Uganda Listed among Best World Holiday Destinations 2013 & the best in East Africa.

Uganda – “the pearl of Africa” has been listed on 10^th place among National Geographic’s best of the world 2013 describing it as “Africa’s new frontier”. Last year, lonely planet featured Uganda as the best travel destination for 2012 something that tells you Uganda safaris are still among the best holiday ideas for Africa. There are only 2 African countries that have made this list and that is Malawi (6^th position) & Uganda – the only one in East Africa beating some of the best known holiday destinations in Africa like South Africa!

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Uganda tourism has recently been faced with a lot of challenges including political protests & riots, Ebola and Marburg virus epidemics, all of which slowed down the tourist inflow but the country still stands as one of the best safari holiday destinations in Africa. Uganda has for some time now been well known for gorilla trekking in Bwindi which is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, but Uganda’s pride lies in its nature! The green cover that welcomes you the moment you land here be it by water, land or air and it’s hospitable people making you feel like you have discovered your second home.

Uganda safaris and tours feature unique wildlife like the mountain gorillas, tree climbing lions and all the big five. The snow caped Rwenzori Mountains are a natural wonder and present a real challenge for hikers and adventure seeking tourists. Uganda has got spectacular bird-life, enormous culture and a rich history stemming from the colonial era to the present and still prominent kingdoms including Buganda, Tooro among others.

Some of the well-known Uganda national parks include Murchison falls, Kibale forest and Queen Elizabeth national park for wildlife viewing and Bwindi impenetrable forest; a world heritage site, flocked mostly for gorilla trekking but there is more to Bwindi including a number of forest walking trails, birding trails and the Batwa pygmies who are increasingly attracting many to this magnificent forest. Uganda tourism has a lot more to offer than just wildlife and primates; the source of the Nile river in Jinja is worth a visit with a number of real adventure activities like bungee jumping and white water rafting – activities that will give you an adrenaline rush! 

Tree climbing lions in Ishasha - Queen Elizabeth National Park

There is still much of undiscovered Uganda! Kidepo valley national park is little known due to tourists avoiding northern Uganda mainly because of the LRA war in recent past but with peace having returning to the north, Kidepo is a pristine place to discover – Kidepo national park is still virgin and you’ll marvel at the scenery beaming with life!

As you move out of the city to the countryside while on a Uganda safari, you will breathe real fresh air – real oxygen from wild plants and trees as you listen to sounds of the jungle while spending a night in one of the 10 national parks. Imagine the roar of an African lion and the melodies of early birds during your morning sleep! If you are planning an African Safari in Uganda 2013, then you should check out our packages. Below is a complete the complete list of the top 20 best of the world travel destinations for 2013 as on National Geographic.

Crimea

Marseille

Raja Ampat

Ravenna

Great Bear Rainforest

Malawi

Quito

Bagan

Cape Breton

Uganda

Hudson Valley

Thessaloniki

Grenada

Bodø

Valparaíso

Missouri River Banks

St. Augustine

Memphis

Kyoto

Jarash

Gorilla Conservation Extends to Lowland Gorillas in Congo

Turner Grant Expands Gorilla Conservation Work
I suppose this is a very great contribution to the gorilla conservation and I say thumbs up to Mr Turner! The Dian Fossey foundation is doing great in trying to extend their research to the eastern lowland gorillas in Congo something that will increase gorilla trekking options in East Africa because the demand for gorilla trekking increases by the year  and the sector has mainly relied on mountain gorillas in bwindi-Uganda and Rwanda's volcanoes national park where gorilla permit prices have been increased to improve on the park's conservation as well.

Gorilla Trekking Price increased in Rwanda

Silver back Mountain Gorilla.

The price of gorilla permits in Rwanda has been increased from 500 USD to 750 USD, a 50% increase! The decision to increase the price was reached by Rwanda Development Board as announced on Friday last week and will take full effect from 1^st June as a measure to conserve Rwanda’s mountain gorilla environment and the park’s biodiversity however, the news have not been welcomed by some tour operators in Rwanda claiming the permit price has been hiked, something that might affect their clients and reduce the number of tourists to Rwanda since gorilla trekking is the major tourist activity in the country! A gorilla permit allows one access to the mountain gorillas and an opportunity to view them for only one hour so whether as to pay such a price is reasonable leaves a lot to be desired!

Apart from the mountain gorillas in Parc De volcanoes, Rwanda tourism offers wildlife tours in Akagera national park among other park activities like a boat cruise on Lake Ihema inside the park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest national park, and is home to golden monkeys and numerous bird species. You can also visit the genocide memorials, do karisimbi hiking, and visit Dian Fossey’s grave, Kigali city tour among others. However, most of the safari activities in Rwanda can be put together in one single itinerary!

That said, travelers and tour operators are waiting to see whether Uganda & DRC will also increase their gorilla trekking costs or take it as an advantage to market gorilla tourism. Gorilla trekking is such an adventure that involves long walking hours and trekking through thick vegetation and bearing some challenges at times including heavy rains until you reach the particular gorilla family you are supposed to visit. Uganda has the largest number of these primates, with 12 gorilla groups in Bwindi however, many say Rwanda gorillas are easier to find and offer better chances of photography and filming!

Have you been on gorilla tours to Uganda or Rwanda recently or before? Have you done any of the mentioned activities before? Have you visited both gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda? What’s your take?

As if that was not enough, in may 2017, Rwanda doubled the Gorilla trekking price from $750 to a staggering $1,500 for a single gorilla permit in Rwanda! This left many in a shock but luxury tourists and celebrities are still flocking Rwanda for its mountain gorilla trekking.