Discover all the good places to visit in Uganda, including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison National Park and More!
Uganda has 10 remarkable national parks, each a testament to the country’s incredible biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes. These parks are essential for conservation and offer visitors a chance to connect with iconic wildlife in their natural habitats, truly immersing themselves in the wilderness.
From lush rainforests and afro-montane woodlands to vast savannahs, primary forests, vital wetlands, and awe-inspiring volcanic terrains, Uganda’s parks showcase a wide range of ecosystems. Home to numerous unique species, some of which can’t be found anywhere else on Earth, these areas are a paradise for nature lovers. Beyond the national parks, there are so many good places to visit in Uganda, and here we highlight the most fascinating places to explore.
While wildlife viewing is the main focus of most Uganda tours, those who enjoy a mix of urban exploration and adventure should definitely check out Jinja. This charming town sits by the point where the world’s longest river exit the world’s largest tropical lake to begins its long journey north to the Mediterranean Sea via the Sahara Desert. Jinja is filled with historic buildings from when it was Uganda’s second-largest city, and it also boasts a lively scene with modern cafés, restaurants, and nightclubs. For thrill-seekers, the Nile River just upstream of Jinja offers exciting white-water rafting on Grade 5 rapids, as well as kayaking, bungee jumping, tubing, and quad biking.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for its gorillas, which are Uganda’s top tourist attraction. This park is home to nearly half of the world’s 1,060 remaining mountain gorillas. There are over 25 gorilla families here, and each can be visited by up to eight people a day. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be a challenging adventure, with a steep hike through thick forest, but sometimes it’s just a short, easy 30-minute walk. No matter how you get there, encountering these gentle giants—who share 98% of their DNA with us—is an unforgettable experience that can even be life-changing.
Murchison Falls, the stunning highlight of Uganda’s largest national park, was once described by explorer Sir Samuel Baker as “the most important object on the entire course of the Nile River.” A thrilling boat trip to the base of this powerful waterfall proves his point, offering fantastic views of the falls as well as great wildlife sightings. From the boat, you’ll likely spot hippos, crocodiles, and various waterbirds, along with elephants, buffalo, and antelope. Further north, on game drives near the Nile, you’ll often encounter lions and Rothschild’s giraffes. For bird enthusiasts, boat trips to the delta where the river flows into Lake Albert provide excellent opportunities to see the rare shoebill.
Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos today. Even more exciting, it’s one of the few spots in the world where you can track these ancient creatures on foot, with sightings almost guaranteed. Sadly, rhinos were once common in Murchison Falls National Park back in the 1960s, but they were poached to extinction during the post-independence turmoil. The white rhinos at Ziwa were carefully bred from just six individuals, mostly relocated from Kenya in the early 2000s. There are plans to move some of these rhinos to other parks in Uganda in the future, but for now, Ziwa remains one of the top places in the country for those hoping to see all the Big Five.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, celebrated for its rich variety of ecosystems such as savannah, wetlands, freshwater lakes, and crater lakes, is home to over 96 mammal species and 600 bird species. Visitors can enjoy thrilling game drives, boat safaris along the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel, and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha region.
Uganda not only can you track gorillas with near certainty and have a solid chance of spotting the Big Five, but it’s also the easiest place in Africa to track chimpanzees, our closest genetic relatives. Kibale National Park is the top destination for chimp trekking if you want a good chance of seeing them, although other places like Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest, and Kyambura Gorge offer more affordable options and fewer crowds. Kibale offers much more than just chimpanzees.
During your visit, you’re likely to spot several species of monkeys, including the Uganda mangabey, which is found only in this country. The park also boasts a wide range of vibrant forest birds, such as the great blue turaco, double-toothed barbet, and red-headed bluebell.
Lake Mburo may be Uganda’s smallest savannah park, but it’s a vibrant gem. With five lakes and lush wetlands, it’s home to over 350 bird species, making it a top destination for bird watching and photography. The park is teeming with plains game like zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, leopards, and bush babies. Walking safaris are a favorite way to discover the beauty of this distinctive landscape.
