Lesley Carter has been traveling the world since 2012 and has visited such destinations as Austria, Panama, Thailand, Mexico, Namibia, and most recently, Uganda. Her journey to the landlocked country in East Africa included a trip to the capital Kampala, excursions to national parks, and a trek to see gorillas. Read on to discover Uganda through Carter’s eyes!
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What made you choose to visit Uganda?
In January, I sailed to Antarctica on Bark Europa. I was part of the training crew on a tall ship and arrived in the most remote place on Earth. I took selfies with penguins, elephant seals, and whales. When I returned, my wild dreams grew even more. I figured if I could sail to Antarctica on a tall ship as part of the training crew, I could do anything. I thought about the most wild, extreme adventure I could imagine and gorilla trekking topped the list. Uganda offers the greatest gorilla trekking experience in the world, so it was an obvious choice.
How did the journey take you to Uganda?
I worked closely with Africa Adventure Safaris in Uganda to plan my trip while I was there, but the journey of getting there was up to me. I was already flying to Israel as part of a press trip, so I looked at the possibilities of adding on to that trip. Ethiopia Airlines offer flights from Tel Aviv, Israel to Entebbe, Uganda, so it fit. I flew from Tel Aviv and had one stop over in Ethiopia. It was a relatively quick and easy flight. I flew home through Tel Aviv, Israel using the same airline. There are flights to Uganda from California on multiple airlines. The shortest route is over 20 hours and costs around $1000 return.
What was your trip’s itinerary? What were you most looking forward to seeing/doing?
Day One – Airport pick-up and overnight in Kampala
Selfie with a Gorilla in Uganda
Day Two – Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking
Day Three – Kazinga Channel Boat Tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park with hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, birds, and elephants
Day Four – Bwindi Forest National Park tree-climbing lion safari
Day Five – Bwindi Forest National Park gorilla trekking
Day Six – Transfer back to airport
I looked forward to gorilla trekking the most. It was the main reason I chose Uganda. I didn’t even think gorilla trekking was possible for the average tourist. Who actually gets to walk among a community of wild apes? It seemed to fantastical to be true.
The chimpanzee trek, though, turned out to be a more personal, interactive experience.
Did any part of your trip catch you off-guard, or was there something you thought you were prepared for but weren’t?
I visited Uganda in the rainy season, but I didn’t think it would be an issue. I was prepared with rain gear, water-proof cameras, and the appropriate boots. What I wasn’t prepared for was the horribly muddy roads and the mudslides. At one point, we were trying to get to a hotel, and we went off the road. We were stuck! It was already after sunset, and our hotel was less than two miles away. We had to walk with our bags in a national forest filled with lions, elephants, leopards, and other threatening animals. I was petrified. What I learned was that it was common for people to walk in the national park, and I wasn’t in as much danger as I anticipated.
Was there anything you expected to be strange and different but really wasn’t?
Honestly, and this is a touchy subject that maybe should use a little less honesty, I thought the people would be more intimidating or even threatening. I worried about being alone even for simple things like going for a short walk. I worried about getting robbed or raped or murdered. It’s an African country surrounded by rebels and violence, and I knew so little about it. It reminded me of why I need to experience new locations for myself and to research and experience before casting judgements. I went for a walk with a local that I met in Kampala and wasn’t hassled at all. Children and adults waved and smiled, and no one tried to sell me anything or get too close to me.
ide Streets Outside of Kampala, Uganda
When we went off the road in the mudslide, I worried about getting robbed or worse. I was in a country where it’s completely normal for men and women to walk around with machetes. That’s scary and unfamiliar territory, but no one bothered me at all except to offer help. It was a non-issue.
When we pulled to the side of the road to purchase goods, sellers approached the vehicle but never once begged for money. They wanted to sell their products and be paid for their work. That was it. It was one of the safest countries that I visited when I assumed it would be one of the worst. Now, I would even travel to Uganda with my three-year-old daughter, Athena.
What sort of travelers would you recommend visiting Uganda?
Uganda is for wild adventure seekers, but that doesn’t restrict it to single adults. Families with young children could visit Uganda and participate in safaris, nature walks, and hikes. Gorilla and chimpanzee treks do have age restrictions, but with creative scheduling, it’s still possible with children. Uganda is a hiker’s paradise and safari options include animal sightings like lions, hippos, impalas, crocodiles, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. The way people travel is drastically changing and Uganda could even be a honeymoon destination. I’d suggest good physical fitness for the gorilla trek, but most of the other unique encounters in Uganda can be experienced by anyone.
Are there any laws/customs that travelers should know about?
You will need a tourist visa to enter the country. You can get it at the airport upon arrival. It costs $50. You will also need a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the country.
Traffic is insane! If you plan to rent a vehicle during your trip please consider the locations you’ll be visiting before booking. Driving in Kampala can be very overwhelming. (They also drive on the left hand side of the road.)
Busy Streets of Kampala
There are two different forms of public transportation. White and blue vans are like taxis and motorcycles are called “boarder-boarders.” Both set their own price and can be found everywhere. Be sure to agree on I price before accepting transport.
Book with a tour company like Africa Adventure Safaris. They know best the ins and outs of the country, especially the safest places to travel. Accommodations can be tricky as well. Some hotels are extremely off the beaten path, some require a lot of walking, some are without electricity, and some are without hot water or water at all. Some treks or tours may be canceled or changed because of weather or participants. A tour company can easily make the necessary changes. It’s important to get guidance if this is the first time you’re visiting Uganda.
Where are you off to next?
I will be doing a Great White Shark Dive with Islander Charters. It’s a five-day voyage from San Diego, California to Isla Guadalupe, Mexico aboard the M/V Islander.
Check out Lesley’s adventures at Bucket List Publications, and catch her articles inside On the Go: A Magazine for Travelers!
All pictures are by Lesley Carter.
