Welcome to Uganda Travel Guide, a resource for Uganda travelers looking to exploring the Pearl of Africa. We are dedicated to being the best resource source for travelers looking to exploring the country. This is a one-stop source of information you need about Uganda. Find information on where to go, things to see, things to do, travel tips, advice and more. This is the ultimate source for tourism and travel information for people planning a vacation, weekend getaway or day trip to an attraction, event, or restaurant.
Learn about Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, a relatively country with world class attractions, hotels and restaurants, urban night life, people and culture, and outdoor activities. We make planning a safari, weekend getaway or even a day trip more fun and easier.
This travel resource also features highly informative, upbeat and inspirational articles for people who love tourism. Find the most exciting news, updates and advice to enable you explore Uganda.
This travel planner includes information on Uganda’s National Parks, Protected Areas, Conservation Areas, Community tourism projects, accommodation, getting there and away plus much more. Don’t leave home without having browsed this site in detail. This is your essential travel survival kit to Uganda and probably the most comprehensive free country specific travel guide on the Internet continually being researched and updated.
Tourism Directory
We bring to you a comprehensive online directory for Uganda tourism and travel. We also share inspiring tips and stories from the Uganda, the land gifted by nature. We’re proud to be the home to listings for accommodation, attractions, tours and transport businesses together with. If you’re looking or where to start in planning your Uganda trip this is the best place to start!
Our guide has been written for the free-spirited traveler, not withstanding that the information included in this guide will also appeal to those traveling with a tour operator or those merely seeking information on available tourism services in Uganda. With loads of tips and knowledge gained from countless journeys around the country you can be assured that it is in your interest to browse the content on this site prior to leaving home if Uganda is your destination of choice.
Travel Maps available:
- 1- Map of Uganda – Uganda Overview Map
- 2- Kampala – Greater Kampala, Central Kampala etc.
- 3- Beyond Kampala, incl. Entebbe
- 4- Lake Mburo National Park
- 5- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & the Kigezi Highlands
- 6- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 7- Fort Portal & the Kibale Forest
- 8- Murchison Falls National Park
- 9- Jinja & the Nile
About Uganda
Uganda is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa. Located astride the Equator, Uganda is a country where you will find the amazing mountain gorillas, over 13 primates species, great game including the big five, different cultures of over 54 tribes and religions being practiced and more. This relatively small country also has different climates and this its diversity. Ugandans are the most welcoming people on the planet and you can hardly travel without anyone saying hi.
Uganda is blessed with infinite natural beauty. The country is famous for gorilla trekking, an adventurous hike into the tropical rain forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park to see the giant mountain gorillas. The country hosts almost half of the 900 mountain gorillas left in the whole world and it is the best place to enjoy a gorilla trek in Africa. For Uganda’s charm and uniqueness, no wonder it has been voted by several travel guides including the Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Fodors, Trip Advisor as the best destination to visit in the whole world in 2012.
Uganda in East Africa is one of the famous places for seeing different varieties of wild animals. This is most evidenced by the presence of national parks which include
- Savanna National Parks that include Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park.
- Forest Parks that include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park famous for mountain gorillas as well as Kibale Forest National Park known for chimpanzee tracking
- Mountain National Parks; the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon National Park
Top Places to Visit in Uganda
The beauty of the Pearl of Africa is situated in the western part of Uganda which bewitches its spectators by its snow-capped mountain of Rwenzori, ever green valleys, source of river Nile, lakes and exquisite vegetation. It is all peace and pleasure being there; that why it’s called the “Pearl of Africa”. Main attractions here are the mountain gorillas, variety of wildlife with different bird species which captivates the visitors.
The beauty of the Pearl is seen from its gifts from Mother Nature. Apart from indulging in the sightseeing, one can opt to do gorilla tracking, chimps trekking, wildlife viewing and other sports. Tourist can easily avail the service of hotels for food and accommodation. From budget hotels to the up market hotels, many options are available. The Pearl is also known for its handicraft market that are always enjoyed by those who take Uganda Safaris. So, shopping from here could also be a delightful experience.
Where to Go
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla and 32 permits are available per day to visit the park. The park is also home to various other primates like chimpanzees and baboons; the park also has elephants, bushbucks and the rare giant forest hog.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyoni is one of them, which has got a range of hotels and camping sites on which tourists can relax and enjoy bird watching.
Crater Lakes
There is a cluster of 200 crater lakes that is north of Queen Elizabeth Park and has been developed as a community based eco-tourism destination because of its prolific scenic beauty and serenity.
Things to Do
Gorilla Trekking
Uganda is most popular for its gorilla tracking and this is something that all tourists who land here should try and do.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Wildlife Safaris
Mountaineering
Uganda Country Guide
- Climate/Weather
- Communication
- Currency/Money
- Electricity
- Embassy Locations
- General Information
- Geography
- Health
- History
- Language
- Location
- People/Culture
- Public Holidays
- Religion
- Visas/Passports
Climate/Weather
The country is known for its fine sunny and rainy weather which often does not require the wearing of warm clothing except on some chilly nights in the mountainous areas in western and eastern Uganda. Uganda is on the sunny side most of the year, especially in the central region. Rainfall comes in torrents when delayed, especially when the expected patterns are delayed for some months.
Check out our Uganda weather page for current Uganda climate and weather conditions and also for a six-day Uganda weather forecast. More
Geography
Situated in eastern Africa, Uganda is mostly a plateau, a compact country occupying an area of 236,580 square kilometers, roughly the size of Great Britain or the state of Oregon in the United States. It lies astride the Equator and has a fine mild climate with copious rainfall that is experienced three times a year and sunny months. More
History
Nothing much about Uganda’s pre-colonial history is well documented but at least a few oral tales date back to the 1600s when a number of people living around Lake Victoria and along River Nile eked a living off the land and kept cattle. The northern region is a different story of tall people armed with a spear or bow and arrow in hand, hunting and fishing for a living. More
Tribes, people and their culture
Today in Uganda there are 17 tribes belonging to the Bantu and Nilotic groups. Uganda is a country of many cultural contrasts. English is the official language. Many people outside the office also commonly speak it. Luganda is easily the more spoken language in most towns where business is transacted. More
Plan Your Uganda Safari
Where to watch game in Uganda
Uganda may not boast of huge and well-developed national parks like neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, but after years of misrule, there is a turnaround in numbers of animals especially elephants and antelopes, which were butchered by, undisciplined soldiers and poachers during the reign of Idi Amin. More
When to visit
Uganda is situated astride the Equator, so the country enjoys a tropical climate with very little temperature variation throughout the year. The main factor that determines your visit will be the rainfall patterns. In the southern part of the country, April is the rainiest month. The rains stretch up to May, with another wet season in October to November. And although the dry months are good for birding don’t forget the fact that the wet months are more productive since breeding takes place during those months.
Where to pitch camp in Uganda
Uganda is a friendly place to be; camping can be fun in most areas especially in the south where there will be no hassles. There are some tips which may prove useful to you especially if you are not the hardy type of visitor. More
All you wanted to know about gorillas but were afraid to ask
Despite the bad name and scary stories told about gorillas at the beginning of the 1900s, before scientists unraveled the mystery and life behind these gentle giants, gorillas have now become popular tourist attraction and creatures of the wild worth conserving. There is only one mountain gorilla for every ten million people on earth. More