Uganda is a beautiful small country lying in the Eastern part of Africa. Here is complete travel and tourist information to help you plan a green holiday.
Uganda is a beautiful small country lying in the Eastern part of Africa, lying mostly between latitudes 4°N and 2°S, and longitudes 29° and 35°E. The country averages about 1,100 metres (3,609 ft) above sea level, covering an area of 236,040 km² with most area covered by water bodies and forest cover. The country has a population of approximately 37 million people and this has been on a steady increase since she got her independence in 1962 when the population was estimated at eight million people.
Top Destinations
The top safari destinations in Uganda include all the ten national parks, wildlife and game reserves, forest reserves, events/ cultural centres, community wetlands, theme parks, resorts and important bird areas. Eco tourism is managed by the national forest authority which was founded in April 2004 under the National Forest Authority and tree planting act. The prime authority of National Forest Authority is to manage central forest reserves on a sustainable basis and to supply high quality forestry products and services. The benefits of eco-tourism are divided into three i.e. environmental, economic, and socio-cultural benefits.
Eco tourism has several activities that are carried out for example nature walks, bird watching, village/ community walks, forest walks, butterfly watching, sport fishing, mountaineering / hill climbing, gorilla tracking, chimp tracking, game viewing, boat cruises, caving, scenery viewing / nature photography, primate watching to mention but a few.
There are a number of central forest reserves that undoubtedly have features and attractions that are of real interest to domestic and international tourists on a sustainable basis which include; Mabira central forest reserve, Mpanga central forest reserves, Lutoboka and Bunjazi forest reserve, kalinzu forest reserve, Bugoma eco-tourism site, Bundogo forest reserve, Kaniyo forest reserve.
Uganda is landlocked with diverse landscape encompassing the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria and also has abundant wildlife that includes endangered gorillas, chimpanzees, and the “big five” as well as rare birds. The gorillas are found in South Western Part of the country in the hilly area of Kigezi region in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both famous because of being the mountain gorilla sanctuary. Other wildlife parks include Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest and is famous for its 43m-tall waterfall which is the most scenic and powerful waterfall sought after in Africa, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National park, Semliki National park, Kidepo Valley National Park which is the richest park in terms of game with all game in Uganda found in this park, Rwenzori National park, Mt.Elgon National park, both famous for hiking.
Uganda is a great tourist destination with many attractions and beauty, which prompted Winston Churchill to name her the pearl of Africa because of her beauty, the name she has preserved because of her continued beauty and attractions. Most visitors to Uganda go for gorilla safaris within the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi Forests, while others go for chimpanzee tracking in various rainforests and wildlife safaris in savanna national parks.
Security and Safety
The country has had relative stability that has seen the tourism industry grow more and more since 1986 which ushered in the longest serving political leader, having come from much instability that saw the country change presidents eight times since her independence until 1986.
How to Get There
Uganda can be accesses by air through Entebbe airport, which is the only international airport the country has. There are several fights that fly into the country and these include British Airways, Brussels Airlines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fastjet, flydubai, Kenya Airways, KLM, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, South African Airways, South Supreme Airlines, Turkish Airlines.
Some international flights connect through Nairobi airport in Kenya and then connect to Uganda through the local flights. Uganda can also be accessed by road through the neighboring borders of Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania.
Money and currency
The currency used in Uganda is Uganda Shillings and the forex bureaus can change all the international currencies depending on the day’s forex exchange rate.
Visas & Customs
Obtaining the Uganda visa is easy and can be obtained at the border or airport on arrival and costs USD50 currently. The nationals from the following countries do not require visa entry into the country; Angola, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Burundi, Comoros, Cyprus, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Italy (Diplomatic Passport holders only), Jamaica, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For a tourist visa, below are the requirements for obtaining a visa; a valid passport for (6) six months, application form, a completed visa application form photos, two recent colored passport size photographs on a white background, proof of accommodation, a letter from the your employer, a copy of return air ticket or itinerary.
Top Things to Do
The tourists travelling to Uganda have a lot to see ranging from chimpanzee tracking, visiting wildlife parks for game drives and boat cruise, Mountaineering, gorilla tracking, cultural tours, bird watching.
