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Top 7 Places to Visit in Eastern Uganda

The Eastern Trail is one of the most interesting trails! There are lots of attractions to see including some of the world landmarks. The adventure activities to engage in are also in plenty.

Source of the Nile

The long search for the Source of the Nile ended in Jinja in 1864 when John Speke reached Jinja. He was the first European to reach Lake Victoria the most popular known source of the Nile.

Mountain Elgon:

Mountain Elgon’s highest peaks are formed by high points around a jagged rim enclosing one of the world’s largest caldera, at 4okms long and 8kms wide. The tallest peak on Mount Elgon is the 4321m wagagi, followed by  sudek at 4303 m, Koitobos at 4222m and Mubiyi at 4210m.

Imbalu cultural festival:

Imbalu festivals involve circumcision which is the legendry ceremony among the Bagisu and the serbins. It is alleged that the Serbians also female circumcision however, the act abuses human rights according to the government and the human rights societies.

In the Elgon region, the ceremonies are accompanied by music, dance and drama amidst plenty of food and alcohol. The opening ceremonies are usually around the month of August every year.

Sipi Falls:

Sipi is a series of three falls in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of sironko and Mbale.  The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mountain Elgon National Park near the Kenyan boarder. The sipi falls area is the starting point for many hikes up Mountain Elgon. The most popular route starts in Budadiri and follows the sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the sipi trail back into the sipi falls. The hike around the falls off stunning view of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyogaand the slopes of mountain  Elgon.

Sisiyi falls:

Sisiyi falls is found in Buyaga sub- region in Bulamburi district. Sisiyi is found along Mbale –  to sironko , Bulambuli, Kapchorwa and moroto district. The area around the fall is good for camping, picnic, team building activities, relaxing etc.

Semei Kakungulu Historical site and the Jewish Community:

Semei Kakungulu was a Ugandan who founded Abayudaya or Jews community in Uganda in 1917. Kakungulu put much emphasis on New Testament and he adopted the observance of all Moses’ commandments, including circumcision.

Kakungulu passed away on 24^th November 1928 of tetanus. He was buried near the Abayudaya synagogue in Gangama, a short distance from Mbale.

Bududa Bull fighting:

The fights are organized in Namasho village, Bulucheke sub-county, Bududa district every fortnight on Saturdays. The bull fighting tradition in Bududa began in 1956. From the mid 50’s to thethrehold of the 70’s, the fights were not taken seriously. The practice was more of an occasional and casual pastime for an occasional especially in Namasho village.

Renting a Car in Uganda for the First Time

Renting a car in Uganda East Africa for the first time to others can be trickier. But when you land into a reputable or recognized or fully registered car rental company like ours, there is nothing to keep you worried about. We are the answer to all your travel needs whether you are on a self-drive in Uganda, guided safaris, family trip, business, city tour or conference.

We are a premier car rental company in Uganda East Africa with variety of rental cars suitable for all safari-goers’ travel desires. In this article, we have put together tips to answer most of your travel needs and when you think of hiring a car in Uganda as first timer. We believe these tips will guide you find the right car hire deal in Kampala Uganda and also during pick up or drop off of your vehicle.

• The first step you can take to book your rental car in Uganda is to let us known of the desired rental car, when you need it, destination you plan to visit and how long you plan to be there. We have a range of rental cars in Uganda suitable for all safaris in the pearl of Africa including among others full-time 4×4 Toyota Rav4, 4×4 Land Cruisers with and without roof top tents, Safari Vans, Super Custom, Premio, Coaster Buses to corporate rental cars.
• Upon arrival to Uganda, your desired rental car will be delivered to you on the agreed location. The terms and conditions shall be shared for you to read and understand so that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities.
• You will be required to make payment and this is what guarantees you to drive a car. The car keys are handed to visitors who have made payment for the particular vehicle.
• Contact us on phone, email or in case you are nearby, walk into our premises and you will find our reservation team to help you book your dream rental car.
• Upon picking a car, there will be some fuel to take you up to the gas station and it must be returned with the same level of fuel.
• Check through your rental car so as not to have challenges or incur charges you didn’t expect. On the day of picking up the car, take your time to insect the exterior and interior of the car, record any damages/dents and have the car rental service provider know of them.
• Drop off the vehicle as you agreed to with your car hire service provider to avoid charges for dropping it to location that you didn’t agree with.

