Uganda
Pearl Of Africa
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Uganda
Precious!
Whether in deference to Winston Churchill’s classic description of Uganda as ‘the pearl’, or its appearance viewed from space as a cluster of small gems, Uganda – indeed – is rare and precious.
Winston of course was right, and the gems from space are the many lakes formed in the branches of the Great Rift Valley which essentially cradle Uganda.
Rift Valley
The Rift Valley not only gifts us with the greatest and most beautiful lakes in Africa, including the largest, Lake Victoria. It also creates a rich topography with 7 of the highest mountains in Africa, from the Rwenzori Mountains in the west – the fabled Mountains of the Moon and one of Uganda’s three World Heritage Sites – to the extinct volcanic massifs rising out of the vast savanna plains to the east. And, in the midst of all this drama, an ever-changing landscape: rich savanna and rolling hills; dense jungle, forest and manicured tea plantations; crater lakes and rocky crags.
The Nile
Add to this the Nile – the longest river in the world. From its source at Jinja on Lake Victoria, through Murchison Falls – the most powerful on earth – to the delta at Lake Albert and on for another 6000 kilometers to the sea.
The climate. Lying on the Equator and high on the East African plateau with a typical elevation of 1100m, the climate, year-round, is probably one of the most temperate known to man and creates one of the most fertile environments on the planet. It is said that if you plant a walking stick in the ground here – it will grow!
Amazing Views
Bio-diversity
And surely everything does grow here. By area, Uganda is perhaps the most bio-diverse ecosystem in the world with over 18,500 species of flora and fauna. This includes 345 mammals, 142 reptiles, 86 amphibians and over 1000 birds – truly a birder’s paradise.
We have the largest population of mountain gorillas and 19 other primate species. The ‘big five’: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino; rivers and lakes full of crocs and hippos; plains home to everything from aardvarks to zebra.
That this rich heritage is conserved for future generations is testament to the dedication of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, with 10 National Parks, 12 Wildlife Reserves and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Welcome!
And what of the people? Uganda has a rich culture with 56 tribes and 70 local languages, though the official language is English. From the bazaars of Kampala to the bomahs of the Karamojong. Ugandans are colourful, friendly and welcoming.
The blessing in disguise here is that despite all that Uganda has to offer – combined also with a superb tourism infrastructure – we are often oddly over-shadowed by our East African neighbours and considered “off the beaten track”. As a result, we have not suffered the fatigue and negative-effects of over-tourism experienced elsewhere in Africa. So for the people: the welcome is real; the smiles genuine.
Welcome to Uganda!
A Closer Look?
If you’d like to take a closer look, please click on the links below for our take on some of the best parks and highlights. Learn why you should go camping in Uganda, combine it with mid-range safari lodges, adventure motorcycles – or all three!
