Located in south-western Uganda, high on the edge of the western Rift Valley on the highest block of the Rukiga Highlands, flanked by the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjacent to the Parc National des Virunga, this is one of the largest (331 sq. km) natural forests in Africa. Because of its range and size, and because it includes both montane and lowland forests, the species diversity is extremely high. A large number of plants and animals are endemic to the region.

Half the world’s population of mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi National Park, the remainder roaming between Zaire, Rwanda and Uganda in the Virunga Conservation area. Vegetation is typical tropical rain forest with very dense undergrowth. There are 163 species of trees, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies and a wide range of reptiles. There are also 120 species of mammals, making it one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. A small number of mountain elephants will be found in the southeast region around the Mubwindo Swamp.

The park is surrounded by some of the most densely populated areas of Uganda, with the main ethnic groups being the Bakiga and the Bafumbira.

Activities in the Park

Mountain gorilla tracking is the main tourist attraction. There are 20 habituated groups of gorillas, and viewing is strictly controlled to ensure the sustainability of the primates. Strict rules must be followed to prevent behavioral disturbances and the transmission of diseases from humans to the gorillas. (Even a common cold can be fatal to the primates). Only six visitors are allowed in at any one time a day per habituated group, and details can be obtained from the park headquarters or any Ugandan tour operator.

The rugged terrain makes trekking gorillas strenuous work. The exercise involves walking through thick forest up steep and slippery slopes, to where the gorillas were found the previous day. Trackers then look for any signs – pressed down grass, broken twigs, dung – that might tell them the direction the group has taken. With visitors following through the dense undergrowth, the search continues, at times literally crawling through the thickets, until the gorillas are found. Mountain gorillas cover long distances each day and so tours can last anywhere between three to nine hours.

There are a number of other hiking trails in the park and guides should be arranged in advance. The area around Buhoma is an excellent place for watching many different primates and birds, (and is famous for its tumbling waterfalls).

Birding adventures

The unique ancient peak tropical rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park harbors various bird species which some are endemic species to the Albert rift valley. The forest is recorded with over 450 bird species among the fewer 23 of Uganda’s 24 are endemic to the Albertine rift valley including the specials and globally threatened African broad greenbill and shelley’s crimson wing. The other bird species to encounter include western green tinkerbird, chestnut throated apalises, white browed crombec and woodland warbler among many. On a nature walk with an experienced birder guide their possibilities of watching over 100 bird species.

Mountain biking

The adventure is run by NGO Ride for A Woman which provide guided mountain biking trips through the forest or villages around Buhoma section. This kind of adventure is recommendable for birding activities as it can lead to better and far birding spots.

Nature walking adventure

There spectacular trail for nature walks within Buhoma gorilla trekking section, nature walking exposes trekkers closer to nature. Most interesting full day nature walking is the River Ivi trail, this crosses from Buhoma to Nkuringo section covering 14km through the planed but never built path and reaching the main to Nkuringo trek more 6km uphill on the Nkuringo village road.

Batwa Cultural experience

Hours meeting with the Batwa people once forgotten after were displaced from the forest to conserve the endangered species. The Batwa like are also endangered people who almost lived to extinction, however, the group of people were reorganized and formed initiatives that now showcase their way 0of life to tourist in order to earn for the survival of the day. Among the activities tourist can engage in at Batwa communities include the bee keeping, mushrooming, hunting demonstrations and crafts. Cultural entertainment with stories of the legendary Twa, songs and dances.

Safety in the tourism industry drives its development, security is a very sensitive organ which highly determines tourist flow to a certain tourist destination. It’s a challenging factor to most developing countries and mainly is determined by the dirty politics which is viral and trending.

Uganda is one of tourist safe destination in Africa, but people may be searching with questions like; is Uganda safe for foreign tourists? Yes it’s safe. Following the political chaos that happened in 1970s that branded the pearl of Africa one of the unsafe places which was avoided around the world, it’s now history.  But surprisingly the western world people till now a certain population not yet updated about the current situation in Uganda, thinking leaders like Idi Amin Dada who left power now over 35 years’ age.

A lot of alarming news concerning safety and outbreaks gives a view on how the country is standing security wise.

