Uganda, or the ‘Pearl of Africa’, as it was famously dubbed by Winston Churchill, is characterised by relatively dry and flat savanna in the north, with verdant mountains in the West, and vast dense and remarkably lush forests in the central region. The nation is home to an astonishingly diverse range of African wildlife including the highly endangered mountain gorilla which can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife watching is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which hosts four of the Big Five, a flock of flamboyant flamingos and the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding facilities on offer. Add to this some friendly locals, a burgeoning cultural scene, and a capital city full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants, and it is easy to see why Uganda has gained itself a reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country'.
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe lies 40 km south of Kampala, Uganda's bustling capital. As the country’s primary gateway, it serves as both a peaceful retreat and a starting point for exploring Uganda's natural wonders. The city sits in a lush landscape, with sprawling green spaces and a shoreline dotted with fishing villages. The Entebbe Botanical Gardens, established in 1898, showcase a wide variety of plant species, from indigenous tropical forest to cultivated horticultural displays. The gardens are home to a diverse bird population, including the palm nut vulture and giant kingfisher, and provide a haven for primates like the black-and-white colobus. A short trip west leads to the Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar Wetland, where visitors can explore by dugout canoe in search of the rare shoebill stork. Lake Victoria itself invites fishing, leisurely cruises, and excursions to Ngamba Island, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, where visitors can observe the chimps roaming freely across 40 hectares of forested land.
Renowned as the historic source of the Nile River, Jinja has evolved into East Africa’s adventure capital. Located 81 km east of Kampala, the city lies on a peninsula bordered by Lake Victoria and the Nile. Once a colonial outpost, Jinja has transformed into a hub for adventure tourism, attracting visitors with its world-renowned white-water rafting. The river, where John Speke made his historic discovery, offers rapids suitable for all skill levels. Nearby, Bujagali and Itanda Falls provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching, camping, and hiking. Lake Bujagali’s calm waters are perfect for boat cruises and sport fishing. The city also features colonial-era ruins, quad biking trails, and the vibrant Jinja Market, a sprawling complex, with numerous stalls selling a wide variety of goods, from fresh produce and spices to textiles, crafts, and electronics.
Situated along the border of Uganda and Kenya, Mount Elgon is the oldest and largest solitary volcano in East Africa and has one of largest intact calderas in the world. This extinct shield volcano is split by the Uganda/Kenya Border with a Mount Elgon National Park in both countries. It measures an impressive 80 kilometres in diameter and rises over 3000 metres above sea level. Mount Elgon is home to a variety of rare plants and abundant wildlife. The area also offers excellent climbing and walking along Koitobos, the highest peak on the Kenya side, reaching up to 4200 metres.
The town of Moroto is set in the Northern Region of Uganda, at the foot of the 3,083 metre high Mount Moroto. The town is known for its cultural tourism, natural surrounding scenery, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore Mount Moroto and the surrounding forest reserves of Pian-Upe, Bokora, and Matheniko - which protect a variety of habitats. Dry montane forest and dry savanna are inhabited by an array of species, including 220 bird species, a collection of monkey and wild cat species, and many more. Visitors can explore the network of scenic trails traversing the area, learn about the way of life of the nomadic Karamajong people, and browse a variety of traditional crafts and souvenirs. Other commonly spotted species in the area include hyenas, buffalos, dik-dik, and the Greater and Lesser Kudus.
As previously described
One of Uganda’s most stunningly beautiful reserves, the remote Kidepo Valley National Park stretches across the Karamoja region of northeast Uganda. Broad swathes of savannah are studded with hills and rock clusters, traversed by the forest-flanked Lorupei River. The park is home to roughly 80 mammal species, 28 of which are found at no other park in the country, and is particularly well known for its rich population of raptors, as well as over 450 species of bird. Visitors can look forward to excellent wildlife sightings including greater and lesser kudu, eland, lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, and a variety of plains game.
Stretching from the shores of Lake Albert, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest National Park. The Nile River flows through the middle of the park creating the impressive Murchison Falls which is the park’s major attraction. The landscape features dense rainforest, undulating savannah and a diversity of abundant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy prime game-viewing along the Buligi Circuit. The forests are home to numerous primates, including Chimpanzees, and near the river, buffalo, elephants and Rothschild-Giraffes can be seen. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: lions, antelope, waterbucks, hippos and crocodiles.
