Uganda must be included on your bucket list at once – trust me, you are never going to regret it. Why? I’ll tell you why and I’ll tell you this on authority. I have traveled to this country a dozen times (or more) and every time, there is something new to do, see or experience. It is a country of surprises waiting to happen. Of course there are times I end up eating at the same restaurant, seeing the same herd of elephants on the safari or end up having the same conversation with the same people but it is exciting every time!
I’ll say this – Uganda is more than Idi Amin, Lake Victoria and the infamous Entebbe airport siege. Uganda is about lush green forests inhabited by primates (gorillas and chimpanzees), arid savannahs, lakes, snow-capped mountains, tea, coffee plantations and is the home of River Nile (White).
I know I will never tire of traveling through this country – and there is no doubt Uganda occupies a very special place in my heart. There is something magical and magnetic about it – a vibe that is hard to ignore that you will fall in love with it at once.
Did you know that it was Winston Churchill who fondly renamed Uganda as The Pearl of Africa? With good reason too.
Here are my top reasons to go to Africa if you haven’t already!
Lake Victoria
The second largest Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world (at a staggering 26,500 square miles) is a destination in itself. In this lake is the famous Ssese Islands but above all, it is the birthplace of River Nile. The River Nile takes birth in this lake at Jinja and continues downstream to take life as the world’s longest river.
Murchisons Falls National Park
To watch the mighty Nile squeeze itself through a 7 m gorge and plunges into the Devil’s Cauldron with a thunderous roar. The river cruise bring you up to this point from where you can hike to the top of the waterfall. This is the best place to see wildlife- as they come along to the river’s edge to drink. On the little islands formed in the river is your best chance to see Nile crocodile! The park also nurtures healthy populations of elephant, lion, hippo, giraffe, buffalo and other large mammals.
Wildlife
Uganda has incredible wildlife. In fact, from the first time I visited to the most recent time, much has developed. Roads leading out of the city are better, new lodges and activities are opening up everywhere and the tourism infrastructure in the national parks has improved drastically.
Of all the different types of wildlife that Uganda has, there is one primate that makes you forget the rest. Yes, it’s the gorilla! Close behind is the chimpanzee followed by the rest of the animal kingdom, not to mention the Nile crocodile!
National Parks: Murchisons Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Kibali National Park.
The Ugandan Equator
At the Uganda Equator you can stand with your foot on two hemispheres!Where else do you find an imaginary line that bisects earth into two hemispheres? The Equator Point in Uganda is definitely an interesting place to visit. It is quite a sight to see people standing with their feet on either side of the equator in an attempt to get that perfect picture to show off!
It is said that you are “lighter” when standing at the equator because there is no gravitational pull and your body weight is reduced by 3 percent. Water runs down in sinks clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Kasubi Tombs
An active religious place in the Bugandan Kingdom and the burial ground for the earlier Kabakas. To the Bugandans, Kabaka is the unquestioned symbol of spiritual, political, and social state. For those interested in Uganda’s history, this is a great place to start, though it won’t seem so much a ‘tomb’ as a ‘living museum’ once you walk through the Bujjubukula (gatehouse made of wooden columns, reeds and thatch) and into the Olugya (the main courtyard) of the Kasubi Tombs complex. The Kasubi Tombs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Food
I love the food of Uganda – true, it may not be as varied as food from other countries, but everything here is fresh, locally procured and wholesome. I wrote a detailed post about what to eat while in Uganda (CLICK HERE). But in a nutshell I’d strongly recommend eating matoke (steamed and mashed plantains), ugali and beans and Luwombo.
Of course, if you are looking for the regular western food, Kampala is full of swanky eateries and cafes to cater to your mzungu needs.
The People
You simply cannot ignore the deep-throated and friendly laughter of the Ugandans and the way they take things so casually – two most important things for the first time traveler seeking to create a memorable experience here. Uganda is full of friendly people eager to take pictures with you! And what’s more, they will always smile for the camera without much encouragement! They are curious (will ask you lots of questions without inhibitions) and even call you mzungu in a friendly, welcoming way (no racism here) and offer you advice on everything – from boda-boda to riding matatus. And oh, they love to party as much as they like their beer.
