GEOGRAPHY
Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, it was known as the pearl of Africa to the first european visitors. Uganda has an area size of 241, 139 sq km and a population of 24.7 million people. Visitors have always been attracted by its stunning landscape – green rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, rainforest majestic rivers and massive lakes.
PEOPLE
The people of Uganda's people are complex and diverse. The baganda, one of the main groups are a branch of bantu speakers widespread in east, central and southern Africa. In the north, the Acholi and Lango are Nilotic speakers and have much in common with natives of southern Sudan. The Teso and Karamajong found in the east are related to the Maasai found in Kenya and Tanzania. In the west, the Ankole and Toro are culturally close to the natives of Rwanda. The famous Pygmies are found in the forests of the west.
CLIMATE
Uganda enjoys a tropical climate tempered by altitude. The country is generally flat though the average altitude is about 1000m. Due to the rather high altitude, temperatures range between 21 to 25°C. The mountain areas of Mount Elgon and the Rwenzori mountains are even cooler and the top of both mountains experiences some snow. The hottest period of the year is from December to February when temperature rise 29 degrees Celsius. The country experiences two rainy seasons: April to May and October to November, with April being the wettest month. The north however has a wet season lasting from April to October. The best times to visit are December-March and June-September.
BORDER POST
Uganda is a landlocked country bordered by Sudan on the North, Kenya on the east, Tanzania on the South, Rwanda on the southwest and Zaire on the northwest. The main border points which see some type of tourist activities are the border crossing into Rwanda and the Malaba and Busia border crossings into Kenya.
LOCAL TRAVEL
There is an extensive service of minibuses connecting most parts of the country from Kampala. Bus service is rather unreliable except for the scheduled service between Entebbe and Kampala. Driving in Uganda is on the left, a legacy of British rule. Rental cars are available at Entebbe and Kampala. You need to show an international drivers license to hire a vehicle.
PASSPORT AND VISAS
This is a guide only – please check with your nearest Ugandan consulate for up to date information. All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for 3 months from date of entry. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival. Nationals of some countries may obtain visas upon arrival. Check with the Ugandan consulate beforehand.
GENERAL ACCOMODATION INFO
Most safari lodges vary in size and style, and are built to blend in with the local environment. Accommodation tends to be of rondavel or banda type, with a lounge, central dining and bar in single unit hotels. Do not be misled by the term “tented accommodation” – these tends to be luxurious insect-proof tents and are usually permanently pitched on concrete bases, often including en suite bathrooms with flush toilets. These are very popular and give the visitor the true experience of being close to nature without the inconvenience and discomfort that can be associated with camping in the open. In the towns, cheaper hotels are definitely avoidable. Prices for higher range hotels vary according to season. Note that although prices may be quoted in US$, payment in local currency is the accepted norm. Campsites in national parks and game reserves tend to be very basic, with running water, but only pit toilets. It is strongly recommended that you reserve all your accommodation as far in advance as possible as availability is often at a premium, especially in peak season.
HEALTH
Visitors over 1 year of age from yellow fever infected areas require yellow fever international certificate of vaccination. Exemptions are made for visitors arriving from non-endemic areas such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Visitors from non-endemic areas, if traveling outside urban areas are encouraged to obtain a vaccination. Cholera is a serious health risk in this country and precautions are called for. Typhoid is also widespread and immunization is advisable.
Malaria is widespread throughout the country including urban centers such as Kampala, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and the Kigezi area. Visitors are strongly advised to take anti-malaria medication commencing two weeks before travel. Note that resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Bilharzia is a risk and you are advised not to swim or paddle in fresh water lakes and rivers. Swimming pools in good hotels and clubs are usually well chlorinated and maintained and are safe. Tuberculosis and hepatitis (A, B & E) are present in Uganda.
HIV-AIDS is prevalent in the country and needless to say prudent measures are necessary. Good hospitals, health facilities and chemists are only to be found in the main towns. Medical facilities for advanced treatment including surgery are scarce even in Kampala.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services in Uganda are good in Kampala and Entebbe, but are limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment, but usually accept major credit cards. It is advisable to secure medical cover on your medical insurance before arriving in the country. Note that major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Visitors are however advised to bring along supplies of specialized medication they may require.
SAFETY
Travel in Uganda is generally safe, with the exception of the extreme northern part of the country. You are advised to remain informed on the situation in areas to which you plan to travel. Petty crime and theft occurs in some of the urban areas, so be vigilant and keep valuables concealed. Security within the parks is quite good, but never leaves possessions unattended. It is always better to travel in a large group.
WATER
While water in major towns is chlorinated and relatively safe to drink, there are frequent breakdowns and this can lead to mild to serious abdominal upsets for first time African travellers. Rather stick to sealed bottled water, which is available from most hotels and lodges, and which is highly advised for the first few weeks of your stay. Do not use ice cubes or eat rare meat, raw seafood or dairy products. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors and only eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination.
WHAT TO PACK
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to pack for safari are:
- Dry fast clothes, beige, tan and neutral colors.
- Blouses and shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes).
- T - Shirts.
- Shorts or a light skirt.
- Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days.
