Tailor Made Uganda & Rwanda
The vast majority of our itineraries to Uganda and Rwanda are tailor-made. We know the region well and we are delighted to discuss the options with you. We will generally fly you to Uganda or Rwanda making use of Kenya Airways flying via Nairobi. The flights from London are overnight flights with good connections in Nairobi. The beauty of flying via Nairobi of course is that it opens up the extension options that you can enjoy either before heading off to Uganda and Rwanda or after. You might like to consider visiting the Maasai Mara or perhaps the Kenyan coast for a brief sojourn before returning home.
Gorillas in the mist!
Seeing gorillas is probably one of the greatest experiences in the wildlife world. Being so close to something so human, and yet so gentle and powerful is a truly humbling experience. There are three key areas where you can see the gorillas - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both in Uganda and Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. Gorilla-tracking permits aren't cheap and their prices change quite frequently, but in spite of the cost it is in the top five wildlife-viewing activities on earth.
Tracking the gorillas through the forest requires patience and stamina (especially in Bwindi where much of the tracking is done over extremely arduous terrain). Sometimes the trackers find the gorillas within a couple of hours, but it may take up to 10 hours of tracking offtrail in thick jungle in order to find them. Steep slopes, intense humidity and regular rainfall add to the challenge, but the exhilaration of a close encounter with these magnificent creatures makes it all worthwhile. Access is always limited to an hour for the gorillas' wellbeing. But of course also bear in mind that there is no doubt that it is exceptionally rewarding, and for some seeing a gorilla face-to-face is a life-changing experience!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in south-western Uganda is one of Africa's most extensive belts of primary montane forest. Its exceptional altitudinal variation (rising and falling from deep river gorges and low hills at 1,200 metres to high forested ridges at 2,800 metres) ensures a unique range of flora and fauna, in particular birds and primates. Mountain Gorillas are undoubtedly the prime attraction. Over 300 (half of the world's population) live in the park, and two of the family groups living close to the park headquarters at Buhoma have now been successfully habituated to allow human approach. Each day, 10 visitors, split into two parties, are allowed access to these gorillas for up to an hour's viewing - often in exceptionally dense cover.
In addition L'Hoest's Monkey is a speciality of the lower level forest and the rare Golden Monkey is occasionally encountered at higher elevations. Like all rainforest inhabitants, these mammals and all of the birds are very difficult to see, and birdwatching in such an environment requires stealth and patience. Amongst the species you may hope to see are African Goshawk, Augur Buzzard, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo plus a selection of woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers and sunbirds.
Bwindi Lodge is a newly built eco-lodge overlooking the primeval forest. Amidst the many noises of forest life, it is the perfect place to experience the magic of this wild place. It has eight spacious wooden cottages all with ensuite facilities. It is an hour's flight from Entebbe, a long day's drive from Kampala or six hours' drive from Kigali.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga in Uganda's south-western corner is part of the Virunga Conservation Area that straddles Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the park is dominated by three extinct volcanoes. Habituated groups of Mountain Gorillas are the big draw here, but the park also supports a variety of mammals which includes Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Serval and around 180 species of birds. It is also now possible to track an habituated group of Golden Monkeys. Activities here revolve around gorilla-tracking (subject to the availability of permits), but you can also climb a volcano, or simply enjoy some of the wonderful walks and photographic opportunities which the area provides.
Mount Gahinga Lodge nestles in the shadow of the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, on the edge of the park. The journey here itself is exhilarating as you drive through spectacular mountain scenery and look down across endless terraced slopes to emerald-green crater lakes far below. The lodge consists of nine thatched cottages. It is an hours' flight or long day's drive from Entebbe. It is four hours' drive from Kigali.
Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda
Parc National des Volcans, in the heart of central Africa, is an untamed and timeless place where ancient volcanoes covered in rich, green rainforest tower to a height of over 4,000 metres. The park itself is 120 square kilometres and is part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which contains around 380 increasingly rare Mountain Gorillas. Here, for some twenty years, Dian Fossey carried out pioneering studies of gorilla behaviour, and it is largely thanks to her that the gorilla poaching here was greatly reduced. The film 'Gorillas in the Mist', released three years after her untimely death, meant a world-wide audience quickly became aware of the importance of her work in this area, and the subsequent growth of tourism has helped raise local awareness too. For the visitor today, trekking through the rainforest in search of these wonderful creatures is exhilarating; it is alive with the calls of colourful birds and chatterings of the rare Golden Monkey, and every so often, tantalising glimpses of the magnificent peaks through the canopy. Apart from the gorillas, the park is home to some 76 mammal species and activities (apart from gorilla-tracking for those with permits), include: nature walks, climbing the Visoke Volcano, trekking to the Karisoke Research Centre, visiting local communities, observing habituated Golden Monkeys or simply relaxing in camp!
Virunga Lodge is set on a stunning hillside with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. Its eight cottages accommodate a maximum of 16 people. The rooms are comfortably furnished and all have en-suite facilities.
Gorilla's Nest sits close to the entrance to the park. Recently renovated, the 40 rooms are all en-suite and comfortable, and there is a central restaurant and bar area for guests to relax and share exciting stories of their gorilla-tracking adventures. Gorilla's Nest is aptly named since on a clear day the views across to the volcanoes and surrounding area are spectacular.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated on the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George, to the south of the great Ruwenzori Mountains. With rolling grasslands, craters and crater lakes, tropical forests, papyrus swamps and an extensive lake shore, 'QE', as it is affectionately known, undoubtedly offers Uganda's best open-country birdwatching and wildlife-viewing. Great herds of Uganda Kob roam the grasslands, Giant Forest Hog are bold and uncaring, and along the Kazinga Channel you will be able to approach herds of Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Hippo by motor launch. You should also be able to get very close to a wide variety of waterbirds on the channel cruise, amongst them both White, and Pink-backed Pelicans, a variety of herons, storks and waders, and graceful African Skimmers. Other mammals here include Lion, Leopard, Warthog, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Topi, and Spotted Hyena (though the latter are shy and more nocturnal than those found in many of east Africa's reserves). Amongst the numerous open-country birds that you may see are a variety of vultures, Tawny, and Martial Eagles, Red- Necked Spurfowl, Little Bee-Eater, and a good selection of larks, cisticolas, flycatchers, weavers and finches.
