The pearl of Africa
Uganda, ‘’the Pearl of Africa’’ is an East African land-locked country spanning over 241,559sqkm of land and water with a population of about 36.5million people. It is bordered by Kenya to the East, Rwanda and Tanzania to the South, Democratic Republic of Congo to the West and Sudan to the North. A third of Uganda’s 241,559SqKm is water while the forests and woodland take 24%. Uganda is generally a green country and its greenery is attributed to the conducive weather conditions experienced throughout the year. Uganda enjoys very conducive equatorial climate throughout the year. There are no such extreme weather conditions of too much sunshine or rain, everything is received in moderation. There is neither winter nor summer in Uganda instead there are the dry and wet seasons. The dry months are June to mid-September and December to February while the rest are relatively wet.
Uganda is richly endowed and is a truly bucket list destination; from the rolling green hills that constitute a range of spectacular landscapes, the world’s strongest waterfalls of Murchison, the tree climbing lions, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains to the majestic Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The list goes on to include the source of Africa’s longest river - the Nile, the endangered Golden Monkeys, the Chimpanzees, Africa’s largest fresh water body – Lake Victoria, all of which are unique to Uganda. White water rafting, abseiling, Lion tracking, horseback riding, authentic cultural encounters, hiking some of Uganda’s summits, bird watching, Chimpanzee tracking and Mountain Gorilla trekking are some of the experiences that make a Uganda Safari Holiday a memorable one.
Gorilla trekking in particular, promises to be the adventure of a life time. Obviously enough, this is the prime reason as to why Uganda has to be high on the list of countries to visit in Africa. Additionally, Uganda is a primate lover’s dream as there are more primates in Uganda than anywhere else in the world. Besides the Mountain Gorillas, Mount Mgahinga National Park shelters the endangered Golden Monkeys. Plus, the world’s largest population of Chimpanzees finds life in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park.
Furthermore, there is that awesomely unique experience of spending time with a group of Mountain Gorillas undergoing the process of getting used to humans which is called Gorilla habituation. This is exclusive to Uganda despite the fact that Mountain Gorillas are found in Rwanda and Congo too. It is slightly different from the usual Gorilla trekking because it allows the visitor more time (beyond the usual one hour) with the Gorillas. The same happens to Chimpanzees through Chimpanzee habituation. These habituation experiences are priceless, to say the least!
From the above, it is fairly noticeable that a tour to Uganda is a cocktail of experiences and not just the Gorillas or Chimpanzee sightings. When you fully explore Uganda’s unrelenting overflow of untouched rare beauty, you will really see it for what it truly is, “the great Pearl of Africa!” Uganda is a generally green country with the healthiest ever green forests that harbor the rarest of the wildlife. Besides the forests that shelter half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas and the Chimpanzees, Uganda’s low lying plains of long outstretched savannah grasslands are home to some of Africa’s finest and bravest big game/big5. In total, Uganda has 10 national parks and numerous reserves that are visited by quite a number of tourists from all over the world. Uganda’s national parks all have unique aspects which create a blend of different memorable experiences from one park to another. The 10 national parks are Murchison falls, Bwindi Impenetrable, Mount Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Lake Mburo, Semliki, Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale Forest, Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon National Park. While you might easily decide to visit a few of Uganda’s national Parks, please endeavor to reach them all!
Perhaps many have had safari experiences elsewhere in Africa, and where it has always been the traditional way of driving in the safari jeeps through the savanna parks. In Uganda however, the game safaris are accompanied with boat cruises on the respective lakes and rivers located in the national parks. Nothing beats the experience of viewing the large fierce animals at a very close range in the comfort of a boat launch trip. This is for instance possible on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, on River Nile in Murchison falls Park and on Lake Mburo in Lake Mburo National Park, among other places.
Uganda is an excellent bird watching destination in Africa with over 1000 species of birds including the endemics. Some of the most sought after birds in Africa – the Shoebill stork and the Albertine Rift endemics are easily spotted in Uganda than elsewhere. Besides that, birds are everywhere in Uganda and it is not difficult to do bird watching even at the comfort of your hotel/lodge balcony as you unwind after a day’s activity.
