Uganda is a country of untold beauty that many who visit it agree that it’s indeed the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is home of favorable climate which is a paramount factor as to an explanation of its vegetation that’s evenly distributed. It’s a landlocked country in East Africa and home to the source of Great River Nile. Uganda has vast composition of attractions that only the visitors fall short of time while trying to exhaust them. Some of the major attractions include;
Mountain gorillas.
Uganda ranks as having the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. In fact, they are generally situated in one region which makes it simpler for visitors to locate. The central location is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s situated in South Western region of Uganda and has a thick natural forest in which the mountain gorillas inhabit.
Mountain gorillas are organized in families and as a characteristic of families, each has a usual location in which they are located, which eases trekking experiences. Recent research has facilitated habituation which activity gives tourists more time around wild mountain gorillas. The alternate location is Mgahinga National Park located at the southern tip of Uganda. Both National Parks are mountainous and therefore besides mountain gorilla trekking, there are also hiking activities for those interested.
Chimpanzees.
These creatures have the closest resemblance to humans They live in troops of over 100 individuals or even more at any one time. Uganda has a pool of these primates mainly in Kibale National Park. Chimpanzees can also be trekked in Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Additionally, trekking chimpanzees comes with a condition of purchasing a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The trekking can go for about 3 hours while trekkers move through the numerous trails in which they can also get accustomed to botanical composition of the wilderness and other wildlife. While chimpanzees are primarily known for their aggressiveness, protection by the game rangers is duly provided.
Big 5 mammals.
The savannah regions of Uganda are a home to the Big Five game mammals – Elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions and leopards. People only need to visit Murchison Falls National Park in the northwestern region of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kidepo Valley National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Among the other present wildlife include hyenas, antelopes, zebras, cheetahs, giraffes and many more. The savannah regions are calm on a sunny day while tourists drive in 4×4 cars within the parks, as they witness the hunting by predators, grazing of herbivores, while other wildlife busks in the sunlight.
Birds.
Uganda is a strategic destination for birding. All types of birds, flying and non flying birds fill both the land and skies of the country. It’s an awesome mixture of water birds, highland, and plain birds. Some of the birds are migratory, while some are endemic like Fox’s Weaver which is only spotted in Eastern Uganda. No where else can these bird species be viewed. Others include Handsome spurfowl, Dwarf honeyguide, and Shelley’s crimson wing. The rift valley has an effect on attracting birds such as the rare Guinea-Congo Blome birds which is equally a rare bird species.
Some other bird species include blue turaco, tropical boubou, eagles, Marabou stork, Crested Crane, Grey crowned Sparrow, herons, kites, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori batis, papyrus gonolek, shoebills, and hundreds of other species that can be viewed flying near Uganda’s great lakes like Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, Edward and George; highlands, plains and forests.
River Nile.
The world’s longest river starts its flow towards Africa’s greater North, from Uganda. Besides its beautiful view, the river brings with it fascinating features like the crocodiles, and hippopotamus as it progresses to the North of the country. River Nile also has a number of waterfalls which are beautiful such as Murchison Falls whose rumbling sound as the water finds its way to the lower levels creates a rare experience for visitors. The river has many calm areas at which the tourists are able to engage into boat cruises and rafting. There’s much more to view and enjoy while on and around River Nile.
When to visit Uganda?
There’s equally lots of attractions in Uganda, but while thinking of visiting Uganda, the best time to do so is during the dry seasons. Uganda has two seasons that bring a dry spell with abundant sunshine during the period between June and September, and later from December till February. So, plan accordingly in order to have a fulfilling safari in Uganda.
