NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDAMURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.

The world’s greatest Waterfall.

Introduction

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Right Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savannah. First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area hosting 76 species of the mammals and 451 birds.

The Park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centre piece of the Park and final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming into Lake Albert. Murchison falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron “, creating a trademark rainbow.

This stretch of river provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes and buffalos, Hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.

Getting there

Roads

A number of routes can be used to reach the Nile at Paraa at the heart of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The river is crossed here using a vehicle ferry which runs at hourly intervals throughout the day.

Southern Entrance Gates

Two southerly approaches to Paraa lead of Masindi town, which is a four hour drive [305km] from Kampala. Along the way to Masindi is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda. You can track them on foot and support this important initiative to re-introduce rhinos to protected areas. Visit www.rhinofund.org for more information.

A longer but more scenic alternative runs for 135km from Masindi to the park’s Bugungu gate, The route includes apassage through Budongo Forest and a memorable descent of the rift valley escarpments which views a cross lake Albert towards the mountains of the Congo.

Northern entrance gates

Murchison Falls National Park can also be entered via the Chobe Wankwar, Mubako and Tangi gates north of the Nile. These are reached from the Kampala-Pakwach road which crosses the Nile at Karuma Falls Bridge in the North Eastern Corner of the park, 260km from Kampala. These gates are convenient for visitors travelling to/from Gulu town and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Air travel

Pakuba airfield 19km from North Paraa, can be reached using chartered aircraft from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi air field near Kampala.

Other airfields in the park include Chobe to the East and Bugungu near Murchison falls to the north.

Things to do

Birding

Both the game drivers and the launch trips offer an opportunities for one to come across distinct birdlife including Savannah forest birds and Albertine rift endemics. The park’s main birding attractions is the shoebill, best sighted in the region from January to March.

Game Drivers

A game drive around Bulibi game tracks on the northern bank with a trained ranger drive is a fantastic way to see and photograph the wide range of animals in the Nile Valley. Your guide will have a good idea where the lions are hiding, and you may even spot a leopard at dust!

Hiking and Nature Walks

The vast landscapes and varied scenery of Murchison Falls National Park and the surrounding Conservation Area can be explored on foot. Trials through Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests providing sightings of many primates and birds, while around the Nile Delta 2-4 guided swamps walks offer possible shoe bill sightings.

Launch trips

The launch trip upstream from Paraa presents an astonishing display of wildlife and culminates with the memorable frontal view of the falls. Recommended for birders is a morning cruise downstream to the Nile-lake Albert Delta. Alternatively a tranquil sundowner offers the classic view of an equatorial sunset reflected on the river.

Spot fishing

The banks of the Nile below Murchison Falls provide exciting Challenges to anglers. Living within strong currents and highly oxygenated water is the Nile Perch. There is the chance to land a massive catch-the recording is 108kg!.

Cultural Encounters.

Energetic dancers from Mubako perform a round lounge camp fires making for a magical African experience at dust. Boomu women’s group offers accommodation, a craft shop and village tours revealing the realities of life in this rural community.

MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK.

The world largest mountain Caldera

Introduction

The world largest mountain caldera.

Mount Elgon at 4000km2 has the largest volcanic base in the world and is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the boarder of eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Its vast form, 80km in diameter rises 3000m above the surrounding plains. Its mountainous regional landscape and cool heights offer disputes for humans from the hot plains below and its higher altitudes provide refugee for flora and fauna.

The park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered lammergeyer. Small antelopes, forest monkeys, elephants and buffalos also live in the mountain side. The highest slopes are protected by National Parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive trans-boundary conservation area which has been declared a UNESCO man a biosphere reserve.

Getting There

Roads

Mount Elgon National Parks, 235km east of Kampala, a tarmac road runs through Jinja to Mbale town at the western base of Mount Elgon, before climbing to Kapchwora on the mountain’s north-western flank. Dirt roads lead off the Mbale-Kapchwora road to reach the various trailheads.

Things to Do

Mountain climbing

Many travellers find Mt. Elgon an exciting alternative to the more strenuous climbs in East Africa. It has many of the same attractions, with a milder climate and lower elevation, and requires no special equipment for technical experience.

