389 km from Kampala.

Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel, a major natural feature in Queen Elizabeth National Park, is a narrow, 32-kilometer-long waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the channel is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the world’s largest concentration of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles.

The best time to visit the Kazinga Channel is during the dry season, from June to August. Accessible by road or air, the most popular route is a 309-kilometer drive through Masaka, Marara, and Bushenyi.

Boat tours along the Kazinga Channel, departing from Mweya Safari Lodge, offer stunning views and cost $30 per person.

Explosion Crater Drive

The Explosion Craters in Western Uganda offer stunning landscapes, climbing opportunities, and picturesque views.

Formed by ancient volcanic activity around 8000 to 10,000 years ago, these craters created lakes with sulfur odors, which are now popular for swimming and exploring the surrounding nature.

Located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Katwe explosion craters span 3 km across and 100 m deep, resulting from a series of violent volcanic eruptions over the past million years Some craters host monkeys and tropical birds.

The Katwe-Korongo explosion craters cover an area of 210 km2 and are part of the Uganda Volcanic Craters. The Mweya peninsula is also within the park.

The Equator Line

The equator, an imaginary line dividing the world into northern and southern halves, is a unique landmark in Uganda. Due to the Earth’s slow rotation at the equator, objects thrown straight appear to land to the right.

To visitr, plan a day trip to Kayabwe in Mpigi District, approximately 72 km from Kampala. There are three main equator crossing points in Uganda, with Kampala and Kayabwe being the closest two.

Owino Market

Owino Market, a popular destination in Uganda, offers a unique glimpse into local shopping culture. Frequented by Ugandans and some foreigners, the market sells secondhand clothes, jewelry, and other items.

Bargaining is common, allowing visitors to secure great deals. This condensed information highlights the key features and attractions of Owino Market in Uganda.

The Ndere Centre

The Ndere Centre is a cultural and artistic hub featuring the Ndere Dance Troupe, art exhibitions, and restaurants.

The center offers spacious accommodations for up to 3000 people, with prices at UGX50,000 for non-Ugandan adults and UGX30,000 for Ugandans.

The Town of Kabale

Kabale, located 420 kilometers from Kampala, is the administrative center of Kabale District in the Kigezi sub-region.

This market town is known for its attractions, such as Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, and the nearby Ihimba Hot Springs, known for curing joint pains and illnesses.

Entebbe, located on Lake Victoria’s shores, is a tropical city with beautiful beaches, parks, and gardens. The nearby Botanical Garden hosts various birds, plants, and monkeys.

The area offers attractions like the Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre, which protects native animals and promotes conservation through education.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Entebbe Botanical Gardens feature a medicinal garden with over 100 plant species used for medicinal purposes and nurseries selling Hoerscassia and ornamental plants.

Common bird species in the gardens include the African Fish-eagle, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Palmnut and Hooded Vultures, Angola swallow, and scarlet-chested sunbird.

Located near the entrance to Kampala, Entebbe Botanical Gardens is open Monday through Sunday, with some restrictions and hours of operation.

Visitors can also spot black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The gardens are free and open to the public.

Gaddafi National Mosque

The Gaddafi National Mosque, one of East Africa’s largest mosques, is situated on Kampala Hill in the Old Kampala area. The mosque, featuring a grand dome, is a prominent landmark in Kampala.

Open to tourists for a small entrance fee, guests receive an English-speaking guide and are advised to dress appropriately. It is a popular destination, attracting many visitors annually.

Bahai Temple

The Bahai Temple in Kampala, Uganda, is one of seven Bahai temples worldwide and serves as the mother temple of the Bahai faith in Africa.

This architectural masterpiece features a 38-meter-high dome adorned with mosaic tiles from Italy and Belgium, walls and roof made of local pre-cast stones, and woolen carpets from Turkey.

An all-inclusive tour package is available, and guests can also enjoy nearby activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, bird watching, and visiting Murchison Falls National Park.

Rubaga Cathedral

Rubaga Cathedral, also known as Saint Mary’s Cathedral, is the parent cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala. It is Uganda’s oldest diocese and the seat of the Archbishop of Kampala.

The cathedral is surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers and houses the ashes of the late Archbishop Joseph Kiwanka, the first African Catholic Bishop and the first Archbishop of the Kampala Diocese.

Nearby, visitors can also explore the Kasubi Tombs, where the four kabakas of Buganda are buried.

Uganda is a destination that offers a wealth of experiences for travelers seeking natural beauty, cultural immersion, and wildlife encounters .

From exploring the historical and cultural sites of Kampala to witnessing the majestic mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda provides a diverse range of attractions that cater to various interests.

The natural beauty of its landscapes, including lush rainforests, volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs, is complemented by a rich cultural heritage.

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25 Best Things to Do in Uganda

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

Categories Uganda

Home » Africa » Uganda » 25 Best Things to Do in Uganda

I have traveled to Uganda twice. On my first trip, I spent two weeks backpacking the country. I fell in love with Uganda from the moment I arrived. A few years later, I returned and ended up spending 5 months living in Uganda. During that time, I visited many of Uganda’s major attractions. Uganda is one of my favorite countries. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming and the landscape is lush and stunning. It’s also a reasonably safe and affordable place to travel. This guide outlines the 25 best things to do in Uganda.

In this guide, I’ll cover Uganda’s top tourist attractions including nature and wildlife spotting, adventure travel activities, cultural activities, city attractions, foods to try, and more. Whether you’re looking to trek to meet the mountain gorillas, raft down the Nile, explore the local culture, or relax on the shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda offers something for everyone.

If you’d prefer, you can watch my condensed version in my YouTube video below.

Table of Contents

• Lake Bunyonyi
• Mountain Gorilla Trekking
• Visit Sipi Falls
• Hike Mount Elgon
• Hang out in Kampala
• Sample Local Food
• Visit the Source of the Nile
• Adventure Activities in Jinja
• Chimpanzee Trekking
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Stand on the Equator
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Lake Victoria
• Ssese Islands
• Visit Entebbe
• Hike in the Rwenzori Mountains
• Visit the Volcanic Craters in Western Uganda
• Shop for Arts and Crafts
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Mabira Forrest
• Lake Mburo National Park
• Meet the Ugandan People
• Semuliki National Park and Sempaya Hotsprings
• Visit the Batwa Pygmy People
• Uganda Itinerary Recommendation

The Best Things to Do in Uganda

1. Visit Lake Bunyonyi

I’ll start this list off with my absolute favorite place in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi. This freshwater lake is located in the southwest of Uganda near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, just north of the Rwanda border. Interestingly, Lake Bunyonyi is recognized as the second deepest lake in Africa.

