Travel guide Uganda

The term, which comes from the English border to border, was coined in the 1960s to designate the bicycles that enabled people to cross the Ugandan-Kenyan border without needing a visa. Although mopeds have now replaced bicycles, boda-bodas remain a unique, economical and practical means of getting around traffic...

With its temperate climate and high altitude land, Uganda has ideal conditions for coffee growing. Coffee beans are the country's main cash crop. Robusta coffee is mainly grown in the Central Region, while Arabica grows in the coffee fields on the slopes of the Elgon and Rwenzori rivers.

The country is teeming with establishments whose names include the word "skull"... But then, what does this skull mean? Well, it is simply the English name of the national bird, the crowned crane, a beautiful and tall wader that appears as an emblem on the standard and that you will certainly have the opportunity to observe near some water points.

A gamedrive, otherwise known as a safari, is a 4x4 excursion in the national parks. Game refers to the game in these reserves, but Ugandans like to play on the randomness of game in the sense of "game". The idea behind game drives is to cover as many tracks as possible to observe the wildlife.

They're the big stars of the country! Of the thousand or so mountain gorillas in the world, almost half are found in Uganda. The authorities are doing their utmost to preserve these great apes through tourism and the payment of a US$800 permit (their population has increased by almost 70% in 30 years).

General Idi Amin Dada is Uganda's most infamous figure. A megalomaniacal and bloodthirsty character, he controlled the country from 1971 to 1979, leaving behind him several hundred thousand dead and an exhausted economy. Died in 2003, he came back to the forefront with the film The Last King of Scotland (2006).

Synonymous with collective taxis throughout East Africa, matatus are minibuses that provide urban and interurban transport. Very economical, matatu trips are also an excellent way to meet the local population. Striked out with slogans, these vans offer a real urban spectacle!

This term refers to both green bananas (similar to plantains), which are suitable for cooking, and the thick purée that is prepared with them. Matooke is truly the staple of the Ugandan diet. In Luganda, tooke means banana (plural: matooke) and, by extension, the word has become synonymous with food. To your forks!

In the plural, bazungu. Swahili word for Westerners and whites in general. Tourists are often referred to in this way. Even if it's not pejorative, the term can sometimes irritate. But play along. It could turn out to be a great opportunity to bond!

The Nile begins its descent towards the Mediterranean from Jinja! This assertion, made in the 19th century by the British explorer Speke, is of course considered true by Ugandan tourism professionals... but much less so by geographers who believe that the river's sources are in Rwanda and/or Burundi...

A basic element of traditional cooking, posho is a paste made from corn flour mixed and thickened in boiling water. Posho is used like bread and is eaten with the fingers. It is made into a dumpling with which the vegetables are collected. Very consistent, even filling, the posho will satisfy even the biggest appetites!

This term comes from the English word war gin, used by British expatriates in the 1950s and 1960s. It refers to any beverage distilled in an artisanal way and made from manioc, bananas, millet or cane sugar, depending on the region. The bottles of Uganda Waragi are marketed by East African Breweries.