Mountain Biking.

Mountain biking trails run from Sipi trading centre to Chema hill in Kapchwora town. It should take 1.5 hours and provide views of various waterfalls.

Birding

Excellent birding opportunities exist around Kapkwai Forest. Exploration centre, in particular in the secondary forest and thick shrub along the loop trail to the Cheptui Falls. It supports the African Goshawk; Chubb’s Cisticola, white-chinned prinia and African Blue Flycatcher among others

Hiking

Lucky hikers in Mt. Elgon will enjoy amongst the parks primates, birds and rare tree species. Trails lead past caves, due points and waterfalls, with the option of camping overnight on the mountain slopes,

Nature Walks.

Enjoy views of Sipi Falls, the walls of death and the African sunrise the Karamojong plains on these peaceful walks just outside Mt. Elgon National Park

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing takes place outside the park at Sipi. There are 14 groups requiring various levels of rocks scaling technics. The toughest is 35meters climb while the easiest is 15m.

Spot Fishing.

Spot fishing is done above the highest of the three waterfalls at Sipi. Provides exciting challenges anglers who take pride in battling with the rainbow trout because of its beautiful coloration and fighting abilities.

Cultural Encounters.

Find out where your coffee comes from! Grown on the mountain side of Mt. Elgon is Arabica Coffee also named Sipi or Bugishu by the farmers who have a reputation of producing some of the finest washed Arabica in Kenya and Uganda.

KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK.

True African Wildness

Introduction

A wilderness park; dry, hot and isolated, yet spectacular, magnificent and virgin, waiting to be discovered. Transverse by large sand rivers, the Park is renowned for its distinctive composition of wild game, co-existing with the dry mountain forest, open Savannah and hilltops kept by rock kopjes. Enjoy the isolated wilderness dominated by the 2,750m mount Morungole and transacted by Kidepo and great Narus rivers.

Perennial rains may make Kidepo an oasis in the semi desert, but its tract of rugged savannah is home 77 mammal species and almost 500 bird. Game viewing is an exciting all year round and so is bird watching, foot safaris and mountain climbing. And even in the dry season, it is worth the drive just to visit the seasonal Kidepo River and stroll along its 50m wide bed of white sand between banks covered with Borassus palm trees.

The 1,442km2 is located in the Karamojong region of northern Uganda and boarders the Sudan in the North West and Kenya in the north east.

Getting There

Roads

There are four routes by road; the 705km journey from Kampala via Lira, Kotido Kabong and then Kidepo. The 740km journey from Kampala via Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kotido, Kabong and the Kidepo. The 780km journey from Kampala via Mbale, soroti, Matany, Kotido, Kabong and then Kotido. The 571km journey from Kampala through Gulu, Kitgum and to Kidepo. Driving through the wilderness is an exciting experience as one gets the chance of better scenery. One will need a good 4x4 vehicle especially during the rainy season.

Air travel

Chartered aircrafts to Kidepo may be arranged from Kajjansi, or from Entebbe International Airport to Lomej airstrip near the Park headquarters. Flight takes two hours. Civil Aviation Authority plans to Lomej airstrip, to the east of Apoka tourism centre, an international airport enables fly in direct to Kidepo from abroad.

Things to do

Game Drives/ Viewing

Game drives can be done along Narus valley as the park’s wildlife congregates here much of the year. This area has adequate track circuits enabling visitors view the animals at a close range. The katurum kopje provides superb views north across the valley towards Morungole mountain range.

Nature Walks

Nature walks can be done around Apoke camp at any time of the day and visitors will be able to view different species of animals like elephants, Bulbul, Zebras and Reedbucks.at the eastern kakine circuit, visitors will be able to see wildlife at a close range of up to 50-70m. Nature walks can also be done along Rionomoe trail and around this hill where one can view the lower side of the Narus Valley.

Community Walks

Community walks are one of the ways you can get to know more about the Karamojong’s lifestyle, cultures, dressing styles, dancing and the tools used. The Karamojong are traditionally cattle raiders and hunters. However, through community conservation education, their lifestyle is gradually changing and most of them now know the value of conservation of the park.

