Uganda
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Ange's Uganda Adventure
A Journey Through Wilderness, Wildlife & Culture
Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” is a destination of dramatic landscapes, rich culture and extraordinary wildlife, from the shores of Lake Victoria to the forests of Bwindi and the savannahs of Murchison Falls.
Discover our Africa Specialist Ange’s journey through this remarkable country, where unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas, rhino tracking, Nile cruises and vibrant cultural experiences brought Uganda’s beauty and diversity to life.
Arrival in Uganda & Discovering Bwindi
On 14th May, I landed at Entebbe International Airport to begin my journey through Uganda, warmly welcomed by the Uganda Tourism team.
We continued to Speke Resort Munyonyo, a lakeside retreat overlooking Lake Victoria, where POATE would be held later in the week. The scale of Lake Victoria was incredible, stretching endlessly like an ocean.
After freshening up, we attended the Uganda Tourism Welcome Cocktail Party at the Sheraton Kampala, joined by hosted buyers, media and industry leaders ahead of POATE 2026.
The next morning began before sunrise with a 1 hour 15 minute domestic flight to Kisoro, offering stunning views of Uganda’s green rolling hills. Tip: use a soft-sided bag under 15kg for small aircraft. Kisoro Airstrip was a small bush airport, where we were met by Gofan safari guides and quickly transferred into safari vehicles, already immersed in Uganda’s wilderness.
We drove around 1.5 hours to Four Gorillas Lodge through beautiful highland scenery before visiting Rushaga village and meeting the Batwa community, the “forest people” of Bwindi. We experienced their storytelling, music and dances, visited local schools, and tried weaving grass mats with the craftswomen.
The Ultimate Wildlife Encounter – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, we joined the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers for a briefing before entering the dense rainforest. The trek was immersive, with thick vegetation, ancient trees and the constant hum of the forest.
Top tip: hire 1–2 porters and bring gardening gloves, as the terrain is steep, muddy and challenging to navigate.
Then, suddenly, a silverback emerged from the foliage. For one unforgettable hour, we stood just metres away from these gentle giants. It was emotional, humbling and one of the most profound wildlife encounters I’ve ever experienced.
After the trek, we returned to the Bwindi Visitor Information Centre where we received our gorilla trekking certificates. The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the lodge, still buzzing from the experience, reflecting over a Nile beer.
I would highly recommend doing the gorilla trek early in your itinerary, so you can fully enjoy the rest of your time in Uganda without distraction.
Safari Adventures in Murchison Falls National Park
Next day, we flew north to Murchison Falls National Park, landing at Pakuba Airstrip. The flight offered incredible bird’s-eye views, shifting from rolling green hills to open savannah, with giraffe and buffalo visible below.
From the airstrip, we drove to Paraa Safari Lodge through Murchison Falls National Park, enjoying a mini game drive en route and spotting giraffes, elephants, buffalo and antelope. We arrived to a warm “warthog welcome” before freshening up, lunch and an evening game drive across the vast savannah.
The following morning began at dawn as the wildlife came to life, followed by an afternoon boat cruise upriver to the base of Murchison Falls. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds lined the banks, before witnessing the Nile force through a narrow gorge at the falls.
The next morning, we visited the Top of the Falls viewpoint, where the Nile crashes through a 7-metre gorge in a truly breathtaking display of power.
From there, we continued to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience on foot, learning about vital conservation efforts to reintroduce white rhinos to Uganda after their extinction in the wild in the 1980s. We enjoyed lunch at the sanctuary before continuing our journey to Kampala.
Chimpanzees, Culture & POATE 2026
An early morning transfer took us to Waterfront Entebbe, where we boarded a speedboat across Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The 45-minute journey across Africa’s largest lake was a memorable experience in itself.
On arrival, we watched the chimpanzees being fed from the viewing platform and learned more about Uganda’s vital conservation work. We also heard about the sanctuary’s origins and met the on-site vet, who explained the care and management of the chimps.
We then returned to the mainland for a guided visit to the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred burial grounds for the Buganda Kings, offering a powerful insight into Uganda’s cultural heritage.
The following days were dedicated to POATE 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where we met a range of tourism suppliers, destination management companies and industry partners, alongside a special visit from the President of Uganda on the opening day.
The programme also included a vibrant cultural night experience in Kampala, followed by an evening out on a party bus to a local nightclub, bringing the week to a lively close.
On departure day, our flight was unfortunately cancelled, resulting in an unexpected overnight stay in Kigali, where we were warmly met on arrival and well looked after.
From conservation and culture to industry connections and unforgettable experiences, Uganda delivered a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey and a destination I would highly recommend.
Ange's Experiences
Briefing With Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers
Top Of Murchison Falls
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Muchinson National Park Game Drive
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