Along the shores of this tranquil lake, y ou’ll find farms, campgrounds, eco-resorts, and several small villages. Boating and birdwatching are the most popular activities for tourists visiting the lake. Lake Bunyonyi is a great, laid-back place to just relax and enjoy nature.

The name Lake Bunyonyi translates to ‘Place of Many Little Birds,’ in the local language. Birdwatchers will find themselves in a paradise. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi provides an excellent opportunity to spot some of Uganda’s colorful and diverse bird species.

One of the must-do activities is taking a boat trip on the lake. Experience the lake up close, as you paddle through the calm waters in a dugout canoe, exploring the various islands, each with its unique tale. If you’d rather not paddle, you can book a tour in a power boat.

There are 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi. One of the lake’s most well-known islands, Punishment Island, holds a poignant history. It was traditionally where unmarried pregnant girls were abandoned to underscore societal norms. Today, it serves as a historical symbol of the area’s cultural past.

For hikers, the hills surrounding the lake offer rewarding trails with panoramic views. Hike up the hills surrounding the lake and take in a spectacular view of the terraced hills, islands, and villages. There are also opportunities for mountain biking.

The cultural richness of the area is another highlight that shouldn’t be missed. While visiting, you can gage with the warm and welcoming locals, and learn about their customs and traditions.

While visiting Lake Bunyonyi, consider staying in one of the eco-resorts dotting the lake’s perimeter. These sustainable accommodations offer a chance to unwind while enjoying the lake’s beauty.

If you’re on a tighter budget, the town of Kabale is the best place to stay. This is a small, quiet town located about 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the lake. The town offers several budget hotel options available. You can take a taxi from Kabale to the lake.

To read my complete guide, check out my article: How to Visit Beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.  Here, I outline how to travel to Lake Bunyonyi from Kampala and list the best things to do on the lake .

2. Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest

Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the most popular activity in Uganda. It’s on every traveler’s bucket list. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that are found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In Uganda, you can go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Rwanda has gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. In DR Congo, you can go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park.

Getting up close and personal with the mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The entire species has fewer than 1000 individuals remaining. Uganda is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. It’s the best place to go gorilla trekking to view them.

Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the lush jungle to find a gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorillas on the day of your trek. The trekking time varies greatly. Only a handful of gorilla families have been habituated to humans. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll have around an hour with them before you return to camp.

Mountain gorilla trekking is an expensive activity. If you book a tour in advance, expect to spend around $1200-$1500 for an average tour. The price of the tour includes your permit, a guide, and transportation. Most tours also include one night of accommodation and food. It’s best to book as far in advance as possible as permits are limited. Permits frequently sell out. Particularly during the busy season.

It is possible to save some money if you just show up and organize the tour when you are there. There are often last-minute deals available. You can save about $400 this way. The Uganda mountain gorilla trekking permit costs $600. The whole gorilla trekking tour should cost $900-$1000 if you book directly with a guide.

It’s important to note that permits are in high demand. There is a chance that tours are fully booked out if you don’t book in advance. There is a possibility that you miss out.

3. Visit Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls located in the foothills of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, near the Kenyan border. The highest waterfall has a drop of around 100 meters. There are also two smaller waterfalls nearby.

Sipi Falls is located within walking distance of the town of Sipi, Uganda. Sipi is a small mountain tourist town with several restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds. In order to view the falls, you must pass through a lodge and pay a small fee of around $1.

The surrounding area is full of lush, green hills which are excellent for hiking. A number of hikes are available in the region. The main hike to see the falls is a loop hike around 7 km long. It takes 3-4 hours to complete. This hike will take you along a river, through farmland, and local communities. You’ll see all three falls. A guide is not necessary for the hike but is recommended.

There are a number of other activities you can do while visiting the falls. If you’re looking for an adventure, it’s possible to repel down the cliff face next to the highest waterfall. You can go rock climbing or hill running in the region. There are also some local coffee plantations that you can tour. The area also offers some excellent birdwatching. It’s also possible to go swimming in a pool at the base of one of the falls. One day is enough to see the falls. There is plenty to keep you busy for a few days.

Sipi Falls is located 170 miles north of Kampala. You can easily reach the falls in half a day with public transportation. Sipi sits in the mountains at an elevation of 1775 meters. It’s a great place to go for some fresh mountain air. A visit to Sipi Falls makes for a great weekend trip from Kampala.

For more info, check out my article: How to Visit Sipi Falls Independently and on a Budget.  Here, I outline how to travel to Sipi Falls from Kampala.

4. Hike Mount Elgon

If you’re looking for a more intense hike while you’re in the Sipi Falls region, consider climbing Mount Elgon. This 4321-meter-tall mountain sits on the Uganda-Kenya border. The summit is on the Uganda side. Hiking up Mount Elgon is often considered to be one of the best hikes in Africa.

Summiting Mount Elgon usually takes around 4 days. You’ll spend 3 nights camping on the mountain. Most travelers spend a night in a guesthouse at the start and end of the hike. Before or after the hike, you can visit nearby Sipi Falls.

The hike up Mount Elgon is a bit shorter and less strenuous than Kilimanjaro. It is still challenging. You will need some good hiking equipment including sturdy shoes, warm clothes, and a warm sleeping bag. It gets chilly at elevation.

There is a park fee of $75 for tourists. This includes park entry, a guide, and ranger fees. You will also need to factor in the cost of food, accommodation, equipment rental, tips, and a porter if you need one.

5. Hang out in Kampala, Uganda’s Capital City

While visiting Uganda, chances are, you’ll end up in Kampala at some point. It’s well worth spending a couple of days exploring Uganda’s exciting capital city. Kampala is the heart of Uganda. It’s a crowded, bustling, and colorful city.

Kampala is a pleasant place to hang out and shouldn’t be missed if you are traveling in Uganda. It’s probably one of the most tourist-friendly capitals in all of Africa. Kampala is affordable, has incredibly friendly locals, and is even fairly walkable. Decent street food is also available.

I spent 5 months living in Kampala and really enjoyed it. Check out my video about living in Kampala to hear about my experience.

