Uganda is not somewhere that most would associate with a relaxing holiday. Many people see it purely as a destination for adventure travel whether tracking mountain gorillas, taming grade 5 rapids on the Nile or trekking knee-deep through mud for weeks in the Rwenzoris. But until you’ve lazed in a hammock on a perfect white-sand beach in Lake Victoria or hung out at Lake Bunyonyi with its astonishing fairytale-esque islands, you won’t realise just how chilled out Uganda can be. So once your nerves have been frazzled by one too many bus trips, here are some great spots to slow it right down.
Kampala
The ancestral capital of the Buganda kingdom is modern day Uganda’s capital too.And for an African first city, it’s got real charm and panache.You can still see some of the thatched relics of the former glory years at the Kasubi Tombs, or you can taste the frenetic energy of day-to-day Ugandan life between the sun-cracked streets of Central Kampala; a place of throbbing markets (the city’s Owino market is said to be the largest in Central-east Africa) and echoing mosque minarets (that soaring Gaddafi National Mosque is a must!). On the edge of town is the more straight-laced area of Nakasero Hill, where well-to-do villas house the country’s elite and expats chatter in the ramshackle bars.
Ssese Islands
One of Uganda’s legendary chillout spots, the Sseses are all about powdery white-sand beaches, celestial sunsets, bonfires on the beach and a remote location in the middle of Lake Victoria. Comprising an archipelago of 84 islands, most travellers head straight to Bugala Island, which has the nicest beaches as well as a great choice of accommodation – from old-school backpacker digs reminiscent of Goa to more upmarket choices – all of which boast prime beachfront positions. As elsewhere in Lake Victoria, swimming is not recommended but its beaches are magical and likely to keep you blissfully marooned much longer than you expected.
Lake Bunyonyi
Straight out of a Tolkien novel, the sweeping panoramic views from atop Lake Bunyonyi are dotted with perfectly formed islands and an enchanting backdrop of misty terraced hills. You could easily be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived in Nepal. Of the 29 islands, many have accommodation ranging from backpacker hangouts to rustic bungalows set deep among the sounds of nature. And it’s one of the few places in Uganda that’s perfect for swimming: no bilharzia, no crocs and no hippos. It’s best explored by a leisurely paddle in a dugout canoe; go at sunset for a sublime experience.
Murchison Falls National Park
It is the largest park in the country, and one of the best places to visit in Uganda for wildlife lovers. In addition to its biodiversity, the Victoria Nile passes through it. Murchison Falls, the big five, over 450 species of birds, hippos, giraffes and antelopes. It has the largest population of Nile crocodiles in Uganda.
Kibale National Park
Pierce into the dense jungles and wetland forests of the great Kibale National Park and you won’t be disappointed! What awaits is one of the world’s most awesome arrays of wild chimpanzee packs, and you can see these majestic simians of Central Africa trawling through the undergrowth and commanding the canopies on game drives and safari excursions of all different types.There’s a kaleidoscope of other curious little monkeys to spot too, like the rare L’Hoest’s and the Ugandan red colobus.
Ssese Islands
A cocktail of golden sands worthy of Latin America, sun-kissed beaches and lapping waves, the archipelago of the Ssese Islands is Uganda’s answer to the tropical gems of the East African coast on the Indian Ocean.Peppering the waters of Lake Victoria, they are considered the country’s premier rest and relaxation spot, with the popular Buggala Island and Bulago coming up top of the menu.You can either kick-back in one of the lakeside resorts, or wax up the walking boots and make for the hills, where hippo-dotted swamps hide between the ridges.
Entebbe
Entebbe, for most international visitors at least, will be the entrance point to Uganda.It’s here that the nation’s Entebbe International Airport makes its home; its runways butting up against the waters of Lake Victoria.Most will also leave promptly, on their way to Kampala or the country’s other far-flung safari destinations.Those who linger can enjoy a laid-back place that still trundles to the tune of the old British Protectorate – for it’s here that the English colonists made their base in earlier decades.One of the relics of that age is the beautiful National Botanical Gardens, while there are also charming churches, and the official residence of the president: the Ugandan State House.