Places to Visit in Uganda, Cheap, Beautiful and Recommended by 101% of Clients
Places to Visit in Uganda, Cheap, Beautiful and Recommended by 101% of Clients. Some of the world’s last remaining wild mountain gorillas call the thick, twisted bush of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest home. On the other hand, you can view even more animals in other parts of Uganda. With their extensive travel knowledge, our Africa specialists can advise you on the top destinations to include in your personalized itinerary.
Hikers can follow trails deep into Kibale Forest National Park and see a variety of primates, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. See hippo frolicking in the Ishasha River and lions slumbering in fig trees on a wildlife drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Another option is to visit Murchison Falls National Park, where you can see the Nile River roaring through a small canyon, sending puffs of mist billowing up into the air.
Popular Places to Visit in Uganda
Our itinerary plans for Uganda largely feature these famous attractions that we know our guests will love. You can customize your trip according to your preferences by deciding how to incorporate them.
Visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
With a history that extends back more than 25,000 years, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is often considered to be among the oldest and most biologically diverse woods in all of Africa.
Surrounded by verdant hills and valleys that reach an elevation of 2,600 m, the rainforest adorns the eastern flank of the Albertine Rift Valley. About 500 years ago, agricultural people migrated into the area, cutting down a massive tract of forest that had once stretched all the way to the Virunga Mountains on the Rwandan border.
Visit Jinja, Uganda
Approximately fifty miles east of Kampala on the banks of Lake Victoria, Jinja is the fourth biggest town in Uganda.
Hanning, John Speke
Njeru, a satellite town of Jinja, is located on the other side of the Nile River. The Nile’s original source, Ripon Falls, which Speke had pinpointed as its origin in 1862, is now a relatively unremarkable sight due to its submergence in the 1950s by the Owen Falls Dam. Having said that, Jinja does have a great tropical vibe because to the abundant foliage surrounding the town.
Visit Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
The Murchison Falls are the inspiration for the park’s name, which is situated in western Uganda.
The tranquil Nile, which is normally quite wide, is abruptly pushed into a tight chasm in the escarpment of the Rift Valley, where it forms a torrent of white water.
The northern bank of the river is characterized by verdant, tall grasslands dotted with acacia, borassus palm, and riverine woods. Budongo Hill, a picturesque area of closed canopy forest, and thick woods characterize the thickening vegetation to the south.
Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to expansive savannah plains dotted with candelabra trees, irrigated by rivers and channels that connect volcanic lakes. The park is a sanctuary for animals, nestled in a massive rift valley with the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in the background.
Game drives offer the chance to see a variety of animals, including antelope, hyenas, hippos, and four of the Big Five (excluding the rhino). In the park’s extreme eastern part, you might also see chimpanzees or tree-climbing lions. Passing squacco herons, pied kingfishers, hippos, buffalo, and basking crocodiles on a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel is some of the greatest wildlife viewing in the world.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Visit Entebbe, Uganda
Sitting on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is 35 kilometers south of Kampala. The location of Uganda’s sole international airport has brought it fame, but it also functioned as the country’s administrative capital in the 1960s.
With its less hectic vibe compared to the city, Entebbe is a great place to start while visiting Uganda. The majority of tourists only stop in Entebbe for the night before or after a late flight, thus they don’t usually stay for very long.
Uganda, Entebbe, Lake Victoria
Visit Ishasha, Uganda
The picturesque Ishasha Plains, situated in the park’s southern sector, are less frequented by visitors than other parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, making a game drive there that much more enjoyable.
Its tree-climbing lions are well-known for their habit of lounging in the low branches of fig trees. This behavior is thought by biologists to have evolved from the necessity to see over the long grasses during the dry season in order to identify prey and to avoid biting insects. Buffalo, zebra, elephant, Ugandan kob, and hippos on the Ishasha River are among the other animals that may be seen in this area.
Uganda | Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector
Visit Kampala, Uganda
Kampala is the capital and biggest city in Uganda. There is a wide variety of lodgings to choose from, and the city is comparatively safe. If you wanted to go further afield, you could utilize Kampala as your base.
History of Kampala
Camped on Kampala Hill in 1890 by Captain Lugard, a representative of the British East Africa Company, the hills surrounding modern-day Kampala had long served as the political epicentre of the Kingdom of Buganda.
