INTRODUCTION TO UGANDA

            

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, with fantastic natural scenery, half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population is in Uganda. It also offers world-class white water rafting at the source of Nile and some of the region's more peaceful national parks, where wildlife viewing doesn’t involve long waits in line behind a dozen or more vehicles. The natural attractions are among the best in the region, and as tourism is still being re-established, there simply aren't the crowds found elsewhere. Take your pick from the highest mountain range in Africa, the Ruwenzori Mountains; one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, Murchison Falls; or perhaps the highest primate density in the world, in Kabale forest National park - Uganda has all this and more. It's a beautiful country with a great deal to offer, and sooner or later the tourist hordes will 'discover' its delights.

Situated in eastern Africa, Uganda is mostly a plateau, a compact country occupying an area of 236,580 square kilometers, roughly the size of Great Britain or the state of Oregon in the United States. It lies astride the Equator and has a fine mild climate with copious rainfall that is experienced three times a year and sunny months.

Nothing much about Uganda's pre-colonial history is well documented but at least a few oral tales date back to the 1600s when a number of people living around Lake Victoria and along River Nile eked a living off the land and kept cattle. The northern region is a different story of tall people armed with a spear or bow and arrow in hand, hunting and fishing for a living.

Today in Uganda there are 17 tribes belonging to the Bantu and Nilotic groups. Uganda is a country of many cultural contrasts. English is the official language. Many people outside the office also commonly speak it. Luganda is easily the more spoken language in most towns where business is transacted.

The country is known for its fine sunny and rainy weather which often does not require the wearing of warm clothing except on some chilly nights in the mountainous areas in western and eastern Uganda. Uganda is on the sunny side most of the year, especially in the central region.

Uganda may not boast of huge and well-developed national parks like neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, but after years of misrule, there is a turnaround in numbers of animals especially elephants and antelopes, which were butchered by, undisciplined soldiers and poachers during the reign of Idi Amin.

Uganda is situated astride the Equator, so the country enjoys a tropical climate with very little temperature variation throughout the year. The main factor that determines your visit will be the rainfall patterns. In the southern part of the country, April is the rainiest month. The rains stretch up to May, with another wet season in October to November. And although the dry months are good for birding don't forget the fact that the wet months are more productive since breeding takes place during those months.

Uganda is a friendly place to be, camping can be fun in most areas especially in the south where there will be no hassles.

Despite the bad name and scary stories told about gorillas at the beginning of the 1900s, before scientists unraveled the mystery and life behind these gentle giants, gorillas have now become popular tourist attraction and creatures of the wild worth conserving. There is only one mountain gorilla for every ten million people on earth no wonder the most famous attraction for tourists in Uganda is the “Bwindi Impenetrable National Park”, home to half of the world’s population of the incredible, elusive and treasured Gorilla.

Uganda's culture weaves a thread of variety not only through the manner of dress, language and other characteristics but also in its variety of dishes. Nearly every tribe or region has a delicacy or specialty and when you get to Uganda try out the local restaurants or the homes of residents who should be able to prepare or treat you to some of the relishes and foods made from the numerous vegetables, yams, potatoes, bananas and fruits.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Size	331 Sq. Kms
Location	Southwest - The closes large town is Kabale
Getting there	Kampala via Mbarara (6-8 hours)
To do	Gorilla tracing is the main attraction; permits must pre-booked at the UWA office in Kampala. Other guided forest walks are available: one popular trail leads to a pretty waterfall, others focus on birding and monkey-viewing
Best time	Any time, though conditions are more challenging during the rainy season

 

A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest - one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age - is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas.

Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer - but we should not let it distract from Bwindi's broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m.

The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent.

The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics present.

Kantoga Wildlife Reserve

Size	207 sq kms
Location	Central, 200km west of Kampala
Getting there	Katonga is three hours from Kampala, branching from the Fort Portal or Mbarara Road. Buses connect Kampala to Kabagole, a short canoe ride and walk from the entrance gate.
To do	Day hikes, overnight hikes and canoe trips can be arranged.
Best time	Any time of year

 

Only recently developed for tourism, the reserve protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River.

Best explored on foot and by canoe, Katonga supports some 40 mammal and at least 150 bird species, many specific to wetland habitats.

Most visible are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, colobus monkeys and river otter.

This is one of the best places in Africa to look for the elusive sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps.

