AttractionsMarch 25, 2019December 1, 2023 By Yakub Birungi 0

Uganda the Pearl of Africa should be on your Travel list

Uganda the Pearl of Africa

Sir Winston Churchill, nicknamed it the Pearl of Africa.

The world over is full of adventures. Not all are the same. Discover the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain, Lake Victoria and its abundant wildlife. 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.

It is not surprising that one of the great statesmen of Great Britain; Sir Winston Churchill nicknamed Uganda 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.”

A trip to Uganda will enable you to explore the community, culture and wildlife touristic areas, making the trip a fully packed adventure.

A Variety of Wildlife

Uganda is Gifted by Nature. It is a home to half of the world population’s 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.

water-rafting-jinja — White water rafting – Jinja

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

Ugandans welcome you with an open heart and a good mind.The people are generous, very friendly, giving you a relaxed stay in Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

Lake tours

Uganda is home to the largest fresh water lake in Africa. Lake Victoria covers Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. You can go for a lake tour on Lake Victoria as you Travel to Ngamba Island, Bulago Island, Ssese 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. It offers one day – volunteer animal keeping excursions which the children can enjoy with you. Go horse riding in the wild at Lake Mburo. Enjoy Nature walks and hiking around crater lakes near Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Climb to the Top of the falls in Murchison falls National Park. Go for boat safaris that offer great scenes of Hippos, Elephants, crocodiles and buffaloes. A visit to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is recommended 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. Just remember to pack your binoculars. You can visit Mabamba and other destinations for the elusive Shoebill; Murchison falls with over 460 bird species. The birds include the African Darter, Goliath Heron, yellow-billed Stork, Abdim’s Stork, Shoebill and White- faced Whistling Duck.

Photo:Shoe bill bird

Explore the National Parks

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 which is at 1190 – 2607m above sea level is habitat to 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 common bird. 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 will see the African pitta.

Kidepo Valley National Park the hidden Gem (CNN) is home to 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.

Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds is a stunning beautiful water body in south western Uganda. Its formation was a result of volcanic activity several years ago. It is an ideal place to relax and chill out after a safari or on holiday.

AttractionsMarch 22, 2019November 27, 2023 By Yakub Birungi 0

Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds

Lake Bunyonyi -A place of many little birds

An ideal place to chill out on a holiday or after your safari

Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds is a stunning beautiful water body in south western Uganda. Its formation was a result of volcanic activity several years ago. Lava dammed river Ndego thus blocking its continued flow.

The morning mist and melodies of birds welcomes you. Lake Bunyonyi’s crystal clear waters are free from Bilharzia, crocodiles and hippos.

With 29 islands, it is an ideal place to chill out on a holiday or after your safari to other scenic destinations. Enjoy the views of the terraced hills and other islands.

Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

My holiday at the resort was such an exciting one on an invitation by the founder of Lake Bunyonyi Rock resort. I spent two nights at the resort and later proceeded to Kisoro, another tourist destination.

As you relax at the balcony, you can enjoy better views of the surrounding terraced hills. At the resort you can watch a wonderful sunset. It is a nice place to chill out as you enjoy the melodies of the little birds.

The cuisine at the resort is well selected by the welcoming staff . It is mix of both local and international dishes. Cray fish delicacies are available to visitors at the resort.The Louisiana Cray fish was introduced to Lake Bunyonyi from Kenya.

It can be your ideal starting point for a gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks.

Canoeing and boat ride around the islands

Punishment Island

A lot can be enjoyed at lake Lake Bunyonyi. The two – hour boat ride on the lake enables you to tour the lslands including the famous punishment Island known locally as Akampene.

This small marshy island hosted excommunicated girls who were delivered by their relatives for having got pregnant before marriage. The girls were sometimes lucky to be rescued by a man in passing boat who would take one of them as a ‘free” wife without paying bride price.

Story of a survivor

My tour guides narrated a story of one of the survivors still alive known as Mauda Kyitaragabirwe. When it was discovered that she was pregnant, her parents sent her to the Punishment Island. It was considered a sound deterrent to other girls to abstain from pregnancy outside wedlock. She was left to die at the island but by God’s Grace, she was later rescued by a passing boat man.

