Uganda Listed Among World’s Top 19 Destinations to Visit

Uganda Listed among world’s top 19 Destinations to Visit- With the mountain gorillas inhabiting the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks, chimpanzees and other primate species, big five animals, breathtaking mountains, water bodies and other numerous attractions, it’s not surprising that Uganda has been listed among the top 19 destinations to visit before you die.

Uganda, dubbed the Pearl of Africa has once again been recognized for what it offers in terms of tourism, hence gaining acknowledgement by the National Geographical Travelers (United Kingdom) in its latest list highlighting the 19 must-see places for the year ahead. 

This vehemently contested list was unveiled in the January/February issue of the Magazine that was sold on the 6^th December 2018 and includes different countries and Cities, four of which are from Africa that feature everything from futuristic cityscapes and modernistic architecture to verdant rainforests as well as wildlife species.

As it has been for the past years, Uganda continues to succeed on the global charts when it comes to being one of the World’s tourism hotspots.

The Pearl of Africa was mainly classified basing on its remarkable natural beauty supplemented by the abundant wildlife species in addition to the low prices of gorilla permits in comparison to the neighboring Rwanda.

It’s always a lifetime dream and achievement to track the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat but if the exorbitant price of gorilla permits and luxurious Safari Lodges are beyond your budget, then a safari to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park will make your dream come true.

The increase in the population of these giant apes is one of Africa’s greatest Conservation success stories with visitors also playing a crucial role and currently, there are more than 1063 mountain gorillas with Uganda being a home to at least half of them.

The remaining of these endangered species (no longer critically endangered) inhabits the dense forests of Volcanoes National Park (in Rwanda) and Virunga National Park (in the Democratic Republic of Congo).

Meeting face to face with a huge silverback mountain gorilla across the misty jungle after a strenuous hike through the dense forest leaves inexpressible impressions of undeniably the most perfect safari in the African continent and beyond.

This East African country is a haven to over 25 habituated gorilla families that can be tracked by ranger-guided groups of eight tourists and with a permit of only USD 800, you will be able to spend one hour with one of these families.

Rwanda on the other hand doubled the price of Gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 (in May 2017) but Uganda maintained the usual fees ($600) until mid-2019. As of the 2024, the new conservation tariffs included increase in the cost of gorilla permits to USD 800 per person and this will run till 2026. 

However, the tracking fees in both countries not only raise funds for the mountain gorillas and their natural habitats but also for the country’s other Conservation Areas including (for Uganda’s case) the premier Murchison Falls,

Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks home to four of the big five animals, zebras, Hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and Chimpanzees.

Apart from gorilla trekking, other tourist activities that tourists can enjoy in this African destination include bird watching, game viewing, boat cruises and nature walks among others.

About the Mountain gorillas, Number one tourist product why Uganda Listed among world’s top 19 Destinations to Visit

Scientifically known as Gorilla beringei beringei and listed as endangered (under the IUCN Red List), mountain gorillas are one of the four sub-species of gorillas that are categorized under the Eastern gorilla species.

There are so far over 1063 of these giant apes inhabiting the Virunga massif (Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda) as well as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

These primates are identified by their longer and thicker fur compared to the other gorilla sub-species that enable them to live comfortably in areas of high elevations with cold temperatures. These highly social animals live is relatively stable families that are held together by the strong bonds between the adult males and females.

Families are usually headed by a silverback (weighing more than 120 kilograms) who makes relevant decisions pertaining where to sleep, what to eat in addition to also enjoying a number of privileges like eating first and choosing a mate (female) without competition from other males but there is also a price to pay because he is in-charge of defending the family from intruders (outside threats).

Mountain gorillas are primarily diurnal and usually display uncanny human-like characteristics, probably due to the fact that they are about 98% related to humans. Their exceptionality is one of the reasons why they are one of the most sought-after wildlife in the African Continent.

According to Pat Riddell- editor National Geographic Traveler, the team of industry experts, writers and editors came up with the best 19 tourist destinations set to hit the headlines with new routes, openings as well as rising-star destinations that stand tall in the spotlight.

Interestingly, this list also includes the stellar (crème del a crème) destinations like Guyana and Pittsburg that are now within easy reach, owing to the new flights.

Africa’s Eritrea also appeared in the list and has eventually been opened to visitors after several years of being off-limit as well as the buzzing art scenes of places like West Yorkshire and Hong Kong.

Of all the 19 places, only four African destinations made it and are set to hit the headlines in 2019 and these include Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eritrea and Kwazulu-Natal but Zimbabwe is the best African destination on the list.

Other destinations include Setouchi, Antarctica, Pittsburgh, Corsica, Cambodia, San Miguel de Allende, West Yorkshire, Hong Kong, Guyana, Oslo, Bhutan, Dundee, Matera, Indonesia and Sibiu.

The development (achievement) according to the Government of Uganda is mainly contributed by the increase in the tourism marketing budget much as critics still insist that little has been done to market the country’s tourism potential.

Nonetheless, there are some few marketing efforts much as they have tremendously remained inconsistent or scarce.

Conclusively, Uganda has continuously gained global recognition (including being included among the 19 best destinations to visit in 2019 by National Geographic Magazine owing to its unsurpassed tourist potential in terms of spectacular scenery, outstanding wildlife species and increased marketing.

One of the attractions that make the country stand out is the endangered mountain gorillas which after meeting face to face will leave everlasting memories.