Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Trip Review: A 14-Day Adventure

Dreaming of Uganda? You’re in luck! This 14-day wildlife and gorilla excursion, at a reasonable price, could be just what you’re after. It gives you ample time to soak in what the area has to offer, without having to sprint from place to place. Think wide open plains teeming with life, forests dense with chimpanzees, and of course, some majestic gorillas in their natural habitat. Basically, what you get is wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscape viewing, making the trip unforgettable. That said, I hope my experience helps anyone planning a similar type of escapade!

Planning the Trip: Expectations and Realities

Alright, so first thing’s first: the planning. Booking was surprisingly straight forward, and it appears that some companies in Uganda are willing to customize things a bit, should you want them to, yet you should ask directly to confirm their policy. Expect emails with all the fine print. In short, there might be different things you could potentially read. The package typically includes transportation, accommodation (a mixture of lodges and hotels – nothing too lavish but absolutely comfy), park permits (essential, especially for gorilla trekking), most meals, plus the tour guide. It tends to be pretty well covered. Just a little note, you might want to double-check exactly what kind of drinks are included in each of your lodges, because that’s something that often varies. Oh, and tip your guide and driver – they very much deserve it. Before going, I expected a trip focused very much on wildlife viewing; what I found, as a matter of fact, was far more complex.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: A Wildlife Spectacle

The beginning of the expedition kicked off, literally, with Queen Elizabeth National Park. As a matter of fact, you could experience open savanna where herds of elephants are enjoying a leisurely munch. Clearly, the boat tour on the Kazinga Channel proved that it gives you access to so much, bringing you super close to hippos wallowing, big Nile crocodiles basking, and just, like, a completely ridiculous assortment of bird species. Seriously, anyway, bring a telephoto lens! We even got a very quick look at some lions. Some fellow travelers weren’t that very lucky and saw, basically, tree-climbing lions around Ishasha, located in the southern sector. Queen Elizabeth does what you anticipate that it can do and shows off so much variety and abundance. Yet there were some other exciting spots along the way.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Gorilla Encounter

Gorilla trekking, it turns out, in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, without a doubt, stands out as one of the top lifetime experiences ever. First off, be aware that it can take up to an entire day. So basically, you need some real fitness if you expect it to be easy for you. You begin, after you have an initial briefing, to hike through the jungle to trace a gorilla family. And yes, this bit isn’t as simple as a stroll through the city park – but honestly? Seriously, it’s so amazing to visit this kind of nature, it’s rewarding too. As I was saying, when you finally locate the gorillas, it’s magical. Being there in the presence of these gigantic creatures is something so wild it feels unreal; like a daydream. This is really a moment where time seems to dissolve. Remember, you can only stay an hour so treasure it! By the way, Bwindi actually hosts other residents. Anyway, as you’re in the middle of your visit, maybe the guide could spot a colorful bird, like what we have encountered when we have identified different kinds of primates on our first visit to Bwindi. It’s the area with so much life.

Kibale Forest National Park: Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, it could be argued, makes up a complete difference when compared with gorilla trekking. Right, so chimpanzees are just much more hectic than gorillas. In the event that gorillas sometimes lounge around eating leaves, chimps jump throughout the treetops, hooting, hollering, or basically playing out whatever crazy antics they feel like acting out that specific day. Therefore it calls for some swift feet and swift reactions as you follow them along. It’s very much worth all that though; there really aren’t any other locations you will encounter any apes at this distance. Another awesome opportunity: keep watch over additional forest occupants, especially distinct birdlife! Kibale could very easily steal any person’s affection as far as primates are concerned. Also it’s fascinating you also experience the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nearby where a huge amount of other unique kinds of creatures exist.

Other Highlights and Considerations

Just so you know, it isn’t just about the gorillas and chimps and wildlife, that kind of tourism. Indeed the tour typically encompasses places similar to the picturesque crater lakes area next to Fort Portal or just random little visits to small villages. Uganda can be thought of as quite a welcoming region – everyone usually is inclined to say hi and chat as they’re going down a street. Now on the accommodation, you get cozy, however it isn’t extravagant! Consider packed snacks. Although your dinners might be catered, daytime treats turn into saviors while long drives are needed and, honestly? Water; make certain that lots of that is around too. About health… check you’re up to date for your vaccine requirements prior, in particular yellow fever – it really isn’t an option not to get this done, also take anti-malarial drugs, like seriously. A final recommendation? Seriously, in other words? Enjoy yourself; because honestly, it is not an experience anyone could forget soon.