Why Hire a Car from Uganda Car Rental Agencies

Looking to traveling Uganda? Are you some one interested in traveling independently while in Uganda? If yes, car rental agencies are the best match for your travel needs. Though the concept of traveling using a rental car in Uganda is relatively unpopular, those who have tried to take either a guided tour or a self drive in Uganda continue posting positive reviews on car hire in Uganda;

• A warm welcome from the staff to the country. That’s the greeting you can also get from a website when you are surprisingly on the opposite of the car rental industry. You actually realize that there is a huge gap in what suppliers know to what clients actually know.
• It is a  surprise that many clients try to find the lowest rate possible, but in most cases it’s not the “real deal” that the clients negotiate for, what is evident in car rental is most certainly not what one gets. Most websites say no hidden costs but when costs are added up, you actually paying more for your rental that you thought.
• So you get to task about this and look a bit deeper, you ask the first company if their rate includes VAT and if they have a claim handling fee, if they their rate actually doesn’t include VAT but the extra’s do not?
• So that make you  think even more, over a five day period you will have lost a bigger amount of money, now imagine if the car group was bigger or my rental 25 days. As clients we see a daily rate and think wow that’s low, but all Uganda Car rentals have a set amount that they can sell out at in order to be productive. If you looked close enough you would have noticed that you are paying more for the same group of car but the engine sizes differed, you re actually going to pay more for a car that cost less to buy.
• Clever marketing?, Not really for you at this stage, when you enter an agreement with a client, it should be transparent and the client should know all charges before he/she pays for that car. It’s the honest way to do business.
• Another point of your concern is the fact that the first company wants payment in advance while the second one when you collect the car, is it because they are not transparent and want your money upfront so you do not search anymore? Or is it to inject cash into their company to increase their buying power so they can get better deal, if its the latter then your pretty sure these deals are not been filtered through to clients.
• So ultimately how do you find a good company and how do you know that they are reputable?

Simple: always and i mean always check the competition out, never look at your rate per day and think it’s cheap, always add all costs up, this includes worst case scenario, ask question about what happens when you involved in an accident, and lastly make sure that the consultant you deal with cares more about your needs than making a buck

Take care and happy car rental hunting

Best 5 Adventure Holidays in Uganda

It is not by default that Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa. Uganda has lots of natural attractions as it has 10 national park and 13 game reserves and it is one of the reasons why there is an increasing number of people flying in Uganda. When you come to Uganda, you are able to enjoy the sun, sand, wonderful exotic animals, interesting culture and the nightlife of Kampala. However when you are in Uganda for a short holiday you can never explore all the attractions.

But we came up with the best adventure attractions when you can spend your attractions that can give an lifetime experience.

Visiting the might river Nile and its source

River Nile is the longest river in the longest as it starts its long journey from Uganda through Sudan and ends up in Egypt in North Africa. River has lots of interesting features harbor lots of tourism activities it has fresh waters where people do a launch cruise; it has water falls for whitewater rafting and there is kayaking on river Nile. You can also have a relaxing time at Jinja Nile Resort most especially in the evening.  An excursion at the source of the Nile is one of a kind experience as it brings excitement and discovery in one’s life.

Visiting the mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Mountain gorillas are one of the sought after exotic animals in the world. These animals are so unique in their physical appearance and also their social behavioral ways that are almost similar to mankind. Unfortunately, these wonderful animals are critically endangered species of animals that are getting extinct at any one time. So by taking an adventure holiday to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you have a chance of being among the last glance of mountain gorillas before they are no more in the world. Gorilla holidays are a lifetime experience as it is very captivating to come up close with the elusive gorillas. There are always itineraries organized to for  tourists to take like a 3 day gorilla safari tour to Bwindi.

