30 Aug Discover The Incredible Diversity of Uganda
We recently received a wonderful TripAdvisor review that inspired us to write this blog post.
“Our family of seven has just returned from a 14-day safari around Uganda, and it was genuinely one of the most incredible holidays we’ve ever experienced… What surprised us most was the sheer diversity of Uganda.”
Living in Uganda, it’s often easy for us to take that diversity for granted, and that’s why this month we’re going to celebrate it!
Blown Away by the Variety of Landscapes
What surprised our reviewer, Lisa, the most was Uganda’s varied landscapes. She said:
“One day we were trekking through dense rainforest, the next driving across open savannah, climbing through misty mountains or enjoying the tranquillity of beautiful lakes. The scenery changed constantly and was every bit as memorable as the wildlife.”
Brilliantly said, Lisa!
We would also highlight the swamps, the mighty River Nile, the hot springs, the semi-arid north, waterfalls and elevations ranging from 600 to 5,000 masl.
All of this diversity brings a huge range of animal and plant species to look for, which is very exciting. You can explore wonderful landscapes by hiking, cycling, running, kayaking, rafting, driving or relaxing and admiring. So, for sure, Uganda offers a huge variety of landscapes and things to see and do in them.
Uganda’s 56 Tribes
Uganda has some fantastic traditional entertainment, and one of the best ways to experience the music and dance of our 56 tribes is at an evening show in Kampala in a purpose-built outdoor auditorium.
Watch the mesmerising performances, hear cultural stories, and tingle your taste buds with a local food buffet. Best of all, everyone can join in for a dance at the end! This is a show you certainly won’t forget!
Authentic Cultural Visits
As well as shows, we also offer a wide range of visits which provide an authentic insight into local culture and daily life. There’s plenty to do:
- Visit farms and apiaries
- Prepare local food
- Learn from traditional healers
- Visit sites of cultural interest
- Join in traditional activities like bark cloth making
- Enjoy homestays
- Practise local crafts
- Visit remote tribes or pastoralists
- And so much more!
Not only do you get to experience new cultures and traditions, these sensitive visits also do good, enabling local people and communities to share their culture and benefit from tourism.
What Clients Regularly See
Here are some of the most commonly seen animals, which gives you just a taster of the diversity of wildlife in Uganda:
- Over 15 primate species, including gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys
- The Big 5: leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo and lion
- Mammals small and large: antelope, zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal and mongoose
- Nocturnal creatures like bushbabies, aardvarks and civet cats
- 1,000+ bird species, including shoebills
- Many butterfly species
- Reptiles such as Nile crocodiles, snakes and lizards
Diverse Outdoor Adventures
Jinja is known as East Africa’s Adventure Capital. What makes it even more special is that it’s located on the River Nile, just 1.5 hours’ drive east of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Here you will find a range of adventure activities, including white-water and flat-water rafting and kayaking, paddleboarding, tubing, bungee jumping, horse riding, quad biking, mountain biking and water biking.
Further east, you can run in the Land of Champions, following the training routes of our Olympians. Climb Mt Elgon or, in the west, the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. Get off-road and cycle through the Uganda countryside for an insight into rural life.
There’s something for everyone, with gentle walks or challenging hikes at numerous locations around the country.
Accommodation to Suit
Uganda really covers the spectrum when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re looking for basic camping, exclusive luxury safari lodges or everything in between, we provide a bespoke service to discuss clients’ requirements and budgets and suggest properties to match.
Hospitality is part of Uganda’s DNA, so visitors will always receive a warm welcome wherever they stay.
Where possible, we recommend properties with sustainable features like solar power, locally-sourced food and community support programmes.
Thank You
We want to say a huge thank you to Lisa and her family for travelling with us. You can read her full review here, which inspired this month’s newsletter: Uganda’s diversity!
If you’d like to explore all that Uganda has to offer, get in touch with our friendly team.
Can You Help Fundraise for Food Relief?
Severe drought has ruined crops and caused famine in the Karamoja region of northern Uganda, and this is particularly affecting vulnerable people like the elderly.
One of our tourism partners, Kara-Tunga, has done so much to develop tourism in this remote area in order to share local culture and generate much-needed revenue.
The local people have welcomed visitors, including many of our own clients who have perhaps been hiking, visiting tribes like the Karamajong, or visited Kidepo Valley National Park. Venture Uganda Travel has donated to fundraising efforts and is inviting our tourism partners, past clients and well-wishers to donate anything they can, no matter how small, to the fund.
Full details and videos of food distribution so far can be found on the Kara-Tunga Foundation page including links to GoFundMe, where you can donate or you can, of course, contact Venture for assistance.
Tourism needs to support the communities we work with. Thank you.