Safaris to do while visiting Uganda

Uganda “The Pearl of Africa” now “Gifted by Nature” was once  described by Sir Winston Churchill at the start of the  last  century in 1908,.. “has  a unique description which cannot be close to the truth….situated in the fertile heart of Africa, astride the Equator boasts of wide diverse landscape, from  rugged snow capped mountains, the vast flatlands stretching to the horizon, Uganda  offers visitors a wealth of breathtaking scenery” in his book “My Journey  to Africa”.

Uganda gorilla Safaris and tracking form the pinnacle of the tourism  Industry in Uganda and East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

In terms of size, safari in Uganda  is the richest country for birds in Africa and forms best  birding safaris in Africa. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this  richness is reflected in its ever-burgeoning bird list of over 1000 species. Among est  these are many special endangered birds such as shoe bill stork, standard winged  Night jar, the great blue Turaco, the Green broad bill and numerous endemics of  the Albertine Rift Valley that are rare to find elsewhere. Uganda birding safaris and tours offer  a lot and in single day can list more than 300 bird species.

 

Uganda has a unique description which cannot be close to the  truth…situated in the fertile heart of Africa, astride the Equator boasts of wide diverse  of landscape, from rugged snow capped mountains, the vast flat lands  stretching to the horizon, Uganda offers visitors a wealth of breathtaking scenery ,  with range of broad savannah, rain forests to arid – semi desert , plenty of  wetlands and abundant fresh rain forests. It is within such charming climate that  has natured and protected the mountain gorillas that still survive on earth. 

It is estimated that not more than 1000 still survive on earth and that  those still surviving live in the environs of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  National Park in south western part of  Uganda. And Uganda has more than half of the gorilla population.

Every visitor coming to Uganda would wish to get into contact with  these gentle giants moreover our  cousins. Uganda should treat gorilla  tracking as the pinnacle of the tourism industry in the country if they are to continue attracting more numbers of tourist visiting the country and increase  passes to  isit these gentle giants. Below is my gorilla experience.

  

The spectacular scenery of undulating hills, the legendary mountains of the  moon- Rwenzoris that provide challenging climbing expeditions and the Nile  offering challenging white water rafting. The warmth of Equator and the  cool  breezes of Natural forests and mist mountains generate a tender climate throughout  the year not to be enjoyed anywhere else in Africa.

Our tours are fresh and focused. They offer fun, adventure curiosity in

 Our outstanding national parks in the country. Our protected areas offer  outstanding beauty with a variety of fauna and flora. The geographical position  Uganda in the   shadows of Great Western and Eastern Rift Valleys give the country   special climate zones of  temperate, hot and wet, cool and dry, rainy climates.

 Throughout the year and adversely supporting a variety of vegetation covering  range of short savannah grassland, tall savannah grassland tropical rainy forests  to  high altitude moorland vegetation.   It has been quite unbelievable to find  ice caped tips on the mountains of the moon at the same time lying along the  Equator.

Uganda’s tourism wealth  can be discovered in the following national  parks:

•           Queen Elizabeth

•           Murchison Falls

•           BwindiImpenetrable Forest

•           Mhgahinga,

•           Semuliki, Kidepo .

•           Lake Mburo National parks.

•           Fresh water Lakes, and Rivers and Islands – Ssese Islands

•           Other than parks there are natural forests- Budongo,Maramagambo,etc

Uganda’s cultural history has made it one of the most visited by  tourists. Culture here is rich and dynamic dating  from from 15th century when  the interlucustrine kingdoms were formed. People here are very hospitable  and  receptive to foreigners.  Cultural sites such as Kasubi Tombs , Uganda  Museum and  Namugongo martyrs shrines have attracted both local and international  tourists.

Where is Uganda

Uganda is land locked country in Africa. Uganda is located in the East African region that borders Kenya in the East, Tanzania, Rwanda in the south , Sudan the north and in the west DRC  Congo. 

 Uganda lies along the Equator  and the famous lake Victoria the largest fresh lake in the world is located here shared by the 3 east African countries.  Uganda is  a beautiful  country  with enviable flora and fauna showcased at different spots and corners of its boundaries. It is home to the biggest population of the prized Mountain Gorilla, the primate chimpanzees, beautiful weather, source of the mighty River Nile, Africa's largest fresh water body- Lake Victoria, lush greenery, landscapes, vast wildlife, birding experiences, cultural showcase, Uganda is good for  adventure safaris ,  peaceful the with the happiest people in the world. This can be seen where you travel at beaming faces and throughout with  enviable nightlife and much more.