Some of the best things to do in Kampala include:

• Experience the nightlife- Kampala is one of Africa’s best cities for nightlife. Ugandans love a good party. There are plenty of bars and clubs to explore. Head to the Kololo neighborhoods. Most of the city’s best bars and clubs are located here. You’ll be sure to make some friends with locals, expats, and backpackers when you go out in Kampala.
• Go on a tour of the city- Hire a boda boda or taxi for a couple of hours and have the driver give you a tour of the city. Most drivers will be happy to show you around. Make sure to haggle hard as they will surely try to overcharge. This is a good way to get the lay of the land.
• Visit the Uganda National Mosque- This impressive mosque was completed in 2006 and can hold 15,000 people. It was originally called Gadaffi National Mosque then was renamed in 2013.
• Visit Uganda National Museum- This is a nice place to go to learn a bit about Uganda. The museum includes exhibits about natural history, archeology, and the culture of Uganda. 
• Visit Mengo Palace (Kabaka Palace)- This is the compound of the king of Buganda. Here, you can learn some history about Uganda and the regime of Idi Amin.
• Visit Central Kampala- Central Kampala is surprisingly compact. Take a walk around and explore the local markets or grab a bite to eat .
• Visit the Kasubi Tombs- This is the burial site for four Buganda kings. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Take a Walk Along Parliament Avenue- This is a great place to view some interesting colonial architecture.
• Visit the Ndere Cultural Center- If you’re looking for a fun night out, attend a dinner show at the Ndere Cultural Center. While you enjoy your meal, you can watch the performers do traditional dances, play traditional drum music, and sing traditional songs. It’s a unique cultural experience.

You probably won’t want to spend too much time in Kampala. It is a crowded city. It’s also not the easiest place to get around. The city is kind of confusing to navigate. Traffic is a mess. There are also plenty of scammers, hustlers, and pickpockets that you have to look out for. It is worth visiting for 2-3 days if you have time in your itinerary.

6. Sample the Local Food

There are a few local Ugandan dishes that are worth a try. Probably the most famous Ugandan dish is the rolex. A rolex an omelet with tomato, onion, and salt wrapped in a chapatti. They are sold in markets and roadside stands all over Uganda for around 40-70 cents apiece. You can choose the number of eggs and chapatis you want based on how hungry you are. Fancier rolex with other ingredients are also available in restaurants. These are cheap, fast, and tasty snacks. They are also great for a quick meal.

There are also some staple foods that you should try. One of the most popular foods in the country is matoke. This is a type of green plantain that is steamed or boiled until its soft. Sometimes it’s mashed and sometimes it’s served whole. Matoke is usually served with a soup, stew, or sauce made from ground peanuts, vegetables, or meat.

Another common staple food is posho or ugali. This is a type of corn meal made from ground corn. It is mixed with hot water until it becomes a dough-like consistency. Posho is usually served with a sauce or meat.

Another street food to try is muchomo. These are roasted skewers of meat. They are commonly sold on the roadside. Beef, pork, goat, and chicken are available.

Fish is another food to try in Uganda. Particularly around the lakes. The fish is fresh and delicious. For some of the best fish, try visiting Lake Victoria. The local fishermen will be able to provide you with a variety of freshly caught fish.

Also, be sure to take advantage of the abundant fresh tropical fruits and veggies while visiting Uganda. I ate the best-tasting avocado that I have ever eaten in Kampala. The pineapple, mango, and papaya are also excellent. Really, all of the produce is great. Uganda is an extremely fertile country. Everything grows there.

Kampala also has some pretty good restaurants to try. You can find local cuisine as well as Italian, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cuisine. There are dozens of excellent restaurants to try. A few of the highest-rated restaurants in Kampala include Cantine DiVino, Asian Fusion, The Bistro, The Lawns, Cafe Javas, Mediterraneo, and Tamarai.

7. Visit the Source of the White Nile in Jinja

The mighty Nile River starts in Uganda. The White Nile River originates in Lake Victoria and flows north into Sudan, where it meets up with the Blue Nile. The river continues all the way through Egypt and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the world’s longest river at over 4000 miles.

The Nile’s origin has captivated explorers for centuries. Its source remained a mystery until it was discovered by British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858. This expedition took several years. During their search, the party had several run-ins with hostile locals and suffered a range of tropical diseases. The source of the Nile is located just outside the town of Jinja, around 80 km east of Kampala.

To view the source of the Nile, you’ll start in the town of Jinja , which is situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The best way to view the source of the Nile is by taking a boat tour from Jinja. As you glide along the river, you’ll see the spot where the calm waters of Lake Victoria funnel into the Nile. The boat tour offers an up-close encounter with this natural phenomenon and gives you a unique perspective of the area’s lush landscapes. You can also simply view the source of the Nile from a lookout point on the shore.

A visit to the source of the Nile is a must-do while in Jinja. On the shore, you’ll find a monument commemorating Speke’s discovery and the source of the Nile. This provides an insight into the historical significance of this location. You do have to pay a small fee to view the monument from land.

8. Go to Jinja for Whitewater Rafting and Other Adventure Activities

Uganda is a great destination for adventure activities. The town of Jinja is known as the adventure capital of East Africa. Jinja is a laid-back town located on the shore of Lake Victoria. It sits in southeast Uganda, about 50 miles (81 km) East of Kampala. Jinja is a nice little town that is worth spending a day or two exploring.

The most popular adventure activity in Jinja is whitewater rafting and kayaking. The town is famous for it. Adrenaline junkies travel here to experience the thrilling rapids, which reach grade 5 in areas.

Unfortunately, the Isimba Dam flooded a number of the most well-known rapids in Uganda. The whitewater rafting is still good but it’s not the same as it once was. Luckily, the dam didn’t effect the rapids as much as originally expected.

A number of other adventure activities are also available in Jinja including bungee jumping, whitewater kayaking, quad biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, zip-lining, and tubing. 

Jinja is also worth visiting if you’re not into adventure activities. There are plenty of more laid back activities to enjoy. Jinja and the surrounding area is a really bea utiful part of Uganda. The town has some great colonial architecture to view. Jinja is also located on the shore of the beautiful Lake Victoria. The lake shore is a great place to take a stroll or just relax by the lake. You can also go for a boat ride. Sportfishing safaris are available. There is also some great birdwatching near Jinja.

Jinja is a very touristy city so prices are slightly higher there than in the rest of Uganda. Because it is such a popular tourist destination, you can also find some more upscale restaurants and hotels in town if that is what you are looking for. Jinja is a cool city to visit. It’s definitely worth spending a day or two there during your trip.

9. Go Chimpanzee Trekking

Another one of the most popular activities in Uganda is chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is an excellent alternative to gorilla trekking if the gorilla permit is outside of your budget. Some travelers argue that the experience is even better due to the uncanny valley nature of man’s closest living relative, the Chimpanzee. These fascinating creatures share 98.7% of our DNA, after all. 

