Travelling to Uganda
From the moment you land at Entebbe‘s modern and efficient international airport, with its breathtaking equatorial location on the forested shore of Island – strewn Lake Victoria, Its is clear that Uganda is no Ordinary safari Destination’
Dominated by an expansive golf course leading down to the lakeshore and century –old botanical garden alive with the chatter of acrobatic monkeys and colorful tropical birds, Entebbe itself is the least obviously urban of all comparably sized African towns. The Just 40km distant, sprawled across seven hills, there is the capital Kampala. The bright modern feel of this bustling, cosmopolitan city reflects the on going economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986, and is complemented by the sloping spaciousness and runaway greenery of its garden setting.
Ecologically, Uganda is where the east African savanna 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 the tropical channels teeming with hippo 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 antelope. And 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.
Yet there is more to the country than wildlife – far more. There is the mighty Nile, punctuated by the spectacular Murchison Falls, and the setting for some of the world‘s most thrilling commercial White- water rafting. There are snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori, which provide a tantalizing challenge to dedicated mountaineers, as well as the Virunga Volcanoes and Mount Elgon, both of which offer highly rewarding hiking opportunities through scintillating highland scenery. More sedately, the beautiful islands of Lake Victoria and Bunyonyi are idyllic venues, as are the Myriad forest –fringed crater lakes that stud the rift Valley floor and escarpment around Fort Portal. Whether you are a first time safari goers or a seasoned African travelers, Uganda –With its Unique blend of Savannah and Forest creatures, its rare wealth of montane and Lake habitats –is simply dazzling.
Uganda’s reputation as Africa’s friendliest Country steams partly from the tradition of hospitality common to its culturally diverse populace and partly from the remarkably low level of crime and hassle directed at tourism.
But this amiable quality extends beyond the easy going people. Uganda ‘s eco –friendliness is attested by the creation of six National Parks under the present administration, as well as a recent mushrooming of community – based ecotourism ,projects at the grassroots level, while the mood of social enlightenment is characterized by the progressive and much promoting women’s rights. The climate too is highly agreeable, reflecting the combination of an equatorial location and medium to high a
Altitude while amenities such as hotels and game lodges now rank with the very best Africa has to offer
People and Culture
Situated at the geographical heart of the African continent, Uganda has long been a cultural melting pot, as evidenced by the existence of 30-plus different indigenous languages belonging to five distinct linguistic groups, and an equally diverse cultural mosaic of music, art and handicrafts.
The country’s most ancient inhabitants, confined to the hilly southwest, are the Batwa and Bambuti Pygmies relics of the hunter –gatherer cultures that once occupied much of East Africa to leave behind a rich legacy of rock paintings, such as at the Nyero shelter near Kumi.
At the Cultural core of modern –day Uganda lie the Bantu –speaking kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Ankole and Toro, whose traditional monarchs –reinstated in the 1990s after having been abolished by President Milton Obote in 1967-still serve as important cultural figureheads. According to oral tradition, these centuries –old kingdoms are offshoots of the mediaeval kingdoms of Batembuzi and Bachwezi, which lay in the vicinity of present day Mubende and Ntusi, where archaeological evidence suggests that a strongly centralized polity had emerged by the 11th century. Three former kings of Buganda are buried in an impressive traditional thatched building at the Kasubi Tombs in Kampala.
Else where, Uganda’s cultural diversity is boosted in northeast by the presence of the Karamojong traditional pastoralists whose lifestyle and culture is reminiscent of the renowned Masai, and in the North West by patchwork of agricultural peoples whose Nilotic languages and cultures are rooted in what is now Sudan. The Rwenzori foothills are home to hardy Bakonjo, whose hunting shrines are dedicated to one legged, one armed, one eyed pipe smoking spirit known as Kalisa, while the Bagishu of the Mount Elgon region are known for their colorful IMbalu ceremony, an individual initiation to Man hood that peak in activity in and around August of every even numbered year.
