Uganda is part of tropical Africa, receiving large amounts of rain and abundant sunshine. Uganda has two seasons – the dry and wet seasons. The country’s geography is made up of lakes and rivers, hills, plateaus, mountains, lowlands and the Great Rift Valley. Notable lakes in Uganda are Lake Victoria which also doubles as Africa’s largest fresh water lake, Lake Kyoga, Lake Mburo, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Wamala, Lake Opeta and Lake George.
Uganda is well dotted by vast crater lakes such as Lake Katwe. Rivers include the world’s longest River Nile, River Kafu, River Nyamwamba, River Mpongwe, River Muzizi, River Wambabya, River Sezibwa, among others. It is also home of water falls such as Sezibwa falls, Murchison falls, Karuma falls, Sipi falls, Itanda Falls, Busowoko falls, etcetera.
Notable highlands in Uganda include Mountains Rwenzori, Napak, Mufumbiro ranges, Moroto, Elgon, and hills such as Kagulu, Musaija Mukuru, Mpumwire, Kagoma, among others. Forests also form part of Uganda’s flora system and these include Mabira forest (Uganda’s largest natural forest), Budongo, Bugoma, Kibale, Maramagambo and Kalinzu. There are notable wetlands such as Kafu, Womboga, Mpologoma, Sezibwa and Mutai.
People and culture.
The country’s capital, Kampala has the biggest population concentration of more than 2 million people. Uganda is made up of over 45 million citizens and more than 50 tribes with distinct cultures and traditions.
The official language is English and just recently Kiswahili was also recognized as Uganda’s second official language. It is rich with different religions like Christianity, Islam and other African tradition faiths. Person from Uganda is known as a Ugandan.
Uganda’s history is rich and the country was formerly colonized by Britain. It attained its independence in 1962. The country’s tribal composition is composed by mainly Bantu speakers such as Baganda, Banyoro, Batooro, Basoga and Banyankole. Other tribal groups are Nilotics, Nilo-Hamites and Hamites.
Culture safaris in Uganda.
Culture is an important aspect in Uganda’s tourism. It includes numerous years of tribal history that is narrated and some documented. The culture of each Ugandan tribe is expressed in numerous ways, from folklore, riddles, dances, songs, myths, to the beliefs and much more. Settlers of the great lakes region such as the Buganda, Bunyoro and Busoga, have rich history that is interrelated. They, and many other tribes in Uganda have for generations been organized inform of kingdoms and chiefdoms. During cultural safaris, a visitor gets to have and interaction with locals who give detailed accounts over there historical backgrounds.
All tribes in Uganda have respective staple foods that are distinct from one tribe to the other. Different cultures have different dressing styles and traditions for example the Baganda and Basoga women traditionally wear Gomesi, while the males put on Kanzu. There are other awesome cultures such as male circumcision and Kadodi dances by the Bagisu, traditional dances of Iteso, Kiga dance, Banyakitara Kinyege dance, Acholi dance and Karimojong dance, among many others.
These traditional societies also have unique sites in which culture is celebrated such as kingdom and chiefdom palaces, royal tombs such as Kasubi Royal Tombs of the Baganda, Karuzika Royal tombs at Mparo for Banyoro, Bugabula Royal tombs in Kamuli for Basoga, Nkokonjeru for Banyankole etc. But most importantly are the cultural artifacts that may interest tourists including art and craft.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda.
This is one of the most popular tourist activities in Uganda. Its centered attraction is the mountain Gorilla. These fascinating creatures can only be found in the South Western part of Uganda. These creatures are trekked daily and the activity is so memorable to numerous tourists because they are indeed rare beings to come by.
As a matter of fact, they can only be viewed in Central and East Africa. Large pools of travelers come into Uganda to participate in the gorilla trekking adventure. Their population in Uganda makes up about half of their total population in the world. Therefore, Uganda is a great spotlight for this adventure.
Mountain gorillas can be trekked from Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Other activities include hiking and birding for bird watching lovers.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
Notably to begin with, Uganda has prioritized its focus on these creatures considering that they have the best similarity to humans. Their DNA has the highest match to that of human beings. Their physical build-up too has much details just like that of humans. They are about 5,000 in Uganda.
Just like mountain gorilla trekking, trekking chimpanzees is also a memorable tour. They live in strategic habitats whose features like other wildlife animals makes chimpanzee trekking an activity to look out for. Chimpanzees can be easily trekked in Kibale Forest Park, Kalinzu Forest Park, Semiliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth Park in Kyambura Gorge and Budongo Forest.
National Parks.
Uganda’s largest national parks include: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Semiliki National Park, Kibale Forest Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mgahinga National Park and Mt. Rwenzori National Park.
Mountains.
Notable mountains include Mountain Rwenzori (this is the highest mountain in Uganda, and snow-capped), Mountain Napak, Mount. Sabyinyo, Mount. Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Moroto, Mountain Elgon, and so much more.
Big game safaris.
This kind of safari includes big five mammals, done in Queen Elizabeth national Park and Murchison Falls National Park as the main centers. A visitor gets to view elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and tree climbing lions.
Rhinos can also be viewed in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary making Uganda a big five destination.
Boat Cruises.
Uganda is a perfect location for boat cruising considering that it is located within the great lakes’ region. It has calm water bodies for the activity. Boat cruises are common at Lake Victoria, along the River Nile, Victoria Nile in Murchison falls national park, Kazinga Channel, Lake Mburo and Albert Delta.
Rhino trekking.
Rhinos are a rare species that are close to extinction in some countries. Gladly, Uganda rejuvenated rhino conservation project years ago and has been running successfully. Trekking rhinos is done at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located in Nakasongola district just on the way to Murchison Falls National Park.
