Uganda trip | Round trip Uganda fascinating highlights

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's best-known national parks. Named after Queen Elizabeth II, the park was founded in 1954. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda, near the border with Congo. It lies at the bottom of the Albertine Rift and at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. It includes an impressive diversity of flora and fauna. The open plains of Katwe and Ishasha offer beautiful views. Other attractions include the Kazinga Channel, a natural water connection between Lake Edward and Lake George, and the elaborate volcanic craters at Katwe and Bubyaragura. The park has more species of mammals (95) than any other park in Uganda. These include both big game and rainforest primates, including chimpanzees.

Uganda, the 'pearl of Africa', as it was called by Winston Churchill, is characterised by a relatively dry and flat savannah in the north, with green mountains in the west, and vast, dense and lush forests in the central region. The country is home to an amazingly wide range of African wildlife, including the endangered mountain gorilla that can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife spotting is Queen Elizabeth National Park with ondare among others four of the Big Five, a group of flamboyant flamingos and the rare tree-climbing lions. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix by rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding. Uganda also has a friendly population, a growing cultural scene and a capital full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants. It is easy to see why Uganda has gained a reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country'.

Located in southwestern Uganda, in the Kisoro District, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area. This wilderness sanctuary was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests. The striking landscape boasts three conical volcanoes, which are a part of the magnificent Virunga Range at the fringes of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Aside from the main attraction - the mountain gorillas - the park is home to buffaloes, elephants, endangered golden monkeys and many bird species. The three extinct volcanoes offer plenty of hiking trails.

Lake Albert is located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first European to discover the lake was British explorer Samuel Baker in 1864, who named it after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. The Victoria Nile flows into the lake but also flows right out again. Most of Lake Albert's water comes from Lake Edward and the Semliki River.

Kibale Forest National Park, along with the nearby Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes, comes close to every traveller's dream. Kibale is a vast national park (795 km2) that encompasses a large rainforest and is an excellent area for bird watching. It contains the greatest concentration and variety of monkey species in East Africa. Superb birding combined with easy accessibility make this rainforest one of the most beautiful destinations.
Many facilities are community-based, meaning they provide income to local people and involve them in long-term conservation. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best destinations in Africa for chimpanzee observation.

Murchison Falls National Park is a national park in northwestern Uganda that stretches inland from the shores of Lake Albert. The White Nile, flows from east to west right through the park. The 3860 km² park is named after Murchison Falls, which in turn are named after Scotsman Roderick Murchison, founder of the Royal Geographical Society. The park is home to rothschild giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, lions, several species of antelope (including the 'uganda kob'), and various species of birds.

Entebbe is not far from Uganda's current capital and has much to offer its visitors. For instance, you can take a walk in the fields and forests of the Botanical Gardens or along the beaches along the banks of Lake Victoria. Or visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, home to some of Uganda's remaining chimpanzees.

Lake Mburo is one of Uganda's smaller parks. It covers 260 km2 of hilly land, whose altitude varies between 1220 and 1828 metres above sea level. The park consists largely of open savannah and acacia trees. The park offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities. It is the only protected area in Uganda where visitors can go on safari by foot, mountain bike, horseback or quad-bike, led by an experienced guide. It is also the only park with a population of impala, the beautiful antelope from which capital Kampala gets its name. It is also one of three protected areas in Uganda where the Burchell's zebra is found (the other areas are Kidepo National Park and Pian Upe).

Lake Mutanda is a small freshwater lake nestled between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Virunga Mountains. The island which is located in the lake and the surrounding land consists of swampland and forests located on the mountains where the endangered mountain gorilla lives.

Situated north of Kampala, the small Ugandan village of Nakitoma is best known for its surrounding natural scenic beauty and its protected wilderness areas. The world-renowned Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a popular highlight of the Nakitoma Area. This 70 square-kilometre private reserve is home to 19 southern white rhinos, as well as leopard, hippo, crocodiles, bushbuck and over 350 species of bird. The town also serves as a convenient base to explore the surrounding national parks of Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the beautiful Lake Albert.

Located north of Kampala in Uganda's Nakasongola district, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in the country where wild rhinos are found. Currently, the sanctuary houses twenty-two southern white rhinos and offers activities such as rhino tracking, shoebill stork tracking, canoeing, bird watching and night walks. Visitors can also encounter several other animal species, including the Ugandan kob, oribi, bushbuck and waterbuck.
The prehistoric-looking shoebill is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda, and the reserve is one of the few places where they can almost always be seen. Discover more than 300 bird species along birding trails through forests, swamps and savannahs, and take a guided night walk. Here you will be introduced to extraordinary nocturnal sounds and sensations, including beautifully clear starry skies and various nocturnal animals.

One of the most popular parks in Uganda, the Queen Elizabeth National Park lies in the western region of the country. In the northern part of the park, visitors can look forward to boating along the Kasinga Channel, which is home to the largest population of hippos in the world and an abundance of Nile crocodiles. Along the banks, an incredible number of birds and wild animals flock to the river's edge. At Kyambura Gorge, fondly known as 'Valley of the Apes', chimpanzees are at home in a world of lush tropical rainforest spread with canopies, and three salty crater lakes are decorated with swathes of pink flamingos. On the western shore of Lake George, the vast Kasenyi Plains are inhabited by lions and several interesting bird species.

The giant 6.5-million-acre Lake Victoria is three times the size of Wales and is shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. As one of Africa's 'Great Lakes', it is known worldwide as both Africa's largest lake and the source of the mighty Nile.
The waters of the lake are rich in fish, with shimmering schools of colourful cichlids and large Nile perch, which are highly sought after by fishermen. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including excellent fishing, wildlife spotting and tasting local dishes in restaurants with phenomenal views of the lake.
Along the shores, visitors can encounter wildebeest, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and chimpanzees. Beautiful islands such as Ssese, Bulago and Entebbe invite to be explored.

Uganda's Ankole Region, situated in the country's southwestern part, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, and expansive savannahs. Historically significant, Ankole was once a powerful kingdom with a rich cultural heritage that continues to influence the area today. The region is dotted with traditional homesteads, and visitors can explore ancient royal sites that provide insight into the Ankole kingdom's storied past. Lake Mburo National Park, a key attraction, is home to diverse wildlife, including zebras, hippos, and a variety of bird species, making it a prime destination for safaris and birdwatching. Adventurers can also enjoy hiking through the scenic terrain, with trails that wind through lush forests and open grasslands. The local Ankole longhorn cattle, celebrated for their impressive horns and significant cultural value, are a unique sight. Visitors can engage with the hospitable communities, experiencing traditional music, dance, and cuisine, enriching their understanding of Ankole's vibrant heritage.