National Parks and Safaris
Sprawling across both sides of the equator, an excellent network national parks and other protected areas offers wildlife enthusiasts a thrilling opportunity to experience Uganda ‘s bio diversity which embraces mesmerizing tracts of thorn –bush savannah, lush expanses of tropical rainforest, shimmering, lakes and rivers heaving with aquatic life and some of Africa’s tallest mountains
The country’s largest protected area is Murchison Falls National Park, whose palm –studded grassland supports dense populations of lion, buffalo, elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe and Uganda Kob; immense concentrations of hippos and birds ca be observed from morning an afternoon launch trips along the Nile below the spectacular waterfalls for which the park is named.
Set majestically in the shadow of Rwenzori flanking lakes Edward and gorge, the lush savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park offers prime grazing to buffalo, elephant and various antelope as well as hosting a include giant forest hog and the legendary tree- climbing lions of Ishasha sector.
Of Uganda’s Forested reserves Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for it’s superb gorilla tracking and various small antelope, as well as 23 bird species restricted to the Albertine Rift.
Kibale National Park hosts a population of more than 1,000 chimpanzees of which one 80 –strong community has been habituated to tourist visits. Common monkey species include the acrobatic red colobus and black and white colobus, and the handsome L’Hoest monkey.
The closest savannah reserve to Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park is centered on a series of swamp-fringed lakes known for their rich birdlife, while the fringing acacia woodland harbours dense populations of Zebra, warthog, buffalo, impala and eland , the largest of African antelope.
Set on the Kenya border near Mbale, Mount Elgon National Park encompasses the 4,321 metres mountain for which it is named, and which has the largest base of any extinct volcano in the world. A lush Mosaic of Afro Montane forest, grassland and moorland habitats makes this park a rewarding destination for hikers and natural history enthusiast.
Gorillas & Primates
Uganda’s star attraction is the endangered mountain gorilla, the bulkiest of living primates and among the most peaceable, starting into the pensive brown eyes of these gentle giants, who share 95% of their genes with humans, is as humbling as it is thrilling; no less so when one realizes that fewer than 700 individuals survive, divided between Bwindi National Park and the Virunga Mountains.
Within Uganda, five habituated Gorilla troops –four in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga National Park can be visited by a total of 30 tourists daily.
Uganda is also home to Man’s closest relative, the chimpanzee, a delightful ape whose evocative pant hoot call is definitive sound of the African rainforest. Chimpanzee communities have been habituated for tourism at Kibale Forest, Budongo forest and Queen Elizabeth National park’s Kyambura gorge.
A community of orphaned chimps, most of which were confiscated from poachers, can be visited on Ngamba Island, which lies on Lake Victoria 45 Minutes by motorboat from Entebbe.
Monkeys are exceptionally well represented in Uganda. Indeed, Kibale Forest boasts the greatest Primate variety and density in East Africa, with five or six species likely to be observed over the course of one afternoon walk. Elsewhere, Mgahinga National Park hosts habituated troops of the rare Golden monkey, while Murchison falls is one of the few East African strongholds for the spindly, plains-dwelling patas monkey. The Fossilized 20-million year old bones of Morotopithecus, were unearthed in the 1960s near Moroto in Eastern Uganda, and are now housed in the National Museum in Kampala.
Lake & Ssese Islands.
One quarter of Uganda’s surface area consists of wetlands, ranging from vast inland seas such as Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest fresh water body, to the marshy expanse of Lake Kyoga, formed by the Nile as it drains into a shallow sump at the very centre of the country.
Mountain ringed Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda’s fastest developing wetland destinations, its steep sided shores and small islands dotted with rustic hotels and campsites. Another rising star is the cluster of 200 crater lakes around Kibale forest, several of which now host community based eco tourism projects.
The Jewel in Lake Victoria’s crown is Ssese Archipelago whose 84 islands are all well watered and lushly forested. Buggala, the largest island, makes for an ideal weekend retreat, and offers superb opportunities for bird watching and for hooking heavyweight Nile Perch.
