Uganda the “pearl of Africa” as quoted by Winston Churchill truly deserves her beautiful description. Uganda has a lot of marvelous attractions that combine all the African countries’ beauty including primates, wildlife lakes and rivers, mountains, plantations not forgetting the numerous friendly cultures. Uganda is the only country in Africa with lush forests inhabited by primates and green savannah plains home to a wide range of wild game.
You could be asking yourself why you should visit Uganda, what makes Uganda special, whether it is worth visiting and what it is known for, here are the 10 Dreamy reasons why you should visit Uganda. Uganda has very unique safari attractions not available anywhere else and that makes it a very special African safari destination that should not miss on your bucket list.
Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Uganda is lucky to be home to the mighty endangered mountain gorillas and it has the highest population of mountain gorillas in the entire world. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a very memorable, life changing safari experience and a unique adventure in the heart of lush dense spectacular forests.
Gorilla trekking is considered to be one of the most amazing wildlife activities in Africa. It involves hiking through dense forest in such of the wild gorillas. It is so special because it leads to an encounter with a creature that resembles and behaves more like humans. Resemblances to humans aside, gorillas are endangered and very rare primates which makes this encounter even more appealing to tourists
2. Uganda is the best place to see wild chimpanzees in the whole world
Chimpanzee trekking on a Uganda safari is one of the most exciting safari activities offering a very unique chimpanzee experiences to travelers. The chimpanzees you will be trekking are found in their natural habitats in Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kalizu forests.
While on your chimpanzee trekking safari, you will have an opportunity to come across man’s closest cousins- the chimpanzees swinging from tree to tree and others nesting in the tree and making pat hoots. For travelers who are interested in learning further, can take part in chimpanzee habituation experience. Kibale has the biggest number of primates and chimpanzees.
3. Uganda is home to the “Big five “animals
The big 5 in Uganda is term used to mean the strongest animals in the Ugandan jungle which are the most fierce and respectable. If you are thinking of taking a safari to Uganda, then keep in mind that without encountering the big five you haven’t explored the beauty with in Uganda the pearl of Africa. These mammals include lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes which are found in Uganda’s favorite national parks with the best being Murchison Falls National Park where one is on a sure deal of sighting all the big 5 mammals after visiting the Rhino sanctuary.
While on your Ugandan safari, you will have a great opportunity to see these incredible mammals on morning and evening game drives, boat cruises, and nature walks.
4. Uganda is a top birding destination
If you are a birder, Uganda is a perfect paradise for you. It is one of Africa’s favorite and most prosperous birding destinations with over 1060 bird species. Small as it is, Uganda is home to 10 percent of all bird species in the entire world. These bird species can be found across many habitants like forests, swamps, the great blue turaco, Shelley’s crimsoning and many others .The best birding spots include Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Semuliki National Park, and the endemic Albertine Region among others.
5. Uganda’s Unique Cuisine.
Uganda boosts of the unique cuisine that is as rich as its culture. On a visit to Uganda, you will discover that almost every tribe of the over 50 plus tribes in Uganda has its own staple food. A proper Ugandan meal is a celebration in itself and some meals are prepared as early as the day before to be served at lunch the following day. Then there is the street food – the notable being the rolex. While a Rolex is a timepiece in most countries, it is a popular street food here in Uganda. It can be eaten at any time of the day and it is an omelet that is rolled with Chapatti and some onions and tomatoes. Bonus points is if the tomatoes are raw and you eat it by the stall.
6. The tree climbing lions of Uganda
The mystifying tree climbing lions in Africa and Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha’s the best place in Africa to see the climbing lions. They are also known to exist in Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park in Tanzania.
You can meet this undisputed king of the savanna jungle in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park on a lion tracking experience. This Uganda safari activity gives you an up close and personal insight into the unique behaviors of these amazing cats.
7. Uganda has the highest concentration of hippos in one place
10 Dreamy reasons why you should visit Uganda.
Kazinga channel is a place with the highest concentration of hippos in the entire world. The channel is strategically located in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This 40-kilometer long channel connects two fresh water lakes- Lake George and Lake Edward. During the Kazinga channel boat ride, you will see hundreds of hippos in the water and on shore and this is assuredly a very amazing sight.
Hippos are the 3rd largest land animals in the world, only elephants and rhinos weigh more. A full grown hippo can weigh between 11/2 to 3 tons –which is a lot of weight. Males are larger than females.
You will have an opportunity to see stunning variety of water birds including pink – backed and great white pelicans, white winged and Gull billed Terns, African Jacana and many others as well.
Other place to see hippos in Uganda include Lake Mburo National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
8. Lake Bunyounyi “The Switzerland of Africa” is in Uganda
10 Dreamy reasons why you should visit Uganda.
Lake Bunyonyi is a very photogenic lake that lies in South- western part of Uganda close to the Rwandan border. Lake Bunyonyi which in the local language means a lake of many little birds is rumored to be the second deepest lake on the African continent and deepest in Uganda.
This beautiful lake offers an extremely preferred destination for tourists in Uganda and Rwanda to relax from after trekking the magnificent mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. At approximately 1,962 meters above sea level, this magical lake enjoys moderate temperatures all year round and the lake is usually cool both in the morning and evening hours. It is endowed with 29 islands that include the punishment island.
Some of the activities to engage in while at Lake Bunyonyi include fishing, canoeing, community walks and many more.
9. Uganda is safe for safaris with very welcoming and friendly people.
10 Dreamy reasons why you should visit Uganda.
For every travel explorer, your safari experience can be affected by the attitude of the locals. However, Ugandan locals are so the friendly, welcoming and hospitable
It is said over and over again that Ugandans are the friendliest people in the entire African continent. Their smiles are as warm as their sun. They are so welcoming and curious about their visitors and they will even go out of their way to make any one feel welcome. And this will truly make your safari to Uganda more thrilling and memorable.
10. Conservation
10 Dreamy reasons why you should visit Uganda.
By visiting Uganda for safari tours, you are helping to protect one of the most endangered creatures in the world- the gorillas. Eighty percent of the money raised from gorilla permits is used to fund conservation projects that support the survival of one of man’s closest primates. Furthermore, the local economy will benefit from the economy and employment opportunities that travelers bring to the area.
Uganda is such a very unique country that should not miss on your bucket list for this year-
- There are a lot more reasons you should visit Uganda- the pearl of Africa like Uganda’s dramatic scenery, the source of the longest river being in Uganda, Uganda is pretty safe and many more reasons. Book your safari now and together let us start planning your Uganda safari