Uganda: the pearl of Africa shines again
Uganda is a beautiful country with amazing people. This is one of my favorite countries in all of Africa. The people of Uganda survived the troubles of the period 1967-1986 and emerged with a smile on their feet. In that short period, the country suffered under the whim of two despicable despots. One was the indisputably crazy Idi Amin and the other possibly the crazy Milton Obote.
This is now history, a testimony of the dignity and resistance of this people. The transformation of the country in the period since normalcy returned is staggering. And it shows in the faces of the people you meet. That the graceful beauties of Uganda have not received the recognition they deserve in international beauty pageants is to me incontrovertible proof that most of these events are indeed rigged.
Winston Churchill was so in love with the country that he gave it the name that has endured: the “Pearl of Africa”. His observations about Uganda are still valid today: “The landscape is different, the vegetation is different, the climate is different and, above all, the people are different from anywhere else…in the whole gamut of Africa.”
Travelers to Uganda are drawn to its stunning scenery: green rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, tropical jungles, majestic rivers and huge lakes. There are also a number of national parks noted for your safari encounter with the wildlife that Africa is famous for. Unfortunately, I have to advise you to skip Kidepo Valley, a park with many resources in the north, as it is not considered safe. The country’s advantage as a worthwhile destination is enhanced by its endowments for rafting and sport fishing. Tour operators have on offer a variety of Safari and tour in Uganda packages
It is in Uganda that the largest number of primate species in the world is found. opportunities for tracking rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are unrivaled elsewhere. The primate conservation efforts that the country has followed are paying off. A survey conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with the Ugandan government revealed that there were 4,950 chimpanzees in the country in 2003. Previously, scientists had assumed this number to be between 3,000 and 4,000, but nobody knew why. sure. The chimpanzee is our closest living relative, sharing 98% of our genes and much of our behavior. Uganda is the best country in the world to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
The best place to see the rare mountain gorilla is at 331 sq. km Bwindi National Park. This park was previously known as the Impenetrable Forest for good reason. The trees are lush and the forest is denser with dense undergrowth, vines, bamboos and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. This environment is the habitat of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and 8 other species of primates. No less than half of the world’s population of some 600 mountain gorillas have refuge here, making Bwindi the base of a major scientific conservation programme.
Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups and licenses are issued to ensure minimal disruption to the animals’ routine. Following the gorillas is an arduous task and you must be prepared for up to 8 hours of walking. A good physical condition is essential. It is recommended that you make arrangements 4-12 months in advance of your visit date. Bwindi is essentially a rainforest and it is necessary to bring a raincoat, walking boots and gloves.
As well as its star gorillas, Bwindi is home to warthogs, giant forest pigs and more than 300 species of birds, including rare forest birds. Others that have found a home in this ecosystem include many types of bats and rodents, 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 types of chameleons, 14 lizards, skinks, and geckos, and 200 species of butterflies. Bwindi is in the west of the country and is 560 km from Kampala.
Although not as famous for safaris as neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda still has some pretty good game sanctuaries. The 3,840 square meters. km Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and most spectacular of them. Apart from hunting, it is known for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tall grasslands, and thick bush forests make up the park. But we recommend that you do not miss the magnificent waterfalls that give the park its name. The waterfall forms where the Nile narrows from 50 meters to plunge through a 7-meter gorge, dropping 45 meters in an impressive drop. This phenomenon is said to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on Earth.
If you are patient, you can catch a huge Nile Perch at the foot of the falls. What kind of fish can withstand such a force that exists at the foot of the falls? Charles Norman describes his day fishing with a partner who on seeing the huge fish “…let out a strangled squawk and I found myself looking at the pig-sized back of a huge fish sticking out of the water at the edge of the rock – A 100kg fish with scales the size of tennis balls. Alongside it swam a smaller one, a ‘dwarf’ weighing just 40kg or so.” This adventure is described by the prodigiously experienced Charles Norman as “…the most exciting morning fishing I have ever known.” Other game fish found in the Nile include barbel, electric catfish, and tiger fish.
The game you find in the park includes elephants, antelopes, leopards, lions, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and many species of antelope. Upstream of Murchison Falls are Karuma Falls, where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometers of rapids. Here are some of the most exciting whitewater in Africa. Murchison Falls is located 330 km from Kampala.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another exceptional treasure. It is a Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO for Humanity. Recognition arises from the tropical forest, green grasslands, savannah and swamps that make up the park. In terms of wildlife, you will find elephants, buffalo, hippos, baboons, chimpanzees and more than 600 species of birds. The park occupies 2,000 square kilometers and is located 440 km from Kampala. At the north end of the Queen Elizabeth, you’ll find Kibale. This park has a unique forest habitat and has an excellent diversity of animal and plant life. It is in Kibale that the largest number of primate species in Uganda and one of the highest densities and diversities of primates in the world are found.
Traveling from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi, most visitors rest in Lake Mburo National Park. The park is 230 km west of Kampala along the Mbarara highway and is the most accessible in the country. It is a very attractive park of rolling hills, grassy valleys, interspersed with bushland, forest and rich wetlands. In addition to seeing animals including zebras, cape buffalo and elands, you can relax by taking a boat trip on Lake Mburo.
The fairly flat terrain of the country is interrupted to the west by the Rwenzori Mountains and to the east by Mount Elgon. Rwenzori, also known as “Mountains of the Moon”, has the third highest peak in Africa after Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The Rwenzori is part of the national park of the same name and contains 6 snow-capped peaks. You can hike the trails on this mountain without any special climbing equipment unless you want to go to the peaks. The mist-covered mountain range stretches for about 100 km.
Mount Elgon sits on the Kenyan border and is the shell of an ancient volcano. The main attractions here are the waterfalls, the caves that were once used by the indigenous people, the hot springs, the vegetation of the mountains, the various peaks, the Suam gorge, and the caldera itself. After millions of years of erosion, the oval-shaped caldera now measures approximately 7 by 8 km, one of the largest in the world.
The traveler with a sense of history will want to visit the Source of the Nile at Jinja. Jinja is located 60 km northeast of Kampala and is easily accessible by road. This is where the White Nile begins, as it leaves Lake Victoria on its 5,600km journey to the Mediterranean. The origin of the Nile was an ancient mystery that was decisively solved by the explorer John Speke in 1862.
If you’re passionate about culture, go down The Kabaka’s Trail. This is a unique journey through a part of Uganda’s rich heritage that has been shaped by the kings of the region over the years. The Kabaka is the ceremonial king of Baganda and his lineage dates back to the 14th century. The Trail combines a number of cultural sites, all within easy reach of Kampala. You can easily combine the Kabaka Trail with your Search of the Nile tour to Jinja. The Trail offers much more than just sightseeing and you will learn about the hidden and forgotten history of Uganda. You’ll also experience authentic tribal culture, complete with traditional dance, music, crafts, spiritual healing, and storytelling.
There are international standard hotels in Uganda, especially in the major cities of Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. The quality is variable in the smaller towns and quoted accommodation is scarce. All major national parks offer lodging in hunting lodges and tented camps.
If you want to drive in Uganda, you must show an international driver’s license to rent a vehicle. Rental cars in Uganda are available in Entebbe and Kampala. The roads start from Kampala and are of varying quality. In the north of the country the security situation is still in doubt and so are the roads. It is a good idea if you are driving on your own to get local advice on the condition of the roads you intend to use.
Uganda enjoys a tropical climate tempered by altitude. The hottest period of the year is from December to February, when the temperature rises to 29 degrees Celsius. During the rest of the year, temperatures range between 21 and 25 ° C. The country experiences two rainy seasons: from April to May and from October to November, with April being the wettest month. The best times to visit are December-March and June-September. Light casual clothing is generally appropriate. But you need warmer coats and sweaters for the evenings and mornings. It is also recommended to bring rain gear, just in case.
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