16 Best and Most Amazing things to do in Uganda
All the things to do in Uganda give you so many good reasons and unforgettable experiences to finally put this amazing Sub-Saharan African country on your travel bucket list with 16 Best and Most Amazing Things to do in Uganda.
I never planned to travel to Uganda, nor did it ever appear on my “must-do” list. Instead, a completely random and unexpected decision led me to visit the country. My husband and I travelled to Uganda only because we got cheap flight tickets, and honestly, we did not even know what the best things to do in Uganda were before we embarked on the plane. Uganda welcomed us with open arms. We could not have chosen a better country for our first trip to Sub-Saharan Africa!
The most amazing things to do in Uganda.
- Explore the River Nile.
- Hike to the 100-meter-high Sipi waterfall.
- Visit the largest manyata in Eastern Africa.
- Enjoy a diverse landscape.
- Go on a safari.
- See the tea plantations and their Arabica coffee.
- Walk with the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Relax on the shores of Victoria Lake
- Visit the Sese Islands.
- Go gorilla or chimpanzee trekking,
- Try the typical food
- Visit local markets
- Enjoy the starry sky
- Watch the drum makers
- Cross the Equator
The most amazing things to do in Uganda are the 16 Best and Most Amazing Things to Do in Uganda.
1. Explore the River Nile
Many people claim that the source of the River Nile is in Uganda. Visit the town of Jinja and find it here, as this is one of the must-do things in Uganda. This glorious river, which flows through eleven countries, is the longest in the world, and you will encounter it a few more times during your Uganda travel. If you like adrenaline-fueled water sports, don’t miss out on the white water rafting in Jinja or see the rich animal life on its shores in the Murchison Falls National Park.
2. Hike to the 100-meter-high Sipi waterfall
If you like water and intense green colour, hiking to the beautiful and powerful Sipi waterfall will for sure become one of your best things to do in Uganda. Get yourself a local guide who will cost you almost nothing and help you learn all about life in the nearby village. While hiking down the waterfall, the steep ladders and your shaking knees will certainly challenge you. However, as soon as you wipe away the sweat and look out at the view, you will realise exactly why you came here.
3. Visit the largest manyata in Eastern Africa
Not long ago, people avoided Karamoja because they considered it a very dangerous part of the country. Today, however, visitors travel to this region specifically to see the traditional homes known as manyattas. When you visit it, you might not return alive. Most travellers around Uganda still avoid it, but if you ask us, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Uganda.
I already put a visit to it on my MUST-do list at home! The Karamojo region is a bit hard to reach without your own transport, but if you can spare a few extra days, you should not have any second thoughts. Instead of violent people, the Karamojongs are now curious, friendly and hospitable.
Not many people visit them, so prepare yourself to get a very, VERY big amount of attention – maybe for some, an unpleasant one, but this will be one of the most unforgettable experiences you will have on your Uganda travel. I would recommend that you hire a local guide who speaks their language so you can ask them questions and learn more about their life.
4. Enjoy a diverse landscape
I could almost say that Uganda offers every landscape found across Africa. Specifically, the country boasts a diverse collection of jungles, savannas, lakes, rivers, and mountains. However, it only lacks deserts and the scorching sun to complete the full African spectrum.
5. Go on a safari
Safaris are probably one of the most recognisable things in Sub-Saharan Africa, so doing at least one is one of the best things to do in Uganda, too. You will find amazing national parks in Uganda, perfect for safari and much cheaper than those in Kenya and Tanzania. The most popular and visited national parks in Uganda are Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth.
If you prefer less-visited places, don’t miss out on the Kidepo National Park. It is far northeast and just below the Sudan border. Seeing all the animals in their natural habitat is one of the best experiences of travelling in Uganda – observing elegant giraffes, large elephant families, hunting lions, playful antelopes, lazy water buffalo, and curious monkeys. I guarantee you, you will be speechless.
6. See the tea plantations
Not only are countries in Asia famous for their tea plantations, but you can also spot many here in Uganda. The best starting point for visiting them is the town of Fort Portal. The vivid green bushes are so photogenic that you would never want to leave.
