Top Reasons Why You Should Visit Uganda
Uganda is one of the most popular countries in the whole of East Africa and it is known as the preserver of the unique culture of the local people, having numerous traditional leaders. The country brings together over 60 tribes in together under one umbrella. It is one of the most visited countries in East Africa by tourists.
Well, there are many solid reasons to as to why one could come to visit Uganda and take a Uganda Safari through its amazing tourist attractions. Uganda is a living example of the images of the opulent days of its ancient rulers. The Uganda museums is a must visit destination for history lovers. There are many places to visit in Uganda that reminds of the glorious past like Kasubi tombs, Bulange Palace, Burial grounds of Toro kingdom, heritage trails of Buganda kingdom.
The mouth-watering local dishes prepared from different tribes that can be found at different restaurants that a spread throughout the whole country: dishes from the centre, western, eastern and northern region. These some of these dishes came with the famous, rich and aromatic nature that comes due to the liberal use of exotic spices, ghee and fresh fruits, flavored rice, meat, vegetables, milk.
Rich culture: The Pearl is known for its rich history and culture with a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance that was formed during the rule of our ancestors. One who travels to Uganda must visit the Uganda Museum to witness the cultural side of Ugandans. It is one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques from all the tribes found in Uganda.
Paradise for African shopping lovers: The pearl is surely the best place to go for shopping African craft. People from safaris shop for, antiques, jewelry items, beautiful dresses. Due to a pleasant Uganda weather, there will be no problem for tourists to travel around looking for souvenirs to take back home to their relatives.
Uganda’s most known attractions include; the national parks with wildlife and primates, lake Victoria, river nile, the tropical rain forests, the ever green vegetation and many more all you have to do is to book a safari to the Pearl of Africa.
Go Gorilla Trekking
The main focus of most visitors to Uganda is gorilla tracking. The country is blessed with two destinations where gorilla tracking is done; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The most popular adventure activity in the Bwindi Forest is gorilla tracking, although the area is also famous for other wildlife. You can visit the park at any time of the year, though the rainy season between April-May and September-November makes conditions for gorilla tracking a lot more challenging.
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Simple Tips To Maintain The Proper Driving Posture
Driving comprises of very many skills and one of the most vital techniques of driving is posture but this is underlooked by many drivers. The proper driving posture is not only important for the better movement of the car and road safety but also for your body’s health. With a proper driving posture, you will never have back, bum, and leg aches, and also it enhances quick reflexes to avoid knocking something on the road or any kind of accident.
Therefore, don’t sideline the driving posture, always put it into consideration to have a better driving experience and also keep good health. The simple tips to maintain the proper driving posture are very vital to travellers engaging in Uganda self-drive.
Ensure a good sitting position
This is the first step of a proper driving posture since the car is driven while seated. The best height for driving is when the eye level is about 8cm about the steering and the dashboard. While the sight above the steering and the dashboard, the driver is able to clearly see the road wide, far, and near. This position enables the driver to see what is coming from all sides front, left, right.
The position of the driving seat is also essential. This should be slightly bent at an angle of bout 1000. The seat position enables the driver to easily look at both the side and driving mirrors. The driver is also advised not to lean against the seat for the good of the neck.
The leg and knee placing
The position of the legs and knee helps for the proper use of the driving pedals. The knees must be on the same level as the hips and at an upward posture of about 25 degrees. This gives the driver full grip and control of the driving pedal system. More to that the legs should be slightly apart the right foot must be the one to control the pedals and left rested away from the pedals and for the manual car, the left foot is required for the clutch pedal and the right foot does the rest of the job. The seat should also be adjusted to ensure that the feet reach the pedal system.
Head restraint
The headrest must be at least 27.6 inches above the seating reference point. It is commendable that the driver must place the head in the middle of the head restraint. It always regulates your head from being so upfront at the steering wheel. The head restraints also limit the backward movement of the heads of the driver and other occupants in a collision and this prevents injury to the cervical vertebrate.
Mirror Position
The driving and side mirrors are integral features while driving. These mirrors help the driver to see what is coming from behind from the right, left, and in the middle. The side mirrors should be placed where the driver can see the vacuum of the side and also some far hind part of the car. The position of the mirror also helps in the parking of the car.
