The Most Beautiful Places in Uganda

Photos and descriptions from a flashpacker’s perspective

Uganda | Read Time 15 Minutes

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Most Beautiful Places in Uganda – Table of Contents

Romantic Places | Beautiful Places in Jinja | Off The Beaten Path | Nice Places to Visit In Kampala | Beautiful National Parks

Beautiful Uganda has a special place in my heart. Before visiting, the only thing I knew about the country was that you could see gorillas there.  

Yet,  after my first visit to Uganda in 2018 it was easy to understand why it’s called the Pearl of Africa.  

There were so many beautiful places in Uganda!

Some people don’t like re-visiting countries, but I love to travel to a country I’ve been to before because there is always something new to see. 

I’ve returned in 2020 and 2021, and I’m pleasantly surprised to find more nice places to visit in Uganda each time.

There is so much more to Uganda than gorillas and it’s a country that everyone should see.  

Want to Know the Most Beautiful Places in Uganda? 

Look no further – I’ve compiled a list of 31 beautiful places in Uganda.  

Romantic Places in Uganda

Let’s kick off the most beautiful places in Uganda list with some romantic lodges I’ve visited. During my second trip to Uganda, I traveled with my boyfriend. It was his first time on the African continent, and I knew it’d be an adventure, but I didn’t realize that Uganda is filled with many romantic places. All the lodges in this section are perfect for sharing with a loved one and would be great for a honeymoon.

1. Arcadia Lodge in Lake Bunyonyi

Arcadia Lodge - Lake Bunyonyi
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Beauty Ranking: 10/10
Location: Lake Bunyonyi, South-West Uganda

Imagine waking up to this view every morning with bae?! Arcadia Lodge is not only one of the most beautiful places in Uganda, but it has one of the best views in the world (and I’ve traveled to over 70 countries!) If you speak to a Ugandan, they will tell you that Wakanda from Black Panther was based on this view. Most people visit Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking, and it’s the perfect place to relax. Arcadia Lodge is one of the top lodges in Uganda. If you don’t have the budget to stay here, it’s still worth a visit to get an ariel view of the 29 islands of Lake Bunyonyi.

Travel Tip: If you book a room at Arcadia Lodge, ask for a room with a bathtub. This way, you can relax in a tub while taking in this view.

2. Rushaga Gorilla Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
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Beauty Ranking: 9.4/10
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, South-West Uganda

Once again – another drop-down gorgeous hotel view! Rushaga is a small village located outside one of the main entrances to gorilla trekking. Lush, green farmlands surround it. One of my favorite things about Rushaga Gorilla lodge is the huge windows. No joke – when I peed in the bathroom here, this is the view I’d look at. I will never forget this place as one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever used the restroom. This lodge has excellent service, and at night there are warm water bottles put in the bed, making it a perfect place to snuggle with your special someone. 

Travel Tip: Make sure to walk around Rushaga. Grab a beer at the local bar (although it most likely will be a warm beer)

Interested in a group trip to Uganda?

If you want to stay at some of the most beautiful places in Uganda, then join the next Follow The Fro group trip to Uganda! We stay at lodges like Arcadia and Rushaga Gorilla.

3. Top of the World Resort 

Top Of the World Resort
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Beauty Ranking: 8.9/10
Location: Kikangala, Western Uganda

When I was in Kampala, I went to a house party and met a friendly Ugandan girl, Rosette. She invited me to join her on a trip to Fort Portal, where she grew up. I was in for a treat since her family runs the Top of The World Resort, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Uganda! This resort is true to its name and is located at the top of a hill to show off surrounding crater lakes. I love this location because it’s secluded, and not many people know about it. This type of setting is perfect for a weekend trip away to enjoy the serenity in nature.

4. Mweya Safari Lodge

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Beauty Ranking: 8.9/10
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda

Mweya Safari Lodge provides high-quality service and overlooks the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National park. This is one of the top-rated hotels in Uganda, and it’s a great place to rest in between safari drives. In this photo, you see that we are enjoying the pool with a panoramic view. Jumping into a pool after seeing wildlife is a combination for a day filled with happiness. The best part about this lodge is that you are in the middle of a reservation. It’s common to wake up and be greeted by warthogs and mongooses in your front window. You can also find hippos grazing in the evening if you are lucky.

