Destinations

Uganda is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ because of its diverse natural endowments and beauty.  The country boasts 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, 10 wildlife sanctuaries, five community wildlife management areas and, 506 central forest reserves each with unique endowments.

One of the most beautiful places on earth, the unique and unusual landscapes of the park make for some amazing trekking that you won’t be forgetting any time soon. The towering mountain range that gives the park its name is breathtaking to behold and stunning waterfalls and icy glaciers dot the higher reaches of the mountainsides. The snow-capped Mount Stanley is simply stupendous and interspersed around the amazingly varied terrain of the park; tranquil lakes provide a moment of peace away from the jagged rocks and domineering peaks.

A wide array of primates also call the forest their home and walking along the trails with chimpanzees swinging off to the side of the paths is an unforgettable experience. The beautiful waterways on offer such as Lake George and Lake Katwe Crater are delightful to explore by boat and drifting on their tranquil waters is a dreamy affair.

Despite these thrilling attractions, the prime draw of the park is the large mammals that roam its ever-changing terrain. Lions, hippos, elephants, leopards and more make their way around the volcanic features of Queen Elizabeth National Park, perfectly at home in this natural wonder that is just waiting to explored.

Stunning to behold, the beautiful falls that give this national park its name are a must-see among all the other attractions on show in the area. Here, the Nile waters spray dramatically and violently out of a narrow gap between the rocks, covering its surroundings in a fine layer of spray.

Below the cascades, the Nile widens out and to either side of the river visitors will see buffaloes, crocodiles and hippos going about their daily lives. Murchison Falls has a fantastic array of wildlife residing within its confines and it is home to the big Five with only Rhino missing from the menagerie. Take a boat trip on the Nile and watch the lovely landscapes of the park slowly drift before your eyes.

For the smallest national park in the whole of Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a lot to see and do. Encompassing three volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, it is these lofty peaks that give the park its distinctive and beautiful features and they make for some amazing hikes to their summits.

The lush vegetation and verdant forests that coat their slopes are home to a family of gorillas and trekking through the undergrowth to catch a glimpse of them in their natural habitat is an exciting and unforgettable experience.

The local Batwa community also calls these forests their home and learning about their culture and history of life in the area is fascinating. The stunning scenery on show only adds to the appeal of this amazing national park.

The beautiful forests that cover the hills and valleys of Kibale National Park are home to a wide array of primates who playfully swing from branch to branch between the trees. It is these delightful creatures that are the main attraction of the park and many people come to gaze upon the chimpanzees and the red colobus monkeys that Kibale protects.

The variety of tree species on offer is in large part because just so many types of primate call the area home and birds too are prevalent throughout the park. With one of the largest primate populations in Africa, Kibale National Park is well worth a visit and the scenery on show isn’t bad either!

The rugged and isolated terrain of Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the far north of the country on the border with South Sudan. Its secluded location has helped to protect and preserve the spectacular sprawling plains and savannah that are only punctuated by mountain ranges off in the distance.

The huge park feels never-ending and herds of zebra and buffalo cross the plains while elephants, giraffes and lions can be found wandering beneath the beautiful blue skies. Mount Morungole towers above the flatlands offering panoramic views of Kidepo Valley. Majestic in appearance and with a wealth of wildlife on offer, safaris in the park will certainly leave you with cherished memories.

Despite its size, Lake Mburo National Park certainly has a number of amazing attractions that belie its small stature. With five lakes contained within its boundaries, the most impressive is the lake that gives the park its name: Lake Mburo. The huge lake stretches away in the distance and taking a boat trip on its tranquil waters is simply delightful.

Due to the wetlands and waterways present in the area, visitors should be able to see crocodiles and hippopotami either basking on the banks or slowly cruising their way through the water. Leopards, buffaloes and zebras also reside in the national park and taking a horseback riding safari is an exhilarating and memorable way to get up close to the animals in the wild.  With a number of diverse ecosystems on offer, trekking through the forests and savannah with a ranger is another great way to spend your time. Approaching the salt lick on foot is absolutely amazing as a wide range of animals gather around it to enjoy the salty soil. A memorable experience all year round.

Religious tourism (often also referred to as spiritual and faith tourism) is one of the fastest growing types of tourism in the world. The Uganda Martyrs Trail is Uganda’s exclusive faith-based tourism product that takes you through different places where the first Christian missionaries passed and preached from, and where some of the Uganda Martyrs were killed/dismembered before their bodies were taken to be burnt at Namugongo.

Many pilgrims, especially Christians, from all over the world descend to the Pearl of Africa to join together with Ugandans to commemorate the martyrs’ day. One Friend Safaris Pilgrimage Experience is a cross-cultural journeying together in the spirit of faith in order to nurture an encounter with Jesus Christ through the spirituality of place. We commit ourselves to serve as sisters and brothers, fostering conversion to a deeper Gospel life and promoting their faith in Jesus Christ or Christianity.

‘Mapeera Site’ at Bugoma, Buggala Island in Ssese is the spot where Fr. Simeon Lourdel, who was later named “Mapeera” and Brother Amans first touched Ugandan soil when they landed at the site to spend the night of 15th February 1879 on their way to Lubaga to meet with Kabaka Muteesa I, seeking permission to set up a camp in Buganda to preach, teach and spread Christianity.