Visiting Uganda – Ten Ways to Have an Amazing Experience
There are so many awesome things to see and do on Uganda safaris that it can be difficult to plan a trip, there is so much to pack in! This is why I have compiled these top 10 recommendations for anyone visiting the country. The following is the result, and it is an interesting and varied list that would make a memorable holiday.
1. Track the Mountain Gorillas
Often described as the most popular tourist attraction in Uganda, gorilla tracking is a spectacular experience that entails you to walk through Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park searching for mountain gorillas and watching them for one hour. The tracking is done by a group of people with a tour guide who helps to locate the gorillas.
2. Track Chimpanzees and other Primates
Uganda is very popular in terms of hosting primates as it is home to chimpanzees, various monkey types, apes, gorillas etc. Popular spots for tracking chimpanzees and monkeys include; Kibale Forest national park, Ngamba Island and Semliki national park.
3. Catch the Ferry to Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria
Catch the MV Kalangala vessel from Entebbe over to the Ssese Island called Kalangala which boasts of a number of white sand beaches. Sip your drink overlooking the shore of lake Victoria while enjoying the peace and quiet except for the sound of the water. Look around you and enjoy this quaint, sleepy town as it. This is the perfect place to while away a stress free holiday.
4. Visit the River Nile for Adventure Activities
The best way to experience the park is to hire a Kayak and allow a guide to take you out onto the clear waters, this way you will experience and see all the amazing creatures of the land and Nile. The Nile is a haven for walkers, kayakers, rafters, bungee jumpers and those looking to chill out.
5. Go on Wildlife Safaris in the National Parks
Uganda has got wonderful wildlife which is amazing to see from their natural habitat. Uganda is immensely gifted with a variety of wildlife which can be spotted on Uganda safari tours in the National Parks including; Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo etc. Seeing the animals from the yet-untouched and unpolluted habitats can be the most rewarding experience that can be got anytime of year.
6. Go on a Kampala City Tour
Kampala is the country’s commercial centre with many business companies, an Industrial centre, political centre, educational centre with many schools and colleges like, Transport centre with many roads connecting to different parts of the country. There are various tourist attractions in Kampala city including the national museum, National Theartre, Kasubi tombs, Makerere University, St Paul’s and Rubaga cathedrals, the Bahai Temple, the crafts village, Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Kabaka’s Lake and many others.
7. Visit Lake Bunyonyi in south west Uganda
Visit the second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Bunyonyi which is located in Kabale in the south west of Uganda. The islands on Lake Bunyonyi have some quite interesting tales about them that will leave you in awe. The lake is bilharzia free meaning it is safe for swimming, and there is an opportunity to see birds while taking a cruise on the lake. The spectacular scenery of Lake Bunyonyi makes an overnight experience more desirable than staying in kabale.
8. Go on a birding safari
Birding spots in Uganda include the following; Entebbe, Kampala environs, Lake Mburo, Bwindi rainforest and Queen Elizabeth national park with emphasis on the Mweya peninsula and Kazinga channel
9. Do a cultural safari
Uganda has a very rich cultural heritage exhibited by the various tribes in Uganda some of who formed kingdoms before the coming of the British. These Kingdoms present a rich cultural heritage that Uganda proudly boasts of. On a cultural safari, you can take tours to the King’s Palaces, royal tombs, royal senates as well as other historical sites revered by the local people.
10. Go mountain hiking
The Rwenzori also mountains of the moon located in western Uganda is the third highest mountain in Africa and offers one of the greatest hiking experiences you ever wished for. Together with mount Elgon in the east whichever your pick is, or you decide to hike both, the safari will not only offer you the challenges of hiking, it will also present the opportunity to view fabulous wildlife as you mountaineer.
