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5 Tips For A Stress-Free Uganda Gorilla Safari

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Gorilla Trek

In a lifetime everyone has the right to encounter something out of the world, an experience that they will wish to take home with them, and just boastfully narrate to their relatives and friends in a deeply captivating story.

Deciding to embark on a Uganda gorilla safari results in one of the few experiences that many people desire to have, which according to Rough Guides’ Managing Editor Keith Drew, is “The Greatest Wildlife Experience On Earth”. The few who have experienced a mountain gorilla safari still tell the same story but in different versions every day.

Yes, for many, the climax of the Gorilla Safari is standing still and gazing into the eyes of that mountain gorilla, for others it is taking a “selfie”, with the mountain gorillas in the background, and sharing it with jealous friends. At that point, all your preparations of days, weeks and months turn out to have held truth; and all the nights of anxiety become no more. A full hour with the landlords of the rain forest, the mountain gorillas.

But what are those little things that might make the entire Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari even more gratifying? Here is my simple and short list to consider.

1. Pick the right time to travel
Make sure you travel at the right time of the year. If you are not so sure about your fitness levels, I advise travelling during the dry season when the soils aren’t too boggy. The best months of the year to track the gorillas would be between December and late February as well as from June to September during the dry season.

Although the soils may not be boggy for the other times of the year, the rain forest in which gorilla tracking takes place is generally cool all year round. Despite the usually chilly weather gorilla trekking activity happens throughout the year and you will undoubtedly break a sweat especially if your trek lasts more than one hour.

2. Pay for your gorilla tracking permit early enough.
The greatest advice I would give anyone desiring a seamless gorilla tracking holiday is to book and pay for their gorilla tracking permit in good time; preferably more than 2 months before the travel date.

Due to the high demand for the gorilla safari and the fragility of the gorilla species which calls for a limited number of daily visitors (8 people per day). Over 136 people travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park daily for the Uganda Gorilla Safari experience. You surely don’t want to be among the miserable lot that turns up late, only to find out that all permits for day have been purchased.

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs only $600 and a huge chunk of this money goes towards conserving this invaluable species will a fine percentage goes towards supporting the communities living around the gorilla kingdom.

3. Plan to do some exercises prior to your hike
All Uganda’s gorilla tracking trail-heads are traversed on foot, with some hikes lasting up-to 8 hours depending on where the gorilla families are on a particular day. As humans are playful, the gorillas might decide to play hide and seek so hikers should check that they are basically fit to climb through the jungle even for long periods.

Your safari lodge will usually send you with a packed lunch, but i advise you also ask them for an extra bottle of water. At least a litre of water is nice place to start for the hike.

4. Pack right but light
The rains are rarely predictable, so tourists should pack a pair of solid shoes, preferably jungle boots, a jacket and an umbrella. On a sunny day I would advise that you travel with a fine cap or hat, sun glasses (in case you find that you need them), smear yourself with sunscreen lotion, and also come along with a good insect repellent.

There are several safari packing lists out there but the rule of thumb is to pack what you will need, lest you are burdened with a suitcase full of stuff that you’d never use on your holiday.

Something what I do (myself) when planning for all my different adventures (whether short or long) is to plan my clothes day by day. Of course the longer the trip the more stuff I need to pack but sometimes I can plan to use an outfit for more than one day. Priority when I am packing always goes to my camera equipment and other tech haha!

5. Plan your holiday through a local tour operator
The contemporary statement is that it is cheaper and easier to go by as a backpacker, but you’ll quickly loathe the feeling of a trip gone bad like I do; especially when there is no one to bail you out, no one to apportion responsibility to, no to help fix the situation especially if you are wandering off in a foreign land. For these reasons and more, I recommend booking and paying for a Uganda gorilla safari through a tour company.

The criterion for choosing the tour operator is somewhat crazy itself, but worth the sweat. A company with a good customer reputation would often be the best choice; but you shouldn’t undermine the power of a recommendation (or referral as we like to presently say) from a friend or a relative who has previously been to the gorillas.

Thanks to Trip Advisor, you can also now easily check reviews of past guests on a particular company, and back that up by contacting the local Tourism Board or the Tourism Association to confirm that your safari company is reputable.

With the right tour operator, you usually won’t have to worry about finding the right hotel to stay (because a local tour company has hands-on information of the destination), or arriving later than 8am when the gorilla trekking exercise has commenced, or even locating the sector (region) in which you will be tracking.

These are just a few pointers that will complement your holiday and make it a whole lot more enjoyable.

Have you been on a gorilla trekking vacation before? Feel free to hit me up with some of your tips in the comment box below.

Is Uganda Safe? Uganda Travel latest Safety and Security Information

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Is Uganda safe for visitors? Is it safe for a westerner? I look at my analytical program for my website and see the same question…”Is Uganda safe?”Is a visitor from the West, America, Canada, UK, Europe, Asia safe in Uganda.

Uganda Travel latest Safety and Security Information.

Each day I receive emails asking me the same question. Is Uganda safe for visitors? Is it safe for a westerner?

Is Uganda safe for an American visitor? I look at my analytical program for my website and see the same question…”Is Uganda safe?”

Uganda is safe and secure. There is no war going on inside of Uganda. There has been peace in the north for over 11 1/2 years in regards to Uganda the Pearl of Africa the LRA Joseph Kony rebels. There is no rebel activity inside of Uganda since June 2009.

So, how safe is Uganda?

Uganda has been an acceptably safe travel destination ever since Museveni took power in 1986, and the most significant threat to life and limb comes not from banditry or political instability, but rather from the malaria parasite and car or boat accidents.

Nevertheless, as the fatal attack by Rwandan rebels on tourists staying at Bwindi in 1999 so brutally demonstrated, Uganda’s location at the heart of a perennially unstable part of Africa does mean that its border areas, in particular, are bound to suffer intermittent security problems.

The only part of Uganda that has suffered from genuine internal instability lies northwest of Murchison Falls, an area that traditionally sees few tourists and has few compelling attractions in the first place.

For most of the last 20 years, the north has been plagued by the Lord’s Resistance Army.

In addition to the direct political and social consequences attached to this ongoing upheaval, banditry was rife, and several attacks on buses and other vehicles took place north of the Nile Bridge at Karuma Falls.

Despite the fact that a peace deal has never been signed, the rebellion is considered to be over and northern Uganda safe for travel.

This is reflected by expanded coverage of the area north of the Nile in this site.

Murchison Falls is also considered safe, security advisory notices having been lifted by the British high commission and the US embassy in Uganda.

The northeast, however, remains rather dodgy, because of banditry related to Karamojong cattle rustlers.

The problems afflicting the DRC and Rwanda have also frequently spilled over into neighboring parts of Uganda.

The most sustained instance of this overflow was the emergence of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the mid-1990s.

This small and somewhat mysterious ‘rebel’ army – thought to consist solely of Congolese thugs – was responsible for several brutal attacks in the Rwenzori border area, including the massacre of 60 students at the Kichwamba Technical School near Fort Portal in June 1998.

The activities of the ADF forced the closure of the Rwenzori national park and Semliki national park in 1997 before Ugandan government troops managed to drive the ADF back into the DRC, and there have been no subsequent incidents of concern.

Semliki National Park reopened in 1999, as did the Rwenzoris in July 2002, and it can be assumed that they would close again at the first hint of trouble.

In August 1998, four travelers were abducted in the DRC after crossing there from Uganda – one elderly woman was released but the other three are missing, presumed dead – an incident that at the time seemed to have little bearing on security in Uganda.

Six months later, tragedy struck closer to home, when the park headquarters at Bwindi was attacked by an army of exiled Rwandan rebels, killing two rangers and eight tourists.

If, as seems probable, the aim of the attack was to destabilize Uganda’s tourist industry, then it could not have been better calculated, given that the mountain gorillas at Bwindi impenetrable forest had done more than anything to help Uganda overcome a negative international image generated by the barbarities of the Amin and Obote regimes.

Prior to March 1999, Bwindi forest was considered to be safe for gorilla safaris by almost everybody involved in Uganda.

The attack on the unprotected park headquarters came as a complete shock, but in hindsight, it could so easily have been averted by a greater military presence.

The lesson has been learned and security in Bwindi is high (soldiers accompany visitors on all walks) as indeed it is at all national park tourism sites close to Uganda’s western border.

Eleven years later, there seems little cause for serious concern regarding security along with Uganda’s established tourist circuits. Indeed, I would regard this country to be safer overall than Kenya or South Africa, both of which suffer from very high rates of armed crime.

Equally, I’m a travel writer, not a political sage, and as such, I’d regard it to be irresponsible to state categorically that the Bwindi incident was a one-off event, or that nothing of the sort could ever happen again.

The decision to visit Uganda, and the responsibility, rests on the individual traveler.

Assuming that you do, I would recommend you keep your ear to the ground, read the local newspaper, and avoid visiting known trouble spots – fortunately, the authorities are unlikely to allow tourists to visit reserves and national parks where there is a security problem.

What are the most dangerous situations for visitors to Uganda?

Uganda has been home to some of the more gruesome atrocities in modern African history since its independence in 1962, particularly under the heinous dictator Idi Amin, but in the years since 1987 things have consistently improved.

Today, in 2022, the state is relatively stable after 39 years of stereotypically ‘strong man’ rule by Yoweri Museveni.

Kampala has changed into a major center of East African trade.

Travel north to Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Game Reserve is perfectly safe. Note that overlanders from Tanzania and Kenya regularly make the trip routing through Jinja.

