Uganda– it’s been on my bucket list for years and there I am – enjoying a breathtaking sunrise over the clouds from the plane on the way to Entebbe. Will gorilla tracking be able to meet my high expectations?
I had no idea uganda has so much more to offer than just this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Beautiful colours, fertile tropical vegetation in contrast to the deep red earth, the authentic African couleur local, landscapes that never get bored, nature parks that complement each other in fauna and flora, the mighty Nile and a range of experiences. Uganda really has it all! Thanks to the cooperation with WOLF-DMC, we can offer you a unique and varied travel experience in Uganda and Rwanda with exclusivity in the Dutch and Belgian market.
Welcome back to my second home Africa!
Thanks to the cooperation with Kenya Airways, we fly directly from Schiphol in a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner via Nairobi directly to Entebbe with Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways offers a good, fast connection between Europe and Uganda/Rwanda, among others. After arriving at Entebbe airport we are immediately treated to a scenic flight over the lake from Victoria to Jinja, where the Nile begins its long journey through Africa. We stay at Whitewaters Lodge,a small jewel located on a peninsula amid the deafening swirling water of the Nile. The ideal place to catch your breath after a long flight and for our first magical sunset in style with a local Waragi (banana) gin. Parrafine lamps illuminate the footpath to my own villa – yes welcome back to my second home Africa!
THIS IS SAFARI “THE OUT OF AFRICA WAY”
The next day our private guide waits for the first ride toMurchisons Falls National Park. We are immediately immersed in the colourful world of Uganda – tough bodabodas (the local motorcycles that act as taxis) – bicycles loaded with merchandise – local markets – women and children who go to church in their most beautiful dress – fertile land dotted with cotton, papaya, corn, rice paddies, papyrus, you name it… Every 100km we are catapulted into a new world.
On a visit to Murchisons Falls National Park, I quickly realized that the park is being deficient by its name. This is safari “the out of Africa way” – the roof of our 4×4 pops up so we can fully enjoy the vast open landscapes dotted with the beautiful African fan palms. A park of no less than 3800km² which comprises the largest giraffe population worldwide! Today I snort for the first time the famous Africa scent and we spot buffalo, warthogs, baboons and elephants. It feels like a familiar home coming into a new setting: the hartebees that is threatened with extinction in southern Africa is rampant here, I meet the Oribi (family of the Dikdik), the Ugandan waterbuck, the particularly rare black kob and the Rothschild giraffe. The next day we are treated to a boat trip at sunset. Along the way, a variegated kingfisher shows how he succeeds a fish on the hook in a perpendicular nosedive, red-headed bee-eaters forgive the rock faces with their beautiful green and red color, and smiling hippos and honking elephants provide the background music to the clattering waters of the Falls.
BIRDS ARE STUPID?!
We once again enjoy a scenic flight over the undulating fertile landscape with forests, fresh green tea plantations and crater lakes toQueen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival there is a boat trip on the program. This time on the Kazinga canal and in nothing to compare with yesterday’s boat trip: the crocodiles and hippos we can almost touch and one of the fellow travellers who had proclaimed the first day with conviction: “‘birds are stupid’ is to and is diligently photographing the special specimens: pelicans, fish eagles, maraboo stork, hammerhead, you name it!
Our next highlight of the trip is the southern Ishaha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Beautiful butterflies welcome us and form a white blanket over the ground. We take an evening safari and go in search of the tree-climbing lions – unfortunately, we will have to be patient until the next morning… Just when we want to stop for a delicious coffee break in the bush, our guide points us to the topi’s that all look one way. And sure enough, right above the high grasses we see a first dark brush full of excitement swinging from side to side. We are witnessing a real spectacle: a flock of six lions on the hunt. After an exciting but barren hunt, they decide to retreat to the beautiful fig tree a little further down: the icing on the cake for us!
MY HEART MAKES A DANCE OF JOY
And then the time is right for the long-dreamed gorilla tracking: Under the professional guidance of Herbert, a guide of the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authorities),we visited the Nkuringo family in theBwindi Impenetrable Forest, the largest gorilla group in the region consisting of no less than fourteen gorillas including two (!) imposing silverbacks. We spot the gorillas for the first time at 30 meters – wow – my heart makes a dance of joy. Herbert takes me by the hand and guides us further, closer to the gorillas. And then I suddenly come face to face with these extraordinary creatures – the adrenaline rushing through my body – a gorilla in the tree above me is screaming for attention. Another gorilla walks in front of me to the river for a drink and further on a big giant is lounging around while impressing us with a number of drumbeats on his chest. It’s only now that I really realize that I’m in the midst of a group of fourteen gorillas and emotions are taking over. What a privilege to be a part of this unreal spectacle here and now!
We conclude the trip in Rwanda – logistics a very nice choice and again a contribution to a trip full of variation and contrasts. With a relaxing canoe trip on the Mukuwanga River we say goodbye to this unforgettable adventure. My decision is certain: Uganda & Rwanda will be added to my list as a future sublime family trip for myself, my husband and son!
