Winston Churchill – one of Uganda’s early Tourists in 1907
The Story Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa! Winston Churchill’s visit to Uganda in 1907 profoundly impacted the Country’s history and reputation as the “Pearl of Africa.” Although Churchill’s purpose was not that of a conventional tourist, his exploration of Uganda aimed to assess its economic potential for England.
Churchill’s journey to Uganda was challenging, involving ships, trains, boats, bicycles, automates, and even foot travel by hiking through Uganda.
After sailing to Mombasa, Kenya, he proceeded by train through the expansive landscapes of East Africa. From Kisumu, he continued by boat across Lake Victoria until he reached the town of Entebbe, Uganda.
During his time in Uganda, Churchill immersed himself in the local culture and marveled at the Country’s natural beauty. It’s worth noting that he missed the opportunity to encounter one of Uganda’s most outstanding attractions—the magnificent mountain gorillas of Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Nevertheless, Churchill’s visit left an indelible impression on how Uganda was perceived and celebrated.
In 1908, Churchill published his book “My African Journey,” which chronicled his experiences and observations during his travels across Africa, including his time in Uganda. Although the phrase “Pearl of Africa” was not explicitly used by Churchill, his book played a pivotal role in popularizing Uganda, depicting the Country’s abundant natural resources, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. The term “Pearl of Africa” became synonymous with Uganda’s allure, captivating the imagination of readers.
Ironically, Churchill intended to emphasize Uganda’s economic potential and the raw materials that could benefit Britain. His call to “concentrate on Uganda” aimed to draw attention to the Country’s wealth. However, the phrase “Pearl of Africa” took on a new meaning over time, evoking pride among Ugandans and sparking curiosity among tourists.
Today, Winston Churchill’s 1907 African travels are considered a significant moment in Uganda’s history, catalyzing tourism development and recognizing the Country’s natural wonders. While economic interests initially drove Churchill’s visit, it unintentionally shaped Uganda’s identity as a captivating destination for travelers seeking to explore its remarkable biodiversity and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda the Pearl of Africa. 1901 was when the long-awaited Uganda Railroad line reached the Port Town of Kisumu along Lake Victoria on the Kenyan side of the Lake. Now, the route from Mombasa to Kisumu- a journey that took months by foot could be made in days by rail.
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda: Winston Churchill was a 33-year-old member of Parliament in 1907 who had been appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Winston Churchill wanted to visit the British Protectorate of Uganda, which was still an unfamiliar Territory, resulting in Winston Churchill’s – 1907 African Travels to Uganda.
Upon arriving in Mombasa, he took the train from Mombasa to Kisumu and crossed Lake Victoria by Steamer. He visited the then-colonial capital of Entebbe.
He journeyed to Kampala and Mengo by rickshaw pulled by young men who were replaced every eight miles.
At Mengo, Churchill paid homage to the Kabaka at his palace at Lubiri. He met with the 
local chiefs in Buganda. The next day, he visited the young Kabaka Daudi Chwa II for the second time in two days, where a Ganda war dance was performed in his honor. He was presented with two spears and a shield as a gift.
In those days, there was no Owen’s Dam on the Nile in Jinja. Ripon Falls was where he left the modern transport of railway and steamboats, and he and his party trekked on foot for three days. He did this to bypass the Nile Rapids. Afterward, he and his party continued with Ugandan Canoes to Lake Kyoga, making it a five-day journey.
From there, he took a bicycle to the town of Masindi in northern Uganda, a trip that took five days. Today, the journey from Jinja to Masindi and on to Murchison Falls – today, that entire journey from Jinja to Murchison Falls would be a mere 7 hours. Still, it took Winston Churchill 13 days to reach the most powerful waterfall in the world.
Of those various means of transport, Winston Churchill wrote about the Bicycle: “The best of all methods of progression in Central Africa is the bicycle…Had I known before coming to Uganda the advantages that this method presents…I should have been able to travel far more widely through the Country instead of merely journeying
from one Great Lake to another. Within the exact time limits, I could have explored Toro’s fertile and populous plateau, descended the beautiful valley of Semliki, traversed Albert Lake from the end, and skirted the slopes of Rwenzori. If youth but knew…! W.S. Churchill-My African Journey 1908.
Uganda impressed Winston Churchill during his 1907 Safari that he wrote a book published in 1908 called “My African Journey,” a journey (safari) but not extravagant. It was Spartan compared to others before and after him.
The resulting “My African Journey” book was Uganda’s first significant media promotion about the wonders of Uganda. In it, he proclaimed
“For magnificence, variety of form and color, for the profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa.”
The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different, and most of all, the people are other than anything else to be seen in the whole range of Africa….what message I bring back is to concentrate on Uganda.
From end to end, Uganda is a ‘beautiful garden’ where the ‘staple food’ of the people grows almost without labor. Does it not sound like a paradise on Earth? It is the Pearl of Africa.”
The path along Murchison Falls that Visitors hike up to the top of the falls. Winston Churchill took down and continued by boat along the Nile from Sudan to Khartoum through Uganda. However, it was Uganda that he fell in love with, and most visitors to Uganda still do.
