Uganda Travel Guide

Pretty, green scenery, few tourists around (even in high season), all kinds of wildlife (chimpansees and gorillas!), great birding destination, lovely and friendly people.

Huge potential in Uganda if tourism experience can be improved and conservation is better emphasized

I have mixed emotions about my experience in Uganda. On one hand, I had a number of great wildlife encounters with lions, leopards, gorillas and many other species in three of the country's national parks over a period of nine days. However on the other, I kept thinking about the huge potential that exists and the many challenges that remain with safari tourism in this country.

Wildlife conservation can be greatly improved in Uganda, and I think it is something that the country's government doesn't especially value. The communities around the parks have a very challenging existence with wildlife, and the use of snares and indiscriminate killings of animals is common. I read this in the newspapers and heard about it from the tour operators. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, I was so surprised how low the animal density was (with the exception of some species such as Ugandan Kob). In Lake Mburo National Park, I was concerned to see local ranchers chasing zebras into the bush so that their cattle could feed on the low grass outside of our lodge. Ranching and subsistence farming has really encroached into traditional spaces for wildlife. Parks are not fenced and perhaps this is something that contributes to territorial issues with residents and wildlife.

Tourism infrastructure could benefit from a number of small improvements. Park fees are not posted transparently online, and there is an archaic process of receipt-keeping for entering the parks. Visitor Centers could do more to help improve education and awareness of conservation and local species. Amenities such as toilets and other conveniences were not well maintained. The exception to this was in Bwindi National Park, home to many of the country's mountain gorillas. This is a main tourist draw and its focus on hospitality and learning should be considered a model for the other parks.

Early September is the beginning of the rainy season, and on many occasions I had the parks open to myself. There were very few tourists, and this was a nice improvement from other experiences I've had.

Uganda was one of our favorite countries of 9 Eastern & Southern Afrcian countries visited. Wildlife was not as prolific as some other destinations, but still plentiful and of course offers the chance to visit the mountain gorillas! The people are very friendly, scenery is stunning, roads are decent, attractions are affordable and the country felt progressive and not corrupt! And the birds, I almost forgot the birds, best in Africa...and that's saying a lot!

Uganda is disproportionately diverse for its small size. You find snow-capped mountains and sweltering swamps, cool savannahs, and dense jungles. The big five megafauna here here, as are nearly 1500 bird species. Add to that several dozen ethnic groups and around 45 languages from three major language families. You are free to travel anywhere in the country (even Karamoja is safe, despite information online). Uganda is amazing.

safari is a home away from home

while in Uganda, the truth about it being the pearl of Africa is reflected in its wild life, weather ,scenery among other things.
Uganda has got all kinds of delicious food stuffs that can sustain different tourists with different backgrounds allover the world, in short, Uganda is a home away from home

We went at the end of the rainy season and while we saw big game we might have seen more if we had gone during the dry season which forces the animals to the larger watering holes making them easier to view. But we loved the country - people are warm and welcoming, very polite. Uganda truly is "the pearl of Africa ",

fantastic

Am called Laird Ruth From USA. me and my parents took 15 days trip to Uganda with Augur tours Uganda. we really had fantastic, memorable, and a wonderful trip. if you want to reach them, just go to www.augurtours.com

Fell in love with Uganda

Yes, we had a great time in Uganda. The whole experience from start to finish was really great. The guide, was great. Nothing was too much trouble and we didn’t have any problems along the way. When we wanted to change our rafting trip, get a refund and book extra accommodation, this was sorted out no worries. He gave us the refund without question and organized our other trip for us It was all very easy. I have never booked travel over the internet before and was a bit worried about what we were going to get. However, the trip exceeded our expectations. Your help in the process was very good as well, our questions were always answered promptly.
Scott and Jo Australia

Safari disappointment

Disappointed about the poor road infrastructure and length of road journeys, but the biggest disappointment was to learn that we could not go off track to get a closer sighting of the lions - that privilege was only for those who paid $150 a day to do so. We have been on numerous safaris in other countries and have never encountered this.

Amazing experience

Amazing country with good natural attractions, conducive weather and worth to be visited every summer cause of a wide range of attraction this includes wildlife,favourable accommodation facilities and transport sector itself is an experience.