Beautiful National Parks and Wildlife Reserves in Uganda

Rwenzori Mountains

Entry by James Ian of Travel Collecting

Rwenzori
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Beauty Ranking: 9.5/10
Location: Rwenzori Mountains National Park, South-Western Uganda

The legendary snow-capped “Mountains of the Moon,” as often called, straddle the equator between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. From Kampala, you can take A-109 west all the way to Kasese, the gateway town to the mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains are a designated national park and are typically visited on a multi-day trek, staying in rustic mountain huts along the way.  

There are six main massifs along the mountain range, each capped with snow and glaciers (though these are disappearing). “Rwenzori” means “Rain Maker” or “The Great Leaf in Which the Clouds are Boiled,” so it’s no surprise that it rains a lot. The weather has created boggy environments that are the perfect conditions for unique and wonderful plant life. From moss-covered rainforests to giant lobelias and alien-like ‘cabbage’ trees, the entire mountain range is like nowhere else on earth. Moon Lake (Lac de la Lune) is a highlight, thought to be Ptolemy’s source for the Nile. Nestled at the bottom of Mugusu Valley and surrounded by spectacular vegetation, it is out-worldly beautiful. 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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Beauty Ranking: 10/10
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South-Western Uganda

Bwindi is a beautiful forest filled with lush greenery and vines. It’s not easy to get to and requires at least one day of driving from Kampala or Entebbe. Gorilla trekking is the main attraction in Uganda, and for a good reason – it’s a surreal experience to get up close and personal to creatures that share 98.9% DNA with humans. It’s important to remember to look up while you are on a gorilla trek and appreciate the surroundings of the Bwindi forest. Gorilla Trekking is not a breeze in the park, especially in Bwindi. It’s called the Impenetrable forest for a reason! You are following wild animals and might end up hiking for 8 hours to find them. It’s essential to make sure you are prepared for the hike.


Travel Tip: Read this gorilla trekking packing list to be fully equipped.

Kibale National Park

Entry by Bella of Passport & Pixels

kibale national park
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Beauty Ranking: 9.6/10
Location: Kibale National Park, Western Uganda

Uganda is blessed with 10 national parks, but Kibale National Park is one of the most beautiful. Kibale is located in the west of the country, about a five-hour drive from Kampala, making it pretty accessible for a long weekend trip away or as part of a bigger tour of Uganda. The main reason people visit Kibale is to go chimpanzee trekking. The animals are habituated to the presence of humans, meaning you can get quite close to them without risk of harm to either the chimpanzees or yourself. But chimpanzees aren’t the only attraction. The park covers 766 square kilometers (296 sq mi), with lush forest home to 12 other species of primates, other mammals including elephants, warthogs, and buffalo, and 325 species of birds. What’s more, the edges of the park are filled with lush farmland with colorful villages, where friendly locals pop out of their homes to say hello as you walk by. Gorillas may get most of the glory in Uganda, but Kibale is not to be missed!

Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Entry by Linda of Muy Linda Travels

Semliki Wildlife Reserve
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Beauty Ranking: 8.5/10
Location: Western Uganda

Surrounded by lush green grasslands and forests, The Semliki Wildlife Reserve is one of Uganda’s oldest conservation areas, located in a stunning part of Central Africa. The Reserve spans more than 500 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift Valley in the wilderness of Western Uganda. Wildlife is abundant here. Buffalo, Baboons, monkeys, bushbuck, waterbuck, and a wide array of birdlife are easy to find. The Reserve is also home to elephants at certain times of the year. In the wet season, Semliki is a bird watcher’s paradise. Take a morning or evening safari drive and enjoy wildlife spotting and incredible, dramatic skies in an unbelievably photogenic corner of the world.

Located between Lake Albert and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, the Semliki Wildlife Reserve is near the border with the DRC. Fort Portal is the nearest town, and it takes around 1 hour to drive there from Semliki, 4 hours to Kampala, and 5 hours to the airport in Entebbe. You can fly to the Semliki airstrip beside the Semliki Safari Lodge, a luxurious bush retreat and a fabulous place to stay if you plan to visit Semliki in Uganda.

Off The Beaten Path Nice Places in Uganda

This section provides beautiful places in Uganda that won’t be on other bloggers’ sites. That’s because these are hidden gems I have found throughout my trips to Uganda. Each of these places is not only stunning but holds a special place in my heart.

