Top things to do in Uganda - places to visit
Activities
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – The park with its dense ground cover of vines and shrubs is home to the world famous mountain gorillas, of which they are less than 600 still left in the entire world. Gorilla permits are required for tracking the gorillas and it is, therefore, advisable to make reservations at least three months in advance. Bwindi is one of the richest areas for flora in Eastern Africa. The forest is also sanctuary for Columbus monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird types including some endangered species.
Mgahinga Gorilla – This is yet another haven for the persecuted mountain gorilla. Located on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains, in the extreme southwest corner of Uganda, the park has been set aside to provide a secure habitat for the gorillas. However, besides the gorillas, other wildlife may also be viewed including the leopard, giant forest hog, bushbuck, buffalo, and golden monkey. The summit of Mount Muhavura (4,127 m) has a small crater lake. Sights
Mount Elgon – This is an extinct volcano located on Uganda’s eastern border. The mountain boasts numerous interesting features including gorges, ancient caves, waterfalls and hot springs. Birdlife is abundant on the mountain although various wildlife may also be encountered.
Rwenzori Mountains –The mist-shrouded peaks of the Mountains of the Moon provide a stunning backdrop to this magnificent park, located on Uganda’s western border. In the centre of the range, some of the peaks are permanently covered in snow and glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests. Here is the third highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Magherita, which rises to 5,100 metres above sea level. Walking tours in the foothills are a feature, although only the experienced and fit should attempt an ascent on the peaks, which rival the Alps in difficulty. Some of the wildlife to be found in the mountains include the chimpanzees, along with the blue monkey, hyrax, giant forest hog and many unique bird species such as the Rwenzori touraco, the francolin and the olive pigeon. Mengo Palace
At the other end of a ceremonial drive leading from parliament, Mengo Palace was built in 1922 and is the former home of the Buganda king. But it has remained empty since 1966 when the then prime minister Milton Obote ordered a dramatic attack to oust King Mutesa II (then president of Uganda). Led by the forces of Idi Amin, soldiers stormed the palace and, after several days of fighting, Mutesa was forced to flee and live in exile in the UK (where he died three years later). The building was duly converted to army barracks, while an adjacent site became a notorious underground prison and torture-execution chamber built by Idi Amin in the 1970s. Guides will lead you to this terrifying site, a dark concrete tunnel with numerous dark, damp cells separated by an electrified passage of water to prevent escape. You’ll see some original charcoal messages written by former prisoners on the walls: one reads ‘Obote, you have killed me, but what about my children!’ Rebuilt in 1999, the palace itself is an attractive building, but inside remains out of bounds to tourists Also here are the scrap metal remains of Mutesa’s Rolls Royce destroyed by Idi Amin. Tickets are purchased down the road at the Buganda Tourism Centre. Source of the Nile River
The birthplace of the mighty Nile river, here at the source the water spills out of Lake Victoria on its journey to the Mediterranean flowing fast from the get-go. It’s estimated no more than 5% of water here will end up in Egypt. Despite being touted as one of Jinja’s premier drawcards, don’t come here expecting to be awestruck as, on the Jinja side of the river, there really isn’t much to see. There’s a landmark identifying the source and a few restaurants and bars, which can make for a nice place for a sunset beer, but it’s all a bit commercialised. It’s more pleasant across the river from Jinja on the western bank with the Source of the Nile Gardens and Speke Monument – a pillar commemorating the British explorer’s visit. Exploring the source by boat is another popular option. Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine
Located in Namugongo, this Catholic shrine marks the spot where Kabaka Mwanga II ordered the execution of 14 people who refused to denounce their faith. This included church leader Charles Lwanga, who was burnt alive on or around 3 June 1886 – which is now celebrated as Martyrs’ Day. The shrine represents an African hut but looks more like something built by NASA rather than the Catholic church. One and a half kilometres up the road, where 25 of Lwanga’s followers met a similar fate that same day, is an older Anglican church; this site costs USh2000 and someone will show you around and tell you the whole story of the Martyrs. Both sites have statues of the gruesome events. The shrine is just outside Kampala off Jinja Rd. To get here, you’ll need to take a minibus from Kampala’s Old Taxi Park. Top of the Falls
Once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its 6700km length, the 50m river is squeezed through a 6m gap in the rock and crashes through this narrow gorge with unbelievable power. The 45m waterfall was featured in the Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart film The African Queen . Murchison was even stronger back then, but in 1962 massive floods cut a second channel creating the smaller Uhuru Falls 200m to the north. There’s a beautiful walking trail from the top down to the river, and the upper stretch of this path offers views of Uhuru Falls, which the boat is not able to get close enough to appreciate, so the trail will give you the complete Murchison experience. A ranger (US$10 per person) is required on this walk. If you take the launch trip, the captain will let you off at the trailhead and a ranger will meet you there. The boat can then pick you up later if there’s an afternoon launch. This is also a good way for backpackers to get to the campsite at the top of the falls before returning to Paraa the next morning. The hike takes about 45 minutes from the bottom, and some people find it difficult as there’s no shade on the steepest parts. Uganda Museum
One of the best museums in East Africa, there’s plenty to catch your interest here. There’s a varied and well-captioned collection covering hunting, agriculture, war, religion and recreation (get the lowdown on banana beer here), as well as archaeological and natural history displays. The most popular feature is a collection of traditional musical instruments, some of which you can play. There’s a fantastic fossil display including the remains of a Napak rhino, a species that became extinct 8 million years ago. There are also some more unexpected items, such as entertaining Olympic Game memorabilia and a Model T Ford. Out back are replicas of the traditional homes of the various tribes of Uganda. Kasubi Tombs
Of great significance to the Buganda kingdom, the huge thatched-roof palace of the Unesco World Heritage–listed Kasubi Tombs was tragically destroyed in an arson attack in March 2010. Fortunately construction had begun at the time of research to restore it. Built in 1882 as the palace of the King Mutesa I, it was converted into his tomb following his death two years later. Subsequently, the next three kabaka (kings) – Mwanga; Daudi Chwa II; and Edward Mutesa II, father of the current kabaka, Ronald Mutebi II (known also by his Baganda name, Muwenda) – broke with tradition and chose to be buried here instead of in their own palaces. Outside, forming a ring around the main section of the compound are homes (fortunately not damaged by the fire) of the families of the widows of former kabaka . Royal family members are buried amid the trees out the back, and it has the distinct feel of a small rural village. Minibuses don’t come here directly, so you’ll need to alight at Kasubi Trading Centre at the junction of Hoima and Masiro Rds. From there it’s 500m uphill. Kasubi Tombs is also the place to arrange a guide to the more low-key Buganda royal sights of Wamala Tombs , 11km north of Kasubi and the less interesting Tomb of Nnamasole Kanyange , 4km from the Wamala Tombs. |
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