My Dramatic Encounter With Africa Wild Beasts

I packed my baggage with a lot of excitement ready to face Africa for the first time. We traveled by direct flight till Entebbe where I met my driver guide. Although I was not familiar with the immigration procedures, he was ready to assist me and finally we were out to start this remarkable Uganda Safari  CONTACT US

How is a Uganda Safari Holiday

We drove through the lush country side of Uganda but this kept me wondering if we could pass through the capital. I was amazed by the super natural rivers that we passed by, huge forest cover as if moving to the end of the world.  At one time, we had a stopover at the equator where I was excited to take some picture and perform the water experiment. 

Uganda Safari Holiday

We carried on and I continued observing the incredible nature that we passed by meandering rivers, very high mountains, deep valleys and a huge colony of bats that we stopped to take pictures. Finally we were arrived in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

As we drove into the park, we meet a number of animals like the huge elephants, solitary buffaloes, warthogs that seemed to be the predominant in the park, water bucks the list is endless. We finally got to the Mweya peninsular where I spent my night in the jungle.

Uganda Wildlife Tour

Early in the morning, we got to the road to begin off with a game drive. Honestly, I have never seen a busy wilderness like Queen Elizabeth national Park. We meet a herd of elephants, a pride of lions was fighting for the day’s meal, we drove further and met several solitary buffaloes, it was our lucky day so we also met a leopard that was posing in the tree branches. The back drop of this park is amazing with ranges that form a wonderful appearance.  The park has several crater lakes including one that smells like a rotten egg. I was advised by my guide that it is the hospital for the animals so some meet there death there and rot producing that smell. 

The launch cruise was the most amazing as I had the chance of meeting schools of hippos, crocodiles, and the shore was decorated with a flock of birds in that if one flew away, you could not recognize its departure because of the congestion. They are colorful birds and exciting to look at. I even had the chance of spotting a shoebill which is one of the endangered birds. 

The next day was so exciting as I had the chance of meeting the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. We had to hike to the slopes to meet them. They behave and relate like humans. We had a lot of fun in the forest but I was scared of meeting a lion because this Queen Elizabeth National Park is renowned for its tree climbing lions. We returned to the lodge and the following day, I had to catch up with my flight back home. Below is  the itinerary I followed and enjoyed.

Four Day Uganda Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early in the morning, our driver guide will take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to a number of wild animals. On our way, you may have the chance of stopping at the equator for activities like standing on both sides of the earth at the same time, perform the water experiment, carry on but you will have lunch on your way. The drive is about 7 to 8 hours but very scenic. Arrive ready to check into your lodge

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge/ Bush lodge/ Simba Safari Lodge

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Rise up early for a game drive in the crater lakes region of the park. You may have the chance of spotting animals like the lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, kobs, various birds and so much more. Return for late breakfast and embark on a fascinating launch cruise on Kazinga channel. Here a number of animals congregate to quench their thirst and birds flock to its banks including foreign birds. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking

Having enjoyed your game drive, head to Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking experience. These chimpanzees live in a community headed by an alpha male. They live   on the escarpments of the valley so you need to hike to get to see them. Return to your lodge and relax.

Drive Back home

After your Uganda wildlife safari, drive to Entebbe Airport to catch up with your flight back home.

7 Day Luxury Gorilla trekking and wildlife Safari Uganda Rwanda

The gorilla trekking safari and wildlife tour in 7 days takes you to the Bwindi forest gorilla trekking park, Volcanoes national Park and Queen Elizabeth National park. You enjoy the primates while you walk to meet the mountain gorillas. They are shy animals with brown eyes but very much susceptible to human diseases. You must remember to carry a package for gorilla trekking including the gorilla tracking gears. CONTACT US

7 Day luxury gorilla tracking And Wildlife Safari Uganda

Day 1 Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early in the morning, you will be transferred by your driver guide from your hotel to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  This is the home of the renowned tree climbing lions that live in Ishasha sector of the park. This park is at times called a biosphere reserve because of the variety of wildlife, unique land scape and animals that roam with in the park. From Kampala, the drive is between 6 to 7 hours to get to Queen Elizabeth National park but with a stopover at the equator where you perform the water experiment and stand in both sides of the earth at the same time. Carry on and enjoy lunch enroute. Arrive and check into your lodge.

Uganda safari

Mweya safari Lodge/ Ishasha Wilderness camp

Day 2: Game drive and exclusive Launch cruise

Early in the morning, you will be drive to the crater lakes area to enjoy the amazing wildlife and incredible bird life. In this area, you may have the chance of meeting animals like the lions, leopards, herds of elephants and buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, and so many others. Spot a variety of crater lakes both wet and dry craters including the Nyamunuka Lake which is the animal hospital. Enjoy late day breakfast and after lunch, hear to the pier for an exclusive launch cruise. At the shore of Kazinga channel, animals congregate to quench there thirst and cool of the day’s heat. This area has a rich bird life that congregates at the shores including those foreign birds. Take pictures and return to the land to relax

Booking a gorilla trekking permit

Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Forest national Park

After breakfast, drive to Bwindi forest national park the home of the mountain gorillas. This prehistoric forest is one of the survivors of the ice age era. Within it are the mountain gorillas and a variety of other primates like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, grey checked mangabey and so many others. Birding in this forest is very interesting and several birds are residents so for keen birders, this is a double opportunity. The drive is between 5 to 6 hours but very interesting as you get to see the amazing land scape and other physical features. Arrive and check into your lodge. 

