Usually recognized internationally and given accolades in the tourism area, Uganda is the pearl of Africa and very gifted by nature. Uganda is located in east Africa and most people do not know much about it except the Idi Amin rule when he expelled the Indians and other foreigners in the country.
Have you ever wanted to experience what a safari in Africa is like? Have the time of your life on are safaris? Explore the exotic beauty of the wilderness with what nature has to offer on a safari you have never experienced before! Well if you haven’t all you have to do is let go and explore and experience what a safari is like, the most interesting destination is to explore a destination that Sir Winston Churchill referred to as the Pearl of Africa in his 1902 Journey through Africa. This country is called Uganda, a true safari destination which is located right in East Africa.
The people of Uganda began to discover that a large number of visitors from all around the world are very delighted to explore the many safari and tourist attractions. For many years now, Uganda is brought up to be the most popular tourist attraction of Africa. Today, there are a tremendous amount of travelers taking a Uganda safari to see different types of animals such as lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, leopards, the  primates mans closest relatives; chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, the birds, and many more.
Other tourists visiting the Uganda Parks, to exploring the Gorilla Parks like; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla rain forests, venturing through the jungles, bonding with nature, as well as viewing the beautiful and exotic landscape, rain forests, and intriguing wildlife consisting of the big five. With all of these features that Uganda has to offer, it has definitely made this destination in Africa one of the most incredibly fascinating places to experience a safari.
Safaris in Uganda
Looking to starting your adventure journey in this beautiful country? There are a lot of safaris to take in Uganda ranging from day trips, mini safaris to long safaris that include tours in Uganda national parks. Notable special interest safaris include gorilla trekking, bird watching, mountain climbing, cultural interaction tours, white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, etc.
The truth is that Uganda has a lot and so much more to offer to those interested in exploring more about this beautiful country. On a safari in Uganda, you have a lot to see from the rare mountain gorillas to small unique wildlife! Here are some of the facts you did not know about Uganda.
Where to Go in Uganda
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.
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: This forested mountain 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 national park is in the south western part of the country. His national park is into three major regions that is; Buhoma region, Ruhija region and Rushaga region each with specific gorilla family groups. It offers the best trekking experiences for tourists who get a chance of visiting any of the 11 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!
Why You Should Go on Safari in Uganda
It’s A Home To The Rare Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla population in the world today is estimated at 900 but half of that population resides in Bwindi impenetrable forest located in southwestern Uganda. Mountain gorillas are apes with about 95% of their DNA similar to human beings meaning that their major characteristics are similar to human beings. Going for mountain gorilla safaris in Bwindi impenetrable offers unforgettable wildlife experiences. A tourist to Bwindi is assured of seeing the mountain gorillas as well as other major wildlife attractions in the forest. Mountain gorillas in Uganda can also be trekked in Mgahinga gorilla national park also located in southwestern Uganda.
It’s The Source Of The Great River Nile
The Great River Nile the longest river in the world starts its journey to the Mediterranean Sea from Uganda at Jinja. The Nile at Jinja moves out of lake victoria, the third largest lake in the world and flows over hard rocks forming a number of rapids, which are used, as grounds for white water rafting one of the most adventurous tourist activities. Those interested in exploring more about this river can go for boat cruises to the source of the Nile which also gives them an opportunity to encounter some wildlife species especially the birds.
River Nile forms a number of magnificent tourism attractions like the great Murchison falls that forms a permanent rain ball as well as the Nile delta as the Nile pours into lake albert. Both the falls and the Nile delta are situated in Murchison falls national park and can be toured by tourists on boat cruises.
Diverse Cultures
Uganda is among the countries on earth with diverse cultural practices among the people. The country has over 56 tribes each tribe having its own unique customs and practices. Learning about the different cultures in Uganda introduces one to unique cuisines, traditional dances and ways o dressing. One of the most unique tribe in Uganda is the Bagishu tribe whose members annually engage in circumcision ceremonies to transform boys to manhood. The circumcision is done in a public gathering and the one being circumcised is expected not to show of fear as a sign of courage. While on a tour in this beautiful country, learning about the local people’s culture is something incredible you should not surely miss.
It’s A Birder’s Number One Destination
The pearl of Africa has a number of bird species in wetlands and all of the 10 national parks the country has. One can easily sight various birds while on nature walks, on boat trips and even while on game drives. Some of the birds sighted in Uganda include the shoebill stork that usually live in the swampy areas, hammer kops, skimmers, fish eagles, king fishers, Turacos, African blue flycatchers, hadada ibis, crown cranes and many others.
Birders can never regret having visited Uganda as they come across some of the bird species that are endemic to the country.
It’s A Home To Various Savanna Wild Animals
Uganda has a number of savanna wild animals that include the elephants, white rhinos, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, hippos, zebras, Johnson’s hartebeests, Oribi, giraffes and many others. Tourists on game drives and boat cruises and many others can see most of the animals.
