The elegant Rhinos of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Uganda Safaris

There are many unforgettable attractions at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, found in western Uganda on the way to  Murchison Falls National Park ,but one of the main attractions are the elegant rhinos that meander about the park. The swampy green atmosphere at the site is one of the breathtaking features and many visitors always take boat safaris in order to have a clear view of a variety of mammals.

Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Initially the sanctuary could receive few visitors because of its remote location, but today due to the development of the infrastructures in Uganda, many tourists find it hard to leave Uganda without having a glance at this magnificent breathtaking sanctuary. The Rhinos are specifically the main attractions at the site and there are over 250 rhinos that dwell in this place. These Rhinos find it easy to survive while in this place because of the presence of water and green vegetables that is largely fed on.


For your first Uganda Safari, you may find it hard to see these calm peaceful animals but as you move through the swamp, many of these animals come into site. The best time to see them is in the afternoon as they gather in large numbers around the water to have a sip and in the evening as they play to kiss good bye to the day.

At Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, you can have an opportunity to get close to the rhinos for about 20 feet with the help of the guide and also take photos with them. The best way to track the rhinos is by foot tracking because they leave a big mark of their feet as they move.

Although most people only know Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for its marvelous rhinos, it also offers much more to its visitors including; natural walks, birding, boat safaris, swamp walks and overnight accommodation.There are over 200 bird species at the place but many birders go there to look at the hard-to find shoebill stork.

Accommodation should not be a worry when you visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as there is Amuka Lodge, a great place to spend the night in the African wild. At the lodge, African and European excellent foods are served.

How to get there
We can pick you from Entebbe International Airport and this wilderness oasis that is a few hours from Kampala.

2014 updates on Gorilla tracking permits,Uganda and Rwanda - Gorilla Safaris

In order for a visitor to enjoy a gorilla safari in Uganda,he/she must obtain a gorilla permit.These gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at their offices.However,a visitor can also obtain a gorilla pemit online.This online gorilla permit purchase was introduced early 2014.A visitor is not allowed to track the gorillas unless if he/she has a gorilla permit.
Below are some of the relevant updates of 2014 gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda that a visitor should know;

2014 gorilla permit rates

•  2014-2015 gorilla permit rates have been confirmed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.Th rates have been increased from US$ 500 to US$ 600 per permit.
• During the months of April,May and November 2014,gorilla permits rates are discounted at US$350 per permit.The permit rates are discounted by US$250 per permit.
• Gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda cost US$750 per permit.

Allocation of permits according to the gorilla family in Bwindi National Park
In the past,gorilla permits of Bwindi were issued according  to the gorilla family to be visited.However,in 2014,things have changed in that,gorilla permit are issued according to the tracking area to be visited.This is the same system with Rwanda.
The 4 gorilla tracking areas in Bwindi National Park are;

• Ruhija area - has two gorilla groups
• Buhoma area - has three gorilla groups
• Rushaga - has five gorilla groups
• Nkuringo - has one gorilla group

List of gorilla families in Uganda

Gorilla Family	Location	Number  of individuals
Habinyanja Gorilla Family	Buhoma	17 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Rushengura Gorilla Family	Buhoma	19 individuals with 1 silverback
Bitkura Gorilla Family	Ruhija	14 individuals including 4 silverbacks
Mubare Gorilla family	Buhoma	8 individuals with 1 silverback
Oruzogo Gorilla Family	Ruhija	25 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Nkuringo Gorilla Family	Nkuringo	19 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Nshongi Gorilla Families	Rushaga	26 individuals including 4 silverbacks
Mishaya Gorilla Family	Rushaga	12 individuals including 1 silverback
Kahungye Gorilla Family	Rushaga	13 individuals including 3 silverbacks
Bweza gorilla Family	Rushaga	9 individuals including 1 silverback
Busingye Gorilla Family	Rushaga	9 individuals including 1 silverback
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family	Mgahinga National Park	10 individuals including 3 silverbacks
Kyanguriro Gorilla Family	Ruhija	15 individuals including 2 silver backs

The number of Game Park tourists in Uganda increases by 17.5% - Uganda Safaris

According to the recent research that was carried out by Uganda Wildlife Authority's marketing manager,Barbra Ameso,the number of visitors to the protected areas of Uganda has increased by 17.5%.This is said to be the highest rise ever since UWA was created 2 decades ago.

