Sir Winston Churchill was in so much awe of Uganda that he named it the Pearl of Africa. His exact words were “The kingdom of Uganda is a fairy-tale. You climb up … and at the end there is a wonderful new world. The scenery is different, the vegetation is different, the climate is different, and, most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa … I say: ‘Concentrate on Uganda’. For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale — Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa.”
Even though that sums up the wondrous beauty that is Uganda, I will breakdown the reasons why Uganda is a must visit destination
THE BIG 5
Uganda is one of the thirteen countries in the whole world where you can spot the big 5 in their natural habitat. The Big 5 refers to five African game animals: the African lion, the African leopard, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, and the rhinoceros. These animals were originally called the Big 5 not for their size, but for the level of difficulty and danger big-game hunters faced when tracking and hunting these animals on foot.
African lion, elephant & buffalo can be spotted in the popular Murchison Falls, Kidepo & Queen Elizabeth national parks. Leopards are a bit harder to spot but have commonly been spotted during night game drives in Mburo national park while Rhinos can only be tracked in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. See complete circuit of The Big 5 tour HERE
SOURCE OF THE RIVER NILE
For a long time, the search for the source of River Nile was conducted by various scientific teams, amateurs, and adventurers till it was finally discovered in Uganda.
River Nile is an international river that runs through eleven northeastern African countries. It is the main source of water in Egypt and Sudan. The Nile covers a distance of about 4,132 miles and has a drainage basin of approximately 1.3 square miles.
Ever wondered where the world's longest River generates from? You guessed right! Africa. But where in Africa? Uganda
Although the river has multiple sources, the Nile Proper originates from from Lake Victoria. The Nile starts in Jinja, Uganda, at the shore of Lake Victoria and flows northwards over Ripon Falls into Lake Kyoga.
WORLD'S FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE
In a 2017 survey conducted among more than 14,000 expatriates from 191 countries, Uganda emerged as the most friendly country in the whole world. In Uganda, Friendliness especially extended to visitors is a moral taught from childhood and is part of cultural norms.
More to this, Uganda is culturally diverse. With more than 55 different tribes Uganda offers a lot of cultural experiences and different cuisines to try. If experiencing different cultures is your thing, Uganda is the place for you.
HOME OF THE PRIMATES
Uganda is home to more than 50% of the world's population of the endangered mountain gorilla species. It is hell bent on protecting them too.
Uganda is primate Haven! In the past few years, gorillas have become the number one attraction of tourists to Uganda. Gorillas have made home of the thick Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga rain forests. A gorilla tracking permit can only be bought at Uganda Wildlife authority currently at $600 per permit and it allows you one hour face time with the gorillas. Due to the popularity of this activity, it is advised that you book your permit months in advance because they are limited in availability.
Uganda is home to Chimpanzees and 19 other primate species including the endangered golden monkey. The best primate experience is within Kibale Forest and this can be combined with Bwindi Forest for the perfect primates experience. See Primates itinerary HERE
THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
Snow in the tropics...
The remote Rwenzori mountains also known as the mountains of the moon, on the Uganda/DRC border, offer treks through varied and stunning landscapes, and Africa’s third-highest summit (5109m) is a dream to hikers, with none of the crowds found at Kilimanjaro. It is also a national park hosting 70 mammals including the African elephant and 217 bird species making it a birder's paradise. Its beauty is unmatched which is why it has been marked a UNESCO World heritage site. The Hike to Mount Stanley, the highest peak at 5109m is approximately 8 days (including descent). See full itinerary HERE.
Can you think of a destination more amazing? Please indulge us in the comment section below.