Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressive people. This is one of my favourite countries in all of Africa. The people of Uganda have survived
troubles of 1967-86 period and emerged standing upright and wearing a smile. In that short period, country suffered under caprice of two despicable despots. One was indisputably insane Idi Amin and other, arguably insane Milton Obote. This is now history - a testament to dignity and endurance of this people. The transformation of country in period since normalcy returned is nothing short of astounding. And it shows in faces of people you meet. That graceful beauties of Uganda have not received recognition they deserve in international beauty pageants is for me incontrovertible proof that most of these events are really fixed.
Winston Churchill was so besotted by country that he gave it name that has endured: "Pearl of Africa". His observations about Uganda remain true today: "The scenery is different, vegetation is different, climate is different, and, most of all, people are different from anything elsewhere ...in whole range of Africa".
Travelers to Uganda are drawn by its stunning landscape - green rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, rainforests, majestic rivers and massive lakes. There are also a number of outstanding national parks for your safari encounter with wildlife for which Africa is renowned. Unfortunately, I have to advise you to skip Kidepo Valley -a well-resourced park in north, as it is not considered safe. The country's edge as a worthwhile destination is further enhanced by its endowments for white water rafting and sport fishing. Tour operators have on offer a variety of Uganda safari and tour packages.
It is in Uganda that you find highest number of primate species anywhere in world. Opportunities for tracking rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are unrivalled elsewhere. The primate conservation efforts country has followed are bearing fruit. A survey carried out by Wildlife Conservation Society and Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with Uganda government, revealed that there were 4,950 chimpanzees in country in 2003. Previously, scientists guess for this number was between 3000 and 4000, but nobody knew for sure. The chimp is our closet living relative, sharing 98% of our genes and much of our behaviour. Uganda is best country in world to view chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
The best place to see rare mountain gorilla is at 331 sq. km Bwindi National Park. This park was formerly known as Impenetrable Forest with good reason. The trees are thick and forest thicker with dense undergrowth, creepers, bamboos and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. This environment is habitat for mountain gorilla's, chimpanzee, and 8 other species of primate. Not less than half world's population of an estimated 600 mountain gorillas have sanctuary here, making Bwindi base for an important scientific conservation program.
Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups and licenses are issued to ensure minimum disruption to routine of animals. Tracking gorillas is an arduous task and you should be prepared for up to 8 hours of hiking. Good physical condition is a must. You are advised to make arrangements 4-12 months prior to date of your visit. Bwindi is essentially a rain forest and it is necessary to bring along a raincoat, walking boots and gloves.
In addition to its star gorillas, Bwindi is host to bush pig, giant forest hog and over 300 species of birds including rare forest birds. Others who have found a home in this ecosystem include many types of bats and rodents, 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleon types, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos and 200 species of butterfly. Bwindi is to west of country and is 560 km from Kampala.
Though not as famous for safari as neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda still has some pretty good game sanctuaries. The 3,840 sq. km Murchison Falls National Park is largest and most spectacular of them. Aside from game, it is renowned for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tall grasslands and thick bush woodlands make up park. But you are advised not to miss out magnificent waterfalls after which park is named. The waterfall is formed where Nile tapers from 50 metres to rush through a 7-metre gorge, falling 45 metres in a breath-taking leap. This phenomenon is said to be most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on Earth.
If you are patient, you can catch some really huge Nile Perch at foot of falls. What kind of fish can withstand such a force that exists at foot of falls? Charles Norman describes his fishing day out with a companion who on seeing massive fish "...let out a strangled squawk and I found myself staring at hog-sized back of a huge fish protruding above water at rock's edge - a 100kg fish with scales size of tennis balls. Swimming next to it was a smaller one, a 'midget' of a mere 40kg or so". This adventure is described by prodigiously experienced Charles Norman as "...the most exciting morning's fishing that I have ever known." Other game fish found in Nile include Barbel, electric Catfish and Tiger fish.