The best place to go Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is Kabale National Forrest. You can also go chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forrest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

On your tour, you’ll usually trek with a guide for 1-3 hours to find the Chimpanzees. When you find them, you’ll spend about an hour with them before returning to camp.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to view the chimpanzees up close. Sometimes they are up in the trees. In this case, your view might not be as good.

The chimpanzee trekking tour costs around $250-$300. The permit costs $120-$150 depending on the season. There are half-day and full-day treks available.  The chimpanzees that you’ll visit have been carefully trained to tolerate human presence.

For a more up close and personal experience, you can also opt for a chimpanzee habituation tour. This type of tour is designed to slowly introduce chimpanzees to humans so they become more comfortable being near humans. The chimpanzee habituation process usually takes around two years.

This tour usually lasts a full day. You’ll start early in the morning and spend the day watching the chimps in their natural habitat. They spend much of their days in the trees.

10. Go on a Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in Western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Some would say it’s the best. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also one of the largest national parks in Uganda at over 2000 square kilometers. You could easily spend 2-3 days here and still not see it all. If you only have time to visit one park in Uganda, this would be a good choice.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can find 95 different species of mammals including 4 of the big 5 . You’ll see lions, elephants, crocodiles, and buffalo. Around 500 species of birds can also be found in the park. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the famous tree climbing lions.

The density of wildlife isn’t as great as some of the other national parks in Africa but there are still lots of animals to see. For some of the best wildlife spotting in Queen Elizabeth National Park, take a boat tour of the Kazinga Channel. This is a 20-mile-long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Along the shores, you can spot an abundance of animals. Animals come to the shallow river to drink and bathe. You can get closer to the animals in the boat than you can in a vehicle.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its rare tree climbing lions. It’s one of only two places in the world where they exist. The tree climbing lions are the most common in the Ishasha part of the park. You also have an excellent chance of spotting the African Bush Elephant. If you’re looking for wildlife viewing, this is one of the best places in the world.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is also known for its spectacular natural beauty. The region contains many unique volcanic features. You’ll see craters, cones, and beautiful crater lakes.  It’s the best and most scenic place to go for a safari in Uganda.

A number of different types of safaris are available in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can take a standard safari in a vehicle. You can go on sunrise, evening, and night safaris. Walking safaris are also available. As mentioned earlier, you can also take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. It’s also possible to tent camp in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a great opportunity to star gaze, listen to the sounds of the park, and possibly spot some nocturnal species.

It’s important to note that Queen Elizabeth National Park occasionally suffers from security issues as it is located along the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Before you visit, check travel advisories. A few years ago, a woman was kidnapped in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The national park is generally safe to visit and the guides take security seriously.

11. Stand on the Equator

One of Uganda’s most famous attractions is the equator. Uganda is one of a handful of countries that straddles the equator. Standing on the equator is an interesting activity to check off of your travel bucket list.

On the equator, you’ll find a small monument and a couple of signs as well as a few craft shops, restaurants, and cafes. You can take a photo at the monument and stand in the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time. It’s super touristy but kind of fun.

Around the monument, you’ll meet some guys demonstrating how the flow of water changes direction as you cross the equator. This is just a trick that these guys do to earn a bit of money from tourists. It’s not a real physical phenomenon. The Coriolis force is not strong enough to change the flow of water over such short distances. It’s basically a scam.

There are a number of places to visit the equator in Uganda. Pretty much every highway that crosses the equator has a sign. The most popular place to visit the equator is Kayabwe, on the Masaka-Mbarara highway. This is about 45 miles southwest of Kampala. You’ll pass right by here if you’re traveling to Lake Bunyonyi or if you’re going to Rwanda. It’s worth stopping for some photos if you have time.

12. Go On a Safari in Murchison Falls National Park and View the Waterfall

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park at 4,000 square kilometers. The ark is located in the northwestern part of Uganda. Established in 1952, Murchison Falls National Park is also Uganda’s first national park. It is named after a large waterfall in the national park on the Victoria Nile River.

A visit to Murchison Falls National Park wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the falls themselves. Also known as Kabalega Falls, Murchison Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the Victoria Nile River. At this impressive waterfall, the water forces itself through a small 8 meter (23 foot) gap in the rocks and drops 43 meters (141 feet) before flowing into Lake Albert. An incredible 300 cubic meters of water flows through the falls per second. This makes Murchison Falls the world’s most powerful waterfall. It is incredibly loud and impressive. The area at the bottom of the falls is called Devil’s Cauldron.

There are a couple of different ways to view the falls. You can take a boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of the falls. You can also hike or drive to the falls to view them from the top. The hike takes around 45 minutes from the trailhead.

After viewing the falls, y ou can take a game drive. In the park, you can find 76 species of mammals including lions, hippos, Rothchile’s giraffes, elephants, crocodiles, leopards, buffalos, hippos, hyenas, antelope, waterbucks, and more. In addition, there are over 450 species of birds living in the park including the famous Shoebill Stork and Uganda’s national bird, the Grey Crowned Crane.

You can stay the night in the national park if you choose. There are a range of accommodation options in the park including camping and luxury lodges.

13. Visit Lake Victoria

At 26,000 square miles, Lake Victoria is the largest African Great Lake by surface area and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.Uganda controls 45% of the coastline of Lake Victoria . The rest of the lake is shared with Kenya and Tanzania.

Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a wildlife lover, or a culture explorer, Lake Victoria caters to all tastes and interests. On this spectacular lake, you can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities including hiking, birdwatching, picnics, kayaking, canoeing, boat tours, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and more. If you’re lucky, you may spot some wildlife native to the area such as crocodiles, turtles, and hippos.

One of the best ways to appreciate Lake Victoria’s grandeur is by taking a boat tour. As you cruise along, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, spot various bird species, and visit the numerous islands scattered across the lake. Boat tours also offer a chance to view the local fishing communities in action.

Fishing is another popular activity on Lake Victoria. Try your hand at catching Tilapia or Nile Perch, two of the lake’s most prevalent fish species. Local guides are often available to provide a memorable and authentic fishing experience.

Bird watching is another popular activity. The lake’s wetlands and surrounding areas also provide refuge for various animal species, making it a fascinating spot for wildlife observation.

After a day of exploration, unwind at one of the many lakeside resorts. Watch the sun set over the vast expanse of water and enjoy some fresh fish for dinner.

