Uganda is often called ‘The pearl of Africa’ because of it’s beauty, freshness and vibrant spirit. Uganda is a magic country, only recently discovered as a great safari destination.

 

Come and see for yourself Uganda has it all:

The highest mountain-range of Africa, the largest lake,

the great savannas of Kenya and Tanzania and the vast tropical rainforests of Congo and Rwanda. Uganda offers the best of everything from East and West Africa. An unique combination of the large animals like Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards, Giraffes, Zebras, Hyenas, Warthogs, Hippos and Crocodiles from the savannas and the forest animals like Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Patas Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Forest Elephants, Forest Buffaloes and Giant Forest Hogs.

 

Most tourists arrive at Entebbe’s modern and efficient international airport, with its breathtaking location on the shores of Lake Victoria. Just 40 kilometers away, sprawled across seven hills, there is the capital Kampala. A modern and bustling cosmopolitan city, which reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda for the last 20 years.

 

There is more to Uganda than wildlife: The mighty Nile, with it’s spectacular Murchison Falls, the setting for some of the world’s best white-water rafting. There are the snow-capped mountains of the Rwenzori, and the Virunga Volcanoes and Mount Elgon, both with a lot of hiking opportunities through a beautiful scenery. Uganda has a few beautiful big lakes like Lake Victoria and Lake Bunyonyi. And apart from that, Uganda has the reputation as ‘Africa’s Friendliest Country’, with the tradition of hospitality and a remarkably low level of crime and hassle directed at tourists. The official language of Uganda is English and the currency is Ugandan Shilling (USh). The land is 236.580 sq. kilometers, with a population of 24,5 million.

 

Uganda is a tropical country and much of it lies on the African plateau between 900-1,500 meters above sea level. This gives Uganda a nice tropical climate, with temperatures averaging between 21 and 27 degrees Celsius during the day and between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius at night. The hottest months are from December to February, with 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. The rainy seasons are from April to May and October to November.

 

Uganda is well watered and fertile, almost 25% of the country is covered with water. Lake Victoria is shared by Uganda with Kenya and Tanzania. Lake Albert, Lake Edward and Lake George lie on the border with Congo (DRC). At Jinja, Owen Falls is regarded as the source of the Nile.

 

Uganda is a cultural melting pot, with 30-plus different languages belonging to five distinct linguistic groups. The country’s most ancient inhabitants, confined to the hilly southwest, are the Batwa and Bambuti Pygmies. They left behind a rich legacy of rock paintings, such as those at the Nyero Rock Shelter near Kumi. The cultural core of modern Uganda are the Bantu-speaking kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Ankole and Toro. According to oral tradition, these centuries-old kingdoms are offshoots of the mediaeval kingdoms of Batembuzi and Bacwezi. Three former kings of Buganda are buried in an impressive traditional thatched building at the Kasubi Tombs in Kampala. Other cultures in Uganda are: Karimojong, Maasai, Bakonjo and the Bagisu.

 

 

 

Books about Uganda:

 

Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide. This is the most detailed guidebook for Uganda.

 

East Africa: The Lonely Planet. Information about Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

 

Footprint Guides and Spectrum Guides produce other guidebooks.

 

 

 

Books about Wildlife:

 

Watching Wildlife East Africa: The Lonely Planet. Detailed guidebook about the wildlife in East Africa. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Easternmost part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

 

East African Wildlife: Bradt. Detailed guidebook about the wildlife in East Africa.

 

Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi