I did the 7 Days Best of Uganda, and must say it was one of the best trips I ever took by far. Definitely would do it again. The tour included Game Drives inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee Tracking and Gorilla Tracking.
Day 1: I started off in Kampala at the beautiful Mestril Hotel & Residences located in the periphery of Kampala City, on Nsambya Hill. Méstil Hotel & Residences presents their guests the privilege of living in an exclusive and serene space overlooking the skyline and other historical hills of Kampala with proximity to Embassies, Hospitals, Art & Crafts centers and fresh Food Markets among other areas of interest. The Hotel has a beautiful pool, spa, gym, restaurants and offers conferences and meetings room spaces.
The Rooms showcase the ever evolving, vibrant and distinctly urban vibe of Kampala city. The contemporary interior design, in-room facilities and luxury amenities provide the highest level of comfort. Deluxe Authenticity, Natural, Earthy Warm Colors and Tones.
Some of the food choices offered at the Restaurant. Local catch of the day “Tilapia” fish and fries with Mushroom soup followed by the local Beer called “NILE”.
Crater Safari Lodge
Day 2: I headed to the Crater Safari Lodge located on the banks of the Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake. Crater Safari Lodge blends perfectly in with its surrounding landscape. Crater Safari Lodge has nine luxury cottages, including two double roomed cottages for families and small groups traveling together, each cottage offers privacy and has its own large deck area from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake.
The cottages are extremely spacious and airy with well appointed en-suit bathrooms.
The main lodge building constructed from local timber and thatch, is raised up on the hill with breathtaking panoramic views over the lake.
Amenities include a restaurant, bar, expansive lounge area, craft shop, spa facility, swimming pool and campfire area overlooking the lake which is the perfect place to enjoy a drink at sunset.
https://cratersafarilodge.com/
Day 3: Just a short drive away from Crater Safari Lodge is Kibale National Park home of the chimpanzees. Also my start for the chimpanzee trekking experience which was unbelievable and breathtaking just an amazing experience to see them up close and personal in the wild (where the belong).
Chimpanzee Tracking Walks
The most popular of Kibale’s walks starts daily from the Kanyanchu visitor area at 8am and 3pm and it lasts for about 2 to 3 hours. Chimpanzees are of course the primate most sought after by visitors, but many other primates can be spotted. Guests should look out for the black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey. Your guide will also point out sun birds, pitas, and other bird species and will explain the traditional uses of plant species within the forest.
http://www.kibaleforestnationalpark.org/
Local Community Walk
This is also a rewarding activity to expand your knowledge of local Ugandan culture. The people will introduce you to their farming methods and explain to you how they have managed to live in the area. You can also buy the locally produced art, craft items and produce.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4 Off to Queen Elizabeth National Park to take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The launch cruise offers great chances to take pictures since the boat drifts slowly just by the shores of the channel. The Kazinga Channel supports the biggest number of Hippos in the whole of Africa. You will see a diversity of wildlife like Elephants, Leopards, Lions, Buffaloes, Crocodiles as well a a variety of different bird species from Martial Eagles, African spoonbills, Cormorants, African Skimmers, Pelicans, Papyrus Gonolek, in addition to the occasional hard to pin down Shoebill Stork.
Mweya Safari Lodge
Settling in at night at the beautiful Mweya Safari Lodge situated on top of the peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Mweya Safari Lodge is surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains aptly described as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ with a panoramic view over the Kazinga Channel.
Mweya Safari Lodge is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. Well-known for its luxury environment and proximity to great attractions, Mweya Safari Lodge makes it easy to enjoy the best of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Mweya Safari Hotel is a luxury hotel offering air conditioning in the rooms. The hotel features a 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and currency exchange. Plus, guests can enjoy a pool and an on-site restaurant, which have made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. The hotel also has a gym, spa and meeting rooms. The Mweya Safari Lodge offers 32 Standard Rooms, 12 Deluxe Rooms with Air-conditioning, 2 Suites.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the national parks in Uganda with lions.
After this exciting boat trip I am going on a game drive to view the Lions, another experience not to be missed at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day 5 After an exciting day of animal watching at Queen Elizabeth Park it’s off to the Gorilla Safari Lodge in Bwindi, the final part of the trip.
Gorilla Safari Lodge sits comfortably at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a primeval forest and lush jungle region in south west Uganda. This national park is home to wild gorillas, forest elephants and 23 species of bird endemic to the area.
It’s just a 5 minute drive from the lodge to the briefing point for trekking. After a long day of trekking and plugging through thick tropical vegetation, hikers can seek solace in knowing that their lodge is just a quick drive away from the entrance to the park.
Banana and guava trees cocoon the lodge, and in the distance there are views of the forest jungle with its ancient canopy of trees decorating the lofty hills. The entrance to the lodge is warm and welcoming. Bold colors from indigenous flora greet you upon arrival, leaving a lasting first impression. The atmosphere is personable, and efficient staff ensure you looked after for the duration of your stay.
The main lodge area houses the dining room, a relaxation lounge, spa treatment room and a quaint nook where the bar is situated. This remote lodge comprises 18 individual units (sleeping 45 in total) each with private wooden balconies overlooking the wilderness. 3 of these units are inter-leading rooms, making them ideal for families. Another 2 rooms are joined, but aren’t inter leading.
The architecture and decor is comfortable, and all amenities from home are provided. Rooms have solar powered lighting, en-suite bathroom with hot and cold water and flush toilets. Each unit is designed to look like stand-alone log cabins that blend in with the surrounding rainforest, ensuring that the lodge does not look out of place in its wild surrounds. Cobbled paths with wooden bannister’s join the well-appointed rooms, each of which have been named after individual gorillas or gorilla tribes.
Some of the units come with a deep-set stand alone bath and a fireplace.
There are plenty of activities and things to do in the area, all of which can be arranged on site for an extra fee. Guests can choose between the full day gorilla conservation experience or the popular gorilla tracking.
Either way, Gorilla Safari Lodge is the ideal hideaway to base yourself for a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda.
https://gorillasafarilodge.com/
It’s finally off to the highly anticipated Gorilla Habituation Tracking.
Gorilla Trekking : Take a fully guided trek into the dense rainforest and meet the gorillas. Guests will be briefed at the start of the trek, and receive a certificate at the end. Tracking gorillas can take anything from 3 hours to a full day – depending on which group you track. You will spend an hour with the gorillas.
Gorilla Habituation : This activity is unique to the lodge and is a full day of walking. This experience includes 4 hours with a gorilla family. It is only available in Uganda (Rushaga) and provides an intimate experience observing wild gorillas together with researchers, trackers, rangers and leading conservationists
I had an excellent and memorable trip. I highly recommend Crystal Safaris! The food was delicious lots of options to choose from. The staff was friendly at each property. All the lodges were beautiful clean and peaceful with great views. Special thanks to Barbara who handled everything so well and very professional. The whole experience was just priceless and magical. Not to forget loved the Hot Water Bottle underneath the sheets for bedtime.
