It was with great excitement that I set off to Uganda and Rwanda last month to spend time exploring the beautiful landscapes and wildlife, in particular the primates!
Being met by our local representative and, having purchased the East African visa (valid for entry into Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya) he made the arrival process in Entebbe smooth and effortless. Having a full day here was a super way to get acclimated. Hotel options include the Protea by Marriott closest to the airport on the shores of Lake Victoria or the Boma Entebbe, about 15 minutes from the terminal with a charming guesthouse vibe, classic décor and locally made furniture in its 16 guestrooms. Entebbe was also the perfect location for my first Ugandan wildlife experience – traveling to the Mabamba Swamps in search of the famed Shoebill stork. I opted for a 40 minute boat ride on Lake Victoria and a quick transfer to a smaller boat – our search was successful! In addition to the stork, we saw a myriad of bird life including heron, kingfisher (including the malachite), weavers and ibis. It was also fantastic be outside after the long journey.
From Entebbe, I journeyed south by air to the famed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – flying over the lush green (so many shades) landscapes was so exciting and different. We landed in Kisoro where I was met by my guide for the scenic, though bumpy, ride to my first lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. The journey took us past Lake Mutanda (where you can enjoy some water activities) and my first glimpses of some of the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountain range. The lodge is well located for trekking the southern sector of Bwindi (Nkuringo) – other activities include walking, hiking, cultural experiences with the local Batwa community as well as time at the lodge. Consider learning some tips from the bartender in the mixology room. The lodge enjoys stellar views of the forest from the rooms and main area. Before leaving this region of Bwindi, I took the opportunity to visit Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge as well. Combining this region with the northern sector is a superb way to experience both areas and I took advantage of a gorgeous 3 hour hike from Nkuringo to Buhoma. We spotted signs of the wildlife – a gorillas’ nest, elephant tracks and a large bees’ nest – on this well marked trail (as with all activities in Bwindi, you’re accompanied by a guide and park rangers).
During my time in the Buhomo sector, I visited Mahogany Springs Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (about to undergo a complete rebuild) and stayed 2 nights at Volcanoes Safaris’ Bwindi Lodge, the beginning of my journey to all five properties in this portfolio. In addition to gorilla trekking, there are so many meaningful experiences to enjoy. I spent time at the lodge enjoying their tea tour, the Bwindi bar and a massage (included with every stay at a Volcanoes Safaris lodge). I also had the opportunity to plant a tree in the local community, visit the incredible Ride4aWomen project, as well as meet the founders of two incredible projects, the Conservation for Public Health and its social enterprise, the Gorilla Conservation Coffee – empowering farmers in the Bwindi region in their coffee production, while also supporting gorilla conservation efforts.
The highlight of Bwindi was of course the gorilla trekking – the park headquarters is very close to all the Buhoma properties. After enjoying some wonderful dancing from the local Batwa community, we were allocated to groups of 8 and set off with our drivers to the trail head where we then connected with the park guide and rangers for the trek (our own guides remain with the vehicles). Guests should be prepared and enjoy a basic level of fitness for the treks. That said my trek was not too strenuous on a well marked trail and we found our family after about an hour. We left our packs with our porters and enjoyed a magical hour with the Habinyanja family of 11 members. Our guides and rangers guided our positions so we could observe the family as they interacted with each other, playing, grooming, relaxing.
From Bwindi I traveled north to Volcanoes’ newest lodge, Kibale Lodge. As with all Volcanoes’ lodges, there is a strong connection to the local community – the lodges are all crafted using local materials from the gorgeous mirrors to your bedside table, offer local employment opportunities and connections to local community experiences. At Kibale you can enjoy the incredible views of the lakes and mountain peaks beyond, nature walks to the crater lakes or nearby summit, as well as the property’s incredible plant nursery.
Our chimp trek in the Kibale Forest was an incredible experience – the terrain is rolling and once you find the chimps, you’ll enjoy a rollicking race as you follow along while the chimps cavort around you and above you (again follow the guide and ranger instructions for safety).
Other experiences we enjoyed while we were in the region were a nature walk in the Bigoda Swamp – hosted by the local community the wetlands is home to a variety of birdlife and primates, including the red colobus monkey, and you can also purchase local crafts here. We also had the opportunity to visit a local school and the Rwenzori Sculpture Gallery, where we learned about bronze casting as well as their social enterprises.
From Kibale we crossed the equator and continued to Kyambura Gorge Lodge and its sweeping views over the Gorge and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Activities we enjoyed here included game drives in the park – home to 4 of the big 5, a cruise along the the Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George and a magnet for wildlife and birdlife, a chimp trek in Kyambura Gorge (home to the “lost chimps of Kyambura), as well as a nature hike. We also 
enjoyed a visit to the Kyambura Women’s coffee cooperative where we learned the process of coffee growing and production, and we were able to plant a tree on the property. Through its philanthropy arm, the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, the nursery aims to both rewild the region as well as educate the local communities about the importance of trees to the environment. Lucky guests might also have a chance the participate in the area’s lion and carnivore monitoring project.
Stay tuned for Victoria’s next entry as she concludes her Uganda visit in Mgahinga National Park and heads to Rwanda. In the meantime have a look at our Uganda itineraries and give us a call to start planning your adventure!