HERE ARE SOME LITTLE-KNOWN INTERESTING TOURIST DESTINATIONS THAT YOU CAN VISIT IN UGANDA

If you have ever visited Uganda, you must be knowing that this country which is popularly known as the pearl of Africa has very many interesting tourist destinations. 

There are some little-known but very interesting places that tourists who do come from foreign countries or just within the country can visit and then enjoy the Ugandan experience.

 For those people out there who do love adventure, culture and also nature, today I will talk about some of the little known tourist destinations that you can visit when you do come to Uganda.

1. Kasubi Tombs

When you visit this historical place, you will be able to learn a lot about the rich history of the kingdom of Buganda. 

You will learn about their cultures, how their kings ruled the kingdom and also the places where these kings were buried. 

You will be able to come face to face with the royal regalia among which were the spears, the shields and other things that signified authority in Buganda Kingdom. 

These are the ancient tombs where kings of Buganda were buried and therefore for anyone who is interested in the history of Buganda Kingdom, this is one place that you should not actually miss out when you do visit Uganda.  

At the entrance of the tombs, you will need to pay some amount of money which will range from 1000 shillings to about 5000 shillings.  It is one place that any tourist should not miss out on.

2. Uganda Martyrs shrine found in Namugongo

For all the faithful especially Christians, this is one place that should not miss out on your list of some of the places that you should actually visit when in Uganda. 

The Uganda martyrs shrine is the place where some of the people in Buganda Kingdom were killed for their faith under the orders of the then King of Buganda called Kabaka Mwanga.

 The shrine is located just a few kilometres out of the city centre of Kampala.  The chief executor of the faithful was called Mukajanga. 

Among some of the faithful that were executed were Kizito, Balikudembe and many others. At the Namugongo Martyrs shrine, churches have since been built one for the Catholics religion and the other for the Anglican Church.  

There has also been a museum that has been built just for the memory of events that did happen during the time when these people were executed for their faith and belief.

 Every year, these martyrs are celebrated and people walk from very many places around Uganda, Kenya and even Tanzania to the Namugongo Martyrs shrine just to show what these people went through to die for their faith. 

These martyrs were canonised by Pope Francis when he did visit Uganda back in 2015.

 This is one place that any tourist who is interested in religious affairs should not miss visiting.

3. Uganda Museum

If you are interested in learning about the history of Uganda, the cultures of the people of Uganda and things that happened in Uganda years back; this is a very good place that you should endeavour to visit. 

When you visit the Uganda Museum, you will be able to see the first car that was to arrive Uganda and you will also be able to see the first printing press that was brought to Uganda. 

You will be able to learn about the cultures of the different Ugandan tribes and the very many other artefacts and things that have been kept in the museum. 

Uganda museum is rich in Ugandan history and it is a place that tourists who are interested in history should actually endeavour to visit and check out. Students of history should be able to visit this place so that the history comes to life before their eyes.

4. Igara tea factory

Agriculture is the back bone of Uganda’s economy and if you are out there and you love agriculture, you will need to visit this place called Igara tea factory. The green nature will surely take your breath away. 

When you visit this factory, you will be able to take some fresh tea from the factory and you will enjoy the natural aura of the tea that is grown in this place.  

This tea factory is found in the western part of Uganda in a place called Kapchorwa.

 This place is very green and looks lovely for any visitor. For any tourist out there who loves nature, you will not miss out on the birds and the butterflies that do reside near the tea factory.

 You will be able to leave the place with some well packed tea leaves that you can go and enjoy back home. This is one place that you should not miss out on when you are in Uganda.

5. Bujagali Falls

This is one of the breath-taking waterfalls that will leave you open mouthed after visiting it. 

If you are a tourist you should be able to visit this place to just enjoy the nature and also listen to the sound of the water falls as it splashes down on the rocks that are found beneath it.

 If you do love history you will be able to check out the source of the Nile and also see the stone that was placed in the area where the first white man who did see the source of the Nile stood.  

This white man was called John Speke and he was an explorer. 

If you do love bungee jumping, this is one place where you will be able to enjoy that sport. 

You will need to pay some fee before you can be allowed to jump off from that height for those people out there who do not fear heights. You can also participate in rafting under the rapids. 

You will need to put on your protective gear and then start rafting through the rapids if you do love that sport. 

This is the perfect sport where you will be able to do some good rafting and enjoy it. At the source of the Nile, you will be able to also engage in horse riding if you do love horses. 

This is one place where horse-riding does take place in Uganda. If you love adventure, this is one place that you should not miss out on when you are planning destinations that you would like to visit in Uganda.

6. The Entanda traditional Hunting and cultural experience is worth it

This is one place that you should not actually miss out on when you do carry out your tourist travels around the pearl of Africa.

 This marvellous experience of traditional hunting and cultures can be found in Mityana which is located in the outskirts of Kampala city. 