As in any urban area, Kampala can be dodgy. One is well-advised to remain in tourist areas, but sensibly garbed visitors not dangling the latest cameras, flashy jewelry or bulging bags are not likely to draw unwanted attention to themselves.

However, any Caucasians walking in the street stand out and are likely to be stared at openly, which may cause discomfort to those unaccustomed to traveling in Africa.

What little begging exists is some of the most polite and inoffensive to be found in African cities, nowhere worse than in the West.

Small children are sadly becoming a nuisance in some rural spots frequented by tourists doling out sweets and coins but nowhere near the swarming throng, one can attract in many cities around the world.

In the gorilla tracking region of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there was one incident in the late 1990s in which bandits attacked a group of tourists and killed several people.

Since then, there have been no incidents and all groups now go out with armed guards (which was not the case before).

There is a visible security presence in the region, but this is a preventative measure rather than a response to anything specific.

Travelers should still avoid the North-Eastern areas as Karimijong attacks have occurred that involved tourists.

Gay and lesbian travelers should be cautious, as there have been reports of recent attacks against Ugandan homosexuals.

Uganda has draconian anti-gay laws: homosexuality is punishable by up to 14 years in prison and as of 2011 there are plans to introduce the death penalty for some homosexual activities.

BRIBERY AND BUREAUCRACY 

For all you read about the subject, bribery is not the problem to travelers in Africa it is often made out to be.

The travelers who are most often asked for bribes are those with private transport, and even they only have a major problem at some borders and from traffic police in some countries (notably Rwanda and Kenya).

If you are traveling on public transport or as part of a tour, or even if you are on a self drive in Uganda, I don’t think that you need to give the question of bribery serious thought.

There is a tendency to portray African bureaucrats as difficult and inefficient in their dealings with tourists.

As a rule, this reputation says more about Western prejudices than it does about Uganda.

Sure, you come across the odd unhelpful official, but then such is the nature of the beast everywhere in the world.

The vast majority of officials in the African countries I’ve visited have been courteous and helpful in their dealings with tourists, often to a degree that is almost embarrassing.

In Uganda, I encountered nothing but friendliness from almost every government official I had dealings with, whether they were border officials, policemen, or national park staff.

This, I can assure you, is far more than most African visitors to Europe will experience from officialdom.

A factor in determining the response you receive from African officials will be your own attitude.

If you walk into every official encounter with an aggressive, paranoid approach, you are quite likely to kindle the feeling held by many Africans that Europeans are arrogant and off-hand in their dealings with other races.

Instead, try to be friendly and patient, and accept that the person to whom you are talking does not speak English as a first language and may thus have difficulty following everything you say.

Treat people with respect rather than disdain, and they’ll tend to treat you in the same way.

THEFT

Uganda is widely and rightly regarded as one of the most crime-free countries in Africa, certainly as far as visitors need be concerned.

Muggings are comparatively rare, even in Kampala, and I’ve never heard of the sort of con tricks that abound in places like Nairobi.

Even petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is relatively unusual, though it does happen from time to time.

Walking around large towns at night is also reputedly safe, though it would be tempting fate to wander alone along unlit streets.

On the basis that it is preferable to err on the side of caution, I’ve decided to repeat a few tips that apply to traveling anywhere in east and southern Africa:

  • Most casual thieves operate in busy markets and bus stations. Keep a close watch on your possessions in such places, and avoid having valuables or large amounts of money lost in your daypack or pocket.
  • Keep all your valuables and the bulk of your money in a hidden money belt.

Never show this money belt in public. Keep any spare cash you need elsewhere on your person;

I feel that a button-up pocket on the front of your shirt is the most secure place as money cannot be snatched from it without the thief coming into your view.

It is also advisable to keep a small amount of hard currency (ideal cash) hidden away in your luggage so that, should you lose your money belt, you have something to fall back on.

  • Where the choice exists between carrying valuables on your person or leaving them in a locked room I would tend to favor the latter option (only one of the hundreds of thefts I’ve heard about in Africa happened from a locked hotel room, and that was in Nairobi where just about anything is possible).

Obviously, you should use your judgment on this and be sure the room is absolutely secure. A factor to be considered is that some travelers’ cheque companies will not refund cheques that were stolen from a room.

  • Leave any jewelry of financial or sentimental value at home.

CARRYING MONEY AND VALUABLES 

It is advisable to carry all your hard currency as well as your passport and other important documentation in a money belt. The ideal moneybelt for Africa is one that can be hidden beneath your clothing.

External moneybelts may be fashionable, but wearing one in Africa is as good as telling thieves that all your valuables are there for the taking.

Use a belt made of cotton or another natural fabric, bearing in mind that such fabrics tend to soak up a lot of sweat, so you will need to wrap plastic around everything inside.

The best insurance against complete disaster should you be robbed is to keep things well documented. If you carry a photocopy of the main page of your passport, you will be issued with a new one more promptly.

In addition, note down details of your bank, credit card (if you have one), travel insurance policy, and camera equipment (including serial numbers), as well as your travelers’ cheque numbers and a record of which ones you have cashed, and the international refund assistance telephone number and local agent.

If all this information fits on one piece of paper, you can keep photocopies on you and with a friend at home.

WOMEN TRAVELLERS 

Women generally regard sub-equatorial Africa as one of the safest places in the world to travel alone. Uganda in particular poses few if any risks specific to female travelers.

It is reasonable to expect a fair bit of flirting and the odd direct proposition, especially if you mingle with Ugandans in bars, but a firm ‘no’ should be enough to defuse any potential situation.

And, to be fair to Ugandan men, you can expect the same sort of thing in any country, and for that matter from many male travelers. Ugandan women tend to dress conservatively.

It will not increase the amount of hassle you receive if you avoid wearing clothes that, however unfairly, may be perceived to be provocative, and it may even go some way to decreasing it.

More mundanely, tampons are not readily available in smaller towns, though you can easily locate them in Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja, and in the game lodge and hotel gift shops.

When traveling in out-of-the-way places, carry enough tampons to see you through to the next time you’ll be in a large city, bearing in mind that traveling in the tropics can sometimes cause heavier or more regular periods than normal.

Sanitary pads are available in most towns of any size.

WHAT TO TAKE

Two simple rules to bear in mind when you decide what to take with you to Uganda – particularly if you expect to use public transport – are to bring with you everything that might not be readily available when you need it and to carry as little as possible.

Somewhat contradictory rules, you might think, and you’d be right – so the key is finding the right balance, something that probably depends on personal experience as much as anything.

Worth stressing is that most genuine necessities are surprisingly easy to get hold of in the main centers in Uganda and that most of the ingenious gadgets you can buy in camping shops are unlikely to amount to much more than dead weight on the road.

If it came to it, you could easily travel in Uganda with little more than a change of clothes, a few basic toiletries, and a medical kit.

CARRYING YOUR LUGGAGE 

Visitors who are unlikely to be carrying their luggage for any significant distance will probably want to pack most of it in a conventional suitcase.

Make sure the case is tough and durable, and that it seals well so that the contents will survive bumpy drives to the game reserves.

A lock is a good idea, not only for flights, but for when you leave your case in a hotel room – theft from upmarket hotels is unusual in Uganda, but it can happen anywhere in the world,

and even a flimsy lock will act as a serious deterrent to casual finger-dipping.

A daypack will be useful on a Uganda safari, and you should be able to pack your luggage in such a manner that any breakable goods can be carried in the body of the vehicle, and on your lap when necessary – anything like an mp3 player or camera will suffer heavily from vibrations on rutted roads.

If you are likely to use public transport, then an internal frame backpack is the most practical way to carry your luggage.

Once again, ensure your pack is durable, that the seams and zips are properly sewn, and that it has several pockets.

If you intend to do a lot of hiking, you definitely want a backpack designed for this purpose.

On the other hand, if you’ll be staying at places where it might be a good idea to shake off the sometimes negative image attached to backpackers, then there would be obvious advantages in using a suitcase that converts into a backpack.

RED TAPE

Check well in advance that you have a valid passport and that it won’t expire within six months of the date on which you intend to leave Uganda. Should your passport be lost or stolen, it will generally be easier to get a replacement if you have a photocopy of the important pages.

If there is any possibility you’ll want to drive or hire a car in Uganda, bring a valid driving license.

Your domestic (home country) driving license will suffice for a period of up to three months.

If you intend to drive in Uganda for longer, you can either obtain a Ugandan license or (this is far cheaper and simpler) bring an international driving license with your domestic license.

Rather than carrying the originals, a photocopy will suffice. You may sometimes be asked at the border or international airport for an international health certificate showing you’ve had a yellow fever shot.

For security reasons, it’s advisable to detail all your important information on one sheet of paper, photocopy it, and distribute a few copies in your luggage, your money belt, and amongst relatives or friends at home.

The sort of things you want to include are your travelers’ cheque numbers and refund information, travel insurance policy details and 24-hour emergency contact number, passport number, details of relatives or friends to be contacted in an emergency, bank and credit card details, camera and lens serial numbers, etc.

VISAS 

Nationals of most countries require a visa in order to enter Uganda. This can be bought in advance at any Ugandan embassy or high commission abroad, but usually, it’s simpler to buy the visa upon arrival, a straightforward procedure that takes a few minutes at Entebbe International Airport or any overland border.

Though inevitably some queuing is involved most people will still find it more convenient, not to mention cheaper, than traveling twice into the middle of London (for example) to submit and later collect their visa.

Visa rulings are prone to change, so all visitors are advised to check the current situation with their travel agent or a Ugandan diplomatic mission before they travel.

