Visit Uganda

The visit Uganda article is a guide that assists you to plan a trip in Uganda and learn more about the Pearl of Africa. The guide gives you strong reasons why you need to plan a trip to the Uganda which is one of the top most tourist destination in East Africa housing a diversity of fascinating tourist attractions and activities. Due to the impressive growth of tourism in Uganda, there is a great increase in the number of visitors coming to the Pearl of Africa to enjoy Uganda safaris.

Tourism in Uganda started some time back when the country began to welcome the coming of the early missionaries and explorers as well as other travelers that came from Europe. These travelled to Uganda with different purposes and they were very pleased about mesmerizing beauty of the country. They encountered with a diversity of extremely exciting things that inspired  them about this part of Africa. The early travelers managed to name some of the amazing natural features and this was done by most of their leaders. When Churchill visited Uganda he got lost in the glimpse sight of wonderful picturesque environmental attributes as well as a diversity of other interesting natural features, he therefore concluded by calling Uganda the “Pearl of Africa” and this statement has played a big role in branding Uganda as one of the great safari destination in Africa where there is a lot to explore on a true African safaris adventure.

Due to good impressive climate and whether,  the Pearl of Africa is a great place to stay. The country experiences a tropical climate that is experienced in two seasons annually such as; the dry season and wet season. In a year there are two dry season and two wet season where one is a long one and the other is short season. The Dry season in Uganda occurs during the month of June to October -long dry season and December to February -short dry season whilst the wet season is experienced in the months of march, April, may- long wet season and late October to November short wet season. The hottest months in a year are January and February with an average temperature of about 33 degrees Celsius, however the northern part of Uganda is the hottest region with very hot temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Celsius.

Tourist attractions and activities in Uganda

There are numerous attractions and activities to explore in Uganda such as; the amazing Mountains, stunning Wildlife, ionic waterbodies, historical and cultural sites and many others. majority of the highlights of Uganda safari is a breathtaking experience based on the outstanding wildlife destinations although the tour can be tailored with a wide range of other non-wildlife activities to achieve a dreamlife memorable safari in the Pearl of Africa. In this article we present to you the top tourism attractions and activities in Uganda that can be enjoyed on a trip to the “Pearl of Africa”.

 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park

This is one of the famous great safari destination that is popular due to the Endangered Mountain Gorillas that live in this place. Bwindi forest harbors almost half of the remaining mountain gorilla population which is one of the reasons why it is ranked as the best gorilla trekking destination in Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park is divided into four sectors that are home to the habituated mountain gorillas families. The sectors include; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija. The park harbors about 19 habituated gorilla families that are open for gorilla tourism therefore it allows you high chances of seeing the Endangered mountain Gorillas.

Although Gorilla trekking experience is the main Key tourism activity in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, there is a wide range of other fascinating tourist activity that you can delight in when travel to Bwindi forest. such as the famous Batwa cultural experience, bird watching experience, guided nature walks, community visit, hiking among others. all these activities can be combined together with your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi forest depending on how long you would like to spend on your safari. therefore feel free to inform your tour operator on which activity you are interested in adding on the gorilla experience.

Mgahinga gorilla national park

The park is situated close to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Mgahinga gorilla national park is another home to the Endangered mountain gorilla species in Uganda and it also is located in the south western region of Uganda. It is a portion of the virunga conservation massif that covers three countries, Uganda, Rwanda and the DR-Congo and it harbors about 2 habituated gorilla families that are ready for gorilla tourism. The park is also home to the endangered Golden Monkeys, colorful birdlife over 300 species, Forest Elephants, African caped buffaloes, bush pigs, forest hogs among others. Mgahinga gorilla national park hosts about 3 virunga volcanoes out of the Eight. When you visit Mgahinga gorilla national park you get an insight to enjoy stunning activities such as; Mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, birding, mountaineering/ Hiking, guided nature walks, Batwa cultural encounter among others. 

Lake Bunyonyi

On a Uganda safari, get a chance to visit the most beautiful and deepest lake in Uganda. The lake is the second deepest in Africa following lake Tanganyika of Tanzania. The ionic Lake is dotted with about 29 mesmerizing Islands and these can be explore on a traditional canoe ride experience on the lake. Lake bunyonyi is an ideal place for birding and the lake was named due the small bird that are found around the lake. Thus the name Lake Bunyonyi which means a place of “small birds”. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi allows you an opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Virunga Volcanoes, canoe ride experience, birding and biking around Lake bunyonyi.

Murchison Falls national park

Also known as the largest and oldest protected area in Uganda, Murchison falls national park is situated in the north western part of Uganda. The park is a popular home to the might Murchison falls which is one of the key attraction in the park. The park is dominated by varying vegetation such as savannah grassland, acacia grasslands, forest vegetation that allows you to spot a wide a range of outstanding wildlife including the African Big five animals as well as impressive birdlife numbers.

