What to Do and See in Uganda -The Pearl of Africa
The Amazing Top Things to Do and See in Uganda – Picked by our Safar
“The Top Things to Do and See in Uganda.” The Country is nicknamed “the Pearl of Africa,” which Winston popularized with his book “My African Journey.”Â
Winston Churchill was quite enthused about what he found in Uganda as you can see, “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is true “the Pearl of Africa.”
Today, in the 21st Century, Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, still amaze even the most seasoned African Travelers with its incredible primate and wildlife experiences, temperate, tropical climate, and lush green landscape its friendly and welcoming people.
You, like others before you, will fall in love with the Country’s impressive attractions and one-of-a-kind things that you can’t see or do anywhere else on the African continent. It is a country that so impressed Winston Churchill that he wrote in 1908, “The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The landscape is different… from anything elsewhere to
be seen in the whole range of Africa.”
Our Safari Clients like Winston Churchill have been equally impressed with Uganda long before them. The Country, the sights, the things to do and see have remained with them. We have compiled a list of what hundreds of our clients enjoyed most about Uganda. The things that they enjoyed seeing and doing in the Pearl of Africa.
The Top Things to Do and See in Uganda the Pearl of Africa
Here are the Top 15 Things to Do and See in Uganda according to our Safari Clients
1. Mountain Gorilla TrekkingÂ
Uganda’s star attraction is its Mountain Gorillas. Tracking them takes place in two distinctly different habitats, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park in the Gorilla Highlands of Uganda.
The Gorillas are on the bucket list for many African Travelers. It is here where you can have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the gentle giants of the forest.
Uganda is the Premier Mountain Gorilla Destination for three reasons. Safe Tracking and affordability and, most of all, the experience of the encounter.
Uganda gives you an additional choice when seeing the Mountain Gorillas, which is more time with them. The Gorilla Habituation gives up to four hours, habituating a gorilla family.
It is now the preferred choice for Primate Enthusiast. The only problem is that there are only four permits each day, unlike typical gorilla trekking. Planning well in advance makes the Habituation a reality.
2. Chimpanzee TrekkingÂ
Tracking the chimpanzees is high on the list of visitors to Uganda, and there is no better country for it. Uganda is home to over 5,000 chimpanzees, 1,500 in its premier primate park, Kibale Forest.
Beyond Kibale Forest, there are four other spots where you can track our closest cousins in the animal kingdom.
There is nothing like being with a lively troop of chimpanzees in the wild. You might have seen chimpanzees in a zoo, but that does not compare to seeing them in their natural environment.
There are two ways that you can see the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. There is the typical chimpanzee trek. It is not a challenging hike like gorilla trekking and usually takes three hours. We have never had clients miss seeing the chimpanzees on a regular outing.
The second way you can see the chimpanzees is through the habituation experience. There is the half-day one, and the full-day with a chimpanzee troop habituated in the forest. The chimpanzee habituation experience takes more energy but gives you more time with a Chimpanzee troop.
3. Golden Monkey Trekking
The Golden Monkey is a rare primate species endemic to the Virunga Volcanoes in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Uganda, they are found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in the southwest of Uganda. The park is home to a large number of the remaining Golden Monkeys.
Uganda has the most Golden Monkeys, and several groups are open for visitation. You can also go on a more extended Golden Monkey Habituation Experience.
The experience of being in their presence in the Bamboo Forest of the Volcanoes is fantastic. They will be all around you. They are pretty handsome and stand out from other primates.
It is an endangered species, and of the issues is that they are not reproducing enough, and their numbers are slowly declining. They are also not confused with the Chinese Golden Monkeys, which are different.
4. Tree-Climbing LionsÂ
The famous tree-climbing lions of Uganda are found in the Ishasha Region in Queen Elizabeth Park.
It is the best location in East Africa for Tree-Climbing Lions. There are about 50 plus lions that can be found sleeping the day away in the fig trees on the Savannah in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth.
The Lions are best seen in the mornings after 8 am and before 6 pm. They rest from the night’s hunt sleeping up to fifteen hours in the trees. Because of the smoothness, Fig Trees is their preferred choice, but Acacia trees are also used.
Scientists are still trying to figure out why. They have come up with various ideas, such as avoiding insects on the ground or cultural adaption by the lions.
We may not know why they climb up into the trees but seeing them in the trees is not to be missed.
5. Visiting the Equator
Not to Miss:Â Visiting the Equator in Uganda – The Pearl of Africa while traveling toward Western Uganda or returning from Bwindi Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Lake Mburo Park.
Uganda is one of the eleven nations worldwide where the Equator runs through it. The best place to visit and explore the Equator in Uganda is Kayabwe, Mpigi District, seventy-two kilometers from Kampala.
You can also find equator markers near Entebbe, Queen Elizabeth Park. However, the site of choice is on the road west toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and beyond.
Do not miss a visit to the Equator while on Safari in Western Uganda. It is a perfect Lunch stop halfway to or from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Lake Mutanda or Lake Bunyonyi, and Queen Elizabeth Park.
We stop at the Equator on all our Safaris going west or returning to Kampala or Entebbe|
3. The River Nile – with its many Adrenaline Pumping Adventurous Experiences:
Uganda is home to the Lake Victoria Source of the Nile in Jinja, East Africa’s Adventure Capital. Some of the best White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Bungee Jumping are found.
Jinja has become the place for adrenaline junkies. The reason, Jinja offers a variety of experiences beyond Whit-Water Rafting. It is also an affordable Adventure Destination.
The White Nile flows north through Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. Besides Jinja, you do not want to miss the sight of the Nile plunging down the Western Rift Escarpment in Murchison Falls Park. Which is the most potent Waterfall in the world, and as you take a Hike up along the Falls, you will feel the ground trembling from the force of this mighty River.
