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Africa has always been high on my bucket list since I was a little girl. When this opportunity to go to Uganda came to me, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. So, I put together my best pitch to date – to my parents!! I had carefully thought out every reason why they should let me go (and by let, I mean pay – I was a poor college student after all).
I spent three weeks in Uganda immersing myself in the culture and the country and experiencing everything I possibly could. This trip absolutely changed my life. Today I am here to share with you all of the tourist attractions in Uganda Africa that you will not want to miss. When you are finished with this post, I guarantee you will have put Uganda on your bucket list too!
Tourist Attractions in Uganda Africa – National Parks
There are 10 amazing national parks in Uganda and each offers something different and unique. Whether it be gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking or the ultimate safari experience you are sure to leave in awe of this beautiful country.
All Uganda National Parks are going to cost between $30-40 per adult and around $20 per child for entry.
Kidepo Valley National Park
If you are an avid bird watcher, you won’t want to miss the chance to spot 450 bird species here in Kidepo Valley National Park. In addition to bird watching, this is the only park where you’re most likely to spot cheetahs. You can also see Ugandan kob, leopards, lions, hyenas and many other animals.
Kidepo Valley National Park is also home to two different indigenous communities that inhabit this region. The first are the Karamojong herdsmen who usually travel around following the herds, but stay within the plains of Karamoja.
The second group of indigenous people are the Ik people. This group is severely endangered and have made their home in the Morungole Mountain Range. They have a special skill of harvesting bees and honey. You are able to hire guides to take a tour of the Ik community. They like it if you bring gifts.
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northern Uganda bordering South Sudan and Kenya. It is the most isolated national park in Uganda, but also one of the most attractive.
Murchison Falls National Park
Trust me when I tell you that this is one tourist attraction in Uganda Africa that you will absolutely not want to miss!!
The waterfall is breathtaking and incredibly powerful. The most popular attraction is the Bottom of the Falls Boat Cruise. This will take you as close as possible to the falls. You will also float past hippos, crocodiles and elephants.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and gives tourists the opportunities to see almost all animals that you would want to see while on safari. You can also opt to go on a game drive to see wildlife as well.
Make sure to bring some rain gear with you because you will get wet on this excursion.
CHECK OUT SOME TOUR OPTIONS HERE
Mount Elgon National Park
Here is a hiking option for those who want to experience the diverse terrain Uganda has to offer. At 50 miles in diameter, it is home to 5 different peaks.
Mount Elgon National Park can promise you cliffs, caves, gorges, waterfalls, hot springs and the world’s largest mountain caldera.
Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano located in Eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya.
This is a smaller park compared to some of the others in Uganda, but don’t write it off. There are still many beautiful things to be explored here and you can expect to see elephants, antelope, leopards, hyenas, monkeys as well as many more species.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and the one closest to the city of Kampala. It is just off the highway that connects Kampala to the western part of the country.
Bike tours are also available and you can even walk some on foot. You will still have an opportunity to see a significant amount of wildlife including giraffes, zebras and hippos. Lions are slowly starting to come back into this area, but they are not as prominent here as they are in other parks.
I recommend that you take the boat ride during the summer months/dry season because the animals will gather around the water.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
While Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the most popular gorilla trekking tour among tourists, I wanted to mention that you can also see a family of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park as well.
The difference between the tours here and in Bwindi is that you can also opt to go on a tour to see golden monkeys here in Mgahinga. The cost is an extra $60 per person.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located about 4 hours from Bwindi in the southwestern corner of Uganda bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
CLICK HERE TO SEE GORILLA TREKKING TOURS IN MGAHINGA
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Safaris are hands down the most popular tourist attraction in Uganda – probably even all of Africa. I mean, who goes to Africa and doesn’t go on a safari?! Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular national park for big game safaris here in Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the southwest part of Uganda near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here you will be able to see African elephants, lions, rhino, wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, warthog, leopards, hyenas and more!!
Seeing these animals in their natural habitat is breathtaking and almost brought me to tears. It was just an incredibly powerful experience for me. I can’t wait to be able to take my kids and watch them experience this!
Make sure you visit the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This sector is home to the famous, and mysterious tree climbing lions. No one knows why these lions climb trees, but they are only found here in Uganda and one other region in Tanzania. Trust me, you won’t want to miss them.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking
One of the few places you can see these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is in the south western part of Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi is home to over half of the world population of mountain gorillas.
This activity is relatively difficult because you will be walking through thick forest, up hills and through swampy areas. The hike can also be long – plan for at least 3 hours. This includes the time there and back as well as the hour that you will get to spend observing the gorillas. The hike can be shorter or longer depending on how far the group has moved since they were last spotted.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is also pretty expensive but I definitely recommend it as one of the top tourist attractions in Uganda that you won’t want to miss. So budget accordingly!! Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can hear the gorillas even if you don’t take the tour to see them up close.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is also home to some incredibly beautiful waterfalls which you will pass on your way to see the gorillas making it a tourist attraction in Uganda that you cannot pass up.
