Uganda - The Pearl Of Africa Glows Again

Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressivesquawk and I found myself staring at the hog-sized
people. This is one of my favourite countries in all ofback of a huge fish protruding above the water at
Africa. The people of Uganda have survived thethe rock's edge - a 100kg fish with scales the size of
troubles of 1967-86 period and emerged standingtennis balls. Swimming next to it was a smaller one, a
upright and wearing a smile. In that short period, the'midget' of a mere 40kg or so”. This
country suffered under the caprice of two despicableadventure is described by the prodigiously
despots. One was the indisputably insane Idi Aminexperienced Charles Norman as "...the most exciting
and the other, the arguably insane Milton Obote.Thismorning's fishing that I have ever known." Other
is now history – a testament to the dignitygame fish found in the Nile include Barbel, electric
and endurance of this people. The transformation ofCatfish and Tiger fish.The game you come across in
the country in the period since normalcy returned isthe park includes elephant, hartebeest, leopard, lion,
nothing short of astounding. And it shows in thegiraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles and many species of
faces of the people you meet. That the gracefulantelopes. Upstream of the Murchison Falls are the
beauties of Uganda have not received the recognitionKaruma Falls, where the Nile cascades over 23
they deserve in international beauty pageants is forkilometres of rapids. Here you have some of the
me incontrovertible proof that most of these eventsmost exciting white water in Africa. Murchison Falls is
are really fixed.Winston Churchill was so besotted bylocated 330 km from Kampala.The Queen Elizabeth
the country that he gave it the name that hasNational Park is another outstanding treasure. It is a
endured: the “Pearl of Africa”. HisUNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve for Humanity.
observations about Uganda remain true today: "TheThe recognition arises from the tropical forest, green
scenery is different, the vegetation is different, themeadows, savannah and swamps that constitute the
climate is different, and, most of all, the people arepark. In terms of wildlife, you find elephant, buffalo,
different from anything elsewhere ...in the wholehippos, baboons, chimpanzees and over 600 species
range of Africa".Travelers to Uganda are drawn byof birds. The park occupies 2,000 sq km and is
its stunning landscape - green rolling hills, snowcappedsituated 440 km from Kampala. At the northern end
mountains, rainforests, majestic rivers and massiveof the Queen Elizabeth, you find Kibale. This park has
lakes. There are also a number of outstandinga unique forest habitat and has an excellent diversity
national parks for your safari encounter with theof animal and plant life. It is at Kibale that you find
wildlife for which Africa is renowned. Unfortunately, Ithe highest number of primate species in Uganda, and
have to advise you to skip Kidepo Valley -aone of the highest primate densities and diversities in
well-resourced park in the north, as it is notthe world.Traveling from Kampala to the Queen
considered safe. The country’s edge as aElizabeth or Bwindi, most visitors break at Lake
worthwhile destination is further enhanced by itsMburo National Park. The park is 230 km west of
endowments for white water rafting and sportKampala along the Mbarara road and is the most
fishing. Tour operators have on offer a variety ofaccessible in the country. It is a very attractive park
Uganda safari and tour packages.It is in Uganda thatof rolling hills, open grassy valleys, interspersed with
you find the highest number of primate speciesthickets, woodlands and rich wetlands. In addition to
anywhere in the world. Opportunities for tracking rareviewing game including zebra, cape buffalo and eland,
mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are unrivalledyou can relax by taking a boat trip on Lake
elsewhere. The primate conservation efforts theMburo.The fairly flat terrain of the country is
country has followed are bearing fruit. A surveyinterrupted to the west by the Rwenzori Mountains
carried out by the Wildlife Conservation Society andand to the east by Mount Elgon. Rwenzori, otherwise
the Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with theknown as "Mountains of the Moon" has the third
Uganda government, revealed that there were 4,950highest peak in Africa after Mount Kenya and
chimpanzees in the country in 2003. Previously,Kilimanjaro. The Rwenzori is part of the national park
scientists guess for this number was between 3000of the same name and contains 6 snow-capped
and 4000, but nobody knew for sure. The chimp ispeaks. You can hike the trails of this mountain
our closet living relative, sharing 98% of our geneswithout any special climbing equipment unless you
and much of our behaviour. Uganda is the bestwant to go for the peaks. The mist covered
country in the world to view chimpanzees in theirmountain range stretches for about 100 km.Mount
natural habitat.The best place to see the rareElgon sits by the Kenyan border and is the shell of an
mountain gorilla is at the 331 sq. km Bwindi Nationalancient volcano. The main attractions here are the
Park. This park was formerly known as thewaterfalls, caves that were once used by indigenous
Impenetrable Forest with good reason. The trees arepeople, hot springs, the mountains vegetation, the
thick and the forest thicker with dense undergrowth,various peaks, the Suam Gorge and the caldera itself.
