Fascinating Uganda

Uganda is not much more than an unknown spot on the map for most of us. But this should change quickly! The country in East Africa has vibrant and exciting cities, as well as breathtaking landscapes and a beautiful wildlife to offer. We'll reveal where and why you'll be left in awe in Uganda in our article.

"Uganda? Isn't that just some country in Africa?" No, Uganda is not just any country - the state on the second largest continent in the world was dubbed the Pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill for a reason. Where else can you trek with rare gorillas in the mountains or stand simultaneously in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? Uganda is an incredibly diverse country that will captivate you with its stunning nature. If you can tear yourself away from the unique views of waterfalls and rainforests, our article will explain what else you can experience in Uganda.

To know where we are and what Uganda really is, let's start with some basic information. The Republic of Uganda is a country in East Africa and shares borders with South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The borders with Kenya and Tanzania partially run through Lake Victoria. Uganda has about 41.49 million residents (as of 2016), with approximately 1.5 million living in the capital, Kampala, which is located near Lake Victoria in the southeastern part of the country. In Uganda, English and Swahili are the official languages, but about 40 other languages are also spoken, so with your school-level English, you should be able to communicate well.

Politically, the country has a dark past: Uganda suffered for a long time under the notorious and violent dictator Idi Amin, during whose reign 400,000 people lost their lives. However, the political situation in Uganda has stabilized since the election of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 1986. The country has also been independent from the United Kingdom since 1962 and is currently a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Just to give you a heads-up about expenses: In Uganda, you pay with the Ugandan Shilling (U.Sh.), and one Euro is approximately equal to 4,269 U.Sh. For reference: A 0.5-liter beer costs around 1.20€. As for the weather, it's generally consistent throughout the year, with daytime temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and mostly just below 20 degrees Celsius at night. This is influenced by the equator, which runs right through the country, allowing you to stand at the same time in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, for example, in Kasese at the Equator Sculpture. From December to February and from June to August, the likelihood of rain is lower compared to other months, and temperatures overall are somewhat cooler, making these months particularly suitable for your trip.

So far, so good. What exactly do you need to do and consider if you want to spend your next vacation in Uganda? Basically, to enter Ugandan territory, you need not only your passport, which must be valid for at least six months, but also a tourist visa. You can conveniently apply for this online by uploading certain documents at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration before your vacation.

Even though it's not strictly necessary for entry into Uganda, you should check your vaccination record and consult a doctor before your trip!

Filling out the application is quite quick and not complicated; you need to upload a copy of your passport, a passport photo, and a confirmation of a yellow fever vaccination. You will only pay the required 50 dollars upon your arrival at the airport, and then nothing should stand in the way of your Ugandan adventure. Remember that you'll need to pay locally with the Ugandan Shilling. US dollars are also often accepted.

Once you've taken care of your visa, you naturally need to find the right flights: The airport you must head to is Entebbe International Airport, located in the town of the same name. Entebbe lies on Lake Victoria and is only about an hour's drive from the capital, Kampala - but depending on traffic in Uganda, this can quickly turn into three hours. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Germany; either you make a detour via Dubai, or you fly directly from Amsterdam or Brussels for your adventure holiday.

On-site, you will need suitable accommodation. We recommend the 5-star Kampala Serena Hotel right in the capital, where you can enjoy a 24-hour room service along with the hotel's spa. A truly impressive and comfortable hotel that will amaze you - unfortunately, just like the prices: a double room costs nearly 300 euros per night. If that's too much and you want to make your Ugandan experience truly special, you can book a private accommodation through Airbnb.

Next, there's a tricky question for Uganda: How do you stay mobile on-site? First of all, we cannot recommend public transportation. Buses only depart when they are full, so you can never be sure when you will actually arrive at your destination. If you've planned your day ahead of time, rely not on the Ugandan buses. However, if you want to engage in pleasant conversations, we can personally recommend the buses for social interaction; you quickly start talking to the locals! ;-) We also advise against motorcycle taxis (Boda Bodas) and shared taxis (Matatus) because the drivers really drive recklessly, quite literally! There is the option of a rental car.

If you are driving a rental car, remember that driving is on the left side in Uganda!

