During May this year, Herbie from AfricaReps had the privilege of enjoying an educational trip through Uganda, his first time in the ‘Pearl Of Africa’. Herbie has reported back to Africa Beat on how his journey went and his highlights from the trip.
My trip was arranged by my wonderful DMC, Sun Africa Expeditions, which is headquartered in Uganda. However, they also operate in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kenya Coast and Zanzibar. They have their own vehicles in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
I flew Uganda Airlines from Johannesburg to Entebbe. I was in business class, where the service and the food were good, and it was a comfortable 3-hour 45-minute flight.
In Entebbe I stayed at the lavish Number 5 Boutique Hotel, very close to the airport as well as to Sun Africa Expeditions’ headquarters. Dinner was an excellent Nile Perch – one of my favourite dishes. The next day, after a short flight westwards, I was met by my driver guide who drove me to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
My first night in Bwindi was in the community owned and run Haven Lodge Buhoma and the second night in Bwindi was at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, so I had a good impression of both 3/4 star and 5 star accommodation options. Views from both lodges across the Bwindi tropical rain forest were breathtaking.
The highlight of Bwindi was the Gorilla Trek where after quite a strenuous climb through thick jungle and wet, muddy, slippery and root-entangled ‘paths’ we encountered one of the habituated [but wild] Gorilla families. We enjoyed an amazing hour with a family group of about 8 individuals, comprising of a gigantic silver back and a mother with a new born baby. It was phenomenal and hard to comprehend it was for real – truly a dream come true.
Another highlight was the Batwa pygmy experience where we had the opportunity of meeting and conversing with these amazing little people and observing their unique lifestyle and culture.
En-route from Bwindi northwards we drove through Queen Elizabeth National Park and went to inspect Mweya Safari Lodge which has spectacular views over Lake Edward. This Lodge is currently undergoing a multi-million $ refurbishment. From there I went on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward with Lake George. The wildlife and birdlife was prolific.
We spent the next night exactly spot on the equator in Elephant Plains Lodge, a lovely 4 star establishment which overlooks Lake George. Needless to say it was a very warm and humid night! The equatorial sunrise was breathtaking.
We then proceeded to Turaco Tree Tops Lodge in the lush Kibale Forest after passing some beautiful crater lakes which are called Explosion Craters. As its name suggests, Turaco Treetops has elevated rooms looking straight into the forest.
This was my base for an exhilarating Chimpanzee trek in the Kibale Forest where we encountered a habituated but very wild Chimpanzee family group. We enjoyed an excellent experience with them, which required some hectic bush-bashing and chasing with them through thick foliage and mud.
We travelled still further north along the massive Lake Albert to the superb 5 star Nile Safari Lodge in the enormous and impressive Murchison Falls National Park. From here I had my first view of the Victoria Nile River which was far wider and faster flowing than I could ever have imagined.
We enjoyed a fascinating boat cruise down the Nile to where the river meets the delta at Lake Albert. The birdlife was prolific and I saw my first Shoebill, not to mention abundant hippos and crocodiles.
We then proceeded through the reserve to Murchison Falls, an incredibly impressive torrent of water that some say is more powerful than Victoria Falls.
My last night’s stay was at The Petals in Entebbe, a lovely small guest house owned by my DMC, Sun Africa Expeditions. It is located 10 minutes from Entebbe International Airport and on the shores of Lake Victoria.
