uganda
The last great primate sanctuary on earth
Location Highlights
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Primate safaris – This includes the “must-do” gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Chimpanzee interactions at Kibale National Park. The primate safari activities is an intimate way to observe the behaviours and culture of these unique creatures. You will get to experience the majesty of the gorillas, observe the playful nature of chimpanzees, and explore the beauty of their natural habitat.
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Visit Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake and see the famous tree-climbing lions. The views of the lake are breathtaking and the wildlife here is abundant. You can also take boat rides to nearby islands and explore the shoreline.
Visit the Batwa people – The Batwa are an ethnic group of hunter-gathers who live in the forests of Uganda. The Batwa are a culturally unique tribe with their language, music and beliefs. A visit to the Batwa villages is an enchanting opportunity to get a glimpse into the traditional way of life and learn about their customs and culture.
Enjoy a safari and find unusual animal subspecies at Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls. Here you will find some of the last remaining populations of threatened species like the African Wild Dog and the Red-Tailed Monkey. Peak time in Uganda is Dec – Jan and June – August but one can travel here year-round.
The Rain Forest Jungles
One of Africa’s ultimate safaris is trekking the highly endangered and protected mountain gorilla. There are about 1000 in the world, and they can only be found in Uganda (at both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), Rwanda (the Virunga Highlands) and in the DRC (Virunga National Park). Nothing can prepare you for your first sighting of a silverback, who can stand 6 feet tall and weigh in between 300 and 600 lbs. They live in close-knit families and the time spent with a group will show you we are much the same.
Our operators will take you to the fabulous Queen Elizabeth Park, the main attraction is of course the alluring gorilla; however this area can offer incredible savannah experiences too, boasting 14 primate species, tree climbing lions and the most extraordinary bird life. To Kibale National Park where you can stay in the heart of the rainforest at the beautiful Primate Lodge and spend time with the team habituating chimpanzees, watching the way they display their antics and learn about their family structures. Their leading bird guide has recorded over 500 in the region but informs us that Uganda has an impressive 1060 bird species, a feast for bird lovers. Murchison Falls National Park is home to the bursting Murchison Falls, flowing from the vigorous Nile River, creating lush riverine woodlands, which fuels all wildlife in the park.
From there you can venture to the dense rainforest of Bwindi, home to the tree clad, the greatest gorilla population on earth. The hiking to view the great apes is an adventure in itself. There you can also spend time in the small village of Buhoma and visit the local shop or school.
After which you can head to Mgahinga to find the gorgeous golden monkeys. This region is breathtaking and part of the Vuringa conservation area, which straddles Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. It is home to the golden cat, gorillas, extraordinary birds, buffalo and leopard.
For a cultural gem, it is worthwhile to visit the “Keepers of the Forest”, the Batwa people. A pygmy tribe that used to live in the forest and learn their original ways, either at Bwindi or Mgahinga.
The Jungles are a world splendour and operators like Africa Wild Explorations promote responsible tourism by ensuring preservation of their wildlife and heritage. They are ecosystem sensitive, take pride in local community through direct support and run “Care for the Rangers” which looks after the field teams. These rain forest jungles are simply life changing and a bucket list trip for all nature lovers.
