Experience the Batwa Trail

If you a cultural enthusiast and you are interested in the most thrilling African cultural experiences then Uganda’s Batwa cultural trail is worth exploring while you are on safari in Africa this coming holiday. In case of any plans to embark on Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park, it is such incredible and life changing experience that you shouldn’t miss to be part. A Batwa cultural walk means a great opportunity for you to discover the rich history and culture of the Batwa pygmies who lived in the forest for over 500000 years as hunters and fruit gatherers. Ideally, the forest was undoubtedly their treasure but due to need to conserve the area, they were displaced and today they are the marginalized group around Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

A cultural walk to the Batwa community while on Uganda cultural safari means an incredible chance for you to indulge yourself into their thrilling dances, music performances and also learn more about their lifestyles, traditions and most importantly, have amazing time as they demonstrate their hunting and gathering techniques. They depended on the forest for many things including food, medicine and shelter. While here, you will also be led through the sacred Ngarama cave which previously served as refuge to their king and it is here that you will find women singing sorrowfully but at end of it all, get you the best of thrilling experience. Most importantly, there are guides to take you through both long and short trails experience more about the life of these incredible group of people. They will interpret for you different herbs that are of medicinal importance and a number of things that won’t leave you bored.

The Batwa trail was established mainly to help educate their children and also as one way to share their heritage and traditions with the world travelers. They have lived out of their original home the ‘forest’ from 1992 up to date. Despite this, they have never forgotten their ancient ways of doing things. Today, the United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU) has come up to promote the Batwa rights and also help provide them with land, education and health care.

In summary, for any plans to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga national park to trek mountain gorillas, embarking on a Batwa trail should be a must and you will have the best of unforgettable cultural experiences in Africa.

10 Most Spectacular Birds to See in Uganda

Do you wish to see the world’s rarest bird species? With about 10% of the world’s popular birds, Uganda is undoubtedly the birders paradise in Africa.  A trip to a few of Uganda’s remotest national parks to watch birds is incredibly remarkable travel experience of a life time. A few of Africa’s remaining tropical rain forests offer a lively sight at these unique birds and setting into the jungle of Uganda comes with ultimate African experience. For birders, Uganda is ideally the most reputable destination for you to explore more than 1061 bird species that can easily be sighted in any of its stunning savannah, semi-desert, montane tropical rainforests, wetlands, Lakes, Rivers and Afro Alpine zone. Uganda’s birds are the world’s most sought after and incomparably the most rewarding species that are worthy to include while planning for safari to Africa.

Below is a list of top ten birds for you to sight if you are planning a safari to Uganda.

Shoebill stork:

A sight at a Shoebill stork in Uganda’s parks is the most remarkable is real glimpse that describes its humbling size. Shoebill storks are endemic to Africa, a reason why thousands across the world take safaris to Uganda to have a glimpse at these incredible species in the wilderness. These unique bird species were not all that conserved and their eggs were one time and again stolen from their nests till the Uganda Bird Guide Club’s efforts intervened to rescue their lives in the hands of hunters.

Green breasted pitta:

The Green breasted pitta is the only second pitta that is found in Africa. Besides its common status, the green breasted pitta is the rarest species to see in the world. A sight at this specie is the most remarkable experience in Africa’s jungles and particularly in Uganda. The green breasted pitta is the loveliest bird for you to achieve your dreams.

African green broadbill:

With only 2 areas in the world, Uganda is preferably the loveliest destination that you must visit for bird watching. If you are interested in sighting at this magnificent bird specie, you either travel to Itombwe Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. However, these bird species are reducing as result habitat loss from deforestation.

Great Blue Turaco:

The Great Blue Turaco and white crested Turaco are a few of the largest, rarest bird species that you can sight while in your safari in Uganda.  They are also the most hunted species especially for their meat and feathers as they are used as commodities.

Shelley’s Crimson wing:

Incomparably Shelley’s Crimson wing is one of the world’s unique birds that are worthy including while planning a trip to Uganda. This bird specie can be found in thin strip of mountains and volcanoes which is famously known as the Albertine Rift just at the borders to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. It is magical having a glance at these wild beautiful species!