A standard single-entry visa, valid for three months, costs US$50. Student visas cost US$20. Note that multiple-entry visas are only available at Ugandan consulates abroad (where they often cost more than two single-entry visas anyway) and not at entry points into the country.

Travelers with a single-entry visa intending to leave and return to Uganda (eg: tracking gorillas in Rwanda) must purchase another US$50 visa on reentry.

If, however, you intend to spend less than seven days in Uganda before leaving again, you can purchase an inland transit visa for only US$15.

There’s talk, but as yet, no action, of a single visa covering regional travel between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania Important note Immigration authorities now generally only stamp your passport for a maximum of one month upon arrival.

This can be extended without charge to three months at any immigration office. In Kampala, you may be asked to provide an official letter from a sponsor or the hotel where you are staying.

In Jinja, recent reports suggest you are more likely to have your stay extended to three months without any paperwork.

CUSTOMS

The following items may be imported into Uganda without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco; one bottle of spirits and wine and 2.5 liters of beer; 1oz bottle of perfume.

Souvenirs may be exported without restriction but game trophies such as tooth, bone, horn, shell, claw, skin, hair, feather, or other durable items are subject to export permits.

 

Hiking Mount Moroto

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Mount Moroto

The Great Mount Moroto with a lavish of natural blessing hails from the old district of Moroto abutting the alluring city of Moroto, neighboring the charismatic Karamajong society, anchored in the North eastern region of the pellucid Pearl of Africa; Uganda. It stands firmly vast-spread, at an approximate distance 1.9 miles (3 Kilometers) on ground by road, Eastern of the resplendent Moroto central business district.

It’s actually another link in the interminable chain of the gifts of vulcanicity in East Africa, Mt Moroto lies along Uganda’s border with Kenya and this border connects to other Volcanoes like; Mount Elgon, Morungole and Kadam. The area surrounding Mount Moroto is furnished with a graceful forest reserve that shields an array of habitats that incorporate arid thorn savanna and dry Montane forest, lies between coordinates, 20 13’30.0’’N, 340 46’21.0’’E.

The famed Moroto mothers two peaks at her summit; Sodok and Sologomon but before you get to that point, let’s consider the journey which bridges these two parts; visitor and the destination. You could have persevered much through ill road trips but I warrant for a time, pleasure will swirl your soul with the comfort that yields from the soothe unswerving tarmacked high way, leading through the shimmering Mbale town right past the turn off to Mountain Elgon and the angelic Sipi falls, and these you can vividly view from within your 4WD vehicle, astonishingly the road will transform into the usual potholed cum dusty nature, typical of majority journeys to Ugandan country side.

Your worries shall calm when your eye sight glances at the naturally furnished land scape and then your thoughts that previously were crowed by rigged sentiments will receive instant refreshment thus kicking away any discomfort caused by the bumpy ride. Respect for the rolling hills of South Western Uganda but the North Eastern long drawn plains are substantially as appealing to the eyes; in fact I agree that nature smiles in North Eastern Uganda!

You will drive through so much flat land, with the road seeming to stretch through the horizon and beyond, chunky sprawling fields of corn and sorghum, and with Savannah shall grace your sight. Palatial mountain ridges that are also edgy with geometric points lip a lions’ share on the land and are so pleasant to look at and as an attribute to your judgment, you will name your own striking range, mine is Kadam. Depending on how fast you drive, you may reach the renowned Moroto either before or even after dusk; suddenly you can cannon into any cozy house for a night, next morning as the day dawns, you will engage the expatriate community that serves in Moroto, then you will load your equipment; cameras, etc. for the celebrated expedition. Your driver shall then cruise the 4WD, 40km to the commencement point of the hike that constantly has been keeping you in a long wait.

It shall necessitate you to hire a few porters from Tapac and an individual with critical fluency in Karamojong, this one, will particularly favor your negotiations along the odyssey. The porters can carry your boxes of water because you will surely consume up to three liters a day, and any other stuff you possess. Another concern considering the choice of hiring porters is, you shall cater for their meals and shelter because Moroto dispossesses facilities atop.

The Moroto Mountain hiking experience is so pleasurable despite experiencing some friction, I urge to visit the destination and relish your bite of the Mount Moroto hiking Safari.

Experience Primate Safaris in Uganda

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This Uganda Safari highlights gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and chimpanzee trekking as the main activities. This trip will bring you face to face with these great apes in the middle of the rain forests Kibale forest National Park, Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Gorilla safari experience in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The Bwindi forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. The name Bwindi is derived from the Runyakitara word Mubwindi and means “a place full of darkness”. This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. The bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot. The forest is on the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, only a few kilometers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo border and about 25 kilometers north of the Virunga Mountains.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a prime destination, with thick vegetation like its name suggests. Every day when tourists go out for the famous gorilla trekking adventure, the ranger guides have to cut vegetation for trackers to access way to where gorillas nested the previous night. It is the true African jungle with droplets of the sun coming through the thick forest cover giving you a feeling of being in paradise with zero pollution from several emissions common to our daily environment. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best known for its Mountain Gorilla populations and gorilla tracking.

Bwindi is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Gorilla tracking is done daily after purchasing a gorilla-tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You are advised to book your permit at least 3 months prior to secure your day especially if you prefer a certain location. Only 8 individuals from 15 years of age are permitted to visit a gorilla family per day. You need to be in good health condition otherwise you will not track because humans and Gorillas can easily pass diseases to each other. You will be briefed by your guide way before tracking and advices to stay at least 8m from the gorillas, do not use flash photography and do not look directly in the eyes of the gorilla for an extended period of time.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest is divided into different trail heads where gorilla tracking tours happens. The gorillas habituated for tourism are in families based at different trailheads. When you choose to visit Bwindi, be sure to know which trailhead you are allocated before you book your hotel. After knowing your allocated trailhead then you can book the hotel in that location. Currently 20 gorilla families are habituated for tourism. The trail heads include; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. This unique experience can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda covering an area of 33.7km2. It is located in the southwestern tip of Uganda in Kisoro district. The park adjoins Rwanda’s Volcano national park and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga national parks and is part of the Virunga conservation area. The park takes its name from “Gahinga” the local word for piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmlands. While in the park, you will experience six vegetation types, Afromontane, tree heathers, montane forest, bamboo, montane woodland, and former farmland.

The Virunga ranges have eight volcanoes and three of the conical peaks are in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Muhabura is the highest at 4,127m – the name is translated ‘guide’ in the local language, they used it as a reference to give direction because it towered above everything else. It has panoramic views of Uganda and Rwanda with a clear lake at its summit 36m wide. Gahinga at 3,474m is also the smallest of the Virunga volcanoes, its name is derived from the ‘piles of rock’ that are cleared from farmlands. It has a swamp-filled crater on the top that measures about 180m wide. Finally Sabyinyo at 3,669m is translated ‘old man’s teeth’ because of the deep gorges and ravines that dissect it. On the highest peak of Sabyinyo is where you find the intersection between Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. You can take a hike to all these peaks in one day; you will be rewarded with magnificent views and great photographic moments.

Gorilla tracking, for example all activities in Mgahinga gorilla national park are done on foot because the park is mainly mountainous. Early morning you will get to the starting point Ntebeko gate at 8am where you receive a briefing about the expectations while you are tracking gorillas in Uganda. Your ranger guide will go ahead of you sharing stories of the gorilla highlands in Uganda. You will learn about the different members of the Nyakagezi family and general gorilla behaviors. The ranger will be in touch with the earlier trackers who will share information on where the gorillas nested the previous night. Once they are located you have an opportunity to spend up to one hour in the presence of gorillas. Remember that should you have a communicable disease, you will not be allowed to track gorillas to avoid likelihood of passing on the disease to the gorillas. Nyakagezi group in Mgahinga are a much easier group to track. They live in a smaller range compared to most of the gorilla groups in Bwindi. 

Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzees are man’s closest relatives sharing about 98.7% of the DNA with man. They adapt to their environments over time developing tools for survival much like humans. You can spend an hour with these creatures in their natural habitat by visiting one of the areas where the trekking happens in Uganda. You will be able to follow them with your ranger guide to get great pictures and learn more about the chimps.

Where to do Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Kibale National Park is the primate capital of the world offering a large chimpanzee population with over 120 habituated chimps and 1400 in the forest. The success rate of locating chimps while trekking is about 95%. There are opportunities for Chimpanzee trekking twice each day morning session starts at 7 am and afternoon at 12 pm with as many as 6 groups tracking each day each with 6 individuals. The forest is home to about 13 different primates including; black & white colobus, red-tailed monkey, red colobus monkeys, and baboons.

Kalinzu forest has about 40 Chimps habituated for visitors but the forest is home to over 300 individuals. The rate of Chimps sighting while on a trek is about 60% but the forest has a lot to offer in addition to the chimpanzee trekking. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and flowing streams while on this chimpanzee trekking safari. This trek is usually long and therefore requires one to be with good fitness levels.

Budongo forest at the Kaniyo Pabidi section in Murchison falls national park offers a rewarding chimp trekking experience. The forest boasts of the largest population of Chimpanzees but only a few are habituated for tourism. Unlike Kibale where you need to book permits earlier, at Kaniyo Pabidi, you can inform the park rangers the day before your chimp trek.

Kyambura gorge is a remarkable underground forest in the middle of the otherwise Savannah Park the famous Queen Elizabeth national park. The forest has few chimpanzees that are sometimes difficult to spot but the forest walk is rewarding and the views of the gorge from a look out are priceless. There are chances for one to come across Hippos and elephants as they look out for Chimps; and on rare occasions you could spot lions.