One of the key reasons for this rise is the  solar eclipse,an event that attracted very many tourists to Uganda,specifically Murchison Falls National Park.

Uganda is one of the few countries that have Mountain Gorillas and it records a high number of Gorilla safaris in a year.These unmatched attractions have greatly led to an increase in the number of visitors.The recent accolades that Uganda received by the travel magazines for example,the Lonely Planet,have greatly marketed the Tourism Industry.

Last year,Kidepo Valley National Park was listed by CNN among the top ten national Parks on the planet.
 This park is known for the large number of buffaloes and an interrupted landscape which is surrounded by Karimojongs.These people have a rich-unique culture which can spice up a cultural safari.

According to Ameso,the number of tourists has increased from182,149 to 213,949 ,amounting to  17.5%.She also pointed out that among the total visitors,43% were foreigners while the remaining portion is shared by both Ugandans and East Africans.

According to statistics,Murchison Falls National Park attracted the highest number of tourists and it is followed by Queen Elizabeth National Park.Kidepo Valley National Park came third despite increase in the number of visitors.

Lake Mburo National Park attracted the least number of tourits.This park is still being developed into a suitable product foe domestic tourism.There are also plans to increase the number of visitors at the park by both USAID and Africa Wildlife Foundation.

Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary nominated as the best Chimp Sanctuary in Africa by Jane Goodall - Uganda Safaris

Known as an anthropologist,a pwerhouse primatologist and the founder of Jane Goodall Institute,Jane Goodall is aprominent primate lover.She recently made a visit to Uganda's Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island,the leading sanctuary in he country.She was so touched with what she saw while at the island and this impressed her to a point of nominating it as the leading sanctuary in Africa.

Africa has a total of 29 chimp sanctuaries and among these,Goodall founded two and extends financial support to the remaining 27 sanctuaries.This makes her a prominent figure when it comes to chimpanzees and she has all the necessary experience in their conservation.Her involvement in the primate world has gained her attention from the whole world and she has many followers including both tourists and conservationists.

When Goodall made her visit to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island,she was so amazed with how the chimpanzees are treated with great care and love.The chimp caregivers give the primates all the necessary love and treat them with a feeling that they are the closest creatures to human beings.With all the observations she was quoted saying that " I have moved to all the Sanctuaries in Africa but I had never seen what I saw on this (Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island) Island". She went on and ranked the sanctuary as the leading chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa.

Goodall even celebrated her 80th birthday at Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island and shs pointed out that according to her observations,all the 47 chimps on the Island are treated with kind and love that she had never seen anywhere on the planet.

Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island's ranking will lead to an increase in the number of visitors and even Africa safaris are to increase.In the past,it was only gorilla safaris that were identical of Uganda but this year,chimp safaris are to increase.

Goodall has very many followers ( over 10 million) and by recognizing Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island,visitor  are to increase fro the current 4000 to 5000.

Location
Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island is just 23km from Entebbe,Uganda,and it stands on an area of about 100 acres.Its situated on Africa's largest lake (Lake Victoria).

Friend a Chimpanzee in Uganda - Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Uganda is the leading tourist destination in Africa and one of the attractions that have led to this ranking are the diverse collection of the wild animals. Among the primate species that are found in Uganda, are the chimpanzees. These human-like creatures are so elegant and have an interesting lifestyle that everyone would be impressed to witness.

Chimpanzees in Uganda are not found in every National park but rather in specific places, grouped and habituated to human contact just like the mountain gorillas. If a visitor is not well conversant with the primate species, he/she may not e able to find a difference between chimpanzees and gorillas. This is because they share some characteristics and way of living. However, chimpanzees have an unpredictable lifestyle and this makes them slightly less approachable compared to Gorillas. Including chimp tracking in your itinerary on your Uganda safari can never be regretted because of the original feel of both nature and wild that you are exposed to.

While on a gorilla safari to Uganda, you can extend the adventure by tracking the chimps. This can help to clearly draw the differences between the two primates. In Uganda, these chimps are mainly in Kibale Forest National Park. While at this park, a visitor gets a chance of coming closer to the chimps and even take photographs with them for remembrance. The maximum time that a visitor can take with the chimps at Kibale Forest National Park is 1 hour but the whole activity of chimp tracking takes 3 hours.

