This might sound like a really silly question but I promised my girlfriend that I would ask it to try and find out. Having just got back from South America we are now looking at where to go next year and a trip to see gorillas in Uganda is high up on the list. The only thing which might stop us is my girlfriend's irrational fear of spiders. She can literally pass out if she comes across one and feels trapped. I know that spiders can be found anywhere but on a day to day basis how likely are you to come across them going about our daily business of sight-seeing in Uganda?
2
nhumphries
I have done gorilla trekking in Uganda, and I while I'm sure there were many spiders (as there would be in any forest, even in UK as other post illustrates) I don't recall seeing any. Saw lots of beautiful butterflies though. Can't say that I saw any spiders elsewhere in Uganda either (I went 9 times over a period of 15 months).
Uganda is one of the most amazing places to see birds. I expect they eat a lot of the spiders.
3
onlymark
But be aware of the African jumping spider
The latest theory is that as they like human blood, instead of eating mossies that have feasted on you - they'll cut out the middle man.
4
roremc
I share your gırlfrıends sentıments! I only saw raın and gorıllas when ı dıd the trek. She wıll be fıne!!!!
5
the_spectre
I really wouldn't worry about the spiders too much, It'll be the snakes and ants that'll put the fear of God into you.
6
smallmasterr
I'm an entomologist, and from that point of view can tell you there are not that many visible ;) It's not hot and tropical enough to have the big ones.
The only ones you might see are the giant web weavers, rarely, with huge webs (you see them from very far away), and the jumping/wolf spiders who can get quite big as well - 8 cm diameter (I only had 1 or 2 pop up in my house in 5 years). Chances are high your girlfriend will not see a single spider.
But you will see far, far less that Latin America or Asia!
By the way, your girlfriend knows that an average human being eats about 20 spiders in his/her lifetime while sleeping?
7
rudik
"..an average human being eats about 20 spiders in his/her lifetime while sleeping?"
Thanks for that.
I suspect many of us will spend a sleepless night or two during the coming week.
And I had always ascribed the "bottom-of-a-bird-cage" taste that one sometimes experiences in the mornings, to too much red wine the night before.
8
smallmasterr
Maybe the spider wonders into your wineglass, get drink, and then end up in your mouth ;)
Another interesting one:
any bowl of cereals or cornflakes you eat: they contain 0.01% cadavers and poop of beetles.
Or Roquefort cheese:
You are basically eating mite poop and fermented dead mites. In high concentrations.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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