The Five Travel Regions in Uganda

Uganda is one of the greatest safari destinations in Africa, this beautiful country is referred to as the Pearl of Africa thanks to a variety of attractions ranging from wildlife, mountains to lakes among others. 

Tourist attractions in Uganda are concentrated in five travel regions that is the Urban Central Region, Southwestern Region, Western Region, Northern Region and the Eastern Region. 

As a first timer traveler visiting Uganda for your first ever African safari, you need to know the various travel regions, which region to travel to and what to see there. 

Each travel in Uganda something special to offer to every kind of travel for an exciting and memorable experience. 

South and western region is the most popular travel region in Uganda hosting most of the popular national park/ destinations including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

 The southwestern region of Uganda is probably to perfect region to visit to see the glorious snow – capped summit of Rwenzori Mountains, the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and big game.  

Regardless of the region you will visit on a Uganda safari, you will have a memorable once – in a lifetime experience. 

Uganda comprises of numerous attractions from small cities overflowing with myriad indigenous cultures and traditions that have not been touched by modern cultures, savannah plans looming with rare wildlife including the tree climbing lions, rainforest jungles protecting the highest concentration of primates that is the iconic mountain gorillas and chimpanzees among others. 

Every region of Uganda is waiting for you to explore and it will fulfill your exploring desires.  

• Urban Central Region of Uganda

The Urban Central Region of Uganda comprises of Kampala – the capital city and Entebbe the unavoidable peninsular city as it is the first city to drive through after landing at Entebbe International Airport. 

These two cities are buzzing and bustling with city life and are an excellent introduction to African modern living, the cities are in perfect size to be explored on foot. While strolling around the upper regions of Kampala and lower parts of Entebbe City, you will enjoy sighting of Old World of medieval building and chunky cobblestoned streets. 

 Visit an outdoor café and have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine for a couple hours, you can do this along the pedestrianized Nakasero Road, Bugolobi Village Mall or in Upper Kololo.

• The Western Region

The Western Region has some of the most outstanding landscapes in Uganda with stunning rolling hills, ever-green tea plantations and spanning farmlands. The region features the iconic Rwenzori Mountains referred to as The Mountains of the Moon, the Royal City of Fort Portal and Kibale Forest National Park – the primate capital. 

A typical Africa Safari in Uganda to the western region starts from Kampala or from Entebbe International Airport in Entebbe to the scenic Fort Portal area – the tourism city. 

 Near Fort Portal Town, the main attraction is chimpanzee trekking done in Kibale National Park, wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains.  

Southwestern region – The Most Popular Travel Region In Uganda

The Southwestern region usually identified as Uganda Western Safari Circuit is the popular safari region in Uganda, the region is famously for its iconic safari destinations including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are home to the endangered mountain gorillas which lie in the rugged rift valley landscape dominating the region. 

On this circuit, it is easy to connect from Lake Mburo National Park to Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park then to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

From Kampala – the capital City or Entebbe, it is a long drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is why it is a good idea to add Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park on your itinerary. 

The Northern Region – Pure wilderness

The Northern Region of Uganda is pure wilderness hosting some of the iconic wildlife destinations in Uganda including Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park – the most remote national park in the country. 

The remote Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the extreme northeastern travel region and has similarities to Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the park’s semi – arid landscape is dominated by Mount Morungole creating a scenic back drop. The park offers some of the excellent sightings of wild cats. 

If your intent to travel to Uganda is to experience the true East Africa wilderness and in a less crowded destination, then Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park are your best Uganda safari destinations to visit. 

However, visiting these destinations incur a cost of increased travel time and expenditure. 

For a luxury Uganda trip, there are domestic scheduled and chartered flights to the remote Northern region.  

The Eastern Region 

The region of Uganda offers adrenaline adventures and for adrenaline junkies, this region is a must visit for you.  The East region hosts Lake Victoria, the Source of River Nile – the longest river in the world, Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls. 

The Eastern region offers thrilling activities such as rafting the Nile rapids, hiking to Sipi Falls on Mount Elgon and experiencing the city nightlife of Jinja.

The Eastern Region is perfect for single day tours and adventures, from Kampala, head east to visit the famous Source of the Nile at Jinja. 

The adrenaline activities/sports are offered along the Nile Corridor north of the town, these activities include whitewater rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, and quad biking attracting adrenaline junkies and young heart travelers. 

Jinja is commonly referred to as the Adrenaline Capital of East Africa. 

The best time to explore Uganda’s five travel regions

Uganda is geographically situated along the equator this a warm climate all year round, the country’s position along the equator makes seasonal temperature variations insignificant in choosing which travel region you should visit in Uganda. 

When considering when and where to travel to Uganda for holiday, the major factor to put in consideration is the rainfall pattern most especially if you plan on hiking the Rwenzori Mountains or trekking Mountain gorillas in the South Western Region. 

 The wettest months in Uganda are April, May, October and November. During these months exploring most of the travel regions in Uganda becomes hard as the roads most especially the unsurfaced ones become impassable. Also, the vegetation cover is thick which makes wildlife viewing hard.