Mountain hiking

The Morungole ranges rise from the plains a few km north of Apoke. A trip to Kidepo valley is needed to get the good view of view of the Morungole Mountains, the highest peak in Kidepo. Even at 2,749m, the peak is not easily seen from most vantage points in the Narus Valley. This can be explored on foot with a ranger guide escort.

Sand along River Kidepo

Kidepo River is an intermittent sand river found in the northern part of the park. It stands out because it is lined by borassus palms, making it look like an oasis in the Sahara. The sand bed experience on river Kidepo can be very fascinating especially during the dry season. Many bird species can be found around this site and one can enjoy the wilderness experience while listening to the different bird calls.

Bird viewing

This activity can either be done early in the morning or afternoon and the park has got a variety of birds. The experienced guides will show you around.

KIBALE NATIONAL FOREST

The primate capital of the world

Introduction

KIbale National Park is the most magnificent of the Uganda’s tropical rain forests and one of the most rewarding areas to explore. Established at the end of the 18th century, KIbale boasts of 13 species of primates including the localized red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and the endemic Uganda Manga bay.

Kibale’s major attraction is the chimpanzees, the delightful apes, most closet to humans than any of other creature. These can be seen swinging in the tree branches as one of treks through the forests trails. While you enjoy your tour in this sunny side of nature, you have a life opportunity to sight over 300bird species. The 180km –long migration corridor for wildlife also habits mammals like the exclusive forest hogs and half a dozen antelope species; thereby making it one of the most stunning parks in Uganda.

Situated ideally in the heart of the Tooro Kingdom in western Uganda, near Fort portal, the park lies close to the tranquil Ndali-Kasenda crater area and is within a half day’s drive of Queen Elizabeth , Rwenzori Mountains and Semiliki National Parks. The Park became a government Forest Reserve in the early 1940’s.

How to get there

The 795sqkm Park can be accessed from Uganda’s capital, Kampala along a newly surfaced road via kasese [near Queen Elizabeth National Park]. The park can also be reached from Kampala via Mubende and Fort Portal or through Mbarara and Kamwenge. There is also daily public transport between Kampala and Fort Portal by bus.

Air travel

Kibale National Park has access to two Airstrips. Nyakisharara Airstrip in Mbarara [about 98kmthrough Kawenga from Kanyanchu] and Kasese airstrip, 75kmfrom Fort Portal town. It can also be reached from airstrip in Tooro/Semililki Wildlife Reserve, only 86km from Kanyanchu.

Things to do

Chimpanzee habituation experience

The chimpanzee Habituation Experience [CHEX] allows you to accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituators as they follow chimpanzees during their daily activity, thereby getting them used to human presence without altering their natural behaviour. This is an all day and early visitors may be able to see the spectacular scene of chimps de-nesting, feeding, copulating until they build new nests and retire for the night around 7pm. [Note; Advance booking is essential].

Primate walk [chimpanzee tracking]

Also you can experience and participate in the chimpanzee and participate in the chimpanzee tracking walks which starts from the Kanyanchu visitor centre at 8:00am and 2:00pm and lasts 2-3 hours. Park guides are available to take tourists through this ritual. This walk is for six persons per group and advance booking is essential.

Day hikes/nature walks

This is an exploration of the park’s diverse habitals providing very close contact with nature. The walks which starts at 8:00am, 10:00am and 2:00pm and lasts for 2-3 hours from Kanyanchu Tourist centre. Remind your guide to show you the naked Adam and Eve tree, one of Kibale’s unique wonders.

Bird watching and Night Nature walks

Kibale National Park Boasts of 372 bird species of 60 percent are recorded Uganda’s Forest birds. Bird watchers can spot various species of these birds as they enjoy the various activities in the park. Also there is night nature walks which allows visitors to track the unique species of birds, animals and insects such as Bat, Owl, Pottos, Bush Babies, Civets, Genet Cats and Eastern needle nailed; that are most active at Night.