Standard winged nightjar:

Standard winged nightjar is uniquely characterized by the central flight feathers which appear at a time of breeding with males. They are raised vertically during display, it is indeed a life time experience sighting this remarkable bird’s feather’s stretch about 38 centimeters long.

Short tailed warbler:

This bird specie is mainly seen in Uganda’s forest undergrowth. As well, you can also sight this spectacular bird species in the jungles of the DRC and Rwanda.

Doherty’s Bush shrike:

This bird specie can be seen in the subtropical montane forests and moist shrub lands of central Africa. They are brightly colored species that are commonly sighted in Uganda and their population levels are a bit stable in most areas.

Bar tailed Trogon:

This is one of the impressively magnificent medium sized bird species that stays in higher altitude forests and has a big range throughout central and southern Africa.

Black breasted barbet:

This bird specie has been sighted by a handful travelers in the world which makes it one of the most sought after bird by birders. In most cases, these species have been seen in most conflict places but Uganda is offers the safest opportunity for bird lovers to enjoy a glimpse of this beautiful bird.

In conclusion, Uganda is a birder’s paradise, with over 1061 unique species that offer remarkable glimpse of authentic African experience in the wild. With countless bird species, Uganda is undoubtedly the loveliest destination that you must visit to sight the world’s rarest bird species.

Why Book a Coaster Bus for a Group Tour in Uganda

Are you looking for a vehicle for a group tour in Uganda? There are few options for group travels in Uganda. One of the most affordable car rentals in Uganda is the coaster bus, a 25 -35 seater minibus that is common in Uganda. Using a coaster in Uganda is cheap and becoming so famous for moving the large groups. Hiring a coaster with a driver makes life much easier for each and every one that is involved. The vehicle is more ideal when traveling in bigger groups, whether it’s for day trips, airport transfers, vacation trips in Uganda. Hiring a coaster with a driver has got many advantages and this can improve the experience all over.

This vehicle is so convenient for a group travel. Sometimes one of individuals in the group is comfortable with being the elected driver, most especially in case they are well known with larger vehicles. The other group members will like the idea of hiring a driver. This gives everybody chance to have enough space for their feet and legs. This makes the tour so enjoyable and less stressful.

A coaster is so ideal for the city tours, here in Uganda, the day and break safaris are so famous amongst people travelling in groups, and they often chose to travel via minibus or the coaster bus.  The other importance is that in case you hire a coaster in the local area, then your driver is likely to know the best routes, and might get some suggestions about local attractions and restaurants.

Making your own schedule, this is when you hire a coaster with the driver will help you plan  and also customize your trip as much as you want rather than using the public transport schedules. With hiring, you are free to decide when you are to be picked and dropped off. This will help you in customizing your trip to suit your group and make sure you get to see and do as much as you like.

A coaster has got better value for money and its cheaper when compared to other ways of traveling, the benefits make it outstanding when it comes to value for money. With a coaster bus, you will have more leg room, space for your luggage and it offers you a more sociable adventure with your group while you are on the road in case you have a driver.

Traveling with a coaster is an ideal way of traveling in a large group, whether it’s a one day trip or an airport transfer, for the longer safaris, hiring a driver makes the experience a lot more convenient to get around in a cheap way and more comfortable.

In conclusion, coasters are so great for the large groups especially those traveling with in the capitals city of Uganda and doing short safaris.

5 Best Sedan Cars for Hire in Uganda

Are you searching for a compact car to rent for your safari in Uganda? You have a right to choose the right car rental in Uganda that is comfortable and pocket friendly and that is why our saloon cars are there for you to realize your dreams in Uganda. Saloon cars are also famous as Sedan cars. Our saloon vehicles are smaller in size and they accommodate about four people and the driver. Our saloon vehicles are credited for their most comfortable, stylish and simple to manage and convenient for travelers who are in their business tour, city dwellers and safaris. We have a wide array of Sedan vehicles for people to hire especially the executive one which are versatile, comfortable and secure to the budget which are just adequate for travelers to drive around. Ideally there is no reason why you shouldn’t grab one our best and affordable 4X4. To help you come up with the best choice, below is the list of our amazing sedan/saloon cars to hire in Uganda.

