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UGANDA OVERLANDDespite the beauty of rural jungle and mountain Uganda it's the chance to interact with the mountain gorillas that will be undoubtedly the highlight of any visit. It is a truly humbling and often emotional experience to be in the presence of these great apes, watching them forage for food and go about their daily lives. This personal encounter is arguably the most sensational wildlife experience of them all! MUST DO'S
MORE INFO ON UGANDA: GEOGRAPHY A relatively small country, Uganda is 241 136 sq. km. in extent, of which 44 000 sq. km. is fresh water. Situated astride the Equator, it enjoys a mean annual temperature of 22 deg C, with an annual rainfall of 125 cm. The main language is English, and the basic infrastructure is sound and rapidly becoming better. HISTORY Uganda, as it is known today, is the creation of the colonialists at around 1894. They lumped different tribes together and by virtue of the day, called the emerging country Uganda. It has known only two forms of governments, namely quasi federal, and central governments. The central governments have been characterized mainly by dictatorships, and as such with corruption, human rights abuse, insecurity, poverty, abuse of office, etc. Federo was officially abandoned by Uganda in 1966, and the move was eloquently hailed by the learned as an escape from obscurantist backwardness into a brilliant future of Pan Africanism and unity. The beliefs of that time are well documented in the 'Uganda Argus' and the 'People' of the late 1960s. The country was assured in those days that 'correct' political philosophies were the key to everything. We know better now. Uganda has become very complex. That's why, after 35 years, we are revisiting the Federo question, especially because of its administrative, democratic and cultural convenience. CULTURE Uganda is a country of many contrasts. The forbidding mountains act as a foil to the softer meadows and broad savannah, while the dry uplands contrast with the swamplands of the lakeshores. The contrasts between the various peoples of Uganda reflect this variety of surroundings and are demonstrated in the multiplicity of cultures traditions and lifestyles. The union of many peoples has created Uganda. Ancient people with their own traditional lands, their own customs and a way of life inherited from their ancestors. They now live together as one people. Today we are all proud to be Ugandans, while we cherish the memory of our history and keep alive the tradition of our ancestors. Uganda is a result of the unification of ancient kingdoms, as well as many smaller independent chieftainances, which are now part of the richness of our modern state. Their heritage lives on in the hearts of the people, their traditional dress, languages, dances and customs. The largest cultural group are the Baganda people, whose kingdom has always been influential in Ugandan affairs. Amongst our ethnic groups are many others that include those in the Kingdom of Toro, the Banyankole, the Acholi, Basoga and Lugbara. CLIMATE Uganda enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures averaging about 26 deg C during the day and 16 deg C at night. The hottest months are from December to February. The rainy seasons in the south are from March to May and from October to November. In the north the rain season is from April to October. WILDLIFE WILDLIFE At least 120 species of mammal in one of the richest ecosystems in Africa including mountain gorilla, chimpanzee and 8 other species of primate. Elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog, many species of bats and rodents, at least 346 species of birds including rare forest birds, at least 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleons, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos, at least 202 species of butterfly. There are also several endangered species of birds with limited ranges. This forest is a sanctuary for almost half the world's population of mountain gorillas (about 330 of 600), which is the rarest race of gorilla. Established as a safe habitat for several families of mountain gorillas it is now the location of an important scientific conservation program. BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK Bwindi's Impenetrable Forest is true African Jungle. It is so called because of the dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation make it almost 'impenetrable'. It's mysterious and awesome. The lowland rainforest and montane forest vegetation constantly struggles to reach heights that will allow it to receive more light. Huge trees are festooned with creepers and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the humid atmosphere and, where sunlight breaks though, the elegant heliconia, or lobster claw, spreads its colourful petals. Amongst the dense vegetation the Colobus Monkey jumps from branch to branch, chattering its warning to its fellows hidden by the foliage. Chimpanzees, in families of 20 or 30, make the rounds, searching for fruit and edible plants. The park is located in south western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts It was gazetted in 1991 with an area of 331 km2. It is situated in a hilly countryside that, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitute an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region. As you walk among the shadows of the leafy canopy, this rainforest reveals the smells and sounds of Africa, just as it has been for centuries. TRAVEL TIPS:
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