Salia Musala Tree

The Salia Musala Tree is so special because it is at the border point where 3 countries meet. This is a fig tree located in Koboko District in West Nile region of Uganda. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan are the other 2 countries that share the border at the tree. What makes it even more iconic is that it has 3 tree trunks. Moreover, each with a diameter that corresponds to the size of the country it faces at the tripoint. Its biggest trunk faces Democratic Republic of Congo, while the smallest faces Uganda.

The Salia Musala Tree was given this name, which directly translates to the 3 stones that make up a three-stone stove. This is used for cooking in the traditional setting, which you can witness among the Kakwa Tribe that reside here. Nevertheless, the tree grew naturally and represents a strong bond between the Kakwas of the 3 countries. These people have lived around here for centuries sharing a lot in common in their cultures, traditions and way of life. Now, they are separated by imaginary borders marked during the colonial era, specifically by the Belgian colonial administrators.

What to see and do here?

A part from the Salia Musala Tree you can get lovely views of hills, people’s gardens, and other unique vegetation. When you meet the local people, you will love to interact with them because they are so worm and lovely. Learn a word or two in the local language, which is commonly spoken among the people from the 3 countries. There is also singing and dancing that can be organized specially for you to experience their cultures and traditions. Elders who have lived in the area for long have stories to tell about the tree and its significance to locals.

Get knowledge about the political instability that has affected people in this area for a long time. For instance, a lot of rebel groups love to come in the area when trying to escape from one country to another. A lot of atrocities are committed by them in all the 3 countries, which makes them dangerous. The result of this is a substantial number of refugees coming into Uganda to find some peace and a more stable economy. Also, there is still some contestation of who actually owns the area, thus continued conflict.

Best time to visit the Salia Musala Tree?

Any time of the year is safe to visit the Salia Musala Tree, but better experiences are offered in the dry season. During this period, traveling to and within Koboko District to see this natural wonder is not difficult. Rainfall is lower than in the wet season, which helps to keep the unpaved earth roads drier and less slippery. In the dry season, the atmosphere is cooler because humidity is much lower. Such moments make walking around the communities comfortable. They become navigable in this period to enhance access. Dry seasons in Koboko District happen from November to March.

How to Reach There?

You have to choose from 2 options, road or air transport to reach Koboko district and see the Salia Musala Tree. On the road from Kampala, you drive for 10-11 hours along 526km via Masindi, Nebbi, and Arua. The journey on the road seems long for many, that is why air transport is available for you. Eagle Air Uganda offers scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport to the nearest airport from Koboko district. In this case, you will have an hour and twenty minutes’ flight to Arua Airfield. To reach Koboko from here, use road transport that takes 1-2 hours on a 73.8km road. It is also advisable to visit Ajai Wildlife Reserve to see the white rhinos.

What to Carry when you Travel?

As you plan to travel to Koboko to see the Salia Musala Tree, there are essential items you need to go with. Consider light breathable trousers and long sleeved shirt very necessary. To prevent malaria from attacking you, carry anti-malarial tablets and insect repellents. Carry light rain jacket and warm sweaters in case it rains. To avoid dehydration, you will need a refillable water bottle that will hold drinking water at all times. Make sure that you have travelled with breathable walking shoes. Your eyes will need protection with UV sunglasses and also a wide brimmed hat. You might just need to travel with some hard cash just in case you need to tip or buy anything.

Why visit Salia Musala with Us?

Booking the Salia Musala visit with a multi-destination tour operator like Standard Safaris guarantees a lot of good things. We ensure a seamless and safe journey across the sensitive borders of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. This is thanks to a proven reputation across East Africa for high-quality service and reliable logistics for complex cross-border tours. Furthermore, our locally-based guides possess deep cultural knowledge and regional insights that make a simple border visit into and education experience. Normally, the expert guides handle the intricate local dynamics smoothly, allowing you to focus on having fun. Check out our TripAdvisor page for testimonials and client experiences. Get in touch with us more booking and planning your itinerary.

