Briefly, Uganda is termed the pearl of Africa.” This shortly followed the African journey of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1897. The small interior of East Africa is the hub for any of your admirable wildlife adventures in Africa. Arguably, Uganda is Africa condensed, with a perfect climate, varying topography, beautiful vegetation cover, a very rich wildlife population, and highly hospitable people all around the country.
Uganda has been known for years for its harsh previous president, Idi Amin Dada, and the allegations still linger in the minds of other foreigners. Civil wars for many years before the 1990s and the various armed rebel groups that existed are threats to some people’s safety. But assuredly, as of today, Uganda is a safe country for travelers.
A catch of the sun setting with the morning breeze and seasonal raindrops, there is a lot more that anyone wouldn’t miss in Uganda when planning a holiday in Africa. Well, make it another destination to travel to and extensively enrich your travel memories with lifetime experiences.
Right from the monopoly of her larger population of the famous and rare mountain gorilla, tracking the chimpanzees, wildlife safaris, cultural encounters, eco and conservation adventures, volunteering, and mountaineering, to mention but a few, the reasons mentioned above can be a reason why you decide to travel to the Pearl of Africa.
1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking has made Uganda one of the best destinations anyone should travel to in 2020, according to the British travel guide “Rough Guides”. Any adventure in Africa without gorilla trekking is considered incomplete.
Gorilla trekking highlights the rest of the African safaris; trekking the human-like creatures is appraised as the top adventure activity in the world. Nevertheless, gorilla tours are highly regulated; only a group of eight trekkers is allowed to visit a single family of habituated mountain gorillas daily. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mugahinga Gorilla National Park make Uganda the only country with over half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas.
Gorillas are very sensitive to their surroundings and are an endangered species that is endemic to only two forests in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Before mountain gorillas are ready for trekking, they must first become habituated. Gorilla habituation activity is aimed at making them acquainted with human presence. Gorillas are very aggressive creatures, always ready to defend themselves and their families in case of any suspicion or attack. But when they undergo the habituation process, which lasts for not less than 2 years, the gorillas get used to humans’ appearance.
Mountain gorilla trekking is a hectic and costly, but also very competitive, adventure. A permit to trek gorillas in Uganda costs US$700, and it’s advisable that you book your adventure at least three months before your trekking date.
2. Tracking Chimpanzees
It’s a gift in the Pearl of Africa that you can both trek mountain gorillas and track chimpanzees in their natural setting. However, the adventure is also an alternative for travelers who can’t afford the luxury of gorilla trekking. Uganda is blessed with a number of destinations where one can track habituated chimpanzees, but Kibale National Park, renown for being the world capital of primates with about 13 primate species found in this forest, and Budongo Forest Reserve are the primary chimpanzee tracking destinations in Uganda. A chimpanzee tracking permit costs USD 200, and remember to book you’re tracking permit in advance, at least three months before your tracking date.
3. Wildlife safari adventures
It’s not conceit to say Uganda outdoes entirely other destinations for wildlife safari adventures; the availability of various encounters in the country surely makes Uganda a destination worth your next visit. Be it a game drive, a nature walk, or boat cruising, all are worth doing in any of the savannah parks in Uganda. Coming across herds of wildlife and prides of lions and watching them lazily relax in tree branches gives the best last memories of African wildlife encounters.
A wildlife safari game drive is almost always done by all adventurous travelers in Uganda, and this is done in the remaining savannah national parks, including Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Pian Upe Game Reserve. Among the wildlife to encounter are herds of buffalos, antelopes, elephants, zebras, schools of hippos, towers of giraffes, several bird species, prides of lions and leopards, aquatic life, and beautiful flora.
4. Take Africa’s most challenging mountain climbing
Mountaineering experiences here go up to the 3rd highest mountain peak in Africa, “mountain Stanly 5109 mon mountain Rwenzori the Africa’s, or hiking the Africa’s largest caldera of mountain Elgon, Africa’s 4th highest mountain. The most memorable experience is reaching the snow-capped Margherita, higher than the Alps. Mountain climbing in Uganda requires you to select a climbing trail, which can range from about 6 hours to 14 days.
5. Trace the Source of the Nile
Uganda offers this mega opportunity for any traveler to trace the origin of the world’s longest river, the Nile. The source of the Nile in Jinja on Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, is an amazing place to be, especially on your holiday to Uganda. There are a number of adventures done along the Nile, including tremendous white-water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, and boat cruising, among many others. Whitewater rafting here is for beginners and advanced rafters up to grade five. World-class rafting is done here, and also along the Nile is the world’s most powerful waterfall “Murchison Falls”.
BONUS: People and culture
Uganda is blessed with the most hospitable people in the world. Here, people are formed from varying cultures that are very interesting and willing to share them with others who are interested. The varying cultures list a number of things you can do while in Uganda. There is a lot to discover about the kingship of different cultures and their cultural beliefs and practices. Find the Batwa pygmies in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and explore the Baganda coronation culture, Karamojong culture, Bagisu imbalu cultural practices, and so many others.
Briefly, Uganda remains uncovered until you choose to travel here and discover a lot more of its natural and cultural treasures. You just need enough of your time to realize the pearl of Africa.
