There is a unique variety of beautiful places to visit in Uganda that will leave you holding your jaw for days. When Winston Churchill visited Uganda in 1907, famously declared it the "Pearl of Africa" and with good reason. There are several natural attractions in Uganda that make Uganda one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Africa

1. Rwenzori Mountains
There is a reason why the Rwenzori Mountains are referred to as the Mountains of the Moon.Ptolemy, a Greek Geographer from centuries ago predicted the Nile must be descending from deep within Central Africa from the Mountains of the Moon and he was indeed right. The Equatorial glaciers atop the legendary mountains are River Nile's most highest and most permanent sources. But that's not all there is to make the Rwenzori Mountains special, they are a UNESCO world heritage site with several endemic birds, mammals and plants found nowhere else in the world.

2. Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park
Home to half of the world's endangered Mountain Gorilla population, over 20 Albertine endemic bird species, over 200 butterfly species, some 10 endemic trees - Bwindi Impenetrable forest is nothing if not special. A UNESCO world heritage site, the forest is a must visit when you are in Uganda. Bwindi IFNP has some 12 habituated gorilla families in the park ready to be visited by tourists in the various sectors of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhijja, Mpungu and others

3. Jinja
For many travelers, Jinja is the adventure capital of East Africa. Travelers can have their arenaline pumped in activities in Jinja from white-water rafting on the Nile rapids, to abseiling, to kayaking, to tubing, to ziplining and bungee jumping. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Don't drop you jaw just yet because Jinja has more to amaze you. Jinja also has the source of the legendary Nile river that powered the birth of some of the world's most sophisticated civilizations such as Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia and Meroe. The Nile starts its 3,800 miles journey on a specific spot in Jinja on L. Victoria to the Meditarrenean which can be seen in Jinja.

4. Murchison Falls
Home to the world's most powerful water falls where the Albert Nile squeezes through an 8-metre gap in the Devil's cauldron before powering out into a surprisingly calm pool to continue it's journey North, Murchison falls National Park is also Uganda's largest National Park. Murchison falls is the furthest park Northwards within the ALbertine rift and boasts of a bird checklist of over 400 birds with 23 ALbertine endemics. The park has has 4 of the Big 5 animals with rhinos only 152km away at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary - the only place in Uganda where you can see the white rhino in its natural habitat.

5. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most popular National Park thanks to its strategic location and its world famous tree climbing lions of Ishaha. Many a tourist are amazed at how and why the lions of Ishasha developed this mysterious behaviour. Tourists flock the park to have a glimpse at the majestic Kings of the jungle have their rest up in the Ishasha tree branches. Queen Elizabeth NP also houses the Kyambura gorge of the Albertine rift which is home to an impressive primate population of chimpanzees, several species of monkeys and 20+ Albertine endemic birds of its 600+ bird species present at the park. With The park game viewing opportunities on a boat and game drive to see crocodiles, hippos, lions, elephants, striped jackals and buffalo, a visit to the park is hard to resist.

6. Kidepo Valley National Park
Located in Uganda's remote Karamoja, Kidepo National Park has got be the most untamed natural beauty of Uganda's 10 National Parks. The park is one of Africa's most untampered destinations with a sort of rugged wilderness unaltered by human activity. The park and its surroundings was historically inhabited by the Karamajong people who live a nomadic pastoral lifestyle prizing nothing but their cattle. It was therefore in the Karamjong's best interest to leave the environment unaltered and that is how it was for centuries. Land among the Karamajong is communally owned and this has kept the wilderness intact making it one of Africa's most authentic wild experience. Tourists can also experience the feral culture of the Karamajong.

7. Kampala
Kampala is not just Uganda's political capital. It is also the commercial and culture capital of the East African nation. Kampala was Buganda's kibuga (capital city) it became Uganda's capital at independence on 9th October 1962. Buganda's Kabaka's had set up their lubiri (palace) on most of Kampala's hills including Kasubi, Mengo, Rubaga and others making Kampala one of the region's most important areas and Kampala still holds these heritage sites such as the Kasubi tombs, the Mengo lubiri and the Makindye Albert Cook house to stamp its authority as one of Uganda's most significant attractions. Although today, Kampala has become a modern cosmopolitan city with diverse cultures representative of its population which includes people from all walks of life. Kampala is Uganda's cultural capital and offers diverse cultural products for visitors such as culinary products from Ethiopian restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Lebanese restaurants, Somali restaurants. Visitors can also visit communities with Congolese clubs, Sudanese hang outs, Italian cafes, Turkish spots, European bars while in Kampala. Finding the right Kampala is no matter for visitors in Kampala.

8. Kibale forest
Kibale Forest National Park is East Africa's best primate viewing destinations being the forest with the highest density of primates in the region. Kibale forest has varied vegetation of wet tropical forest, dry tropical forest to woodland and savanna on the rift valet floor. Kibale is home to a staggering 120 mammals, and some 370 recorded bird species. The forest is also a top birdwatching destination especially because it allows the chance to spot the elusive Green-breasted pitta and a healthy number of Albertine endemics including the Dusky Crimsonwing, Nahan’s francolin, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird among others.

9. Fort Portal
Lying in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, Fort Portal is considered the gateway to Uganda's most popular tourist destination - hence the name - Fort Portal tourism city. Named after a Fort by Sir Gerald Portal, the city is one of Uganda's most attractive destinations, absolutely vibrant and known as one of Uganda's most welcoming cities so much so that the Batooro - the historical inhabitants of the area are known as Uganda's most generous people. Characterised by lush green hills, a system of a dozen crater lakes and a number of cultural hotspots, Fort Portal is a must visit for tourists in Uganda.

10. Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park is located in the 3-border region of Uganda-Rwanda-Congo in South Western Uganda. One of its mountains in fact, Mt. Sabinyo has a popular spot on which the three borders meet and visitors can stand in 3 countries on the spot. Mghainga is famous as a home of the endangered mountain gorilla with 2 habituated gorilla families that visited get to see and walk with them for an hour. Despite their impressive strength and capability of violence, gorillas are very gentle and social creatures capable of love and affection. Mgahinga is also home to the endangered Golden monkey, the giant forest hog, bushbuck, buffalo, leopards and bush pigs boasting 76 mammals, over 180 bird species including 14 Albertine endemics such as the Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed weaver, the Regal Sunbird, Red-throated alethe and the Dusky Crimsonwing among others.