A two days tour to Budongo Forest Reserve - Uganda Safaris

Have you ever thought of making an unforgettable Uganda Safari in your life? This happened to me as I decided to tour Budongo forest that is found in Masindi about30km from Kampala. I started my journey at around 2:00pm from Kampala Taxi Park in a bus. While in the bus, it took us only two hours to get to the reserve. I made sure I reach early before the gates of Murchison National Park are closed.Consequently, tourists are not allowed in beyond 7:00pm so as to prevent accidents since at this time different species of game cross the roads from one side to another. I witnessed this when an monkey was about to enter into the wheels of a certain car leaving the parking yard of Budongo Eco lodge out of the blue, 30 minutes after I had arrived in the park.Budongo Eco lodge is situated in the heart of the forest reserve inside Murchison Falls National park.

A wonderful evening at the park

I was invited for a campfire as I waited for dinner and I joined over 30 tourists from different corners of the world. But as I had just joined other tourists, one of the guides warned us against eating foods with strong aromas such as meat and bananas, so as not to provoke the attack of animals like leopards and chimps. What I can never forget about this campfire is the sweet piece of music by an owl nearby. It gave that strong emotion of being at peace with nature.

A glance at the finely furnished interior of the Eco-friendly room in the Hornbill lodge was enough eye candy for me. The rooms at this lodge are too organized that I even wished I could have my honeymoon here. I had a wonderful night at this place and one unique thing that I can ever forget is that I forgot to dream.

Chimp  trekking in the morning

I woke up at around 8:00pm and I remembered that I had to enjoy this Uganda Safari with chimp trekking. But before going for the day’s adventure, I first joined other tourists and had a cup of coffee. The guide on duty briefed us about the planned chimpanzee trekking. Without this coffee, there is no doubt that would have reconsidered trekking the moment the forest welcomed us icy due drops from its trees. It was cold as if winter had struck Uganda.

By 9:00am we were happily lost in the middle of the forest. This forest I said to have been the hunting ground for Bunyoro’s king and that’s why sometimes its called Kabalega’s forest.

As we made our way through the thick green forest, we heard roars from the trees. We later discovered it was a clique of four chimpanzees fighting to ripe apart a white monkey. Unfortunately for the poor monkey; it was not only fighting for its dear life, but also preyed on alive.

In the forest: the guide told us that there are about 350 species of birds and 289 species of butterflies. He also noted that Budongo forest has the oldest trees in Uganda, with muvule of about 220 years and mahogany of about 250 years.

Time for departure

Had I not had a crucial appointment in Kampala that evening, the beauty of Budongo forest was going to keep me there for along time. So I left Masindi at around 2:00 pm for Kampala.

How to get to Budongo forest

Using private arrangement, you can find your way to Masindi by road and there after drive 30km north to get to Budongo Central Forest Reserve through Kichumbayobo gate.Take the main road to Para if you want to get to Budongo Eco lodge for about 12km.

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.

Chimpanzee tracking at Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda Safaris

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the interesting activities at Murchison Falls National Park with over 100 chimpanzees. Chimp tracking can act as a supplement of a Gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Apart from the chimpanzees, there are; gorillas, elephants, lions, antelopes, monkeys, leopards, buffaloes  hippos and over 200 bird species, offer a wonderful wildlife adventure at the park. The green Savannah also provides a magnificent breath taking atmosphere.

A chimpanzee at Murchison Falls National Park

The park is located in north western Uganda, spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It is named for the Murchison’s waterfall. The park is sometimes referred to as Kabarega national park.

The park is suited in Masindi district in western Uganda and in Nwoya district in northern Uganda, That’s in the northern part of Albertine rift valley. A place where the massive Bunyoro escarpment amalgamated into the enormous plains of Acholi land. It’s well known to be one Uganda’s ancient conservation areas.

         

The park is subjugated by woodland, wetland, Savannah as well as tropical forest that are well known to be a habitat for over 76 mammal species and over 450 different bird species. It’s on a low plain and the temperatures tend to be hot with a maximum of 290c.

 In Murchison there are four of the ‘big five’ that is buffaloes  elephants, lions and leopards. Other mammals include the giraffe, warthog, hartebeest, and the Uganda kob among others. The remarkable Murchison doesn't only have a great diversity of wild animals but also birds, for example the rare shoe-bill stork.

         

Some of the attractions are, the unique Murchison falls (kabarega falls) as well as the river Nile with its streaming hippo and serried ranges of crocodiles along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink and bathe.

          

‘Paraa’ a word from the local Luo language means a place of hippos and this is among the most prominent attractions within the park as it supports the largest concentration of wildlife in the entire park

             

Budongo forest, which is the biggest mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda.

Other attractions include the Karuma falls, the Nile cruise, Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi.

The park has a number of accommodation centers that is, the red chilli rest camp which is mainly for budget travelers, Simbiya safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, and others. It’s better to come and explore this yourself.

