Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Kampala
Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
English, Swahili
Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
EAT (UTC+3)
Welcome to Uganda, an East African country known as the "Pearl of Africa" for its lush landscapes and extraordinary wildlife. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers the profound experience of trekking to see endangered mountain gorillas amid dense jungle. The source of the Nile River, near Jinja, offers thrilling white-water rafting and a powerful historical landmark. Kampala, the capital, blends bustling markets with a relaxed, green urban atmosphere. Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park offers diverse wildlife viewing, including tree-climbing lions and abundant hippos. Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary "Mountains of the Moon," offer dramatic high-altitude trekking. Traditional kingdoms throughout Uganda preserve rich customs, music, and royal history. Uganda invites travelers to experience extraordinary wildlife and lush natural beauty at the heart of Africa.
Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of Uganda's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Matoke is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Luwombo is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Rolex is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Groundnut Sauce is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Posho is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Katogo is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Muchomo is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Mandazi is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Malewa is a well-known part of Uganda's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Uganda is home to the source of the Nile River, where the world's longest river begins its journey from Lake Victoria, a discovery that was the subject of intense 19th-century exploration rivalry among British explorers seeking to solve what was then one of geography's greatest remaining mysteries. The country is also home to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the last remaining strongholds for mountain gorillas, sheltering roughly half of the world's remaining population of the endangered species.
Uganda was famously described by Winston Churchill as the "Pearl of Africa" after his visit in 1908, a nickname that has stuck due to the country's unusually lush landscapes, diverse wildlife, and dramatic geography, including the Rwenzori Mountains, nicknamed the "Mountains of the Moon." The country endured brutal rule under dictator Idi Amin during the 1970s, a period marked by mass killings and economic collapse, including the expulsion of the country's entire Asian minority population in 1972.
Uganda is also one of the most linguistically diverse countries in Africa, with dozens of distinct ethnic groups and languages, and it straddles the Equator, with monuments marking the exact crossing point drawing curious travelers along the country's main highways.
