THE PEARL OF AFRICA UGANDA
KINGDOM OF THE GORILLAS

 THE EAST-AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Discovery

Uganda is a small country in Africa which many find hard to locate on the map, but which nonetheless deserves to hold all our attention. Indeed its intriguing nickname “pearl of Africa” entices us to discover the country. Beyond the sumptuous landscapes, the visitors will be impatient to discover the extraordinary fauna: hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, chimpanzees, buffaloes, lions climbing on trees… But especially the country’s most famous attraction: the mountain gorilla, cherished in open sky sanctuaries.

Identity

Uganda is located across the equator and shares its borders with Kenya in the east, Tanzania and Rwanda in the south, the Democratic republic of Congo in the west, and Sudan in the north. This country is in the middle of the big lakes area, including Lake Victoria in the south. This destination is ideal for the nature lovers. Uganda has the second largest populations of mountain gorillas in the world and is therefore the perfect place to go on a gorilla safari. This travel requires a lot of moving around to go from one part of the circuit to the other and will suit people who enjoy walking and the feeling of adventure!

Uganda is a genuine cultural melting-pot, a mosaic of music, arts and crafts. The traditions vary according to the ethnic groups.  The country counts various tribal cultures originating from the various kingdoms which formerly composed the country. The most typical tradition is the manufacturing of bark fabrics: it is an ancient art practised for more than 600 years and originally intended for the royal family. The bark is collected during the rainy season then beaten. The fabric is finally worn by the men and women in the form of toga, in ochre or white colour (for the chiefs).

 

 

 

Culture & Traditions

GORILLAS

The main appeal of Uganda is without hesitation the incredible presence of the mountain gorillas. You can’t come to Uganda without experiencing it and trying to get as close as possible to the gorillas. The south-west of the country - thanks to its large national parks - shelters and protects the mountains gorilla.

ACTIVITIES

Whilst discovering “the pearl of Africa” you will meet with the mythical mountain gorillas, go on safaris in the national parks and enjoy trekking in the mountainous landscape. For the adrenaline seekers, it is possible to go on quads or do some white-water rafting.

Essential

Uganda has a tropical climate and the best period to go there is from December to February. The rainy seasons vary according to the area. Indeed, the south has two rainy seasons, the first from April to May and the second from October to November. In the north, the rainy season extends from April to October.

30°C SUMMER / 20°C WINTER
SHILLING UGANDAN
+2 WINTER / +1 SUMMER
English / Swahili
KAMPALA
MATOOKE

Form your trip

The stages

A travel in Uganda is an opportunity to discover the beautiful national parks which abound in inexhaustible wealth, to stroll around the colonial cities and feel and experience the local culture.

FOREST OF BWINDI

In the south-west of Uganda, the forest of Bwindi, also named impenetrable forest of Bwindi, contains a national park made up of jungle. Extending between mountains and plains, the park shelters a colony of 300 mountains gorillas, that is to say half of the total population of these endangered species. Registered with the world heritage of UNESCO, the impenetrable forest of Bwindi is a good representation of a healthy African ecosystem. Visitors looking for biodiversity can marvel watching its very endemic fauna and flora. Indeed, we can spot approximately 120 species of mammals, 346 of birds, 202 of butterflies, 163 species of trees, and 100 species of ferns.

PARK QUEEN ELIZABETH

Located at the south-east of Uganda, the national park Queen Elizabeth is - since 1979 - a biosphere reserve of UNESCO and extends on 1,978 km ². Between lakes and mountains, this park shelters more than 57 varieties of plant species and more than 600 animal species. It is thus possible to cross elephants, crocodiles, chimpanzees and even hippopotamuses. Many activities are offered in the park like the safari, fishing, mountain biking or a boat trip on the channel of Kazinga. It is also possible to meet the local populations and discover their culture and their lifestyle.

NATIONAL PARK LAKE MBURO

Located at the south-west of Uganda, a bit more than three hours from the capital Kampala, extends the Lake Mburo, the biggest of the five lakes of the National park to which it gave its name. The National park of the lake Mburo extends on approximately 250 square kilometres. It shelters nearly 70 species of mammals (of which some are endemic, like the Impala antelopes or red mongoose) and more than 300 species of different birds, in varied environments (grassy savannas, marsh, timbered hills, forests of acacias, plains…). The lake in itself is mainly populated by hippopotamuses and crocodiles of the Nil.

FALLS OF MURCHISON

The National park of Murchison Falls is located at the Western North of Uganda within 300 kilometres of the capital. It is registered as a National Park since 1952. The park allows the 76 species of animals to live together in a space of 3,840 square metres. Among them, there are some permanent residents, like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippopotamuses and crocodiles.

NATIONAL PARK OF KIBALE

Located in Africa, in the south-east of Uganda, the national park of Kibale is a forest park which aims at protecting and preserving 776 square metre of tropical forest. This immense forest shelters thirteen species of different monkeys and many species of animals and birds like the famous shoe-bill. At the edge of the Victoria Park, one can also see the movements of the herds. The Park enjoys a very varied fauna and flora, and is visited on foot, or in 4x4, accompanied by an experienced guide.The meeting with the local populations and the discovery of their lifestyle and their traditions will be one of the strongest moments of your travel.

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