10 Must-See Destinations on a Road Trip around Uganda

Between the roaring waters of the Nile and the gentle whisper of the savannah, Uganda captures the heart of every visitor. Its wilderness is a window to a bygone era—a time when animals roamed freely, thriving, while fighting for survival.

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1. Spot an elusive shoebill at Mabamba Swamp

The best chances of spotting the prehistoric-looking shoebill in Uganda are in Mabamba Swamp. This wetland is home to a number of these birds, and the local guides know exactly where to look for them. To get into the swamp, you’ll take a small wooden boat with an outboard engine. After riding through a larger channel, you’ll soon take smaller pathways leading through the swamp. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot a shoebill in less than 20 minutes.

2. Camp next to hippos at Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo is one of those places where wildlife roams right through the campsite. Chances are good that a group of hippos will rest in the shallow water just in front of you. During the day, the site is visited by warthogs and sneaky vervet monkeys, whereas at night there are many impalas around. With a bit of luck, you might also spot a giant forest hog. Falling asleep to the grunts of hippos is truly a memorable experience.

3. Climb a volcano in Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is home to three extinct volcanoes that rise dramatically above the surrounding landscape. Climbing to their summits takes you through bamboo forests, cloud forests, and alpine vegetation. The most challenging of the three peaks is the climb to Mount Sabyinyo (3369m). Only the exceptionally fit will reach the summit, which marks the border between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

4. Go on a gorilla trekking tour at Bwindi National Park

Deep within the misty forests of Bwindi live nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Reaching a habituated family can take hours of hiking through dense jungle, but spending time in the presence of these animals is an encounter that stays with you.

Bonus Tip: A Gorilla Habituation Tour allows you to spend 4 hours with the animals. This is especially interesting for photographers and filmmakers, as it provides more opportunities to capture THE shot.

5. Search for tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for one of Africa's rarest sights. Here, lions regularly climb and rest high in the branches of trees. Exactly why they do it remains something of a mystery.

6. Meet our closest relative, the chimp, at Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is one of the best places to see chimpanzees in the wild. Following their calls through the rainforest eventually leads to troops feeding, grooming, and communicating.

Contrary to gorillas, chimps spend a lot of time in the canopy. That means you’ll be looking up a lot. If you want to take good photos or videos of the animals, a proper tripod will come in handy.

There are two different chimp tours in Uganda: a 1-hour chimpanzee trekking tour or a 4-hour chimpanzee habituation tour. A habituation tour is better suited for seeing the chimps in a variety of situations compared to the regular one-hour trekking tour.

7. Walk with white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

One hundred years ago, rhinos roamed freely across the plains of Uganda. During the political turmoil of the 1960s-1980s, every single one of these beautiful creatures was slaughtered. Today, the northern white rhino that once called Uganda home is practically extinct. Luckily, its close cousin, the southern white rhino, survived. These animals originally hail from southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Through conservation efforts, white rhinos were brought to Uganda, and a breeding initiative was started. The original 6 animals have multiplied to 46 animals in less than 20 years, which gives rise to hope that rhinos will once more roam the plains of Uganda. So far, all these animals live at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary is spacious, allowing the animals to move around freely. Guided walking safaris allow you to approach these enormous animals on foot while learning about their successful reintroduction. It's one of the country's greatest conservation success stories.

8. Behold the tumultuous white water of Murchison Falls

At Murchison Falls, the mighty Nile is forced through a gap just seven meters wide before plunging into the gorge below. The sheer force of the water creates one of Africa's most powerful waterfalls. Standing nearby, you can feel the thunder long before you reach the viewpoint. The best time to visit is late in the day, when the falls are illuminated by the setting sun.

9. Explore the open savannah of Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is often considered Uganda's greatest hidden gem. This national park is by far the most remote in the country. There are neither large towns around nor a tarred road within a radius of 150 km. This leaves a lot of wilderness enjoyed by both animals and adventurous travelers. Vast savannahs, rugged mountains, and remarkable wildlife create an authentic safari experience far from the crowds.

10. Visit the Source of the Nile near Jinja

For centuries, explorers searched for the source of the world's longest river. Many theories were put forth, which ultimately were disproven. In the 1850s and 1860s, British explorer John Speke traveled to Africa several times in an attempt to find the river’s source. Eventually, he was certain he had found it at a point where the river leaves Lake Victoria. Of course, Lake Victoria is fed by other rivers, so the real source of the Nile lies somewhere in the mountains of Rwanda and Burundi, but to this day, the start of the Nile’s journey after leaving Lake Victoria is known as the ‘Source of the Nile’.

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