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Things To Do In Uganda
Looking for the best things to do in Uganda? Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda offers an incredible combination of wildlife, lush forests, dramatic mountains, powerful waterfalls, lakes, rivers and rich cultural experiences. From trekking through Bwindi’s forests to see mountain gorillas and tracking chimpanzees in Kibale to rafting the Nile in Jinja and watching elephants on safari, there are plenty of unforgettable Uganda activities and places to visit. Whether you’re planning a wildlife safari, adventure holiday, family trip or cultural getaway, Uganda has something for every traveller.
1. Go Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Uganda. Head into the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and trek through dense vegetation in search of endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Once you find a gorilla family, you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to observe these gentle giants from close range while learning about their behaviour and conservation.
Uganda is home to a significant proportion of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making Bwindi one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife destinations.
2. Track Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest
Discover Uganda’s primates with a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park. Kibale is famous for its large population of chimpanzees and is one of the best places in Africa to experience these intelligent great apes in their natural forest environment.
Walk through the forest with experienced guides while looking and listening for chimpanzees, monkeys and a wide variety of bird species.
For a more immersive experience, travellers can also consider a chimpanzee habituation experience, which allows more time observing chimpanzees as researchers work with groups that are becoming accustomed to human presence.
3. Go on a Wildlife Safari
Uganda offers some of the most diverse safari experiences in East Africa. Head into the country’s national parks for game drives and look out for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife.
Popular safari destinations include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Uganda’s varied landscapes also mean that wildlife experiences can include savanna, forest, wetland and river environments.
4. Visit Murchison Falls
Experience one of Uganda’s most spectacular natural attractions at Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile River is forced through a narrow gorge before continuing downstream with enormous power.
Take a boat cruise toward the bottom of the falls to experience the dramatic scenery and spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
Murchison Falls National Park combines spectacular scenery with some of Uganda’s best wildlife experiences.
5. Take a Boat Safari on the Nile
A boat safari along the Nile is one of the best ways to experience Uganda’s wildlife from a different perspective.
Cruise along the river while watching hippos and crocodiles in the water and elephants, antelopes and birds along the banks.
The boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls is particularly memorable and can be combined with a game drive in the national park.
6. Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park
Discover the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. Go on a game drive through the park in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.
One of the park’s most famous experiences is searching for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
You can also take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where large numbers of hippos, crocodiles and water birds can often be seen.
7. Take a Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and experience one of Uganda’s best wildlife-viewing activities.
The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts large numbers of animals.
Keep your camera ready for hippos in the water, crocodiles along the banks, elephants coming to drink and a wide variety of water birds.
8. Visit the Source of the Nile in Jinja
Travel to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, and visit the famous Source of the Nile.
The Nile begins its journey northwards from Lake Victoria at Jinja, making the area an important natural and tourism landmark.
Take a boat trip on the river, explore the surrounding area or combine your visit with one of Jinja’s many adventure activities.
9. Go White-Water Rafting on the Nile
For adventure lovers, white-water rafting on the Nile is one of the best things to do in Uganda.
The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts large numbers of animals.
Keep your camera ready for hippos in the water, crocodiles along the banks, elephants coming to drink and a wide variety of water birds.
10. Go Bungee Jumping in Jinja
Travel to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, and visit the famous Source of the Nile.
The Nile begins its journey northwards from Lake Victoria at Jinja, making the area an important natural and tourism landmark.
Take a boat trip on the river, explore the surrounding area or combine your visit with one of Jinja’s many adventure activities.
11. Explore the Rwenzori Mountains
Take on an adventure in the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon.
The range offers spectacular landscapes, forests, valleys, alpine vegetation and high-altitude scenery.
Experienced hikers can undertake multi-day mountain treks, while shorter walks allow visitors to explore the foothills and surrounding landscapes.
The Rwenzoris are one of Uganda’s premier adventure destinations.
12. Hike Mount Elgon
Travel to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, and visit the famous Source of the Nile.
The Nile begins its journey northwards from Lake Victoria at Jinja, making the area an important natural and tourism landmark.
Take a boat trip on the river, explore the surrounding area or combine your visit with one of Jinja’s many adventure activities.
13. Visit Sipi Falls
Discover the spectacular Sipi Falls, a series of waterfalls on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Enjoy scenic hikes through the surrounding countryside, visit local communities and coffee farms, or try abseiling beside the waterfalls.
The combination of dramatic scenery, hiking and adventure makes Sipi Falls one of eastern Uganda’s most rewarding destinations.