Exploration of Queen Elizabeth National Park

This park is located in the western park of Uganda and the most popular wildlife national park in Uganda. It is a medley of wonders as it has variety of natural attractions. There lots of wildlife activities a tourist can engage in while in the park like a game drive through the Mweya peninsular where you are able to view animals like antelopes, elephants, hyenas, elands and variety of bird species. There is also a boat ride on the Kazinga channel where you have a good time on the aquatic body and also able to enjoy the view of lots of aquatic life like the king fisher birds, marabou stocks, sparrows, eaglets and also big animals like the hippos, crocodiles and the elephants on the banks of the channel. At there is also chimpanzee tracking at the Kyambura gorges and also tree climbing lion at the Ishasha sector are worth to track. One can normally have a 2 or 3 days wildlife safari at the queen Elizabeth national park as you engage in the various tourist activities within the park.

The above places can give a splendid adventure experience in Uganda in 2017. Come meet the mountain gorillas one of man’s closest cousins in the animal kingdom, encounter Queen Elizabeth National Park the medley of natural wonders and The Mighty Nile the longest river in the world and get to know its rich history discovery and also enjoy the aquatic activities engaged on it.

5 Must See Safari Destinations in Uganda

Uganda Beauty depicted with its attractive landscapes, natural forests, wildlife and culture ready to be explored truly defines its travel tag as the Pearl of Africa indeed. The Country welcomes nature lovers and adventure seekers of all kinds any time of the year around the globe. The Endangered Mountain Gorilla tracking being the main unique tourist attraction in Uganda though the wild still has plenty attractions ,mountains, nature wildlife, crater lakes, Rivers, falls, rocks and hills for hikes, islands plus the country’s amazing culture of the people.

Many destinations around the world seem romantic and good but Uganda offers diversity as compared to most destinations in the world coupled with the positive receptiveness of its citizens which will make you feel relaxed and comfortable in the region. Be one of the million travelers to the country this year on a private or group tour to the pearl of Africa and experience great safari vacation leisurely tour to the main travel destinations in the country. Recent trips to Uganda reveal that it has the best wildlife safari setting in the western region. You can pass whole day in the rain forest and savanna wilderness viewing wildlife, birds and other forest habitats. Also notable are the Uganda lodges and hotels both inside and outside National park plus those in main city centers which make all Uganda safaris a great deal tempting catering for Luxury, mid-range, Budget and backpackers alike with an exceptional touch of service by well trained and competent staff of the various facilities.

Bwindi Impenetrable Rain Forest National park

Often termed as the Gorilla Habitat has everything for every guest, wildlife, culture, forest exposure and honeymoon hence being the best in the wild beauty. Heavenly sent Bwindi lies at the edge of Kabale district with four main sectors each with different habituated mountain Gorillas and a headquarter briefing point for Gorilla tourists. Accommodations differ for each sector depending on the Gorilla family booked. Therefore all Gorilla tracking tourists should book the right accommodation for their Gorilla families which they are yet to track. Make clear inquiries about the Gorilla family location before booking and making payments for the accommodation. The Batwa are the next thought cultural activity after Gorilla tracking and a right place if you really want to embrace Uganda culture. Travelers get unforgettable experience during mountain Gorilla tracking, forest walks, bird watching but for free evening the park cultural tour to see local women projects, the Batwa and children foundations will add more value to your Uganda Gorilla tour. No tourist is allowed to track Gorillas without a Gorilla permit a legal document which is only booked at the Uganda wildlife authority Kampala office at a cost of $600 during high season and 450 during the low season with effect from 2016. Public transport to the park is affordable and easy though private means & private safaris organized by responsible tour operator are recommended for comfortable with knowledgable guides.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Named after the Queen of England and famous for the Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s Wildlife bliss beautifully preserved for the present and future generation. The remarkable Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George is a sanctuary of hippos, birds and wildlife & one of the best travelers fun spot during the afternoon boat cruise. Game drives in different park sectors both morning and evening expose all the park attractive wildlife, lions, elephants, buffaloes, kobs, plus the chimpanzees in both Kyambura and Kalinzu forest. However the most exciting moment for tourists here is when they spot tree climbing lions playing up close in tree branches along the Ishasha sector one of the park highlight activity for every guest. The park can be visited year round at similar rates during low and high season but the park activities especially chimpanzee trekking and boat cruise need to be booked in advance to avoid inconveniences on the day planned for the adventure. Good-looking accommodations full of wilderness views wait for you at affordable prices. Excursions to explore Queen Elizabeth are a must as witnessed by different guests year round from different corners of the world. Feel free to visit this park on your way from Bwindi or directly from Uganda’s capital and a minimum of three days, two nights is required for one to be able to have fun in Uganda’s finest wildlife park.

