In his book “My African Journey” published in 1908, Winston Churchill commonly referred to Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa” when describing his Safari to Uganda in 1907. This is how Uganda obtained this great tag.
Straddling the equator, Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa with motley landscapes, from savanna plains to mountain peaks to untamed jungles, as well as a wealth of diverse and rarely seen wildlife. Uganda is one of East Africa’s better kept secrets. A favourite haunt for back-packers, in the past its tourism strengths have been often ignored in favour of its sexier neighbours, but the fact is that Uganda has it all: remote wilderness areas, breathtaking scenery, extraordinary cultural diversity and incredible wildlife.
Uganda is a lush, green country straddling the equator. The country’s dominating feature is water: the vast blue of Lake Victoria, the ever-flowing river Nile, Lakes Edward, George and Albert, and the expansive network of wetlands and marsh. Dramatic mountains punctuate the landscape: the snow capped Rwenzori Mountains (Ptolemy’s famous ‘mountains of the moon’), the volcanic ranges of the southwest, and the massive Mount Elgon in the East of the country.
Uganda is a shameless cross-dresser – here lush tropical rainforest and ‘jungle’ snatch your attention away from miles of arid savannah on a par with its more famous rivals, the Mara & Serengeti. Tourism musts include: Murchisons Falls, the Mountains of the Moon and Africa’s greatest river: The Nile. All of these form part of the mystique that drew explorers, pioneers and settlers from across the world to compete for this beautiful country in the famous ‘Scramble for Africa’ in the 19th century.
Ecologically, Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. Where else but in this impossibly lush country can one observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next day navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla? Certainly, Uganda is the only safari destination whose range of forest primates is as impressive as its selection of plains antelopes. This verdant biodiversity is further attested to by Uganda’s status as by far the smallest of the four African countries whose bird checklist tops the 1,000 mark. Uganda has 60 protected areas, including ten national parks including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Uganda is best known for its primates: the mountain gorillas endemic to Bwindi National Park & the Virunga Volcanoes are, without a doubt, one of the ‘must do before you die’ experiences for any wildlife aficionado. These gentle giants who share 95% of our DNA make thrilling viewing; all the more rewarding after the fairly strenuous hikes to find them! Chimpanzees are another great ape attraction – their characteristic hoots resonate through the jungle – a truly Tarzan experience. Other fascinating primates found here include the gorgeous Golden Monkey and the endangered Patas Monkey. Birders from all over the world flock to Uganda for a glimpse of the ‘mega-tick’ Shoebill Stork.
Uganda is not somewhere that most would associate with a relaxing holiday. Many people see it purely as a destination for adventure travel whether tracking mountain gorillas, taming grade 5 rapids on the Nile or trekking knee-deep through mud for weeks in the Rwenzoris. But until you’ve lazed in a hammock on a perfect white-sand beach in Lake Victoria or hung out at Lake Bunyonyi with its astonishing fairytale-esque islands, you won’t realise just how chilled out Uganda can be. In one way or another, almost every country you will travel through either awakens or surprises you, but Uganda? She managed to do both – awakens you in its excitement and surprises you in its ability to allow you to relax too.
The Main Attraction – Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas
Home to almost half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, the World Heritage–listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of East Africa’s most famous national parks. Set over 331 sq km of improbably steep mountain rainforest, the park is home to an estimated 340 gorillas: undoubtedly Uganda’s biggest tourist draw-card.
Approximately 900 mountain gorillas live in the shared-border forests that extend into Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After decades of decline due to poachers, civil war and diminishing forests, gorilla populations have begun to pick up in the last couple of years. In some respects, the growth of gorilla tourism may have helped protect these animals as the government receives funding for conservation and sees the economic benefit of protecting the animals and the national parks that serve as their homes.
Today, around 400 gorillas call the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park their home. Of these, nine gorillas families (each family usually consists of 10-15 members) have been habituated, meaning that although they are still wild they have become accustomed to humans and are unlikely to attack.
As well as its famous primates, the park contains 120 other species of mammal – more than any of Uganda’s other national parks – though sightings are less common due to the dense forest. Lucky visitors might see forest elephants, 11 species of primate (including chimpanzees and L’Hoest’s monkeys), duikers, bushbucks, African golden cats and the rare giant forest hog, as well as a host of bird and insect species. For birdwatchers it’s one of the most exciting destinations in the country, with over 350 species, including 23 of the 24 endemic to the Albertine Rift and several endangered species, such as the African green broadbill. With a good guide, sighting daily totals of over 150 species is possible. On the greener side of the aisle, Bwindi harbours eight endemic plants.
