Interesting facts about Uganda.

Interesting facts about Uganda.

Uganda is a land locked country located in the Eastern part of Africa, covering an area of about 93,065 square kilo meters of land and 16,965 square kilo meters of water. The country is border Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda has a tropical climate with rainy seasons from March to May and September to November. Dry seasons come in December to February and mid-June to mid-August. The country has over 60 tribes which include; Baganda, Basoga, Acholi, Alur, Samia, Bakiga, Banyankole, Kumam, Karamojong, Ik, Banyole, Itesots among others. Uganda is largely dominated by Christians and Catholicism taking the highest percentage of followers, Moslems, Anglicans, Judaism, and others religions. The population is estimated at 45.1 million people, with the highest number of youths in the world. Famously referred to as the pearl of Africa, this has made it a must visit country in Africa. Uganda has so much to offer from wildlife to culture. The country is located between the savannah and the equatorial forests, with over 60 tribes. Uganda is home to the shortest and the tallest people in the world, making her the cultural tourism destination. With over 1000 bird species some of which are endemic while others are migrant birds, Uganda a birder’s haven. The country’s night life and entertainment is unrivalled with a lot of clubs, casinos and lounges, Kampala city the country capital was named the entertainment capital of east Africa.

Uganda is a country gift with nature with 10 national parks and twelve wildlife reserves. Expect to see the big fives when you visit Uganda, tree climbing lions, buffaloes, chimpanzee, gorillas and primates. Not forgetting the most favorable climate.

Let’s take you through some of the interesting facts about Uganda, the pearl of Africa.

Uganda has tree climbing lions.

Uganda is one of the two countries in the world with tree climbing lions, the are found in ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda. It is so interesting to see lions in Uganda resting up in the trees. Cubs are always seen hanging and playing up in tree branches. These lions climb trees in order to spot for prey mostly the kobs that are always down grazing, to run away from tsetse flies that disturb them and sometimes to cool down when temperatures are hot on the ground, they later take a nap or eventually sleep while in the branches.  Be cautious when you stand or seat under tree shades while in the park at the Ishasha side. There are higher chances of you spotting the big five and the big cats.

Other places in Uganda where you can find lions include; Kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls nation park though these don’t climb trees.

A large population of birds

Birding in Uganda is so diverse and is done in the most scenic destinations. Birds in Uganda can be spotted everywhere starting from the Entebbe international airport, Uganda has an impressive abundance, of birds some of which are typical Africans, endemic birds and others are migrant birds. Uganda is a birders haven having more than 1000 bird species spread throughout the whole country Uganda harbors 50% of Africa’s bird species and 10% of the world’s bird species.

While bird watching in Uganda, you will get a chance to encounter the Albertine rift endemics birds, the famous shoebill stock, the breasted pitta among other birds.

A birding safari in Uganda is more rewarding due to the availability of many bird species each with a different unique feature, attractive colors and so much more to discover while on a birding tour in Uganda. You also get a chance to see other tourist attractions Uganda offers.

Bird species you can find in Uganda include, but not limited to,

Shoebill [balaeniceps rex], Marabou stork, Saddle-billed stork, Hamerkop, Goliath heron, African darter, Pelicans, Common ostrich, Flamingoes, Secretary bird, African fish eagle, Planet vulture, Lappet-faced vulture, Bateleur, long crested eagle, Jackson’s francolin, Helmeted guineafowl.

Highest population of primates, gorillas and chimpanzees.

Uganda harbors 20 species of primates in her rainforests, these include, chimpanzees, mountain and Rowland gorillas, monkeys. UGANDA has more than 5000 chimpanzees making it the top destination for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa. Chimpanzees are our closest humans with a percentage of 98 of human DNA. Chimpanzees are very social animals with playful traits, you can’t get bored while trekking them they offer you with the greatest experience. You can watch them play, socialize amongst themselves and more fun moments related to humans.

Chimpanzee trekking is one the most popular activity in Uganda with three national parks which offers the best chimpanzee trekking experience, Kibale being the main chimpanzee trekking destination with over 1,500 chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee trekking can also be done in Queen Elizabeth national Murchison falls national park, kalinzu forest, semuliki wild reserve and Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary which protects orphaned chimpanzees. Chimpanzees live in groups and it’s hard for them to sleep or stay in the same place twice, they keep on moving in search for water and food.

Gorilla trekking is an outdoor activity where tourists get a chance see mountain gorillas in their natural habitants living their daily lives. You get a chance to see them taking care of their families, feed, play, take care of their babies and how they relate to each other, and you, their visitor.