1. Rav4

The best 4 seater car for you to hire, it accommodates a total of four travelers but it comes with adequate space. Its interior is amazing and generally one of the strongest vehicles to help navigate through Uganda’s rough roads. Besides other fleets of Saloon cars, the Rav4 also feature in tow categories, the short tow door and the long four doors all these have similar seating capacity and strength. Most visitors intending to take up self drive safaris in Uganda, the Rav4 is preferably the best because it is very friendly in terms of fuel consumption and simple to manage. Are you planning to travel as an individual, couple or friends? Using a Rav4 is the best vehicle to help you traverse throughout your safari in all corners of Uganda.

2. Toyota premio

This features as upscale saloon car with an incredible interior which come in wood trim and good class material together with assortment of convenience features such as bottle stands, air conditioning, airbags, centralized door lock, power windows, automatic and manual, CD player and among others. It is a small vehicle and simple to run hire a Toyota premio from our authorized car hire company in Kampala, Uganda and hit the road in a comfortable way to any of the attractive areas and you won’t regret in life. This kind of car is ideal for city safaris and distant towns although it is not encouraged to use on rough roads.

3. Toyota Noah

This type of a car resembles the minivan in its physical appearance. It accommodates about seven people and driver and to enjoy more comfort and need of window seats, it can take five people. Its interior is fantastic, it has adjustable seats and you can do it your convenience. It is the most comfortable vehicle for group safaris of four and more, ideally there is no need to be worried of space to stretch your legs or pack your cargo. It also comes with sun roof that offers visitors the most stunning views of the area while in a safari.

4. Mercedes Benz

This is an ultimate luxury car. It comes in Mercedes Benz S class, E class and C class and many more brands. The Mercedes Benz is an unbeatable of all sedan cars given its entire mechanical make up, this however explains why it is acknowledged for wedding parties, executive hire and anything to do with upscale bracket. It is one of the cars that have kept their legacy of first class and durability. Renting this type of saloon car is an opportunity for visitors to save money as it is also the in terms of fuel consumption.

5. Toyota corona

This is best for traversing through Uganda’s capital city and other areas of the country. It is an exclusive four seater sedan car, best for town navigation and smooth areas. It comes in automatic and manual, air conditioned, CD player, ABC brakes, power steering, electric windows, airbags and others.

In conclusion Saloon cars are convenient, easy to drive and compact to navigate in Kampala and other areas especially on self drive safaris. Hiring our sedan cars gives you opportunity to explore different parts of Uganda at a pocket friendly price, comfort, safety and with big space to pack your luggage for safari. Enjoy your safari with our best saloon cars and you won’t regret in life!

How To Save Big On Uganda Car Hire

Saving is very important especially when going for a safari, and the saved money can be used on something else very important. Have you ever traveled to Africa mainly Uganda which is well know as the pearl of Africa. The country has very many tourist attractions some of which are untouched, however all these can be best explored either in a self-drive vehicle or with one of our experienced driver who know each and every corner of Uganda. If you want to make some savings on your self drive safari to Uganda or elsewhere and make the best of your trip, try to follow these simple car hire tips you will not fail to save more on your budget and use the saved money for shopping or any other personal nature.

Try to Look beyond brand name

Many car rental companies hire their cars at a very high rate just because of their names, so in order to avoid being over charged try not to concentrate more on booking with popular companies with brand names most of the time their rates are very high when you compare it with other small companies yet they offer the same services. Try looking out for some independent and trusted car hire agency in Uganda that charge lower price and on a discounted rates. Although it’s not a guarantee, it’s on record that independent companies offer cheap and friendly prices for their vehicles. You will find that you’ve saved some good money on the same car.

