Uganda

Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is an amazing safari destination in East Africa. Uganda is a country gifted by nature, found in East Africa, bordered by Kenya in the East, Congo in the west, Tanzania in the south and Southern Sudan in the North.

The country is gifted by nature with over 10 National Parks and many game reserves. Uganda Safaris are really adventurous with a number of tour activities such as gorilla safaris, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruising, wild game viewing drives, bird watching safaris, cultural trips, mountain climbing safaris, nature walks and tree climbing lion spotting among others.

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. This is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle! We hope the information below will help you plan your safari in Uganda, a fascinating country, blessed with outstanding natural features.

Why Go on Safari in Uganda

This special and up-to-date travel advisory – complete with maps, information on parks and resorts, hotels and safaris, everything you would ever want or need to know about Uganda as a tourist destination – offers you an opportunity to explore the country the young Winston Churchill, later a British Prime Minister, aptly described as “the Pearl of Africa” in his book My African Journey published in 1908.

Though two decades of civil strife (in the 70s and the 80s) destroyed some of Uganda’s tourist establishments and almost depleted the country’s wildlife, the situation has since President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement came to power in 1986 turned for the better. The Uganda of the 90s, like the proverbial Phoenix, has risen from the ashes to regain its former glory.

The “Cradle of the Nile”, as the country was called long ago, has restored its (tourist) facilities and established many new ones. Wildlife numbers in Uganda national parks are rapidly increasing as poaching has been curbed and strict conservation measures enforced. And the resurgent tourism sector (that received over 850,000 visitors last year) is committed to the development of a sustainable package, conscious of the perilously fragile environment.

The concept, “small is beautiful”, is most pronounced in Uganda, with so much diversity packed in the relatively small geographical area. Whatever your interest, be it cultural or archeological matters, wildlife safaris, bird watching, mountain gorilla treks, mountain climbing, white water rafting, sailing , fishing, Mountain gorilla tracking, Uganda has something special for you.

Above all, the people of Uganda, hospitable and warm as ever, are eager to share their country’s captivating magic with the rest of the world, and make friends.

Birds, Butterflies and Reptiles

“…. a profusion of brilliant life” … birds, butterflies and wildlife, Uganda has it all.

For ornithologists, botanists, lepidopterists, or just simple lovers of nature, Uganda has such a wealth of attractions that each visit will yield new discoveries.

Because of the wide range of habitats, from alphine crags to wetlands that attract migratory and as well as indigenous birds, Uganda is blessed with a profusion of birdlife. Some 463 species have been recorded, and more are being identified each year. The Great Rift Valley is one of the world’s most important migratory routes, the majority of seasonal visitors having joined the valley from Europe, attracted by the warmer climates and plentiful food supplies. The wetlands around Uganda’s lakes, including Lake George wetlands (protected under the Ramsar Convention) and the Rift Valley swamps, are the place to watch shore and waterbirds. The highlands and alpine regions provide opportunities to observe magnificent eagles and other raptors in their natural surrounding. The forests are home to a profusion of woodland birds and clouds of colourful butterflies, while on the broad grasslands vultures compete with tiny sunbirds for the birdwatcher’s attention( during bird watching tours and safareis).

Remember to bring a good book on birds.

Birds to look out for

The Varied Cultural Heritage

Uganda is a country of many contrasts. The rugged mountains act as a foil to the softer meadows and broad savannah, while the dry uplands contrast with the wetlands of the lake shores. The contrasts between the various people of Uganda reflect this variety of surroundings, and are demonstrated in the multiplicity of cultures, traditions and lifestyles offering an opportunity for cultural tours and safaris.

The nation was born out of the unification of ancient kingdoms, as well as many smaller independent chieftains now part of the richness of the modern state. This heritage lives on in the hearts of the people, their traditional dress, languages, dances and customs.

The largest ethnic group are the Baganda, whose kingdom has always been influential in Ugandan affairs. Other ethnic groups include the Batoro, Banyankole, Iteso, Acholi, Basoga and Lugbara.

Today, all Ugandans live together, proud to be one people, but cherish the memory of their history and keep alive the traditions of their ancestors.

