100 Adventure Activities to Do in Uganda

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White Water Rafting in Uganda

Are you traveling to Uganda but wondering about the adventure activities to engage in? There are lots of things to do in Uganda.

Uganda truly is gifted by nature is among the most diverse wildlife destinations on the entire planet blessed with a number of wildlife species and attractions giving tourists a chance to engage in a number of wildlife activities.

The major attractions in Uganda range from lakes, rivers, escarpments, mountains, a number of wildlife species, and many others. Most of these are seen in the major 10 national parks that the pearl of Africa has.

Tourists seeking great adventures are well catered for while in Uganda as they can engage in a number of activities that include the following

  • Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park
  • Chimpanzee Tracking
  • Mountaineering Tours
  • White Water Rafting
  • Sports Tourism
  • Cultural Tourism
  • Game Viewing Safaris in savanna national parks
  • Nature Walks

Must-Do Things in Uganda

Gorilla Tracking:
Mountain Gorillas are a major attraction in Uganda, with half of the 1060 surviving mountain gorillas in the world being found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Trekking the endangered primates is a captivating lifetime experience and a predominant activity in these parks.

Mountain gorillas are very endangered apes that are only remaining in only three countries on the entire planet Uganda inclusive. In Uganda, mountain gorillas inhabit the forested mountains of Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest also located in southwestern.

Hiking to encounter the mountain gorillas may not be very hectic as hiking the Ruwenzori’s but it’s surely an activity that should not be taken lightly as it’s done in the forested mountains. Meeting with the gorillas in the forested mountains in southwestern Uganda on a gorilla safari offers so far one of the most exclusive and unforgettable wildlife experiences in the pearl of Africa.

Game Viewing:
Uganda’s wildlife and habitats range from savannah grasslands, ecosystems, mountainous regions, wetlands, forests as well as diverse species. The wide range of scenic attractions makes Uganda a game viewing destination.

All the above-mentioned hiking activities are truly adventurous however one can also go for an open savanna wildlife expedition to the major savanna national parks in Uganda for great wildlife viewing.

Game drives and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth national park located in western Uganda offer views of a number of wild animals like elephants, tree-climbing lions, waterbucks, hippos, and crocodiles along the Kazinga channel and many others. Those interested in tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitats can greatly enjoy tracking in the Kyambura gorge forest located within the park premises or in the Kalinzu forest reserve situated just a few meters from the national park.

Other savanna national parks in Uganda where one can enjoy wildlife safaris include Kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park, Semuliki valley national park, Lake Mburo national park among others. Top Active Adventures in Uganda

Chimpanzee tracking:
Chimpanzees are great apes that are closely related to humans. A visit to the chimp habitats is an amazing and interesting experience, watching how they feed, mate, make and unmake their beds, care for their young ones, as well as climb and respond to human presence. Their noises can be heard through the forest for about 2 miles/3 km.

Nature walks:
Experience nature and the wilderness, with an opportunity to explore the wild on foot, and to closely observe a variety of animals, plants, and Birds. A network of trails has been developed for nature walks.

Cultural tourism:
Uganda is a land of diverse cultures and heritage. These display a range of traditions, ways of life, customs that are represented by seasonal celebrations and colorful ceremonies. Displays of dances, traditions like the circumcision ceremony by the Bagishu as well as cultural displays and history by Baganda take you to amazing traditional and ancient sites.

Ngamba islands Experience:
At Entebbe, there is a wide range of attractions including a visit to the Ngamba Island sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, birding activities, Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre, leisure beaches, and city trips.

Birding adventures:
Uganda is an equatorial country with an amazing diversity of habitats with a bird list of over 1000 species from the source of the White Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Rwenzori range making it the richest country for bird watching in Africa. 

White water rafting:
Uganda has several activities to keep your adrenaline rushing. The source of the River Nile has numerous rapids and waterfalls for rafting opportunities, bungee jumping, wildlife, and relaxation.

Source of the Nile & Bujagali falls
The Source of river Nile; the longest river in the world is a  major attraction that also takes you to the city of Jinja to visit other attractions including Ssezibwa falls, Bujagali Falls, and a visit to Mabira rain forest.

Mountain hiking:
Uganda provides the snow-capped Rwenzori mountain ranges for mountain lovers. These provide adventure and beautiful scenic experiences to tourists.

Hiking The Snow Capped Rwenzori

The Rwenzori Mountains are situated in the Kasese district in western Uganda and are comprised of mountain ranges that stretch up to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The highest peak along the Rwenzori ranges (peak Stanley) is the 4th highest elevation on the African continent standing at 5109.

There are a number of trekking itineraries designed to hike the Rwenzori up to the snow-capped peaks giving one a great aerial view of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those who cannot manage to hike the mountain up to the snow can opt for hiking options for two given points of the mountain that can be explored in a day or 2. Hiking the Rwenzori gives tourists a chance to view a number of wildlife species including the rare Johnston’s (three-horned chameleon) plus other unique montane vegetation species found in no other place in Uganda.

Hiking Mount Elgon

Mount Elgon is situated in eastern Uganda on the Uganda-Kenya border. Mount Elgon has the largest volcanic base on the planet and the largest caldera. Hiking is among the major tourists carried out around this mountain as adventurous tourists explore the mountain to its highest point Wagagai that stands at 2458 meters above sea level.

Mount Elgon is home to the great Sipi falls that formed as the river Sipi flowed over a hard rock on the mountain. There is a natural montane forest along mount Elgon that can be explored by tourists on forest or nature walks as they view a number of wildlife including primates like monkeys as well as a number of bird species.

Quad Biking
This is suitable for people of all ages and is filled with adventure. Tourists are given free training sessions prior to the safari.

Ssese islands
The Ssese islands are made up of 84 beautiful and mainly uninhabited islands which have several activities like cycling, beach games, forest walks, and relaxation on the white sand beaches as you enjoy a lake breeze.