10 Best Places to Visit in Uganda

Insights – Places to Visit in Uganda | 8 min read | December 4, 2024

Uganda is increasingly attracting global attention due to its rising economy, flourishing real estate market, and unparalleled natural beauty. For tourists and business professionals visiting this country, we have compiled a list of the 10 most amazing places to visit in Uganda.

From bewitching landscapes to thrilling interactions with wildlife, these sites are not to be missed out on.

You Might Also Like: 10 Best Airbnbs in Kampala to Check Out!

1. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

With a population of 459 mountain gorillas and 800+ animal and plant species, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Here are some things you can do at this national park,

Gorilla trekking safari

1. Gorilla habituation experiences by being with a gorilla family for 4 hours to learn about their lives up close
2. 1 or more days long hikes and nature walks
3. Birdwatching
4. Village walks for interaction with the locals and Batwa (original forest people) cultural experiences

Mountain bike rides

2. Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls Park is Uganda’s largest protected natural park and a blessing for wildlife enthusiasts. It is home to animals of all categories ranging from elephants, giraffes, and lions to over 450 bird species.

The wide range of activities offered at the Murchison Falls National Park makes it one of the best places to visit in Uganda.

Some fun things you can experience here are,

1. Visit the world’s most powerful waterfall – Murchison Falls
2. Game drives including both self and guided ones with multiple track options
3. Boat cruise along the Nile River (Bottom of the Falls, and Albert Delta Launch Cruise)
4. Birdwatching
5. Animal observation, chimpanzee tracking
6. Sport fishing

Hot air balloon rides

Local interactions

Check Out: Best Neighborhoods in Kampala to Stay!

3. Jinja

Jinja, famously known as the “Adventure Capital of East Africa”, is a city in Eastern Uganda, alongside Lake Victoria. Jinja offers a vast range of outdoor activities for adrenaline junkies.

Here are some experiences you can enjoy in Jinja,

White-water rafting in the River Nile
Bungee jumping over the Nile
Quad biking on village and dirt trails
Kayaking and Canoeing
Horseback riding
Historical and architectural tours
Visit to the Kyabazinga Palace

Bujagali Falls (source of the Nile) – A place of great spiritual experience. The waterfall is submerged now, however, there are many relaxing water activities to experience

4. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Covering over 1,978 square kilometers and three different districts, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a safari enthusiast’s dream. This park is home to many animals including tree-climbing lions and spotted hyenas, and offers much more to do than just safari rides.

Here’s what you can enjoy at this national park,

2 hour long boat cruises covering about 40km distance on the Kazinga channel
Game drives for tracking animals like chimpanzees, lions, Ugandan kobs, and elephants.
Birdwatching
Visit to the Katwe Salt Crater Lake
Kilingoro cultural dances and other interactions with the local Businga community

You Might Also Like: 12 Best Places to Visit in Kampala

5. Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori mountain range is a 120km long range with the highest peak standing 16,000ft tall. Also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” this range is famous for mountain hiking, camping, and climbing particularly in the 6 ranges part of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Some major tourist attractions here include,

Diverse vegetation and rich forests for animal tracking, birdwatching, etc.
Snow peaks famous for skiing

The 20 Rwenzori lakes and the streams originating from them

6. Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake. It is one of the major tourist attractions and has now become a cultural icon.

Historically and culturally, Lake Victoria holds great significance as it was an important place for the local Aboriginal culture, and used to be called by various names such as Ukerewe, Nam Lolwe, and Nnalubaale.

Some famous activities here include,

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary which is home to 40+ rescued chimpanzees
Ssese Islands, an archipelago of 84 islands with 43 inhabited ones
Sailing across the Lake Victoria
Canoeing to Makanaga Swamp Bay and Mabamba Bay for Shoebill spotting
Relaxing at lake beaches and resorts
Trip to the equator crossing point on Lwaji Island

Check Out: Gated Communities in Uganda You Need to Check Out in 2024

7. Lake Bunyonyi

Often called the “Switzerland of Africa,” Lake Bunyonyi is one of the most tranquil lakes in Uganda. It has over 29 islands and is well known for its hill terraces and beautiful landscapes.

Lake Bunyonyi combined with its rich and biodiverse islands offers both water and land activities as well as those relating to wild animals. This makes it perfect for people of all interests. For example, some things you can do here include,

Relax at the lake shores with fresh food
Canoeing and boat trips
Cycling tours
Birdwatching
Bunyonyi cultural tours

Swim as this lake is free from harmful parasites and wild animals like crocodiles. However, Lake Bunyonyi is the world’s third deepest lake, so care is essential.

8. Kasubi Tombs

The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial grounds of the four Kubakas or Buganda kings. These tombs offer unique insights into the traditional architectural approaches of the past as they cover over 26 hectares and are built purely from vegetal materials.

You can visit the tombs to learn about the stories from the past and participate in cultural encounters.

There are also multiple ceremonies held throughout the year such as the royal burial ceremonies, the new moon ceremony, and the consultation of the mediums ceremonies which are, however, held in private.

Check Out: 7 Ways to Make Money Property Flipping in Uganda

9. Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Just a short drive from Kampala, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens cover 40 acres of land and are home to over 500 plant species and many animals.

The Entebbe Gardens are perfect for strolls and birdwatching. However, many people also visit for family picnics and short retreats. You can travel with a guide or explore on your own to enjoy nature here.

10. Kampala City

Kampala city is Uganda’s rich capital city that is slowly becoming a global favorite with its amazing city and nightlife.

Some places you can visit in Kampala include,

The Gaddafi National Mosque – A mosque of great cultural, religious, and architectural significance built on Old Kamala Hill and on the exact spot where the British first marked their flag
Kabaka’s Place – The royal palace of Buganda Kingdom
Baha’i Temple – 265ft tall house of worship built by collaborations among Belgium, Germany, Britain, and Uganda.
Rubaga-Kathedrale – A magnificent 250ft long cathedral built over a period of 10 years and can accommodate 5000+ people

Ready to visit Uganda? Let us handle accommodation for you. Check out TLG Living Group’s rental properties here.

7-Step Guide to Buying a House in Uganda

Aug 08, 2024

7 simple steps to buying a house in Uganda with expert advice, recommendations, and tips to make the process smoot ...

load articles

Featured Insights

Testimonials

“The TLG Living Group delivered on my high-expectations and I would highly recommend their Bukoto Living project to anyone who is in the market to buy a home or make a real estate investment in Kampala."

“I would highly recommend TLG as a property developer to anyone who is in the market to buy a modern property in Kampala.“

Azmi Anees

Azmi, with a passion for storytelling, has extensive experience in developing informative content on real estate, finance, technology, education, and lifestyle.

Get in Touch

Connect with TLG expert.

Register

Reset Password