There are no words that can describe the hidden spirit of the wilderness, or that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, charm and harmony offered by the abundant flora and Fauna.

There is delight in the hardly life of the open, the attraction of it’s silent places, of the large tropical moon and the splendor of the stars, where the wonderer sees the beauties of the sunset in the wild west places of the earth

Uganda truly is------“The pearl of Africa” Winston Churchill

From the source of the White Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow –capped Ruwenzori Range, the montane Forest of the Virunga volcanoes to the desert plains of Karamoja, Uganda is an equatorial country of astonishing contrast. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habits and this richness is reflected in the ever-burgeoning bird list of over 1017 species. Amongst these are many special birds such as shoebill and the numerous spectacular endemics of the Albertine Rift Forest that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. The huge bird list is all the more remarkable given the small size of the country (at a little over 235,000Km²), it is approximately the size of Great Britain)

There has never been a better time to experience this beautiful country and its birds. Why not visit the “pearl of Africa” and see for yourself?

-----Richard White 1950

Geography

Uganda, a small land locked country, is in East Africa. It lies astride along the equator, a position that has made it a year round destination for Tourism. It shares the boarder with Kenya to the east, Democratic republic of Congo to the West; Sudan is to the North where as Rwanda and Tanzania form the southern boundary.

Rivers and lakes; Uganda is well watered with one of the most diverse drainage systems characterized by many lakes and rivers of all sizes, both in the local and global context. These include a big part of Lake Victoria (with over 48 islands inside Uganda); the second largest fresh water lake in the world and the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world and a historical source of livelihood and inspiration to development of humanity, leading to one of the oldest civilizations along its lower drainage areas on its way to the Mediterranean sea.

Lake Bunyonyi a scenic spectacle and the second deepest lake in Africa, located in the Kigezi highlands, south west of Uganda referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa”

Lakes Albert, Edward, Gorge, situated in the western corridor of Uganda, Wamala in the mid-west are all of great potential to the tourism industry.

Vegetation; Considering the vegetation of Africa and the associated natural ecological processes, life support and environmental functions many more of the bio-geographical zones of Africa converge on Uganda compared to any other country, bringing with them natural attributes found and actually regarded as unique for most surrounding countries. The convergence increases the country’s types of natural ecological systems and habitats, which in turn constitute suitable niches to a comparatively higher numbers of species of both plants, birds, primates and mammals (diversity) and their richness.

Topography; The topography of the country (geo-morphological), presents a unique set up of a plateau with a rim of high mountains; with the lowest point (Lake Albert) at 621m asl, and the highest (Margherita of the Ruwenzori Mountains) at 5,110m asl. The altitudinal changes lead to further dynamics and diversification of the ecosystems, habitats and climates, and therefore further uniqueness and endowment with rare, endemic, restricted and endangered species. For its relatively small size, Uganda host to a population of 5,950 Chimpanzees, and at least 50% of the global population of the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas, and over 1017 species of birds (11% of world’s total), and over 4,600 species of plants. While much of Uganda’ s natural resources are protected by law, of which wildlife constitutes about 10% of Uganda’s land surface as conservation areas, a lot of wildlife heritage still remain on forests outside Wildlife Conserved Areas. Some of this is endemic to Uganda (globally only found in Uganda)

In co-existence with the above set-up, and the associated stable and mild climatic conditions all year around, are well developed and vibrant culture and tradition institutions of the indigenous Ugandan communities, dating back in history. Coupled with the ubiquitous hospitality of the Ugandan people, the country abounds with genuine, sensational and unusual tourist destination experience for the visitor seeking reassurance with mother-nature. Sir Winston Churchill (1908) described Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa”, close to a hundred years ago.

 History

About 500 B.C. Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to the area now called Uganda. By the 14th century, three kingdoms; Buganda dominated by the Baganda in central, Bunyoro, dominated by the banyoro in the North West and Ankole in the West. When the first traders and the European explorers came to Uganda, they discovered the country’s potential for economic development and in 1980; an Anglo-German agreement was reached declaring Uganda to be under the British sphere of influence in Africa. The Imperial British East Africa Company was chartered to develop the area although with limited success. In 1894 a British protectorate was proclaimed which attracted many Indians who were later to be key players in the Ugandan economy. Few Europeans also permanently settled in Uganda.

