As Uganda’s troubled
past is finally confined to memory the country is beginning
a new chapter where economic and political stability are forerunners
on the agenda.
It now boasts one of the fastest growing economies in Africa
and is becoming an increasingly popular destination with travellers,
especially those who wish to see the country’s star attraction
– the magnificent Mountain Gorilla. There are less than
seven hundred of these remarkable creatures left in the world
today and many of them can be found in Uganda.
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Of the country’s natural wonders the most impressive
is a small waterfall that flows from the northwest side of
Lake Victoria. This seemingly insignificant waterfall is the
original source of the River Nile and though it is now obscured
by the Owen Falls Dam (Uganda’s main source of Hydro-electric
power), it is more than worth a visit just to gaze upon the
subtle beginning of this legendary river. Needless to say
this beautiful river offers a vast array of adventure activities
including kayaking, white-water rafting and even bungee jumping
(from a cliff above the river itself).
What is perhaps most intriguing about Uganda, however, is
the rich diversity of its culture. In the hidden recesses
of this cultural melting pot you can still find the remnants
of the ancient tribes that once thrived here. The oldest of
these indigenous inhabitants can be found in the hills to
the south-east of the country, where the Batwa and Bambuti
pygmies continue to preserve their ancient lifestyles. To
the northeast lie the Karimojong, whose nomadic lifestyle
is reminiscent of the Maasai.
All in all, Uganda is an amazing country with so much to
offer and yet its rich terrain is rarely explored by foreign
travellers. For a true adventurer there surely can be no better
destination than this.