This community of people normally welcome their visitors with loud voices of performers who do sing traditional songs and also do display some good drumming skills. 

You can engage in the traditional dances that are performed by community dancers for their visitors. 

You should also be able to enjoy the fresh fruits found in plenty at the area. 

Women are also taught how to prepare the traditional luwombo menu and after wards they are invited to the ‘bush’ where they are taught how to handle their men. You will need to get the details when you visit the site.

7. Enjoy eating fresh fish on the shores of Lake Victoria

If you are fun of fresh fish and you would like to indulge in eating lots of fresh water lake fish, then this is for you. 

There are some cool places that are found on the shores of Lake Victoria where you can actually be able to eat some fresh fish and enjoy it to the fullest.  You can enjoy fresh fish at the Gaba landing site which is found on the shores of Lake Victoria. 

When you visit Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria, you will be able to enjoy some fried Tilapia and Nile Perch. 

You can also enjoy some drinks like sodas, beers and Uganda Waragi at some reasonable prices all at your disposal. 

You can also buy some fresh fish whose scales have been removed so that you can be able to take home for cooking for dinner.  

At this place, you will be able to watch the sun go down on the beautiful shores of Lake Victoria which gives you a great picture of the horizon during sunset. 

This place which is called the Royal Port was the place where Kabaka  Muteesa who was then the King of Buganda began his hunting spree for hippos back in 1870s and he went on even beyond Lake Bulilungwe, although he did not succeed in getting any of the hippos.

8. Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and it’s rich history

If you are a fun of history there is one place that you should not actually miss out on and this is the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. 

You will be able to learn the history of one of the oldest Kingdoms and dynasties in East Africa and Uganda while you are seated on the Lion’s skin. 

This Lion’s skin floor is found inside the Throne Room of the Omukama which is literally the tittle for the kings of the Bunyoro Kingdom.  

This place is found in Hoima district in the western part of Uganda and you will be able to learn about the hunters, food gatherers and the metal workers of this great dynasty that began a century ago. 

The last great king of this dynasty was called Omukama Kabalega.

9.  Ngamba Island the chimpanzee sanctuary

One place that you should not miss out on is the Ngamba Island which is populated by Chimps especially if you are a lover of animals. 

 The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary is a very entertaining and educational experience for you to enjoy. 

You can access the island by crossing the Equator using a canoe boat and you will be invited by the 50,000 fruit bats that do reside in the Island. 

You can also participate more in the Chimpanzee experience by enrolling as a volunteer and participate in cleaning the cages where the chimps do sleep, medical procedures for the chimps or even just feeding the chimps. 

You will be able to stay at Ngamba tent camp and meet the dedicated teams of Ngamba that work tirelessly for the well being of the Chimps.

10. Uganda Wild Life Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo)

This is one of the animal sanctuaries that you can visit when you do arrive in Uganda. You could even check out this place just after landing at the Entebbe Airport. 

There are a variety of animals that you will find at this animal sanctuary. 

When you do visit this amazing place, you should be able to take part in some experiences like feeding of animals.

 You will listen to the sounds of Lions, Chimpanzees and even monkeys.  This experience will bring out your natural instinct of nature to life.  

This amazing place is opened daily from 8:30 am in the morning to 6:30 pm in the evening.  You could visit this place and enjoy some animal experience.

11. Mgahinga Gorrilla National Park

When you do visit the Mgahinga Gorrilla National park, you will be able to see the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. 

The Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who are found at the park will be able to welcome you and also give you some facts about the golden monkeys and their behaviours in their natural habitats. 

There is an interesting and hidden lodge called Mount Gahinga lodge where you can spend some time and enjoy the habitat during your stay. 

In this park you can also go Gorrilla trekking and enjoy the Gorrilla experience.  This park is located near the Rwandan border with Uganda.

12. Nakayima Tree found in Mubende district

There is one magical place found in Mubende district that is always ignored by most visitors but it has some experience that you should not actually miss out on.

 This place is called Nakayima tree at it is found in Mubende district on the highway that goes to Fortportal. 

For those who are fascinated by the traditional customs and beliefs, this is one place that you should check out on your trip around Uganda. 

The tree which is called Nakayima Tree or ‘witch’ is estimated to have lived for over 650 years. 

According to the legend the tree was named after a Princess of Buganda who is said to have brought a cure for smallpox disease. 

The tree has 18 ‘rooms’ which are literally the gaps that are found between its buttress roots.

13. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The Bwindi Impenetrable Park is famously known for the Gorrilla trekking activities but there is actually more to Bwindi than just Gorrillas. 

You can take a guided walk through the forest and you will be able to enjoy the bird life in the forest as you explore the cores of the forest. 

You can participate actively in bird watching and the good thing is that there are some good lodges for accommodation within the outskirts of the forest. Some of the lodges available are Bwindi Lodge and also Buhoma Lodge.

