Sights in Uganda
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Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a stunner, arguably the most beautiful waterfall in all of Uganda, and it is now much more accessible thanks to one of the best roads in the country linking it to Mbale. The falls are about 55km north of Mbale, in the foothills of Mt Elgon and not far from the town of Kapchorwe.
Not only are the falls spectacular, so too are the views of Mt Elgon above them, and the wide plains of eastern and northern Uganda disappearing into the distance below. There are three levels of falls, but the two upper levels are fairly small compared with the main drop. It is well worth spending a night or two in this peaceful and pretty place.
There are some excellent walks on a…
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Kibuli Mosque
There are several prominent religious buildings in Kampala that might interest some spiritually inclined travellers, including the gleaming white Kibuli Mosque dominating Kibuli Hill on the other side of the train station from Nakasero Hill.
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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Also known as the Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi is one of Uganda's most recently created national parks. The park, which covers 331 sq km, encompasses one of the last remaining habitats of the mountain gorilla, and is where almost half - an estimated 330 individuals - of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world live.
A major conservation effort has been going on here for a number of years to protect the gorillas' habitat. Gorillas are not the only animals to have benefited from this project. The park contains about 20 forest elephants, at least 10 species of primate (including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and baboons), duikers, bushbucks and the rare giant forest hog,…
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Source of the Nile
The Source of the Nile is promoted as one of Jinja's premier drawcards and tourists are bussed in from Kampala to marvel at the start of this mighty river. In reality there is not a whole lot to see. Before the building of the Owen Falls Dam, this was the site of the Ripon Falls, where the Nile, known locally as Omugga Kiyara, thundered out of Lake Victoria on its long journey to the Mediterranean.
The falls were blown away to ensure a steady flow of water for the dam, but it's just about possible to make out where they were from the turbulence in the river.
Bell Breweries now sponsors the area, so everything has been painted yellow and red in keeping with the corporate…
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Gandhi's Shrine
Near the source of the Nile plaque is a small memorial garden commemorating Mahatma Gandhi, the centrepiece of which is a bronze bust donated by the Indian Government. This area is becoming quite a pilgrimage site for Ugandan Indians, as this is one of the places where Gandhi's ashes were scattered. (It seems that on Gandhi's death in 1948, his ashes were divided up and sent to many locations around the world to be scattered - and some ended up in the Nile River in Uganda.)
So Gandhi was rafting the Nile long before the Adrift team came to town.
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Bujagali Falls
More a series of large rapids than a conventional waterfall, Bujagali Falls remains one of Uganda's outstanding natural beauty spots, and is very popular with locals on weekends. This is one of East Africa's more laid-back locations and it is well worth setting some time aside to chill for a few days. A lot of travellers end up staying out here before or after a rafting trip, as there are two popular camping grounds here.
During our last visit, a deal was signed for a multi-million dollar resort to be built here, so things may change very fast and don't be too disappointed if there is some serious construction going on in the area. There is also the chance that the…
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Kabaka's Trail
The Kabaka's Trail is a community tourism project to introduce visitors to the secret history of the Buganda people.
Six sites around Kampala make up the trail, including several tombs, a prison and a waterfall.
The Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site, a short distance off the road to Masaka, is where the Buganda kings are crowned, including the current kabaka Ronald Mutebi II. There are several huts similar to those at Kasubi Tombs, as well as a natural throne from a tree root. This is the most accessible of all the sites, as minibuses run here from the new taxi park in Kampala - ask for Naggalabi Buddo stage.
Ssezibwa Falls is a popular beauty spot with locals, just off the…
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Kasubi Tombs
The Kasubi Tombs, just off Masiro Rd, were first built in 1881 and are worth a look for a dose of traditional culture. There are several huge traditional reed and bark cloth buildings of the kabakas of the Buganda people. The group of buildings contains the tombs of Muteesa I, his son Mwanga (Sir Daudi Chwa II) and his son Edward Muteesa II, father of the current kabaka, Ronald Mutebi II (known also by his Bugandan name, Muwenda). Edward Muteesa II died in London in 1969, three years after being deposed by Obote. The tombs are taken care of by the Ganda clans.
The Kasubi Tombs are open year-round, including holidays. Remove your shoes before entering the main building.…
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Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, established to protect the Magombe Swamp, is a haven for birds, with 137 species, plus butterflies and a number of primates. The guided walks through this sanctuary have been developed with the aim of assisting community development projects in the Kibale area, so the project deserves support.
Many of the guides have a good knowledge of bird life in the sanctuary, and are also adept at spotting colobus monkeys and the beautiful blue touraco from a distance. It is often easier to spot colobus monkeys here than in Kibale Forest National Park, as the vegetation is more open.
Three-hour guided walks depart from the visitor centre on demand. The…
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Nile Brewery
For those consuming copious amounts of Nile Special in Kampala, this alternative 'source of the Nile' makes a lively day out, and includes the obligatory complimentary beer. Free guided tours can sometimes be arranged in advance by calling. There is a small souvenir shop where you can buy T-shirts, bottle openers and the like. It is certainly a more original brewery visit than the one to the Heineken brewery in Amsterdam.
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Buganda Parliament
Kampala has always been the heartland of the Buganda kingdom, and within the capital are a number of its impressive administrative centres and royal buildings. Most of these are located in and around Mengo. Buganda Parliament is located at the end of a ceremonial driveway leading from the Kabaka's Palace.
It is not open to the public.
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Old Kampala National Mosque
There is also a Old Kampala National Mosque under construction in old Kampala, originally begun under Idi Amin and now being funded by Colonel Gadaffi. Idi Amin had planned a towering minaret to be visible all over the city, but the unfinished pillar had begun to lean precariously in recent years and has been rebuilt on a smaller scale.
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Buganda Court of Justice
Kampala has always been the heartland of the Buganda kingdom, and within the capital are a number of its impressive administrative centres and royal buildings. Most of these are located in and around Mengo. The Buganda Court of Justice is now the location for Uganda's National Court.
It is not open to the public.
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Kabaka's Palace
Kampala has always been the heartland of the Buganda kingdom, and within the capital are a number of its impressive administrative centres and royal buildings. Most of these are located in and around Mengo and include the Kabaka's Palace, inside a vast walled enclosure. It is not open to the public.
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Owen Falls Dam
Coming from Kampala, the Owen Falls Dam forms a spectacular gateway to the town: as you coast across the top, look down on the raging river below. The dam supplies Uganda with the bulk of its electricity, or doesn't supply it with much electricity, depending on which way you look at it.
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Baha'í Temple
Beautiful Baha'í temple way out towards Kira.
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Rubaga Cathedral
Huge, domed Roman Catholic cathedral.
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Hindu Temples
Enormous Hindu temples.
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Uganda Museum
The Uganda Museum is quite run-down given that it is meant to be the showcase for the nation. It has a few good ethnological exhibits covering hunting, agriculture, war and religion, as well as archaeological and natural history displays. Perhaps its most interesting feature is a collection of traditional musical instruments, but even these are falling apart. Basically, the museum is crying out for some tender, loving care.
More recently some photo exhibitions have been held here and this could be a good way to reinvigorate the place. There is fee for cameras and for video cameras, money down the drain given the paucity of exhibits.
To get here, catch a Kamjokya shared…
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