Uganda boasts of its irresistible natural beauty, with an imposing Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the West, spectacular national parks and diversity of world’s most sought for wildlife including the rare mountain gorillas, striking golden monkeys, the big five game; breathtaking landscapes, scenic water bodies like the vast Lake Victoria and the Great Nile River.
Over 60 protected areas make Uganda a great African safari destination. These include 10 (ten) National Parks –Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Mt. Elgon National Park.
Uganda also referred to as ‘The Pearl of Africa’ is one of East Africa’s premier destinations. It is situated astride the Equator crossing, a land-locked country bordered by other Eastern African states including Tanzania in the South, Kenya in the East, South Sudan in the North and the D.R. Congo in the West while in the Southwest, there is Rwanda. Uganda is found within the African Great Lakes region, the Nile Basin and experiences varied but entirely modified Equatorial climatic conditions.
Uganda takes its name from the Buganda Kingdom. This region was once ruled as a protectorate by the United Kingdom right from 1894. Administrative law was established across the territory, and on 9th October 1962, Uganda fully attained its independence. Since then, the country has been led by a number of leaders including the 8-year-long military dictatorship of late Idi Amin. Uganda was initially inhabited by Central Sudanic and Kuliak speaking farmers as well as herders, about 3000 years back. The Bantu speakers then arrived entering the country through the Southern side, followed by the Nilotics in the Northeast. Around 1500 AD, they were all assimilated into Bantu speaking cultures South of Mt. Elgon, Lake Kyoga and the Nile River. The Kitara empire covered most part of the Great Lakes Region right from the Northern Lakes Kyoga and Albert to the Southern Lake Tanganyika and Victoria. The Bunyoro-Kitara then had covered parts of Busoga, Ankole and Toro kingdoms. A section of Luo invaded Bunyoro and assimilated with Bantu society creating the Babiito dynasty of the present Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara. In the 1830s, Arab traders came from the Indian Ocean coast of East Africa to conduct trade and commerce in the area. Bunyoro was threatened by the Egyptian-sponsored agents, and compared to the Arab traders, these agents were mainly promoting foreign conquest.
Uganda attained her independence from the UK on 9th/10/1962 during Queen Elizabeth 11 era. It was in October 1963 when Uganda officially became a republic although still remains the member state of the Commonwealth. The 1st ever post-independence was conducted in 1962 and was won by an alliance between the Uganda People’s Congress –UPC and Kabaka Yekka (KY). During this period, Milton Obote became the executive prime minister and king of Buganda then Edward Muteesa II was the president.
For decades, Uganda remains a safe travel destination. This makes it one of the preferred African safari destinations to visit for a vacation. Not only has it become an ideal business hub, but also a safe place to enjoy gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, cultural safaris and others. What is most important is try as much as you can to avoid crowded places or joining demonstrations. Like any destination, be aware of petty crimes like pick pockets, especially in urban areas.
Uganda boasts of its strong cultural heritage, blessed with varied cultural and historical sites. Over 50 varied indigenous languages are spoken in Uganda and different cultures, traditions etc are represented in different ways through music, art and handicrafts. With its cultural diversity and untapped opportunities, Uganda is undoubtedly one destination that guarantees you authentic African cultural experiences right from Central, South-west, West and East to the North where the Nilotics occupy, etc.
In general, Ugandans are hospitable and warm welcoming. They hail from distinctly diverse cultures and lifestyles, each featuring its unique cultural values that distinguish them. Different cultural values are represented in different ways including food, dances, dress code, welfare and others. Most regions in Uganda have kingdoms/chiefdoms that also represent them for instance Buganda, Toro, Busoga, and Bunyoro.
As part of culture and traditions, different regions treasure their chiefdoms. In Ankole region and most western parts of Uganda, the long-horned Ankole cows are a treasured domestic animal. The Western region boasts of its untapped culture represented by the Batwa, Batooro, Bachwezi, Banyankole, Banyoro, Bakiga, and many others. Entirely, Uganda is a multi-cultural destination and offers exceptionally authentic African cultural experiences.
Uganda enjoys tropical kind of climate, experiencing 2 rainy and dry seasons each year. The country’s climatic conditions are modified by altitude and also water bodies. The annual rainfall amount received in the northeast ranges from as low as 500mm to high about 2000mm in parts of Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria. In the Southern side, mostly the rainy/wet seasons are recorded starting from April, May, October, and November. The most preferred months of the year to visit Uganda for a holiday are June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
Uganda’s tourism sector is largely focused on the landscape and wildlife. Plenty of attractions and exciting safari activities are available for visitor exploration. On Uganda safari, don’t miss gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking is best described as a life-changing experience for a good reason. In Uganda, this adventure allows you to enjoy up close and personal with the family of endangered mountain gorillas. This is possible in any of the 21 habituated gorilla families distributed across the 5 main gorilla trekking sectors –Ntebeko, Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Engaging in this lifetime experience is only possible for guests with valid gorilla permits and a single permit is issued at USD 700 per person.
Big game safaris –Uganda safaris offer plenty of big game viewing in its finest savanna parks. The ideal spots to explore the big game species in Uganda include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Chimpanzee trekking –over 5050 chimpanzees all survive within Uganda, the pearl with several of them already undergone through habituation and open for tourism. If trekking chimps is your thing, then you have every reason to spend a holiday in Kibale National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo or Kyambura Gorge.
Golden monkey tracking –this primate adventure allows you explore more about the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. These species survive only in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. In Uganda, treks to see golden monkeys are done while in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
There are 2 main travel seasons every traveler should put into consideration when it comes to Uganda safaris. That is the dry and rainy season but the most preferred of all is the dry season. The drier months of the year to mark on your travel calendar; June, July, August, September, December, January and February. These are the most preferred months of the year for gorilla safaris, game drives and other primate adventures or mountaineering adventures.
The pearl of Africa is a safe country and always open to all safari goers, we bring closer to magic starting from the village level to the maximum of your expectations. While Uganda, always has a 360 rotation both destinations are worth visiting, the country has 10 major national parks and several wildlife reserves, it's rich in primates and Savannah specials, forested and mountainous, which creates a magical view while in this country. People are friendly and always engage your safari guide for more ideas, tipping is a culture in the country so we encourage anyone to always appreciate the locals.
You will be given your own safari guide, who will have to play a big role to enlighten your trip you will build a relationship with your guide, see hundreds of animals and beautiful sceneries, move further, north, and proceed to the south all flexible movements.
You will be given an exclusive safari vehicle with a pop-up, this will be good for your experience and you will be driven by our safari guide
All travel destinations have smooth and rough roads depending on where you are heading to. Other areas have trains connecting to leisure areas like Mombasa -Nairobi, those who don’t wish to move on the road for a long time can use local charters and this applies in all east African countries
