Explore The Biggest Tourist Attractions In Uganda

Uganda, doesn’t it sound interesting and far away? Can you visualize this remote country in East Africa at all, except for the gorillas that live here? Backpacking or traveling around Uganda, how is that? So let’s help you explore the great Uganda Destinations or Tourist Attractions to find the best that Uganda has to offer!

Uganda is a country in East Africa gifted by nature with beautiful scenery, magnificent landscapes, abundant wildlife, fresh water bodies and mountains. Uganda enjoys an Equatorial climate with warm welcoming  people from diverse cultures.

BIRDS  

Uganda has 53.9% of the world’s bird population with over 1090 bird species including migratory birds. Uganda has different biomes spread all over the country which gives an opportunity to inhabit a variety of different bird species.

Birds of Uganda can be seen or heard by bird lovers in the National parks, forests and Game reserves during nature walks and game drives.  Uganda has some endemics that are not found elsewhere. These include the Fox’s weaver, which has been recorded again in the last three years after it had become extinct.

Other endemics are; Ruwenzori Bouble-collared Sunbird and the Shoe bill stock Shelley’s Crimson wing, African Green Broadbill, Doherty’s Bush shrike, Standard-Winged Nightjar, Black Bee-Eater, Ross’ Turaco, Shoebill stork, White-tailed hornbill, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian ground thrush, African fish eagle among others and all these beautiful bird species are spread in different parts of the country. Book a Uganda Birding Trip today.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Gorilla Trekking In Uganda is one of the most amazing experiences that features on many travelers’ bucket lists. Mountain gorillas live in the thick jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National park.

A lot has been said and written about this experience but sadly nothing compares to seeing these creatures in person. A tedious trek up and down the forest is well rewarded by spending an hour with the gentle giants or even four hours when you opt for a Gorilla Habituation Experience.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into 4 major sectors for tracking Habituated mountain gorillas. These are; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Gorilla Tracking can also be done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Spend an extra day here and track the Golden Monkeys in a place where silver meets Gold.

TREE CLIMBING LIONS

Just the mere mention of tree climbing lions gets one excited. Generally most lions around Uganda can climb trees but the lions in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park take advantage of the fig trees which are easy to climb. The tree branches provide shade and also act as a refuge for lions escaping insets that disturb their peace.

While laying peacefully in the tree branches, these lions easily monitor their prey making hunting a walk in the park. Ishasha is a good stopover between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

CHIMPANZEES

It is no wonder that Uganda is also known as the Primate Capital of the World as it is blessed with many primate species. Chimpanzees are yet another interesting attraction found in Uganda. One can track Chimpanzees in the wilderness in Kibale National park, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National, Kalinzu Forest reserved, Kaniyo Pabidi forest Reserve.

Chimpanzees share 98% DNA with humans making them our closest cousins. There is no better place to Track Chimpanzees than in Uganda.

RIVER NILE

The Nile is the longest river in Africa and its source is found in Jinja, Eastern Uganda. You can’t come in Uganda and miss out the exciting experience of the Nile. Besides touring the source of the Nile you can also enjoy thrilling activities like White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Boat Rides and Kayaking. All this will give you a full blast for your experience.

FLORA & FAUNA

Under guidance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda has been able to protect its flora and fauna especially in the protected areas like national parks, game reserves and forests.  Uganda has 10 national parks and 13 wild reserves each with its own unique offering.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls are found in Uganda’s largest National Park- Murchison Falls National park. The Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile lying at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley dropping 45m over the scrap rift valley wall thus creating a superb Murchison Falls with a thunderous sound.

The falls can be seen as you hike to the top. While at the bottom of the falls, you will have the opportunity to see the longest river in Africa.  River Nile climaxes at a ridge that overlooks a seven-meter-wide cleft where the entire river squeezes itself giving a spectacular view spotting a permanent colorful rainbow.

This is the largest and oldest national park covering approximately 3,840km with over 76 species of mammals and 451 birds.  It hasmiles upon miles of rolling mountain ranges, the powerful waterfalls and the renowned longest river in the world River Nile among others. 

Queen Elizabeth national Park

This parkis the second biggest national park in Uganda the only one crossed by the Equator.  Queen Elizabeth National Park is gifted with over 600 bird species and 95 mammal species inclusive of tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. Some of the animals present include antelopes, elephants, topis, hippos near River Ishasha. Do not miss out on the scenic views of Rwenzori Mountains and the various crater lakes.

Kidepo Valley National Park

This is the most isolated park bordering Sudan and Kenya in North Eastern Uganda.  Kidepo Valley National Park is magnificent, unspoiled and offers the true out of Africa feeling. You can literally drive for hours without meeting other tourists even in the peak season! The park has over 77 mammal species as well as over 475 bird species. It is the only place in Uganda with Cheetahs and ostriches in the Wilderness

Mount Elgon National Park

At the boarders of Uganda and Kenya, the park has a unique scenery with cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. Visit the vast caves where elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Come and enter into MT. Elgon over 200m through Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls.

Mount Rwenzori National Park

This park is located at the border of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountains are beautifully capped with snow. Rwenzori Mountain is Africa’s third highest peak called Mount Stanley.  Surprisingly it also has the fourth and fifth highest peaks as well so you can hit 3 birds with just one stone.

Because of the snowcapped peaks the park has glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, and lakes which makes the national park exceptional with gorgeous scenery of the mountain ranges. You will also be able to see some elephants, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Ruwenzori duiker, and Rwenzori turaco.

Lake Mburo National Park

This park is the nearest to the capital city of Uganda-Kampala. The park has over 68 mammals like zebras, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, common eland, and African buffalo. Giraffes are the latest addition into the park. It has over 315 bird species including the African Fin foot that is endemic to this park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The dense rain forest formerly occupied by the forest people (Batwa) has thick and tall trees contributing to the very cool temperatures hence making it the best habitant for mountain gorillas. A hike through streams, rivers, waterfalls and dense forest will bring you a few feet from the famous Mountain Gorillas. Savor the moment because you earned it.

Kibale National Park

Popularly known as the Primate Capital of the world is home to Chimpanzees and 13 other species of primates which include; the Uganda mangabey, the Ugandan red colobus, the L’Hoest’s monkey, the black-and-white colobus, the blue monkey among others. The park is also gifted with terrestrial mammals which include red and blue duikers, bushbucks, Sitatungas, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, common warthogs, and African buffalo. Plus, leopards, African golden cats, servals, different mongooses and otter.

Semuliki National Park

Home to the Sempaya hot springs which have a hidden story behind their formation according to the locals. The hot springs are two in number with one male and one female just 30 mins walk away from each other. This is also a birding paradise with rare bird species that are not seen in any of the other national park. It has over 450 bird species including Black-wattle Hornbill, Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Ituri Batis White-crested Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long tailed hawk Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos, Nkulenga Rail.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Where Silver meets Gold, this Is Uganda’s smallest park located in South- Western Uganda bordering Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo standing at an elevation between 2,227m- 4127m above sea level. The park has various biomes that are organically diverse with an outstanding elegant scenery. Mountain Gorillas and golden monkeys are the most outstanding attractions in Mgahinga National. Out of the 24 endemic bird species in the Albertine Rift, Mgahinga has at least 14 species that soar between 2,227m and 4,127m above sea level.

Uganda Safaris offers a unique chance to see a number of endemic species, such as the Ugandan Kob. Embark a single most rewarding holiday in Uganda Destinations with Gazelle Safaris Africa. For more info visit our website today and also get the best option to explore Uganda Travel Guide.