One thing you may not want to do in Lake Victoria is swim. The lake contains Bilharzia (also known as schistosomiasis ) . This is a tropical disease caused by a type of parasitic worm that is transmitted by infected snails. It is commonly found in Rift Valley lakes. Luckily, the disease is treatable if you do happen to catch it. To avoid Bilharzia, it’s best not to swim in Lake Victoria or any other lake in Uganda.

14. Visit the Ssese Islands

While visiting Lake Victoria, consider taking a ferry ride out to the Ssese Islands. This stunning archipelago, comprised of 84 islands, is nestled within the expansive waters of Lake Victoria. This tropical paradise offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural experiences.

The Ssese Islands offer a number of activities for visitors. While visiting the islands, you can enjoy leisurely walks along the beaches, marvel at the brilliant sunsets, go for a boat ride, fish, hike, or rent a bicycle and explore. For wildlife enthusiasts, the islands’ forests are home to an array of fauna, including various monkey species and a diverse range of birds. Visiting the Ssese Islands is also a great opportunity to meet the local Bantu people who inhabit the islands.

The heart of tourism in the Ssese Islands is Kalangala on the largest island, Bugala. Easily accessible by ferry from Entebbe, Bugala Island is a haven of lush forests, white sandy beaches, and an inviting local community. The ferry ride itself is a scenic introduction to the archipelago, offering captivating views of Lake Victoria. If you prefer, you can also access the island by plane from Entebbe.

For travelers with a sense of adventure, island-hopping through the Ssese Islands via local lake taxis is a must. These water taxis offer an excellent opportunity to explore the diverse islands. You can hike through the dense forests looking for monkeys on Bugala Island, view vibrant birdlife on Bukasa Island, or enjoy the peaceful seclusion of the smaller islands.

One of the most rewarding experiences on the Ssese Islands is meeting the locals. Known for their warm hospitality, the inhabitants of these islands offer visitors a glimpse into their customs and traditions. The islands don’t receive many foreign tourists so the local culture is mostly intact. Engaging with the local community offers a deeper understanding of the island life.

15. Visit Entebbe

Entebbe is a charming little lakeside town located on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 40 km south of Kampala. Its location makes it a perfect stopover destination for travelers flying in or out of Uganda. The international airport is located in Entebbe. Beyond its role as a transit point, Entebbe offers a wealth of attractions and activities that make it worth a visit in its own right.

One of the town’s highlights is the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. This lush paradise is a haven for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking tranquility.

If you’re intrigued by the reptilian world, a visit to the Reptiles Village will be an informative experience, where you can encounter a variety of native reptile species.

Animal enthusiasts will also appreciate the Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, which works towards conserving Uganda’s rich biodiversity.

Another animal sanctuary that deserves a visit is the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary located in Lake Victoria. Here, you can observe rescued and orphaned chimpanzees in a semi-natural habitat, contributing to their care and conservation.

Another interesting natural area to visit near Entebbe is Mbamba Swamp. This is a great place to see Shoebills. These large and strange-looking storks live in freshwater marshes throughout East Africa.

Entebbe is also a great spot for those looking for adventure activities. You can explore the area’s scenic trails on a mountain bike or on horseback. You can also engage in thrilling water activities such as boating and fishing on Lake Victoria. Entebbe is also a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lake’s serene shoreline.

In the evening, you can unwind in one of the town’s many restaurants, where you can fresh fish from Lake Victoria. A variety of accommodations options are available in Entebbe, ranging from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury lakeside resorts to convenient airport hotels.

16. Go Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains

Tucked away in western Uganda, you’ll find the beautiful Rwenzori Mountains. Also known as the “Mountains of the Moon”, the Rwenzoris are a breathtaking range. Its highest peak, Mount Stanley, reaches an altitude of 5,109 meters, making it the 3rd tallest mountain in Africa. This majestic range straddles the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border, providing a unique blend of diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences.

Hiking is the highlight of any visit to the Rwenzori Mountains. Options range from day hikes to multi-day treks. The trails are usually pretty quiet as this range is fairly remote and not too well known among travelers. The pinnacle of the Rwenzori experience is a multi-day trek to the summit of Mount Stanley, locally known as Mount Ngaliema.

A trek to the peak of Mount Stanley typically takes around 8-9 days, starting from Kilembe. This expedition takes you through a range of diverse landscapes. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting and breathtaking photography along the way.

This is a fairly demanding trek that requires good physical fitness. Along the trail, you’ll find a range of accommodations, from basic huts to campsites. It’s advisable to arrange your trek through a reputable tour company that provides experienced guides, porters, and necessary gear.

17. Visit the Volcanic Craters and Crater Lakes of Western Uganda

Western Uganda has some really beautiful volcanic craters and crater lakes. These craters were formed through intense volcanic activity thousands of years ago. They dot the landscape, creating a unique terrain that’s as picturesque as it is geologically fascinating.

One of the most beautiful lakes is Lake Nkuruba, which is located near the charming town of Fort Portal. Lake Nkuruba sits nestled within a lush tropical forest. Hiking around Lake Nkuruba is a delightful experience, with trails offering panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding landscapes. The area is also rich in biodiversity. It’s not uncommon to spot monkeys and various bird species during your hike.

Another place to marvel at Uganda’s volcanic past is Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is home to a cluster of stunning volcanic craters. The most noteworthy are the Katwe Craters. Interestingly, some of these craters are filled with saltwater lakes. Some have turned into lush grasslands. The best way to view these craters is by taking a scenic drive or joining a guided tour. Be sure to check out Lake Katwe. Here, you can visit a salt mine

Visiting the craters in the early morning or late evening is highly recommended as these times offer the most breathtaking views. The play of light and shadow over the water makes for an unforgettable experience. For the best experience, consider staying in one of the many lodges within or near the craters. These lodges offer stunning views of the craters and the surrounding landscapes, allowing you to soak in the beauty at your leisure.

18. Go Shopping for Arts and Crafts

if you’re looking for artwork or souvenirs, Uganda has a vibrant art scene. Kampala serves as the hub of Uganda’s art, housing various galleries such as Afriart Gallery, Nommo Gallery, Umoja Art Gallery, and AKA gallery. At these galleries, you can marvel at a diverse range of artworks, from contemporary paintings to traditional sculptures.

Beyond the galleries, an integral part of the Ugandan shopping experience is exploring the bustling local markets and roadside stands. These are the perfect places to shop for authentic souvenirs and handicrafts made by local artisans.

Among these markets, Owino Market in Kampala stands out as one of the largest and most popular, offering an endless array of local products. Owino Market is the biggest and best market in Kampala. The market is at its largest and busiest on Sundays. Here, you can buy almost anything including food, electronics, clothes, handicrafts, art, and more. Also, check out the Exposure Africa Market and the African Craft Village.

