Winston Churchill referred to Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa” with its vast wilderness areas and perhaps the continent’s most diverse range of Wildlife. The country offers top wildlife destinations, fantastic adventure holidays and the best bird life anywhere. Its hidden valleys and vast grass land plains were once the stamping ground of the infamous elephant hunters.
From the snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, to the awe-inspiring spectacle of Murchison Falls, and from the Impenetrable Rain Forest of Bwindi to the endless horizons of the central plains, Uganda’s scenic diversity and richness of the landscape compares favourably with anywhere on the African continent. Uganda is also sanctuary to such rare and unusual species of wildlife such as Uganda Kob and the Shoebill Stork, together with the magnificent Mountain Gorilla as well as some of Africa’s largest concentrations of Crocodile and Hippo.
The Pearl of Africa is indeed a compelling destination and we are delighted to extend to you an invitation to follow in the foot steps of those early explorers like Speke, Grant and unlock the secrets of this priceless African gem.
Special Interest Activities.
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Gorilla Tracking.
Uganda is the only country where the endangered Mountain Gorilla can be seen in its natural habitant and we organise expeditions through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the South of the country to search for this magnificent species.
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Bird Watching.
Uganda is one of the best bird watching destinations with an excellent Tropical climate and lies in the Albertine Rift region.
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Forest Guided Walks.
These can be done in most of the National Parks in Uganda to look for various types of wildlife species.
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Fishing.
Come to Uganda to fish one of the largest water predators on this earth; the Nile Perch on Lake Victoria and the Nile. On World records, the largest freshwater fish have been obtained in Ugandan waters.
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Chimpanzee Tracking.
We take our clients for special experiences with Chimpanzees, which is quite a strenuous hiking in the thickly forested regions of Western Uganda, however it’s well worth the effort.
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Mountaineering.
Have a date with the Rwenzori Mountains…
Day and night game drives where possible.
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Boat excursions on either Lake Victoria, Murchision Falls or Kazinga Channel.
Fact sheet on Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Straddling the equator, much of her southern border is dominated by Lake Victoria. It is a tremendously lush country, dotted with lakes and rivers (the most famous being the Nile) and the West is fringed by the glacier-capped Rwenzori Mountains.
Best time to visit:
The climate is good in Uganda all year round, daytime temperatures generally hovering between 24-28 C. It cools down considerably at night, enough for a jersey but woollens are not necessary. The rains come twice as a year, in October/November (short rains) and Mid-march to end of May. Rainy season is no reason to postpone travel however, as generally it rains for an hour and the rest of the day is clear and sunny.
Visas:
Visas are now necessary for most Nationals and should be obtained prior to travel at a fee of $ 30.00 per person.
Health:
Yellow Fever vaccinations are mandatory, and we recommend anti-malarial tablets, especially during the rainy season. Most prescription drugs can be bought affordably and with ease over the counter in Kampala. Personal insurance is advised.
Official Language:
English, Luganda and many local dialects. Swahili is also widely spoken and understood.
Airports:
Currently there is one International Airport at Entebbe. A number of international airlines fly direct to Entebbe, among them South Africa Airways, British Airways, Sabena, Air Kenya, Emirates, Egypt Air, Ethopian Airways, and Air Malawi have just introduced a flight as well which links much of Southern Africa to Uganda. Most major towns have an airstrip as do most National Parks and Game Reserves.
Currency:
Ugandan Shilling. It is advisable to carry American dollars or Travellers’ cheques or any major hard currency. There are numerous Forex bureaux and Banks in the capital and the main towns. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants, but generally it is best to carry cash upcountry.
Clothing:
Light clothing, hats, and sturdy shoes. Long sleeve shirts for evening. Sweatshirt or fleece for evenings upcountry. Uganda’s position on the equator suggests a need for sun cream. Women in rural towns may feel more comfortable wearing clothing that covers their knees and shoulders, but this is not mandatory. It’s usually hot by midday, but evenings are always pleasant.
Gorilla Tracking
The minimum age for Gorilla tracking is 15 years. And each permit costs $ 360 per person per day for Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Parks, and $375 for Park de Nationale in Rwanda