Lying in the eastern part of Africa, Uganda is a natural beauty with an abundance of gifts bestowed to her. Dubbed the pearl of Africa- Uganda, like the name suggests is a prime travel destination with a lot to offer you while on your safari to Africa. Uganda is an iconic travel destination, offering exceptional wildlife adventures ranging from the ultimate gorilla safaris, to African big five trips and so much more. In my opinion, a visit to Uganda is a guaranteed opportunity to enjoy a great safari experience ranging from breath taking vistas of diverse landscapes, to stunning sights of elusive vegetation, magical views of mountain ranges, and abundant wildlife all in this captivating country. Here are the top ten reasons why you should visit Uganda;
- Ultimate mountain gorilla experiences
Uganda is a land which offers exceptional and affordable gorilla trekking experiences. Uganda is the only travel destination alongside her neighbours Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo where half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla species can be found. Over 400 mountain gorillas live in south western Uganda in two adjacent national parks- Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. More so, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park are the only two places where visitors enjoy ultimate mountain gorilla trekking experiences.
On the other hand, Uganda is the only destination in world which rewards visitors with mountain gorilla habituation experiences only enjoyed at Bwindi impenetrable national park. The two national parks reward visitors with a stunning view of these great endangered apes not to mention the incredible photographic moment. The chance to stay around half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas alongside other magnificent forest species including forest elephants and antelopes is incomparable to any. The incredible one-hour gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is undoubtedly one of those memorable experiences. It is Uganda’s most iconic experience.
- Incredibly abundant wildlife
Uganda is a unique land washed with a vast variety of natural forms not to mention the most profuse and heavily populated wildlife congregations. Apart from mountain gorillas, it is a land endowed with more unique wildlife species lying in amazing wildlife viewing spots. The country beams with plenty of animals roaming across the vast incredible plains of the savannah.
The most sought after animals to Uganda include the African big five; leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Rhinos, and lions (not to mention the unique tree climbing species). Others include: Antelope species such as; kobs, impalas, duikers, and primate species; chimpanzees, golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, among others. Zebras, hippos, warthogs, cheetas, and many more can be viewed in the jungle as a visitor takes in the beauty of nature. Each of Uganda’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are adorned its own unique fauna making Uganda an interesting must visit safari destination for large game viewing. Get thrilled by the sight of climbing lions and water buffaloes
The best locations where you can view wildlife include Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Mount Elgon national park, Rwenzori mountains national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Semuliki national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Kibale forest national park, Lake Mburo national park and many others.
- Best white water rafting in Africa
It is increasingly difficult to have the feeling of travelling to a unique place in Africa. Lying in a continent soaked with waters and other drainage systems, Uganda is known for offering some of the finest white water rafting adventures in the world. This unforgettable experience is popular along the River Nile in Jinja where the Nile River explorers enjoy a day’s raft along giant water slides. Guests are given the opportunity to choose between an easy or more difficult route before the rafting begins. Participants are given life and strong helmets to protect in case they trip over. Despite the intensity of some rapids, guests who engage in this activity agree that it teaches one to remain calm under pressure.
- The birder’s haven
Uganda is renowned as a splendid bird watching paradise with about 11% of the world’s bird population. Uganda is home to a total of about 1078 bird species recorded including some of the rarest species making her one of the richest birding destinations in Africa. Birds in Uganda are distributed in a wide range of habitats: forests, swamps, lake shores, and about 25 bird species endemic to the Albertine rift region. Here are some of the bird species in Uganda: shoe bill, green-breasted pitta, African green broad bill, Great blue Turaco, Shelley’s crimson wing, Standard- winged night jar, short- tailed warbler, Doherty’s bush shrike, bar- tailed trogon, Black- breasted barbet, pelicans, ostrich and many others.
The leading Birding locations in Uganda include; Semuliki National park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park, Lake Mburo national park, and other national parks. These offer spectacular bird watching adventures and visitor to Uganda shouldn’t miss.
- Captivating mountain ranges
The pearl of Africa offers amazing mountaineering adventures where mountain climbers enjoy stunning views of Africa’s tallest mountain ranges. It is a land where mountains soar having some of the peaks permanently covered by glaciers while others have craters. Rwenzori Mountains are Uganda’s prime destination for mountaineering safaris rewarding trekkers with stunning view points of landscapes with some of Africa’s highest points spanned by the Equator, relief and vegetation.
While on a mountaineering safari, skilled mountaineers take on the adventure of climbing the two mountains (Rwenzori and Elgon) on the quest to reach the mountain summits. Rwenzori Mountains have two main circuits, Kilembe and the central circuit trail with each lasting for 9-12 days where one is rewarded with a sight of the snow peaks: Stanley, Speke, Baker, and the highest Margherita. Mt Elgon on the other hand has three circuits, Sasa trail, Sipi trail and Piswa trail which last for 3-4 days.
