Explore the Pear of Africa’s breathtaking natural beauty on a customised Uganda safari. Uganda was named the Pearl of Africa by former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill who was taken aback by the country’s magnificent natural beauty during his visit in 1907. Churchill, after being impressed by what he saw in Uganda went on to document his explorations in his book entitled ‘My African Journey.’ published in 1908.
The country is naturally gifted by a variety of amazing wildlife, all year round warm weather, beautiful rolling hills, fertile soils, friendly people and many more.
The recent Ebola outbreak in the two central districts of Mubende and Kasande is effectively being contained by the government and it is not a threat in any way to the travellers.
Why you should go for a Uganda safari
There are a variety of amazing experiences travellers can enjoy while on their Uganda safari ranging from wildlife and adventure to cultural and historical encounters. The relatively low cost of Uganda safaris compared to its neighbours like Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda makes Uganda the most ideal destination in the region for all categories of travellers.
Gorilla trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. This park harbours almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Having an encounter with these gentle giants is truly a rewarding experience. Mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered primate species. They are also found in the neighbouring Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National park of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is truly awesome experience and having encounter with the raptly gentle giants is once a memorable lifetime experience with one of the greatest rear wildlife species.
The Park has 17 gorilla families and these are notably found in the different sectors of the park just feel free to visit the Jungle of Bwindi National Park to encounter these amazing creatures.
Chimpanzee tracking
Uganda has various places where you can go for chimpanzee trekking experience. The most prolific areas for trekking are Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest and Kyambura gorge. All these areas have habituated chimpanzee groups.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale National Park is one of the remaining tropical forest expanses in East Africa. The park is one of the best places in the world to see chimpanzee in their natural habitat. This Park has the highest concentration of primates in the world with 13 different primates’ species (Sometimes referred to as the capital of primates).
The forest is one of the remaining central African rainforest. It has an adjacent of 180kms wildlife stretch to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s one of the most diverse and varied rainforests in Africa. With several groups of habituated chimpanzees in Kibale forest and groups of up to six people can trek to see them.
Kyambura gorge
Kyambura gorge is referred to as the “Valley of apes” located in the Eastern front of the Meldly of wonders (Queen Elizabeth National Park). It’s one of the most spectacular places where chimp tracking would be done. The gorge has an excellent green forest lash drained by River Kyambura which attracts other wild animals from the park to this verdant area.
The gorge comprises a number of primates, wild animals and birds.
Based on researcher’s reports, there are only sixteen chimpanzees remaining within this distant impressive valley.
Once you enter into this amazing Gorge you will be surprised by the rich tropical rain-forest right close to the Equator crossing. The gorge is another world of its own with savannah above has a reasonable amount of light from the sun.
Bird watching
Uganda is a haven for bird watchers containing ten percent of the world’s total bird species almost a size of Great Britain. For travelers intending to visit Africa, Uganda should be a number one stop center for avian lovers.
The country has very many destinations where bird watching can be done. Here birds can be spotted at every point more especially when on a trip to the destination area.
Uganda boasts a number of 23 Albertine rift endemic species which are only found in the Albertine rift valley. The country also harbors some of the central African bio endemic species that includes the 46 Guinea Congo biome endemic species that cannot be found elsewhere in East Africa. The birds includes; African Piculet, Crested Malimbe, Red billed dwarf hornbill, white crested hornbill, Black Dwarf hornbill and Yellow throated cuckoo.
The most sought after birds of Uganda.
- Shoe bill
- Green breasted Pitta
- African Green Broadbill
- Great Blue Turaco
- Shelley’s Crimsoning
- Standard winged Night Jar
- Short tailed warbler
- Doherty’s Bush shrike
- Bar tailed Tragon
- Black Breasted Barbet
Cultural experiences
Uganda is comprised with over 45 tribes and each of them has a different dialect with different culture. Over 45 languages are spoken in Uganda today ranging from the different ethnic groups, feasibly if you are on a safari to Uganda you shouldn’t miss out on the two famous cultures i.e. the Batwa people and the Karamojongo warriors.
Batwa Community
The Batwa are short statured people and are sometimes referred to as ‘pygmy’ people. It was until the gazette of Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park, these people leaved a hunting lifestyle in the forest.
Being the original dwellers of this ancient forest, Batwa people were known as the keepers of the forest. The Batwa people have a rich history, whereby they survived on hunting small animals using bows and arrows, nets and gathering plants fruits in the tropical forest. They leave there social ways of life under constructed huts from tree leaves and branches. They also moved frequently in search of fresh supplies of food.
These people have lived a harmonious life with other forest creatures including the mountain gorillas for a longtime. Research writings states it that then Batwa people have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for over 60,000 years. Today the Batwa people are found in the areas of Bwindi, Mgahinga and Semuliki National park which is an extension of the grate Ituri forest.
The Karamojong
The Karamojong are one of the famous Ugandan tribes, located in North Eastern parts of Uganda bordering Southern Sudan and Kenya.
These people leave nomadic way of life and they are more similar to their cousins the Masaai of Kenya. They are cattle keepers and they believe that the more the animals someone has the prestigious he is. They live under traditional huts called Manyattas and here they are socially organized under the leader ship of village Elders.
