Uganda

The Pearl of Africa

Background information; by edgardowelelo@yahoo.com

Uganda, The Pearl of Africa, straddles the equator and embraces the shores of the world’s largest inland lake, the mighty Lake Victoria. The source of the Nile at Jinja, Uganda is also home to one of the most ancient volcanoes on earth, Mount Elgon. Pristine and still largely un discovered, Uganda promises a vibrant tapestry of diverse vista against a backdrop of sparkling lakes, islands, rivers and falls.

ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL CLIMATES IN THE WORLD

Blessed with one of the most delightful climates in the world, landlocked Uganda occupies a serene green plateau, which lies between the eastern and western branches of the Great Rift Valley.

The “Land of Lakes’

25 percent of Uganda’s entire surface is covered by a glittering skein of lakes, islands and rivers, earning her the title “The Land of Lakes” They include the mighty Nile, which rises in Jinja, and the world’s second – largest freshwater, Lake Victoria.

MOORLAND TO RAINFOREST, SAVANNAH TO SWAMP

The meeting point of the East African Savannah and the West African Rainforest, Uganda’s vegetation is immensely diverse stretching from snow – capped peaks and Afro – Alpine Moorlands to dense rainforests, golden savannah and semi – arid landscapes. Agriculture is the dominant sector of Uganda’s economy, contributing more than 70 percent of gross – domestic product and providing a livelihood for 90 percent of the population.

PRECIOUS PRIMATES

Uganda’s pristine rainforests protect a wealth of wildlife including over ten species of primate. Uganda is also one of the top places in the world to see Chimpanzees, which are abundant in Kibale Forest National Park, the Budongo Forest and in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

GLOBALLY FAMOUS MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Of the few thousand Mountain Gorillas that remain on earth, over half of them live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks, and so precious are they that many people book their “gorilla viewing permit” years in advance, which makes the shy and gentle Mountain Gorillas, earth’s largest living primate, Uganda’s most famous tourist attraction.

KIBALE, PLAYGROUND OF THE CHIMPANZEES

The playground of Uganda’s Chimpanzees, Kibale National Park is one of the last remaining areas of rainforest in Africa and offers the visitor a 75 percent chance of viewing, the 600Chimpanzees that nest in its tree canopy.

THE SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS OF THE NILE

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest, is dominated by the mighty Victoria Nile, which bisects the park via seven – meter – wide rocky cleft before dropping 43 meter over the western edge of the Albertine Rift. Offering river cruises and guided walks, it ranks as one of the most exciting wildlife experiences Africa has to offer and is the place to see hippos and crocodiles.

THE BIG FIVE AND THE BEST BIRDING

Uganda offers 50 large mammal species and all the members of the Big Five.” Regarded by many to be “Africa’s finest birding destination, Uganda boasts over 1,000 species, which in relation to her relatively compact size 236,580 square kilometers) is a tribute not only to her fertility, but also to the diversity of her landscape.

HIGH – OCTANE ACTION AND ADVENTURE

Thanks to her wealth of rivers and lakes, Uganda offers wealth of high – action water sports, her parks promise game drives and nature trails galore, her mountains guarantee some of the most glorious hiking and trekking in Africa and her towns and cities offer everything from lush golf courses to state – of – the art fitness clubs and spas.

RICH CULTURAL TAPESTRY

Human presence in Uganda goes back over 500,000 years and her cultural history is rich in song, dance, music, theatre and art. Her cuisine is as eclectic as her many ethnic groups and handicraft “finds” include traditional bark – cloth, painted gourds, basketwork, pottery, carvings, spears and traditional drums.  Heritage aside, capital city Kampala promises a truly cosmopolitan selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, street food, galleries and malls.

ROCK PAINTINGS TO ROYAL TOMBS

Uganda promises a breadth of historical interest including the Ugandan National Museum, Kampala, Kabaka Mwanga’s Lake, the Kakoro Rock Paintings, the Kasubi Tombs, Masaka Hill, the Mparo Tombs, Mubende Hill, the Munsa Earthworks, the Namugongo Shrine, the Nikokonjeru Tomb, Numagabwe cave and the Nyero Rock Paintings.

QUICK UGANDA FAST FACTS

• Name; Republic of Uganda
• Location; Eastern Africa
• Area / Size; 236,580 Sq.km
• Capital; Kampala
• Borders; Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
• Climate; Uganda’s temperatures are moderate ranging from 18 to 25°
• Language; English (official) and Kiswahili.
• Currency; Uganda shilling