Uganda is among the leading tourist destinations on the African continent and prides in a number of tourist attractions and sites located in different parts of the country among which is half the population of the endangered mountain gorillas, the source of River Nile -the longest River in the world, the Big 5 animals, the snow capped Rwenzori mountain, several bird species in addition to different primates and animals. All these you will enjoy on your Safari in Uganda, however below we have highlighted the attractions and sites you can visit when you travel to western Uganda.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the most visited national park in Uganda and its popular for its rewarding Game drives during which you will be able to see various animals including: the tree climbing lions, buffaloes, elephants and various antelope species; bird watching with over 600 species of birds; the popular Kazinga Boat Ride during which you will see the largest school of hippos in the country; Chimpanzee tracking as well as guided walks.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park
This game park is located in southwestern Uganda close to Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is among the UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world. It is best known for its resident population of the endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda is home to more than half the total number of gorillas remaining in the world. In this park you will have an opportunity to enjoy a Uganda Gorilla Safari during which you will track the gorillas.
Lake Bunyonyi
This is assumed to be the second deepest lake on the African continent with the deepest point at 900 meters. Another unique attribute about this not so big lake is that it has 29 islands among which is the prominently known punishment island (Akampene Island) where girls who would get pregnant before marriage where abandoned as punishment. Here you will be able to enjoy a Uganda Birding Safari as well as a boat ride on the beautiful lake
Rwenzori Mountain Ranges
Rwenzori Mountains National Park also known as the ‘mountains of the moon’ is another UNESCO heritage sites in the country and it is found on the western boarder of the country with Congo. This high mountain standing at 5,109 meters has its equatorial peak covered with snow. Mountaineering, Bird watching (with more than195 bird species) and guided Nature walks are all conducted here.
Fort Portal Town
This beautiful and vibrant town is located between Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mountain Rwenzori and Kibale National Park. This town is the seat of the Toro kingdom and it was named after Sir Gerald Portal, the then British Special Commissioner for this country. some of the activities you will enjoy here include viewing the beautiful rock painting, viewing the breathtaking hilly terrain and visiting the crater lakes.
Katonga Wildlife Reserve
This is a somewhat newly established wildlife reserve opened in 1998. It can best be explored on foot or using a canoe boat. It is habitat to more than 40 different types of mammals including the Sitatunga as well as over 150 bird species. The commonly enjoyed activity here is bird watching and game drives.
Kibale National Park
This has the highest a number and variety of primates in the whole of East Africa with a record of 13 different primates all living in this forest; including: Chimpanzees, red colobus, vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest, olive baboons and grey checked mangabey. Here Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris are the leading tourist activity done.
Kitagata Hot Springs
These beautiful hot springs are located in western Uganda in Sheema District, in Kitagata Sub-county. Their name ‘Kitagata’ is a word in the local language that means warmth. There are two hot springs at this place and their water heats up to a temperature of 80 °C / 176 °F.
One hot springs is called Mulago (Mulago is Uganda’s national referral hospital) and the other is known as Ekitagata kyomugabe, which means ‘the hot-spring of the Ankole king).
Lake Mburo National Park
Also known as the land of Zebras has a large lake – Lake Mburo and the Acacia woodland which is home to different wildlife species including the huge eland antelope, topi, and impala plus several bird species. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen in the shallows of the lake. Game viewing, Bird watching, sport fishing as well as a boat ride on the Lake are some activities to enjoy here.
Mgahinga National Park
Is the smallest yet very beautiful national park in the country located at the border of Uganda with DR Congo and Rwanda and is part of the large Virunga Mountain Ranges. Mountain Gorilla Tracking the leading tourist activity conducted here. However they also conduct guided Nature walks as well as Volcano climbing at Gahinga, Muhavura and Sabinyo.
Semiliki National Park
Semuliki is located on the southern shores of the beautiful Lake Albert and presents a variety of habitats that offer great bird watching opportunities as well as game drive opportunities to see the different wild animals.
AA Safaris & Tours with pleasure will help you a memorable safari itinerary that will enable you to explore Western Uganda during which you will have an opportunity to enjoy a true wildlife encounter in the pearl of Africa.
Uganda Safari News | AA Safaris & Tours Ltd
