Uganda Safari Experiences

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

CNN looks at Uganda's tourism and the current trends

Teaming up with a group of Ugandan Travel bloggers, CNN's Tommy Bouchier Hayes the producer of Inside Africa a weekly show that airs on CNN International, highlighting the true diversity of the African continent as seen through the prism of different cultures and religions. A show that explores a wide range of topics like art, music, travel, literature, and so much more.

The team with UWA officials at Mgahinga. Src: NewVision

New Vision's Solomon Oleny renown travel blogger partnered with the Hayes in a move to show the world around Uganda and the most iconic attractions in the country. The whole documentary covers the major National Parks and the features involved: The gorillas at Mgahinga, The Murchison falls along the Nile, Kidepo Valley National park-which was named among the ten most beautiful parks in Africa, still by CNN.
The two minute video covers a few highlights in the whole documentary and it serves the purpose, for it gives you a look at what is covered in the story.

The 30 minute video also brings on board some of the travel enthusiasts in the land, the likes of Amos Wekesa, Kreative Adikt of the famous #KoiKoi and Kafunda Kreatives, also a renown travel photographer, and other youths who have taken part in promoting tourism through social media. These young guys have crafted catchy and trendy travel themes and hashtags which have not gone unnoticed. But the influence has been more on the local scene, and that's where the CNN team and involvement comes in handy.

Andrew Seguya is the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). To him, one of the most thrilling things about Bouchier’s documentary is the fact that it was covered by Media 256, which has a global filming reputation. It is renowned for shooting some of CNN’s most punchy adverts, including Destination Mauritius. The Uganda-based agency is currently on retainer by CNN to shoot African Voices.
More about the documentary on CNN

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Lake Bunyonyi, a not yet THAT discovered natural wonder.

“The lake of many little birds” in Rukiga-the local dialect spoken in the are-is a natural wonder of the world that is surprisingly known to only a few. Located in South Western Uganda, 7 km away from Kabale town and near Rwanda, with an area of 24 sqrkmand elevated to 1,946 m above sea level, lake Bunyonyi is such an amazing scenery of up to 29 islands of different shapes and sizes all scattered all around it.

The second deepest lake in Africa with the known depth to be up to 900m at some point, Lake Bunyonyi is one of the few lakes in East and Southern Africa that are bilharzia free, that means safe for swimming. Also it is free of dangerous aquatic life like crocodiles and hippos. But amateurs are advised to not take the risk or at least inform your guide prior.

The Islands

Legends and myths are associated to most of the islands. My personal favorite is that of Bucuranuka island. Which translates to upside down island.

The legend says this island killed so many people. At on point a group of locals 15-20 were brewing beer and that’s when an old woman came by and asked to be given some of the beer. To which they responded in a rather not good manner for they thought her a beggar. So they told her to “get lost”. Then she asked if they could help her reach the mainland and to that they were positive by giving her a young man to canoe her to the her destination, that because they were fed up with her. So they left to the mainland. When they had just reached ashore and the young man was about to come back to rejoin his comrades, the island turned upside down, no man survived. And only a chicken they had with them flew away and survived.

The islands covered in mist.

Well, there are other more realistic tales; Akampene Island, which was an island to where they used to take unmarried girls who got pregnant and were left to either starve to death or drown on attempt to escape. And many more as will be brought to you by your guide

The photo on this note was taken at the shores of L. Bunyonyi

Nature around the lake

With more than 200 bird species around L.Bunyonyi you can tell why the name and how it is a great place for Birding . With an accompaniment of more wild game like Zebras, antelopes and apes at the islands to spice up you trip.

Weaver bird at Bunyonyi

Culture

When it comes to culture and people, there’s a lot to catch your eye around here, but the most spectacular has been the Batwa people/ the pygmies at the Bakora cave or as suggested by your guide. The traditional blacksmiths (abahesi) with their ways with metals, you don’t want to miss that too.

There’s plenty of accommodation around and very close to the lake with different classifications to fit your pocket, from Luxury all the way to budget. Some tourists though opt for camping, which is turns out amazing and some prefer it to lodging, but that’s about one’s taste.

Visiting this fascination should sit on every traveler’s bucket list.

