Hello, a few weeks back, we’ve just come back from a 13 days safari in Uganda with Africa Adventure safaris and we thought of sharing some our experience with all of you over there.
First and foremost, never get scared of booking a safari though a tour operator/ agent as long as it is registered with Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We are citizens of Sweden and before making a booking with this company, we first contacted several companies which looked as if they where not perfect and good basing on the itineraries and services they where promising to provide. It’s not until we landed on this tour company, it’s looked organized right away from its website and a registered company with AUTO. It was indeed a best option for us, they provided a tailor made 13 days itinerary that suited our very best desires.
They were too kind and experienced in all their arrangements. We made a luxury booking with them and all necessary preparations such as making all the necessary booking, reserving permits among others were before the tour begun plus letting us know all the necessary requirements.
On arrival, we were welcomed by a representative from the company who was not only a driver but also an experienced guide as well. He arrived late evening at Entebbe international airport and transferred to Kampala for an overnight.
It was a nice experience at the accommodation in Kampala with extra-ordinary services, nice rooms and care for visitors. The following day, early in the morning, we left Kampala for our adventurous safari in Uganda. The drive to Murchison falls national park was rewarding with an en route visit to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary were we got an opportunity of trekking rhinos at a closer range of about 30m from the rhinos. We then proceeded to Murchison falls national park with lunch en route and a remarkable view of people’s homesteads among others.
We arrived early evening with a visit to the top of the falls that exposed us to the Nile water as it was being forced through a narrow gorge.
We spent 2 nights in Murchison falls national park and did several activities to explore the wildlife within the park. Among the activities include a game drive that rewarded us sights of some big five animals including herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, warthogs and many more. We also had a launch cruise along river Nile to the bottom of the falls, this rewarded scenic views of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and several water birds.
We then transferred to Kibale forest national park, it was a long drive through the Albertan rift valley with dramatic views of Lake Albert, different land scapes, and mountain of the moon ranges. Kibale forest national park is one of the must visit destinations you should miss while on a visit to Uganda. The park has over 13 primate species which chimp trekking being the main activity in the park.
Trekking chimps was really a rewarding activity in that we met a large group of chimps in just a 1 hour trek, spent time with them while taking memorable photos, enjoying their social behavior as the ranger guide provides detailed information about the chimps. Along the way, we came across other animals including Vervet monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons plus some forest birds.
After Kibale, we proceeded to Queen Elizabeth national park for the tree climbing lions in its Ishasha sector, boat cruise along the Kazinga channel and a chance to spot a wide game including the elephants, buffaloes, lions, warthogs, Uganda kobs, bush bucks and many more that made our trip a wonderful one.
From Queen Elizabeth National Park we headed to Bwindi impenetrable National park, a prime destination for the few remaining mountain gorillas. it is quite a long distance from Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi, therefore we arrived late in the evening for relaxation and overnight stay. The pack has over 11 habituated gorilla groups. We visited the Rushegura group, it had 17 family members with one silver back, 3 juveniles and other adults. The hike to the gorillas was truly an adventure and a once in a life time experience that one shouldn’t miss.
It’s a gradual hike with break-offs that goes for about 2-8 hours hike depending on the movement of gorillas. Words can’t describe the feelings we felt, during the one hour we spent with the gorillas, it is truly an unforgettable moment that we always will remember.
Still in Bwindi impenetrable National park, we made a visit to the indigenous people of the forest- the Batwa (Pygmy) people that exposed us to their different performances such as the cultural dances, practices of the black smith, way of dressing and also got a chance of exploring more about their unique culture. After all the above visits, we transferred back to Kampala for our departure flight back home. Uganda is really a pearl of Africa and an amazing destination that we would recommend every one for a visit. As a note, we would also recommend everyone to plan his or her Uganda safari through Africa Adventure safaris and wish all those who are about to have their visits to Uganda a wonderful journey.
