The pearl of Africa and its magic
Uganda is acknowledged as the pearl of Africa perhaps in recent times and it has been recognized as the upcoming destination in Africa with the CodeNast traveler, and CNN travels placing Uganda at the top of people’s must-visit list.
It is not hard to see why Uganda has so much to offer. You can visit one of the habituated gorilla families and chimpanzees in their natural habitats during the Uganda gorilla safaris. Enjoy the world’s best birding destinations recorded with over 1082 birding species including endemic Uganda birds and Albertine rift valley endemic, occasional birds that migrate from Europe to Uganda. You will be captivated by the spectacular waterfalls and enthralled by the snow-capped mountain Rwenzori and the wonderful uncrowned national parks of Uganda. Marvel at the shimmering freshwater lakes and revel in their colorful and unique cultures.
Below is the reason that makes Uganda a must-visit travel destination for any traveler across the world.
1 Uganda is the pearl of Africa
Uganda is one of the world’s best-kept secrets surrounded by one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes and green sceneries located hundreds of miles to the heart of Africa. Many European adventurers trekked inland to explore the heart of Africa after navigating continents. The adventurers found the verdant land of great beauty, endless variety, and dramatic contrasts that filled the gap on their map.
2 A fascinating diversity of culture, traditions, and people
Uganda has over 40 tribal groups with a rich culture that is varied and full of contrast. There are four kingdoms in central Uganda and Buganda occupies the biggest on the mother shores of Lake Victoria. Busoga lies in the eastern part of the river Nile, Bunyoro lies in the north, and Batooro in the west just in the backdrop of mountain Rwenzori which is famous for its fort portal city, the popular tourism city of Uganda.
Each of these kingdoms has its own traditions and culture. Not all Ugandans are subjected to the kingdom and there are many traditional tribes. The Karamojong are pastoralists who live in the eastern plains which live in the Manyatta cell-like clusters of thorn-fenced enclosures. On the extreme, both geographically and in stature, there are Batwa pygmies, which are Uganda’s oldest ethnic group, and bivouacs on forest margins in the mountains of the southwestern part of Uganda.
Uganda has the best world range of local and international dishes. These are possible with a variety of vegetables and fruits that grows abundantly in Uganda’s fertile soils for its wet and cool climate. Therefore Uganda lives in beautiful gardens where the staple food of people grows in every place without labor.
The menus have expanded to make full use of all the food available therefore you can expect all kinds of dishes in Uganda’s restaurants such as Indian, Chinese, Italian, and continental dishes. There is something to please every visitor who comes to Uganda including Japanese, and Ghanaian dishes not forgetting KFC which is also offered.
- The magical mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are found in the remote southwestern side bordering Rwanda and D.R.Congo and it’s the most visited tourist destination. It is set in the regional landscape of extraordinary varieties, Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national parks sustain the remarkable diversity of plants and primates known as mountain gorillas which make up about 1000 species and is only found in the Mgahinga and Bwindi forest of Uganda.
Encountering gorillas in their natural environment is the best experience in the world’s premier wildlife encounters. The experience justifies the long journey to this remote corner of Africa. Mountain gorillas are closely related to human beings and when observed clearly, you find a profound connection with their gentle apes. Travelers who take pride and trek these gorillas are doing a great job in ensuring the survival of their existence in the world.
Mountain gorilla trekking takes place in only two Ugandan national parks. Bwindi has the most habituated gorilla families of about 20 groups and Mgahinga has only one gorilla family. However, the habituation experience takes place in Bwindi national park. Trekking gorillas in the jungle takes between 2-8 hours depending on the proximity of the gorilla family you are trekking. Therefore be prepared to face some strenuous routes which are steep and slippery and densely vegetated slopes while in the jungle looking for gorillas.
- A primate capital of the world
Kibale forest national park is the prime capital for chimpanzees and other small primates in Uganda. The Kibale chimpanzee project was designed for the research and conservation of these chimps in the forest. Book a permit to see these close relatives of ours will grant you some time to spend with them in their natural homes. There are two Main sessions for tracking down these primates, there morning session which starts at 8 am, and the afternoon which starts at 2 pm. All these grant you a time of one hour after encountering the chimps although the activity can take about 2-3 hours to look for them.