The River Nile, one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
4. Kidepo Valley – Africa’s Number 3 Wildlife Park – Africa as it used to be:
The remote and unvisited Kidepo Valley Park is always talked about. It receives Accolades such as being named the number one destination by Wanderlust. CNN Travel called it the 3rd Best Park in Africa. It also has been called a lost Eden. To us, it is African as it used to be, as you might imagine it.
Experience vast Buffalo herds, Giraffes, majestic Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Zebras, Rothschild Giraffes, Ostriches, and more. All this without the crowds found in most African Wildlife Parks.
The remote Kidepo Valley Park is home to splendid scenery and wildlife and one of Cultural Discoveries. Visit the Ik People high on Mount Morungole, where the only road is a footpath, and the Karamojong Tribe, a fierce Warrior – Nomad Tribe where cattle is king.
Kidepo Valley Park – one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
5. Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth Park- Best Place in Africa to see them:
Ishasha Region in Queen Elizabeth Park is the best location in East Africa to see Tree-Climbing Lions. About 50 plus lions in four prides daily climb up into the Fig-Trees.
The Lions are best seen in the trees after 8 am, and before 6 pm. they sleep the day away, up to 15 hours, in the trees’ comfort.
Scientists are still trying to figure out why. There are various ideas such as avoiding insects on the ground or even something unique to these Lions.
The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth Park- one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda. Ishasha is the best location for Tree-Climbing Lions in all of East Africa.
6. Rhino Trekking on Foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary:
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a large sprawling wildlife reserve on the way to Murchison Falls National Park. Here you can track Rhinos on foot and get close up for some great photo opportunities as you are accompanied by Rangers. They take you on this unique trek and give you insight into the Rhinos’ daily lives.
The Sanctuary is a conservation and Preservation Project intended to restock Murchison Falls National Park.
The Rhino Trek is taken by most of our clients that we take on Safari to Murchison Falls Park. It also can be an overnight stop with Rhino Trek for Clients on their way to Kidepo Valley Park.
The Rhinos of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
7. The largest Population of the Endangered Rothschild Giraffes in Africa:
The Rothschild Giraffes also called the Baringo or Uganda Giraffes, are endangered. They are the tallest and most majestic giraffes. The best place in Africa to see them in the Wild is Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park.
Here you can find herds exceeding 50 in number on the Savannah, a fantastic sight. There are 1,000 Rothschild Giraffes in the park, a smaller amount in Kidepo Valley Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Such Rothschild Giraffes are only found in Murchison Falls National Park and no other East Africa parks.
The Rothschild Giraffes- one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
8. The Elusive Endangered Shoebill Stork – see this Prehistoric Bird in Uganda:
The Shoebill Stork – its habitat is under threat, myths and legends have gotten killed, Eggs Stolen for International Trade. Despite all of that, you can see the Shoebill Stork throughout various parks and places in Uganda.
If the Shoebill Stork is the Bird you would like to see on Safari with us, we will make sure you do.
The Shoebill Storks can be found in Mabamba Swamp and Lugogo Swamp inside Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, on the River Nile in Murchison Falls Park. Along Lake George in Queen Elizabeth Park and the Semliki Wildlife Reserve, a few places.
The Prehistoric Shoebill Stork – one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
9. The Golden Monkeys found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park:
The Golden Monkeys are found only in the Virunga Volcanoes, located in Uganda in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in the Country’s Southwest Corner.
Uganda has the most Golden Monkeys, and several groups are open for visitation. You can also go on a more extended Golden Monkey Habituation Experience. The experience of being in their presence in the Bamboo Forest of the Volcanoes is fantastic. They will be all around you. They are handsome and stand out from other primates.
It is an endangered species, and of the issues is that they are not reproducing enough, and their numbers are slowly declining. They are also not confused with the Chinese Golden Monkeys, which are different.
The endangered Golden Monkeys – one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
10. The Batwa PEOPLE – the First People of the Forest:Â
The Batwa People were the first to live in Southwest Uganda, neighboring Congo and Rwanda. They lived in forests. They were hunters and gatherers and lived in harmony with nature, never taking more than they could use.
The Batwa People were evicted in 1991 from the forests to make room for tourism. It was done without compensation when the parks were established. Their lives were reduced to begging, and they became squatters, a people without representation. Today, they keep their culture alive. They take tourists into the ancient forests and showing them how they lived, the medicines they gathered, the berries they ate, and the small mammals they hunted. You can spend time with them n the Buhoma Area of Bwindi Forest, Buniga Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Authentic Cultural Encounters with the Batwa – one of the Top Things to do and see in Uganda.
Discover Our Uganda:
Experience the Uganda that we know, friendly, safe, secure, and stable. The safest place in Uganda is on a Safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.
We do one thing only, Create Memorable Safaris in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda. Something we have done for over a decade. Moderately Priced and Luxury Safaris in the Heart of Africa.
Uganda is more than Mountain Gorillas, a reality that many do not realize. The most bio-diverse Country in Africa, no wonder it is called the Pearl of Africa.
Discover Uganda we know on Safari. Allow us to assist you as you plan your time in Africa and introduce you to the most bio-diverse country on the continent.
We do only one thing to create memorable Safaris in the Pearl of Africa – Uganda.
There are more Top Things To Do and See in Uganda. You can Hike through Uganda, See and Do things on a Family Safari in Kid-Friendly Uganda, See the Romantic Side of Uganda on a Honeymoon – Uganda when it comes to Tourist Attractions. Things to do and see are filled with endless Choices.
