Top 10 Best Things To Do in Uganda

By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Despite its compact size, Uganda doesn’t lack in tourist attractions. Not only can you come within meters of a gorilla family, there are also opportunities for boat trips on the Nile, volcano hikes, seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) on savannah plains, and watching chimps in dense rainforest.

Wondering what to do in Uganda? There are countless points of interest in this beautiful country. Aside from several popular destinations, there are many off-the-beaten-track places to visit too. To get you started, below are some of the best things to do in Uganda.

1,444 Uganda Safaris

1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi NP

Mountain gorilla mother with baby

Treat yourself to a gorilla trek, rated as one of Africa’s most exhilarating wildlife encounters. The long hike through dense rainforest on slippery slopes, the relatively high price … it’s all worth it. Spending time with these gentle giants is a spine-tingling experience you’ll never forget.

962 Bwindi Tours

2. Finding the Tree-climbing Lions in Queen Elizabeth NP

Male lion sitting in a tree

Spotting a lion, the king of the savannah, is always a treat. But can you imagine seeing the biggest, and possibly most clumsy, of the big cats perched high up in a tree? In the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, big prides reliably spend their days in ancient fig trees. They look quite comfortable, too. That is, until they want to come down. Let’s say, you won’t confuse any of them with a graceful leopard.

664 Queen Elizabeth NP Tours

3. Chimp Trekking in Kibale NP

Chimpanzee

Let the trackers lead you into the jungled depths of Kibale in search of chimpanzee. The habituated Kanyantale community consists of more than 90 individuals. You’ll get to spend a magical hour watching them groom, eat, sleep, nurse, play or patrol (good luck keeping up with them). If you didn’t know it before, you’ll figure it out now: there is no doubt about who our closest relatives are.

493 Kibale Tours

4. Boating in Murchison Falls NP

Murchison Falls

Take a boat trip east on the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls National Park. You’ll see plenty of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds in the river, and there’s a good chance of elephant, buffalo and giraffe coming down to drink, or acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkeys swinging in waterside trees. But the real highlight is Murchison Falls itself. Imagine the explosive force of the world’s longest river being pushed through a small narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment. Sit back and enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand while cruising back.

447 Murchison Falls Safaris

5. Tracking Rhino in Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch

White rhinos

Get up close to Uganda’s only rhinos in Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch. Watching these prehistoric-looking heavyweights on foot is a thrilling experience. And since proceeds go toward breeding and ultimately reintroducing rhino into Uganda’s parks, visiting this popular destination is a must.

110 Ziwa Tours

6. Chilling on the Shore of Lake Bunyonyi

Boat on the shore of Lake Bunyonyi

When considering things to do in Uganda, scenic Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to kick back, hang out and do nothing at all. With so many points of interest and places to visit in Uganda, there is a danger of never slowing down. If you want to chill for a couple of days before or after a gorilla trek, Lake Bunyonyi is the perfect place to do it. If you do get restless, however, there is plenty of opportunity for hiking, swimming, chatting to the villagers and even paddling a dugout canoe.

341 Lake Bunyonyi Tours

7. Going on a Night Drive in Lake Mburo NP

Leopard sighting during a night drive

Let your gaze follow the tracker’s spotlight in search of creatures that are active at night in Lake Mburo National Park. Under the cover of night, the bush takes on a different character. You might spot a genet, a bush baby, a spotted hyena or an owl, and possibly even a leopard, the most secretive of the big cats.

309 Lake Mburo Tours

8. Traveling North to Kidepo Valley NP

Zebras and hartebeest on the plains

Travel off the beaten track to the true wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park. The plains, surrounded by rugged mountains, are teeming with wildlife, and you might not see another car on a three-hour game drive. A road trip to Kidepo through the Karamoja region is a whole adventure in itself.

75 Kidepo Valley Tours

9. Climbing Mt Sabyinyo in Mgahinga Gorilla NP

Three peaks of Mt Sabyinyo

Challenge yourself with a hike in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is located in the Virunga Mountains and dominated by several immense dormant volcanoes. Tracking mountain gorillas is the number one activity here, but adventure enthusiasts shouldn’t leave before conquering one of the volcanic peaks. The ascent of Mt Sabyinyo takes you through mystical alpine vegetation, often shrouded in mist. The 3,669m/12,037ft summit is located at the three-way border point of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). How cool is that?

102 Mgahinga Gorilla Tours

10. Looking for Shoebills on Lake Albert

Shoebill

Take a boat trip on Lake Albert when staying at Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. This Rift Valley lake teems with birds, but the ultimate prize is a glimpse of the odd-looking shoebill. You’ll probably get more than a peek. Sightings of this rare bird, resembling something from the dinosaur era, are excellent here.