Destination Highlights
Uganda is a country in the eastern region of the continent of Africa. It is a landlocked country that borders several countries in each direction. South Sudan in the north, Kenya in the east, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda in the southwestern part, and lastly the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. The western region of Uganda lies in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. This includes areas of Lake Albert and Lake Edward. The strategic location of Uganda makes it the best wildlife hub of Africa and a starting point for all safari destinations in the region.
Why travel to this country?
History:
The history of Uganda has been a roller-coaster of events and series that have shaped the country’s future. Uganda is a former British colony that gained its independence on the 9th of October 1962. Before 1962, the country was ruled in divisions as there were several kingdoms each with its king such as Ankole, Bunyoro, Buganda, and Busoga to mention but a few. After the colonialists divided and ruled over these kingdoms, they introduced democracy and the rule of law. After their departure, the Kabaka Mutesa the king of the biggest kingdom Buganda became the leader and first president of Uganda. Although the country had gained sovereignty, political instability was not about to end. The then prime minister of Uganda Dr. Milton Obote commanded Idi Amin the commander of the armed forces to invade the Kabaka’s palace and overthrow Mutesa from presidency to exile.
A few years later, Idi Amin overthrew his boss Obote, and took over as the new president for a period of nine years from 1971 to 1979. The Uganda refugees in Tanzania together with the Tanzanian forces invaded Uganda ended the regime of Idi Amin and reinstated Obote as president. This was Dr. Milton Obote’s second term of office. From the 10th to 11th of December 1980, the first elections were organized and the ruling party Uganda People’s Congress won.
This election was claimed to have been a fraud by the former chairman of the then military council Yoweri Museveni who had lost. This led to an organized guerrilla war by Museveni that took a period of 5 years. In 1986 the then government was overthrown by Museveni’s National Resistance Army and he was sworn in as the new president of Uganda. President Museveni has since ruled Uganda until date.
What to know before to travelling
Safety and Security
Although Uganda has faced several challenges regarding security over the years, it is now one of the safest places in the world. This is because ever since 1986 and in the early 2000s, Uganda has never faced any major civil war. The current government has built a strong security system for dealing with both internal and external threats. The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces is one of the strongest armies in Africa which has made the country a secure place. Although the country is generally safe and secure, it is very important to follow the laws and regulations set by the government.
The culture and people of Uganda
Uganda is blessed with diverse cultures of people. The country has a variety of ethnic groups that are scattered across different directions. There are over 360 tribes in Uganda and are all divided among four ethnic groups the Bantu, Nilotics, Nilo Hamites, and Hamites. The Bantu people occupy the largest part of Uganda. The Bantu people in Uganda are often located in the central, eastern, western, and southern regions. They include the tribes of Baganda, Banyankole, Bakiga, and Bagisu among others. They are traditionally cattle keepers and cultivators.
The Nilotic people are located in the northern regions of Uganda and they include tribes like Acholi, Alur, and Langi among others. The Nilo Hamites include the Karamojong, Kakwa, Sebei, and Labwor people among others. All the ethnic groups in Uganda have preserved their culture and are available to experience travelers on a cultural encounter.
The people of Uganda are some of the most hospitable in the world. This is because of their cultural norms and values that cherish friendship and togetherness. The welcoming culture of the people of Uganda has made the country an easy to go to country thus boasting as a perfect destination.
Climate
The climate of Uganda is generally equatorial because the country is crossed by the equator. Equatorial or tropical climate is a type of climate experienced by places that lie along or near the equator. Uganda receives two seasons of wet and dry annually. The wet season begins from March to May and then from September to December. For the dry season, it commences from December to February and thereafter from June to July. The wet season in Uganda is characterized by heavy rainfall throughout the season with no prolonged hot sun. On the other hand, the dry season offers hot prolonged sunshine with very little or no rainfall recorded throughout the season.
The northern areas of Uganda that are very far from the equator experience more dry conditions because the area is semi-arid. Though it receives the same seasons, the conditions seem to be harsher, especially the dry season.
Why travel to Uganda
Uganda is the best safari destination in the world as it encompasses all wildlife from the game in the savannah to the primates and birds in the forests. The country also has some of the uniquely distinct landscapes and physical features that have stood the test of time and merged as the best in the world. Winston Churchill in all his adventurous travels across the world had never met any country like Uganda as he stopped and marveled at her beauty and named Uganda the “Pearl of Africa”. The following are some of the reasons why Uganda should be your top priority when embarking on a travel safari.
Wildlife
Uganda a country gifted by nature has a variety of wildlife and travelers have diverse options to choose from. Whether it is the savannah animals or the marine or the flight creatures, Uganda has you covered. The wildlife species include giraffes, zebras, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, antelopes, lions, crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, chimpanzees, monkeys, mongooses, and the list goes on forever but those are some of them. These wildlife species can be spotted in the various national parks in the country including Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Bwindi Impenetrable, Kipedo Valley, Lake Mburo, and Mgahinga to mention but a few.
Waterbodies
Uganda is one of the countries with the highest number of lakes with over 165 lakes. These lakes include crater lakes, freshwater lakes, and others. The country also has about 8 major rivers. The lakes and rivers are the major source of life not only for the people of Uganda but also for the wildlife. Lake Victoria is the biggest freshwater in Africa with an average area of about 68,800 square kilometers crossing from Uganda to Kenya and Tanzania. Lake Victoria is the main source of the longest river in the world, the River Nile. Other lakes in Uganda are Kyoga, Albert, George, and Edward among others. Kazinga Channel is also a waterbody that connects Lakes Edward to George. It is an important tourist site because it hosts the largest population of hippos in Uganda.
Big Five animals
The iconic Big 5 animals of the African savannah are also available in Uganda. These animals are a must-watch and a reason why travelers flock to Uganda. The Big 5 include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos. They gained the name Big 5 as they were very had to killed by trophy hunters. Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kipedo are some of the national parks to spot them.
The endangered mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are considered endangered as they are only located in the Virunga Conservation Area in the entire world. Uganda is lucky to have its two national parks Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla in this conservation area. Uganda also has more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. This alone is a strong reason why you should travel to the Pearl of Africa.
Uganda also has a lot more other attractions like the diverse landscapes including the mountains, crates, vegetation, and the world’s strongest waterfall the Murchison Falls. The country is also gifted with several bird species including endemic and migratory birds.
Best season to visit
Uganda is an open and free nation free to visit at any particular time. However, most travelers prefer to travel according to season. For instance, the dry season is considered the best time to visit Uganda. This is because, during the dry season, there are more activities to do and attractions to see compared to the wet season. During the dry season the weather and climate in generally hot, dry, and clear enabling activities like game drives, gorilla, and chimpanzee trekking very easy and fun.
However, the wet season has its advantages as well for example during this season it is the best time to spot some migratory bird species. The accommodation facilities also tend to reduce their prices making visitors traveling on budget their best visit and season to visit Uganda.
Therefore, the best time to travel to Uganda depends on what the traveler is interested in doing and their traveling budget.