Category: Trip Planner

A trip to Southwestern Uganda to track mountain gorillas is strongly an experience that comes once in a life time. Uganda’s mountain gorillas are only tracked in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A 600 kilometer journey to the misty valleys of Kabale, Southwestern Uganda comes with tremendous gorilla experiences of a life time for visitors. Although it is a wish of every one around the globe to get a glimpse of these remarkable Giants in the wild, it takes visitors $600 to purchase a gorilla permit to achieve that dream. For visitors who may wish to improve on their experiences further, there is Gorilla Habituation Experience where he or she will be enjoying all the four hours with mountain gorillas in the wild.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is described as an all year round adventure. However, visitors ought to know the best time to travel to see mountain gorillas as each season comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Uganda is strategically located within Equator some thing that makes it to have 2 wet seasons; the short wet season starts in October and November while the long wet season occurs from March to May. The other months are dry but due to fluctuating weather patterns, it isn’t easy to forecast the seasonality of the country. In most cases, visitors tend to run away from gorilla tracking especially during the wet season given the fact Bwindi Impenetrable Forest receives heavy rainfall and in turn makes the gorilla habitat very muddy and slippery and hence a block to road connectivity to gorilla trail heads. Tracking gorillas becomes a bit changing for visitors but in most cases, there are visitors who come during this season. Well, it is possible to track gorillas during the wet season given the fact that rain showers can be experienced in the course of day and at the same time it can take a short time and the sun comes out and gorilla trekking explorer can still continue. Tracking mountain gorillas during wet season is also advantageous based on the fact that there can be plenty of food at the foothills and trackers are able to view them easily. The disadvantage with this season is that it comes with reduced chances of clear views and difficulty in photo taking for the visitors due to dense vegetation cover.

The peak season:

Most preferably, many visitors travel during this season to track mountain gorillas. Uganda’s peak season is characterized by low rainfall and it falls in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December. Because there are many visitors who come to track mountain gorillas, the demand for gorilla permits also tends to be high and visitors are encouraged to book them in advance. The dry season is the best for gorilla tracking as mountain gorillas can be sighted in temperate weathered areas with raised landscapes and this means that the climate remains cool throughout the year.

The low season:

This is the perfect time for visitors traveling on budget and many visitors have enjoyed visiting the country during this season. During this season, there are discounted permits that are offered to travelers in the months of April, May and November. The cost of permits for this season goes at $450 for foreign non residents, 400 for foreign residents and shs.150000 for East African residents. What is surprising is that, even the nearby lodges can reduce their prices.

In conclusion, gorilla tracking has no defined season, what may seem to be the best season for one may turn to be the worst time for some one else. However, it is best done during the dry season which offers travelers with incredible experiences. Come and explore what is inhabited within the tropical rain forests of Uganda and you won’t regret in life!

By East African standards, Uganda major roads are generally in good condition. Surfaced roads radiate out from Kampala, running east to Jinja, Busia, Mbarara Tororo, Mbale and Soroti, south to Entebbe, southwest to Masaka, northwest to Gayaza and Kayunga (and on Jinja). As a rule, however, Uganda, un surfaced roads tend to be very variable from one season to the next, with conditions likely to be most tricky during the rains and least so towards the end of the dry season. Even in this generalization, an isolated downpour can do major damage to a road that was in perfectly good condition a day earlier, while the arrival of a grader can transform a potholed 4×4 track into a road navigable by any salon car.

Driving in Uganda is interesting, a bit more challenging than other East Africa and Southern Africa countries. You definitely need to be a defensive driver. During yourself drive, just drive defensively when busses and minibus-taxis are around as their drivers are crazy. These are now the main hazard on Ugandan roads aside from unexpected potholes. Minibus-taxi drivers in particular have long been given to overtaking on blind corners, and speed limits are universally ignored except when enforced by road conditions.

