Welcome to Uganda
Nov 21, 17
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If you’re new to Uganda, here’s some basic information about what the country has to offer tourists.

Kampala is the capital of Uganda and known historically as the ‘city of seven hills.’ Click on the link to read an intro to this great and crazy city! I love Kampala!

If you’re looking for just one guidebook about travel and tourism in Uganda, buy the Bradt Uganda Guide. The latest edition was published in 2019. Guess who features as a contributor? 😉 Read more about the Bradt Uganda Guide here.

lion cub. Bradt Uganda edition 9 cover image
A lion cub features on the cover of edition 9 of the Bradt Uganda Guidebook

Safari or bust!

Most tourists land in Entebbe and head straight to track the gorillas or go on safari. Learn more about Uganda’s National Parks. While each National Park boasts hundreds of species, their ‘go to’ highlights include:

  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (mountain gorillas)
  • Kibale Forest National Park (chimps, monkeys, birds and butterflies) 
  • Kidepo Valley National Park (the only place to see ostrich and cheetah)
  • Lake Mburo National Park (zebras and giraffes)
  • Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (mountain gorillas and volcanoes)
  • Mount Elgon National Park (for funky vegetation, lakes, waterfalls and caves)
  • Murchison Falls National Park (for safari game drives, birds and boat rides on the Nile)
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park (for safari game drives, birdwatching, a ‘water safari’ boat ride and chimpanzees)
  • Rwenzori Mountains National Park (awesome ‘Big Botanical Game’ montane plants)
  • Semuliki National Park (a forest home to Central African bird species you won’t find anywhere else in Uganda).

In addition to the National Parks, the Uganda Wildlife Authority manages twelve Wildlife Reserves and fourteen wildlife sanctuaries. The National Forest Authority manages the Central Forest Reserves. The most popular ones include: Budongo Forest, Echuya Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Mabira Forest and Mpanga Forest.

The Ssesse Islands on Lake Victoria is an archipelago of 84 islands, many with beautiful white sandy beaches. Only half of the islands are inhabited. Some measure just a few thousand square metres. The largest Ssesse Island is Buggala (at 40 kilometres in length), a popular tourist destination.

Other popular Ssesse Islands include: Banda Island and Bulago Island. Ngamba Island is one of our best-known islands for it is home to the chimpanzees and sanctuary of the same name. Ngamba Island is a 45 minute boat ride across the Equator from Entebbe.

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2 thoughts on “Welcome to Uganda”

  1. Abdullahi Muse says:

    Dear Madam / Sir, I applied for the Uganda Tourist Visa. they were saying Your application for Visa was deferred for the following reasons: Attach immigration status of the host, LC1 Recommendation from the host’s area of residence, the immigration status of the host.
    Could you please tell me any workable recommendations?
    Thanks

    1. the muzungu says:

      Hi, you need to get a copy of your host’s national ID or passport (plus proof of their visa / work permit if they are not Ugandan).
      Your host needs to organise a letter from their LC1 (local councillor). They will know how to do this.

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