Uganda has a troubled and tumultuous history but it is now perfectly safe and pleasurable to visit - just get here before the rest of the world does!
Uganda is a charming country located in the heart of Africa. It forms an
East African Community with Kenya and Tanzania, though it is pretty much in the heart of the continent bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Rwanda to the south and Sudan in the north. It is relatively small by African standards so travelling distances are not great and it is possible to get from one side of the country to another in a day. Having said that it is about the size of Great Britain and supports a diversity of habitats, from snowcapped mountains to lakes, winding rivers, forested reserves and jungles.
There are majestic mountain ranges - the
Rwenzoris (Mountains of the Moon) in the west and
Mount Elgon in the east. There are many forested parks and reserves, the most famous being
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. You can also see these primates in the
Mgahinga National Park or across the border in Rwanda's famous Volcanoes National Park. And you can meet chimpanzees in the
Kibale Forest.
See our Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Section for more information!
Uganda is a landlocked country but it is exceptionally fertile as 25% of the surface area is water. There are lakes galore, the most well-known being
Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. It forms the southern border with Tanzania and there are a number of islands worth visiting, the most renowned being the
Ssese Islands. The source of the
Nile is in
Jinja as the world's longest river emerges out of Lake Victoria and winds its way northwards.
The
Equator runs through the country though the average altitude of 1000m provides some relief from heat and humidity. The average temperature is 26°C and summer peaks from December to February. There is rainfall in the south from April to May and again from October to November therefore we advise against travel during these months as getting around can be difficult. The north is wet from April to October but it is largely off the tourist track.
NB: We are experts at planning holidays to Uganda and Gorilla Tracking so no matter what you want to do, we can make it happen!
Don't delay - contact us to plan your tailormade trip!
Uganda is peaceful and on the way to prosperity after decades of oppression and poverty. The
British colonised the country in 1900 and ruled for over half a century until 1962.
Milton Obote was the first president of Uganda but the joys of liberation were shortlived as he ruled with an iron fist until 1971, when he was overthrown in a military coup by
Idi Amin. The notorious 'Butcher of Uganda' wrecked the country during the 1970s with his repressive regime and disastrous economic policies that left up to 500,000 people dead.
Amin's time finally came to an end in 1979 after he foolishly decided to invade neighbouring Tanzania and his army was defeated. He fled into exile but unfortunately for the Ugandan people, he was replaced by none other than Milton Obote who ruled with an iron fist again until 1986. The
National Resistance Movement, led by current president
Yoweri Museveni, took control and has done remarkably well in rebuilding the economy and promoting democracy. The era of dictators and disaster is over and now Uganda is perfectly safe to visit - just get here before the rest of the world does.
Don't delay - contact us to plan your tailormade trip!
