Experience the Rich Culture of Uganda
The Pearl of Africa embraces the lover of tourism with its mesmerizing nature and rich resource. The endless tourists destinations spread across the country to enjoy your holiday in India. So, if you are planning to relax on your vacation then Uganda safaris offers you with a special tour to the Pearl of Africa. Uganda Tour has a special charm of its own to provide you with an unforgettable holiday experience ever!
The Pearl of Africa is witnessed for its exotic beauty, unique culture, lush green forests and plentiful opportunity for wildlife tourism. On your vacation to the Pearl, Tour operators take you to an ultimate tour experience of the Pearl of Africa.
One of the most beautiful and popular place in Uganda are the National Parks as they are the land of delightful greenery where one can feel the presence of evergreen nature. A green landscape covering rolling hills, along with dense tropical forests, hazy mountain peaks and deep valleys provide the most beautiful scenery that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The Pearl has lot to offer for food lovers: the local restaurants are medley of spices and the taste suddenly carries away and reaches the peak. On a Holiday in Uganda, it is difficult to avoid the delicious food of the place with a wide range of dishes. The food is quite tasty with plenty of local spicy added to it. Tour Operators in India alleviate you with best tour packages for your tour to India.
Moreover, The Pearl has more than 60 tribes that a living as a. Its culture is showcased through Music, dance and drama. The diverse flora and fauna holds and also plays a very important role in the survival of the local people.
Tour packages to Uganda take you to this exquisite state of history, and the, temples, mosques, and churches making it a great place to explore when on a cultural or city tour.
Now that you know what awaits you in the Pearl of Africa what are you waiting for , all you have to do is to just pack your bags and contact your Indian tour operator to have an exciting holiday experience of the earl of Africa that is truly beyond compare.
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Uganda Safe Driving Tips for Bad Weather
Driving in bad weather can be scary and very dangerous. It’s best to avoid it altogether, but if you happen to find yourself in a heavy rainfall, these tips will help.
How does the weather affect your driving? Bad weather affects your ability to see, which is very limited in adverse weather conditions such as rainfall and dust. Not only does cold weather and precipitation can change your driving pattern. You also should be aware of high temperatures, sun glare and high winds. Here are some tips to guide you while driving in Uganda during times of bad weather;
Heavy Rain
- If you need your windshield wipers on, you also need your headlights on in rain. It will help your visibility and also help other drivers to see you.
- Double or triple the space you normally leave between you and the next car in wet weather. You’ll need even more space to stop on slick roads.
- If it’s raining too hard for you to see, try to find a safe place to pull over until the worst of the rain has gone.
- Don’t use cruise control in wet or slippery conditions. The cruise control may apply more throttle if the drive wheels start to slip.
- If you see a tornado coming your way, find shelter as fast as you can. If that’s not possible, get out of the car and find a ditch to take cover in, protecting your head and neck.
- Avoid tailgating.
- On the highway, leave about 100 yards about the length of a football field between you and the car ahead of you to give you plenty of room to stop in case that person brakes suddenly. Still, it’s close enough to use his headlights to see what’s up ahead.
Slow down by at least 5 or 10 miles an hour. At certain speeds, your car can hydroplane, lifting off the ground, and you will be driving on a layer of water. If that happens, don’t panic; just slow down until the car feels normal again.
- Avoid driving through flooded areas. It will be difficult to gauge the water’s depth. This is dangerous in itself. And if water gets sucked into the air-intake valve and then the engine, the car will probably shut off.
- Feather the brakes after you’ve driven through a puddle. And make sure you take your foot off the gas. This creates heat and friction, which will help dry the brakes.
- Don’t break during a turn.
To avoid a spinout, gradually start turning the steering wheel and feathering the brakes lightly before the curve. Then coast through the turn with your foot off the brake and off the gas, so as not to gain speed. When you have your foot on the brake, the wheels stop turning. That’s when the car loses control and goes in any direction that momentum decides to take it, like a toboggan.
