First Time in Kampala – Our Honest First Impressions | Track Us Down

Welcome to Travel with Track Us Down! If you’re new here, we’re Monique and Doug, a couple who retired early, moved abroad to the beautiful island of Madeira, Portugal, and are now living what we call “a better second half of life.” For us, that includes checking off big bucket list adventures… like heading deep into the heart of Africa.
And this time, we’re going to Uganda to see gorillas in the wild.
Yes… gorillas. In. The. Wild.
Why Uganda?
We’ve explored parts of Africa before: Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco but Uganda is different. It’s right on the equator, lush, dense, and home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Winston Churchill called Uganda “The Pearl of Africa,” and we were ready to find out why.
Living in Madeira gives us such an ideal home base for global travel. From Madeira, we hopped over to Lisbon, spent the night, and then embarked on our journey:
• Madeira → Lisbon
• Lisbon → Doha, Qatar
• Doha → Entebbe, Uganda
• 1-hour taxi → Kampala (the capital)
Uganda is far, but absolutely worth it, especially when your bucket list includes a face-to-face encounter with a silverback gorilla.
Preparing for a Trip to Uganda: What We Packed (and Why)
A trip like this isn’t your typical beach holiday. Gorilla trekking involves remote jungle terrain, limited facilities, and some serious preparation. Here’s how we got ready:
✅ Yellow Fever Vaccination (mandatory) – You must show proof of this at entry.

✅ Other recommended vaccines – Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B.

✅ Malaria pills – We chose the once-a-week kind.

✅ Antibiotics + basic meds – Just in case illness hits.

✅ DEET jungle repellent (50%) – Essential. Mosquitoes don’t mess around here.

✅ Permethrin-treated clothing – We pre-sprayed our clothes for extra protection.

✅ LifeStraw water bottle – Safe hydration anywhere.

✅ Portable charger – Jungle = no outlets.

✅ Gardening gloves – For gripping vines while trekking.

✅ Binoculars – You never know when an elephant might appear.

✅ Garmin GPS device – A security comfort item.

✅ Sleeping bag – Compact, just in case of lodge changes.

✅ Quick-dry laundry soap – Fresh clothes in the jungle = happiness.

✅ Snacks from home – Coffee, tea, protein bars, granola bars, electrolyte tablets.

Fun Facts About Uganda (That Blew Our Minds)

🌍 75% of the population is under 30. A vibrantly young nation.

🦍 Home to half the world’s mountain gorillas.

🌊 Source of the Nile River – originating from Lake Victoria.

📅 ** Trek permits are required** and limited per day and you must book ahead.

Our trip is a hybrid: independent in Kampala first, then joining a tour for the gorilla and chimpanzee treks (required by law for safety and conservation reasons).

Touchdown in Kampala: First Impressions
After our long journey, we arrived at our hotel Le Petit Village Boutique Hotel in Kampala, exhausted but excited. We always like to take a “cool down day” when we first land in a totally new country.
That meant:

✅ A workout to reset our bodies

✅ A quiet day by the pool

✅ A good meal right at the hotel

✅ Soaking in the red dusty roads, motorbikes, and energy of Uganda from a safe distance

Exploring Kampala: A Walking Tour with Surprises
Once rested, we booked a private walking tour via Get Your Guide. Our guide, a tourism student from the university chose the itinerary completely.
Stops included:

🎓 Makerere University – Over 100 years old, with 35,000 students

📉 Kampala Slums – A hard-to-see reality and a deeply uncomfortable visit

🇺🇬 Independence Monument – Learning about post-colonial history

🧺 Vegetable & clothing markets – Chaotic, alive, crowded, vibrant
Walking through a slum was emotionally challenging. We wouldn’t have chosen that stop ourselves, and parts felt uncomfortably voyeuristic. But it was an honest look at contrasts in daily life. Kampala is intense chaos, kindness, motion, and noise all at once. Without a guide, navigating the traffic, crowds, and unmarked crossings would have been intimidating.
So, Is Kampala a Tourist City?
Not really.
Kampala isn’t a typical tourist destination, it’s more of a launching pad for adventures deeper into Uganda. It’s a place to acclimatize, gather your energy, sort your logistics, and mentally prepare for life in the jungle.
And that’s exactly what we did.
Next Stop: The Impenetrable Forest (Yes, That’s Its Real Name)
Bags packed. Vaccinations done. Permits in hand. Spirits high.
From Kampala, we’re boarding a G Adventures Lando that’s taking us deep into the lush jungles of Uganda: home of the legendary silverback gorillas.
In our next episode, we begin the trek into one of the most extraordinary natural environments on Earth.
Thank you for being part of our journey, and as always…
🦍 Check back in and Track Us Down!