A Guide to the Top Reasons to Visit Uganda : Ugnada is a remarkable destination that offered countless reasons to explore its beauty, but some stands more than other. This article, we highlight the key reasons why you should visit Uganda, often called “the Pearl of Africa” because of the unique beauty it holds which was discovered by the explorers back then in 1870s. This stunning country is packed with unique attractions and experiences that will create lasting memories for very tourists. More so, this country is preferred by many because it has a good warm climate of only two seasons such as; the dry season which is between months of June to August and from Mid- December and the rainy season compared to other countries. Some of the main reasons to visit Uganda includes the incredible experience of gorilla trekking, the chance to see the “Big Five” animals, the warn hospitality of locals and much more which we will delve into below.
Mountain gorilla trekking
One of the top reasons to visit Uganda is the chance to go mountain gorilla trekking. Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas, making it a unique destination. The gorilla safari experience takes you to Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwestern part of the country, where these incredible animals live. Uganda gorilla trekking safaris, starts at 7:00am with a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations, expectations as well as carry on items. Thereafter, you will be allocated an armed Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guide who will lead to the forest in search for these incredible primates in their natural habitat. during the trek, you’ll also encounter with other creatures that dwell in the forest such as mammals, colorful bird species, as well as other primate species.
Once you have allocated the mountain gorillas, you are allowed for only one-hour interactions with these creatures doing their daily activities such observing them in the deep lush forest, while climbing trees, scratching their heads, and eating bamboo trees among others. Unlike the gorilla habituation experience where you will be allowed 4-hour interactions. Uganda welcomes a lot of foreign visitors every year since it offers one of the unique experiences. A gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD per person for non-foreign residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents and 300,000 UGX for residents of East Africa.
Golden monkey trekking
golden monkey trekking is also another reason to visit ugnada. Uganda is home to few remaining populations of golden monkey. golden monkey trekking and habituation experiences adventure happens in Mgahinga National Park in the southwestern part of the country. During the golden monkey trekking, you might even spot a group of mountain gorillas since they live nearby. This means you can take part in both activities during a single trip. Golden monkey tracking is easy because rangers can quickly allocate them depending on where they have been staying for the past few days.
The permit for golden monkey trekking costs $60 per person for non foreign residents, $50 per person for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX for East African residents. Besides that, Uganda is home to more than 20 other monkey species, like red-tailed monkeys, baboons, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, potto, grey-cheeked mangabey and black and white colobus monkeys among other, which can be found in the beautiful Kibale Forest National Park in the western region of Uganda.
Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzees are fascinating creatures, especially since they share 98% of their DNA with us. Observing them in their natural habitat is truly a remarkable experience. Although they inhabit various countries, Uganda is home to the largest population of chimpanzees. One of the best places to see them is Kibale Forest National Park, which has over 1,500 chimpanzees living freely. You can also find them in other beautiful locations such as Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest, Budongo Forest, and the Uganda Wildlife Education Center. If you want to spend more time with these amazing animals, you can choose chimpanzee habituation.
Guided chimpanzee tracking walks are conducted daily at 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM, starting with a briefing about the chimpanzee tracking rules and regulations, expectations. These treks typically last between two to five hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ movements and other factors such as weather and terrain. Upon finding the chimpanzees, visitors are allowed one hour in their presence to observe their social interactions, playfulness, and feeding habits, offering an unparalleled window into their fascinating lives. To go trekking for chimpanzees, you’ll need a permit, which costs $250 per person for non-foreign residents, $200 per person for foreign residents and 180,000 UGX for East African residents.
Wildlife watching
If you’re thinking about a trip to Uganda, one of the top reasons to go is for the incredible wildlife viewing. Uganda is famous for being an excellent spot to see animals in their natural habitat. You can You can explore places like queen Elizabeth national park, kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park. here you can encounter with the Big Four of the Big Five iconic animals such as buffalo, lion, leopard and Africa elephant. Rhinos at Zziwa Sanctuary complete the big five, making Uganda even more special. You can also check out Lake Mburo National Park, Pian Upe Game Reserve, and Semliki Valley National Park for even more wildlife. While on your wildlife watching safari, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of animals like elephant, zebras, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, sitatungas, giant forest hogs, leopards, duikers, otters, African golden cats among others.
Birdwatching
Uganda is home to over 1,120 bird species, making it a paradise for bird lovers. All you need is a pair of binoculars, a camera, and a good bird guide to experience the beauty of birds like great blue turaco, shoebill stork, grey-crowned crane, common ostrich, African green broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing among others. If you’re looking for great spots to enjoy bird watching in Uganda, check out Semuliki national park, Kibale National Park in the west, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest, Mabamba Swamps in the central region, Mabira Forest in the central part among others.
Friendly and warm-welcoming people
Uganda is known for its friendly and welcoming people. The locals are always ready to greet visitors with smiles and warm hugs, making everyone feel at home during their visit. They truly value and respect newcomers, and thanks to the country’s political stability, tourists can explore and enjoy their time there with a sense of safety.
Canoeing and boat cruises
Uganda is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and waterways that provide fantastic opportunities for canoeing and boat cruises. Lake Victoria, situated in central Uganda, is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and is a favorite spot for boat cruises. In the western region, the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Victoria Nile near Murchison Falls in northern Uganda are excellent destinations for enjoying boat rides while spotting a variety of wildlife. If you’re looking for a serene experience, Lake Bunyonyi in the west offers calm waters perfect for canoeing, adventure, and relaxation.
Culinary tourism
Uganda is famous for its vibrant food culture, giving you a fantastic chance to dive into its diverse culinary traditions. With over 50 different tribes, each has its own unique dishes. Exploring in Uganda gives you chances to taste Uganda foods, which are delicious. Touring around the country gives you opportunities to taste the famous street food, samosa, roasted maize, muchomo, chapatti, kalo (millet). More so, there are eshabwe from the west, malewa from the East, marakwang from the north, steamed matooke, posho and Irish and they are served with other delicious sauces like; beans, chicken, pasted fish, beef, beans and many others. More so, there are tropical fruits that tourists can taste such as; papaya, guavas, mangoes, pineapples, yellow bananas and many others.
