5 Reasons for taking a Uganda tour.
Are you interested in taking a tour of Uganda? Well, here are 5 reasons why you should
take one. Uganda is a country located on the African continent in the eastern part of the
continent.
It is a landlocked country surrounded by different countries including South Sudan in the
north, Kenya in the east, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda in the southwest, and the
Democratic Republic of Congo in the west.
Uganda is a country gifted by nature with some unique features of flora and fauna such
as the longest river in the world the River Nile, the strongest waterfall in the world the
Murchison Falls, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, climate and vegetation to
the big five animals.
Uganda also has diverse cultures with the most hospitable people and welcoming
people. Let us dive straight into the five reasons and by the end of it, you will have an
idea why it is worth taking on a Uganda tour.
Mountain Gorillas
Uganda is home to over half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. The
endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda are divided between Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both of these parks fall in the
Virunga Conservation Area.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas and Mgahinga
Gorilla National Park harbors over 100 mountain gorillas. These mountain gorillas live in
groups known as gorilla families. Each gorilla family is headed by a male known as a
silverback. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park there are over 50 gorilla families with
only 21 habituated and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park currently has one habituated
gorilla family.
In Bwindi, the mountain gorillas are scattered across different sectors of Nkuringo,
Buhoma, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Mountain gorilla trekking is a major activity highly
anticipated by many visitors who come to Uganda. The process of trekking involves
walking in the thick vegetation in search of the primates.
When you find the gorillas, you are given an hour in their presence. Gorilla habituation
is also another major activity done but only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This
is slightly similar to trekking but for habituation, it involves spending much time with the
gorillas in the wild that are yet to get accustomed to human presence and it is done by
only 4 people and for four hours. Mountain gorillas have attracted most of the visitors
coming to Uganda.
Flora and Fauna
Uganda is home to many flora and fauna with some of the unique species only seen in
rare places in the world. The flora and fauna in Uganda can be seen in the 10 national
parks and various game reserves in the country. Uganda has well-endowed national
parks and game reserves such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls
National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,
among others.
Some of the wildlife species in Uganda include lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs,
leopards, zebras, giraffes, and antelopes among others. In the case of flora, Uganda is
largely dominated by savannah grassland but also different vegetation zones scattered
across the different parts of Uganda.
For instance, the northern part of the country is largely dominated by shrubs and
scattered woodland trees, the south is predominantly a grassland with scattered
woodland and the southwest is a thick montane vegetation of mixed vegetation of
forests and lowland and midland vegetation and forest vegetation. The vegetation cover
of Uganda largely favors the tourism sector.
River Nile
Uganda is the home to the longest river in the world, the River Nile. The source of this
longest river in the world is in Uganda. The River stretches from Uganda, South Sudan,
Sudan, and Egypt. It is the main water source of all these countries.
Lake Victoria, a lake shared by three countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania is the
main source of the River Nile. The biggest part of Lake Victoria is in Uganda and the
River Nile starts its journey at Bujagali in Jinja.
World’s strongest waterfalls
The world’s strongest waterfalls, Murchison Falls have its home in Uganda. It is located
in the northeastern region of Uganda in the Murchison Falls National. The falls are
located on the Victoria Nile, a tributary of the River Nile.
The falls are formed when water squeezes itself through a small space in between the
walls of the Rift Valley. At a high speed, it pours into a pool from a high rock wall thus
making the mighty Murchison Falls. Most of the visitors that take on a tour in Uganda
cannot miss to pass by the falls.
Culture and hospitality of the people of Uganda
Uganda is a diverse country not only in flora and fauna but also in culture. The country
has over 50 different cultures each with its unique values, beliefs, traditions, cultures,
and norms.
These ethnic groups are located in the different regions of the country. Some of the
ethnic groups include the following Buganda, Ankole, Karamojong, and Bunyoro, to
mention but a few.
These cultures have some unique values that are worth checking out while on a
Uganda safari tour. These cultures have some of the most hospitable people in Africa.
While taking on a Uganda tour, be sure you will be welcomed by the people.
Security of Uganda
Security is a key aspect when choosing a safari destination. Uganda is one of the most
stable countries in Africa. The period after Uganda had gained her independence, the
years that followed were characterized by political instability and this hindered the
tourism sector. After the political war of 1986, Uganda resumed stability and thus fueled
the development of the tourism sector.
Conclusion
Uganda is a top tourism destination in the world and that is why in 1908 Winston
Churchill after his visit named it the Pearl of Africa. The country’s diversity of flora and
fauna, home to the longest river in the world the River Nile, the strongest waterfall the
Murchison Falls, endangered mountain gorillas, culture, and security are the 5 reasons
for taking a Uganda tour.
