Uganda is one of the smallest landlocked countries in East Africa. This incredible country is popular in entire world as a home to gigantic Lake Victoria in Southern region. Remarkable as it is, Sir Winston Churchill described it as the “Pearl of Africa.” It comes with the most spectacular wildlife terrain in the world. Uganda’s most popular tourist areas include Ajai wildlife reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and the stunning Ssese Islands and others.
Uganda is one of the best destinations to visit in East Africa. There are lots of things to see and do in Uganda. Top adventure activities include gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, mountaineering, chimpanzee tracking and more.
Top Things to Do
Here are lots of things to do in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa;
Gorilla Trekking
Uganda is also one of the best destinations for Gorilla viewing in Africa. There are two national parks where gorilla tracking is conducted; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are several groups of gorillas that have been habituated and each group is visited by 8 tourists on a daily basis. There is an almost 100% chance of seeing the gorillas and it is possibly one of the best animal encounters available.
The most important things to do in Uganda are unique to the world and gorilla tracking within the impenetrable forests in Western Uganda is just one of the few rare experiences you can enjoy during your holiday in this beautiful country. Located astride the Equator, Uganda is an amazing destination named the Pearl of Africa by Sir Winston Churchill in 1902 during his hunting escapade in the by then British colonies on the continent.
Adrenaline Adventures
To an intrepid traveler, there are also many hidden gems in Uganda that most people look for on Africa safaris and most especially the great lakes region. Uganda is home to the Source of the Nile, the world’s longest river, Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, which is one of the reasons why people say that Uganda is the Pearl of Africa.
Rafting on the Nile
Uganda offers world class rafting opportunities and many companies operate rafting trips down the Nile. You can go on a half-day trip or even on a multiple-day trips. Your trip can be a peaceful family trip or a thrilling grade 5 rafting adventure. For $75, you can buy yourself a rafting trip that includes a pickup from Kampala and food and drink.
Quad Biking
Quad bikes are four-wheeled motorbikes that are also known as All Terrain Bikes. You can rent a quad bike near the spring of the Nile and go on a fast, albeit dusty, sightseeing tour with a local guide.
Birding
For unforgettable birding experiences in Africa consider Uganda one of the destinations that you should pay a visit. It is credited with about 1070 different bird species translating into 11% of the world’s bird species and 60% in Africa and they are all confined in various habitats that range from forests, savanna grassland and woodland to water bodies (salt and fresh water). With diversity of birding areas that are widely spread in Uganda, the notable birds for you to sight include the rare shoebill stork, green breasted pitta, African pitta, African broadbill, Great blue Turaco, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Standard winged nightjar, Short tailed warbler, Bar tailed Trogon, Black breasted barbet, Doherty’s Bush shrike, Ostriches, Black bee eaters, Red throated bee eater, White fronted bee eater and many bee eaters, Kingfishers, Nightjars, Great white pelicans and many more.
Cultural experience
A safari in Uganda is more exciting when you combine wildlife tours with cultural encounters. There are over 60 different tribes and 9 varied indigenous communities in Uganda making it a boiling pot of cultures. Each ethnic group or tribe comes with its own experiences. For authentic African cultural experiences in Uganda, you can engage in Batwa encounter while you in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking adventures. The Batwa are famous as the forest dwellers. They lived harmoniously with the forest while hunting and gathering a period of over 500000 years and left without any impact. A cultural encounter with these unique people is the most thrilling experience that you shouldn’t miss out in life. You have a chance to explore more about their lifestyle, tools that they used to hunt and above all you will be amazed as they sing songs of sorrow as why they were removed from the beloved forest. As well, never miss to visit the Kasubi tomb site, Igongo cultural center; visit the Karamojong manyatta homes and Ik people, taste the local dishes in Uganda, Ndere center and others.
You may also embark on chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey, sport fishing, hiking to various waterfalls, mountaineering at Rwenzori Mountain ranges and others.
In conclusion, with variety of natural wonders that Uganda has in offer for world, visitors have wide range of options to choose the best attraction that suits within their interest.