“My African Journey” by Winston Churchill – though published in 1908 about Winston Churchill’s journey to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa of 1907 still is excellent reading in the 21st Century.
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
Our dream- “The Winston Churchill Trail.”
Our dream is to embark on “The Winston Churchill Trail,” retracing the steps of Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda.
The incredible journey of “The Winston Churchill-Pearl of Africa Trail” begins in Entebbe and concludes at the falls in Murchison Falls National Park.
In 2018, we organized a Winston Churchill Pearl of Africa Trail Hiking Safari for twenty adventurous women from Toronto, Canada. It was an enormous success that took us over a year to plan and required weeks of testing before we were ready to go with our Canadian guests.
We made all the necessary arrangements, including security, experienced guides, knowledgeable rangers, and even a nurse. Our safari included thrilling activities like rafting, boating, and an escort vehicle. And let me tell you, everything went smoothly without a single hitch.
Our guests followed in the exact footsteps of Winston Churchill’s historic safari. They explored Entebbe, spent time in Kampala, enjoyed a boat ride to Jinja, and then embarked on a ten-day hiking adventure along the Nile, crossing Lake Kyoga to reach Masindi and Murchison Falls.
If you’re interested in learning more about Winston Churchill’s African travels in 1907, we recommend checking out the book “Winston
Churchill’s – 1907 African Travels to Uganda.” It provides valuable historical insights into Uganda and its unique relationship as a protectorate rather than a colony of Britain. You can still find this book on Amazon.com in the 21st Century.
Even in the modern era, travelers continue to discover the wonders of the Pearl of Africa, just as Winston Churchill did. We specialize in creating safaris that allow you to follow in his footsteps and experience Uganda’s awe-inspiring beauty and adventure. Feel free to contact us for more information about these incredible journeys.
Our dream is to embark on “The Winston Churchill Trail,” retracing the steps of Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda.
The incredible journey of “The Winston Churchill-Pearl of Africa Trail” begins in Entebbe and concludes near Pakwach, close to the Nile and Murchison Falls National Park.
In 2018, we organized a Winston Churchill Pearl of Africa Trail Hiking Safari for twenty adventurous women from Toronto, Canada. It was an enormous success that took us over a year to plan and required weeks of testing before we were ready to go with our Canadian guests.
We made all the necessary arrangements, including security, experienced guides, knowledgeable rangers, and even a nurse. Our safari included thrilling activities like rafting, boating, and an escort vehicle. And let me tell you, everything went smoothly without a single hitch. Our guests followed in the exact footsteps of Winston Churchill’s historic safari. They explored Entebbe, spent time in Kampala, enjoyed a boat ride to Jinja, and then embarked on a ten-day hiking adventure along the Nile, crossing Lake Kyoga to reach Masindi and Murchison Falls.
If you’re interested in learning more about Winston Churchill’s African travels in 1907, we recommend checking out the book “Winston Churchill’s – 1907 African Travels to Uganda.” It provides valuable historical insights into Uganda and its unique relationship as a protectorate rather than a colony of Britain. You can still find this book on Amazon.com in the 21st Century.
Even in the modern era, travelers continue to discover the wonders of the Pearl of Africa, just as Winston Churchill did. We specialize in creating safaris that allow you to follow in his footsteps and experience Uganda’s awe-inspiring beauty and adventure. Feel free to contact us for more information about these incredible journeys.
Winston Churchills – a Man of His Time:
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
Winston Churchill’s visit to Uganda in the past did not aim to promote tourism or popularize the term “the Pearl of Africa.” His primary
purpose was to explore how Britain could economically benefit from Uganda, considering it was a British Protectorate at the time. As a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Churchill’s role was not that of an ambassador of tourism for Uganda. However, his book did generate interest among big game hunters, who subsequently started visiting Uganda.
The term “the Pearl of Africa” is now used to promote tourism and commerce, which can be seen as a redemption of the word. However, during Churchill’s time, it was used to describe the wealth and resources of Uganda for exploitation. Presently, Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa, utilizes the term as a tourist slogan to showcase why it is a unique African safari destination.
Winston Churchill viewed Africa and Uganda through the lens of his era, influenced by prevailing Western perspectives that erroneously regarded Africans as inferior to whites. This was a time when the theory of Charles Darwin, emphasizing the evolutionary advancement of white races over blacks, was widely accepted. Such ideas led to dehumanizing practices, including showcasing Africans in places like the Bronx Zoo in the United States and Europe. Thankfully, times have changed, and society has progressed.
Today, most Ugandans do not associate “the Pearl of Africa” solely with the British colonial era. Instead, they view it as a slogan that captures the uniqueness of their Country. Living in the Pearl of Africa instills a sense of pride, as it represents excellence and distinction. For example, the term can be used in establishments like the “Pearl of Africa Hotel.” Perhaps this shift in perspective aligns with Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s concept of decolonizing the African mind. Nonetheless, it is a slogan that we at Kabiza Wilderness Safaris will always utilize. Read more about the Pearl of Africa here.
Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda: the Pearl of Africa in His Words
If you want to follow the trail of Winston Churchill’s 1907 African Travels to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa – we can create it for you…let us know.
