An African experience that went above all expectations. After my 3-day Uganda gorilla trek I was so impressed with my guide Emma and the magnificent mountain gorillas, that I immediately booked a 10-day Uganda wildlife experience so that I could enjoy what the rest of Uganda had to offer, as well as take a second visit to the chimps.
Everything was fabulous, including Murchison Falls, the Nile Cruise, chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park and the tree lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. My guide Emma was fantastic and encouraged me to stay in Uganda for the full Ugandan experience and I’m so glad I did I would endlessly recommend this company for any planning a safari in Africa/Uganda.
There were so many highlights of the Uganda tours but trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest was amazing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. The terrain is tough but with the help of our porters/rangers we successfully located our gorilla family after 01 hour only to spend a magical hour quietly observing them at close range.
I have been lucky enough to take several safaris in East Africa over the last few years (in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania). If you’re looking for the “classic” safari in an open-top vehicle admiring the wildlife on the plains, perhaps Uganda is really the right destination for you. You probably won’t see huge migrating herds like in the Serengeti, for example. But what I found in Uganda was something special, and quite different from other safari destinations I’ve been to.
My primary reason for going on safari in Uganda was to see the mountain gorillas, and that experience is worth a whole review in itself, so all I’ll say about that here was that it was an extraordinary, wonderful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Truly the highlight of my trip by far.
Also magical were walks in the forests, hearing chimpanzees shrieking in the trees, and coming close to them (with great care!). Those forest treks really made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Lots of fascinating monkeys to see and hear in those magical forests too.
Another highlight for me (in one of the forest treks) was the encounter at the bat cave in Maramagambo Forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park. I opted to take a rooftop tent camping safari with my 10 days safari, rather than lodge-based. It’s truly the best way to experience the magic of the bush.
There is nothing quite like lying in your tent at night, listening to the sounds of lions roaring nearby, monkeys shrieking in the trees, and hippos grazing on the grass outside your tent. There are no fences and “safe” enclosed campsites – you are truly amongst nature.
One night a group of elephants came into our camp, another night it was lions. Not for the faint – hearted, but truly extraordinary, and you don’t experience these things in lodges. Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that camping safaris are quite luxurious – I had a very comfortable tent set up for me every night, complete with bed and wash-stand.
Showers and toilets were portable and therefore not luxurious, but on the other hand you can only laugh and feel the wonder of the bush when a baboon steals your toilet paper. Food was excellent, all transported along with us vacuum packed for freshness as part of a very impressive logistics operation that accompanied our safari as it moved around the country.
Some “normal” game drives were also included in this safari, there was still some excellent game viewing to be had. Highlights of game drives included the incredible tree-climbing lions (seen several times), a leopard strolling in front of our vehicle, and of course the spectacular birds (even as a non-enthusiast I couldn’t help but be blown away by the incredible birdlife).
Guides were very hard-working and dedicated, always making every effort to find the most elusive wildlife and get us up close, but always respecting nature at the same time. In short, I can say that Uganda is perfect for the more adventurous safari-goer who wants to do something a little different (more on the wild side).
If you’re willing to get wet, muddy, bitten by ants, and exhausted in order to get up close, on foot, to some of the most wonderful and rare creatures on earth, this is the place.
For me, Uganda is all about spine-tingling experiences in magical forests, and getting face to face with the wildlife, with no vehicles or fences to separate you. I’ve never been anywhere quite like it. Thank you, gorilla safaris tour an indigenous safari outfit, in Uganda.