Kibale National Park

Size	776 sq kms
Location	In the west, near Fort Portal
Getting there	Fort Portal lies 320km from Kampala along a mostly surfaced direct road, or an hour's drive from Kasese
To do	Chimp tracking and other guided forest walks, even night walks. Birders shouldn't miss Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a superb community development fringing the park. A field of beautiful crater lakes lies between Fort Portal and Kibale Forest
Best time	Any time of year

 

The most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests, Kibale is home to a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localised red colobus and L'Hoest's monkey.

Kibale's major attraction, however, is the opportunity to track habituated chimps - these delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.

A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat with 335 species recorded including the endemic Prirogrine's ground thrush.

The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Size	1,442 sq kms
Location	On the Sudanese border in the northeast
Getting there	Chartered aircraft are available from Entebbe International Airport to the Park Headquarters or Road transport- 705kms from Kampala
To do	Game Viewing, Hiking and Scenery viewing, Picnic, Cultural Performance, Nature Walk

 

The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda's most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 square kilometres and harbours scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. 'It could not be any better' is a common comment on the scenery by visitors who often promise and do come back to Kidepo. Tucked into the corner of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizon. A huge latitudinal range and correspondingly wide climatic conditions have evolved an extremely diverse flora. As a result the variety of animal species in the park is equally abundant including many which are found no where else in Uganda.

The vegetation can best be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition. Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.

Lake Mburo National Park

Size	260 sq kms
Location	In the south, near Mbarara
Getting there	Lake Mburo is easily accessible by road transport, 5 hours drive from Kampala on Mbarara Kampala highway
To do	Game viewing, boat rides, guide walks, birding

 

Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other reserves.

Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds.

The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Size	33 sq kms
Location	Far southwest, bordering Rwanda and Congo, 14km from Kisoro town
Getting there	Kisoro is about 540 km from Kampala
To do	Gorilla Tracking, Hiking, Cave Exploration, Birding, Free Birding

 

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. 'Virunga Conservation Area' or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate. Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Mount Elgon National Park

Size	1,145  sq kms
Location	Near Mbale on the east border with Kenya
Getting there	Mbale lies 3-4 hours from Kampala along a good tar road. The trailhead at Budadiri, 20km from Mbale, is accessible by public transport
To do	Day walks from Budadiri or within the Mount Elgon Forest Exploration Centre; hikes of four days or longer traverse the peaks. Well worth visiting is the lovely Sipi Falls
Best time	The lower slopes are fine throughout the year. The drier months (June to August, December to March) are best for hiking

 

Elgon is a 4,321m high extinct volcano which in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today. Although the mountain straddles the Kenya border, its loftiest peak, Wagagai, lies within Uganda and is best ascended from the Uganda side.

Elgon is an important watershed, and its slopes support a rich variety of altitudinal vegetation zones ranging from mountain forest to high open moorland studded with the other-worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants.

Spectacular scenery is the main attraction for hikers on this oft-neglected and relatively undemanding mountain, but there is also a variety of forest monkeys and small antelope, along with elephant and buffalo. A checklist topping 300 birds includes many species not recorded elsewhere in Uganda.

Other attractions include ancient cave paintings close to the trailhead at Budadiri, and spectacular caves and hot springs within the crater.

Murchinson Falls National Park

Size	3,840 Sq. Kms
Location	In the northwest, approximately 90km from Masindi
Getting there	A long day's drive from Kampala, with a possible overnight break at Masindi. There is only public means of transport from Kampala to Masindi town
To do	Regular launch trips to the base of the falls offer fine game-viewing and bird watching. Boat trips to the Lake Albert delta provide the best chance in Africa of sighting shoebills. Chimp tracking at Rabongo Forest, and en route from Masindi in the Budongo Forest. Game drives on a good network of roads
Best time	Any time of year

 

The Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest National Park. The Nile River flows through the middle of the park, and the vegetation changes from savannah land in the north-western part to dense rainforest in the southwest.

Here it is possible to catch a glimpse of primates like the chimpanzees in the rainforest areas and antelopes, buffaloes, Rothschild-giraffes and elephants along the rivers. Visitors also tend to flock to the Buligi Circuit - the name given to a peninsula between the Victoria and Albert Niles, which contain the highest destination of wildlife and beautiful, lush vegetation.

Bird lovers are also in for a special treat here: the large variety of birds that can be observed here include the tiny Malachite kingfisher, Carmine bee-eater, African fish eagle, Saddle bill stork, and the most visible Wahl headed, or Shoebill, Stork, which stands along the water's edge.