Children’s activities

Only children above 12 years are allowed to go into the forest to view the chimps. Kibale has a variety of activities for children under the age of 12years including educational forests walks of 1-2 hours followed by creative activities like pond dipping, cyanotype photography and batik-making. Through these educational forest walks, the children can learn about the eco system and its inhabitants. Parents can enjoy their forest walks with the knowledge that their children are occupied in worthwhile activity with trained ranger guides.

Cultural heritage and natural trail.

Follow a 2-3 days cultural heritage and nature trail through the tropical forest and meet local people and gain insights into their cultures. The full walk can start or end at either Kanyanchu or Sebitoli. Explore the forest during day end for a rest at the community-run campsites near the villages of Kinoni, Nyakalongo. Porters can be hired to carry equipment. The walk is most exciting in groups of up to 6 people. [Note; pre-booking is essential]

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

A medley of wonders

Introduction

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, sparkling Lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.

Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the Park’s magnificent vistas including dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling hills, panoramic views of Kazinga channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalos and elephants, and endless lshasha plains, fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda Kob.

As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storey telling, music, dance and more. The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth ll.

How to get there

Roads

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be accessed most easily from Kampala. The tarmac road from Kampala via Mbarara town and Bushenyi leads to the centre of the Park, Passing just 22km from Mweya Peninsula, the main tourism hub. Approaching the park from the south via Mbarara covers a distance of 420km while the north through Fort Portal covers a total of 410km.

En-route to the park, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy short detours to Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori Mountains and Kibale National Park, renowned for its chimpanzee tracking. The park can also be accessed from the south from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Air Travel

Charter flights can be arranged to existing airstrips of Kasese, Mweya and Ishasha.

What to do there

Birding

Classified as an important birding area [IBA] by Birding International Queen’s great varieties of habitats means it’s a home to over 600 species. It’s the greatest of any East African National Park, and phenomenal number for such a small area.

The Park’s confluence of savanna and forest, linking to the expansive forests of DR Congo allow visitors to spot east as well as Central African species.

Cave

Tucked beneath the shady canopy of the maramagambo forest is the “Bat Cave” .The cave has a viewing room from which visitors can observe the resident bats and pythons.

Chimps tracking

The kyambura Gorge experience is more than discovering chimpanzees in their natural environment; it teaches visitors about the echo systems of kyambura Gorge’s atmospheric ‘’ underground ‘’ rainforest, including vegetation types; bird identification and behaviour; and chimp and monkey ecology.

Game Drivers

For a classical Africa safari experience, the tracks through Kishenyi, the north of Kazinga Plains and the Ishasha Sector offer virtually guaranteed buffalo, antelope and elephant sightings, along with warthogs and baboons. Tacking an experience guide in the early morning or at dusk is the most successful way to track down a pride of lions, maybe even the odd leopard.

Hiking/Nature walks

Nature treks are one of the more active ways to explore the landscapes and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth Locations Include the shady Maramagambo forest; Mweya peninsula with the scenic views; and Ishasha River, where you may spot a variety of forest and savanna species as well as having a unique opportunity to get extremely close to hippos –on food!

Launch Trip

The Kazinga Channel an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit in the pack, and taking a boat tour along it gives visitors the chance to cruise just meters from hundreds of enormous hippos and buffalos while elephants linger on the shoreline.

Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail

See the energetic dance of Kikorongo Equator Cultural Performers; workers harvesting salt on Lake Katwe Salt Lake; a traditional Banyaraguru hut; or an agricultural village-all guided by those who know them best- local community members.

Wildlife Research Tours

For visitors who yearn to get up close to wild African fauna, a research trip is a rewarding adventure. This new and unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the exotic birds and mammals that fill the pack, using locator devices and learn habituation calls, as well as monitoring calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings and behaviour.

When to Visit

January-February and July-August are the driest months, but rain is possible due to unpredictable seasonal changes.

RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

The Mystical Challenge

Introduction

As early as 150 AD, Alexandrine photographer, Ptolemy wrote a snow capped mountain range deep in the heart of Africa, which he claimed was the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile.

He called it “Mountains of the Moon”.

