Uganda: Pearl and Harmony of Africa

Uganda...the Pearl of Africamodern and old still coexist here, with your guide,
Uganda...the Heart of Africawearing old trousers, showing you the ancient
These are two of the many names given to thispaintings, and with his mobile phone in his pocket.
small and incredible country in the middle of AfricaThere is no contrast or contradiction, all looks normal.
that we are now going to explore with the words ofIn the land of the fresh water, water falls contribute
Ivan D’Ambrosio.to the grandeur of nature in Uganda
Uganda is a country unbelievably green, unspoiled,.
friendly and magic.Sipi falls are a series of three falls one above the
Uganda contains half of Africa's bird species,other, in the middle of a thick mountain forest,
thousand of butterflies’ varieties with adensely inhabited by friendly local communities. It is
multitude of colour and shape. There are lions,impossible not to stop and stare at the rainbows
leopards, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, chimpanzeesforming regularly with the sunshine at the bottom of
and the most marvellous of all animals: the Mountainthe falls.
Gorilla.Murchison Fall shows the magnificence and power of
Everywhere one looks there is a panoramic scene:water. The beauty and strength of this unstoppable
Rwenzori mountains, are not called by chancemass of water makes people hold their breath and
”the mountains of the moon” for theircontemplate. And the majestic sound of the water
beauty is truly ethereal , Murchison Falls, is a truefalling, will give you a sense of inner silence
natural wonder, Bujagali, where the Nile starts its 6Murchison Falls National Park is also the land where
months journey to the Mediterranean sea.typical African animals can be seen in there natural
Uganda is covered by amazing lakes; lake Bunyonyi,environment . Buffaloes, elephants, giraffes roam all
an enchanted place out of time, where traditionalaround this vast park. Many species of antelopes,
canoes are the only transport and secluded islandssmaller animals too shy to pose for a picture, hyenas,
have boundless nature and small rural communities.warthogs... It is an explosion of life. Plants, trees and
The cultural diversity here is impressive. Over 30animals, all there, all in perfect balance with Nature.
ethnic groups with 30 languages are commonlyEven the terrible crocodiles here, at the meeting
spoken all with there own culture and traditions.point of the Victoria and Albert Nile, seem in
A journey in Uganda is an emotional exploration intocomplete harmony with the stunning green and lively
the heart of Africa, a magical experience, whererivers and the complex ecosystem made up of
everything from the smallest animal to each person ishippos, birds of any kind, antelope and elephants.
entwined together, part of the rhythm of NatureThere are no rhinos left in Uganda, one of the many
with her cycles, her harmony and balance.consequences of the Amin’s dictatorships that
Imagine now that you are the explorer of thisended at the beginning of the 80.
adventure.The times of Amin are one of the very unfortunate
Your flight has just landed. After a long queue at thechapters of African recent history. Uganda, only now
custom desk, your guide is waiting for you.is recovering from the profound destruction caused in
In the dust and chaos of Kampala, the capital city ofthose years.
Uganda. Most of the roads, even in the town centre,Clearly, the damage caused by Amin is not the only
are un-surfaced. People are at every corner, eitherproblem Uganda faces today: in certain areas,
selling something or just standing there, appearing totowards the border with Sudan, there are still
do nothing understandably logical. But after only 10situations of atrocity and violence, like the
kilometres from Kampala, here it is: Africa’schild-soldiers and the attacks of rebels at times even
kingdom.against humanitarian missions.
The vegetation is gorgeous, everything is almostBut the biggest problem of Uganda today, is not war
unreal. There are hundreds of small markets on theor poverty, but corruption that does not allow the
road, mini local communities, banana plantations,nation to progress and makes it increasingly
birds….dependent on international support.
