Uganda

Uganda is a country, which is rebuilding after years of civil war and strife. Economically it is one of the fastest growing and exciting countries and there is a great optimism about the future. The government and private investors have been working hard to rebuild the infrastructure of the country and with the stemming of poaching the game numbers are back in strength in the Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National parks.

click on the photos for a larger version

up close with gorillas

At the Murchison Falls National Park game numbers are rising steadily and viewing from a boat on the river Nile is the ultimate way to take in the beauty of the area and the magnificent Murchison falls themselves. Uganda is an ornithologist's dream, it is one of the best countries in Africa for variety and number of rare birds, such as the Shoebill Stork and the Ruwenzori Turaco.

click on the photos for a larger version

Murchison Falls,	Paraa Lodge pool	Shoe-Bill stork

The Queen Elizabeth National park has the best game viewing in Uganda with large numbers of lion, hippo, giraffe, elephant, kob, water buck, topi and leopard. There is also the opportunity to take a boat trip on the Kazinga channel where you can see hippo, giant forest hog, leopard, elephants and a multitude of birds. The main attraction to Uganda are the primates, the chimpanzees in Semliki and the Kibale Forest and the gorillas in Bwindi. Since the recent troubles in the Bwindi area the park has opened up again and tourists are visiting the gorillas but the situation is constantly monitored.

click on the photos for a larger version

Nile Perch	chimp

The scenery in Uganda is stunning with volcanoes and crater lakes for swimming and fishing and incredibly optimistic and friendly people. A lush, tropical landscape with rich fertile soil where anything can be grown and it is always green. With a temperate climate, fishing for Nile perch, the river Nile, white water rafting and beautiful islands in Lake Victoria it makes for a fantastic holiday.

To visit Uganda is to visit a country off the tourist trail where the game is not as prolific as in the neighbouring countries but the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the county make it a destination which should be experienced.