Murchison River Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Murchison River Lodge is located in the south of River Nile and it sits on the Nile's boundaries overlooking Murchison Falls National Park.The lodge's awesome environment that is spiced up with a breathtaking atmosphere that promote relaxation,are one the great experiences at the lodge.
The lodge's location just a few meters from Murchison Falls National Park enables the visitors to easily access the park at any time.While at the lodge,great views of the park are enjoyed that are accompanied by sounds from different bird species.

Tourist having a good time at Murchison River Lodge

Accommodation

• Thatched Cottages:the lodge has 4 thatched cottages that are well furnished and attractive.Each cottage has a double bed,2 single beds,en-suite bathroom and a private veranda.Facilities found in these cottages include;solar lights,towels,bed linen,mosquito nets,en-suite shower and toilet and hot water.
• Thatched Safari tents:These  tents are strategically located in the bush near River Nile and are equipped with safari tables and chairs.Some of these tents (4) are twin shared and are located near the water providing a breathtaking atmosphere and fresh air.Each  tent is self contained with its private en-suite bathroom and toilet.Facilities in these tents include;solar lights,towels,bed linen,mosquito nets and private showers and toilets.
• Camp tents:There are 5 comfortable camp tents strategically located in the bush to enable the visitor enjoy a wild feel of Africa.These are not self contained but have special facilities like solar lights,towels,bed linen and mosquito nets.
• Campsite:There is enough camping ground at the lodge and those visitors with their own camping equipments,are provided with a conducive environment.This site is situated in the bush with enough parking space,2 simple kitchen,numerous tree species and a fire place.

Facilities at the Lodge

• Swimming Pool
• Restaurant and Bar
• Craft Shop

Activities carried out at the Lodge

•  Bird watching
• Visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Chimp Trekking
• Cultural safaris
• Boat cruise to the Delta
• Spot Fishing
• Viewing the Murchison Falls

Paraa Safari Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Overlooking the longest river in the world (River Nile),Paraa Safari Lodge is strategically located in Murchison Falls National Park in the north west of Uganda.This is one of the best points to have a wider view of the River Nile because its where the River channels into a gorge only 6 meters wide as it travels from the south.A also visitor enjoys a splendid view of one of the world's most powerful flows of nature( the Murchison Falls).
The lodge makes the visitor feel at home by providing a comfortable environment that facilitate relaxation
The lodge has a bygone reflection of the early explorers that is mixed with modern architecture.

Accommodation

The swimming pool at the Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge has 54 rooms each with an en-suit bathroom and a  private balcony where a visitor can stand and enjoy the beauty of the park.

• -Standard Rooms:There are double,single and twin standard rooms at the lodge.These are strategically located to enhance a wonderful view of the park,a swimming pool and a breathtaking environment.Each room has a private balcony,an en-suite bathroom and fans.

• Queen's cottages:These offer an ultimate comfort  for the visitors because of their unique architecture compliments.While at the balcony,the visitor can enjoy a splendid view of vegetation and rich wildlife plus River Nile.Each room has an AC Units,a mini bar,an en-suite bathroom,a large dinning and living room,a luxury master bedroom with a king-sized bed and a large balcony.
• Suites:The lodge has suite that are perfect for relaxing with special features like fans and A.c units,mini-bar-suit bathroom and a large window for wildlife views.

Facilities

•  Bar and Restaurant
• Cuisine
• Gift shop
• Swimming pool
• Business Centre
• Conference facilities

Activities at the Lodge
While at the Lodge,a visitor is exposed to numerous activities including;

• Safari drives
• Birding
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Boat rides to the Delta
• Nature walks
• Bush breakfast
• Visits to the Murchison falls

Katara Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Location
Located on the Great Rift Valley escarpment with magnificent views of Queen Elizabeth National Park plus views of Lake Edward,Virunga and Rwenzori mountains and the beautiful Savannah.

Outside view of the Lodge

 Accommodation
Katara Lodge has 7 luxurious thatched cottages situated on splendid hills the overlooks the beautiful savannah to offer a relaxing environment to guests.
The cottages were designed in an African style and this makes them stand out from a far distance.They are made of wooden floors,grass thatched roofs and have balconies to provide great views to visitors.Each cottage has an en-suite bathroom and an eco friendly bathroom plus a private bathroom.
There are also 7 regular cottages and a family cottage.The regular cottages have 1 sitting and sleeping area each with a double and a 4 poster star bed.

Some the activities carried out at the Lodge include;

1. Game drives through Queen Elizabeth National Park
2. Chimp tracking 
3. Nature walks that are guided
4. Boat cruising on Kazinga channel
5. Cultural walks

Wildlife viewing and Birding tips in Uganda - Uganda Safaris

Most of Uganda's visitors come mainly for wildlife viewing and birding,therefore it is necessary to know the specific places that a visitor should put his/her emphasis on.

