A few years ago we had the great privilege of meeting Doris at a travel fair in Europe. We hit it off right away, and soon she was accompanying us on a 15-day safari through Uganda.
While we will always remember that adventure, we were delighted to see that Doris recently shared a detailed travelog of her time with us, including beautiful descriptions and some stunning photos.
Although we usually use these blogs to share our own perspectives and insights into life in Uganda and East Africa, we are now pleased to bring you her six-part series about her travels with us.
Below is a brief description of each section and a link to each post. Although the original posts are written in German, we hope our English audience will also take a look, if only because the photos are truly wonderful!.
Without further ado, we present to you Doris’ Uganda Safari.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 1 – Preparation and Arrival
Doris starts off the series with a bit of background on what inspired her to head down to East Africa with a local travel company (Kikooko Africa Safaris!). Apart from our warm meeting, the mountain gorillas were also a major draw.
The post includes information on entry requirements for Uganda, such as the need for a visa and mandatory yellow fever vaccination, as well as tips for staying healthy during the trip, such as consulting with a tropical doctor and taking precautions against malaria, schistosomiasis, and other tropical diseases.
Doris also shares more about her time traveling with us, and the value of working with a local tour operator, especially when considering the challenging roads and wildlife sightings made the trip worthwhile.
Read part 1 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 2 – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Now it’s time for the adventure! This post contains Doris’s first 4 days of her time in Uganda, starting with the arrival at Entebbe airport, and continuing with a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park.
She describes their experiences in beautiful detail, including her excitement at seeing the rhinos up close, and the beauty of Murchison Falls. She also provides information on the places they visited and their accommodations.
Read part 2 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 3 – Kibale Forest National Park
Now we’re getting deep into the Pearl of Africa with this third post, which describes days five through seven in western Uganda, visiting various national parks and experiencing the country’s unique wildlife and landscapes.
The section includes a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, where the author sees giraffes, elephants, and lions, and a walk through Budongo forest to see monkeys and other wildlife. She also includes information on accommodations, such as the Kontiki Hotel and Kibale Forest Camp, and describes a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park.
The post concludes with a visit to Bigodi Wetland and a discussion of the importance of responsible tourism, a value we at Kikooko Africa Safaris hold dear.
Read part 3 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 4 – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Doris begins her fourth post by describing a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, which includes crossing the equator, spotting baby lions, elephants, buffalo, and warthogs on a game drive.
The adventure is just getting started, as this part of the trip also contains staying overnight in a tent at the Bush Lodge in the park, encountering a venomous green mamba snake, waking up to a bull elephant walking towards the tent, going on another game drive to see a lion up close, and taking a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel to see various animals like elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and hippos.
If that wasn’t enough to get you to check out this post, then click through to see some great photos of the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Read part 4 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 5 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This is the moment Doris had been waiting for – mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, home to almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.
Doris shares about her journey up the mountain to the Bwindi Forest Lodge, where they stayed the night before their trek. The following day, they embarked on a hike through the jungle to reach a mountain gorilla family, which included parents and young ones.
She was deeply moved by the peaceful atmosphere and power of the gorillas and considers the experience to be one of their most impressive travel experiences, and we are honored to have been able to play a small part in making this moment happen.
Read part 5 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Uganda Safari Tour Part 6 – Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park
In this final post, Doris wraps up her safari trip to Uganda with days 13-15. This includes a visit to Lake Bunyonyi, where she stayed at a unique accommodation built from natural materials and enjoyed the view of the lake.
This was followed by travel to Lake Mburo National Park, where she went on a game drive and saw zebras, giraffes, and other animals before staying at Eagles Nest, a covered tent with a bathroom. The following morning included a walking safari with a local guide and seeing more animals. They also see buffalos and hippos at one of the five lakes of the national park.
Her trip ended with some precious moments, including a basket-weaving experience that left her smiling and laughing.
Doris summarizes her 15-day Uganda safari trip with us with these beautiful words: “It was my first trip to Africa. It was very exciting and so different from all other trips before. Uganda is an incredibly beautiful country. The variety of landscapes is unique. The lush greenery, the red earth that grows so many delicious fruits. The friendly people. I was lucky enough to spot the Big 5. Leopards are very shy. I will never forget the day I saw one climbing down a tree. Also the encounter with the mountain gorillas as well as the unbelievable peaceful atmosphere that prevailed with them, I will carry in my heart forever.”
Read part 6 of Doris’s Uganda safari tour here.
Ready For Your Uganda Safari?
We’re sure that after you’ve finished reading through Doris’s captivating travel blog that a Uganda safari will be next on your list.
When that moment comes, we are here to help you plan your dream safari. Get in touch with our team here!