Indeed, over the centuries, mountaineers who later explored Ptolemy’s Mountains found the high Rwenzori glaciers and snow peaks whose melt waters certainly represent the highest springs of the Nile. The alpine highland of glaciers, snow fields, hot springs and blue cirque Lakes make Rwenzori one of the Africa’s most beautiful mountain parks. Reaching an elevation of 5,109m, Rwenzori is Africa’s tallest mountain range exceeded in altitude by Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, carrying Africa’s third, fourth and fifth highest peaks that are visible for miles around. Some of its peaks incomparable, beautiful and mist-shrouded carry permanent glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests.

The mountain’s slopes above 1,600m are the preserve of hikers who rate the Rwenzori’s to be the most challenging of all African mountains. A variety of large mammals inhibit the lower slopes but the Rwenzori are notable more for majestic scenery and varied vegetation. Its 5 distinct vegetation zones mountain forest, Bamboo forests, tree heath- bog, hagenia-Rapanea scrubs and afro-alpine moorland provide a unique back drop to one of the most magnificent national Parks in the world. Several endangered species and very unusual cloud forest floral like giant heathers, groundsels and lobelias, characterised the ranges of Africa’s botanic big game.

In 1991, Rwenzori Mountains were gazette as a National Park and is both a World Heritage and RAMSAR site.

How to get there

Road

The park is located near kasese, western Uganda, bordering Virunga National Park in the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC) in the west. The Nyakalengiji trailhead which is 25km north of kasese town can be reached from Kampala via Fort Portal road (375km) or via Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth National Park (450km).

Air transport

Transport can also be arranged on chartered flights from Kampala at either Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport.

Attraction

Mountain climbing is the most attractive activity on the legendary “Mountains of the moon’’ that lies between altitudes 0o 06’ south and 0o 46’ North of longitudes 29o 47’ West and 30o 11’ East. Its diverse heavily snow-capped peaks are one of the few pristine and spectacular landscapes of the world.

Although a variety of large mammals inhibit the lower slopes, the Rwenzori’s are notable more for their majestic scenery and varied vegetation .the ranges are scenic with pristine and spectacular landscape that comprise of waterfalls hot springs, blue cirque lakes, snow club peaks and stratified vegetation which is an attraction not only for visitors, but also creates potential for research as well as resources for the nearby communities.

The park is also home to 18 species of mammals, 217 species of birds, 9 species of reptiles and 6 species of amphibians, elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs, bush bucks, chimpanzees, and leopards are present but rarely seen. However primates such primates such as the black and white colobus and the blue Monkeys may be seen. In the Rwenzori’s are also some unique and rare animal species like the three horned chameleon, the Rwenzori colobus, Rwenzori Turaco and the Rwenzori doubled collared sunbird.

The Park is also a cultural heritage for the neighbouring communities. Eighteen sacred sites have been identified, mapped and protected as worship areas.

What to do

Aesthetic values of the Rwenzori’s can be put into three categories of trekking, nature walks and peak climbing.

Trekking

This is done along two routes; a 7-day trekking of the central tourism circuit, and a 5-day trek along Kilembe route to the southern part of the park, shorter hikers can be arranged.

Nature walks

There are trees in the park which allow visitors up close interaction with nature.

Peak Climbing

The six day loop trail but rewarding hike taking in all vegetation zones within the Rwenzori ranges along both routes.

These include, ascents to Margherita [5,109m] on Mountain Stanley, Emmanuelle [4, 889m] on Mountain Speke and Edward [4,842] on Mountain Bakar. These hikes offer commanding and panoramic views should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers.

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

The True Birders’ Havensemuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the semliki valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri forest of the Congo basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forest; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000years age.

The semliki valley contains numerous features associated with central Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central African without having to leave Uganda. While semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.

Semuliki Forest Reserve was created in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993.

How to get there

Roads

There are two major roads from Kampala to fort portal, 4wd vehicles are recommended for both;

Kampala –fort portal via Mubende is about 180km, or a 4-5 hour drive, making it the shortest route.

Kampala –Fort portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese is longer at 465km (7-8hrs). This route offers the chance to stop along the way at Lake Mburo national park or Queen wild life reserve, Rwenzori mountains National park, kyambura national park or Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Semuliki National Park’s Sempaya gate is 59km from Fort Portal. The park Headquarters at Ntandi is 6km further along the road. Historically, the journey was slow and bumpy 2-3 hour drive on a narrow road that winds over the northern Rwenzori. The route is currently being widened and surfaced to make the journey shorter and more comfortable.

