The Pearl of Africa, Uganda
The Pearl of Africa, Uganda appeals through its sheer natural beauty of looming snow-capped mountains, massive lakes, quintessential landscapes, and lush terraced Kigezi highlands that exude peace and serenity. The Pearl of Africa enchants with its dramatic cultural dances and colorful ceremonies, arts and crafts, and heartful people, and exciting nightlife. And everywhere, you will find warm intimacy with its people and cultures.
There are thousands of gift shops in Kampala and Entebbe. From a curved animal to a tropical t-shirt, you’ll find many things you’d like to bring back home. Most upmarket lodges and hotels have souvenir shops within the compound or nearby. If you think of bringing home some souvenirs, your best bet is the souvenir market at Buganda Road or opposite Vicotrial mall in Entebbe, where you may be overwhelmed by choice.
Because the Equator crosses the Pearl of Africa in the immediate center, the weather you will find is tropical, warm, and humid climate all year round with two main distinctive seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season. Quite different from the areas around Viruganda Mountains (southwestern), which have several peaks over 7,000 ft in elevation. The temperatures are considerably cooler, and there is much more rainfall than in the central areas.
The Pearl of Africa is a preferred safari destination to the savvy traveler because its tourist numbers are still small and tolerable compared to its famous giant safari neighbors. There’s a big chance that tick-off bucket-listers will not step on your toes or disrupt your private getaway and lazy evenings. You most probably could be the only one on a game drive in the entire national park. The destination is a giant private reserve that makes private safari an affordable indulgence for an ordinary traveler.
Uganda’s stunning landscapes extend from the northern savannah plains to the western rainforest jungles, snow-capped mountains of the moon, and into the southwestern Volcano highlands. With the giant Lake Victoria washing off the whole central-southeastern corner, hundreds of lakes around the landscape, from above, you could buy it off as a Claude Monet masterpiece.
Having all this travel trove in one giant private reserve, I think, makes Ugandan people the most modest, welcoming, entertaining, and so much caring hosts.