UGANDA

Uganda is home to half of the World’s population of Mountain gorillas housed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the remaining half is shared between Uganda (Mgahinga National park); Rwanda and DRC.
In seven hours you can drive from mist-shrouded volcanic mountains to hot hazy savannah, dappled with wildlife with ten national parks in different parts of the country and with undulating hills and valleys of bananas, coffee and tea plantations, papyrus swamps and water bodies like Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga ,Lake Albert, Lake George and The Source of River Nile for White water rafting(Grande five ) giving way to tangled jungles and rainforests with the musical accompaniment of chaotic, cacophonous birdlife.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

In the western Uganda, near the border with Congo are the Rwenzori Mountains, ‘the mountains of the moon’. This is a beautiful area with snow covered mountain tops, beautiful waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. The absolute must for tracking fanatics! The 7 days Central Circuit Trail is not for the faint hearted but extremely scenic. The frequent rainfall guarantees an exciting trip through swamps, steep and muddy trails.

Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls in East Uganda, at the border with Kenya is certainly one of the countries highlights. However to get there, you need to hike several hours over the mountains and through typical African villages. It is also the place where you can taste a cup of coffee made of the Mount Elgon coffee beans, according to some the best coffee in the world.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Like many other African countries, there are a number of a beautiful national park in Uganda which is guaranteed for outstanding safari. Bwindi is a very remarkable park as this is the park where you can visit the mountain gorilla in their natural habitat. It is a very unique opportunity to be eye to eye with the impressive primates.

Murchison Falls

The Murchison Falls are found in Uganda’s largest game reserve. The White Nile runs through the park and is a hotspot for wildlife observations. The beautiful waterfall can be seen from closeby by means of a motorboat safari. In the area is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as well.

Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria

Uganda’s has no coastline with beautiful beaches but for a good dose of paradise, you could as well visit the Ssese Islands. De Ssese Archipelago is a collection of 84 islands inside Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Beautiful lush green forests, pearl white beaches and crisp clear water. This marvellous place is ideal to relax during your impressive visit to Uganda.
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
In Lake Victoria, at about 25 km from the city, Entebbe is Ngamba Island, also known as Chimp Island. The name is derived from the fact that there is a chimp sanctuary. All the animals living on the island were saved out of the hands of illegal traders or even circus. The primates roam in the about 40 hectares forest.

Jinja

Maybe the most interesting small city in Uganda and the place for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies. On the boda boda (scooter) to the origin of the River Nile or with a motorboat on the impressive river and for the adrenaline junky white water rafting and bungee jumping!

Lake Bunyonyi

Near the border of Rwanda is this very picturesque lake and is also known as Africa’s Switzerland. Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by lush green hills and the lake is covered by about twenty small magical islands. A mokoro (a hollow tree) can bring you to the floating markets and allow you to enjoy the peaceful surrounding. The lake is bilharzia free, so no danger for annoying parasites.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda is the transition zone between savanna and overgrown jungle. The Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most famous park with no less than 2’000 km savanna, thus the ideal place for ultimate safari. The ideal habitat for hippos, elephant and bird life. With a bit of luck you might spot the famous tree climbing lions, especially around Isasha.

General information on Namibia

Introduction text

 

When thinking about holiday to Africa, the last country likely coming to mind is Uganda. Think again! Uganda is not for nothing called the pearl of Africa!

Uganda is a fairly small African country in East Africa but has quite a number of ‘big ones’ to offer. Here you will find the largest mountain range and the largest lake in Africa where the River Nile starts.

Besides that, in Uganda live half of the world population Gorillas!

Passports and visaImportant Note:

 Visa for visitors to Uganda can be obtained via your local Ugandan Embassy or Consular service, unless you originate from a country that receives a visa exemption. In that case you can obtain visa on arrival. A passport must be valid for a minimum of six months prior to visa or the date of entry and have at least one blank page.
You must have a yellow fever certificate upon entry.

Currency

The currency in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling. However many prices for tourists are in US Dollar, Euros or UK Pound. These currencies are favorable to exchange as well.

It is ideal to have 50 or 100 USD bills rather than using smaller or older bills which will get you less money in return.

Ugandans should be tipped in USD rather than in the local currency.

Climate and temperature

The annual average temperature in Uganda is around 26°C. Uganda does not experience seasons such as spring, autumn, summer nor winter but rather a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season is from March to April and from October to November. This is the time when a lot of rain falls in the form of short and powerful showers.

Uganda is situated on the Equator and the East-African Highlands with an average altitude of about 1’100 meters above sea level. Due to the higher altitude temperatures are quite moderate. The country experiences a variation of tropical climates. The largest part of Uganda is a tropical savanna climate, in the southwest direction Lake Victoria a more tropical Monsoon climate and at the lake itself a more tropical rainforest.

Language

 As a former British colony, the main language in Uganda is English. You might hear people speaking Luganda too and a variation of local dialects.

Transportation

Uganda has an extensive network of tarred and gravel roads.

Either you rather rent a car (note that the roads in the north are not in a good condition) or hire proper transportation with a guide.

There are busses between the major cities and besides that there is minibus transportation. They are both reliable but usually too full.

Keep in mind that during rainseason many roads are not accessible.