Pros of Ground camping on self-guided safaris in Uganda

There are various ways you can enjoy an adventure trip to Uganda. These can range from; a normal pre-planned Safari package with a tour company to back packing, self-drive safaris as well as outdoor camping.
However, camping is becoming popular and considered one of the cheapest ways one can feel the closer touch to the natural gifts of fauna and flora that the ‘pearl of Africa’ offers. Camping is much popular in wildlife parks of Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls among others as well as forest reserves.
It isn’t a must that to get a memorable camping experience, you have to contact a travel agent to organize for you a fully packaged trip. There are other various ways such as planning yourself a self-guided trip either alone or with family and may be friends. The best way here however would be hiring a vehicle for self-drive as well as the necessary camping gear.
A number of Uganda Car hire companies also do camping equipment rentals. However, before choosing a car to hire, you have two decide on which mode of camping you would prefer on either ground or car top.
With Ground camping, you hire a car of your choice for instance a Rav 4, Land cruiser or Safari Van and camping gear separately. This mainly comes with a ground tent that is pitched to the ground plus other stuff required for camping such as Cooking gas, cooking utensils, cutlery, tables and chairs, bedding among others.
On the other hand, Car top camping requires hiring a vehicle option with a car top/ roof top tent. This also comes with the same other camping equipment.

Rooftop camping is gradually becoming popular in Uganda of recent

Advantages of Ground Tents over Car top tents

• The ground tent can be better in times when you want to set up for instance a week long camp in the same place and then use your car to go for excursions. This is because you can’t set up your roof top tent and drive away. You have to pull down the tent each time. It also becomes hard if you need to leave something in your campsite to hold your spot since you will be moving with all your essentials along with the vehicle.

Therefore, if you want to set up a tent for several days and move the car in the meantime, a ground tent would be better.

• To some point though minimal, the roof top tent would negatively affect the driving of the vehicle mostly on roads in poor conditions as it raises your center of gravity. This may affect some driving instances such as in high-speed cornering.
• Price of renting a rooftop tent vehicle is a bit higher than that of hiring separate vehicle with camping gear. Taking the same example of a Land cruiser TX or TZ, when it comes with a rooftop tent, it can be hired at around $85 per day whereas renting it with separate camping gear can be at around $75 ($65 for the vehicle and $10 for camping gear). It is also possible to hire a smaller cheaper car such as a Rav4 with camping gear.
• Ground tents can take any number of people at the same time as compared to the car top that are limited. Most Car top tents available in Uganda cannot take more than 5 people; i.e the tent capacity of the Single tented Land cruiser only takes two people while the double roof tented cannot accommodate more than five. With ground tents, you can get any size you want right from the single to one that can accommodate 8 people or more.

