Are you planning to go on a budget safari to Uganda? This is an opportunity to participate in this activity and save more money for other expenses. Take advantage of this opportunity and achieve your dream of meet some of man’s closest relatives.

See Gorillas

Would you like to go on a budget gorilla trek in Uganda? There are amazing offers for those who would like to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. With a gorilla permit selling at only USD600, there are better deals for those who choose to go gorilla trekking in Uganda if compared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Another great way to save is traveling during the low season. There are low season discounts on almost all safari lodges within major destinations in Uganda. The months of mid March to Mid May attract discounts and deals from lodge owners thus  making your trip more affordable.

See Chimpanzees

Chimpanzee tracking permits for normal seasons are $150 per person for Foreign Non-Residents, $100 for foreign residents and Shs 100,000. This is greatly reduced to $100 for foreign non-residents, $75 for foreign residents and Shs 75,000 for East African Community residents during the low season in April, May and November.

The discounted chimpanzee permits were introduced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the body in charge of Wildlife Conservation in partnership with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) to give the chance to tourists who are left out during the high season or cater for those traveling on budget safaris. Not only that, this is a strategy of counteracting the seasonality effect where tourist numbers reduce in some months hence low rates of permits encourage Uganda safaris.

Where to See Chimpanzees in Uganda

The popular Kibale Forest National Park is the capital for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and is a home to over 1500 Chimpanzees out of the total 5000 found within the country. With such large numbers in Kibale Forest, tourists have higher chances of sighting them while on a safari. This park is also popular for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHE) where tourists spend the whole day with these primates to observe them feed, groom, mate and play. It costs only $220 per person for all seasons which might be luxurious for tourists traveling on budget but the experience is worthwhile. Just as normal Chimpanzee tracking, permits for the CHE can be acquired from Uganda Wildlife Authority Head offices or through Tour operators who will charge some commission.

Chimpanzees are also found in Budongo Forest Reserve within Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve and the Kyambura Gorge within Queen Elizabeth National Park but Kibale Forest National park offers the most unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience. The Low season is also conducted during the rainy season but that doesn’t mean that the activity doesn’t continue. Even when it rains in the morning, the activity can eventually go on after the rain stops. However, these primates inhabit the Tropical rain forests where the weather is highly unpredictable hence when you expect it to be a rainy season, you might track chimps without rain interrupting. Therefore when you travel, be prepared of rain at anytime of the year.

On top of the discounted permit, the advantage of chimpanzee tracking during the low season (rainy season) is that it takes a shorter time to find these primates. With abundance of food in this season, the Chimpanzees tend to move to nearer places hence it becomes easier to locate them.

The number one principle of chimpanzee tracking in any season is advance preparation for the activity which includes purchasing the permits on time, carrying and wearing the right things such as long trousers, long sleeved shirts, strong waterproof hiking boots, rain jackets, cameras, binoculars, carry a walking stick, enough drinking water and packed lunch on the day of tracking.

Therefore, chimpanzee tracking is an interesting safari experience that allows tourists to meet face to face with man’s closest relatives. With the introduction of the discounted Chimpanzee permits, budget tourists also have to chance to wee these riveting creatures.

It sits on the edge of a peaceful jungle at the shores of Lake Victoria, near Kampala. To be more precise, it is found in Mukono District, Mpatta Sub-county, Butere. It is a well-conserved ecological getaway that is perfect for honeymoon or family holidays.

Apart from a lake waterfront, Serenada is also comprised of two tropical forests, four flowery gardens, a jungle of papyrus and a beach. The buildings here are nothing short of Eco-friendly. They are built of materials that are dearer to the Eco-system such as softwood, bamboo reeds, smooth murram, and thatched with grass.

This naturally attracts lots of birds with soothing calls that are as sweet to the ears as serenade music. For a more fulfilling experience, you could head out for a guided bird-watching excursion around the lake and its shores. You stand high chances of seeing the 220 species to which Serenada is paradise.

In no exaggeration, Serenada is the kind of getaway you would want to stay in forever.

