Hidden tourist attractions in Uganda
Hidden tourist attractions in Uganda : Uganda is one of the leading tourist destinations in East Africa. Uganda boasts of its incredibly remarkable 10 national parks that are categorised into primates tours, wildlife tour and hiking tours, these include; Bwindi impenetrable national park for Gorilla trekking, Kibale national park for Chimpanzee trekking, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo national park, and Lake Mburo national park which are the savannah national park of game viewing, Rwenzori Mountains national park, Mgahinga national park and Mount Elgon national park for hiking and birding safaris, and many other known attractions.
However, there are many hidden tourist attractions that is still less explored. Below is a list of some of the hidden gems of Uganda listed below. Get off to the unbitten path and visit these epic places.
Sipi falls
Sipi falls are Tourist Attraction in Uganda are still less exploited. It is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up to Mt. Elgon.
These three Hidden gems in Uganda, waterfalls offer spectacular views, whether ascending or descending Mt. Elgon you will be graced by spectacular views. In a nearby farm attraction, you can explore caves or enjoy a nature walk and do other activities community tours.
Amabere Caves and waterfalls
The Amabere Caves and waterfalls also called Nyakasura Caves are also one of tourist attractions in Uganda with interesting history yet less visited, is located at Nyakasura Falls located about 9 kilometers from Fort Portal town. Well, this is not just a cave but there is a story behind it. The name Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru translates as “Breasts of Nyinamwiru” with Nyinamwiru being the daughter of a local king who reportedly had her breasts cut off to make her less attractive to men. I wonder how beautiful she was! This rather drastic plan failed and the king, Bukuku of Toro then hid her in the current caves.
However, with her allure still strong. She became pregnant to the Batembuzi King Isaza and later gave birth to their son, Ndahura. Unable to breastfeed the infant herself she used what looked like milk dripping from the stalactites which appeared milky because of its calcium content. Ndahura went onto fulfilling a prophecy that he would become king and take over Bukuku’s throne, a throne that was rightfully Isaza’s. Ndahura went on to form one of the great empires of the Great Lakes area of Africa.
One of the activities to do while at the Amabere caves, include enjoying flexible and personalized services of small groups. Guided tour with unforgettable wildlife encounters, cultural interactions and overnight in their luxurious tented accommodation.
Ssese Islands
Ssese Islands are probably Uganda’s best-kept secret located in the corner of paradise surrounded by inland water of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world which is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The islands are a beach paradise, even if there is no sea or ocean.
Ssese islands total up to about 84 islands and this collection of islands has sandy beaches and palm trees, exotic plants, flowers and trees not forgetting the friendly people of Uganda. They feel like the Diani beach of Mombasa Kenya. These islands are the perfect vacation spot for a short Holiday or honey moon experience. Addition to Uganda’s perfect year-round weather to the equation of beautiful sandy beaches and you have paradise, the islands are a perfect relaxation spot in Uganda. The islands are located in the northwest corner of Lake Victoria and can be accessed on a boat or ferry that departs from Entebbe on specific days and time of the week.
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda is located in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda close to Uganda-Rwanda border, approximately 20 kilometres north of the town of Kisoro where the district headquarters are located. Lake Mutanda is embedded in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains at 1,800 meters, three of the region’s tourist Attractions in Uganda volcanoes are namely the Muhabura Mountain, Sabinyo and Gahinga Mountain.
Lake Mutanda contains about 15 Islands. These Islands are barely untouched with just a few inhabited by a local community with a few being tiled to grow crops & tree plantations. A number of the other islands are virgin with only overgrown vegetation that is rich with wildlife. The biggest island on Lake Mutanda is named after the lake itself – Mutanda Island which is inhibited by a local clan community called the “Abagesera”. The other Islands on Lake Mutanda are the punishment Islands which in the early days was a place (Island) designated for criminals of the society who did wrong and the python island.
A visit to Lake Mutanda can be combined with a Mountain gorilla safari and Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park which is a renowned tourist Attraction in Uganda near the lake. The park is home to a variety of animal and plant species that are unique in this region. Bird species include kingfishers, dragons, ibis and Uganda’s national bird, the crane.
Kasenda Crater Lakes
Kasenda Crater is made up of three lakes, namely, Lake Nkuruba, Lake Nyinambuga and Lake Kifuruka. These Lakes were formed in the ancient volcanic activity in Uganda about 10,000 years ago which left behind several scenic crater lakes which include the Kibale-Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes.
These Craters are among the few extinct volcanic features whose volcanic gases are said to have covered about 10 kilometres beneath. The Lakes feature a sulphuric smell and are characterized by green toxic water which means that you shouldn’t try jumping into any Crater Lake’s water before finding out if it is safe for one to swim in it.
Nkugute Crater Lake
This mysterious tourist attraction in Uganda is located in the newly formed district Rubirizi in Bunyarugu County. The lake is a blessing at the same time a curse to the locals who live within. Nkugute Lake was formed as a result of volcanic activity in the Bunyaruguru volcanic field. The eruption in this field is more than 13,000 years. There are tales about the lake, the locals say lake Nkugute used to swallow a boy and a girl annually. When ladies came to fetch water or wash clothes at the lake. They would forget about their kids and they ended up being “swallowed” by the lake. This brought about the name of the Lake. “Nkugute” means to swallow in Runyaruguru.
Nkugute Crater Lake used to have a caretaker by the name, Omuzumira Komurusozi who would perform rituals at the lake to calm it. When the caretaker didn’t the lake would be “Violent” and people would drown and disappear in the lake mysteriously.
This is long gone now and the locals no longer witness these mysteries. Nkugute Crater lake is said to be the deepest lake in Africa but there are no definite facts to back this up. The shape of the lake is the Map of Africa.
