Uganda Travel Guide

I was mostly interested in the Kidepo Valley landscape - not the wildlife - and enjoyed every moment

I had been wanting - but that’s another story - to visit Kidepo Valley National Park for decades but the PLO Entebbe airport hijacking in 1976 put paid to a first visit. While I did visit Uganda in the early 1990’s our trans-Africa itinerary over six months between Tangiers and Capetown did not permit travel to the far north. Finally, in 2019, it WAS possible. I looked into various group tours but could find nothing that suited - most tours were more interested in gorilla tracking - wonderful I’m sure - and Uganda’s south west. I had ‘done’ my gorilla tracking years earlier in Rwanda and Zaire, and had seen ‘all’ the wildlife elsewhere during various visits. I was interested in the Kidepo landscape and walking through it. Finally I looked at several companies offering a ‘driver and me’ type of travel. After a number of widely varying quotes I settled on Grassrootz, a Ugandan/Dutch company and I could not have been happier with my choice. Quite expensive as far as my bank account was concerned but Apoka Lodge, where I spent four nights, was never going to be inexpensive, even during the low season I was there for. ‘My’ driver Bob Asiimwe picked me up at the Guinea Fowl, a very comfortable guest house near Entebbe airport (Guinea Fowl did not complain when I reached them just before sunrise due to my flight from Ethiopia being briefly diverted to Kigali due to bad weather) and we, well HE, drove through the day to Apoka. We were expected and Apoka immediately made me feel at home. Kidepo Valley National Park, and Apoka, were wonderful. A morning drive by an Apoka driver, generally a very professional James, with other guests before breakfast and a late afternoon walk for just myself and a Kidepo Ranger Andrew, driven to and from a drop-off point by James - who even signalled all his turns when going from one dirt track to another. Andrew and he were both very, very good about spotting things I was completely missing. They seemed to have a good rapport and while not from the Kidepo area, were from the same other part of the country. I could not have had better company, so kudos to whoever is responsible for them being there. Since a first visit to Africa in 1971, my rural accommodation has almost always been in a two person tent or under the stars so, for me, Apoka was very comfortable and if they were missing something - don’t know if they have ‘wellness’ facilities, but those would represent no value at all to me - I don’t know what it could have been.
Lots of elephant and buffalo, usually at a distance, but Apoka knew I was not there for the wildlife. The walks were wonderful. Meals were all very enjoyable.
My return to Entebbe involved two nights at Sipi River Lodge, on the side of Mount Elgin. A wonderful drive down from Kidepo. Before and after Kidepo the road was not always the smoothest - though nothing like Zaire and other countries to the west - and Bob would weave back and forth to avoid bumps and pot holes. Having spent a year or two on similar roads / tracks elsewhere in Africa, and Asia, I tried second guessing for awhile where Bob would go - right, left, straight ahead. Gave it up. Bob was far, far ahead of me.
My cottage at Sipi River Lodge was within sight and hearing of the falls. A very enjoyable stay. During the day I went for walks with Bob, and local guide Chebet Juma, and learned about the production of coffee, from planting it to grinding. I made the mistake of pitching in when it came to the grinding bit, with mortar and pestle. Wrist has not recovered four months later - apparently I didn’t do it properly, though ‘my’ coffee tasted just fine, to me.
All in all, my Grassrootz experience, both in Uganda and with Zander in their Holland office can’t be faulted. My memories of 1993 Uganda and 2019 Uganda are quite different, not surprising after a quarter century away.
Were I to return to Uganda for a similar journey, would be the first people I would contact. Would I stay at Apoka again? If I wanted that level of comfort THERE, I’m sure I would. The landscape alone would make another visit worthwhile, as would being in the company of people such as James and Andrew.

Once in a lifetime trip!

We booked a 6 day trip with the tour company Home to Africa through this site. Everything about the trip was amazing. The wildlife and beauty of Uganda was amazing and the hospitality of the people is un-paralleled compared to every place in the world we had ever been. We bought a superzoom camera prior to the trip and it was so worth it. We encountered animals that were close enough we could touch and animals that we were glad weren't that close. A good camera is a must!

Nothing can compare to coming face to face with a gorilla and investigating each other from within an arms reach or seeing a pride of lions on the hunt. If you have ever wanted to see Africa, Uganda is the place to go. Food was great too and our guide was the best. Isaac Tugume was like family by the end of the trip and was so insightful, kind, and patient.

Gorilla Trek

Very happy with all aspects of my trip especially my guide Najib.

Wonderful Safari

We made a 9-days tour with Africa Adventure Vacations and it was spectacular, an unique once-in-a-lifetime experience. Perfect organization, lovely lodges, stunning nature and wildlife--highly recommended.
Uganda is great for safari!

it has such a variety of high quality destinations

It was an amazing experience!

I did the 3 day Murchison Falls Safari with Grassrootz Adventures. My guide was William and he was delightful, knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. The game drive and boat tour were spectacular! I had to keep pinching myself the whole time! Murchison River Lodge was very nice, relaxed and comfortable. The staff were very accommodating and the food was delicious! I would definitely go back!!

An African experience that went above all expectations

After my 3 day Uganda Gorilla trek I was so impressed with my guide and the magnificent Mountain gorillas, that I immediately booked a 10 day Uganda wildlife experience so that I could enjoy what the rest of Uganda had to offer, as well as take a second visit to the gorillas. Everything was fabulous, including Murchison Falls, the Nile Cruise, chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park and the tree lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. My guide was fantastic and encouraged me to stay in Uganda for the full Ugandan experience and I’m so glad I did.

Fantastic birdwatching tour

Fantastic birdwatching holiday with Best Jungle Safaris.
My bucket list bird was the Shoebill which we saw on Day 2 at Mwamba swamp.
Forest birding always difficult but our guide Chris did a fantastic job of finding them for us. His hearing and knowledge of bird song outstanding.
Stayed in some lovely lodges. The staff at all the lodges could not do enough for us, and were always polite and courteous.
Food tasted reasonably good. Unfortunately, in the last few days in Uganda both my husband and myself contracted diarrhoea which was confirmed as campylobacter on return home.
Uganda is a beautiful country. Although we were mainly birdwatching we also saw lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebras and giraffe. Scenery lovely. Weather good throughout.
Rogers , our driver, was a very safe and competent driver and a true gentleman.
Overall would highly recommend a birdwatching holiday in Uganda and many thanks to our tour operator.

Loved it, life experience

Loved it, friendly host, beautiful animals and fantastic scenery

Once in a lifetime

My friend and I booked a tour through Home to Africa. From the beginning Elias was extremely helpful and answered all our questions. The booking process was easy and Elias responded quickly.
Alan, our guide, met us at the airport and made us feel welcome and safe. He could not have been nicer.
The food and accommodation were beyond our expectations but what really made the trip was our guide.
Alan went above and beyond at all times to make our trip spectacular. He was knowledgeable about wildlife and gave us a local’s perspective of the country. While in Uganda Alan became our best friend. He made sure we always had bottles of water and we enjoyed his company each night at dinner. He took care of us the entire time and we will never forget his Hippo imitation. We still laugh about it today. We highly recommend this company and ask for Alan.