Lumbar Support
Some cars come with this sitting support cushion. Lumbar support helps the driver and the passengers improve their sitting posture while in the car. It is always placed where the back of the traveller rests while driving.
Make stoppages
Sitting for a long time is very dangerous because it can also lead to tiredness and back and neck aches. It is very crucial for one to take breaks from driving. Get out of the car and stretch your body and also take some refreshment especially while on a long-distance trip. The break should be about 10 minutes then get back to the road. At least after every 150kilometre drive, take a break and relax and stretch for the proper flow of blood. Being in one posture especially sitting can lead to paralysation due to the flow of blood around the body. The body is meant to be functioning to allow easy flow of blood.
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Buganda Culture at Kasubi Tombs
The Kasubi Tombs have always been considered a national monument by Ugandans and the location was recognised internationally as such when it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2001. Then, tragedy struck on 16 March 2010 when the tombs were gutted by a fire. It was like a stab in the heart to many Ugandans – but especially the Baganda.
The Kasubi Tombs are a traditional burial site for the late Kabakas. The Kabaka is the king of Buganda. The Kasubi Tombs are also referred to as Ssekabaka’s Tombs in Buganda. It was first constructed in 1881 and is located on Kasubi Hill – 5km out of the city centre. This monument is witness to the well kept traditions of the Baganda people and the tombs hold the remains of four Kings: Muteesa I, Muwanga II, Daudi Chwa II and Sir Edward Muteesa II. The guards and caretakers at the tombs are the descendants of the original guards and caretakers since it was first constructed.
While the fire destroyed some major buildings the remains of the kings were saved by the caretakers. Reconstruction of the tombs has taken some time but did start in July 2012. The delay in reconstruction was due to gathering funds and the investigations into the cause of the fire. The reconstruction will be a replica of the former tombs which were made of reed and bark cloth.
Before the tombs were destroyed, visitors entered by a small gate and would be met by guards dressed in yellow. After paying the entrance fee, a visitor would be assigned a guide to take them around and tell them the history of the tombs. The tombs were located at the end of the compound with other huts surrounding it. Some of the other huts were homes to the widows and granddaughters’ of the former kings and they were charged with the responsibility of looking after the tombs. It is an honor in the Buganda culture to be charged with taking care of the kabaka’s tombs.
The widows, and/or granddaughters, of the kings would sit by the pictures of the king. Visitors were required to take off their shoes before entering the hut to protect the bark cloth carpet that lined the tombs. Inside the tombs, the guide would explain the different artifacts that included spears and the stuffed leopard that was Kabaka Mwanga’s pet.
The tombs still remain an important spiritual and political site to the Baganda people. In as much as the original site was constructed using mud, reeds, and wattle, the main significance of the site is the continuity of the Baganda traditional and spiritual beliefs.
While it is unclear when reconstruction will be completed that does not mean that visitors need to remain away entirely. While there isn’t much to see visitors may still glean information from the guides and caretakers. In Kampala, all schools organize a trip to the Kasubi tombs for classes throughout the year. To learn about the rich Buganda culture, visiting the kasubi tombs is always a good idea. Pictures of the original tombs can be found at the Uganda Museum as well as the Uganda Tourism Board.
To know more about the tombs and the Buganda culture contact the Kabaka Foundation, Bulange in Kampala by phoning +256 412 273 600 or emailing kabakafdtn@utlonline.co.ug. To read more about the Kasubi Tombs go to www.kasubitombs.org.
Read MoreEagle Air: Uganda Air Service Provider based at Entebbe Airport
Eagle Air is an airline based in Kampala, Uganda. It operates regional scheduled services and charter flights across East and Central Africa. Its main base is Entebbe International Airport.
The airline was established in June 1994 and started operations in November 1994.
Services
Eagle Air offers scheduled and chartered flights to domestic and certain regional destinations, including air safaris to Ugandan national parks. In addition, it offers chartered flights within the East and Central Africa Region.
Destinations
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Driving Uganda on Honeymoon
Uganda is a safe country and welcomes every kind of travelers, among those who come to this country are the honeymooners. There are many attractions to Explore, and one of the best ways to enjoy the country is through driving or road trip in the country. Renting a car in Uganda is easy and affordable.
