Uganda is a fantastic safari destination in Africa endowed with beautiful sights comprising of beautiful plains of savannah with spectacular wildlife viewing, home to the largest number of the critically endangered mountain gorilla in the jungles of Bwindi & Mgahinga,the snow caped mountains, the magnificent and yet the largest fresh water lake in Africa, the wonderful adrenaline white water rafting in Jinja at the source of the river Nile, the forceful Murchison falls. The list of Uganda’s magical attractions is endless that its no wonder Winston Churchill labeled her the “Perl of Africa”.
A Uganda safari is a fantastic surprise offering a large number of tourism attraction in just a single small land locked East Africa country where savannah lands bridge to interlink with the great lakes, rivers, and swamps to snow caped mountains and forested Jungles. It’s only in Uganda were you will meet the highest concentration of primates in the world in Kibale national park, view tree climbing lions up in acacia trees and enjoy a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel and view high concentration of Hippos, crocodiles in Queen Elizabeth national park and most of all go gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and have a life time change to watch Uganda Gorillas in the jungle.
The capital, Kampala, has some attractions, like cathedrals and mosques, the Bahai temple, the traditional Wamala tombs in which royalty are buried, parliament buildings and museums and galleries. The city also has markets for local produce and crafts.
Weather and Geography
Uganda is a landlocked developing country along the equator situated about 800 Km from the Indian Ocean with Kenya bordering her from the East, Sudan from the North, Congo from the west while Rwanda and Tanzania from the south. The country is is about 241,139 square Km. Uganda comprises of a tropical climate and is generally cool all year which means the country is an all year round safari destination with the northern park of the country dry
- The country is home to Lake Victoria – the biggest lake in Africa shared with neighboring Kenya and Tanzania and the source of the second longest river, the river Nile. With temperatures varying from 15 degrees to 27 in the rainy seasons of April to November and the dry seasons of December and March.
Traveling in Uganda
The country has a number of international airlines to and from the Entebbe International airport, which is the country’s only airport. Aircraft include KLM, Emirates, Egypt air, Rwanda air, Ethiopia, South Africa air.
Charter flights are also available flying to different districts of the country and can be arranged on request. Areas in which charter flights fly to include Kasese, Hihihi, Mweya, Gulu, Pakuba, Kisoro,Nyakisharara.
Accommodation & Hotels in Uganda
The country has first class hotels ranging from Luxury to budget and backpackers in the different parts of the country. The national parks have modern hotels with world standard facilities
What Makes Uganda a Unique Tourism Destination
Mountain Gorilla Watching
The highlight of Uganda as a tourist destination is mountain gorilla trekking which can be done in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a more popular gorilla watching destination as it has 13 habituated gorilla groups and quite a variety of accommodations ranging from budget, midrange and luxury establishments while Mgahinga national park only offers one gorillas group which today has settled on the Ugandan side of the Virunga Volcanic chain and with limited accommodation facilities with just one luxury safari lodge. To track Uganda gorillas, one needs to secure their gorilla permit about 6 months in advance to guarantee a date for tracking the gorillas. A Permits costs $600 for foreign residents, $100 for east Africa residents and can be acquired through a some booking through a Uganda based tour operator and contacting the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices.
Bwindi national park can be reached from Kampala to Bwindi on an 8 hr drive, by charter flight to Kihihi and a short drive to Bwindi national park and thirdly by road, Bwindi can be accessed from Rwanda on a 2 – 3 hour drive crossing to Uganda via the Cyanika border to trek gorillas and drive back to Kigali
Chimpanzee Trekking Tours
Uganda is a fantastic destination for chimpanzee tracking deep in Uganda’s jungle rain forests. Chimpanzees can be tracked in Kibale national park which has the highest number of chimpanzees and can instead track habituated chimpanzees, chimps are also seen in Budongo forest which is part of Murchison falls wildlife reserves, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest is also a home to chimpanzees, and chimps here have been habituated, can be reached via the Mweya sector of Queen Elizabeth national park and Ngamba Island orphaned chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking is a very rewarding adventure which you should not miss while in Uganda.
Wildlife viewing Safaris
For wildlife adventure seekers, Uganda offers a unique diversity offers fantastic savannah safaris with high chances of seeing the Big Five – Cheetah and leopard, rhino, lions, buffaloes and an be spotted on game dives and Launch cruises in the different national parks. Expect to view Lions are quite common in Queen Elizabeth and tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector, Murchison Falls National Parks and Kidepo national park, white Rhinos can be seen in the Zziwa rhino sanctuary where they have been reintroduced, Uganda Kobs can be seen in almost all national parks, Giraffe can seen in Murchison falls and Kidepo national park, Zebras in Lake Mburo and Kidepo Other wildlife to watch out for includes bushbuck, potted hyena, oribi, jackal, water-buck, topi and so much more .
Large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants can be spotted in Queen Elizabeth national park along the Kazinga channel, in Murchison falls national park, lake Mburo national parks.
White water rafting in Uganda
Uganda is a fantastic destination for white water rafting which takes place at the source of the River Nile in Jinja situated just 2 hours from Kampala city.
Cultural Tours in Uganda
Uganda comprises of a rich cultural heritage due to the various cultures and tribes all exhibiting a unique authentic ways of community life style. Different cultural heritages comprise of different characteristics and experiences which can be seen through the way they dance, folk songs, handcrafts and weaving, use of local herbs and plants, the way children are brought up, food preparation and so much more. Uganda has a rich culture that you need to experience.
