Uganda is a landlocked country that borders on lake Victoria, and lies directly to the west of the Tanzania’s Serengeti region. Highlights: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Uganda’s most iconic experiences are the Mountain Gorilla treks that are offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which lies in the far south of the country.
Here we have a handful of 4- and 5- star lodges, of which many have management and staff who have empathy / affinity for the Jewish cause, because of 2 factors. One, a famous rescue raid, 'Entebbe Operation', led by the Israeli Special Forces in 1976 when they freed 100, mostly Israeli hostages from a hijacked Air France plane. Many movies and books have been written about this event. The second is the tiny Abayudaya tribe, numbering anything from 1 500 to 3 000 people, who claim to have Jewish ancestry and keep Shabbat, follow the laws of Kashrut, and are recognised by Orthodox and reformed Jews globally.
In simple terms, due to this affinity and awareness of a connection to Israel, we have been able to organise Kosher catering in a country far removed from any normal export/import routes that allow for easy access to Kosher approved ingredients. Allowing for Parev as the staple option, and a possibility of some imported Milchik or Fleischik, we can offer the required Kosher options in these remote lodges.
Make no mistake, it is an expensive exercise, with the Gorilla permits fetching a high price of over USD 800 for a single day permit. A typical 3 night package will cost in excess of USD 3000- up to USD 5000 per person, with the charter flights from the main international airport of Entebbe, and an overnight stop in this area, before heading south to the lodges that cater for the gorilla encounters.
Some of the other areas that combine with the Gorilla trekking are Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the famous Ruwenzori Mountain Ranges. The main access point is Kampala/ Entebbe on the shores of the large freshwater Lake Victoria.
Also consider the unique Batwa Pygmy tribes as a further cultural interest stop or visit to the Abayudaya Jewish roots tribe, as well as some of the other natural areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls. This offers the luxury of time and a healthy budget, and Uganda, can form part of a 7 day itinerary in a unique little hidden gem of a country, oozing with potential for off-the-beaten-track style of tourism, hosted by the most friendly, warm people imaginable.
