Why Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa?

Uganda is the truly the pearl of Africa because of its magnificence, variety of form and color, a profusion of brilliant life−bird, insects, reptiles, beasts (Gorillas& Chimps) and for vast scale according to Sir Winston Leonard Churchill in his book “My African Journey” published in 1908. Uganda also has the happiest and most loving people in the whole world.

• As you are researching about Uganda during your Uganda trip planning process, you will come across many great tags about Uganda, such as Uganda-gifted by nature. The most popular is Uganda-‘The Pearl of Africa. So; Why is Uganda known as the pearl of Africa? What does the pearl of Africa mean? Who named Uganda the pearl of Africa?
• This brand was not created by the Uganda Government, the ministry of tourism, the Uganda tourism board, or a hired marketing agency. It was Sir Winston Leonard Churchill in his book “My African Journey” published in 1908 who named Uganda “THE PEARL OF AFRICA” with regards to a safari to Uganda which he took in 1907.
• While touring Uganda, Churchill became quite delighted by what he found and wrote; “For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for the profusion of brilliant life−bird, insect, reptile, beast −for vast scale−Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa.”
• Winston Churchill’s visit was not to promote Uganda tourism; the purpose of his trip to Uganda was to see how Britain could benefit from Uganda.
• Uganda was a British protectorate and Churchill visited Uganda on his role as parliamentary under-secretary for colonies, not an ambassador of tourism for Uganda.

• Churchill looked at the beauty of Uganda, analyzed it, and described it as a fairy tale, with unique environmental attributes and a moderate climate due to the country’s location at the equator.
• Besides Churchill, several other explorers from the west; including Henry Morton Stanley, Richard Francis Burton, John Hannington Speke, and Frederic Lugard described the wonders of Uganda using ‘praising’ terms.
• They were stunned by Uganda’s beauty, her natural wonders, and above all her friendly welcoming people.

Also today, Uganda is continuing to stand out as a key destination on the tourist trail through this part of Africa. This endlessly exciting country in many ways encapsulates what Africa is all about, as you’ll discover during your safari to Uganda.

11 Reasons why Uganda is called the pearl of Africa

1. More than half of rare and endangered mountain gorillas in the world live in Uganda

• The world’s last remaining mountain gorillas have found a safe haven in Uganda’s two national parks;
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which hosts 459 mountain gorilla (nearly half of all the world’s mountain gorilla) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Travelers who travel to Uganda wholeheartedly agree that trekking to see the mountain gorillas is something that every safari-goer should strive to experience at least once in their lifetime;

2. Primates loom large in Uganda’s Kibale National Park

• Kibale National Park is often referred to as the primate capital of East Africa and the best area to see chimpanzees in the world.
• You will find more than you bargained for. The park is home to about 1500 chimpanzees and 13 species of monkeys including black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys.

3. Uganda is home to Africa Big 5

• Africa Big 5 is a term coined back in the 1800s by trophy hunters referring to what they considered the most challenging and dangerous animals to hunt on foot and these include the African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, and Rhinoceros.
• However, Uganda is the Big-Five Plus Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, making it an African Big-7 Destination.

4. Uganda has the highest number of bird species in Africa

• More than 1,073 species of birds live in this fertile, beautiful country roughly the size of Great Britain.
• And, like the Mountain Gorillas, there is the highlight of seeing the rare pre-historic looking shoebills, huge grey birds standing over 1.2 meters tall, with a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters, and weigh up to 7kilograms.

5. Uganda is home to the source of the planet’s longest river; the mighty Nile

• The 6,650 km-long Nile River is also one of the wonders of Africa and it is because of its fascinating history that many people visit Uganda.  Rafting grade-five rapids on the Nile in Jinja is a world-class adrenaline adventure.

6. The world’s second-largest freshwater lake is in Uganda

• Known in Luganda local language as Nalubaale, Lake Victoria has a surface area of 59,947 square kilometers (23,146 square miles) which makes it Africa’s largest lake, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake after Lake Superior in North America, although Lake Baikal in Siberia is larger by volume and depth.

7. Uganda has the world’s most powerful waterfall, the Murchison Falls

• The Murchison Falls in Murchison Falls National Park is where the world’s longest, the Mighty Nile, explodes through a 6 meter-wide gorge pushing onwards before making a 45-meter drop to form the most dramatic feature along its 6,650 kilometers to the Mediterranean sea.

8. Uganda is home to the tallest Mountain Range in Africa

The Rwenzori range is not volcanic and stretches about 110km by 50km wide. It has several peaks that are permanently covered by ice and host an extraordinary number of rare plants and animals, and new examples of both are still being discovered. The 3 highest peaks, all on Mt Stanley, the third highest mountain in Africa are;

• Margherita at 5109 meters
• Alexandria at 5083 meters, and
• Albert at 5087 meters

9. The amazing cultures of Uganda

• Uganda is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa with over 56 tribes and 30 distinct languages.
• It’s this cultural diversity that offers curious travelers an authentic and enjoyable experience.

10. Friendly locals in Uganda – The world’s happiest and loving people in the whole world.

• Uganda has extremely hospitable and warm people you can ever find anywhere in the world.
• It’s been said over and over again that Ugandans are the friendliest people in Africa.

11. Uganda has been gifted with perfect weather

• Uganda is located on the Equator, but because of its Elevation, Lake Victoria, tropical rainforest, the Rwenzori Mountains, the Virunga Volcanoes, the weather is excellent all year long, making it a favorite Holiday Travel Destination.

Places to visit in Uganda: Where to go while on a safari in Uganda?

Looking for top tourist attractions in Uganda or for top Uganda safari destinations? Uganda has several exciting places where travelers can have a memorable safari holiday in Uganda.