There are very few countries as lucky as Uganda. Not only do you get thrilled by the magical encounter with the massive mountain gorillas in the jungles but also beautiful people with great smiles which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. In 2017, Uganda featured as the friendliest country in the BBC travel rankings.
Uganda is a landlocked country lying completely between 2 remarkable arms of the East African Great Rift Valley. The East African states that border Uganda is; Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and D.R. Congo.
Its boundaries are marked by different features including water bodies such as Lakes, Rivers, and mountains such as the Rwenzori Mountain ranges/Mountains of the Moon (5109m) to the Southwest, Mt. Elgon to the East bordering Kenya, Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park, etc.
Uganda features a distinct plateau of 200-500m high. Some of its areas have been heavily eroded. But it is generally a spectacular country with the most favorable weather/climatic conditions. Uganda enjoys an equatorial kind of climate and has a moderate altitude. This is because Uganda is crossed by the Equator that divides the earth into hemispheres – Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Besides, there are a number of scenic water bodies such as Lake Victoria – one of the world’s freshest water lakes and also the world’s longest river has its source right in Uganda – The Pearl of Africa. There are extensive natural forests, especially on the Southern side of the country, and magical tropical islands such as the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria.
People & culture in Uganda
Uganda is a unique country with distinct cultures from cultural music, art, and handcraft to cultures, norms, and traditions. Its cultures are unmatched and these are represented by three absolutely distinct linguistic groups – the Nilotic, Bantu, and the People from Central Sudan. Each group has distinct practices, beliefs, traditions and cultures.
The Bantu-speaking people in Uganda occupy the Central region and other parts of the country. This is one of the largest ethnic groups, consisting of Baganda in Central, Banyakole, Bakiga, Batooro, and Bunyoro on the Western side, and Basoga on the East.
The Northern and Eastern corridors are dominated by the Nilotic: Iteso in the East and North is largely comprised of Acholi, Alur, Langi, etc.
In extreme North-western Uganda, there are Madi and Lugbara. These and more speak a common language and also share a lot of cultural practices, and traditions. This means, from the North to the South or East to the west, you have a completely distinct Uganda cultural safari experience.
Uganda’s cultural diversity makes it one of the exceptional and potential cultural safari destinations in Africa. Its culture remains untapped and a cultural tour here guarantees you an ultimately authentic African experience – from the dances, traditions, practices, and traditional dishes to hands-on experiences such as food preparation, handcraft making, etc.
On Uganda safaris to any park or other destinations, there is an opportunity to go enjoy a cultural tour. Some of our Uganda safaris often incorporate cultural experiences such as Batwa cultural encounters for tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking. Ndere Cultural Center in Kampala is also the best for tourists to distinct dances from all the tribes in Uganda.
There are also multiple cultural sites in Uganda including Kasubi tombs – a remarkable tourist site located at 6kms. This is where four Buganda Kings were laid to rest. In Mubende, visit Bigo bya Mugenyi, in Tooro the key sites to consider visiting are Karambi tombs; Bunyoro kingdom has Mparo tombs. Other areas of interest on cultural safaris in Uganda are Nakayima tree, Ssezibwa waterfall, Naggalabi-Buddo coronation site, Wamala tombs, Itaaba Kyabanyoro, etc