Uganda Pearl of Africa

The Queen Elizabeth national Park spreads over an area of 1978 square km in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, buffalo and Uganda kob. Birds present are all typical of riverine and savannah habitats.

The Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the place to search for the tree climbing lions often to be seen in the vicinity of the camp which is situated just off the Northern circuit game viewing track. The lions also favour the large fig trees on the Southern circuit game viewing track and this offers alternative game viewing routes.

On early morning and late afternoon game drives, either in your safari vehicle, or for fly-in guests – in our dedicated camp open safari vehicle, you may explore the area’s game routes in search of the different species. The area is still pristine and untouched with only a handful of game vehicles found around the area at any time. Being the only camp within the park, it offers flexibility of timings for drives allowing guests to maximise their game sightings in this area.

Sundowners can be arranged for the late afternoon at a suitable viewing point either along the ridge area or besides the Ntungwe River to allow guests to savour the vast vistas and atmosphere of this beautiful area of the park.

Bush breakfasts are also available to camp guests when arranged prior to their stay and if the weather allows. Your own personal chef and dining set-up in the wilderness can be combined with an early-morning safari drive.

Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour: Situated in a small village on the fringes of the Queen Elizabeth National park, Agartha is a strong member of the local community group and tirelessly works to improve not only her family’s well-being but also her neighbours.

Agartha takes great pride in sharing with you how the women of her tribe, the Bakiga, prepare their favourite food. Not only do you hear how the ingredients are grown and harvested but you can witness how to shift, grind, cook, and most importantly, keep the much-loved food warm for their husbands.

During the tour Agartha weaves in stories of what it’s like to be a Bakiga wife whilst encouraging you to taste what you may have helped prepare together. She then sends you off on your journey with a packed traditional snack and a taste of the local brew if you wish too!

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 10m from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

For an in-depth understanding of the behaviour and conservation of gorillas, guests can be accompanied by a veterinary doctor from the Gorillas Doctors or by a researcher from the Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) organisation in Buhoma.

Gorillas Doctors are dedicated to conserving wild mountain and eastern lowland gorillas through life-saving veterinary medicine and a One Health approach.

CTPH is a non profit organisation, founded by Dr. Glady Kalema, which focusses on the interdependence of wildlife and human health in and around the protected areas of Uganda. They are located in Buhoma, walking distance from Bwindi Lodge.

This exclusive experience allows a total group of 8 guests to track a gorilla group in the forest on their own. This enables guests to have a deeper connection with these fascinating animals, accompanied by their own guide who can give them personal briefing.

The cost is 5600 USD per trek per day in Uganda, for a maximum of 8 guests.

In 2013 the VSPT began simple tea processing in partnership with the local communities, at the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, which is located at the edge of the primordial Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, World Heritage Site and home to the famous Mountain Gorilla, in South West Uganda.

Tea has proven to be a very useful buffer crop when planted between forest areas with protected wildlife, and local human communities. Animals do not eat tea so feel no need to come out of the forest to “crop raid” which is the source of much human-wildlife conflict in areas around National Parks.

A tea tour is available to interested Volcanoes Safaris guests, demonstrating how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed in Uganda. The tour also shows how ‘black’, ‘green’ and ‘white’ teas are produced and differentiated. Guests are invited to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour whilst looking out over the impressive forest.

In 2015, the VSPT officially opened the Bwindi Bar, located near the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The bar provides a practical training institution for local disadvantaged youths living near the Bwindi National Park in Buhoma.

The VSPT aims to provide practical experience in the tourism industry, to create more job opportunities in the region. Thanks to this programme, trainees are armed with the appropriate skills set to go on to gain successful employment in hospitality in the Bwindi area.

The trainees gain practical skills in food and service during their three month training. They are then sent for further internships at nearby lodges. Bwindi Bar serves a variety of delicious locally-inspired food and drinks, including the famous Ugandan 'Rolex' wrap and the signature 'Gorillini' cocktail!

Congratulations to Bwindi Bar on winning the 2016 PURE Community Engagement Award!

Bwindi Community Hospital was established in 2003 to provide health care to the Batwa community and, due to the high demand of health services, the hospital opened its services to all people living in the area. What started as an outreach clinic under a tree is now a 112 bed hospital providing health care and educational services to a population of over 100,000 people. A simple stroll through the village will lead you to the hospital.

Uganda offers some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

At Bwindi Lodge the beautiful walk to the river takes you through the lush grounds of the lodge with the magical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the other side of the river. Gorillas, chimps and birds can often be heard in the undergrowth. A natural pool in the river can be used for quick cool dip!

This escorted walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, traces the river up into the park, where 3 beautiful waterfalls can be found along the way.

The forest is home to 350 bird species of which is 23 endemic bird species, clouds of butterflies and rare plant life. This walk offers excellent photographic opportunities and the guide will provide a great insight into this globally important habitat.

Gorilla tracking is the highlight of a trip to Clouds, and for many it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A truly unique wildlife encounter combining wilderness, wonder and awe.

The tracking can take anywhere between 2-8 hours and requires a degree of fitness and physical ability.

Weather is unpredictable, the terrain can be challenging and the memories will be long lasting!!