However, disease outbreaks especially on African continent which include Ebola, cholera, swain flue fever, Crimean Congo fevers and many of these scares away, but Uganda for all years has been awarded the best country to fight chronicle disease outbreaks. Neighboring DR Congo which is suffering with the unending Ebola reproach and at the same time high volume of refugees moving from Congo to Uganda, surely Uganda has maintained the status of fighting against Ebola victims crossing from Congo and detecting every thereat.

The political atmosphere currently is at relief, after years of severe suffers especially in 1970s when the prominent Uganda’s and world recognized Dictator Idi Amin Dada greatly distorted Uganda’s politics arising several political rebel groups in the western and Northern Uganda. By then it wasn’t a deal deciding to travel in Uganda.

However, following his (Amin) downfall and the predecessor Obote, in 1986 a raised a new government whose priority was building a decent security forces and building a new country. This has succeeded through fighting and defeating all rebel organizations.

Tragedy surfaced Uganda when people who were watching 2010 world cup at Lugogo cricket oval and others at Kabalagala were both suburbs in Kampala were wrecked where many of the people lost their lives. This was claimed by Al Shabaab, but this has happened in many more secured countries like UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany and others over the just past years.

The kidnap of the Kimberley Sue Endicott and her driver Malenge by armed men in army uniforms, who were later release under the effort of Uganda security forces this has created a questions especially by travelers opting to travel to Uganda. Questions like is Uganda safe? Are common but for years since 1986 Uganda has been a secure, safe and stable country for tourist and with least unsafety rate than most of the western countries.

Uganda Political status since independence

Commonly known as the pearl of Africa, Uganda received its independence from its colonial masters the British on 9^th October 1962. Here King of Buganda Kingdom Sir Fredric Edward Muteesa II became the first president of Uganda but ceremonial. Milton Obote became the first prime minister who had executive powers.

Misunderstanding rose when president Muteesa wanted the parliament to impeach the prime minister out of power. But rather Obote organized the army led by Idi Amin Dada by then the army commander and attacked the president within his Palace at Mengo where the Muteesa was overthrew out power and fled to exile in England where he died in 1969.

The parliament of Uganda through the pigeon hall constitution declared Obote the new Executive president of Uganda in 1966. In January 1971 when Obote went for a common wealthy meeting (CHOGM) in Singapore he never came back instead his Army commander Idi Amin declared himself a president and telephoned Obote not to expect coming back to Uganda as a president rather as a civilian.

Amin’s regime in 1971 intensified the reign of terror in Uganda, all political activities were burned and the army empowered to shoot on body to any suspect of opposition. About 300,000 people are believed to brutally lose their lives including the chief justice Ben Kiwanuka and the Archbishop Lumu of church of Uganda and people of the diplomatic class including professors, ministers, doctors and army men who would pose to threaten his regime were all shot dead.

In 1992 Amin expelled all Indians in Uganda over 70,000 Asian communities was given only 90 days to vacate the country to leave with nothing.

Obote settled in Tanzania where with help of Tanzanian army in 1979 overthrew Idi Amin. Then Tanzanian president blessed Yusufu Lule as the president of Uganda but again he started speaking against Nyerere and with pressure was in power for days and replace by Binaisa. Binaisa reign faced a lot of pressure and organized an election which commonly known as the rigged voted where Obote swept back to power in 1981. This time again Amin’s terror increased to manifest by Obote’s second chance.

In 1985 after the rigged elections Obote had organized rose the NRA rebel group with 27 determined group of young men who originated from western Uganda under the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the guerilla group which opposed to Obote’s tribally government started a war against Obote.

By late 1980’s new governance had surfaced in Uganda under NRA and Museveni become the president of Uganda. However, this never stopped rebel activities highly affected the Rwenzo region and Northern Uganda which included the ADF rebels who were defeated and hide in the forest of Democratic Republic of Congo and the LRA this much disturbed peace in Northern Uganda but currently were defeated and withdrew from Uganda.

The current situation in Uganda

The political situation in Uganda is at rest with a democratic governance under president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The government is run under three organs including the Executive, Judiciary and the legislature.

The domestic political status is not worrying still this is what happens alover the world in democratic countries where exchange of bitter words prevails between those in power and the opposition.

Since 2005 where the ADF rebels had surface areas of Rwenzori. There hasn’t been any other threatening security incident like that which happened in 2010 a bombing of people who were watching football at Lugogo cricket oval that left 74 dead.

