Unique Things to Do in Uganda, Attractions, From Our Locals

Go mountain gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is at the top of our list of things to do in Uganda. You can’t get any better than this if you’re seeking adventure! In the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, get up and personal with mountain gorillas.

Because there are only 720 wild mountain gorillas left on the earth, only a few people get to spend time with them in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is thus a fascinating and totally unique experience and one that is understandably on many people’s bucket lists! Here are 20 more things to know about trekking with mountain gorillas.

Are you feeling inspired? Why not take a look at our Uganda trips? Let’s go on an adventure together!

Visit endangered rhinos

You won’t see rhinos in Uganda’s national parks because of poaching (the country’s last wild rhino was killed in 1982). The good news is that numerous white rhinos are contentedly residing in the vast Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

The rhino reintroduction project founded the refuge in 2005, and proceeds from visitors go toward the breeding program and eventual release of the rhinos into the wild! On 7,000 acres of pasture, these rare, gorgeous creatures are free to roam.

On a one- to two-hour journey, observe them up close as they roam in their natural habitat. This is a once-in-a-lifetime African adventure not to be missed!

Canoe on Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest lake, is one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders. As a result, it’s also on our top 20 things to do in Uganda list! The lake is bordered by beautiful, terraced hills, but it’s the 29 islands dotted across the water that make it truly magical.

It’s a great location to unwind, go bird watching, or explore the neighborhood on a quad bike. The word Bunyonyi literally means ‘birds’ in the local language, and yes, you guessed it – it’s so named because the lake is home to a diverse range of bird species! Prepare your camera and take in the breathtaking views.

Paddle to one of Lake Bunyonyi’s numerous secret islands aboard traditional Ugandan wooden boats, one of which has a little adventure park with a zip line!

Also, remember to bring your swimsuit. Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda’s few lakes free of bilharzia (a parasite widespread in southern Africa), making its waters safe to swim in. Yippee! It is also devoid of harmful animals such as hippos and crocodiles. A larger yippee is in order.

Are you feeling inspired? Why not take a look at our Uganda trips? Let’s go on an adventure together!

Go on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

If you’re a nature lover, you’ve probably heard of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s Uganda’s most popular tourist attraction and most visited national park, and it’s easy to see why. Lions, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and elephants are among the 96 mammal species that call it home. At close range, you can see them all.

You may also see the park’s tree-climbing lions! African lions rarely climb trees. Nobody knows why a small number of lions in Uganda and Tanzania climb trees while their brethren do not. Some believe they climb trees to avoid being bitten by tsetse flies. Others think it’s a means for them to get away from the heat on the ground. Whatever the case may be, they appear to be quite comfortable!

Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Take a boat safari on Kazinga Channel

This canal, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George, is one of the most important features in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and should not be overlooked!

Hippos dwell side by side with Nile crocodiles in the park, which is home to the world’s biggest concentration of hippos.
I wouldn’t want to get my feet wet in that water!

Taking a boat tour down the channel keeps you at a safe distance while still allowing you to observe these wonderful creatures in their natural home.

Are you feeling inspired? Why not take a look at our Uganda trips? Let’s go on an adventure together!

Visit the salt pans of Lake Katwe

Lake Katwe is a traditional salt-mining lake with excellent salt. On the lake’s side, small salt mines form a lovely pattern. We recommend stopping by on your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park to watch how the salt is mined by the local residents.

The lake was produced as a result of a catastrophic volcanic explosion, just so you know.

Explore the town of Entebbe

Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, is a tiny, green, and laid-back town. It’s an ideal location for adventure sports, environmental exploration, and cultural activities. Plus, Entebbe International Airport is right across the street! It’s the ideal overnight stop on your journey into or out of Uganda because of this.

Entebbe offers a variety of activities, including:

• riding a horse
• Entebbe Botanic Gardens is a must-see in Uganda.
• mountain biking at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary shopping at craft fairs (which protect orphaned chimps)
• Visiting the magnificent Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, among other things!

