Uganda - Main Attractions
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Bwindi Forest at an altitude of between 1,106m and 2,607m is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse forests of Africa, spread over a series of ridges and valleys that form the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift. A true rainforest with 1,500mm of rainfall per annum it used to be part of a much larger belt of forest that stretched as far south as the slopes of the Virunga Mountains.
The focus of Bwindi is now predominantly gorilla safaris and holidays as it is home to approximately 300 mountain gorillas and harbours at least 120 other mammal species including eleven types of primate - black and white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey and a healthy chimpanzee population. With three gorilla families available for tracking, the limited number of permits are in high demand and it is advisable to book well in advance. Aside from gorillas a total of 350 bird species have been recorded in Bwindi and it is one of the principal birding destinations of Uganda.
During your Uganda gorilla safari choice of accommodation in Bwindi is varied with the best lodges being Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Each banda affords dramatic views looking into the pristine forest while the bar and dining area provide a perfect base to sit back and relax whilst watching forest life go by - it has even been known for a gorilla family on occasions to come and sleep below one of the bandas! Gorilla Forest Camp - this luxury tented camp located just within the park boundaries is another great option. Comfortable accommodation with electricity and running water.
Mgahinga National Park - Mgahinga National Park, the smallest national park in Uganda protects the Uganda side of the Virunga volcanoes and its three main peaks, Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. Arguably the most beautiful of national parks in Uganda, Mgahinga offers dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes which dominate the surrounding landscape and the chance to track the mountain gorilla. Gorilla safaris revolve around one habituated gorilla family and 6 permits; gorilla tracking takes approx 2-5 hours. On occasions this family has been known to move across the border either into DRC or Uganda and on these occasions we try to facilitate tracking in Nkuringo (a 2 hour drive away) instead.
Aside from the mountain gorilla Mgahinga is host to 76 mammal species including the golden monkey, black and white colobus and 115 species of bird. Other activities aside from tracking the mountain gorilla on your Uganda holiday include climbing one of the dominating Virunga volcanoes, tracking the golden monkey or visiting the local caves.
Choice of accommodation during your Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga park is limited; without doubt the most comfortable place to stay is Volcanoes Mt Gahinga Lodge. A cosy eco-lodge located in the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes and only a 5 min walk from the park entrance. Mt Gahinga lodge is an excellent base from which to partake in the park activities.
Nkuringo - Nkuringo also located in south west Uganda and a 40km drive north of Kisoro is the latest gorilla park to open up to tourism. Gorilla tracking is the only real activity here and with only one family available to track, the number of permits is limited to 6. Nkuringo is classified as the most difficult terrain in which to track the gorillas as the tracker has a sharp descent into the valley below and then a steep climb back up at the end of a tiring day.
Tourism facilities are still limited in the area and accommodation is a 2 hour drive away at Volcanoes Mt Gahinga Lodge. As long as you are fit, this experience is still definitely worth it.
Kibale Forest - Kibale Forest, one of the easiest parks to access in Uganda, offers the traveller great scenery and a variety of activities and the perfect place for your chimpanzee safari. With 60 mammal species and the largest number of primates in any park Kibale is a must. Aside from red tailed, L'Hoests, grey cheeked mangabey, and red colobus monkeys, without doubt the main attraction is the chimpanzee. Kibale offers some excellent chimpanzee safaris; tracking and guided forest walks depart early every morning. Distinctly different in their behaviour to the gorilla, you'll hear these guys before you see them. Through a combination of barks, pant hoots and screaming, the chimps will give themselves away and your local tracker will lead you in closer. An hour can be spent with the chimpanzees after which your forest walk continues in the hope of seeing other primates.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is also fast becoming a popular attraction of Kibale, with over 335 recorded bird species and the likelihood of spotting at least 5 different species of primate. The sanctuary is a great example of conservation and tourism working together for the better good of the environment and an exploration of this wetland area will take you between 3 and 4 hours.
Accommodation is available for a variety of budgets however without doubt the best two choices are Ndali Lodge and Mantana tented Camp. Ndali Lodge provides one of the most romantic settings in Uganda, perched on a hilltop overlooking the snowline of the Rwenzori mountains in the distance and the crater lakes below you, the lodge transports you back to colonial Africa. Accommodation is in comfortable cottages with electricity, hot water and a bath! Mantana Tented Camp situated in a patch of secondary forest outside the national park consists of eight comfortable self contained tents with hot water and electricity. The jungle atmosphere surrounds you and is reinforced by screeching monkeys, parrots and a variety of other forest fauna.
Queen Elizabeth National Park - The most accessible and popular savannah reserve in Uganda QE is separated into a variety of sectors by both natural and artificial barriers. Home to 95 mammal species including lion, leopard, elephant, chimpanzee and a variety of antelope this park offers a number of different activities. The Ishasha plains in the southwest of the park are predominantly famous for the tree climbing lions which habitually rest in the acacia trees during the heat of the day; known to exist in only one other park in Africa this is an opportunity that must not be missed. The Kazinga Channel river trip is a highlight of the visit to QE with sightings of a host of different wildlife and some of the best birding opportunities in the country. From here the traveller moves onto the Kasenyi plains, home to the largest concentrations of game in the park. Kyambura Gorge carved out by the Kyambura River protects an isolated stretch of forest which is home to the resident chimpanzee population. Restricted by the gorge and limited habitat, the chimpanzees are normally fairly easy to find with success rates being around 85%.
Choice of accommodation varies between two lodges. Mweya Safari Lodge offers fantastic views over the Kazinga Channel, easy access to the park and has spacious self contained rooms. Jacana Safari Lodge a fabulous wood and thatched lodge on the edge of the crater lake but an hours drive from the park.
Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary - Established as a chimpanzee sanctuary in 1998 and part of the Jane Goodall Institute, Ngamba offers the traveller the opportunity to observe these great apes in their natural habitat. Saved from a life in captivity they have been bought to Ngamba for care and rehabilitation. For their safe keeping the chimpanzees are fenced into an area of the island where they are free to roam in the forest but are also fed twice a day from the viewing platforms. Day trips, overnight stays and also walks with the chimps in the forest can be arranged. To walk with the chimps is quite an experience with them play biting and pulling your hair! Please note however that travellers require extensive inoculations to walk with the chimps and this should be checked with World Primate Safaris before booking.
Accommodation on the island is in smart self contained tents with views out over Lake Victoria.
Once in a lifetime: Why not combine a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda with the big five and migration of Tanzania or the beach lodges of Zanzibar...