- Turn into a skid.
Remain calm, take your foot off the brake and the gas pedals, and turn the car in the direction the car is skidding. For example, if you’re sliding to the left, gently turn the steering wheel to the left. This cancels out the skid. The car corrects itself and goes straight. If all else fails and you have the option to do so safely.
If You are driving in foggy conditions especially up country or national parks.
- Turn on the fog lights.
There’s usually a switch on the dashboard or on the same lever that controls the turn signal, but you can also use low beams in a pinch. The lights are yellow, which cuts through fog better than white lamps do, and they’re low to the ground so the beams illuminate the road well.
- Pump the brakes before entering a fog bank. This alerts the cars trailing you to back off. If you wait to apply the brakes until you’re in the thick of it, you could get hit from behind.
- Slow down before a hill. Be extra-cautious driving over the crest of a hill because you won’t be able to see if there’s another car stopped there.
How to prepare yourself for bad weather
- Inspect windshield wipers.
Replace any that have cracked rubber.
Clean headlight covers. When they sit in the sun, they eventually turn yellow and cloudy, and that cuts the amount of light coming from your headlights.
- Check tire treads.
- Stock an emergency kit. Include road flares, a blanket, a shovel, a flashlight, jumper cables, a tow rope, an air compressor, duct tape, and an ice scraper. You may also want to add dry food, water, toilet paper, and warm clothes.
- Listen and obey national and local radio/TV announcements and warnings regarding road and weather conditions for your journey.
- Do not attempt to cross at a river crossing where the road has been closed – no matter how big your vehicle is!
- Buckle Up! – Be sure you and your passengers wear seatbelts at all times. Not only is it the law, it can also save lives, especially when driving in bad weather.
- Look out for signs warning of adverse conditions – including fixed signs, such as those warning of exposure to high-winds, and variable message signs on motorways that warn of fog, snow and which may display temporary slower speed limits.
- In the event of journeys of a necessary nature inform family/friends of your estimated time of arrival and carry a mobile phone.
- Ensure your mobile phone is charged and have a car charger ready – you may get stranded and need to call for help.
- If you are to be prevented from driving further – be prepared to get off the road.
5 Popular Water based Adventures in Uganda
Are you in Africa for a safari or holiday and yearning to enjoy exhilarating water-sports? Uganda is known for several water-based tourist activities in addition to the usual tourism activities that most tourists visit for. All sports activities that you would find in the whole of Africa can be enjoyed in one country, which is Uganda.
This is the kind of tourism developed and conducted on the water bodies-Rivers and Lakes. However, these interesting kinds of activities are still not developed in Uganda much as there are hopes of developing them by the Government so that more tourists can visit the country to participate in these invigorating activities.
Unlike other activities conducted on land, water-based tourism activities in Uganda are conducted on mainly the Rivers and Lakes (not Oceans because Uganda is a land-locked country) and the popular ones to enjoy include boat cruises or trips, which are apparently the commonest in Uganda. Others are canoe rides enjoyed by tourists who visit Lake Bunyonyi, Bungee jumping conducted at the Nile in Jinja district, swimming in the Lakes and white water rafting which can all be enjoyed by tourists on Uganda safaris hence increase on the revenues of the country.
River Nile, found within the “Pearl of Africa” is a perfect destination for developing most of Uganda’s water-based tourist activities because it has a wider and deeper surface to conduct these fascinating activities. Nile is the World’s longest River and is ideal for mainly white-water rafting which is the main and most enjoyed activity by tourists who visit the country for Uganda Safaris. Besides that, other activities include boat trips/cruises, bungee jumping, swimming and many others.
Beside the Nile River, there are other water bodies in the country that support water-based tourist activities and they include Lake Victoria, which is the main water body, Lake Bunyonyi, the Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward, Lake Mburo and Lake Kyoga among others. These freshwater Lakes provide the best surface for the development of water-based tourism in the country hence promoting water0based tourism in Uganda.
