Uganda Travel Guide

The official rule is seven metres, designed to stop germs passing from humans to gorillas. But these are wild animals and like any wildlife, you should keep your distance. Sometimes, the gorillas will move around and, as they have not been told about the seven-metre rule, they can get much closer than this. Whilst this should not be encouraged, they are inquisitive animals, particularly the younger ones. Should they approach you, follow your guide’s instructions.

Anyone can do the trek as long as they prepare for it beforehand. By its very nature, walking in a mountain rainforest, where paths are steep and muddy at altitudes in excess of 2,500 metres, is a challenge, but doing some light exercise prior to your holiday, (walks, jogging, swimming or any other cardiovascular activity) will allow you to enjoy the trip that much more.

The guides are also very good at setting the pace of the trek so that it is comfortable for everyone and the walk itself through the forest is part of the experience and not a route-march. The guide will be stopping en-route to point out things of interest, take on water and allow you to enjoy the view. Like anything, however, the more you prepare, the more you will enjoy it.

You will also be given the choice to hire porters before each trek, who are there to help carry bags and steady you as you go – they are brilliant. We are also here to help prepare you as much as possible, so if you have any concerns or questions, please call.

Uganda offers some wonderful photographic opportunities given the incredible diversity of scenery, people and wildlife found here. Starting with the primates, gorillas and chimpanzees are notoriously difficult to photograph as they are dark subject matters usually in shadow, so you will need to use a high ISO. A good zoom lens is essential – with a minimum of 300mm required, but more if looking to get some excellent close-ups. It is also important to remember that there is a lot of moisture in the forests, so you will need to keep your cameras dry as the lenses can fog up very quickly.

The camera should also be protected against the dustier parks, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kidepo. Given the scenery in Uganda is so spectacular, from snow-capped mountains and active volcanoes to rolling savannah and dramatic mountain rainforests, it is worth considering taking a wide-angled lens.

The people in Uganda are also incredibly photogenic – markets are fantastic places to get some great shots. It is always nice to strike up a conversation with someone before even asking if you can take their picture. Not only is this polite, but will put them at ease and make for much more natural shots. Please do not be offended if they decline. Children are usually delighted to have their photograph take, but again, always ask first. Avoid any financial transactions for this, rather buy something from their stall. Finally, it is best not to take pictures of any military or government personnel of buildings.

Contrary to many people’s opinion, gorilla trekking in Uganda is not hot and tropical. Bwindi Forest (where you trek) is a mountain rainforest so is therefore cool and damp, getting very cold in the early mornings and late evenings. As you begin your trek, you need to wrap up warm but as the trekking progresses, you will start to get hot, so it is best to have lots of light layers that can be taken off and put back on as required.

We also recommend strong walking boots or shoes, sturdy trousers, sunglasses, sun lotion (it is equatorial so whilst not hot, the sun can be intense), a sun hat, and waterproof jacket. It is also worth considering taking gardening gloves with you, as you will be pulling at and climbing over thick vegetation on the walks.

Some clients take energy bars/supplements with them, which can be eaten whilst walking to help keep their energy levels up. You will also be given a packed lunch (water, sandwiches, fruit) so you won’t go hungry.