For those with limited time you can visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an up-close experience with Chimpanzees. The sanctuary is 45 minutes from the Entebbe pier on Lake Victoria on a speed boat and 1.5 hours on a motorized traditional canoe.

Golden Monkey trekking

In Uganda golden monkey safaris are done in Mgahinga gorilla national park the only place you will find these unique endangered species. The park is the only place where gold meets silver due to fact that Mgahinga national park harbors mountain silverback gorillas that live in high altitude areas of the park as well as the golden monkeys which are found in the lowland areas of the park.

Just like gorilla trekking experience, golden monkeys in Mgahinga gorilla national park start with a morning briefing at 7:00 am and trekking takes about 2 to 4 hours or more due to fact that they are found of moving from location another to another to such for food as well as playing with one another as one of their lifestyle behavior.

Travelers are allowed to spend one hour with the golden monkeys group once allocated as they enjoy taking photos and videos with these stubborn and playful creature in their territories as well as learning about their behavior pattern of life in the jungle.

Best time to go golden monkey trekking safari

Although golden monkey trekking is open to travelers throughout year, the best recommended season to trek the golden monkeys is during the dry season in the months of December to February, June to October when there is little rainfall that is expected, and when the forest trails are dry and passable. During the rainy season the roads and forest trails are wet, muddy and slippery thus making the golden monkey trekking difficult.

Conclusion

Looking for Primate Tours in Uganda, we offer great journeys to the “Gorilla kingdom”, the home of mountain Gorillas in Bwindi NP & Mgahinga NP, also experiencing the chimpanzees in their natural home Kibale National Park and Mgahinga NP the only park with both Golden monkeys and Gorillas in Uganda. A bucket list of adventure and one that lasts a lifetime, come create memories in Uganda.

How to Book a Rental Car for Uganda Vacation

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Are you looking for that one exceptional, durable, and affordable and the most comfortable car hire deal in Uganda and you do not know where to find it or perhaps you are wondering how can i rent a car in Uganda? Well, if this is what you have always searched for then it is high time you meet your dream.

Depending on what your travel interest is at the destination whether you are planning for a vacation or a business trip our fleet of car hire is readily available at a pocket-friendly price, convenient and suitable to navigate through Uganda’s remotest routes where most of the safari destinations are found? Usually, if it is your first time to do something, you feel worried and the same thing happens with car rental-first, you start developing worries of the process, what is needed and documents.

However, we have come up with a guide on how you will book your car of choice for your vacation in Uganda.

Choose your pick up location and dates in the booking form

If you want to rent a car in Uganda online, you need to specify which town and branch you want to pick up and drop off your vehicle. Enter the exact date and time you want to get the car. While you can rent a car in Uganda, you also need to cross check with prices. However, our prices are competitive for all airport rental locations. Check your preferences as well as discounts, promotion offers and other that you may become a beneficiary. On your search, you will definitely get the list of available car hire from various car rental companies in Uganda and you won’t rent all, but your preference only.

Select the right car rental depending on your trip

A fact that there are various car rentals for you to make your choice, you won’t be left out of choice. Whether you are traveling as a couple for a city tour we have a wide range of compact saloon cars that will suit to your travel plans. Interestingly, our statistics can be shown for each vehicle and this includes its capacity and transmission. You can simply Google them out.

Choose the pre-paid rate or pay when you are picking it up

In case you are paying directly via online, then you stand to be part of the many benefits that we have in offer most of which include greater mileage and insurance packages. Our prices are within visitors’ pocket range and you will choose the ideal means of payment that is comfortable with you and recommended by the company.

Select any optional add-ons or additional services you need

Based on your tour is all about and group requirements, you will need some extras for your vehicle, additional driver, baby seats and the extra services which may be of help include insurance cover and mileage packages.

Fill the contact details

Your contact details must be filled to help us ascertain who the driver is. Other personal details must also be filled for instance your name, home address. If you want to pay online, you will need to fill out your payment details. All the information for car hire will be reflected to help cross check if all is correct.

Complete the booking process

Once you have finished with your process, make sure that you get a copy of the invoice through email. After this, you will then just wait for the actual day to pick up your car. In case of cancellation or adjacent, you will have to visit our online portal and login or enter your reservation number plus security code.

Pick up your car hire with your identification documents

Once you have accomplished with the whole process, the next step is now for you to go and pick up your car at our station and staff are very welcoming.

QUESTIONS ASKED BEFORE RENTING A CAR

When is the best time to book a rental car?

One of the main questions people ask when trying to find the best deal on a rental car is about the best time to book. Does the day of the week make a difference in getting a cheap rental car? Is it better to book weeks in advance or does it not make a huge difference? When do car rental prices drop? These are all important things to wonder, and the answers may surprise you.

Why prices fluctuate

The first thing to keep in mind is that rental car prices change a lot, and there are a number of factors that determine the price on any given day. Prices can fluctuate because of the season, a particular holiday, the car category, the rental company and timing, just to name a few. In general, rental companies want to rent out as many cars as possible, just like hotels want to rent out as many rooms as possible. They’ll price cars competitively to increase demand, but when demand is high, they may raise prices to capitalize on it. Keep in mind that the base price is the most likely thing to change. All of the additional elements of the rental, from young driver fees to baby seats to ski racks, will stay the same price regardless of the timing. This background information will help explain how far in advance you should book your rental car.

When it’s best to book in advance

If you know you’ll be renting during a busy period when prices are likely to be the highest, it pays to book as much as six to twelve months in advance. If you’re traveling with a big group or with kids, and you’ll need a minibus, a large van and extra amenities, you should start your search early.

The best strategy is to shop around and compare online before committing to any single deal. Once you’re familiar with the price range for your itinerary, decide on a target price or the highest price you’d be willing to pay. When you find a deal that you’re happy with, just book it. If you have free cancellation, you can always cancel that booking and spring for a cheaper deal when you see one. It’s better to have booked a car for a reasonable price than wait until the very last minute and risk missing out on an equally good deal, or learning the rental company ran out of inventory.

When it’s ok to book “last minute”

If you know you’ll be renting during a less busy period or you’re flexible with your dates, it’s acceptable to book closer to your rental date. If you’re traveling alone, with your partner, or in a small group, and you don’t have any special requirements, you can leave it a little late. Common car types are the most available so prices may not change that much. With that said, prices may rise during the final 48 hours so don’t leave it until the literal last minute! One last thing to look out for when booking late is seasonal promotions that get emailed to mailing list subscribers.

In conclusion, with the above steps, we believe that you will get the best car rental deal in Uganda and your vacation will be memorable. To help you realize your dream in this beautiful nation, simply contact us or email us and we shall help you find that dream car for your holiday.

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Habituation

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Batwa of Echuya Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a unique ecosystem of Africa – Uganda with a vast number of wildlife species. This natural rain forest is a home to mountain gorillas; hosting half of the total population of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas, leaving the remaining half to be shared between Rwanda , Democratic Republic of Congo and even Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. The forest is found in the southwestern part of Uganda and about 500 kilometers away from Kampala- the capital city of Uganda.

In the recent records, there about 900 surviving mountain gorillas in the world today with 400 of these endangered creatures situated in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest while the rest are shared between Uganda’s Mgahinga, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Natural Rain Forest is a home to 12 gorilla family groups with eleven family groups available for the tourism activities and the other restricted for study purposes and scientific research.

The mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable are distributed in regions ;such as the Buhoma sector with Habinyanja gorilla family, Mubare gorilla family and Rushegura gorilla family, the Ruhija sector with Bitukura gorilla family, Kyaguriro gorilla family and Oruzogo gorilla family and the Rusahaga sector with Busingye gorilla family, Bweza gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family and Nshongi gorilla family.An d these groups can be tracked and visited by any visitors to the park. However, it should not be forgotten that onlyn8 visitors are allowed per family group in a day. This helps to reduce the chances of contaminating the animals by humans since they are very vulnerable and also helps to avoid disturbing the animals in their natural habitat. Remember, for a very successful trip, one must make proper planning in addition to early bookings.

After acquiring the mountain gorilla trekking permit, visitors are then allocated their particular gorilla family groups and its here that one decides on the accommodation to use since its best convenient booking a place with in the area / region/ sector of your gorilla family group.On the fateful day, early in the morning g, visitors set off to the rail starting points , in their groups, they are briefed followed by hitting the African Jungle for the gorilla trekking adventure. It’s an interesting activity through the woods that it leaves you anticipating on what you are likely to face while in an encounter. But it’s hard to know what you will experience when in an encounter with these creatures because its an amazing feeling viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat; playing and teasing each other, picking leaves from near branches and eating as they stare at you directly all time.

Seeing them is an amazing and humbling experience that one feels especially while looking in the dark brown eyes or seeing the young mountain gorillas being pampered by their mothers. They do it just like humans perhaps because mountain gorillas have 95% of their DNA similar to humans meaning that most of their characteristics are just like humans. Being with mountain gorillas lasts for one hour and once it elapses, tourists are guided back to from the forest and then given certificates of participation.

After a gorilla safari in Bwindi, another adventure that you shouldn’t miss about Uganda is the Batwa Experience. The Batwa speaking people were the first people to settle in Bwindi forest reserve. They lived in the forest for a good number of years that they reached a time when they regarded the forest their permanent home until they were evicted by the government due to the continued need to preserve nature and conserve many wild species. In the forest, the Batwa were well known hunters who largely survived on the forest, following the eviction, they faced a challenge of adopting a new way of living as they had to engage in farming practices in order to get food. Today, they settled in the nearing areas of Bwindi Impenetrable forest and always available to share the interesting stories of their life styles to the tourists, who may be interested; talking about their unique culture, guide tourists on the Batwa trail and also demonstrate their hunter gatherer skills, such an interesting experience.