Advantages of self-driving on honey moon
Visitors on honey moon need privacy, and renting a car and drive is the best way to enjoy privacy on the trip, you will be just you in the car, interacting while enjoying the beauty of the pearl of Africa.
Visitors on Honey moon, will enjoy the freedom of not being limited by the all-inclusive safari involving a set Itinerary, there are some places which may seem to be good and better for honeymooners, visitors can decide to stay longer in such destinations.
To a certain extent, It becomes easy to change accommodation when visitors find they are not satisfied by the kind of the first choice. Honeymooners prefer a stress-free safari and the care from the accommodation facilities is paramount.
Honeymooners can decide to go with Rooftop tent to enjoy the thrill of sleeping on top of the car. This is magical, the two love birds to be on top of the car in the African wilderness.
Visitors can decide to go with the Ground tents. This camping safari reduces on the costs of accommodation. Meaning even honeymooners who are on tight budget can explore the country. Camping safaris are fun and enjoyable, it’s another way of exploring the country.
Destinations which can be visited on Honeymoon trip by Self-driving
Primate parks of Uganda: These parks include Kibale Forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga national park. They are known to be home to the great primates, the Mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees. Honey mooner can drive to these parks to spend some time with the close relatives of humans as scientists confirmed. The permits to track these creatures can be secured by the car rental company prior to the dates of the trip. This is because they are subject to availability.
Wildlife Parks: Road trip safaris to these parks is perfect idea, explore on your own in parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and many more. Game drives are conducted to Enjoy the wild animals including the big five. Clients on Rentals Uganda can see animals like Leopards, Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes, Antelopes and many more. There is an idea of hiring the park guide for the game drive to give useful information in the game drive.
Jinja in the Eastern Uganda: This destination has many adventure activities which can be relaxing and fun to Honey mooners. Drive to Jinja and engage in activities like white water rafting, Bungee Jumping, swimming, boat cruises, Horse riding and among others. Renting a car and drive to Jinja is one of the best ways to enjoy the place, Honey mooners are free to spend many days at this destination, discovering wonders on Lake Victoria and River Nile.
Lake Bunyonyi: This is one of the Deepest lakes in Africa. Found in Western Uganda Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi is one of the best relaxing places. Book a car hire trip to lake Bunyonyi and enjoy the boat cruise to many Island of the lake, Visit the Batwa, swimming, and among others. Relaxing at the lake is so cool and you enjoy the honey moon experiences.
Drive to Kapchorwa, around Mount Elgon National Park. This place is so beautiful, starting from the topography of land, the culture of the people and the weather. Enjoy the sipi falls on the slopes of Mountain Elgon, this is one of the best places to visit on the Honey moon driving trips. Nature walks are conducted by local guides and the falls has 3 series. Book with 4×4 rental cars Uganda have a wonderful driving safari.
Accommodation Facilities for Honeymooners on Driving Trip
Four Gorillas Lodge
The lodge is found in Rushaga a section of Bwindi National Park. It offers luxury services to visitors including those on honey moon. The lodge is near the starting point or briefing point for most of activities in Bwindi. This of an advantage as there is no need to drive long distance to access the starting point. Their cottages are surrounded by the forest providing the cool breathe to the honey mooners. The cottages are Ensuit offering both local international cuisines.
Turaco Tree Tops:
It is located around Kibale national park, one of the best destinations. They offer guests unique experience; the lodge has stunning views of snow-capped mountain Rwenzori. The rooms and cottages were built for comfort and let you be immersed in nature. There are attractions around the accommodation like the birds, monkeys and butterflies, the lodge also prepares you for the unforgettable experience the chimpanzee tracking in kibale and other activities around.
Read MoreNature frozen in Time at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Never mind the January to March dry spell, at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, the flora and fauna is perpetually green. The manicured lawns are inviting to those who want to relax under the shade of the huge trees.
The gardens are not just for nature lovers; musicians such as Jose Chameleon have shot their music videos here, and many newly married couples come here for photo shoots. A number of movies also contain scenes shot here. The gardens have a natural rainforest with pathways for those who want to stroll under its cooling foliage.
On our visit there, we chose to stroll through the forest and got to the ornamental section of the garden.
The newly planted ornamental plants are a sight to awaken all senses — touch, vision and smell.
We could not resist picking some of the flowers to feel and take in the scent.