5 Natural Wonders of Uganda

The pearl of Africa is an amazing destination for each one who is interested in natural attractions. It is a destination where visitors experience one of the seven wonders of nature as well as one of the most unique encounters with wildlife. Uganda is full of nature and wildlife attractions, however the question is what are the nature wonders of Uganda?
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas is one of the nature wonders of the pearl of Africa, at the same time it is the major attraction of Uganda. Mountain gorillas measures 98% of their genetic material with humans. Uganda host half of the population of mountain gorillas in the world. They are confined to Mgahinga gorilla and bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers you unforgettable experience. No safari can be complete in Uganda without the experiencing this particular nature wonder at least once.
The Mighty River Nile
River Nile is a natural beauty on its own but there is no mistaking that to see the mighty river forces its way through a 7 meter gap in the rocks and fall in 43 meters. At the top of Murchison falls the water violently thunder past crashing and surging, blowing a fine mist high into the sky filled with rainbows. The sight from a boat below also gives a sensational view of the majestic falls.
The Rwenzori Mountains
Mountain Rwenzori; awe inspiring is perhaps an understatement when describing the beauty of this world class hiking and mountaineering destination. Mountain Rwenzori was described by one enthralled visitor as heaven’s garden. May be the gods hide this profusion of color up in the cloud so that only those who dare might reach up and share its secrets. Mountain Stanley is the highest peak on the Rwenzori ranges and it is 5209 meters above sea level. It is followed by Alexandria Speke among others.
The Valley of Kidepo
Kidepo valley national park is found in the right corner of Uganda and it is apparently the most isolated national park but still stands out to be one of the best unexplored places each wildlife viewer can ever visit in Uganda. Kidepo valley national park is undoubtedly among the best wilderness areas in Africa, accommodating a couple of extinct species of wildlife that cannot be seen anywhere in Uganda parks and it is right at the core of a savannah landscape right next to a few mountainous bodies. Apart from the unique wildlife safari experience, kidepo valley is a great spot for a cultural trail especially to those who would like to see the karamojongs, Acholis plus other great tribes. The other exciting tourism Activities in the wilderness of this park include nature walks, birding and hiking. This park is a true gem with huge abundance in wildlife and it remains a true rendition of tourism in Uganda but remains unknown to many.  Currently kidepo valley national park hosts over 75 mammal species and 470 bird species and all these fall in the prime game viewing location and it is found in the northeastern Uganda and the journey is about 510km by road from Kampala.  Kidepo valley national park was named the third best national park in Africa and this park is definitely a must visit for any traveler to Uganda.
Kibale Forest
Kibale national park is nick named as the primate capital of Africa and it is called so because of the high population of primate that are found in this park. It offers both chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation experience. The chimpanzee tracking, travelers trek the chimpanzee to where they have settled in the forest however the tracking in Kibale is fun because travelers get to view other animals and other primates along the way. And the moment the guests find the chimpanzee, they spend only one hour of viewing before u head back. Kibale is the best destination for primate safaris not only in Uganda but also in Africa. Apart from chimpanzees, Kibale national park also provides shelter to about twelve primates.
It is worth remembering that while Uganda’s natural scenic and wildlife wonders may be what draws visitors to this beautiful country in the first place, it’s the warmth and hospitality of the people of Uganda that brings them back for a second or even third visit.

Why Hire Land Cruisers for Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Are you planning to spend your safari holiday in Uganda? Are you planning to go for wildlife safari to any of Uganda’s remotest national parks but you do not know which car to use? Are you looking for the most comfortable safari car in Uganda? Most of Uganda’s destinations are largely popular for their exceptional wildlife safari experiences. Obtaining this life time experience requires the most comfortable land cruiser and other safari cars to help you realize your dreams in any of the 10 diverse national parks. There are several Land cruisers and safari car types in Uganda, most of them are used daily for game viewing safaris. Where as safari min Vans are ideal for a safari trip, supplementing on the Rav4 cars, a safari Land cruiser is perfect for your whole planned safari holiday. You can rent it on self drive in Uganda or you can opt for a guided tour so that you can maximise your safari experience.
Our unbeatable fleets range from a 4WD Toyota Land cruiser that accommodates 1 to 3 visitors, a 4WD full sized Toyota land cruiser that takes about 3 to 5 travelers,  4WD Extended Toyota land cruiser which accommodates 6 to 7 people and Toyota super custom van which fits for two to seven people.  A Land cruiser is a true outback 4WD car that comes with an assortment of amenities for the best of visitor’s safari tour. It is well built with adjustment seats which offer amazing comfort to all visitors and with good size to accommodate children car seats if you wish to travel with toddlers.
Below are some of the key reasons why the safari Land cruisers remain as the more exceptional safari cars than others.
4WD Safari Vehicle
Most of Uganda’s wildlife destinations are found in the remotest areas where the road network is not up to date. This means that, visitors will require a strong and stable vehicle to help them navigate through the terrain and all seasons. The Land cruiser safari car is absolute 4 by 4 vehicle and its lower base is raised to provide the under part machines great safety in case of rocky areas. There is no need to be scared about being stuck in the muddy areas especially in wet season/failing to get through the steep slopes. Land cruiser is therefore one of the super car to help you navigate through difficult moments. When it comes to safaris, most travelers would wish to take 4 by 4 vehicles as compared to normal 2WD cars.
Seating space and capacity
The safari Land cruiser, come in various types; there are those which accommodate six people and 8 seating capacity together with the driver. The car comes with the most comfortable cushioned individual seats each with a window view. All windows can slide and this means you don’t have to be scared on how to take clear photos while in safari, unlike other safari vehicles which have limited or even none sliding windows. All seats can simply be adjusted to comfortable positions and you will have adequate space for the legs.
Popup and rare view
Safari Land cruisers have a roof popup that provides amazing views of wildlife from the rare view. Most of the safari cars have only the sun roof that can be comfortable for more than four travelers but with a pop up roof, even five people are in position to sight wildlife at the same time and others usually choose to sit at the top and photograph. This offers visitors the most fascinating experiences during game viewing in the park.
It has best car amenities and cargo space
The safari Land cruiser is made with an electric fridge and this means that visitors have no worries of not getting cold drinks while in the safari trip; it also contains an inverter system for charging phones and ipads, reference books on wildlife species and varied destinations. There is no need to leave your things behind the safari land cruiser contains adequate space for all that you wish to carry.
In conclusion, Safari Land cruisers are the most comfortable cars that anyone who plans to take wildlife safari in Uganda’s remotest national park. They offer the most fascinating experiences since they come with pop up or open roof to allow visitors have spectacular sightings at incredible wildlife species. They are also fitted in such away that they are able to navigate through sub standard roads in Uganda.