As a big threat as minibus-taxis these days are the spanking new coaches that bully their way along trunk routes at up to 120km/h. You will be overtaken by big buses carrying over 70 passengers travelling at excessive speeds, oncoming traffic appears to be heading straight at you. People pass in curves, on a hillside and each day one reads of accidents that result in loss of lives and sometimes in great numbers. Keep an eye in the rear-view (driving) mirror and if necessary pull of the road in advance to let the closing loony past. Other than them you won’t see much traffic outside of Kampala, except on the road to Jinja and the Kenyan border.

The best thing however is to hire a car and a driver, and not just any but a well maintained vehicle and a safe driver that follows the rules.  Not easy to find either one of those. We hire only the best driver guides who have been to almost every corner of east Africa and know the twists and turns of every safari destination, – and feel a concern for the well being of our client. Driving at night can drive you mad and you should avoid the habit of driving without lights. Most Ugandans have this habit of driving without lights.  To be more perfect, hire a vehicle and a driver and enjoy your road trip in Uganda and east Africa as a whole. You will meet lots of very friendly and helpful people. If you are unfortunate enough to have a puncture remember to get out of the way of the rush of local people wanting to help change the wheel for you. Drivers in Uganda are very aggressive and keep you on the edge of your seat. Though I’ve mainly been around Kampala, so of course driving in the city is much more intense than in the rural areas. If you do plan to drive definitely have someone go with you for the first few drives, as driving on the left side, and amidst tons of minibus taxi’s and motor scooters is crazy. Overall the people are welcoming and helpful if you do happen to need help.

If you hire a decent car you probably won’t have any breakdown problems, fuel is available all around the country and there might be an occasional roadblock at Owen Falls Dam, Jinja, and a customs one on the way to the southwest. No one will try and solicit a bribe from you, unlike some other countries. Fuel is expensive in Uganda – the equivalent of around US$1.4 per litre for petrol and slightly less for diesel. If you are arriving overland its worth stocking up before you enter the country.

Contact us for the kind of car of your choice either on line or by directly visiting our offices. All our rates are fully inclusive of insurance, local taxes on unlimited mileage basis. Our company considers value for money and also covers great rates and outstanding customer service.

Don’t postpone your dream Uganda gorilla tracking tour for any reason because the perfect time is now in November when great discounts and deals run in hotels and park entrance fees. November is the best shoulder time for budget travel and backpacking in Uganda the pearl of Africa. Most destinations and are less crowded and cheap offering great services at all through at affordable rates. It’s a great time to hit the road, in fact no rains as it was expected making it the better time to explore the interesting places and attractions in the pearl of Africa. Travel is by chance but choosing a destination is by choice so if Uganda is on your bucket list, just make it happen because finding another perfect time will take a couple of months.

Uganda is a wildlife lovers paradise with mountain gorillas, hippos, elephants, rhinos, which makes travelling to Uganda very practical. Many spend one – three weeks exploring the country but a Uganda trip to Murchison falls National park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Ssese island,and Jinja source of Nile for Rafting and Bungee jumping adventure is highly recommended to travelers with enough time to discover the magical land of nature.

Discounted Gorilla permits and hotels for all trips across the country giving wanderlust a stress free vacation full of adventure and excitement. Imagine saving $150 USD on the gorilla permit a lone, how about the $10 USD off your night accommodation and sometimes you sleep free if you spend more than 3 days in a hotel. Did you know that this can only be found in Uganda and it’s the wanderlusts that enjoy the discount opportunities? You’re running out of time to book your dream Uganda safari to any part of the country yet there are a few days left to end the month of November.

Many have been to Uganda in the same travel times and have always had a great holiday experience than what they expected. Despite the few rains but the country remains beautiful and incredible and the roads are passable because it usually shines immediately. Let no rain imaginations should stop you from visiting Uganda in November because for the past three years we have very little rains in November to change of season so that isn’t a reason any more. You can get luxury for less staying in high class hotel at a low cost something you can’t have during other months of the year. Room for negotiation with service providers is very broad since the season isn’t that busy.

