Why Uganda should be on your Travel bucket list ?
The world over is full of adventures. Not all are the same. One destination that is a must visit is Uganda. It is endowed with diverse landscape that encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Its abundant wildlife includes chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is known for its 43m-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its boat cruises and Lake Mburo National Park for the rare Elands and birds. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla habitat and Crater Lakes.
It is not surprising that one of the great statesmen of Great Britain Sir Winston Churchill nicknamed it the Pearl of Africa. In his book My African Journey 1908 he pronounced these words:
“The kingdom of Uganda is a fairy-tale. You climb up … and at the end there is a wonderful new world. The scenery is different, the vegetation is different, the climate is different, and, most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa … I say: ‘Concentrate on Uganda’. For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale — Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa.”
Since then many have been attracted to its natural beauty, friendly people and unique cultures.
A trip to Uganda will explore community, culture and wildlife touristic areas. It will be a fully packed adventure.
A brief about Uganda:Capital City: Kampala,Country Area: 241,038 sq km,Population: 41.5 million (World bank 2016)
Currency: Uganda Shilling,Official Languages: English, Swahili
Other Languages: Bantu and Nilotic Languages,Major Religions: Christianity and Islam
Neighbours: North – Sudan, East – Kenya, South – Tanzania, Rwanda, West –Democratic republic of Congo
A variety of Wildlife
Uganda is Gifted by Nature .It is a home to the world’s largest concentration of primates. Half of the world population of Gorillas is in Uganda.Meet the gentle giants face to face.Such a memorable experience. Other Primates include Chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons.Other wildlife include hippos,elephants,Lions.
Adventurous
Uganda is full of a variety of adventurous activities like Whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating and river surfing on the Source of the Nile near Bujagali Falls in Jinja. It is an opportunity for the brave ones.
Culture and heritage diversity
Get the chance to visit the African villages.It is a true authentic cultural experience. Tourists coming to Uganda will meet its beautiful people, its beautiful culture, the dances, the different tribes and the diversity that cannot be found anywhere else.
With a varied rich culture, of over 56 tribes, and each one has their own dress, their own language, their own food.
Memorable experiences
Uganda with an open heart and a good mind gets you far because the people are extremely generous, very friendly, giving you a relaxed stay in Uganda.
Lake tours
Uganda is endowed with a number of lakes. It is home to the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria. It is co-owned by other countries Kenya and Tanzania although 45% belongs to Uganda. You can go for a lake tour on Lake Victoria as you Travel to Ngamba Island, Bulago Island and Ssese Islands. While at these Islands you can enjoy other rides to nearby islands and refreshing beaches. Uganda is gifted with Crater lakes that offer exciting canoe rides.
Family Adventures
Looking for a family day out? Uganda offers exciting destinations for a family tour. You can visit the wildlife Centre at Entebbe locally known as the Zoo that offers one day – volunteer animal keeping excursions which the children can enjoy with you. Go horse riding in the wild at Lake Mburo, Nature walks and hiking around crater lakes near Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park and top of the falls in Murchison falls National Park. Go for boat safaris that offer great scenes of Hippos, Elephants, crocodiles and buffaloes. Visit the Rhino sanctuary at Ziwa for Rhino tracking.
Enjoy home and village stays and learn the true African way of living. This is a true cross-cultural learning experience for a family day out.
Birdwatching
Uganda is a Birders’ Paradise. With over 1000 bird species, Uganda is a darling for birders. Avid birders will not be disappointed. Just remember to pack your binoculars. You can visit Mabamba and other destinations for the elusive Shoebill; Murchison falls with over 460 bird species. Birds that can be sighted in this park include the African Darter, Goliath Heron. Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim’s Stork. Shoebill, White- faced Whistling Duck.
Photo:Shoe bill bird
At Lake Mburo 317 species have been recorded. Birds to watch for include the African Fin Foot, African fish eagle, red faced barbet.
Bwindi Impenetrable Elevation is 1190 – 2607m above sea level. It is known for the Albertine endemics. Bird species recorded: 357 species. This evergreen moist, montane forest is home to the African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Shelley’s Crimson-wing.
Queen Elizabeth is a habitat to over 600 bird species. The African Skimmer is commonly seen. Other bird species at Queen Elizabeth include Grey, Purple and Goliath Herons, Saddle-billed and Yellow-billed Storks, Sacred and Glossy Ibises, African Spoonbill, Egyptian Goose, Black Crake, African Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged.
Photo: African Skimmer
Kibale National Park is home to 325 species. Commonly seen black capped Apalis, blue headed sunbird, collared Apalis, dusky crimson wing, purple breasted sunbird and red faced woodland warbler. If you are lucky you may also see the African pitta.
Kidepo Valley National Park the hidden Gem (CNN) for the Secretary bird, Karamoja Apalis ,Golden Pipit, Ring-necked Spurfowl, Taita Fiscal, RufousChatterer, Fox’s Cisticola, Yellow and red spotted Barbet, Fox’s Weaver, Lesser Kestrel, Pallid Harrier, Black-winged Pranticole, White-crested, Hartlaub’s Turaccos, Dusky-turtle Dove.