To say Bwindi Jungle Lodge is just an astonishing safari lodge is quite an understatement. It is a destination of diversity, energy, and culture. From the fancy colors that burst open in its blue skies, to its charming sunset that leaves many of its visitors at a loss of words, it is a tourist facility where you can explore the wilderness and be pampered in splendor.

There are many particulars that comprise a great stay, and this destination which is located on Lake Mulehe, Mucha, about 10kilometers from Kisoro town provides so many.
Serenity, comfort, convenience, and cleanliness are top-notch at this facility—which prides itself in having six fully-fledged cottages. From its wall fence which was built using blocks of solid volcanic ash, to the relaxing beds made of finely furnished tree planks, much of its décor and architectural design is themed along with eco-friendliness. They are built out of locally available materials creatively fashioned to impress.

However, what struck me the most about this facility which is a property of Uganda Jungle lodges is its hospitality. The hosts treat you with such care, like you are a long-lost family, finally reunited. After a fruitful day of gorilla tracking in the Southern Wing of Bwindi, a forest park that sits 20kilometers to its North, I arrived here with three friends on a cold evening in Mid- April. We had come for a two-day visit in celebration of Shaban’s 26^th birthday (one of our members).

We were greeted with smiles at the door and invited to sit before being served fresh cocktail juice. I guess this was meant to give us a perfect beginning to the end of our day. What ensued next was a thirty minutes conservation that flowed naturally as chaired by Sherinah Ngabirano, the Lodge’s Manager. The cheery host was briefing us about fun experiences around the lodge we could pursue during our stay.

The lodge’s menu exclusively featured organically grown farm fresh goodies from its kitchen garden.
According to the chef, Jonathan Katongole, this tradition is inspired by the need to feed diners healthy foods. Similarly, it is purposed to conserve the ecosystem.

“The growth of organic foods, unlike genetically modified organisms, isn’t dependent on herbicides.”… “This helps us avoid the usage of herbicides which otherwise would have poisoned micro-organisms in the soil.” He said

In the philosophy of the Uganda Jungle Lodges, the lodge has maximum attention to the respect of the environment by using solar energy, alternative charcoal Briketi, and gas, by recycling all materials collecting them at an organized Waste Management Point. It also re-uses organic waste to make compost for the fertilization of the gardens.

State of rooms

The rooms which are named after gorillas of the nearby Mghahinga National Park were comfortable and quiet. Each of them is built to offer refreshing views of the lake. It quite bothered me though that the lighting of mine, in particular, was strong. I couldn’t help it echo my concern to Denis Akena, a caretaker at the facility. A few hours later, my situation was fixed with more cozy light.

Away from the state of the rooms, the setting buds with indigenous tree species that are a favorite of bird’s species inclusive of migratory ones like the African Harrier hawk.

As such, one’s eardrums are melted with the calls of different species all day, all night. If you fancy coming out in the moonlight to catch sight of nocturnal birds, brace yourself for a rewarding encounter with the barn owl, a species adored across the continent for being wise and prudent.

In pursuit of bird species we hadn’t seen at our doorsteps, we were taken for a birdwatching boat cruise in the adjacent Lake Mulehe, a crater attraction surrounded by rolling hills. We found tons of them at the tributary connecting the lake to Lake Mutanda. Most of these were the type dependent on fish for prey, such as the pied kingfishers. The clear views of mountain Muhavura as seen during the expedition was endearing. I found more than inspiration in its view.

Later in the day, our experience was capped with an agro-tourism experience and village walk in Giseke, a traditional village of the Bafumbira located within 20 minutes boat ride from the lodge.

Both experiences were one of a kind. It was led by Habigiriziman Christopher, 72, an ardent conservationist partnering with the lodge in spearheading the regeneration of a natural forest in the locality.

I highly recommend this adventure, especially for honeymooners and family holidays.

Other attractions/ experiences within easy reach
The Great Virunga Mountains inclusive of Mountain Nyiragongo, an active volcano in Congo.

The Batwa trail can be done both in Mgahinga National Park and Echuya Forest; in Mgahinga also it is possible the climbing the Muhavura Volcano (whose view is nicely seen from the lodge).

For details
Email: ugandajunglelodges.com

Facebook: Uganda Jungle Lodges

+256 772 673825