Needless to say, gorilla trekking is a must in Uganda, but this is just one of the countless ways to feel the full joy of this wonderful country. The chance to watch chimpanzees and gorillas live their wild and natural lives with respect is beyond moving and worth it. But just as upscaling is all the opportunities to truly connect with locals, vibrant communities and fellow travellers. From quiet contemplation of changing landscapes to spirited enjoyment of a banana gin, here are the top five moments not to be missed in Uganda to Rwanda: Gorilla Treks & Safari Drives a tour:
1: Go white water rafting on the Nile
For those arriving a day before the start of the trip like we did, this is a great extra activity. We got on the bus at 6:00 and headed to the rafting headquarters, a park set up with breakfast and coffee, for safety guidelines. Together with the rafts we drove to Jinja, a small fishing village and starting point for our kayaking adventure - after being reassured several times that it was crocodile free!
We learned basic paddling techniques and what to do if the boat capsizes, and this was followed by a number of hilarious attempts to get back into the boat from the water. Accompanied by a team in a kayak and a guide on each catamaran, we paddled down the river to stop before each speed to discuss our "plan of action" for staying on board. We took four rapids up to level four, which included swirls, waves, and drops, which made us paddle, jump in the boat and hang on to it, at one point completely capturing. The whole experience was exhilarating and well balanced with delicious snacks of fresh pineapple, enjoyed in quieter parts, or swimming in the river and letting the gentle current draw us in.
2: A trip to see chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park
People often focus on gorilla trekking, but a trip to see chimpanzees is a must. Kibale Forest National Park is a 795 square kilometer park located in the western part of Uganda that has the largest number and diversity of primates in East Africa. There are 13 species of primates including chimpanzees who call it home. Led by Bruce, our ranger, we walked through the woods in search of chimpanzees. To protect the primates, the zoo mandates strict mask-wearing and minimum distances to help the animals avoid disease and over-exposure to humans. Within ten minutes we found a family of chimpanzees perched on top of a fig tree, enjoying a fruit breakfast. Our whole group was thrilled that they found a family so quickly, and we stood, binoculars hanging over our faces, for 20 minutes swaying through the trees. Little did we know that the best was yet to come...
Bruce beckoned us to follow when I ran into the woods and stumbled upon the roots and scattered under the branches. I spotted a chimpanzee that came down from the trees and was making its way through the woods effortlessly. Out of respect for the distance, we watched from afar before turning around, walking straight ahead, and sitting on a tree trunk for her daily groom.
3: Engage meaningfully with local communities
A trip to Uganda allows you to see some of the most amazing wildlife and landscapes in the world, but it is also an opportunity to interact and learn about the local communities in positive ways. As a leader in community tourism, the J Adventures Uganda to Rwanda The trip includes lots of great experiences with the locals, where you can support their businesses and learn about traditional ways of life. From a community-hosted lunch at Bigodi Community, to a walk in the local village where you can learn to make traditional coffee and local bananas. WARNING WARNING - The double distilled option really packs in!
Another feature is the chance to meet a traditional medicine man, who explains how he uses plants and herbs to treat minor ailments in society, a skill that has been passed down for generations. The money spent on community lunches and walks goes directly to supporting initiatives such as schools and education.
4: Wander through the impenetrable forest to see wild gorillas
As mentioned, the highlight for many people visiting Uganda is undoubtedly the gorilla trekking and our group was very excited. Heading into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we got up early to register at the park office and meet the rangers. Everyone who enters the forest to see gorillas must carry a pass (included in the price of your tour) which is a great example of tourism that helps protect wildlife. Employment from gorilla tourism generates funding for local communities to help stop poaching and encroachment and support an increase in the gorilla population.
After a briefing, where rangers explained the gorilla families and how to behave when nearby, we headed into the forest. It wasn't long before we learned how the forest earned its name that we left the trail behind and headed into the thick foliage. We broke through the bushes and tried to move as fast as we could to avoid the red ants trying their best to get into our shoes. With a group of rangers in front of us tracking the gorillas, we had a rough idea of their location but were told the gorillas are constantly on the move so we could take trips of an hour or up to ten.
After crossing muddy streams, steep valleys, and thick bushes, we finally spot our first gorilla, a mother and two boys playing above us on the hill. We hid and watched intently - gorillas always travel in families so we knew silver backs and other females should be around. And then we heard it...a gentle low snoring which the guards explained was a noise made by the silverback to follow his family and tell them everything was fine. The guards started making noises to tell the silver player that we were there and not a threat. Next thing we know, five more females and two young men appear followed by the silver back.
For many on the set, this was a moment we'd dreamed of for so long and the emotion in the silence could be felt as we all watched in awe of these gentle creatures. One of the real highlights was seeing a mother breast-feeding with her baby held close to her chest. Since the park only allows groups to spend an hour with the gorillas, we took some pictures and then spent the rest of our time simply watching, enjoying this once in a lifetime moment.
5: Go on a safari .. on land and water
This trip really offers all kinds of wildlife and for the nature connoisseurs, a day of safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park will not disappoint you! In the G Adventures safari vehicle, you can pop up and roam the park, keeping your eyes peeled for buffalo, lions, elephants and hippos. We were lucky enough to see a male lion and his family relaxing on the side of the road, piles of hippos bouncing in the water, and as we came to the end of the day, a group of elephants were enjoying an evening. meal, facilitating the work of vegetation on the borders of the park.
An optional extra not to be missed is the Kazinga Canal Tour, which is run by a local community, which takes you to the park's waterways, where you can see the wildlife from a totally unique perspective. Knowing the banks of the river like the back of their hand, experienced guides knew exactly where to look, from the elephants that come down to drink, the buffalo that dives daily to the alligator that has made its way to the island's bank.
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