Besides the water-based tourist activities, Uganda is known for other interesting activities for visitors on Uganda Safaris and these include Mountain gorilla trekking that allows tourists to meet up-close with the Giant Apes, Chimpanzee tracking to meet mankind’s closest relatives, Golden monkey tracking, bird watching to sight some of the 1061 species of birds that call Uganda home, Volcano/Mountain hiking (Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabinyo), wildlife viewing or game drives to encounter the Big five animals (Lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinos and Buffaloes), Rothschild giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, Antelopes (such as Topis, Common Elands, Defassa waterbucks, Oribis, Impalas, Uganda Kobs), nature walks and cultural tours (encounters) among other interesting activities
In conclusion, Uganda is not only a destination for African wildlife safaris but also a great place to enjoy a number of water-based tourist activities that include swimming, whitewater rafting, swimming, launch or boat cruises, canoe rides, Bungee jumping which have increased the country’s revenues. These activities can be enjoyed within Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, the Nile River (with majority of the water-based activities), the Kazinga Channel, Lake Edward and George among others.
Read MorePrimates Watching Safaris in Uganda
When we talk about primates, expect many species such as the closest relative of man (chimpanzee), the mountain gorilla, golden monkeys and many more. Uganda host 14 different primate species.
Primate tracking is known to be one of the most famous and sought after activity in Uganda and Africa at large. All these primates stay in some of Uganda’s national parks. The most popular destinations for primate safaris are;
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the most visited park in the country as well known for famous endangered Ape that is the gorillas with eleven habituated families namely; Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare situated at the Buhoma region of the park, the Oruzogo and Bitukura groups are to be found at Ruhija and other 5 groups that is Nshongi, Kahunge, Busingye, Mishaya and Bweza are found at Rushaga and lastly is the Nkuringo group in the Nkuringo region. Each region offers a different gorilla safari experience and would advise visitors planning for to go gorilla trekking twice, to track from different sections of the Bwindi forest.
- Mgahinga National Parks is known for golden monkey tracking with one remaining group of gorillas. This less known park is one of the best places to see both the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
- Kibale Forest National Park, a primate capital of the world with over 13 primate species including the Chimpanzees.
There are also other various places where viewing chimpanzees is very possible in Uganda.
- You can visit Budongo central forest reserve (part of Murchison falls national park)
- Kyambura gorge, part of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a home to orphaned or rescued chimpanzees in Uganda. Run by the Jane Goodall Institute, this home is located at the little known Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria.
More so there are other active activities that Uganda provides in tourism. There are many opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking and nature walks.
The Rwenzori Mountains, which are found at the border with the DRC, include the snowcapped Margherita Peak (5109 m), the highest Mountain Range in Africa and also one of the highest peaks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also includes three peaks, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhavura, the highest peak in the national park.
Mount Elgon, located in Eastern Uganda, can be used for hiking and climbing, and also has one of the largest calderas in the world.
At the Nile river in Jinja, there are many activities done such as water rafting, bungee jumping, Kayaking, boat rides as well as fishing. These have attracted large numbers of tourists that come to visit Uganda. Once you are here, you get to know that surely Uganda is the peal of Africa. The best way to catch a closer glimpse of the Nile is by taking up a Nile cruise, you will see all the hidden beauty of the different countries and the experience will be more exciting than you have ever experienced. As you plan for a tour to Africa, the Nile must be one of the places to visit before you go back home.
Participating in these kinds of activities require physical fitness since they involve moving up and down in the slippery hilly areas of the Parks within the thick tropical rain forests of Uganda. One can only participate in the activity after making a booking for the permits in advance from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Staying with a chimpanzee for the whole day is something one can never miss out as long as he is still alive.