An interaction with the Batwa speaking people is yet another very exciting experience as this visit will bring close to the Batwa social and cultural lifestyles. For example it leads tourists to the Garama caves “a very sacred place for the Batwa” here, you are treated to the Batwa Traditional practices as they sing songs and dance for the tourists. They also demonstrate their major hunting weapons they used that include bows, arrows and traps. In addition to this, expect the stories of the Batwa ancient life told by the Batwa elders and these provide a great understanding on the real Batwa people which leaves so many visitors amazed at how these people lived when in the woods.

A Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park

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Kidepo Valley National Park

A secret off to find just opened to explore what a magical Africa has to offer, Kidepo Valley national park is located in Uganda at the far end bordering both Kenya and South Sudan. If want to establish whatsoever about the ancient Africa this is a perfect with authentic nature with people inclusive.

The park is positioned amidst people who are considered to be backward always with a narration of not waiting for the Karamojong to develop. Everything within the zone of Kidepo is just beautiful rightly from the people, wider scenery like nowhere in east Africa, various number of wildlife among many other encounters and all are just are authentic.

Kidepo Valley National Park is the 3rd largest park in Uganda covering an area of 1,442sqkm, raised at a lower altitude ranging from 914m to 2750m above sea level. The park can receive over 1000 people each years who go on Uganda safaris to explore this lost African village of wildlife and the entertaining authentic culture of the Karamojong and the Ik people.

Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. From Apoka, in the heart of the park, a savannah landscape extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges.

The park boats the largest single herd of up to 4000 buffalos than any other area in East Africa. Game drives offer superb game viewing with high degree of solitude. You can spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, elephants, zebra, buffalos, cheetah, wild dogs, Aard wolf, black backed and stripe sided jackals, less and greater kudu, Dik dik, many of which are not found in other park of Uganda.

Bird watching is fantastic during nature walks and hiking on foot. You can spot ostrich and Abyssinian ground hornbill, Karamoja apalis and continue to meet the indigenous IK tribes outside the park and learn about the cattle warrior’s traditional culture.

Ssese Islands and It’s Attractions

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Ssese Islands

Uganda is endowed with lakes and rivers. Among these, there is lake Victoria where the Ssese islands are found.

These islands lie in the western section of Lake Victoria, in the Kalangala district.

There are 84 small islands in total and the islands vary in size from less than 10,000sq km to over 40km in length. The largest island is Bugala.

The Sesse islands came into existence 12,000 years ago when a tectonic shift caused an elevated basin situated between the two main arms of the Great Rift Valley to flood, forming Lake Victoria.

History and Background of Ssese Islands in Uganda

Situated in the northwest of Lake Victoria, the Ssese Islands form one of Uganda’s prime destinations for casual rambling and off-the-beaten-track exploration, as well as for game fishing, in particular Nile perch.

During the 1990s, the islands were Uganda’s most popular backpackers’ chill-out destination, at least until the ferry service from Port Bell (Kampala) was suspended in 1997.

Inevitably, with access limited to less-than-comfortable ‘lake taxis’ from Entebbe and a roundabout approach from Masaka to the Bukakata ferry, the islands lost their place in the hearts of independent travelers, the affection being grabbed by the more accessible Lake Bunyonyi, the site of burgeoning tourist development in recent years.

However, the Ssese Islands are experiencing a renaissance in tourism activity after years of relative isolation, following the inauguration of a superb new European-built passenger/vehicle ferry that cruises between Entebbe and Buggala Island in three easy hours.

Drivers and backpackers alike will quickly spot that the new Entebbe ferry and the long-serving bucket ferry can be combined to enable a visit to the Ssese Islands en route to/from attractions further down the Masaka Road.

The Ssese archipelago consists of 84 separate islands, some large and densely inhabited, others small and deserted, but all lushly forested thanks to annual average rainfall in excess of 2,000mm.

Only two islands regularly receive tourists. The more established of these is Buggala, the largest, most accessible, and most developed of the islands. A significant number of travelers also head to tiny Banda Island, which is the site of a popular budget resort.

Other islands that can be visited with varying degrees of ease are Bubeke, Bukasa and Bufumira. Not least amongst the Ssese Islands’ attractions are their rustic character and the sense of being well away from any established tourist circuit.

But, as in other out of- the-way places, it is suggested that you dress conservatively except in resort and campsite grounds, and to swim with a T-shirt on. The Ssese Islands are reputed to have the highest proportion of HIV infection in Uganda.

Buggala Island of Ssese Islands

Extending over 200km2 and measuring 43km from east to west, Buggala is the largest island set within the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria, and the best developed for tourism, linked to the mainland by a regular motor ferry and dotted with accommodation to suit most tastes and budgets.

Kalangala, the administrative center for the islands, is an unremarkable small town situated on a ridge at the eastern end of Buggala, while the nearby Lutoboka Bay hosts the island’s main cluster of beach resorts.

Note that Lutoboka can no longer be relied on as a quiet tropical island retreat.

It may be peaceful enough during the week, but at weekends, one or other of the beach resorts may host a function during which it is mandatory to play amplified music at full volume until the small hours.

Since some of these events are audible on Banda Island, 15km away, you can imagine how chuffed you’ll be if you’re a resident on Lutoboka Beach.

This issue aside, Lutoboka Bay is a lovely setting that offers a variety of beach activities; building sandcastles, swimming (though bilharzia is certainly a risk;

If your tolerance for beach-oriented activities is tested, Buggala Island offers great possibilities for unstructured walking.

The road from the ferry to Mirembe Resort passes through grassland and a beautiful patch of forest that will interest birders.

From Kalangala Town on the ridge above Lutoboka, strike out in any direction to find pleasing views over forests and grassy clearings to the lakeshore and more distant islands.

To explore further afield, you can either hike or try to hire a bicycle from Andronica Lodge.

A popular cycling excursion is to Mutumbula swimming beach – reputedly free of bilharzia – which lies off the road towards Luku.

Travelers tend to concentrate on the Kalangala–Luku road, and justifiably so since the road heading south from Kalangala is far more cultivated.

The one potentially interesting goal in this direction is the marshy southwestern shores, which harbour small numbers of hippo as well as a population of sitatunga antelope with larger horns than the mainland equivalent, regarded by some authorities to represent an endemic island race.

Without a private vehicle, you would probably need to do an overnight walking or cycling trip to get to these swamps.

Another important landmark on Buggala is Luku itself, the small village on the western extreme of the island where the motor ferry from the mainland docks.

A good dirt road connects Luku to Kalangala Town, while minor roads run to other villages lying further south on the island.

The most common large mammal on Buggala is the vervet monkey, often seen in the vicinity of Lutoboka and Kalangala.

Bushbuck and black-and-white colobus are present but seldom observed.

Over the 12,000 years that the island has been separate from the mainland, one endemic creek rat and three endemic butterfly species have evolved.

Water and forest birds are prolific. Expect to see a variety of hornbills, barbets, turacos, robin-chats, flycatchers, and weavers from the roads around Kalangala.

Particularly common are the jewel-like pygmy kingfisher, the brown-throated wattle-eye, and a stunning morph of the paradise flycatcher intermediate to the orange and white phases illustrated in most east African field guides.

African fish eagles and palm nut vultures are often seen near the lake, while immense breeding colonies of little egret and great cormorant occur on Lutoboka and other bays.

Getting to Buggala Island and away

The MV Kalangala ferry service to Lutoboka Port on Buggala Island operates out of Nakiwogo Port on the western side of Entebbe Peninsula.

To get there in a private vehicle, turn off Kampala Road (ie: Entebbe High Street) at the Moneygram office and follow Wilson Road for 3km to the port.

Parking is available either at the nearby police post or at a nearby Delta fuel station for a small consideration.

Those arriving by minibus-taxi from Kampala should stay aboard until the trip terminates at the scruffy Kitoro suburb off Airport Road and then take a special hire or boda-boda along Nakiwogo Road to the port (again about 3km).

The ferry leaves promptly at 14.00, arriving at Lutoboka at 17.30. The supposed capacity is just 108 seated passengers (though I’ve heard reports of standing room only at busy times) and eight vehicles (less if a truck shows up) so foot passengers should turn up 30 minutes before departure and drivers at least an hour.

Second-class passage on wooden benches costs Ush10,000 and first-class (comfortable padded seats with tables) is Ush14,000.

A car or 4×4 vehicle costs Ush50,000. Bottled drinks and snacks are available onboard. The ferry overnights at Lutoboka, returning to Nakiwogo from 08.00 to 11.30.

The return trip to Entebbe can be busy at the end of holiday weekends, and returning drivers are advised to park on the jetty the night before and have a quiet word with the captain.

Other possibilities are the (free) Bukakata–Buggala vehicle ferry near Masaka and lake-taxis (local fishing boats) operating from Kasenyi landing near Entebbe.

The former runs three times per day in either direction between the Kabassese jetty at Bukakata on the mainland and the island port of Luku.

The trip should take around five hours coming from Kampala or two to three hours direct from Masaka, assuming that your arrival at the jetty coincides with the departure of the ferry.

Step one out of Masaka involves following the same directions as given above for Lake Nabugabo, but instead of turning right at the junction 14km out of Nyendo, keep going straight for another 25km until you reach the jetty.

The ferry, which takes 50 minutes to cross, theoretically leaves from Kabassese at 08.00, 11.00, 14.00, and 17.00 and from Luku at 09.00, 12.00, 15.00, and 18.00 daily except for Sundays when the earliest crossing in each direction is dropped.

