Ugandas Top Destinations
Five
MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS ON YOUR TOUR OF UGANDA
The country of Uganda is often immediately associated – in travel terms at least – with gorilla trekking. However, there is far more to this dynamic destination than only gorilla trekking! Uganda was once described as the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill. This description was based on the impact the country made on him for its remarkable beauty and biodiversity. Uganda offers a spectrum of scenery and wildlife, making it a unique and fascinating place to add to your travel bucket list.
There are numerous places to see within its borders. Take a look at Safari365’s quick guide to Uganda’s top destinations, including activities unique to each place, which will help you plan your tour of this beautiful country.
Bwindi
IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
From crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountains to dense jungle scenery, the changing terrain lays claim to a wide variety of wildlife and bird species. Most famously, it is home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla, which is found in family groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the dense jungles account for half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. A truly memorable and special experience, observing the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat on a gorilla trekking trip also serves to support the mountain gorilla’s conservation. The forest itself is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth, with over 120 species of mammals, approximately 350 species of birds, and a huge variety of insects and reptiles. The flora of the region features over 1 000 varieties of flowering plants, 104 species of fern and 163 tree species.
Neighbouring Kibale Forest National Park is made up of lush equatorial forests, lakes and grasslands, and borders the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, forming a 180 kilometre-long corridor for migrating wildlife. In addition to having over 229 species of tree, many of which are endangered, Kibale has remarkable biological diversity. It is here that you’ll find the best chimpanzee trekking in the world – with 500 chimps as well as 12 other primate species, it offers a rare opportunity for this life-changing type of wildlife encounter.
Queen Elizabeth
NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts a varying terrain with different environments that support a good concentration of wildlife, making it ideal for a traditional safari experience. Along with leopard, elephant, and various antelope species, the park is home to the rare Ugandan kob (a type of antelope), as well as the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha region whose males sport black manes – a feature unique to lions in this area. In addition to the variety and density of wildlife are 600 species of bird (a quarter of Africa’s total birdlife). You can choose to do a safari by road, or by boat – cruises on the Kazinga Channel will yield sightings of enormous Nile crocodiles and the world’s largest concentration of hippos. And, as it’s largely devoid of crowds, your experience here is as remote and peaceful it gets.
Rwenzori Mountains
NATIONAL PARK
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a region of glaciers, waterfalls and lakes, and one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas, giving it unique and unusual flora, as well as making it home to species specific to this climate. It’s also where you’ll find six of Africa’s 10 tallest peaks. However, here you’ll find none of the crowds who gravitate to Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, making it a hiker’s dreamscape.
Kibale Forest
NATIONAL PARK
Neighbouring Kibale Forest National Park is made up of lush equatorial forests, lakes and grasslands, and borders the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south, forming a 180 kilometre-long corridor for migrating wildlife. In addition to having over 229 species of tree, many of which are endangered, Kibale has remarkable biological diversity. It is here that you’ll find the best chimpanzee trekking in the world – with 500 chimps as well as 12 other primate species, it offers a rare opportunity for this life-changing type of wildlife encounter.
Murchison Falls
NATIONAL PARK
Still further north, Murchison Falls National Park is named for the beautiful waterfall which forms its star attraction. Here you can engage in a number of exciting activities, including river cruises along the Nile River to the base of the waterfall (from here you can also hike up to the falls, which takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on your level of fitness), whitewater rafting and quad biking. More than that, however, it also offers great game viewing (it’s home to four of the Big 5 with the exception of rhino) and excellent birding opportunities!
Uganda is a dream safari destination that offers a variety of incredible destinations and a wealth of unique activities! Contact your Safari365 travel consultant to start planning your next trip to Uganda now!
