Uganda is one of the best destinations for foreign students looking to experience the African culture, people and the wildlife. Uganda is excellent for student research, field trips and other educational tours. The country has many research centers, cultural, historical and religious sites. Uganda is also blessed with countless natural and man-made tourism features. Because of her amazing natural features, Winston Churchill concluded that Uganda is the Pearl of Africa. These natural features attract both local and international scientific activities. The product of these activities has resulted into significant 
Research works/products which provide important information for students and academicians. These works have also inspired many documentaries and films which can be seen in wildlife channels and YouTube videos among others.
Student Travelers can be sure to have the best of their time in Uganda because there is so much to do. They can visit the amazing highlands in the country, lakes, rivers, protected forest reserves and game parks. They can also participate in volunteering activities, cultural visits of mission trips among other activities. Which are the best places to visit during a student tour in Uganda? We will be discussing that shortly.
Best Places to Visit during Student Tours in Uganda
Uganda is blessed with amazing attractions and natural features in every part of the country. Students can choose to visit any part of the country for their study trips depending on their main areas of interest or choice of activities. Most tourists visit the south-western part of Uganda because it is easier to access but amazing tourism features also exist in the central, Eastern and northern parts of the country. The North Eastern part of the country is rarely visited because of its remoteness but those who make it there will never forget the beautiful scenery.
Student Trips in Western Uganda
Student Travelers who choose to visit the western parts of Uganda on a road trip will have a lot to see along the way. Some of the amazing sites along the way include the Igongo cultural center and the equator crossing in Kayabwe. They can expect to stop along the way and take amazing photos from this famous equator monument. Let’s not forget to mention the beautiful sites of the Rwenzori mountains, the hills of Kigezi, water bodies, roadside markets and local people working on their gardens.
Student Travelers to western Uganda also have the opportunity to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park which is home to the big 5 animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards among others. The best way to explore the park is by registering for game drives. A game drive offers the opportunity to view animals roaming around the extensive Savannah grasslands. Animals can also be sighted drinking water or cooling themselves around the numerous water holes. Game drives also offer the best opportunity to study different animal behavior in the wild. Queen Elizabeth national park is well known for its tree climbing lions that can be seen resting on tree branches in the Ishasha sector. The park is also home to the amazing Kyambura gorge which has a community of trapped chimpanzees. Adjacent to the park is the beautiful Rwenzori mountains which is a good place for mountaineering activities and studying the formation of block mountains. The Rwenzori mountains are surrounded by different vegetation zones but what makes the area interesting is to reach the glaciers at the peak.
Western Uganda is also home to Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks. These two parks are home to the endangered mountain gorillas. One can visit one of the habituated gorilla families of Uganda and observe the primates living freely in the wild. Every gorilla trekking experience ends with visiting the Batwa Pygmies. The Batwa pygmies live in the outskirts of the protected parks after the government decided to reallocate them.
After visiting the gorilla parks, there is also the amazing Kibale National Park with one of the largest collection of primate species in the world. The most attractive creature in the park is the chimpanzee. Chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale forest national park also involves viewing 11 other rare monkey species.
Apart from the Rwenzori mountains, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National Parks, one can also visit Semuliki National Park in western Uganda. The park is home to the amazing Sempaya hot springs. The hot waters have the ability to boil eggs and potatoes. As a student, you would have a chance to experiment by boiling some eggs or taking a natural steam birth. Semuliki National Park also offers student travelers a fun-filled swamp tour and bird watching experiences. Some of the rare bird species found in the park include the Orange weaver, horn bill storks, blue headed crested fly catcher and more.
Finally, while in western Uganda, Students trips can also be arranged in lake Bunyonyi (the deepest lake in Uganda), Lake Mutanda, lake Edward and George. Lake Edward and George are twin lakes connected to each other by the Kazinga channel which is an amazing place to see wild animals while on a boat. We shouldn’t forget visiting the crater region and lake Katwe which is famous for salt mining. A visit to lake Katwe is educational and students will get first-hand experience in salt mining. They will also have the chance to visit the local community in their small villages to see how they go about their daily lives. You can get more information from an article about planning a trip to Uganda.
Student Tours in Eastern Uganda
The eastern part of Uganda is less explored compared to the west. This may be because most influential Actors in the country come from the western part of the country. When that happens, certain areas see more development in terms of infrastructure. A road trip to the eastern part of the country is equally rewarding because it offers something different. The scenery and landscape is characterized by vast 
sugarcane and tea farms on opposite sides of the road. There are dense forests like Mabira, Busitema and more. Students will see roadside markets displaying delicious fresh fruits, chicken, meat barbecue and roasted plantains commonly known as “gonja”.