Avoid airport transfers

For the case of airport transfers, you should not do this mistake of transporting your self form and to the airport which many people do yet they hired a vehicle from the car hire agency. In order to save, always tell the car hire agent to pick and drop you at the airport or get you the car from the location in or around the city or at the airport. Airport pick ups and drop offs are chargeable and hence it ends up increasing your expense by more than 15%, so it’s better to agree with your agency about airport pick up and cover that extra expense, if you negotiate this before you won’t be charged. At Drive Uganda, we offer supplementary airport pick and drop offs for free when you book your rental.

Negotiate well with agent:

If you negotiate well with the car hire agent, you may end up getting the car at a reduced price. Or you may decide to do it one on one with the gent by visiting their offices and try to bargain, you never know you may get a reduced price on your car. Doing this you can be given a less expensive car than the one you confirmed with.

Always get a car that fits your needs and budget:

This is very important in case you want to save on car hire, you must hire a car based on the number of people you are traveling with and your budget constraints, as this will stop you from extra costs. if you’re a sole traveler don’t hire a van or a supper custom because it’s more expensive than a Rav4 which is suitable for 1– 3 people, and if you’re traveling with a family or with a big group from 3-8 people, a van, supper custom, land cruiser extended or a larger sedan is suitable and you can ask for a discount. It’s also advised to communicate your budget and the car of interest, the car hire agency will get it, and in case you need a special item it’s better to let them know because minus telling them, they won’t know and you may need something that may draw you in extra costs, so ask you will be given, for example, you may need a car with a tent. Also ask for discounts, most car hire services offer discounts when you rent for long period say from one week and above,

Try to know the exchange rate

This will also help you to save especially if you’re booking online, try to search online the exchange rate in Uganda shillings or any other rate of any country you’re going to, to avoid disagreeing with the agent about the exchange dollars in Uganda, you can use either the Google converter or XE currency converter. This will help you to know how much 1 USD is equivalent to in the Uganda shillings.

Book Early:

Always it’s better to book earlier before your traveling dates in order to avoid disappointments and last minutes booking. This will help you choose the right car that fits your budget and the number of people you’re traveling with. Moving on the streets of a strange nation looking for a car to hire you may get a wrong choice and expensive car.

How Early Should I Book a Gorilla Safari

Are you planning for a gorilla safari to Africa and you do not know when you should book your permit or how early you should book for your gorilla safari? Well, in order for you to take part in gorilla safari, a number of factors have to be considered while planning for a successful primate adventure of this kind.

As you plan for a memorable gorilla tour, one of thing you shouldn’t forget is securing your gorilla permit. This must be done early enough! How early should it be done is a main question that nearly everyone asks and very significant and at end of this article, you would have got the answer to this important question.

A gorilla permit is a very important requirement for every trekker who wishes to embark on gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. A permit is what allows you track only one habituated family and given the high demand for permits, visitors are always encouraged to book for their permits in advance to avoid any kind of disappointments. In Uganda, about 136 gorilla permits are always available for visitors to purchase and these represent about 17 habituated groups that are available for visitors to trek in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, in Rwanda-there are about 80 permits that are always available for purchase and they represent the 10 groups that have habituated and readily available for visitors to trek then 64 in DRC which represent about 8 habituated families in Virunga National Park. Note, one gorilla group is equal to eight visitors!

Usually, visitors wishing to take part in this tremendous primate adventure are advised to book their permits at least 3-6 months earlier before the actual trekking date. However, others even book 2 years earlier. Booking a permit in advance is something of great significance. First, it gets you out of the stressful moment on the last minute booking when it becomes very challenging for one to find a permit the fact that demand for them is very high. Normally, things become worse especially during the dry season which is also regarded as high/peak season which is the busiest period in the gorilla parks. The dry season begins from June to September and December to February. However, the wet season is equally ideal for trekking and kick starts from March to May and from December to February. Besides, it allows you to plan for other things which are of great value for this adventure. Note that gorilla trekking isn’t only securing for a permit but also for you to plan for means of transportation to and fro the destination, lodges and accommodation options for your overnight stay while on safari plus meals and many other factors. By booking your gorilla safari early enough, you will have a well-planned vacation in Uganda or Rwanda that will leave a lasting memory in you.

