If you are traveling to Uganda for the first time and with so much to offer you may be hard-pressed to decide which destinations and activities are the best to explore. In addition to the top tourist attractions in Uganda, there are some really cool and unusual things to see and do in this fascinating country. If you fancy travelling off the beaten track and keen to discover the hidden gems that this part of Africa has to offer, make sure these noteworthy attractions are on your holiday itinerary.
If you are flying to Uganda Entebbe is usually the first stop on your trip and if you are looking for something exciting to do, Aero Beach is a remarkable place to visit when in Entebbe. Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, Aero Beach is an aeronautical-themed resort forged around rusty relics from the golden age of air travel. In addition to this curious graveyard of planes, there are several statues of famous figures like Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, the Obamas, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
The Equator Line Restaurant is a charming roadside eatery where you can actually dine in two different hemispheres. A bright yellow stripe separating the Northern and Southern hemispheres is painted across a busy village road, passing through a pair of circular structures, bearing the words ‘Uganda Equator’ which is a hotspot for Instagram-worthy selfies, and then continues straight through the restaurant. This geographic novelty makes for a great day out and is the perfect location to enjoy some freshly ground Ugandan-grown coffee, and a ‘Rolex’ Uganda’s most popular local dish.
If you are in Kampala, a visit to the Kasubi Tombs should definitely be on your to do list. It’s a fascinating opportunity to discover the rituals and traditions of Uganda’s Buganda Kingdom, the country’s largest tribal kingdom. This important historic site is the burial place of the previous four kings (Kabakas) and represents the best existing example of a Baganda palace/burial site. Upon the hilltop, the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda was built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884. Embracing almost 30 ha of hillside most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods with the main building, which is circular and domed which houses the four royal tombs. In addition to being an architectural achievement in organic materials, it’s a testament to the local values of belief, spirituality, continuity, and identity.
Situated on the grounds of a former palace of the Ankole king, the Igongo Cultural Centre and Museum boasts a replica cultural village, a state-of-the-art hotel and two restaurants where you can enjoy local, authentic Bahima and Ugandan food. The Centre houses the most detailed and historically accurate collections of Ugandan artifacts depicting Bahima tribal history, culture, and daily life. Day trips from the Centre include visits to the Biharwe Eclipse monument, honey farms, as well as evening entertainment and meetings with the Bahima tribespeople. Bespoke hands-on experiences can also be arranged with the local tribespeople such as an Ankole dance recital or eshawbwe-making and millet bread-making.
A guided tour of the oldest rock art in Uganda is guaranteed to inspire anyone with an interest in early human history. Thought to be created by ancient Ugandan tribes, estimates put this prehistoric art anywhere between 3,000 and 12,000 years old. The six panels painted on the granite outcrop of Moru Ikara feature animals, people, canoes, concentric circles, and geometric and abstract patterns painted in red and black pigment. Nyero Rock Paintings can be accessed on foot, which will lead you through beautiful landscapes with spectacular scenery and fascinating rock formations as you pass friendly locals going about their daily lives.
Africa is full of incredible unexplored destinations and secret adventures that are just waiting to be discovered. Based on our extensive travels and experience across the continent we have the insider’s edge when it comes to recommending the hidden travel treasures in East and Southern Africa. If you are considering a holiday here and curious to know more, get in touch with us today!
Call UK 01233 80 27 27 or visit our website www.bestofsouthafricatravel.co.uk
Magical mystery tour
Well, what can I say. Our original plans for a short trip to see friends in Cape Town last Easter turned into a ‘magical mystery tour’ after I was introduced to Ash at Best of South Africa Travel. Of course Covid completely scuppered our plans, but somehow (due to bizarre tier decisions made by Boris and his crew) we managed …
