Uganda casts its spell as soon as you land at the air port with the cold breeze from one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world competing against the warm rays of sun that symbolizes the warmth of its people. The beautiful smiles, the warm welcomes the graceful dances and the prolific bird and wildlife. The air is crystal clear with absolutely mind-boggling landscapes, delicious food, amazing aurora and magical light make your Uganda safaris lively and life changing. In simple terms you could say Uganda is Africa condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination.
The country’s charm lies in the astonishing diversity of attraction ranging from wildlife, vegetation, landscape, and cultures. Within an area of 90,041 square miles which is no larger than great Britain. The country’s largest tourism potential is based on the National Parks and reserves. These are magnificent, encompassing not only conventional savannah, mesmerizing tracts of wildlife teaming with antelopes, buffaloes, elephants and big cats- but also the snow capped peaks of Africa’s tallest mountains, tropical forests, of mind flabbergasting biodiversity and atmospheric lakes and rivers heaving with hippos, crocodiles and birds . Subjects of traditional kingdoms and tribes, each with its own history and culture equally grace this land. Not to mention that it’s people are popularly known as the most friendly and hospitable people worldwide.
We could proudly say Uganda is the most welcoming and varied safari destination.
The remarkably long list of wildlife creates a great appeal for the landlocked pearl and yet the numerable and incomparable list of over 1,050 bird species is no exception for bird lovers. The primates’ numbering to over 20 species exceed numbers in any other African country. They include 13 diurnal species, 2 great apes the chimpanzees and the gorillas with half of the world’s remaining population in the world within its confines.
The varied habitats spread over authentic dazzling landscape explaining the biodiversity, from forest to the woodlands, the wetlands to the moorlands, Savannahs to the lakes and rivers: the western rift valley, the remote plains of Kidepo, the slopes of the largest free standing volcano and continent’s highest mountain range. They also flank the islands studded expanses of the world’s second largest fresh water and the turbulence lake and the longest river
Primates’ seekers can trek the endangered mountain gorillas in the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga- the equally rare golden monkey can also reliably be trekked in the later and chimpanzees trekked in the Kibale forest, Kaniyo Pabid, and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Trekkers climb to the giant Caldera of mountain Elgon and the glacier peaks of Mountain Rwenzori, the legendary snowy source of the Nile while at the more convectional source of the Nile rafters and Kayakers negotiate Africa’s finest stretch of white water rapids below the river’s exit to Lake Victoria. If more adrenaline is what you crave for, then you can get more personal with the mighty Nile on a jet boat cruise, bungee jump on the Nile high bungee jumping site, mountain biking, quad biking, horse riding and for families who are not that brave you could have a family float.
Bird watchers seek the talismanic shoebill in wetlands and roam forests ticking off Albertine rift and Guinea-Congo- biome endemics at the eastern limit of their ranges. Prime birding destinations include Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park, birding on the royal mile, Murchison Falls national park, remember Bwindi was ranked number one by travel African magazine in its list of the top ten birding sites in Africa.
Cultural tourism sites and events celebrate the diversity of some 40 ethnic groups and the rich history of the traditional kingdoms and when the travel excitement is more than you can take, you can rest at the calm retreats on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi and hangout with the numerous birds from which the lake derives its name. Beside the white sand beaches of the Ssesse islands, or overlooking the carter lakes in Fort portal.
Coming full circle large mammal populations in the grassland parks are once again worth watching, happily so for there is more to game viewing that a game drive in Uganda. In the 1960s , launch trips on the Victoria Nile below the Murchison falls and on the Kazinga channel in queen Elizabeth National Park are always a lifetime highlight of a visit to the National Parks and refurbished launches once again expose visitors to the a memorable concentration of the waterside wildlife and birds.
Although Uganda’s major foreign exchange earner is the vibrant and expanded tourism. Uganda remains refreshingly unaffected by mass tourism. Encounters with wildlife and interaction with local people in the revived pearl of Africa retain a refreshing degree of exclusivity. The pearl of Africa, as universally regarded as the brightest prospect in East africa has recovered from its luster, to stand not only at the fore front of African renaissance, but also one of the continent’s safest, friendliest, and most rewarding tourist destination. Sooner or later because of all the diversity there is to offer, the main stream masses will discover Uganda and its delights- so book your safari to Uganda and get here before they do.