When To Go Gorilla Trekking
It is possible to go gorilla trekking all year round, but you may face rain or more crowds during certain times of year. The high season is June-September and December-February when Uganda has its dry(er) season and Europeans have their holidays. Even during this time you may experience rain in the forest. Low season is considered March-May or October-November rainy seasons. When trekking during this time you may experience more rain in the forest, making for a muddier, more slippery climb. However, during this time gorillas may be more likely to hang out in the low lands since food is abundant during the rainy season and they don’t need to search long and wide for meals. This means that your treks into the forest to find them will be shorter, often under two hours.
And while there are no guarantees of mountain gorilla sightings when you set off, the tracking procedures in place at Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park virtually ensure you an unforgettable encounter.
The Tracking Experience
Everyone’s gorilla tracking experience will be different depending upon the weather, the depth of your forest hike, where the gorillas are hanging out, and other factors. It’s important to be prepared for anything so you can focus your time on enjoying your jungle walk and time spent with the gorillas, rather than being worried about your gear.
The length of your overall experience and the amount of time it will take to actually meet your gorilla family is said to vary widely. It may take as little as 30 minutes to find your family and as long as five to six hours.
The forest is lush, humid and damp and there are no discernible trekking paths. The terrain is full of hills and steep slopes where you will be required to pull yourself up steep jungle grades by grasping onto branches, plant roots, bushes and more.
Once your group finds the gorilla family the clock starts: you have an hour to spend with them. Now is when you want to stay quiet, move slowly and avoid sudden movements. You will find that just sitting, enjoying being in the gorillas’ presence is the best experience.
The trackers will often clear the brush with their machete so you can get a clearer and closer look at the gorillas. It is incredible how graceful and peaceful these animals are, especially considering their incredible size. You’ll be amazed when you see the silverbacks (mature males) get up and move around.
As you stare into the eyes of a mountain gorilla you’ll likely feel a connection, one unlike you’ve ever experienced before. A connection of peering into the eyes of an exotic creature that looks and acts quite a bit like we humans do.
Other Things To Do In Uganda
While mountain gorilla trekking is the big draw and the anchor experience for many people visiting Uganda, the country offers a lot more in terms of atmosphere and experiences. Uganda is often one of the favourite countries in Africa to visit due to its friendly people and laid-back feel. Beyond the critical human element, you have rafting through Nile River rapids, exploring sprawling markets, hopping a back-seat motorbike tour around the capital city of Kampala, and taking mini animal safaris across the country.
So if you’re wondering which travel experiences in Uganda to consider beyond the mountain gorillas, here are a few thoughts on some of the experiences and treasures to be found in the “Pearl of Africa”.
Chimping Around in the Kibale Forest National Park
Although most visitors make their way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for sightings of the mountain gorillas, you can chose Rwanda for your gorilla safari, but a number of other primates can be found in Uganda — 19 species in total, the most diverse primate population in East Africa. In Kibale Forest National Park, a tropical rainforest recognized as the world’s top destination for chimpanzee trekking, you can spend a fascinating day in the company of our closest genetic relatives.
Trekking the Mountains of the Moon
Trekking the mystic Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda is a truly fantastic and unique experience; the wonder of the high glaciers, the beauty of the valley of nine lakes, the bearded lichen hanging from giant heathers with a backdrop of rocky cliffs, crags and snow capped peaks. The wide variety of flora and fauna with several biospheres as you ascend through different vegetation zones creates the ultimate experience for trekking. Never before has this unique and beautiful trek been available, totally untouched and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in the world.
The Rwenzori Mountains is a World Heritage Site and offers the opportunity to see nature at its best. The plant life varies from heavy tropical rainforest, bamboo forests, montane cloud forests to alpine vegetation and the scenery is truly spectacular. Above 4,500 metres the snow and glaciers add that special dimension to the wondrous views throughout this pristine mountain range.
Lake Victoria & Beautiful Islands
Uganda is also known as a land of lakes (nearly a third of the country’s land mass is covered by water), with eight main rivers and five large lakes, the largest being Lake Victoria.
