Destination Uganda
In a Nutshell
The "Pearl of Africa" (as once described by Winston Churchill) has since Idi Amin's days lived in the shadow of Kenya and Tanzania with regards game viewing but has enormous potential, and the best gorilla tracking in Africa. It is the nearest safari destination to the UK and an ideal destination for those with a high interest in birds and primates without the crowds. It also has some of the friendliest people in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies.
Climate
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Aug |
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Nov |
Dec |
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28 |
46 |
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61 |
27 |
130 |
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175 |
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145 |
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75 |
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45 |
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85 |
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90 |
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97 |
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120 |
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99 |
(average high temp in degrees c and average rainfall in mm) for Kampala
Facts
Size: 235,796 Sq Km
Population: 28.2m
Capital: Kampala
Flying Time: Entebbe 8 hours 30 mins
People: Baganda (16%), also Basoga, Banyankole, Iteso, Acholi and Lango
Languages: English (official), Swahili, Luganda and around 30 indigenous languages
Major Industries: agriculture, mining, construction, textiles, manufacturing
Currency: Ugandan shilling (USh)
Visa: Required for UK passport holders
Time: GMT +3
Budget: From £2750 for 2 weeks
Background
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa bordering Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It straddles the Equator and is dominated (along much of the southern border) by Lake Victoria and the glacier-capped Rwenzori mountains (the longest range in Africa). It is a very lush country - 20% is covered by inland water and swamps - and it is the official source of the Nile. The rest is a mixture of tropical rain forest, savannah and mountains on the western borders. The climate is equatorial so warm days and cool nights.
Uganda is the same size as the UK or the State of Oregon in the US.
There are around 26 National Parks and Reserves.
| Principal Parks and Reserves | ||
| • Murchison Falls NP | • Kibale Forest NP | |
| • Queen Elizabeth NP | • Lake Mburo NP | |
| • Kidepo NP | • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP | |
| • Semliki NP |
Highlights
Tracking Mountain Gorillas in the Ruwenzori Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Incomparable birdlife and animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Beautiful landscapes and spectacular waterfalls at Murchison Falls
Whitewater rafting at Jinga near the source of the Nile
Climbing and walking on Mount Elgon
| Activities | ||
| • Game drives and walks | • Fishing | |
| • Boat trips | • Sailing | |
| • Trekking | • White water rafting | |
| • Climbing | • Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking | |
| Best for | ||
| • Gorilla, chimpanzee and other primate viewing | • Bird watching (with many forest/West African | |
| • Game viewing without the crowds | • species + the Shoebill stork) | |
| When to go: All year, but Jul-Oct best for combination of birding and gorilla viewing. Late Jun-early Oct and late Dec-mid Mar = best game-viewing | ||
| • Oct-Apr = summer, May-Sep = winter | • Apr-May and Oct-Nov = rains | |
| • Jul-Sep = high season | • Oct-Jun = low season | |
| • Dec-Feb = hottest | • Nov and Apr = wettest | |
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