Uganda

Located in East Africa, Uganda has a surface area of 242,554 km², which is relatively small by the standards of the African continent. From a geographical point of view, the country is trapped between the eastern and western arms of the rift valley, and the Rwenzori Mountain range offers a unique afro-alpine scenery in the continent, reaching its highest peak, Mount Marguerite at 5,190 m.

Its borders are Kenya to the east, Burundi to the south, the D.R.C. to the west, and Uganda to the north. Uganda features a huge biological diversity, including jungles and forests with more than 6,000 plant species. In addition, its large lakes such as Victoria, Albert, and Edward cover about 17% of the country’s surface.

Among its main attractions are Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Kidepo National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Semuliki National Park.

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On the fringes of the Albertine Rift Valley, this park covers an area of 331 km² and its altitude varies from 1,190 m in the north to 2,607 m in the east. Although it is mostly jungle, the park is an ecological island surrounded by cultivated areas and with a very high population density.

These forests are home to thousands of plant and animal species, more than 220 species of butterflies, and 40% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Bwindi is one of the last large tracts of combined upland and lowland forests in East Africa, with over 200 tree species, of which 12 are endemic to the site.

Due to its altitude, high humidity and equatorial location, the climate is tropical with rainfall throughout the year, which is usually characterized by brief, isolated storms. Annual rainfall reaches up to 2,390 mm in the rainiest areas.

Average high temperatures range from 20 ºC (68 ºF) to 28 ºC (82 ºF) throughout the year.