Best 5 Uganda Safaris for Backpackers

It’s through backpacking that one can experience every detail of a destination like Uganda and new things never cease to come each day as you discover the countries natural beauty. Taking a trip to Uganda doesn’t mean to have lots of money or even to break your bank but its determination and knowing what you want. All depends on your main reason of travel and duration for your stay. Uganda is known as one of the cheapest travel countries in Africa and one can survive a day with between $20-$50 on budget travel. However, if you planning a backpacking trip to Uganda soon, see the most popular safaris that are 100% for backpacker travelers.
Budget Gorilla Safaris
If you have always wanted to track mountain gorillas, why not book a permit and go backpacking in western Uganda. Whether you choose Bwindi or Mgahinga, Ugands is the place where to go. Uganda is simply the best in Africa in all aspects. Don’t miss to see gorillas because of gorilla permit prices yet Uganda offers huge gorilla discounts in April, May and November a right time for gorilla tours in Africa. Besides, its very easy for one to connect by public transport from Kampala to either Bwindi forest or Mgahinga national park the only two gorilla tracking parks in the country. Even gorilla tracking accommodation is cheap with night camping accommodation for $5-$10 dollars while dorms and self-contained accommodation range from $35-$80 per person per night.What a great gorilla safari destination Uganda is in Africa convenient January to December.
Wildlife Safari Murchison Falls
Being one  of the most visited in Uganda, Murchison falls wildlife safaris are exceptional and a journey to this park will always be cherished by all Uganda tourists. You may not get discounts on park entrance or tour activities but the group safari tours that tour operators organize to park often will certainly fit in your budget. The park has comfortable campsites for budget travelers and catter for all kinds and budget with lower rates in April, May and November a good time for budget safari in Uganda. Be ready to see the Big five, the mighty falls, track Chimpanzees and also hike from bottom  to the top of the falls. Your afternoon boat cruise on the Nile is fantastic and full of leisure a reason you will tell a friend to explore this park once in Uganda.
White Water Rafting
This a cheap Uganda safari tour that requires a day or two days to explore great rapids of the Nile  on great falls of Itanda in Jinja.There is a lot to do on a full rafting trip in Uganda other than exploring the Nile waters. Bungee jumping is another challenging tour adventure you can enjoy, visit to Mabira forest and Sezibwa falls a twin lake born by a woman plus an trip to the source of the Nile or jinja town before driving back to your lodge of residence to retire for the day. Jinja is a very beautiful city and a second capital city in Uganda which many call “an Adventure Capital”.
Beach and Lake Victoria Island Tours in Uganda
Beach holidays and sport fishing on Lake Victoria can make your stay in Uganda unbelievable at a cheap cost of $50-$100 all inclusive.Dont miss exploring lake Victoria if you have 1-3 days free a relaxing leisure life you will treasure on any kind of Uganda tour. Ssese Island, Kalagala Island and the many beaches in Entebbe, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda Wildlife Education Center and much more is what you enjoy and discover during this short Uganda tour.

