Uganda a Country of Lost Cousins
Recently I traveled to Uganda through company called Travel Hemispheres offering tours and safaris both luxury to budget safari option packages to all national parks of Uganda and Rwanda A country that I may describe as a country of unique description which cannot be close to the truth….situated in the fertile heart of Africa, astride the Equator boasts of wide diverse of landscape, from rugged snow capped mountains, the vast flatlands stretching to the horizon.
My interest and passion came as result reading different travel guides. In different guides, I had read that this country can offer visitors a wealth of breathtaking scenery in the heart of Africa, with the best kept secretes of nature that range from snow capped mountains, broad savannah, rain forests to arid – semi desert, plenty of wetlands and abundant fresh rain forests. It is within such charming climate that has natured and protected the endangered Mountain Gorillas with limited numbers up to 700 that still survive on earth. A country with highest densities of primates in Africa.
I set off early this year destined to this country. I like traveling solo as it comes easier and satisfying than traveling in groups when it comes to satisfying your dreams. Not until I was in the country and not any other place other than Bwindi a place I had read over and over about the gorillas.
“Every visitor coming to Uganda would wish to get in touch with these gentle giants moreover our lost cousins” stated Bwindi park guide while briefing us. “ Uganda treats gorilla tracking as the pinnacle of the tourism industry in the country that has continued attracting more numbers of tourists visiting the country and the recent increase of gorilla passes from 6 to 8 people per day per family has increased chances of getting in touch with these gentle giants” another official of Uganda Wildlife Authority stated in his briefing in the morning at the park headquarters of Bwindi national park before embarking on the trekking the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla experience “the lost cousins” Having slept in dream world of tomorrow experience, I woke up so earl by 5.00 am and took shower to enhance my energy. Shortly we were briefed by the park guides what we were likely to go through before meeting the forest beasts and most important as to how to conduct ourselves once we are in vicinity of gorillas.
We set off under dense under growth and faster we moved, in the jungle under dense layers of canopies. The terrain is hilly but all covered with thick forest. We would stop to wait for those who needed to catch their breath. It took us about 5 hours to get near them. Closer the gorillas got. Our guide signaled that he has seen waste (poopoo) and this was sign indicating to us that we are almost seeing them. Shortly started seeing fresh under growth beaten. Continued hiking in the jungle following some beaten tracks. We came across some monkeys and many bird species in the jungle. The Forest truck was narrow, overgrown. As a result we could not see far ahead of us.
So no sooner had we moved in a bit open place but with thick ferns and orchids, could already view a few of them sitting majestically and motionless in tree branches watching and may be waiting for us.
Our efforts and determinations were about to pay off. We came across a small river and crossed it in one leap. Now we really came close. We were tired but very excited, we moved down and crawled closer to the gorillas in total silence. They had finally come into full view-over 14 of them-an unbelievable sight!
Two silver backs sat next to each other at the head of the group, while the others huddled together closely behind and continued their silent stares. Once in a while the juveniles could move in play some manner almost coming closer to where we were while the adults broke into a low grunt and moved closer.
Meanwhile each of us was fidgeting to take a snap of life time as to many of us would be our last chance to see “the lost cousins” these forest beasts. The bigger the silverbacks suddenly stood on all fours and stiffened, indicating we had probably moved too close. One of the gorillas appearing to be stubborn refused to sit with the group or even join them when they began moving further away. He continued to sit by himself in the bush and watched us. We also watched him, and waited for him to join his family.
Eventually he left the bush and sat in the path just behind us. We left the path so he could move ahead of us and join the others, but still refused to move. When our patience finally run out and we decided to follow the other gorillas before they disappeared out of sight, Finally he moved and followed closely behind us. whenever we stopped, he too would stop and move whenever we moved.
“He is trying to show the silverbacks that he too can lead. He wants to make sure all is well” ranger guide explained. Soon went to join his family who were already moving ahead and disappearing under the thick leaves.
For one hour, we had watched infant gorillas playing on their mothers bellies, juvenile gorillas somersaulting on tree branches, and male gorillas shaking the ground with their chest thumps.
For one hour, we had sat entranced by the sight of the gorillas, so massive that one us thought gorilla’s paw to be its head. It was an hour well spent. We continued pondering over our time with the gorillas long after they had disappeared out of sight. Finally it was time to retrace our steps back to our camps. Three hours of climbing awaited us. But we didn’t mind. Our mission had been successfully accomplished.We were happy and done.
