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| | Latest news from Uganda and Rwanda
Interest in Uganda and Rwanda has increased steadily over the last few years as there’s so much more to the
region than just the gorillas. The gorillas alone are still the main drawcard
but we've seen far more full on naturalists and birders wanting to visit this
part of east Africa than the more traditional safari circuits. 
Travel to Uganda and Rwanda demands a sense of adventure - the roads can be long
and fairly arduous, other infrastructure is fairly basic, service standards
don’t match those you’ll get in Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania or Kenya…but this is
much of the region's charm.
Highlights in Uganda have included some challenging tracking in Bwindi,
the chimps in Kibale, nature walks, birding and orchids. Queen Elizabeth
National Park, Ishasha and Lake Mburo are truly under-rated. Think
tree-climbing lions, elephants, masses of kob, great herds of buffalo, shoebills
and loads of “lifers” for seasoned bird enthusiasts! The list goes on: crater
Lakes, savannah, great forests, woodlands and kopjes. Over 1000 bird species,
1200 butterflies species, orchids, epiphytic ferns and hundreds of tree species
make it a naturalist’s gem.
Arguably the gorillas are more habituated and easier to access in Rwanda. The
accommodation is up a notch or two on Uganda (Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge has
definitely found its niche). Easy links with Kenya Airways to Kilimanjaro have
made Rwanda a simple combination with Tanzania. You can also climb a volcano,
visit the remains of Dian Fossey's grave and the graves of the gorillas which
she studied and see the endangered golden monkey.
From time to time we have real concerns expressed about the unrest
in the Congo…the security on Uganda’s border remains stable.
As always friends and colleagues in Kibali, Entebbe, Kampala, Ishasha and Bwindi
are keeping us posted.
Here's the latest: "Security on Uganda's Western border with the DRC and Rwanda remains stable
and travel to the Mgahinga and Bwindi Gorilla parks, the Rwenzoris, Queen
Elizabeth, Kibale National Parks and Semliki Reserve continues normally. In the
North, travel to Murchison Falls is continuing normally. The sporadic
instability in Northern Uganda related to the Lords Resistance Army does not
affect travel to the main tourism destinations in Western Uganda. In the East
travel to Sipi Falls and Mount Elgon continues normally. In the North East,
clients continue to travel to Kidepo by air. Travel to all areas of Rwanda is proceeding normally and security remains
stable."
Outlook for Uganda and Rwanda 
Gorilla trekking is so sought after as a once in a lifetime experience that
demand is simply going to climb. If more permits were available in the
region, they'd be sold out. The only thing that'd change affairs is if
there's a major problem security problem in the DRC.
In the meantime:
- Gorilla permits remain US$500 per trek – permits are in limited supply,
book at least a year in advance for June to October. On occasion we
have access to late availability permits usually between May and March and
in November.
- We can do flights from Kigali (Rwanda) to the northern Serengeti "on
inducement" between July and September, therefore easy to combine our
migration safaris.
- If gorillas and primates are your main interest then definitely combine
Rwanda with Uganda for the gorillas over a weeklong trip, add chimps in
Kibale and if your budget stretches that far then add on the chimps in
Mahale (Tanzania).
- Speak to Jackie, Sam, Trish, Chris or John about the Uganda/Rwanda
combos or chat to Chris, Trish and John about the lowland gorillas in Gabon, CAR
and Congo
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