Uganda - activities - Countries Guide

Gorilla-tracking
Most visitors to Uganda come to track the endangered mountain gorillas in the south west of the country, in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. Less than 700 of these gentle giants exist in the world, with half the remaining population living in Uganda, divided into four habituated gorilla troops: three in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga. Despite their fierce reputation, gorillas are peaceable primates, the largest and most ferocious looking of the ape family, and the chance to view them from up close is a thrilling as well as awe-inspiring experience. Tracking them generally involves a fairly strenuous walk through forest or dense undergrowth, and on steep mountain slopes, led by guides who take trekkers to where the gorillas were found the day before. From there the trackers look for signs to indicate which way they went. Tracking can take anything from three to eight hours, but groups are only permitted to stay with the gorillas for one hour once they have been found, to prevent behavioural disturbances and the possible transmission of diseases from humans to gorillas. Gorillas share 95% of their genes with humans and people with even a common cold are not allowed to join a group, as this could be fatal to the animal. Peak season is January, being one of the drier times of year. Permits allow a maximum of six people per group per day and booking is at the UWA Headquarters in Kampala. For more information visit www.uwa.or.ug

Hiking
Forming the western border of Uganda lie the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary snow-covered 'Mountains of the Moon' as described by Ptolemy in 150 AD. Reaching an altitude of 16,762ft (5,109m), they form Africa's highest mountain range, lower only than the freestanding Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, and include Africa's third highest peak, Point Margherita on Mt Stanley. Protected within a national park, the six peaks and their slopes form a world-class hiking and mountaineering destination. Experienced alpinists will find challenging climbing opportunities on three glacial peaks over 16,000ft (5,000m), while serious hikers will enjoy the demanding six-day Bujuku Circuit that offers superb scenery and is regarded as the most challenging of all African mountain walks. However the Rwenzoris are not the only hiking destination in Uganda. Mt Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya offers an exciting alternative to hikers with no technical mountain experience, but who still enjoy being able to reach the highest point. The extinct, 14,177-foot (4,321m) volcano has a four-mile (6km) wide caldera encompassing impressive caves and hot springs. Its highest peak, Wagagai, does not project noticeably above the crater. It is possible to reach the summit of Mt Elgon in three days and no special equipment is necessary. In south west Uganda, three extinct volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park also offer exciting hiking without the necessity of special mountaineering equipment. Mt Sabyinyo, Mt Muhabura (the highest at 13,540ft/4,127m) and Mt Gahinga are part of the Virunga mountain range belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mt Mahinga is also famous for its mountain gorillas. For more information visit www.uwa.or.ug

. White-water rafting
Uganda's white-water rafting industry is relatively new - the first descent of the river by a paddler was in 1996, and the grade IV and V stretch of rapids on the Nile have since been developed into a world-class rafting destination boasting some of the most powerful and sustained rapids on earth. The mighty volume of water creates monstrous rapids that provide an unforgettable rafting experience comparable to that of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. Home of the white-water rafting industry is the town of Jinja, situated at the source of the River Nile, the longest river in the world. Bujugali Falls, downstream of the Nile's source, and close to Jinja, has been vaunted the 'adrenaline capital' of Uganda, offering not only white water rafting, but also kayaking, river boarding, bungy jumping, and mountain biking. Sadly the Ugandan government intends to construct a hydroelectric dam above Bujugali Falls, which would flood the existing rapids and bring about an end to this exciting industry.