Uganda, the pearl of Africa

The nickname 'pearl of Africa' comes from Winston Churchill who, during a visit, fell in love with the country and decided to name it like that. And it stuck; it's one of those definitions given by a famous person that the locals are using to show off basically everywhere:

-taste the water of the pearl

-visit the pearl 

-fly with the pearl company

-stay at the pearl hotel.

Well this pearl thing is everywhere; but to be fair the old Winston did give a very good definition of Uganda

I mean, how could he not? 

Before moving to South Sudan I worked in Kampala for a brief and intense month and an half and I managed to enjoy it.. yep, he was right!

First of all Uganda is GREEN: like green green fields, landscapes, scenarios. It is full of forests, parks, hills, mountains.. the view is quite something, really. and the locals keep it clean and preserved because tourism here is obviously one of the biggest businesses. So many parks to see (I have heard the Murchison falls one is good as well as Queen Elizabeth Park), safaris, activities.. people will not be bored.

I did quad bike in Jinja and despite the not remembering at all how to drive a motorbike with gears (sorry driving school) the beauty of it was driving around pure nature and next to the Nile river.. amazing!

 View from one of the many lodges on the Nile

 

Nile river from bungee jumping spot (no I did not do it! I already have a bungee jumping favorite location which is in Switzerland.. cant cheat on them!)

Secondly: the people. Ugandans are famous for their warm hospitality. They're always so happy and smiling; even the police who sometimes look scary with their guns and everything are super cool. One officer stopped us on the way to Kampala and while he was asking questions he noticed I wasn't wearing my seat belt (I physically could not wear it cause there was no space) and he goes: "You're not wearing the seat belt, it's a criminal offence. did you know that?" I was sweating, afraid of what to say next and I just went: "Yes I know but I couldn't.." "You know that I could fine for that?".... awkward silence.

Then he just literally burst out laughing and said: "Italia!!! I love italia!! haha seat belts, I'll give you a fine ha ha ha." full stop. and he was gone just like he came. Weird, but thank you! and these scenes are quite common, which is just the best.

Are you not convinced yet?

Ok one more thing: parties. Kampala has so much to offer in terms of night life, entertainment and parties that you will not be disappointed. Uganda in general is full of expats, so being there is like being in a big Erasmus program where students are expats from all over the world, who meet at meetings, clusters and workshops during the day and just want to party hard at night. Needless to say weekends are absolutely mental!

Plus you'll only be one flight away from South Sudan.. not too bad, not too bad..