Uganda is go!
Short trip
The recent introduction of internal flights from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest means that even if you are short on time, it’s now possible to spend a few days gorilla tracking here. Head for Bwindi Lodge in the far west of Uganda where more than half the world’s wild mountain gorilla population are resident. As well as the gorillas, Bwindi Impemetrable Forest is home to 93 mammal species, including 11 types of primate, and almost 350 bird species. The wildlife can be viewed on nature walks alongside a knowledgeable national park’s guide. In addition to these activities are visits to the local Batwa community and beautiful waterfalls.
An unusual visitor at Bwindi Lodge
A week to 10 days – Primates
With more time, you could explore further afield and broaden your primate safari to include other ape species. Mgahinga is a tiny park located further south of Bwindi, bordering Rwanda and Congo. While there is a habituated gorilla family here, they do tend to move making them unpredictable to track but you are able to see the golden monkeys (and slightly further afield there are other gorilla families). Mount Gahinga Lodge sits on a hillside in the shadow of three extinct volcanoes with phenomenal views, and has superb gardens. After Mgahinga and gorillas in Bwindi, head over to Kibale Forest – home to around 1,500 chimps – and stay at Ndali Lodge. You can track the chimps on foot and you are also likely to spot red colobus and l’Hoest’s monkeys.
Mount Gahinga Lodge in the shadow of three extinct volcanoes
Two week holiday
Alongside the primates, there are fantastic wildlife opportunities to be had in Uganda. Nestled between the calm waters of twin Rift Valley lakes Edward and George, the Queen Elizabeth II National Park has great densities of wildlife including hippo, buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and plenty of plains game. From Kyambura Gorge Lodge you are also track chimps. Nile Safari Lodge overlooks the River Nile in Murchison Falls, where wildlife includes elephant, hippo and the rare shoebill. Semliki Safari Lodge in the Toro-Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve is well known for its excellent birdlife, and more unusual wildlife. Both the forest species of Central Africa (forest buffalo, a darker leopard sub-species and the smaller forest elephant) as well as the key savannah species of East Africa such warthog, buffalo and numerous antelope species are seen in the area, although big cat and elephant sightings are only occasional.
The slightly comic looking, but very rare, shoebill can be found close to Semliki Lodge
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a dream safari holiday in Uganda. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
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