While tracking the chimps, a visitor can have a chance of witnessing a fight between a chimpanzee and a monkey. This is because chimps at the park keep on hunting and casing monkeys away from their territories. They swing and crash through the tree tops which is accompanied by a loud sound.

Its however advisable that a visitor should have some briefing before going for chimp tracking so as to know  what should be done while in the wild. A visitor is expected o avoid irritating behaviors while tracking the chimps and he/she should maintain a distance of at least 6 meters from the chimps. When irritated, chimpanzees can attack humans and therefore, a tracker should maintain maximum discipline. One of the things that irritate the chimps is the flush light of the camera.

Visitors are grouped in small numbers and briefed before going for chimp tracking. Moving in large numbers while tracking the chimps can scare them and therefore, small groups are encouraged. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to see chimps while tracking and so a visitor should know the various ways of seeing the hiding chimps. Chimps are fond of hiding in thick tree-leaves and a tracker needs to be so skilled and vigilant enough to see them. Sometimes, visitors are requested to keep silent while tracking so as to hear the hiding chimps as they crash the leaves.

Chimps in Uganda can also be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Semuliki National Park and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

How to acquire a gorilla permit - Uganda safaris

Before enjoying a Gorilla Safari in Uganda and Rwanda,one is required to have a gorilla permit otherwise,no one is allowed to see any gorilla in these countries.Each National park requires a different permit that is shows that you are allowed to track the mountain gorillas.

It is advisable to obtain these gorilla permits in advance so as to avoid any inconvenience that may occur.This can be 3 months before your trip.

It should be noted that tracking gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is only guaranteed after getting a permit.

How a gorilla permit looks

Getting a gorilla permit becomes competitive and scarce mainly during peak seasons.

In Uganda,a gorilla permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) while in Rwanda,they are issued by ORTPN. In Uganda,UWA offices are found in Kamwokya,a Kampala suburb.

The permit allows the visitor to view the gorillas at ease and this is for about an hour,but gorilla tracking can take a minimum of 30 minutes to about 9 hours.Tracking takes a long time because it takes time to find these hiding primates.

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ 500 per person per day,while in Rwanda it is at US$ 750 per person per day.

A visitor is advised to mind about the each gorilla permit he/she purchases.A gorilla permit determines the gorilla family that one will trek plus accommodation/lodge.For some National parks like Bwindi,gorillas are divided into families and each family has its specific place where it stays.This is the reason why the permits have to specify which gorilla family one is going to visit.

To avoid inconveniences, one should order for the permits in advance through tour operators like Maranatha tours and travel company.The company will check the availability of the permits and give you the feedback.On confirmation,you will transfer the funds to the company account who will purchase the permits and send you scanned copies.To help the company get the permits,you are required to send your passport details which are needed by Uganda Wildlife Authority to print out the gorilla permits.

Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - uganda safaris

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 120 mammal species and among these 7 are diurnal primate species.The Park has about 60% of the total gorillas in East Africa.
These gorillas are easy to see while at the park due to there large number and this explains why of recent,the park has registered a rapid increase in the number of visitors.While on a Rwanda gorilla Safari or Uganda Gorilla Sfai,you can make a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable and have a live view of the gorillas.

 

Mountain gorillas are Bwindi's main tourist attraction and these elegant mammals have been habituated since April 1993.Some of the groups that can be visited at the park include;

-Habinyanja group: This has about 23 gorillas and two silverbacks
-Mubare group: with 16 gorillas and one silverback
-Nkuring group:This has 20 gorillas and 2 silverbacks
-Rushegura group: has 1 siverback and 9 gorillas

Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are a bit more friendly compared to other parks, in that they can even come out and play just a few meters from human beings and sometimes visitors get a chance to take clear photos with them.

At the park,it is advisable that you avoid direct contact with the gorillas to avoid contracting some diseases since certain diseases are shared by both human beings and gorillas.

While taking photos with these gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,it is advisable that you keep the flashlight of the camera off and avoid making noise,so as not to scare away the gorillas.

Before tracking the gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,one is required to purchase a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)without this,you are not allowed to go for any gorilla tracking trip in Uganda.


Gorilla tracking fees at the park are as follows:

Non-residents pay US$ 600 per person,while East African Residents pay US$ 475.This fee is exclusive of the gorilla permit fee.
It should be noted that persons below 15 years of age are not allowed to go for gorilla tracking.