Going on a Camping Safari in Uganda

In the usual way of planning for your travel package, a camping safari will be more adventurous and cheaper especially for budget travelers but still, in any way luxury and budget camping safari can enhance your adventure experience respectively. Camping, practices the local authenticity of a camping region and always filled with horror tales of the wildness and surrounding people. Luxury and safari camping brings close approximately to the bush and wildness to experience Africa at hand with comfort. Camps in the middle of African savanna, woods and bushes where wildlife meander in their natural habitat.
A camping safari in Uganda bargains for exotic beauty and wealth of scenic view of the wild nature. Gifted with significant wildlife habitats including Kidepo valley national, the true African wilderness in the northern part of the country;

• Murchison falls national park, home to the world powerful waterfalls
• Bwindi impenetrable national park the best place for ultimate Gorilla experiences,
• Mgahinga Gorilla national park, a place where gold meets sliver,
• Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the medley of wonders
• Kibale forest national park the primate capital of the world
• Lake Mburo national park the whispers of the wild
• Rwenzori mountain national park the mystical challenge
• Semuliki national park the true birders’ haven
• Mount Elgon national park the world’s largest mountain caldera.

The lodging facilities in most of these parks offer the best camping facilities and camping space for both luxury and budget in the midst of wildness.
Visiting the rich wildness, adventurous camping tours offer unparalleled luxury in the wild bush. Camping can be done on trip with a guide or on a self-drive with an international driving permit for foreign nationals. Thinking of where to camp in the wildness, most of the lodges in parks offer camping space at a designed cost, there also public campsites managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority and you can decide to do cooking for yourself in the sense of minimizing costs.
Tented camp safari renders the authentic African wildness that most lodges can’t offer, it gives an opportunity to discover the true image of African adventure at a reasonable price. Uganda’s natural landscape which is relatively flat in some parks and the weather conditions offering the best condition around the world for tented camping safari adventures.
In the middle of the wildness, tented campsite gives the best night visual for any emerging wild animals around which may include elephants, antelopes, warthogs and chances to here king of the jungle at the nearby roaming.
Getting a camping experience through a tour operator like Gorilla hub tours limited, you are to choose the camping style/facilities which may be a ground tent camping or a 4×4 roof tent camper van that can offer you a real camping adventure experience. Self-contained camping will be cheaper when organizing to travel, saves time and less restricted.
Among Africa tour operators, Gorilla Hub Tours will offer you best camping equipment to carry for your safari adventure and this can include, gas cooker cylinder, cooler box or ice box, full single or double tent, mattresses, table and seats, cutlery and sleeping bag, BBQ, cups, jug, knife, plates, sauce pans, bright light among others.
Public camping sites are advisably better for interactive visitors who would like to share with locals about their culture, interests and experiences, public camp sites sometimes have narrators telling local stories and teaching the local culture of that region.
Gorilla hub tours limited can offer you the best tailored camping safari adventure that suits your interests and desires, they may include Africa’s highlights like Gorilla trekking adventure, White water rafting, the big five adventure, 4×4 roof tent vehicle and can also book for you Gorilla trekking permit in advance.
Your camping experience will never be the same again if you camp at Nagusokopire campsite in Kidepo Valley National park or at the delta (point) in Murchison falls national park or even at Ishasha Campsite south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, among others. These are true African wilderness places that you never find elsewhere in the world. While here expect such noise from Hippos, Lions roars, lots of bird songs and a million stars in the sky while at the camp fire place.
For all you need to know bout camping sites and loges in Uganda, visit hotels Uganda your complete guide to hotel and camping sites in the pearl of Africa.

