In terms of cultural attractions, safari’s, Gorilla Trekking and unusual diversions, Uganda is a country without compare.  There are many hidden gems that most people don’t know about including beautiful beaches and bungee jumping over the nile . To help you on your way to discovering all that Uganda has to offer, here’s our pick of 20 of the best things to do in the Uganda.

1. Spot the Big five
If you are traveling for a Ugandan safari, there is little doubt one of the things you will fancy to do is spot the Big Five, the five most hardest animals  hunt on foot. This highly popular group includes the Lion, Cape Buffalo, African elephant, leopard, lion,  and the rhino.

2. Hang out with man’s closet relatives, The Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees and humans share over 98 percent of their DNA.  Reach a fascinating distance of just about 8m observing our closest relatives while trekking in the forests of Uganda.

You observe them swing from one tree to another, feed, play about or progress speedily on the ground right in front of you. You can see chimpazees at  Kibale or Budongo Forest

3. Go Birding Watching
Sir Winston Churchill  described Uganda as a fairy tale land, calling it the “Pearl of Africa”. Here you find an incredible variety of birds that can be seen. With over 1000 bird species, You may catch a  rare glimpse of the endangered Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Great Blue Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Standard-winged Nightjar, Short-tailed Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-breasted Barbet, African Green Broadbill e.t.c

4. Go Mountain Climbing
Uganda boosts two popular mountains, the mystic Rwenzori Mountain and the magnificent Mountain Elgon. Mountain Rwenzori which is a world heritage site offers nature at its best. Trekking the Rwenzori mountains is a truly fantastic and unique experience, the wonder of the high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, the bearded lichen hanging from giant heathers with a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags and snow capped peaks.

Mountain Elgon, an extinct volcano at the Uganda-Kenya border. Here you can explore ancient caves and witness spectacular cliffs, over which Mount Elgon stream’s cascade as dramatic waterfalls

5. Go Fishing 

The longest river in the world, The River Nile, starts it’s journey in Uganda and spans a mammoth journey of 4,132 miles before the mouth meets the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can find some of the Largest Nile perch species in the world. You can also find these and other different fish species at Lake Victoria, the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world.

6. Bungee jumping over the Nile
Discover Uganda’s best well kept secret and one of the most spectacular bungee jumping sites in the world  You’re guaranteed gallons of fun and Adventure bungee jumping over the worlds longest river, The Nile.

7. Participate in Cultural Tours
Uganda is not only fairly tale land, a place with great weather, breathing taking landscapes, but also with a rich diversity of untapped culture and heritage. With over 30 tribes and over 40 languages shared among these, Uganda is definitely the ultimate place to experience the diverse cultural immersion. Some of the Uganda’s various tribes include the Baganda, Basoga, Acholi, Batwa, Karimojong, Bagisu, Banyankole etc. Each tribe has its own tradition and culture.

8. Witness rare tree-climbing lions
Lions are an easy find while on safari in Africa but there are only 4 places in the entire continent where you can find tree climbing Lions. The Ishasha Plains of Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda is the best place to see these beasts climbing and sleeping in trees.

9. Straddle The Equator
Who doesn’t like to do this with every country that sits on the equator?   One of the best travel tips I can give you!

10. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh-water lake in the world and is very picturesque and also provides secluded beaches.

11. Enjoy the charming town of Jinja
No visit to Uganda is complete without a trip to Jinja, the country’s second-largest town and the location of the Source of the Nile. Jinja is also the departure point for a host of adventure activities on and around the river, and a very pretty place in its own right.

12. Visit the lovely Lake Bunyoni

Almost certainly the prettiest lake in the country, Bunyoni is surrounded by steeply terraced green hills and scattered with fascinating islands. Like Ssese, it’s a perfect spot for some beach relaxation, but there are also a number of interesting historical sites and activities to experience.

13. Ssese Islands
If you’re looking for a place to slow it right down, Ssese’s lush archipelago of 84 islands along Lake Victoria’s northwestern shore boasts some stunning white-sand beaches. The early 1990s saw their popularity peak, but the suspension of the ferry service largely removed them from the muzungu map until a ferry began running from Entebbe in 2006.
14 . Visit Kampala

The city feels like Africa with an Asian flare and is the center of everything to do in the country.  There are a variety of restaurants to try, new things to experience like a ride on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi), or even just get to know what life is like in the capital city in Uganda.  Don’t forget to check out the churches, Bahai Temple, and museums in the city.

15. Visit the largest manyata in Eastern Africa 

The region in Uganda with most manyatas is called Karamojo and not long ago, it was known as a very dangerous part of the country. When visited it, you might had not returned alive. Most of the travelers around Uganda still avoid it.

The Karamoja region is a bit hard to reach if you don’t have your own transport, but if you can spare 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 attention – maybe for some, an unpleasant one, but this will definitely be one of the most unforgettable experiences, you will do on your Uganda travel.

16. Enjoy a diverse landscape 

I almost could say, Uganda offers every landscape, you can see in Africa. Uganda has it all – jungle, savannas, lakes, rivers, mountains…The only thing it is missing is the desert and the sand dunes.

17. Try the typical food

Due to lots of water in Uganda, the food is very diverse and not really as boring as you might think. Yes, the famous green bananas (matoke) are still the number one choice, but you can get all sorts of vegetables and fruit here. Due to the river Nile and Victoria Lake, even the fish lovers will not be able to complain. Try the local eateries, but be prepared to wait at least two hours for a meal, if it is made out of something else than chapati and matoke.