A student tour in the eastern part of the country always involves exploring Jinja City. While in Jinja, you will visit the source of the river Nile which is the longest river in the world. The river Nile flows through the countries of South Sudan, Sudan and finally Egypt where it pours into waters into the Mediterranean Sea. The areas around the Nile offers student travelers fun activities like boat safaris, sport fishing, bungee jumping, quad biking, white water rafting and horse riding among other activities.
As one leaves Jinja, they travel all the way to Mbale and then Kapchorwa. While in these two districts, they can explore the famous Sipi falls and Mount Elgon. The areas around Mount Elgon National Park is excellent for growing Arabica coffee and bananas. From Mbale, one can choose to return to Kampala or continue to explore the vast wildernesses of Karamoja. Here one can hike mount Moroto, visit Pian Upe Game reserve, Matheniko and Bokora wildlife sanctuaries.
School Trips in Central Uganda
The central part of Uganda is where the capital Kampala city and Entebbe Airport is located. Entebbe is where all the action starts and ends for most tourists. Though a small town, there are many things to do in Entebbe town. It has the main airport and home to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Botanical gardens, Lake Victoria, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the Mabamba Swamp and more.
What about Kampala City? There are many tourist attractions in Kampala city. While in Kampala, students can visit amazing religious tourism sites like the Namugongo martyrs shrine. This religious site is famous for hosting the annual Uganda Martyrs day celebration on June 3rd. On this occasion, over one million people from all over the world gather to commemorate the day and place where over 22 young Christian men were burnt to death by King Mwanga in 1886. The Uganda Martyrs refused to denounce their Christian faith or indulge in things that where contrary to their religious doctrines. Other religious tourism sites include the Uganda national mosque previously called the Gaddafi mosque and the Bahai temple.
Other places of importance to student Travelers are the Uganda museum where all important cultural artifacts for the 56 tribes in Uganda are kept. We should not forget the Kabaka’s lake and the famous Kasubi tombs which are the burial place for departed Kings of Buganda kingdom. The Kasubi Tombs are a UNESCO heritage site. There is also the Kabaka’s magnificent Mengo palace, the independence monument and parliament house. Any visit to a country or new place must include going to shop in one of the busy markets. Central Uganda has Nakasero market where you can find all varieties of fruits and vegetables. Owino Market is even more famous and has second hand clothes in excellent condition. You can get all the known labels like Calvin Klein, Adidas, Louis Vuitton in great condition and at more than half of their original price.
The best time for a school tour in Uganda
Student trips in Uganda can be done at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit Uganda is during the dry months of December to February or June to August when the skies are clearer and the rains are less. During the dry seasons, it’s much easier to spot wild animals in the safari parks. There is less mud and the short vegetation makes it easier to observe wildlife. During the dry season, wild animals converge at the few drinking holes hence making it easier to observe them in big numbers. Visiting in the low rainy seasons has its advantages. There are fewer Travelers and hotel rates are lower. The best time for birding Tours in Uganda is during the rainy season. Students who don’t like hot weather can also visit during the rainy season. Uganda is naturally green but the rainy months will leave you amazed at the sheer beauty of the country.
Where to Stay during a student trip in Uganda
Uganda offers student Travelers a wide range of accommodation facilities to choose from. These include luxury, mid-range and budget facilities. The final choice of hotel depends on one’s budget and preferences. Some hotels offer very cheap student camps. Student Travelers can access more affordable accommodation from hotels located outside the safari parks in the nearby towns.
Packing List for a school tour in Uganda
After packing your essential travel documents like passports, visas, yellow fever vaccinations certificate and financial cards/ cash, it’s important to also consider other important items on a typical packing list when visiting Uganda. 
Always pack light and comfortable clothing. You should consider traveling with long sleeved shirts, walking trousers, T-shirts, shorts, raincoats, sweaters, hats and sunglasses. Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes, sandals and strong waterproof hiking boots. Hiking boots are important for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and mountain hiking. Also ensure that you pack travel equipment like a binocular, a camera, a smart phone, a diary to record your escapades, insect repellents and a light back pack to carry your travel equipment while heading out for specific activities. Don’t forget your smart phones, laptops and charging systems. Thank you for reading up to this point.
