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 Visit Uganda Today | Uganda Safaris

Visit Uganda Today | Uganda Safaris? : Generally, Uganda the pearl of Africa the most stunning destination in Africa. It as a fairy tale with unique environmental attributes and the moderate climate due to country’s location on the equator. Additionally, it has got abundant biodiversity, color, brilliant life and its serene beauty. The beautiful country Uganda is particularly scenic and has a lot to offer to people with a keen interest in natural history and active holidays.

Furthermore, Uganda’s terrain is mostly plateau with a rim of mountains and a southeastern boarder of Lake Victoria. In addition, the magnificent Rwenzori ranges known as mountains of the moon will live you in awe of beauty. Here, you will enjoy different ecological habitats from savannah grasslands, rain forest,  alpine, permanent ice and snow. As a matter of fact, it is the third highest mountain in Africa as well as the most difficult to climb.

Mountain Gorillas

Uganda is basically among the only three countries on planet earth with the remaining population of mountain gorillas. Actually, it has half the number of mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world. You are able to visit them in their natural habitat-the mountain forests of equatorial Africa. These include; Bwindi National Park in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Beautiful National Parks

Uganda has 10 National Parks but each National Park is quite unique and different from others. Firstly, Murchison Falls National park with the world’s most strongest waterfalls and has spectacular game drives coupled with a boat cruise. Secondly, Bwindi National Park, “the Ultimate gorilla experience” with the endangered mountain Gorillas. Thirdly, Lake Mburo National Park, also known as the “Whispers of the wild”. Fourthly, Semiliki National Park “the birders Haven”, then Kidepo Valley National Park “the true African Wilderness”.

Mountain Elgon National Park “the world’s largest mountain caldera” and Mgahinga National Park “where the silver meets gold”. Mountain Rwenzori National Park “the mystical challenge” and Kibale Forest National Park “the primate capital of the world”. Lastly, Queen Elizabeth National Park “medley of wonders” is a must visit while in Uganda. Therefore, if you are a bird lover, get prepared to record over 600 species of birds of which some are migratory ones. You can also take a game drive in Ishasha in search for the tree climbing lions or visit the crater lakes region.

Chimpanzee tracking

Basically, Uganda is marketed as a primate country and these can be enjoyed while on your safari. These include; chimp tracking in Kibale “the primate capital of the world” and Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, trekking these primates needs a permit which can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Otherwise, you can participate in Chimpanzee habituation experiences & chimpanzee tracking and get to learn more about them.

Source of the Nile

Generally, this is the mighty River Nile, the second-longest river in the world, who’s largest source is in Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile is prettier due to its largest fresh water in Africa and the longest on planet earth. If in doubt, visit Uganda and make sure you take a boat/canoe to the source of the Nile. In fact, that’s when you will believe that indeed the source of the Nile is in Jinja Uganda. There have been many claims that the source of the Nile is in Rwanda but the truth remains that it is in Uganda. In conclusion, visit Uganda and explore the source of the Nile.

Hospitable people

The country Uganda is popularly known for having very nice, beautiful and happy people. Ugandans are so hospitable that they are always welcoming, and willing to help and thier smiles are as war, as the sun. Uganda is basically made up of a number of ethnic groups from the central, south, west, east, and north. However, each with its own language, distinctive customs and norms. From the west to the east, south to north and to the central, you will find the best and lovely people to visit. This therefore makes your holiday in Uganda so peaceful and relaxing.

Conducive climate

Basically, Uganda lies astride the equator but its climate is not truly equatorial due to several factors. These include; water bodies, relief, vegetation, not to mention but a few. As a matter of fact, Uganda’s sun blazes all the year. This therefore means that Uganda can be visited all year round and because of the climate, we are able to grow enough fresh food and fruits. In fact, you can as well enjoy them while on your visit to Uganda.

Uganda’s taste bud’s rich cuisine

Uganda’s food is as rich as its culture, since each tribe has its own staple food. A proper Ugandan meal is a celebration in itself, and some meals are prepared as early as the day before, to be served at lunch the following day. Then there is the street food, the most notable being the Rolex. While a Rolex is a timepiece in most countries, in Uganda it’s a popular street food that can be eaten anytime of the day. It’s an omelet that is rolled with a chapatti and some onions and tomatoes.

