Equator experience in Uganda is an amazing experience that is beyond just geographical location but rather an adventure that will connect you to science, culture and the earth as well. The Equator is an imaginary line that divides the earth into two halves and in Uganda the major Equator line is in Kayabwe along Masaka-Mbarara highway. This major landmark is mostly visited by tourists who are going to the countryside in the western Uganda’s national parks like Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park Mgahinga gorilla national park or those connecting to national parks in Rwanda for example Volcanoes national park, Nyungwe forest national park or Akagera national park. Kayabwe which was a small town has now grown into a busy town because of the Equator. It is a recommended stopover for travelers from Entebbe to the parks in western Uganda or those from the parks to Entebbe or Kampala.
While you are at the Equator in Kayabwe you will engage in photo session at the landmark, you can visit craft shops where you can buy souvenirs, there are restaurant with scrumptious local menu and international menu as well so you can visit and have a taste. Most of the craft shops are attached to different foundations like Aid a child which have greatly improved the livelihood of the people. These foundations are mainly targeting children that lost their parents because of AIDS or children from incapacitated families.
Visiting the Equator in Uganda especially at Kayabwe, you will have an opportunity to stand in both hemispheres of the world for example you will stand with one leg in the southern hemisphere and the other leg in the northern hemisphere and at it point, your body will lose 3% of the total weight because of there is no gravitational pull at this point. You will also engage in the Equator experience where you see the difference between the two hemispheres using funnel and water. In the northern hemisphere, if you pour water in the funnel it will drain in clockwise motion while in the southern hemisphere if you pour water in the funnel, it will drain in anti-clockwise motion. You will also learn in this place the sun rises and sets fast and most interesting is that the temperatures and the weather is almost the same throughout the year.
Interesting Facts about the Equator Experience in Uganda
Equator day and night: Day and night at the Equator have almost the same length all year around and this situation is caused by Earth’s axial tilt.
Climate at the Equator: The Equator receives a tropical kind of climate throughout the year.
Weight Experience at the Equator: While you are at the Equator your body loses about 3% due to centrifugal forces. At the Equator bodies weigh slightly less compared to when you are at the poles.
What is the Best Time to Visit the Equator?
You can visit the Equator all year around, however the best time would be in dry season between June and September, December and February. However you can also visit during wet season between March and May then October and November.
How to Get to Kayabwe for Equator Experience?
The Equator is located along the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway. You will use this road which is well maintained and it is about 2hours drive from Kampala. If you have limited time, you can combine Equator experience with Mabamba bay or Lake Mburo national park safari for short safaris.
You can also have an Equator experience in Queen Elizabeth national park at Kikorongo near Kasese.