5 Best Places to Experience Launch Cruises in Uganda

Everybody loves Uganda safaris in winter and summer because they are perfect all year- days are warm, shinny and lazy inviting you to kick back and relax surrounded by natural scenery and water views. Whether you are looking for private tailor made tours, backpacking tours for group and family here are some of the best lake Uganda wildlife safaris. However, for those looking for ideas from specific national parks we suggest some of Uganda most appealing locations for gorillas, chimpanzee and wildlife safaris that are most loved and explored.
Murchison Falls National Park

The only place in Uganda to witness the Nile water battle as it squeezes itself through a wide gorge. Wildlife viewing is another amazing adventure that you will definitely enjoy during mornings and evening just after relaxing on the Nile with an afternoon boat cruise. Common spotted wildlife include the giraffe, lions, elephants, buffalos,kobs, Rhinos etc. Guests have the option of selecting from the various park tour activities day by day though all are unique and amazing. If you looking for a unique Uganda wildlife safari tour, Murchison falls national park is a great place to visit with lots of things to offer and do each day. The minimum days one can spend in Murchison falls relaxing is 2-3 days but if time permits why not take a full week vacation close to the Nile in the Pearl of Africa. Primate Lovers and bird watching specialists Budongo forest game reserve in Murchison falls has it all that will sparkle your day.
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Overlooking the lovely landscape of mountain Rwenzori and the Crater Lake, Queen Elizabeth is an exceptional park for leisure boat rides, wildlife viewing, chimpanzee trekking and bird watching. The Kazinga channel brings life back for those looking for leisure holidays on the lake. The channel has the highest concentration of Hippos, crocodiles and birds .Taking an afternoon boat cruise here adds values to a wonderful afternoon in the wilderness. Mornings   and evening are for game drives and variety of wildlife can be spotted in including tree climbing lions of ishasha another Uganda safari highlight for all trips in the country. There are also several accommodation premises that include campsites, hostels, safari lodges and cottages.
Lake Mburo National Park
Located in a 3 hour drive distance from Kampala Uganda’s capital, Lake Mburo National Park offers fantastic short Uganda wildlife safaris to all tourists especially those with limited time to explore the Pearl of Africa. A fun weekend gateway from Kampala can be reached by road and those in love with horse riding it’s your place to be in Uganda. The park has a wide number of wildlife, birdlife and wonderful scenery.

A Walks In The Woods: Uganda’s Most Amazing Forests

6 Best Places to Go Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda

A trek to see magnificent chimpanzees in the wild is best described as a life time experience. Uganda by far provides the perfect spots for visitors to catch a glimpse of these remarkable primates while in their natural habitat. When it comes to large apes, Uganda is undoubtedly Africa’s primate world. Over 5700 wild chimpanzees are confined within the only few remaining rainforests along the Western border of Uganda. These amazing species live in big communities of about 100 members. Some chimpanzee communities have been habituated for trekking adventures by tourists.
Chimpanzee habituation is a process of making the wild chimpanzees used to human presence through constant visits from well trained personnel and it often take about 2 to 3 years and that is when they finally get used to humans. Unlike the unhabituated communities, they can easily run away when the encounter people. While on your chimpanzee tracking safari in the jungles, you will be assigned a habituated community to track and you are allowed only one hour to be the chimpanzees.
This offers yet a rare chance to catch a glimpse of our closest relatives that share nearly 98.7 percent of the DNA with humans. They stay in complex societies, solve their problems, make and usually use tools, participate in absolute interaction and communicate using several sounds and body gestures. A trek to see these incredible apes is led by the well trained park guide. This means visitors don’t trek the chimpanzees alone in the forest. The trained guides know how to follow the clues that lead to tracking down the chimpanzees and the guides also offers vital information on other life of the forest.
Whereas chimpanzees are habituated, they may still charge against humans especially when they are irritated. There are also two sessions of chimpanzee tracking in Uganda per day and this includes the morning session at 7:00am and afternoon session at 2:00pm. You can choose one of the sessions depending on the schedule. However, each of the two sessions provides distinct experiences. Also only eight (8) visitors are allowed to track chimpanzee communities. Chimpanzee tracking is not all that strenuous in that the habitats are relatively easy terrain of many of the trekking sites.
Where to see chimpanzees in Uganda

