For nature loving travellers there is no greater attraction in Africa than Uganda where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle teeming with all kinds of animals. The country’s lush bushes are home to a dazzling array of species, including lions, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and antelopes. This ample biodiversity is further attested to by Uganda’s status as the smallest of the four African countries whose bird species is above 1,000! But there is more to Uganda than the spectacular array of its wildlife inhabitants. The mighty Nile has its roots in the country and along its route to Egypt it is punctuated by the spectacular Murchison Falls, and the setting for some of the world’s most thrilling commercial white-water rafting. Then there are the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori, which provide a real test for mountaineering enthusiasts, as well as the Virunga Volcanoes and Mount Elgon, both of which offer challenging hiking opportunities through scintillating highland scenery. The myriad islands of Lake Victoria and Bunyonyi are idyllic venues, as are the forest-fringed crater lakes around Fort Portal. Whether you’re a safari novice or a seasoned African traveller, Uganda – with its unique blend of savannah and forest creatures, offers rare treat of touching base with nature at its best. Uganda has also proved it eco-friendliness by creating six new national parks, as well as encouraging the start-ups of community-based eco-tourism projects in villages.
Full name: Republic of Uganda
Population: 27.6 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Kampala
Area: 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)
Major languages: English (official), Swahili, Ganda, various Bantu languages
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Ugandan shilling = 100 cents
Main exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame
GNI per capita: US $280 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .ug
International dialling code: +256
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