Uganda is a birder’s paradise. The country has an astounding record of 1062 bird species found in the various birding spots spread throughout the different regions. The diversity of Uganda’s bird species is attributed to the country’s location – amidst the East African savannah, West African rainforest and the semi-deserts of the northern region. 

Uganda’s birding spots are comprised of; rich savannahs, arid semi-deserts, vast wetlands, lowland and montane rainforests. Most of Uganda’s specials are Congolese and West African forest birds, which are relatively hard to spot in other countries where they are found. 

The rainforests in Uganda’s Western region are remarkable birding destinations, they include; Semuliki forest reserve, Kibale Forest, Budongo forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Kibale Forest and Magombe swamp are great habitats for forest birds. 

Uganda’s most famous birding spots include; the Entebbe peninsula – a great habitat for water and forest birds, Lake Mburo National Park – a habitat to over 350 bird species and a famous spot for water and acacia associated birds, Queen Elizabeth National Park – a habitat to over 600 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park – a habitat to over 450 bird species and the best place to see the papyrus associated shoebill stork, and the Kidepo Valley National Park – home to over 470 bird species.

Also, Kaniyo – Pabidi eco-tourism site, Rabongo forest, Royal mile, Busingiro, Semuliki National Park, Kasenyi area, Mweya Peninsula, Maramagambo forest, and Ishasha region, Katwe crater lakes region, Katunguru bridge area, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Buhoma waterfall trail, Mubwindi swamp trail, Bamboo trail and Ruhija region are top birding regions in the ‘Pearl of Africa’ – Uganda.

Found in north-eastern Africa, the river Nile stands out as the longest river in Africa and the whole world. With a remarkable length of 6853km, the Nile’s drainage system covers as many as eleven countries including; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and the Republic of Sudan. The Nile is the primary water source for Egypt and Sudan. 

The Source of The Nile

The source of the Nile is disputable. Though most recorded findings say the Nile originates from Lake Victoria, the lake has other feeder rivers of considerable size. Flowing into the lake from Bukoba town in Tanzania, River Kagera is believed to be the largest feeder. Some people believe Burundi is the source of the Nile because Ruvubu, a major tributary of River Kagera is found in the country. Regardless of its source, the Nile river has several beginnings marked out in the various countries where it flows. 

Uganda’s Nile

In Uganda, the river Nile begins its journey as the Victoria Nile from Lake Victoria at the Ripon falls near Jinja. It flows for about 130km northward to Lake Kyoga. The last part of the approximately 200km of the river starts journeying from the Western shores of Lake Victoria, flowing at first to the west, until just south of Masindi port, from where the river turns northward before making a great half-circle to the east and north until Karuma falls. 

The remaining part of the river flows westerly through Murchison Falls until it reaches the northern shores of Lake Albert where it forms a significant river delta. After leaving Lake Albert, the river Nile continues its flow to the Northern region of Uganda where it is known as the Albert Nile. 

Adventure and Tourism
River Nile is a major tourist attraction. At its source in Jinja – Uganda, the Nile attracts myriad tourists on a daily basis. A day spent at the Nile is an adventurous one and a sating experience for the avid tourist.

The activities to enjoy while at the river include; white water rafting, jet boating, bungee jumping, kayaking, swimming, horse riding, quad biking, canoeing, fishing, birding, mountain biking, bungee jumping, boat cruising at Bujagali falls, and visiting the Itanda falls. An adventure experience at the Nile is worthwhile.

Wildlife
River Nile is nature’s hub. The waters and the surrounding areas are habitats for a massive wildlife population. The areas near the river are home to tropical rainforests and bamboo trees. Banana plants are also common around the river.

The reptiles to encounter at the river include; Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, softshell turtles, and about fifteen species of venomous snakes. The Nile crocodile is the most common reptile on the river banks – it can be as long as 20 feet and weigh as much as 1500 pounds. The common fish species in the river include; lungfish, Nile perch, tiger fish, and red-tailed catfish.

Uganda, officially referred to as the Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country found in the African Great Lakes region. Uganda is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the north by South Sudan, to the south-west by Rwanda, and south by Tanzania. To the south, the county is covered by a great portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Tanzania and Kenya. 

Uganda has a total land area of 199,810 km2 (77,147 sq. miles), with a current population of 44,771,667 as of 16th. November 2018, based on the most recent United Nations estimates. The population is equivalent to 0.58% of the total world population. The population density in Uganda is 222 per km2, with 17.1% of the population being urban. 

Tourism 

Tourism is a major income earner in Uganda and one of the major drivers of development, investment, foreign exchange and employment. The trade contributes about 4.9 trillion Uganda shillings on an annual basis. Tourism is majorly focused on the country’s landscape and wildlife. The tourism industry aims at developing; ecotourism, adventure tourism and cultural tourism. 

Uganda is endowed with a diverse array of wildlife including; over 364 species of mammals, 1062 bird species, numerous plant life, culture and landscape. The country has many tourist destinations including 10 national parks; Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountain, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kidepo Valley, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla, Murchison Falls, Mount Elgon, Kibale Forest, and Lake Mburo National Parks. 

Also, Uganda has an inexhaustible list of tourist attractions, they include; Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, River Nile, Nyero Rock paintings, Murchison Falls, Sipi Falls, Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon, Mabira Forest, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Pian Upe game reserve and Kanyanchu game reserve.

People and Culture

The nation of Uganda was forged by the British between 1890 and 1926. The name Uganda was derived from Buganda – the largest and one of the oldest monarchies in the country. The earliest inhabitants of Uganda were the stone-age people, a mass that was gradually absorbed by the agriculturalists and pastoralists in the first millennium A.D. 

By the time the British came, there were more than 30 ethnic and cultural groups in Uganda. The diversity of these ethnic groups can be summarised into four major linguistic categories; the Bantu, Luo, Atekerin, and the Sudanic people. 

Religion
Religiously, Uganda is tripartite – comprises of three major religious divisions; the indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam. Christianity is the most dominant grouping, comprising about four-fifths of the population.

The major Christian groupings are; Catholics and Protestants, and the others include; Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Presbyterians and Baptists. About one-eighth of the country’s population is Islamic and the majority of the remaining people practice traditionalism.