‘Find your own “Gorillas in the Mist’

Most people read travel guide books such as lonely planet or Brandt guide book but some times the information written there is out dated , others read trip adviser reviews,   but always its lovely to meet the gorillas and put a face to the writings or to the readings ! believe me or not  gorilla trekking is nice though the group/ gorilla family trekked matters, some gorilla families have few individual, others have baby’s others have more than one silverback , others have more black bucks, others have big numbers in the family but at the end of it all its all lovely, some families needs a minimum walk, others have short walk like SabinyoBangalow parking or VIP parking) gorilla groups, Kwitonda and Kulyama, other groups like mubano, Amahoro need a medium walk, Ssusa is the hardest gorilla family though more lovely with more than 25 gorilla individuals in the group, though lovely group every one would love to trek. Please never attempt to go for this group if you don’t trust /not sure of your fitness.some guests get to read travel books like Lonely planet or Brandt and get false information but get to know that these gorillas change positions and location as these are trans boundary resources some time they move to join other wild gorillas in the process of looking for daily food in the jungle Normally the shortest trek, easiest gorilla family is given to  elderly people, guests who did double gorilla trekking, on thier second trek, they are given the opportunity to go on the short trek, guests who have flights that same day after trekking, those are the people who are given first priority to go on the shorter trek.but its so lovely to go gorilla trekking after watching the movie Gorillas in the miest ! But very rewarding – you enjoy every minute of it.what I would say its awesome to see these great apes in their natural habitat this is  a child dream to some people . The gorilla trekking g rules is still the same 8 members per day and only restricted to one hour to be spend with the gorillas, gorilla permit is never transferable to  another person but in case one is do it, its has to be in written with signature attached and passport photocopy of the original owner is attached, briefing is at 7:00Am and 8:00Am for Uganda side, only in Rwanda one is allowed to pay directly to park office in kinigi with his credit card (Visa card) at no extra so called 5% which Uganda wildlife authority has never thought of in this way I give a thumb to RDB for simplifying this digital form of payment ahead of Uganda which still operates tourism in an Analogue format. I think Uwa officials would think otherwise. A cup of tea is given as supplement to the guest at kinigi to worm their bodies due to the cold conditions at kinigi which UWA is still dreaming of to extend this simple thing to the guest, morning Kinyarwanda entertainment is portrayed or showed to give worm up to the guest as they get to know much of Kinyarwanda culture to the outside world ,this is not possible with UWA given the distributed gorilla groups in vast Bwindi impenetrable forest. Besides all these gorillas are followed on a daily basis, gorilla are gorillas whether one does the trekking in Volcanoes park, Bwindi impenetrable forest or in Mgahinga national park ,the experience is the same regardless of the difference in the gorilla pass fees. Those are the simple differences on trekking in Rwanda or Uganda some one may experience while on his/her visit to any of these two destinations. Most clients always ask for scanned copies of their gorilla permits , one way its guarantee to the clients to book / confirm flights but on the other hand  travel agencies normally prefer paying a deposit to the booking authorities such that once there’s change on the clients side , rescheduling of the permit dates may be simple compared to when a full permit fee was paid.All in all gorilla trekking system is similar in all two countries.Having gone on multiple gorilla trekking tour as guide , gorillas are trekked and followed on daily basis, be it Hero’s day, Christmas day,Easter day,indipendence day,labour day,Ist jan, Boxing day, Community service”omugando” if one is to go gorilla trekking the activity is done all year around.

Analysis by Billy Ssali info@gorillaexpeditions.com (ssalibilly@gmail.com) specialist Guide for Uganda and Rwanda

