UGANDA
A Brief About Uganda
Uganda has the best scenery in Africa composed of swamps, lakes, Rivers Mountains and semi-arid lands. The second largest fresh water lake (Lake Victoria is found in Uganda), the longest river (River Nile) in the whole world starts from Uganda. Can you imagine snowcapped mountains on the equator? We think Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa and “the promised land”. Over 50% of the remaining world Mountain Gorillas are found in Uganda-Africa in particular. Uganda has 10 national parks, 7 game reserves and around 30 national forest reserves where birding vacations are inevitable. And on top of that, the culture of people of Uganda takes it all. Uganda has more than 56 ethnic tribes with different cultures that can answer why Uganda is called the pearl of Africa. It is in this East African country where you can find the cultural melting pot and it is also a point where the East African savannah meets and melts into the West African jungle.
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Uganda’s natural beauty led Sir Winston Churchill to call it ‘the pearl of Africa”. From the moment a visitor lands in Entebbe International Airport with its breathtaking equatorial location on the forested shores of the Island-strewed Lake Victoria, it is true that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination. Dominated by an expansive golf course leading down to the lakeshore, and a century-old botanical garden alive with the chatter of acrobatic Vervet monkeys and colorful tropical birds, Entebbe is indeed an ushering point into the Pearl of Africa.
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Ecologically, we believe that Uganda is actually the country where the East African Savannah meets the West African jungle. Abundant wildlife (including the famous mountain gorillas) and an excellent climate contribute to the attractions in Uganda. In this uniquely lush destination visitors can observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next day navigate tropical channels teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of the majestic mountain gorillas. Uganda is the only safari destination whose range of forest primates is as impressive as its selection of plain antelopes. Besides the wide biodiversity, Uganda is blessed with a vast bird population of more than 1,000 species.
Kampala the Capital City of Uganda is just 40km away from Entebbe International Airport and its bright modern feel is a true reflection of the ongoing economic growth and political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986. Uganda is now a very peaceful country with enormous economic activities and freedom throughout the country.
Population: Uganda has about 45 million people with over 70% being young people.
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Geography: Uganda is in East Africa and it shares borders with South Sudan in the north, Kenya to the East, Lake Victoria to the South East, Tanzania to the South, Rwanda to the South West and Democratic Republic of Congo (Former Zaire) to the West. Kampala the Capital City is on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the White Nile flowing out of the Lake traverses much of the country. The varied scenery includes: tropical forests and tea plantations on the slopes of the mountains of the moon (Rwenzori Mountains); the Arid plains of Karamoja, the lush heavily populated Buganda; the rolling savannah of Acholi, Bunyoro, Ankole and the Fertile cotton area of Teso.
Uganda is located at time zone GMT+3.
Language: English is the official language, with Luganda and Swahili also widely spoken.
Religion: 60% Christians, 32% Animists and 5% Muslims
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
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Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is usual for most occasions in the day time or evening. Ugandans have adopted a socially conservative culture and drug abuse is illegal and widely condemned.
Photography: Since 1992, photography has been allowed in all areas with the exception of Aiports or military installations and bridges. However some areas are still sensitive and it is advisable to take local advice. Commercial photographers and journalists should consult the Ministry of Information for permit.
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Climate: The temperature, usually ranging between 21 and 28 C, can be quite cool in some parts of the country owing to the country’s general high altitude, despite its position on the equator. The mountain areas become much cooler and the top of Rwenzori Mountains often covered by snow. Other parts of the country are much warmer. There is usually heavy rain between March and May and between October and November.
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Clothing: Lightweights and rainwear, with warn wraps for the evenings are advised. Accessing Religious and Shrine/traditional worship attractions may require female visitors to wear clothes that cover their hair and legs properly, preferably using wraps