Our guide, Madina Kasoma, who is also the nursery attendant, interrupted our brief romance with the flowers. “We sell some of the plants and flowers and also propagate to replace old ones,” she explained as we moved on to another section.
The Entebbe Botanical Gardens is the country’s sole plant conservatory with a gene bank. It is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, a few minutes away from the Entebbe International Airport, making it an ideal stopover venue for travelers in or out of the country.
Founded by the British colonial government in 1898, the 40.7acres garden continues to serve its purposes — education, conservation, recreation and research.
Researchers use the gene bank that keeps collection of seeds of different plants while the garden provides a research base for plants.
Another section offers a variety of plants with medicinal properties. The guide led us to two huge trees, said to be over 100 years old.
The trees have long tap roots, where vervet monkeys play, breastfeed young ones or groom each other.
The Botanical Gardens are perfect for school field studies, as it offers a lot on the country’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.
For the first time I saw the tea tree, which is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, and is nothing like the tea bush grown for brewing. This one is big and has seeds.
There is also an orchard, but being off season, we did not find any fruits. Madina said the fruit season means a scramble between the monkeys, birds and people.
A plus for the gardens are the several bird species such as the water birds that can be viewed at the beach. Tourists favorite though are the black and white Columbus monkey the dragon spiders and the rainforest.
The latter offers relief from the high early year temperatures and a staircase for easy descent down the hill to a well-maintained clearing through which clear water gently meanders out of a natural spring in the middle of the forest.
The water creates a “river between” the two rain forests in the garden. Our guide informs us that the spring has never dried even during the driest of spells.
The staircase leads us to the rock gardens. “We use these plants to educate people that some plants can grow on the rocks. So after touring you can sit right here,” said our guide pointing to the rock.
The design of the gardens is alluring. Not only does it attract conservationists, researchers and learners, more and more tourists are visiting.
On average, John Wasswa Mulumba, the garden’s curator says between 10,000 and 16,000 people in small groups visit the gardens annually.
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The Uganda Martyrs’ Trail
The Uganda Martyrs Trail is Uganda’s exclusive faith-based tourism product that takes you through different places where the first Christian missionaries passed and preached from, and where some of the Uganda Martyrs were killed before their bodies were taken to be burnt at Namugongo.
The death of these martyrs has always been memorable in the hearts of many people especially Christians who celebrate the lives of the martyrs on 3rd June of every year a day the republic of Uganda considers as the Uganda Martyrs’ Day and a public holiday. Their remembrance was amplified when the Catholic Church of Rome beatified the martyrs of its faith in 1920 and canonized them in 1964.
Many pilgrims, especially Christians, from all over the world descend to the Pearl of Africa to join together with Ugandans to commemorate the martyrs’ day. This is celebrated in remembrance of 45 young men (recorded) both Anglicans and Catholics who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II (then the King of the Buganda Kingdom in Central Uganda), for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ or Christianity. The execution took place between November 1885 to June 1886 with a climax at Namugongo on 3rd June 1886, after the Kabaka (king) thought the Whites were ‘infiltrating’ his subjects with Christianity to cause rebellion against him. As a result he killed most of his servants at Namugongo.
Since its launch in 2014, the Uganda Martyrs Trail was expanded to cover such places like:
- Mapeera site in Ssese
‘Mapeera Site’ at Bugoma, Buggala Island in Ssese is the spot where Fr. Simeon Lourdel, who was later named “Mapeera” and Brother Amans first touched Ugandan soil when they landed at the site to spend the night of 15th February 1879 on their way to Lubaga to meet with Kabaka Muteesa I, seeking permission to set up a camp in Buganda to preach, teach and spread Christianity. - Kigungu Church, Entebbe
This is the second spot where Fr. Simeon Lourdel & Brother Amans landed on 17th February 1879 after spending a night at Bugoma, Buggala Island in Ssese, en route to Munyonyo to meet with Kabaka Muteesa I. - Mapeera site in Kisubi
On their way to meet with King Muteesa I at Munyonyo palace, the missionaries also stayed at Kisubi, on the shores of Lake Victoria along Entebbe road, a place the Catholic Church later revamped and established a seminary, schools and a well maintained beach and gardens. - Uganda Martyrs’ shrine, Munyonyo
In the same area where Kabaka Muteesa I had his palace lies the Munyonyo Matryrs’ Shrine. This is the place where the missionaries met with the Kabaka who had earlier on written a letter to Queen Victoria of UK in 1876 inviting Christians to come, teach and preach in the Buganda Kingdom. It’s also the place where the journey of the Martyrs, both Catholics and Anglicans, began before their martyrdom at Namugongo, happening after Kabaka Mwanga had assumed power when his father (Kabaka Muteesa I) died in 1884.