My RECENT WILDLIFE AND PRIMATES EXPERIENCE SAFARI IN UGANDA

EXPERIENCE WILDLIFE AND PRIMATES SAFARI IN UGANDA
I and my friends took a trip to Uganda visiting Lake Mburo and Kibale national park that left us unforgettable experience for the rest of our lives. We booked our safari with Active African Vacations with Jackie the tourist planner who planned and quoted our safaris for the four days we were to stay in Uganda.
Upon our arrival at Entebbe airport, we were welcomed by Ssali Billy our tour guide then we set off to Lake Mburo national park, with our lunch en- route at flamingo restaurant and we also had a chance to take photos and the nice experience at the equator then proceeded to Lake Mburo national park. It’s the only park in Uganda that has a big lake in its centre and it’s also a home of zebras and various animals that are eye captivating and the only park where horse riding safaris takes place in the park.
We took a game drive in the park around 2- 3 hours and we had a chance to view animals like elands, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, impalas, defassa waterbuck, vervet monkey, olive baboon, and many interesting animals. After the game drive we took a boat rides where had a chance to see its beautiful surrounding vegetation and variety of birds. Then drive to Mihingo lodge for dinner and overnight.
Early morning after breakfast set off to Kibale national park with en- route at Igongo cultural centre Located 12km from Mbarara on the road to Kampala, this new cultural village is worth a look. Set on the grounds of a former palace of the Ankole king, this quality museum explores the peoples of southwestern Uganda, particularly the Ankole, through artefacts, a cultural village site and a heap of information. Also here is a restaurant serving traditional Ankole dishes, such as smoked Ankole cow milk and boiled meats.
Directly across from the centre is Biharwe Eclipse Monument at top Biharwe Hill. It was built to commemorate a victory for Ankole kingdom 500 years ago, following an eclipse that saw the invading king retreat in fear (and never return), spooked as day plunged into sudden darkness.
We embarked on my journey to the Kibale national park a home to the biggest number of Primates, including the chimpanzees in Uganda. I reached to the headquarters at kanyankyu to be briefed by the ranger guide and then moved to the forest to search for man’s closest relative in the animal kingdom. As we walked we saw apes, birds singing hymns from the tree branches, we heard sounds from the forest, and then watched the chimpanzees as they were interacting with each other. After all that we returned to the accommodation primates cottages for dinner and overnight
Early morning we visited Bigodi community to take a nature walk into interact with the community people who danced for us, told us stories, sang for us and we proceeded to the caves location 10km from fort portal town. Upon our arrival we were welcomed by the local guide who briefed us about the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru a limestone site with an amazing legendary story behind their existence. The myth surrounding the caves are that they were named after Nyinamwiru a daughter of Bukuku one of the ancient rulers of the Batembuzi Dynasty of the current Toro and Bunyoro Kingdoms. She was a proud attractive girl who refused to marry the man her father chose for her.
As a result scenic rocks with a dripping white liquid assumed to be milk. The steaming sound of waterfalls welcomes you at the entrance. The huge falls dictate the moisture content of the atmosphere surrounding the caves. At the entrance to the caves, the snake size slippery path guides you through as you penetrate into a cool green world of moss and fern covered by trees and rocks were we had a chance to take photos with the falls and with the caves.
From there we went to hike on top of the crater lakes to view the three crater lakes with good view of photographs as we enjoyed the scenery. After the tiresome hike we went to mountains of the moon for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast in the morning with our packed bags we set off to Kampala but; with the first visit to the Kalambi tombs which is the burial place for the kings of Toro plus a visit to the king’s palace. Then Entebbe airport for departure.

UGANDA CULTURAL TOUR WHILE ON CULTURAL TOUR !!! WHAT TO SEE

UGANDA CULTURAL TOUR
Upon my arrival in Uganda, I began my safari at Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site, which is about 20 minutes’ drive from Kampala along Masaka road. It is the historical heart of Buganda. The local guide said that it’s where the kingdom was birthed in the 14th century and it’s where every Kabaka is still crowned. I also visited the main scared sites and i literally walked in the footsteps of the past present kings.
From there I went to Katereke Prison Ditch were I was told that a king called king kalema imprisoned the princes and the princesses in a ditch of 30 meters long and killed them from there, which also became worshiping place of the big tree which was said to be giving blessing to people can’t give birth and heal the sick people.
From there I transferred to Kasubi Tombs situated in Kampala a site of the burial grounds for four Kabaka’s and a UNESCO World Heritage site. I was informed by the local guide that it’s an active religious place in Buganda kingdom and it’s a place where the Kabaka’s in Buganda’s complex culture hierarchy frequently carryout important century’s old Ganda ritual.
After lunch I embarked my journey to Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo lying 15 kilometers east of Kampala off Jinja road. I was told by the guide that it was a place of execution of all people who committed grave offence in the kingdom of Buganda and he said that 14 of the 22 Uganda martyrs offered there life to Christ (burnt alive) on the orders of king Mwanga in 1886 having refused to denounce their Christian faith. So every 3rd of June is being honored and remembered as day when the Uganda martyrs were burnt alive. This place is where the small original parish church stood and it is the same places were Charles lwanga was burnt alive. This place has also a lake were people draw water and have given testimonies that it heals various diseases.
Lastly Ssezibwa falls located 45 minutes from Kampala located along Jinja road after Mukono town. This place has the beautiful and spiritual falls have long been the favourite of Kabaka’s. There were local shrines and two giant trees which were planted by Mwanga ll. After I transferred back to Kampala Entebbe for departure.