What to do there

Birding

Birders who make it to Semuliki will be rewarded with some of Africa’s best forest birding. Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the white –crested hornbill, red-billed dwarf hornbill, piping hornbill, yellow-throated indicator, great blue and Ross’s turacos. The shoebill is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds.

Game drives

Three tracks cross the savannah grassland of Toro semiliki wildlife reserve. Smaller forest and larger savannah elephants are regularly seen, along with buffalo, waterbuck, crocodile, warthog and

Uganda kob. With luck, you may even see pygmy hippopotami, leopards and elusive bush babies.

Hiking and nature walks

The 13km kirumia trail runs through the heart of the forest to the Semuliki River. This 8hour round trip starts at 8am and is perfect for birders

Hot springs

The hour-long trail to the outer,’ male’ springs leads through a patch of forest where red –tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked-mangabeys and black and –white colobus monkeys are common. A tree house end route provides an aerial view. A 30-miniute hike through palm forest from the main road leads to the inner, ’female ‘spring, dominated by a boiling geyser. Eggs and matooke (green plantain) can be cooked in these boiling waters and enjoyed by hungry hikers!

Cultural encounters and trails

The batwa’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle means they have always been dependent on semuliki forest for food, shelter, medicine and tools, through this is beginning to change as a result of interaction with other local communities.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

The Ultimate Gorilla Experience

Introduction

At 331sq Km it is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, whose encounter and consequent eye contact is the most exciting and poignant wild life encounter in the whole of Africa. With mist covered hill side this impenetrable forest is the oldest and most biologically diverse rain forest, with over 400 species of plants. It lies on the edge of the right valley in south western Uganda, and protects at least 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, among many endangered species. It is a UNESCO designated world heritage site popular for mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees, the two great African apes listed as endangered animals in the IUCN Red Data Book.

Bwindi National park as the major tourist attraction with four gorilla tracking trail heads. Also nine groups of mountain gorilla families have been habituated and only 8 tourist booked per group per day. Forest trails in the park leads to various attractions including rivers, waterfalls, swamps and high levels of wild life concentration.

Birding is another attraction that provides opportunities to see various Albertine rift endemics such as the short trailed warbler. A six hour baboo trail leads to Rwamunyonyi, at 2607m, is the highest peak and notable spot for birding. While a 3 hour descend to Mubwindi swamp could lead a visitor to endemic and localized African green broadbill. Other rewarding activities are mountain biking and nature walks to waterfalls and parts of the forest. A short drive north of Buhoma, which is sits on the Congo border, offers wonderful hikes along the hill crests and rivers to discover waterfalls, glorious views and the traditional lifestyle and folklore of the Kigezi people.

How to get there

Roads

The National Park is located in Southern-western Uganda about 530km from Kampala, the capital city. The park can be reached by road from several directions that include:

Through Queen Elizabeth National Park [Mweya]-Kihihi-Buhoma. This route passes through Elizabeth National Park’s southern Ishasha sector, providing a chance for the tourist to stopover and search for the famous tree- climbing lions. BINP is 160km from Ishasha.

You can also access the park through;

Kampala – Kabale – Kanungu – Buhoma [5-6hours journey] Kampala – Ntungamo – Rukungiri – Kihihi – Buhoma [6-7hours journey] The Kabale – Ruhija – Buhoma[5-6hours journey] Kampala – Kabale – Nkuringo [6-7 hours journey]

Air Travel

Travellers can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kampala (Kajjansi airfield) to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro town. Visitors to Buhoma can also charter planes to Kayonza [near Butotogota] or savannah [Kihihi] airstrips.

What to do there

Gorilla Tracking

Tracking is a captivating is captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the effort needed to reach Bwindi and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and one needs to be reasonably fit before undertaking to venture into the activity. Registration and briefing at Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga visitor receptions commences at 0730 hours with general briefings conducted at 08:30 am and can last from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the gorillas were left the previous day.

