In the latest episode of ‘Keep Traveling: Your African Story‘, host Rael Zieve sat down with Vanessa Gordon, founder and CEO of East End Taste, to reflect on a deeply personal Uganda safari experience shaped by wildlife encounters, community connection, and unexpected self-discovery. Rather than presenting Uganda through a polished tourism lens, the conversation explores how travelling through this part of Africa can challenge assumptions, slow perspective, and leave a lasting emotional imprint.
Vanessa’s journey through Uganda was not designed as a luxury showcase or a checklist safari. Instead, it unfolded as an honest encounter with place and people. What emerged was a story about fear and trust, simplicity and excess, and the quiet ways a safari experience in Uganda can reshape how travellers see both the world and themselves.
Deciding to Travel to Uganda
Vanessa travelled to Uganda from late November through early December, outside the country’s peak travel season. She arrived independently from the United States before joining a small group of journalists and local tourism representatives. The trip was extended over nearly two weeks, allowing space for reflection rather than rushed movement.
The invitation to visit Uganda came with a specific intention: to help shift perceptions and encourage travellers, particularly from the New York tri-state area, to consider the country as a meaningful travel destination. While Vanessa had long been curious about Africa, hesitation lingered.
Much of that hesitation stemmed from media portrayal. Uganda is often framed through caution rather than curiosity. Despite knowing the country for gorilla trekking and its reputation beyond the traditional Big Five, safety concerns remained. However, previous travel experiences in Kenya and Egypt, combined with an adventurous mindset, ultimately led her to accept the invitation.
What followed was not a rigid itinerary but an evolving Uganda safari experience shaped by openness. While certain locations were outlined in advance, the full journey revealed itself only upon arrival, allowing the experience to develop organically.
First Impressions and Feeling Safe on Safari in Uganda
Safety is a recurring concern for travellers considering safari travel in Uganda, and it was addressed directly in the conversation. Rael asked Vanessa whether she ever felt insecure during her time in the country, either among people or wildlife.
Among people, her response was immediate and confident. She felt entirely at ease. Ugandans, she explained, were welcoming, relaxed, and genuinely warm. Kampala, in particular, challenged her expectations. Rather than a quiet capital, she discovered a city with energy, nightlife, and social vibrancy.
This early impression reshaped her understanding of what a Uganda safari experience includes. It is not limited to national parks or wildlife encounters, but also city life, culture, and everyday interaction.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Confronting Fear
The most emotionally challenging moment of the journey came during chimpanzee trekking. Walking through dense forest only metres from wild chimpanzees, Vanessa encountered a fear response she did not anticipate.
Chimpanzees are intelligent, fast, and reactive. When distant sounds triggered movement and heightened behaviour, the atmosphere shifted rapidly. Although attacks are extremely rare, Vanessa’s body reacted instinctively. Dizziness and fear set in, forcing her to step away earlier than planned.
This moment was not framed as danger but as vulnerability. It revealed how a Uganda safari experience can place travellers face-to-face with the rawness of nature, outside curated comfort. The response was personal, not prescriptive, and Vanessa was clear she would not discourage others from the experience.
Gorilla Trekking as the Heart of the Uganda Safari Experience
In contrast, gorilla trekking became the emotional centre of the journey. Time spent with mountain gorillas brought calm, grounding, and perspective. Guests are allowed a dedicated hour with a gorilla family, observing interaction, behaviour, and hierarchy at close range.
Vanessa described moments of humour and tenderness. Younger gorillas played freely while older ones rested, seemingly indifferent to observers. The group joked about the elders behaving like old men, content to watch life unfold around them.
For many travellers, a once-in-a-lifetime Uganda safari experience is defined by gorilla trekking. Vanessa agreed. Despite staying in four-star accommodation, the emotional value of this experience surpassed any traditional luxury measure.
Where She Stayed During Her Uganda Safari Experience
Accommodation played a supporting role rather than a defining one. Vanessa stayed at three properties, each offering a different perspective on safari travel in Uganda.
Pukuba Safari Lodge, located near Queen Elizabeth National Park, offered proximity and immersion. Its location allowed easy access to wildlife while maintaining a quiet connection to the surrounding landscape.
Silverback Lodge, near the gorilla trekking region in southwestern Uganda, stood out for its boutique atmosphere. Owned by South Africans, the lodge combined comfort with understated design. Private jacuzzis, attentive staff, and high-quality food enhanced the stay without overpowering the experience.
Chimpundu Lodge, near Kibale National Park, offered a different rhythm. Spread-out rooms with mosquito nets blended comfort with closeness to nature. While connectivity was inconsistent, staff handled challenges efficiently, reinforcing the importance of flexibility when travelling through Uganda.
Across all three properties, laundry services were available. Vanessa emphasised how this practical detail significantly improves long safari journeys and contributes positively to the overall Uganda safari experience.
