Uganda is one of the most exciting and beautiful holiday destinations in the world. Whether you are wowed by landscapes, wildlife, culture, or simply seek adventure – Uganda is the perfect destination for you.
Uganda has so much to offer beyond just trekking to see mountain gorillas. We are talking amazing wildlife, adrenaline activities, hiking and waterfalls, cultural experiences, and more! Here are our top 10 things to do in Uganda.
Gorilla Tracking
This is not only one of the most popular wildlife activities in Uganda but also in the whole of Africa. Gorilla trekking involves searching for man’s closest relatives in their natural setting and observing them for one hour. Tracking mountain gorillas is very popular because they are endangered and only about 1000 are left in the wild. They are not found in zoos and can only be seen in three countries – Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi impenetrable national park. Tourists travel to observe the primates in the wild and take a few photos or videos.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
Chimpanzees and bonobos (pygmy chimps) are the closest relatives to humans. They are very intelligent primates and will leave an onlooker stunned by their social antics. Chimps have the ability to use tools like sticks and stones to gather food or fight off intruders. Uganda is the best country to spot chimps in the world. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest is one of the most popular primate activities in Uganda – second only to gorilla trekking. Like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda involves hiking deep inside a tropical rain forest in search of the chimps. Once you are with them, you have only one hour to observe them. Kibale National Park offers the highest concentration of primates in East Africa hence offering the best chance to spot them.
White water rafting, Quad biking and Horseback riding in Jinja
White water rafting at the river Nile in Jinja is one of the most adrenaline raising activities in Uganda. Before the construction of a second hydro-electricity dam, Uganda offered one of the best three water rafting experiences in the world. It had grade 7 rapids but now one can only aim at grade 5 rapids. Even after losing some rapids, Uganda is still among the best rafting destinations on the world. Rafting comes into two packages. There is full day rafting and the half day rafting experience. Tourists often combine whitewater rafting with other adrenaline driving activities like bungee jumping over the Nile, quad biking, tubing the Nile and horse riding. These activities take you deep into the Uganda countryside to experience life as lived by the local people.
Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains are the third highest mountains in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. Its peak Margherita stands tall at an altitude of 5,109m above sea level. One of the unique features of Rwenzori is its snow-capped peak which is a rare feature to find in an area that receives a lot of sunshine for much of the year. The Rwenzori Mountains is also a national park because of its incredible biodiversity (Unique vegetation, chimpanzees, smaller primates and birds). Most hikers aim at teaching the peak of Mount Stanley (one of the Rwenzori mountains). To get to all the three peaks, one needs between 9 to 10 days of Rwenzori Hiking and resting at different huts. Apart from the Rwenzori mountains, one can also climb Mount Elgon, Mount Moroto, Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga.
Visit the main local Markets
The best way to mingle and get to know the ways of the local people is by visiting the local markets. Kampala city has a chain of markets like Kalerwe, Nakasero, Kibuye, Owino, Nakawa and Wandegeya. These are very congested markets but it is where all the action is centered. You will be able to interact with the buyers and sellers of all types of merchandise. The main commodities sold in these markets are agriculture products, herbal products, ornaments, electronics, second hand shoes and clothes. The stalls in the markets are built with wood and covered with either iron sheets or polythene tops. You can find very cheap products but haggling for better prices is the order of the day. The traders are very friendly and willing to do business with anyone who comes to them.
Visit cultural sites
Though a relatively small, Uganda is a heterogeneous country with many tribes. Most of these tribes have kingdoms and cultures which are interesting to learn about. As the largest tribal group, Buganda kingdom has many cultural sites that tourists can visit. The Buganda kingdom has the Mengo royal palace which holds so much political significance for both Buganda and Uganda at large. There is also the Buganda parliament structure (Bulange) in Mengo Kampala. To the Eastern side of the country, there is Budhumbula palace and shrine which belongs to the Busoga kingdom. This palace was the former residence of the past king of Busoga, Kyabazinga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope who died in 1975. This particular palace also holds the graves of the past kings of the Busoga kingdom. It is also a shrine where the Basoga people go to worship and seek guidance, prosperity and blessings from their ancestors. To the West is the palace of Omukama of Toro. If you are visiting one of the national parks in Western Uganda, this is one place you should visit.
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It is also the source of the great river Nile. Lake Victoria is an excellent destination for a variety of activities and particularly water sports. The lake teems with life and you can spot different species of birds, fish, hippos, crocodiles and swamp antelopes. One of the most popular things to do is to hang out in one of the beautiful beaches and islands. While at the lake, you can take part in swimming, sunbathing, boat riding, sport fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The greatest islands worth visiting are the Ssese islands and the Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary.
The Murchison Falls
These beautiful waterfalls are one of the major attractions in the Murchison Falls National Park. The falls are created when the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before dropping downstream in a mighty roar. As it drops down, the water splashes in all directions creating mist and beautiful rainbow colors especially when the sun is up. Apart from viewing the waterfall, tourists also love to explore the wider Murchison Falls National Park. The park has incredible biodiversity and you can expect to see lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, elands, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles and countless birds.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is located along the Kigezi highlands in Kabale district. It is the deepest lake in the whole of Africa and stands out for its beautiful 29 islands as well as natural scenery. Lake Bunyonyi is an excellent spot for unwinding, getting away from the stressful life and overall pollution in the city. While at Lake Bunyonyi travelers can engage in boat rides, canoeing, birding watching, game viewing, camping and enjoying the beautiful breeze as they read a book. It is also a great place for taking photos and shooting videos. Over the years, Lake Bunyonyi has turned to be a stopping point for tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Mgahinga and Semuliki National Parks. Tourists find the lake an excellent place to stop and regain energy after a long safari or tracking gorillas. In order to cater for the high numbers of visitors, many resorts have been built targeting tourists, honeymooners and couples.
The Sipi Falls
The Sipi Falls are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Uganda. The amazing waterfalls are found in Kapchorwa near mountain Elgon. The area has remarkable scenery with breathtaking views of the mountain and the Karamoja plains. While visiting the falls, visitors can also go for a swim, fish, register for abseiling or admire the beautiful nature. If you are visiting, do not forget to go with a camera and take amazing photos of yourself near the different waterfalls.
In conclusion
From gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to white-water rafting in Jinja, Uganda offers a captivating mix of unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking adventure, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness these incredible attractions firsthand and create memories that will last a lifetime.