However, Mauda later had a miscarriage since she was brutally handled on her way to the island.

During the pre-independence times around 1930s, parents in the area supported the excommunication of pregnant unmarried girls. The pregnancy outside wedlock was considered as bringing shame to the families and society thus denying them bridal wealth. The bride price is in form of livestock.

Today the punishment island is the only one that does not look beautiful with only two dry trees and long drying grass seen on the island. One can think that the island was cursed by the girl victims. Even birds hardly perch on the island.

In another region girls faced a similar fate, around Kisiizi falls. The girls were thrown off the cliff. It was such a painful episode for the girls. However, one day one girl dragged one of her tormentors with her over the cliff. The practice stopped indefinitely.

Other Islands

Bwama Island is another historical island. A missionary doctor set up camp in this area to help the community recover from leprosy. Dr. Leonard Sharp and his team established the center in 1931. It remained open till the 1950’s.

Today the island is home to two schools, a secondary and primary school. Students can access them by boat because no permanent village exists on the island.

Dr.Sharp established a home on Njuyeera Island known today as Sharp’s island. He lived here with his family.

Hiking to the Top of the World

Hiking to the top of a hill known as Top of the world is another exciting activity. You will be able to see surrounding islands clearly. It is recommended to keep your camera close to you so that you do not miss out on the amazing views.

The hike combines a village walk and bird watching along the way. My guide shared local knowledge about the plants used as herbal medicine and food crops by the community. I enjoyed the amazing views of the surrounding islands and terraced hills.

The hikes are less strenuous. You can take them at your own pace. You will get close to the village residents. Advanced booking is required for Traditional dances.

Birding

Uganda is a birding paradise. It is home to over 1000 bird species. Bird watching is such a relaxing and refreshing activity. Bird species seen in the area include; the grey crowned cranes, fly catchers, sun birds, pied king fishers, pelicans, cormorants and weaver birds.

Ruvuma swamp is an ideal birding spot. Common endemics include papyrus gonolek and yellow warbler.

Other top things to do and see around Lake Bunyonyi

As a tourist you are spoilt for choice. You will participate in a number of activities that includes a visit to a homestay, Local markets,Canoeing and a visit to the black smith.

Activities and places to add to Lake Bunyonyi safari

Beautiful destinations exist in Uganda that are attractive for your extended stay.They include a Gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Canoeing on lake Mutanda, a visit to other punishment Islands, cultural tours to communities and hiking the three mountains of Mt. Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.

Tree Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most visited tourist destination.It is a habitat of savanna grassland mixed with various kinds of trees and grassy plains,swamps,volcanic cones ,deep craters and tropical rain forest.

It is home to mammals such as hippos,Elephants,Cape Buffaloes, but there are also Warthogs, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi .

Queen Elizabeth National Park is an excellent place to sight large game, track the chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, go bird watching on the Kazinga Channel, and see the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha,southern part of the park is quite a sight in the fig trees ready to attack unsuspecting “meal” targets like the Uganda Kobs (See main photo). Uganda is privileged to be one of the two destinations in the world with tree climbing lions.

Kazinga Channel Boat Safari between Lake Edward and George is a two-hour ride where you can see hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, elephant herds, buffaloes, antelopes and many different kinds of water birds.A trip to this national park is worth the experience.Other places that can visited include Katwe Salt Lake .It is here that you can see the natives in salt mining activity which provides them a source of income. If you visited between October to May you will be able to see flamingoes at “Lake Munyanyange” in particular as the main feeding ground.

The recent visit on April 17,2016 by the President of Uganda-Mr.Museveni is a true testimony of its uniqueness.The President was amazed by the hippos in the water while taking a ride on the “Hippo” Launch cruise along Kazinga Channel.He could hardly stay seated during the launch cruise.

I agree with the President who immediately took this opportunity to assure Uganda and the World that Uganda is safe and security is guaranteed for tourists in any part of the country.

Uganda the Pearl of Africa should be on your Travel list

Uganda the Pearl of Africa