Many historical sites are settings of events from when Uganda was a land of many different peoples, and the local residents will be happy to explain their the traditions.

Religious tolerance is an important part of present-day Uganda. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and others all live in harmony, free to practise their own religions. Ugandan temples and churches are buildings of great splendour, and venues for impressive festivals and celebrations as well as religious tours and safaris. Of special interest is the Lake Mburo Cultural Village which the Banyankole have created to highlight the customs and history of their kingdom.

Legends abound in local folklore, and storytellers are present in every community. Ask our old people to regale you with tales of the Chwezi.

Music and dance are an important part of the culture. The Imbalu dances of the Bagisu, on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, are particularly exciting, while the Runyege dances near Masindi are an unforgettable experience during any cultural tour and safari.

Some of Uganda’s People

Ankole Cultural Village

The Banyankole have developed a cultural centre close to the Sanga gate to Mburo National Park

, just a few kilometres from Mbarara where visitors can learn more about the local culture and way of life. Typical village houses can be visited, and Ankole guides will explain their people’s history and lifestyle. Distinctive Ankole handicrafts can be purchased as souvenirs.

Handicrafts & Souvenirs

A souvenir is an essential purchase to bring back memories when you return home. Some wonderful handicrafts can be found all over Uganda.

In every village, local people are skilled in creating colourful arts and crafts, both traditional and modern, which are handworked to a very high standard. Individual tribes, craftsmen and women make a wide range of articles – many of which are useful because they are used in our daily lives – but all are objects of great beauty, with patterns and colours that reflect the local culture.

Among the fine handicrafts are colourful mats in traditional patterns from Buganda, raffia bowls and baskets from Toro and Ankole, musical instruments from West Nile and Busoga, and the famous drums of Buganda. Most of the components and raw materials are found naturally in Uganda – local grasses and papyrus, banana fibre and palm leaves, gemstones, seeds, horn and woods, as well as skins and local leathers. Bark cloth from the Omutuba tree is particularly enchanting, and is widely used for mats, cushions and hats. Jewellery can be hand made from a broad range of materials, and provides distinctive decoration for both ladies and gentlemen. In the Karamoja region, traditional wood carvings will make characteristic souvenirs.

While handicrafts can be found in most village markets and in roadside stalls, shops in the main towns stock a wide range. In Kampala visit the Crafts Village behind the National Theatre, where there is a wide selection from all regions of Uganda.

If you have something special that you want, many of our craftsmen will be happy to design and create a special item just for you.

For further information, please consult:

The Uganda National Arts and Crafts Association
National Theatre Cultural Village
P.O. Box ,Kampala
Tel: +256-41 236543
Fax: +256-41 256374

Suggested Uganda Safari Circuits

Uganda is proud to share part of its land with the world’s largest range of primates, from the tiny galagos or bushbabies to the rare, and endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei). In many parts of the country, and on any day, visitors can enjoy a forest trek to view families of primates. Something rarely available elsewhere in Africa, it is one of Uganda’s greatest tour and safari attractions.

Chimpanzees abound in many regions and several national parks have facilities for guided nature walks to meet them in their natural habitat. In Murchison Falls National Park, Semliki, Kibale and Bwindi, families of chimpanzees (as well many colobus and other monkeys) can be encountered. Many conservation programmes ensure their protection, and all local tour operators can include primate trekking in their itineraries. The Isinga Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Isinga Island in Lake Edward is particularly exciting.

Safaris

Featured in this section are also different safaris in Uganda. From day trips, short safaris to specialty safaris in Uganda, there are a lot of options to choose from.

Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Today Uganda Gorilla Safaris are very popular worldwide due to safety and political stability of the country. Many travelers visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking.

Classic Uganda Safaris

During your safari in Uganda, you will experience the true African wilderness by visiting the unspoilt tourism destinations.

Rwenzori Mountaineering Safari

The Rwenzori Mountains, also n as Mountains of the moon are found in Western Uganda, and climbing to the highest peak (Magherita) takes 9 days.

Featured Safari

Book a 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s remaining population of the mountain gorillas left in the whole world. This adventure trip can depart from Kigali or Kampala.

