Uganda is a naturally endowed country that can have its visitors soaked in her natural beauty.It is surely a haven on earth. The pearl of Africa is blessed with abundant natural beauty and resources such as the beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, escarpments,domes, platues, caves, various wildlife and bird species, the varying vegetation types, forests, all offer tourists very wonderful safaris and extraordinary experiences.
The Republic of Uganda’s name has been derived from the Kingdom of Buganda, which used to include a section of today’s south Uganda including the capital city of Kampala. This landlocked East African nation is bordered by Kenya on the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo on the west, Sudan on the north, Tanzania on the south, and Rwanda on the southwest. Take a look at our Uganda map to get your bearings and choose a hotel in Uganda based on its location. Lake Victoria, which is bordered by Tanzania and Kenya as well, covers a large part of southern Uganda. Joining one or more Uganda tours is a rewarding way to explore this beautiful country; exploring the many things to see and do in Uganda.
Unfortunately the national parks of Uganda are not as frequently visited as those in nearby Tanzania and Kenya. The reality is that Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, is far safer and friendlier than most cities in the continent. Most Uganda hotels are located in Kampala. Winston Churchill visited Uganda in 1907 and rightfully called it the ‘Pearl of Africa’.
Most Uganda hotels are located in Kampala. Winston Churchill visited Uganda in 1907 and rightfully called it the ‘Pearl of Africa’.Uganda offers its rich tapestry of natural wonders to nature lovers as well as experts such as botanists, lepidopterists and ornithologists.
Every visit to Uganda is sure to bring forth something new. About 463 species of birds have been reportedly sighted in Uganda, with more being added to the list every year. The large number includes both indigenous and migratory birds that are attracted by the wide variety of habitats available in the country. One of the world’s most important migratory routes includes the Great Rift Valley.
The abundant food supplies and warmer climes offered by the valley attract a large number of European birds. Shore and water birds can both be easily spotted around the wetlands that surround Uganda’s lakes.
The Rift Valley swamps and the Lake George wetlands, which are protected under the Ramsar Convention, find special favour among these birds. The best place to spot the magnificent eagles and other birds of prey is the alpine and highland regions.
Taking a Uganda tour to these regions is one of the easiest ways to reach them. Swarms of beautiful butterflies and a large variety of woodland birds can be spotted in the forest areas while vultures and the little sunbirds crowd the broad grasslands. Join a bird watching tour in Uganda to get a glimpse of some of the rarest and most magnificent members of the avian family.
Visitors must however remember that safety is of utmost importance at all times. Uganda is a safe destination though ample safety measures are taken, a trip to Uganda can be a delightful experience.
For many people, the name Uganda is synonymous with Idi Amin. However, Uganda is free of Idi Amin who died in 2003 and Uganda is far different from what it was during his regime.
The political climate of the country is largely stable and visitors are welcomed warmly. People have overcome the hard times and are hospitable towards all. ‘Hello Mzungu’ is a greeting you will soon get used to while exploring Uganda. Ugandans are a truly wonderful community of people.
Visitors to Uganda will be delighted by the many treasures just waiting to be discovered and adventures to be had in every corner of Uganda. To ensure you get the right Uganda hotels in each city and town to best complement your needs, take a look at our interactive Uganda map and Uganda accommodation guide. You will also find some of the many fabulous Uganda attractions listed on the map.
Things to See and Do
This explains why so many travellers flock Uganda so as to discover its abundant natural beauty, here is the list of the different lifetime experiences offered by Uganda;
The Primates
Primate watching is one of the trending tourist adventures in Uganda and among the enjoyed primates we have the endangered mountain gorillas, baboons, monkeys and chimpanzees among others.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzee tracking can best be enjoyed from Kibale forest national park found in western Uganda. There’s a high mass of chimpanzee population in this forest that can offer tourists the best chimpanzee tracking experiences. However, there are other places where chimpanzee tracking can be carried out that is; Kyambura gorge forest and KaniyoPabidi forest reserve (part of the Murchison falls conservation area), though their concentration is not as big as that of the Kibale forest reserve national park.
Chimpanzee tracking is quite a rewarding tourist activity that offers great satisfaction to tourists and this can be experienced from any of the chimpanzee homes / habitats mentioned above.
Kibale forest national park is a chimpanzee habituation camp and therefore offers longer hours in the jungle for those wishing to have a greater period of time with these creatures and in addition, enjoying great sights of other wildlife and various bird species.
Mountain Gorillas
The other piece of wildlife species which can be enjoyed under primate watching; is the mountain gorilla. They are mountain gorillas because they live in mountainous areas of high altitude and very cold conditions and are able to survive such due to their possession of thick fur on their bodies. Mountain gorillas are among the closest relatives of man with a 98% DNA of humans.
In Uganda mountain gorilla trekking can be enjoyed from the forested mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest and Mgahinga national park, all located in the south western part of the country. Mountain gorilla trekking is Uganda’s bestselling tourist activity and it offers tourists exciting experiences after having an hour encounter with the endangered species of wildlife – the mountain gorillas. N this one hour, tourist view the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat; playing, eating, teasing each other, sleeping or even nurturing the young ones.
Monkeys
Monkeys and baboons, in the Pearl of Africa, are also a part of the primate watching adventure. They are very interesting creatures that do offer great wildlife safaris experiences to tourists. These can be viewed from any of the Ugandan forests such as Kibale forest national park, Kyambura gorge, Mabira forest among others and the commonly viewed are the vervet and golden monkeys as well as the baboons among others.
The Birds
Uganda is one of the East African countries that can reward you with the best bird viewing experience. The pearl of Africa is blessed with a wide number of various bird species which can be viewed from the many Ugandan forests, swampy areas, around lakes and along river banks, and in the air flying about. Among the different bird species that can be enjoyed while visiting Uganda; the shoebill stork, weaverbirds, fish eagles, king fishers, Turacos and many others. The wonderful sights and sounds of birds can be best enjoyed with the help of well-trained birding safaris guides to equip you with the necessary information about the birds and also a pair of binoculars for clear bird sighting.
The Herbivores and Predators
In Uganda, tourists usually get great views of the herbivores and predators like; lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebras, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, Oribi, warthogs, impalas, hippos, duikers during game drives and boat cruises in the savanna woodlands and grasslands of Uganda like Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Murchison falls national park etc. The herbivores basically feed on the green grass leaves of the park while the predators feed on the herbivores and usually hide in the bushes to grab their prey/ food. Viewing these creatures in their natural wilderness is quite exciting and a remarkable experience.
The wildlife safaris/ expeditions offered by Uganda are very amazing and can be experienced from any of her 10 national parks at any time of the year with the dry seasons most preferable.
