Situated in the east of Africa, with Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as its neighbours, Uganda is fast making a name for itself as a holiday destination for adventure seekers.
The main facts
Uganda is one of Africa’s smaller countries and is comparable in size to the UK. It only has one city, the capital Kampala, and its international airport is located at Entebbe. Despite its diminutive proportions in African terms, it boasts a lot for its size. It is home to Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, and has the third highest mountain in Africa, Mount Stanley. Uganda is considered to be one of the safest countries in Africa.
Top attractions
Uganda is blessed with abundant natural diversity and breathtaking scenery, encompassing rainforests, savannah, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes. When you visit the country, it soon becomes apparent why Winston Churchill once nicknamed it ‘the pearl of Africa’.
For most visitors to Uganda, it is the combination of the awe-inspiring national parks and the wildlife that reside there that are the main draw. Uganda is home to one of the most diverse and concentrated ranges of African fauna, including the endangered mountain gorilla and common chimpanzee.
Many visitors take part in escorted Uganda gorilla trekking tours. It is believed that half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda in the 25,000-year old UNESCO Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Chimpanzees can be spotted at Kibale Forest, and the mesmerising lakes and caves here are also worth exploring.
It is not just primates that Uganda is famed for. Many tourists flock to the country to catch a glimpse of the ‘big five’ – the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and African buffalo. Four of these five can be found in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is also home to rare tree-climbing lions.
Murchison Falls is another popular magnet for big game spotters and it is also the place to head to if you want to spy Africa’s largest crocodile.
For those wanting to get off the beaten track, Kipedo National Park is a remote bolthole, characterised by desert crags and ossified anthills.
In addition to wildlife watching, Uganda is popular for rafting on the river Nile. A visit to Kampala also offers many cultural attractions.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
In the south west of the country, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a World Heritage Site for its biodiversity, with more than 100 mammal species, and it is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking is the main draw. Mountain gorillas are threatened by hunting and habitat loss, but some families studied by scientists have become used to visitors and rarely react to them. You need a guide and a permit, best booked in advance, and time with the gorillas ranges from a single hour to a full day, which suits keen photographers. Income from these visits helps fund the Uganda Wildlife Authority, including its anti-poaching unit.
The park is open all year, although dirt roads are harder going in the rainy season. Guided walks may reveal forest elephants, 11 kinds of primate and some of 350 bird species, and lodges and tented camps sit around its edge.
Highlights for couples visiting Uganda
Uganda makes a memorable trip for couples, with national parks, waterfalls and dramatic scenery to explore together. Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to romantic log cabins.
The landscapes are varied. The snow capped Rwenzori Mountains are a striking sight in such a hot country, and Lake Victoria offers a chance for keen anglers to try for some very large fish. For adventurous couples, gorilla trekking through dense rainforest is the highlight, with the chance to watch gorillas feeding and mothers carrying their young on their backs.
There is plenty of other wildlife too. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to lions, flamingos, elephants and many other species. Couples who prefer city life can explore the busy markets of Kampala and Entebbe. From Entebbe, the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers a rare chance to see chimpanzees up close. Facing new experiences together is a good way to bond, which is why so many couples find Uganda a trip they talk about for years.