The bird paradise

This country has got the highest concentration of birds in Africa boasting with over 1040 species. Note that, in Uganda you will find migratory birds from North Africa and Europe. Lake Bunyonyi, meaning “lake of small birds,” is the second-deepest freshwater lake in Africa. There are 29 islands in the lake, and it’s a haven for bird lovers. This lake can be added on your bucket list while visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Best time to visit Uganda

Because of the favorable climate conditions Uganda experiences, the country can be visited all year-round. Nevertheless, you should consider that there are two major tourism seasons each offering different safari prices and these include peak and low season. The peak season basically starts in December to February as well as from June to September. For those that trek gorillas, we recommend that you always pack a rain jacket irrespective of which time of the year you are visiting.

 For the best views of wild animals, we recommend that you take the savannah Game viewing Safaris, in the dry months. These include; January to February, and June to September as the animals frequently converge around the various water-holes in the parks. Also, bird watching is an all-year round activity however the best views are from November to April. This is when migrant species have arrived to Uganda due to the winter season in search for the summer seasons.

Where to stay/accommodation on a Uganda safari

During your stay in Uganda, there are different choices of accommodation in which one chooses from. These are generally categorized into three: the budget, mid-range/moderate and luxury accommodation. – so there is something for everyone that suits their budget. 

The Batwa Cultural Experience

The Batwa Cultural Experience : These pygmies (Twa in Rwanda) basically lived in ancient Bwindi Forest in Uganda. However, they were evicted in 1980’s and 1900’s from the Rwanda & Uganda Parks without compensation. In Uganda the Batwa lived in harmony in the jungle with all creatures including the mountain gorillas thus named the “main gorilla trackers”. Later, it was gazetted as a National Park, where they lived a hunter gatherer lifestyle known as “the keepers of the forest”.

The Batwa lived a lifestyle of gathering fruits, plants and hunting game in the forest. In fact, they used bows and arrows, this was mainly for both medical and food purposes. They roamed the forests for centuries in search for fruits and honey whereby they lived a harmonious life. Surprisingly, they never practiced farming, nor charcoal burning not even the shelters they had could destroy the environment. Since they were evicted from their former home that’s when they started hunting gorillas, begging and working for others as servants.

Batwa Communities in Uganda

Batwa culture trail

This is found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and tourists who are interested in culture are led by batwa locals through the jungle. Here, they teach tourists their ancient gathering and hunting ways and after the visit, these guides head back to their community.

The Batwa Experience in Buhoma

Found just outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, visitors enjoy this experience after trekking gorillas. This experience has greatly benefited the batwa communities and visitors are introduced to the culture through traditional dances, clothing, food, etc.

Buninga Batwa Forest in Nkuringo

Generally, this gives chance to tourists to explore the cultural and traditional ways of the Batwa. Buninga forest is not part of Bwindi but its wildlife species, primates and vegetation types are similar to those in Bwindi. While here, visitors can also spot some chimpanzees during the forest walk. 

The Batwa spiritual beliefs and rituals

Nagaasan the god

Batwa people believe Nagaasan or Imaana who is believed to provide wealth, food, protection and children. This chameleon was treated as sacred due to the fact it climbed to the highest point of the tree. As a matter of fact, the Twa believed that it came closest to God. The ancient religion of the Batwa is centered in the forest and it is practiced by the different people in the community. In fact, even after the introduction of Christianity, some Batwa people still stick on their old religion.

Birth rituals

When a baby was born among the Twa people, a bow and arrow was always placed in their palms as a sign of protection. The women also breastfed their babies for a very long time as this acted as a form of family planning for them.

Marriage rituals

The Twa practiced monogamy although sometimes they would exchange girls, known as barter marriage. Most of the marriages in the Twa were arranged by their respective families. During barter trade marriage, the two were made to face each other especially during the marriage ceremonies. As a result, this was a sign of their shared future in marriage. Afterwards, the father of the bride always introduced her to the family of the spirits. In case, the woman was barren, the man was always encouraged to get another woman.

This was done such that a woman can bear children for the continuity of his lineage. Non Batwa could not marry Twa people but the men who live around were reportedly to have always raped the Twa women. This was with a belief that they will get cured of HIV AIDS. Adultery was also not allowed among the Twa people. Bride purchasing during marriages as is the norm now was not accepted. However, a few gifts were given to the family of the bride and these were wild meat and honey. The meat of the squirrel was the most used since it was hard to hunt. Inf fact, during the marriage ceremony, it was given to the mother in law.

Death rituals

They hardly practiced inheritance ceremonies since the Twa people owned few possessions. Upon death, the family members would be given the possessions to own. The dead were normally buried in huts or cremated and the place where they were buried was always abandoned. They were also buried in caves and rocks but this was before they were chased out of the Bwindi. After the death of a beloved one, a medicine man would come by to cleanse the bereaved family members. It was done so that the spirit of the deceased would not attack them.