It was at Munyonyo where King Mwanga took the crucial decision to begin putting Christians to death. The blood of Uganda’s martyrs was shed on the soil around Munyonyo. The first three Christians to render their lives for Christ’s sake after the king’s decision did so on 26 May 1886. They included, St. Denis Ssebugwawo and St. Andrew Kaggwa. It is also in this place where in 1886 Saint Charles Lwanga, leader of the Christian community in Uganda baptized St. Kizito, St. Mbaga, St. Gyavira and St. Muggaga.
The place has now been refurbished with a Cathedral and a monument which were inaugurated by Pope Francis on 27th November 2015, when he visited the Pearl of Africa.
- Uganda Martyrs’ shrine, Namugongo (both Anglican & Catholics’ side)
The climax of the plight that befell the Uganda Martyrs between 1885 and 1886 happened at Namugongo, and the place was earmarked by the construction of a church. The construction of the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine (Catholics section) began in 1967 and it was completed and formally opened by the special Papal envoy, His Eminence Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli on 3rd June 1975.
The Uganda Martyrs minor basilica/Shrine is a Catholic church dedicated to the Martyrs of Uganda who shed their blood because of the Christian faith. The Shrine is well known for its beautiful and unique interior and exterior, but it is especially notable for its shape and architectural plan: the 22 copper pillars-over 100 feet long that support the shrine built in form of an African hut and its wooden doors that depict the history of the Martyrs. The Shrine has a capacity 1000 seats arranged in a circular form.
It is here that 14 of the 22 Catholic Uganda Martyrs were burnt alive, on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in 1886, having refused to denounce their Christian faith. Following the holocaust of these Martyrs which reached a climax on 3rd June, 1886 Namugongo has steadily taken on the image of attraction as a place of pilgrimage, as God simultaneously has honoured them before Believers.
On 6th June 1920 Pope Benedict XV beatified the Uganda Martyrs. Pope Paul VI canonized them on Mission Sunday, 8th October, 1964 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. The same Pope honoured the Martyrs with a pilgrimage on 31st July to 2nd August 1969 – the first visit ever by a pope to the African Continent.
Remembering the work executed by St. Charles Lwanga when still a page in King Mwanga’s palace, when he spearheaded the excavation of the legendary Kabaka’s lake in Ndeeba, a Martyrs’ lake was excavated at Namugongo. Many pilgrims have often drawn water from this lake and later given testimonies about this water healing them of various diseases.
The Pavilion (Island) in the lake is another unique feature at Namugongo with a clear view that can be seen from all angles of the over 15 acres Shrine compound. It is inside this pavilion where the main celebrant sits on big occasions like Martyrs’ day, June 3. This grass thatched pavilion, also in circular form like the Shrine is supported by 4 pillars and can accommodate more than 300 priests and a number of bishops that turn for the High Mass on Martyrs Day.
In remembrance of the 23 (recorded) Anglican martyrs, the Anglican Church of Uganda also constructed a museum that collects all the information of the story, right from the coming of the first missionaries, to the torture of the martyrs and the spread of Christianity all over Uganda. Visiting these places shall provide you with all inspirational and spiritual knowledge.
Both sites have so far been visited by three Popes; including; Pope Paul VI in 1969, Pope John Paul II in 1993 and Pope Francis in 2015.
When to do it
One can visit at any time of the year but the most favorable time is between May and July every year, during which you can also join in the annual celebrations of 3rd June every year.
Recommended Honeymoon Destinations in Uganda
In East Africa, Uganda is one of the magical tourism destinations and a highlight of many trips to Africa. Its strategic location, weather, green vegetation has led to fascinating history that dates back to being called the ‘Pearl of Africa’ though some prefer calling it the country Gifted by nature. Besides its also known as the country with meaningful islands Bunyonyi (the Switzerland of Africa) & Ssese, the land of lakes with many beaches, and water sport activities like boat cruise, Sunset rides making every guest comfortable and relaxed throughout their stay. Your honeymoon in Uganda lays at your feet a gorgeous mélange of aromatic adventures in all the country’s national park not forgetting the Gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee/Primate Treks that are memorable in a life time, spectacular scenery, breath taking views and vibrant wildlife fields.