CLICK HERE FOR GORILLA TREKKING TOURS
Semuliki National Park
The biggest tourist attraction in Semuliki National Park Uganda is its hot springs. There are two hot springs within the park. Both are used for traditional rituals by the locals in the community.
Legend tells us that the female hot spring (known by the name of Nyasimbi) is the hot spring in which their female ancestors live beneath and the male hot spring (known by the name of Bintente) is where the male ancestors live. Bintente hot spring is just a pool while Nyasimbi has a geyser that sprays water 6.5 feet in the air.
Please be aware that these hot springs are VERY HOT, reaching 100 degrees celsius which is 212 degrees fahrenheit. Your tour guide will most likely show you how hot this is by boiling eggs in the water.
In addition to the hot springs, Semuliki National Park is also a favorite among bird watchers who want to get off the beaten path. The landscape and trees are also very beautiful and you can see a significant number of monkeys as well.
Semuliki National Park is located in Western Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are incredible views of the Rwenzori Mountains and East African Rift Valley from Semuliki National Park as well.
Kibale Forest National Park
The most popular tourist attraction in Uganda’s Kibale Forest is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk. This is the only opportunity you will have to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as well as 13 other species of primates. Leopards, buffalo, bush pigs and elephants live here as well, but they are rarely seen.
The best time to visit Kibale Forest National Park is during the dry season of December-February or June-September simply because this offers the best conditions for the trails.
Kibale Forest is located in the western part of Uganda, about a half day’s drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains.
The chimpanzee treks are around $200 per person. You can also opt for a package deal such as a 3 day stay, chimpanzee trek with lodging included for $800 per person.
CLICK TO EXPLORE CHIMPANZEE TREKKING TOURS
Rwenzori Mountains
Also known as the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori Mountains are located along Uganda’s western border in part of the East African Rift Valley. These mountains are home to a number of wildlife as well as the Bakonzo tribe.
Unless you are a dedicated hiker and/or major outdoor enthusiast, you may not want to take the 8 day trek into the Rwenzori Mountains in order to climb its highest peak, known as Margherita.
Good news is, if you are traveling from Kampala into the southwestern part of the country, to the Bwindi area, you will most likely pass by these so you can still experience their beauty from afar – that’s what I did!
A Note About Tour Options:
There are so many different tour companies and tour options here in Uganda. Often you are able to book tours together where you can experience several of these national parks for one price. Click the link below to see what I mean.
7 NIGHT SAFARI: MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH, LAKE MBURO
Unique Tourist Attractions in Uganda Africa
Stand at the Equator
First and foremost, you cannot go to Uganda and miss this as a tourist! Many people don’t know this, but the equator runs through Masaka, Uganda and you can straddle the line at the exact point this line runs. Who else can say that they have been in both hemispheres at once?! But you can!!
Nile River
Another top of the tourist attractions in Uganda Africa list is the Nile River.
The Nile River is one of the longest rivers in the world, stretching over 4,000 miles from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea. The source of the Nile River is located in Jinja, Uganda – about an hour and a half from Kampala.
I took a boat ride from Rippon Falls Island and stood with my toes in the water. If you are feeling more adventurous, a popular tourist attraction is white water rafting down the Nile! But, you can also opt for tubing, sunset cruises and more.
CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME NILE RIVER TOUR OPTIONS
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
This is an incredible tourist attraction in Uganda Africa because it is the only place that you will be able to see white rhinos in the wild in Uganda. This sanctuary is home to 32 white rhinos.
This will give you the opportunity to track rhinos and observe them while on foot. You won’t get this experience anywhere else.
Many tour companies will combine this trip with Kidepo National Park and/or Murchison Falls National Park. So take a look at the different options and see which one suits you and your family best!
Visit the Batwa People
Considered by anthropologists to be one of the oldest inhabitants of the Earth, the Batwa people lived in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in harmony with the gorillas for thousands of years.
Due to eviction, they no longer live inside the forest itself, but their home is still in this south-western part of Uganda close to the forest. The Batwa are slowly becoming fewer and fewer, with only around 3,000 still living. Unfortunately, they live in extreme poverty and are often shunned by other Ugandans.
Many of the Batwa villages welcome visitors. I had the immense pleasure of visiting their village and helping in building a grass and mud hut, which is their main form of housing. I did this through the Batwa Development Program which helps to sustain their way of life.
Take the time to add this to our itinerary. Although it may not be the top of the list of tourist attractions in Uganda Africa, you will be helping a community of people.
Although you can participate in a community tour of the Batwa as part of a gorilla trekking package, you can also set up a tour for free with the Batwa Development Group. Even though the tour is free, donations are welcome. This is the only authentic Batwa tour in Uganda, by the way.
Kisiizi Falls
Located in Southwest Uganda, in the Kigezi Highlands Rukungiri District, you will find the beautiful and powerful Kisiizi Falls. Head out onto the suspension bridge to get the best view.