This timetable is somewhat loosely adhered to, however, making it advisable to be at the jetty a good hour before the scheduled crossing time.

The road between Luku and Kalangala is generally in good condition, and can usually be covered in less than one hour, though some stretches might be slippery after heavy rain.

Note that the Luku ferry occasionally stops running for a few days while repairs are undertaken, in which case you would have to return on the Entebbe ferry.

A reliable bus service connects Kampala to Kalangala, leaving the new taxi park in Kampala at 08.00 daily except for Sunday, and leaving from Kalangala at 11.00- ish daily except Sunday. Tickets cost Ush12,000.

Where to stay in Buggala Island

Moderate

There are several options in this category, most of which are located around the sandy Lutoboka Bay Beach.

These are described in order of proximity to the new ferry landing.

Palm Resort Beach, is comparatively isolated on a separate beach on the peninsula south of the port, while Ssese Habitat Resort is a few kilometers away at Bulago.

Pearl Gardens Beach : This lakefront resort offers rooms & cottages just meters from the ferry. A bar/reception at the top of the site provides DSTV & free internet for residents. If you’re planning to stay here, or indeed anywhere at Lutoboka, it’s worth phoning to see whether Pearl Gardens has a function planned during your visit.

Ssese Islands Beach Hotel: This smart but underutilised facility consists of a string of white, beachfront cottages set in the forest edge, 15mins’ walk from the ferry landing. Game fishing & other boat excursions can be arranged, along with guided forest walks & birdwatching trips.

Ssese Island Club: About 300m along the beach from the Beach Hotel, the Ssese Island Club provides comfortable s/c wooden chalets or standing tents between the lake & enclosing forest.

Mirembe Resort: Set in a quiet location at the northern end of the beach, this new resort provides attractive s/c rooms with a lake view.

Ssese Palm Beach Resort: Standing at the eastern end of Lutoboka Bay, the round thatched cottages of Palm Beach with their forest backdrop provide a picturesque sight as the ferry steams into port.

Ssese Habitat Resort: This new resort is set some distance from the main Lutoboka Beach on the western side of the bay at Buligo. Guests are met at the ferry & transferred by vehicle to the resort. Modern, lake-facing cottages, s/c & well furnished, are available.

Budget

Panorama Lodge: Situated in a forest clearing 500m inland from the ferry landing, this friendly lodge lacks a beachfront location, but has an attractive garden setting & a forest backdrop. A bar & restaurant is provided. Clean & spacious s/c chalets have solar lighting (hot water supplied on request).

Shoestring and camping

Kalaya Guesthouse: This Christian-oriented facility stands on an open hillside on the Mweena Rd about 1km out of Kalangala (take the left fork just beyond the town). It’s notable for the elevated panorama looking east over the archipelago, perfect for the sunrise & full moon sky. Solar power is provided & meals are available, but no alcohol is sold.

Ssese Scorpion Lodge: Situated at Luku, about 10mins’ walk from the ferry jetty pier along the Kalangala Rd. Meals are served.

PTA Andronica Lodge: This long-established lodge in its ancient building is owned & presided over by a former  school teacher & provides the only accommodation in Kalangala Town.

 Hornbill Camping Site: This German-run campsite has long been a favourite with budget travelers. It’s a terrific spot to pitch a tent beneath shady trees with the sandy beach just meters away. Best, however, to give a wide berth to the wooden dormitory & tiny bandas.

 Kingfisher Camp: This simple & affordable campground lies close to the ferry landing.

Where to eat 

It’s fair to say that the Ssese Island resorts are not famed for their cooking.

Nevertheless, all of the resorts provide reasonably priced Ugandan and international meals, albeit from limited menus on which fish, not surprisingly, features prominently.

Fresh produce in local markets is limited and expensive compared with the mainland.

Meals must usually be ordered in advance; even so, service proceeds at a pace appropriate to the tropical island setting.

OTHER ISLANDS 

The second-largest landmass in Ssese is Bukasa Island, which lies on the eastern end of the archipelago and is widely regarded by the few travelers who make it there to be even more attractive than Buggala.

Extensively forested, the island supports a profusion of birds and monkeys and can be explored on foot along with a network of fair roads.

Individual points of interest include an attractive beach at Misenyi Bay, 20 minutes walk from Agnes’s Guest House, and a plunge pool ringed by forest and a waterfall, about one hour’s walk from the guesthouse.

For monkeys and views, the road to Rwanabatya village has been recommended.

Also infrequently visited by travelers, Bufumira Island is readily accessible by fishing boat from Buggala, and there is a small guesthouse in its largest village Semawundu, though you are advised to bring all food with you.

Far more popular is the small Banda Island, the site of a backpacker resort that has become something of a legend among travelers in the last few years.

Several other small, mostly uninhabited islands can be reached by fishing boat as day trips from Buggala.

Getting around

The only public transport servicing islands other than Buggala are motorised lake-taxis, which link most of the larger inhabited islands daily, except on Sundays.

These lake taxis leave the mainland from Kasenyi, a fishing village that lies close to Entebbe and is connected to Kampala by a regular minibus-taxi service from the old taxi park, and sail to Banda, Bufumira, and Bukasa islands as well as Buggala.

Though plenty of boats will drop you eventually at Banda, direct services leave Kasenyi around 12.00 on Tuesday and Friday

The direct voyage takes about three hours. For Ush500, a bilharzia-infested porter will carry you out to the boat.

The risk attached to using these lake taxis should not be underestimated, particularly during the rainy season, when overloaded boats have a tendency to capsize during stormy weather, killing up to 100 people annually.

Rather than relying on lifejackets being provided (though they increasingly are), you might buy a plastic jerrycan (top screwed on tight!) and secure it to yourself with a piece of rope. Kasenyi is a grotty place, the occupants of which are known for overcharging and being generally annoying.

Since some time will usually elapse between booking your passage and your boat being considered full enough to leave, head for the Kasenyi Takeaway where the formidable Mama Grace will protect you from sunburn and hassle.

It’s also possible to reach Banda by taking the Nakiwogo ferry to Lutoboka where you can charter a boat for the 80-minute trip across the strait.

From there, you can complete a loop through the islands by returning to Kasenyi by lake-taxi.

This option, which limits your Kasenyi experience to landing and leaving, is preferable to embarking from there.

Where to stay

Banda Island

Banda Island: The laid-back Banda Island Resort has long been the most popular budget hangout in the Ssese Islands, raved about by most who visit it, equally reviled by a few, depending almost entirely on whether they get on with the decidedly eccentric Kenyan muzungu owner.

Banda is somewhat similar to the Kenyan coast in that it’s all too easy to stay ‘just one more day’ either in your own tent or a basic stone cottage inclusive of all (inevitably fish-oriented) meals (& other fresh local produce).

Banda seems to have shrugged off the attempted tourism revival on Buggala Island enabled by the new, comfortable ferry from Entebbe; indeed, a significant number of budget travelers are moved to forsake Lutoboka in search of a more authentic (a word that covers all possible contingencies) experience on Banda (for travel options)

Agnes’s Guesthouse:

Situated a short walk from the ferry pier on Bukasa Island, this basic but friendly & relaxed guesthouse has a veranda overlooking the lake, spectacular at sunset.

Meals are served, but it is a good idea to bring some food with you (wheat flour, margarine, garlic & sugar will be particularly appreciated).

Father Christopher’s Guesthouse:30mins’ walk from the ferry jetty on Bukasa Island, this newer guesthouse also offers cheap rooms & camping.

There is a kitchen, but you will need to bring food with you. Father Christopher is a good source of advice about walks on the island.

50 Incredible Safari Retreats To Visit After Lockdown

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Wild Waters Lodge

You must be wondering where to visit after lockdown. Close to fourteen months ago we were in Jinja with friends, rafting close to the source of the legendary Nile with a local adventure company. By April we would have completed yet another escapade, but COVID-19 happened. It’s been a turbulent few months, but the good news is the the dust is settling and once the restrictions are eased we will revisit some favorite spots and explore the unknown lands that we always hoped to visit.

There are particular retreats that have influenced our paths to wander for so many years. Others remain as fresh as fresh can be. Some locally owned and run, others bring an unrivaled experience from foreign lands.

Whether new or old, whether locally managed or foreign-owned, as we wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to phase out and the lockdown to ease, it’s worth dreaming of the holiday spots that we hope to visit when it’s safe to board a plane or hit the road again.

For the record, none of these properties paid to be advertised. This is purely a recommendation based on my personal experiences,  those of my most experienced nomadic friends, and game changers in the tourism sector who have sent satisfied customers to these little paradises time and again.

In no particular order, here are 50 incredible Ugandan safari escapes for you to visit after lockdown.

Wild Waters Lodge – Kalagala Island

The lodge is in a different world. Wild Waters Lodge is no stranger to travel-lists and should be on your list of spots to visit soon. Accessible only by boat, the lodge is located at a breathtaking spot (roughly six hectares) on a private island paradise called Kalagala; and wrapped between trees. This location is kept awake by the constant sounds of thundering rapids on the majestic River Nile. The Lemala Family who own and run this retreat have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for when the guests return; they shared on their Facebook a few days ago. I bet it will be lovelier for returning and new guests.

Ndali Lodge – Kabarole (Western Uganda)

Ndali has that luxurious, colonial-vibe, run by third-generation owners. It rests at the edge of the stunning Lake Nyinambuga, a mesmerizing ridgetop location. From here, views of the Rwenzori ranges are to behold. Definitely an awesome spot to checkout for someone looking for where to go after lockdown.