The variety of landscape in Uganda is impressive. InAnyway, there are signals of hope that, if not too
just a few kilometres, you can move from savannah,soon, at least sometime in the future, will help this
mountain forest to rain forest.country to shine. Among the many small and large
And it is exactly in this rain forest, that Semulikiinitiatives, the Rhino Fund is reintroducing both black
National Park unfolds an incredible display ofand white rhinos in Uganda. Paying a visit to the
vegetation and where very unexpected hot springscentre will allow you to understand more about the
are found with their unique colours forming a displayAfrican ecosystem… and seeing the rhinos only
in the mist of boiling water.a few metres from you in an open environment is a
Uganda is the land of the rivers, lakes and waterfalls,really exciting encounter.
as 30% of its landmass is covered by fresh waterGoing towards South-West, Kibale National Park is
Among the many lakes, lake Mutanda provides thethe home of one of the highest concentration of
most stunning views of water, mountains and nature.primates in the world. The main attraction for a
Lake Buyonyi gives the chance for an exploration in atourist is certainly trekking into the forest in search
traditional canoe to meet the locals who will dancefor chimpanzees. After a few hours of walking you
and show happily their simple daily life. Lake Bunyonuiwill be 10 metres away from them. They will be
is also the centre for a project of production ofcleaning each other relaxing, looking curiously, while
Artemesia, a natural remedy to cure malaria, whichyou do not stop taking shots with your digital
remains the major cause of death in Africa. Lakecamera, What are they really thinking as you pretend
Bisina is a remote and unknown lake, covered in algaeto hide behind a tree and taking pictures at them?
and water lilies, a truly magical place. Lake Albert willQueen Elizabeth is another famous national park,
offer the chance to see the rare and fascinatingknown worldwide to be one of the only two areas
shoebill, a bird that only exists here. Lake Victoria, theinhabited by tree climbing lions.
largest lake in Africa, with over 80 islands forming theIt is a very strange and emotional sight. Lions are
complex of the Ssese Islands, which offers a way toliterally on the tree, above the car. One jump and
relax on a white sandy beach away from the noisethey probably would get you. But nature is made of
of crowded tourist places.respect and rhythms. Lions climb trees when it is too
Lake Victoria, is also the place of the source of thehot, to have a chance to rest and refresh and when
Nile, Bujagali falls and the world famous and mostthey already had their food. In nature predators do
exciting water rafting experience anyone can have. Itnot kill if there is no a reason. A lion would not kill its
does not matter if it is your first time or yourpray, if he was not in need of food. A great lesson
hundredth. One big wave down the grade 5 rapidsthat humans have clearly forgotten.
(the highest you can do!) and you will be off theAnd after watching all the other African animals,
boat, a bigger wave and the boat will bethere is still one animal to encounter. Many people
up-side-down. There is no escape!from all over the world come to Uganda only for this
On a boat to the source of the Nile people canreason. It is the single most emotional, extraordinary,
mentally review the steps of the explorers of thealmost mystical experience in Africa: the Mountain
past.Gorillas. It is impossible to describe it in words. You
“Doctor Livingstone, I presume?”are left without speech at being in the presence of
“Yes”, said he, with a kind smile, liftingthe gorillas and you will wonder more than once who
his cap slightly.is more human between us and them. Mountain
This is the very same conversation which took placeGorillas are a critically endangered species because of
in 1871 between Dr. Livingstone and Henry Stanley,mankind. You will learn to appreciate their fragile
two of the great explorers of East Africa during theeco-system and their way of life. Looking in their
second half of the 19th century.eyes, so incredibly human, of a humanity that we
The source of Nile is also the place for quad bikeoften lose in our daily lives. You will sit in the ground
tours inside remote local villages to meet the localsfor a second, thinking who is really in the right place
and of course thousands of children that will greetin this world, you or them?
your passage with a constant sound ofAnd still thinking about the gorillas, to end a journey in
“Jambo muzumgu” (Hello white person,the heart of Africa, deep in contact with the power
in Swahili).of nature, you will climb Nyirangongo, an active
The modern activities of rafting and quad bike, mixvolcano named in local language “the mother of
perfectly with the oldest traditions. A local traditionalthe bad spirits” because with its regular
doctor will tell about the origin of the universe anderuptions, destroyed in the past and will destroy
the causes of disease and show his rituals and sacredagain and again in the future. One more reminder for
places. Mere superstition?mankind: we can destroy our environment, but at the
Traditional African Medicine is not just pure magic andend of all, nature will have the final word.
