Uganda boasts a thriving tourism sector, offering a diverse range of experiences from breathtaking landscapes to wildlife encounters and cultural hotspots. After Uganda was named among the best destinations to visit in 2023 by CNN, the tourism industry has grown exponentially. This Tour Guide will help you find the best spots to do a safari with your friends and family.
According to CNN, it would be a missed opportunity if a traveller didn’t visit Uganda which has a lot to offer.
“From the expansive shores of Lake Victoria to the snowy Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda is a beautiful wilderness playground, with opportunities for adventure including treks through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or up to the craters of the Virunga volcano chain or whitewater rafting along the Victoria Nile,”
CNN
Uganda has diverse natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage, making it a great travel destination for its citizens. Here are some of the top travel destinations in Uganda but remember Uganda is not limited to just these activities. There are many more activities that you can consider taking or adding to your Uganda safari:
1. Sipi Falls Tour
The Sipi falls are found in Mt Elgon national park approximately 277km from Kampala Uganda’s capital in Kapchorwa district. A nature walk to the falls will give you excellent views of the falls, from both the top and also the bottom. The Sipi falls is comprised of 3 waterfalls each flowing from a different altitude. The highest fall drops from an altitude of 100m referred to as the main fall since it is the last fall in the series, this fall is a little bigger than the other two falls, but all give Uganda beautiful scenery.
Activities:
- Hiking
- Abseiling & Rock climbing
- Coffee plantation visit
- Bird watching
- Mountain Biking
- Visit the Sipi River
Places to stay At
Visit
2. Ssese Island Tour
The Ssese islands are an archipelago of 84 islands in Lake Victoria. During the Ssese island tour, you can visit the local fishing communities, and take a boat tour to other islands. Go fishing and also go explore the island’s farms and forests through nature walks. The islands are home to many primate species including colobus and vervet monkeys, sitatunga antelope and several rare birds.
The privately-owned Banda Island is tranquil and serenely beautiful. Bring a good book, as the best thing to do here is read and soak up the sun. If you do fancy venturing onto the lake, canoes can be hired, or you can go fishing for tilapia and Nile perch. For animal lovers, Ngamba island, also known as chimp island, is a chimpanzee sanctuary, set up by the Jane Goodall Foundation.
Activities:
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Quad Biking
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Places to stay At
Visit
3. Bahai Temple Tour
There are a few Bahai temples in the world and on the African continent, it can only be found in Uganda. The Bahai temple in Uganda was completed in the year 1961, located along Kikaaya hill and it is located just 3 miles north of Kampala. The Bahia temple is a 9-sided structure that sits on a park-like, or garden-like grounds that attract people to picnic in the gardens of the temple and enjoy the beauty of the temple that has lots of trees and fruits.
Activities
- Kampala City Tour
- Children’s class sessions
- Study Circles
- Bird Watching
Places to stay At
Visit
ALSO READ: A Visit in Eastern Uganda-Malewa(Bamboo Shoots) Sauce
4. Gorilla Tour – Bwindi Forest National Park
A Gorilla Trek is a highlight of all visits done in Uganda and Rwanda and certainly, mountain gorillas are the major reason why very many people visit these 2 destinations Gorilla trekking is defined as a hike to the tropical forests of Africa to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking can be conducted all year round in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The best time to go gorilla trekking is during the months of June, July, August, September and December. This is because there are fewer rains and the parks are drier, making it simple to hike and see the gorillas
There are companies that are used for Gorilla trekking such as; Insight Safari Holiday, Wild Whispers Africa, Kori safaris
Places to stay At
Visit
5. Namugongo Martyrs Shrine Tour
Located 15 km from Kampala city is a site, referred to as the Namugongo matters shrine, where 20 Catholics and Anglicans were burnt alive in 1886 under the orders of King Mwanga for insisting on staying Catholics and Anglicans.
People travel from all over East Africa and the rest of the world to come and celebrate the lives of these martyrs in prayers. The site is open for visits every day, but on the 3rd of June the place is packed and therefore it is advisable to visit on other days, but if you feel like joining the prayers, the 3rd of June is better, although you will have to trek to the site. Since few cars are allowed to reach the actual site
Places to stay At
Visit
6. Mabira Forest Tour
Mabira forest is one of the largest forests in central Uganda and it is just 1-hour drive away from Uganda’s capital city Kampala. No matter what your interests are, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy the beautiful forest. Griffin Falls Camp is conveniently located just 10 km off the highway between Kampala and Jinja. After an amazing experience in the forest, you can feel good about where your money ends up because all the profits from Griffin Falls Camp are put into sustainable development projects in the villages in and around Mabira Forest. A visit to Mabira forest is worthwhile and can also allow you to visit some of the local communities that surround this famous forest.
