Uganda

Note there are strict controls and regulations to both gorilla and chimp trekking, and though independent visitors can make requests to visit specific groups and families, we work with local operators and trust their experience to obtain the necessary permits for visits.   This means due to time and availability we do not book specific group visits.

Uganda’s most visited park and also known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ is a wondrous landscape and gives way to more than 70 round basins across the land and along the equator – all evidence indicative of a active volcanic history. The park’s ecosystem exhibits great diversity where rainforest meets savannah and has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any reserve in the world. There are more than 600 bird species, 10 species of primates, 100 mammal species including more than 5,000 hippos, 2,500 elephants, over 10,000 buffalo, along with giant forest hog, Uganda’s famous kob and tree climbing lions found near the Ishasha area and are often seen relaxing in the boughs of fig trees. The two lakes (Lake George and Lake Edward) are connected by the Kasinga Channel which is understood as being a site for the largest concentration of hippo. Apart from these huge animals, you will be able to witness other wildlife around the lakes and channels drinking, feeding or gallivanting about the park look out for warthogs, aquatic antelopes, waterbuck, serval cats and nocturnal civets and the beautiful leopard. You may have the chance of joining a walking safari, nature walks or game drive.  Mweya area is home to the candelabra style euphorbia, deep crater lakes and plenty of flamingos.

This is a hidden gem lying in the western part of the East African Rift Valley and part of Queen Elizabeth National Park that is worth visiting. In the midst of the savannah you will come across a sunken haven of a lush and flourishing rainforest with a large variety of animal and plant life. A stream runs through the gorge providing life to the habitat of more than 600 bird species and more than 100 mammal species, including hundreds of chimpanzees, tree–climbing lions, hippos, elephants and the giant forest hog. Spend up to 4 hours trekking chimpanzees and watching other wildlife feeding and going about their day on tree tops or between the thick forest from inside the gorge or take in the scenery standing on the edge of the rim to the gorge that is most picturesque.

A 327 km² of impressive vegetation draping over exhaustively cracked surface and ridges with thick forests is where you will find Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (hence the name ‘Impenetrable’). A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, Bwindi National Park is where you will find nearly half the world population of endangered mountain gorillas and to add to the park’s charm, the gorillas co–exist with chimpanzees in one of the very few places in the world where you may be lucky enough to witness both. Surrounded by thick, lush and green drapes of trees and plants, a vegetation estimated to be 25,000 years old and up to 2,600m above sea level, you’ll find 200 butterfly species, 160 tree species, 51 reptile species, 120 mammal species including 10 primate species. There are also around 350 bird species most of which are categorised as globally endangered species, some with very limited ranges and this provides a perfect attraction for avid bird watchers.  You can visit the park at any time of the year but is recommended you plan your trip outside the rainy seasons which are March–May and September–November.   Bwindi also acts as a catchment area for several rivers supplying water for agriculture for the surrounding areas.

Humphrey Bogart shot the film ‘The African Queen’ on Lake Albert in this magnificent setting in Murchison Falls National Park, this waterfall is on the course of the great Victoria Nile that flows across the northern region of Uganda from Lake Victoria to Lake Kyoga continuing to Lake Albert within the reach of great East African rift. The water forces its way through a small gap in the rocks just 7m wide and drops around 300 cubic metres of water to a cascading 43m below. The park is 3,840 km² north of the Albertine Rift Valley and is the oldest and largest conservation area in Uganda where you find the source of the River Nile with an astonishing throng of animals. The landscape comprises of pristine portraits of forest patches, acacia trees, riverine woodlands and the river banks that are a remarkable setting that affords sustenance for a large variety of species. There are 76 mammal species including 4 out of the Big 5 animals, giraffes, bushbucks and Jackson’s hartebeests, primates including the olive baboons, blue and red–tailed monkeys and an enormous population of 800 chimpanzees. For those avid bird watchers, the park is a host to more than 450 birds.

