Uganda - The Pearl Of Africa Glows Again

Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressiveso". This adventure is described by the
people. This is one of my favourite countries in allprodigiously experienced Charles Norman as "...the
of Africa. The people of Uganda have survivedmost exciting morning's fishing that I have ever
the troubles of 1967-86 period and emergedknown." Other game fish found in the Nile include
standing upright and wearing a smile. In that shortBarbel, electric Catfish and Tiger fish.
period, the country suffered under the caprice ofThe game you come across in the park includes
two despicable despots. One was the indisputablyelephant, hartebeest, leopard, lion, giraffe, buffalo,
insane Idi Amin and the other, the arguably insanehippo, crocodiles and many species of antelopes.
Milton Obote.Upstream of the Murchison Falls are the Karuma
This is now history - a testament of the dignityFalls, where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometres
and endurance of this people. The transformationof rapids. Here you have some of the most
of the country in the period since normalcyexciting white water in Africa. Murchison Falls is
returned is nothing short of astounding. And itlocated 330 km from Kampala.
shows in the faces of the people you meet. ThatThe Queen Elizabeth National Park is another
the graceful beauties of Uganda have notoutstanding treasure. It is a UNESCO designated a
received the recognition they deserve inBiosphere Reserve for Humanity. The recognition
international beauty pageants is for mearises from the tropical forest, green meadows,
incontrovertible proof that most of these eventssavannah and swamps that constitute the park. In
are really fixed.terms of wildlife, you find elephant, buffalo, hippos,
Winston Churchill was so besotted by the countrybaboons, chimpanzees and over 600 species of
that he gave it the name that has endured: thebirds. The park occupies 2000 sq km and is
"Pearl of Africa". His observations about Ugandasituated 440 km from Kampala. At the northern
remain true today: "The scenery is different, theend of the Queen Elizabeth, you find Kibale. This
vegetation is different, the climate is different,park has a unique forest habitat and has an
and, most of all, the people are different fromexcellent diversity of animal and plant life. It is at
anything elsewhere ...in the whole range of Africa"Kibale that you find the highest number of
Travelers to Uganda are drawn by its stunningprimate species in Uganda, and one of the highest
landscape - green rolling hills, snowcappedprimate densities and diversities in the world.
mountains, rainforests, majestic rivers andTraveling from Kampala to the Queen Elizabeth or
massive lakes. There are also a number ofBwindi, most visitors break at Lake Mburo National
outstanding national parks for your safariPark. The park is 230 km west of Kampala along
encounter with the wildlife for which Africa isthe Mbarara road and is the most accessible in
renowned. Unfortunately, I have to advise you tothe country. It is a very attractive park of rolling
skip a few well-resourced parks such as Kidepohills, open grassy valleys, interspersed with
Valley in the north and Mgahinga in the west asthickets, woodlands and rich wetlands. In addition
they are not considered safe. The country's edgeto viewing game including zebra, cape buffalo and
as a worthwhile destination is further enhanced byeland, you can relax by taking a boat trip on Lake
its endowments for white water rafting and sportMburo.
fishing.The fairly flat terrain of the country is interrupted
It is in Uganda that you find the highest numberto the west by the Rwenzori mountains and to
of primate species anywhere in the world.the east by Mount Elgon. Rwenzori , otherwise
Opportunities for tracking rare mountain gorillasknown as "Mountains of the Moon" has the third
and chimpanzees are unrivalled elsewhere. Thehighest peak in Africa after mount Kenya and
primate conservation efforts the country hasKilimanjaro. The Rwenzori is part of the national
followed are bearing fruit. A recent survey carriedpark of the same name and contains 6
out by the Wildlife Conservation Society and thesnow-capped peaks. You can hike the trails of this
Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with themountain without any special climbing equipment
Uganda government, revealed that there are nowunless you want to go for the peaks. The mist
4,950 chimpanzees in the country. Previously,covered mountain range stretches for about 100
scientists guess for this number was betweenkm.
