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Things to do and see in Uganda are countless! Uganda is among a few most stunning countries on earth, naturally gifted by breathtaking sceneries, diverse cultures, wildlife, favorable weather and climatic conditions all year-round, and not to forget the hospitable people. With these and more, indeed Uganda is a true pearl of Africa, an outstanding destination where you can find all that Africa has to offer when it to nature.
There is something special for all travelers to do or see on Uganda safari. This is why a safari to Uganda is amazingly visitors’ most favorite safari. Whether you are an enthusiastic primate, wildlife traveler or adventure seeker, Uganda has all travelers’ needs sorted. Uganda occupies a compact area, making it easier to undertake round trip throughout the country and this is perfect for visitors with interest in long safaris for instance 20 days, 25 days or 30 days.
Uganda covers a land area of 241038sq.km, representing about 60% of area coverage of California and features as the 27th smallest African state. It is bordered by about 5 East African states- Tanzania, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda and Congo.
Top things to do and see in Uganda 2023/2024
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas are special attractions on the planet earth and Uganda alone shelters over half of the remaining population of these unique apes. About 1063 endangered mountain gorillas still reside in the wild and they only occupy the tropical forest-dominated parks in Africa that is Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Half of these great apes reside in Uganda and it is possible to see them on gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
To see mountain gorillas in Uganda, you will need to hike through the dense forests and the length of the trek does fluctuate depending on their location, your fitness levels, nature of the habitat and other factors. To enjoy a face-to-face interaction with these rare apes, valid gorilla permits must be booked and each permit can be reserved at USD700 per person.
Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park
In East Africa, the tree climbing lions reside only in Ishasha sector in the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and in Lake Manyara National Park, and some parts of Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. The tree climbing lions spend most of their time lying lazily on the tree branches while starring down on wildlife in the open savannas. Ishasha is a favorite location to enjoy a game drive, especially for guests who are connecting to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking.
Hike & canoe ride: Lake Bunyonyi
Lying in Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi is known as a place of many little birds. It is a beautiful Lake located in Southwestern Uganda between Kabale and Kisoro. It is the deepest Lake in Uganda with depth of about 900 m and in Africa, it is believed to be the 2nd deepest.
Lake Bunyonyi has 29 spectacular Islands dotted throughout it and a canoe ride here lets you to visit one of the islands, especially the punishment/Akampene island, Bushara, Bacuranukura, Bwama, Kyahugye islands and others.
Hike the Uganda’s tallest mountain – Rwenzori Mountains commonly known as ‘’Mountains of the Moon.”
Rwenzori Mountain ranges offer exhilarating hiking experiences making them the best spot for adventure seekers. Hiking to the top of Mount Rwenzori is about conquering the Margherita peak on Mt. Stanley (5109m). There are mountain ranges and peaks to conquer besides Margherita on Mount Stanley. Other mountain massifs that make up Mount Rwenzori include Mount Emin, Baker, Speke, Gessi, and Luigi di Savoia.
The Rwenzori Mountain ranges are spectacular chain Block Mountain, with glaciers and lies along the Albertine rift. Hiking to its top is possible on any of the two trails; the Central circuit and Kilembe route.
Powerful waterfalls in Murchison falls national park
Lying in the Northwestern Uganda is a stunning Murchison Waterfalls. This is one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls located on the lower Victoria Nile River, about 32 km East of Lake Albert. The Victoria Nile is what divides the scenic Murchison Falls National Park into two forming the Northern and Southern sections. The waterfall passes through a narrow rock with width of not more than 8 meters and flows to Lake Albert, powerful roar and rainbow are formed as result.
Visit the IK people in Kidepo Valley National Park
The IK people live in Northeastern Uganda and visiting them to explore their traditions and cultures is best done on Uganda safari to Kidepo Valley National Park, home to cheetahs and other big game. Accessing the IK community requires you to hike through Mount Morungole (2750m). Mt. Morungole lies on the Northeastern side of Apoka and marks part of the Kidepo Park boundaries.
Shoebills at Mabamba swamp
Shoebill trekking is a must-do activity if you are visiting Mabamba wetland for birding tours. Shoebill storks are the most sought for birds in Uganda and Mabamba swamp is one of the best places to find them. In the process of looking for shoebills using a canoe, there are multiple aquatic birds to watch.
Other birds to sight on Mabamba swamp shoebill trek include pin-tailed whydah, great white pelicans, wood sandpipers, spur-winged lapwing, hammerkops, common squacco herons, black-crowned waxbills, speckled moosebird, white egrets, black-crowned night herons, white-faced whistling ducks, yellow-billed kite, pink-backed pelicans, etc.
