Why You Should Visit Uganda

There are plenty of reasons as to why one should visit and explore Uganda. But let’s kick off with the simplest. Many years ago, when Sir Winston Churchill visited heart of East Africa, he was so much in awe of the country that he called it the “Pearl of Africa.” Now that should paint for you the first mental picture of what a beauty Uganda is, so read on to find out why you should visit this unique fairy tale country.

Friendly people 

It’s been said over and over again that Uganda has got the friendliest people in Africa. The site of a visitor brings a smile on everybody’s face. They will demonstrate this by saying hello to you and calling out “Muzungu” wherever you pass if you’re a white person.

Ugandans’ smiles are as warm as their sun. One of the many things you should expect when you first arrive at Adonai Guesthouse in Muyenga or Rubaga for your first night in Uganda. This warm aspect about Ugandans can make any kind of visitor feel at home while on a trip to the land of freedom. Every traveler knows that connecting with the local people will guarantee a very great travel experience as they will teach you, give you a broader insight into their culture and way of living. Ugandans are also curious about their visitors and where they come from. So be sure to receive a warm and interactive welcome upon arrival.

The climate

Come and you will enjoy the African Sun. Uganda’s sun blazes almost all year round. The weather in the Pear of Africa is so beautiful and unique that it still amazes the Ugandans themselves. It can be pouring at one moment and 30 minutes later, it will be shinning.

The cultural diversity

Uganda is made up of a number of ethnic groups from the central and west, east, south, and north, each with its own language, distinctive customs and norms. Over 50 languages are spoken across the country. It’s this cultural diversity that offers curious travelers an authentic and enjoyable experience.

Your money will go further

In this day and age where everything seems to cost an arm and leg, most travelers seek a high and luxurious style at a low budget, which makes Uganda the best destination in the East African region for its affordability. The cost of living in Uganda is lower than that of its neighbors, which gives travelers more purchasing power to indulge in all that Uganda has to offer. With that in mind, you even be in position to buy some African print wear, artistic jewelry and craft that may excite during your travel and stay.

Explore the country’s gift of nature

Dubbed the “Pear of Africa”, one won’t help it but stand in the awe of Mother Nature during a trip to Uganda. The country is a natural beauty, with an abundance of gifts bestowed to her i.e. the snowcapped Rwenzori mountains in the West, named one of the best hikes in the world by the National Geographic; Mountain Elgon in the East, with the largest volcanic caldera in the world; and Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria; the mighty River Nile, the second-longest river in the world, whose largest source is in Lake Victoria; not mention Lake Bunyonyi in the South west. Any of these will give you a mind blowing experience.

Tease your taste buds with Uganda’s rich cuisine

Uganda is the only country in the world with food that is as rich as its culture. Each tribe has its own staple food. A proper Ugandan meal is a celebration in itself, and some meals are prepared as early as the day before, to be served at lunch the following day. Many tourists are often eager to taste the “Matooke”, a staple food for the Baganda but also eaten across the different tribes. Most visitors refer to it as plantain. Then there is the street food, the most notable being the rolex. Yes, the Rolex. I know most of you are accustomed to the expensive timepiece tellers that adorn your wrists but in Uganda, it’s a popular street food that can be eaten at any time of the day. It’s an omelette that is rolled with a chapatti and some fresh tomatoes. It tastes much better if the tomatoes are raw.

Get your adrenaline high

Jinja is known as East Africa’s adrenaline capital. It is home to the source of the mighty River Nile and is also a bucket list destination for those seeking adrenaline kicks through white-water rafting and kayaking. Jinja offers what are arguably the best rapids in Africa. If water isn’t your thing, you can get your dose of adrenaline by bungee jumping instead. There is also quad biking and horse riding through the villages along the Nile.

You’ll be blown away by the unique wildlife

Although Uganda is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) it also boasts unique wildlife such as tree-climbing lions in parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park and the famous Nile crocodile. Uganda is a must on any birder’s bucket list, with over 1,000 bird species, including some of the very rarest, such as the shoebill, the great blue turaco, Shelley’s crimsonwing, and many more. Indeed, Uganda’s wetlands and savannah are great habitats for some of the world’s most spectacular birds and wildlife.

Uganda is lucky to be the home of the famous endangered mountain gorillas, and it has the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. They can’t be found anywhere else on earth but in the Virunga Massif that is shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These gentle giants can be found in two of Uganda’s national parks: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

You’ll feel the urge to dance

If by any chance you’re coming to Uganda in late August or early September, then consider yourself lucky, more so if you’re no stranger to partying and dancing. Because, for whatever other reasons you will be in Uganda, I urge you to spend the first weekend of September in Jinja for the Nyege Nyege Festival.

Nyege Nyege means an irresistible urge to dance, and the Nyege Nyege International Music Festival has been dubbed Uganda’s Burning Man festival. It showcases underground musical acts from all over Africa, as well as celebrating the diversity of East African food, and attracts revelers from as far as North America and Southeast Asia. The festival is a three-day nonstop music celebration with four stages by the shores of the River Nile; most revelers opt to camp at the site for maximum enjoyment.

Now, while you plan that visit to Uganda, remember to choose Adonai Guesthouse (in Muyenga and/or Rubaga) for the perfect affordable accommodation. At Adonai Guesthouse, it’s bed and breakfast along with free internet (WiFi). It’s calm and quiet, which is what makes it the best place to spend your night after that long flight to Uganda and the subsequent days when you tour around Kampala.

And upon arrival, if you wish to be picked up from the airport, Adonai Guesthouse will arrange that for you at very friendly cost. Simply get in touch with us on +256772909355 or email us via adonai.house1@gmail.com