9 Magical Places Visited by Tourists in Uganda
Here are the 9 magical places that tourists should not miss while on a visit in Uganda
Uganda the pearl of Africa located in East Africa astride the equator has some diverse landscapes that include western arm of the east African and Albertine rift valley, Virunga volcanoes, Nile valley, snow capped Rwenzori Mountains, tropical rainforests, wetlands and lush savannah plains. The country has perfect destinations and many attractions to satisfy needs of every traveler. That’s why we share and let you know about best magical places that you must visit if you decide to visit Uganda on a safari.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park Uganda’s premier destination is home to 400 individuals which are half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Many tourists visit the park for a really special wildlife experience; mountain gorilla trekking safaris provide a chance to see some of the 14 habituated gorilla families in their natural wild. Tourist visit are limited to only 8 people per day, so book your gorilla permit in advance.
Bwindi is a wonderful park to visit for nature loving visitors. The park has a stunning location at the edge of the Albertine rift valley in southwestern Uganda. The entire Bwindi landscape is green, wet and misty containing ancient plants and 120 mammals, colorful butterflies and 346 birds including 23 Albertine rift endemics. There are also sparkling waterfalls, orchids, flowers, clean refreshing streams which can be explored by guided nature walks.
Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is an ancient tropical rainforest located in the rift valley floor in western Uganda. Accessible by 5 hours drive from Kampala, Kibale forest is an adventurous place to add to your list of places to visit. Famed as the capital primate of the world and indeed there are 13 species of primates including chimpanzee. There are also over 300 species of birds and large mammals such as elephants, lions which offer game viewing opportunities.
What’s so special about this park is chimpanzee tracking. Standing a few meters away from chimpanzee which share 98.7% of human DNA is humbling and reminds you of our ancestral origin. Then hiking, nature walks offer chances to spot primates, birds, butterflies, medicinal plants just getting you close to nature and breathtaking.
Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves
Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves are located near fort portal town in western Uganda and can be visited on a day trip from Kibale forest national park. A visit to the caves is all about learning, going back to ancient folklore and local culture of Toro kingdom, exploring waterfalls and hiking around three of the rift valley floor crater lakes that surround the caves. Geographically, Amabere caves are an ancient stalactites and stalagmites which you’ll see dripping calcium carbonate that looks like “breast milk”. But the local traditions make you understand the cultural significance of the caves to the kingdom of Toro. Once upon a time, there was a king of Toro named Bukuku who had recived a prophecy from his ancestors that there would be a girl Nyina Mwiru who will give birth to a son (Nahura) that will kill you and inherit your kingdom. It was bad news to the king Bukuku who decided to attack the girl, chop off her breasts and thrown them in the caves hence the name Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves.
Sipi Falls
At the edge of Mount Elgon National park in Eastern Uganda featuring the world’s largest caldera are the Sipi falls. They are a series of three waterfalls falling over 100 meter cliff. It’s a cool place to relax, breathtaking fresh air as you stand beneath the waterfalls. Nature walks around the falls are just magical with eye-catching views of the Mount Elgon and semi-arid plains of Karamoja. Sipi falls being located at the edge of Mt. Elgon, there are a lot of activities for visitors to discover the area. Sipi River provides spot fishing opportunities, there are 14 rock climbing routes, and fit hikers can go for mountain climbing, exploring the Arabic coffee villages with cultural encounters of the Bagisu. A trip to Sipi falls can be easily incorporated in your safari to Mount Elgon national park designated as UNESCO man and biosphere reserve due to its biological diversity. The park is home to big game such as elephants, buffalos, leopards, hyenas, zebras, several antelope species and over 300 species of birds with a special lammergeyer, Uganda’s endemic bird.
Source of the Nile
The source of the Nile evokes a great adventure packed yet relaxing safari for travelers. White water rafting is the major activity, with the White Nile offering grade five to one rapids. Even though rafting isn’t your favorite activity, you’ll find amazing things to and see.
River Nile is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Definitely a must visit area easily accessible by 11/2 hours drive from Kampala city to Jinja town. It can be a day trip or plan to stay for more days. Book one of the riverside lodges, camps, guest houses and hotels in Jinja town where you can chill, relax enjoy cool weather, drinks and local fish.