On 9^th Oct 1962, Uganda under Sir Edward Mutesa, the king of Buganda, attained her independence. Dr. Militon Obote was elected the first prime minister of the newly independent country whom later, helped by a young army Officer Col. Idi Amin seized control of the government from President Mutesa after four years. On Jan. 25, 1971, the reign of terror started when Col Amin forced President Obote into exile. This period “the worst Uganda has ever had” was characterised by misery and blood shed. An estimated 300,000 people are said to have been killed including religious and political leaders. Amin expelled Asian residents and in 1976, he declared himself “Life president”

With his continued actions against the masses, a combined force of Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles that were loyal to the former president Obote attacked Amin’s army forcing him into exile in Saudi Arabia in 1979 from where he died in 2005. Obote returned and led his party (UPC) to victory in 1980 elections which was protested by many opponents as having been rigged. On July 27, 1985, army troops staged a coup and took over the government forcing Obote into exile. Gen. Tito Okello was then installed as the as chief of state in the military state.

On Jan. 29, 1986, the National resistance army/Movement (NRA/M) an anti Obote group led by Museveni captured power after 6 years of bush war and Museveni was declared president.

Present

For the past 20 years, Uganda under Museveni has tremendously transformed and slowly prospered economically. Although it still remains one of Africa’s poorest countries. In 1996, a ban on political parties was lifted with Museveni’s Movement winning highly. Uganda has successfully campaigned against AIDS, improved public health and promoted education through universal free education. In July 2005, Parliament amended the constitution to eliminate term limits, thus allowing President Museveni another term in office.

The country however faces a challenge of a 17 year battle against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) which has continuously caused havoc and displaced up to 1.5 million people in northern Uganda.

Re-branding and Promotion of Uganda as a Nation

Fifty four years after the branding by Sir Winston Churchill, Uganda got independence, but the same brand name, the “Pearl of Africa” has remained now 43 years after independence. Looking back at its long history of wars, wanton destruction of much our natural resources, dynamics and issues concerning the cultural institutions, aware of the general decadence and draw back in Uganda as a whole up until 1986, and in particular considering the gains made over the last 20 years under the leadership of the movement government. A program of re-branding, enhancing and promoting Uganda’s image was put in place by the Government in September 2005.

UGANDA THE ULTIMATE AND A HOT-SPORT FOR BIRDERS AND WILDLIFE

Uganda is the ultimate tourist Eden. She has an incomparable natural diversity with evergreen equatorial forests, vast Savannah grasslands, undulating plains, plateaus, beautiful crater lakes and high cool volcanoes. Together with her breathtaking landscapes and fresh waterscapes, the well known Albertine Rift has not only endowed her with the rain shadowed Queen Elizabeth National Park - a popular habitat for mammalian species like Uganda Cobs, Elephants, Buffalos, Chimps and other primates, but also the snow-capped Ruwenzori block mountains - a popular mountaineering site with unique flora and fauna. The molten glacier waters from the Rwenzoris facilitate the part of a large wetland system comprising the lakes Edward, George and the Kazinga channel on whose banks reside herds of Hippos, African resident and European migrant bird species like Saddle-billed Storks, Sacred Ibis, Herons, Kingfishers and Pink-backed Pelicans. The Kazinga channel flows in to Lake Edward whose outlet is the Semuliki River, found in the Semuliki National Park which extends in to the Congo basin now the world largest rainforest. Tilting directed the Semuliki River to the Lake Albert into which the River Nile, Africa's longest river also flows. Thus joined together, they flow towards Cairo, where the Nile pours its water into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile at the Bujagali falls favors white water rafting and at the beautiful Murchison falls from which the Murchison Falls National park derived its name, sport Fishing. On its banks Hippos, Buffalos, Water Bucks, Cormorants, Fish Eagles, Herons, and rare shoebill Stork - Uganda's most sought after bird can be seen. Southwest of Uganda, still in the Albertine Rift are the Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks famous for Mountain Gorilla tracking, bird viewing and nature walks. The Bwindi has 7 red data book species and 90% of bird species of endemic to the Albertine Rift; and the same region's Kibale National Park, famous for Chimp tracking and other interesting activities has about 700 chimpanzees. But in contrast the rest of the country and this area filled with vegetation characteristic of Central Africa, Kidepo National Park in the North East has vegetation similar to that of Kenya, Tanzania and parts of Somalia. It is Uganda's unique endowments which speak for her and encourage and maintain her steady flow of tourist yearly. We will take you on an incredible exploration of only the best in this popular tourist resort. Of course an adjustment can be made to suit just your interest but we are sure our unique tour packages with interesting itinerary will meet your special tastes and expectations. Our experienced staff will guarantee your comfort in only the best way possible. Please browse our web site for more information. You can also contact us for your inquires, bookings or impression about our website.

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