You haven’t travelled around the world if you haven’t stepped into this natural heart lifting land. You have missed a lot of eye catching, mind blowing, air gasping and delightful experiences if you haven’t reached this part of the world called Uganda.
You don’t have to just be a tourist in order to open yourself a gateway leading to complete satiety and fulfillment, rather you have to want to find yourself, happiness and most of all a memorable experience. Everything about Uganda is a call for you to get off your feet come experience how nature comes down and kneels at the feet of man. Allow yourself to surrender and let a guided safari or Uganda self drive tour  hold your hands as you open yourself to another world. Here below are some of the things that you are not willing to let pass by you.
Wildlife
Uganda is home to about 364 mammal species and more than 1062 bird species. These are spread across the country within 10 national game parks, 12 game reserves and 14 wildlife sanctuaries which spread across the country. Uganda is home to the famous mountain gorillas and is home to more than 45% of these species in the whole world found at Bwindi national park which is shared between the countries of Rwanda and the democratic Republic of Congo.
Uganda is also home to tree climbing lions, elephants, buffalos, zebras, rhinos, kobs, antelopes, chimpanzees, baboons different species of monkeys and a lot more which you would want come and feed your eyes on learn and store them in your memory. Uganda is also home to a lot of bird species whose sounds and activities give you an orchestra of the wild.
Plant cover
Uganda was once termed the pearl of Africa by famous British Premier Sir Winston Churchill during a tour around Uganda. He was awashed by emotion when he moved in the famous rift valley and saw a plethora of greenery and beauty. Uganda is covered by 24% forest which includes tropical rain forests, savannah and woodland. This vegetation cover also happens to be home to all the wildlife species and preserves them completely with the aid of the Ugandan government. It’s also in these areas that the bird species find home, they are also a source of native herbs where most of the medicine made in the world is gotten.
Ugandan culture
This is one of the most attractive and fun filled experiences you will ever have. Ugandan people are known to have a very great temperament, welcoming and exude warmth to all  visitors. Uganda has a total of 56 tribes and these all have different cultures and ways of life which are different. The cultures take different forms and these include the food, the dances, the dressing, the singing, the marriage customs, the local drinks, the housing the initiation rites, the animals and crops they grow, the tools they use and so many others. You will taste a wide range of healthy cuisines prepared differently by the people of the different areas ohh you won’t be left the same.
The people dress differently according to their cultures and all these have different meanings according to the time and according to the occasion.
The people of Uganda have very many dances and these are vigorous and different showing the occasion and the moods of the people. Africans take dance and music so seriously and they wear special clothes for this. They also have very different music instruments which make western orchestras want to learn a lot of lessons with instruments like the adungu ,embaire, the flutes, the horns, the thumb pianos inclusive of whistling.Â
Prehistorical sites, monuments and old architecture
The country not only boasts of a great history and people, there is evidence of their existence and the economic activities that they took part in. theses show the way of life that was preserved in very good formats and the stories about them are very enchanting. We believe you cannot enjoy what the country has to offer now if you don’t have the historical, social and economic background of its people. Uganda happens to be one of those countries which will not let you remain the same. The monuments range from those which are pre-colonial ranging to about 600 years back and those set up as a result of colonial rule which started in the late 17th century. There are a lot of things to show and if you want to move on a fast lane hopping from boda boda to boda boda, transport van to transport van then this should bring you. Some of the most sought after shrines are the Uganda martyrs shrine in Namugongo home to people who were killed because of their faith. Two popes of the world have visited and they think it’s a thing of wonder as a matter of fact the current Pope Francis has come more than two times and it feels like it may not be the last time.
The Bahai temple also one of those religious monuments that stands tall on the city of hills called Kampala. The Kasubi tombs are the resting place of about 4 Kabakas of the great Buganda Empire which span for a very long time. This was a kingdom which was very ahead in the civilization little wonder it was their King Mutesa 1 who wrote a letter to her majesty the queen of England inviting the missionaries to come. There are also more than 3 palaces of these great olden kings that you can come and wonder at the aristocracy. Uganda also has archeological sites that show the ways of man before the advent of colonialism. These shows how the ways of lives of the Ugandans and the people of Africa was actually inter connected to those of the ancient Egyptians. Places like the salt mines near lake albert which show aan economic activity that occurred more than 600 years back as far as the 11 century before the advent of any European disturbance, there is a mystical fig tree called Nakayima which was a resting place for a very great people called the Bachwezi who moved from so far as upper Mediterranean to come and settle there. It’s also home to the goddess of small pox from whom the name is gotten…Nakayima
The Nyero Rock Paintings in Kumi Soroti show even before the advent of Europeans in Africa, there was already a way of writing. This you shouldn’t miss and will give you a different after thought from what you currently have. There is a lot more that you don’t want to miss.
 Natural features and wonders
Uganda is one of the most blessed places around the whole world with natural physical features that leave you in awe. The Great Rift Valley for one passes through this great land and this leaves very amazing physical features that an artist and photographer will have a field day. Come and take pictures that you have never dreamt of taking from the escarpments of the rift valley to the so beautiful lakes. Uganda is found in the great lakes regions with more than 6 all year [present lakes. Yes fresh water lakes which provide a lifeline for very many. Legends and tales have it all over Africa that the first man came from the great water places in the east. Look no further Uganda’s stories are rich and the mountain ranges are rumored to have been the home of the first man Kintu and his wife Nambi.
Uganda is home to one of the largest fresh water body in the world lake Nalubaale named Victoria after the queen of England at the time and also one of the deepest lake in the world Bunyonyi. This lake was one of those clips which they use to show in the movie Black Panther showing the place called Wakanda. It’s a crater lake whose sights and sounds are breath taking. You don’t want to die without having seen nature at its best. Uganda has mountain ranges that are so beautiful and would be a subject of mountain climbing, camping and partying. These are wrapped up with a lot of activities including listening to indigenous musical instruments played.
Uganda is also home to the best most beautiful falls. Do you want to have an experience like nature is urinating then come and enjoy the natural steam baths that are legendary and are known to have healing powers?
The people
It would be a disservice to you if I didn’t talk about the people of Uganda themselves. They will give you a great time. The people of Uganda are one of the friendliest in the country. Once you greet a local people in Uganda from there and then he/she will become your friend. They will tell you stories that you have never heard about Uganda and also walk through the untold history of Uganda which could be very impetus to you.
Conclusion
Uganda is a great destination for safaris in Africa. Though it has been living in the shadow of big names like Tanzania and Kenya, it is a rewarding destination to visit for safaris! You can get started with planning your next trip by visiting the Uganda Safari Planner, a great resource to help you with useful information, tips and advice.
