The Road Trip in Uganda was amazing

On my visit to Uganda in January, I decided to travel by road and in this case, I decided to go for a Uganda self drive where by a drove myself. This was splendid as I controlled my safari and managed my time. All I needed was a well trained guide to help me locate where some places are but in most cases my map was helpful on this. So how did everything start? I was in Denmark, my home country and I picked interest in visiting Africa for a tour. I wanted to see the wildlife and in my mind, I wanted to choose a destination which had all the big five wild animals. I had been in Africa several times especially in Uganda and therefore I fancied going back there because of the thrilling adventure I had while there. Offcourse I didn’t over stress when it came to selecting which company to use because I had been using Maranatha Toursand Travel Ltd and enjoyed their company whenever in Uganda. All I had to was to inform them about my trip and the dates. Just as I had sent the inquiry, I got an immediate reply from them and they sent me the costing of the whole safari. I went on and confirmed the trip because their price was within my range. What was unique this time was that I was to drive myself while on a Uganda safari

I arrived in Uganda on 5^th January at Entebbe international Airport. I was welcomed by the company guide who drove me to my booked hotel in Kampala. I enjoyed every bit of it as we drove past eye-catching spots in Kampala city.The next day was for transfer from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Am the one who drove but I had a guide by me who gave me company and also helped me locate certain places I didn’t know. The trip was magnificent and it was actually different from those I had before. We arrived in the evening and checked in our lodge for dinner and overnight.

The next day was the actual day for the safari as we went for a thrilling game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. I had a chance to view all the big five wild animals but what I enjoyed most was the lions which we found in the fields of Queen playing. That day was the best of my life and I enjoyed every bit of it. We later returned to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before going for an evening nature walk. We returned to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

The last day of the safari was all about transferring from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kampala. I drove part of the journey and left the rest to my guide to drive because I didn’t want to get so tires as I had to catch a flight at 7:00 Pm. I left for Denmark that same day and travel safely.

The experience I had on that trip was remarkably rewarding and I thank the Uganda Self drive team for the love and good services.

GO FOR A BOAT CRUISE ON THE KAZINGA CHANNEL

The boat cruise at the kazinga channel is one of the most done tourist activities at Queen Elizabeth national park which is located in the southwestern part of Uganda about 5-7 hours’ drive from the capital Kampala. The kazinga channel is located just about 3 km from the Mweya safari lodge, about one hour’s drive through the park from most of the lodges around the park. The channel is 32 kilometers long and it links lakes Edward and George. The channel is very rich with a wide biodiversity of wildlife species that live and feed on the lakes especially during the drier months. Here visitor are fortunate to view various species of wildlife, which come down at the channel to drink water. Some of the mammal species and birds attracted at the channel including the African crocodiles, hippos, elephant, buffaloes, lions and leopard can also sometime be spotted drinking from the shoreline.

Birders are also gifted with a chance to view various species of birds that move along the Albertine Rift, over 70 plus different birds can be seen to mention some include the king fisher, stork, white-faced whistling, African fish eagle, great and long- tailed cormorants and lucky visitor may also spot the shoebill stork just to mention but a few.

The boat trip lasts for one hour and normally begins from 2pm, the boat provide great chance to photography as many species of  animals, which come to feed or cool off at the waters’ edge. Ounce you are at this magnificent park, don’t miss to visit the Kazinga channel it’s so rewarding. Book a Uganda Safari to Queen Elizabeth national park with us for a thrilling life-changing adventure. The park not only offers boat cruise, however many other safari activities can be enjoyed like the chimpanzee tracking/trekking in the Kyabura Gorge, game drive through the Kasenyi area of the park, birding, cultural heritage and nature trail, wildlife research tour  among others.  Queen Elizabeth national park is also known as one of the few parks in the world that host the tree climbing lions, visit the southern sector of the park known as Ishasha area , you will spot them sited on fig trees or tree branches.