Driving yourself is no easy feat in Uganda. Although the road network is continuously improving, it can become very challenging to get from point A to B safely during rainy weather. If you opt for this option, always keep the windows locked when you're on the road, and be sure to obtain an international driving permit. The safest option for getting around within Uganda is to hire a driver for your rental car for about 40 dollars a day.

You've noticed, it's not all that easy in Uganda, but believe us: A trip to the Pearl of Africa is an unforgettable experience that you will tell your grandchildren about! If all this sounds a bit too complicated, you should consider a package tour where your excursions are often organized in advance. Just send us a free travel inquiry.

Now, let's address a topic that might give you some stomach aches - safety in Uganda. Understandably so, because it's about a lesser-known country in a region troubled by unrest in East Africa. One thing is for sure: Currently, there is no travel warning for Uganda from the Foreign Office. However, there are warnings for the neighboring countries of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so you should avoid staying in border regions with these countries. Generally, safety in Uganda has improved significantly over the years. To ensure you have a pleasant stay, it's important to consider a few key things during your trip, for the sake of your own well-being and respect towards the locals:

Enough theory, now it's time to be amazed: We'll show you why Uganda is so fascinating and what you must see when you're there. In particular, the impressive national parks of the country will take your breath away with their unparalleled flora and fauna. The best part: Uganda is still relatively unknown to tourists, so take advantage of the time for a vacation before the beauty of this spot in Africa becomes widely known!

The very first national park we'll present to you will blow you away - we're talking about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in the southwest of the country, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's true that the border regions are not said to be entirely safe, but the national parks are well-guarded - so don't worry! The national park is a massive rainforest and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 for a reason. The forest truly lives up to its name "impenetrable": Dense bushes, shrubs, trees, and ferns grow everywhere - you won't get far here without a machete.

If you're not quite as professional as Indiana Jones when it comes to traversing through the jungle and value your safety, it's better to book a guided tour to explore the park. What makes this park one of the most unique in the world are its animal inhabitants. The Bwindi Park is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, and in Uganda, you can observe them up close - this will definitely be one of the most beautiful moments of your life! However, you need a so-called gorilla permit, which you must apply for in advance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). For the permit, park entry, guides, and tour, you'll pay about 600 dollars and can spend an hour with the gigantic primates. We know this is an incredible amount of money, but it's worth saving for! In addition to an unforgettable memory, your money also helps protect the animals. It's best to book an accommodation in the national park to be more flexible with your timing.

Equally fascinating is Murchison Falls National Park, located in the northwest of the country. In the north, you'll find a typical African savanna with all that comes with it: Lions, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, antelopes - and of course, experienced guides for your safari tour, which is called a game drive here. But not only the animals will provide you with an unforgettable stay - the park's namesake is also remarkable: The enormous Murchison Falls will captivate you with their impressive natural power! Through a gap of just six meters, around 300 cubic meters of water flow per second into the Victoria Nile. You can view the waterfall from land or take a boat tour throughout the park. No matter how you approach the waterfall - the deafening roar of the water masses will leave you in awe. But be careful: You are indeed near the Nile, and crocodiles lurk at the base of the falls. Murchison Falls National Park is definitely worth a visit during your Uganda trip! Just watch out for the nasty tsetse flies, which are quite aggressive and can transmit sleeping sickness. Therefore, wear thick, long clothing and insect repellent to stay safe!

In addition to these two truly fascinating areas, Uganda has many other national parks to offer, each one more beautiful than the last. By the way, you can see the rare mountain gorillas not only in Bwindi National Park, but also in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at the border with Rwanda and in Kibale National Park. We've listed all the national parks in Uganda - where they are located can be found on our map above.

This certainly is not all that Uganda has to offer in terms of nature. The lakes and rivers that flow through the land are also impressive. There's Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the third largest in the world. Covering an area of nearly 70,000 square kilometers, the lake lies not only in Uganda but also in Tanzania and Kenya. In addition to hippos, you'll find over 250 different species of fish here. Either visit the small fishing villages around the lake or take a leisurely walk and observe the many birds.

