Hiking Uganda adventures

Hiking expeditions:

Uganda offers the best ultimate Mountain Climbing Adventures on East African Mountains. If you like mountaineering or rwenzori hiking as [part of your Uganda tour packages, then the (5,119 m) high, snow covered Rwenzori Mountains - also known as the ' mountains of the moon ' and protected as Rwenzori Mountains National Park which is also a World Heritage Centre - will offer you the unique experience you've been looking for. The mist-shrouded peaks provide stunning backdrops to this magnificent mountain. Ever since the Rwenzori became known to the World, its features have been changing. Today, the most visible and probably preventable, changes in the Rwenzori are the fragile vegetation along the trails.

A trip into the Rwenzoris is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one, which must be planned with attention to detail. The key to an enjoyable visit is 'be prepared!' You can do the central circuit in just 7 sevens and our excellent guides will be there to add flavor to your experience. Those took up the challenge to climb this mountain have promised to come back, if you are an excellent hiker, looking for a lifetime adventure; please make your reservation now.

It is not just the Rwenzoris alone that you hike in Uganda; there is the famous Mount Elgon National Park. At Mount Elgon National Park, mountaineering can be experienced on this volcanic mountain which is (4,321 m), the 4th highest mountain in East Africa, located in the eastern part of Uganda on the border with Kenya.

Others are: Mt. Sabyinyo (366m)'Old man's teeth' like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo's crown. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here.

Mt. Gahinga (3474m). On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a 'Gahinga'. 

Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'gahinga' but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.

Mt. Muhavura (4127m)'The Guide'
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear. I

Bwindi Impenetrable National park Uganda

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is one of the last habitats for the mountain gorilla. It has 350 individuals over half of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world. This park was created in 1992 and it became a World Heritage Site in 1994. Experts believe that the Bwindi mountain gorilla maybe a different species from their cousins in the Virungas. It takes roughly 6 hours to travel from Kampala to the park.
Bwindi is one of the richest areas in Africa for flora and fauna. Besides gorilla tracking, Bwindi national park has a teaming 10 species of primates including the chimpanzee, black and white colobus, and olive baboons. Bwindi also harbors forest elephants, duikers, bush bucks and the rear giant forest hogs. Bird watchers will find this a prime destination with an exciting list of 350 birds. The rarities include 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics and endangered species like the African broad bill. Spotting birds requires the help of field guides as the forest habitant makes it difficult for you to spot one.
There 5 groups of habituated gorillas in Bwindi, 3 within walking distance from Buhoma where the park head office and accommodation for all budget options. The other group Nkuringo has 19 individuals and located to the south of the park easily accessible from Kisoro. The most recent addition is the Nshongi group comprised of 35 individuals with 3 silverbacks. The groups are Mubare 10, Habiyanja 18 and Rushegura with individuals. We organize gorilla tours to Mugahinga, Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virungas in DR Congo as well.
Only 8 tourists per day can visit each family this gives a maximum 40 visitors. Demand usually exceeds supply most of the year and you are adviced to book your gorilla tour well in advance.Gorilla tourist permits cost 500 US dollars. Trips start at 8.30 am, however there is a debriefing session at 8 am. Children below 15 years or anyone with flu or other transmittable disease are not allowed to trek gorillas. Warm clothing is required at night and early morning plus wet weather gear it pours a lot here.

Travel guide to Uganda safaris

HEALTH

Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended and an international traveler we recommend it to avoid unnecessary inconveniences, we also recommend anti-malaria inoculations, especially during the rainy season. Most prescription drugs can be bought affordably and with ease over the counter in Kampala. We advise clients to take their Personal insurance

It is advisable that visitors to Uganda take anti-malarial medication. The use of mosquito repellents and nets are recommended for use especially those taking out camping holidays.

High Factor sun screen & After-Sun

Insect repellent (evening - esp. on the coast)

Diocalm & rehydration sachets

Pain killers

Antiseptic, cotton wool, plasters

Eye-drops (safari lodge charged me over $10!) 

WEATHER

Uganda is sunny most of the year round with temperatures rising above 290C. The heavy rainy season is March –may, light rainy season November-December, though there will always be a few hours of sunshine. 

CURRENCY The national currency for Uganda is the Uganda shilling and it comes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 for coins and paper notes are available in denominations of 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000. There are no restrictions n the movement of currency into or out of Uganda for current transactions.

Clothing:

Some one coming to visit friends or relatives or vacation for cultural tours/city tours will need light but descent clothes and some long sleeves and sweater for some few cold evenings. The adventurous type that will want to visit the Ugandan jungles will need long sleeve shirts for evening Sweatshirt or fleece for evening’s upcountry. Women in rural towns may feel more comfortable wearing clothing that covers their knees and shoulders, but this is not mandatory. It’s usually hot by midday, but evenings are always pleasant. Gorilla tracking will require you to have long pants - Jeans and long sleeved shirts and blouses, rain gear- water proof jacket or rain coat that will protect your cameras from rain. Rain in Bwindi Forest daily is almost a must. The terrain is steep and sturdy shoes are recommended. 

LANGUAGE

The official language spoken in Uganda is English. Luganda and Swahili are also widely spoken.

TRANSPORT

It is possible to charter a light air craft to fly to airstrips around the country. There are quite a number domestic airfields upcountry some of which are in national parks like Kasese.

Road Transport is the most used in Uganda, using this means of transport will require you to go the Taxi Parks (New and Old Taxi parks) in Kampala or the Bus Park for public transport to almost all Destinations in the country. However, one can also use a private car hire or even self drive car hire. There are good roads on the main routes and travel is comfortable and swift. For quick town rounds, one can use a motor cycle locally called Boda Boda or even a bicycle but the bicycles are mostly found in the town outskirts. Car rentals in Uganda are usually between 70 - 100 USD per day for a simple sedan.

LAW AND RESPECT

You will have to abide by the rules and law governing the country, because Visitors are given no exception to violet laws and no country welcomes law breakers. Visitor are expected to respect the people and the leaders of the destination country, be aware of values and practices of the natives ad treat them the same way they would want to be treated.

You should ask you guide for the dos and don’ts of the country in order to stay on the right side of the law.

COMMUNICATION

Telephone services are widely spread allover the country. Some mobile phone companies operate rent- a-phone services for shot periods. Internet and email services can also be found in major towns. We have 5 mobile phone companies namely Uganda Telecom on 071, MTN on 077 and 078, Zain on 075, Warid on 070 and Orange on 079.

CULTURAL CUSTOM

It is not possible to list all the characteristics of a culture. However, visitors to Uganda are advised to seek information about some of the Ugandan cultural patterns that the visitors are most likely to encounter in regards to social greetings, eating, manner of dress and some non verbal cues. 

DRESS

Visitors should not walk in towns or public areas in their swimming wear or very short patra shorts as this is against the African culture and you will end up feeling out of place.

WHAT TO AVOID

A void asking for help from stranger because you will not know how a con artist is and how is not.

* The 'tourist look':

- If wearing shorts - avoid socks pulled-up to the knee

- Sun-hat/cap with platitudes ('I Love Uganda' etc)

- Overt bumbag/money bag (keep hidden underneath clothes)

- Walking with map in hand (use with discretion) !

* Expensive accessories:

- Keep jewellery/watch hidden (ideally leave at home)

- Camera - more tricky! - When not in use, keep out of sight

- Don't store 'your world' in ONE bag

- Always have some money/cards back in hotel