Entebbe International Airport in Uganda boasts a stunning location on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Even better for newcomers, it’s just a short drive or boat ride away from Mabamba Swamp, a bird-watching haven that’s part of a community-run ecotourism project.
Mabamba is one of the best places in Uganda—and arguably all of Africa—to spot the shoebill, a striking, slate-gray bird known for feeding on lungfish and snapping its enormous, clog-shaped bill like castanets when disturbed. During canoe trips through the swamp, you’re also likely to spot other iconic birds, such as the African fish eagle, palm-nut vulture, towering goliath heron, and the lily-dancing African jacana.
Often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzori Mountains are known for their breathtaking landscapes, towering snow-capped peaks, and rich ecosystems. With numerous hiking and trekking routes, adventurers can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site up close and on foot.
Kidepo Valley National Park is a secluded and often overlooked treasure, renowned for its expansive savannahs, striking landscapes, and rich wildlife. It provides a rare opportunity to witness large herds of buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, ostriches, and many other species in their natural habitat.
Semuliki is East Africa’s sole area of lowland tropical rainforest, making it a biodiversity hotspot with a fascinating mix of Central African and East African species. The park is famous for its hot springs, excellent birdwatching opportunities, and the rare chance to spot the elusive Semuliki Forest pygmy elephant.
This towering, solitary volcanic mountain straddles the border between eastern Uganda and western Kenya, offering an incredible variety of plants and animals. With its stunning landscapes of cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, hot springs, calderas, and peaks, the mountain is home to buffaloes and elephants on its lower slopes, along with various primates, including black-and-white colobus monkeys. Visitors can explore the area on foot or even by mountain bike.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is often unfairly considered the second-best spot in Uganda for mountain gorilla trekking. While it’s true that only one gorilla group is available for visits, meaning permits are limited, this group is particularly rewarding to visit. It features three impressive silverbacks and tends to reside in more open bamboo forests compared to its Bwindi counterparts.
Mgahinga offers much more than just gorillas—it’s the only place in Uganda where you can track the stunning golden monkey, known for its love of bamboo. Set on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, which can be explored through challenging day hikes, the park’s setting is truly breathtaking.
Nestled in Uganda’s southwestern highlands, the stunning Lakes Bunyonyi and Mutanda share much in common. Both are formed from submerged river valleys that were naturally dammed by lava flows from the Virunga Mountains. Surrounded by steep, terraced slopes and dotted with wooded islands, the lakes offer breathtaking views. They’re also safe for swimming, free from bilharzia (a disease spread by snails at lower altitudes), as well as crocodiles and hippos.
The main difference between the two lies in their level of tourism development. Lake Bunyonyi is a popular post-safari retreat with a wide range of resorts catering to all budgets, while Lake Mutanda offers a more secluded atmosphere, with just a few small, mid-range to luxury lodges. Still undecided? On a clear day, the sunset view over Lake Mutanda towards the Virunga Volcanoesis one of the most stunning sights in all of Africa.
Nestled at the foothills of Mount Elgon and overlooking a vast plain, Sipi Falls is arguably Uganda’s most stunning waterfall chain. With three levels, the smaller two are lovely, but it’s the dramatic main drop that draws most visitors to the area. For those seeking adventure, there’s the thrilling opportunity to abseil down this majestic waterfall. Beyond the falls, the region is renowned for its coffee, making it the perfect spot to combine a waterfall hike with a visit to local coffee farms.
Uganda’s lively capital Kampala, is a city full of energy and culture, offering a perfect mix of urban experiences, cultural connections, and historical discoveries. There are a variety of tours to help visitors fully enjoy the city, from guided city tours that take you through its most iconic landmarks and historical sites, to arts and food tours that dive into the vibrant markets, local art, music, and culinary scene.