In Uganda, you can also find the White Nile, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile. It flows from Lake Victoria through several countries until it merges with the Blue Nile in Sudan. As we've already mentioned, you can explore the Nile during a boat tour through Murchison National Park or - for the adventurous among you - try rafting! Yes, you read that right, the Nile is perfect for rafting in Uganda, especially right near where it originates at Lake Victoria in Jinja. But this is not for the faint of heart, and we can tell you already that you'll swallow Nile water more than once. ;-)

On your journey through the Pearl of Africa, you'll find not only rainforests, lakes, and animals but also snow-capped mountain peaks. For example, on Margherita Peak, the highest peak of Mount Stanley at 5,109 meters. The mountain is the third highest in all of Africa and lies on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

If you have had enough of nature during your vacation in Uganda - which we honestly can't imagine - you can let yourself be carried by the vibrant crowds through Uganda's bustling cities. This feeling of being amidst a huge crowd in typical African metropolises must be experienced first-hand.

The best place to experience this is in the capital, Kampala. How about a visit to Owino Market? Here you can find everything you need, from food to televisions, medicine, and clothing. You'll have to push your way between vendors offering goods right on the sidewalk or street, with people yelling wildly and different music blaring from every corner - a truly unique experience! Just always keep a close eye on your belongings.

In Kampala, there's still much more to discover: for example, the Kasubi Tombs, the burial grounds of the kings of Buganda, a kingdom located in the middle of Uganda - the tombs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Not only people but also religions from all over the world converge in Kampala, represented by the Hindu temple, Kibuli Mosque, and Rubaga Cathedral - all three are worth visiting. In the capital, you will find symbols and buildings representing numerous different religions. Those interested in Uganda's history can also check out the old palace of dictator Idi Amin. Officially entry is not permitted, but you can often gain entry for a bit of cash. There is also a nice little park in front of the palace.

You see - Kampala has a lot to offer. But fascinating sights can be found not only in the capital. In Entebbe (remember: the airport city on Lake Victoria), there is a beautiful botanical garden where you can discover tropical plants as well as monkeys and birds. For movie buffs: The first Tarzan film with Johnny Weissmuller was also filmed here. A little tip for those wanting to save money on an expensive safari: In Entebbe, there is also a zoo, the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, where you can see Africa's wildlife up close. If you're lucky and it's not too crowded, a zoo staff member may join you and provide you with interesting information about the animals.

Other cities in Uganda have a lot to offer you too: In Fort Portal in the west, for example, you can visit the Crater Lakes or a tea factory, and around Orungo, you'll find a church on nearly every street corner. Because Uganda is still not a major tourist destination - which we believe won't last much longer - you can discover many things in the villages that have yet to be described or pictured. Seize the moment and become pioneers and explorers yourself!

In international hotels, you can of course get international dishes from around the world in Uganda. You can also buy everything you know from Germany at the markets, especially fruits and vegetables available in huge quantities.

However, if you venture into a local restaurant or dare to buy more traditional items at the market, you will not be able to avoid cooking bananas. These are used to prepare the dish Matooke, which is common in East Africa. The bananas are peeled and steamed together with banana leaves in a pot. Afterwards, the mass is mashed into a pulp and served with a peanut sauce. Bon appétit! But of course, that's not the only thing to discover in Uganda's culinary scene: you will find something different at the markets every day, just let the friendly vendors guide you and have the courage to try something new! The same goes for restaurants, so we won't recommend anything specific. So muster your courage and sit in the small roadside restaurants - that's where you will get to know authentic Ugandan cuisine. ;-) One special café does make it onto our recommendation list: AidChild's Equation Café & Gallery in Kayabwe, southwest of Kampala. Here, while sipping coffee, you can admire African art and also do something good for orphans in Uganda with your money. And if you get hungry from all the social engagement, you should definitely treat yourself to the cinnamon banana pancakes - they are simply divine here!

To conclude our travel magazine, we'd like to share something important with you along your journey. Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world - the average income is just around 500 US dollars a year, and many people live far below the poverty line. In recent years, the situation has improved for many citizens, partly due to the efforts of dedicated individuals from Europe, including Germany, who help the people of Uganda with various projects. The poverty should not deter you from traveling; rather, it should encourage you! Because by traveling there, every cent you spend in supermarkets, restaurants, or while visiting a national park helps the people.

If you are now sitting in front of your screens with your mouths agape, don't waste any time and book the trip of your lifetime! We promise you, the beautiful pictures in our article are nothing compared to reality. Trekking with gorillas in the mountains, swimming in the Nile, standing at the equator, admiring rainforests and waterfalls - all of this awaits you in Uganda. It's best to send us a travel inquiry right away and we will put together your dream trip to the Pearl of Africa, let's go!