Uganda

Uganda with a thousand emotions

I left for the primates, for a strong desire to look into the eyes these creatures, a bit 'to look in the mirror, it was my dream. After reading around and excluding some countries I understood that Uganda was what I was looking for, habitat of two species of primates: gorillas and chimpanzees.

At the beginning I was alone in this research, my partner was quite contrary and hesitant.

Doing research online I came across Albrieux Africa Tours, I wrote an email and immediately Edoardo answered me, who from that precise moment followed us step by step in our fantastic adventure. He never gave up answering our questions, even the most banal. We had very long talks and, without ever knowing each other personally, he also managed to "reassure" my partner.

It was our first trip to Africa. We arrived at Entebbe airport where we found our fantastic driver Hussein and our special Italian speaking guide Vivian. Since then they have always been with us and, even if not physically, there was also Edoardo who contacted us every night to know if everything was ok.

The first day going to Ziwa Rhino we were immediately catapulted into a reality light years away from ours, I was immediately struck and I started to reflect.

On the dirt roads of red earth we observed the myriad of people who every day walk, walk, walk to reach markets, schools even far away, all loads, dirty children, not dressed, barefoot, but all smiling, all beautiful, all with a light particular that goes beyond. After a very short walk we found ourselves in front of a rhino with a baby! In the afternoon instead along the way we met many baboons who also climbed on the car, really too nice! Finally short game drive before arrival at Pakuba Lodge, beautiful and in a strategic position of the Murchison park.

The following day game drive at dawn with lion and lionesses very close, hear their roars, what a thrill! Feel those voices so different from the live than the documentaries you see on TV and then again hippos, hyenas, antelopes, kobs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, strange birds and even orange and blue gummy lizards!

In the afternoon during a boat trip to Murchison Falls we met small crocodiles in the water and on a small island also a giant crocodile ending with a beautiful walk at the top of the falls.

During the return to the lodge, in the dark, seeing all those glistening little eyes that look at you creates a strange sensation.

The third day on the road to Kibale, again how many people, how many smiles, how many small things donated from the window. We had brought a suitcase to give as gifts but they were never enough, the children are too many and all have little or nothing, it is also bad to choose who to give a pen to those who do not.

Beautiful accommodation in Kibale in an amazing tent! Great dinner and sara falo '. In the morning trekking in search of chimpanzees. We found them almost immediately on the trees, after a while one went down and we followed him with the ranger, needless to say that it was an unparalleled emotion. This creature that ran, then stopped, looked at us thinking and then continued with its verses so strong and unforgettable. In the afternoon instead we walked a beautiful road through immense tea plantations and before arriving at the lodge we stopped at the Kasese market to buy fabrics.

The day after the excursion was to Queen Elisabeth to discover lions and many other animals while in the afternoon we made an extraordinary trip on the Kazinga channel. It seemed to dream: elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes, all to cool off, all neighbors despite the fishing villages were within walking distance. Unforgettable, postcard-like scenery.

The following morning in Ishasha we managed to admire 8 lionesses dangling on the trees, unique!

In the late afternoon arrival in Ruhija, a few steps from the impenetrable forest of Bwindi. the village is very welcoming, special people who, to our greeting "agandi", taught by Vivian, responded with smiles and bows. Wonderful dinner at the lodge with a lit fireplace and almost white night for the excitement for the day after.

Here we are! After about 45 minutes of walking, helped by the porter Safari, we are greeted by a family of 10 gorillas! 2 puppies aged 4, who have not stopped a moment to play, roll and look at each other by beating their little chest while their mother was eating quietly and the silver black, after climbing up a tree, lay down to sleep.

I will never forget their faces, thoughtful, peaceful. I will never forget that silence, that peace and tranquility that has no equal and I will never forget their smell of herbs, so strange, intense, but not bad, the closer we were and the more we felt. They hosted us for 1 hour between tears, emotions, smiles, and the whole world disappears, you and them in a world apart.

In the evening on Lake Bunyonyi in a beautiful and characteristic lodge we had dinner very well but my thoughts always came back to those special creatures.

My dream came true, I could not hope for better.

Thanks to this land so rich in resources, animals that make you forget our reality and people who remain in your heart. I still remember them all, those to whom I smiled, I gave something or I just crossed my eyes.

All this has come true thanks to the professionalism and courtesy of Edoardo Albrieux who has traveled with us every day from Italy, who has planned everything with patience and precision, who advised us on everything without ever making mistakes, who supported us with two guides professional and special, Vivian and Hussein, and that has always been super present and super available.

Thanks to him this trip was perfect. There was not a single occasion, only one moment when something went wrong. And thanks to him we met this beautiful country that we will always carry in our hearts. Now I can say that it was a beginning of Africa, I only left for the primates I returned with a heart bursting with emotions for all the animals and for the people we met.