This enchanting national park is an evergreen forest stretching to nearly 785km² and is 1,600m above sea level. Kibale prides itself with one of the continent’s most researched sites and amongst the world’s last remaining places with both lowland and montane forests added to being the best place to spot chimpanzees. This range in altitude between lowland and montane forests allows for an intriguing array of animal life and a great selection of habitats ranging from savannah and woodlands to tropical forests.  The park receives on average about 1,700mm of rain and is home to more than 350 species of trees (some of which are more than 200 years old) wander through a beautifully woven canopy of trees rising to more than 50m high and many more varieties of herbs and ferns.  As a sought–after destination for safari and eco–tourism this park is home to 70 mammal species including 13 species of primates most of which are endangered. There are more than 1,450 chimpanzees in Kibale which makes it one of Africa’s best places for chimpanzee trekking and the opportunity to see them go about their daily routines. Keep an eye out for the very rare species of the L’Hoest monkeys, cheeked mangabeys and the threatened Ugandan red colobus monkey. Other mammals that you are likely to come across are leopards, buffalos, elephants, wild bush pigs along with reptiles, amphibians and more than 300 species of birds (including the African grey parrot). Chimpanzees are an intelligent and fascinating species of primates in a way that is rather reflective of human activity. Despite the friendly and charming manner of these bouncy primates, you will need to consider a number of things as a means of further facilitating eco–tourism and a sustainable environment for the hundreds of species in the park and strict regulations are in place. As Kibale receives a substantial amount of rain (and this varies depending on the region of the park), your visit can be planned any time of the year but ideally outside the rainy seasons which are between March–May and September–November. On average the temperature of Kibale National Park is between 14–27°C but can be warmer in areas with lower altitudes and particularly in the savannah habitat in the Rift Valley Basin.

One of the largest lakes in Africa, Lake Victoria shares it boundary with Tanzania, Kenya and of course Uganda. Entebbe, a small town, but one of the main entry/exit points for tourists, is located close to its banks. This huge lake gives life to some of the many local people for fishing, as well as tourism crossing the lake, fishing tours, as well as fresh water supply. It is also home to Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary and a speedboat or motorized mokoro will take you there, it opened in 1999 and was created to offer a permanent sanctuary to orphaned chimpanzees, many of which are victims of illegal trade and habitat destruction. It is home to more than 45 chimps, and serves as a tourist destination offering an opportunity to have a close up experience of the chimps as they make their daily visit to the boundary for feeding, you’ll learn about the species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat. With a unique gift shop selling a wide range of local crafts and sanctuary related t–shirts and products all purchases and your entry fee directly support the operating and running costs of the project, ensuring the well–being of the chimpanzees.

Nestled in the north–west of the country near to Congo, this UNESCO World Heritage site is also known as “Mountains of the Moon” and includes glaciers and snow peaks, its regarded one of the most beautiful parks in Africa. With mountains reaching heights of 5100m that are often shrouded in cloud and mists the range only exceeded in altitude by Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya.  The 3rd,4th and 5th next highest peaks are here! With distinct vegetation zones from montane and bamboo forest, heath–bogs, scrub and afro–alpine moorland it is a unique and magnificent park.  Home to Bakonjo and Bamba indigenous people, these Bantu speaking communities live in the foothills of the mountains where there are sacred sites providing cultural heritage.  Its also home to 18 species of animals including elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, elusive leopard, along with primates such as chimps, blue monkeys, black and white colobus and the rare Rwenzori colobus.  Some other unique species include three horned chameleon and birds including Rwenzori Turaco and Rwenzori double–collared sunbird! Visitors that make it here can enjoy various levels of hiking/climbing/and nature walks.

Affectionately known as “Place of many little birds” it’s located in south western Uganda close to the border of Rwanda and near to the district of Kabale.  The lake is 1962m above sea level, approx. 25km long by 7km wide and reputedly free of bilharzia making it safe to swim. Surrounded by cultivated hills, there are a number of islands in the lake and many visitors come to relax after gorilla trekking and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Activities can join boat/canoe trips, local tours, hiking the highlands around the lake, visiting a pygmy village, along with plenty of birding.

Another park offering the opportunity for gorilla trekking and home to an estimated 80 mountain gorillas, it also provides refuge to the rare golden monkeys. The park has 3 extinct volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountain range an include Mount Gahinga (3474m), Mount Muhavura at 4127m and Mount Sabyinyo at 3669m. Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only one tracked by visitors on safari. The family consists of 10 members with one silverback famous for their historic migratory behaviour across the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, in more recent years the group has settled and tend to remain within the park.