It is very simple: to trek the mountain gorillas, a once in a lifetime experience. Uganda has the largest population in the world of the endangered mountain gorillas. The other option can be Rwanda, where a wider selection of top lodges is available, but then there is little more to visit. In Uganda you can complete your visit including Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley National parks, each one unique in its own way, maybe not offering top accommodation, but reasonably good ones, certainly offering the opportunity of enjoying their wilderness without herds of vehicles around. And we personally think you should visit Uganda also for its landscapes, its rural scenes as you drive across rolling hills, and its people. It is not a coincidence Hemingway loved what is known as The Pearl of Africa. So if your only goal are the mountain gorillas, and you only top luxury properties, then Rwanda might be a better option for you. If you are seeking a more complete experience, and are OK with good level properties, then Uganda is perfect.

 Trekking the mountain gorillas

This is a once in a life experience everybody should enjoy. You must be 15 years old and above to be allowed to trek the mountain gorillas. You don’t need to be Rambo to trek the mountain gorillas. You must be adaptable. You must not pose a risk to the gorillas’ health, so you won’t be allowed to trek the gorillas if you have a flew or other transmissible medical conditions. Trekking in the jungle can be strenuous, but there are ways to make it easier. We’ve had 90+ years old passengers succeeding. So we encourage everyone to contact us and we will gladly explain all the details of trekking mountain gorillas.

Let us try to answer some of the questions you might have before choosing Namibia as your next destination. If you are not satisfied or have further doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Will I be safe
In general Uganda’s people are welcoming foreigners, but some accidents have happened in the past. Our direct contact with people living in the country will ensure that we will be able to advise whether it is safe or not to visit Uganda. Safe in terms of social stability: as many African countries Tanzania might have the occasional uprising against the government but they are generally concentrated in the main cities and not affecting the safari destinations. Simply try to avoid the big urban areas, using them only as transit hubs. National parks are regarded as safe for tourists, as armed rangers, police and army personnel are a constant presence to protect wildlife, especially mountain gorillas. English and Swahili are the official languages. Safe in terms of medical assistance: given the remoteness of Uganda’s national parks, and the lack of an adequate health care system, personal medicines should be carried from home, and extra care be placed to avoid health issues and physical injuries. For serious conditions it might be advisable to be Med Evac to Johannesburg, Middle East or Europe, so make sure your travel insurance does cover for that. Safe in terms of hygiene: yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter Uganda and malaria prevention tablets are advisable. Please refer to your national health authorities for updated requirements or recommendations. Food hygiene in selected camps and lodges is generally good, but always ask your guide or camp/lodge management for advise. Drink only bottled or purified water. Safe in terms of quality of transportation: both the aviation industry and ground transports are generally speaking safe in Uganda if you refer to professional, established companies.

Where will I sleep
A general note: in Africa a tented camp is not synonymous of basic accommodation. Some tented camps are of a 5 star hotel’s suite level, with its own style and décor, they just happen to have canvas walls instead of brick and cement walls, usually on a raised wooden deck. Ask us about pictures and descriptions, we will gladly provide them, together with our first hand feedback. While Uganda does not offer a wide variety of good to luxury properties, there are a few good ones, especially catering for mountain gorilla trekkers. A good tented camp there is basically one we would recommend, nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, ideal for the Mountain Gorillas trekking, then another few ones in other national parks. They have tented bedrooms of approx 20 sqm, private bathroom with shower, pitched on ground level, no airconditioning. A good lodge there is a boutique one ideally positioned for the Mountain Gorillas trekking. It offers a very warm and cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff, with brick cottages in excess of 20-30sqm, with en-suite bedroom, a lounge area and a fireplace. No airconditioning, … not needed. Not luxury, but definitely welcoming and warm especially after the trekking in the jungle.

What will I eat

The camps and lodges we recommend offer in general an international cuisine, so expect fresh or cooked vegetables and good meats. They will cater for any food allergies or preferences, vegetarians, vegans, gluten free etc…, provided they are notified at the time of booking. Sometimes based on the requirements there might be not much variety to choose from.

Should I take my kids along
With the mountain gorilla trekking only available for 15 years old and above we would not recommend to take younger kids along unless you are happy to leave them behind while you are on your trekking. If you opt for the latter we will gladly arrange for lodge staff and/or our pilot/guides to be looking after your younger kids.

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