Things to Do in Uganda

Known locally as Nam Lolwe, this spectacular lake is not only Africa’s largest lake but is also the world’s largest tropical lake, making it one of the top Uganda tourist places. This lake that feeds the Nile is said to be almost 4 lac years old and is loved for its amazing biodiversity and vibrant fishing communities.

It is one of the two spots in Africa where you can see a sunset without even being near the coast. It has three islands like Mfangano, Rusingo, and Ndere that are inhabited by local fishermen and are the source of fossils dating back millions of years. It is bustling with rare wildlife species like the African Clawless Otter, Defassa Waterbuck, Cichlids, Chimpanzees, Sitatunga, etc.

Location: Tanzania and Uganda, bordering Kenya.

Timing: Anytime during the low humidity months of June-August.

Jinja might be a tiny town, but that doesn’t take away from the spectacular experiences that it offers. Jinja is the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river. It’s an amazing experience taking a boat trip here to see the Nile marker.

That’s not all, Jinja is where you can have an incredible adrenaline rush of rafting in the Nile in rapids up to Grade 5, some as long as 19 kilometres. You can also enjoy kayaking, riverboarding, and see the rare African fish eagles, Open-billed storks, Crested cranes, etc.

Location: Eastern Uganda on the northern shores of Lake Victoria.

Timing: Rafting is best enjoyed during drier months of January-February and June-September.

One of the best tropical island destinations in the world and amongst the top Uganda tourist places, the Ssese Islands are located on Lake Victoria. This is a group of 84 islands comprising three main island groups, Bugala and Koome Groups, and are inhabited by the ethics Bassese tribes.

These are dotted with palm-shaded beaches, powdery white sands, and native African flora. You will be treated with the views of rare species like hippos, vervet monkeys, sitatunga antelopes, etc., and can enjoy super-fun activities like bungee jumping, birding, bike riding, paddle-boating, sport fishing, and much more.

Location: Northwest of Lake Victoria, Uganda.

Timing: Anytime between June-August and December-February.

One of the most fascinating places in Uganda, this UNESCO heritage site is in reality an ancient heritage rock shelter with primitive art on its inner walls. One of the top Uganda tourist places, it belongs to the Late Iron Age period i.e. around 1250 CE by the ancestors of Batwa communities of hunters and gatherers who used these caves for praying and offering sacrifices.

The paintings are geometric and consist of concentric circles, conical shapes, etc. done in red pigment and made both with fingers and brushes.

Location: Kumi District, Eastern Uganda.

Timing: Anytime during the dry months of June-October and December-February when it’s easy to climb the rocks.

One of the most enthralling Uganda tourist places, Kasubi Tombs is an active heritage and religious place that stands as a symbol of spirituality, remembrance, and peace. This was the palace of King Kabaka built in 1882 and became his burial place two years later, which now stands as the main tomb known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga.

See the thatched-roof houses and their decoration using bark cloth made from fig trees. Don’t miss to see the rustic homes of the widows of the Kabaka kings and the huge farms here.

Location: Masiro Road, Kampala, Uganda.

Timing: Anytime during the dry months of June-October and December-February.

This is the only place amongst Uganda tourist spots where you can explore and see the performance of the best cultural group in Uganda i.e. the Ndere Group, which is a flute troupe.

You can see performances like songs, dance, and light comedies, etc. from almost 56 Ugandan tribes to get an insight into the rich culture and traditions of Africa. You can also see art exhibits, meet artists, and enjoy traditional African food here.

Location: Plot 4505, Kira Road, Ntinda-Kisaasi Road, Kampala, Uganda.

Timing: Every day from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.

This is the largest open-air market in Uganda where you can buy everything from live animals to electronics. Though the place is chaotic, it is extremely vibrant and a must-visit for a quintessential African experience, making it one of the most famous Uganda tourist spots.

This is a great place where you can spend hours rummaging through its narrow lanes where almost 50,000 vendors congregate. You can browse and shop for second-hand clothes, shoes, bags, fresh produce, etc.

Location: Kampala, Uganda.

Timing: Anytime between 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

This spectacular national park is nestled in rainforests that date back almost 25,000 years and have around 400 plant species. What makes this park amongst the best Uganda tourist placesis that almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla lives here. Besides, it houses Red-tailed monkeys, Chimpanzees, Vervets, Cream-banded swallowtail, side-striped jackal, African civet, etc.

There are almost 348 bird species and 220 species of butterflies here. This is one of the few parks to be accessible only on foot.

Location: Kanungu District, Uganda.

Timing: Best time for gorilla trekking is in the dry months of June-August and December-February.

This spectacular park has the largest variety of wildlife, more than any other Ugandan parks, making it one of the most fascinating places to visit in Uganda. This savannah reserve includes the vast forest of Maramagambo Forest, wetlands, volcanic craters, and crater lakes.

The park is famous for its black-maned tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector along with a huge range of primates like the Big Five Game, Warthog, African bush elephant, Chimpanzees, etc. It has almost 500 bird species residing in its forests. You can enjoy chimpanzee trekking and boat trips to the Kazinga Channel here.

Location: Fort Portal-Mpondwe Road, Rubirizi, Uganda.

