Attractions

The Expansive Old Kampala Mosque

Though it boasts of a 200-year-lifespan, this will be a brief one, albeit a must-read. See, the Old Kampala Mosque is one of the places you must visit whilst out here in the City. For most adventurers in pursuit of religious tourism, it is just right— offering a sophisticated taste of elegance, architecture, and brilliant artistic inscriptions from all the six continents of the world

It should have been up and proud by the time the current Museveni-led government came into power, but the construction of the mosque stalled after Idi Amin Dada fled Uganda following the overthrow of his government in 1979. The politics of it all would be that the president then, Apolo Milton Obote who more Christine-inclined didn’t think this pertinent whilst Idi Dada Amin put it on his radar. Historians tell of how fast it was erected whilst Amin was on the throne and how quickly the construction came to a screeching halt under the Obote government and the others that followed.

But its savior, the fallen Muammar Gaddafi was decades away and would come to its rescue. Aside from offering an impressive history and culture, the house of worship which was named after fallen Libyan President Muammar Gadaffi has a distinctive Minaret that stands at over 100 feet atop old Kampala Hill and 1,210M above sea level. From here, adventurers can get some much-needed fresh air from the hot day plus the most breathtaking 360 degrees of Kampala and the seven Hills of Kampala. No other hill in Kampala offers such.

And yes, today, it is one of the largest mosques in the world and seats up to 15,000 worshipers and can hold another 1,100 in the gallery and over 2,000 in its lower terrace. Its lighting is a beauty to partake in the night, adding to a glorious scene that makes for Kampala’s hills by the night.

Travel Tip

Women need to be prepared to wear a dress and cover all their hair if visiting the Mosque (provided). While exploring the holy sanctuary is free for Ugandans, it comes at a fee of shs10,000 for non-citizens.

Top Places To See Shoebill Storks In Uganda

Scientifically known as Balaeniceps rex, shoebill storks are whale-headed storks that always make it to the checklist of every birder in Uganda. These are one of the most sought-after birds and you don’t have to be an enthusiastic bird watcher or ornithologist to be thrilled at the first sight of these beautiful birds.

These wading birds are always spotted within the Tropical marshes/wetlands of Tropical East African in the Great Lakes region. They have whale heads and shoe-shaped bills with shark hooks, darkish plumage, short necks, and long legs (typical of storks). Shoebill storks are somewhat aggressive hence have few predators although their eggs and chicks are sometimes eaten by nest predators like snakes. Their diet usually comprises baby crocodiles, small animals, frogs, lungfish, turtles, and snails.

Uganda is one of the few homes of these critically endangered in the East African region and they are found in the following places;

Mabamba Wetland

Mabamba, one of the largest wetlands surrounding Lake Victoria is one of the top places to see shoebill storks in Uganda. About 45 kilometers from Kampala, this area can be reached from Entebbe, by a traditional motorized boat or canoe trip. For this area, these Storks are tracked by a canoe ride conducted in the morning or evening but also expect other Papyrus and waterbird species such as cattle egrets, kingfishers, African jacana, saddle-billed storks, Papyrus canary, and many others.

Murchison falls National Park

The shoebill storks in Murchison falls National Park are found along the Lake Albert Delta Ramsar wetland made up of the Nile River from Murchison falls to a small section of Lake Albert. These storks can be spotted during the early morning Delta Cruise but also expect to see the long-tailed Cormorants, Grey-crowned cranes, white-faced whistling duck, Papyrus gonolek, African darter, African fish eagles, and many others. This boat cruise will also offer views of the Nile crocodiles and Hippos.

Semliki National Park

Another unmissable shoebill stork viewing destination in Uganda is Semliki National Park, set within the western side of the country. They are common along the southern shores of Lake Albert and are regarded as bird lovers’ must-see attractions.

Lake Mburo National Park

Located in western Uganda about 4 hours drive from Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park is another amazing spot for seeing shoebill storks in Uganda. They can be seen within wetlands along the Lake and this is during the boat cruise. While in the company of professional guides, you will identify these beautiful storks on the shores and nearby wetland in addition to the African fish eagles, Pied and Malachite kingfishers, pelicans, Papyrus gonolek, and many others.