Other mountains on which mountaineering can be done include: Mount Moroto situated in the far east along the Kenyan border and Mount Muhabura located in south western Uganda.
- Explore the source of the Nile
Uganda is source of the longest river in Africa- the river Nile. The river is estimated to be about 6600 kilometers long and passes throw nine countries although it is most centered in Uganda and Egypt. The source of the Nile has over the years gained reputation for fun and adventure. The Nile offers lifetime adventures with the most sought after being viewing the spot where the Nile starts and white water rafting in Jinja. This unforgettable experience offers the Nile River explorers a chance to enjoy a day’s raft along giant water slides. Other activities enjoyed at the source of the Nil include kayaking, bungee jumping, jet boating, quad biking, swimming and many more.
- Exceptional cultural encounters
With over 52 indigenous languages, Uganda is a culturally diverse land with over 56 different tribes. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Authentic and enjoyable cultural encounters reward visitors with a chance to appreciate the uniqueness of individuals, communities and African culture. Each tribe speaks a different dialect and has dissimilar practices. The people are friendly open and curious with every region providing a different experience.
Many visitors while on safari to Uganda are encouraged to learn about the lives of the people who live around the national parks. During a cultural safari, guests learn about the ways of life of the people in different communities, taste different local cuisines of food and drinks, forms of worship, listen to fascinating performances of songs and dance, dress code and farming and some of the most queer but fascinating traditions on the universe. Visit the Ndere troupe cultural centre and enjoy awesome traditional performances from different tribes in Uganda.
Meet the Bakonzo and Banyaruguru together with other local people around Queen Elizabeth national park; the Bakiga and Batwa people around Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park; the Boomu and Mubako communities around Murchison falls; Batooro around Kibale forest national park; Batwa hunters around Semuliki national park; the Bamasaba and Sabiny around Mount Elgon national park and many others.
The most sought after tribes during the cultural tours are the minority Ik tribe of north eastern Uganda near Kidepo Valley national park; Batwa of south western Uganda around Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park; and Bambuti people of western Uganda near the Rwenzori mountains national park. There is no doubt that Uganda is a very unique place and a must visit destination in Africa.
- Elusive vegetation
Uganda is endowed with lush and luxurious jungles creating a precious ecosystem which is home to an incredible variety wildlife including some of the rarest species. There is no better way to marvel at the vast plain of the savannah, rain forests adorned lush ever green trees, and many more than to visit Uganda. Uganda has three major vegetation types; savannah, rain forest and montane vegetation distributed in several national parks.
Visitors to Uganda’s savannah parks are welcomed by the scenic views of savannah woodlands and grasslands beaming with elusive wildlife. The sighting of short scattered trees, shrubs and grassland plains along other features like drainage systems reward visitors with a thrilling wilderness experience. Similarly, rain forested national parks in Uganda offer visitors with a spectacular view of the thick rain forests profusely inhabited with primate species. The spectacle of very tall trees, ever green and beautiful canopies reward guests with a stunning jungle encounter.
Montane vegetation on the hand can be viewed at places of higher elevation in Uganda. This is found in Uganda’s montane parks (Mount Elgon national park and Rwenzori mountains national park). The two parks contain the breath taking spectacle of the world’s rarest of flora species; the giant lobelia and the giant groundsel plant species. Visitors may also explore different vegetation zones found in high altitude regions including the bamboo, heath and Afro-alphine moorlands. One is sure to enjoy a thrilling nature walk experience while in Uganda.
- Amazing water fall adventures
Uganda is filled with a lot of scenery to see and one of them is the numerous waterfalls. Waterfalls are some of the world’s most amazing sceneries. Here are some of the waterfalls in Uganda that reward visitors with breath taking views of natures beauty: Murchison falls sprouting from the Victoria Nile once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile, Ssezibwa falls on Ssezibwa river, Sipi falls located in eastern Uganda in Kapchorwa district, Kisizi falls located on Kyambe river , Mpanga falls found on River Mpanga, Bujagali falls, Aruu falls and many others. Waterfalls are what most people term as the epitome of Uganda’s wildlife adventures.
- Off the beaten track experiece
Uganda is blessed with many hidden gems that reward visitors with an off the beaten track feel while on safari to Africa. Most travel destinations in Uganda have excellent photographic opportunities as well as iconic views of Africa’s wild game. Here are some of the destinations which reward visitors with an off the beaten track feeling; Kidepo valley national park, the feasts of extremely diverse Karamajong plains, stunning Rwenzori mountains, Nyero rock paintings, Lake Bunyonyi and many others. These fore mentioned places receive very few visitors but the few that visit are rewarded with the splendor of Africa’s success story of a land so adventurous and unspoilt.
In conclusion, there are many reasons should visit Uganda but most important is that the pearl of Africa is a medley of wonders for any traveler across the world adorned with beautiful sceneries you wouldn’t want to miss.