certainly is not dying. About two thirds of the AfricanClimbing up to the summit is an exhausting
population commonly use these remedies and theyexperience, but when you have reached the summit
are now at the centre of international attention tothere will be no memory about tiredness, cold and
recognise their therapeutic effectthirst. All your attention will be captured, to admire
Traditional African Medicine is at the very base of ourthis primordial display of power: the boiling fires
roots and it is a vibrant mixture of real medicalbeneath you, these incredible columns of smoke, red
knowledge, great understanding of the human nature,lava and destruction.
and thousands of years of culture with its complexYour journey in Uganda is over. The smiles of people
spirituality.who own nothing but their happiness, the look of a
Among the many populations, the predominant aregorilla so perfectly part of his nature, the power and
Bantu speaking groups, who are also the mostdestruction of falling waters and boiling fires will have
modernised. But your attention will go to moretaught you a final lesson. Passing time, progress,
traditional groups, like the Karamajong and the Batwawealth and the stress… this is our life, but, what
Forest people.can their meaning be here in this land in the heart of
Towards the North-East you will encounter theAfrica?
Karamajong, they are a group of Nilotic origin whomUganda, land of eyes - Rita De Santis
are directly connected to the Masai of Kenya andEyes of childrenwho waitfor a sustainable
Tanzania. They are among the few people in Africafuturewithout hungeror guns
who still use traditional clothes, still build their housesEyes of childrenwho demandthe rightto existwithout
and villages as they were doing probably 5 centurybeggingfor rubbish.
ago, they still retain the real African spirit with a veryEyes of womenwho waitfor their pregnancy
strong tribal identification. Entering one of theirknowing,wrapped in the colourof their clothsbright,
villages, which is extremely poor but full of pride andalmost holy.
spending time with these people gives a profoundEyes of menalertwho are afraidwho even smileat
sense of respect for their culture and heritage.times.
Moving west, towards the borders with Congo andEyes of animalswho listento the rustlingof the
Rwanda, you will encounter the Batwa Forest People,ambush.
they are part of the ethnic group commonly calledEyes of gorillasthat retainthe conservationof a
pygmies, but this is not a name they like. They like tospecies,and a distantsadnessof violatedlands.
be called just forest people. Into the forest they willEyes of the greeneyes of the waterin Ugandathe
show you a little of their incredible culture, probablyworldis an ocean of eyes
the oldest culture in our world still in existence,It is our responsibilitynot to take awayfrom those
possibly 10,000 years old. This way of life is quicklyeyesthe dreamof a better world.
disappearing from progressive deforestationAcknowledgements
mismanaged conservation projects and politics, whereZedAway ([ ) the tour operator that offers tours in
the Batwa are not part of.the nature and culture of Africa
Other populations and other activities. In the ToroNalubale Rafting
kingdom, one of the 4 kingdoms of the republic ofInns of Uganda
Uganda, it is possible to meet representatives of theKin Initiative
royal family and discover how they make perfumesNgamba Island
and tools for the kings. At the same time you willWild Frontiers
meet the simple people who will show you how theyRhino Fund
make pans out of used parts of bicycles, how theyAll Terrain Adventures
brew local banana beer and how they perform theirHornbill Camp
traditional dances.Semuliki Lodge
Everywhere you can watch people performing theirNdali Lodge
daily activities: the farmer and his cows with hugeChimps camp semuliki
horns; people making bricks from simple soil; peopleForest People Programme and Chris Kidd
at night who capture grasshoppers, that will be friedDonna Spencer
and sold; people cutting trees with tools that youBut the biggest thanks goes to the local communities
cannot believe; people extracting oil from palm seeds,who taught us something of their thousand-years old
the old lady making marvellous terracotta pots withcultures, who danced and sang for us and who
nothing but soil and her hands; the family who invitessometimes made us smile for their behaviour so
you for dinner… everything is a uniquerelaxed and distant from our daily life always under
experience forgotten by us, the Muzungu, hundredstress.
years ago.And the final and most sincere thanks goes to all the
The Present and past in Uganda are all mixedmountain gorillas, species on the edge of extinction
together. Close to the very tiny Kumi town, an oldbecause of mankind, whose look, so incredibly
guide will show you Nyero Rock Paintings. Old,human, of a humanity that we men often have lost,
mysterious paintings that clearly resemble Europeanlet us think who we are and what we are doing on
Neolithic forms of art. You cannot avoid thinking howthis planet.