Considering Uganda best destination 2023 according to CNN is a big stride for the country’s tourism. Most visitors look forward to coming to Uganda for the new year. Each year several travel magazines, websites and organizations come with a list of different destinations around the world to make it easy for travelers to choose on where to go.
As usual, CNN Travel has once again published their famous ‘Where to travel’ article featuring the best destinations to visit in 2023. Uganda, ‘The Peal of Africa’ is one of the 23 destinations from across the world recommended by the magazine to travelers.
Regarding the country, CNN Travel wrote, “From the expansive shores of Lake Victoria to the snowy Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda is a beautiful wilderness playground, with opportunities for adventure including treks through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or up to the craters of the Virunga volcano chain or whitewater rafting along the Victoria Nile.” Away from wildlife and adventure, they also highlighted Uganda’s other amazing experiences. “There’s also an emphasis on connecting visitors with Ugandan communities — promising tastes of Ugandan food, music and culture,” CNN added.
Why visit Uganda in 2023
The World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared Uganda Ebola free following several months of battling with the epidemic in the East African country. The outbreak in Uganda had scared away many potential tourists who were planning to visit the country due to fear of contracting the deadly disease. However, with this declaration, we can confidently say that Uganda is once gain ready to welcome visitors and offer them her best, from wildlife and adventure to cultural and historical experiences
Wildlife experiences
Uganda offers some of the best wildlife experiences in the world to her visitors. The country is one of the only 3 destinations in the world where travellers can meet the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is Uganda’s prime wildlife experience attraction thousands of travellers into the country. Alongside gorilla trekking, travellers also take on other primate encounters include tracking the endangered golden monkeys and chimpanzees.
For game enthusiasts, Uganda offers amazing game viewing experiences in her stunning game reserves across the country including Murchison Falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo Valley national park, among others. Several breathtaking species like the unique tree-climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, among others can be found in these parks. Uganda is also among the best destinations for bird watching safaris with a variety of amazing bird species including Albertine Rift endemics.
Adventure
For adventure lovers, Uganda offers some of the most breathtaking experiences that can test your courage to the limits. These include climbing to the snow-capped top of Mount Rwenzori (5,109m), the third-highest mountain in Africa. While hiking to its summit, climbers go through a series of vegetation and climate zones along the slopes of the mountain. Rewarding views of different wildlife species including animals and birds as well as the beautiful aerial views of the surroundings are enjoyed by hikers on their way to the top. For those who may fear the Rwenzori, other less tenacious alternatives include Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano in the east (4,321m) or Mount Muhabura in the southwest (4,127m) which is part of the volcanic chain of the Virunga Mountains. For those who fancy water experiences, white-water rafting, kayaking and bungee jumping are available to test at the source of the longest river in the world, the Nile in the eastern city of Jinja.
Cultural and historical experiences
Uganda offers a variety of cultural experiences to her guests including visits to some of the most amazing communities in the country. These include the Batwa pygmies in the southwest near Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Karamojong in the northeast near Kidepo valley national park. Visitors are always amazed by the ancient way of living among these communities exhibited in the way they dress, cook, and go about their daily activities. They always entertain their visitors by performances of their traditional songs and dance which leave guests highly thrilled. A city tour around the capital Kampala offers visitors an opportunity experience Uganda’s modern culture. Common places visited include downtown markets of Nakasero and Owino, shopping malls, and restaurants to test the local cuisine. For entertainment, Kampala has one the most lively night life in East Africa with a host of music concerts, karaoke, comedy and more happening each nigh across the city bars, pubs and clubs. Visitors interested in exploring historical experiences in Uganda can visit some of the major historical sites in the country. These include the Uganda Museum in Kampala, Kabaka’s palace at Mengo, Kasubi tombs, and the Namugongo martyrs shrines.
