Uganda is the undisputed Pearl of Africa for it is not only endowed with numerous natural resources but also its social cultural settings set it apart. In no particular order, The CEO Magazine picks 10 places you must visit in 2014 for adventure, joy and relaxation purposes.
1. Chobe Safari Lodge
Located in the Murchison Falls National Park it occupy`s a prime location and only three and half hours drive from Kampala, Chobe Safari Lodge is the perfect retreat for any discerning traveller.
This Five Star lodge is undoubtedly the gem in Uganda’s crown of tourism destinations. The breathtaking panoramic views, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile’s magnificent rapids, sets the scene for an adventure
that will impress even the most discerning of visitors.
Chobe Safari Lodge offers a unique opportunity to sample the wildlife, birds, flora and fauna; all in an area of the park that has yet to be discovered. This area of Murchison Falls National Park is ideal for fishing, and will revive this newly refurbished lodge to become one of the best fishing destinations in Africa. Chobe Safari Lodge was originally constructed in 1950s and at that time was one of the jewels in Uganda’s crown of tourism destinations.
The panoramic view of the magnificent River Nile from the site offers a true sampling of the prime offerings of Uganda, coupled with the ample wildlife, birds, flora and fauna. The now restored luxury property boasts unrivalled architecture and interior design. Chobe Safari Lodge features 36 elegant guest rooms, 21 luxury tents, 4 suites and a Presidential Cottage.The River Nile is the main focus from an architect’s perspective, and so all the rooms and luxury tents have balconies and terraces facing the magnificent sweeping views. Even the 3 tier swimming pool has panoramic views of the River Nile. The Lodge is operated by Marasa Africa, part of the Madhvani Group.
2. Lake Victoria Serena
Again for those afraid of long journeys out of Kampala, Lake Victoria Serena Hotel provides a perfect spot to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. Officially opened in October 2009 Lake Victoria Serena is well complemented by the addition of a marina and luxury residential complex.
The hotel offers 124 rooms, 114 Standard Rooms, 8 Executive Suites and 2
Presidential Suites. Housed in typically Tuscan villas, which are widely spaced around the terraced rose gardens, each Standard Room is elegantly presented in shades of terracotta and cream and features either a queen sized or two twin beds, a dressing table, work station, seating area, balcony and lavish marble bathroom with walk in shower.
The Executive Suites also feature a spacious living area with flat screen TV, office space and second balcony. The two Presidential Suites are located on the penthouse level of the main citadel and feature a luxury en suite bedroom with king sized bed, an elegant reception room, dining room (with private kitchen), furnished terrace and staff accommodation. The hotel offers a wide range of dining choices; The Citadel all day brassiere offers extensive buffet breakfast and lunch choices while the a la carte evening menu features both an international selection and the Chef’s own array of typically Mediterranean cuisine.
The wine list offers a broad selection of old and new world wines, and local and imported beers and spirits. The hotel only serves the finest Ugandan coffee and tea; and also offers a wide range of fruit and herbal infusions. Room service is on offer 24 hours a day, and features an extensive menu offering everything from the classic club sandwich to a delicately spiced curry. You may also be served a private lunch or dinner in your room or suite; or be provided with cocktails and canapés on your private terrace.
3. Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
If you are in need of a perfect weekend away from the city but near enough to keep you in touch with your family and business, then, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort is the place to be. This exotic resort was built for the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and was used as the retreat where the visiting Presidents & Prime Ministers lived during the conference.
It has now been converted to create 114 five star bedrooms and suites offering the ultimate in luxury leisure and conference facilities in East Africa. Here guests can relax, work or hold private meetings in total privacy and absolute comfort. The resort offers the highest standards of accommodation & service with a wide choice of luxurious bedrooms, bars, restaurants, meeting facilities and public areas.
Outside the new resort is surrounded by beautiful and imposing water gardens and a new marina. Whatever the reason for your stay at Munyonyo you can be sure to get rid of boredom. Apart from relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Lake Victoria the resort offers a wide choice of leisure activities including: Day trips to Bulago Island, Fishing Trips, Bird watching boat tours, Speeedboat trips, Horse riding (learn/ compete/local safari), Swimming, Sailing (learn to sail a Lazer), Paint Ball, Gymnasium, visiting Chimp Island, Sundowner Boat Trip and Helicopter Trips, Bar and restaurant facilities include the quiet Royal Club, the main Nyanja Restuarant with the Calabash Bar impressively suspended above it, the Terrace Bar outside the Nyanja Restaurant, the Marina Seafood Restaurant overlooking Lake Victoria and the marina, the Lakeside Grill offering light snacks and poolside refreshments, the Stables Restaurant with a wide ranging international cuisine and the Viking Bar where one can enjoy a quiet drink.
4. Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the East Africa. It is located in the hilly mountain, ranges of Bwindi, which is a small town situated over 300kms from Uganda`s capital city of Kampala. The Bwindi National Park is home to many mountain Gorillas.
The best time to visit this national park is from October to April. During this time of the year, the park opens for the visitors and it is the most favourable time to trek the mountain Gorillas. The park is basically covered with dense layer of tropical rain forests.
Absa, ENS Africa, A&O Shearman and Nomura Advise Asahi Holdings on USD 2.3bn Acquisition of 65% Stake in EABLMoreover it rains most of the time in this region throughout the year, making it an ideal habitat for the Gorillas who love such conditions. Gorilla trekking is easier here because the density of Gorillas is saturated, hence you can trek a group of Gorilla quite easily without much efforts. The population of Gorillas living in this forest range is calculated in groups. Approximately 7-8 groups reside here and each group has around 5-7 members in their family. It is a worthy place to spend your money.
5. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another biggest national park in Uganda. This park located approximately 5.5 hours of drive from the capital city of Kampala is a home to the rare tree climbing lions. The park has some affordable boarding and lodging options for the people who want to taste the jungle life and be close to the nature.
6. Virunga Mountains
The Virunga Mountain trek in Rwanda/Uganda is an ideal place to locate some very rare Golden monkeys and other species of wild life. Here, you might not get a glimpse of a Gorilla, but you could get a glimpse of another similar creature the Chimpanzee. Located in the Southern Uganda the Nyungwe Forest in the Virunga mountain range is a popular tourist destination especially for the wildlife photographers. The completely covered green top mountains offer an extravagant panoramic view of nature to capture.
7. Kidepo valley national park
The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 square kilometres and harbor scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizon. The vegetation can most excellent be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition.
Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.
The Kidepo Valley National Park was established in the 1960s. Kidepo Valley National Park is a 1436 km² national park in Karamoja region in northwest Uganda. Kidepo is rugged savannah, dominated by the 2750 m Mount Morungole and transected by the Rivers Kidepo and Narus. Perennial water makes River Kidepo an oasis in the semi desert which hosts over 86 mammal species including lion, cheetah, leopard, bat eared fox, giraffe as well as almost 500 bird species.
8. Mt Elgon National Park, Uganda
Mt. Elgon National park is located near Mbale in the Eastern part of Uganda. The park covers 1,145 sq km. It is named after Mt Elgon (4,321m), an extinct Volcanic Mountain that lies on Uganda’s border with Kenya. In prehistoric times this mountain stood taller than Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in East Africa. Though the Mountain is shared by Uganda and Kenya its highest point Wagagai peak (4321m) lies in Uganda.
The mountain has got three other major peaks which are Kiongo (4303m), Mubiyi (4210m) and Jackson’s summit (4165m). Mt. Elgon is known locally as Mt. Masaba. Masaba is the name of the founding ancestor of the Bagisu who is said to have emerged from a cave on the slopes several centuries ago. The Park can be accessed by road.
The journey takes around 3-4 hours from Kampala along a good tarmac road. Hiking is the major tourism activity. Climbing Mt. Elgon is not so much challenging and therefore can attract both medium climbers and the experienced climbers. From here, you can visit the exquisite Sipi Falls for scenic viewing , Nature walks from Budadiri trailhead and Community visits and participation in Imbalu dances.
9. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa’s third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). The region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. The park has many natural habitats of endangered species and a rich and unusual flora comprising, among other species, the giant heather.
10. Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi
The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi are regarded as the major spiritual centre for the Buganda people, the largest Ugandan ethnic group. They constitute a site embracing almost 30 ha of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884.
Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome. It is a major example of an architectural success in organic materials, principally wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub. The site’s main undertone lies, however, in its indefinable values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity. Guides at Kasubi lead visitors around the area and into the building, explaining the history of the Baganda and the cultural traditions associated with the tombs.
