Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.1 Summer 2018 | Page 28

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It’s not called “impenetrable” for nothing.
The rest of the family comes into sight –
numerous young gorillas and a baby of only a
few months that plays and bounces between
them, with a few females holding rank.
The Silverback approaches, his shoulders
at least a metre in diameter. He walks by,
barely adhering to the seven-metre distance
rule so strictly set for visitors, confident in his
position as leader of this precious, protected
group. He is known as Karamuzi. There is
wisdom in his expression.
Our time with the gorillas is limited to an
hour. We stay with them as they move towards
a clearing in the trees; I get my photographs
in the first 15 minutes and then put my camera
away, allowing my remaining time with them
to be the entire focus. Then, just like that our
time is up. We regroup for the walk down,
silent in our appreciation of what we have just
seen and experienced.
PLANNER
Q TRAVEL
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS:
While gorilla trekking draws
most travellers to Uganda, these
incredible animals are not the only
wildlife on offer. Gorillas aside, the
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
is home to everything from forest
elephants to chimpanzees to African
golden cats, while the lesser-known
Murchison Falls National Park offers
sightings of rare Rothschild giraffes,
lions and Ugandan kobs. Home to
more than 600 bird species, Queen
Elizabeth National Park is one of
the top bird-watching spots in the
country. There’s wonderful hiking and
trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains,
or, for some aquatic adrenaline
head straight for Jinja. Famed as
the source of the Nile, it also dishes
up the best white water rafting and
kayaking in East Africa.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: June-Sept
is ideal, with mild weather and less
chance of rain, which is heaviest
from March-May. It also rains in
October and November, but the
upshot is that fewer visitors means
it’s easier to get that coveted
gorilla permit. The dry months of
January-February are ideal for
trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains.
CITY SLICKER: Uganda’s two main
cities – Kampala and Entebbe – are
both worth a visit. Ease into the
Above: Village elder, Lake Bunyonyi.
Below: Motorbike taxis in Kampala.
country with a few days in Entebbe,
on the shores of Lake Victoria. Once
the colonial capital of Uganda, the
relaxed pace of life here is a far cry
from the busy streets of Kampala, the
commercial capital of the country.
The frenetic energy on Kampala’s
streets is neatly offset by the clutch
of atmospheric relics from the ancient
Buganda kingdom: tick off the likes of
Mengo Palace, Bulange Royal Building
and the Unesco-listed Kasubi Tombs.
BOOK IT: Sure Travel’s partner
Inspirations Travel & Tours can take
you into Uganda and help you tick a
gorilla trek off your bucket list. Ask
your Sure Travel consultant for details,
or visit www.suretravel.co.za / call
0861 47 48 49.
© TOPDEMIR/SHUTTERSTOCK
© GOERSCH/SHUTTERSTOCK
28 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE