Uganda 2022
Uganda ia a once in a lifetime trip. It was on my bucket list, I wanted to see the gorillas. It’s a beautiful country called the “Pearl” of Africa. Very green rich with color, birds, animals and mountains. Would I go back to Uganda? Absolutely not. It’s a once in a lifetime. The reason I say this it was the most physically challenging thing I have ever done in my life. Three hikes, the first one was about four hours we saw the chimpanzees, second was to see the mountain gorillas, in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There is a reason they call it impenetrable. We hiked up the mountain to see them. The second day hike was a piece of cake compared to the last day and this hike was five miles took us about four hours. The last day was over six hours, up the steep part of the mountain, our phones said 7 miles and 70 stories macheting our way through brush I have to be honest it was brutal. Was it worth it? Absolutely to see these amazing animals and stand 3 feet away, one of the gorillas hugged one of the men in our group around his legs.
Best things to do in Uganda
- Visit Murchison Falls National Park
- Game drive along the Northern Banks of the Nile
- Go on a boat cruise at the base of the falls
- Murchison falls is one of the most scenic spots on the Nile
- It’s the location of the Humphrey Bogart film, The African Queen
- Go to Kibale National Park
- Take a hike around the Bunyaruguru crater
- Kibale Forest is home to 11 species of primates
- Hike to see the chimpanzees
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Spend 1 – 2 days tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest
Chimpanzee Kibale National Forest
Mom and very new baby still no hair.
Silver back eating Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Chimpanzee just relaxing
Accommodation
We stayed in 5 different places. In Entebbe where the airport is we stayed at the Protea Hotel. Murchison Falls we stayed at Nile Safari Lodge a beautiful lodge spacious overlooking the Nile. Kibale we stayed at Kyaninga lodge breathtaking views. Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha Wilderness camp, my least favorite and the last place is an A & K property Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. Absolutely beautiful.
1. Tips
When you are doing the gorilla trek I highly recommend hiring a porter. They were $15/day. Very inexpensive, they carry your back pack and help you at difficult points of the climb and coming down the mountain. At one point I slid down a cliff you are in a rain forest it is slick. Two porters saw me sliding and each caught me on either side of my body or I would have gone off the mountain. Also you are helping the Ugandan people by hiring them. We all gave them about $30 each.
2. Packing Tips
Packing is difficult. We were only allowed 33 pounds including carryon for two weeks. It isn’t a glamorous trip. I pretty much wore different shades of khaki each day. The lodges do laundry but most of them will not do women’s under garments. Bring some sheets of detergent. You can wash in the sink. You also had to ask for a blowdryer at most of the places and I just hoped I didn’t blow out the whole camp. Abercrombie sends you a duffle soft sided is what most planes will take. No wheels!
Currency: The official currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling. 1 Ugandan shilling =.00027 US dollars. Just to give you an idea 50,000 Ugandan shillings = $13.11 US dollars.
Air Travel: I flew on Qatar airways great airline. JFK to Doha, 14 hours. I had a layover 4.5 hours. I took advantage of Qatar lounge and actually took a shower, I felt much better afterwards I was human again! Doha to Entebbe about 5 hours. Not an easy trip.
Credit Cards & ATMs: The large hotels you can exchange money. ATMS are at the airport. I didn’t see one any place else. I exchanged money at the airport waiting for my bag. They mostly take Visa sometimes Mastercard. I use most of the local currency in tipping. The people so appreciate tips. If you give them the equivalent of $20 they think you have given them a million.
Final thoughts
People always ask me if I’m afraid? Standing 3 feet from a silverback that btw charged our group twice yes it can be scary I don’t know why but I’m not afraid but fascinated with the animals. I am always cautious, but use common sense and the guides from the tour operator Abercrombie & Kent I think are the best.
I always travel to these crazy destinations. I have been on 7 trips with Abercrombie & Kent. I feel they are best. They pick you up at the airport, take you to your hotel or lodge. Wait with you till you get your room. Make all the internal airline reservations yes very small planes. This trip I was lucky enough to have the same resident tour guide as my Kenya Tanzania trip, resident tour director James Kimani. He has the patience of a saint. He is absolutely amazing, a native of Nairobi, really knows his stuff. He received the highest level of certification in the Kenya professional safari guide association. He has guided everyone from Bill Gates, Lou Gusset, jr., BB King, Kenny Rogers and John Grisham and of course me (LOL)
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