Uganda the pearl of Africa has much to offer to travellers, explorers and adventurers. Truly God did the very best when blessing Uganda such as the wildlife such as Uganda’s famous “big five mammals”, the stunning vegetation, the endangered mountain gorillas, the fabulous climate being dry and wet throughout the year, the hospitable nature of its people. There are many exciting places that will attract the hearts of travellers and live a memorable experience at cheap prices.
Murchison Falls
Murchison falls is found in northwestern Uganda in the largest park known as Murchison falls national park. Its water source is the great river Nile which is shared by many African countries. Murchison fall squeezes through a narrow gorge of 8m forming a plunge pool.
It is ranked as the largest waterfall in Uganda and powerful in the world which gives an astonishing moment when viewing it from the top exposing the tourist to an amazingly colourful and permanent rainbow.
Murchison Falls
Murchison falls offers the best viewing platform while on the launch cruise, feeling the sea breeze, viewing the aquatic life and the falls offered the best photo shots while at the centre only surrounded by water and the fresh greenery. A climb to the Buligi trail on a nature walk gives the client the best exposure to Uganda’s biodiversity. A visit to Murchison falls will live a yearning state for more travel to nature-based destinations in Uganda.
2. Jinja
Jinja is an adventure capital and lies along with Lake Victoria in Uganda. It’s the second largest town in Uganda after Kampala which is Uganda’s capital. Jinja is its own landmark since it comprises numerous adventure destinations.
Tourist activities in Jinja that are of tourist interest include white water rafting and Kayaking, bungee jumping which has currently been put to a standstill, hiking at the terrains, Quad biking, motorbiking, boat safari. A memorable tour in Jinja town will expose you to its urban setting. Other attractions in Jinja include the Mabira forest, waterfalls such as Sezibwa, Bujjagali, Itanda falls, the great Nile River, Lake Victoria among others.
3. Lake Victoria
This is the largest lake in Uganda and the second-largest in Africa. It is shared by the three East African countries which include Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Lake Victoria’s main source is the great Victoria Nile connecting to Lake Kyoga. Different activities are carried out along Victoria and these are the best tourist interests, these include sports fishing, swimming, marine expedition, water sports, bird watching, boat safari among others.
4. Ngamba Island
This is a conservation area in Lake Victoria. It is a chimpanzee sanctuary located on Ngamba Island in the Mukono district on Lake Victoria. It is surrounded by a mass of water and different neighbouring islands which are clearly seen while on a boat safari to Ngamba Island.
The island covers 45 hectares and is home to 49 chimpanzees some of which were rescued from smugglers and others found lonely in the jungle. It’s the best area to view gentile chimpanzees without tracking them.
You get a chance to feed them, take clear photos and hear interesting stories of how the chimps reached the island, got their names and how alpha males gain leadership. The island is electrically fenced which prevents them from escaping to the nearby islands.
5. Bwindi Gorilla National Park
Gorilla habituation in UgandaThis national park is found in southern Uganda and its famous for its impenetrable forest and mountain Gorillas. The park is also home to a large population of primates. It prides itself on having the world’s concentration of mountain gorillas and apes.
The gentle and endangered species attract a great number of tourists who come for gorilla trekking, habituation, nature walks, bird watching and Batwa cultural encounter. It’s a one hour encounter with the gentile giants after a 2-6 hour trek in the jungle. The park is a world heritage site by UNESCO, and it is one of the most-visited safari destinations in Uganda.
6. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda
Rwenzori Mountains
This is a magnificent landmark with a stunning beauty right from the stop with snow at the top and savannah by savannah vegetation at the bottom. It has the highest peak known as Margherita at 5109m, and the 3rd highest in Africa. Rwenzori trekking to Margherita peak takes 6-9 days depending on your experience and the level of fitness.
It’s strategically located providing a safe place for the endangered species and this made UNESCO gazette it as a world heritage site. The best scenic view, flora comprising of beautiful flowers, vegetation and other animal species makes the park a landmark.
7. Kasubi tombs
This is situated on Kasubi hill in Kampala suburbs in Uganda and is royal burial grounds for the central kings locally referred to as the kabaka. The royal family members are also buried in this place. In the past years, Kasubi tombs were nearly burnt down by unknown people. The government of Buganda with the help of the Japanese government are working big time to rebuild the landmark of Buganda.
8. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is where “Silver meets Gold”. This a home to the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. This is the smallest national park in Uganda with one group of habituated mountain gorillas known as Nyakagezi. Besides gorilla trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also offers golden monkey tracking, mountain hiking (Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), nature walk, Batwa Trail and Bird watching.
The park is located in southwestern Uganda near the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the Nyakagezi gorilla group sometimes cross to Rwanda and DR Congo, but it has now settled in Mgahinga for the past 8 years. It is a wonderful experience if you combine gorilla trekking in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
9. Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park Animal is one of the most beautiful and less-visited national parks in Uganda, located in the North-Eastern part of the country on the South-Sudan border. It can be accessed by road from Kampala via Gulu, and Kitgum, or via Mbale, Moroto, Kotido and Kaabong, and this is the most interesting route as it goes a number of attractions such as Sippi falls, Pian-Upe game reserve, Mount Moroto in Moroto region and many Karamojong villages. The main tourist activities in Kidepo Valley National Park include day and night game drives, nature safari walk, Morungole mountain hike to meet Ike people and Karamajong cultural encounters.