Kibale forest national park is the only chimp destination with a habituation experience. The process requires trackers to spend more time with the chimps in their homes. It will involve you to study and understand their behaviors, feeding technics, grooming, napping, and others. This project was created to assist in the process of adopting the chimps to the presence of humans but has also helped in the development of protection and sustainable conservation.
Kibale national park also inhabits other 12 small primates in the forest therefore expect to see them during chimp tracking. Some of them include baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Patas monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and others. Apart from Kibale national park, there are other destinations to see chimpanzees in the wild such as Budongo forest reserve, Kyambura gorge, and Kalinzu forest. In captivity, chimps can be found in the Ngamba chimp sanctuary on Ngamba Island found within the Ssese islands
- The great East African rift valley and the wildlife abundance
Uganda is home to the great western arm of the Albertine rift valley and Queen Elizabeth national park, Uganda’s most visited park is found within the Rift Valley. The park is strategically located with its scenic position between Lake George and Edward just at the foot of mountain Rwenzori. The park is dominated by savannah grasslands, acacia woodland, vast wetlands, and tropical rainforest as well as lakes and rivers. In total, they support an impressive mammal species of about 95, and over 600 bird species are recorded which is the most comprehensive checklist of all protected areas of Uganda.
On the floor of the rift valley, there lies a 40 km long Kazinga channel which allows travelers to view various birds, animals, and water animal species during a boat cruise on its waters. Some animals spotted include hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and many others. The rift valley floor occupies some meandering volcanic craters that are spectacular to view and also the game safaris on the savannah plains of the Kasenyi area.
There is also tracking of chimpanzees in the depth of Kyambura gorge forest, nature walks in the Maramagambo forest, and Kalinzu forest, and also a remote drive in the Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions. Above all, Queen Elizabeth national park has a lot to offer to travelers to meet their interests.
6 Birding and African big five safaris
The most ideal experience of a safari holiday in Uganda is viewing the big game and the remarkable bird life. There are four Ugandan-protected national parks that are considered premium destinations for any lover of the big game. First is Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, kidepo valley national park, and lake Mburo national park. Each of these parks offers game drives in the morning and afternoon with an expert park guide. you will be able to sight the big four animals roaming in the savannah plains and also add on a visit to Ziwa rhino sanctuary on your way to Murchison falls national park or kidepo valley national park to enable you to encounter the big five African animals on your Uganda safari.
Queen Elizabeth national park hosts massive herds of buffaloes, hippos, and elephants, and most of the time they are seen around the Kazinga channel and Ishasha River. On the other hand, you will be able to photograph a myriad of grazers like the kobs, bushbucks, Topis, sitatungas, warthogs, and others. The park is famous for its 600 bird species some of which are native to the Albertine rift valley.
Murchison falls National Park also boasts a variety of animals and birds in the park. However, the spectacular falls of the Nile are the highlight of the park which attracts a lot of travelers to flock to see. The park boasts over 76 animals and over 450 bird species which can be seen on the game drives or sailing on the waters of the Nile river on a boat.
Kidepo valley national park tamed as the true African wildness is another location situated in northern Uganda where you can see the big animals. The park has a spectacular landscape despite its semi-arid conditions with just a single dry and wet season in a year. The park depends on the Narus river and kidepo valley which is seasonal in only the wet season and dries up during the dry season.
Kidepo boasts over 77 animals and over 470 bird species including the 60 endemics in this park only. It has various unique animals that cannot be seen anywhere in Uganda such as Gunther’s dik-dik, giant eland, mountain reedbuck, jackal, cheetah, klipspringer, and many others. The other birding spots in Uganda apart from the mentioned national parks include the Semuliki national park tamed as the true birders’ haven, Mabamba wetland in Entebbe
- Climbing Uganda’s mountains in a mystical challenge
If you delight in trekking, and hiking mountains to enjoy their beauty then you will have to plan your safari holiday to destinations like mt Elgon, Rwenzori Mountain, mt Gahinga, mount Muhavura, and mount Sabinyo. Hiking mountain Rwenzori needs physical fitness and you must be a seasonal hiker to get away with hectic hikes of the mountain.
