If anyone is interested in visiting before the end of July, please let me know. Even if you can't make it before I leave, I encourage you to put Uganda on your travel list.
Here are the details:
What is there to see
Other than coming just to see me there are lots of great things to see and do in and around where I'm living.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
I've never been much into birds but I have fallen in love with this sanctuary. I have taken the 5k guided walk three times so far. Each time is different. I have seen many species of monkeys, birds, and plants each time! The sanctuary was formed to protect the Magombe Swamp, a haven for 137 bird species. The sanctuary is operated by the local community.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale is an amazing park and has lots of great tourist activites. I have gone chimp treeking and spent the night in a tree house 30 ft high in the forest here. Here is a great description from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
The chimpanzees are the stars at Kibale. There are hundreds and hundreds here, plus great hordes of monkeys, giving this small national park (admission 1/2/3 or more days US$20/30/50) one of the highest primate population densities in the world. It’s not as strenuous as tracking the gorillas. The chimps tend to keep a safe distance in the tall trees, chomping on fruit and defecating at will, but it’s still a fascinating experience for the uninitiated. An excitable chimp makes mountain gorillas look decidedly shy.
From the park headquarters at Kanyanchu, guided walks in search of the chimps (3km to 5km, two to four hours) can be arranged along well-marked tracks. The walks start at 8am (the better time) and 3pm and cost US$70 per person, plus park fees.
Other things to seeIn addition to the sites right around where I am, the entire country is amazing. I can't wait to get to Queen Elizabeth Park where you can see big game animals. Again from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
Uganda is home to the highest mountain range in Africa, the Mountains of the Moon in the Rwenzori National Park which is not to far from Bigodi. It is the source of the mighty Nile, and around Jinja offers the best white-water rafting in the world! It has the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet. Head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a chance to get close to these great apes.
On top of all this, the scenery is so striking that it looks like an oil painting, the beautiful national parks see far fewer visitors than in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, and the capital, Kampala, is safer and friendlier than most in Africa. In 1907 pioneering tourist Winston Churchill called it the ‘Pearl of Africa’. He was right.
Getting to Uganda
You will fly in to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria about 40km south of the capital which is Kampala. Entebbe International offers direct connections from Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Cairo, Johannesburg, Dubai, London, Amsterdam and Brussels. I flew on British Air to London than to Entebbe. We flew from Greensboro to London then to Entebbe. It was two overnight flights with a 10 hour layover. My round trip including taxes and all fees was $1900.
Getting to Bigodi/Kibale National Park
I may be able to come pick you up or I can help you arrange for a tour company to make the five hour trip from Kampala to Bigodi.
Where to stay
There are few places to stay in Bigodi where I'll be living. One is www.traveluganda.co.ug/safari-hotel-bigodi, which is run by the family that I'm living with. You can make reservations online. There are also other places in Bigodi, in Kibale National Park or in nearby Fort Portal. You can also stay with me in the familys home. They are used to having tourist stay with them and are truly wonderful.
General information on Uganda from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
- Seasons
Wet (March to May, October to November), dry (December to February, June to September). Uganda can be visited at any time of year. It is about 75 degrees year round and will drop down to 50 at night. The hottest months are from December to February.
- Budget
US$20 a day in town, US$100 in parks
- Capital
Kampala
- Visa
US$30 for one month; issued at most borders. Can easily be gotten at the airport.
- Languages
English, Luganda
- Money
Ugandan shilling; US$1 = USh 1900
2 comments:
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