The incident of Al-shabab rebels who made a merciless attack in Nairobi in a shopping malls in 2013 increased security alert in Uganda ordering security checks up at every mall in Uganda to ensure safety in the city.

In 2016 Uganda army attacked one of the cultural chiefdom western Uganda and stormed the palace into flames. This Omumbere palace was believed to be a hiding for rebels and over 40 armed men with pangs where killed, the government is increasing becoming security conscious to ensure safety of nationals and other travelers within the country.

Many other threatening incidences have over showed

Which part of Uganda is not safe to go?

Uganda is safe from all corners of the country, in case you wish for a safari adventure no need to worry about the safety politically and healthy wise. All this means that Uganda is safe to travel there, Uganda resident’s relations with travelers is very homophobic or see welcoming than in any other part of the world.

However, due to local inbound security threats that can happen any can indicate insecurity in the country. For instance, many countries are victims of this include the first world countries in American and Europe.

On November 11^th 2001 at 8:45am tragedy altered in USA in New York when rebels severely bombed the world trade center. The shock happened not because America was not safe,

Four people were killed and five others wounded early on Sunday 6^th October 2019 in a shooting at a Kansas City bar Washington in USA. On 26^th October two people were killed and 12 others injured when a gunman opened fire at an off-campus college party in Texas around midnight on Saturday.

The above and other many gun violation crimes can’t indicate insecurity in USA but their uncontrollable incidences that can happen anywhere around the world.

Uganda is safe for tourist to do their safari adventures.

Getting involved in a hit-and-run accident while driving your own car isn’t a pleasant thing, and when it happens to a rental car is worse. It is undeniable that dealing with a rental car accident is one of the last things that you would wish to get involved in during your safari, and yet using a car that isn’t yours coupled with going through a foreign destination doesn’t guarantee accidents not happening.

What you would do when your personal car gets involved in a hit-and-run is the similar thing you would do is your rental car gets involved in the same. In most cases, the Car Rental Company will work hand in hand with other drivers as well as the Insurance Company to cover the costs of the damage during the hit and run. Therefore, here’s what should happen if your rental car gets damaged in a hit and run;

Ensure that everyone is fine

This might sound like common sense but one of the first things you should do if your rental car gets damaged in a hit-and-run is ensure that every occupant of the vehicle is fine, prior to taking any other step. Also, be sure to ascertain whether the surrounding scene and any other vehicles involved are not affected by the accident.

Getting involved in a hit-and-run while driving a rental car, like with your personal car should be followed by safely pulling over on the side of the road when possible. For serious accidents, go ahead to call the Police or an Ambulance if anyone is hurt.

Provide/exchange contact information with any other parties involved in the accident

Once you ascertain that the accident scene is now safe, the next thing is getting contacts and insurance information with other parties involved in the hit-and-run. Provide/exchange names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers, the insurance company and the policy number, your driving permit number, registration, and number plate for the Rental Vehicles. If there are any witnesses at the accident scene, also get their information.

Document the accident scene by providing evidence (photos and notes).

Another thing that should happen when your rental car gets damaged in a hit-and-run is collecting detailed information about the accident. Take down any notes and plenty of photos of the rental car and the entire accident scene. For notes, make sure that the year, color, and model of the cars are documented, any other outstanding information about the cars involved, the location of the hit-and-run (the street and lane it happened), and how the accident happened.

Contact your rental Company

Another thing to do is to contact the Car Rental Company and inform them about the hit-and-run. Much as the steps to be taken are the same as those involved when your personal car is damaged in the accident, rental Car accidents need a bit more information/paperwork. The Rental Company should be informed immediately and a sticker with an emergency number be included inside the glove box, or better still the emergency number indicated on the car rental agreement.

The Rental Company will give you instructions on how to proceed, as they will also have to fill out the information in case of insurance.

Inform your own Insurance Company of the hit-and-run

If your insurance company is what you are counting on to be your source of primary coverage, then you should contact and inform them of the hit-and-run to establish your claim for damage. Be prepared to answer a number of questions and these include among others “whether they will take care of filing the accident report with the nearest Police station or it’s your responsibility”, inquire from the Insurance Company whether you have comprehensive and collision coverage in the policy, as well as the liability coverage that might be required.