There is a very sad story that accompanies these falls. When an unmarried girl became pregnant, she would be put on trial before the tribe and if she was found guilty she would be thrown from the top of the falls to her death. Make sure to take a moment to view the very powerful monument commemorating this.
In addition to the sheer beauty of these falls, there are ziplines that are suitable for young children and adults, a lagoon, and plenty of birds and wildlife to see; including the rare chestnut-winged starling.
Fort Patiko
If you are traveling to Uganda with kids, this is a very important historical tourist attraction that you won’t want to miss. Fort Patiko will tell the story of the East African Arab slave trade and its significance in the fight against it.
The slaves would write their masters names in the rock and there is also a rock that is naturally shaped like the continent of Africa that you can observe here.
There is also a local market nearby.
Tourist Attractions in Uganda Africa – Things to do in Kampala
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is a popular tourist attraction in Uganda for the simple fact that it is the largest lake on the entire continent. In fact, it’s about the size of the entire country of Ireland!!!
There are several fishing villages on the shores and islands of Lake Victoria, as much of the food in Uganda is fish. Tourists can take boat rides and fishing tours out onto the lake. Sometimes in traditional fishing canoes!
I would not recommend swimming in Lake Victoria. Not only are there Nile crocodiles, sharks and hippos that live in, and around, the lake, there is a high risk of contracting bilharzia which will make you very ill. Lake Victoria is also heavily polluted.
Lake Victoria is definitely worth visiting though. It’s incredibly beautiful and there are many hotels and resorts that overlook this gem of East Africa.
Uganda Martyrs’ Day
A place that is very important to the Ugandan people is the shrine that commemorates the martyrs at Namugongo. Back in 1885-1887, 45 Ugandans (both Catholic and Anglican) were killed for their faith by the King of the Buganda.
Every year, on June 3rd, an incredible pilgrimage happens to Namugongo. People come from all over to take part in this celebration. Some come in vehicles, but others come on foot from places as far as Kenya. It is incredible.
There is a huge offertory where people bring gifts (chicken, lambs, crops, etc). I had the immense pleasure of witnessing this ceremony and it was the most powerful, moving things I have ever seen in my life.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga
Also known as the Rubaga Cathedral, this is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Uganda located in Kampala.
It’s definitely worth a stop to look around.
Remember to dress conservatively if you are going to be entering the churches. Cover your shoulders and NO short shorts!
Namirembe Cathedral
The oldest cathedral in Uganda goes to Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, commonly known as the Namirembe Cathedral.
It is now the official cathedral of the Church of Uganda and is also located in Kampala.
Again, remember to dress conservatively if you plan on entering.
Twekobe Palace / Kabaka’s Palace
One of the highlights and top tourist attractions in Uganda, specifically Kampala, is a tour of the Kabaka’s (King’s) Palace. Also known as the Twekobe Palace, meaning working together, it served as a union of the 52 Buganda clans since its construction in 1885.
Most famously known in the palace, you will find Idi Amin’s infamous torture chambers.
Kasubi Tombs
Another symbol of the past power of the Buganda, the Kasubi Tombs are a very spiritual place for the Buganda people. These tombs house the remains of four former Buganda kings and members of the royal family.
This is another popular tourist attraction in Uganda for people wanting to learn about the history of Uganda and the Baganda people.
Gaddafi National Mosque
The Gaddafi National Mosque was a gift given to Uganda by Muammar Gadaffi of Libya and was completed in 2006. It is the biggest mosque in all of Uganda as well as East Africa.
This mosque is a beautiful piece of architecture where 360 views of Kampala can be seen from inside. As you can imagine, this is a popular tourist attraction in Uganda and is often a stop on a Kampala City Tour.
Visitors are welcome to enter the mosque, for an entrance fee of around $5.00 per person.
Baha’i Temple
A true gem of Uganda simply because it is the only Baha’i temple in the entire African continent. In fact, it is only one of 8 in the entire world!
This temple is a spiritual place of worship open to all people of the world. It is characterized by its huge dome and the grounds are absolutely lovely.
I think this is a tourist attraction in Uganda that is worth taking the time to stop and look around.
Watch Traditional African Dance
Last, but certainly not least, an incredible cultural experience and tourist attraction in Uganda that you cannot miss is watching some traditional African dancers.
The most popular place to see such dancers is at the Ndere Cultural Center in Kampala, but they can really be seen all over the country depending on which part you are staying in.
Many will include tourists in their performance and teach you some of the basics. It’s an awesome experience!
Conclusion: Tourist Attractions in Uganda Africa
I know my trip to Uganda will be a memory that will never fade away. Not only because it was my very first international trip or my first trip alone without my parents. It was both of those things. But, mostly it opened my eyes to the beauty that this world holds and opened my heart and my soul to travel. I knew at that moment that travel was my passion and I have craved it ever since.
If you enjoyed this list of tourist attractions in Uganda Africa, let me know in the comments!
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