E A

My wife and I had the trip of a lifetime, an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From gorilla trekking to game drives, every moment was magical and the wildlife encounters were simply breathtaking. Our guide Godwin was knowledgeable and attentive, and every detail of the trip was perfectly organized. Uganda’s beauty exceeded all our expectations, and the team took wonderful care of us throughout. Thank you for showing us the Pearl of Africa, we’ll cherish these memories forever. Highly recommended

KLAU conde

I LOVE MY SAFARI WE DID GORILLA TREKING AND WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE BIG FIVES, Everything was phenomenal the drivers the lodges my favorite one was Acacia Lodge, where you open the door of your lodge and you have the Elephants and hippos there . we also went to the Ecuatorian line very cool

Elisa Peralta

We spent a WONDERFUL time in Rwanda, thanks to Standard Safaris and especially thanks to our amazing driver George. If you plan to go on safari in Rwanda with Standard Safaris, ask him as your driver guide. He will share all his knowledge and experience about animals, nature, people, food etc… He drives very safely and is friendly. Thanks to him we saw a lot of animals ( especially the big 5😃 in Akagera NP) and Know so much more about Rwanda. We were travelling with our 2 children (7 and 11 years old), and they were delighted. We feel very lucky and we are grateful for this wonderful safari in East Africa.

Susana Lara Valenciano

We booked a 9-Days safari in Uganda with Standard Safaris, all-inclusive with a driver guide, all tour activities, permits and lodges. Honestly, we were very happy to have George as our guide. He drove us safely around the country and explained many things along the way. Thanks to him, we were able to spot many animals in the national parks, and we always stayed on track with our itinerary. The jeep was new and well maintained, however, the seats in the back were quite high with small windows, which made it difficult to look outside. But nevertheless, we still had a 10/10 safari experience in Uganda. We look forward to returning for another safari next year and telling our friends about Standard Safaris.

Pablo Sanchez Rubio

My wife and I had a gorilla safari of a lifetime in Uganda late last month. Our driver/guide Denis was incredible. He gave us so much information about Uganda and was so knowledgeable about the wildlife, cultures, people, politics, the geography, etc. By the end of the week we considered him a friend and we will recommend him and Standard Safaris to anyone looking to go to East Africa. Thank you so much guys!

Salome Ochando

If there were 10 stars I would give them. From my first "Hello" with Coleb to our last set of selfies on the equator with Denis, this tour company out-did themselves!! Absolutely professional and helpful from beginning to end. We're already booking another trip for next year! They had organised everything- gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, all national park entrance fees, lodgings, every meal included. It was so easy I didn't even know where we were going until we were there! Pure relaxation. We had a few extra free days at the end so Coleb suggested adding on Mabamba Wetland and this was a wonderful experience with the shoebill and all these beautiful birds. Denis is the best tour guide I've ever met. 100% knowledgeable and professional and accommodating and..a new friend😊.. Thank you Standard Safaris!!

G L

Everything was great Amanya and Ian the drivers are amazing they take good care of us i highly recommended this tour

Jennifer Johns

Denis is such a fun ball of energy. He was always on time and nothing was too much work or a hassle for him. He takes everything as a learning opportunity and has an eternal optimism that is infectious. Organising our different tours etc through Coleb was also seamless. He responds so quickly and always has great advice on how to best travel in Uganda

Niklas Freese

We booked a very last minute gorilla trekking tour from Kigali with Standard Safaris, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. The booking process via WhatsApp was incredibly easy, fast, and uncomplicated. Our guide, Ian, picked us up right on time at our hotel in Kigali. The entire tour was an amazing experience, but Ian truly made it unforgettable. From the beginning, he told us to let him know anytime we wanted to stop for photos, which made the drive much more enjoyable. He also introduced us to traditional Ugandan food along the way and shared interesting information about the country and its culture. Ian is genuinely one of the kindest and warmest people we have met. His friendliness, enthusiasm, and care made us feel welcome throughout the whole trip. Thank you, Ian, for making this experience so special:)

Vanessa Paola Varsallona

I had a fantastic experience on this tour and would highly recommend it. Everything was very well organised, and the highlight was, of course, the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Ian was my driver and Frank was my guide. They were both incredibly helpful, professional, and friendly throughout the trip. Ian was always punctual and reliable, making every transfer smooth and stress-free, while Frank was an excellent guide who made sure everything went perfectly. They went above and beyond to accommodate all my requests and helped me secure a gorilla family with babies, which made the experience even more special. Their kindness, flexibility, and dedication truly made a difference, and I couldn't have asked for a better team. I highly recommend both Ian and Frank!