10 Things to know Before Visiting Uganda : Uganda is fondly known as the Pearl of Africa and is home to versatile geographical features, hospitable wildlife and cultural values. When you are having your holidays this guide can assist you in preparing for a tour or hiking, cultural or Uganda safari tour. Before you venture into Uganda here are 10 facts that will be important for you to note.
Uganda is a Wildlife Lover’s Paradise.
Some of the most exciting wildlife found in the world can be found in Uganda. Uganda gorilla trekking is traced in Bwindi Impenetrable Park while other wildlife lovers could prefer the best look at the Big five in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the opportunity to look at the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest or tracking golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
First of all, it’s all about the people, Ugandans are incredibly welcoming.
The social relations of the Ugandans are also very warm and they are taking hospitality as a heart’s business. Due to more than fifty tribes and different cultures, people you will meet will be welcoming you with open arms. Uganda has hospitality-crazy people most of whom are willing to show you their tradition and folklore as well as treat you to delicious meals as you engage in your Uganda tour.
Gorilla Trekking involves preparation
One of the excitements of any Uganda tour is Gorilla trekking. Doing some physical preparation for the trek is important since it will require climbing steep terrains some of which are muddy. When planning your trip to Uganda be sure to book your gorilla tracking permits early since they are few and highly demanded.
Looking at the natural beauty of Uganda everybody will be happy to drop his or her breath.
This country is known to have gifted landscapes ranging from the Rwenzori Mountains, the wide Savannah soils, and the beautiful lakes. The picturesque Lake Victoria is a source of the Nile and the massive Murchison falls that shows overpowering force of nature as the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge.
Get prepared for amazing Food Experiences
Ugandan food is a unique blend of taste which spices up Ugandan recipes. They include matoke that is steamed green bananas, luwombo the delicious food wrapped down in banana leaves, and Rolex this is a street food made up of eggs and vegetables enclosed within a chapati. The acquiring of foods in Uganda is more than the meal itself and the significance of the food but not the event.
Respect Other Cultural Tribes and Practices
Culture is one of Uganda’s biggest strengths because it is a culturally diverse nation. It also keeps interlocutors in check. Common courtesy when visiting other cultures is to respect their ways. For instance, when going out, dress code is more conservative especially in the rural areas, do not take a photo of a stranger without their prior permission. The little understanding that one learns about different cultures goes a long way in creating good relations.
The Best Time to Visit Uganda
Uganda is a year round destination, but the best times to visit are during the dry seasons: December to February and June to September. These months are suitable for gorilla trekking, wildlife, hiking and adventure in the Pearl of Africa. The best times to use trekking services are during the two rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) although it is so challenging, the view of nature is excellent.
Currency and Budgeting Tips
The medium of currency adopted in Uganda is the Ugandan Shilling abbreviated as UGX. Major towns and cities have both ATMs and accept credit card but it is recommended to have cash when travelling through rural areas. Tours and accommodation are in plenty and visitors may book for luxurious hotels, midrange and low budget hotels or guest houses within Uganda. You should get in touch with travel planners to enable you come up with that kind of trip that you desire within your budget.
Health and Safety Precautions
See your physician first before going to Uganda on which vaccinations are essential to get such as yellow fever and hepatitis. There is malaria in Uganda and therefore visitors are advised to take antimalarial medication and/or use insect repellents. You should also ensure that you take bottled or filtered water to reduce chances of suffering from stomach upsets.
Pack Smart for Your Adventure
Some of the clothing to pack when traveling to Uganda include casual and comfortable outfit. Essentials like; Lightweight, long-sleeved top and trousers for insect bite cover as well as medium-coverage shoes. Worthy shoes for the gorilla trekking and other nature walks including a pair of strong boots. A compact rain coat, as the weather can change. A spare bottle of water, hat, and protection from the sun in general such as sunscreen for the skin, goggles or even caps. Binoculars for bird watching and observing other animals.
Popular Sites to See
In Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable National park is also among the few tourist destination. This park is home to the mountain gorillas and is on the UNESCO list.
Kibale National Park: The presence of large tracts of tropical rain-forest as well as the wild life, make Kibale one of the favourite grounds for Uganda tourism and exploration.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Giving shelter to tree-climbing lions and many birds, Queen Elizabeth National Park holds excellent game drives and boat cruises.
Jinja: Jinja has attraction sites like the source of river Nile, white water rafting, bungee jumping, and even Kayaking. It’s also a quiet place to watch the Nile because of the magnificent architecture and the historical stories behind the construction of the buildings.
Murchison Falls National Park: Visit Murchison Falls where the world’s longest river, Nile, tries to plunge through a small gorge. Wildlife is also well represented throughout the park with the provisions of elephants, giraffes and hippos.
Conclusion
Uganda is a country of several discoveries. From tracking the elusive mountain gorillas which lives in the dense forests of Uganda or the exciting experience with the fast-growing cultures or simply admiring the scenic beauty, it is always a wonderful experience. Generally, Uganda is full of so much natural beauty and warm people, that if you fancy a blend of both, the country should be on every tourist’s list of places to visit.
