Uganda Rwanda
During the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve, the time had finally come and our long-awaited journey to the “Pearl of Africa” began with a flight from Munich to Entebbe - the capital of Uganda.
Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The capital city Kampala lies near the shores of Lake Victoria one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. With a population of approximately 45 million people Uganda is home to a rich cultural diversity featuring various ethnic groups and languages with Luganda and English being the most widely spoken. The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1962 and has experienced significant political turmoil including the dictatorship of Idi Amin in the 1970s. Uganda's economy is primarily based on agriculture which employs a large portion of the population with key exports including coffee, tea and fish. Tourism also plays an important role with attractions such as national parks and wildlife including the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda is known for its vibrant cultural heritage characterized by traditional music, dance and art. However the country faces challenges such as poverty, health issues and political instability though efforts are ongoing to improve infrastructure and promote economic development.
The first stop of the journey took us to the Mabamba Swamps. In the Mabamba Swamps we set out in search of the famous shoebill. We also observed many kingfishers and bee-eaters as well as the beautiful crowned cranes. The following day we visited the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and continued on towards Murchison Falls region. The next day included a safari in Murchison Falls National Park as well as a boat trip on the Nile; we also explored the Murchison Falls during a short hike. In Kibale National Park we finally set out to search for the chimpanzees. Spotting a large group was very impressive and excited us greatly. After a walk through the Bigodi Swamps and an introduction to the local culture we continued the next day to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Another highlight of the trip was a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. Our journey took us through the Ishasha area towards Bwindi National Park. On foot, we ventured into the national park to see the last of their kind - the mountain gorillas. We visited the friendly Kanyonyi family and were deeply moved by this special experience. After crossing the border into Rwanda, we traveled to Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda often referred to as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" is a small landlocked country located in East Africa bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The capital city is Kigali known for its cleanliness and order. Rwanda has a population of approximately 13 million people with a rich cultural heritage that includes various ethnic groups primarily the Hutu and Tutsi. The country is known for its tragic history particularly the 1994 genocide which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800000 people. Since then Rwanda has made significant strides in recovery and development focusing on unity and reconciliation. The economy is primarily based on agriculture with coffee and tea being key exports. Rwanda is also recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation particularly in protecting its mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The country has become a popular tourist destination attracting visitors with its stunning landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences. Despite facing challenges such as poverty and limited natural resources Rwanda continues to work towards economic growth and social progress. In Volcanoes National Park we immersed ourselves in the footsteps of Dian Fossey who stood out with her extraordinary courage in advocating for the preservation and protection of the mountain gorillas living there. We had the privilege of spending time with the Igisha family which consisted of 36 members – a unique experience. The finale of the trip was the Golden Monkey Tracking where we got very close to the playful monkeys and were able to observe their behavior. Upon arrival in Kigali we visited the impressive Genocide Memorial Center before embarking on our return flight.