DISCOVER WONDERS OF THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN UGANDA SAFARI

DISCOVER WONDERS OF THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN UGANDA SAFARI
I took a trip to eastern and northern parks of Uganda which include Mount Elgon national park and Kidepo national park and Murchison Falls national park that left me with wonders to make me really say Uganda is the pearl of Africa. I booked my safari with Active African Vacations a reliable travel and tour company with Nantume Jackie a tour consultant. She designed the itinerary and quoted according to 8 days safari I had. The following are the things I had to come with, Hiking boots, lightweight rain coats, light jackets, cameras, sleeping, sun glasses, a sun hat and plenty of sun screen, long- sleeved shirts, long trousers, insect repellent, flashlight with spare batteries and spare batteries for your camera.
Upon my arrival in Uganda on the 10th January 2015 at Entebbe international airport, I was dearly welcomed by my tour guide Moses Konde. I was briefed about my trip while embarking on the journey the eastern part of Uganda through Mbale to Mount Elgon national park for checking in Mount Elgon hotel lunch and thereafter I went for an evening community walk to experience the live hood of the Bagisu and after return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Early morning I took along community organized walk to Sipi falls of which it has 3 water falls at Sipi on the Kapchorwa road just out the park of which the lowest is 100m and the second is 69m plus the third is 87m high ridge which is less than an hour’s drive from Mbale on a paved road. I had my lunch at Sipi river lodge then embark my journey to the north of Mbale 65km to Nero rock paintings. I was told by the local guide that the pigmy’s lived in those rocks 1000years back and the paintings are the finest of several rock art sites in the region. I saw the markings and paintings that indicated many things to them. After transferred to Sipi river lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast in the morning with parked lunch, I set off to Kidepo valley national park which took a full day to reach the park and upon my arrival in the park; I checked in Apoka safari lodge for dinner and overnight after the long day drive.
Early morning with parked breakfast, I went for a game drive for about 3 to 4 hours to Narus valley in the south of the park giving me a change to view lions, elephants, leopards, bush duiker, jackal, bush buck, bush pig, ostrich, buffaloes, and much more and the Kidepo valley. In the afternoon i went for a community walk to lorokul cultural group and i explored the fascinating ancient culture of the karamajong and i also visited the traditional homesteads sample of the local dishes and hear stories of the folklore of this remote plus a special dance for me the visitor. On way back to the accommodation I had an evening game viewing animals that show up by that but time. Then back to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Early morning get ready for the final game drive while setting off to Murchison falls national park with en- route lunch in Gulu town then i embarked my journey to the park through the north of tangi gate of the Nile up to Paraa safari lodge were had to stay for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast I was briefed about the word Paraa meaning home of hippos in their local luo language and it’s the parks tourism hub. Then transferred to buligi game tracks on the northern bank for 2 to 3 hours with a trained ranger guide that was away to see and photograph the wide range of animals in Nile valley like lions, elephants, well- camouflaged leopards, giraffes, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, water bucks, and warthogs then back for lunch then after lunch we took a boat cruise towards the bottom of the falls, and this experience took around 3 to 4 hours with the view animals like crocodiles, hippos, water birds, elephants, along shores of River Nile. Then back to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Early in the morning, i crossed with the morning ferry of 9:00am and hiked to the top of the falls starting with bakers trail to the point where Sir. Samuel baker stood to name the park. Falls were named Murchison from the head of the royal geographical society sir Murchison by Sir Samuel Baker, then to the top of the falls where i viewed the water fighting to pass through the rocks with two colourful rainbows with the memorable frontal view of the falls. Then i embarked on my safari jeep to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to Amuka lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast in the morning I was taken for rhino tracking taking photos and videos with unforgettable experience as they sleep, eat, and play with each other. Then transfer back to Kampala Entebbe for departure. So I recommend those who want to visit wonders of Uganda, to refer to this safari I went on because it was really unforgettable experience.