There is also plenty of hidden attractions to explore for free and without entrance fee and some places are open to travelers at this period of time in order to encourage more travel and tourism in the country. Gorilla racking tours should reach record highs this month travelers should start buying gorilla tracking permits and also booking gorilla trips to Bwindi forest.

Uganda has a number of world heritage sites and among them is the most visited Bwindi forest a home to half of the world remaining mountain gorillas. Start being among a smart travelers and take advantage of the discounted travel month in Uganda. However, looking at the best time to visit Uganda month by month November is the best for wildlife viewing, gorilla tracking, chimpanzee trekking, Birding and many others. Am one of those who have been in Uganda for gorilla trekking in November and found the time very benefiting and heavily discounted in all aspects. Experience holidays in Uganda like you live there by embarking on the most fantastic Uganda tour with in group or sole.

Many holiday makers wonder whether Uganda is a safe destination to visit. Given its immense attractions including the mountain gorillas, many travelers would like to visit Uganda to track these great apes on gorilla tours. However there are several travel advisories that warn against traveling to some areas within Uganda.

Current Travel Advisories

There are a number of local and international media houses that are releasing stories to the effect that there are specific possible terrorist groups planning to carry out attacks in Uganda, targeting highly populated areas particularly in Kampala Capital City.

A few weeks ago, the US mission in Kampala received information from various sources, and issued an emergency warning indicating possible terrorist threats on specific locations where high class people, including US citizens, take time off to relax in Kampala, and that an attack may take place at any unexpected moment. In the same report, it was mentioned that a number of planned events that are expected to attract large crowds had been cancelled mainly at hotels in Kampala and stadiums. The US Embassy has however not yet released any further details regarding the issue.

The Ugandan people’s defense force spokesperson Paddy Ankunda said the warning was strongly believed to be linked to the Al-Qaeda-backed Islamist’s, who have carried out major attacks in Kampala in the past. He also added that the threat was “low level”, and may be due to the involvement of Uganda in Somalia, as it is known that Uganda is a key contributor to the African Union’s AMISOM force battling the Al-Shabaab inside Somalia.

Uganda and other neighboring countries in the region, and many others all over the world including the United States of America face the daily threat of terrorism from such groups as the Al Shabab and the Allied Democratic Forces, and have put in place effective counter terrorism measures, especially in Kampala city, Uganda’s Capital and at other vital installations such as Entebbe International Airport so as to ensure that the terrorist groups do not succeed in any of their attempts to carry out attacks on innocent people.

The Uganda Police, together with the different security agencies in the country, have continuously, and on a daily basis put a lot of emphasis and focus on the threat of terrorism and evaluate any kind of information relating to any possible attacks on the country.

The general public, especially the travelers to Uganda and in particular the tourists visiting Kampala Capital City, Entebbe, National parks, and other tourist attraction sites that there is no need to worry about anything with regards to security. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is the most secure place to be in East Africa and your safety is the number one priority of the Government and all the agencies related to security. Our armed forces, police and intelligence are on full alert in all public places and tourist attractions to ensure that tourists continue enjoying every bit of their tour holiday in peace.

However, even with this safety reassurance in the country, it is everyone’s responsibility to be vigilant at any moment, and it is advisable to go ahead and report any suspicious items like bags, polythene paper, lying in any premises without any owner, any suspicious individuals and activities to the nearest police station, security officer, or Local Council official.

There are very many things that can make a Ugandan safari memorable than what you can expect, Uganda is one of the African countries which has very many tourist attraction which everyone can’t wish to miss to see when in this east African country. When in your own rental car you can discover Uganda’s secretes within few days. Crossing from one region to another could be a walk over and at your own convenience. With a rental car in Uganda you can drive wherever you wish to go with our self-drive comfortable vehicles.

