Uganda
Uganda is an incredible country with a tormented history. It is developing into an exciting and authentic African destination. It is often under-rated and relatively little-visited, but this adds to its appeal, making it a great place to meet the locals. It has rugged and diverse landscapes and much of it is remote and hard to get to. A popular activity is to head into the forests to track gorillas, chimpanzees and many other primates, but there’s much more to the country than that.
6 x bigger
Uganda is six times bigger than the Netherlands and has a growing ethnically diverse population of around 44 million. Its surface is made up of lakes and rivers and has 10 national parks.
Children!
Nearly 50% of the population is under 14, making it the country with the world's youngest population and without doubt a place where you'll be followed by a group of curious children where ever you go!
Boda-Bodas
The name given to Uganda's motorcycle transport because they were formerly used to take people across 'no-mans-land' (an area between the Kenyan and Ugandan border posts).
Mashed bananas
Matooke is a favoured dish in Uganda consisting of steamed mashed plantain bananas. It's served in big portions, is filling and requires time to acquire a taste for it!
Plate of bugs
Don't say no thanks if you're offered a plate of bugs. Ugandans like their pan-fired grasshoppers. Consider yourself an honoured guest because it is one of their favourite snacks
A bird watcher's delight
With over 1060 recorded species of birds, Uganda is the number one country in Africa for Birders. It is also the most accessible place to see the legendary, stork-like Shoebill.
Uganda
Places to see
Meet the incredibly friendly people of Uganda, discovering the tribes and traditions of each region, from the Baganda to the semi-nomadic Karamojong. Trek Africa’s tallest mountains, raft the River Nile, explore Uganda’s 10 national parks or sit amongst the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas.
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls national park lies in the north-west of Uganda, spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert and surrounding a section of the Victoria Nile. It is named after the Murchison Falls waterfall, itself named after a president of the Royal Geographical Society.
Kidepo
Kidepo Valley national park is located in the far north of Uganda on the borders of South Sudan and Kenya, it covers 1,442 square kms. Because of its isolated location, it is the most authentic and untouched national park in Uganda. Kidepo is one of the best spots in Uganda for seeing elephant, with over 650 animals spotted in the park during the last game count. Kidepo is a mystical place and every visitor dreams of coming back one day.
Kibale
Kibale National Park is one of the last remaining expanses in Uganda to contain both lowland and montane forests, 70 mammal species, including 13 primates – that’s the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. A highlight is tracking habituated chimpanzees with a trained guide, looking out for mangabey, colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys along the way. You will be able to spend time with the chimps and might to able to get really close, perhaps, just a few metres. An amazing experience! Don’t miss the nearby Bigodi Wetlands – a superb community-run conservation area.
Mt Moroto
The original inhabitants of the Karamoja region where the IK and the Tepeth. When the Karamajong migrated from Ethiopia in the 1600's the Tepeth were part of the original tribes living in the area. During the following centuries, the Tepeth migrated to the mountains and developed their own culture, traditions and language. Nowadays there is just a small group left living the traditional lifestyle. The Tepeth are famous for their honey-making skills. Visit Mount Moroto to get a glimpse of the Tepeth's way of life.
Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. It lies in the south west of the country on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. This 'impenetrable forest' also protects an estimated 320 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.
Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National Park is located in Western Uganda, about 4 hours drive from Kampala. The park is situated about 30 kilometres east of Mbarara the largest city in the sub-region. Mburo’s lake, woodlands, wetlands and savannah provide ideal habitats for over 350 bird species as well as zebra, hippo, crocodiles, buffalo and many antelope. Take a forest walk, boat ride and day and evening game drives.
The River Nile at Jinja
The source of the River Nile starts right at Jinja, Uganda. The river flows from Lake Victoria and the surrounding areas close to the equator to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The section flowing from Uganda and South Sudan is called the Blue Nile and is the source of most of the water. The river is 6,853 km (4,258 miles) long and its drainage basin covers 11 countries. Rafting in Uganda on the mighty Nile is one of the best activities you can do in Uganda - all year round and every day of the week.
Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National park near the Kenyan border.
Queen Elizabeth
The national park is located in western Uganda, spanning the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Rukungiri. Its location is approximately 376 kilometres (234 miles), by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city.
Rwenzori Mountians
Situated in Western Uganda in the East African Rift Valley and straddles into the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain is the third highest in Africa rising more than 5,000 metres. It is known for its beautiful scenery, unique alpine plants, waterfalls and glaciers.
We can tailor any tour to suit what you want to do
A brief history of Uganda
British Rule
Pre-British Rule - Southern Uganda is dominated by Bantu tribal empires, the north by various Nilotic tribes.
1894 - Uganda becomes a British protectorate.
1962 - Uganda gains independence after Britain felt the effects of its postwar withdrawal from India. Milton Obote becomes Prime Minister.
Idi Amin
1971 - Ida Amin Dada, Ugandan Military Commander, launches a successful coup overthrowing Obote. Amin launches his reign of terror killing an estimated 300,000 people.
1979 - Amin is overthrown by an alliance between Tanzania and the Ugandan Liberation Army and he flees to Libya. Obote returns from exile to become President.
Civil War & Rebels
1981 - Yoweri Museveni forms the National Resistance Army and begins a civil war claiming 100,000 lives.
1986 - Joseph Kony, a former witch doctor, becomes a spiritual adviser to the northern rebels, eventually forms his own militia.
1986 - Museveni’s army defeats Okello and he takes the presidency. Rebel leader Alice Lakwena, launches a war against Museveni.
LRA
1988 - Kony becomes the sole rebel leader in the north. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is born. LRA begins its campaign of terror.
1994 – Peace talks between Kony and the government fail. Kony finds support from the Sudanese government.
2002 – Uganda launches Operation Iron Fist against Sudan.
2002-2004 – The war intensifies across the north.
Peace
2005 – Kony and his top commanders are indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kony retreats taking refuge in Garamba National Park.
2006 – After 20 years of conflict, abduction of 20,000 children and displacement of 2 million people, a ceasefire comes into force. President Museveni wins multi-party elections.
2008 – Peace agreement reached between LRA and the Ugandan government.
Present day
2009 - The UK oil explorer Heritage Oil makes a major oil find in Uganda.
2012 - 2012 May - Tens of thousands of refugees cross into Uganda, fleeing fighting in DR Congo.
2017 - Uganda withdraws its forces from the Central African Republic where it has been fighting the Lord's Resistance Army. The number of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda has reached 1 million.