UGANDA ("The Pearl of Africa")
Sir Winston Churchill once described Uganda as “The Pearl of Africa.” This unique description never fails to amaze with its plethora of gleaming attractions. Situated in the fertile heart of Africa astride the Equator, Uganda boosts a wide and diverse landscape from rugged, to snow-capped “Mountains of The Moon” located in Western Uganda.
Uganda has been totally un-spoilt by mass tourism; it is a country where it really is possible to “escape” from the crowds. Uganda is border to Kenya in the East Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the Southwest, Sudan in the North and Congo to the West.
“Africa’s Friendliest Country”
Uganda’s reputation as “Africa’s Friendliest Country” stems from the tradition of hospitality common to its culturally diverse people and the remarkably low level of crime and hassle directed at tourists. This amiable quality extends beyond the easy-going people – Uganda’s eco-friendliness is demonstrated by the creation of 10 National Parks and 12 Wildlife Reserves.
The climate is agreeable, reflecting the combination of an equatorial location with medium to high altitudes (Uganda sits 3,000-4,000 feet above sea level). During the dry season in February, temperatures range from 18-28 degrees C.
From the moment one lands at Entebbe’s modern and efficient International airport, with its breath-taking equatorial location on the forested shores of island-strewn Lake Victoria (the largest fresh water body in Africa), it is clear that Uganda is no ordinary destination. Dominated by a century-old Botanical garden alive with the chatter of acrobatic monkeys and tropical birds, Entebbe is not your average urban town. A 40 kilometer drive north of Entebbe, sprawled across twenty one hills, is the capital city of Kampala. The bright, modern feel of this bustling, cosmopolitan city reflects the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986.
Uganda is an incredibly lush country: one can observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning, track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth in the same afternoon; the next day, navigate the tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. Certainly, Uganda is the only destination whose range of forest primates is as impressive as its selection of plains and antelopes.
Uganda lies across the equator covering about 241,538 sq Km (93,258 sq miles) of which 44,010 sq. Km (16,992 sq miles)is fresh water, with a mean annual temperature of 22 degrees C and annual rainfall of 126mm throughout the year. It has a population of 30 million. Even thou the country has seen it's share of civil strife it has endured into one of the safest destinations in Africa. The tourist market is still young but growing very rapidly. Every corner this this small beautiful country is waiting to be rediscovered.
Fog covered Rwenzori Mountain Range(Mountains of the Moon) in Rwenzori National Park. Photo is courtesy of www.Rwenzori.com
From the Great Mountains of the Moon (The Rwenzoris to the locals) to the famous Impenetrable Wind Forest, the landscapes within Uganda have no competition, anywhere. There is no place on Earth that can match the beauty of this African pearl. When you visit Uganda an experience of a lifetime awaits you, exotic foods, gorilla tracking, white water rafting, friendly people even hiking in the mountains. You will be blown away by the level of luxury in Uganda's hotels and world class transportation system. English is widely understood, as it is the official language. When you come, most of all bring your sense of adventure, because if there's one country in Africa that is packed with things to do, it’s Uganda.
“I am writing once again to thank you for making my holiday in Uganda such a good one. You live in a wonderful country with stunning landscapes amazing wildlife and Fabulous people.”
Marie Clarke UK.
