Uganda is land locked country in Africa. Uganda is located in the East African region that borders Kenya in the East, Tanzania, Rwanda in the south , Sudan the north and in the west DRC  Congo.

Uganda lies along the Equator  and the famous lake Victoria the largest fresh lake in the world is located here shared by the 3 east African countries.  Uganda is  a beautiful  country  with enviable flora and fauna showcased at different spots and corners of its boundaries. It is home to the biggest population of the prized Mountain Gorilla, the primate chimpanzees, beautiful weather, source of the mighty River Nile, Africa’s largest fresh water body- Lake Victoria, lush greenery, landscapes, vast wildlife, birding experiences, cultural showcase, Uganda is good for  adventure safaris ,  peaceful the with the happiest people in the world. This can be seen where you travel at beaming faces and throughout with  enviable nightlife and much more.

When you encounter  the world,  yet  you  are  asked this question “where is Uganda” For us who are marketing Uganda for Uganda safaris tourism this question keeps on coming and this tells us that less is  known  about Uganda. A more serious marketing strategy could work to the advantage of the Pearl of Africa. At the Uganda stands in different Travel Expos  this question  keep on arising  in the  tourism expos.  However,  we tour operators keep on telling  buyers from  all countries of the world that Uganda is the heart of Africa. At one time Uganda was known for bad past associated with its dark past, identified with fallen statesman Idi Amin.  Some of the people who have visited our stall are ignorant about Uganda. Some of the tourism agents have asked us if Idi Amin is still living . Some still have stories about our dark past so we are telling them  that  it is part of our history but it is behind us and that we have a stable country and a diverse tourism product s we as Travel Hemisphere as an indigenous tour operator safari company ,  usually explain to potential tourists tending to come to Uganda.
You need to visit Uganda  many times in order to explore its al attractions  marketed and  not yet fully  exploited. “We have a diverse product. On top of  been selling the primates, that is, the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas ,  we have Mountain Rwenzori, the Victoria Nile, Lake Victoria the biggest second to largest in the world  name it, the white water rafting in the Famous River Nile , the Ever best climate along the Equator where can find temperate conditions, the vast Savannah grasslands, Uganda is home of primates – mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys lots of monkey species and a 1000 bird species.

Uganda People are among the most warmly welcoming and gently gracious people in the world. Uganda is home to many ethnic groupings.  Around 40 different languages currently spoken in the country.  English is the official language in the country and was adopted after independence in 1962 from the British who had colonized Uganda.   Luganda and  Runyakitara are the popular languages spoken and others follow in popularity as per the size of the ethnic grouping. Swahili is widely spoken in Uganda and another sister East African counties as it was approved to be the official language to be adopted in East Africa. It is now being taught in al East African Schools.

Many ethnic groupings form the country. In the Central, the Baganda take big part, then in the Eastern after crossing River Nile, the Basoga and the Bagisu are another big Bantu group,  The Iteso, the Karamajongo, and Kumam form Eastern Uganda groupings. In northern Uganda  The Acholi, the Langi also occupy the big party of the country. While in the northwestern, the Madi take center part. In the south and western we find the Bakiga, Banyakole, Batoro, and Banyoro plus the Bakonjo to a small extent.

All these tribal groupings making Uganda have diverse cultural customs that have kept them together and can be witnessed in their colorful ceremonial performances during specific events or national celebrations.  Uganda visitors will be treated on different dance and music interludes of many groupings and you are free to join and participate once you are overjoyed. Travel hemisphere once in while at places of stay we arrange for such performances to our guests mostly after taking dinners.

Uganda is an all-weather country throughout the year. Meaning that Uganda has got the best climate and weather on the  African Continent Africa.  Although Uganda is located at the Equator, the climate is not modified by this latitude like other climatic patterns.  Uganda is generally hot and wet and temperatures rarely rising above 30 degrees centigrade.  The heavy rains come in the moths of March to May. Like as we speak now in the month of May 2020 lake Victoria is experiencing rising lake water taking all its shores it last occupied in 1964 56 years ago. Meaning that this period has received lots of rains and usually is taken as low tourist season as some roads are impassable and overgrown bushes make wildlife viewing safaris not the best.  Areas around Lake Victoria receive lots of rains than any other part of Uganda.  The Northern and northeastern parts of Uganda receive fewer rains and at times face droughts and famine and the vegetation is a semi-desert type of savannah.  The Rwenzori region and southwestern part of the country also receive heavy rains.  Around Kigezi  Highlands in the southwest of the country, the country experiences temperate climate throughout the year being on high altitude above sea level.  Tourists to Uganda tours will enjoy a variety of weather patterns hot and wet and there is no reason to postpone your tour to Uganda because of bad weather. Gorilla tracking takes place throughout the year thought it is recommendable to have it in the months of June, July, August, and September when the country is experiencing lees rains to allow visibility clear and less overgrown bushes.

Uganda has the best world’s tasteful bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and avocadoes. Uganda is a fruit basket and this can be easily seen on the roadside where women display an array of fruits of different types. A variety of cuisines are served in Uganda due to the many different ethnic groupings.  At the renowned restaurants in our hotels, lodges, and many eating places, a  splendid menu of continental, Asian, and African local dishes are impeccable, and elegant ambiance is available to choose from.  Visitors will choose what to eat. Uganda’s traditional food varies from steamed bananas staple food for Uganda, finger millet, maize, sorghum, rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and cassava grow in abundance and are prepared for food into various dishes. Coffee and tea are absolutely available in all restaurants and Uganda is among the countries producing the best coffee and tea beverages in the world.

Uganda ‘s culture is of rich diversity based on a variety of different tribal groupings in the country. Uganda has different cultural patterns and display of this can be seen at Ndere cultural center where lots of cultural dances are performed and different cuisines served. Almost in all performance, drums are beaten while cultural troupes are performing. A drum is of significant importance for music performance and communication purposes in different Ugandan communities.

Dressing up in Uganda is very important and varies for traditional and modern attires.  Ugandans generally put on their traditional attires mostly on traditional and public ceremonies. And on other days they will adorn modern attires. At weddings, introduction, giveaway, and public ceremonies, people will wear different traditional attires.

Visitors to Uganda should try to understand different dress codes in order not to conflict with traditional norms. Uganda tour visitors should try to cover up their bodies and mostly women when traveling upcountry and in villages. Bikinis should only be worn in and around hotels, lodges and beaches.  Generally, Uganda is a warm country, and T-shits are worn and baggy trousers as casual wear are usually pot on.  In Southwestern Uganda it usually cools down to cold temperatures in some seasons in the year, so also woolen and jackets needed to protect you from coldness.  Visitors tracking mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and staying around the park should carry warm dresses and raincoat gears as may rain on them the whole day while tracking gorillas.

Uganda Money Currency: 
Uganda has its own currency called ‘ Uganda Shilling currency’  and is convertible to international currencies like US Dollars, UK Pound Sterling and Euros.  Cash is easily exchanged at bank counters and foreign exchange (forex) bureaus.  Forex Bureaus offer slightly better rates than banks.  Small notes, both banks, and forex bureaus offer much lower rates and some do not accept them. For US $ Dollars please carry with you notes denomination of the 50s and 100s which are easily accepted here.  Exchange rates in Kampala are better than rates offered upcountry.  So it is advisable to change your funds while still in Kampala.  Please ask your tour consultant at Travel Hemispheres the amount you need to exchange or carry on you for your personal expenses.  VISA and other credit cards are widely accepted in the country and in major hotels and lodges. Travel Hemispheres accept credit cards and can clients can pay us using credit cards wherever you are with easy and will confirm receipt of your funds.