By African standards, Uganda is a postage stamp-size country, at the heart of the continent, sandwiched between Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and Tanzania. It is roughly the size of Great Britain or the State of Oregon in the USA. Uganda's most alluring features are its forests, lakes and mountains. Most of the country is 1,000 m above sea level and there are three mountainous areas - the Rwenzoris, Mount Elgon and the Virunga volcanoes.
Wildlife has steadily increased and many species of game can be seen. Game viewing is free of the mass tourism in some countries. Primates, especially the mountain gorilla and chimpanzees, are a special attraction together with over a thousand species of birds.
Most of Uganda is well-watered and fertile. Although it lies on the Equator, the climate is tempered by its altitude. The Nile starts its long journey to the Mediterranean from Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, and traverses Murchison Falls National Park. The population is about nineteen million, largely Christian, but with sizeable Muslim and Animist communities.
The central area is largely Bantu-speaking with the Baganda as the largest group. The Northern tribes are Nilotic in origin; the north is also the home of the nomadic Karamajong and the remote mountain tribe - the Ik. There are pygmy communities (the Batwa) in some forest areas. More than 30 languages are spoken - with English, Luganda and Swahili being the most widely used.
History -
Lord Lugard established a British East African Company base in 1890 in Kampala and shortly afterwards Uganda became a British Protectorate, centred around four old African Kingdoms. The Uganda Railway linking the interior to the coast reached Kisumu (in Kenya) on Lake Victoria in 1901 and Kampala in 1915. The system of indirect rule gave Uganda greater autonomy than elsewhere in British-ruled Africa. At independence in 1962, Uganda was a prosperous and peaceful country. It went through a turbulent period after Amin seized control in 1971 and expelled the Asians. In 1986 the National Resistance Movement, lead by Yoweri Museveni, took control of the country. Today, the country is progressive, peaceful and inviting. The old kingdoms, abolished in the 1960s, were restored in 1993 and the monarchs have now re-emerged as symbols of traditional society. The 36th Kabaka of the Baganda, Ronald Mutebi, was crowned in 1993 and married in 1999, to great public rejoicing.
Safari Attractions
Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in south-western Uganda, has about 300 mountain gorillas and 5 families are habituated. It is also rich in other primates, some unusual bird species and butterflies.
Mgahinga, the smallest national park in Uganda, part of the Virungas that lie around the upper slopes of the dramatic Virunga volcanoes, comprises three contiguous national parks - Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda, and Parc des Virungas, commonly called Djomba, in the Democratic Republic of Congo are found. About 350 mountain gorillas make their home in these afro-montane forests. On the Ugandan side there is one gorilla family that is habituated (Nkuringo Group). On youyr trek through Mgahingha, you can climb a volcano, go birding, visit the emerald waters of Lake Mutanda or just take in one of the most breathtaking landscapes of Africa.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees One of man’s closest relations, are found in a number of forests in Uganda – especially Kyambura and Kibale in the west and Budongo and Kanyiyo Pabidi near Murchison Falls; they are also found in the huge afro-montane forest of Nyungwe in Rwanda. Bwindi is one of the few forests where gorillas and chimps co-exist but are rarely seen as they live lower down when both species are present. Kibale Forest is the best destination in Uganda where chimpanzee tracking is carried ourt. Apart from chimpanzees the park has 12 other species of primates - among the highest number recorded in an African forest - the vervet monkey and the red colobus. Tracking the noisy chimpanzee families racing through this verdant forest is a thrilling experience. Together with Bigodi Wetland nearby, many forest and swamp birds can be seen on a nature walk through this forest.
Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi, near Murchison Falls, contain one of the most extensive mahogany forests in East Africa, and the region’s largest chimpanzee population - about 900 animals. Chimp tracking is available either at Busingiro, in the south of Budongo, or at Kanyiyo Pabidi on the road to Murchison. The birdlife in the forest is prolific - about 330 species. The strange Bunyoro rabbit can also sometimes be seen at night. There is a church nearby which was built by Polish refugees in the war. Kabalega, the powerful king of Bunyoro at the turn of the 19th century, is buried at the Mparo Tombs near Hoima.
