Full Description
Bradt's Uganda has for many years been considered the go-to source of information for travellers interested in this extraordinary country, which boasts Africa's most biodiverse - and arguably most exciting - safari circuit. Written by Philip Briggs, the world's foremost guidebook writer on Africa, this new tenth edition of the most detailed travel guidebook available to Uganda has been thoroughly updated by local resident and experienced travel writer Andrew Roberts.
Uganda excels for wildlife-watching, and recent transport improvements now make for relatively easy year-round access to key sites. Visit the lush montane forests of Bwindi, which protect one of the world's largest remaining populations of mountain gorillas, watch habituated chimpanzees in Kibale and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or enjoy outstanding birdwatching throughout - with more than a thousand bird species in a country similar in size to Great Britain.
As well as treating readers to a dedicated wildlife chapter with over 100 colour wildlife photographs, Bradt's Uganda guides visitors around key wildlife-watching experiences. It provides up-to-date coverage of gorilla-tracking options, describing gorilla groups and their locations - everything anyone who dreams of encountering these remarkable primates needs to know.
Uganda is not just about wildlife. Hikers love some of Africa's tallest mountains, notably the snow-capped Rwenzori (the 'Mountains of the Moon'), the massive collapsed caldera that tops Mount Elgon, and the forest-swathed volcanic peaks of the Virungas. A highlight for adrenaline junkies is rafting the 'Grade Five' white-water rapids on the Nile shortly after it emerges from the inland sea that is Lake Victoria.
In this tenth edition, carefully selected accommodation listings have been updated, providing critical appraisals of optimum options in each price bracket. While tourism has long focussed on western Uganda, this edition strengthens attention on the country's remote northeast corner, which is emerging as a popular destination that includes the untrammelled savannah of Kidepo National Park and offers opportunities to interact with traditional Karamojong pastoralists. Boasting detailed maps of the country, updated or created from scratch using GPS, and all the travel advice a visitor might want, Bradt's Uganda remains the essential companion guide to this compelling country.
Contents
Introduction viii
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Conservation areas, History, Government, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education
Chapter 2 Wildlife Guide
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles
Chapter 3 Practical Information
When and where to visit, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety and security, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Getting involved
PART TWO ENTEBBE, KAMPALA AND SOUTH-CENTRAL UGANDA
Overview, Highlights
Chapter 4 Entebbe, Mabamba and Surrounds
History, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and
nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, The Kampala Road and
Murchison Bay, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Mabamba Swamp
Chapter 5 Kampala
History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Chapter 6 Around Entebbe and Kampala
East towards Jinja, North towards Masindi and Gulu, West towards Fort Portal, Southwest towards Masaka
Chapter 7 Masaka and the Ssese Islands
Masaka, Lake Nabugabo, The Ssese Islands
Chapter 8 Ankole and Lake Mburo
History, Lake Mburo National Park, Mbarara, Igongo Cultural Centre
PART THREE EASTERN UGANDA
Overview, Highlights
Chapter 9 Jinja and the Upper Nile
Jinja, Bujagali, Kalagala and the Upper Nile,
Excursions further afield
Chapter 10 Mbale and Mount Elgon
Busia, Tororo, Mbale, Mount Elgon
Chapter 11 Karamoja, Gulu and the Northeast Safari Circuit
History, Teso, Langi and the Kyoga Basin, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Karamoja, Kidepo Valley
National Park, Acholi
PART FOUR NORTHWEST UGANDA
Overview, Highlights
Chapter 12 Pakwach and West Nile
History, Pakwach, Panyimur, Arua, Arua to Gulu via the Laropi ferry
Chapter 13 Bunyoro
Hoima, Lake Albert and the escarpment forests, Masindi
Chapter 14 Murchison Falls Conservation Area
General information, Getting there and away, Where to stay and eat, What to see and do
PART FIVE AROUND THE RWENZORI
Overview, Highlights
Chapter 15 Fort Portal, Kibale National Park and the Toro Crater Lakes
Fort Portal, Toro Crater Lakes, Kibale National Park
Chapter 16 The Semliki Valley
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Semuliki National Park, Bundibugyo
Chapter 17 The Rwenzori Mountains and Kasese
Kasese, Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Chapter 18 Queen Elizabeth National Park and Surrounds
General information, North-Central Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kasese-Ishaka Road, Ishasha and Kihihi
PART SIX THE GORILLA HIGHLANDS
Overview, Highlights
Chapter 19 Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi
Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi
Chapter 20 Mgahinga and the Virunga Foothills
Kisoro, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lakes Mutanda and Mulehe
Chapter 21 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
General information, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary
Appendix 3 Further Information 582
