If you’re an adventure enthusiast, you can’t miss out on exploring the east during a Uganda safari. Find the Nile River’s source and experience some of the world’s best whitewater rafting here.
Must-Visit Areas in Eastern Uganda
You’ll be enchanted by this region’s dramatic landscapes, including Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls, offering adventure enthusiasts opportunities for hiking, bungee jumping, and watersports:
Sipi Falls: Hiking and Abseiling
Lying on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park, Sipi Falls is made up of a series of three beautiful waterfalls and is the starting point for hiking routes that take you up Mount Elgon. It’s a wonderful place to base yourself for a few days if you want to do some gentle day hikes in the scenic foothills of the volcano.
Mount Elgon National Park: World’s Largest Volcanic Base
Running along the Kenyan border, Mount Elgon National Park is centred around Mount Elgon, a huge extinct volcano – Uganda’s second-highest peak and the eighth-tallest in Africa. The appeal of climbing Mount Elgon lies in the ease – you don’t have to have any special experience or equipment, just a good level of fitness. The scenic trekking routes dotted with diverse flora make for a stunning adventure.
Jinja: Source of the Nile
Lying on the shores of Lake Victoria, charming Jinja is known as East Africa’s adrenaline capital. Whitewater rafting is not the only activity that gets hearts pumping – bungee jumping and paragliding are also in the mix. There’s lots to do here, whether you’re looking for high-paced adrenaline thrills or more laid-back fun, like kayaking. Downstream from Jinja lies Lemala Wildwaters Lodge; perched on granite rocks and with rapids flowing all around, it’s the perfect place to stay during a Uganda adventure safari.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Eastern Uganda?
The best time to holiday in Uganda is during the country’s dry seasons, which are from June to August and December to February. The minimal rainfall creates the optimal environment for hiking and adventure activities.
Animals Found in Eastern Uganda
While exploring the slopes of Mount Elgon, you may come across elephants, buffaloes, and small antelope species. The forests of the national park are home to primates such as blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. With over 300 species of birds within its borders, birdwatching safaris can include sightings of the Tacazze sunbird, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, Hunter’s cisticola, and lammergeier (bearded vulture). Anglers can get out on the water in Jinja on fishing expeditions to catch tilapia and giant Nile perch.
How to Get to Eastern Uganda
From Entebbe International Airport, Jinja is about a three-hour transfer by road. To reach Mount Elgon National Park, the transfer is around five to six hours from Jinja.