Maurizio Pittau
Events and Travels
Events and Travels
Posted By Maurizio Pittau —

Uganda Gorilla Adventure

Uganda is a beautiful country with the richest biodiversity of the entire continent. Thanks to its geographical location between the savannahs of Central Eastern Africa and the forests of Central Africa, it offers the possibility of visiting profoundly different environments for both fauna and flora. The population is usually very friendly and smiling, and there is no tension like in other African countries.

Indeed, the most essential point of the trip is the visit to the gorillas, which is a profoundly emotional moment but not the only one: the country also offers much more regarding landscape and animal sightings. It is not true that there are few of them; if anything, there are fewer species than in other countries, but some are unique to this area. It must also be said, unfortunately, that, as happens in other third-world countries, outside the parks, the environment is deteriorating: entire hills have been completely deforested.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a unique experience. Beyond the emotion of seeing these great primates so similar to humans so close, the country, although very poor, is beautiful. A journey on a terrible road crosses villages, not yet invaded by the symbolic colours of the various telephone companies as in Uganda. Lush vegetation surrounded by clouds, the smell of smoke from the fires, cheering children waving—it’s worth it!

Located astride the equator, in the heart of the African continent, Uganda offers travellers unique emotions today. It is a true natural paradise where impenetrable forests, green savannahs, cultivated plateaus and mountain ranges alternate. From the immense Lake Victoria, to the sources of the Nile, to the imposing Murchison waterfalls, the depression of the Albertina Rift Valley, with the large lakes Albert and Edward, the great natural parks: the Queen Elisabeth, with the magnificent Kazinga Channel, the Rwenzori, with the mountains of the Moon, Lake Mburo, are territories characterized by ever-changing tree species. As for animals, after the sad years of the dictatorship, during which they were almost totally exterminated, today a gradual repopulation is underway with sensitive attention to their protection.

During game drives and boat excursions, it will be common to spot many gazelles, impalas, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and infinite species of birds. Uganda has become famous for the mythical and exciting mountain gorillas, but Uganda is much more: a wonderful climate, breathtaking landscapes, natural environments and a friendly and genuine population!!

Itinerary (08 – 19 August 2024)

  • Day 1 Flight: Dublin (Ireland) – Rome (Italy) – Cairo (Egypt) – Kigali (Rwanda) – Entebbe (Uganda)
  • Day 2 Entebbe – Kampala – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Masindi
  • Day 3 Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park – Boat Safari – Top of the Falls Trek
  • Day 4 Murchison Falls National Park Game Drive
  • Day 5 Murchison Falls National Park – Waseko – Fort Portal
  • Day 6 Fort Portal – Kibale National Park ‘Crater Lakes’ Trek – Chimpanzees Trek – Fort Portal
  • Day 7 Fort Portal –  Kisoro – Bwindi Impenetrable  Forest National Park
  • Day 8 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trek
  • Day 9 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Mgahinga National Park – Golden Monkeys Trek – Bunyonyl  Lake
  • Day 10 Bunyonyl  Lake Tour – Little Angels Project visit – Mburo National Park
  • Day 11 Mburo National Park  – Walking Safari – Equator Point – Mabamba Swamp –  Shoebill Boat  Safari – Entebbe
  • Day  12 Flight: Entebbe (Uganda)  – Cairo (Egypt) – Rome (Italy) – Dublin (Ireland)

Accommodation

08/08/24 Flight
09/08/24 New Court View Hotel
10/08/24 Heritage Safari Lodge
11/08/24 Heritage Safari Lodge
12/08/24 Koi Koi Village
13/08/24 Kol Koi Village
14/08/24 Gorilla Close Up
15/08/24 Gorilla Close Up
16/08/24 Bunyonyi Overland Resort
17/08/24 Leopard Rest Camp (Safari Tents)
18/08/24 Jet Villas Entebbe
19/08/24 Flight

Uganda Gorilla Adventure MapUganda Gorilla Adventure Map

What to Bring

  • Travel documents Passport and photocopy of the passport to keep.
  • Print electronic tickets. Also download the airline app for convenient communications and online check-in
  • Health insurance and health card: the Europe Assistance certificate visible in your personal area must be printed and kept at hand at all times.
  • International vaccination booklet for yellow fever vaccine!!
  • Print the attachment with the barcode that is sent once the online visa form has been filled out
  • Cash (dollars)
  • Credit card required for park entrances
  • Front torch (essential, in some places at night after a certain time there is no power),
  • Mosquito repellents (with high % Deet)
  • Wet wipes, moistened toilet paper, soap
  • Personal medicines
  • Padlock to close your luggage
  • Earplugs
  • Eye mask
  • Moisturizing skin and lips
  • Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • binoculars to observe animals during game drives
  • Money pouch or document holder
  • Emergency snacks, crackers, energy bars, biscuits etc. for packed lunches.
  • Type of suitcase to bring: in general it is better to only use SOFT bags or backpacks; they will always be crammed into jeeps and at the mercy of the dust. The trunks are not large. Carry the backpack as hand luggage or with what is necessary in case of lost luggage (remember that in hand luggage containers with liquids must not have a volume exceeding 100 ml each) Batteries and power banks always go in hand luggage

Clothing: general indications

The choice of clothing for the trip must generally respond to criteria of practicality and comfort, compliance with the climate and the environment.

We therefore recommend:

  • opt for comfortable, sporty clothing and very comfortable footwear
  • exclude garments made of synthetic fibres, which prevent body perspiration

Recommended list (these are just suggestions, you are free to bring what you think is appropriate): trousers, short/long sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters, trekking shoes, sweatshirt, technical clothing for trekking, rain cape or kway (in this case waterproof bag for the backpack), gaiters or long socks and gardening gloves for trekking in the forest to avoid scratches, microfiber towel; shower slippers.