Whilst on your way to Mabira forest we recommend a stop at the Ssezibwa falls to learn about the norms and cultural history of these falls.
Activities
- Mangabey Tracking
- Bird Watching
- Archery
- Super Skyway/ Zipling
- Forest Walks
Places to stay At
Visit
7. Uganda Wildlife Tours
A tour to see wildlife in Uganda is very much possible and Uganda has parks that are close to the city centre like; Lake Mburo park, Queen Elizabeth park and Murchison falls park.
Murchison Falls National Park
The most exciting thing about Murchison Falls National Park is the mighty falls. Take a hike to the top of the falls. You can visit Murchison Falls at any time of the year. A 3-hour boat ride on the Nile is such a thrilling experience where you see the Nile crocodiles, hippos and elephants on the river banks.
Among the Activities include game drives within the park where you can see the lions, giraffes, water bucks, elephants, heart beasts, antelopes and warthogs.
Where to stay?
Visit
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa’s third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). The region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. The park has many natural habitats of endangered species and a rich and unusual flora comprising, among other species, the giant heather
Activities include; Hiking, Cultural encounter, mountain climbing, Birding, Wildlife viewing
Places to stay At
Visit
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular savanna park in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions making it the perfect destination for an Uganda Wildlife Safari. It is Located in the western part of Uganda laying between Lakes Gorge and Albert with the Kazinga Channel crossing through its 700 sq mile land area. It prides itself on a great diversity of habitats that include: lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as home to the most significant variety of large mammals in the country.
Activities carried out at Queen’s Elizabeth Park include; Boat cruising, Birdwatching, Cultural tours, Ballon safari, Track Chimps
Where to stay
Visit
8. Agri Tours Coffee, Vanilla And Tea Plantations
For agricultural enthusiasts, Uganda has a number of plantations that you can tour and explore to learn more about plantation agriculture. A Uganda tour to a vanilla plantation is possible near Kibale national park, and the same applies to the tea plantations. Or you can choose to visit an Arabica coffee plantation near Sipi falls. All trips will take you through the process of planting, then harvesting and also processing. You also get to taste the final product. Taste some of the best beverages, grown on the African continent during your Uganda Tour.
Areas To Visit
Ndali Vanilla farm
The farm specialises in exquisite quality Fairtrade vanilla extract and Fairtrade organic vanilla powder and vanilla pods which it grows on Ndali and also buys from other Fairtrade farmers.
Ndali vanilla is cured, milled and extracted on the farm and exported in bulk to major industries. The cream of the crop is packaged in small batches under the Ndali vanilla brand for retail.
Kahangi Tea Estate
Kahangi Estate is a commercial sustainable farm dating back to 1916. The farm is situated in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain range in Western Uganda. Sustainable farming is critical to supporting the expanding population in Africa and Kahangi Estate has developed a unique system that is not dependent on external inputs, applicable to large and small farming units. The farm borders Kibale National Park, 760km² of primary tropical rainforest near the District town of Fort Portal. The commitment of Kahangi Estate to preserving this treasure is reflected in its land management policies for reducing its impact on the environment. Natural Products Made Naturally is the ethos of the farm in principle and practice.
9. Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Tour
The Uganda wildlife education centre also previously referred to as the Uganda Zoo, is home to most of the wildlife that you can see in Uganda’s national parks. The Uganda wildlife education centre is located in Entebbe and therefore a day’s tour would be worth the time as you get to see many wild animals in one place and these include; lions, wild snakes, and so much more. You can also take part in the caregiving activity where you spend a day taking care of the animals and feeding them.
Activities
- Behind the Scenes Tours
- Keeper of the Day
- Keepers guided tour
- Chimpanzee close-up
Visit
Uganda offers a diverse range of experiences for travellers, from gorilla trekking to cultural hotspots. With the help of a tour guide, travellers can make the most of their time and create unforgettable memories. A visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, the Source of the Nile, Ssese Islands, and Kampala should not be missed.
Tour’s Guide To Explore Uganda added by Magembe Solomon on
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