Mountain Rwenzori is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a climbing excursion better suited for experienced hikers. The three peaks of the mountain include baker, Speke, and Stanley. The hiking of the mountain Rwenzori normally takes between 7-9 days since their peaks rise to over 5000m. Climbers are treated to the most fabulous natural vistas in Africa and you be amused by the exceptional flora not seen anywhere. The more you climb higher, you will see ice-aged areas that have been there for many years.
Mount Elgon is located within the borders of Uganda and Kenya and was formed as erupting volcanoes many years ago. For now, it has about 5 peaks travelers can sign up to hike.
However, the adventurous thing about climbing mt Elgon is that you don’t need to be a seasoned hiker and require no hiking skills but as long as you are physically fit for the adventure, you are good to go. The routes are not tremendous and offer wonderful views of the Park’s landscape and get the opportunity to spot animals and bird species. In addition, the park inhabits a diversity of plant life, cascading waterfalls, shimmering pools, and rivers.
- The high-octane adventure of the Nile River in Jinja
The major attraction in the riverside Jinja town in to take the visit to the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world. The riverside city of Jinja is referred to as east Africa’s adventure capital and it is established firmly. Every year numerous travelers flock to the river for different adventure activities such as white water rafting, Nile tubing, quad biking, and bungee jumping, fishing excursions, paddle boating, and sundowner cruises. The full menu caters to mild and also wild tastes. The turbulent headwaters of the Nile can also be experienced while using jet boats, jet boats, kayaks, and boat ridings.
Although Jinja city is more than a century old, it lies at the center of a mystery that dates back to ancient Egypt. The town marks the start of the river, a location that eluded geographers for more than 50 centuries. Cheers to the English explorer john Hanning Speke who reached the sole outlet straight from Lake Victoria watching the lake drain north over a rocky cataract.
Today the source of the Nile attracts many travelers each year of whom some are drowned by the sense of history, others by geographical significance. But all in all, they arrive reassured by the knowledge that exploring the headwaters of the Nile is a considerably more comforting and interesting adventure experience than before.
- Idyllic pristine islands and white sand beaches
Possible travelers to Uganda are often startled to hear about the distinct beach experiences and this is possible on some of the 84 islands found on the Ssese archipelago located within Lake Victoria. The lake is dotted with so many islands including Ngamba Island which also hosts a number of chimps in the chimp research and conservation facility.
When vacationing in Uganda, there are various options for staying at the lakeside resorts and laze of cool colored beaches with green palms and vegetation. You can complete your tour of wildlife and primate life viewing safaris by spending a few days unwinding in the tranquility of these islands before making your departure.
These islands can make a good location for an exotic destination wedding and spend your honeymoon enjoying the beautiful attractions. Beach picnics, fishing, and watching the antics of monkeys in the trees are also other attractions that can get from the islands of Ssese.
- The buzzing cities and towns and a mosaic nightlife experience
You wouldn’t like to miss exploring Uganda’s urban life and cities during your safari vacations in Uganda. The pearl of Africa is famous for its reserves and national parks that attract various tourists. Of late, there is one primary city and 2 towns that displays the modernization that has taken over the country over the last years Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja.
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and stands out to be the leading popular city in Uganda. you can visit the distinctive 7 hills that markup Kampala city or visit the various religious places of worship if at all you admire their beauty.
You can also visit Jinja city and spend a good time in the city. This town has come a long way from being a Bantu village residing from the waterfalls one of the outlets of Lake Victoria in the north. After the discovery of the source of the Nile by john H Speke, the town drew the attention of many travelers and adventurers from all the sources of the world. Jinja offers tourists a range of activities to indulge in such as water rafting, water tubing, water sliding, kayaking, bungee jumping, and many others as well as exploring the city. The town gains its title adventure capital of east Africa due to various adrenaline, relaxing, and thrilling activities.
There is also Entebbe town situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is the primary entry point for every traveler who uses air transportation because that is where the international airport was constructed. You can decide to spend some good time in the town to enjoy the tranquil environment before departing for your wildlife experience in the national parks or choose to explore it on the final day after jungle wildlife excursions.
