Best Places To Visit In Uganda During A Volunteering Trip
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Uganda, a landlocked East African country which is often termed as ‘The Pearl of Africa’, is a perfect and one of the most preferred volunteering destinations. Considering the fact that Uganda is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, there is a dire need for volunteers in certain parts of the country. Volunteers can effectively contribute towards the well-being of the people – being a medical volunteer, teach and caress the kids, or be actively involved in community welfare projects.
A volunteering trip to Uganda would be a completely different experience – it’ll give you a chance to look into the lives of the natives as well, apart from exploring the beautiful country with some of the best national parks in the world. Volunteering Solutions has a fixed schedule for the weekdays which the participants need to follow, in order to carry out the project work in the most dedicated manner. But the weekends are free and that’s when you can go and visit the gorgeous destinations of Uganda.
Here are a few best places that you must visit in Uganda:
1. Explore the capital city of Kampala
Surely, your volunteering projects will be in and around Kampala, and you’ll have ample time to visit the local markets and restaurants during the weekday evenings as well. But on weekends, you can go out and explore the city properly. Seek help from your hosts or the country coordinator while planning your day out. The downtown area of Kampala city offers a multitude of historical and cultural attractions that you can explore.
Visit the Kasubi Tombs which are also considered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These tombs serve as a burial ground for some of the kings of Uganda. If you are interested in cooking lessons for traditional Ugandan meals, traditional dance classes, etc, then you must visit the Ndere Centre, which is the cultural hub in Kampala. Take a tour of the Ugandan Museum to know more about the country’s past. Apart from these, you can also visit the Bulang (the Parliament of Uganda), the Gaddafi Mosque (built by the Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi), the Baha’i Temple and much more.
2. Go for a Gorilla Trek in the Bwindi National Park
An ancient rainforest in the southwestern part of Uganda, Bwindi National Park is often termed as ‘an impenetrable forest’ due to its thickness and the steep rough paths that often make it an adventurous walk. This area, protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), has nearly 400 mountain gorillas, which is half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, who feed on roots, leaves, and fruits and the ferns.
A Gorilla Trek would require a permit by the UWA (since these animals are endangered species) and you can experience the adrenaline rush while walking down the forest trails. You’ll surely get to spot a few gorillas, apart from other animals, birds, and butterflies. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty, no trip to Uganda can be complete without visiting Bwindi National Park.
3. Spot the chimpanzees at the Kibale National Park
Located in southern Uganda, this park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Here, you’ll have a chance to see one of the world’s most awesome species of wild chimpanzee packs and spot them trawling through the undergrowth and commanding the canopies.
The freshness of the forest trail is something that can’t be put to words. Apart from the chimpanzees, you’ll also get to see various other species of curious monkeys, peeping from here and there! The Kibale National Park forms a continuous forest with the Queen Elizabeth National Park, having one of the most unique wildlife corridors in the world.
4. Trekking at one of the highest mountain ranges in Africa
If you are an adventure junkie and have an innate love for the mountains – then you just can’t miss going for a trek to the Rwenzori Mountains, which creates a border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a World Heritage Site that offers the opportunity to see nature at its best. Trekking the mystical Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda will be a truly fantastic experience with the wonder of the high tropical glaciers, the beauty of the valley of 9 lakes, a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags and snow capped peaks.
5. Get your photos clicked at the Equator Point
The imaginary line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres apparently passes through Uganda, and it’s one of the most popular tourist spots! Everyone visiting Kampala goes to Kayabwe in Mpigi District to get their photos clicked at the Equator Point. Another reason to visit the Equator Point is that of the great shopping bargains. There are several craft shops and art galleries that sell souvenirs and handmade products about the Equator. Undoubtedly, this place is contributing a lot to boost Ugandan tourism.
6. Visit the largest lake in Africa – Lake Victoria
Bordering three African countries – Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – Lake Victoria is the world’s largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake, after Lake Superior in North America. 45% of the lake falls in Uganda, and it’s surely worth visiting. It’s a nice place to relax amidst nature, spot various species of birds, go for boating or simply adore the greatness that nature has in store. You can also go for fishing if you want!
Apart from the above-mentioned ones, there are several other places that you can visit, like Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi, Ssese Islands and much more. All you need is to make a proper plan so that you can visit as many places as you can. It might be a difficult task to cover it all, as there’s a lot to be explored – we would suggest you to pick the ones that attract you the most, and go for it!
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