The vast selection of arts and crafts available in Uganda is impressive. You can find intricate wood carvings depicting local wildlife, vibrant textiles, beautifully woven baskets, handmade jewelry, paintings, and much more.

Even if you’re not interested in buying anything, it’s well worth your time to visit a local market. It’s a cultural experience. You’ll see the locals going about their day-to-day lives buying and selling. You’ll also get to see the types of products that are available. It’s really interesting looking through the foods, clothing, and other items that are for sale.

When shopping at local markets, it’s important to haggle. Prices quoted to tourists are much higher than the local price. It’s part of the shopping culture to negotiate, so don’t be shy to bargain for a better price. Haggling isn’t just about getting a better price. It’s also a way to engage in friendly interaction with the vendors. It’s part of the experience.

19. See the White Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Uganda. Situated near Murchison Falls National Park, this sanctuary plays a vital role in the restoration of Uganda’s rhino population. Poaching led to the extinction of wild White rhinos in Uganda, with the last white rhino reported in 1983.

Today, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the proud home of around 22 white rhinos, with a goal to reintroduce these majestic creatures back into Uganda’s national parks in the near future. The sanctuary was started in 2005. It sits on 7000 hectares of land. The rhinos roam freely throughout the sanctuary.

While visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you can embark on a 2-hour guided walk with a knowledgeable ranger, getting you up close with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. The guides maintain a safe distance, but these walks often allow for incredibly close encounters with the rhinos, providing fantastic photo opportunities. During your visit, you’ll also get a chance to learn more about rhinos including their behaviors, feeding habits, and conservation needs. The tour currently cost $45 for foreigners. The proceeds go toward the rhino breeding program.

If you wish to spend more time with the rhinos, consider an overnight stay. The sanctuary offers accommodation options, allowing guests to wake up to the sounds of nature and the chance to spot rhinos in the cool early morning or late evening. There’s also a restaurant on-site, serving a variety of meals to suit different tastes. You can actually view the rhinos from the accommodation and restaurant.

You can read more about the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on their website here .

20. Visit Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, on the border with South Sudan. This stunning national park is less frequented by tourists compared to other parks in Uganda due to its isolated location. Those who make the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park will be rewarded with an unforgettable wildlife and cultural experience. Kidepo National Park is a great destination for those who want to venture off the beaten path.

One of the park’s main draws is its exceptional wildlife viewing. Kidepo is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including one of Africa’s most endangered giraffe species, the Rothschild’s giraffe. Other animal inhabitants include buffalo, elephants, zebras, leopards, and over 450 species of birds. The relative tranquility of the national park allows for intimate wildlife encounters, offering an authentic and memorable safari experience.

The landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park are also diverse. The terrain varies from rugged savannah and mountainous regions to expansive grasslands, dotted with acacia and Borassus palm trees. The park also features the seasonal Kidepo River, which is often a gathering spot for various wildlife, particularly during the dry season. The Kanangorok Hot Springs and Mount Morungule are other notable features that enhance the park’s unique appeal.

A visit to Kidepo National Park is also an opportunity to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the region. The area is home to the Karamojong people, known for their unique traditions and customs. Many visitors find interacting with local communities to be a rewarding experience that deepens their understanding of the Ugandan way of life.

21. Visit Mabira Forest

Mabira Forest is located just a short drive from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. It’s a great place to visit on your way to Jinja. This tropical rainforest offers a number of activities for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Hiking is one of the main attractions in Mabira Forest. The forest’s network of trails meanders through tall trees. Along the way, you’ll come across various tree species and possibly encounter some of the forest’s resident monkeys, butterflies, and other small wildlife.

Thrill-seekers can zip-line through the forest canopy on the Mabira Forest Canopy Super Skyway. This gives you a bird’s-eye view of the forest and the River Musamya.

Mabira Forest is also a haven for birdwatchers. It boasts over 300 bird species, including several that are endemic to Uganda.

22. Visit Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is a bit of a hidden gem. It is located in Western Uganda, conveniently situated en route between Entebbe and Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Although smaller than other Ugandan national parks, Lake Mburo national park packs a punch with its rich biodiversity. It’s a great stopover on the way to or from Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest.

Unique among Ugandan national parks, Lake Mburo allows for guided walking safaris and bike safaris. This provides a rare opportunity to connect with Africa’s wilderness on a more personal level. You can also take standard driving safaris.

Safari-goers can expect to see a variety of animals, including zebras, impalas, buffalos, elands, and the elusive leopard. The park’s wetland habitats are also home to several bird species, making it an excellent destination for birdwatchers.

The park’s game drives are a great way to explore its savannah landscape, dotted with acacia trees and interspersed with wetlands. Though you can visit Lake Mburo national park at any time of the day, morning game drives are often most rewarding when wildlife is most active, and temperatures are cooler. However, an evening game drive can also be a fascinating experience, offering a chance to spot nocturnal creatures and experience the tranquility of the park as the sun sets.

23. Meet The Ugandan People

Ugandans are friendly and welcoming people. Whether you’re exploring the bustling capital city of Kampala or venturing into the rural landscapes, the Ugandan people will be a highlight of your trip, greeting you with a smile, a wave, and often a friendly chat.

Despite the diversity of cultures and languages in Uganda, English is widely spoken throughout the country, thanks to its status as the official language. This makes it easy for tourists to engage with locals. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with the people you meet. Ugandans are genuinely interested in getting to know visitors.

Ugandans are also willing to help. If you’re lost or need assistance, you can ask almost anyone. People will go out of their way to ensure you reach your destination safely.

However, as is the case in any travel destination, there can occasionally be instances where individuals might ask for money. But rest assured, the Ugandan people are respectful and will not bother you if you decline. Their courtesy and understanding make the interactions comfortable and enjoyable.

24. Visit Semuliki National Park and Sempaya Hotsprings

Semuliki National Park is located in the remote, western corner of Uganda. This unique conservation area, sitting in the Albertine Rift Valley, offers visitors a unique blend of Central African jungle atmosphere and East African safari experience. Known for its distinctive hot springs, sprawling wetlands, and the winding Semuliki River, the park is an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and adventure seekers.

Among the park’s standout features are the Sempaya hot springs. The springs are categorized into two main areas, known locally as the ‘male’ and ‘female’ hot springs. The male spring, also known as ‘Bintente’, gushes up from a broad, steaming pool. the female spring, known as ‘Nyansimbi’, meaning ‘the female ancestors’, is a boiling geyser that shoots steam up to two meters high. It’s a fascinating spectacle of nature’s geothermal power. Water temperatures reach as high as 100 degrees Celsius.