And if all that is not enough to entice you, the people are extremely friendly/welcoming. It is not difficult to tell why the African Economist listed Uganda as one of Africa’s friendliest countries. The enchanting welcome gestures from the locals as you traverse the country are so homely. through those wide smiles and wavings. Jungle Escape Africa won’t let you miss such experiences while on your Uganda Safari tour because most of our tours are planned in a way that will enable you to traverse the country side. It is our hope that observing the locals going by their daily life adds to your overall tour experience. It is here in Uganda where ‘authentic cultural experience’ gets to the gist of the meaning where one is able to explore cultures that have lived a lifespan of centuries undiluted.
Getting to Uganda from outside Africa is comparatively easy. Entebbe, the only international airport is nevertheless a regularly served destination by many airlines with both direct and connecting flights.
Uganda has something for every kind of traveler and with Jungle Escape Africa, you have free expert advice on what to see or do plus a travel planner with whom you can plan a perfect trip in Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa. From our team of professional and experienced tour planners, you are able to get first hand and well researched information about Uganda and East Africa at large.
Some of the activities that make the most difference to us, sourced from all our destinations by our experts
Maramagambo Forest Bird Watching and Primates Viewing – Python and Bat Caves Tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Also included in Uganda
Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is another excellent Chimpanzee tracking spot in Uganda after the major and famous Kibale Forest National Park.
Also included in Uganda
Mount Sabinyo is one of the Virunga Mountain volcanoes with others being Mount Gahinga, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Bisoke, Mikeno, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.
Also included in Uganda,Rwanda,DR Congo
Mountain Gorilla trekking expeditions can only be engaged in when one visits the 3 African countries that still keep these animals’ habitats intact.
Also included in Uganda,Rwanda
Gorilla trekking ranks top and is a highlight for any visit to Uganda.
Also included in Uganda
Tree Climbing lions in Uganda, Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park tree lions.
Also included in Uganda,Rwanda
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary establishment in 1998 was a timely rescue to the lives of the Chimpanzees that were so threatened by rampant poaching and deforestation then. Chimpanzees were not....
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its incredible biodiversity and support for a large number....
This park by far gives you the perfect and most authentic Africa. The wildly untamed and untouched beauty of Kidepo vividly brings the true beauty of Africa 50 years ago right before your very eyes....
At its initial establishment as a national park in 1952, it was named Kazinga National Park. It was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park two years later in commemoration of the Queen of England's....
Murchison Falls National Park gazetted in 1952, is Uganda’s oldest national park. It is also the country’s largest faunal reserve covering an area of 3840SqKms in North western Uganda. The park....
Itanda falls are the second most powerful water falls in Uganda after the Murchison falls. They are located 27Km from Jinja town and are a few meters away from the Source of River Nile. Itanda are....
Kibale National Park sits on 795SqKms averagely rising between 1,100 and 1,590m ASL. Kibale forests were gazetted in 1932 as a logged reserve and got established as a national park later in 1993 to....
Lake Mburo National Park at 370SqKms, is Uganda’s smallest savannah park. It is a stunner offering breath taking and much needed sight-seeing experience alongside an enormous and variety of game....
A quite impressive birder's haven with over 441 bird species stirring up the magic in the steaming pots of Sempaya right below the Rift valley escarpments with their beautiful chirpings of a mornin....
Mgahinga Gorilla national park is located in the south western part of Uganda in the district of Kisoro bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo(Congo). It is Uganda's smallest nationa....
With the largest volcanic base in the world of 4,000km2, stands proud the magnificent Elgon also known as Mountain Masaba, an extinct volcano that is believed to have last erupted 10 million years....
Rwenzori Mountains National Park shelters the Rwenzori Mountains also known as the Mountains of the Moon. It was gazetted as one of Uganda’s national parks in 1991, got listed as a UNESCO World H....
