In terms of cultural attractions, safari’s, Gorilla Trekking and unusual diversions, Uganda is a country without compare. There are many hidden gems that most people don’t know about including beautiful beaches and bungee jumping over the nile . To help you on your way to discovering all that Uganda has to offer, here’s our pick of 20 of the best things to do in the Uganda.
1. Spot the Big five
If you are traveling for a Ugandan safari, there is little doubt one of the things you will fancy to do is spot the Big Five, the five most hardest animals hunt on foot. This highly popular group includes the Lion, Cape Buffalo, African elephant, leopard, lion, and the rhino.
2. Hang out with man’s closet relatives, The Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees and humans share over 98 percent of their DNA. Reach a fascinating distance of just about 8m observing our closest relatives while trekking in the forests of Uganda.
You observe them swing from one tree to another, feed, play about or progress speedily on the ground right in front of you. You can see chimpanzees at Kibale or Budongo Forest
3. Go Birding Watching
Sir Winston Churchill described Uganda as a fairy tale land, calling it the “Pearl of Africa”. Here you find an incredible variety of birds that can be seen. With over 1000 bird species, You may catch a rare glimpse of the endangered Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Great Blue Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Standard-winged Nightjar, Short-tailed Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-breasted Barbet, African Green Broadbill e.t.c
4. Go Mountain Climbing
Uganda boosts two popular mountains, the mystic Rwenzori Mountain and the magnificent Mountain Elgon. Mountain Rwenzori which is a world heritage site offers nature at its best. Trekking the Rwenzori mountains is a truly fantastic and unique experience, the wonder of the high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, the bearded lichen hanging from giant heathers with a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags and snow capped peaks.
Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano at the Uganda-Kenya border. Here you can explore ancient caves and witness spectacular cliffs, over which Mount Elgon stream’s cascade as dramatic waterfalls
5. Go Fishing
The longest river in the world, The River Nile, starts it’s journey in Uganda and spans a mammoth journey of 4,132 miles before the mouth meets the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can find some of the Largest Nile perch species in the world. You can also find these and other different fish species at Lake Victoria, the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world.
6. Bungee jumping over the Nile
Discover Uganda’s best well kept secret and one of the most spectacular bungee jumping sites in the world You’re guaranteed gallons of fun and Adventure bungee jumping over the worlds longest river, The Nile.
7. Participate in Cultural Tours
Uganda is not only fairly tale land, a place with great weather, breathing taking landscapes, but also with a rich diversity of untapped culture and heritage. With over 30 tribes and over 40 languages shared among these, Uganda is definitely the ultimate place to experience the diverse cultural immersion. Some of the Uganda’s various tribes include the Baganda, Basoga, Acholi, Batwa, Karimojong, Bagisu, Banyankole etc. Each tribe has its own tradition and culture.
8. Witness rare tree-climbing lions
Lions are an easy find while on safari in Africa but there are only 4 places in the entire continent where you can find tree climbing Lions. The Ishasha Plains of Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda is the best place to see these beasts climbing and sleeping in trees.
9. Straddle The Equator
Who doesn’t like to do this with every country that sits on the equator? One of the best travel tips I can give you!
10. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh-water lake in the world and is very picturesque and also provides secluded beaches.
11. Enjoy the charming town of Jinja
No visit to Uganda is complete without a trip to Jinja, the country’s second-largest town and the location of the Source of the Nile. Jinja is also the departure point for a host of adventure activities on and around the river, and a very pretty place in its own right.
12. Visit the lovely Lake Bunyoni
Almost certainly the prettiest lake in the country, Bunyoni is surrounded by steeply terraced green hills and scattered with fascinating islands. Like Ssese, it’s a perfect spot for some beach relaxation, but there are also a number of interesting historical sites and activities to experience.
13. Ssese Islands
If you’re looking for a place to slow it right down, Ssese’s lush archipelago of 84 islands along Lake Victoria’s northwestern shore boasts some stunning white-sand beaches. The early 1990s saw their popularity peak, but the suspension of the ferry service largely removed them from the muzungu map until a ferry began running from Entebbe in 2006.
14 . Visit Kampala
The city feels like Africa with an Asian flare and is the center of everything to do in the country. There are a variety of restaurants to try, new things to experience like a ride on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi), or even just get to know what life is like in the capital city in Uganda. Don’t forget to check out the churches, Bahai Temple, and museums in the city.
15. Visit the largest manyata in Eastern Africa
The region in Uganda with most manyatas is called Karamojo and not long ago, it was known as a very dangerous part of the country. When visited it, you might had not returned alive. Most of the travelers around Uganda still avoid it.
The Karamoja region is a bit hard to reach if you don’t have your own transport, but if you can spare few extra days, you should not have any second thoughts. Instead of violent people, the Karamojongs are now curious, friendly and hospitable. Not many people visit them, so prepare yourself to get a very, VERY big attention – maybe for some, an unpleasant one, but this will definitely be one of the most unforgettable experiences, you will do on your Uganda travel.
16. Enjoy a diverse landscape
I almost could say, Uganda offers every landscape, you can see in Africa. Uganda has it all – jungle, savannas, lakes, rivers, mountains…The only thing it is missing is the desert and the sand dunes.
17. Try the typical food
Due to lots of water in Uganda, the food is very diverse and not really as boring as you might think. Yes, the famous green bananas (matoke) are still the number one choice, but you can get all sorts of vegetables and fruit here. Due to the river Nile and Victoria Lake, even the fish lovers will not be able to complain. Try the local eateries, but be prepared to wait at least two hours for a meal, if it is made out of something else than chapati and matoke.
18. Visit local markets
First think which you will notice, are colors… Not only because of the colorful veggies and fruit, even the people and their dresses are something you put a shine on. Open your eyes and ears and enjoy the lively markets in all their beauties.
19. Swim in Lake Kyaninga
Swim in the cool, clear waters of Lake Kyaninga, one of western Uganda’s prettiest crater lakes, whilst staying at the Kyaninga Lodge.
20. Hike to the 100 meter high Sipi waterfall
If you like water and intensive green color, you should never miss out on this beautiful and powerful waterfall. Get yourself a local guide, who will cost you almost nothing and find out all about the local life in the nearby village. While hiking down the waterfall, you will be challenged by the steep leather, shaking knees and sweat, but as soon as you take your eyes on the waterfall you will know, why you are here.
