Uganda is one of Africa’s most beautiful countries, famous for mountain gorillas, the source of the Nile, and the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the „Mountains of the Moon”.
Uganda is located in the heart of East Africa, between Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The country’s unique natural diversity, rich wildlife, and cultural heritage make it one of Africa’s most special destinations.
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Best places in Uganda
Kampala
Uganda’s capital and largest city spreads along the shores of Lake Victoria. The city’s name comes from the expression „kasozi k’empala”, meaning antelope hills, referring to the area’s former wildlife.
The cultural heart of Kampala is the Kasubi Royal Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and resting place of kings. The National Museum, located on Nakasero Hill overlooking the city, showcases Uganda’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The city’s vibrant life is characterized by the colorful hustle and bustle of Nakasero and Owino markets, where local artisans sell their wares. The botanical garden on the Entebbe route offers a rich collection of tropical plants and is home to numerous bird species.
Fort Portal
A charming town in western Uganda, nestled at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, often called „the town of the mountains”. The town is named after Fort Lugard, built by the first British governor, Frederick Lugard.
Fort Portal serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding national parks. The tea plantations spread around the town offer a stunning sight, especially in the morning hours when mist covers the green hillsides. The nearby Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves are geological curiosities around which local legends are woven.
The colorful cavalcade of the market in the town center shows an authentic picture of local life. The Tooro Kingdom Palace is a historically significant building that provides insight into Uganda’s monarchical traditions.
Ssese Islands
This group of 84 islands in Lake Victoria is one of Uganda’s hidden gems. Only a few of the islands are inhabited, with Bugala Island being the largest and most developed, where the only airport is also located.
The islands’ white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters provide perfect refuge after mainland adventures. Lutoboka Bay is particularly popular with visitors, where palm trees line the shore and sunsets are breathtaking. Water sports enthusiasts can try kayaking and canoeing, while fishing is also an excellent option.
The islands’ rich birdlife makes them a paradise for birdwatchers. Local fishermen can take visitors around on their traditional boats while telling stories about the islands’ history and the lake’s legends.
Lake Bunyonyi
Located in southwestern Uganda, this „lake of little birds” is one of Africa’s deepest lakes at nearly 900 meters. The lake encompasses 29 islands, several of which are inhabited, each with its own story or legend.
The terraced hillsides rising around the lake show the local population’s centuries-old agricultural traditions. The water is extremely clean and safe for swimming, as no crocodiles or hippos live in it. Punishment Island has historical significance as the former site of the tradition of „punishing” pre-marital pregnancy.
Canoe or kayak tours allow us to explore the islands and lakeside villages. Hiking trails around the lake offer wonderful views of the water surface and surrounding mountains.
Source of the White Nile
Located in Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria, this is the source of the world’s longest river, which was a mystery to explorers for millennia. John Hanning Speke discovered this location in 1862, solving the millennia-old mystery of the Nile’s source.
The source area is now a beautiful park where visitors can witness the moment when Lake Victoria’s water begins its long journey toward the Mediterranean Sea. The Speke Monument commemorates the explorer. The nearby Bujagali Falls, though now dammed by a hydroelectric plant, still offers an impressive sight.
Jinja town itself is an interesting destination where rafting and other water sports await adventure seekers. White Nile rafting is world-renowned, with class one to six rapids challenging paddlers of all experience levels.
Mount Elgon
This extinct volcano stretching along the Uganda-Kenya border is Africa’s eighth highest mountain, with its highest point, Wagagai Peak, at 4,321 meters. The mountain’s specialty is one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, 40 kilometers in diameter.
Mount Elgon National Park’s rich ecosystem encompasses different vegetation zones: from montane forests through alpine meadows to marshy highland areas. The mountain is famous for elephant caves, where pachyderms have been coming for millennia to lick salt from natural salt caves.
Mountain climbing is possible on various routes, from multi-day treks to easier day trips. The Sipi route is the most popular, passing through beautiful waterfalls. More than 300 bird species are found on the mountain, including Jackson’s francolin, which lives only here. The flora is also unique, with several endemic orchid species.
Sipi Falls
Located on the slopes of Mount Elgon near the Kenyan border, this three-tiered waterfall system is one of Uganda’s most beautiful natural sights. The waterfalls cascade from a total height of 100 meters in three separate stages.
The uppermost waterfall is 85 meters high and the most imposing, while the lower two stages are smaller but equally beautiful. Lush coffee plantations spread around the waterfalls, whose visit allows us to learn about traditional methods of growing local arabica coffee.
The hiking trails leading to Sipi Falls vary in difficulty, from easy walks to multi-day mountain treks. The routes offer breathtaking views of the Karamoja plains and distant mountain peaks. Local guides demonstrate the area’s rich flora and fauna, as well as the use of traditional medicinal plants.
Itanda Falls
This natural rock formation and waterfall system in the White Nile near Jinja forms one of the river’s most exciting sections.
Itanda is not a single large waterfall but a series of rocky rapids and whirlpools that challenge even experienced rafters. The diverse birdlife and rich biodiversity of the aquatic ecosystem make this location special.
The waterfall area shows special geological formations where granite rocks have shaped their current form over millions of years. The water’s force has carved out the rock, creating natural pools and slides. According to local traditions, Itanda has spiritual significance, and numerous legends are woven around it.
Budongo Forest
Uganda’s largest natural forest is part of Murchison Falls National Park. This tropical rainforest spans more than 465 square kilometers and is home to more than 500 chimpanzees.
The forest is one of the best locations for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Regular tours in the Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro areas allow observation of these intelligent primates in their natural environment. The forest is home to more than 360 bird species, including rare and endemic species.
Due to the forest’s mahogany and other valuable tree stocks, intensive logging once took place here, but it is now a protected area. Walking trails allow us to discover the forest’s layered structure, from ground level to canopy level. The Royal Mile hiking trail is particularly popular among birdwatchers.