In each region of Uganda there is an interesting attraction, in the far northern part of Uganda is the Kidepo Valley National park, this park is ranked among the top interesting places in Africa with a wide variety of wildlife some of which are rarely seen in other parks like giraffe, Burch ell’s Zebras, lions can be spotted sited on rocks, buffaloes, hyena among many others, the Sand along river Kidepo offers resting opportunity. When you try the north eastern part of Uganda you meet Uganda’s largest and bio diversified national park Murchison falls with spectacular view of the River Nile. It’s where the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the Devil’s Cauldron’’, creating trademark rainbow you’ve never seen, the park is gifted with different species of life like giraffe, chimpanzee, baboons, lion and buffaloes are also present among others. From here, crossing to Kibale forest national park can be done in just about 7-8 hours. This wonderful park is blessed with over 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the closest relative of man sharing almost 98% genes with human, however other primate species have also attracted very many travelers to this park like the baboons, black and white colobus monkey, civet monkeys just to mention but a few, bird watching is superb as the park is gifted with over 300 species of birds, other activities include community walk, nature walk make the park a can’t miss to visit when in a self-drive safari.

From Kibale you can proceed quickly to Queen Elizabeth national park for a drive of about 3 hours up to the park. QENP is gifted with rare and interesting species like the tree climbing lions, buffaloes, elephant, leopard, various species of antelopes and birds and all these can be seen during a game drive in our flexible and comfortable vehicles like Rav 4, 4WD super custom, Land cruiser. The park has many interesting activities like boat cruise at the Kazinga channel that connects lakes Kyoga and George, here you will be fortunate to come across several species of animals in a close distance like schools of hippos and crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants can be seen at the shoreline and many birds that feed on the lake.

Why not drive to bwind impenetrable national park to meet the rare primate the mountain gorillas which are only found to this park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park. You will park at the park headquarters and then head to the rain tropical forest with a ranger guide and start searching for these giant apes. Gorilla tracking is the most interesting done activity on earth spending two hours while studying the behaviors of these giants is a moment in life difficult to forget. You can decide to visit other Uganda tourist attractions like Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in the world enjoy activities like canoe ride, visit Semulike valley for chimpanzee and game drive, Lake Mburo for a game drive, boat ride, cultural walk. Enjoy Kampala city tour to meet very many interesting places like the national museum, Kasubi tombs and many others interesting places in the city. Indeed these and many other Uganda tourist attraction can be explored if you hire a self-drive car its very flexible to go to each and every corner of Uganda.

The park was established in 1952 and is situated in the north east of Uganda in the district of Kabong which was also the traditional home land of the karamajong, who are also the unique people to visit on any Uganda safari to the pearl of Africa. This park is also considered to be among the largest remaining intact wilderness areas not only in Uganda but in Africa in general. It has got a broad expanse of the semi-arid land scapes that are dotted with multitudes of typical African game making Kidepo an admirable item of many travelers planning to safari Uganda.

Due to its distance from the capital of Kampala, the park has kept its green nature which has helped in increasing its visitor numbers hence high safari arrivals to the park. The park also contains a great deal of wildlife, some of which are endemic to it for the case of the country, these include; cheetah, Kavirondo bush baby, patas monkeys, the ostrich and many more. The other species also include; the lions, zebras, greater kudu, antelopes, dik dik. Etc. These are also spread in the scenic land scapes of the nurus valley which also provide a perfect ground for the many game drives for the safari travelers in Uganda.

Kidepo national park also lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys which are between Uganda ‘s boarder with Kenya and Sudan, its 700km from Kampala and was gazette as a national park in 1962 thus a profusion of the big game and over 77 mammal species as well as 475 bird species which attract birding safaris to the country. It’s also Uganda’s most isolated national park; however everyone would agrees that it is also the most magnificent in Africa. Just from Apoka in the heart of the park, there is a savannah land scape which extends far beyond the gazette area, towards the horizons outlined by the distant mountain ranges.

During the dry season, there is only one permanent water source and it’s found in wetlands and remnant pools in the broad Narus Valley near Apoka. The seasonal oases, combined with the open, savannah terrain, making the Nurus Valley the park’s game viewing location. The park has greatly attracted many people to come for safari tours to Uganda.