BREATHTAKING PLACES FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN UGANDA

Wondering about where to spend your Christmas holiday this year? With Christmas already knocking at our doors, you must be wondering which place can give you that total relaxation experience out of home, but great news is that Uganda is such exceptional destination not to be missed to visit for this Christmas season with your family. There no more need to be stressed or bored or be locked at home throughout your life this Christmas or new year, celebrate a new style with Uganda’s most breathtaking places that will offer you that chilling and relaxation environment with your dear ones. Spending this festive season in any of Uganda’s wilderness destinations offers unforgettable experiences of lifetime. Imagine spending time with the rare tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park or with the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Many have already done it and never regretted in life spending their festive season in the remotest protected areas in Uganda. Christmas season in the pearl of Africa comes with ideal weather and climatic conditions that allow our visitors to traverse to the wilderness destinations to catch a glimpse of the country’s various wildlife species. Besides just enjoying the glimpse of the rare mountain gorillas or the big five in the wild, its landscapes, food, nightlife, cultural encounters, religion, safari lodges and accommodations around these protected areas is something exceptional for you to spend a night over. There are various safaris lodges around the parks mostly ranging from budget, moderate to luxury and offers visitors a wide range options to choose from.

If you intend to spend your festive season in Uganda, below are some of the exceptional places that you think about for your holiday;

Kampala

Uganda’s magnificent capital city that never sleeps and also features for its spectacular seven (7) hills should be one of the must to visit destination this festive season. During Christmas season, most people leave town and go to the villages and this means that there will be less congestion and noise as most industries also take a break or only have lower production rates. Besides, you have a chance to catch a glimpse of the cultural sites, religious and historical sites, the hospitable people, the national museum and many more exciting this stunning city has in offer for you. As you spend you safari holiday in the city, do not miss to explore the Kasubi tombs, the Buganda cultural centre the traditional burial site for Buganda kings. These tombs are situated a few kilometers from Lubiri king’s palace that also features among the stunning cultural sites in Kampala as it comes with the royal regalia and many more. You will certainly have ample time while on your city tour in Kampala.

Jinja

Jinja is exceptionally described as adrenaline capital of East Africa, offering refuge to the source of the Nile with variety of sport adventures on the Mighty River Nile which include white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, horseback rides, sport fishing, quad biking and many more.  As well, never miss to catch a glimpse of its spectacular waterfalls which include the Bujagali falls, Kyabirwa falls and Itanda falls. For birders, there is a lot more for you to sight at Jinja and you won’t really be left out of choice.

Entebbe

Entebbe is the main gateway of Uganda and it is situated along Lake Victoria. It features more than 20 recreational and relaxation beaches with cool breezes for you and your dear ones, Uganda Reptile Village, Entebbe zoo (Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre) with botanical gardens, primates and a lot more for you to experience this Christmas time.

Kabale

Set off to southwestern Uganda and encounter breathtaking hilly sides with stunning sceneries and its exceptional protected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two national parks offer refuge to critically endangered mountain gorillas and Uganda is proud to be a home to half of the world’s population that is estimated to be 900. There are also several other primates to catch a glimpse for instance the rare golden monkeys at Mgahinga National Park. The also offers refuge to 2 distinct Virunga Mountains for physically well climbers or hikers and they include Mount Sabyinyo which stands at 366 meters and Mount Muhavura at 4127 meters mostly ideal for mountain hiking experiences. There are buffaloes, elephants and bushbucks

In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park alone besides mountain gorilla trekking, there are also red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, bird species including the unique African green broadbill, white tailed blue flycatcher, brown necked parrot and Fraser’s eagle owl and these make up part of the 360 different avian species in the park with 23 of them being endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 not sighted anywhere else in Uganda, 30 forest elephants, 200 butterfly species eight of which are endemic to Albertine rift. Do not forget about 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals and others. After your breathtaking adventures in the park, come and relax around the magical Lake Bunyonyi that features 29 islands with distinct birdlife; visit Kahuriro falls at Ijumaga in Kiryanga Sub County or visit the Batwa community and explore their traditional lifestyles.

Kasese

This features spectacular national parks especially Queen Elizabeth National Park which is best for the rare tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards for game drives and boat cruise to the Kazinga channel to spot variety of crocodiles, hippos and birdlife. Rwenzori Mountains National Park for breathtaking mountain hike to highest peak of the mountain and Kibale National Park for mainly chimpanzee of about 1500 that make up part of over 5000 chimpanzees that live in Uganda and not to leave out birding safaris to spot the rare green breasted pitta as well as cultural encounters with Bakonzo. There is also Semuliki National Park that features the one of the most powerful hot springs-Sempaya hot springs. In Fort Portal, you can visit the Nyakasura waterfalls that are connected to the Bachwezi culture

Mbarara

Visit the Sanga cultural site which is found at the Sanga junction near Lake Mburo National Park which allows you to explore more on the Bahima and Banyakole tribes. There are also various Lakes which include Lake Kakyeera, Lake Mburo and Lake Nakivale where you have exciting boat ride as you also catch a glimpse of the stunning bird species in the area. Take game drive via Lake Mburo National Park and spot variety of zebras, giraffes, leopards, impalas and many more.

Masaka

Masaka is best described as the Las Vegas of Uganda. There are lots of bars for parties and nightlife experiences as well as classic hotels especially Hotel Lanova, Lastone Hotel and many more. As well, do not miss visiting Lake Nabugabo while on safari in Masaka which offers excellent place for chilling and relaxation, or alternatively set off for beach volleyball, birding and canoeing.

Ssese Islands especially the Kalangala Island

With more than 84 distinct Islands that make up Ssese Islands, Kalangala Island should be of one of a must to visit island this Christmas season for you to catch a glimpse of its incredible green natural vegetation cover filled with palm trees and also comes with butterflies, monkeys, snakes and crocodiles. It also has Kalaya cave a place where the ancient people on Kalangala first lived.

In conclusion, Christmas season is no longer a matter of locking yourself within home, Uganda welcomes you to have a peaceful festive season as you enjoy breathtaking views of wildlife or relax in most of its beaches.