Twin Lake Safari Lodge – Bunyaruguru

I love the rooms at Twin Lake Safari Lodge, the rustic bathrooms in particular. Needless to say that at its elevated location in the beautiful surroundings of the Bunyaruguru great crater you will enjoy some of the clearest views of the wild plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The animals come to the lodge, but not too close that you should be afraid. When I slept here, in the mornings I could spot elephants in the plains below. The lodge is owned by the just-retired Chief Justice of Uganda, Bart Magunda Katureebe, and I was fortunate to sleep in his room, on his bed (monkey emojis) when I visited. Friendly staff, very good food. Put this on your wish-list as you plan where to go after lockdown.

Nile Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls National Park

This is effortlessly one of Uganda’s finest lodges today. The lodge was recently renovated and launched. Let’s just say everything is new, everything is out of this world. If your plan is to have a room with a view, this is it! They have those wild outside showers that bring you closer to the hippos yet still safe from leopards. This high-end property runs on green energy. All guests enjoy a private terrace facing the mighty waters of River Nile. Almost everything is available from an infinity pool to WiFi and a delicious ala-carte menu. This one is on my list and I highly recommend you visit sometime soon.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set next to Ntungwe River, Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. Being within the park the wildlife is free to also pass through the camp and elephants can be seen bathing in the river, buffalo enjoy grazing, and resident troops of Black-and-White Colobus and vervet monkeys are frequently viewed. If you are lucky, George, the lone hippo, can also be seen beside the camp. The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is popular for its tree-climbing lions and sleeping at this Wilderness Camp offers an opportunity to sight these wonders of Africa.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

This locally owned lodge, formerly Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, has evolved over the years from a campsite in 2007 to fully-fledged award-winning lodge. All rooms are designed to pamper every guest. The entire lodge features stunning works of art from this region and beyond. At its location adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the lodge is the ideal spot for tracking mountain gorillas in the Nkuringo sector. The mountain gorillas have been giving birth to new babies and this could inspire your list of where to go after lockdown. The views from your room are rewarding!

Rwakobo Rock – Lake Mburo National Park

This property is located outside the national park, but its eco-lodging setup makes you forget you aren’t inside Lake Mburo’s enclosures. The family-owned lodge is perched on a rocky outcrop that overlooks Lake Mburo, National Park. Rwakobo rock with its many rooms is a place of respite. An incredible place to send stress packing. Check their website for activities on offer including bike safaris, cultural walks, and game drive and walk combos.

Sipi River Lodge

This is a real retreat set in beautiful gardens with porch rockers and a creek-side trail to the second waterfall. Their on-site restaurant serves some of your best local and continental cuisine using ingredients sourced from their private vegetable garden. The restaurant also welcomes walk-in guests for espresso drinks and homemade meals. You are guaranteed a nice stay in one of the most picturesque parts of Uganda. Sipi River Lodge’s location in the foothills of Mount Elgon, famous for three spectacular waterfalls, is home to an incredible number of bird species, some of the best Arabica coffee in the world, and magical sunsets. Stay here if you are visiting Sipi Falls.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge – Rubirizi

This eclectic safari lodge has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge that shelters the rare chimpanzees. The stylish bandas also have a contemporary theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Kyambura is owned and managed by the Volcanoes group of lodges and is effortlessly one of the finest properties. A good place for a treat after the lockdown

Semliki Safari Lodge – Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Staying at Semliki is like stepping back in time. It evokes the spirit of the old explorers, it piques curiosity and inspires discovery. Semliki is secluded and intimate. With a maximum of 18 guests, they promise excellent service and attention to detail…and an unforgettable experience. Guests at Semliki stay in golden-hued tents with gleaming hardwood floors. Staying under canvas is one of the most romantic and exciting things to do in on safari in Africa. My most threatening but also best wild elephant encounter was in this place. I hope to visit again soon… The lodge is owned and managed by the Wildplaces Africa group.

Adere Safari Lodge – Kidepo Valley Natioal Park

This newly launched lodge is located on the boundary of the remote and virgin Kidepo Valley National Park. Locally owned and run, Adere features a modern-traditional vibe hundreds of miles from the capital city, Kampala. Enjoy a broad range of activities, and retire to Adere’s comfortable cottages, at the end of each day. The views of the wild Kidepo plains from Adere throughout the day change with the weather but are always beautiful. Friendly staff, great food, in a lovely location.

Emburara Fam Lodge

Waking up to sounds of mooing cows and witnessing early chores by herdsmen is a lot more interesting than you may underestimate. Emburara Farm Lodge is a high-end Eco-luxury property promoting cultural tourism and conservation of flora and fauna in a fresh, serene and relaxed farm environment.  The lodge is great for cultural experiences, family stays, honeymoon, business meetings, and retreats, including individual holidays. The architecture alone will blow you away. They definitely put in the work and had the best hands in putting this property together. I LOVE it!

Turaco Treetops – Kibale

Turaco Treetops is Kibale Forest’s newest semi-luxe lodge. Turaco Treetops is the place to go on a chimpanzee trekking holiday, share tasty meals, laugh, read a book near their fireplace, learn about nature, play a game, or take a dip in their refreshing pool. And not to forget: enjoy that well-deserved hot shower and comfortable beds that help you get ready for a new day of exploration in the Kibale Forest region. The lodge is owned my people with years of experience in the tourism and safari business.

Chobe Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls National Park

This one is no stranger to tourism publications. Located in the Murchison Falls National Park, this Five Star lodge is undoubtedly the gem in Uganda’s crown of tourism destinations. The breathtaking panoramic views, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile’s magnificent rapids, sets the scene for an adventure that will impress even the most discerning of visitors. Two years ago, American Rapper and Superstar, Kanye West stayed here with his wife and daughter, like to endorse this as a place worth keeping on your list of places to visit and revisit. Chobe is one of the properties under the Marasa Holdings, a chain of lodges and resorts in the East African region.

Crater Safari Lodge – Kibale

This is one of Uganda’s most prized lodges, locally owned and in an ideal setting. If you’re after a once-in-a-lifetime great-ape encounter that won’t break the bank, head to the enchanting Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda and spend magical moments with one of the planet’s most fascinating primate, the chimpanzee. Crater Safari Lodge that is located adjacent to the park is the perfect spot to begin your journey. Its location on the edge of an extinct crater lake presents many more fun activities for visitors to enjoy including canoeing, community visits, hikes, kayaking, etc.

The Rainforest Lodge – Mabira Forest

The Rainforest Lodge is located between Kampala and Jinja making this ‘nearby yet far away lodge’ a favorite among both residents and foreign tourists. Set within Mabira Forest, Uganda’s second-largest forest, you find yourself surrounded by nature’s beauty. The forest is home to 312 species of trees, 315 species of birds, 218 Butterfly species, and 23 small mammal species.

Pakuba Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls National Park

The sun rose beautifully that one Saturday morning slowly radiating almost all the corners of the 3,893 sqkm protected area that is Murchison Falls National Park. At the bottom of my heart, I had this feeling of confidence that I could look forward to an awesome day and I wasn’t disappointed. We slept at Pakuba Safari Lodge and this right here is still one of my favorite escapes. The lodge is nestled on the Eastern Bank of the Albert Nile offering panoramic views of the mighty River Nile, sweeping vistas of the surrounding riverine forest below and the captivating surrounding wilderness where travelers get the chance to sight Giraffes, Elephants, Antelopes and occasionally Leopards that pay regular visits to the lodge. This above everything stoked me. The fact that you can just be driving away from the lodge and right there is a lion, elephant or leopard. Definitely a place to revisit

Kasenyi Safari Camp – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Phillip welcomes you with an American-Ugandan accent before he quickly switches to luganda (vernacular) if you are from these lands, just to make you feel more at home. From the main lodge area, you can enjoy views of the salt lake below. The sunrises every day are a thing to wake up to. Your butler will walk you to your room with one of Phillip’s many cats escorting you, and later in the night, you may be awakened by the actual true cats of this place, the lions. The lodge has a resident lion pride which will sometimes camp under your luxurious safari tent or roar in the night. A swimming pool is on the cards.

Gorilla Heights Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is the newest addition to the list of luxury properties in the Bwindi-mountain gorilla area. The thrilling safari experience of trekking Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest beckons for an exclusive sanctuary for you to retreat. Gorilla Heights Lodge sits on the axis of Nkuringo hill, offering lavish blends of the breathtaking sights of a rolling forest canopy and jagged mountain ranges. The rooms have been delicately woven with modern architecture and African design to create the ultimate blend of luxury. Everything is extravagantly planned to spoil you including the heated pool that will warm you up even on the chilliest of days.

Elephant Plains Lodge

This is the freshest baby in Uganda Lodges’ collection of safari retreats; undoubtedly the finest of them all. Perched 941 meters above sea level, high upon the western escarpment of the Albertine rift in the northeastern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Elephant Plains lodge offers panoramic views stretching for miles over the huge open grasslands to lake George. only 2 minutes to the park gate, nowhere else here can you sleep closer to the equator with views of the equator monument visible from all around the lodge. Nestled next to beautiful lake Kikorongo this is where the open plains merge into the crystal waters and seeing large numbers of Elephants coming to drink from the water makes sense of the lodge’s name.