One of Uganda’s legendary chillout spots, the Sseses are all about powdery white-sand beaches, celestial sunsets, bonfires on the beach and a remote location in the middle of Lake Victoria. Comprising an archipelago of 84 islands, most travellers head straight to Bugala Island, which has the nicest beaches as well as a great choice of accommodation – all of which boast prime beachfront positions. As elsewhere in Lake Victoria, swimming is not recommended but its beaches are magical and likely to keep you blissfully marooned much longer than you expected.
Panoramic Views of Lake Bunyori
Straight out of a Tolkien novel, the sweeping panoramic views from atop Lake Bunyonyi are dotted with perfectly formed islands and an enchanting backdrop of misty terraced hills. You could easily be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived in Nepal. Of the 29 islands, many have accommodation ranging from backpacker hangouts to rustic bungalows set deep among the sounds of nature. And it’s one of the few places in Uganda that’s perfect for swimming: no bilharzia, no crocs and no hippos. It’s best explored by a leisurely paddle in a dugout canoe; go at sunset for a sublime experience. Lake Bunyonyi is in short an astonishing, island-studded body of water that can move you to tears and makes you wonder why it hasn’t been named a natural wonder of the world.
Rafting On The Nile River Rapids
If you’ve rafted Class V rapids a number of times – New Zealand, Costa Rica, among others – none of your previous experiences will quite prepared you for the joy-meets-terror experience while rafting the Nile River rapids near the town of Jinja. These rapids are an intense adrenaline rush, often complete with several raft flips and a fleeting sense of your own fragility. We won’t lie to you: flipping is exciting, but it’s also frightening as the current is strong and you must keep your wits about you. In many ways, it’s life affirming. We recommend it.
While most visitors to the Victoria Nile are here to be thrown around rafting hardcore rapids, not nearly enough hang around to soak up its calming waters. Just a few kilometres downstream are some of the most tranquil river-side lodges you’ll ever encounter; the new luxury lodges are simply stunning, with rooms featuring outdoor claw-foot baths on the balconies overlooking the Nile.
Boat Cruises on Lake George & Lake Edward
An intimate boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel between Lake George and Lake Edward brings you remarkably (and, for some, precariously) close to the largest population of hippos you’ve ever seen, as well as buffalo and a vast array of birdlife.
Safari to Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is not considered a top safari destination, but it is still a worthwhile stop from your journey from Kibale Forest National Park to Lake Bunyonyi. Sightings included a lion, elephants, wart hogs, waterbucks and countless kobs, the country’s national animal.
Top Of The Falls
Once described as the most spectacular thing to happen to the Nile along its 6700km length, the 50m wide Victoria Nile is squeezed here through a 6m gap in the rock and crashes through this narrow gorge with unbelievable power. The 45m waterfall was featured in the Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart film The African Queen. Murchison was even stronger back then, but in 1962 massive floods cut a second channel creating the smaller Uhuru Falls 200m to the north.
There’s a beautiful walking trail from the top down to the river, and the upper stretch of this path offers views of Uhuru Falls, which a boat trip will not bring you close enough to. If you take the launch trip, the captain will let you off at the trailhead and a ranger will meet you there. The boat can then pick you up later if there’s an afternoon launch.
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s largest national park is one of its very best; animals are in plentiful supply and the raging Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile crashes through the rock and descends dramatically towards Lake Albert, is an unforgettable sight. Despite a decimation of animal numbers during the war years, numbers have recovered well and you can expect to see elephants, Rothschild giraffes, lions, Ugandan kobs (antelopes), waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles these days, not to mention some 460 species of bird.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Offering some of the most stunning scenery of any protected area in Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is hidden away in a lost valley in the extreme northeast of Uganda. The rolling, short-grass savannah of the 1442-sq-km national park is ringed by mountains and cut by rocky ridges. Kidepo is most notable for harbouring a number of animals found nowhere else in Uganda, including cheetahs, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, and greater and lesser kudus.
In Summary
What will surprise you most about Uganda though is the tranquil beauty you discover as you bounce along the dusty, potholed roads: the lush, picture-perfect rolling hills sheathed by tea plantations, banana palms and corn fields.
And, while Uganda isn’t known as a foodie destination, your meals will leave you wanting more: beef stew, doodo (greens), matooke (mashed plantain), posho (mashed corn) and chapatti; a common menu item brought by Indian immigrants.
When you add the warm smiles and children who leap at every opportunity to wave hello, Uganda will become your biggest surprise in Africa yet.
Let Origins Safaris help you to experience the Pearl of Africa. Contact us on www.originsafaris.com for more information.
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