Home Destinations Uganda Holidays

Uganda Holidays

Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. This incredibly lush country has open plains and rainforest, as well as channels teeming with hippo and towering mountains shrouded in mist. The country has a range of forest primates as impressive as its selection of plains antelope. And this biodiversity is further strengthened by Uganda’s status as by far the smallest of the four African countries whose bird checklist tops the 1,000 mark.

Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. Described as the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister who visited the country over a century ago, Uganda is famous because of its outstanding natural beauty that is comprised of varied landscapes and wildlife he found. Uganda hasn’t changed in any way after a century and has instead surpassed the true definition of being the Pearl of Africa and is now a home to 13 species of primates including half of the world’s estimated 900 mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys etc. Uganda is home to great landmarks including

  • the Source of the Nile River in Jinja,
  • Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest fresh water lake and the third largest lake in the world,
  • The Rwenzori Mountains – the snow capped legendary mountains on the moon and the third highest mountain in Africa

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa bisected by the equator line with 10 national parks, 13 wildlife reserves, 10 Ramsar sites including wetlands, swamps listed as important birding areas display the best of East Africa’s flora and fauna. Varied landscapes range from savannahs, semi deserts, tropical forests, rift valley ridges to the snow capped Rwenzori Mountains above 5,000 meters above sea level;make Uganda a stand alone amongst the East African countries with similar tourist attractions.

Uganda’s National Parks
Most tours to Uganda feature visits to national parks and other protected areas. Uganda has ten gazetted national parks protecting an incredible flora and fauna.

  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – A UNESCO world heritage site protecting half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda’s popular savanna game national park, the best place to enjoy game viewing while in the country.
  • Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s most scenic national park, home to the scenic Murchison Falls, impressive wildlife, the Nile River and more!
  • Kibale Forest National Park – the best place to go chimpanzee tracking in the world. The forest protects 13 different primate species including nocturnal and diurnal species.
  • Kidepo National Park – a wild park in the remote North Eastern Uganda border with distinct animals not found elsewhere in Uganda including cheetahs.
  • Semuliki National Park – a savanna and forested park, part of the vast Ituri Forest
  • Lake Mburo National Park – the most accessible national park in Uganda, located within just 3 hours drive from Kampala.
  • Mount Elgon National Park – shared by Uganda and Kenya, protecting the Mount Elgon and its habitat
  • Rwenzori National Park – shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo protecting the Rwenzori Mountains and its habitat.

Lakes & Rivers

Beautiful lakes including the world’s 3rd largest fresh water Lake Victoria where the source of the longest river Nile in the world is found marked by 80 km of grade 5 rapid waterfalls.When it comes to birds, Uganda has 10 % of the world’s birds with an alluring list of over 1,000 birds recorded. Mountain climbing is at its best with 3rd highest Magherita peaks of Rwenzori at 5,109 meters above sea level and Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda over 4,500 meters above sea level.

People & Culture

Uganda is well known for her friendliest people on earth with unique culture including the ancient forest dwelling warriors, the Batwa who are also the shortest human beings rivaled by southerly Amazon counterparts. You will find several UNESCO world heritage and natural sites such as ancient royal burial grounds of Buganda, traditional ceremonies like Imbalu of eastern Uganda and museums.

Getting Here

Uganda is well connected with other East African countries in terms of modern transport systems; travelers will find ease with mobility. For 30 years, the country is politically stable and the past legacy of Idi Amin and the 1998 massacre of tourists in Bwindi are fading out in the travel media.

Touring Uganda

Tourism support services and products like banking, accommodations, restaurants, shops, up market lodges have been made available in the capital Kampala as well as up country areas. The tourism and hospitality industry is well established with local and international cuisines prepared by experienced chefs and this is proved by the East African hotel grading and classification which ensures quality of services offered. Therefore Uganda is an investment destination for the tourism and hospitality industry.

The country having been ranked by popular travel media such as lonely planet, national geographic, CNN travel in a couple of years ago should at least convince you to plan a safari and holiday trip to the pearl of Africa to discover a hidden gem by yourself.