14. Ishasha Wilderness camp found in Queen Elizabeth National Park

When you are in Uganda, you should make Queen Elizabeth National park as one of the top destinations that you should visit simply because if you are a fun of birding, you will be able to enjoy the experience. 

There are certain species of birds that are called Narina Trogon and these birds are found at Ishasha Wilderness Camp which is found inside Queen Elizabeth National park.  

You will actually learn that this is a very fabulous bird and you should have the experience of seeing it face to face. 

The Ishasha wilderness Camp is a breath-taking destination that you should visit as an adventure loving human being. The Narina Trogon has also appeared on the Ugandan postage stamp.

15. You can check out Amabere caves that are found in Fortportal

There is one splendid place that is found in Fort portal which is called Amabere ga Nyinamwiru.

 This is literally interpreted as the breasts of Nyinamwiru and these are actually not real breasts but they are caves. The breasts are actually stalactites that are made of Calcium Carbonate. 

The white-coloured water that drips off it is thus called milk by the locals of the place who are the Toro people.

16. Enjoy smoked yellow fish from West Nile in Packwachi

If you are a lover of fish, you can get some smoked yellow fish which is locally called Angara from Pakwachi and enjoy it when you get back home. 

Pakwachi came onto the Ugandan map when it became the best place for viewing the solar eclipse.

 This is one memorable day where the world was looking at Uganda in a different way.  You will enjoy the Packwachi experience when you do visit the place.

17. Visit the smallest church in the world found in Nebbi district

There is an amazing structure that is found in Nebbi district and according to reports, it is said to be the smallest church in the world. 

This church is found in a place which is called Goli located in the West Nile district of Nebbi district. 

Iam yet to verify if this is actually the smallest church in the world. But we just never know, it could actually be the smallest church in the world since it`s only can accommodate one person who is standing inside it. 

There is one thing that I know that is actually a fact and that is the fact that it is the smallest church in Uganda.  This is one church where you will reduce the budget of your wedding by a very big percentage.

18. You can also visit the Mparo Tombs that are found in Hoima district

If you want to dig deep into the Ugandan history especially the kingdoms that do exist in Uganda, you cannot miss out on one place which is found in the Western part of Uganda which is called the Mparo tombs. 

The last great king of the kingdom of the great lakes region was called Kabalega and these were tombs where the Kings of this region were buried.  

You will be able to offer coffee beans and also money. You will come face to face with the place where Emin Pasha met with Kabalega back in 1877. 

If you can visit this place around the month of May, you will be able to enjoy some sweet mangoes that are plucked off from the big Mango trees that surround the Beautiful Mparo Tombs.

19. Visit the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori mountains which are popularly known as the mountains of the moon are found in the western part of Uganda.

  You may not be very fit to climb the peaks of Mount Rwenzori but the good news is that you can actually choose from the very many available peaks to climb. 

The highest peak of Mount Rwenzori is called Margherita and it is the highest peak in Uganda. 

There are some shorter routes that will help you to navigate through the mountain onto some of the peaks.

 If you want to enjoy the most interesting vegetation in the mountain, you will need to remain on the lower slopes. 

When you are on the lower slopes of the mountain, you will be able to enjoy the most interesting vegetation, the birds and also animals that live in that vegetation. 

This region is filled with very many water bodies around it with about 50 lakes and also some waterfalls surrounding it.  

You will also be able to see the three-horned Chameleon in this part of the world.

 If you love adventure and nature, you should not miss out on this adventurous phenomena when you do visit Uganda the pearl of Africa.

20. Visit the Sunbird Hill and Kibale Forest

There is one place that will amaze you found in the western part of Uganda when you do visit and that is the Sunbird hill which is found in Kibale district.

 If you love bird watching, then the Sunbird hill is the one place that you should actually visit.  There are around 18 bird species that are found in the area. 

You will be able to wake up to the songs that are being sung by the different bird species and also you will be able to enjoy the sounds of Chimpanzees in the Kibale forest during the night. 

The Sunbird hill has an extensive reference library about different bird species; you will be able to read about the Turaco tree house and also the butterfly cottage. You will be able to come into contact with butterflies in beautiful colours.

 This is actually nature at it`s best that you should not miss out on when you do visit Uganda.

21. Karamoja and Kidepo Valley National Park

Karamoja which is found in the north eastern part of Uganda is one of the rich tourist destinations that are found in Uganda. 

There was a time when this place was not accessible as a result of the insecurity that was in this area but now that has been sorted out and very many fun loving and adventurous tourists are visiting that region of Uganda.

 You will be able to see Ostriches, Cheetahs, secretary birds and many other animals when you visit this gorgeous place called Karamoja.

 These are some of the little known tourist destinations in Uganda that you will enjoy when you visit them.