The only home to the endangered white Rhinos in Uganda, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary sits on 7000hectares of private land in the pastoral district of Nakasongora. It is the only place to chance on wild Rhi....
In present day Ngora district, formally Kumi, are the wonderful Nyero Rock Paintings. These Rock Paintings are one of their kind. They are the only known stone age rock paintings inscribed in red,....
Jungle Escape Africa
We do offer five star accommodation for all of our travellers and tourists at a
precise and affordable prices located within our destinations
Located on a mesmerizing boulevard in the mind of Kigali, Rwanda, in a secure location just a five-m...
Bisate Lodge, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, combines the bucket-list gorilla trek with a pion...
Kwitonda Lodge Singita is honored to be opening Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in late 2019 in Rwan...
The magnificent Virunga Lodge is the premier luxury gorilla lodge of Rwanda and one of Africa’s fi...
The Bishop's House is located in the Northern Province of Rwanda in a town called Musanze; Well know...
The lodge, situated in the foothills of the mighty Virunga’s, the chain of 15,000 ft volcanoes str...
This camp has a spectacular waterfront location at Lake Ihema, and is one of only three lodges locat...
Magashi Camp is situated in the productive and phenomenally diverse north-eastern corner of Akagera ...
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel celebrates the shores of this African Great Lake as a destination of astonish...
Reminiscent of a country farm and boasting quaint Cape Dutch-style architecture, The Manor at Ngoron...
The central dining area, bar and library tent of this Serengeti safari accommodation are all positio...
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is set in grasslands on the hillside overlooking the beautiful Lake...
It is a large Tanzania lodge with 75 guestrooms, its interiors are a mixture of stone and wood with ...
Overlooking the Ngong Hills in Nairobi’s tranquil and upscale neighbourhood of Karen, this luxurio...
Situated within 140 acres of indigenous forest and playing host to resident herd of Rothschild's gir...
Nestled amongst pristine Kenyan Ravine forest. Set 1000ft high on the Oloololo Siria Escarpment with...
offers luxury in a setting of breathtaking beauty. The spacious tents have rustic and colorful Afric...
The Serena Kampala offers generously proportioned deluxe rooms, executive suites, business suites an...
The Serena Lake Victoria presents a selection of unique accommodation. Choose from standard rooms, e...
Wildwaters Lodge is the ultimate in luxury and intimate accommodation in Jinja. The 10 large canvas ...
Everything at Apoka is handmade by local craftsmen, everything is large and capacious. 10 expansive ...
The newest lodge in this park is our personal favourite: Bakers Lodge, with 10 safari tents. Each of...
Wake up in the morning to the rushing sounds of River Nile and quickly jump in the pool, surrounded ...
Paraa Safari Lodge is the largest within Murchison Falls National Park. It is well located for game ...
The lodge is in an area where there are trees with flowers in all colors and undulating terrain with...
The 8 cottages at Kyaninga Lodge are built on platforms and set apart to ensure peace and intimacy. ...
Ndali can host 16 guests in their 8 luxurious chalets – each one has an en suite bathroom with bat...
Chimpanzee Guest house was formerly a residence of the British district commissioner in the 1950s, d...
You will be staying in one of 10 large tented rooms with en suite bathroom surrounded by forest and ...
The 8 bandas are situated on a hill-top creating a fabulous view surrounding this small but luxuriou...
Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge is the finest luxury lod...
Built of local volcanic stone, each of the 7 cottages has a large sitting room with fireplace, vast ...
10 chalets with private verandahs invite a breath-taking view over Bwindi. The cottages offer comfor...
8 stylish and spacious tents are on offer at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. They feature queen sized...
The luxury safari tents covered by a thatched roof and built on a wooden deck featuring en suite bat...
Lively little mongoose running around, herds of zebras on the horizon… Lake Mburo offers impressiv...
Accommodation at Mount Gahinga Lodge is provided in recently renovated bandas featuring en suite bat...