Timing: Anytime during the dry months of January-February and June-July for game viewing.

These fascinating million-year-old volcanic craters were created by explosions violent enough to create these humongous dents in the earth that resulted in saltwater lakes or lush meadows. You can’t miss getting on what’s called the most scenic drive in Uganda to see dozens of these grass-filled craters, lakes where salt is extracted, views of the iconic Rift Valley, Kazinga Channel, and the Rwenzori Mountain chain.

This 27-kilometer long drive also offers stupendous views of vast savannah plains, huge elephants & buffaloes herds, etc.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rubirizi, Uganda.

Timing: Early morning or late evening hours during January-February and June-July.

This 32-kilometer long channel that connects Lake George with Lake Edward is one of the top sights in Queen Elizabeth Park and one of the best Uganda tourist places, mainly for being a watering hole for a variety of rare African species like the Big Five Game, Sitatunga antelopes, Pink-backed Pelicans, African Shoebill, etc.

Besides, there are a huge number of water-based species like Nile crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, etc. that are best seen through a boat safari or hiking into their natural habitats.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rubirizi, Uganda

Timing: 3-5 pm during the dry months of January-February and June-July.

The fact that it is the smallest Ugandan National Park, doesn’t take away from the fact that how spectacular it is! It is amongst the most scenic Uganda tourist places that protect almost 300 mountain gorillas, Golden monkeys, bush pigs, side-striped jackals, etc.

Amidst its vast Albertine Rift montane and bamboo forests, it also houses hundreds of bird species like Handsome spurfowl, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Montane nightjar, etc. One of the most striking features here is the three extinct conical volcanoes in the Virunga range.

Location: Kisoro District, South-western Uganda.

Timing: June-September for Gorilla safaris.

The beauty of this compact freshwater lake needs to be seen to be believed. The fact that not many people visit here, makes the lake even more elusive and beautiful beyond imagination, making it one of the most scenic Uganda tourist spots.

With the Virunga Mountains looming large over it and punctuated by several small isles, this is the perfect place to relax and savour the famous African sun and wilderness. Don’t miss enjoying canoeing, swimming, birding, mountain biking, and hiking here.

Location: Kisoro District, South-western Uganda.

Timing: Anytime during the dry months of June-September and December-February.

This sanctuary plays a very important role in safe-breeding rhinos and re-introducing them into the national parks and is the only place where you can see wild rhinos in the whole of Uganda, making it an important Uganda tourist place.

Besides rhinos, you can also see monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds. While here, you cannot miss on-foot rhino and shoebill trekking, canoe rides, birding, and nature walks to see the beautiful sights and sounds of the African wilderness.

Location: Nakitoma Village, Nakasongola District, Kampala-Gulu Highway.

Timing: Every day from 8:00 am-1:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

This fascinating phenomenon that has intrigued us from time immemorial can be experienced in Uganda. The imaginary line that divides the earth into two halves can be visited here and it’s surreal to see a sign that marks the location of the equator, making it one of the most fascinating Uganda tourist spots.

This is where you can stand with each leg in different hemispheres of the world!

Location: Kayabwe, Mpigi District, Uganda.

Timing: Can be visited anytime.

This picturesque garden, established in 1898, is located close to the shores of Lake Victoria. The stunning Uganda tourist spot is an expanse of lush greenery is divided into zones like the rainforest, tropical, subtropical, and temperate, and house plants and trees native to these ecosystems.

You can see more than 300 exotic and medicinal plant species along with exotic bird and mammal species like Vervet monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Palm-nut vulture, Whilst Bat Hawk, etc. This is where you can enjoy the Mileage world music festival each year in November.

Location: Berkeley Road, Entebbe, Uganda.

Timing: Every day 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The 1000 kilometer long Rwenzori National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects the iconic Mountains of the Moon and their enchanting landscape of moorland, montane and bamboo forests, waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, and acres of everlasting flowers.

The park, one of the top Uganda tourist spots,is home to around 70 mammal species and 217 bird species like Rwenzori turaco, Hyrax, Black and white colobus, etc. People visit from all over the world to summit Margherita peak and enjoy hiking and village walks here.

Location: Bundibugyo, Kasese, Uganda.

Timing: Every day 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

This is one of the most revered places to visit in Uganda, this twin-towered cathedral was built as a shrine to 22 Ugandan martyrs who refused to denounce Christianity. These people were hacked to death by Kabaka Mwanga II in 1885.

It also holds the remains of the first African Catholic Bishop and the first Archbishop of Kampala. This hilltop cathedral is a must-include in the itinerary of anyone visiting Uganda for the stunning views of the Kampala city that it offers.

Location: Mutesa Road, Kampala, Uganda.

Timing: The masses are held at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm each day.

This spectacular national park protects Mt. Elgon, the largest volcanic base in the world and also the oldest and largest East African volcanic mountain. Declared as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, this park houses duiker, antelope, forest monkeys, black & white monkeys, leopards, hyenas, Hartlaub’s turaco, etc.

The highlights here are the vast caves where elephants and buffalos come at night to lick the salt off their walls. You can enjoy walking trails, hiking, and cave explorations here.

Location: Mt. Elgon Road, Kitale, Kenya.

Timing: Every day from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.