An approximately 30-minute hike through the forest connects the two springs. This short hike offers a chance to explore the park’s rich flora and fauna. This trail is a treasure trove for birdwatchers, as the park is home to over 400 bird species, including several that are endemic to the region.

Additionally, Semuliki National Park is a great place to view Old World monkeys. 11 different species of monkeys call the park home. A visit here offers the opportunity to spot rare primate species such as the pygmy antelope and flying squirrel. An encounter with the park’s troop of habituated chimpanzees is a highlight for many visitors.

25. Visit the Batwa Pygmy People

Discover Uganda’s rich culture and diversity by visiting the Batwa Pygmy people, an indigenous group with a fascinating history and unique way of life. Once the forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, the Batwa, also known as the ‘Keepers of the Forest,’ now reside on the edges of Uganda’s national parks.

For centuries, the Batwa thrived by hunting small game and gathering fruits and herbs from the forest. Unfortunately, their way of life was uprooted in the 1990s when their ancestral lands were designated as national parks to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. Forced to vacate their homes with no compensation or adequate alternative housing, the Batwa now live as subsistence farmers. They also make money by offering cultural experiences for tourists.

Despite these challenges, the Batwa have preserved their unique culture and traditions, which they share with visitors as part of community-based tourism initiatives. When you visit a Batwa community, you’ll be welcomed with music and dance. You’ll also learn about their traditional hunting and gathering techniques, medicinal plants, and how they crafted their homes and tools.

It’s important to ensure that your visit benefits the Batwa community. Therefore, it’s best to arrange your visit through official channels like the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Batwa Development Programme. These organizations ensure that tourism revenues go directly to the Batwa, providing them with essential income and helping preserve their unique culture and traditions.

My Recommended Uganda Itinerary

Uganda is a relatively small country. Y ou can easily pair several of the above activities to save travel time. It’s possible to travel to most of these destinations by bus and public transport. There are also tours available to most of the destinations on this list.

If you’re starting in Kampala, you could start by making your way to Sipi Falls. On your way back to Kampala, you can break up the trip by stopping for a couple of days in Jinja.

After spending a few days exploring Kampala, you could go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After the trek, you could make your way to Kabale and visit Lake Bunyonyi .

Next, you could head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari. During your visit, you could go on a Chimpanzee trek. From there, you could head to Murchison Falls National Park and go on another safari and view the falls. You could then return to Kampala.

From Kampala, you can visit Entebbe and spend Lake Victoria and spend some time exploring the city before flying out of Entebbe international airport.

If you travel to Uganda from Kenya by bus , it would make sense to make your way to Sipi Falls first, then Jinja. Next, you would continue on to Kampala. From there, you can easily travel to Kigali, Rwanda by bus.

How I spent my Time in Uganda

On my first trip to Uganda, I traveled from Kenya by bus. Once I reached Kampala, I made the trip to Sipi Falls and visited Jinja on my way back to Kampala. After exploring Kampala, I made my way to Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi before continuing on to Rwanda by Bus. This worked out pretty well and was fairly efficient.

On my second trip to Uganda, I based myself in Kampala for 5 months. I took some day trips and weekend trips to various parts of the country to visit some of the national parks. From Kampala, it’s pretty easy to visit all of the sites on this list. Kampala is Uganda’s main transportation hub.

Chances are, you will pass through Kampala multiple times when you travel to Uganda. Consider leaving some of your luggage in a hotel so that you don’t have to drag all of your gear around. Most likely, you will be staying in the same place when you pass through Kampala so you can easily lighten your load to make travel easier. It is a hassle traveling on minibusses with a lot of gear. Leaving your bag in Kampala makes travel days a lot less stressful.

If you are traveling in East Africa, Uganda shouldn’t be missed. It is one of the most diverse places on earth in terms of natural landscapes and wildlife. You’ll see rainforests, lakes, mountains, savannahs, and hundreds of species of plants, animals, and birds. It’s an incredible country for those who love spending time in the outdoors.

The country is also fairly compact, making it easy to get around. From Kampala, you can travel pretty much anywhere in the country within a day. Even with slow and unreliable African transportation, you could probably see a good chunk of the country in a week or two.

Maybe the best thing about Uganda is the people. Everywhere I went, I met friendly locals who were more than willing to help me out or stop for a chat. In fact, According to the BBC , Uganda is the most friendly place for expats. This is one of my favorite countries. I can’t wait to return. 

Have you visited Uganda? Share your favorite things to do in Uganda in the comments below. 

More Africa Guides from Where The Road Forks

• How to Plan a Cairo to Cape Town Trip
• Living in Uganda as an Expat: Pros and Cons
• Is Travel in Africa Safe? Avoiding Crime, Disease, Injury, and Scams in Africa
• How to Visit Beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
• The Ultimate African Bus Guide
• Why Nairobi is My Favorite African City
• The Travelers Guide to Malaria Prevention, Treatment, and Tablets in Africa

Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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Ryan K Biddulph

Wednesday 23rd of October 2019

Absolutely awesome. The rolex looks delicious and I need to visit Uganda because of all those nature shows I saw as a kid. Long been on my list. Wonderful post.

wheretheroadforks

Thank you! Nature documentaries definitely played a role in inspiring my travels in Africa. Uganda is great.

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The source of the Nile river starts in the Rwenzoris, Africa’s tallest mountain range that stretch across western Uganda shrouded in mist and teeming with glaciers, waterfalls and alpine lakes. These ‘mountain’s of the moon’ are the home of Uganda’s mountain gorillas and tracking them through this majestic habitat is one of the country’s most iconic experiences. 

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Southwestern Uganda

Home to almost half the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, the World Heritage–listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of East Africa’s most…

Top of the Falls

Once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its 6700km length, the 50m wide Victoria Nile is squeezed here through a 6m gap…

Igongo Cultural Centre

Located 12km from Mbarara on the road to Kampala, this cultural village features the best museum displays in Uganda. Set on the grounds of a former palace…

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s largest national park is one of its very best; animals are in plentiful supply and the raging Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile crashes…

Kidepo Valley National Park

Offering some of the most stunning scenery of any protected area in Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is hidden away in a lost valley in the extreme…

Mengo Palace

Built in 1922, this small palace is the former home of the king of Buganda, though it has remained empty since 1966 when Prime Minister Milton Obote…

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Eastern Uganda

Located 23km southeast of Entebbe in Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, or 'Chimp Island', is home to over 40 orphaned or rescued…

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This fabulous national park is on nearly all itineraries, and while you'll never be far from other safari groups, you're guaranteed to see a large range…

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In Uganda, Communities Find That Economic and Ecological Advancement Can Go Hand in Hand

Uganda’s National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) provided practical training to women and youth in tailoring and metal fabrication. Photo: NFA and UWA

When the COVID-19 pandemic pummeled global economies in early 2020, Uganda’s forests and national parks experienced increased pressure, from things like illegal extraction, as adjacent communities struggled to earn livelihoods. Tourism, which had been a growing sector, suddenly came to a standstill, resulting in reduced funds for conservation activities.