Bird Watching
Transitional to the East African savannah and the western rainforests, Uganda is Africa’s most complete bird watching destination, with more than 1,000 species recorded within an area comparable to that of Great Britain.
Specialist birding tours through Western Uganda routinely notch up an incredible tally of 400 species within two weeks, while enthusiastic amateurs might reasonably hope to see 300 species within the same time frame.
Popular sites in Western Uganda Include Bwindi and Kibale National Parks for forest birds, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park for savannah inhabitants and prehistoric –looking swamp dweller notable for its heavy clog-lake Bisina, a stronghold for the endemic fox’s weaver as well as papyrus –dwellers such as shoe bill and papyrus Gonolek.
Adventure
Uganda is a classic adventure tourism destination. Bujagali falls, an hour’s drive east of Kampala, is the launching point for one of the world’s most thrilling commercial white water rafting routes, passing through three heart stopping grade five rapids in one day.
Other activities at Bujagali include Kayaking, mountain hiking, quad biking and new 44 metre-high bungee jump from a cliff above the Nile.
Uganda boasts some of Africa’s top hiking and climbing destinations. Serious mountaineers need look no further than the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, whose craggy 5,000 metre-plus glacial peaks offer a genuine challenge to experienced alpine climbers, while fit hikers will find the six day loop trail through the forest and moorland zones as rewarding as it is demanding. Further east, Mount Elgon, Africa’s eighth-highest mountain, offers an excellent and relatively undemanding introduction to Afro-montane climates and vegetation, culminating in the ascent of a 6km wide volcanic caldera studded with water falls, caves and hot springs.
Getting Around.
Consistently ranked among Africa’s fastest growing economies since 1986, Uganda has simultaneously experienced a steady expansion of road, communications and other vital infrastructures and a corresponding increase in international tourist arrivals and up market facilities.
Charter flights can be arranged between domestic tourist attractions, while several reputable safari operators based in Kampala can arrange road excursions. Surfaced roads link the capital to the major towns of Jinja, Mbale Kabale, Kasese and Fort portal, from where well-maintained dirt roads lead to the game reserves and National Parks.
Most National parks and other tourist hubs are serviced by at least one or two up market lodge, ensuring that your adventure will be complemented by the full range of creature comforts, stylish en-suit accommodation, fine cuisine, chilled drinks, and friendly service. Internet facilities are available in larger towns while an extensive satellite telephone network makes it possible to stay in touch even in the most remote of locations
Uganda Travel Tips
Money
The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but euro and pound sterling are also widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed or local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns but travelers’ cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala.
Local currency can be drawn against visa and other major credit cards at selected ATM’s in Kampala, at Entebbe International Airport, and in a few other large towns.
Language
Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English which is the official language. Of 30 –plus different indigenous languages, Luganda serves as something of a lingual Franca.
When to Visit
Uganda can be explored at anytime, though mountain hikes, Gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains, which generally peak over mid September to November and March- May.
What to wear
Day time temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Eveining are cooler especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters.Those who intend to hike on the mountains will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly. Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket.
What to carry
To make the most of the game reserves and national parks carry binoculars and field guides. Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or similar). Print film and developing is available in Kampala. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.
Driving
Driving is on the left side. Visitors’ experiences of African roads are advised to organise a vehicle with a driver rather than self drive.
Tipping
Tipping is not a standard practice at hotels and restaurants, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist –oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.
Food & Drink
Tourist –oriented hotels and restaurants good western- style meals, while a wider range of cuisine being available in the capital and some larger towns. Local restaurants serve Uganda dishes, typically ugali (stiff maize porridge) or mattoke (cooked banana) eaten with stew.
What to buy
A wide selection of local handicrafts is available as souvenirs. These include musical instruments, such as the hide drum made in the vicinity of Mpigi, as well the excellent local basket work, paintings, batiks and pottery.
Further information
You could us as your trusted Travel and tour company in Uganda. Also Guidebooks from Brandt, spectrum and lonely planet, and a wide range of other books about Uganda, can be bought at book stores in Kampala.
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