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Africa
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Uganda - The Pearl of Africa Glows Again > Page
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1.1. Uganda - The Pearl
Of Africa Glows Again
Though
not as famous for safari as neighboring Kenya and Tanzania,
Uganda still has some pretty good game sanctuaries. The 3,840
sq. km Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and most
spectacular of them. Aside from game, this park is renowned
for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tall grasslands and
thick bush woodlands make the park. But you are advised not
to miss out the magnificent waterfalls after which the park
is named. The waterfall is formed where the Nile tapers from
50 metres to rush through a 7 metre gorge, falling 45 metres
in a breath taking leap. This phenomena is said to be the
most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on Earth.
If
you are patient, you can catch some really huge Nile Perch
at the foot of the falls. What kind of fish can withstand
such a force that exists at the foot of the falls? Charles
Norman describes his fishing day out with a companion who
on seeing the massive fish "...let out a strangled squawk
and I found myself staring at the hog-sized back of a huge
fish protruding above the water at the rock's edge - a 100kg
fish with scales the size of tennis balls. Swimming next to
it was a smaller one, a 'midget' of a mere 40kg or so".
This adventure is described by the prodigiously experienced
Charles Norman as "...the most exciting morning's fishing
that I have ever known." Other game fish found in the
Nile include Barbel, electric Catfish and Tiger fish.
The
game you come across in the park includes elephant, hartebeest,
leopard, lion, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles and many
species of antelopes. Upstream of the Murchison Falls are
the Karuma Falls, where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometres
of rapids. Here you have some of the most exciting white water
in Africa. Murchison Falls is located 330 km from Kampala.
The
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another outstanding treasure.
It is a UNESCO designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity.
The recognition arises from the tropical forest, green meadows,
savannah and swamps that constitute the park. In terms of
wildlife, you find elephant, buffalo, hippos, baboons, chimpanzees
and over 600 species of birds. The park occupies 2000 sq km
and is situated 440 km from Kampala. At the northern end of
the Queen Elizabeth, you find Kibale. This park has a unique
forest habitat and has an excellent diversity of animal and
plant life. It is at Kibale that you find the highest number
of primate species in Uganda, and one of the highest primate
densities and diversities in the world.
Traveling
from Kampala to the Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi, most visitors
break at Lake Mburo National Park. The park is 230 km west
of Kampala along the Mbarara road and is the most accessible
in the country. It is a very attractive park of rolling hills,
open grassy valleys, interspersed with thickets, woodlands
and rich wetlands. In addition to viewing game including zebra,
cape buffalo and eland, you can relax by taking a boat trip
on Lake Mburo.
The
fairly flat terrain of the country is interrupted to the west
by the Rwenzori mountains and to the east by Mount Elgon.
Rwenzori , otherwise known as "Mountains of the Moon"
has the third highest peak in Africa after mount Kenya and
Kilimanjaro. The Rwenzori is part of the national park of
the same name and contains 6 snow-capped peaks. You can hike
the trails of this mountain without any special climbing equipment
unless you want to go for the peaks. The mist covered mountain
range stretches for about 100 km.
Mount Elgon sits by the Kenyan border and is the shell of
an ancient volcano. The main attractions here are the waterfalls,
caves that were once used by indigenous people, hot springs,
the mountains vegetation, the various peaks, the Suam Gorge
and the cladera itself. After millions of years of erosion,
the oval shaped caldera now measures roughly 7 by 8 kms, one
of the largest in the world.
The
traveler with a sense of history will want to visit the source
of the Nile at Jinja. Jinja is 60 km to the north east of
Kampala and is easily accessible by road. This is where the
White Nile begins, as it exits Lake Victoria on its 5,600
km journey to the Mediterranean. The source of the Nile was
a thousand year old mystery that was decisively settled by
the explorer John Speke in 1862.
If
you are keen about culture, go for the The Kabaka's Trail.
This is a unique journey through a part of Uganda's rich heritage
that has been shaped by the region's kings over the years.
The Kabaka is the ceremonial king of the Baganda and his lineage
goes way back to the 14th century. The Trail combines a series
of cultural sites, all within easy reach of Kampala. You can
easily combine the Kabaka Trail with your Search of the Nile
excursion to Jinja. The Trail offers much more than sightseeing
and you will learn about the hidden and forgotten history
of Uganda. You will also experience an authentic tribal culture
- with traditional dance, music, craft making, spiritual healing
and storytelling.
There
is international standard accommodation in Entebbe, Jinja
and Kampala. The quality is variable in the smaller towns
and rated accommodation is scarce. All of the major national
parks offer accommodation in game lodges and tented camps.
See our Uganda
hotels page to view info and book accommodation
for your say in Uganda.
If
you want to drive around Uganda, you need to show an international
drivers license to hire a vehicle. Roads radiate from Kampala
and are of varying quality. In the north of the country the
security situation is still doubtful and so are the roads.
Its is a good idea if you are on self drive to get local advise
about the condition the roads you intend to use. See what
we offer for rental at our Uganda
Rental Cars page.
Uganda
enjoys a tropical climate tempered by altitude. The hottest
period of the year is from December to February when temperature
rise 29 degrees Celsius. For the rest of the year, temperatures
range between 21 to 25°C.The country experiences two rainy
seasons: April to May and October to November, with April
being the wettest month. The best times to visit are December-March
and June-September. Light informal clothing is generally adequate.
But you need warmer wraps and sweaters for the evenings and
early mornings. You are also advised to carry some rainwear,
just in case.
Africa
Travel Newsletter >
Uganda - The Pearl of Africa Glows Again > Page
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