Straddling the Equator at the heart of the continent and sandwiched between Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and Tanzania, Uganda is a small country by comparison with its African neighbours. Much of the country sits at about 1,000m above sea level. Described by Winston Churchill as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda's most alluring features are its beautiful forests, wildlife, lakes and mountains. Here you can enjoy some of the best primate trekking on the continent (gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys) as well as some great safari opportunities.
Uganda Holidays: wildlife
Uganda's wildlife has increased steadily in recent years and a variety of game can be seen here, but its parks do not compete with the likes of Tanzania’s Serengeti, Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Zambia’s South Luangwa. There is an argument that this is not Uganda’s ambition anyway - and one certain advantage of safari here is that the game viewing is free of mass tourism! However Uganda is not a big game destination; primates, especially the mountain gorilla and chimpanzees, are a very special attraction in their own right and these are the reason that we feature Uganda.
Uganda's one game viewing area of note is Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), with the ice-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop. The park is rich in wildlife, including the tree lions at Ishasha, and is a haven for bird-watchers. Chimpanzees can be seen in the steeply-forested sides of the Kyambura Gorge near QENP, and in the Kibale Forest. Further south, in the chain of eight blue Virunga volcanoes strung out on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, lives the mountain gorilla. The combination of volcanoes, volcanic lakes and steeply terraced hillsides make this a dramatic area – unquestionably one of Africa’s most beautiful regions. The remaining mountain gorillas live further north in the Bwindi forest in Uganda. The mountain gorilla viewing in any of these areas is exceptional.
Uganda: some background
Much like most of Africa, Uganda was inhabited very early, with Bantu people farming the land from 1000 BCE. Europeans arrived in the 19th Century, however unlike its neighbours Uganda was not fully colonised but became a British protectorate. Due to this partial independence, many characteristics of pre-colonial Uganda still survive.
Uganda was a key player in the slave trade, and since the abolition of slavery has turned its attentions to its natural resources, with coffee as its main export. Idi Amin’s reign (1971-1979) and the subsequent civil war devastated the country, the rehabilitation for which can still be felt today.
In geographical terms, Uganda predominantly comprises a plateau, with most of the country sitting at around 1000m. Nearly a fifth of Uganda is covered by water, with the largest volume of water to be found at Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest freshwater lake) in the south-east, and the rest in the 4 huge lakes and 8 major rivers.
The mountainous region where the gorillas live sits in the south-western tip of the country, on the border with Rwanda and the Congo. Chimp trekking is possible in the forests along much of the south-west / western side of the country.
Uganda Holidays: when to visit
The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry season, when the gorillas are easier to spot and the trekking is easier because the forest is less dense and the ground is hard. Not to mention we prefer it when the sun shines …
June – September is Uganda’s main dry season (although there are still occasional showers in the rainforests). March – May is the when the heavy rains fall and this is not the best time to visit Uganda: forest paths are slippery and the trekking can be challenging. September – November sees the short rains and again, this is not an ideal time to visit Uganda.
However, during the rains the gorillas often move down to the lower slopes for warmth and because there is an abundance of food. Thus during the rainy season you are likely to spot the gorillas sooner without so much of a trek – you could be back at your lodge for a late lunch.
Our favourite parks
Uganda: getting around
Uganda is not brilliantly accessible, so we recommend flying from Entebbe to Kisoro (1.5hrs) to reach Bwindi National Park.
Entebbe is not a popular hub, so most international flights will have to fly via a major city such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis etc.
Uganda: where to stay - Bwindi National Park:
Clouds Mountain lodge has one of the most amazing settings of any of the lodges we work with, and this is absolutely the place to stay in Uganda for the gorillas. Clouds offers each couple their own volcanic stone cottage warmed with its own fireplace, and each cottage features the work of one of Uganda’s most respected artists. Located high up in the hills, the lodge commands views over the entire region and is a magical little place due to its unpretentious charm and links with the local community. However, please note that it’s a hard walk back up to Clouds after a long day’s gorilla trekking! It’s well worth the effort however.
Gorilla Forest Lodge comes a close second, and is the only accommodation located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to just over half the world's last surviving population of mountain gorillas). The 8 large en suite ‘tents’ with a bathtub looking out onto the forest are ideal after a day searching for gorillas in the forest. The camp has a bar and dining cottage overlooking the rainforest. Guests can sit around the campfire at night whilst enjoying the crystal clear mountain sky.
