Uganda – a land gifted by nature

Uganda – a land gifted by nature – Winston Churchill dubbed Uganda, “The Pearl of Africa,” which understates its vast array of riches.

Everything about this country is designed to overwhelm your sense of discovery.

A nation of huge diversity, Uganda is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and a paradise for primates. Its 10 National parks play host to Africa’s big seven – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo plus gorilla and chimpanzee.

The equatorial climate provides year round temperatures of around 27 degrees celsius yet its mountains are snow capped. It is the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile, that starts its journey at the world’s second largest lake, Victoria.

National Park signposts…

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: This lush rain forest on the edge of the Rift Valley is most famous for those ticking off their bucket list visiting it’s 340 Mountain Gorillas, half of the world’s population. It is also a sanctuary for chimpanzees, over 320 birds species and Colobus monkeys.

Kibale National Park: This forest has one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa. It’s highlight being outstanding Chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences that provide spectacular sightings. There are almost 1500 chimpanzees resident in the forest.

Kidepo Valley National Park: Little visited and unexplored, Kidepo lies in the far northeast of Uganda with a huge biodiversity of flora and fauna, rugged mountain scenery and exceptional game viewing and superb bird watching.

Lake Mburo National Park: Conveniently located between Kampala and the main tourist hotspots, Mburo is the smallest of Uganda’s parks, but has the most prolific plains game all year round. It is where you can experience Uganda’s premier horseback safaris.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Mgahinga sits high in the clouds, in former volcanoes. As well as having Gorillas and golden monkeys, it is home to the indigenous Batwa people who will take you on a journey into their lives of living off the forest – fascinating!

Mount Elgon National Park: In the east towards Kenya, Mount Elgon’s Sipi Falls are a series of stunning waterfalls that can be seen on a day hike up the slopes. The highlight here is seeing cave dwelling elephants that are drawn to the vast caverns by the nutritious salt deposits found deep underground.

Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area is the size of Rwanda! It hosts a huge 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds. As well as providing an excellent safari experience, Murchison Falls are a spectacular sight where the mighty Nile is squeezed through a narrow gorge falling 140ft and has to be seen by climbing to the very top. Also not to be missed is spotting the prehistoric looking Shoebill stork on the shores of the river.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park: The Rwenzori, known as the “Mountains of the Moon”, stretch 120km along the Congo border. A world-class hiking and mountaineering destination, their snow-capped peaks include the third highest point in Africa, and is often described as being a much prettier and picturesque climb than its more famous neighbours, seeing forest elephants, golden cats and forest hog along the way.

Semliki National Park: Semliki is the only tropical lowland forest in East Africa where the forest meets the savannah and has the most spectacular scenery and a wild untrammelled wilderness. Famous for its natural hot springs, it is of particular interest to birdwatchers due to its 440 species, 50 of which cannot be seen anywhere else in Africa.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda’s most popular safari destination provides classic big game, ten primate species and over 600 species of birds. Experience tree climbing lions in Ishasha and a cruise down the Kazinga channel offers the best wildlife viewing on the river shore including the world’s largest population of hippo.