Other activities around the Park

Though gorilla track is the main attraction, a range of other walks provide more relaxed opportunities to spot birds and monkeys while exploring one of Uganda’s loveliest rainforest. Mountain biking is also a good activity around Bwindi, this is also a good activity around Bwindi. This is usually done through a well maintained trail of 13km Trail of Ivi River from the Park office. T

The following walks can be arranged to depart in the morning at 9:00am in the morning and in the afternoon at 1415hours;

Munyanga River Trail in the valley below Buhoma [park office] provides an ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge.

Waterfall Trail leads through one Uganda’s most pristine tracts of rainforest, passing beneath tree ferns, epiphytic ferns and orchids to visit three sparking waterfalls.

Rushura Hill Trail provides expansive views across plains of the western right valley to the west and [on clear days] Lake Edward and Rwenzori Mountains to the north.

Muzabajiro loop Trail climbs to the summit of Rukubira Hill for breath taking views of Bwindi forest, the western rift valley and the Virunga Volcanoes.

River Ivi Trail follows an old road through beautiful forest emerging near Nkuringo on the Southern edge of the forest. It is highly recommended for bird watchers.

MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Where Gold meets Silver

Mgahinga is part of a large ecosystem, the Virunga Conservation Area [434Sq Km] which includes two adjacent Parks in Rwanda and Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m.it was formed to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabits its dense forest, and it is also an important, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey. Its most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga range that lies along the border region of Uganda and Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries.

The park offers a soothing aura of majesty with cool temperatures owing to the mountainous nature of the park, its home to part of the 300 gorillas located in the Virunga massif. It is indeed where gold meets silver where gorillas are house with the same habitat of the golden monkeys. The cultural heritage featuring folklore and traditional healing practises for healing for local people covers the north slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes – Muhavura – Gahinga and Sabinyo.

The Park diverse its name from “Gahinga” a Kinyarwanda word for a pile of volcano lava stone heaps around which cultivation is carried out. On the other hand, Muhavura means guide and Sabinyo means the old man’s teeth. It is bordered to the south by Rwanda and the west by DRC Congo.

While Sabinyo is deeply eroded with jagged crown and deep gorges and ravines, Gahinga has a swamp filled- crater about 180 m wide at its summit. While at the top of Sabinyo, you get to be set foot in all the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC Congo at the same time. Its view of volcanoes and gorges with the cool breeze of freshness is unrivalled. On some of the step mountain slopes are caves formed by lava tubes, one of them near Ntebeko, the park Head Quarters

How to get there

Roads

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 510km from Kampala, the most commonly used route is the Kabale via Kisoro. The 434km from Kampala can be completed within 8 hours on good tarmac road. It is then further 76km to Kisoro town on mountainous tarmac road with steep ascents and descent.

An attractive, alternative route leaves the main road at Kabale and follows the shoreline of the superbly scenic lake Bunyonyi to re-join Kabale-kisoro main road at its peak halfway point at Muko.

Ntebeko, the main entrance to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 14km from Kisoro at the end of a dirt road with some steep and rocky sections.

Air travel

Mgahinga can also be reached by air using the daily flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro airfield.

What to do there

Birding

The best birding in Mgahinga also takes in some of its most beautiful scenery in the gorge between Mt’s Gahinga and Sabinyo, where the beautiful Rwenzori Turaco may be observed.

Cultural Encounter

For generations, Mgahinga’s dense forests were home to the indigenous Batwa-Hunters-gatherers and fierce warriors through the forest for shelter, food and medicine. Now they lead visitors through the forests and introduce them to either old home or the techniques they used to survive in it.

Gorilla Tracking

The guide leads you through the gorillas’ world, surrounded by wild forest and impressive birdlife, explaining the gorilla’s behaviour along the way. Tracking excursions leave from Ntebeko entrance Gate at 8 am daily and last between two and four hours.

Hiking and Nature walks

Hiking around the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes gives visitors the chance to spot forest birds, the Rugezi Swamp, wildlife vegetation, bamboo forests and glorious views of the surrounding lakes and agricultural villages.