Kibaale Forest National park

Home to Primate diversity invites you to participate in its outstanding Uganda primate safaris tour where you will encounter more than 13 primate species including Chimpanzees, White & black monkeys, bush babies, baboons etc. During the drive to the park Baboons are the sharp primates who took up the responsibility of welcoming guests to the park and guests normally appreciate them by throwing them bytes of bananas and other food staffs. Truly this give them energy and courage to take on the role tirelessly every day and less the entertainment role to other park primates. Birds also help primates to entertain guests by singing late evening and early morning a sound which many travellers say its indeed a nice jungle melody. The Chimpanzee tracking permit cost $150 for 3 hours either in the morning or afternoon though guests who feel like exploring the chimps more go in for the full day chimpanzee habituation program. Get close to your cousins and even get a chance to say hello to each other. Everything is elegantly simple and geared towards relaxation from lodging to activities. Bigodi wetland & the crater lakes are other park activities you shouldn’t miss out while at kibale forest National park. Note Humans share almost 97% of our DNA genetic makeup with most primates and have been observed to exhibit human related behavious in general.

Murchison Falls National a park

Located within just Five hours from Kampala Uganda’s Capital is a home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, kobs, birds, chimpanzees and the mighty falls with Rhino’s en route at the Ziwa sanctuary. No travelers can fail to hike to the top of the falls and enjoy the stunning view of the park might falls. Hidden away in western Uganda, the park has the most exclusive luxury lodge ”Chobe safari lodge & Paraa safari lodge which provide travelers with the exceptional relaxing environment together with leisurely services of the highest level. The boat cruise along Nile spotting hippos, birds and wildlife is a fun activity for both children and grown-ups making Murchison the best destination in Uganda for family holiday’s .Combining your stay with a visit to other parks offers the chance to explore most of Uganda attractions on your Africa travel holidays. Other parks include; Kidepo National Park, Lake Mburo National park, The source of the Nile, Ssese Island and Lake Bunyonyi.

10 Tips to Safe Driving in Uganda

A self drive adventure in a new destination like Uganda is ideally interesting and adventurous but requires you to be keen and extra careful while on a road trip. The road conditions in Uganda may not be of European standard. Having adequate knowledge is also essential for visitors who are planning to enjoy a self drive on Uganda’s roads and also observe traffic rules and regulations at all times. While accidents and damages of car hire may be unavoidable, you have to pay attention to some of the tips in which you can reduce the rate at which they happen and that said. One of Uganda’s leading car rentals shares the following tips with visitors who are looking to explore Uganda;

1. Do not over speed on road

Most car rentals in Uganda put emphasis on the speeds that visitors should strictly follow when driving in Uganda. The recommended speed limit for you to drive in Uganda is 80 kilometers per hour while you are on highways, 50 kilometers per hours in urban areas and less while you are in national parks as well as other protected areas where safaris are conducted each day. Make sure that you pay maximum attention to road signs where speed limits are provided. Over speeding isn’t safe and it features as one of the main causes of road accidents Africa and the world at large. When you in a high gear, you won’t be in position to control the car and at the end of it, you will cause road accidents.

2. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs

Alcohol and drugs cause brain impairment and you end up losing sense of judgment especially when it comes to controlling the car. Make sure that you drive when you have not taken any alcohol to allow your brain function well while on road trip. You can bump into a sharp corner abruptly and when you are drunk, you won’t be in position to turn and this may lead into road accidents.

3. Be focused while driving

Try as much as you can not to do anything which takes your attention off the road for instance avoid using gargets such as telephone or computer as well as grooming as commonly done by lovers. This is risking your life on the road and at end, you will bump into another car or road users which may cost you.