The social and economic life of the Batwa

House construction

They in small congested houses that are always too small to accommodate all the family members under one roof. For example, you might find over eight people living in the same single roomed house. In fact, most of these houses do not have mattresses or sits. Surprisingly, you find a family lying on their sisal made beds at night and sharing them from father to the children.

Socialization and marriage

The Batwa are very good people whereby they are welcoming and hospitable to the visitors. They socialize through hunting, music, dancing and different stories that are always told in the evening by the elders. They marry when they are in their teens and this has drastically increased their population yet they live on small pieces of land. Most of these drop out of school such that they help in the day to day running of the families. On the other hand, others become local guides for the tourists who visit the area for gorilla trekking.

Jobs and Education

It is extremely hard for the batwa people to get jobs whereby they end up doing casual jobs which do not bring in a lot of money. They also make clay pots that they sell to the different people who visit the area. Most of the people who design the pots say that although they sell these pots, the money they get is not enough. It can not last them a week and sometimes they end up going hungry due to lack of food.

The fact that their livelihood of hunting was take away from them, they are trying to adopt to the changing world.The children go to school however, most of them do not finish. This is because of the extreme poverty they face and end up doing odd jobs to survive. Besides, some of the children run away from schools because they are threatened by the teachers and fellow children.

In conclusion, one can not miss out the Batwa cultural experiences while on your visit to Uganda. In fact, it is possible to enjoy Gorilla trekking and crown it with a visit in any of the Batwa Communities.

 The Uganda Equator Line

The Uganda Equator Line : is the intersection of a sphere’s surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere’s axis of rotation. As a matter of fact, it is the most recognized landmark on the map of Uganda. Additionally, it is the major latitude that divides the world into two equal hemispheres i.e northern and southern hemisphere. The equator is perpendicular to the earth’s axis of rotation and it also contains the earth’s center of mass. It is also seen on maps marking the equidistant from the North and south Pole. In fact, Uganda is one of the few countries in the world with this imaginary line that divides the earth into two. 

What to expect around the equator

• Here, you are able to stand with one feet in the North and the other in the Southern hemisphere. Of course it is such an amazing experience to stand at both sides of the world.
• Furthermore, the sun rises and falls rather so fast at the equator with equal days and night length.
• People around the equator experience only warm temperatures and tropical climate throughout the year. Therefore, it is not that easy to tell the difference between seasons.
  
• The equatorial plane runs through the sun twice a year on the equinoxes i.e March and September.
• The movement and drainage of the water will differ from the Northern and Southern hemisphere at the equator line.
  
• Surprisingly, you will find that you are 3% lighter at the equator.
• A magnetic needle has no dip and stabilizes in perfect horizontal position along the imaginary line.
  

The Equator facts

The Equator or the Uganda equator crosses into Uganda at a point situated 75km south of Kampala. It is along the Kampala-Masaka Road which is 420 kilometers from Kampala city. In the cycle of Earth’s seasons, the equatorial plane runs through the sun twice per yea. on the equinoxes in March and September. To a person on Earth, the sun appears to travel above the equator (or along the celestial equator) at these times. Light rays from the Sun’s center are perpendicular to Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the point of solar noon on the equator. At the Equinoxes, the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun rather than tilted toward or away. Therefore, the day and night are both about 12 hours along across the whole of the Earth.

How does water swirl in opposite directions at the difference spheres at the Equator?

The movement and drainage of the water will differ from the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the Equator line. Objects not attached to the surface of the earth will create a vortex going the opposite direction. In the northern hemisphere it moves clockwise while in the southern hemisphere, it moves counter clockwise.   

Is it true that one is lighter while at the equator?

The answer is “YES” it’s true! While here, you will find out that your 3% lighter at the equator line. You will be a few tons of kilometers away from the center of the earth while standing at the equator unlike when standing at the poles. Gravity is therefore only slightly less at the equator because it falls off with distance.

What Souvenirs can l get at the Equator?

It is such an exceptional experience done by clients who visit the equator. Therefore, do not forget to carry along a souvenir for your family on your way back home. A good number of structures have been set up around the area of the equator. These include amazing and attractive crafts and art pieces from the craft shops. You will probably find many amazing and attractive products from the gallery antique and that of Aid child gallery. You can also buy branded T ‘shirts with expressions like “I have crossed the equator”. Besides, don’t forget to enjoy the tasty meal and coffee at one of the restaurants there.

How do I get to the Equator?

Begin your journey from Kampala city, then drive for approximately 1hr 30mins to Kayabwe in Mpigi District along Kampala Masaka Road.

What other places are crossed by the Equator in Uganda?

