10 Best Places To Visit In Uganda

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. With its dense forests, snow-peaked mountains, glassy lakes and sprawling savannas, it’s no wonder Winston Churchill dubbed this wonderful country the ‘pearl of Africa’. While mountain gorillas are the allure for many visitors, there’s an astounding number of  Places To Visit In Uganda  for tourists.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1994, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in south-western Uganda on the edge of the Albertine Rift standing at an elevation of 3,806 -8,553 ft. above sea level. It contains around 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. On the other hand, this rainforest forest is a habitat for 120 mammal species, 348 bird species, 220 butterfly species and 27 frog species thus the best spot for biodiversity research.

The most iconic mammals of Bwindi are the endangered Mountain Gorillas. In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi is a collection of varied wildlife like forest elephants, yellow-backed duikers, and primates like blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.  It is also a birder’s haven with some endemic bird species like the great blue turacos, black-billed turacos, black bee-eaters, African green broadbills, handsome francolins, African black ducks and Cassin’s grey flycatchers. Do not forget to visit a Batwa homestead for some cultural interactions as the take you through their past lifestyle. Book your Uganda Gorilla Safari today and enjoy amazing discounts.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest (established 1952) and largest National Park (at 3893 sq.km), a home to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls with most varied vegetation. The park is located in north-western Uganda in Nwoya District but covering part of other districts like Buluiisa, Kiryandongo and Masindi, stretching from Lake Albert all the way to the scenic Karuma Falls.

 It also has wildlife reserves such as Bugungu and Karuma. Murchison Falls is home to 144 mammal species, 51 reptiles with a largest quantity of Nile crocodiles, over 550 bird species (the rare shoe-billed stork inclusive)

En-route to Murchison Falls is the popular Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary just a couple of hours outside Kampala City. Rhino tracking is a very interesting activity as it is done on foot in company of a ranger-guide, spiced up with bird watching and sightings of other animals especially antelopes.

There are quite a number of interesting activities in Murchison Falls, like top of the falls walk (where Launch cruise taking you to the bottom of the falls with sighting of various birds and animals or to the Nile Delta which is the birders hotspot and home to the rare shoebill stork, Game drives, Sport Fishing, birding, hot air balloons, bush breakfast, sundowners among others.

Lake Bunyonyi (the Switzerland of Africa)

This is the best place to unwind after a long gorilla tracking safari in Bwindi, it is a collection of mostly recreational activities. Lake Bunyonyi is situated in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale District and it is only a few kilometers away from the Uganda-Rwanda boarder. With 29 Islands and a variety of birds, Lake Bunyonyi is a must visit for a photography and birding safari in addition to the various adventurous activities.  

Of the 29 islands the most popular of all are Akampene (the smallest of all islands); According to the Bakiga tradition, this Island served to punish the unmarried girls and young who got pregnant out of wedlock. Such girls were abandoned here and left to die of hunger as most people could not swim to save them. This served as a stun warning for other girls to do better with their lives lest they ended up here. The men who braved the deep lake and swam to save an abandoned girl(s) won themselves a free wife without the burden of paying bride price.

Do not forget to explore a bunch of more fun activities at Lake Bunyonyi such as Bird watching of over 200 bird species both water and migratory, Guided nature walks, Canoe rides, Bunyonyi cultural tour, Swimming, Bunyonyi Bike Tours, zip lining among others.

Jinja City “East Africa’s Adventure Capital”

Jinja has recently been upgraded from a town to city status by the government of Uganda, this city is located only 80km east of Kampala City.

 Jinja is strategically situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, stretching to the banks of River the source of the mighty River Nile – the world’s longest river is also in Jinja also popularly referred to as the adventure capital and a thrill-seeker’s paradise.

The most sought-after activity is White-water Rafting; the most thrilling moment is to reach grade 5 rapids, giving you an adrenaline rush as go against the rough rapids and whirlpools. Other activities include; Kayaking, River boarding or tubing the Nile.  If all this sounds a bit strenuous, you can take it slow and go Puddle Boarding (SUP) on a sundowner trip amid spectacular sunset views and the cool breeze of the Nile. For more thrill enthusiasts, Bungee Jumping will get you scared to your last breath Quad Biking (best in the rainy season with less dust), Horse Riding or even Bike Riding to explore the communities in the vicinity, cheered up by kids often seen by the roadside.  The Source of the Nile Cruise will take you to where it all starts as you watch various birds that reside on the Nile and you can shop for souvenirs together with a stop by Mahatma Ghandi Monument. Visitors fond of Sport fishing trips are also catered for and should be prepared to try out their skills just to catch a 100kg+ Nile perch.

Kampala City 

Ranked by Mercer; a New York-based consulting firm as East Africa’s best city to live in. The bustling Kampala City is a popular spot for travellers seeking fun and enjoyment. This city never goes to sleep owing to the numerous entertainment hotspots such as clubs, bars, cultural entertainment centres.

