In one way or another, almost every country I travel through either awakens or surprises me, but Uganda? She managed to do both.
With such little time (and a limited budget), I regrettably experienced only some of the treasures in what Winston Churchill called the “Pearl of Africa”. Straddling the equator, Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa with motley landscapes, from savanna plains to mountain peaks to untamed jungles, as well as a wealth of diverse and rarely seen wildlife.
Twin Lake Lodge
View of Queen Elizabeth National Park from Twin Lake Lodge
Although most visitors make their way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for sightings of the mountain gorillas, I chose Rwanda for my gorilla safari (a post on that to follow soon), but a number of other primates can be found in Uganda — 19 species in total, the most diverse primate population in East Africa. In Kibale Forest National Park, a tropical rainforest recognized as the world’s top destination for chimpanzee tracking, I spent a fascinating day in the company of our closest genetic relatives (read my post about the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience here).
Uganda is also known as a land of lakes (nearly a third of the country’s land mass is covered by water), with eight main rivers and five large lakes, the largest being Lake Victoria.
Lake Bunyonyi, an astonishing, island-studded body of water that moved my friend to tears, made me wonder why it hasn’t been named a natural wonder of the world (click here for more photos).
And an intimate boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel between Lake George and Lake Edward brought me remarkably (and, for some, precariously) close to the largest population of hippos I’ve ever seen, as well as buffalo and a vast array of birdlife.
I wouldn’t consider Queen Elizabeth National Park as a top safari destination, but it was still a worthwhile stop from my journey from Kibale Forest National Park to Lake Bunyonyi. Sightings included a lion, elephants, wart hogs, waterbucks and countless kobs, the country’s national animal.
What surprised me most about Uganda though was the tranquil beauty I discovered as I bounced along the dusty, potholed roads: the lush, picture-perfect rolling hills sheathed by tea plantations, banana palms and corn fields.
And, while Uganda isn’t known as a foodie destination, my lunch during a stop at Mweya Safari Lodge left me wanting more: beef stew, doodo (greens), matooke (mashed plantain) and posho (mashed corn). I was thrilled it also came with chapati, a common menu item brought by Indian immigrants.
Lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge
When you add the warm smiles and children who leaped at every opportunity to wave hello, Uganda has become my biggest surprise in Africa yet.
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it’s a beautiful country.
Can’t argue with that!
Home sweet home! Nice pics Helen!
Thank you, Godfrey 🙂
Beautiful as ever, Pearl of Africa!
Oh Uganda! How I miss thee… Can’t wait for my next visit…
Oh that was so great hope you come back again so that you could see more you think
Thank you, Mark. I’m loving all these comments from Uganda! They remind me of the warmth and hospitality I received while I was there.
Nice pictures from my lovely Uganda. However “Potoko” maize corn is a word I have never heard of!
Hi Roger. I took “potoko” from the menu at Mweya Safari Lodge but, now that you point this out, I may have written it down wrong! It must be posho. I’ve made the correction. Thank you!
You must have enjoyed the bumpy ride on the motorcycle (bodaboda as it is locally known here). And the beautiful tea plantations!!!! That’s my home area.
I LOVED riding the boda boda. I know some people think it’s dangerous, but I didn’t think so at all. And those tea plantations… wow. I had no idea Uganda is such a larger producer of tea.
So many thanks for appreciating our country pliz come again n with more of your friends bse yo always welcome
Thank you very much! I hope to visit again sometime. 🙂
cool u missed to see hot springs in western Uganda
I missed A LOT of things in Uganda!
Great pictures Helen hope to meet you when your back to uganda
Thanks, James! I see you’re a photographer as well. If I ever find myself back in Uganda, I’ll hit you up for location tips.
Thank you for selling Uganda through your pictures.They are beautiful.Uganda is indeed the pearl of Africa and what makes it more super are the warm people everywhere.
Thanks, Irene. I did feel very welcome when I was there. 🙂
oh!!! the tea plantations have so much memory in my life.I used to go through some of them on my way to school.its a shame i haven’t explored my country as much as i should.As as artist,this am sure this would be very good for my career.
Isn’t that often the truth – that we don’t think to explore our own backyards? (I’m just as guilty.) Sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to nudge us to do that, and I’m glad I’ve provided you with that inspiration. Go forth and explore. 😉
What an amazing writer you are Helen, you just inspired me to see all these places for myself, and also looking forward to reading about your adventures
Very kind of you to say, Ramhadji. Thank you 🙂
Thanks Helen. Come again. There is plenty more to see 🙂 That was the tiniest, top most tip of the ice berg 🙂
Many thanks, Herbert.