4. Do not overtake in a corner

Whereas overtaking is a common practice, it is advisable that you do not do it while in a corner. There are sharp corners and another car might be also coming from ahead of you and you will end up crashing on one another. In most cases, you will come across most of black points marked on the road and if you want to overtake, make sure that you first reach to clear road and alert the car ahead of you that you intend to overtake.

5. Don’t drive for longer hours

Long distant driving is characterized by fatigue and it can lead to loss of focus and in most cases you can sleep off while on steering wheel. It is recommended that you first drive for short distance and have a rest prior proceeding.

As well, we do not recommend you to embark on your trip at night whether you are first time travelers or repeat visitors in Uganda. Given the kind of road conditions in this country, driving at night may not be safe for you.

6. Check the car rental thoroughly

Prior embarking on your actual trip to Uganda’s remotest protected areas for your vacation, make sure that the car that you intend to use is thoroughly checked both its physical and mechanical conditions. Ensure that all the fluids such as oil hydraulics, water and fuel are at their perfect level and also check if the brakes, transmission box and lights. If the car hire is not in its better state, higher chances are, it can break down at anytime when you are still on a road trip and this can spoil all your plans.

In conclusion, there are very many ways that can help you avoid road accidents and damages and with the above listed tips, we believe that you will have the most enjoyable road trip with our self drive cars in Uganda.

Benefits for Traveling as a Group

For many years have been independent travelers-know it all, and I thought it was the best option not until I travelled with my friend. It was the most breathtaking moment, I enjoyed to the maximum and more so I saved some money which I used in shopping, something I couldn’t do when in the times I travelled alone.  Here are some reasons why a group tour is good.

You’ll gain valuable local knowledge

Ounce you travel as a group you will be fortunate to learn many things concerning the local people, including their local language, culture, cuisines, as you will interact with them sometime which may be difficult if you travel as a sole traveler. Ugandans are welcoming people so please feel free to ask them they will respond positively, and in case you are not well knowledgeable with the destination, accommodation, or restaurant, they will help you to direct you. You will hear them calling you ‘’muzungu’’ a local language referring to a foreigners. You will enjoy Laughing up a storm on a group food tour on your safari to Uganda’s top national parks of your choice in a self drive safari.

You can save money

When you travel as a group, you are guaranteed of saving some coins in your pocket, this is due to the fact that you are eligible to share most of the things including transportation, accommodation, guide, and many other items a cross the whole group. many tour companies and car hire companies give a discount to people travelling as a group so you may end up saving some money you may not have saved when traveled as an independent traveler, because here one  incur all the costs as an individual.

You can relax

Navigating a long journey alone can be exhausting especially when you don’t know the language or customs. That’s why joining a group is a right choice, here you can share a lot with your friend even if the journey is long you won’t feel it. Also you can just sit at the back and relax as well also you can do your business on the laptop and live a driver to drive you off, and whole trip will be pleasing. And even if it means crossing from Uganda to Rwanda or vice versa, the tour company can negotiate your visas at transfers at ounce.

You’ll meet different kinds of people

Group tours also have an advantage since you can get to know different kind of people of which you can develop strong relationships. And not only the people you travel with but also you are likely to meet others people at the destination, whom you can interact with, all these can make you tour a striking one.

You can maintain a sense of balance

When time is tight and you’re attempting to check off a long list of activities, having a sound itinerary is vital. Tour groups have the ability to balance engagement in activities and down time to a tee. Though most tours will force in as many experiences as possible, they still retain a degree of flexibility for those who need extra R&R and those who want some solo time.

You’ll share first-time experiences with someone else

Group tour gives you a chance to share your first experience with your friends, seeing a wonder of the world, tasting something new, watching a new culture, reaching your goal are some of the experience you can share with your friend on a safari, but if you travel alone this can’t be reached everything you see or experience you can’t share it to anyone. You spend a lovely but lonely day, stopping strangers to ask them to take a classic and a temple photo, but sharing a special moment with friends and family makes your safari a memorable one

You can find a travel family

If you find that your team is unable to travel with you, organized group travel presents a solution. In case your partner whom you want to travel with is too busy at work and he/she cannot spare time to travel with you, you can resort to a group tour, and you may end up enjoying more. Many families are fortunate enough to travel extensively, so better join a company of individuals with interests similar to her own you will have a memorable safari.

