Uganda: Year Off Travel Destination

I got charged by a silver back gorilla while trekking through the mountains of southwest Uganda.

We had just spent about 45 minutes with the majestic creatures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, observing them, photographing them, admiring them. We were bushwhacking through the thick forest back to the trail when a bush shook. The guide stopped and motioned for all of us to stop as well. The bush shook again.

And then the silver back came tearing out of the bush, making the most terrifying scream I’ve ever heard. It flew past the guide, stopped, turned around, and charged directly towards me.

I froze. The gorilla stopped about a meter from me, still making that horrific scream. Then it slowly backed away. We crouched down as the silver back looked us over. It felt like an eternity before it turned around and walked down the mountain. The guides started laughing. My heart was pounding. I was in shock at the fact that an endangered silver back mountain gorilla had just charged me.

As we were hiking out of the forest, I remember thinking about how thankful I was for choosing Uganda as a Year Off destination. I left the country a few days after my gorilla encounter with a journal full of stories from my time there. It’s an incredible country with incredible people, and I hope to return some day.

Why go to Uganda?

Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a perfect Year Off destination. There are many opportunities for outdoor adventure, like white water rafting, quad biking, gorilla trekking, and going on safari. The sights and sounds of its capital city, Kampala, are a must-see, with its bustling markets, deep history, and vibrant night life.

I believe the main draw for Uganda though is the opportunity for volunteer work. There are many incredible people living in Uganda, but many of them are living in poverty. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the culture than by working side by side with a fellow Ugandan, helping the people live a happier, healthier life.

It’s also easier to organize all your fun activities, like safari, gorilla trekking, and white water rafting, through the volunteer organization. You will likely get a discounted price and all the logistics are figured out for you.

When to go

Uganda is a year-round travel destination. There are two main dry seasons in Uganda: January through February and June through September. These are the best times for a safari to one of the national parks or a gorilla trek. Volunteer work is available year-round, but you will find the volunteer houses less crowded while American schools and colleges are in session from September through April.

Where to go

• Kampala – the central hub of Uganda, with bars and nightlife, large open air markets, and restaurants. Don’t leave town without doing the Boda Boda Tour!
• Entebbe – location of Uganda’s main airport, as well as a wildlife sanctuary, a chimpanzee sanctuary, and souvenir markets.
• Jinja – the adventure capital of Uganda on the Nile River. Go white water rafting, bungee jumping, and quad biking there.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – located in the mountainous region of southwest Uganda. It is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
• Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s premier game park, with lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and water and bush bucks beyond counting. Don’t miss the Nile boat tour, where you’ll see the Nile crocodiles and hippos and further up the river, the mighty Murchison Falls.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park – game park where you can track the chimpanzees and see the famous tree-climbing lions.
• Lake Victoria – hire a boat and go fishing on Africa’s largest lake.
• Lake Bunyonyi – a stunning lake in the mountains outside the town of Kabale. Relax in one of the resorts close to the lake.

What to do

• Volunteer – the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Uganda. International Volunteers HQ has medical placements, child-care, HIV/AIDS support, sports education, special needs, and women’s education placements.

• Gorilla trekking – there’s nothing like coming face to face with a silver back gorilla. Head to the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a couple of nights in a lodge and a day of tracking the gorillas.
• Go on a safari – bounce along in a safari van while looking for Africa’s famous wildlife. Head to Murchison Falls National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park for the best wildlife viewing. Organize your safari with your volunteer organization for discounts on the trip.

• Track the chimpanzees – feel like monkeying around? Check out this article for the best places to see the chimpanzees.
• Hike a volcano – get your legs pumping while climbing a volcano. Hire a guide to take you to the top.
• Boda Boda Tour of Kampala – the absolute best way to see the bustling city of Kampala. Ride around the city on a motorcycle taxi, aka boda boda. Tour stops include the Gaddafi Mosque, Nakasero Market, and Idi Amin’s palace and torture chambers (read The Last King of Scotland before visiting).

• White water rafting on the Nile – home to some of the biggest rapids in the world, Nile river rafting is not for the faint of heart. But what an adventure! Head to Jinja and book your adventure with a reputable rafting company like Nalubale Rafting. Many of the companies offer transportation to and from Kampala.

• Ride quad bikes through the Ugandan countryside – Jinja is the place for riding quad bikes through the countryside of Uganda. Give the kids high fives as you speed by.
• Go fishing – go angling for Nile perch or something bigger on Lake Victoria.

Travel Tips

• Get your visa online before arriving – go to https://www.ugandatravelling.com/ to get your e-visa before you arrive in the country.
• Get up to date on vaccines, including your Yellow Fever – Yellow fever vaccine and the yellow fever card are required for entry into the country. Don’t leave home without it. Get the following boosters as well if you haven’t had them in a while: Hepatitis A, typhoid, and the vaccines recommended by the CDC.
• Pack your antimalarial medication, bed net, and bug spray – Malaria is common through-out the country. Bring doxycycline or Malarone and remember to take them. Wear long sleeve pants and shirts. Bring your own bug spray with deet from home because it’s hard to find in Uganda. Sleep under a bed net.
• Arrange for a pick-up from the airport – Stepping off a plane in Africa for the first time is nerve-racking. Arrange for a pick-up from the airport with your volunteer organization or hotel to make it easier on yourself.
• Boda boda safety – the primary mode of transportation around Uganda are in taxi vans and boda bodas, aka motorcycle taxis. Many accidents occur on the busy roads. Avoid travel at night and travel on the busy roads. If a boda boda driver is driving unsafely, ask them pull over and get off.
• Leave your valuables at home – theft is common in Uganda. Leave your valuable jewelry and electronics locked up in your suitcase. Carry only what you need: cash for the day, a copy of your passport, and a small simple phone for emergency phone calls.