Unlike the rest of Uganda where most of the people have adopted a foreign religion either Christianity or Islam, the Karamojong still follow their traditional religion and believe in a god called ‘Akuj’.
You will have an opportunity to learn and understand the unique culture of the Karamojong people as their roles are quite defined. Men take out the animals in search of pastures and water while women remain behind taking care of the home stead.
Wildlife safaris
Uganda offers a variety of National parks which are favorable for scenic game drive and on several occasions they give out a unique wildlife experience. The moment you happen to visit Uganda here are some the National parks which shouldn’t miss out on your travel list and these includes Kidepo valley, Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National park.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1962 and named 3rd best safari park in Africa by CNN in 2017, this park sits on 1442 square kilometers of open Savannah terrains, vast plains and mountainous landscape, sights quenching the thirst of an adventurous altitude to traveller who would love to visit this destination.
Recently Kidepo Valley National Park has been nominated under the category of Africa’s Leading National Park 2022, in the World Travel Awards.
Kidepo valley national park is a home to over 80 mammal species of which 28 species are rear and cannot be found anywhere in Uganda and these include the Elands, Lesser Kudu, cheaters, Mountain reed back and Gunther’s dik-dik which makes the destination interesting to the travellers.
The park wildlife is more predominant experience for the traveller who would like to visit Uganda due to its diverse flora and fauna. Relatively this park boasts over 450 species of birds with at least 20 of them are endemic to the area.
Murchison Falls National Park
This is one of the Uganda’s oldest National park and it was earlier known as Kabalega National park before being named after the thunder busting falls of Murchison. It’s one of the unique game parks where you find the big five wildlife species more especially in the Northern parts of the Park.
Being a home to over 76 mammal species which may be easily seen while on a game drive and these includes; Rothschild giraffes, African elephants, cape buffaloes, Lions, leopards, Uganda kobs. The park has a variety of activities which are vital for travelers to enjoy and they include; Hot air balloon safari experience, Game drive, boat cruise and Hike top of the falls.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
It’s one of the oldest parks in Uganda second after Murchison falls National Park and it was named before Queen Elizabeth visit to Uganda. The park was gazette as a national park in 1952, it’s among the largest conservation areas in Uganda as well as known at the global level. The park occupies an area of about 1978 sq.km large with a unique attractions.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to 95 mammals and over 605 species of birds, different species of antelopes, butterflies among many others.
This park is ranked as the second best birding destinations in Africa and stands number 6th in the world based on its various ecological habitats that makes a number of birds adopt to the environment. The park has the largest concentration of hippos in East Africa despite the fact that the destination area is located in the grate Western arm rift valley. Like any other park, Queen Elizabeth National park has some communities staying around like Basongora pastoralists who used this park as an indigenous grazing ground.
Adventurous activities
Uganda has various adventurous activities that would be done by any adventurous traveler who would like to Visit the country.
The country is blessed with the famous Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori mountain ranges), and Mount Elgon. These two mountains offer an exhilarating idyllic adventure experience for mountain climbing. The climbing safaris on mount Rwenzori offers an exquisite experience that most of the hikers would prefer.
Also Uganda has the Nile River which is the world’s longest river and it’s famous for white water rafting and also offers bungee jumping.
Mt Rwenzori National Park
Mt Rwenzori National Park is a home to famous Rwenzori Mountain Africa’s third highest peak. This mountain lies in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border with the snowcapped peak covered by the heath and moorland, bamboo and rich everlasting flowers like the Giant lobelia and this hosts over 70 mammals and 217 birds’ species. Among these 19 of them are endemic to the Albertine rift valley and this eventually makes it a UNESCO world heritage site.
Activities that can be done while in this pristine area includes, Mountain Climbing, Nature walk, Bird watching.
River Nile
The world’s longest stretches from Jinja 4,132 miles -6650kms crossing ten countries in Northern Africa, with its mouth in the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile River was officially declared among the 7 wonders of Africa on the 11th of Feb 2013 in Arusha Tanzania by votes cast from travel experts around the world. Perhaps this river gives some exciting experience to adventurous travellers who intend to visit the country. Its sprouting Itanda and Bujagali falls provides an intense white water rafting experience, Bungee jumping and boat cruise experience to the Source of the Nile.
These would greatly be more exciting to travellers who visit Uganda and looking for an adventurous experience.
Friendly & welcoming people of Uganda
Ugandan’s are one of the friendliest people who would welcome you to their country at any point. According to the Inter Nations report, 57% of expats in Uganda gave ‘general friendliness’ the best possible rating (the global average was 26%). Not only that, not a single respondent ranked this factor negatively.
Ugandans are generous despite the fact that most people outside have a feeling about the vast African continent in terms of security and safety. Unaware of Uganda’s warm, generous, welcome and deeply embedded history of hospitality. This was documented in a BBC article on the 16th Feb 2017 where by Uganda was ranked among the world countries with friendliest people.
However, Uganda holds a lot of attractions that would be more suitable for travellers intending to visit. A part from the above mentioned attractions there are other over whelming attractions which includes; culture, birding destination areas, Religious tourism sites like Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Kasubi royal tombs a UNESCO world heritage site, Sesse Islands, Ngamba Island Sanctuary.