You can make friends for life

You can demonstrate connections that can make you long life friends, for example you can create shared drop box for images, exchanging blog posts and articles, create social network like Facebook, and so the bond created on a group tour can be easily forgotten. Join a group to travel with your expedition won’t be forgotten

What to Look for When Hiring a Car in Uganda

Have you already booked your rental car for your travels in Uganda? Once you have made your reservation with any car rental company, it is very important to follow some of these tips so that you ensure that you minimize additional costs. Knowing these essential things will help you avoid problems once you have rented a vehicle and you will definitely enjoy your travels.

• Ensure you have a driving licence and that it is in date. This may be a photo licence or a paper licence. Drivers from overseas can drive any car as long as they have a valid licence from their home country. You will also need to have a credit card to act as a deposit when you pick up your vehicle.
• Thoroughly check the car hire agreement before signing. You should pay particular attention to any extras such as personal insurance to ensure you are happy to pay for such services as well as the terms and conditions. These may limit you to a specific number of miles per day or may be unlimited mileage. Remember that you can use your own child seats to cut costs in case you have children.
• Before driving away, check for any damage to the car and report this to the rental desk. Familiarise yourself with the controls and how to fill up on fuel. You should also be aware of what the fuel policy is as getting it wrong can be costly – for example if you return it empty when it should have been brought back full. You should be careful with this
• If you are not familiar with Ugandan roads, you can read the Highway Code which includes all the rules a driver needs to know for car hire in Uganda, including speed limits and road signage.
• Ensure you check for tolls on bridges, tunnels and some roads so that you have the appropriate money to pay, and be aware of fees for entering specific destinations and this includes border points, National parks. If you fail to pay these, your car rental company will charge you for them as well as a handling fee.
• Parking in Uganda is heavily regulated and fines are imposed when fees are not paid as appropriate. Check the rules before you park. In the worst cases you could find your Uganda hired car towed away from where you parked it.
• When returning your vehicle, ensure you have it signed back in as complying with your agreement. This prevents later charges for things you were not aware of such as refuelling or damage you did not know was present.

All in all endeavor to read carefully the rental agreement from the rental company to avoid some of the above unintended situation on either your trip or after the trip. We wish you nice travels through Uganda.

Deal of the Day

Looking to renting a car in Uganda? Car Rental Uganda offers the best deals on car hire in Uganda on both chaffeur and self drive options.

Best Safari Cars To Hire on a Road Trip to Uganda

planning to rent a car in Uganda for a self-drive Road trip? Need the best safari car for your honeymoon? A 4×4 car is the best option for all those visiting the remote areas of the country. With our classic 4×4 safari rental cars, self driver’s do not have to worry about how they can get to their dream destinations. We have made everything possible for you to make your dream come into reality. We are a premier provider of 4×4 safari vehicles in Uganda with a fleet of comfortable rental cars right from 4×4 station wagons to safari land cruisers, safari vans, super customs, Rav4 to mention but a few.

4×4 safari vans

We have the best 4×4 safari vans for hire. They have a pop-up roof for you to have a breathtaking view of wildlife with your dear one while on a honeymoon safari in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki National Park.  Our classic Safari van rental cars carry about 5 to 10 people and they come with adequate space for you, your luggage.

Rent one of our safari vans and a driver who is experienced, knowledgeable, and well-versed with routes to the iconic honey destinations and you will be filled with lots of lasting memories.

Customized Super Customs

We also have 4×4 customized super custom cars for safaris with a carrying capacity of 5pax, air conditioning, pop-up roof, clear windows. They are pocket-friendly, comfortable, and can be rented plus a driver.

Toyota Rav4

Embark on a self-drive road trip with our classic 4×4 Toyota Rav4 to any of your dream honeymoon safari destinations. Our Rav4 rental cars have features like air conditioning, FM radio, powerful engine, steering, 3-5 doors, and many others. Toyota Rav4 is an exceptional SUV model rental car ideal for honeymooners on excursions in Uganda.