Lugogo wetland, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Lugogo is a 10-square kilometer wetland within Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and another spectacular home to the vulnerable shoebill storks. Shoebill tracking trips in this area begin as early as 7:00 am and are done on wooden canoes. Not only are you guaranteed shoebill stork views but also sunrise over the wetland with other wetland bird species such as Palmnut vultures, speckled-breasted woodpecker, Giant kingfishers, and many others. Visitors looking for endless views of the shoebill storks can add Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary trip to Murchison falls National Park.

The Makanaga Bay

Although not as popular as Mabamba Wetland, Makanaga Bay is also on the shores of Lake Victoria and is also an excellent spot to see Shoebill storks in Uganda. It can be reached from Entebbe or Kampala by canoe ride with most tours conducted in the morning. Make sure to be in the company of a local guide with chances of spotting other numerous wetland bird species. You will also learn about the history of the area but more especially numerous shoebill storks.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)

Uganda Wildlife Education Center (formerly Entebbe Zoo) is a rescue center for orphaned animals, one of which is the shoebill storks. This Center is found on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe and also shelters other beautiful bird species such as peacocks, cattle egrets, and many others.

Ishasha sector Queen Elizabeth National Park

Most travellers know the Ishasha sector for the tree-climbing lions but it is also another top place to see shoebill storks in Uganda. They can be tracked or spotted along the wetland-fringed Lake Edward shores. Other top places to see shoebill storks in Uganda are Lutembe Bay, Lwera Swamp, Kyabakuza Swamp, and many others.

Besides the shoebill storks, other stork species in Uganda include Marabou storks, open-billed storks, Saddle-billed storks, and yellow-billed storks among others.

4 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Uganda

Uganda is a beautiful country small in size but worth visiting for Africa safari tour holidays. It’s fascinating wildlife, birds, and varied culture attracts travelers around the world. Every visitor to Uganda discovers that wildlife, birds and the diverse culture are the most popular tourist attractions of the country.

Known regionally as the ultimate destination for mountain gorilla trekking, Uganda is found in the East Africa region neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. Meaning one can explore the top Africa safari destinations basing from Uganda being in centre adjacent to all the five.

With a total number of ten national parks Uganda’s effort in conservation have yield results in amazing safari experience without considerations of particular areas. All visitors taking safaris to Uganda enjoy every moment provided the day is spent in the famous Pearl of Africa. Wildlife lovers enjoy vast flora and fauna, native wildlife during guided game drives and nature walks, primate lovers & bird lovers same and the thrilling boat cruise experience blow your worries away.

Wildlife

The fertile savanna plains of different Uganda national parks house a diverse range of wildlife including the Big five and multiple primate species. Visitors can follow nature walk trails in search of unique primate species; drive in the park in the mornings and evening in search of their favorite wildlife species. The common seen are Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, leopard, Bushbuck, warthogs, kobs, topis, Zebras, Giraffe etc.

As one of Uganda‘s famous tourist attraction and most visited, fantastic wildlife encounters and viewing experiences are best enjoyed in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls , Bwindi forest, Mgahinga, kibale forest, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley  known  best parks for Uganda safaris. Beyond amusements, its great memories that you get once you visit any of the above national parks.

Birds

Bird watching is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist attractions and generally loved by many avian around the world. The key birding sites in Uganda include  Mabamba and Kamengo,Budongo Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semliki Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park., Mgahinga,Entebbe botanical gardens etc.Most seen bird species are Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Shoebill, Rwenzori Turaco, and Secretary Bird. large Handsome Francolin, African piculet, Dwarf Honeyguide, Short Tailed Warbler, Tabora Cisiticola, African Green Broadbill providing a vibrant atmosphere for birders. Also in Jinja source of the Nile and Murchison falls are fantastic birding spots in Uganda.

Culture

Culture is an experience you will find in every corner of the country and the thrill it offers change the way sees people and their traditions. The culture of Uganda is made up of a diverse range of ethnic groups. Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu-speaking people, who dominate the country in language and cultural traditions. Experiencing the rich cultural heritage is fan and exciting something I would recommend for any safari in Uganda.

Murchison Falls

Find this magical water fall in the beautiful game reserve Murchison falls National Park that features the outstanding landscape unmatched in the ancient and present times. The wonderful experience starts with a boat ride tour on the Nile that bisects the park into the north and southern parts leaving one of the greatest landmarks –Murchison falls. The water battles can’t fail to impress and the hike to the top of the falls is one thing every visitor to Uganda must do. Murchison falls isn’t just breathtaking but worth including on your safari in Uganda.