Mountain/ Volcano Climbing

All three volcanoes in this park can be submitted, taking a full day each. Views from the peaks are well worth the effort- taking in Rwanda, DRC, the Virunga’s, the Rwenzori’s, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Lake Edward.

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

WHISPERS OF THE WILD

Introduction

In the middle of an extensive rich acacia woodland lies one of Uganda’s most spectacular and breath-taking game parks in Uganda; Lake Mburo is a gem of a park, conveniently located close to the western high way that connects Kampala to the Parks of western Uganda. It is a very special place with medley of habits ranging from dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, and bushy thickets, open and wooded savannahs to forest, lakes and swamps. Its sculptured landscape, rolling hills and idyllic lake shores, forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps and grassy valleys all support a wealth of wildlife in a tropical setting.

The Park is remarkably different from other parks. It’s the best park to view the gigantic eland, impala, zebras and acacia associated birds. Common mammal species include Warthogs, Buffalos, Oribi, Defassa, Water Bucks, Reed Bucks, and the eland antelopes. Leopards and Hyenas are also present and lions have also returned to the Park after years of poaching and near extinction.

The five lakes within the park attract Hippos and crocodiles while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the Sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.

The park also has an impressive bird list within 332 species recorded including Shoebill, Papyrus, yellow warbler, African fin foot, saddle plover, Carrutters cisticola, Tabor cisticola, great snipes, Abyssinian ground horn bill and white winged warbler. Acacia woodland bird species are especially well presented.

Though just 371Sq km in size, Lake Mburo has a varied landscape full of interest and colour. The Park is refreshing and full of life given its strategic location near the Kampala – Mbarara highway.

How to get there

Road

Lake Mburo National Park lies between towns of Masaka and Mbarara in western Uganda. Its 228km from Kampala about 4hrs drive

There are two gateways to the Park from Mbarara road. Approaching from Kampala then turning to Nshara gate 13km past Lyantonde. The junction for Sanga trading centre, 27kms past Lyantonde.

What to do there

Several activities can be conducted while in Lake Mburo National Park. E.g. nature walks, game drives, Nature walk is conducted on foot with the help of an armed guide who explains to the visitors about the various flora and fauna. Game drive is done while in the visitors own vehicle.

The boat is another interesting activity in Lake Mburo, visitors get a chance to see various wildlife e.g. crocodiles, hippos and birds like African fish eagle, fin foot and water cormorants.

Horse riding is conducted by Mihingo lodge inside the park while quad bikes riding are conducted by African all Terrain [ATV Safaris]. It gives a spectacular view of the Park’s terrain and wildlife. Visitors can ride closer without the animals getting scared.

Attractions

Rwonyo Rest Camp

Rwonyo Rest Camp is the centre of tourism activities in the park. The rest camp is the starting point for nature walks and game drives

Lake Mburo

The eastern shores of Lake Mburo can be explored by boat, departing from the Lakeside campsites near Rwonyo. Watch out for crocodiles and hippos during the two hour voyage. You can also sight a variety of birds including pelicans, Heron, the cormorant fish eagle and perhaps rare fin foot and shoe bill storks. Fishermen with their own equipment may fish in the lake from the camp sites by arrangement.

Salt Licks

Guided walks explore the park around Rwonyo, culminating in a visit to natural salt lick frequented by the wildlife. Viewing is facilitated by a timber observation platform.

Game tracks

The eastern hinterland of Lake Mburo is served by a network of game tracks along which a variety of savannah animals and birds can be sighted. Impalas are the most commonly seen along the impala track while zebra tracks. This connects to the Ruroko track which passes rock kopjes, home to the exclusive klip Springer.

In the south of the park, the Lakeside track passes through dense woodland that is home to the bushbucks and bush duiker, to kigarama hill which provides a panoramic view of Lake Mburo. This lake and seven more can be seen from the Kazuma lookout, close to Kazuma track.

Rubanga Forest

Though small, this tract of forest on the western side of Lake Mburo provides a taste of the tropical high Forest which closed canopy and is home to a variety of forest bird species. Rubanga can be explored with ranger guide.

Conservation Centre

The Park has a conservation centre, 1km west of Sanga gate. This provides accommodation and education hall for school groups, visitors, seminars and workshops