Kampala City, Uganda
Visit Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
The pristine tropical rainforest of Kibale is situated in a picturesque region of rolling green hills dotted with lakes formed by volcanic craters.
Epiphytes climb up tree limbs and lianas droop from the canopy to the leaf litter below, yet in the forest, light barely reaches the base of the enormous trunks covered with lichen. Exceptionally diverse tropical flora and fauna call Kibale home because of its strategic placement at the confluence of the East African forest and the West African rainforest.
Kibale National Park, Uganda | Crater Safari Lodge
Visit Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
The steep valley between Kisoro and Kabale is home to Lake Bunyonyi, which is thought to be over 8,000 years old.
From the shoreline rise high terraced hills, and the lake is dotted with almost twenty little islands. You could easily spend a day or two there taking in the breathtaking scenery.
The name Bunyonyi, which translates to “place of small birds,” is a nod to the diverse avian inhabitants of the lake’s shoreline and minor islands. The region is perfect for canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking, among other activities. You can also meet the local Batwa pygmy populations from this base.
Lake Bunyonyi: Beautiful and Peaceful!
Visit Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
A little yet stunning park, Lake Mburo National Park is centered around the titular lake.
There are five lakes in the park, with dense riparian forest and sections of papyrus swamp encircling each one. This lake is the largest of them. Gently undulating hills surround the lakes, and as one moves away from the water’s edge, the forest gives way to a patchwork of open savannah and acacia woodland, which formerly extended southwards all the way to the Tanzanian border and beyond.
Lake Mburo National Park: Uganda and its Breathtaking Nature will Surprise You
Visit Mgahinga National Park, Uganda
Protecting the Ugandan portion of the Virunga Mountains, Mgahinga is the smallest national park in Uganda.
This region is among the most breathtaking and spectacular in all of East Africa, because to the conglomeration of its volcanic lakes, terraced hillsides, and volcanoes. Part of the year, the park is home to a big population of mountain gorillas, who are the center of attention for visitors.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga NP, Uganda ????Silverback pushing through the group!
Visit Mt Elgon, Uganda
Trek up Mount Elgon, Africa’s sixth-highest peak at 4,321 meters! This area is perfect for nature lovers and hikers thanks to its verdant forests, grasslands, and moorlands as well as its massive caldera encircled by steep peaks. As you climb Mount Elgon, you’ll journey through a variety of ecosystems, including a thick Afro-montane forest, mixed bamboo belts, and rare plant zones in the heath and moorland. Primate, buffalo, duiker, hyena, leopard, and hundreds of interesting bird species are all found here. Acclimatizing for a climb in the Rwenzoris can be achieved on the solitary hike to Mount Elgon.
Mount Elgon | Uganda
Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda
Situated in Lake Victoria, approximately 23 kilometers from Entebbe, Ngamba Island is close to the Equator.
There is a wide variety of fauna that calls the island’s 100 acres of rainforest home. Not only that, but there are crocodiles, monitor lizards, over 120 bird species, and hippos, too.
But being a safe haven for chimpanzees that the Uganda Wildlife Authority has saved from traffickers and poachers is the primary goal. Because of the high mortality rate among wild chimpanzee populations, a non-profit organization called the Chimpanzee Sanctuary was founded in October 1998 to provide a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees.
My Visit To Africa’s Only Chimpanzee Island Sanctuary – Ngamba Island
Visit Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Uganda
The Albertine Rift Valley is home to the breathtaking Semliki Wildlife Reserve, the first of its kind in Uganda.
Forests ascend the rugged Rift Valley wall to the east, while Lake Albert is to the north. The Congolese Blue Mountains may be seen on the western horizon, while a hill range in the south leads to the Ruwenzori Mountains, which are characterized by their snow-capped summits.
Although there are small areas of gallery forest that border the rivers, the vast majority of the reserve is open grassland and acacia woodland.
Explore Semuliki National Park And Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Budongo Forest in Uganda
On top of the Albertine Rift is Budongo Forest, a tropical rainforest that is wet and semi-deciduous. The riverine forests that border the sugar cane fields and other agricultural areas are part of a Central Forest Reserve. Budongo is home to a wide variety of animals, including multiple monkey species (600–700 chimpanzees included), 465 tree and shrub types, 359 bird species, 289 butterfly species, 130 moth species, and a plethora of other insects. Since the landscape is rather level, chimpanzee trekkers have an easier time walking on foot and have a better chance of seeing the primates up close.
