Uganda is known around the world as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ thanks to Winston Churchill, who is said to have boated, trekked, and travelled all over Uganda a century ago. This name has turned out to be a signature for the country. It is a well-deserved name defining the variety of natural wonders in Uganda.
Tourism is one of the key revenue generators in Uganda attracting more than 100,000 tourists annually. With numerous international airlines offering convenient flights into the country, there are a lot of interesting places to visit. Here are the top three places to visit in Uganda.
Mountain Gorillas at Bwindi National Park
One of the best Uganda attractions is the magnificent mountain gorillas, which are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, situated in the West of Uganda. The Bwindi impenetrable forest is home to some of the last surviving mountain gorillas. You have to get a gorilla-tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority before you begin your trip, or you could contact any of the several safari tour companies in Uganda. It can take around 8-10 hours of driving to reach the cloudy mountains of Bwindi. The gorilla trek could take approximately 2-5 hours depending on how fast the gorilla family travels.
Lake Mburo National Park
Suitably located on the highway that links Kampala to western Uganda, Lake Mburo is 50 kilometres of wetlands and swamps. Lake Mburo is home to a number of zebras, deer, hippos, jackals, hyenas, buffaloes, and smaller nocturnal mammals. A number of activities available include boat trips on Lake Mburo; walking and horseback safaris; and a visit to the observation hideout situated next to the salt lick and waterhole. Lake Mburo National Park is among the few parks in Uganda that are allowed to conduct night game drives which offer you a chance to see some nocturnal animals like the leopard, civet, porcupine, etc.
Murchison’s Falls National Park
Murchison’s Falls National Park is among the best places in Uganda to head for a game drive, especially if you don’t have a lot of time for long journeys. Situated only 3-4 hours drive away from Kampala, the Murchison’s Falls National Park gets its name from the beautiful Murchison’s Falls. You can see a wide range of buffaloes, waterbucks, and birds along the river.
One of the tourist attractions of this area is taking a launch boat all the way to the foot of the falls through a number of beautiful papyrus swamps. The trip will take around 3-4 hours. A lot of accommodation options ranging from basic to luxury lodges. Early morning game drives can be organized at the hotel reception. Prepare yourself to head out at 6 am in the morning for superb game sightings as the animals are likely to head into the bush as the day gets hotter. Wildlife found in these areas include leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, oribis, hartebeests, chimpanzees, Uganda kobs, and a vast array of wildlife species.
Customize Your Tour
Interested in Uganda Gorillas tours & Wildlife Safaris? Choose a Ugandan wildlife safari package that matches your interests or clicks below to customize a tour, tailored for you!