Uganda Tours and Activities.
Currently with population of slightly over 40 millions, Uganda is a landlocked country with the most welcoming and friendly people in the world. Therefore, Uganda tours should be on your bucket list because you will not only enjoy the different activities that are famous and populous but also be surrounded by some of the most smiling and welcoming people in the world.
True to its name “The pearl of Africa”, Uganda is a home to many unique features and sites and sounds that are worth exploring during some of the Uganda Safaris. Most of the people travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking, however there are a number of Uganda tour activities that one can do which are not necessarily safaris, but can be combined to form a Uganda Safari. These include;
Listed below are 15 different activities that you can take on whilst on your Uganda tours, but remember Uganda is not limited to just these activities. There are many more activities that you can consider taking or adding to your Uganda safari.
#16 Abseiling
This is one famous activity that can be done in a day for this who are in Mbale town or near Mt Elgon National park. Abseiling is an adventurous and thrilling activity that takes two hours and it takes place besides Sipi Falls. You will also descend next to a pool where you can decide to take a deep before ascending back to the to the hills.
#15 Kampala city tour
Kampala which is also the capital city of Uganda is one of the vibrant and chaotic city in Africa. A walk or tour of Kampala, will give you na insight about this vibrant city that has over 3 million people with different cultures, beliefs, norms and interest. Visit the Taxi park, Owino market, and also the Gadhafi mosque.
#14 Ngamba Island chimpanzee tour
The Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary is located in the middle of Lake Victoria and it is currently a home to over 49 orphaned chimpanzees. A tour to view these orphaned chimpanzees during feeding time and also to learn about their behaviour can be organised for half day or even a full day trip. The island also offers one an opportunity to to participate in feeding the chimpanzees, or an overnight stay should you require to spend more days and nights in the middle of lake Victoria.
#13 Jinja source of the Nile Tour
Jinja is a town which used to be the industrial town of Uganda. However this is no longer that case and now most people flock Jinja town to go visit and see the source of the might River Nile. The River Nile is one of the longest rivers in the world and lake Victoria is believed to be its source of water. Whilst in Jinja, you can also explore the cultures and traditions of Eastern Uganda. Visit the palace and tradition sites of the Basoga people.
#12 Rafting
There are many adventure activities that you can participate in whilst visiting Jinja and rafting is one of them. You can do a half day rafting or full day rafting and this includes lunch. Raft along the might river nile, and explore and this wonderful river.
#11 Sipi Falls Uganda Tour
Sipi falls are a magnificent falls found in Mt Elgon national park. A nature walk to the falls will give you excellent views of the falls, from both the top and also the bottom. Mt Elgon national park is 3 and half hours away from the capital city of Uganda Kampala and therefore the visit can be done in one day, if you do not wish to see other parks.
#10 Uganda wildlife education centre Tour
The Uganda wildlife education centre also previously referred to as the Uganda Zoo, is home to most of the wildlife that you can see in Uganda’s national parks. The Uganda wildlife education centre is located in Entebbe and therefore a days tour would be worth the time as you get to see many wild animals in one place and these include; lions, wild snakes, and so much more. You can also take part in the care giving activity where you spend a day taking care of the animals and feeding them.
#9 Buganda Kingdom and Kasubi Tombs Tour
The Buganda kingdom and monarchy is one of the popular kingdoms in Uganda from which the name Uganda was derived. It is one of the most active kingdoms that Uganda has left after they had been abolished by Obote. Buganda kingdom and palace is located in the central Uganda and it is home to the capital city of Uganda. You can visit the king’s palace on Mengo hill and learn about the history and currents status of the kingdom. More so, you can also visit the Kasubi tombs, which are the burial grounds of the kings of Buganda. The other site that you can visit includes the Amin toucher chambers close to the Palace Uganda kingdom.
#8 Namugongo martyrs Shrine
Located 15kms from Kampala city is a site, referred to as the Namugongo matters shrine, where 20 catholics and Anglicans where burnt alive in 1886 under the orders of King Mwanga for insisting on staying catholics and anglicans. The catholic leader Charles Lwanga was burnt on 3rd June and therefore every 3rd of June people, travel from all over East Africa and the rest of the world to come and celebrate the lives of these martyrs in prayers. The site is open for visits every day, but on 3rd of June the place is packed and therefore it is advisable to visit on other days, but if you feel like joining into the prayers, 3rd of June is better, although you will have to trek to the site. Since few cars are allowed to reach the actual site.
#7 Ssese island tour Uganda
The Ssese islands are an archipelago of 84 islands in Lake Victoria. During the Ssese island tour you can visit the local fishing communities, take a boat tour to other islands. Go fishing and also go explore the islands farms and forests through nature walks.
#6 Chimpanzee tour Africa – Kibale Forest National Park
Uganda is home to over 13 different primate species, and therefore chimpanzees are some of the most sought after animals whilst on a safari in Uganda. There are many places where you get to see chimpanzees during a chimpanzee tour and these include; Kibale national park, Murchison falls park and Queen Elizabeth national park. A two days trip to any of these parks would offer you an opportunity to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
#5 Mabira Forest Uganda Tour
Mabira forest is one of the largest forest in central Uganda and it is just 1 hours drive away from the Uganda’s capital city Kampala. The forest offers many activity options to include nature walks and a zip-line activity that has recently been introduced. The zip-line activity takes place about 30 minutes and costs USD 50 per person. Whilst on your way to Mabira forest we recommend a stop at the Ssezibwa falls to learn about the norms and cultural history of these falls. A visit to Mabira forest is worthwhile and can also allow you to visit some the local communities that surround this famous forest.
#4 Bahai Temple tour Uganda
There are a few Bahai temples in the world and on the African continent it can only be found in Uganda. The Bahai temple in Uganda was completed in the year 1961 and it is located along Kikaaya hill and it is located just 3 miles north of Kampala. The Bahia temple is a 9 sided structure that sits on a park like, or garden like grounds that attract people to picnic in the gardens of the temple and enjoy the beauty of the temple that has lots of trees’ and fruits .
#3 Uganda Agri Tours Coffee, Vanilla and Tea plantation Tours
For agricultural enthusiasts Uganda has a number of plantations that you can tour and explore to learn more about plantation agricultural. A Uganda tour to vanilla plantation is possible near Kibale national park, and the same applies to tea plantation. Or you can choose to visit an Arabica coffee plantation near Sipi falls. All trips, will take you through the process of planting, then harvesting and also processing. You also get to taste the final product. Taste some of the best beverages, grown on the African continent during your Uganda Tour.
#2 Uganda Wildlife tours – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Like any other African country, a tour to see wildlife in Uganda is very much possible and Uganda has parks that are close to the city centre like; Lake Mburo a park, Queen Elizabeth park and Murchison falls park. To explore these parks well during wildlife tour we would recommend a 3 days wildlife safari like’; the 3 days Murchison falls tour or the 3 day Lake Mburo tour. If time is against you a 2 days queen Elizabeth safari is also possible.
Last but not least we have the famous and most popular activity which is
#1 Gorilla tour Uganda – Bwindi Forest National Park
Tours that take you to see gorillas are amongst the most sought after trips in Uganda and also world wide. Gorilla tours in Uganda take place in two national parks. Both of these parks are located in south western Uganda. Bwindi national park is the most popular and it is home to 80% of Uganda’s mountain gorillas, whereas Mgahinga national park is home to 20%. Gorilla tracking is one of bucket-list activities in Uganda that any tourist shouldn’t miss out on.
Uganda has many more tour activities that you can take part in during your Uganda tour. Contact us for more information or you can look at our sample tours for more information.