Budongo Forest, Uganda. Looking for chimpanzees
Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda
Find out where Uganda’s one and only wild rhinoceros call home! This nonprofit refuge was established in 2005 with the goal of reintroducing rhino species to Uganda. It is located just a few hours away from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. More than twenty-two Southern White rhinos, all of whom are in risk of extinction, are currently housed at the unique Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The refuge is home to a wide variety of animals and birds, not only rhinos. Ziwa offers a wide variety of activities, one of which is the unique opportunity to track rhinos on foot. This activity is only feasible in Ziwa, Uganda. Shoebill trekking and wildlife excursions are just two of many additional possibilities. Take a canoe trip while watching sluggish crocodiles, hippos, and monkeys (from a safe distance!), or go on a nighttime guided stroll to see the area’s nocturnal animals.
A Journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Visit Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda
Go on an adventure to the breathtaking “Mountains of the Moon!” The Rwenzori Mountains are a range of six peaks in northern Uganda and Congo. At an elevation of 5,109 meters, Margherita Peak is the tallest of these peaks. Along the lonely Kilembe road to the Rwenzoris, you’ll pass through some stunning portions of the park, such the breathtaking Nyamwamba Valley, and interesting flora and fauna await you here. In contrast to the more typical Rwenzori circuit, there is a dearth of lodging on the recently opened Kilembe road. Despite the difficulty, the breathtaking views of Congo and the Rwenzori Mountains to the east make the ascent to Margherita Peak well worth the effort.
The Beautiful Lives Of The Rwenzori Mountains
Visit Mbale in Uganda
The lively town of Mbale sits atop the verdant hills of eastern Uganda and is the country’s third-largest city. Bicycle cabs known as boda bodas, which have colorful seat cushions, and minivan-taxis are common sights on the streets. The village is at the foot of Mount Elgon, the world’s widest freestanding peak. Located around one hour north of Mbale, the breathtaking Sipi Falls offer the setting for a lovely half-day or full-day excursion. Mt. Elgon, with the greatest base of any extinct volcano on Earth, is home to these waterfalls.
MBALE CITY | The Giant of Eastern Uganda
Visit Bulago Island in Uganda
There is no island on Lake Victoria more conveniently located than tropical Bulago Island! This stunning island is home to a variety of rare and endangered species, yet it is not that remote—it is only an hour’s boat ride from Kampala. A smaller rainforest borders the island’s northeastern tip, while a more extensive jungle lines the southern side. The 12 kilometers of white sand beach and picturesque palm trees more than compensate for the grasslands that surround the eastern coasts. The several trails in Bulago provide stunning vistas, perfect for walks, runs, pony rides, and bicycle trips.
Bulago Island and its environs
Visit Lake Albert in Uganda
On the boundary between Uganda and the Congo is Lake Albert, the northernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular views of the Congolese mountains can be enjoyed from the eastern Ugandan side, while the escarpment rises sharply to approximately 2000 meters on the western side of the lake. If you’re making the lengthy trek south from Murchison Falls, a good place to halt is Lake Albert. It has a tranquil atmosphere and you can see a fishing village nearby; at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, you can go on a night wildlife drive after a guided bush walk and a fantastic bush meal under the stars.
A visit to Lake ALBERT (Uganda side)
Final Thoughts on Visiting Beautiful Places in Uganda
Uganda offers a wide variety of cultural experiences, exotic wildlife, and breathtaking natural scenery. The ethereal Bwindi Mountains and the glistening Lake Victoria are just two examples of the breathtaking natural beauty that can be seen in this country. As you explore its landscapes, you’ll see that Uganda is home to more than just breathtaking scenery. Also, its people’s hospitality, customs, and tales.
Uganda is sure to provide a memorable experience for everyone, whether they are adventurers in search of thrills, nature lovers in search of tranquil moments, or culture enthusiasts in search of local traditions to fully embrace. Therefore, gather your belongings and release your soul. Uganda is a place of captivating beauty that begs you to come and experience it for yourself.