Uganda is a beautiful country with amazing wildlife, rich cultures, and many exciting tour activities. From the misty Rwenzori Mountains and the volcanic slopes of Mount Muhavura to the mighty River Nile and the green forests of Mabira, Uganda has something for every traveler. Visitors can track mountain gorillas, climb volcanoes, see rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, explore Kampala’s historic sites, enjoy water sports, and experience traditional music and dance.
Whether you are planning a wildlife safari, a hiking adventure, a cultural trip, or a relaxing holiday, Uganda offers many ways to explore and enjoy the country beyond its famous national parks. Here are some of the best things to do and see on a Uganda safari.
Visit Uganda’s National Parks
Visiting Uganda’s national parks is one of the best things to do in Uganda. The country is home to beautiful parks with diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences. You can go on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and other wildlife. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and boat trips along the Kazinga Channel. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can trek through the forest to see mountain gorillas. Other parks, such as Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo, offer excellent wildlife viewing and unforgettable safari experiences.
Explore Uganda’s Water Bodies
Uganda’s beautiful lakes and rivers offer a variety of exciting water-based activities, including boat rides, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. Visitors can enjoy these activities along the shores of Lake Victoria, particularly around Entebbe and the Ssese Islands.
Popular places for water activities near Entebbe include Entebbe Botanical Beach Resort and Waterfront Beach, while Pineapple Bay Resort is a popular choice in the Ssese Islands. The River Nile near Jinja is another excellent destination for water sports and adventure activities, located about 1.5 hours’ drive from Kampala.
Go Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks
Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks
Uganda is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, found mainly in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is approximately a nine-hour drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and about four to five hours from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.
A wide variety of gorilla safari packages are available online through travel agencies and tour operators in both Kampala and Kigali. This makes it possible to book a safari in Rwanda and track gorillas in Uganda, or book a Uganda safari and combine gorilla trekking with other attractions in the region. The gorilla parks in Uganda and Rwanda are relatively close to each other, making cross-border itineraries convenient for travelers.
Go Hiking in Uganda
Mountain climbing in Uganda is a popular adventure activity, attracting both local and international tourists. The country is home to spectacular mountain ranges such as the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon and others. Hikers enjoy breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and challenging trails while exploring Uganda’s unique natural beauty.
Rwenzori National Park
Rwenzori National Park covers 996 square kilometres and lies at the foot of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, home to Africa’s third-highest peak. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including baboons, chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Rwenzori colobus monkeys, tree hyraxes, red duikers, leopards and elephants. Bird watching is also a popular activity. Visitors can also learn about the local Bakonzo and Bamba people through homestead visits.
Climb Mount Muhavura
At 4,127 metres above sea level, Mount Muhavura is the third-highest mountain in Uganda. It is an extinct volcano located in southwestern Uganda. Even if you do not climb to the summit, it is worth exploring the lower slopes, which are covered with bamboo forests.
Climb Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon is a distinctive volcanic mountain located on the border between Uganda and Kenya. This ancient volcano is about 24 million years old and is now dormant. It is known for its vast crater, which is about 8 km wide, as well as its caves, valleys, waterfalls, streams and forests. Mount Elgon straddles the Uganda-Kenya border and offers excellent hiking opportunities. A Mount Elgon hike can take between 4 and 6 days, depending on the route and itinerary.
Stay a Night at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Located a short distance from the main highway between Kampala and Gulu/Masindi, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a private wildlife sanctuary and an excellent stopover for travelers heading to Murchison Falls National Park.
The sanctuary offers visitors the opportunity to see rhinos in their natural environment while also enjoying other wildlife and birdwatching activities. It is a convenient addition to a Uganda safari itinerary and provides a memorable overnight experience before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day Trip to the River Nile
The River Nile is located in Jinja, about 90 km from Kampala City. A day trip to Jinja offers an opportunity to enjoy exciting activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping. Visitors can also admire the spectacular scenery along the Nile and experience the beauty of one of Africa’s most famous rivers.
Visit Mabira Forest
This lovely rainforest near the Uganda’s capital city is arguably the prime bird watching site in Uganda, thanks to presence of several dozen forest species found nowhere else in the country. For non-birders, the shady forest paths and plentiful monkeys still have plenty of charm.
Explore Kampala, Uganda’s Capital
Strategically located in the heart of Uganda, Kampala is a vibrant city filled with historic attractions, charming old buildings, and impressive houses featuring beautifully carved wooden doors. Highlights include the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs, and the historic Rubaga and Namirembe Cathedrals.
Sample Local Culture at Ndere Cultural Centre of Uganda
At this cultural centre, a short distance outside Kampala’s city centre, you can see displays of traditional dancing and explore mock-ups of traditional cultures.
Nightlife in Uganda
Most of the major hotels in Kampala and the holiday resorts along the shoreline have dancing with live bands or discos each evening. There are also a few local nightclubs in Kampala that stay open until dawn; these can get very crowded and prostitution abounds – go in a group and take a taxi.
Increasingly, modern multi-screen cinema complexes are appearing in Kampala, which shows mainly Hollywood movies, while in the smaller towns are old colonial-style cinemas showing old Kung Fu or Indian films. Theatre is popular in Kampala. Quite often, traditional tribal dancing and drumming is performed in the game lodges.