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge

Day 4: GorillaTrekking

After breakfast, head to the ranger station to share gorilla trekking briefing with other clients. Remember to carry your gorilla trekking gears and hire a porter to assist you during the trek to see the gorillas. You will later be escorted by the ranger guide to meet search for the gorillas. The way is boggy because of the regular rains and since the forest is a water catchment area, you cross a number of rivers. Birds keep whistling from the tree branches and monkeys also cross from one branch to another so you enjoy the forest drama. Finally when you get to meet the gorillas, you may stay with them for just an hour watching them play in the vines, brush the fur of the young ones and pick fruits for the day’s meal. Return to the lodge later carrying only the memories of your experience.

Day 5: Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Early in the morning, you will be driven to Volcanoes National Park. This is the home of gorilla tracking in Rwanda. You will cross the border and get to Rwanda. Prepare for gorilla trekking and get yourself ready for another encounter with the big apes.

Dinner and overnight at Sabyinyo silverback lodge/ Virunga Volcanoes Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day six Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Ready with your gorilla trekking gears, embark on a tour to see the mountain gorillas. You will be advised on how to behave while you trek to see the gorillas, what you are likely to find in the field and when in the presence of the gorillas. You will us a path that finally gets yoo to the entrance into the forest to start searching. When you finally get to meet the gorillas, take there pictures and stay with them for just an hour. Return to the land and relax.

Day 7: City tour and Drive to the Kigali airport.

Having enjoyed your 2 gorilla tracking experiences, with your victory, head to Kigali city for a city tour. Visit the genocide memorial and later head to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

Recommendation For Gorilla trekking

• Rwanda is generally a hilly country and cold for most parts of the day. You must park some warm clothes for yourself especially during the wet seasons when it gets so cold.
• Book your gorilla trekking permit early so that you don’t miss out this great experience. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $ 750 and Uganda $ 600 and you may go through a tour operator or visit the ORTPN which is the gorilla permit selling body. In Uganda gorilla trekking permits are sold at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
• Carry some hard cash on you in case you need to buy some thing or you need to make payment because in Africa, credit cards are not so commonly used.
• Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda requires you to book accommodation early and closer to Volcanoes National Park. This will assist you to head to the ranger station in time for briefing. You will be advised on what you need to do while you trek to see the gorillas. To have success, you need to follow the recommendations given by the ranger guide because they have more knowledge about the behavior of the mountain gorillas than what you read about.
• As for the gorilla trekking clothes, you need to remember to pack the trekking boots, long sleeved shirts, long trousers, hut, camera, insect repellant and so much more. Volcanoes national Park is situated in a water catchment area so you will come across a number of rivers and the surface is water logged.
• For those who wish to do a 2 day gorilla trekking tour, ensure that you book a late night flight so that you can freshen up and catch up with your flight back home. Book a lodge or hotel closer to the Airport for easier transportation especially for the late night departures.
• Apply for a visa to Rwanda early enough to avoid inconveniences while at the airport or at the border, Even if you are connecting from one country to another. In case you have two trekking dates that is to say in Rwanda and Uganda, you may book the East African Visa that will assist you while at the border.
• Gorilla trekking starts early so you must remember that you need to pack your gorilla trekking gears. They are very vital for your trek to be successful but you must remember to carry your lunch box. Because the time of return is not known.
• During gorilla trekking briefing, you are recommended to carry nothing but memories of your gorilla trek however, you need to have a camera to take some amazing shots to show your family or friends.
• In case you are not sure of your fitness, hire a porter to carry your belonging and give you support when you are tired. Also make it a point to ask for a walking stick for extra support especially when you get to the boggy ground.
• Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, ensure that you inform the authorities in time so that you do not affect the highly protected mountain gorillas with your communicable disease.
• Buy a souvenir to directly support the local community but this is not compulsory.
• While in Rwanda or Uganda, do not liter or trace pass because this will cause you to be detained.
• Although tipping is not compulsory, show some kind of appreciation for a service rendered.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

When you trek to see the gorillas, you get to see a number of interesting animals that you might have seen the packs in case you have a game safari before. Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires you to book a gorilla trekking card with some of your details like the names in your passport, nationality, age, expiry date, date of birth and so much more CONTACT US

Gorilla Trekking Tour

In Rwanda, you must also book a gorilla trekking permit which is a paper that you present before trekking to see the gorillas at the ranger station.

Compared to Uganda, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done on uniformly steep slopes and only 8 people are allowed to be with the gorillas per family per trek for conservation reasons. Even in Uganda, gorilla trekking starts with booking a gorilla trekking permit card which you present to the ranger guide at the start of your tour. 