 When you encounter  the world,  yet  you asked this question “where is Uganda” For us who are marketing Uganda for Uganda safaris tourism this question keeps on coming and this tells us that less is  known  about Uganda. A more serious marketing strategy could work to the advantage of the Pearl of Africa. At the Uganda stands in different Travel Expos  this question arises  in the  tourism expos.  However tour operators try to sell Uganda to  buyers from  all countries of the world. At one time Uganda was known for bad past associated with its dark past, identified with fallen statesman Idi Amin.

Some of the people who have visited our stall are ignorant about Uganda. Some of the tourism agents have asked us if Idi Amin is still living . Some still have stories about our dark past so we are telling them that that is part of our history but it is behind us and that we have a stable country and a diverse tourism product we as Travel Hemisphere as an indigenous tour operator  we usually explain to potential tourists tending to come to Uganda.
 Uganda needs all the showcasing it can get because it is under marketed and under exploited. "We have a diverse product. We have only been selling the primates, that is, the chimpanzees and gorillas but we have Mountain Rwenzori, the Victoria Nile, name it, the white water rafting in the Famous River Nile , the Ever best climate along the Equator where can find temperate conditions, the vast Savannah grasslands, Uganda is home of primates – mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys lots of monkey species and a 1000 bird species.   

http://www.travelhemispheres.com/tours/where-is-uganda.html

Ugandans and Namugongo Martyrs

Its time again 3^rd of June  when many people from all walks of like throng to Namugongo to pray for the Uganda martyrs. 

Many people have walked the entire distance from  Gulu district about 300km on foot . Gulu  people are the chosen celebrant of year 2019. However its not only Gulu people but people from al parts of Uganda as far as Zombo, a district near DR Congo, to Kampala to honor the memory of 22 Catholic saints and the 23 Anglican martyrs who lost their lives because of their faith between 1885 and 1887.

Many people have been walking to this area place for last 3 – 4 year consecutively showing how determined they are with their faith. James said “I last walked in 2016,” he has told  us , adding that “I walk because I want to identify myself with the martyrs who were killed at Namugongo”.

“I also want to pray to God to help me in some of my problems. Last time I got what I prayed for at Namugongo”.

James Ato  is among thousands of pilgrims – some older, most younger – who are trekking from within Uganda and beyond for the annual Uganda Martyrs Day observance, set for June 3.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference, the umbrella assembly of catholic bishops in Uganda noted that apart from Ugandans, pilgrims are expected from the United States, Nigeria, Mexico, Malawi, Italy, Zambia, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Ireland and United Kingdom.

The construction of the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine began in 1967. It was completed and formally opened by the special Papal envoy, His Eminence Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli on 3rd June 1975. Thanks to the late former Archbishop Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga the author of the project, Dr. Danhinden the Architect and the ROKO Construction for the wonderful work done. When Pope John Paul II made a Pilgrimage to Namugongo on February 7, 1993, during his six -day visit to Uganda (5th -10th February 1993), he elevated the Shrine to a rank of a minor Basilica.

History

There are 24 Catholic Uganda Martyrs. The 22 martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 by Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda in the South of Uganda; 13 of the martyrs were burnt to death at Namugongo. The twenty-two martyrs were beatified by Pope Benedict XV on 6th June 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI on 18th October 1964. The other 2 martyrs were speared to death in Paimol, Gulu in the North of Uganda in October 1918. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20th October 2002.

There are also Anglican martyrs that were killed by King Mwanga between 1885 and 1887 together with the Catholic martyrs. While paying tribute to the 22 Catholic martyrs  Pope Paul IV also paid tribute to the Anglican martyrs in his homily at the canonisation. “And we do not wish to forget”, he said ,”the others who, belonging to the Anglican confession, met death for the name of Christ.”

All these martyrs are honoured on 3rd June every year and that is the best time to visit Uganda for safaris and enjoy , pray for yourself for blessings. Uganda is therefore blessed with many other religion sites mainly in Buganda and Busoga

Uganda’s cultural history has made it one of the most visited by

 tourists. Culture here is rich and dynamic dating  from from 15th century when  the interlucustrine kingdoms were formed. People here are very hospitable  and  receptive to foreigners.  Cultural sites such as Kasubi Tombs , Uganda  Museum and  Namugongo martyrs shrines have attracted both local and international  tourists