Mweya Safari Lodge is a first class property with 49 rooms is located on a peninsula within the heart of the spectacular Queen Elizabeth National Park looking across the famous Kazinga Channel and Lake Albert.
Jacana Safari Lodge sits deep in the heart of the Maramagambo Forest on the edge of Lake Nyamusingire, Uganda's largest crater lake. It is a stylish lodge carefully designed like a tree-house to blend in with its natural surroundings. Each of the seven luxury log chalets has its own unique theme and there are now 12 rooms available. There is a gorgeous swimming pool with a 'swim up' bar as well as a sauna.
Kyambura Gorge, QEII, Uganda
Near to Queen Elizabeth National Park is Kyambura Gorge, where dense tropical forest harbours a large family of habituated Chimpanzees, Red-tailed, and Black and White Colobus Monkeys and a good selection of forest birds, including Black Bee-eater - a 'special' bird to see for those with a keen interest in birding! Walks through the forest here will often come across the fast moving, noisy and elusive Chimpanzees as they swing through the canopy above. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable, but the walk is always enchanting.
Kibale Forest, Uganda
Kibale Forest to the east of the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains, offers a splendid forest habitat, and is home to an incredible 11 species of primates. Amongst them are Chimpanzees, some families of which have been habituated. Other species include Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, L' Hoest's Monkey and Greycheeked Mangabey. The birdlife here is also outstanding, though the dense growth and high forest canopy means stealth and patience are needed. Huge Crowned Eagles patrols the skies above, whilst African Grey Parrot, the beautiful and secretive Black Bee-eater, Black-and-white Flycatcher, Black-necked, and Yellow-mantled Weavers may all be found here by the quiet observer. The wealth of wildlife in this magnificent forest will delight the keen naturalist, and an overnight stay here is recommended as bird and mammal activity is at its best in the very early morning, and late at night. Tracking the noisy Chimpanzee families racing through this verdant forest is a thrilling experience!
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is renowned not only for its scenic beauty and abundant flora and fauna, but especially for the beauty of the meandering Victoria Nile which dissects the park. The highlight of any visit to Murchison however is the Falls themselves, where the 50 metre wide River Nile is forced through a narrow cleft in the rocks, dropping down with a thundering roar to produce a beautiful rainbow. A three-hour launch trip to the bottom of the Falls is unforgettable, both to experience this mighty river and to see the wildlife that basks on its banks. On game drives in Murchison, Cape Buffalo, Rothschild's Giraffe, Uganda Kob, Hartebeest and Defassa Waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot Oribi, Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Sitatunga, Bush Duiker, Warthog and Bush Pig. There are six species of primate here including Chimpanzee. Large carnivores include Lion, Leopard and Spotted Hyena while Nile Crocodiles and Hippos may be observed basking on the banks of the river. The park boasts extensive birdlife which includes herons, geese, pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, cormorants, and the endangered Shoebill.
Nile Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of the mighty River Nile, halfway between Murchison Falls and Lake Albert, Nile Safari Camp is an exclusive tented camp. Blending unobtrusively into riverine woodland, it has five log chalets and five luxury tents.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo is a relatively small, but attractive park, comprising rolling hills, flat bush and grasslands, and a large papyrus-fringed lake where Shoebills occur but are seldom seen. Mburo is an extension of the Tanzanian plains with big herds of zebra, impala, Eland and other ungulates. The park has 68 species of mammals in total, such as Oribi, Burchell's Zebra, Impala and Bohor Reedbuck. Rarer, but present, are Roan Antelope, Leopard, Spotted Hyena and jackals. The park also has a good range of birds, with African Finfoot and Papyrus Bushshrike among the regular sightings.
Ngamba Island, Entebbe, Uganda
This sanctuary in Lake Victoria near to Entebbe is home to orphaned Chimpanzees rescued from poachers who would have no hope of returning to life in the wild. Here, once they become adult they can enjoy a free run of the island, safe from harm. Day visits can be arranged and there is also a tented camp on the island for visitors wanting to learn more about the sanctuary's aims and spend more time with the chimps. Trips out to the island will give visitors the opportunity to view the twice-daily feeding times and explore the island which is also home to over 120 species of birds and 50,000 fruit bats, otters, and Monitor Lizards.
Semliki Valley Reserve, Uganda
The 500 square kilometre Semliki Valley Reserve is set in the basin of the Western Rift Valley. Its diverse range of habitats of riverine forest, woodland and savannah, results in Chimpanzees co-existing with Elephants, Lions, Cape Buffalo and Leopard. In fact, Semliki which is quite unique, is the oldest protected area in Uganda - the savannah is criss-crossed by shining river valleys, and the escarpment, the edge of the Western Rift Valley, plunges into Lake Albert. The area is rich in birdlife too with some 400 recorded species and includes such specialities as Shoebills, Carmine Bee-eaters, Scops, and Pearl-spotted Owls.
The only accommodation in the park is the luxurious Semliki Safari Lodge. This small private tented lodge is nestled on the crest of the Wasa River valley. Staying at the lodge you will have the opportunity to enjoy both day, and night game drives, go Chimpanzee tracking at dawn and dusk, and explore Lake Albert by boat. Each en-suite tent has a private veranda with a stunning panoramic view.
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