More info on Uganda

 

 

GEOGRAPHY

Uganda is a lush, mountainous country in Eastern Africa.  It is in the heart of the Great Lakes region, and is surrounded by three of them - Lake Edward, Lake Albert and Lake Victoria, which is Africa's largest lake. 

Uganda shares borders with Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and Tanzania.

 

FLORA and FAUNA

Uganda has a very wide variety of endemic species, as well as other animals common to East Africa.  There are more than 1,000 types of birds, comprising half of the species found in Africa, together with thousands of varieties of butterfly and moth.   Of big game, Uganda has lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, crocodile, hippo, baboons, chimpanzees and, of course, the mountain gorilla.

 

LANDSCAPE

The Ugandan landscape is unique, and includes the amazing Rwenzori mountain range, also known poetically as The Mountains of the Moon, Murchison Falls - truly one of the natural wonders of the world, and the Kigezi highlands, commonly referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa".

Uganda is covered by huge lakes, including Lake Victoria - Africa's largest lake which is dotted with the remote Ssese Islands. 

The terrain ranges from wetland, rain forest, mountain forest and tropical forest to savannah and semi-desert land. The vegetation goes from dry thorn bush savannah in the west and north-east to the thick and impenetrable tropical rain forest vegetation in the south-west passing through papyrus swamps, high mountains forests and bamboo fields.

 

NATIONAL PARKS

The ten National Parks boast an array of plant life and wild animals (including about three-quarters of the world's surviving population of the extremely rare and endangered mountain gorillas), and many species of birds. Uganda is ranked second in Africa and ninth in the world for mammal species, and is home to half of Africa's bird species.

 

CULTURE

Over 30 tribal groups live in Uganda, each with its own language and traditions.  The majority are Bantu-speaking tribes, followed by Nilotic tribes (cousins of the Masai in Kenya and Tanzania), Acholi and Pygmies. If you like to hear about local myths and beliefs, you will not be disappointed visiting one of the many spiritual places, such as the Tanda pits used as refuge by the evil spirit Walumbe or the Ssezibwa falls inhabited by the twin spirits of good fortune Moyeba and Sseziba.

 

ACTIVITIES

There are many activites in Uganda, starting with the most obvious safaris and game drive, and continuing with climbing Rwenzori, the 3rd peak of Africa (5,109 m), which is less crowded with tourists than Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya, white water rafting in the Nile with its impressive 5-6 grade rapids, safe also for first timers, bungee jumping, quadbike rides passing through local rural villages, flight lessons and of course visiting the rare and extraordinary mountain gorillas.

ECO ACTIVITIES

There are also many eco-tours specifically designed to allow people to interact with rural communities, learning from them and working with them. It is possible to spend time with local traditional doctors to learn some of their ancient knowledge and to understand how they use plants and magic rituals to cure people. Also volunteer work with local schools and charities is very welcome and well facilitated. You could easily combine few days on safaris or business trip with one or two days doing some volunteer work; it is really rewarding and you will really help someone.

 

A FEW FACTS ABOUT UGANDA

- Uganda is one of the safest countries in Africa;
- It is one of the three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas;
- Kampala is one of the least dangerous capital cities in the world;
- The temperature is almost constant all year round, never cold and never too hot;
- Two hours per day of full sunshine are guaranteed even in the rainy season;
- Uganda is one of the most unspoiled countries in Africa, still untouched by mass-tourism and truly close to its roots and traditional culture;