Uganda, being close to more tourist-attracting countries, has long been underrated and in some ways, under appreciated. Thankfully, its natural wealth maintains its reputation as the undisputed Pearl of Africa thereby attracting more and more visitors each year.
According to the Uganda Tourism Board, “We expect tourists from US to increase from 49,414 in 2015 to at least 60,000 in the year 2017; tourists from United to increase from 40,851 in 2015 to 60,000 in 2017 and tourists from Germany to increase from 9,585 in 2015 to at least 15,000.”
One of the more frequent tourists in Uganda are Germans. Aside from their strong political and tourism ties since 1964, here are the major reasons why Germans will love visiting Uganda:
Reason 1: GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
Gorilla trekking as well as chimpanzee trekking can be the highlight to any African trip. Not only are these activities very unique and exciting, it’s also an experience like nothing else in the world — trekking the mysterious rainforest in search for a gorilla family, treading slightly difficult terrains in the jungle while hanging on to vines or tree branches, hearing a choir of forest animals sounds, seeing monkeys jump from one tree to another, and finally, meeting the great apes and spending at least an hour with them in their natural habitat.
Uganda is arguably the most ideal destination for those who want to explore the jungles to see the chimps and the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. You see, there are only about 900 mountain gorillas left on the planet. More than half of them resides in Uganda. The coolest thing is, the gorilla permits here are relatively cheaper compared to other countries who offer gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking as well.
Reason 2: SEVERAL FLIGHTS EVERYDAY
Flying to Uganda is very easy and super affordable for Germans. Flights cost roughly around $500 to $600 for a round trip and they are available daily on several cities: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hannover and Stuttgart-Echterdingen. Available airline providers include Brussels Airlines, Multiple Airlines, Turkish Airways, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Air, KLM Royal Dutch and Emirates. Flight duration will of course depend on whether you are on a one-stop or multiple-stop flight.
Reason 3: CHANGE OF SCENERY
Germany’s got this picturesque scenery with a touch of medieval in almost every corner. Uganda’s got this equally stunning scenery but more on the wild side and the mystery of the jungles. It is the world’s premium birder’s destination, boasting of 50% of Africa’s entire bird species population and 10% of the world’s. Aside from its prolific birdlife, diverse landscapes covering gorgeous mountains, lush forests, mighty rivers and glorious waterfalls, Uganda is also home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which gives haven to more than half of the entire population of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world!
Reason 4: VISA ON ARRIVAL
Entering Uganda is not a hassle at all. When you get to the airport, you can easily get a visa on arrival for only US$50 (EUR 41.30 or 80.77 DEM) and you are then free to explore the country for up to 90 days!
Reason 5: MORE GERMAN TRANSLATORS
Since 2016, Uganda Tourism has made it official that tour operators and other tourism-related agencies should take German language short courses to give special attention to German visitors who are not very fluent in English.
Reason 6: VERY SMALL TIME DIFFERENCE
Uganda is only an hour ahead of Germany which means no jet lag, no massive schedule and body clock adjustments and going back to normal routine is a cinch!
Reason 7: SCHOOL HOLIDAYS COINCIDE WITH THE BEST SEASON
Summer vacation in Germany are staggered in all its 16 states but it’s usually for 6 weeks between late June and early September — just in time for the best season to explore Uganda! Between June and August is Uganda’s driest season. It features a perfect weather condition with more sunshine, less humidity and very little rain. Hence, trekking conditions are excellent. No slippery grounds, no impassable roads and definitely no negative impact to primate visibility and photographing. Even in the savannah reserves for wildlife viewing, this is the perfect season to easily spot some game as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is meager.
December to February is also an excellent time to visit as this is also a dry season in Uganda. And what’s that in Germany? Christmas vacation! What else? Winter season. This makes the perfect time to get away from the cold and experience the thrill of the wild.
Reason 8: THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Germans have been known to be one of the most active individuals in the world. When it comes to the great outdoors, they’re naturals! In Uganda, there’s plenty of outdoorsy things to do. One, and perhaps this will be a favorite, is hiking. Germans LOVE hiking. What makes hiking in Uganda more thrilling and unique is that you will be hiking through a dense forest as if you are in a real-life Tarzan or Jungle Book movie. As you move through the jungle, you will hear a lot of animal sounds, see incredible wildlife in their natural habitat and finally meet the world-famous gentle giants!
Aside from gorilla and primate trekking, Uganda also offers exciting activities such as cruising and white water rafting on the River Nile, trekking, nature walk and boat safaris!
Reason 9: TOP PARKS/ACTIVITIES
Although Uganda is a landlocked country, its splendor doesn’t fall short at all. In fact, this miniature Africa allows you to see real wildlife in a natural habitat. Amidst the immense Lake Victoria that sources the River Nile and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains are some of the finest parks of Africa, each offering distinct features and activities.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Uganda is among the only three countries in the world that mountain gorillas consider safe havens, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has half these last mountain gorillas with 11 habituated mountain gorilla families. Viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitants is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s very exclusive, emotional, exciting and unique. That is why lots of tourists come to Uganda specifically for mountain gorilla safaris. Another feature that adds beauty to this forest is the spectacular display of flora. It exhibits over 1,000 flowering plant species and about 200 different types of trees including endangered and rare vegetation, making it one of the most diverse and unique natural forests.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: Perhaps the most visited national park in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth NP is home to various wildlife including hippos, tree-climbing lions and chimpanzees. It harbors the biggest hippo population in East Africa and the best time to see the hippos (plus other wildlife, birds and of course stunning views) is through an exciting boat cruise along the Kazinga channel.
- Murchison Falls National Park: Renowned for the majestic Murchison Falls where the Victoria Nile River surges through a narrow gap over a massive drop, Murchison Park offers exciting activities including boat cruises. The park is also blessed with a beautiful vista as well as an impressive wildlife such as warthogs, giraffes, oribi and four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo).
- Kibale Forest National Park: Kibale Forest National Park features an evergreen forest that’s known to be an excellent birding destination. It is home to the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa and is one of the most popular (and affordable) destinations for incredible chimpanzee trekking.
- Kidepo Valley National Park: Kidepo is located in the extreme northeastern part of Uganda, just along the border to Sudan and Kenya. It is notably the most remote park in the country but many tourists really visit this wildlife sanctuary because of its rugged, semi arid valleys that give authentic African feels. It is also an oasis that provides habitat to animals like lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hyenas, leopards, reedbucks and many others.
Reason 10: CITY LIFE
While Uganda’s capital city Kampala may not be as advanced as Berlin or Hamburg, it has a lively city life to offer. From tasty cuisines to scenic hills to beautiful historic sites such as Namirembe Cathedral, Kampala is like a box full of surprises that gives the city a great character and an excellent social life. What’s Kampa really famous for is its booming nightlife. In fact, it is often coined “African city that never sleeps”. Thanks to the people and even security who really knows how to have fun, Kampala’s bars and clubs are open almost 24/7 from Sunday to Sunday until long after sunset.
Of course, if you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Uganda is your oyster. Game drives, camping, trekking, wildlife, white water rafting and even bungee jumping are all just a few hours away!
There is no reason not to go.
With all the reasons and more – not to mention their shared love for football – Uganda will definitely make a remarkable destination. Besides, it’s only about an 8-hour flight away, which is another reason why Germans need to visit Uganda. So, what are you waiting for?