Read MoreTop 10 Adventure Activities to Do in Uganda
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Uganda. At the same time, travel service becomes a very important fact for Ugandans to consider. Accommodation service plays a great role. Luckily, Uganda offers visitors from budget to mid-range accommodation, and up to the luxurious setting. No matter which one you choose, you can relax yourself. Share the convenient travel service to your friends who is going to visit Uganda.
Currently, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage and the Uganda Tourism Board provide information along with statistics concerning tourism for the country. There has been increased investment in tourism, particularly in travel accommodation and related facilities; this has enhanced tourist’s experience in the country.
Adventure tourism, ecotourism and cultural tourism are being developed. About three-quarters of Uganda’s tourists are from other African countries. Kenya, that borders Uganda, is the biggest source of tourists to Uganda, making up almost half of all arrivals into the country. The number of visitors from Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan is a bit low.
As Uganda is a landlocked country, it depends so much on connections through Kenya for most of its transport. International travelers sometimes prefer to fly into Nairobi before connecting to Uganda’s capital city Kampala as this is often cheaper. More so, Uganda has a very diverse culture, landscape, flora, and fauna.
Gorilla Trekking
This is the most popular adventure to take in Uganda. Travel to South Western Uganda and meet the great apes in their natural home. You can go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, two homes that ;protect the endangered apes. Encountering the great apes is one of the best primate watching safaris that bring tourists to Pearl of Africa.
Game Viewing
Game viewing is one of the most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Wild animals like lions, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, elephants are common in Uganda’s ten national parks. Uganda is one of only ten countries where it is possible to visit endangered gorillas. Mountain gorillas are Uganda’s prime tourist attraction. The vast majority of these are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a few found in Mgahinga National Park both located in southwestern Uganda. In Bwindi, visitors have been allowed to view the mountain gorillas since April 1993. The development of gorilla tourism and the habituation of gorillas to humans is proceeding very carefully because of the dangers to gorillas, such as contracting human diseases.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree climbing lions. Lions do not normally climb trees, except when chased by another lion group or wild buffalo. However the tree climbing lions found in QE-NP intentionally climb trees and rest on them in the afternoon, when the sun is high. This is a truly unique phenomenon. There have only been rare similar sightings of this in Lake Manyara National Park of Tanzania.
Bird Watching
Birding is remarkably one of the most famous experiences in Uganda. About 1078 birds are all confined in Uganda, representing over 60% of all the birds in Africa and 11 percent of the world’s avian species. The tourism sector again improved around 2010 with over 956000 international visitors on record and 2016 was Uganda’s most exceptional year in the whole of East Africa with more than 1.4 million tourists and $1.4 billion was generated. Currently, Uganda Tourism Board targets to attract over 4 (four) million annual international visitors by 2020. Previously, there has been a steady increase in national park visits. Based on Uganda Wildlife Authority data, there was an increase in visitor arrivals in protected areas from 108678 in 2006 to 245725 in 2016 nearly half of them non East African residents.
Boating and Water Sports
With its prime location in the African Great Lakes region, Uganda has a variety of water bodies that are popular spots for tourism. White water rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the rapids near the source of the Nile at Jinja.
Boating which is commonly done on Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga Channel, and River Nile is a perfect way of exploring the buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of bird species that inhabit the banks of these water bodies. Sport fishing is another favorite tourist activity. Fish like the Nile perch, and tilapia can be caught in designated areas of Lake Mburo and the banks of the Nile. Canoeing can also be done at Lake Bunyonyi.
Hiking and Mountain Climbing
Uganda has many opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking and nature walks. The Rwenzori Mountains, which are found at the border with the DRC, include the snow-capped Margherita Peak (5109 m), the highest Mountain Range in Africa and also one of the highest peaks. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also includes three peaks, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhavura, the highest peak in the national park. Mount Elgon, located in Eastern Uganda, can be used for hiking and climbing, and also has one of the largest calderas in the world.
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