Books On Uganda To inspire You
For most people, a trip to Uganda is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; an expansive experience and something that will create deep-rooted memories. Many seasoned travellers agree that there are certain ways to help prepare and get in the mood for a trip to somewhere new and different – one method is to read a variety of books about the place they’ll be travelling to.
You may want to learn facts about Uganda or understand more about the Uganda wildlife. Whatever your motivation, reading books about a destination before you visit gives you the chance to add depth and meaning to your travel experience.
We’re a well-travelled bunch, here at Kandoo and know first-hand how much travelling can be a transformative experience. We have also learned how much books can help us understand the places we adventure to. In this guide, we've curated a list of must-read books to lean into as you approach and pack for your Uganda trek—titles that will enrich your trip by connecting you to Uganda's heritage, culture, and natural environment.
How can reading books on Uganda help me prepare for my trip?
The beauty of literature based on or about places you are travelling to is that it provides context that goes beyond what you can research in guidebooks or see on tours. Providing insights into cultural, historical, and social nuances that have shaped the people and places you’ll encounter in Uganda, the right books will help you appreciate its landscapes, landmarks, and traditions on a much deeper level.
Visiting countries that are culturally, physiologically and visually very different from the place you call home is exciting, but for lots of people, it can also be overwhelming. Not only will the landscape be unfamiliar but everything from the language to the food, social customs, and even basic infrastructure will likely differ from what you’re used to.
Reading literature about Uganda in anticipation of your trip may help you feel transported there, building a sense of familiarity and connection before you arrive. Investing in the right reads in advance of your trip to Uganda will enrich your experience and help you approach your adventure with sensitivity, curiosity, and respect.
What types of books about Uganda will be best to read?
Unless you’re a prolific reader, you probably want a good cross-section but not a library of books about Uganda to round out your understanding and empathy for your destination.
We know most people will purchase a decent guidebook when travelling somewhere new so for argument's sake, we will assume you have already investigated the Uganda travel guides on the market and aren’t including one of these in our top 5 list. But in case you’re looking for a recommendation – we can’t fault the Bradt Guide to Uganda by Philip Briggs - a comprehensive travel guide that touches on everything from culture to Uganda safaris.
With a wonderfully diverse selection of books about Uganda to choose from, we think it’s important to see a place through the eyes of many so our list is curated to ensure you get a bit of everything! We’ve split our selections into user-friendly genres to help you decide.
Uganda Wildlife – An Insight into Uganda’s Landscape and Biodiversity
Nicknamed The Pearl of Africa and inhabiting just over 93,000 sq. miles, Uganda boasts some of the world's most diverse landscapes and incredible wildlife. The books below are ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly those embarking upon gorilla treks in Uganda.
The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda – Thor Hanson
Thor Hanson, an award-winning author and biologist, spent two years living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, renowned for its lush, mountainous landscape and UNESCO heritage status. Working with local guides and trackers, he helped develop an ecotourism program for the newly formed national park area.
Home to elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, and half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas, Thor Hanson’s account of his work is thoroughly researched, beautifully told and offers a rare glimpse into the world of mountain gorillas, and the human cultures that surround them. A must-read for anyone interested in gorilla trekking in Uganda, endangered species, or conservation.
Contemporary Ugandan Fiction – Cultural Immersion Through Storytelling
We find this genre tricky to narrow down as there are so many wonderful Ugandan writers to enjoy works of fiction from. If fiction is your thing, then we highly recommend exploring further into this category to explore reflections upon modern Ugandan life, identity, belonging and social and political history via the mode of story.
Kintu - Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Makumbi weaves stories of a family line bearing the curse of the book’s namesake, Kintu Kidda, starting in 1750. From there, spanning multiple centuries, right through to the present day, this complex yet compelling work of literary fiction helps us learn about Ugandan culture through the eyes of multiple generations and touches upon aspects regarding the influence of colonialism on Africa, social structures and the effects of the terrifying reign of Idi Amin. Despite being a weighty story, Makumbi weaves humour and realism throughout, making it an essential modern classic.
Uganda Adventure Books – Journeys to Inspire You
If the highlight of your trip is going to be trekking and white water rafting in Uganda, then reading accounts of people’s adventures there will be an inspiring boost. Since we’re adventure specialists and get inspired by all kinds of adventure writing, we’ve added two books in this genre and know you’ll love these as much as we do!
Guide to The Rwenzori: Mountains of the Moon - Henry Osmaston
Mountains of the Moon is an ancient moniker referring to the Rwenzori mountain range in East Africa, said to be at the source of the River Nile. This book is an in-depth exploration of the mountain range.
We love this outstanding detailed account of the region’s geography, ecology, and glacial formations, along with the flora and fauna unique to this Uganda mountain range. The book includes historical perspectives on exploration, insights into the indigenous Bakonzo people, and examines the environmental challenges facing the area. A wonderful benefit of buying this book is that all proceeds go to the Rwenzori Trust (rwenzoritrust.org), which sends children from the Rwenzori region to secondary school.
Pushing Rubber Downhill – Adam Piggot
Whilst not solely set in Uganda, this is the story of how a young man with no direction ended up working as a river guide in a range of exotic locations around the world.
Piggott describes his time working on the Nile River, which we know and love for its intense Jinja white-water rafting. He vividly recounts the challenges and thrills of navigating the Nile’s powerful currents, as well as the camaraderie among river guides and the rugged beauty of the Uganda landscape. The story dives into both the technical aspects of rafting these formidable rapids and the unique, sometimes humorous, encounters he has with fellow adventurers and locals.
With a light-hearted repartee, Piggott reflects on how the time he spent on the Nile shaped his character and resilience, contributing to his journey of personal growth. This book not only offers thrilling rafting stories but also highlights the transformative power of adventure.
Uganda Life – Everyday Situations and Modern Social Insights
A reading list to support a once-in-a-lifetime trip, wouldn’t be the same without some genial stories about what daily life is like for lots of the people who call your destination home. The History of Uganda is undeniably tumultuous, but we think our pick below captures life in Uganda beautifully, told from a very human perspective, with warmth and vibrancy.
Tropical Fish: Tales From Entebbe - Doreen Baingana
Doreen Baingana is a Ugandan short story writer. Her book, Tropical Fish won the 2006 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, Best First Book, Africa, and an AWP Short Fiction Award.
This collection of short stories follows three sisters growing up in Entebbe, Uganda, and offers a mix of humour and heartfelt moments. Baingana’s stories capture the quirks of Ugandan family life and habitual situations with a light, relatable touch. A uniquely multifaceted portrayal of what life is like for women in Uganda, it sheds light on topics such as family expectations, gender roles, and the search for identity as well as broader themes like economic struggles and sexual freedom.
Planning For Your Uganda Adventure
Kandoo exists to make people's dreams of active global adventures come true. Plan your trip with us and get the best advice to ensure you travel safe and travel smart. Get in touch if you have any questions about your trip to Uganda and our friendly team will be right on hand.