Josh’s Backpacker’s

Off the beaten path uganda
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Beauty Ranking: 9/10
Location: Lake Bunyonyi, South Western Uganda

Josh’s Backpackers is a peaceful oasis and provides an authentic experience of local life in Lake Bunyonyi. It takes one hour to reach Josh’s Backpackers on a speedboat from the mainland. The owner, Josh, built his home and the guesthouses on the property. Almost everything you need for daily life you can find on the property. There’s chicken for eggs, avocado trees, farmland, and solar energy. I initially connected with Joh via Couchsurfing, and he showed me a different side of Lake Bunyonyi. Josh is extremely handy, and he builds everything with love. During the day, you can go on a hand-made canoe, dip in the lake, or maybe Josh will teach you how to build something. This guesthouse is a hidden gem and a great place to escape and unwind. If you like genuine and unique travel experiences, definitely book a stay here!

Connect with Josh via Whatsapp: +256754698241

Beautiful Lakes, Waterfalls & Other Bodies of Water In Uganda

Kazinga Channel

Entry by Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute

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Beauty Ranking: 8.8/10
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda

The Kazinga Channel, one of the best sights in Queen Elizabeth National Park, links the two lakes of Lake George and Lake Edward. It is 32 kilometers long and is teeming with amazing wildlife. The national park is one of the most visited in all of Uganda with its lions, elephants, and the Maramagambo Forest.

Taking a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel allows spectacular views of the surrounding area plus an up-close look at the wildlife. While there, we saw hippos, crocodiles, elephants, antelope, warthogs, and a plethora of birdlife. 

The nearest city is located right near the park. Kasese has everything you need if you are not staying in the resorts, such as hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores. Fort Portal is also a lovely city, and it’s only 1.5 hours away by car.

Lake Victoria

Entry by Bella of Passport & Pixels

lake victoria beautiful places in uganda
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Beauty Ranking: 8/10
Location:
Southern Uganda

Covering over 23,000 square miles, Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the world’s largest tropical lake. It’s shared between Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, and it’s also one of the sources of the legendary River Nile. But its size is not the only reason why a visit to Lake Victoria is one of the top things to do in Uganda. It’s also beautiful: an enormous freshwater lake teeming with wildlife, bordered by lush wetlands and hidden beaches, and dotted with tiny islands.

One of the best ways to visit Lake Victoria is to head to the town of Entebbe. Entebbe is less than two hours from Kampala by car, making it easily accessible and very popular with Ugandans taking weekend trips out of the city. There’s a vibrant waterfront area with hotels, bars, and restaurants, and you can take boat rides and fishing trips out on the lake – though be warned, swimming is not recommended because of the hippos and crocodiles! Alternatively, get the ferry from Entebbe to the idyllic Ssese Islands, an archipelago of eighty-four islands in the northwestern part of the lake which are often overlooked by tourists, and so perfect for escaping from daily life.

Lake Albert

Entry by Linda of Muy Linda Travels

Lake Albert Uganda
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Beauty Ranking: 7.5/10
Location: Western Uganda

An early morning boat trip on Lake Albert in western Uganda is a magical experience to include if you’re planning to visit Uganda. The lake’s still water is like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the clouds in the sky. Birdlife is abundant, and rare shoebills live on the grass islands in the middle of the lake. Spotting one of these prehistoric-looking birds is a real treat. The waters of Lake Albert carry the parasite bilharzia, so it’s not a good idea to swim or paddle in the water. Still, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and watch the local fishers working out on the water.


Named after the British Prince Albert, Lake Albert lies in the Central Rift Valley on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The nearest town is Fort Portal, around 140 kilometers away. You can fly to the Semliki airstrip beside the Semliki Safari Lodge, and Lake Albert is about half an hour from the lodge by road.

Beautiful Places To Visit In Jinja

Source of the Nile

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Beauty Ranking: 7/10
Location: Jinja, Uganda

Nile River Explorers

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Beauty Ranking: 8.5/10
Location: Jinja, Uganda

Quad Biking Around Jinja

beautiful place jinja uganda
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Beauty Ranking: 8.6/10
Location: Jinja, Uganda

Beautiful Places in Kampala

Beautiful places in Uganda!

Other Beautiful Cities in Uganda

Fort Portal

Entry by Rai of A Rai of Light

fort portal uganda
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Uganda, one of the safest countries in Africa, is renowned for rich biodiversity, natural beauty, welcoming people, and amazing places to visit. One such place is Fort Portal, located in the Kabarole District of western Uganda. Affectionately referred to as the Tourism city of the country, it lies just over 190 mi from Kampala and can be reached on a 4-hour journey by road. Highlights of a visit to Fort Portal include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, Tooro Botanical gardens, and the Amabeere Caves. The best time to visit the region is during the winter months of November to February when the weather is conducive to discovering the lakes, forests, grasslands, and marshes that make this area so special. Fort Portal is a highlight of any visit to the country and should not be missed. 

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