The highlight of this park is undoubtedly the Murchison Falls, where the Nile roars through a 7 meter gap in the rocks and falls 40 meters vertically. One can observe this spectacle from the path that leads from above the falls down to the bottom, the more adventurous can bathe in the Nile in a small area above the falls. One can also take a boat ride to get a closer glimpse of literally hundreds of hippos along the shores, and catch glimpses of crocodiles, elephants, giraffes and buffaloes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Size	1,978 sq kms
Location	Southwest, near Kasese
Getting there	The park lies 5-6 hours from Kampala on a surfaced road via Mbarara, and can be reached on a dirt road from Bwindi. Accessible by public transport
To do	Launch trips on the Kazinga Channel offer great game viewing, as do game drives around Mweya. Also available are chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge and guided walks in Maramagambo Forest
Best time	Any time of year

 

From open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that QENP boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world.

Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, with elephant, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula - which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Elsewhere, the remote Ishasha Sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions, the Kyambura Gorge harbours habituated chimps, the Maramagambo Forest is home to an alluring selection of forest monkeys and birds, and flocks of flamingo are resident on the crater lakes.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Size	998 Sq. Kms
Location	On the Congo border close to Kasese
Getting there	22km from Kasese
To do	The seven days/ six nights loop is a tough but rewarding hike taking in all vegetation zones bar the glacial peaks. Shorter hikes can be arranged. The high peaks should be attempted only by experienced mountaineers.
Best time	Any time, but the dry seasons are December-February and June-August

 

The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150. Reaching an elevation of 5,109m, it is also Africa's tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free-standing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro.

The distinctive glacial peaks are visible for miles around, but the slopes above 1,600m are the preserve of hikers, who rate the Rwenzoris to be the most challenging of all African mountains.

A variety of large mammals inhabits the lower slopes, but the Rwenzoris are notable more for their majestic scenery and varied vegetation. The trails lead through rainforest rattling with monkeys and birds, then tall bamboo forest, before emerging on the high-altitude moorland zone, a landscape of bizarre giant lobelias, towered over by black rock and white snow, looking for all the world like the set of a science fiction film.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Size	500 sq kms
Location	In the west, near Fort Portal
Getting there	Follow the road towards Semliki National Park for 30km, then take a right turn which after about 35km leads to the lodge.
To do	Game drives, guided walks and boat trips on Lake Albert can be arranged from the lodge
Best time	Any time of year

 

Formerly called the Toro Game Reserve, this large reserve abutting Lake Albert and the northern base of the Rwenzoris is a rich mosaic of grassland, savannah, forest and wetland habitats.

The fauna is correspondingly diverse: Uganda kob is the commonest large mammal, but there are also forest elephant, chimpanzees, buffalo, leopard and various monkeys and antelope.

Of the 400 bird species recorded, the shoebill stork is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert.

Semuliki National Park

Size	220 sq kms
Location	In the west, about 50km from Fort Portal
Getting there	Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is about 180 Km. (about 4-5 hrs drive)
To do	Fantastic scenery, Hot springs, forest jungle walk, birding, primate viewing and river Semuliki meanders are some of the ideal attractions
Best time	Any time of year

 

Semuliki National Park is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and forms part of the forest continuum during the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene, this is one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa. (Especially for birds).

Semuliki National Park is situated in the remote corner of extreme west of Uganda, in bundibugyo District. It lies on Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. The geographical coordinates are 0o 44'- 00 53' N - 290 57-30o 11'E. To the southeast are the Rwenzori Mountains, to the west is DRC and to the north Lake Albert.

Semuliki National Park (220 km2) gazetted in October 1993, is one of Uganda's newest National Parks. The Park occupies a flat to gently undulating landform ranging from 670 -760 metres above level. As all streams and rivers from the surrounding areas are flooded drain into the Park plus the poor drainage and topography, many areas are flooded during the rainy season. The average annual rainfall is 1250 mm with peaks from March to May and September and December. The temperature varies from 18o C - 30o C with relatively small daily variations.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world. It is also the source of the river Nile. There is actually a monument near Jinja showing the place where the explorer Speke found the source of the Nile. It is from here that the river starts it’s 6,400 Kilometer journey through Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean. There are many little home stays and resorts on the side of the Lake and on small islands in the Lake.