14. Go Chimpanzee and Primate Watching
Travel to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, and visit the famous Source of the Nile.
The Nile begins its journey northwards from Lake Victoria at Jinja, making the area an important natural and tourism landmark.
Take a boat trip on the river, explore the surrounding area or combine your visit with one of Jinja’s many adventure activities.
15. Visit Lake Bunyonyi
Relax beside the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda.
Surrounded by rolling green hills and dotted with numerous islands, Lake Bunyonyi is an excellent place to slow down after a gorilla trekking adventure.
Enjoy canoeing, boat trips, hiking, bird watching or simply relaxing while taking in the scenery.
16. Explore Kidepo Valley National Park
For travellers looking for a more remote safari experience, visit Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda.
The park is known for its dramatic landscapes, wide open savanna and diverse wildlife.
Its remote location gives visitors a chance to experience a quieter side of Uganda away from some of the country’s more frequently visited destinations.
17. Visit Lake Mburo National Park
Explore Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s most accessible safari destinations.
The park is known for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, elands, hippos and a variety of bird species.
Unlike many traditional safari destinations, Lake Mburo also offers opportunities for walking and cycling experiences, giving visitors a different way to explore the landscape.
18. Go on a Boat Cruise on Lake Victoria
Experience the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area with a boat trip on Lake Victoria.
Enjoy fishing, bird watching, island excursions or simply relax on the water while taking in the scenery.
The lake’s islands and beaches provide opportunities for both adventure and relaxation.
19. Visit Entebbe and the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre
Spend time in Entebbe, a relaxed lakeside town and an important gateway to Uganda.
Visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre to learn about Uganda’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
It is a particularly good introduction to the country’s biodiversity for visitors arriving through Entebbe before heading to other destinations.
20. Explore Kampala
Experience the world’s second-largest freshwater lake by surface area with a boat trip on Lake Victoria.
Enjoy fishing, bird watching, island excursions or simply relax on the water while taking in the scenery.
The lake’s islands and beaches provide opportunities for both adventure and relaxation.
21. Experience Uganda’s Local Culture
Uganda is home to a remarkable diversity of communities, languages and traditions.
Take part in cultural experiences, visit communities, learn about traditional crafts, taste local food and discover music and dance traditions.
Responsible cultural tourism can provide meaningful encounters with local communities while supporting local guides, artisans and businesses.
22. Go Bird Watching
Uganda is an excellent destination for bird lovers, with a wide variety of habitats supporting a remarkable diversity of bird species.
Explore forests, wetlands, lakes and savanna landscapes in search of colourful and unusual species.
23. Experience a Traditional Ugandan Food Tour
Discover Uganda through its food. Try local dishes such as matoke, rolex, luwombo, posho, groundnut sauce, grilled meats, fresh tilapia and seasonal fruits.
Visit local markets and restaurants to experience everyday Ugandan food and discover the different culinary traditions found across the country’s regions.
24. Visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Discover Uganda through its food.
Try local dishes such as matoke, rolex, luwombo, posho, groundnut sauce, grilled meats, fresh tilapia and seasonal fruits.
Visit local markets and restaurants to experience everyday Ugandan food and discover the different culinary traditions found across the country’s regions.
25. Experience a Batwa Cultural Tour
Learn about the history and traditions of the Batwa communities around southwestern Uganda’s forests.
Cultural experiences can introduce visitors to traditional knowledge, forest heritage, music, storytelling and ways of life connected to the region.
Choose responsible community-led experiences that respect local culture and ensure tourism benefits the communities involved.
Best Things to Do in Uganda for Different Travellers
For adventure lovers
- Gorilla trekking
- White-water rafting
- Bungee jumping
- Rwenzori hiking
- Mount Elgon hiking
- Sipi Falls abseiling
- Zip-lining
- Safari adventures
For couples
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Lakeside boat cruises
- Gorilla trekking
- Private safari experiences
- Sipi Falls
- Cultural experiences
- Romantic stays in national parks
For culture lovers
- Kampala city tours
- Kasubi Tombs
- Uganda Museum
- Batwa cultural experiences
- Local food tours
- Traditional music and dance
- Community visits
- Local markets and crafts
For families
- Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Boat cruises
- Wildlife safaris
- Sipi Falls
- Kampala sightseeing
- Cultural experiences
- Lake Victoria excursions
For wildlife lovers
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Wildlife safaris
- Boat safaris
- Bird watching
- Forest walks
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park