- Some hotels and country clubs require gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie and women to be suitably attired for dinner.
- A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning and evening game drives.
- Swimwear and beach apparel.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip salve are all essentials.
If you are traveling with an organized safari, it is important to check what your weight limit is. Generally you will need to restrict your luggage to 10-12 kg (packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment.
BANKING
Banking: Monday to Friday: 0830-1400
MONEY
The unit of currency is the Uganda shilling. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference, but the Euro and Pound Sterling are also widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns, but travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. Local currency can be drawn against Visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in Kampala, at Entebbe International Airport, and in a few other large towns.
TIPPING
Tipping is not standard practice at local hotels and restaurants, but it will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% at tourist-oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.
UGANDA NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES
MABAMBA WETLANDS
Mabamba wetland in the Mpigi swamps is an easily accessible birding hotspot on the shores of Lake Victoria. It offers the best opportunity to see the rare and globally threatened Shoebill Stork. The wetlands also support many other species of birds. The Papyrus Yellow Warbler and the Blue Swallow are also found here. The Sitatunga a very hard to see antelope has also been sighted in these swamps.
MURCHISONS NATIONAL PARK
This park is another popular birding destination in East Africa. It contains the famous Murchison falls which is a favorite attraction to tourists. The park is also dominated by rolling savanna and tall grassland, thick bush, and patches of forest in the higher and wetter areas. More than 400 different species of birds have been recorded here. On a game drive animals like the Lion, Leopards, Giraffes, Oribis, Hartebeests, Elephants are easily located, a boat ride to the base of the falls often offers wonderful view of Hippos Crocodiles and the magnificent cascading water at a close range.
BUDONGO NATIONAL RESERVE
This forest reserve is found in the north-western part of Uganda. Its diverse tropical high forests medium altitude semi-deciduous Cynometra and swamp forest provides a rich habitat for wildlife. The birdlife is amazing, two species of birds, Yellow-footed Flycatcher and Puvell’s Illadopsis are only found here.
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Located in the south western region of Uganda, this forest is classified as medium altitude moist evergreen forest in the north, and medium altitude deciduous forest at lower altitude in the south. It also has large tracks of open grassland and in certain areas the natural forest is reclaiming the grassland forming secondary forest growth. The park also supports good populations of Leopards, Chimpanzees, Red Colobus Monkey and L’hoest’s Monkey.
SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
Situated in the extreme corner of south western Uganda, Semliki is a very dense forest and part of the great Ituri forest that stretches into the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the only park in Uganda composed primarily of tropical lowland forest. It also one of the only forest were you can easily hike anywhere. The land is quite flat, creating a startling contrast to the rugged Ruwenzori Mountains nearby. The park is home to eight species of primates, 400 species of birds and about 300 species of butterflies. Elephant, Buffalo, Civet, Leopard, Bush baby, and flying squirrels are found here as well.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular game park and certainly one of its most scenic. It stretches from the crater-dotted foot hills of the Ruwenzori in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the South, incorporating a wide variety of habitats that range from savannah and wetlands to the gallery and lowland forests. This remarkable diversity is reflected in its bird list of over 500 species, the largest of any protected area in Africa. The park also supports a large population mammals like Hippos, Elephants, the elusive Giant Forest Hog and Uganda Kob.
BWINDI IMPENERABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the best montane forest birding in Africa. It is considered a key destination by birders with Uganda on their itinerary. Amongst the numerous possibilities are no less than 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift Endemics, including spectacular, globally threatened species such as Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and African Green Broadbill. The park also has good populations of gorilla and a trek to see these primates can be incorporated into a birding itinerary.
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
This is a relatively small and new park gazetted in 1982. Situated between the towns of Masaka and Mbarara, the park is composed primarily of grassland, wetland, and Acacia woodland. Lake Mburo has markedly different flora and fauna to other national parks and reservations. The swampy area offers one of the best places to locate the papyrus specialists such as White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Papyrus Canary and the Papyrus Gonolek.
MABIRA FOREST RESERVE
Mabira Forest Reserve is located on the main Kampala-Jinja Highway in Mukono District. It is 54km from the City Centre of Kampala and 26km from Jinja Town making it a popular birding area for tourists and locals alike. Most of the species found here are forest dependents and can only be found in a few other forests in Uganda.
MUSEUM, HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
UGANDA MUSEUM
The exhibit in the Museum has some of well displayed collection of ethnological covering hunting, agriculture, war, religion, and juju, as well as archaeological and natural history. Perhaps the most interesting feature collection of traditional musical instruments.
KASUMBI TOMBS
The tombs were built in 1881; here you will find the huge traditional reed and back cloth buildings of the Kabakas (Kings) of the Bunganda people. The group buildings contains the tombs of Muteesa I, his son Mwanga, Sir Daudi Chwa II and his son Edward Muteesa II, father of the father of Ronald Mutebi.
BUILDING OF THE BUGANDA KINGDOM
They are a number of impressive administrative centre’s and royal buildings. The Buganda parliament, located at the end of a ceremonial driveway leading from the palace and the Buganda Court of Justice, now the location for Uganda’s National Court. |