Papaya Lake Lodge

This lodge is surrounded by the lush, evergreen landscapes of the Ugandan Great Crater Lakes region, set between two extinct volcanoes, nestled against the turquoise waters of the Lyantonde and Kifuruka lakes and with exhilarating views towards the majestic Rwenzori Mountain Range. The lodge is close to Kibale Forest National Park, making it one of many splendid retreats to stay during a Chimpanzee safari. Its oasis of nine luxurious cottages, a restaurant, and a beautiful swimming pool with a scenic terrace reflect the passion that the owners had in setting things up. Papaya’s European owners wish you’ll visit soon, I bet they can’t wait to show you around this beautiful part of western Uganda.

Buffalo Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Buffalo Safari Lodge is located next to Queen Elizabeth Park, near the magical Kazinga channel. The lodge has both standard and deluxe cottages, a total of 17 rooms making it the ideal place for large groups of 20 guests or more. Buffalo Lodge has world-class and experienced staff, a fully stocked bar and restaurant, with a lounge that gives guests and visitors a spectacular view of Queen Elizabeth park nearby, and Lakes Edward and George. A great place to visit or revisit.

Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Safari Camp

This one is for the large pockets. A luxury property owned and managed by internationally famed hospitality brand, Sanctuary Retreats. The lodge is located in the northern sector of Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ecologically respectful, contemporary-yet-classic in style, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp blends in sensitively with the dramatic African mountain landscape and, situated uniquely inside the national park, you are only minutes away from the start of your gorilla trekking adventure.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Across the forest in the southerly sector of Nkuringo (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) sits one of the country’s coolest heavens, the bespoke Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Picture this: You are sitting up on a ridge, above the clouds, looking across to the Virunga volcanoes. Behind you is the primordial, mysterious and impenetrable forest that is Bwindi. As you sit there, drinking your chilled wine, or your freshly brewed coffee, or your freshly squeezed juice you smile. You smile because you know that your personal butler is lighting the fire in your cottage and setting out your freshly laundered clothes. In the kitchen a gorgeous meal is being prepared, and tomorrow after breakfast you will walk from the lodge to the Nkuringo trailhead and track the last few surviving mountain gorillas. Purely heavenly!

Kidepo Savanna Lodge

Everyone that has slept here narrates the ordeal of lions roaring outside the tent. It’s not just the king of the jungle that visits, many more wildlife species love to share the space with tourists. This is for my people that love the wild , this is for my people that love a distant place where the only sounds are those of Africa’s safari celebrities. Kidepo Savanna Lodge rests on the boundary of Kidepo Valley National Park, delivering excellent value. The lodge is inspired by the savanna surroundings, the grasslands, rocky outcrops, and by the Karamojong, the tribe with their typical manyattas and colorful blankets.

Elephant Hab Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

At the shoulders of the famous Kyambura Gorge, Elephant Hab Lodge offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its brilliant views of the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. When you visit, you will be able to take part in remarkable activities like nature walks and game drives, chimpanzee tracking, and the rich stories told by the locals are something to look forward to.

You can find more about Elephant Hab Lodge details here

Ishasha Jungle Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the less popular, but highly rewarding southerly sector of Queen Elizabeth National park, you’ll find this awesome retreat. You have heard the stories of tree-climbing lions, but there’s more than that to see.  Ishasha Jungle Lodge is surrounded by riparian forest vegetation and acacia Savannah. It is is a small, intimate eco-friendly lodge, and made entirely from locally-sourced materials and African art. Its raised en-suite wooden deck cottages, spacious rooms and bathroom, all finished with canvas will be great spots to pull out your camera to capture the moment to share with friends and family.

Mahogany Springs – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This private retreat is on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the spots on my bucketlist. My friends who have visited describe it as luxurious enough to be extremely comfortable, yet still, retain enough rough edges to give you that wild jungle spirit of adventure. The rooms are very nice and clean. The staff are extremely helpful, convivial, and will go out of their way to make you comfortable.

Paraa Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls National Park

On the northern shores of the Nile, in Murchison Falls National Park, this classic African safari lodge has an awesome location and stellar views. Definitely one of the oldest properties in Uganda (opened in 1954) but still a favorite for many to revisit. All the rooms are well furnished and have marble bathrooms and balconies. For even better views, you can choose an upstairs room. At Paraa you can be guaranteed of elephant sightings as they come out of the bush to quench their thirst from the waters of the Nile. The property is owned and managed by Marasa Africa, a conglomerate of luxury safari escapes in Africa.

Chameleon Hill Lodge

You got that wrong. This lodge is not owned by the famous musician, Jose Chameleone, but it definitely is a lodge of many colors. The hilltop lodge provides some of the best first impressions with a flair that doesn’t seem to stop. Its 10 chalets are designed to keep you warm and comfy, with plenty of arty touches, all with porches and panoramas soaring over the lake below. The lodge is not only a nice retreat for gorilla safari travelers or those looking for a boat ride to a local school; it will also serve you a relaxing massage followed by your favorite meal. Be prepared to fall in love.

Mihingo Lodge – Lake Mburo National Park

With one of Uganda’s most magical locations and a swimming pool that was dug deep into a 500 million-years-old rock kopje, Mihingo Lodge is on almost every bucketlists. This retreat is a family-owned luxurious lodge adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park, not too far from Kampala, Uganda’s Capital City. It has some of the most spectacular views over a vast savanna landscape designed from a blend of locally sourced materials from its fragile surroundings. The lodge is environmentally friendly, offers comfort and the experience of being at one with nature. Visit for a nature walk with zebras, a horseback safari through herds of hippo or cycle from the lodge to find the park’s thriving giraffe population. You hear good things about Mihingo!

Arcadia Cottages – Lake Bunyonyi

First things first. Arcadia Cottages chose a location that presents some of the most intoxicating views on the African continent. People have taken photos with their backs to the island dozen-dotted lake and have had a tough time convinging friends and family that this was not photoshop. Built upon a hill, Arcadia Cottages is a good pick for a road trip with family and friends. You might want to pick one of the rooms on the lower row because of their unhindered views. All rooms have private porches and en-suite facilities. From here you can start your tour to the neighboring community, go birding or enjoy boating on one of Africa’s deepest lakes. Did You Know this lake inspired scenes from Marvel’s record-breaking superhero movie, Black Panther? This might just point to one of the best escapes in the kingdom of Wakanda.

Tips for Driving Safely in Uganda

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Driving safely to your next destination may sound simple, but sometimes your journey can be halted by a number of emergencies probably because you didn’t adhere to some basics of driving and lost it at a point. You may also fall a culprit of traffic laws because of that bad driving you did that maybe you haven’t paid attention to.

In another scenario, you can be a very good driver but always remember that some people you may find on the road ruin your road tripping adventure due to their reckless driving that can leave you a victim of an emergency or breakdown. Whether you are driving your own or got one through Self drive Car Rentals in Uganda, you need to adhere to different safety precautions, follow rules and always be attentive while on the road. Today, lets share with you some tips that can keep you safe on the road once adhered to correctly.

Use the seat belt

In Uganda, you will see a number of drivers on the road not making the right use of their seat belts. Don’t be like them, you should always use correctly your seat belt since it is first and foremost for your own good. Different kinds of road crashes can occur at anytime and if you are not strapped to your seat, you could hit your head in dangerous places, break your legs or even get thrown out of the car.

Keep away Gadgets

This is mostly about smart phones. Being in a digital world brings a lot of things such as news, fun among other updates closer to us and we always need to be updated so that we don’t miss out on what’s happening even while on the move. However, smart phones have caused a lot more harm than good on the road. We all know that driving requires maximum concentration and with many other vehicles on the road, you need to drive defensively to avoid someone else hitting you. Being distracted for just a second could pave way for a fatal crash. Better keep away you phone and if you want to use it, park aside the road, use it then get back on the road after.

Use and follow correctly your lights

You are not driving alone on the road, there are many other road users such as fellow cars, motorcycles, bikes among others surrounding you. Among all these, no body knows your next intention, so they need to know the direction you are heading to especially as you approach a turn, breaking off or making an emergency stop in the middle of the road.

They need to know need to know all these so they can control their car accordingly to avoid emergencies such as ramming into another etc. Even at night, lights are more important. Most of the roads in Uganda don’t have lights so its a must you should check your some road lights are not working well before hitting on the road at night.

Always be attentive for bad drivers

Driving in Uganda most especially in towns and on highways is somewhat a hard task. You find a lot of drivers on the road claiming to be sharp, constantly looking for the easiest to their next destination. Commuter taxi drivers are very fond of this. They always want to arrive quicker so they make much routes a day. They sometimes snub following designated routes and instead drive through routes that are not allowed such as one ways and pedestrian ways despite the fact that this is a traffic offense. Always lookout for them so they don’t force you into a mistake to ruin your trip.

If it comes to overtaking, do it the right way. Follow the road middle markings correctly as well as climbing lanes. While overtaking, don’t just enter into the front out of the other vehicle out of the blue as it could cause a fatal crash.

Obey road controls and speed limits

Though you will find some of the roads in Uganda not well marked, it is always a good idea to know which speeds are allowed in which kind of the area and thereby follow them promptly. If it is your first time driving in Uganda, recommended speed limits could be 70km/hr on high ways, 35km/hr in urban centers and national parks in case you are a tourist and 30km/hr on unpaved roads. When you get used to driving in the area, 80km/hr could be ideal for highways and 40km/hr for the others as mentioned above. Over speeding and disobeying speed limits can not only lead to fatality on the road but also fines once you fall into the hands of the traffic police.

For the other traffic signs, follow them promptly so you don’t cause a havoc on the road. Traffic lights are also in place on some roads most especially in towns to regulate movement of vehicles. For some reason, some drivers take delight in flouting traffic lights all in the name of being in a hurry. Don’t be like them, follow them for a safe and sounding journey.

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