Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures

Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures: Famously known as the “Pearl of Africa”, it is a favoured travel spot for its stunning landscapes. Sir Winston Churchill gave it this name in 1908. The country boasts diverse cultures, friendly people, beautiful views, rolling hills, and rich wildlife. Key attractions include Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and Lake Bunyonyi, the second-deepest lake. Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall, is also notable. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for gorilla trekking, while Queen Elizabeth National Park offers tree-climbing lions and chimpanzee experiences. Uganda’s parks suit adventurers, birdwatchers, and those wanting to see the Big Five.

What to Know About Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures

Queen Elizabeth National

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the oldest parks in Western Uganda, covering about 1,979 square kilometres. It features beautiful scenery, including crater lakes and diverse plants and animals, located in the Albertine Rift Valley. Visitors can see various wildlife on game drives, such as crocodiles, elephants, and leopards, and track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. The park is also known for its tree-climbing lions and has over 600 bird species. Activities include wildlife drives, nature walks, bird watching, and boat rides on the Kazinga Channel.

Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is located about 310 kilometres from Kampala in northwest Uganda. It is the largest and oldest national park in the country, covering 3,840 square kilometres. Established in 1952, the park features the impressive Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile cascades down 43 metres. Visitors can see over 450 bird species and various animals like lions, hippos, and elephants. Birdwatchers may enjoy spotting species like the shoebill stork. Sport fishing and exploring the Kaniyo Pabidi woodland are also popular activities.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary-Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures

Visitors to Uganda should include the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in their BIG FIVE Safari, as it is the only place to see rhinos. Founded in 2005, the sanctuary aims to reintroduce southern white rhinos that were poached in the 1980s. Trekking with a ranger allows close encounters with rhinos and also provides a chance to see other wildlife like monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The best place to see mountain gorillas is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has over 200 tree species and nearly 1,000 flowering plants. It is also home to 220 butterfly types, 347 bird species, and various mammals like chimpanzees and monkeys. Bwindi is famous for gorilla trekking safaris, with around 459 mountain gorillas to see.

Kibale National Park-Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures

Chimpanzees and other species can be seen in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park, a thriving rainforest. With a 99.9% tracking success rate, it is home to more than 1,500 chimpanzees and spans 797 square kilometres in western Uganda. The social systems of the chimpanzees, where dominant males lead groups, are visible to visitors. 13 other primate species, such as olive baboons and black-and-white colobus monkeys, can be found in the park. More than 370 species are available for birdwatchers to see, including the Blue-headed Sunbird and the great turaco. For those who enjoy the outdoors, a trip to Kibale gives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe chimpanzee family relations.

Mabamba Wetland

You hear a rustle in the reeds and lift your binoculars to find a giant Shoebill with a large wingspan. Mabamba Swamp, located about 12 km west of Entebbe on the shore of Lake Victoria, is a top spot for birdwatchers. Mabamba has over 300 bird species and is Uganda’s most important birding location. The swamp is ecologically significant and was named a “Wetland of International Importance” in 2006 due to its internationally threatened species. BirdLife International recognizes Mabamba as an Important Bird Area.

Lake Bunyonyi-Uganda’s Top Travel Treasures

Lake Bunyonyi is a beautiful lake in southwest Uganda, near the Rwandan border. It covers 61 square kilometres and is about 25 kilometres long and 7 kilometres wide. Although it is scientifically measured to be about 40 metres deep, local legends say it could be as deep as 900 metres. The lake has 29 islands and offers many activities. Swimming is safe because there is no bilharzia, and there are over 210 bird species to see. Canoeing is one of the famous and unique activities carried out along the lake that gives you an opportunity to explore the 29 islands found on the lake.