Uganda as a country is endowed with a biologically diverse, climate, national parks rivers, lakes, wildlife, waterfalls, snow –peaked mountains, interesting culture, dense forests friendly and hospitable people this features the reason church hill named ” the pearl of Africa”. African people are friendly and hospitable but Ugandans are amazing, and friendly to all kinds. And to all categories of foreigners .it’s the reason the country has arguably the best refuge policy in the world. Uganda as a country because of our hospitality host more than 3 million refugees from different countries.
Most tourists come to Uganda to see wildlife, of all animals Uganda offers primates and birds are the most attractive followed by amazing culture and city tours, snow peaked mountains. Other than primates Uganda has other wild animals in its 10 national parks and 12 wild reserves. Animals include cats like cheetahs, leopards, lions, and golden cats, giant elephants, aquatic animals like a school of hippos, crocodiles, a tower of giraffes, and herds of buffaloes. Hiking mountains, city tours, visiting Entebbe zoo (wildlife conservation center).
Things to do in Uganda/ tourist activities in Uganda
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is the prominent activity in Uganda as this can be done in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park all in south western Uganda. Mountain gorillas are endangered species and very rare in Uganda. Uganda as country has half of world’s population of mountain gorillas, trekking gorillas will give you a chance to learn about gorillas, there behaviors, science has it that they are 98% like human beings. Uganda has 4 sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and one family in Mgahinga National park. The mountain gorilla sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park Are Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo, the family in Mgahinga national park is called Nyakagezi. Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $700 for a foreign nonresident.
Wildlife and Game drives.
Wildlife is one of the popular activities done in the country; viewing wildlife will give you a memorable experience because of the flora and fauna coupled with eco-tourism. Uganda has more than 500 mammal species in its 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves animals can be mostly spotted in Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national park. Animals to be spotted include antelopes , reedbuck s, Buffaloes , elephants , statungus , warthog, lions , cheetahs ,rhino s however are only in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary but there are plans to introduce them to park bush buck s, wild pigs , Rothschild giraffe , crocodiles schools of hippos , zebras Uganda kobs among others. Plants support animals for food and oxygen as well animals support plants , Uganda has a diverse of vegetation , savannah , tropical , equatorial climate semi-arid climate water bodies support animals for water and in a scientific way of creation ,every national park has a water body channel that supports animals.
Birders are also not left out , Uganda has more than 1030 bird species and 33 birding destinations .the most spotted bird species are giant king fisher Bee- eater , abbyesian, Africa grey crowned crested crane , pelican, heron ring necked dove crowned hornbill Pied Crow, Egret among others. Animals in the National Parks can be best seen while on a game drive, game drives are either done in the evening or morning depending on the preparation of your tour plan.
Cultural encounters
Uganda has a diverse of culture and hospitable people one shouldn’t miss to visits while on the safari in Uganda. The culture is very interesting and this has made culture tours and community walks not to miss on some tour packages of cultural enthusiasts. There is no doubt that Ugandan people are so welcoming this can be evidenced by the refuges Uganda hosts. Uganda hosts about 3 million refugees from across Africa. Uganda has more than 60 tribes with different languages some with chiefdoms and others with kingdoms, every tribe with its cultural norms, values, taboos and totems, as well as cultural beliefs. The famous tribes with the interesting cultural history are the Batwa people in Bwindi Impenetrable National park after doing gorilla trekking then visiting Batwa community should be the next, Ik and Karamojong people In Kidepo Valley National Park.
City tours.
City tour is one of the either first done before the safari to the national parks and any other tourism activity or city tour can be done at end before being dropped back to the Entebbe International Airport for departure .Kampala city is the most toured city while on a Ugandan safari . There are many activities to do while on Kampala city tour among which include visiting Entebbe Zoo (UWEC), viewing kabaka’s lake the largest man-made lake in Uganda and a ritual site for Buganda kingdom , Visiting Kausbi tombs, burial grounds for Buganda kings and members of the Royal. The Kasubi tombs are among the 3 world UNESCO heritage sites other are Bwindi impenetrable and Mountain Rwenzori national parks. the Kasubi tombs is really amazing located within Kampala city Rubaga division with interesting stories, the famous tomb there is the house where they burry kings its local name is called ‘’Muzibu Azala Mpanga’’ fire gutted it in march 2010 and the process to restore are still undergoing however they are open to tourism. Important memorable monuments can also be spotted while on Kampala city tour for example world war monument, independence monument among others.
Chimpanzee tracking
Uganda has various species of primate ranging from gorillas chimpanzee , monkeys , baboons , chimpanzee can be found in national parks of Kibale forest national park , Budongo and in Kyambura and Ngamba island where orphaned chimpanzee are taken for rehabilitation . Chimpanzee trekking cost about 200 US-dollars for nonresidents, there is also golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park it costs about $90 for non-resident.
Lion trucking and spotting tree climbing lions
Lion trucking at Ishasha sector is one of the interesting activities tourists do most. The spotting of tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector will give you a memorable experience since there lions which climb trees are very rare , in Uganda they are easily spotted at Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda . These lions stay in trees and locate the prey from there, come down to look for food and after eating they go back to their shelters in tree branches. Non tree climbing lions can also be spotted in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls national park and Kidepo Valley National Park among other parks.
Spotting the Equator crosses
Uganda has 3 equator crossings the prominent one located at Kayabwe on Kampala –Masaka high way. Equator Kayabwe offers an interesting memorable experience. The place is a stopover for every trip heading to western Uganda national parks of Mburo national park, Bwindi, and Queen Elizabeth national park. Visitors stop at kayabwe equator to take photographs, have breakfast view equator and do equator experience and after continue with the safari to their destination.
Accommodations and how to access these places.
All these attractions as mentioned above can be reached while on your safari trip in Uganda and they have got beautiful accommodations around them ranging from budget, midrange and high end lodges.
These attractions are reached by road from Kampala the capital city, about 4-8 hour drive. Gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi and Mgahinga, game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Kidepo National Park, equator crosses on high ways to some of National Parks. Cultural encounter can be experienced at any destination, the best being karamojongo and Ik people in Kidepo National Parks and Batwa tribe in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
When is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited any time throughout the year but dry season is the best , Uganda experiences two dry spells one from June to September and another one from December to early March.
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August 2, 2022