Top Places to Visit on Uganda Safaris

Uganda is a naturally blessed country and a home to various tourist attractions like several wildlife and bird species, national parks, Forests Mountains, lakes and rivers, among others which are uniformly distributed throughout the country. This explains why larger numbers of tourists flock the country each year. Many of these tourist attractions and destinations are found in the countryside of Uganda, in the isolation and remote areas of the country with less human crowds( places where you can only feel your heartbeats, wildlife cries and the hamming of birds) filling visitors with the atmosphere of the real African wilderness / jungle.

Among the popular Uganda tourist Sites include

• Murchison Falls National Park,
• Kibale Forest (home of Chimpanzees & other primates),
• Semiliki National park,
• Queen Elizabeth wildlife park,
• Bwindi impenetrable forest gorilla park,
• Mgahinga National Park,
• Lake Mburo National Park,
• Zziwa Rhino sanctuary –
• Chimpanzee sanctuary on Ngamba Island

Uganda also has the true source of River Nile, world’s longest River, also with Africa’s biggest fresh water lake, Lake Victoria.

The Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary

This is the only home to the Uganda’s white Rhinos. It’s a distant and exclusive place to visit, found 7 kilometers off Nakasongola highway. It’s a home to over 15 white Rhinos and many other wildlife and bird species. Visitors to the Zziwa white Rhino Sanctuary can enjoy activities like white rhino watching, wildlife viewing on animals like waterbucks, antelopes and birding the rare shoebill stork on a canoe ride along the swamp.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park

The world known Bwindi national park is the Uganda home to mountain gorillas; hosting half of the total number (over 400) of remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable rain forest is located in the south western part of the country. This large mountain national park can be entered through four major entry points that is; Buhoma region and Ruhija in the north and Nkuringo and Rushaga in the south with each with specific sector hosting several gorilla families that can be visited on foot. Bwindi offers the best trekking experiences for tourists who get a chance of visiting any of the 24 habituated mountain gorilla families within the forest. Alongside mountain gorilla tracking, tourists can enjoy several other tourist activities within the forest such as birding, wildlife safaris, forest nature walks, and paying a visit to the Batwa people among others.

Semuliki National Park

Among the various tourist attractions of Uganda, is the Semuliki valley national park , found in the west , near the Uganda – DRC border. It’s a known place for great wildlife safaris and birding expeditions, viewing animals like; water bucks, kobs, warthogs and many others on game drives and hippos and crocodiles on boat cruises along river semuliki.. Many of the wildlife and bird species at this park move to and fro Congo, CentralAfrica and Uganda. The Semuliki offers great natural views to its visitors such as theSempaya hot spring, forest nature walks and fishing among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Another interesting, remotely located tourist center is the Kidepo Valley National park. Located in the northeastern part of the country in Kaabong district. The KVNP, is an exclusive place to visit as it’s a home to several wildlife species such as the; cape buffaloes, lions, zebras, giraffes and a number of birds. All these can be best enjoyed over game drives and boat cruises through the Narus Valley (the only oasis here) , offering tourists a great experience in the wild. The Kidepo valley national park also hosts the unique tribe of the Karamojongs- a Ugandan local community whose people have stuck to the traditional cultural values and norms as well as practices. An encounter with the Karamojongs is very remarkable as visitors discover more about their way of life. Kidepo valley national park is 720 kilometers away from Kampala and can be reached by both road and air transport means.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is yet another exclusive but remotely located tourism destination in the country. This Uganda’s deepest lake is found in the south western part of the country, blessed with several islands which are usually reached by boat trips. It offers extraordinary experiences to visitors as it’s the best birding site in the country with several bird species, great scenic views, boat rides and cruises as you take in the nature of Uganda. This exclusive lake can be reached by both air and road transport; where road transport is between 6 and 8 hours’ drive while air transport to Kayonza / Kisoro airstrip and then a drive there is about an hour.

The tourist destinations in Uganda can never be exhausted n just simple writing, for those with an exploration hobby, just hit the Entebbe International airport and you will never regret your action!

Tour Operators

Many tour operators offer several Uganda Safaris taking you for the best what Uganda can offer. From gorilla trekking trips to wildlife safaris, Uganda has much to offer to an African Traveler!