Culture and History
Entebbe and Ngamba Chimp Islands Entebbe Airport, probably the friendliest in Africa, is some 40 km south of Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria. Entebbe became a colonial centre in the 19th century, and was the capital until 1962. With its botanical gardens and colonial buildings, it is a charming sleepy place. Activities here include golf, tennis, sailing and swimming as well visiting the Entebbe Wildlife Centre. From Entebbe there are regular trips to Chimp Island. The sanctuary, on a beautiful forested island, is home to chimpanzees illegally removed from the wild and confiscated by the authorities; a raised platform enables close viewing and makes feeding time an exciting activity to watch. The tour lasts about half a day, travelling either by a modified traditional Ssese canoe or a faster motor boat. An overnight stay, at a simple mobile camp, can be arranged. The entrance fees paid goes towards looking after the chimpanzees.
Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is spread over a number of green hills and takes its name from Kasozi k'impala, "the hill of antelopes". The city grew around the court of the Kabaka of Buganda with British officials and Indian merchants settling on adjoining hills. It is a charming green city, with its many gardens and attractive views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Victoria. There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants. The Kasubi Tombs - the traditional royal tombs of the Kabakas of Buganda - are a fine example of Ganda architecture. Do not miss the colourful Nakasero fruit and vegetable market, the general goods market and the crafts market. There are a number of interesting buildings in the city, including the buildings that housed the colonial administration and the houses of the Indian merchants, the Parliament, the museum and buildings of different religious faiths and the Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine. Barkcloth, basketware, pottery, gourds, kikoi cloth, carving, traditional weapons and musical instruments are some of the souvenirs available for purchase.
Game Viewing and Sight Seeing in Uganda
Murchison Falls The meandering River Nile and the dramatic Murchison Falls make this National Park, the biggest in Uganda, a stunning habitat for wildlife. Crocodiles, hippos, elephants and birds including the rare shoebill stork, bask on the banks of the Nile. Chimpanzees can be tracked in Budongo and Kanyiyo Pabidi nearby.
Nakayima Tree on Mubende Hill, a four hundred year old tree, near the Kampala-Fort Portal road, is thought to contain the spirit of Ndahura, a medieval Bachwezi king. The Munsa Earthworks, the remains of an elaborate fortification and Ntusi, a large settlement from the 15th century are other Bachwezi sites deeper in the interior.
Queen Elizabeth National Park (QE), in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley, is centred around Lake Edward and Lake George. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel is especially good for viewing hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds. Around Ishasha go on the hunt for the famous tree-climbing lions which lounge nonchalantly on old fig trees. The beautiful steeply forested Kyambura Gorge nearby, is home not only to chimpanzees but also the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus and many bird species.
Rock Paintings - There are two sets of rock paintings in Eastern Uganda. The Nyero rock paintings, near Kumi, among the most important in East Africa, are thought to be about 400 years old and are found in three shelters situated close together. The Kakoro rock paintings, near Mbale, are located on a koppie and, although less spectacular, are easier to reach. There is also an unusual rock gong near the paintings. Near Tororo there is an imprint of a man’s foot thought to be several hundred years old.
Sipi Falls - in the foothills of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, overlooks Uganda’s most romantic and beautiful waterfall. It is the perfect place to relax and go for rambles, explore the many falls and caves. Excursions to climb Mount Elgon, visit the rock paintings or go rafting on the Nile can be added.
Rwenzoris - the Mountains of the Moon - as named by the Hellenic astronomer Ptolemy have a legendary beauty. The range has six peaks, capped with ice and snow and has three glaciers. The highest peak, Margherita, rises to 5109m, the third highest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The luxuriant flora and bird life are unique. A hike through the central Rwenzoris takes about five days; the peaks are accessible only to experienced climbers. The best time to visit is from June to August, and December to February.
