Top Tourist Attractions in Uganda – Best Places to Visit & Things to Do

Given its small size and landlocked location, Uganda may not be well known to many tourists looking for beautiful places to visit in Africa. Even though there is no ocean nearby, 25% of Uganda is made up of lakes and rivers, and there are many other amazing places that make visitors want to return.

The mountainous, forested Bwindi National Park is one of the most popular attractions in Uganda and a great place for gorilla trekking. But Uganda’s tourist attractions do not end there.

The country has lowland rainforests, large Savannah reserves, and scenic lakes, all of which offer one of Africa’s richest wildlife experiences.

Kampala – Capital City

Kampala is Uganda’s commercial, political, and transport center. It is a typical African city, with a compact, high-rise center surrounded by wide suburbs. It is also one of the friendliest and most relaxed cities in East Africa.

Uganda’s only international airport is located 35 kilometers from Entebbe, near Lake Victoria. This small town is the main entry and exit point for the country, and many tourists stay here or in Kampala before and after their safari in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Experience

Despite its name, Bwindi is quite accessible and is one of the best places in Uganda for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Experienced guides and trackers will lead you into the forest for an incredible encounter with a gorilla family.

You will spend an hour observing these gentle giants in their natural rain-forest habitat before returning to your lodge. Although the trek can be challenging, muddy, wet, and humid, the experience is truly special.

Murchison Falls National Park – Game Viewing, Boat Cruises & Birding

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest park, and the Nile River runs through it, creating a home for many wildlife species. Lions, buffalo, elephants, and hippos are commonly seen here.

The park has about 500 bird species, and its forests are home to chimpanzees and Colobus monkeys. A boat trip takes you to the powerful Murchison Falls, where the roaring Nile River is forced through a 7-meter-wide gorge in the Great Rift Valley Escarpment.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding, Game Viewing, Chimps & Boat Cruises

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most famous and most accessible Savannah reserve. It is home to elephants, buffalo, leopards, antelope species, and the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Plains.

With an impressive 600 recorded bird species, it is one of the best bird-watching spots in the world. Bring your binoculars and take a boat tour on the Kazinga Channel to see hippos and crocodiles.

Kibale Forest National Park – Primates, Birds & Butterflies

Kibale Forest is becoming one of Uganda’s top attractions, offering visitors an exciting and educational experience of life in a tropical jungle. Kibale is famous for its primates, but it is also home to colorful butterflies and beautiful forest birds.

Join a guided chimpanzee trek and see how many of the other 12 primate species you can spot in this magnificent forest.

Lake Mburo National Park – Peaceful Game Viewing & Birding

Lake Mburo National Park is a great stopover for travelers heading between Kampala and the gorilla trekking forests in the southwest.

Although it does not have elephants, it has a good mix of wetland and woodland habitats that support many animals and birds.

The calm atmosphere and scenic views at Lake Mburo provide a much-needed rest after a long trek.

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