Straddling the Uganda/DRC border, Lake Albert is one of the famous and spectacular Great African Lakes. The first European to sight Lake Albert was the British explorer Sir Samuel Baker in 1864, who named it after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband. Visitors can look forward to a number of lovely activities including mountain biking, scenic drives, hiking, horse riding, quad biking, and bush dinners under the African sky.
Located in southern Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park is said to be home to the highest density of primates in Africa. Although the highlight of the park is the habituated chimpanzees, the treetops are alive with all manner of monkey including: red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest's monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus and black and white colobus monkeys are all spotted here. When you’re not searching for monkeys there are over 300 bird species and an incredible 250 species of butterfly to keep you busy. Visitors can look forward to chimpanzee tracking, birding tours and guided nature walks.
Located in southwestern Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the county’s most popular parks. Volcanic craters, grassy plains, tropical forest and giant lakes connected by a channel inhabited by abundant hippos, are what you will see at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park has almost 100 types of mammal and 606 different bird species, including the peculiar shoebill. The Kasinga Channel alone is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippos, and other wildlife includes buffalo, the rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda kob, Defassa waterbuck and elephant. Don't miss the Kyambura Gorge, which is home to habituated chimpanzees.
Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities - the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify.
The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Set on the southwestern shores of Lake Victoria, Bukoba is the capital of Tanzania’s Kagera region. This serene, beautiful town provides some wonderful beaches, breathtaking lake views and a scattering of interesting historical sights. Must-sees include the Katuruka Archaeological Site, remains of the oldest iron-smelting furnace in east, central and southern Africa, the intriguing ex-prison island of Musira, and the iconic Mater Misericordiae Cathedral, with its massive glass steeple. Discover more about the area’s past by visiting the Kagera Museum, filled with exhibits on local wildlife, tribes, and crafts. Make sure to try the delicious coffee, tea and vanilla grown in the area.
The massive 6.5 million-hectare Lake Victoria is three times the size of Wales and is shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Known as one of Africa’s ‘Great Lakes', it is world-renowned as the source of the Nile and is Africa’s largest lake. Its waters are rich in fish life with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids and large Nile Perch, sought after by fishermen. The lake boasts an impressive 3440 kilometre stretch of shoreline and is dotted with over 3000 inhabited islets. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities including excellent fishing; wildlife viewing; and boating, among others. Make sure to visit Ukerewe, the lake's largest island, and enjoy the picturesque island beaches and spectacular scenery.
The Seronera region, in the central Serengeti, is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon, when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. A number of small campsites provide accommodation and visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.
Located in Tanzania’s scenic northern highlands, Karatu is a small, colourful town surrounded by rolling green hills and fertile farmland. Travellers heading for the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater often pass through Karatu, which lies beneath the towering Ol Deani Volcano. The town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the region’s many game parks. Karatu offers a variety of activities, including browsing bustling local markets, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting traditional homesteads, or taking guided walks through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether seeking cultural experiences, hiking and biking opportunities, or simply a relaxing break between safari drives, visitors will find plenty to enjoy in this welcoming town.
Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.
Situated in southwest Kenya, the Mara North Conservancy is a beautiful private wilderness area spanning more than 30 000 hectares. It is home to a spectacular array of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals; including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and large concentrations of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other migratory wildlife. Leopard Gorge, in the heart of the conservancy, is famous as the setting of countless BBC Big Cat Diaries and National Geographic documentaries. Neighbouring the well-known Maasai Mara National Reserve, this conservancy is vital for sustaining the famous Serengeti wildebeest migrations as well as the endangered African wild dog and black rhino.
Uganda, or the ‘Pearl of Africa’, as it was famously dubbed by Winston Churchill, is characterised by relatively dry and flat savanna in the north, with verdant mountains in the West, and vast dense and remarkably lush forests in the central region. The nation is home to an astonishingly diverse range of African wildlife including the highly endangered mountain gorilla which can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife watching is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which hosts four of the Big Five, a flock of flamboyant flamingos and the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding facilities on offer. Add to this some friendly locals, a burgeoning cultural scene, and a capital city full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants, and it is easy to see why Uganda has gained itself a reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country'.
As previously described
As previously described