Spare a day and book our Kampala City Tour which takes you to places like the Buganda Kingdom, Gadhafi National Mosque, Uganda National Museum, Baha’i Temple, Lubaga Cathedral, Namirembe Cathedral, and on a full day trip you can walk down the memory lane of the Martyrs at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine (a Catholic pilgrimage ground) with its museum and holy-water lake.  Book our Kampala City Tour to experience this city at your pace.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park (996km²) is a UNESCO Heritage site inscribed in 1994 and home to one of Africa’s highest mountain ranges with its highest peak (Margherita) at 5,109m above sea level.

The mountain range stretches a record distance of 120km all the way from Kasese to Fort Portal and it forms a natural demarcation between Uganda and the D.R. Congo. Rwenzori is unique because it was formed as a result of tectonism (Block Mountain) unlike Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya that were formed out of Volcanism. Rwenzori’s highest peak Margherita stands at an elevation of 5109m followed by Alexandra at 5083m. Other signature peaks are Mt. Speke (4890m), Mt. Emin (4791m), Mt. Gessi (4715m) and Mt. Luigi da Savoia at 4627m.

The Rwenzori is snow-capped all year round although the snow is decreasing gradually due to climate change.

If planning your Rwenzori trek adventure, you can choose from the available trek options in our Uganda Hiking Trips.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is one of Uganda’s top scenic parks with spectacular views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges at whichever angle you stand. Covering an area of 1978 km^2, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest game park after Murchison Falls. It was established in 1952 then known as  Kazinga National Park but later change  its current name to Queen Elizabeth National Park after the visit of Queen Elizabeth II’ s visit.

The park covers districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri and it is only 400km south-west of Kampala City on a 6-7 hours’ drive past the popular tea plantations of Fort Portal, and in the north of the park is Kasese town; a nearby town with support services like banks, hotels and hospitals.

While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, explore its multiple unique attractions ranging from wildlife packed game drives, explore Kyambura Gorge, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, Explore Katwe community, watch the tree climbing lions, as this is the only place to see them in Uganda and a picnic lunch near the Ishasha River.  

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most scenic and furthest national park from Kampala. It is located in the North-eastern Karamoja region (Kaabong District), extending to the Sudanese boarder. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see Ostriches in wilderness. Kidepo Valley National park was granted a national park status in 1962, covering an area of 1,442 km² in rugged savannah, with its iconic by Mount Morungole (2,750m) and the broad Kidepo Valley, cut across by the seasonal Narus river valley.

The park is artistically endowed with natural scenery; the best of all Uganda’s safari parks, together with natural attractions such as Kanatarok hot spring in Lotukei-South Sudanese boarder, Narus valley with its varied vegetation such as red thorn acacias, desert dates, drumstick trees, sausage trees and fan palms. River Kidepo is seasonal and in the dry season you will only find a broad valley full of sand. The animals and birds seen here include over 500 bird species like Abyssinian scimitar bill as well as spotted hyena, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe, zebra, African buffalo, bat-eared fox, not forgetting the Rothschild’s giraffe. In addition to Kidepo’s wildlife game drives, always remember to set up a picnic lunch especially at the extreme end of the park for that once in a lifetime experience. Hiking Mt. Morungole to its summit rewards you with a fantastic panoramic view of the whole park, this can be best done in the afternoon or as a sundowner treat for that colourful sunset.

Griffin Falls Camp

Just after Sezibwa Falls halfway between Kampala and Jinja, Griffin Falls Camp is only a 10km drive off the main road through sugar plantations at Lugazi. If you are a thrill seeker this eco-friendly camp on the edge of Mabira forest is worth visiting. Griffin Falls Camp is famous for the Canopy Super Skyway Zip-lines; imagine exploring the tropical rain forest several meters high up in the trees just like a primate with a stunning birds’ eye view of the forest and the spectacular griffin falls.

Expert thrill captains will lead you through the primeval trees following a network of 5 zip-lines above river Musamya and griffin falls.  You will encounter primates like grey cheeked Mangabey, Black and White colobus and red tailed monkeys.

Visitors scared of heights can explore other fun activities such as archery; Mangabey tracking, forest walks, bird watching and team building.

Ngamba Island; A Chimpanzee Sanctuary – Since 1998

Are you on a very short stay in Uganda but have Chimpanzees on your bucket list, Worry not! Just take a boat trip to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria for a more up-close and comfortable chimp experience.

Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria, 23km south-east off Entebbe mainland, is part of the Koome Archipelago (Ngamba, Nsazi, Bulago, Damba, Koome and Kiimi Islands). Ngamba is roughly 100 acres and 95 are dedicated to the chimpanzees. Other animals of interest include bats, monitor lizards, aquatics like otters that prey on fish in addition to birds especially the African fish eagle. Today 52 orphaned/lost chimps call the island home. Although they may be in “captivity” these chimpanzees can live up to 60 years much longer than those that live in the jungle.  This same chimp experience can be incorporated with the Entebbe Eco Tour.

Take a look at our compilation of the top 10 Best Places To Visit In Uganda; use it for your vacation planning, and Gazelle Safaris Africa, as an African Tour Operator provide the best what Uganda Safari has to offer..