Uganda Top Destinations

Best time to visit All year-round
Capital Kampala
Population 49 Million
Area 200,520km²

Introducing Uganda

Visiting the Pearl of Africa for business or leisure has never been easier. Uganda’s tourism is diverse in landscape, culture, flora and fauna. Sir Winston Churchill dubbed it the “Pearl of Africa due to its colourful nature. Uganda is home to the source of the world's longest river (the Nile), the world's remaining Mountain Gorillas, and vast and diverse natural wildlife reserves. The country has tropical, all-year-round summer weather, a diverse cultural heritage of over 50 local tribes, snow-capped mountains, natural water rafting spots, and vibrant nightlife.

Overview

Uganda Safari Experience

A wealth of unexploited natural resources and a young, educated population. Wildlife safaris are the most popular tourist attraction in Uganda. Uganda is famous for its trekking experiences of the most endangered gorillas and is ranked one of only ten countries for these wildlife creatures. Mountain gorillas are the main tourist attractions in Uganda, located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a few in Mgahinga National Park. Uganda’s tree-climbing lions are a must-see, as they are uncommon in other parts of Africa. While on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will see this unique phenomenon. Visit Kibale Forest National Park, home to the largest population of chimpanzees or the picturesque Murchison Falls. If you enjoy watersports such as water boating, rafting, kayaking and fishing, these are popular activities on the rapids close to the source of the River Nile in Jinja. It is a fantastic opportunity to spot many hippos, crocodiles, and bird species. If you are a mountain climbing and hiking enthusiast, plan your adventures in the Rwenzori Mountains Margherita Peak (5109 Metres), the highest mountain range in Africa.

uganda safari map
bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s main gorilla trekking destination and a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to 460 mountain gorillas, which is some 43% of the global population. Roughly 300 of Bwindi’s gorillas, split across more than 25 family groups, have been habituated to tourist visits. The park is also rewarding for bird-watchers, with 23 Albertine Rift endemics listed among the 350 recorded species. At least 10 primate species occur in Bwindi, including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, olive baboon, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey and L’Hoest’s monkey. The only representative of the Big Five is a population of seldom-seen elephants (DNA analysis of spoor indicates they are mostly critically endangered forest elephants). Bushbuck and various forest duikers can sometimes be spotted. Bwindi has very impressive bird and butterfly checklists. Another special is the 30cm/1ft-long Rwenzori three-horned chameleon, a striking Albertine Rift endemic.

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kibale national park

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is located on the western side of Uganda, covering an area of 795 square kilometres (493 sq mi) and an elevation of 1590m above sea level. Kibale is one of the most stunning parks in Uganda, with varied vegetation ranging from moist green forest, Fort Portal Plateau, dry tropical forest, woodland and savannah. The vegetation rises above 55m and establishes a semi-closed canopy. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best and most exciting parks, with many attractions making it one of the top destinations in Uganda.

There are 13 primate species, including L’ Hoest’s monkeys, East Africa's largest population of the endangered species, Ugandan red colobus monkeys, the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-checked mangabeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bush babies. The park has approximately 350 bird species and approximately 250 Butterfly species.

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kidepo valley national park

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in northeastern Uganda. “Kidepo” comes from an Indigenous word from the local tribes, “akidep,” which means to pick under. The park covers an area of 1,442 sq km (577 sq mi) and is located remotely compared to other Ugandan Parks. It is undoubtedly one of the best wilderness destinations in Africa. It is a hidden gem unknown to many, making it unique, engaging, and perfect for quiet and phenomenal game drives and birdwatching safaris.

The magnificent characteristics of the park are the savannah landscape and mountain features. The park has a plethora of wildlife, with over 77 mammal species recorded, some of them being endangered species only found in this park and not in other parks in Uganda, which makes it a fantastic location for prime game viewing. The park is home to over 475 bird species, making it a top destination for birding activities.

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mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda. It is located on the southwestern side and covers an area of 33.9 sq km (13.1 sq mi). It is one of the few parks in the world that is a haven for mountain gorillas. Additionally, the park is home to golden monkeys, a unique type of primate that is also found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The park is also home to about 39 mammal species and 115 bird species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park protects the northeast slopes of the Virungas, a majestic range of freestanding volcanoes that are shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Other activities in this small but spectacular park include golden monkey trekking and steep hikes to three volcanic peaks.

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murchison falls national park

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. The park covers an area of 1483 sq miles(3840 sq km). It is located in northern Uganda at the reaches of the Albertine Rift Valley, with its terrain bisected by the Victoria Nile River. The park is a must-see when visiting Uganda. It is renowned for its most powerful Murchison Waterfall, which emits approximately 300 cubic meters of water per second or 11,000 ft3/s and is the park's main attraction. Murchison Falls National Park is also home to four of the “Big Five” (elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and lions), except for the rhinos.

Over 73 animal species have been recorded in the park, and approximately 450 bird species, making it a top destination for avid birdwatchers. A variety of primates live in the park, with over 600 chimpanzees.

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queen elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an area of 764 square miles(1,978 sq Km). The park is Located in the southwestern region of Uganda and stretches between Lake Edward on the South and Lake George to the north, with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. It is the most famous park in Uganda. The park has a diverse ecosystem comprising tropical high forests, acacia savannah, salt lakes, savannah grasslands, tundra and wetlands. The park has abundant wildlife and over 100 mammal species that can be spotted. Despite the park being famous for wildlife viewing, you can enjoy picturesque landscapes of volcanic cones, craters and crater lakes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the only park in Uganda where you will witness the unique phenomenon of the famous and unique tree-climbing lions. The shores of Kazinga Channel attract abundant wildlife, and the park is home to the biggest floats of crocodiles and bloats of hippos in the world.

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semuliki national park

Semuliki National Park

Semliki national park is famous for being home to the largest population of Uganda kobs and birds. The park is a rich wildlife destination with a variety of tourist attractions. The reserve hosts a number of mammals approximately 53 species for example antelopes, buffaloes, Uganda knobs, waterbuck, leopards, lions and forest elephants, primates such as black and white colobus monkey, olive baboons, red tailed monkey, and vervet monkey. Semliki national park a bird haven and perfectdestination for birding as it hosts a variety of bird species approximately 420 species in lowland tropical forests with in the park such as Blue Swallow, White-throated Blue Swallow, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Spotted Greenbul, White-starred Robin, Lowland Akalat, Red-throated Alethe, Fire-crested Alethe, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-eyed Puffback, White-tailed Robin-Chat, Northern Bearded Scrub-Robin, Capped Wheatear, Common Stonechat, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, Oberlaender’s Ground-Thrush including the rare shoe bill, Abyssinian ground hornbill and sunbirds among others.

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