Understanding Travel Pace and Distance in Uganda
Travel times between destinations were long. A nine-hour drive from the gorilla trekking region to Kampala extended to eleven hours with stops and road conditions. Rather than viewing this as a drawback, both Vanessa and Rael framed it as part of the journey.
Safari travel in Uganda moves at a natural pace. Schedules remain flexible. Nature, weather, and road conditions shape each day. Travellers who embrace this rhythm often find their experience richer and more grounded.
Four-Star Travel, Five-Star Uganda Safari Experience
The conversation returned repeatedly to value versus perception. Vanessa travelled comfortably at a four-star level, yet described many moments as five- or six-star experiences in emotional depth.
This reinforced a broader truth about the Uganda safari experience. Luxury is not defined by helicopter access or branded amenities. Instead, it emerges through wildlife encounters, cultural engagement, and personal reflection.
Flights and Arrival into Uganda
Vanessa flew from New York to London on Virgin Atlantic, praising the airline’s atmosphere and service. From London Gatwick, she continued to Entebbe with Uganda Airlines.
While entertainment options were limited, the staff and food impressed her. The flight lasted approximately seven to eight hours. Arrival at Entebbe International Airport was smooth, with Kampala located a short drive away.
On her return journey, Vanessa opted for a two-night stopover in London, allowing time to decompress before heading home.
Getting Around and Infrastructure in Uganda
Once on the ground, Vanessa noticed how Ugandans move through daily life. Walking is common, as is shared public transport. Instead of private cars, buses, trucks, and shared vehicles dominate the roads.
Boda bodas, a common form of transport, refer to motorcycles, minibuses, or shared taxis. Motorcycle boda bodas are affordable and widely used, though they carry higher risk. Their prevalence reflects the informal trust within local communities.
This everyday movement became part of the broader Uganda safari experience, offering insight beyond traditional tourism narratives.
Community Encounters at Ride for a Woman
One of the most impactful moments of the journey came through a visit to Ride for a Woman, a community organisation in Bwindi supporting women affected by poverty, domestic violence, and single motherhood.
The organisation creates income opportunities through craftwork and hospitality, while also welcoming travellers who wish to engage meaningfully with the local community. Vanessa shared a powerful story of a woman who, after years of infertility, welcomed a daughter named Queen.
What struck her most was the collective care within the space. Children were cared for by all the women present, regardless of biological ties. This shared responsibility left a deep impression and highlighted a different way of living and supporting one another.
Food, Drink, and Local Flavours
As a culinary professional, Vanessa paid close attention to food. Uganda exceeded expectations.
She sampled banana rum during a village visit near Kibale National Park. Despite the unappealing appearance of the fermentation process, the final result was smooth and enjoyable.
Local coffee impressed her both in quality and production. A popular street food, the Rolex, became a favourite. Simple, filling, and flavourful, it reflected everyday Ugandan cuisine. Fresh fruit, avocados, and abundant produce featured prominently throughout the journey.
These culinary experiences became an integral part of her Uganda safari experience, connecting food to place and people.
Personal Reflection and What Travel Revealed
When asked what she learned about herself, Vanessa reflected openly. The journey reinforced how little people truly need to feel content. Simplicity, community, and time outdoors shifted her perspective.
At the time, Vanessa was navigating a divorce. Uganda offered space for reflection, healing, and release. Slow days, unstructured time, and open landscapes encouraged her to let go of emotional and physical excess.
Gratitude and Acknowledgements
Vanessa expressed gratitude to Dr Simplicious and the Ugandan Tourism Board for their leadership and guidance. Their role helped shape an experience that was respectful, eye-opening, and deeply human.
Looking Ahead to More of Africa
The journey sparked a desire to explore more of the continent. Rwanda, Morocco, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Namibia now feature on Vanessa’s wish list.
Her story reinforces how a meaningful Uganda safari experience often becomes a gateway to broader exploration across Africa.
Budget Expectations for a Uganda Safari Experience
Travelling outside peak season, Vanessa estimated that a comfortable two-week journey, including flights, accommodation, meals, and activities, would cost just under USD 15,000. Costs vary based on operators, season, and departure point, but Uganda remains competitive compared to many safari destinations.
A Journey That Stays With You
Vanessa’s story is not about spectacle. It is about presence. About fear and calm. About people, wildlife, and unexpected insight.
This Uganda safari experience lingered because it offered honesty rather than perfection. For travellers willing to arrive with openness instead of expectation, journeys like this leave a lasting imprint.
If you would like guidance on planning a Uganda safari experience or exploring meaningful travel across Africa, you are welcome to get in touch at rael@keeptravelling.africa.
A few years from now, you will not remember how much it cost you, but you will always remember the memories you made. Keep Travelling.