creepers, bamboos and parasitic plants such asAfter millions of years of erosion, the oval shaped
mistletoe and orchids. This environment is the habitatcaldera now measures roughly 7 by 8 kms, one of
for mountain gorilla’s, chimpanzee, and 8the largest in the world.The traveler with a sense of
other species of primate. Not less than half thehistory will want to visit the Source of the Nile at
world’s population of an estimated 600Jinja. Jinja is 60 km to the north east of Kampala and
mountain gorillas have sanctuary here, making Bwindiis easily accessible by road. This is where the White
the base for an important scientific conservationNile begins, as it exits Lake Victoria on its 5,600 km
program.Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups andjourney to the Mediterranean. The source of the Nile
the licenses are issued to ensure minimum disruptionwas a thousand year old mystery that was decisively
to the routine of the animals. Tracking gorillas is ansettled by the explorer John Speke in 1862.If you are
arduous task and you should be prepared for up to 8keen about culture, go for the The Kabaka’s
hours of hiking. Good physical condition is a must. YouTrail. This is a unique journey through a part of
are advised to make arrangements 4-12 months priorUganda’s rich heritage that has been shaped
to the date of your visit. Bwindi is essentially a rainby the region’s kings over the years. The
forest and it is necessary to bring along a raincoat,Kabaka is the ceremonial king of the Baganda and his
walking boots and gloves.In addition to its star gorillas,lineage goes way back to the 14th century. The Trail
Bwindi is host to bush pig, giant forest hog and overcombines a series of cultural sites, all within easy
300 species of birds including rare forest birds. Othersreach of Kampala. You can easily combine the
who have found a home in this ecosystem includeKabaka Trail with your Search of the Nile excursion
many types of bats and rodents, 14 species ofto Jinja. The Trail offers much more than sightseeing
snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleonand you will learn about the hidden and forgotten
types, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos and 200 specieshistory of Uganda. You will also experience an
of butterfly. Bwindi is to the west of the country andauthentic tribal culture - with traditional dance, music,
is 560 km from Kampala.Though not as famous forcraft making, spiritual healing and storytelling.There
safari as neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda stillare international standard hotels in Uganda, especially
has some pretty good game sanctuaries. The 3,840in the main towns of Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. The
sq. km Murchison Falls National Park is the largest andquality is variable in the smaller towns and rated
most spectacular of them. Aside from game, it isaccommodation is scarce. All of the major national
renowned for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tallparks offer accommodation in game lodges and
grasslands and thick bush woodlands make up thetented camps.If you want to drive around Uganda,
park. But you are advised not to miss out theyou need to show an international drivers license to
magnificent waterfalls after which the park is named.hire a vehicle. Rental cars in Uganda are available in
The waterfall is formed where the Nile tapers fromEntebbe and Kampala. Roads radiate from Kampala
50 metres to rush through a 7-metre gorge, falling 45and are of varying quality. In the north of the
metres in a breath-taking leap. This phenomenon iscountry the security situation is still doubtful and so
said to be the most powerful natural flow of waterare the roads. Its is a good idea if you are on self
anywhere on Earth.If you are patient, you can catchdrive to get local advise about the condition the
some really huge Nile Perch at the foot of the falls.roads you intend to use.Uganda enjoys a tropical
What kind of fish can withstand such a force thatclimate tempered by altitude. The hottest period of
exists at the foot of the falls? Charles Normanthe year is from December to February when
describes his fishing day out with a companion whotemperature rise to 29 degrees Celsius.
on seeing the massive fish "...let out a strangled