The cost for gorilla permits varies from country to country. In Uganda, you can obtain one at $600, in Rwanda at $1500 per person while in the DR Congo you need about $400 and this also applies to those of you who wish to trek for eastern lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park.

You can book a permit through a registered, recognized ground tour operator or company or through a reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority if you are to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park; reservationist at Rwanda Development Board if you are heading off to Rwanda. Send your email with dates you wish to track gorillas and we shall check the availability of gorilla permits for you as you sit back home. The dates you intend to track gorillas are available, we shall reserve a permit for you and you will be required to make a deposit.

In conclusion, if you are planning to take part in gorilla experience in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo, make sure that you book your permit early enough to avoid being disappointed due to shortages that come as a result of high demand for gorilla permits. Contact us and we shall be of great help to you!

Uganda’s Tourism Benefit Locals

Tourism in Uganda has helped a lot in improving the lives of many Ugandans including in the rural areas. The number of tourist arrivals in Uganda has increased significantly over the years and this has translated into dollars for different people involved in the hospitality industry.

Tourism however remains a foreign concept to many Ugandans despite the benefits that it is providing to this Country. Very few Ugandans have visited the different national parks in Uganda. Although the size of the British Isle, Uganda has over 10 national parks in addition to other different game reserves and conservation areas.

About a million tourists visited Uganda national parks in 2018; however by 2009 the number of tourists had increased tremendously to 145,000 arrivals.

Uganda’s tourism despite its great initial potential after independence was greatly affected by the dictatorial reign of Idd Amin in the 1970s. A large number of Uganda’s wildlife was decimated due to poaching and poor management of the wildlife.

Rhinos for instance were hunted to extinction in Uganda. This was partly due to superstition by the soldiers who believed that wearing a rhino horn made one invincible.

However also during the 1990s there was war in northern by the Lord’s Resistance Army – LRA as well as south western Uganda by the Allied Democratic Forces – ADF and media reports about these incidents negatively affected the country’s image.

One of the worst of these incidents was the massacre of tourists in Bwindi national park who had gone on a gorilla safari in 1999 by the ADF rebels. Gorilla tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner for Uganda’s tourism. Almost all Uganda tour packages feature gorilla trekking in Bwindi as a must do activity included in the itinerary.

The other notable incident was the killing of students from the Jimmy Sekasi Institute of catering and hospital by the LRA in 2001 in an area of Uganda’s largest national park – Murchison falls national park in northern Uganda.

In order to realize the goal of conservation, conservations have poverty alleviation as one of the key objectives of conservation of wildlife. Uganda Wildlife Authority has for years now made it a point in its revenue sharing program to ensure that 20% of the annual revenue collected from any national park goes back to the communities surrounding the national park or tour attraction.

In total there has been over $2 million that the Uganda Wildlife Authority has given back to the local communities in the national parks through their local governments and the money is often used to provide services to the community as well as start projects for the locals in the area.

There are over 30 districts found around Uganda’s national parks and protected areas. All these districts under their local government have identified projects under the revenue sharing scheme that the Uganda Wildlife Authority can partly finance.

These locals have identified projects such as constructions of classrooms, teachers’ houses, clinics, roads, irrigation schemes, community halls and centers etc.

In addition to this locals benefit from tourism activities directly, for instance the locals around Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park as well as Mountain Rwenzori national park earn more in a month than most civil servants earn in a year from being porters to the tourists when doing gorilla trekking and Rwenzori mountain climbing.

Tourism and the Gorillas

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. Tourism involves travel of people” and staying in different places of there interest. Many people travel to Africa to see mountain Gorillas and gorilla trekking is the major tourism activity in Uganda. As must do for every visitor to Uganda, Rwanda or Congo whether for the first time or not and is the largest generator of revenue from tourism.

