Gorilla highlands Uganda – Guaranteed Gorilla trekking Experience in Africa with Acacia Safaris Limited

Gorilla highlands Uganda – Visit the Switzerland of Africa. The gorilla highlands are located in southwest Uganda and are richly endowed with supernatural beauty to catch a glance at while on safaris in Africa. The region is a beautiful tourism hub of Uganda and perhaps one of the most visited by most tourists to the country. The area covers the beautiful lake Bunyonyi which twists and winds around numerous hills and mountains giving an adorable panoramic view. This region is also home to the endangered mountain gorillas which are the trademark of Ugandan tourism. The Uganda gorilla highlands extend in south-western Uganda, in the areas of Kisoro, Kabale, Kanungu, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Plan your safari with the expert tour operator, Acacia Safaris Limited, and experience the magic in the wild sweet jungle of the pearl.

Uganda Gorilla Safari

Top highlights and activities to do on safaris in Gorilla highlands Uganda – all you need to know about gorilla highlands Uganda

The most interesting bit of the gorilla highlands’ experience is probably island hopping in dug-out canoes on Lake Bunyonyi. The Lake is often calm thus rendering it safe to use a canoe. Guests can visit and learn about numerous islands and their history. Bwama Island also known as Lepers’ Island has an isolation center for Leprosy patients from the region and as far as the now Burundi. It is here that they were treated by Doctor Sharp a missionary doctor who also happened to reside on a different island named after him.

Amidst these two islands is the historical and infamous “punishment island”. It is a tiny patch of bushy land where only one tree stands in solitude. This is where young girls who got pregnant before marriage were dumped to die for this was an abomination then. Interestingly, men who could not afford hefty bride prices were free to rescue the “dumped” girls and take them on as wives.

Lake Bunyonyi

The other is hiking up the hills which is such a laborious adventure but it tees one up for a one-in-a-million panoramic view of Lake Bunyonyi and its islands. Guests are also able to visit schools, homes, and a hospital on some of these islands. On Kyabahinga Hill, guests are treated with a visit to a traditional healer called Omugurusi Jeremia. He takes them through sessions about what it was like treating illnesses and other social concerns in traditional African society. He will explain the uses of the various herbs and how they work to counter disease.

On the same hill is Iannick a self-styled Rastafarian with a keen interest in the history of Africans relative to the wide world. You will surely learn a lot from this gentleman. Groups of women specializing in arts and crafts making can also be visited on different islands. It is also possible to enjoy locally prepared lunch from one of the homes along this trail.

Visits to the Batwa community

Visits to the Batwa settlements offer a window into other civilizations and cultural traditions. The gorilla highlands experience aims to use tourism to better Batwa communities’ quality of life in the area. The Batwa manual for the Gorilla Mountains The visitors can go on a nature walk with Mr. John Kanusu at the Echuya forest reserve. He describes the Batwa way of life before their removal from the forest as he goes along. These were their primary locations for hunting and collecting. They are currently limited to picking bamboo sticks for use in construction.

Another of the many highlight in the gorilla highlands is Lake Mutanda in Kisoro. The lake lies in the background of the Virunga mountain ranges soaring before. Three of the highest peaks are well visible on a good weather day. The terrain and features around this area are a manifestation of the erstwhile volcanic activity responsible for their existence. The experience here is fantastic and rewarding. Acacia safaris is the best tour operator to plan with you your safari for the best experience.