Uganda is quite unlike anything else in Africa. A country landlocked by Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania, it is a treasure trove for wildlife connoisseurs. The star attraction here is not the African big five, which, though are found in Uganda, but the star attraction here are the Mountain Gorillas and the Chimpanzees. To see both of these you have to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest and Kibale national park respectively. These can be only seen by trekking through these forests, where a team of forest guards guide small groups.
Another attraction is the origin of river Nile, which is near the town of Jinja. Once you are done with Gorillas and Chimpanzees, you can also dash for the African big five safari at Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park. However many people love to do the safari experience at Masai Mara (Kenya) or Serengeti (Tanzania) and then come to Uganda for the Gorilla trek and the Chimpanzee trek. Uganda also offers some of the most authentic and luxurious stay amidst nature.
The choices about itinerary, countries to cover, places of stay etc are yours, and the choices are plenty. However for you to not get lost in the deluge of information available online, it is always recommended to connect with our East African safari experts, who have done these experiences many times and will be in the best position to guide you and co-create your Ugandan or East African dream holiday as per your tastes and preferences.
Uganda has many options for savouring its unique wildlife and nature. First and foremost are Gorilla and Chimpanzee treks. Then you have options to go traditional game safari, hiking, kayaking and a lot of other activities. Sharing some of our suggested list of places to visit.
Entebbe
Entebbe is one of the important cities in Uganda with an international airport connected to most destinations across the world. Most Uganda tours start at Entebbe with arrival at the airport. The city is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and offers you first glimpses into the culture and people of Uganda. Though people of many tribes and religions thrive here, the major population is of the Bantu tribe and you will be able to see people dressed traditionally as per their tribe and social stature. Also the banks of lake Victoria and the swamps around it are extremely productive for birding, and the Shoebill is one of the star attractions here.
Bwindi National Park
This is home to the Silverback Mountain Gorilla, the star wildlife attraction of Uganda. One can see the Gorillas by trekking only, where a group of 8 tourists is escorted by a set of forest guards and taken to a habituated (but wild) Gorilla family. The return trek could be anywhere between 3-8 hours depending on how deep in the forests the Gorillas are.
Kibale National Park
While there are 13 primate species in Kibale National Park, its claim to fame is as the habitat for Chimpanzees, which are a star attraction of Uganda. While there are about 5000 Chimpanzees all over the country, but the best place to see them is Kibale national park, and like Gorilla trek, this is also a guided forest trek.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Queen Elizabeth National Park is part of a bigger wildlife area and borders many game reserves and national parks within Uganda and DRC. The park is home to over 95 mammal species and 500 bird species including Lions, Leopards and Elephants. There is also a great variety of landscapes like the Maramangabo forest, Rwenzori mountains, many lakes and wetlands that encourage a variety of wildlife to flourish. One of the attractions at the park is the equator line since the park is located right at 0-degree latitude.
Jinja
Jinja is another town at the shores of Lake Victoria and is now famous among those who seek adventures on their Uganda holidays. The Bujagali falls, believed to be the source of River Nile, is also a place for many water sport activities. There are also other falls and dams in Jinja that are must-visit tourist attractions.
Murchison Falls National Park
The Murchison Falls National Park is a must-include in any Uganda travel due to its beautiful terrain and rich biodiversity. The falls and the lakes of the park provide a home to a large variety of big and small amphibians, mammals, reptiles, birds and aquatic life.
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