COMPARING GORILLA TRACKING EXPERIENCE IN DRC, UGANDA AND RWANDA

The democratic republic of Congo houses the lists number of these endangered apes and they live in the Virunga volcanoes national park, the park has 6 gorilla families although many trackers prefer tracking in four gorilla families. In DRC, only four people are allowed to track in each gorilla family, sighting gorillas in Congo is at 5/5 however infrastructures is still problem although it’s steadily becoming politically stable. DRC also houses the western low land gorillas where two of the seven groups have been habituated for guests to track. In Rwanda and Uganda gorilla tracking is limited to eight members per day and arrangements to meet these giants is done every sighting is superb in both countries and a very a big percentage of these remaining mountain gorillas live in Uganda then followed by Rwanda .This is why most of the Uganda Safaris recorded involve trekking these rare primates in their natural habitats.

In Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable national park) and Rwanda (volcanoes national park) you find mountain gorillas. Uganda has over 11 habituated gorilla families ready for tracking each day and two gorilla families for research purpose and you are allocated to a group each day, this means that 88 people can track in Bwindi national park every day in a group of eight members per gorilla group. Rwanda has ten habituated gorilla groups and 80 members are allowed to track in volcanoes national park each.

 Rwanda’s generally regarded as the best destination for gorilla tracking to some trackers who have experienced gorilla tracking in both countries  as gorillasof Rwanda are a bit easy to find and photography is good as compared to the impenetrable forest of Uganda and the Virunga ranges in Congo. for a quick two or three day gorilla trek Rwanda takes it all even a one day gorilla safari Rwanda can be arranged, one has to depart Kigali very early in the morning and arrive at the park headquarters in Kinigi before 7.00am to receive briefings from the park warden, then after proceed to the forest to meet these endangered apes, after the one hour with these apes, depart back to Kigali or airport for a departure flight back home. A one day gorilla safari in Uganda is impossible, from Kampala to Bwindi national park is a drive of about 7-9 hours those who need experience prefer Uganda.

  

Gorillas of Uganda are scattered across different areas of the park, tracking can be done either in the north western side of the forest (Buhoma), North east in (Ruhija) south western part (Nkuringo) and the south west of the forest (Rushaga). Your permit is for a particular area of the park each houses at least 3-4 gorilla families and accommodation is determined depending on which side you’re going to track. Don’t worry; we shall advise you on where to sleep and on permits. For those interested in long tours Uganda is generally the best.

Gorilla permits  in Democratic republic of Congo costs usd$450 and in Uganda gorilla permits are sold according to seasons, in the high seasons gorilla permits costs usd$600 and in the low seasons of April, May and September gorilla permits are at a fee of usd$350 per person per tracking. Tracking in Rwanda is considered the most expensive as permits costs $750 per person per tracking all these cots is inclusive of the ranger guide and a park entry fee. In terms of costs, Gorilla tracking is the most expensive tourist activity in all these three countries, but its regarded as the most done tourist activity, a lot of revenue is collected as many tourists come and have a close encounter with these endangered apes in their natural habitat, this has improved on the wellbeing of the people particularly those who live near the parks.

Uganda's Tourism not shaken by Terror threats, says Minister

Following numerous terror threats from well known enemy group of terrorist called Al-shabab,the minister of Uganda Hon. Maria Mutagamba said that Uganda as a country is not shaken and more so the tourism sector as more security is buffed within the country and along its boarders.Many tour operators were worried especially after the terrorists launched attacks on Uganda and many of them thought that this could care away tourists including those who had already booked their safaris for this year.However,they gained hope after the minister issued a report stating that there was nothing to worry about after the government came out and boosted its security organs to make sure that both the local people and visitors are well protected together with their properties.

Uganda is the leading tourism destination in Africa and it receives the highest number of visitors annually simply because of its numerous tourism fraternities which are hard to find in other countries.One of the interesting tourism activity Uganda has is gorilla tracking and this is the reason why 50% of its visitors are trackers.These mountain gorillas are mainly found in the areas of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks.

However,there are other adventurous activities a visitor can enjoy on a Uganda safari like chimpanzee trekking, culture tours, hiking, wildlife viewing, boat rides, nature walks, kayaking, village walks, bird watching and many more.All these can be enjoyed freely within the country without any interruption and any worry.

You might probably have visited Uganda either on a safari or on a business trip and you realized how peaceful you are while in the country compared to other countries where tourist go back cursing after loosing their properties.