Oh wait, I didn’t even mention to you the hiking around the hills, how about you just get there and see these and more by your self..

Saturday, September 5, 2015

UGANDA AND IT'S BEST GO TO PLACES

Ever dreamt of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat? If so then Uganda one of the few places to be and see them! Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, unlike than its neighbors Kenya and Tanzania, is a lot less visited yet it has so much to offer.

In Uganda there is something for everyone, from extreme sports such as white water rafting on the Nile, to safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, to trekking the Ruwenzori Mountains, to beautiful lush landscapes and stunning lakes. But obviously the highlight of all them is tracking the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas!

Hassle Free Safaris

Companies like Equatorial Wild Safaris offer some great tours to discover the country and go to all the places you’ve never been to. It is a brilliant way to explore the country, completely hassle free because you have everything planned out for you. Being on a tour is also a great way of meeting like-minded people and it’s especially good if you are on a tight schedule.

Some people however choose to travel independently. If you like the outdoors you will love the idea of being able to camp wherever you go. Uganda is a safe country to travel independently and you will meet a few other “muzungus” (white people) along the way. Using local transport is easy and there will always be someone to help you find your way around. English is one of Uganda’s national languages which makes it quite easy to travel.

Whether you are on a tour or not, be sure to try out the most common means of transport: Boda bodas aka the motorbikes. You will get a rush of adrenaline riding along those red dirt roads. It is however not for the faint hearted!

Kibale National Park

Depending on your itinerary Kibale National Park could be your first stop. The main activity here is chimpanzee tracking, as well as bird watching and bush walks. To track the chimpanzees we can book permits for you at $150 per person. There are two tracking times a day.

Not far into the trek you get to spot your first group of chimps after about an hour’s walk; sometime they are all up in the trees messing around until they finally climb down. The groups available for tracking are habituated so they did not feel phased with your presence. You have a total of 2 hours with them. It is incredible how human like they look!

Queen Elizabeth National Park

This park offers various safaris, boat cruises, bird watching tours and the quest for the famous tree climbing lions. You will need a driver to get into the park if you are travelling independently. We offer a gorilla safari tour that will take you to the park for five days to enjoy the game drive and boat cruise.

Imagine within 20 minutes of entering the park are already snapping pictures of warthogs, various deer, impalas and elephants. It always seems like you have done a game drive just by driving from the entrance to the accommodation on the Mweya Peninsula!

The park also offers a 2 hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel which connects the two lakes within the national park. It is about $25 per person and you get to see large quantities of different animals, the likes of elephants, hippos, buffalos, eagles, crocodiles, deers, monitor lizards, snakes and a huge array of birds including pink pelicans. This is definitely a trip I recommend to all.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are only roughly 700 mountain gorillas left in the world and Uganda is one of the 3 places in world where you can see them in their natural habitat. It is a once in a lifetime experience that we highly recommend! If you are travelling independently be sure you book your permits a few months in advance via the Uganda Wildlife Authority ($500 per person) but if you looking for a hassle free itinerary we can do the booking for you.

While at the park you have to set off early in the morning with your group and walk for over an hour sometimes less than that until you reach a family gorillas. It is such an incredible feeling to stand within 5 meters of a 220kg Silverback who feels comfortable with your close presence!

You do need to be quite fit for this. This park is appropriately named Bwindi Impenetrable as you will crawl and make your way through the thick vegetation and steep climbs. It is well worth the effort though!

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi located in the South Western part of Uganda is a must see and is a sight for sore eyes. It is a massive lake comprised of 29 small islands, some of which have accommodation. While there make sure to go to the view point for spectacular views over it all.

Many come here to relax after the gorilla tracking or on their way to Rwanda as the border is only a few miles away. It is also the only clean and hippo/crocodile free lake in that region! Yet another example of how amazing this country is!

Interested in visiting?

Uganda is without a doubt a country I recommend visiting and if you’d like more information on visiting Uganda or including it as part of your round the world trip, visit http://www.equatorialwildsafaris.com/.

Email: office@equatorialwildsafaris.com

Mobile : +256 777 048645

Thursday, July 23, 2015

The Nile Rafting Experience

There are many cool and fun places in the world to go rafting and the Nile in Uganda to be specific a town called Jinja is one of them.