Land Cruiser V8

Our classic Land Cruiser V8 is exceptional for your self-drive safaris in Uganda. They are perfectly designed with exceptional interior and capable of tackling any kind of terrain in the remote countryside. Our 4×4 Land Cruiser V8 has incredible features like a seating capacity of 4 to 5, air conditioner, CD player, automatic transmission, 5 doors, 4wheel drive, centralized door lock, airbag both for driver and clients.

5 of the Best Mountains to Hike In Uganda

When you think of a safari in Uganda, expect to enjoy not only its big game or mountain gorillas but also challenge yourself in any of this country’s most magical mountains. Uganda features many mountains both block and volcano mountains making it an ideal area for mountaineering adventures. For those of you who are planning to visit this landlocked country this season for gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest & Mgahinga national park, it is important that you also include mountain climbing onto your travel plan and indeed you will have a complete travel experience. Among many mountains you shouldn’t miss to explore while on mountaineering adventure in Uganda include;

Mount Rwenzori

This is also popular as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and features the highest peak in Uganda and the 3^rd in Africa. This magnificent mountain lies in western Uganda just at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This mountain range expands for hundreds of kilometers and features massifs like Speke, Baker, Emin, Luigi di Savoia, Gessi and Stanley. A hike to the Rwenzori Mountain summit requires adequate time and physical wellness in you. For a complete hike, you need at least 8 days or more to get to Margherita peak which is the highest peak. It stands at altitude of about 5109 meters and while on its summit, you will be amazed by the dramatic views of its surrounding areas and the snowcapped part of this magnificent mountain. There are many trails that take hikers to the summit and each trail rewards you with amazing views but require different physical fitness levels. Before your actual hike, make sure you do adequate exercise so that you complete your hike.

Mount Elgon

This mountain suitably lies in the eastern side of Uganda just at the border with Kenya. It is one of a kind mountains you need not to miss to hike through.

Mount Elgon stands at elevation of about 4321 meters and features as the 8^th highest peak in Africa and 4^th tallest in East Africa. Way back, it featured as Uganda’s highest peak but due to continued erosion, its height drastically reduced. The highest peak of this mountain is Wagagai and features the largest caldera in the world. As a national park, it inhabits variety of wildlife species including forest monkeys, birds, buffaloes, small antelope families, elephants a mention but a few. As you go downslopes, you will find caves of various sizes, waterfalls and many water polls.

Mount Muhavura

Photography by Adam Bacher

This is also usually spelt as Muhabura also locally popular to the Bakiga and Bafumbira as the highest volcano on the side of Uganda and second tallest in the 8 Virunga Mountain ranges. It stands at altitude of about 4127 meters and hiking through this volcano is ideal while you are on the Rwanda side and also Uganda. While at the summit, you will have breathtaking views of the surrounding areas especially Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo.

Mount Gahinga

To hike through this volcano, you need about 6 hours for ascent and descent. It stands at elevation of about 3474 meters and features beautiful Crater and giant lobelia. For those of you who may be lucky enough, you can chance to see golden monkeys as they jump around the bamboo forest in this area.

Mount Sabyinyo

This volcano lies at the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is best hiked on the Uganda side and due to its rugged terrain as well as many Crater Lakes on the Rwanda and the DR Congo side, it is more challenging for one to hike through this magnificent Virunga Volcano on these two countries. Given the shape of this mountain, it is however known as the old man’s teeth in Kinyarwanda. It derived its name from Kinyarwanda word Iryinyo denoting a tooth and it is notably an extinct volcano in eastern Africa. Around its slopes, there are a number of wildlife including the rare mountain gorillas. You can hike through these three volcanoes while you are on Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National park-one of the 4 only national parks in the world where you can find mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat.

In conclusion, Uganda is a true adventure paradise not only does it reward you with breathtaking wildlife encounters, primate adventures but also take you through challenging and thrilling mountaineering experiences. If you are adventure enthusiast, the above mountains should be a must for you to hike through and you won’t regret in life.