1. Kibale Forest National Park
   
   This is incredibly Uganda’s best national park when it comes to chimpanzee trekking. It is comprises of 13 varied primate species including over 1500 chimpanzees with 3 large communities set for tourism purposes. Kibale Forest National Park is undoubtedly the capital of primates in the world. For chimpanzee trekking adventures in Kibale Forest National Park, permits can be obtained at $150 per person and in the low season discounted permits are available at $100 especially in the months of April, May and November. There is also Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale National Park which costs $220 per person.
2. Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Padidi in Murchison Falls National Park
   
   Budongo forest is another perfect site for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. It features as Uganda’s largest forest inhabiting the second largest number of chimpanzees with more than 800 members. One community of 80 individuals that live in the Kaniyo padidi sector in the southern part of Murchison falls national park has been habituated for tourism purposes. The chimpanzees at Kaniyo padidi are easy to sight for most of the time apart from certain months when they leave their community as a result of food shortage and travel deep into the forest. At this time, it is challenging to trek and it also reduces chances of viewing these wild creatures. The permits are obtainable in Budongo at $85.
3. Kyambura gorge forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park
   
   The Kyambura is a stunning forest situated in a valley in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It consists of small community of chimpanzees of about 25 members that have been habituated for tourism. Due to their small size, it is at times challenging to sight these apes at Kyambura gorge. But this site offers spectacular scenery and sighting of more biodiversity like the hippos and elephants which is a supplement to the big game in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The permits cost $50.
4. Kalinzu forest
   
   Kalinzu forest features as the third best site in Uganda when it comes to chimpanzee trekking safaris. Situated within Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu forest offers refuge to over 300 chimpanzees with a 40 member community that has been habituated for tourism purposes and provides opportunity of sighting these incredible apes compared to Kyambura gorge. This forest covers 147 square kilometers and this makes it longer for tourists to sight the apes. It also comes with stunning water streams, birdlife and sceneries. Trekking permits for Kalinzu cost shs.100000.
5. Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
   
   This reserve straddles around the western border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forest has a good number of chimpanzees of about 250 members divided into 3 communities. The chimpanzees are still undergoing research by a group from the Indian University but they are still tracked by tourists. These species offer yet another alternative for the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park.
6. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Situated on a small forested Island in Lake Victoria around Entebbe, Ngamba Island was established to offer protection to orphaned chimpanzees from across Uganda. This sanctuary consists of 40 members that are confined with the fenced forest. There is no chimpanzee trekking but rather tourists can sight them from a raised platform behind the fence. Chimpanzee viewing at the sanctuary occurs during two supplementary feeding times of the day, in the morning and afternoon and it is at this time that they come out of the forest to the feeding site around the view point. It is the perfect site for day chimpanzee visits and there is no age limit offering families with children amazing opportunity.

In conclusion, chimpanzees are some of the most magnificent primates that Uganda has in offer in addition to the rare mountain gorillas. They are represented in various parts of the country but most popular trekking adventures are conducted in Kibale Forest National Park.