Q: How safe is Uganda?
A: Uganda is safe and there is no political instability or unrest of any kind.  There have been no reports of significant crimes in the cities or rural areas.  Travellers are advised however to exercise caution and not to go walking about alone at night and to hide jewellery and camera equipment etc.  Trekking participants should make use of safety boxes to lock away valuables.

Q: Where is the best place to see mountain gorillas?
A:  The Bwindi National Park was formerly called the Impenetrable Forest and for good reason – this ancient rainforest is virtually impossible to walk through!  Situated over 1,500m above sea level, this lush forest is also home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas (estimated at a couple of hundred).  Most trekking expeditions take a couple of days.

Q: When is the best time to go gorilla tracking?
A: Trying to find your way through a forest that has been called “impenetrable” during the rainy season is a nightmare, to put it mildly.  Trekking expeditions are usually launched during the drier seasons, from December to March and June to October.

Q: What can I expect on a gorilla tracking expedition?
A: Different operators offer different packages, but most gorilla tracking expeditions involve hikes of several days through thick rainforests to a group of gorillas, usually a family.  Only small groups of people are allowed to track each day and one may view the gorillas for short periods of time only, usually approximately one hour.  To protect the fragile populations of these highly endangered animals, strict rules govern any gorilla tracking expedition.  For example, people may not go closer than 5m from the apes and no flash photography is allowed.

Q: What else is there to do in Uganda apart from gorilla tracking?
A: The stunning natural beauty of this country, means that nature lovers will be spoilt for choice of activities.  There are numerous magnificent hiking trails in the Ruwenzori Mountains as well as Bwindi National Park.  There is excellent swimming at the Ssese islands in Lake Victoria.  It is also possible to go white water rafting on the Nile River.  At the Tombs of the Buganda Kings at Kasubi, it is possible to walk around the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda which was built in 1882 and was later converted into a royal burial ground.