The Making of A Prolific Traveler: Visit to Uganda
Kampala
The capital city Kampala is genuinely known as the hill of impalas. Kampala has many sight-seeing landmarks rich with culture and historic buildings, I’m explaining interesting things to do and see in Kampala here.
The Uganda National Museum
Found on the Kira road, the Uganda Museum is the oldest museum in East Africa. There are huge array of hunting equipment, weaponry and musical instruments, flashes Uganda’s cultural heritage and natural historical exhibits. For those who have passion to knowledge and artifacts, it is a must visit spot.
Kabaka’s Palace
The Kabaka’s Palace is the official residential palace of Buganda’s King. It is their tradition that every new king determines a hill where he can build his own palace, and the place hence becomes the new capital. King also decides name for the palace. This building of palace was dully converted into military barrack. A nearby place became an ill-famed underground jail and prosecution chamber. You can also see the original memos of the former prisoner on the walls. You can explore the history behind this palace by a guided visit.
Lake Victoria
Visit to Uganda isn’t complete if you don’t check the world’s second largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria. You’d take a short boat tour making the panorama more incredible and exciting. If weather conditions are comfortable then you should also explore the Ngamba Chimp Island to see the wildlife and feel the nature more closely.
Owino Market
St. Balikudembe market famous as Owino market is one of the busiest markets in Kampala. There are a great number of traders and vendors in the market and nearly 300,000 visitors travel there. It becomes very difficult to find a way out of the market when you visit there. Market has everything you want to buy there. Most foreigners pick up African print fabrics and clothes including shoes with designer’s labels. Make sure keeping your personal stuff close and not to wear jewelry as the place has attraction to pickpockets.
Gadaffi Mosque
The National Mosque of Uganda is located at Kampala Hill. Libyan Leader Colonel Gaddafi built this mosque as a gift to Uganda. Its construction completed in 2006, including place for more than 18,000 worshipers. You can also visit this mosque but you’ve to be dressed decently with a tour guide. The mosque itself is a convincing building, captivation for tourists by providing them with the best views of whole Kampala from the top of its minaret.
Kampala also offers you to explore more of its impressive and iconic buildings including Ba’hai Temple, Namirembe Cathedral, Craft Markets (good local stuff for house décor) and Rubaga Cathedral located at hills providing great views.
Jinja
Jinja is a town about 80 kilometers from Kampala, has owned the title of the adrenaline capital of East Africa. It comprises on many activities and things to do here. Jinja is situated on the Shores of Lake Victoria, nearby the source of Nile River. Activities here consist of a wide range of water sports. Before your visit to Jinja, here are a few things and activities to do in Jinja.
White water Rafting
The best place for white water rafting in Africa is the Nile. Explore the Nile by taking its rapids, including intense Grave IV and V rapids.
Boat Cruise
Day cruises on River Nile or on Lake Victoria offer you the lovely scenery and magical bits. Just take sunset cruises over the lake; capture and experience iconic moments you got there.
Fishing
As an aspiring traveler testing your fishing skills is one of the best things to do in Jinja. These tours are offered on the Nile and on Lake Victoria. Sit relax and enjoy lifetime experience of fishing in East Africa.
Jet Boating
Speedboat reaching nearly a speed of 90km/hr. provides you incredible and charming landscape to enjoy with your family or friends on the Nile. Trust me, the jumps, the spins, the wind almost all the things happen to you are distinctive and memorable.
Kayaking
Kayaking is the best option which allows you to overcome your fears. Enjoy kayaking on the Nile; there are instructors out there providing you basics of this intense sport. Challenge the river and move in freestyle, kayaking has everything from thrilling experience to getting rid of your worries.
Bungee Jumping
Want a thrilling and adrenaline adventure in Jinja? Just do Bungee Jumping. Plunge about 44m from a platform above the River Nile; thrill comes from the free falling and the rebound. When you jump the cord stretches and the jumper flies upwards as the cord recoils again, the continuously oscillations up and down makes your jumping more electrifying and exciting.
Travel tips and best time to visit
First of all you need vaccination certification of Yellow Fever, DTP, Hepatitis A and malaria before visiting Uganda. There is a risk of Malaria throughout country, so make sure you have medications and proper safety measurements. Best time to travel Uganda’s safaris is during the dry season from June to August and from December to February because in drier season the wildlife is easy to spot. The most challenging month you should avoid travelling to Uganda are March, April and May because in these months roads and nature trails are in poor conditions, making things more complicated for you. Long clothing will protect you from disease carried out by mosquitoes, pack good hiking shoes for your gorilla or chimpanzee trekking’s because some parts are very muddy and slippery there.
