When you think of Uganda, what comes to mind? Beautiful beaches in Entebbe, amazing wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park and crater-lake camping at Fort Portal. The wildlife makes Uganda a beautiful destination.
As much as all these depict the travelers’ image of Uganda, there is a wilder side to the pearl of Africa that many don’t know about.
Paragliding in Mbale
Thrilling adventure in Uganda
Fly MamiAfrika is the first and only paragliding operator in Uganda. Free flight via paragliding is very similar to flying like a bird.
The tandem flights start from Mbale town which is 200km East of Kampala and a 2 hour drive from Jinja. The launch-site is located at an elevation of 1630m, a 510m elevation difference from the landing sites.
Flights last between 15 minutes and 1 hour, depending on wind conditions, and near the Wanale cliffs you can enjoy views of waterfalls. On most days, it is possible to gain between 50 and 200 meters of elevation during the flight.
Paragliding is a weather based activity, this is the reason for the variance in flight duration.
Zip lining in Lugazi
The terrain of Lugazi
Mabira Forest Canopy Super Skyway is definitely the most innovative way to enjoy the terrain of Lugazi, if hiking isn’t adventurous enough for you.
A complex skyway with five zip lines that cover the entire park and even crossing the River Musamya. From high up in the canopy, one can enjoy the animal population of the park that includes African fish eagles, palm nut vultures and red tailed monkeys.
You will also get to behold the breathtaking Griffin Falls.
Bungee Jumping on the Nile
Adventure at the River Nile
Located right at the source of the Nile, Adrift Adventures Africa offers a 44-metre jump right over the water.
This is the best way to get the adrenalin going, and for an extra fee, you can get footage of your fall from a GoCam and as well as HD pictures to take the memory home with you.
There is a backpacker’s lodge attached to the jump site which is a great place to stay, meet and mingle with fellow travellers from all over the world and exchange war stories from your adventures conquering Jinja.
Grade 5 white-water Rafting in Jinja
The Nile boasts of the best grade 5 white-water rafting in the region. There are a number of establishments that offer rafting guides and instructors so that even first time rafters can enjoy the restless river. A day-long rafting excursion will cost US$125 for an adult and US$75 for children up to 14.
Uganda in East Africa is a landscape of towering mountains, thick rainforests and deep lakes. Uganda is also one of the few countries in the world to have the greatest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world others being found in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Uganda safaris are culminated by a gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is either done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park found within Uganda’s most dense forest Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to over 340 mountain gorillas making it the most popular destination for gorilla tracking in Uganda.
What to see during Gorilla trekking adventure
Gorilla trekking is a wonderful adventure that allows you to have a close encounter with these gentle giants of the jungle in their natural habitat. While on your gorilla trekking tour you will encounter a number of gorillas made up of family groups. You will track one particular gorilla family and only one hour is allocated as time to spend with the gorillas.
Apart from the endangered mountain gorillas, other species spotted in the forest include Eastern Chimpanzee, Blue Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and olive baboons. Sometimes it’s possible to spot elephants bushbucks and different types of forest duikers. The park also has a very impressive bird and butterfly checklist.
Things you need when gorilla trekking
To go for a gorilla trek in Uganda, you will need to have a gorilla trekking permit that is issued either by applying from the park or through a local gorilla trekking tour operator prior to your visit at a fee. The money collected from the permits help to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.
Bwindi National Park is only accessible by foot for this reason, you will need comfortable clothes to wear when gorilla trekking. Choose waterproof pants and jacket, long sleeved shirts and comfortable trekking shoes preferably lightweight hiking boots.
Other necessities include backpack, first aid kit, insect repellent, packed lunch, bottled water, camera, a light rain jacket and gorilla trek walking stick.
Lodges and Camps in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation in Bwindi National park ranges from cheap hotels in Bwindi to luxurious lodges and camps for visitors to stay in. Most of the lodges and camps in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are comfortable and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding rain forest. Lodges and Camps in Bwindi National Park include CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp and Buhoma Lodge.
How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
To access Bwindi National Park you can fly from Entebbe Airport to Kisoro airstrip or you can choose to drive from Kampala to the park which is 500km away.
Thanks to Jovago.com for this awesome post!
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