There is no other country in Africa – like Uganda – the “Pearl of Africa.”
In 1908, in his book My African Journey, Sir Winston Churchill wrote:
“For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for the profusion of brilliant life — bird, insect, reptile, beast — for vast scale — Uganda is truly “the Pearl of Africa”. The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different and most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa…”
From its source in Lake Victoria, the River Nile crosses the Rift Valley to give Uganda a dazzling range of unique habitats. Uganda’s resulting beauty, natural wonders and biodiversity have impressed generations of travellers. Visitors return for Uganda’s welcoming people and temperate climate. Uganda’s most coveted natural attractions include the endangered Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees and over 1,000 species of birds. Uganda’s diverse habitats have enthralled wildlife-watchers, and seasoned African Safari-goers, for decades.
Hikers and mountain climbers congregate in the Rwenzori Mountains as well as in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which also boasts three major peaks. Game and bird viewing is particularly popular in Uganda’s many national parks, and one of the special attractions is the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Yet there is so much more to Uganda: walking or quad bike safaris, mountain climbing and grade 5 white water rafting are a few of the adventure activities. Her culture of 52 tribes and their languages and dance set the country apart. A comparatively small country, Uganda has won many accolades including Lonely Planet number one destination to visit in 2012.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport after going through the immigration procedures. You will be met by our Umoja Motherland tours guide and representative, who will meet and greet you. Then transfer you to your hotel, taking between 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. On arrival at the hotel, you will check-in and rest.
Overnight at Airport Link Guest House
Meal plan: Bed &Breakfast
Day 2: Depart for Kibale Forest National park
This morning we will depart for Fort Portal with an en-route lunch in Fort portal town. When you spot any photographic spots please feel free to request the drivers to stop and you take the pictures. After that, we shall drive to Kibale Forest National Park, in Western Uganda, an incredibly diverse forest that is home to over 13 species of primates including chimpanzee, red Columbus monkey, the rare L’Hoest monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, black-faced vervet monkeys, baboons, pottos and bushbabies. Cleverly constructed boardwalks lead you through Papyrus that towers above your head in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a few minutes’ drive from Kibale Forest. With over 130 bird species, multicoloured butterflies, eight different types of primates and the rare, semi-aquatic Sitatunga (antelope), this is community tourism at its best.
Overnight Chimpanzee forest Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast, it’s an early start to report to the ranger headquarters at 8 am in Kibale Forest National Park to track habituated Chimps. These engaging apes, our closest living relative, are great fun to watch as they play and fight in the fruiting trees. Your experienced guides will introduce you to the different members of the chimp families, as well as the birds and plant life of the forest. The trails through the forest are generally easy to navigate and you will always be accompanied by Rangers. You have one hour with the chimpanzee on finding them. And you can use this opportunity to take their pictures.
The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier that its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into areas of Kibale Forest. Occasionally other large mammals such as buffalo, giant forest hog and numerous antelope species can also be seen. Birders will be on the look-out for an incredible list of 335 bird species. Butterfly lovers and botanists will be impressed by equally long lists of rare and endemic forest species. You will have an opportunity to take pictures.
Overnight Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Depart For Bwindi – home of the mountain gorilla!
Today we will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with an ‘en-route game drive’ passing through Ishasha, the remote, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is on the expansive plains of Ishasha that you will be on the lookout for its famous resident: the tree-climbing lion. A sighting is not guaranteed but you have a better chance of seeing them here in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishashathan anywhere else in Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO NaturalWorldHeritage site and one of the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The forest covers an area of 331 km² at the south-western edge of the western Rift Valley. Bwindi’s most-revered species are the approximately 400 wild Mountain Gorillas (2011 census) that makeup half of the world population of these gentle apes.
After a few hours in the vehicle, you may enjoy an afternoon walk around the village of Buhoma sector and a chance to visit one of the handicraft shops or to meet the Batwa, the ancient forest-dwelling tribe.
Overnight Rushaga Gorilla camp-cabins
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking
You will be up early on the morning of your Gorilla Tracking for a good breakfast in preparation for the day’s physical activity. You will report for registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 8 AM. After a briefing by the rangers, your gorilla trek will start. The trek usually takes between three and six hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required, as well as a strong pair of walking boots or shoes.
The rangers will guide you through the village gardens and into the jungle-like forest. They will escort you through the sometimes thick bush, occasionally hacking the dense undergrowth with a machete as you search to locate the gorillas. The mountain gorillas are under 24-hour monitoring for their own safety, so you’re almost guaranteed to see them. The rangers monitor each gorilla family by keeping in close radio contact.
In part due to gorilla tourism, the population of gorillas is slowly increasing but the species remains critically endangered. Gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material and their health must not be compromised by coming into contact with human diseases (via our food, for example). To reduce transmission of disease from humans to gorillas, you will also be advised to keep a distance of 7 metres from the gorillas.
Once you have located the gorilla family, you will be asked to leave all your belongings to one side, and approach the gentle giants, just with your camera. The guides will interpret the animals’ behaviour and advise on what you are watching. Females and their young, young males and even a dominant Silverback may be seen: feeding, playing, interacting with each other, or just sleeping! You will never forget your encounter with the gorillas. They will be quite curious to see you! You are allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to base, use this time to take their pictures. You will have an opportunity to take pictures
Overnight Rushaga Gorilla camp-cabins
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Depart to Entebbe
After breakfast, the driver will pick you up and drive you to Entebbe with a lunch break in Mbarara. Your guide will drive to Entebbe Airport in due time for your outbound flight.