Some of the places in Uganda crossed by the Equator include; Lwaji Isand: It takes approximately 25 minutes to get to Lake Victoria’s Lwaji Island. The winds blow mildly as the lake’s water is tranquil. Lake Victoria, Entebbe’s Aero Beach and Queen Elizabeth National Park: the Equator monument is located in Kasese district in the southwest region of Uganda which sits on the warm temperature in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The gorgeous golden monkey

The gorgeous golden monkey : also known as the Sichuan Snub-nosed monkey and is one of Uganda’s primate species. Compared with other monkey species, the golden monkeys are gorgeous in appearance. They have bright colored fur with golden-orange patch on the upper flanks and back.

Habitat

It lives in social groups of up to 60 individuals and moves in between areas depending on the season. During the season where ripe fruit is available, they remain in those areas. Results of studies indicate that if there is an area consisting of mixed fruit and bamboo, these monkeys tend to frequent that area consisting of only bamboo.

Behavior

They often sleep in small subgroups of four, at the top of bamboo plants. They will often use a dense bamboo plant, or a combination of several bamboo plants that weave together to make a sufficient foundation for sleep. The Golden monkey will often feed near the sleeping area and return to this same sleeping location day after day.

Diet

During seasons where ripe fruit is available, they tend to feed more on fruit. This monkey may also feed on various flowers and shrubs when they are available. Bamboo tends to be the most frequently eaten because it is often more available year-round.

Mating and Parenting

Female Golden Monkeys mature at about 4-5 years and produce one offspring after around 7-8 gestation months. Golden Monkeys have a life span similar to its relatives 20-25years.

Tracking

Golden monkey tracking is not as exhausting as gorilla trekking because the monkeys do not build new nests everyday. Therefore, there is no need for pre-trackers to trace them every morning.

Location

They are found in the four national parks i.e Mgahinga National Park in the south-west Uganda. Volcanoes in the north-west Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bwindi National Park ranked Number 1

Bwindi National Park ranked Number 1 :  the park is basically one of the last redoubts of the mountain gorilla. Over 400 call this UNESCO-protected national park home, with the chance for visitors to trek and meet the different habituated gorilla groups. Its biodiversity extends far beyond its most famous inhabitants. However, 438 bird species and 220 butterfly species can be found within its 331 square kilometer expanse. CCN Travel has named Bwindi Impenetrable National Park one of the best hiking trails for gorilla trekking in the world. In fact, this park was placed in number 15 out of the 23 ranked hiking trails. “Wildlife walks don’t come more fascinating than a trip to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here, you can get up close and personal with the area’s mountain gorilla population” refer to the document from CNN Travel about Bwindi.

Why Bwindi ranks high?

The park is located in Southwest Uganda and it is home to more than half of the population of mountain gorillas. Currently, the estimates show that there are about 1000 mountain gorillas in the world and about 600 of them are found in Bwindi. The remaining populations of mountain gorillas are found in the 3 national parks.

These include; volcanoes in Rwanda, Virunga in DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park is commonly known for breathtaking gorilla safaris and gorilla tours that are arranged for travelers to trek gorillas throughout the year. The rugged and steep terrain of Bwindi coupled with its dense vegetation makes the park one of the most adventurous in the region for hikers.

What to see & do in Bwindi 

As a matter of fact, trekking is the main safari activity in Bwindi. 99 percent of Bwindi visitors come for gorilla trekking though there are other complimentary tour activities in the park. These include; birding, nature walks, cultural experience, not to mention but a few. The park has got more than 15 habituated gorilla families available for visitors to track. Here, there are almost 100 percent chances for visitors to meet and interact with their allocated gorilla family/group.

How to go get to Bwindi for a Gorilla Safari?

Here, trekking mountain gorillas are usually organized through reliable local tour agents like Great Nest Image Safaris. They will help you to book your gorilla permit which is always done in advance due to limited availability of the permits. Once your permit has been booked, the agent will also help you to book your accommodation. They will also arrange your transport to ensure that you have a successful trip that will last in your memory for a lifetime. They will also brief you on what to pack for gorilla safari.   

When to go Bwindi?

There are both a peak and off season in gorilla tracking. The peak season happens between June, September, and December to January. In fact, this is the best time to trek the mountain gorillas in the Jungles of Bwindi. This is a dry season and the hikes are less difficulty compared to the rainy season though it can always rain anytime in Bwindi.

What else to see in Bwindi?

Although known for gorillas, there are several other wildlife species in the park that visitors can see. These include; large mammals like elephants, primates like monkeys and baboons. There are over 23 bird species in Bwindi including Albertine Rift endemics. There are also guided forest walks that introduces you to other natural treasures of this magnificent wild.