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are sold at $ 700 per permit per trek. This money is used to support the conservation of the mountain gorillas which are highly protected by UNESCO. As per the last census in 2011, about 880 mountain gorillas are thought to be existing in the world. Uganda harbors the biggest number of mountain gorillas whose home is in Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. 

How To enjoy gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Having secured your gorilla tracking permit, you are ready to enjoy a tour to the mountain gorillas. Ensure that you have the below requirements readily packed in your suitcase or travel bag.

Tracking boots

The ground is wet and boggy throughout the year so you need to protect your feet from soaking, piercing sticks and so much more. It also assists you to get better stamina as you hike to find the gorillas.

Long trouser and shirt

You walk through the wilderness to see the gorillas where you by pass itchy surfaces, long sticks, sharp sticks to mention but a few and these may not be good for you. You need to protect your skin from search things using trousers and long sleeved shirt.

A rain coat

It rains at any time in this Virunga region whether trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, you have to note this. Carry a rain coat or poncho for such occurrences to avoid getting wet and cold on your way to see the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking Uganda

Some energy bites

Since the trek to see the gorillas varies according to the family, you need to keep going since you do not know the time you might take to find the gorillas. They are very mobile creatures that keep moving from one area to another as they look for food. There delicacy is the bamboo shoot. 

Garden gloves

These are so much relevant during your trek because you need to support yourself on the close by branches in order to pass some spots.

Gorilla trekking Rules to follow

While you trek to see the gorillas do not liter the forest so as to conserve nature.

In case you wish to dispose off some waste, ensure that you ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you and cover afterwards to avoid ant trace.

Keep with the rest of the group so that you do not miss out on any details.

Do not feed the gorillas while with them and avoid eating in there presence.

In case you wish to sneeze, do it away from the gorillas and for those with a cold, volunteer to stay behind because this is a highly contagious communicable disease which will affect the animals.

7 Day Uganda wildlife Tour and Gorilla Trekking

A Uganda safari is a moment to enjoy the cool wilderness. Most of the wild animals in Uganda survive in the gazette national Parks. They live freely and you can see them when you take a game drive, guided walk or launch cruise in these parks. CONTACT US

Launch cruise On Uganda Safari

Seven Day Uganda Wildlife Tours And Gorilla Trekking

Day 1: Drive to Murchison falls National Park

After breakfast, your driver guide will pick you from your lodge and head to Murchison falls National Park. On the way, you may have the chance of seeing the rhinos in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. This unique park is bisected by River Nile which forms an amazing cloudy appearance when it squeezes through the narrow gorge and burst out to produce a thundering sound. Hike to the top of the falls to get a closer view of the Nile. Check into your lodge and relax

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise

Get up early in the morning for a launch cruise in the northern sector of the park. In case you spent your night in the southern sector you will require ferry crossing. In this area, you may have the opportunity of seeing animals like lions, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, warthogs, giraffes, buffaloes and so many birds that roam around the park. After lunch get to the pier to enjoy a launch cruise. You may have the chance of seeing other animals you might have missed. Enjoy the energetic River Nile as it plunges down the 7 meters ridge to join the rest of the course.  Take pictures and return to the lodge to relax.

Day 3: Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following your breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth national Park. This is about 7 to 8 hours but very scenic. Arrive late in the evening ready for dinner and overnight.

Game Viewing on Uganda Safari

Day four Game drive and launch cruise

This park is endowed with varying vegetation so you are to enjoy a game drive in its mazing scenery. You may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, leopards, warthogs, buffaloes, elephants and so much more. Return for lunch and head to the pier for a launch cruise. The shores of this Kazinga channel are always flocked by rich bird life, animals and great vegetation cover gives you a chance to take magnificent pictures. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 5: Drive to Bwindi forest national Park

Rise up early for a game drive as you proceed to Bwindi forest national Park. Drive through the southern sector the home of the great tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, Kobs to mention but a few. Arrive and relax at your lodge

Day 6: Gorilla trekking

Ready to go gorilla trekking, carry your lunch box and move to the ranger station for briefing. Hire a porter to support you in case you are tired. The time of finding the gorillas is not easily predictable because of there regular movement. They have a black dark hairy coat that covers there body. When you are finally in there presence, stay with them for just an hour and return to the lodge to relax.

Day 7: Drive back home

7 day Gorilla tracking and Wildlife Safari

Following your gorilla trekking tour and wildlife safari, drive back to Entebbe to catch up with your flight back home.

• Book accommodation in the area where you have booked the gorilla trekking permit to a void waking up early in the dark to drive to the briefing point.
• Hire a pick up safari vehicle from the airstrip because there is quite a distance to the lodges
• Book a seat on the daily domestic flights because of the high demand.
• Send us your flight details for reconfirmation in case of any changes especially the departure flights.
• Gorilla trekking requires you to have some fitness, at least 2 weeks to your trek, do some exercises.
• Before starting a gorilla trek, you may hire a porter to carry your gears
•  Carry some hard cash to exchange into local Uganda shillings in case you wish to buy anything. This is because credit cards are not commonly used in Africa.