Top 15 Best Tourism Activities in Uganda; Things to Do

Discover the top 15 best Tourism Activities in Uganda – a world of adventure awaits from wildlife game drives and gorilla trekking to cultural tour and birdwatching, explore the ultimate guide to unforgettable things to do in Uganda.

Uganda is a land locked country in East Africa that has got a lot of tourism attractions. The country is blessed with a variety of natural and man-made attractions and it was referred to as the pearl of Africa by Winston Church hill in his book known as my “African Journey” published in1908. A traveler can do a lot of activities in Uganda which include the following.

The Top Tourism Activities in Uganda:

Gorilla Trekking.

Gorilla trekking Uganda is only done in Mgahinga and Bwindi where the endangered mountain gorillas are found in Uganda. A traveler has to book with the UWA or through Afrik-Trek Holidays in order to get a gorilla permit.

In Mgahinga, gorilla tracking is carried out at Ntebeko, while in Bwindi, Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo are the starting points or sectors of gorilla trekking.

While trekking, a tourist can able to spot different plants, butterflies, bird species and other animals such as monkeys, wild pig, buffalos, forest elephants among others.

Ideal Gorilla trekking Safari in Uganda; 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari Tour.

Game Drive.

A person interested in Uganda safari, you can do game drive in different national game parks such as Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park among others.

The game drive offers tourists an opportunity to spot different animals such as Leopard, cheetah, giraffe, lions, elephant, hyena, antelopes, buffalos, zebras among others from a comfort of a safari vehicle.

Vehicles used in game drives are customized to offer tourists a clear view of the wildlife and landscapes. Safari vehicles are characterized with pop up roofs, wider windows and much comfortable seats.

Ideal Tour Packages; 3 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari.

Boat Cruise.

Uganda has got a lot of places where one can do boat cruise from. Such places include, lake Victoria, River Niles both the source and Albert Nile in Murchison falls national park, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park among others.

While doing a boat cruise one is able to see different bird species, aquatic animals and, boat cruise also provides refreshment.

Gorilla Habituation.

Uganda has half of the endangered gorillas in the world where as the other half of the mountain gorillas is found in Rwanda, DRC and the remaining half is in Uganda. These endangered gorilla species are only found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Gorilla habituation is done in this park where mountain gorillas are made to being comfortable with humans without getting wild. A traveler has to book a permit from the UWA or travel agent before coming for the habituation. The tourists are allowed to be with the gorillas for 4hours unlike gorilla trekking which is 1 hour experience.

Chimpanzee Trekking.

This is mostly done in Kibale national park, Budongo forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura Gorge also known as the valley of the apes is located in the Far East of Queen Elizabeth National park.

Habituated chimpanzees live in the 100m deep gorge curved by the Kyambura river as it flows across the Rift Valley towards the Kazinga channel.

Kibale forest national park hosts the biggest number of wild chimpanzees in Uganda and is also a home to a hoping 13 primates species besides chimpanzees, this is why it is referred to as the “Primates Capital of the World”.

Golden Monkey Trekking.

In Uganda, one can only find the golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park only. These can be found in bamboo zone of the Virunga massif. One has to pay $60 for a foreign nonresident, 50US$ for foreign residence and 40,000 for East African Member States.

Similar to the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys move from place to place to look for food and if they are found the tourists are allowed to spend one hour with the monkeys learning about their behaviors and taking pictures.

Lion Tracking.

A traveler interested in lion tracking can have it in the Ishsha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park. This area lies 100kms south Mweya, with the parks remote southern sector providing a true wilderness experience.

It is famously known for its tree- climbing lions, Ishasha sector and some parks in Tanzania are the most popular places in Africa where you can see tree- climbing lions.

Scientists hypothesis that the lions have adopted this unusual behavior to escape the tsetse flies and heat of the lower ground. However normal lions can be spotted in other parks like Murchison falls national park, Kidepo national park among others.

Rhino Tracking.

Rhino tracking is done in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a non-governmental organization that was formed in 1997 by the government tourism agency to repopulate the wild white Rhinos in Uganda.

It can be accessed by tourists as they travel north of Uganda toward national parks; Kidepo valley national park and Murchison falls national park. Ziwa Rhino has got other Tourism Activities in Uganda that are carried out there for example Rhino trekking, Shoebill trek and canoe ride, Night walks and Bird walks.

Birdwatching.

Uganda has got very many places where a birder can do birding from. These include Semuliki national park, Mabamba bay swamp, Echuya forest reserve located in western Uganda, Nyamuriro swamp, Kyambura wildlife reserve, Lake mburo national park, Mabira forest reserve, tango Bay Area, Musambwa islands.

Birding activity is one of the best Tourism Activities in Uganda due to presence of various bird species such as, endemic birds, migratory and rare birds.

The country has got over 1,060 bird species which include Rwenzori Batis, Tit hyla, Kivu ground- thrush, Shelly’s greenbul, Strange weaver, Chapin’s fly catcher, Handsome francolin, Yellow- freaked greenbulhe, Blue headed weaver, beautiful Ruwenzori turaco, Regal sun bird, crowned hornbill Ostriches, Pygmy falcon, Jackson ’s hornbill, karamoja apples, Abyssinian roller and many other species.

Nature Walk.

Nature walk is another Tourism Activities in Uganda that can be done in national parks, forests and swamps. It is guided by the safari guide and a tourist can see different animals, plants and bird species.

The traveler can have a memorable experience with a close encounter while having a nature walk while taking photos.

Sight Seeing.

A person can see different attraction that Uganda has got both natural, cultural and man-made attraction where by a person is able to visit a destination of interest.

For example, if a traveler wants to visit Queen Elizabeth national park to see climbing lions, the person will be able to spot other animals, different plant and bird species.

Hiking – Mountaineering.

Uganda has got different areas where a tourists interested in hiking can do it from. These include Mountain Rwenzori in Kasese district, Mountain Moroto in Moroto before hiking a tourist can get visit the museum of the Karmonja, the 3 volcanoes in Mgahinga that is Mt Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhavura.

The top of Murchison fall can also among the top Tourism Activities in Uganda.

White Water Rafting.

White water rafting is done in Jinja in Uganda which is located on the shores of lake Victoria and source of the Nile where one can have a remarkable experience.

White water rafting is restricted to only professional rafters and rating fee are between USD 50 to USD 160 for foreign nonresident and foreign resident, UGX 50,000 to UGX 200,000 for East African state members.

However prior booking is needed and you should always know the rafting level you can take on.

Ideal Tour Package; 2 Days Jinja Excursion Tour.

Sport Fishing.

Sport fishing is done on different areas on the waterbodies in Uganda. This can be done in Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park. One must get a permit before and the costs excludes the entrance fee to these national park.

Cultural Experience.

Uganda has over 50 tribes were each tribe has got a unique cultural belief, norms, dressing, food, dances among others. Thus a traveler interested in cultural experience would opt to visit Uganda.

Engage with local communities, enjoy traditional performances, and witness the heartwarming hospitality that defines Uganda.

Plan your journey to Uganda and uncover an extraordinary tapestry of experiences that will leave you enchanted and transformed.

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