Explore the Pearl of Africa’s breathtaking natural beauty on a customized 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.
Uganda has abundant natural resources much of wish are not largely exploited. Uganda encompasses the typical African travel experience any traveler could ever dream of. It is the confluence of African nature, landscape and culture. The following are some of the reasons why you should include a Uganda safari on your bucket list in 2024.
Uganda is one of the three countries where you can see the highly endangered mountain gorilla in the wild. There are two gorilla trekking spots; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Interestingly, Bwindi alone is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The best times for gorilla trekking in Uganda are during the driest months of the year which are between December and February as well as June and September.
Uganda is a good dose of adventure. If you are an adventure seeker, a trip to Uganda is worthy of serious consideration. The destination offers a real sense of off-the-beaten-track adventure as well as some highly exhilarating activities you can enjoy such as Nile River rafting, wildlife safaris, hiking, bungee jumping and many more.
Uganda is an incredible scenery and a picturesque waterway. When it comes to incredible scenery, Uganda is a top notch. There is plenty of breathtaking natural beauty to explore including dense forests, lush vegetation, open plains and the scenic Rwenzori Mountain range.
Water is also prevalent throughout the Ugandan landscape. You can expect waterfalls, picturesque waterways and the popular Lake Victoria which is the main reservoir of the Nile River. It is also the second largest freshwater lake in the world.
Uganda is a very lucky country with very many and amazing cultures that any one from a different and foreign country would come to see them. Some of the cultures in Uganda include the bakiga, bagishu, Banyankore, lango, Samia, Karamojong’s among others. All the above-mentioned cultures have different ways of behavior and the food they eat. They also have their own cultural wears they always put on during their traditional ceremony’s entertainment, spiritual practices and so many others.
Ugandans are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you could ever hope to meet. They are hospitable often happy to share their food and welcome you in their home.
The climate in Uganda is what many will refer to as near perfect all year round. You can plan your Uganda safari any time of the year and expect to have an amazing time. Uganda is along the equator, home to mountains, lakes and forests that give you the best climate. If you love sunrises and sunsets, you will enjoy these on your Uganda safari. The country has dry and wet seasons only. In the wet seasons, the sun comes out shortly after the rain making it possible for one to travel and enjoy nature.
The food in Uganda is organic and fresh from the gardens grown by small holder farmers. You have access to fresh vegetables and fruits from the markets daily. The pineapples in Uganda are like no other. If there was a competition, Uganda’s pineapples would win the Guinness book of records. You have opportunity to enjoy different traditional meals from the different tribes. You can include this experience while on your Uganda safari.
Uganda is home to several mountains that offer great hiking and mountaineering experiences. You can do hiking for a few hours, one day hikes or multi day hikes with the longest being one week. National Geographical selected the Rwenzori as one of the World’s Best Hikes.
Mount Elgon is one of the oldest volcanic mountains in Africa and has the worlds’ largest caldera. Enjoy sights of beautiful vegetation and landscape as you ascend to Wagagai peak. The Virunga volcanoes are one day hikes – Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhabura and Mt Sabyinyo. Other mountains for your hiking cravings include Mt Moroto, Mt Morungole, Mt Kadam, Mt Napak and many more.
Half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Uganda. The gorilla safaris in Uganda can only be done two national parks. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mgahinga gorilla national park is home to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking is an experience you look back to and reminisce on with happiness. The experience in the rain forest even before you sight the gorillas is amazing. The mountain gorillas are often found feeding, grooming each other and playing.
Uganda has the longest Nile River in the world and that’s why it is known as the source of the Nile. This river is known to be covering over 6693 kilometers. The main activity done here is white water rafting, boat cruise, water bugging, Bungee jumping, sport fishing, jet boating among others. All these will make tourists to come looking for Uganda.
Big five animals. These are the most animals that have attracted most people to come and visit Uganda. These animals include elephants, lions, leopards, Rhinoceros and buffalos. These are found in the parks of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and many more parks. More so on that you can move deeply into queen Elizabeth and get to see the chimpanzees in the Kyambura gorge which have also attracted very many people.
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 lover. Uganda 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 bird species includes; Shoe bill, Green breasted Pitta, African Green Broad bill, Great Blue Turaco, Shelley’s Crimsoning, Standard winged Night Jar, Short tailed warbler, Doherty’s Bush shrike, Bar tailed Tragon, Black Breasted Barbet African Piculet, Crested Malimbe, Red billed dwarf hornbill, white crested hornbill, Black Dwarf hornbill, Yellow throated cuckoo and many more birds.
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 should not miss out on your travel list in order to have an enjoyable wildlife experience and these includes Kidepo valley, Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
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.
Uganda has plenty of amazing destinations for nature lovers to explore. These include Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Semuliki National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mount Elgon National Park. There is an emerging trend where visitors hire a 4×4 with a rooftop tent and explore the different safari destinations in the country. They are not worried of where the night finds them because they sleep in the tent on top of the car.