Attractions
Uganda is home to ten national parks covering an immensely diverse range of biospheres and landscapes.
Ranging from the mist-shrouded mountains of Bwindi to the dense forests of Kibale to the open plains of Queen Elizabeth, Uganda offers up something for everybody.
Traditional game drives can be done in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, while primate trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable and Kibale are a hugely popular way to see some of Africa’s most enduring icons up close.
Wildlife of Uganda
Uganda is one of only three places on earth where it is possible to see mountain gorillas in the wild, and one of the best places in the world to go chimpanzee trekking.
While leopards, white rhinoceros, and cheetahs are less common in Uganda than in countries such as Tanzania and Kenya, elephant, lion, and zebra numbers are high.
Gorilla Trekking
Arguably the biggest drawcard for the country’s tourism, gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Sharing an ecosystem and mountain range with neighbouring Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi is a stunningly beautiful mountain rainforest through which visitors must hike in order to find the gorillas. Guided gorilla treks into the mountains bring visitors up close with these magnificent creatures, as your guides not only lead you to the gorillas but train you in how to react to their behaviour.
There's no car here – you're on the ground and close to the animals, and it's an experience unlike any you'll find on a conventional safari.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Queen Elizabeth National Park, located along the road between Bwindi and Kibale National Parks, is home to four of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo) and is one of only two places in the world where you can see tree-climbing lions. Also home to a number of endemic species, one of the park’s highlights is the opportunity to take a boat safari and see the park from a different angle.
Farther north, Murchison Falls National Park is famed for the White Nile and the falls from which it takes its name. Another excellent game-viewing destination, Murchison Falls has a memorable boat cruise of its own.
Safaris
Queen Elizabeth National Park, located along the road between Bwindi and Kibale National Parks, is home to four of the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo) and is one of only two places in the world where you can see tree-climbing lions. Also home to a number of endemic species, one of the park’s highlights is the opportunity to take a boat safari and see the park from a different angle.
Farther north, Murchison Falls National Park is famed for the White Nile and the falls from which it takes its name. Another excellent game-viewing destination, Murchison Falls has a memorable boat cruise of its own.
Hiking
Like neighbouring Rwanda, Uganda is blessed with a number of sizeable and beautiful mountains.
For those wanting a more adventurous experience, several of Uganda’s mountains, including Mount Elgon, the Rwenzori Mountains (the Mountains of the Moon), and the Virunga Mountains, can be climbed or hiked.