The country’s city night life is another added advantage where you enjoy candle light dinners in well eco-friendly setting hotels, restaurants and bars. Celebrating your marriage and new life together begs for a stunning, original and a wonderfully memorable destination. Uganda meets and exceeds any expectation for the very best escape in a naturally conserved national park & a sun soaked island of romantic drama and excitement. The African Touch of culture and local people influence makes the country have the most wonderful culture in the world easy to adapt.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The world known Bwindi Forest national park is the finest adventure site in the pearl of Africa Uganda a place to consider when looking at rare wildlife safari adventures. Gorilla tracking in the forest is wonderful experience you’ll always remember and even have stories to tell your little ones. Thousand book this adventure year round but it has remained exceptionally well preserved and gives you the chance to view and take photos of the gentle giant apes the Gorillas in the wild. The Gorilla expeditions make Uganda more unique in nature, beautiful and attractive.
The Might Water falls in Murchison Park
Spicy up your stays by taking a boat cruise in Murchison falls National Park and also hike to the top of the falls. This is a lovely activity which everyone would at least love to do while in Uganda. The park can be visited year round and you will enjoy wildlife (The Big five), a sound of the falls, cool weather is a must and a Rhino sanctuary is a complement for the trip. However Uganda is a home to several attractions and each is unique in its way though four National parks are most visited Bwindi forest, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls and Kibale forest. But The Islands are a must visit to many guests heading to the country side.
Locally Made Crafts & Gifts in Africa
Nothing is as rewarding as picking up a locally produced, hand-made gift to remember your Africa honeymoon safari in one of Uganda’s best Gift Quality shops with main locations at the Equator in Kayabwe, Daisy Arcade on Buganda Road in the city centre and even in the craft shops just outside the park attractions. Sometimes you can even make a request for a special gift with deliveries in just a day’s time. You’ll find the Handicraft Centers very excellent full of quality craft, pottery, woven baskets, sound instruments and much more. Make it appoint to visit if time permits.
Read MoreApes of Uganda Exhibition Still on at the Uganda Museum
Two weeks ago, Uganda national Museum in partnership with the University of Michigan launched the Apes of Uganda Exhibition at the Uganda Museum in Kamwokya Kampala. It is the first one of its kind in the history of Uganda. Many of the previous exhibitions have been focusing more on Uganda as a destination without necessarily focusing on a particular species.
The Apes of Uganda exhibition is set to continue until the 30th of August 2023. Having started on 24th of February 2023, it is now three weeks into the apes of Uganda exhibition. Its main aim is to show the central role Uganda plays in research and preservation of the apes.
According to Gladys Kalema Zikusooka, one of the Keynote speakers that graced the event during its launch, Uganda is currently the safest haven for apes. She noted that though Democratic republic of Congo has more apes than Uganda, but the conservation efforts of Uganda still stand out with a number of success stories highlighted in her speech.
She shared the conservation journey of Uganda noting the days in the early nineties when wildlife veterinary was introduced to Uganda, the population boom of the mountain gorillas that has positioned Uganda as the leading destination for gorilla trekking in the world.
In the attempt to further conservation efforts, Dr. Gladys shared insights about here effort to engage and mentor African leaders in her conservation efforts. She noted that if we could have leadership that believes and supports conservation, habitats like Bugoma forest would not have been given out for industrialization purposes.
It should be noted that Uganda is home two wild apes’ species i.e the endangered mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees are the most diversely distributed apes in Uganda surviving in more than 7 locations including but not limited to; Kibale forest national park, Bugoma forest, Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest among several other locations.
Uganda boasts of two mountain gorilla habitats; Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Of the three countries in the whole world where mountain gorilla resides, it is only Uganda that has two gorilla national parks.
It is for this same reason why Uganda is home to almost half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world.
Despite their social and economic importance, mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees are some of the world’s endangered species. In the recent years human wildlife conflicts have become more rampant with severe consequences.