Companies like Equatorial Wild Safaris, Adrift and Nile Adventures can help you plan your rafting adventure at very good prices. They do offer a variety of rafting packages to for you to choose from.

The Experience

Your day would definitely begin with an early morning pickup from your overnight stay to where you will be doing the rafting from, then breakfast perhaps coffee with some snacks and you are as good as ready for the adventure.

This is probably your first time to do the rafting in Uganda so you will need to listen to you guide for the safety measures like how to set in the boat, where the rapids will be or how to get back into the boat when you fell out while rafting. I would go on and tell you how cool and adventurous rafting is but it all always sounds better when you hear it from a fellow traveler who has been there. On the June 5 of 2013 Vlaicu Sorin went rafting here he share his experiences

Vlaicu Sorin shares his experience

……………….. And we start rolling. First half hour was fun, easy and relaxing. Just rolling and enjoying the view. First rapid was just in front of us and it was a category one! The highest one is category 6 and only the experienced people can do it because at category one you have to stay under water 1 minute. For category 6 you can stay up to 20 seconds. Strange, I wasn’t scared. And it passed quite well, fast, with adrenaline and no incidents. It was super fun!

Second rapid was a Class 3 and I thought it so easy to pass through it. In order not to slip you have to paddle very hard and in the right direction, back or forward as your guide instructs.

And then the third one came! A class 3 rapid too called the Easy Ride. Not sure why it’s called easy because it wasn’t at all. Not sure why we flipped into the water. I am pretty sure the guide wanted us to flip. I wasn’t prepared at all. Put the paddle into the boat, as required, holding with one hand the rope close to the edge and was waiting for the rapid to pass gently. But it didn’t! And next second I found myself under the water. I do have a problem; i don’t know how to breathe under the water. Had to have one hand holding my nose. The first thing I remember was that I was swallowing some water through the nose and mouth. Tried to reach the surface to breath, but a wave hit me and I was again for few seconds underneath then, finally managed to be above and be able to breathe a bit normally. I was looking desperately for the rescue kayak and my boat. After a few seconds i spotted one and was trying to reach it with my paddle, which strangely remained next to me until i managed to get to safety. The guide laughed at me while I was struggling to get out of the water after the flip. I was really scarred!

A well-deserved swimming break into the Nile arrived. For half an hour i just stayed and relaxed into the warm waters of the Great Nile. Last rapid before the lunch was a class 3 too. Still scared not to flip again, I was holding very tight the boar and paddling quite hard in order to not keep the boat flipped. Fortunately, we didn’t flip!

Lunch was taken on the Wakisi Island. Fresh avocados, juicy pineapples and succulent tomatoes combined well with cured ham, cheese, potato salad and fresh bread was served to us. It was a perfect lunch to fill our batteries for the second part of our rafting adventure.

The break was gone and the second part was about to come. And what a start to it! The next rapids were called “The Bad Place” grade 5 and 6. It was huge and very, very scary. We had three options. Number four was out of the question because it was a class 6 rapid! Ours was a 5 class and we had to choose between a 100% flip, 50-50 flip and the chicken run. No one wanted the chicken run; some wanted the 100% flipped, but I was too scared to go again into the water. My call was in the 50-50 rapid. And I was lucky. My prayers had been listened to and no flips happened this time! Yuppie!

Our guide was a bit unhappy because we hadn’t flipped. But he was soon to be. Six out of eight rapid was about to come, a class 4 rapid. I knew we were about to flip into the water the moment I saw the big wave hitting us but this time I was ready. Tried to keep my breath, kept my calm and managed to be out of the water very fast. To be honest, it was a nice flip. But 2 flips in one day were to be enough.

Last rapids of the day, a 3 and 3+ class rapid were pretty easy. It was a perfect day for rafting. Not too much sun, not too much heat and the water was warm.

The day ended after almost 8 hours of paddling. I could hardly walk or feel my hands. After a cool and healthy barbecue, the picture was shown to us. At first I didn’t want to buy it. 50$ it was a big amount to be paid for 10 photos. But after seeing it, I said what the heck! Who knows when I will be doing it again?

Overall, it was one of the best experiences I had in Africa. I had little time to spend in this magnificent continent and the rafting experience will be one not to be ever forgotten!