It is important to note the Murchison falls national park is bisected by the Victoria Nile into two sections which are apparently referred to as the southern and northern section. These sections are home to numerous exciting tourist attractions in the park although the northern section harbors the most stunning wildlife and activities is the park. when you take a trip to Murchison falls national park, you get an opportunity to enjoy activities like; wildlife game viewing, chimpanzee trekking experience in budongo forest , guided nature walks, birding, boat cruise launch along the Victoria Nile, a hot air balloon, both day and night game drives thus all these activities allows you to explore the beauty of the park on your safari.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale forest national is one of the great chimpanzee trekking destination in Africa offering a breath taking experience on your chimpanzee tour. The park is one of the tropical rainforest with the largest population of Chimpanzees in Uganda that have been habituated for tourism. Besides the chimpanzee trekking experience in the park, you can enjoy other activities like guided forest walks, chimpanzee habituation, community walk, Bird watching among others.

Queen Elizabeth national park

Also the second largest park after Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the oldest national parks in Uganda that is popular home to the famous tree climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector of the park. Queen Elizabeth national park is dominated by five vegetation types such as; Acacia grasslands, Savannah grasslands, bushes and thickets, swamps and wetlands plus the forest vegetation. The park is also known for hosting big impressive numbers of wildlife animals such as; huge herds of Elephants, African caped buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, antelopes, waterbucks, big numbers of lions, leopards, hippos, Nile crocodiles, hyenas, bushbucks among others. the forest vegetation harbors animals like chimpanzees, black and white monkeys, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys among others. The park is also home to highest number of birds therefore it is one of the birder’s paradise in Uganda where you can enjoy bird watching experience. A Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth national park gives you a chance to enjoy activities like bird watching, lion tracking experience, Chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat Cruise, nature walks, guided nature/ forest walks, a visit to the bat cave  crater drive exploration among others.

Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains is the main spot for Mountain Hiking experience in Uganda. The mountain has its highest peak at an elevation of about 5109 meters above sea level. Taking the Mount Stanley trail, get a chance to access the snow caped peak of mountain Rwenzori. While hiking mountain Rwenzori you get an opportunity to sight beautiful waterfalls, rare vegetation, streams of water as well as the rare wildlife species such as; the three horned Jackson’s chameleon and many more others.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where can spot the endangered Rhinos. It is important to note that the endangered Rhinos got extinct from the national parks  sometime back. On this note the Rhino Sanctuary was established to re-introduce the Rhinos in Uganda. This sanctuary is situated in Nakasongola district off from the Kampala -Gulu road before you head to Kaffu river from Kampala capital city. Rhino tracking experience is the main activity at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary although you can enjoy other activities like bird watching experience and guided nature walks.

Kampala City

Also known as the capital city of Uganda, Kampala is the busiest and largest city in Uganda and it is situated in the central region of the country. Kampala City was established with rolling hill landscape and this gives the city a unique wonderful scenic beauty. Kampala is also called the land of 7 hills  found in the Buganda region. A Kampala city tour allows you an opportunity to visit amazing places like Kasubi tombs, the Uganda museum, Bahai Temple, Rubaga church, Kabaka’s palace in Mengo, Nakasero Market, Namugongo Martyrs, the Independence monument, Buganda craft Village among other places.

Lake Victoria

This is the largest lake in Africa with fresh water and it is shared by three countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The beautiful lake is also dotted with beautiful islands like Ssesse Island where you can enjoy a diversity of refreshing activities. The lake also houses cool leisure relaxation areas such as resorts and beaches. Lake Victoria also hosts the amazing Ngamba island that is home to the orphaned chimpanzees that have been rescued from poachers. A visit to Ngamba Island sanctuary allows an opportunity to get close to the chimpanzees and participate in taking care of these wonderful gentle creatures that are close relatives to human being.

Fort Portal

Fort Portal is one of the interesting tourism urban town situated in western region of Uganda. The town host numerous wonderful hills that are home to exciting tourist attractions. A tour to Fort Portal town allows to explore beautiful places like the historical Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru, Karambi tombs, palace of the Toro Kingdom, tea plantation and the crater lakes among others.

Sipi Falls

The Sipi Falls are situated in Kapchorwa district in Eastern region of Uganda which is one of the stunning place that is worth a visit on a Uganda safari. Sipi Falls comprises of three beautiful different waterfalls that are close to each other. To access the falls, you have to take a hike that take you to sight these wonderful waterfalls that gives you a thrilling safari experience in Uganda.

Best Time to Visit Uganda

The fascinating tourist attractions and activities in Uganda are open to all travelers throughout the year. Although the best time to visit the Pearl of Africa is during the dry season when the roads connecting to the tourist destinations are dry and easy to navigate through compared to the wet season. As earlier mentioned the dry season is experienced in the months of June to October when there is little or not rain expected to interrupt the various tourist activities.

The wet season can be the best time for budget travelers due to fact that  lodges offers discounted rates for their accommodation especially  group travelers. Tour operator during this season also offer discounted tour packages to all travelers that book with them. However activities during the wet season are strenuous but at the end of the trip the experience is extremely fascinating. During the wet season the roads and hiking trails are wet, muddy and slippery thus they are difficult to navigate through. As you are planning a Uganda safari, it is important to book a 4×4 safari vehicles that can withstand all road conditions of the park.

For more information about visit Uganda, you can book your trip with Jeisking Tours Ltd here in Kampala one of the leading experts in organizing dreamlife Uganda safaris. To plan with us your trip, contact our professional and friendly reservation team to assist tailor your safari with fascinating tourist attractions and activities of your interest send us an inquiry at on info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.