3000 and 4000, but nobody knew for sure. TheMount Elgon sits by the Kenyan border and is the
chimp is our closet living relative, sharing 98% ofshell of an ancient volcano. The main attractions
our genes and much of our behaviour. Uganda ishere are the waterfalls, caves that were once
the best country in the world to viewused by indigenous people, hot springs, the
chimpanzees in their natural habitat.mountains vegetation, the various peaks, the
The best place to see the rare mountain gorilla isSuam Gorge and the cladera itself. After millions
at the 331 sq. km Bwindi National Park. This parkof years of erosion, the oval shaped caldera now
was formerly known as the Impenetrable Forestmeasures roughly 7 by 8 kms, one of the largest
with good reason. The trees are thick and thein the world.
forest thicker with dense undergrowth, creepers,The traveler with a sense of history will want to
bamboos and parasitic plants such as mistletoevisit the source of the Nile at Jinja. Jinja is 60 km
and orchids. This environment is the habitat forto the north east of Kampala and is easily
mountain gorilla's, chimpanzee, and 8 other speciesaccessible by road. This is where the White Nile
of primate. Not less than half the world'sbegins, as it exits Lake Victoria on its 5,600 km
population of an estimated 600 mountain gorillasjourney to the Mediterranean. The source of the
have sanctuary here, making Bwindi the base forNile was a thousand year old mystery that was
an important scientific conservation program.decisively settled by the explorer John Speke in
Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups and the1862.
licenses are issued to ensure minimum disruptionIf you are keen about culture, go for the The
to the routine of the animals. Tracking the gorillasKabaka's Trail. This is a unique journey through a
is an arduous task and you should be preparedpart of Uganda's rich heritage that has been
for up to 8 hours of hiking. Good physical conditionshaped by the region's kings over the years. The
is a must. You are advised to makeKabaka is the ceremonial king of the Baganda and
arrangements 4-12 months prior to the date ofhis lineage goes way back to the 14th century.
your visit. Bwindi is essentially a rain forest and itThe Trail combines a series of cultural sites, all
is necessary to bring along a raincoat, walkingwithin easy reach of Kampala. You can easily
boots and gloves.combine the Kabaka Trail with your Search of the
In addition to its star gorillas, Bwindi is host toNile excursion to Jinja. The Trail offers much more
elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog and over 300than sightseeing and you will learn about the
species of birds including rare forest birds. Othershidden and forgotten history of Uganda. You will
who have found a home in this ecosystem includealso experience an authentic tribal culture - with
many types of bats and rodents, 14 species oftraditional dance, music, craft making, spiritual
snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6healing and storytelling.
chameleon types, 14 lizards, skinks and geckosThere is international standard accommodation in
and 200 species of butterfly. Bwindi is to theEntebbe, Jinja and Kampala. The quality is variable
west of the country and is 560 km fromin the smaller towns and rated accommodation is
Kampala.scarce. All of the major national parks offer
Though not as famous for safari as neighboringaccommodation in game lodges and tented
Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda still has some prettycamps. See our Uganda hotels page to view info
good game sanctuaries. The 3,840 sq. kmand book accommodation for your say in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest andIf you want to drive around Uganda, you need to
most spectacular of them. Aside from game, thisshow an international drivers license to hire a
park is renowned for its scenic beauty. Rollingvehicle. Roads radiate from Kampala and are of
savannah, tall grasslands and thick bush woodlandsvarying quality. In the north of the country the
make the park. But you are advised not to misssecurity situation is still doubtful and so are the
out the magnificent waterfalls after which theroads. Its is a good idea if you are on self drive
park is named. The waterfall is formed where theto get local advise about the condition the roads
Nile tapers from 50 metres to rush through a 7you intend to use. See what we offer for rental
metre gorge, falling 45 metres in a breath takingat our Uganda Rental Cars page.
leap. This phenomena is said to be the mostUganda enjoys a tropical climate tempered by
powerful natural flow of water anywhere onaltitude. The hottest period of the year is from
Earth.December to February when temperature rise 29
If you are patient, you can catch some reallydegrees Celsius. For the rest of the year,
huge Nile Perch at the foot of the falls. What kindtemperatures range between 21 to
of fish can withstand such a force that exists at25°C.The country experiences two rainy
the foot of the falls? Charles Norman describesseasons: April to May and October to November,
his fishing day out with a companion who onwith April being the wettest month. The best
seeing the massive fish "...let out a strangledtimes to visit are December-March and
squawk and I found myself staring at theJune-September. Light informal clothing is generally
hog-sized back of a huge fish protruding aboveadequate. But you need warmer wraps and
the water at the rock's edge - a 100kg fish withsweaters for the evenings and early mornings.
scales the size of tennis balls. Swimming next to itYou are also advised to carry some rainwear,
was a smaller one, a 'midget' of a mere 40kg orjust in case.