Apart from Uganda being home to almost half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas, there is a lot to see and do in Uganda. There are lots of birds, wildlife, natural scenery, rich culture, mountains and many more. Conservationists in Africa are looking forward to a bright future for the protection of mountain gorillas because according to a census conducted last year, Uganda’s endangered apes have increased in number from 302 to 480 individuals, hence the total number of gorillas in Africa is now at 1000. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the increase proves without uncertainty that Uganda’s conservation efforts are paying off and is testimony to the sound natural resource management policies that are being implemented in the protected areas,”

Both gorilla conservation and gorilla tourism is intertwined! Tourism relies on availability of gorillas yet tourism is also crucial in generating the funds that are used in supporting conservation works within the gorilla habitats.

Gorilla tourism has also helped in getting the local communities on board in protecting the mountain gorillas. By putting some of the revenue into local projects, converting formerly hostile groups into friendly advocates for the gorillas’ survival, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials have been able to build successful partnerships with local communities.

The endangered mountain gorillas have their home in two known national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both national parks are found in the south western part of the country. Mgahinga is the Ugandan part of the Virunga Conseravtion Area that extends into Rwanda as Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo as Virunga National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site given that it hosted three great apes; chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and humans. A gorilla trek is one of the most interesting adventure activity that can be done in Bwindi Forest. Currently gorilla tourism is highly controlled and the number of visitors tracking the mountain gorillas is limited. There are 17 gorilla groups that have been habituated for gorilla visits. Every group is visited by a maximum of eight visitors.

A gorilla trekking permit goes for USD600 per person in Uganda, USD400 in Virunga National Park of DR Congo and USD1500 in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Gorillas Increasing in Numbers

According to Mike Cran-field of Gorilla Doctors, “The mountain gorilla is the only non-human great ape that is actually growing in number and the growth of the mountain gorilla population can be attributed to the intensive conservation and collaboration between multiple conservation groups and government authorities.” The increase in population growth was partly due to “extreme conservation” methods such as daily ranger monitoring in the forest, this is according to the conservation group Gorilla Doctors. Think of African Beauty with the Gorillas in their natural habitat.

The Forgotten Uganda Pyramids

Pyramids are probably one of the most unique architectural endeavors of ancient history that we can still see today. The pyramids of Egypt are very astounding in design and are probably the most known world-wide. However the number of pyramids in Sudan far out numbers those in Egypt by 85. Sudan has a great number of pyramids and is testament to the rich culture the Country had in its history.

There is however a pyramid in Uganda that is little known by the locals even in those living in the District of Maracha where it is located. In 1911, after the signing of an agreement between the then British Protectorate and the Belgian, the latter built a pyramid in Alikua village located in today’s District of Maracha. The Belgians built the pyramid to signify that they were the first white people to settle in the region.

It is believed to have a bottle with a paper in it on which is written the year in which they first settled in the area before the British colonialists. The Pyramid is 5 meters tall and is made of mud and stones. The structure is however now cracking and the plaster around it is worn out with old age. It was well protected about 3 decades ago as it was being funded by the Belgian government but is now rapidly being destroyed due to neglect. Some years back the structure was vandalized by people who thought mercury had been buried in it. Its caretaker is a 34 year old young man Mr. Alikua Oku who is not being paid a cent for his work.

The locals consider this a cultural heritage and one school in the region has it has its emblem. Early during the colonization by the British, the pyramid was heavily guarded by the protectorate soldiers when West Nile became part of the British Protectorate. The West Nile region was initially part of the then Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) which was a colony of the Belgians. According to a local Mr. Gatabua, Weatherheads who was the District Commissioner during the British rule was killed when he and his soldiers attempted to carry out a cattle raid from the locals. He was shot and killed by the locals and buried just about 200 meters from the pyramid.

This is an example of how Uganda has failed to take advantage of its tourism potential. Tourism in Uganda is one of the fastest growing sectors at a rate of 21% and has grown by 50% in the last 10 years. Currently we have put more emphasis on gorilla tour in Bwindi impenetrable forest, with gorilla trekking bringing in over $3m annually.