And if that is not enough, the source of the Nile with Lake Victoria, there is ample reason to visit Uganda. What we found really special is the eternal optimism of the people and how warm and welcoming they are.  Even with a troubled past, Uganda will bring all of your senses alive for a safari and holiday destination like no other. In Uganda, the landscapes are incredible and there are still wild places that exist.  Besides the mountain gorillas, you can also trek chimpanzees and other primates, check out the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park or fill your days with the culture and people of Uganda.

Uganda is a small, safe country with perpetual spring-like weather being on the equator.  Still tribal, Uganda has over 40 languages but most speak English.  Kati and I traveled to Uganda in September of 2021.  There were many precautions throughout for Covid, but many of the lodges and hotels were virtually empty.  But, we think, it is time to go back to Africa and Uganda should be a country that you put on your itinerary.

Uganda at a Glance

Top Experiences in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Home to half the world’s endangered mountain Gorillas, Bwindi should be on everyone’s to-do list.  Imagine waking up in the morning, having coffee overlooking the incredible misty slopes of Bwindi, and a couple of hours later being face-to-face with these magnificent gentle creatures.  Bwindi is in the southwest corner of Uganda and about an 11 hour (with stops) from Entebbe.  Other activities in Bwindi besides gorilla tracking is birding, nature walks through the rain forest and visiting nearby villages.  The cost for gorilla trekking is $700 per person (2022 price)  and you get to spend an hour with the gorillas.  It truly is a remarkable experience.

We used African Adventure Travellers during our time in Uganda.  They are great to work with, arranged our entire trip including accommodations and got us the permits for the gorilla trekking.  We cannot recommend them enough.  They made our entire Uganda experience special.

A Gorilla mother with her baby.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

With over 600 bird species and classic big game and forest primates, it is easy to see why Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular protected area.  In the southernmost area of the park is Ishasha with it’s tree climbing lions.  Along with buffalos, elephants, topis and other wildlife, the lions spend their days in the shade in the fig trees.  We headed to the rift valley which was amazing and went on a forest walk.  Though we did not see any chimps on the walk, we were able to experience this ancient forest with hippos, elephant and many bird species.  Queen Elizabeth offers everything in regards to the classic safari experience.

Kati looking over the Great Rift Valley and the plains in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

One of the oldest and largest protected areas of Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park.  Murchison Falls lies in the northern end of the rift valley and where the Victoria Nile explodes through a narrow gap of just 20 feet wide.  The surrounding area is home to elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, white hippos, Nile crocodiles, lion, Ugandan cob, and more.  Head to the Top of the Falls to see, hear and feel the Nile racing through the narrow gorge.  Also, the Murchison Falls boat cruise is a three hour trip where you will see wildlife along the shores of the Nile as you head towards the falls.  There is also fishing, forest walks, classic safari and chimpanzee tracking which makes Murchison Falls a special place for everyone that loves Africa.

Kibale National Park

Known as the Primate Capital of the World, Kibale National Park is about 4 to 5 hours from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest by vehicle.  It is home Uganda’s largest population of chimpanzees as well as red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys.  You can do the Primate Walk (chimpanzee tracking) or even take part in the habituation of the chimps with the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.  This area is home to a wide variety of birdlife besides the primates and you can take nature walks and even night walks.

Uganda is a wonderful country and incredible to explore.

Our Final Word

Of course there are other wonderful areas to explore in Uganda like Mgahinga Gorilla National Park along the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes where you can track gorillas and golden monkeys, climb volcanoes and meet and interact with the Batwa Pygmies.  There is also the snow capped peaks of Rwenzori Mountains National Park which offers mountaineering trekking.  Uganda, though a small country has everything one could want in an African adventure.  We loved Uganda and already planning on returning.  Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.

Again we would like to thank African Adventure Travellers for always making our trips to Uganda special and our wonderful guide Augustine.  They truly are special.