Tourist Attractions in Uganda

Tourist Attractions in Uganda

Uganda offers a unique experience of some of the best tourist attractions and safari destinations in the world. Located in the Eastern region of Africa, Uganda is famous for its diverse national parks and for being the most hospitable country south of the Sahara. Uganda is located on the African continent bordering countries of South Sudan in the north, Kenya in the east, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda to the southeast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. Having attractions preserved and protected in their most natural state, Uganda prides itself as the pearl of Africa as Churchill named her. Some of the different popular attractions in Uganda include the following.

Mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas are one of the major tourist attractions in Uganda. The country boasts of having the largest mountain gorilla population in the world. There are over 1,068 mountain gorillas left in the world today and Uganda has over 580 gorillas. This is more than half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas. Part of the southwestern region of Uganda lies in the Virunga conservation area. This area stretches from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park through Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas can be encountered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.  

Golden monkeys

Golden monkeys are known for their striking appearance, characterized by their golden-orange fur on their backs, cheeks, and tails contrasting with their dark, blackish-blue limbs and faces. They are rare species and often considered endangered as they can only be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Golden monkeys are one of the few primate species that have adapted to living almost exclusively in bamboo forests. These small primates are also a top attraction in Uganda.

Wildlife

Uganda has more than 10 national parks and various game reserves across its borders. Among these 4 popular savannah parks host incredible wildlife that have attracted several tourists. The rugged landscape of the vast vegetation cover and waterbodies, Uganda is a top wildlife destination. Wildlife species in Uganda include the Big 5 lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. Other species include hyenas, warthogs, antelopes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and giraffes to mention but a few.

Birdlife

Uganda birdlife is a colorful story of some of the rare and most elusive birds in the world. The country’s vast landscape and diverse vegetation have favored the breeding of birds and fostering their multiplication. There are over 1100 birds in Uganda which are scattered across the different ecological systems. These birds have attracted visitors who are interested in birding adventure safaris. Some of the birds in Uganda include the African Kingfisher eagle, shoebill stork, hadada ibis, black crave, green cuckoo, double-toothed barbet,  shining blue kingfisher, yellow-backed weaver,  red-eyed dove, cattle egrets, pied kingfisher, great blue Turacos, common squacco heron, lesser jacana, Goliath heron, orange weaver, the grey crowned cranes, weaver bird, marabou stocks, the Kori bustard, Long-tailed hawk, black-throated cuckoo, piping hornbill, white-bellied kingfisher, Nkulengu rail, Grant’s bluebill, crested malimbe, leaf-love, Rwenzori ibis, etc.

Cultural encounters

Uganda is a multicultural country with more than 40 cultures. These cultures have their unique ways of life and settings. They have different beliefs, values, and norms. However, some cultures may have similar traditions and activities. Encountering these cultures and getting to experience firsthand their history and evolutions is incredible. Visitors get to experience some of the traditional activities and get to participate in them such as wrestling of the Karamojong and their cattle herding experiences with the Bahima of western Uganda.

Source of the River Nile

The River Nile is a freshwater river found in Africa. It is the longest river in the world flowing through four countries Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt before plunging into the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Nile River a tributary of the River Nile also flows the Ethiopia. River Nile is the main water source for all these countries in addition to the few lakes and rivers. Lake Victoria in Uganda is the main source of the River Nile.

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is the world’s strongest waterfall located in Murchison Falls National Park. The falls are located on Victoria Nile a tributary of the world’s longest river, the River Nile. The falls are formed when huge volumes of water traveling at high-speed force themselves through a narrow gap between the rock walls before plunging from 45 meters to an 8-diameter pour. This causes a thunderous roar that can be left from miles back. Visitors to the park are amazed by the sheer power of the falls. This is one of the top tourist attractions in the world.

Tree-climbing lions

Uganda is the best safari destination in the world because it is one of the few places in the world to find tree-climbing lions. The tree-climbing lions are found in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park and are a major attraction in the country. The idea of tree climbing by these lions came as an escaping mechanism from the biting insects of the ground. These lions can be spotted hanging on branches of fig and cactus trees as they survey the prey from afar. Some people believe that the lions started to climb trees to see their prey from afar since Queen Elizabeth National Park is generally a flat area. These lions can be viewed while on a game drive in the park.

Weather and Climate

Weather is one the best tourist attractions in Uganda. Uganda has a tropical climate with two wet and dry seasons per year. The northern region of Uganda lies outside the tropical belt. Hence it experiences only one rainy season, March to October, and a dry season from December to February. This region forms one-quarter of the entire country and the rest of Uganda lies within a relatively humid equatorial climate zone. The country’s lakes and rivers, topography, prevailing winds, and forests cause large differences in rainfall patterns across the country. The dry seasons begin from December to February and June to July. The wet seasons start from September to November and March to May. The weather and climate in Uganda have attracted tourists from far and wide to sunbathe in the tropical nutritious sun of their winter battles.