Uganda is the active travelers dream come true. With the exception of getting from point A to point B, you can spend your entire trip walking, hiking, rafting, climbing, treking, swimming, and much more. Some of the highlights for active travelers include:
Ugandas Mountain Ranges
Whitewater Rafting
Gorilla Trekking, Chimp Trekking and Forest Walks
Mountains
Mountains at Sunset
Mt. Elgon
Mt. Elgon (4,321 m) provides the hiker with an amalgamation of landscapes, vegetation and cultures. Climbing this extinct volcano does not require mountaineering skills. In fact, the incline is quite gradual. On the slopes are great caves, gorges and waterfalls as well as rock paintings, terraced coffee plantations, rock steps and ladders.
Rwenzori Mountains
Located on the western border of Uganda, Rwenzori Mountain Park is a fantastic place that features the legendary "Mountains of the Moon" and picturesque peaks shrouded in mist. In the center of the range, which boasts Africa's third highest mountain, some of the peaks carry permanent snow and glaciers. The higher you go, the fitter you need to be.
The most bizarre aspect of the Rwenzoris is its plantlife. The difference in vegetation is due to both the levels of altitude, but also the various soil types. The results are plants that have evolved to gigantic proportions, such as heather that stands about thirty feet tall!
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White Water Rafting
The White Nile offers fantastic rapids
The first historic descent on the White Nile was in 1996. The White Nile at it’s source claims some of the most powerful and sustained rapids on earth. It is for this reason that the first descent on the White Nile was as recently as 1996. The river rushes rapidly around forest covered islands and rock outcroppings. The water is surprisingly warm and and creates the most amazing rapids for rafting, kayaking and river surfing in the world. The best spot to begin a whitewater adventure is just north of Jinja along the Victoria Nile. Trips can vary in length from half a day to three days. Rafters should be excellent swimmers.
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Gorilla Trekking, Chimp Trekking and Hiking in the Forests
Getting close to Gorillas in Bwindi National Park
In southwest Uganda, the majority of wildlife safaris are on foot. While trekking the mountain gorillas can be vigorous, forest walks and chimpanzee trekking are less strenuous.
Gorilla Trekking
These gentle mammals allow you to become part of their group, provided that you are respectful. You will spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour with them witnessing their everyday adventures. Trekking can take anywhere from 15 minutes to eight hours, depending on the location of the gorilla group. Travelers should be prepared for a vigorous climb through dense vegetation. Porters are available and recommended. Depending on permit availability we are planning for two days of trekking. Due to high demand and low permit allowances we highly recommend travelers book their gorilla trekking adventures as soon as possible. We also recommend that all participants be in good physical condition for the strenuous trek.
Chimp Trekking
Uganda is a Chimpanzee paradise and probably one of the best places to see them. Chimpanzees occupy a wide range of habitats, from dense primary rain forests to dry savannah woodlands and reverine forests. Wild chimps are easy to hear but difficult to see unless they are habituated. The process is done gradually and takes up to 2 years and more before tourists will be allowed. The results are different from one location to another because the habituation process is an on going process and a community of chimps can have more than 40 members. It takes time to make them all comfortable with humans. Habituated chimp communities need also a continuous day-by-day focus .
Forest Walks
Guided nature walks are unique to only a few countries in Africa, providing one of the most fascinating opportunities to experience the wilderness and wildlife in and up close and personal sort of way. Guided Nature walks are also the only way to explore the forests in company of knowledgeable and well trained guides. Most often these walks are guided by knowledgeable and trained nature guides in the National Parks or Wildlife Reserves. They are a more relaxed way to explore the forest, with time to focus on what interests you most, weather it be plant life, habits of the local furry critters, birds or butterflies. Hike through lush rainforests discovering moss covered glens, waterfalls tucked into tree lined coves and much more. This is also a great option for travelers who like to be active, but want to set their own pace.
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