18. Visit local markets
First think which you will notice, are colors… Not only because of the colorful veggies and fruit, even the people and their dresses are something you put a shine on. Open your eyes and ears and enjoy the lively markets in all their beauties.

19. Swim in Lake Kyaninga
Swim in the cool, clear waters of Lake Kyaninga, one of western Uganda’s prettiest crater lakes, whilst staying at the Kyaninga Lodge.

20. Hike to the 100 meter high Sipi waterfall 

If you like water and intensive green color, you should never miss out on this beautiful and powerful waterfall. Get yourself a local guide, who will cost you almost nothing and find out all about the local life in the nearby village. While hiking down the waterfall, you will be challenged by the steep leather, shaking knees and sweat, but as soon as you take your eyes on the waterfall you will know, why you are here.

Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in Africa. This green country is a must visit for travelers interested in gorilla trekking in East and Central Africa. Here are 5 reasons why Uganda should be among your “must visit” destinations this year.

1. White water Rafting on the Nile in Uganda

In 2012 we saw celebrations of tourism in Uganda. Indeed that year can best be described as the year of success for Uganda tourism industry as different accolades kept coming its way. Just before the end of the year, we crowned the year up with one of the accolades which positioned Uganda as one of the top countries to visit this 2013 as decorated by Lonely Planet’s travel online magazine.

Uganda, being one of Lonely Planet’s top must see country for 2013, is truly a highlight of the African landscape. With its dense misty impenetrable forests, snow capped Rwenzoris, glassy lakes as well as crater and expansive savannah grassland, no wonder Winston Churchill dubbed Uganda as the ‘pearl of Africa’. While Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas whose numbers also rose to over 480 in Bwindi impenetrable national park are the appeals for various guests that come on a Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife adventure safari, a short Uganda safari to the mighty Murchison falls or any of the many Uganda safaris. There are uncountable attractions for tourists which not only include wildlife but unique cultural attractions plus the lovely loving Uganda people.

Having survived the shadows of a deep dark past under former president Idi Amin and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Uganda is no longer a country to be feared and is regarded as one of Africa’s safest destinations. Whether one wants wildlife safaris, trekking volcanoes, white-water rafting or just kicking back on the beach, a Uganda safari any of the several Uganda safaris has the best Africa has to offer. Here are four unmissable Uganda safari experiences and where you can find them:

2. Gorilla tracking experience;

This is the highlight of Uganda safari experiences if not Africa as tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga national Park set you up for the first sight at the shy black mount gorillas amidst the thick foliage. The adrenaline kicks in when you’re adjacent to the imposing figure of a huge Silverback and it’s all very imposing nature alongside its curious babies peeking through leaves as they twist, turn and somersault for your amusement. Like many tourists that have visited these gentle giants have said, ‘ this is a not just life time Uganda safari rather the ultimate world safari’

A Gorilla trek permit for US$600 but don’t think twice about turning down this genuine once-in a lifetime opportunity. Please do remember that a portion of the fee goes back to the park and gorilla conservation initiatives, helping to ensure their survival as they are endangered species.

3. Great Wildlife, minus the crowds

While Uganda’s national parks lack the recognition like the big name neighbors like Serengeti and Kruger Park, Uganda’s national parks boasts of all the animals, minus the crowds. Murchison Falls national is Uganda’s largest park where you can follow up your morning wildlife drive with a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls the making this the perfect way to spy on elephants, buffalo, crocodiles and loads of hippos as they go about their days activities in the park  while you relax with a cool beer on the boat.

Head to Queen Elizabeth for a better chance to spot the elusive leopards or even its trademark tree-climbing lions. Just countable tourists make it to the far north to Kidepo Valley’s national park, but those who do so are truly rewarded with not only the best selection of wildlife, and some of the most spectacular scenery of Uganda. And if you are interested in visiting the Big Five, add Ziwa Sanctuary to your itinerary to get up close to the white rhino, which you track on foot.

4. Adventure by the romantic waters of Uganda

Truly Uganda is a must visit place this 2013 and its not only about the wild life experience you’re yet to experience but make it a point to visit the source of the Nile once on your Uganda safari because it is the magnet for white-water rafting adventure lovers where you can plunge down Grade-5 rapids or otherwise kayak or try the white-knuckle jet boat ride as witnessed by all travelers who have visited this spot on their Uganda safaris.

Those who prefer a different kind of water excitement can go for bungee jumping by Bujagali Falls. Trekkers can test their endurance tackling the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rwenzori Mountains, which is famously described as the ‘mountains of the Moon’ with stunning views of the equatorial mist as your reward at the top. For more treks to make your safari to Uganda more exciting, try Mount Elgon National Park or the dramatic Virunga volcanoes found at the borders of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda where they converge like some tourists on several Uganda safaris have done.

5. Unique eye scenery to die for

Once your Uganda safari addiction wanes and your body needs some r&r from those bone-jarring bus journeys, Uganda has some beautiful spots for resting up. Magical Lake Bunyonyi has magnificent views where the mist hangs low over terraced hillsides and dugout canoes glide through the still waters allowing you to relax in a calm environment.

Ssese Islands which is found in the oceanic sized Lake Victoria is where you’ll find some of the finest white sand beaches and burning sunsets the kind of place you’ll want to seek out a hammock and bring a good book. Then there is stunning Siipi Falls in eastern Uganda, which is earning a reputation from its uninhibited views of the crashing falls.

To crown up your Safari to Uganda/Uganda safari make it a point to go for the coffee tours, where you’ll be shown the end-to-end process at a local coffee plantation, culminating with a delicious steaming cuppa while watching the sun set over banana plantations.