Threats To Gorilla Tourism In Africa
February 9, 2023
Best Of Uganda Trips You Can Do This Year
February 11, 2023
Uganda is a nation on the African continent. Uganda is a landlocked boarded by five countries namely; Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Tanzania. Uganda is one of the fastest-growing countries in Africa with a dense population of about 45 million people.
The capital city of Uganda is Kampala and was nicknamed ‘The City of Seven Hills’. The name Kampala originates from the local Bugandan name ‘K’empala’ which refers to the Hill of the Impala’, a name given to the colonial settlement by the British. There are many facts about Uganda but in this article, let us focus on the 20 reasons why visiting Uganda should be a must.
Mountain Gorillas
Uganda’s top tourist attraction is none other than Mountain Gorillas. The primates are found in far southwestern Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The world is estimated to host about 1063 based on the 2018 census but half of it is found in Uganda and the rest are found in Virunga National Park in DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The two parks are found in the Virunga region together with Uganda’s MGNP. Visit Uganda to enjoy Gorilla trekking at affordable quotations, gorilla permit inclusive, transport, accommodation, and meals among others.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzee trekking is the second sought Gorilla trekking. You can find chimpanzees in many natural destinations like Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Budongo forest, Kalinzu Forest, and Toro- Semuliki National Park. Others can be found in captive like the Uganda Wildlife Education center (UWEC) and Ngamba island.
Based on your budget, you can choose any destination to visit for chimpanzee trekking however, the best site to meet chimps in Kibale National Park. There is also chimpanzee habituation which offers visitors more time to stay with the chimps (full-day activity).
Tree climbing lions
This is one of the unique lion species in the world. The tree-climbing lions find it safe to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Ishasha sector. It’s adventurous to meet the tree-climbing lions swinging in the branches of the fig trees. Tourists can boon experiential tree climbing lion tracking under the guidance of the park rangers in QENP.
The second largest national Park sits on 764 mi² and is typically savannah grassland which allows Game drives.
Bird viewing
Uganda is a paradise of birds and a variety of bird species are found in different locations in Uganda. Both indigenous and migrant birds can be seen in Uganda and over 1000 recorded species. You don’t have to be an avid birdwatcher to appreciate Uganda’s avian wildlife. Uganda’s birding is very accessible with many species sunning themselves on power lines along the roads.
Uganda’s major birding spots include Lake Victoria Island and shores, Mabamba swamps, Kazinga channel, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Semuliki National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, River Nile shores and Mabira forest among others. Some of the bird species include Ostriches, Ducks, geese, waterfowl, Guineafowl, New World quail, Pheasants, grouse, allies, Flamingos, Grebes Pigeons, and doves among others.
Hospitality of Ugandans
The citizens of Uganda are welcoming people who ensure that visitors are safe. Expect entertainment from Uganda through different cultures, and learn many things from the hospitable Ugandans. Enjoy a vacation in Uganda with friendly, welcoming, and peaceful Ugandans.
Uganda is politically stable
No visitor likes visiting unstable countries. While in Uganda, you can drive from border to border without any interference. Uganda people’s Defense Force (UPDF), Uganda Police (UP), and other security agencies are in control to ensure that Uganda, visitors,s and all properties are tightly protected.
Explore the rich and diverse local culture
Uganda is composed of 50 subcultures with different traditions, norms, and ways of life. Whether it’s food, the traditional dance, and the various customs Uganda’s diversity can be witnessed in every corner.
Explore the savannah parks in Uganda
Among the savannah parks in Uganda includes Murchison Falls National Park (the largest park), Queen Elizabeth National Park (the second largest), Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
The listed five parks offer game viewing drives to see animals like elephants, lions, antelopes, buffaloes, bush backs, Zebras, Giraffes, and warthogs among others. You can see day-moving animals on daylight game drives and night-moving animals/ nocturnal during night game drives.