Enjoy the white water rafting on river Nile in Jinja
If you are an adrenaline adventure seeker, a visit to the Source of the Nile in Jinja for whitewater rafting should be a must-do on Uganda safari tour. Jinja is East Africa’s adventure capital, an excellent spot to conquer the world’s finest grade 5 on white water rafting adventure. A rafting adventure takes up to the middle of the Nile River navigating through the strong rapids. You can enjoy half day or full day experiencing the white water rafting in Jinja.
Explore different cultural encounters in Uganda.
Known as a boiling pot of cultures, Uganda has a diversity of cultures and these are represented by the 56 tribes and over 9 indigenous communities. A cultural tour in Uganda guarantees enthusiastic cultural visitors authentic African cultural experiences from its diverse cultural encounters. Areas of interest in Uganda for a cultural safari; the Batwa trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park/Bwindi, IK and Karamojong communities in Northeastern Uganda, etc.
Experience the famous wildlife game drives in different parks in Uganda
Uganda is not only visited for mountain gorilla encounters but also for unforgettable big game/wildlife safaris in its splendid savanna parks. There are 4 special National Parks to consider a must-visit for wildlife game drives in Uganda and include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
The different wildlife species to look out for on wildlife safaris in Uganda are enormous, but include among others cape buffaloes, leopards, cheetahs, lions, the Rothschild giraffes, zebras, antelopes like oribis, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, topis, elands, birds and more.
Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel provides excellent view of aquatic life. This is done in Queen Elizabeth NP, Western Uganda and the Kazinga channel is a long stretch of natural channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Countless water species can be encountered on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel and include large schools of hippos, basking crocodiles and water birds.
Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale national park
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience –CHEX provides a lifetime opportunity to nature lovers to spend a half-day/full-day with chimpanzees in the wild. Habituation is a process of slowly initiating wild chimpanzee communities to human presence to make them comfortable when visited. It is done for a period of about 2 years or less depending on how quick they can get familiar to human presence.
Each of chimpanzee habituation permit in Kibale costs USD250 per person and the tour operator can book it for you in the course of planning your safari. Kibale (primate capital of the world) has over 13 primate species and include over 1500 chimpanzees. The park is found in Western Uganda, Kabarole district and it is an extensive tropical forest park covering a land area of 795sq.km.
Don’t miss the stop over at the equator
About 13 countries lies within the Equator crossing and amazingly, Uganda is one of them. En route to Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Mburo or Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, there is a chance to make a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe. This is for guests who take the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara route to Western or Southwestern Uganda.
Tour the crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth N/Park is one of the naturally endowed safari parks, offering not only memorable wildlife viewing experiences but also spectacular views of crater lakes. About 3 main crater lakes exist in Queen Elizabeth N/Park and include the Katwe Crater Lake, Bunyaruguru Crater Fields, and Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field.
Enjoy the nightlife in Kampala
Visiting Uganda for a safari is more than encountering wildlife. Experiencing nightlife in Kampala should be a must-do on the list of things to do in Uganda. In East Africa, Kampala is on top list given its exceptional nightlife. There are a range of laidback bars to super clubs each offering memorable experiences. You can choose to go night clubbing in the top clubs around Acacia avenues, Industrial Area, Kabalagala, Ntinda, Salsa nights or go for theme nights, destination parties, worship nights and movie nights.
Sipi falls visit and coffee experience in Kapchorwa
The Sipi Falls and coffee experience combines hiking adventure and learning. You will hike to the triple waterfalls that make up the Sipi waterfalls lying on varying altitudes; 100m, 75 and 85 meters. The coffee tour experience takes you through process of coffee farming, from the very first stage of planting to processing to make a final product. You can also engage in hands-on experience, make a cup of homemade coffee and have taste of Ugandan Arabica coffee. You will meet local farmers; interact as they share knowledge on coffee cultivation.
The Batwa experience
The Batwa experience is one of the initiatives aimed at empowering the Batwa. The Batwa pygmies once lived in the forest as hunters and gatherers, but they were displaced to allow Mgahinga and Bwindi to be gazetted as parks. The Batwa experience is enjoyable before or after tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi/Mgahinga and a Batwa pygmy guide takes guests through their ways of life as hunters & gatherers. The experience includes entertainment from the locals’ dances and music performances.
In conclusion, Uganda has endless list of exciting and thrilling adventures or activities and unique attractions for you to do and explore. It remains Africa’s favorite destination not only for mountain gorilla trekking but also wildlife tours.