River Nile the benchmark of all rivers in the world claiming to be the longest starts to flow northwards from Victoria Nile in Jinja town. This is the real original birth place of the Nile as the British explorer Speke discovered it in 1860’s unlike other countries like Rwanda and Burundi which claim to have the furthest source. A magical experience for visitors is taking a boat ride to the real point marked the source of the Nile with Speke monument. The place is beautiful and gives you a chance to explore the magnificent Lake Victoria by 2 day house boat safari. With everything including accommodation, food and drinks on board, you sleep on water, wake up on colorful sunsets. Visitors can also go for horseback riding, quad biking and mountain through the Nile valley; the river banks are great to spot birds, otters and visit to the crocodile park with turtles and snakes. Bungee jumping is also available if your heart is brave enough to jump over 50 meters cliff.
Murchison Falls National park
Uganda’s largest conservation area, Murchison falls National Park has the 2nd powerful waterfall in Africa after Victoria Falls. And the top of the falls hike welcomes you to the park.
The waterfall is just one feature that makes the park such an attractively beautiful place to visit. The park’s diverse habitats such as palm dotted savanna, Nile delta wetlands, woodlands and tropical forests with a dry hot weather. These untouched ecosystems which are bisected by river Nile provide home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hartebeest, and bushbucks and large predators including lions, leopards, and hyenas can be seen on a game drive. Game viewing safari in the park is excellent as birding with over 451 species including the rare shoebill stork. Many of the accommodations are nestled along the banks of river Nile such as Paara safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge and many more to give you a refreshing stay in the park. Boat cruise to see the bottom of the falls with a trade mark rain bow, equatorial sunset views is exciting as you see hippos, crocodiles, water birds and game along the banks of the Nile. There are also spot fishing opportunities for anglers to fish the Nile perch and the biggest catch on record weighed 80kg.
Besides visiting Murchison Falls National park, the nearby Budongo forest is home to chimpanzees, several primates and a lot of birds. Visitors can drive early from Murchison to arrive early and catch up for chimp tracking. You can even spend a night, the place has eco-tourism center, camps and eco-lodges you can reserve a room in advance.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo valley is unfairly less visited and its remote location far in the north eastern Karamoja region of Uganda tells you there’s a hidden treasure to discover. Kidepo valley has been voted by CNN Travel as the most beautiful park in Africa. The park has expansive mixed semi-arid desert savanna grasslands plains; borassous palm trees, dry mountain landscape crossed by permanent and seasonal sand river valleys. Most of game viewing occurs in the Narus valley during dry seasons. It is an area rich in wildlife with 77 mammals and over 500 species of birds. Animals that are not found in other parks of Uganda can be seen in kidepo including cheetahs, jackals, Aard wolf, bat eared fox, ostrich, greater and lesser kudu. This park is home to largest buffalo herds in East Africa along with their predators like lions, hyenas and leopards. Other game includes elephants, zebras, giraffe and several antelopes. You’ll do game drives, hiking; nature walks in a quite wilderness and get a chance to interact with the IK indigenous tribe.
Kampala City
The capital of Uganda, Kampala formally set on seven hills, it has developed from being the traditional capital of Buganda kingdom into a modern business center and now spreads over 21 hills. Unlike the downtown area around Owino markets with many traders, taxis, boda boda, up town areas like Kololo, Golf course are green with lots of trees and clean streets. Beyond the scenic beautiful hills, Kampala is full of friendly and welcoming people who like to party, drink beer and never sleep at night. For that reason, Kampala is known as a sleepless city, you just need to explore its vibrant nightlife.
Visitors can enjoy a city tour visiting some of the historical landmarks such as Gaddafi national mosque and its tall tower give panoramic views of the whole city. Other notable places to visit include the UNESCO world heritage site Kasubi tombs, Makerere University the oldest in East Africa, Uganda museum, Ndere cultural center offers live cultural performances and places of warship like Bahai temple, Namirembe and Rubaga cathedrals.
Sesse Islands
If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or honeymoon vacation, Sesse islands beaches and lush tropical palm trees surrounding the islands are a delight place. Sesse islands are made up of 84 islands found in the middle of Lake Victoria, the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world. Bulago islands are the ones with beautiful white sand beaches. Accommodations on the island have electricity and amenities like campfires, swimming pools and Wi-Fi. You can relax, on the beach; enjoy drinks, fresh air and warm sun. Bulago islanda are a great base for boat trips to neighboring fishing villages or just remain and swim, play beach soccer, enjoy biking, nature walks around spotting sea birds, monkeys and interact with locals. Sesse islands are accessible by a 2 hours boat ride from Entebbe.