During her keynote speech, Dr Gladys applauded Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for protecting the forests. However, poaching is still a serious issue but grievous punishments have been put in place to hinder this vice.
In 2022, Ochiba was sentenced to life imprisonment after getting caught for the second time participating in wildlife trafficking. In 2020, the poacher who killed a mountain gorilla in Bwindi well known as Rafiki was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
With such a background, more efforts are required to ensure that the different stakeholders get informed about Uganda’s role in the preservation and research on the great apes. The apes of Uganda exhibition seek to go beyond mere coming face to face with the great apes in Uganda to walking the journey of their migration, evolution and survival in Uganda
The exhibition works out as the best place to start your gorilla safari to Uganda. At Uganda museum, you will be introduced to the fossils of the great apes, how they are interlinked into Uganda’s ancient culture, why these species went extinct in certain parts of Uganda and a lot more in that line.
By the time to set out for your gorilla trek in Bwindi or Mgahinga or any chimpanzee tracking destination, you will simply be completing the missing puzzle of what remains of the great apes as told during the exhibition. To those who have already visited the apes’ habitats, the exhibition will introduce you the part of the apes that you will most likely not encounter in the conservation areas.
Read MoreWhy Hire a Car & Driver in Uganda
Having a safari in Uganda is one of the most enjoying and thrilling moments in the life of any adventurous traveller. The country is located in the Eastern corner of the African continent bordered by Kenya to the East, South Sudan to the North, Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Rwanda to the southwest and Tanzania to the west. With an area of approximately 241,038 square kilometers, Uganda ranks as the 79th largest country in the world. It accommodates around 50 million people of where 8.5 occupy the capital and largest city of Kampala. The country was named after the kingdom of Buganda which encloses the largest portion including the capital city- Kampala. The official language of Uganda is English and Swahili though Luganda is the widely spoken throughout the country.
Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is a home to various ideal tourist attractions which are the main key to your memorable safari. From the rich cultural practices of over 56 tribes, to unique species in different destinations including the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi Impenetrable national park, the rare tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the golden monkeys in Mgahinga national park, and the chimpanzees in Kibale forest national park. The country includes a portion of the largest fresh water lake in Africa – Lake Victoria which is shared with Kenya and Tanzania.
When planning for a safari, we believe that there is a great benefit of hiring a car with a driver in Uganda during your trip. A driver is person hired to transport the travellers to their place of booking. This person ensures that the traveller gets to the destination comfortably and safely and also at a planned period of time. Besides your safety and comfort, there are other benefits of hiring a car with a driver including;
Informative
Much as you make research about the Uganda tourist attractions during your planning for a trip, you can never get all the accurate and necessary information than a local driver or guide. A skilled driver always possesses all the information and knowledge about the tourist destination including its history, the current facts, and activities to be done and also the attractions to be seen thus making him or her favorable for your travel.
Relaxing drive
While travelling with a driver or guide, you get a relaxing drive and do other things like businesses online and chatting with your friends as a professional driver takes you to your destination.
Time management
Drivers or tour guides are trained to get to the desired destination of the client at a planned time. Time management is always a difficult task to the self-drive clients and yet it is a key factor to a successful travel or safari. +
Language barrier
It should be remembered that most Uganda attractions are located in remote areas where the number of illiterates is at a high rate. Language is a basic tool for communication and this may make your safari hectic in case you land on people who don’t know how to speak English. Therefore, travelling with a driver who can ease the communication with the locals is an added advantage.
Wildlife viewing
This is among the main reasons why a driver is important during your travel to Uganda. Wildlife viewing is one of the most thrilling experiences during any safari which one can miss when driving him/herself. This is because all the concentration and attention will be on the road thus missing out some animals but when you hire the driver, you will get a chance to use the pop up roof for an excellent game viewing exercise.
Also, the guides or drivers are always good at tracking different animals especially the cats like lions, hyenas and leopards which might be difficult when you are on your own. And while driving yourself, you might find a hard time to take the pictures of the animals in the plains of the park since the attention will be on a car.
Safety
While on the main roads, it’s always easy for you to have a self-drive experience since most of the roads are in good conditions however while going to the entrances of the attractions, the off main roads are in poor conditions thus a need for an experienced driver to drive on these roads especially during the rainy weathers since they are always slippery.
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