Step off the beaten track and visit Uganda

Uganda, known as ‘The Pearl of Africa,’ is undoubtedly one of the most lush and beautiful countries on the African continent. For those seeking experiences off the beaten path in Uganda, this remarkable destination delivers in abundance. When you visit, you’ll discover rainforests cascading down mountainsides, alive with brightly colored birds and echoing with the calls of Mountain Gorillas. The lakes are vast, like small freshwater seas, or perfectly circular, shaped by ancient volcanic activity. The people are warm and welcoming, as culturally diverse as their African neighbors, and ancient rock art adds depth and history to the stunning landscapes.

Go off the beaten path in Uganda

Uganda is home to plenty of bucket-list-worthy attractions, like a visit to Lake Victoria, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world; unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas; jaw-dropping views of the spectacular Murchison Falls; and the chance to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. And that’s just the beginning. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the lesser-known experiences that showcase off the beaten path in Uganda, hidden gems that you might not have heard of but definitely deserve a spot on your travel list.

1. Kanangorok Hot Springs in Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo National Park is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but arguably one of the more magnificent. It is well-known for its abundance of flora and fauna, but perhaps slightly less renowned for its hot springs. Uganda is riddled with evidence of volcanic activity, extinct, dormant and active – the country itself is spread across an enormous plateau where a section of the earth’s crust has been pushed towards the heavens – and these hot springs are a perfect example of this. The hot mineral-water that bubbles to the surface is claimed by locals to have healing properties, and it is well worth a wander off the beaten track and down the overgrown paths to reach them.

2. Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Mahoma

In the far west of Uganda, the remote Rwenzori Mountains are home to some of the highest peaks in Africa, including the third highest on the continent (Margherita Peak). Also known as the Mountains of the Moon, this range is snow-capped year-round with the highest peak reaching over 5000 meters above sea level. Hiking here feels well off the beaten path with a network of trails leading through lush valleys, grasslands, forested slopes, lakes and glaciers. The streams and rivers here help feed the Nile, and it’s a gloriously green environment with some unique and fascinating flora and fauna. 

Hiking in the Rwenzori is hugely rewarding, and there are options for different lengths and levels of difficulty, depending on your group. One wonderful three-day hike takes you on a 28km loop up to Lake Mahoma with two nights of camping on the way. This is the deepest lake in the range and sits at an altitude of 3000 metres. This setting means it is just within the Afro-Alpine zone which nurtures some of the park’s most interesting and unique plant and birdlife. 

3. Ndali Kasenda Crater Lakes

Continuing on a volcanic theme, another lesser-known area that is well worth adding to your itinerary is Ndali Kasenda and its almost perfectly circular crater lakes. Hike around their fringes, taking in Uganda’s fabulous wildlife, and all the while imagine how on earth such a place of peace and tranquillity could have been the result of something so catastrophically explosive all those years ago…

4. Nyero Rock Art

Believed to be the work of an ancient people dating as far back as the Stone Age, the rock art on the Nyero Rocks is not to be missed! A few theories are thrown around about who the artists could have been. Many suggest that the paintings are the work of a tribe now long-extinct, similar to the Batwa – Uganda’s “Pygmy people”. You can arrange for  a local guide on site, who will be ready and willing to show you these incredible geometric patterns.

5. Sipi Falls

Finally, we arrive at Sipi Falls in the foothills of Mount Elgon. While they’re probably the most well-known in this collection of experiences, these three cascading waterfalls still don’t draw quite as many visitors as Murchison Falls National Park—but they’re definitely worth a visit. The tallest waterfall is an incredible sight, dropping a full 100 meters from the edge of a forest-covered cliff.

The local people in the area grow some of the world’s finest coffee beans, and if you’re a caffeine fan, you can arrange a tour of the farms. Uganda’s Bugisu coffee beans can only be grown at elevations between 1,600 and 1,900 meters, making Sipi Falls the perfect location.

6. Lake Mutanda

Freshwater Lake Mutanda is located in Uganda’s far southwest and is one of the country’s most scenic lakes. Dotted with islands and framed by views of the extinct Virunga volcanoes, it’s a beautiful spot for walking, hiking, and more. Canoe trips across its calm waters offer a peaceful way to enjoy the scenery and birdlife, while hikes into the surrounding hills and mountains provide sweeping views of the lake, the fertile farmland around it, and dramatic mountain landscapes. Most of the lake’s fifteen islands are uninhabited, but the main island is home to the Abagesera clan, who have built a small church at its highest point.

Make it happen

Our local experts at Kombi Tours can create your perfect itinerary to take you off the beaten path in Uganda, and they already have several sample itineraries to inspire you. The driest months in Uganda are June through August, with December through February not far behind—these are the most popular times to visit. While Uganda’s tourism doesn’t come to a halt during the rainy season, April is generally the wettest month and is best avoided.