Drive to Nakasongola District in Uganda

 Nakasongola District

Nakasongola District in Uganda lies North of Kampala in the Central Part of Uganda.
The road to Nakasongola goes through Luwero District and travels north on the road to Gulu.
The place is a short two hours drive from Kampala and characterized by great bushy savannah with some grasslands and shrubs, sometimes green and in the dry season a dusty greenish brown.
Nakasongola neighbours with Luwero on the south, a big swamp called Lubenge, a branch of the Kyoga River lies at the border of the two districts;

Lubenge Swamp Bordering Luwero and Nakasongola Districts

A welcome sign will tell you where you are;

Welcome Sign to Nakasongola District

If you are lucky you may see one of the rare Shoe Bill in that swamp. The other place you can see this precious bird  is in the Zoo. You are more likely to see them in the morning in the wet seasons (March to June and August to December).

Shoebill Sited Resting in Lubenge Swamp.

The road is smooth and newly repaired, one of the best roads in Uganda. Speed limits can go as high as 100km per hour. Drive safely, especially as you approach the little towns along the road, you are required to slow down to 50 km per hour. The traffic police are waiting round the corner and they are quite generous with their tickets. However it is a very beautiful journey and quite peaceful on any given day. If you are lucky you may cross it in the time of the rainy season when the white ants are rising and flying. A once in a lifetime experience.

Smooth Road North

The Road is very good but you best get on the road while early because as the hours go on, many big trucks travelling to  and from Northern Uganda and South Sudan will be competing for space with you. The big 'Gaa-gaa' buses  and 'Baby' coaches will come hurtling down on you, making high pitched,  very loud noises forcing you off the road.  Quite unruly. A new definition of Road Rude   Advice is;  if you see or hear any one of these or other racing buses bearing down on you,  best slow down and  let them pass, otherwise they can cause a very bad accident to you. They have been involved in many a nasty accident on that road and caused many deaths on that road in the past.

Once you reach Wabigalo Town, you will branch off  on the right to the main town. That is where the  government administrative units are. Small stone formations rising out of the plains called isobars will welcome you to Nakasongola Town. You may climb up one of them right in the middle of the town if you feel strong enough to do so.  There are some beautiful rock formations a little off the town center, that you may want to see before you leave town. If you ask at the police station, they will direct you to where they are. The town is quiet and  in the wet season the weather is moderately cool but in the dry season quite hot, packing a lot of water for drinking will make your time there more pleasant.

Isobar Formations as you approach Nakasongola Town

If you have time, please branch off into one of the ranchlands in nakasongola. The district is one of the richest in large scale cow ranching. Some large ranches to see include Kizito ranch, Zziwa Ranch, Kamukama Ranch and many others.  Many types of cows can be seen if you visit these ranches or on the road grazing ; local cows, Ankole cow, Boran Cows and the Sarwan type.

A Boran Cow and Baby in a ranch in Nakasongola

Along the road to Gulu you will be able to see the Zziwa Ranchers where the rare white Rhino has a sanctuary. Stop by and see the rare White Rhino.

Otherwise take some time for those who live in Uganda or those who are visiting to leave Kampala and visit Nakasongola District. A land of meat, milk and honey...as well as hot sun.

Savannah Bush , Nakasongola in the Rainy Season

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