Helen more about the beauty of Uganda would take you more than a year to uncover, its the most beuatiful place to. That’s my home.
Thank you Helen, nice photos taken by a professional HD camera.
Another correction is the word “Matooke” (mashed plantain) and Doodo (greens).
Thank you, George. Ok, it seems that the menu I took the names of the ingredients from was incorrect then because there’s just no way I got all three of them wrong! Corrections made. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Hi Helen! Thanks for photos about Uganda, especially the ones of lake Bunyonyi are breathtaking!!
Thanks, Winston!
Oh my Uganda how I wish the whole world would come and behold what we have.Shame is ugandans dont know what they have.GIFTED INDEED.
Oh Helen! You are welcome to Uganda again and again. This post makes me even more proudly Ugandan.
Thank you very much, Joy. 🙂
Uganda is no doubt a place to be, i love it here so much
Enjoyed a “boda boda” ride too_real Uganda experience_karibuni Uganda Hellen.
Uganda – love, love, love it! We were there a year ago and we did not have a clue about it, before coming. The only reason to travel there was a cheap fligh ticket, but at the end it was more than we ever hoped for. It was amazing, surprising, beautiful and eye-opening. Hoping to be back again.
p.s. Great photos!
Thanks, Nina. My reaction to Uganda was very similar!
What gorgeous photos. Some of what you captured reminds me of Costa Rica—except for the hippos and primates. The greens are magnificent.
Thank you, Suzanne. The landscapes in Uganda are indeed lush.
These photos are amazing!! Great job Helen!
Thank you very much. 🙂
Great Job and well done Helen, no doubt Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries on planet earth, gifted by nature without much human effort/ investment. Wish all tourists w’d publish and share the experiences like u. GBU!
You’re most welcome, Mark!
Helen, thanks for appreciating our country. Your story makes us feel more proud of our country, Uganda. We shall be glad to welcome you again into our country.
You’re welcome, Emmanuel. You have many natural treasures to be proud of.
Absolutely Magnificent much different from what I imagined! Thanks for Sharing and enlightening me!
Happy to give you a different perspective, Tom. Thanks for reading!
Great photos and article. Seeing all of these together makes me rethink things about Africa and its countries. I will live vicariously through these. Safe travels for the rest of your journey, Helen!
Thanks, Taku! I think we in the West have many media-induced misconceptions about Africa. Take, for example, ebola. People are led to believe the entire continent (which is MASSIVE) is unsafe and, as a result, tourism expenditure in African countries far from the ebola-stricken zone is experiencing a significant drop. It’s sad, really.
Everyone should come and #VisitUganda coz its beautiful! Compared to mainland Britain, with its high peaks, raging rivers, wildlife infested-rainforest and fine beers, and most of all its friendly and hospitable people.
Thank you Helen for the great work. You have shown the amazing photos
of Africa to the World.
So sorry for the delayed reply, Kaahwa! You’re very welcome. 🙂
Beautiful Pictures. We Ugandans take a lot for granted, But seeing these through your eyes shows me how blessed we are!
We often take our surroundings in our home country for granted, don’t we? I’m guilty of that too, but that’s changed in the past year.
What a beautiful country! Love these pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, great photos! What lenses did you take with you? I am probably going there this summer for a very diverse program – basically the things you mentioned, plus trekking in the Ruwenzori (and Gorillas in Uganda, not Rwanda). Quite some diverse requirements, but I am (obviously) limited with what I can take with me. Any recommendations? I was thinking about 17-50, 70-200 (bot f2.8) and 150-600 (f5-6,3).
Hi Michael. Definitely take your telephoto lenses. For the landscape images, I shot them with my 16-35mm f/2.8 lens, which I never travel without. Hope that helps. Have a spectacular trip!
Hi Helen,
Great information and photos. I plan on traveling to Uganda in August. I’m doing the chimp habituation experience as well as 2 days with the gorillas. I’m starting to get nervous as a solo female traveler. Any recommendations?
I would have no qualms about travelling there solo, but if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of it, I’d suggest booking a guide or a driver to take you from place to place. It will also take the stress out of figuring out the logistics of travel.
Helen, Your photos are amazing. I am considering a trip to Uganda. When doing some research I came across our Lake Bunyonyi photos. They are amazing! I was not even considering it for a stop before. Did you use a local tour company?
Thank you, Janine! My friend and I hired a guide to take us through Uganda and Rwanda, although we did spend a bit of time on our own as well.