Not even the torrential rain which poured half way into our journey back, could erase our spirits. It is a memory I still savor and linger in my dreams. I found Travel Hemispheres very professional and reliable tour operators in East Africa Having helped me successfully to secure my gorilla passes which I had tried in vain in different agents.
With their experienced tour guides throughout my 16-day safari that I covered, I found this tour very interesting and attractive and depicting real traditional African classic tours. Visiting their website: www.travelhemispheres.com availed to me different tour /safari options that suit discerning clients tastes and budget.
Anything from luxury, executive, budget, long expeditions and adventures plus short itineraries has been catered for. Through a series of correspondences we settled on tailor made program that suited best my interests and budget. The country has different and interesting activities that have kept attracting numbers to this unique country. Among these activities I found interesting included Mountain Gorilla Tracking and this was my interest plus chimpanzee tracking and viewing, different game viewing and sight Seeing. Uganda is endowed with a lot physical features , like the rift valley lakes and rivers that offer a lot of rides and Launch Cruising. The most fascinating was the a lot of scenery that included the rift valley. As geography student it was yielding when I saw different feature that covered long studied physical like the tectonic faults that led to the falling collapsing of the earth that resulted into rift valley.
The country is endowed with rich natural habitats of swamps, and forests plus savannah grasslands that keep and provide habitat of many bird species and wildlife. Uganda boasts of over 1000 species of birds and some are endemic. Bird Watchers, researchers and avian enthusiastic will find this country to be a one stop center. Much as am not keen in birding but the saddled species - the shoebill in Murchison falls were very interesting.
“For the Mountain Expeditions, climbing and hiking will be met by a challenging terrain even to the experienced, mountain Rwenzoris has offered a quite challenging experience”. Mark, stated another visitor I met in Kibale whom we tracked chimpanzees together and had trekked the Rwenzori Mountains for 9 days to the snow zone on the top. “ I have enough experience in mountain climbing but I have found this mountain unique and teasing but rewarding”.
Uganda is the source of the longest river in the world - River Nile. It starts in Jinja town, at the Source of River Nile near, was point to carry out white water rafting on this mighty river. White water rafting took us a whole day dazzling in fresh waters. It is breath-taking venture as swift currents of water throw you from time to time. White water rafting takes root and gives an experience that will always linger in ones mind that has gone through such experience. Up to grade 5 rapids and cataracts give breathtaking points of interest. Buggy jumping is also being done for those who can afford to bring out their hearts to leave them with friends before embarking on this venture.
Apart from visiting the wildlife and nature plus sight seeing, also found Uganda ethnic groupings that date far back with thousand years existence. Culture is rich in different ways of wear, arts, and is very organized in kingdoms – the Buganda, Bunyoro Toro kingdoms that up date still can offer historic vantage of tourism and research studies about mankind.
“Uganda’s cultural history has made it one of the most visited by tourists”, stated by a guide at the Kasubi tombs where the Buganda kings have been buried. Culture here is rich and dynamic dating from 14th century when the kingdoms were formed.
People here are very hospitable and receptive to foreigners. Cultural sites such as Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum and Namugongo martyrs shrines made me think that at least I should be returning every the other year to pay pilgrimage and interact with such hospitable people.
Uganda’s accommodation facilities compared to neighbors of Kenya and Tanzania still lacks some standardization, however there is a general improvement because the country will be hosting the Common Wealth Meeting next year 2007. With the upcoming of Heads of state of Common Wealth countries including the Queen of England to attend this conference, the hotels and lodging sector is being prepared to match the international standards. From Luxury and 5 star Hotel clients are much welcome that suit best of their interests.
Hotels and lodges have been set up in different parts of the country including budget and low cost accommodation facilities are spread throughout the country. But in some cases you need guidance from your local ground handler to choose the best that suites your budget. The country offers fresh and focused safaris that combine fun, adventure and curiosity outstanding national parks in the country. The protected areas offer outstanding beauty with a variety of fauna and flora.
The geographical position Uganda in the shadows of Great Western and Eastern Rift Valleys give the country special vantage of climatic zones of temperate, hot and wet, cool and dry, rainy climates throughout the year and adversely supporting a variety of vegetation covering range of short savannah grassland, tall savannah grassland tropical rainy forests to high altitude moorland vegetation.
It has been quite unbelievable to find ice caped tips on the mountains of the moon at the same time lying along the Equator. Uganda combines different attractions on the African continent that you will not easily be seen in other countries. The writer is tour and safari News letters writer: Manson Johnson