Sure it may be small, but Uganda has a lot to offer. And while getting around is an extreme sport in Uganda there is so much to love in the chaos. From the boda bodas (motorbike taxis) weaving through traffic to the calming stillness of its fresh water lakes, here’s a list of outdoor activities you can do in Uganda.
Jinja
Jinja is famed for its adrenaline inducing activities thereby obtaining its title as East Africa’s adrenaline capital. Get your fix white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, quad biking, horse riding and mountain biking through the colonial town and through the villages to appreciate the sunset over the mighty river Nile. Stand in the spot John Speke was when he ‘discovered’ the source of the Nile, feel like a true adventurer!
Lake Kyaninga
Like the mountains, Uganda has plenty of lakes formed in a volcanic crater or caldera. The ones in dormant volcanoes like Lake Kyaninga in Fort Portal in western Uganda have fresh waters. A swim in the Crater Lake in Kyaninga before lunch at Kyaninga Lodge is something you must do while in Uganda. The serenity of Lake Kyaninga is as inviting as it’s ominous, with steep banks at most edges, she hides her 220 metre depth well. The swim across looks doable by the average swimmer, with the constant foreboding that a prehistoric monster will rise out of his murky depth and make a quick lunch of one, adding to the excitement!
Kibale National Park
Kibale rain forest in Kibale National Park, located in southern Uganda, is the perfect destination in the whole of East Africa to be mesmerised as you watch the chimpanzees swing from tree to tree. Because chimpanzee tracking is one of life’s great experiences, permits are limited. It’s advisable to book in advance. Tracking usually lasts three hours with just one hour spent with the chimps.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking is the biggest draw and the highlight of all visits in Uganda. Gorillas are one of the rarest and most intriguing apes and the fact that Uganda has their biggest population in the world makes gorilla trekking a must-do activity. In Uganda, gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park, marvel at the unique gorillas in this once in a lifetime experience.
Lake Mburo National Park
Enjoy a game drive in one of the 10 national parks managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. The parks have so much to offer from savannah drives, boat rides, forest walks and wildlife research. Spot a tree climbing lion in Murchison Falls National Park, explore the wild that is Kidepo National Park named third best national park in Africa by CNN, point at a yawning hippo on your boat tour in Lake Mburo National Park and zoom into the rarest of birds. With over 1000 bird species, Uganda is unrivaled on the continent as a bird lovers destination
