The Magical and Adventurous Pearl of Africa
All days the best destination never to miss when planning a travel package. Uganda is a landlocked East African country surrounded by five countries, South Sudan in the north, Kenya in the east, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda from south west and DR Congo in the west. The country is seated on the total area of 241,551km2 and land area 200,523km2 with water covering the area of 41,028km2.
Politically Uganda is known as the land of his excellence, president for life, field marshal, Al haji, doctor, Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO,MC, Lord of all the beast of the Earth and fishes of the sea and the conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in general and Uganda in particular, who reigned the country for roughly 8 years. But in general Uganda has only got eight (8) since independence on a memorable day 9th October 1962 from Britain the colonial master. The current president HE. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni whose liberation war combated down all political unrest in the country since 1986 and improved on the security which makes the country free and ready for visitors from all corners of the world.
Right away after reaching the country through Entebbe airport, hospitality and freshness of the cool environment blows you mind and start thinking of a new planet. The adventurous magical box contains choices of your adventures as per your reservation is awaiting, entering Kampala start thinking of the seven hill that form the capital which include, Nakasero hill the administrative hill of Uganda, Makerere hill the ivory tower of education in east and central Africa, old kampala hill with the biggest mosque in east African and sight viewing of the whole capital and surrounding areas to the city, Namirembe hill to see the first cathedral in Uganda and the history of the Anglican church, Rubaga hill for the history and the cathedral of the catholic church and in total there 21 hills in kampala .
The famous Kampala City Old Taxi Park
While in Kampala you have a variety of travel trails which offer different experiences respectively. The martyrs trail starting right from Rubaga cathedral to Munyonyo coming buck to down town St. Balikuddembe market (Owino), St. Matia mulumba church at old Kampala to Namugongo martyrs shrine and museum where finally the execution of martyrs took place 3rd June 1886. Buganda trail which takes you to discover the origin and current situation of the largest kingdom in east Africa. The trail may have started from Walumbe tanda in Mityana which is 69km from Kampala but this helps you know the first Muganda and where the spirit of death originate from, continue back to Buddo Nagalabi where kings of Buganda are coroneted from, Wamala tombs where first nonblack persons meet King Suuna as early as 1844 and civilization in Uganda started from here, continue to Kasubi tombs a UNSCO heritage site but currently the site is out of boundary to tourist its under reconstruction after its burning in 2010, but can proceed to Mengo palace the official palace for the prominate kingdom and here you won’t miss out Amin’s torture chambers where over 20,000 innocent people where tortured and killed, Bulange royal building the administrative and parliamentary block for the kingdom through the royal mile with different totem monuments to form the full experience of the kingdom. Having these trail experience it’s not commonly done by many tour companies.
There are many other destinations that you can encounter while in Kampala which include Uganda museum holding the history of Uganda, kabaka’s Lake the largest manmade lake in east and central Africa, Uganda wild life education center where your primary adventure starts from as you interact with lions, chimpanzee, leopard, birds and many more just in one center, Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary and many sand beaches along the shores of lake Victoria.
Magical Uganda, Winston Churchill explained “for magnificence, for variety of forms and color, the profusion of brilliant life, flora and fauna, Uganda is the pearl of Africa”. The true source of the African adventure holds all components of a travel safari right from the rise of the sunlight to its set down. In 2017 Rough Guides ranked Uganda among the 13 best tourist destinations in the world.
Due to Uganda’s biodiversity there a number of adventurous activities you can participate in while on your holiday visit to this pearl of Africa
Gorilla tracking
Silverback Mountain gorilla leader
Gorilla tracking is no doubt the highlight of all African safaris, this activity is rated as the top most adventure activity in the world as it gives one an experience of a lifetime. However due to the fact that these gentle giants being the most endangered species in the world the activity is highly regulated, only a group of eight visitors allowed to visit a single family of mountain gorillas per day. Gorilla tours done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mugahinga forest national park where silver meets gold, the silverback gorilla that lives harmoniously with the Albertine endemic primates the golden monkeys. It’s only in Uganda where you can double trek mountain gorillas in two different forest parks.
Mountaineering
Mountain climbing can be done at Mt. Rwenzori to the margarita peak, its ranges reaches up to 5,109m high and it’s the 3rd tallest mountain in east African and a UNESCO site also described as the mountain of the moon and its ranges are higher than that of the Alps. And also at Mt. Elgon is the 4th tallest in east Africa standing at 4,321m high and hikers have to reach the wagagai peak, sipi falls also gives the best hiking experience as the hikers have to reach three falls for the full experience.
Chimp trekking
Chimpanzee trekking for especial experience in kibale forest national park, I can call it the home of primates and only here where you can find 13 different primate species which include the red tailed monkey, black and white Colobus, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkey, mangabey, bushbabbis, chimpanzee. Chimpanzee trekking can be done also in budongo forest reserve while on Murchison fall tour. Like gorilla also trekking chimpanzee permits are booked in advance.
Game drive
Adventurous game drives are done while seated jeep or safari vehicle driving along the park viewing variety of different Uganda wildlife such as big five like lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo other animals may include variety of antelope species, jackals, hyenas, and variety of bird species including crested crane, ground hornbill, great blue turaco, and insects like dragon flies, butter flies. With special arrangement, a night game drive at Lake Mburo national park is so rewarding as it can offer one more chances of viewing big cats like a leopard actively hunting,
At Queen Elizabeth and Murchison falls national parks have the most rewarding game drive where you have the chances of encountering the big five, for bird watchers it’s a birding paradise with over 600 bird species recorded in Queen Elizabeth national park only. Kidepo valley national park in northern part is where you have magical encounters such as very large herds of buffalos in Africa. Other rewarding game drives are done semuliki national park, ishasha sector south of Queen Elizabeth one of the few places in the world where you find tree climbing lion roaming in tree branches.
Magnificent Game Drive Safaris in Uganda National Park
Balloon safari
In Murchison and queen Elizabeth can enjoy an Ariel view of the pearl as you can view flora and fauna in the silent atmosphere.
White water rafting
White water rafting this psychologically reconstruct your mind from the lazy way of having leisure, at the rapid rough waters which won’t let your mind relaxing, at the Nile River everything happen. You will experience up to grade five rafting through a 21km stretch. With regulations you must not be below 13yrs and pregnant ladies can’t do this activity. Other adventures on the Nile include bungee jumping of up to more than 100m high, kayaking among others
Zip lining
In Mabira forest Uganda’s biggest eco-forest is among a few places where zip lining adventure takes place, located east of Kampala the activity flies you above the eco forest like a bird and also you have chances to view forest monkeys like red and black monkey as you pass through countless trees only thinking of when reaching to another destination. Other places where you can experience zip line adventure include itanda falls along the Nile River, kisizzi falls in the western Uganda among others.
Boat cruise and canoeing
Spectacular views of the Most powerful waterfall in the World
Boat cruising in Uganda are a rewarding adventure activity as it takes you up close to wildlife, it’s majorly done in three different national parks. In Murchison fall the cruise along the Nile takes you up to the bottom of the falls and along the way you view different wildlife such as elephants, buffalos, crocodiles, giraffes, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs that come to the river bank to draw water. In Queen Elizabeth national park, it’s done along kazinga channel that connects Lake George to lake Edward here it has hippo pool which is believed to have the highest population Africa. Other areas is lake Mburo national park and at the source of river Nile.
With variety of adventure activities in Uganda you need not to miss any of these magical adventure experiences in pearl of African. Discover this yet undiscovered and remote part of Africa and enjoy this region also known as Africa condensed.