Have fun on Lake Victoria

Make the most of Lake Victoria while you’re in Entebbe! Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya all share this magnificent body of water. Spending time on the waves of Lake Victoria is unquestionably among our top 20 things to do in Uganda.
Some popular activities include:

• kayaking
• sunrise or sunset canoeing
• playing volleyball
• fishing
• swimming at Lido Beach

Explore the city of Kampala

Kampala, located northeast of Entebbe, is a vibrant and interesting city with a long and colorful history. Visiting Uganda’s capital city adds a new dimension to your trip and allows you to explore a different aspect of the country.

In the evening, our local guide might accompany you to a local restaurant or pub, which can be an adventure in and of itself! If you have time, visit the Kasubi Tombs, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the resting site of four Buganda kings.

Dinner at Ndere Cultural Centre is also recommended, as visitors are treated to a traditional dance performance.

Hike to Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls in Mount Elgon National Park, just a short drive from Kampala, is a sequence of three large waterfalls cascading in a 99-meter drop down the lower slopes of Mt Elgon.

You can go on a variety of hikes, many of which begin in Sipi’s modest trading center. A day trip from the main waterfall to the three smaller falls upstream, one of which has a magnificent bathing hole at its base, is possible if you’re feeling bold. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!

You may also abseil down the rock face next to the main waterfall, which is a must-do for thrill-seekers!

Adventure activities in Jinja

Uganda is the ideal destination to have an experience, and Jinja, a little colonial town, is the country’s adventure capital!

The White Nile emerges from Lake Victoria at Jinja. Many think this to be the Nile’s genuine source! It’s a stunning location, and we recommend staying here for at least a couple of nights to get your adrenaline pumping throughout the day and relax by the coast in the evenings.

The following are some of the interesting adventure activities available in or near Jinja:

• kayaking
• white-water rafting
• tubing
• mountain biking
• bungee jumping
• horse riding
• quad biking

Beautiful colonial-era buildings and a vibrant local community characterize the town.

Visit Murchison Falls

In 1952, Murchison Falls was designated as one of Uganda’s first national parks. It’s Uganda’s largest national park and one of the greatest places to visit if you’re interested in the country’s wildlife.

Elephants, crocodiles, endangered giraffes (more on these below), leopards, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, buffalos, hippos, antelopes, and waterbucks are all expected to be seen today. That’s quite a list! There are 460 different bird species in the park, including the shoebill stork.

Of course, a trip to Murchison Falls would be incomplete without seeing the falls up close and personal. This can be done on a memorable boat cruise.

Visiting the MOST POWERFUL WATERFALL IN THE WORLD – Murchison falls Uganda

Meet Rothschild’s giraffes

Rothschild’s giraffes are one of the world’s smallest populations of giraffes. There are just about 1,600 of them left in the wild, according to estimates. It is listed as “near threatened” by the IUCN. Only Kenya and Uganda are home to these giraffes.

The largest number of Rothschild’s giraffes can be found in Murchison Falls National Park. Rothschild’s giraffes are among the tallest giraffes, reaching about 6 meters in height!

A group of giraffes is known as a “tower of giraffes.” What a perfect match!

Zipline through Mabira Forest

Mabira Central Forest Reserve is located 44 kilometers east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and on the way to Jinja. As a result, it’s a simple addition to your Uganda itinerary.

It includes a magnificent zip line called the Mabira Forest Canopy Super Skyway, in addition to having a gorgeous, old rainforest suitable for excursions and exploratory walks. The zip line offers spectacular views of the canopy, and you’ll be able to glimpse the Musamya River as you soar over it.

Keep a look out for African fish eagles, palm nut vultures, and great blue turacos while you’re laughing and zipping through the air with your friends! You hike back to base camp via Griffin Falls at the end of the zip line.

Bike through Lake Mburo National Park

Although Lake Mburo National Park is smaller than the others, it is jam-packed with wildlife! Its ideal position, is halfway between Entebbe and Bwindi, making it an ideal stopover for anyone looking to avoid long trips or flights.

When you get there, why not do something a little different and go for a bike ride in the park as the sun sets? It’s Uganda’s only safari where you’re allowed to get out of the automobile! Zebras, antelopes, baboons, giraffes, and long-horn cattle can all be seen from a close distance.

While you can visit the national park at any time of day, morning game drives provide better photographic opportunities.

Trek to see Kibale Forest’s chimpanzees

Animal lovers flock to Uganda for more than just the gorillas. Chimpanzee trekking is a fascinating experience that you will not soon forget!

A chimp tracking expedition takes you on a guided journey through the gorgeous Kibale Forest in search of a group of chimps. You spend approximately an hour with them once you’ve found them, watching them feed, groom, play, and maybe even swing from one tree to another if you’re lucky!

Stand at the Ugandan Equator

The Ugandan Equator is one of the most photographed and well-known sites in the country, so get your Instagrammers ready. Of course, it is, because we all enjoy the thought of being in two locations at the same time!

You can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere at the Equator. As a result, you can effectively stand on both sides of the globe at the same time. Mind. Blown.

Hike in the Rwenzori Mountains

The towering, mist-shrouded Rwenzori Mountains are another excellent addition to our list of the top 20 things to do in Uganda!

The Rwenzori Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Uganda, are a hiker’s dream. You can go on a small day walks or go on longer, more difficult adventures. Mountaineers can attempt Mt Ngaliema (5,109 m), Africa’s fourth highest summit.

Because the range is distant and little-known, the vegetation in the misty heights of the mountains is uncommon and exotic, and the pathways are calm. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful part of the country that’s a must-see for anyone who likes mountain drama!

Rwenzori: Mountains of the Moon, Uganda

Visit a Batwa community

The Batwa people dwell near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the far southwest of the country. They are a pygmy group that has lost territory and independence as a result of the nationalization of their ancestral territories to build mountain gorilla reserves and the incursion of modern farming.

Visitors can personally support them by visiting one of their villages and learning about their traditions, beliefs, and way of life. Alternatively, you can embark on a Batwa-guided trip to a cave in the Mgahinga area, where you’ll also learn about their culture and traditions. The Batwa have a distinct cultural identity, and spending time with them is a rewarding experience.

While no group or society should be forced to display its culture in order to exist, the Batwa have lost their traditional hunting areas and rely on tourism revenue to survive. We believe that assisting the Batwa through courteous visits is a useful activity until the day comes when they will hopefully have a better, more sustainable future.

Visit the United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda to discover more about the Batwa and efforts striving to improve their well-being.

Hike to Sempaya Hot Springs

The Sempaya Hot Springs are powerful geothermal springs with temperatures reaching 100° C! The two hot springs are separated by a 30-minute hike. The two springs are referred to as the male and female springs by the locals.

Semuliki National Park in western Uganda is home to the hot springs. This park is underappreciated because it has both hot springs and a gorgeous wetland. It’s also adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, making it an excellent addition to a gorilla safari.

Apart from the hot springs, hiking in Semuliki National Area is a wonderful experience because it is a beautiful and ecologically diverse park. It is traversed by the Semuliki River before joining the Congo River.

The mangabey, black-and-white colobus, and red-tailed monkey are among the park’s many unique Old World primates. Blue kingfisher and tiny hornbill are two species to keep an eye out for.

Extra bonus: a game drive through Kidepo Valley National Park!

So, we said this was a top-20 list of things to do in Uganda. However, there’s a game park in the northeast of the country that we’ll visit as well. We can because we can. And it’s something we’d like to do.

Because it is so far from the country’s other major attractions, few visitors visit Kidepo Valley National Park. Those who do make the effort to get there, though, are rewarded with incredible gaming experiences.

The environment of the park is breathtaking, ranging from rocky outcrops to broad open grassland, inselbergs, and lush valleys. Importantly, wildlife viewing is exceptional. Lions, cheetahs, and elephants, as well as massive buffalo herds, are seen by many visitors. Other creatures in the park include mountain reedbucks, dik-diks, and kudus, as well as jackals, caracals, and aardwolves.