7. Try their Arabica coffee
Uganda also grows premium Arabica coffee, and regardless of your preference, you must try it while visiting. In fact, I discovered that this was one of the best coffees I have ever tasted. Therefore, you should definitely include a coffee tasting on your to-do list.
8. Walk with the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Even though you cannot see rhinos in Uganda’s national parks, you should not give up too quickly. Instead, visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where fifteen white rhinos live within a large protected area. Although a fence unfortunately surrounds the sanctuary, it exists solely to protect the animals from poachers who killed the country’s last wild rhino in 1982.
After almost twenty years, Uganda finally received a new breeding pair from Kenya. Since then, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has managed a breeding program to revive the population. Once the numbers grow sufficiently, the UWA will release them back into the wilderness. Ultimately, walking among these wild rhinos became one of our favourite activities in Uganda.
9. Rent a canoe at Lake Bunyonyi
When arriving at the Bunyonyi Lake, you will think you are in some fairytale. The landscape is just unreal here. The large volcanic lake, which has more than 29 small islands, is so charming that you would want to stay longer than you first planned.
Rent a wooden canoe (6-10 USD/day) and enjoy the peace, as it looks like time stopped here a few centuries ago. The good news is that this lake should be bilharzia-free, so it should be safe for swimming. The only downside of the Bunyonyi Lake is its altitude, as it can get pretty chilly and rainy.
10. Relax on the shores of Victoria Lake and visit the Ssesi Islands
If you are looking for a remote holiday, stop by the Ssese Islands, an archipelago of 84 small islands in Lake Victoria that remains one of Uganda’s best-kept secrets. Although Bugala is the largest island, travellers can easily reach it by free ferry from Masaka or by small local boat from Kampala. Once there, you will encounter extremely friendly and smiling residents. Consequently, I often wondered how they maintained such joy, given that the majority of them struggle with poverty and HIV daily.
11. Go Gorilla or chimpanzee trekking
Although these treks probably represent the highlight of a trip to Uganda, they also rank among the most expensive activities. Because I had a very limited budget, I could not afford to participate in either the Gorilla or Chimpanzee treks. However, I tell myself that I must leave something unseen for my next visit. Specifically, the Gorilla trek currently costs 800 USD per person, while the Chimpanzee trek ranges from 150 to 250 USD per person.
12. Try the typical food
Because of Uganda’s abundant water, farmers produce a diverse range of food that is far from boring. Although green bananas (matoke) remain the top choice, you can also find a wide variety of local vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, thanks to the Nile River and Lake Victoria, fish lovers will find plenty of delicious options. You should definitely try the local eateries as a “must-do” activity; however, prepare to wait at least two hours for any meal that requires more preparation than chapati and matoke.
13. Visit local markets
First, you will immediately notice the vibrant colours surrounding you. Beyond the colourful fruits and vegetables, the people and their brilliant dresses truly make the scene shine. Therefore, you should open your eyes and ears to enjoy the beauty of these lively markets fully.
14. Enjoy the starry sky
Lots of households are still without electricity, and before you get nervous about it, stop and look at the night sky above you. You will be thankful that there are still places like this in our fast-developing world.
15. Watch the drum makers
Many people connect Africa with rhythm and drums, and you will soon discover why while travelling through Uganda, especially near Entebbe. Specifically, the country features a famous region dedicated to drum-making. If you pass this area, stop to watch the artisans work. Furthermore, you can try playing the drums or even buy several to take home. Although I wanted the largest one available, I eventually realised I couldn’t possibly fit it on the plane.
16. Cross the Equator
Travelling around Uganda will allow you to cross the famous Equator line, and for me, this was one of the coolest things to do in Uganda. If you have limited time, choose the more touristy circuit on the east side. However, if you possess enough time, head to the west side instead. There, you will find no shops, no tourists, and almost no people, offering a truly secluded experience. You can easily have the famous circle all to yourself and take many photos while you have one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern!
Uganda is truly an amazing country, and you will find all kinds of things to do in Uganda! Statistically, this is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is rich in so many other ways! The greatest treasure is its people.
When you have nothing but getting to know them, talking to them, and spending time with them, you realise that the poorest person is yourself. That is why I fell in love with Uganda – the country has been one of my greatest teachers and eye-openers from all my travels.