To respond to these threats posed by the pandemic, and also other threats to sustainability and employment in these areas, the Securing Uganda’s Natural Resource Base in Protected Areas Project was approved (May 2021). The project is implemented by Uganda’s National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and works to both improve the sustainable management of forests and protected areas and to increase the benefits to communities in and around these areas. The project is supported through the World Bank’s Uganda Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) with contributions from Sweden and Ireland.

“By supporting this project, we tried to contribute to achieving mainly two different things,” says Adam Kahsai-Rudebeck, Sweden’s Head of Development Cooperation in Uganda, “to contribute to the reduction of poverty in Uganda and to also support Uganda’s contribution to addressing climate change.”

“The World Bank has been investing globally in supporting the climate resilience of people and economies,” says the Bank’s Country Manager for Uganda, R. Mukami Kariuki. “This project speaks directly to all three elements of the World Bank mission to end extreme poverty and increase shared prosperity and to do so on a livable planet.” 

In Uganda, people’s livelihoods depend very much on forests, woodlands, and wetlands, as does the country’s tourism sector. Uganda has one of the highest rates of forest loss in the world, and the overall cost of soil erosion and land degradation is estimated at about 17% of the GDP, despite the country’s high percentage of arable land. Forest cover has declined by 1.61% every year, on average, between 2010-2020, with the depletion of forests on private land due to wood extraction and small-scale agricultural expansion being main drivers of deforestation. The effect of this is detrimental to people and the habitats of many species of wildlife, including that of gorillas, with negative impacts on tourism and on the long-term GDP.

“Most communities neighboring [Uganda’s] protected areas are poor and disadvantaged in terms of market [and] the products they have,” says Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of UWA.  To help address this, the project has worked to build the capacity of organized community groups around target protected areas to access and manage protected resources, as well as engage in income-generating activities to improve community livelihoods. It does this through activities such as conservation awareness and prevention of human-wildlife conflict; investment in sustainable forest management; and training and capacity building. Over 6,000 rural Ugandans have benefited from this support.

In order to reduce the amount of wood fuel that people use, the project has provided training and materials for the community groups to build fuel-efficient stoves; to reduce soil degradation and create alternative income opportunities, it has also supported the establishment of community tree nurseries and related training, and trained local ecotourism groups to help strengthen skills in the tourism sector.  Job-skilling support and equipment have been provided to members of community groups, targeting women and youth, for tailoring and craft making. This will help build climate resilience and provide communities with income from activities that do not make them reliant on, nor draw heavy resources from, forests and protected areas.

“We also helped others to develop [the] ability to repair and run kiosks for mobile phones. We trained another group in repair and management of motorcycles so that these groups can be a nucleus for development in their own communities,” says Mwandha. “And, as they do their activities, the communities learn from them and they improve their livelihoods, but they also look at the importance of wildlife for purposes of their development because the whole training and skilling was intertwined with wildlife management.”

“Right now, I [am] able to make a door, and cut, and other things,” says Emmanuel Rukundo, a beneficiary of the training on metal fabrication supported by UWA, who was also provided with a welding machine. “At least I am able to get something [income] with this [equipment and training] that they gave me.”

The project has also created earning opportunities to communities living close to the target Central Forest Reserves (CFR) through employment in forest restoration. Bonnyconcil Kyomuhangi is transforming her life and the forest through her employment by NFA as a contractor in forest restoration activities in Kasyoha-Kitomi CFR. She says the income from this physical work of strip slashing, planting, and spot weeding, which is usually assigned to men, has enabled her to pay school fees for her three children and even acquire two goats for her family. Kyomuhangi shares a message that conservation begins at home as she urges other women and community members to plant trees, saying, "Start conservation from your homes by growing trees in your compounds and other available spaces.”

Support to beekeeping activities has also provided numerous benefits to the people living in and around forests and protected areas. The provision of beehives is not only creating opportunities for income generation to thousands of Ugandans, but the siting of some beehives in strategic areas is deterring elephants from crossing into people’s gardens, preventing human-wildlife conflict.

Chris Kaseka of the Lake Katwe Sub County United Bee Keepers Association (LAKASUBA) says the project’s training has been invaluable to their branding and packaging of honey. “You can see that it’s the LAKASUBA honey in Ikirongo, from along the Queen Elizabeth National Park,” Kaseka says, showing a container of labeled and branded LAKASUBA honey. “We have benefited by [giving] assurance to our customers, and the number of clients who support our bee products have increased because at least when some people come here, they recognize quality.”

Tourists are returning to Uganda, with tourism levels expected to rebound to pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2024. Protecting Uganda’s natural resources, and training and empowering the communities living in and around Uganda’s forests and protected areas, will have significant financial impact on the country’s GDP, especially as Uganda has just put forward a strategy to grow the tourism sector 25-fold during the period of implementation of its fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV - 2026-2030).

In fact, as the project was commencing, the World Bank report Banking on Protected Areas: Promoting Sustainable Protected Area Tourism to Benefit Local Communities showed that for every dollar governments invest in protected areas and support for nature-based tourism, the economic rate of return is at least six-times the original investment.

Now, three years later, as the Securing Uganda’s Natural Resource Base in Protected Areas Project closes, the beneficial impacts on livelihoods and conservation are felt. The project work is being built and expanded upon by the World Bank’s larger Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project .

Peter Michael Oumo, the Economic Adviser of Ireland’s Embassy in Uganda, says that project beneficiaries were able to “gain an understanding and appreciate the importance of preserving natural resources so that they can be utilized for many more generations, rather than just exploiting them and destroying them, as would happen in the absence of this project.”

“Our friends have been cutting trees out of ignorance,” says Peter Rwomushana, who has been supported with briquette-making training and equipment from UWA.  “But we are trying to educate them to make briquettes out of domestic inputs [food waste] without going to the parks to cut trees. That is one of the things we have benefited from, to make sure our community flourishes.”

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