This is an experience that every person yarn to get while in Uganda.  Our guides and other service providers are ready to make your gorilla trekking experience worthwhile.

There are many benefits that come with trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda, you get a chance to watch different species of birds, mammals, insects and also engage with the local communities.

Uganda offers tourists with a chance to experience the true life of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park, each national park offers a different experience from a another. Bwindi is so far the best destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Bwindi has the highest number of mountain gorillas which makes it easy for you to find them while trekking.

Mountain gorillas are found in in the Virunga conservation area found Mgahinga and Bwindi national park Uganda, volcano national park Rwanda and Virunga national park in DR Congo

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can last from 1hour to 8 hours depending on their movements. The maximum number of people to see mountain gorillas is 8 people per day per family/group of gorillas and minimum age to trek them is 15 years.

The gorillas can be trekked all year round but the best time to trek them is December, September, august, June and July which are dry seasons.

Wild life reserves.

Uganda has retained over 20 percent of her land to wildlife reserves with 10 national parks each with a different tourism product to offer, 15 wildlife reserves and 1 national zoo. National parks in Uganda include; Kidepo valley national park, lake Mburo national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national, Rwenzori mountains national park, semuliki national park, queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, mountain Elgon national park. wildlife reserves include; toro semuliki wildlife reserve, Ajai wildlife reserve, Bugungu wildlife reserve, Kabwoya wildlife reserve, kyambura wildlife reserve, Katonga wildlife reserve, Matheniko wildlife reserve, pian up wildlife reserve, Kigezi wildlife reserve.

Over 60 tribes of people

Uganda is blessed with over 60 tribes spread through-out the whole country, all these tribes have their own unique customs and beliefs. Some of these tribe include the Baganda who dominate the central part of Uganda, the Basoga, Batooro, Banyankole, Bakiga, Baluuli, the Alur, the Ik the Karamojong, the Langi, the Bafumbira, the Kumam, the Tepeth, the Jopadhola, the Batwa, the Lugbara, the Bamba the Bagishu the Bagweere, the Acholi, the Banyoro, the Kuku, the Madi, the Pokot, the Nubi, the Sebei, the Samia, Bakonzo and so many other tribes. Most the tribes in Uganda have kingdoms led by kings and others have chiefdoms led by chiefs.

Some kingdoms and chiefdoms where abolished by president Milton Obote due to a lot of power they had, later president Museveni revived them.

When you come for a cultural tour in Uganda, you will get the opportunity to learn all these tribes’ culture, their norms and practices. One of the most visited tribes in Uganda are the Karamojong who are found in the northern corner of Uganda and near Kidepo valley national park, the IK also found near Kidepo valley national park. The IK people are one of the smallest ethic groups in Uganda, the Batwa people [the pygmies] in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi national park.

Traditional foods.

Uganda is a country endowed with over 50 tribes, each of these tribes offer different foods and different way of preparing it. Some foods can be found in all the tribes while others are unique to a certain tribe. Some of the unique foods include the Eshabwe which is special to the Ankole people, luwombo to Baganda, karo special to the Banyankole and Banyoro, the Acholi, the Itesots who refer to it as Atap and others tribes. Each tribe you may choose to visit will give you a great culinary experience. However, many say that Baganda have the best traditional dishes followed by the westerners. Baganda people respect the process of preparing their food and won’t mind even if it takes them hours to prepare as long as it produces the best outcome. It’s surprising that in Uganda as a whole, one of the characteristics people consider when choosing a wife is her ability to cook good food. Any woman or girl who doesn’t know how to cook people always question their upbringing and where she grew up from.

The country is full of restaurants that prepare traditional meals. You can also engage in the process of preparing these traditional meals. Engagi safaris is here to help you get the best out of your culinary experience in Uganda.

Foods in Uganda include; matooke, luwombo, Eshabwe, sea food, yams, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes and so much more you will discover while in Uganda.

Most hospitable people in the world.

Uganda is known for the most welcoming and generous people in Africa, Ugandans are willing to welcome visitors. This is evidenced with the largest refugees and the friendliest refugee policy in the world. They welcome all nationalities, culture and tribe. Uganda is politically stable with no civil wars and any other type of wars. Homo sexuality in Uganda is illegal, however if you don’t publicly display your affection to each other, you are safe. Ugandans are ever ready to help you incase of anything you may encounter.