Best national parks in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The „Impenetrable Forest” National Park is located in Uganda’s southwestern corner and is considered one of the world’s most biodiverse forests. The park’s 331 square kilometer area protects ancient rainforest that has remained unchanged for more than 25,000 years.
Its main attraction is mountain gorilla observation. Bwindi is home to more than 400 mountain gorillas, about half of the world’s total population. During gorilla tracking, we can approach these magnificent animals in small groups accompanied by trained guides and armed rangers.
The park consists of four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, each home to separate gorilla families. The forest provides habitat for more than 120 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 200 butterfly species. Hiking trails vary in difficulty, from easy nature walks to multi-day expeditions.
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s largest national park stretches between the White Nile, Victoria Nile, and Lake Albert. The park’s namesake is Murchison Falls, where the Nile plunges 45 meters deep through a 7-meter-wide rocky gorge.
The waterfall’s force is so great that the water’s spray can be heard for kilometers, and rainbows often form from the mist. The lower pool called „Devil’s Cauldron” offers an impressive sight with its roaring and swirling water. The hiking trail to the top of the waterfall provides wonderful views of the surrounding landscape.
The park’s rich wildlife is one of the most diverse in Africa. Nile-side safaris allow observation of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and hippos. A boat trip on the river provides a special experience as we navigate between crocodiles and hippos. The park’s birdlife is also exceptionally rich, with more than 450 species.
Kibale National Park
The national park bearing the title „primate capital” is located in western Uganda and boasts one of Africa’s highest primate diversities. The park is home to 13 different primate species, including more than 1,500 chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee tracking here is the best organized and most successful in Uganda, with a success rate of more than 90%. The chimpanzee groups living in the Kanyanchu area have become accustomed to human presence, allowing close observation. Besides chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys can also be observed.
The park’s tropical rainforest provides habitat for more than 375 bird species, including rare African species. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary near the park is a community-managed conservation project where special bird species and other wildlife can be observed.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
One of Uganda’s most famous national parks is located on the Equator line and shows stunning diversity from savannas through rainforests to wetland habitats. The park was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954.
The park’s specialty is the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. This rare behavior can only be observed in a few places in the world and provides an impressive sight when these large predators rest in the branches of fig trees. The park’s rich wildlife also includes elephant herds, buffalo, and hippos.
The Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward, is home to one of Africa’s highest hippo concentrations. A boat trip on the channel allows observation of hundreds of birds, including pelicans and cormorants. The Kyambura Gorge is the „jewel of the Great Rift Valley of Africa” where chimpanzees live.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The „Mountains of the Moon” rise along the Uganda-Congo border and are Africa’s third highest mountain range. Margherita Peak at 5,109 meters is the continent’s third highest point and the only permanently snow-covered peak on the equator.
The mountain range encompasses six main mountains: Stanley, Speke, Baker, Emin, Gessi, and Luigi di Savoia. Vegetation changes in zones: from lowland rainforests through alpine meadows to glacier level.
Mountain climbing involves multi-day expeditions requiring proper preparation and guides. The routes allow observation of special plant species like giant groundsel and lobelia. The mountain range also includes several glaciers, though these are continuously melting due to climate change.
Lake Mburo National Park
Uganda’s smallest savanna national park is known for its special ecosystem and rich wildlife. The park encompasses five lakes, of which Lake Mburo is the largest.
The park is unique in that it contains Uganda’s only impala population, and it’s the only place in the country where zebras live freely. The park’s rich birdlife counts more than 350 species, including the rare Shoebill stork. Night safaris allow observation of hyenas, leopards, and other nocturnal animals.
Boating on the lake allows close approach to hippos and crocodiles, while lakeside walks reveal various antelope species. The park’s walking trails enable the walking safari experience, which is a rare opportunity in Uganda. The traditional culture of the local Bahima pastoral people can also be learned about in the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda’s smallest national park protects the Ugandan portion of three volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains: Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabinyo. The park’s name comes from the word „gahinga”, meaning fence built from volcanic stones in the local language.
The park’s main attraction is mountain gorilla tracking, and it’s also home to Uganda’s only habituated gorilla group. The Nyakagezi gorilla family counts 8-10 members and is available for regular observation. The park is also the only habitat for golden monkeys in Uganda.
All three volcanoes can be climbed in one day. The Sabinyo peak’s specialty is that three countries can be seen simultaneously from here: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park also provides a home for Batwa pygmy tribes who demonstrate their traditional forest lifestyle.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
This 7,000-hectare reserve is the center of the white rhino reintroduction program in Uganda. It was established in 1998 with the goal of bringing rhinos back to Uganda after the last wild specimens were exterminated in the 1980s.
Currently, more than 30 white rhinos live in the reserve, and the population is continuously growing. During tours, these magnificent animals can be approached on foot or by car, always accompanied by trained guides.
It’s also home to other wildlife, including antelopes, monkeys, and numerous bird species. Shoebill stork observation is particularly popular, as these rare birds live in the reserve’s marshy areas.
Semuliki National Park
Uganda’s youngest national park protects the Ugandan portion of the Congo Basin’s tropical rainforest. The park is unique in that West African and East African flora and fauna meet here, providing habitat for more than 400 bird species.
It’s famous for its hot springs, which are results of the Rift Valley’s volcanic activity. Among the Sempaya hot springs, the male and female springs are said to have special healing properties according to legend. The water temperature can reach 100 degrees Celsius, and eggs can even be cooked in it.
The park is home to a forest elephant population as well as numerous primate species, including chimpanzees and various monkeys. Hiking trails allow discovery of the unique ecosystem of the Congo rainforest, which differs from Uganda’s other forests.