I recently had the opportunity to visit Uganda, and I was absolutely blown away by the beauty and adventure that the country has to offer. From the bustling city of Kampala to the lush rainforests of Kibale National Park, I was constantly amazed by the diversity of landscapes and cultures that I encountered.
Here are my best travel moments in Uganda:
1. Kampala City Tour
My first stop in Uganda was the capital city of Kampala. Kampala is a vibrant and exciting city with a rich history. I spent my day exploring the city’s mosques and many markets.
I also visited the Kasubi Tombs UNESCO World Heritage Site – the final resting place of the Kabakas (kings) of Buganda.
Kabaka’s Palace (the king’s royal palace) is one of the most famous sites in the history of Buganda. The fireplace at the entrance of the palace keeps burning day and night. This fire symbolises that the Kabaka stays in the palace and is still on the throne.
Another attraction at Kabaka’s Palace is the Idi Amin Torture Chamber where he tortured thousands of people till death. Still very creepy, and sad, indeed.
Visiting Kampala truly is an experience for all the senses, but the highlight has to be the mouth-watering street food found throughout the city. And when it comes to street food in Kampala, nothing compares to Rolex! This delicious snack consists of a chapati wrap filled with eggs and sometimes veggies or meat. Don’t let its simplicity fool you though; there are countless variations based on spices and toppings that make each one unique. You’ll find vendors selling Rolex on every corner, and locals will tell you that their favourite spot serves up the best ones – so it’s worth trying a few different places! For affordable, tasty and filling eats in Uganda’s bustling capital, Rolex is an absolute must-try.
2. Mabamba Swamp Tour
I must confess that the Mabamba Swamp Tour was an extraordinary experience.
When I arrived, I met up with the guides who were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the swamp and all of the creatures that call it home. They gave me a brief overview of the swamp’s history and ecology before setting off on our adventure.
As I made my way through the swamp, I was struck by the remarkable diversity of plant and animal life. I saw everything from water lilies to towering papyrus plants.
I also had the opportunity to go on a boat tour of the swamp, which gave me a whole new perspective on the landscape. From the water, I could see a whole new range of plants and creatures.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the chance to see the swamp’s resident shoebill stork.
These massive birds are extremely rare and elusive, so I felt incredibly lucky to spot one.
If you get the chance to go on the Mabamba Swamp Tour, I’d highly recommend it!
3. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
I have visited many wildlife sanctuaries before, but my experience on Ngamba Island was unlike any other I have ever had.
As soon as we landed on Ngamba Island, the incredible sense of peace and tranquility engulfed me. We started our journey by exploring the Chimp sanctuary and, to my amazement, the chimps were freely roaming the island. The sanctuary, established in 1998, exists solely to provide a safe haven for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees. I was delighted to learn about the profound conservation efforts carried out by the sanctuary.
After our tour of the sanctuary, we hopped on a boat to cross the equator on Lake Victoria.
It’s quite a moment when you cross the equator and of course, we had to do the obligatory stop and take the necessary pics.
4. Kibale National Park
It was such a surreal experience to be walking through Kibale National Park’s dense jungle and suddenly see a family of chimpanzees hanging out in the trees. They were so close that I could hear them communicating with each other and it truly felt like I was in their world. Watching them swing from branch to branch and play with each other was nothing short of magical.
It’s crazy to think that there are only about 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild and I feel so fortunate to have spent one hour in their presence.
After my chimp tracking experience, I did the Bigodi Community Walk. Bigodi is a small village that’s located at the edge of Kibale National Park. The walk was led by a local guide who was born and raised in the village, so he knew the area like the back of his hand.
The best part of the walk, however, was interacting with the locals. I had the chance to experience an organic coffee production process, as well as singing and dancing by the ladies of the community, and the brewing of banana beer, gin, and fresh banana juice. I also met the community’s incredible medicine man. Super fascinating!
Seeing how the people in Bigodi live and hearing their stories was truly eye-opening.
I highly recommend a visit to Kibale National Park to anyone who loves nature, adventure, and interacting with people from different cultures. There’s something truly life-changing about stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new.
5. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason.
It is situated in the misty valley of Kabale, Southwestern Uganda. The forest is absolutely gorgeous and unique as it is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. It’s also home to over 400 mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the only conservation area in the world where chimpanzees and mountain gorillas share the same habitat.
Mountain gorillas are typically located in higher areas, hence the name. To reach these areas, we had to face challenges like dense vegetation and steep climbs. It is quite common for local guides to pave the way through the thick undergrowth using machetes.
Uganda is famous for its beautiful lakes, but the Kasenda crater lakes area is a natural paradise. The lakes were formed in volcanic craters, and the result is breathtaking.
And now, onto the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa are an indigenous group of people who originally lived in the forest before it became a national park. They are an incredibly fascinating culture with unique traditions and beliefs. Spending time with them was such a privilege.
Conclusion
I had an amazing time in Uganda, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure. The country is home to a wealth of natural beauty and cultural diversity, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
My name is Zaritha van Wyngaardt and I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit Uganda!
NOTES:
I want to express my utmost gratitude to Hamidah from Uganda for her tremendous effort and dedication towards my trip. She has done a commendable job. In case you wish to contact her, please email her at hamidahnaky@yahoo.com.
None of the above would have happened without the Uganda Tourism Board.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is a statutory organization established in 1994. Its role and mandate was reviewed in the Tourism Act of 2008. The Board’s mandate is to promote and market Uganda across the region and internationally, promote quality assurance in tourist facilities through training, grading and classification, promote tourism investment, support, and act as a liaison for the private sector in tourism development.
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