Why walk through Kampala on Your Uganda safari

As most tourists on their safari to Uganda prefer being driven in vehicles,they miss out on some of the breathtaking moments in Kampala,Uganda's capital city.A walk through this busy city is a lifetime experience as you get to meet people from different cultural settings.The city is estimated to have over 6 million people and these include both business men and residents.

Many tourists on their safari to Uganda just pass through or spend a night in Kampala and end up leaving the country without exploring more about the adventure found in it.The rich cultural sites in the city are some of the adventurous attractions which a visitor can tour while in Kampala.Apart from the sites,there are wonderful views of different buildings including old fashioned buildings which portray the ancient style of building.

Have you ever seen a city where motorcycles are more than the people?Well,Kampala is the answer to that because the number of Motorcycles locally called "bodabodas" are seen to be more than the passengers.Using a Bodaboda in Kampala is seen as the best way to beat traffic jam since these motorcycles can penetrate through vehicles and end up reaching their destinations before the cars.Many tourists are fond of this mode of transport with some just interested in experiencing a this unique-quick mode of transport and others use them as a way of avoiding traffic jam.

However,there is nothing more interesting than walking on foot through Kampala.This gives a visitor a chance to critically view the different attractions in the city without any disturbances.The walk is a guided city walk with a well trained guide who is well versed with the city.The walk can take more than one day since the city is big and it is a bit tiresome calling for physically fit tourists.

Why spend more time on a Uganda safari

Commonly known for harboring the rare mountain gorillas,Uganda is one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa.Many tourists in the world opt for this East African country as they prepare to visit the continent simply because of the wonderful nature and wildlife which is hard to find in other countries.You may not believe this but Uganda receives more than 500 tourists in a fortnight especially when it is a peak season.This is a high number compared to other countries in Africa and this is the reason why it is termed as the "pearl of Africa".

Though some people make it a point o visit Uganda every year,many of them spend less time in this country and this stops them from exploring more about this wonderful country in depth.They come to do a specific tourism activity like gorilla tracking leaving the country just after3-5days.This is time is not enough for them to explore into depth about Uganda and also view some of the hard-to find attractions that this wonderful country has.

One of the less explored attractions in the country is culture.Few culture-based safaris are recorded in Uganda with very few tourists jetting into the country to find out more about African culture.However,a lot is missed by those who don't mind to view some cultural fraternities which present the true lifestyle of a real African man.Blessed with over,45 ethnic tribes,there is no doubt that Uganda is the leading cultural destination where a visitor can get a chance of meeting and interacting with people from different cultural settings.Visiting some of the cultural sites in the country is a lifetime experience that you will live to tell.While at these sites,you will have a glance at some of the unique objects which were used by the early men who where the first people to stay in this beautiful country.

But you cannot talk about Uganda and miss to talk about wildlife.The country has over 15000 mammal species including those that cannot be found in any other country.If you have never seen the big-five animals in one place,then Uganda is the best place to visit.

Uganda and Rwanda,the leading tourism destinations

You must have heard about these two landlocked East African countries probably because of the peace stability and the rich tourism fraternities but i doubt if you have ever found time to explore deep int the natural wonders found there.Uganda and Rwanda are undoubtedly the leading tourism destinations in the world because of their rare tourism fraternities.Depending on the safari package you are interested in,a visit to these countries will serve as a lifetime experience that will keep you remembering and wondering how God created them.

The presence of rare mountain gorillas in these countries has helped to attract attention from different countries as visitors come to look at them in their natural habitats.With only 900 mountain gorillas left in the world, 95% of these are found in the tropical rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda.In Uganda,gorillas can be trekked from Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park whie is in Rwanda it can be done in Volcanoes National Park.This lifetime experience has helped to put the countries on the world scene as tourists from different parts of the get to know about them.

Apart from gorilla tracking,there are other tourism fraternities in Uganda and Rwanda which a visitor can enjoy on a safari like cultural tours,game drives,nature walks,hiking,Dian Fossy grave hike,chimpanzee trekking,golden monkey tracking,bird watching,boat trips and many more.All these can easily be enjoyed at low costs making it possible for a tourist to save some money and buy some cultural objects in the countries for remembrance.

There is a lot of literature on market written about Uganda and Rwanda that one may think its enough to know about the countries but its not the case.A personal visit to these countries is the only way you can enjoy a thrilling lifetime experience in the thick rainforests.