Mountain Climbing
Uganda is endowered with many mountains and hills but major mountaineering activities are done on Mountain Elgon (situated in Eastern Uganda), Mountain Rwenzori / Mountains of the moon which is situated in western Uganda,
Mountain Gahinga (situated in southwestern Uganda), mountain Moroto, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhabura. It’s amazing to climb up to Margherita peak (16,795 feet (5,119 m) on Mt. Rwenzori or Wagagai peak (4,321 meters (14,177 ft) on Mt. Elgon.
Meet Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
During Golden Monkey trekking, lucky visitors can also meet the Nyakagezi Gorilla family which keeps on lingering at the slopes of Gahinga slopes. Golden monkey trekking is the second thought after Gorilla trekking so, visitors can do both activities in one visit. Golden Monkey trekking is not as strenuous as Gorilla trekking because rangers can easily tress them based on their previous location in which they spend days feeding.
Beautiful Landscapes
You’d be forgiven for thinking that a country in Sub-Saharan Africa would be arid, dry, and golden. But this couldn’t be further from the truth in Uganda.
The landscape is dominated by emerald green plantations growing bananas, tea, and coffee. Bwindi National Park is home to more than 1,000 flowering plant species and 200 different trees, many of which are endemic. Keep a lookout for African green broadbill, colorful butterflies, and countless rare mammals on your travels.
River Nile
Nile River flows over 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) until emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. For thousands of years, the river has provided a source of irrigation to transform the dry area around it into lush agricultural land. Today, the river continues to serve as a source of irrigation, as well as an important transportation and trade route.
River Nile is the longest in Africa and the world at large, the river also offers a number of tourist activities like white water rafting, Sunbathing, boat cruises, and so on.
Improved tourism infrastructures
Uganda has developed roads, air transport, and accommodation among others. Tourists are free to move from one destination to another with ease and on time due to improved roads and air transport. More so, there is massive development of safari Lodges, Hotels, and camps.
Favorable Uganda climate
Uganda’s climate is largely tropical with two rainy seasons per year, March to May and September to December. The northern region, which forms one-quarter of the country lies outside the tropical belt and hence experiences only one rainy season, March to October. Uganda is home to the “Big Five” – The “Big Five” in Uganda include African Elephant,
Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, and Rhinoceros.
The term “Big Five” refers to animals that are difficult to hunt. The Big Five are considered to be strong and dangerous and thus not easily hunted. While in Uganda, meet Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, African elephants, Lions, leopards, and African Buffaloes in all savannah parks.
Lake Victoria
It’s the largest fresh Lake in Uganda and East Africa at large. Lake Victoria is the world’s second-largest freshwater which is endowed with beautiful sceneries like sand beaches, islands, and water waves among others.
Lake Bunyonyi
The word Bunyonyi means “many birds” and so, Lake Bunyonyi (“Place of many little birds”) is situated in southwestern Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale, and it is close to the border with Rwanda. At 1,962 meters above sea level, about 25 km long and 7 km wide makes it the deepest lake in Uganda and the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika.
While on Uganda safari, Lake Bunyonyi should be a must-visit it’s one of the best birders’ paradises expect to find a variety of water-loving birds.
Kampala city
It’s the capital city of Uganda. Kampala is the most charming city for holidaymakers. Enjoy the nightlife of Kampala while on an Uganda trip.
The origins of Kampala city go back to 1891 when Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo hills. The town that grew from a colonial and royal resting place achieved municipal status in 1950 and became a city in 1962.
Historical sites
Visit Uganda to tour historical sites like Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s Lake, Uganda Museum, and Kabaka’s palace. The trip to Uganda will enable tourists to know the past of Uganda, and learn how to Ugandans have managed to keep their historical centers among others.
The scenery in Uganda is simply stunning and changes daily as you drive across the country. We saw rolling green fields (not dissimilar to the landscape in Ireland), papyrus swamps, semi-arid savanna, and thick forests.
Most impressive to us though was the jaw-dropping volcano views near Lake Mutanda where the Virungas seem to erupt from the lake. This could be your view from the safari lodge before you head out to track Uganda’s mountain gorillas.
The Virungas lie at the intersection of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The pinnacle of the highest peak is shared by all three countries.