Sezibwa Falls

The Ssezibwa Falls are found in both Mukono and Buyikwe districts. From Kampala, a journey to these falls takes about an hour driving along the Kampala- Jinja highway. Ssezibwa is a short word Ssizibirwa Kubo meaning “you cannot broke my way”. For sure you can’t block this rivers’ way!

How to Get there

Travel along Kampala – Jinja highway. Branch off @ Kayanja Trading Center.

The Sezibwa falls are 17meters high and the pool is of 13 meters deep with brown waters.The waters take this coulour because they have eroding from the sedimentary rocks.

The locals say that river was produced by a woman of Ekibe Clan and Sezibwa Falls is one of the few human born rivers in Uganda.

The river is a cleansing site – visited by King Mwanga of Buganda in 1889 although scholars say that it was earier first visited by his father King Ssuna ll.

At the river is a cultural site with shrines of Walumbe the god of death in Buganda & Musoke the god of rain. The place has a tropical forest on the blanks of the river and hence enough rainfall is received!

The forest also makes the site, a bird watchers paradise. The place has about 200 species of birds and these include: African finfoot, Shining blue kingfisher, Emerald cuckoo, Great blue Ross’s Turaco, grey headed negrofinch, striped kingfisher, white spotted fluftails, red headed Malimbe, green hylia and among others. Camping and nature walk are some of the things you can enjoy at this amazing site .

Visit Uganda : Discover her Beauty

They say beauty lies in the hands of the beholder but Uganda’s beauty appeals to everyone who encounter its attractions. Uganda is one of the African countries with unique natural attractions. Despite of being endowed with nature, Uganda is a tourism enhancing or encouraging country as its people are so welcome and the climates favors tourism activities to take place. Every day is a Sunny day in Uganda in other words the sun has to rise each and every day even if it rains heavily and who on earth does not want to relax in the sun or have a good time in the sun.

A visit to Uganda makes one discover natural beauties as it has very many natural attraction attractions. In Africa, Uganda is the king of eco tourism as it has natural environment to visit that is unhampered by man’s activities. One can feel the natural serenity when he/she takes a Uganda safari tour.

Uganda has over 1000 different species of exotic mammals like the lions, buffalos, hippos, elephants, leopard, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, oribis, elands, antelopes among the special ones. It has over 1060 species of bird, 50% of Africa’s birds and a third of the birds are endemic meaning they can only be found in Uganda like the shoebill, the crested crane among the special ones. One can never move around Uganda minus see a bird along the road, on the streets or up in the skies.

Uganda has very many primates and it is among the African countries with most primates due to the fact that it lies on the equator axis an area with equatorial vegetation which thrives the lives of the primates. These primates include the chimpanzees, red and white monkeys, golden monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey to mention but a few. The mountain gorillas are also primates but they are worthy to be mentioned alone due to the fact that they are the most famous attractions in Uganda apparently. Many tourists come to Uganda to engage in gorilla trekking tours due to the lifetime experience they give to the gorilla trackers.

Uganda is also a home of the bird has it has over 1060 bird species and it is the country in Africa with most birds. Bwindi impenetrable national park was named as the best birding site in Africa.

Uganda also has tremendous natural physical attractions like water bodies, mountains, escarpments and natural forests. Uganda owns the largest river in the world The Mighty Nile. This starts from Uganda up to North Africa and magnets a lot of tourism activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping.

The pearl of Africa also has Lake Victoria the source of the Nile which is the largest inland fresh water body in Africa. This has a lot of islands where beaches and resorts are established. On the beaches and resorts people have a good time like beach partying, swimming, playing beach games, boat rides, sports fishing, sightseeing and also there are exquisite accommodation facilities where one can have his/her honey moon.

Uganda has a series of mountains but the most notable ones are Mountain Rwenzori also known as the Mountain of the Moon and mountain Elgon and these mountain also have national game parks on them. Hiking and cycling also takes place on these mountains and sightseeing cannot be forgotten to be mentioned that takes place on these wonderful mountains.

As one takes a tour in Uganda to see the above attractions one can discover the natural beauty of Uganda.