Uganda

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa  

There is no other country in Africa like Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

Uganda is a country that affected even the early explorers. Its beauty, its natural wonders, and its people amazed them. When modern travel became available, tourists flocked to Uganda and fell in love with the Pearl of Africa – Uganda. Winston Churchill visited Uganda and wrote a book in 1908, where he wrote about Uganda, calling it the Pearl of Africa. He wrote these words, “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life—bird, insect, reptile, beast—for vast scale — Uganda is truly ‘the Pearl of Africa.” The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery and climate are different, and most of all, the people are different from anything else to be seen in the whole range of Africa…. What message do I bring back? Concentrate on Uganda. “Winston Churchill (My African Journey – 1908) 

From its source in Lake Victoria, the River Nile crosses the Rift Valley to give Uganda a dazzling range of unique habitats. Uganda’s resulting beauty, natural wonders, and biodiversity have impressed generations of travelers. Visitors return to Uganda to see its welcoming people and temperate climate. Uganda’s most coveted natural attractions include the endangered Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees, and over 1,000 species of birds. Uganda’s diverse habitats have enthralled wildlife-watchers and seasoned African Safari-goers for decades. 

Hikers and mountain climbers congregate in the Ruwenzori Mountains as well as in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which also boasts three major peaks. Game and bird viewing is particularly popular in Uganda’s many national parks, and one of the special attractions is the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

Yet there is so much more to Uganda: walking or quad bike safaris, mountain climbing and grade 5 white water rafting are a few of the adventure activities. Her culture of 52 tribes and their languages and dance set the country apart. A comparatively small country, Uganda has won many accolades including Lonely Planet number one destination to visit in 2012.