Wildlife viewing
For visitors who are interested in wildlife Safaris in Uganda,there are only 8 national parks in Uganda that offer wildlife viewing opportunities and these are;Queen Elizabeth National Park,Murchison falls National Park,Lake Mburo National Park,Kidepo Valley National Park,Semuliki National Park,Mgahinga National Park,Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has the greatest variety of mammals but there are no Giraffes at this park.However,Murchison Falls National Park has the larger mammals in greater concentration.
Both these parks have common wild animals like  elephants,hippos,buffaloes,kobs,bushbucks and on rare occasions,predators like the lion and leopard are seen.

Buffaloes at Murchison Falls National Park

Zebras and elands in Lake Mburo National Park has led to the popular visits to the park because its the only park in the south with them.But these elegant animals can also be found in  Kidepo Valley National Park.On top of the Zebras and elands,Kidepo valley has a wide collection of mammals including the cheetahs,kudus,ostriches,bat-eared foxes and many more mammals that are not found in other parts of Uganda.

Semuliki National Park is another park where game drive are enjoyed by visitors and they get to see over 63 mammal though most visitors mainly go for chimpanzee tracking.

Gorilla tracking is the major attraction for Uganda due to the presence of the hard-to find mountain gorillas.These gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.Spend about an hour with these human-like mammals.Gorillas move a lot searching for food and therefore the visitor has to be equipped with the knowledge on how to track them.This explains why there are very my Gorilla Safaris in Uganda.
Unlike the gorillas,chimpanzees are easy to track because they don't travel a lot and they are see jumping on different tree branches.

Another adventurous activity that attracts tourists to Uganda is Chimpanzee tracking.These chimps are mainly found in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park,Kibale Forest National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.A visitor can as well enjoy chimp tracking at Semuliki National Park that has the best viewing because of it's magnificent Savannah views.

It is advisable that you take  ranger with you on any game drive to protect you in case of any encounter. Usually these rangers brief visitors before setting off to the wild.
Travelling by road is the best mean of transport to use when going for game viewing because wild animals are easily seen from the car windows.

Birding in Uganda
Uganda has over 1045 bird species of birds (half of Africa's total bird population), and this makes it one of the best birding paradise in the world.These birds are splendid to look at and can spice up your birding safari to Uganda.
The country offers a wide collection of birds that visitors can watch including 25 Albertine rift endemics such as the African green broadbill and the handsome francolin.

Semuliki National Park - Uganda Safaris

Semuliki National Park is found in the extreme west of Uganda in Bundibugyo district.The park sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley and it's along the Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo border.

A bird at SemulikI National Park

The Ituri forest acts as an eastern extension for the Park. Ituri forest is one of Africa's most bio-diverse and ancient forest that has survived for more than 18,000 years.

The Park contains various features that are hard-to find in other parks and this explains why tourists enjoy making trips to this remote park.

Facts about the Park
Semuliki National Park was gazetted in October 1993 and it covers an area of about 220km squared.The park's topology is flat with gently undulating land form,that is 760m above sea level.
The streams and rivers that flow from the surrounding areas drain through the park.This is the reason why many areas in the park are flooded during the rainy season.

Attractions at the park
Birding Safars:The park is a wonderful destination for tourists due to it's diverse small animals,butterflies and birds.The recorded number of bird species is 445 and this is about 35% of Uganda's total.Some of theses birds at the park are hard to find elsewhere in East Africa like the horn bills and lyre tailed honey guide.

The park has 63 mammal species and among these there are 9 diurnal forest primates including the Chimpanzees (chimpanzee safaris/tracking),vervet monkeys,olive baboons and blue monkeys.
Other mammals found in the park include the buffaloes,beecroft's flying squirrels,blue duikers,pigmy squirrels, target rat,water chevrotain and fruit bat,elephants,leopards,sitatungas and crocodiles.

The park is said to have over 374 species of butterflies and months plus 47 species of forest swallowtails and charaxes.

A hotspring at the Park

Activities at the park
Making a journey to Semuliki National Park exposes you to splendid views of nature.The moment you get to the park,there are numerous activities that one can opt for including;
-Spot fishing.this is done along the river  Semuliki. Visitors are expected to come with their fishing facilities.
-Game drives-Both day and evening game drives are arranged at the park and this goes through the park.The visitor gets a chance to have a close glance of the wild animals plus taking photos.These drives are guided.
-Boat trip.Have a chance to see the magnificent hot springs situated in a tract of hot mineral swampland.Still on this trip,different birds are seen flying both high and near the water.
-Birding.The presence of numerous rare birds at the park makes it an ideal place for birders.
-Cultural walks.Meet and greet the local people known as the Batuku and the Batwa people,who occupy the area.These people have unique cultures that are interesting.

Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation places specifically in Fort Portal and Bundibugyo town where a visitor can stay and relax.The campsite at Bugama (about 3km from Sepaya gate) is another place where a visitor can stay.

How to get there
Semuliki National Park can be accessed by travelling from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende.This is about 300km.Alternatively,one can opt to pass through Masaka ,Mbarara and Kasese which is about 515km.This is a longer route but it enables one to view Kyambura Wildlife Reserve,Lake Mburo National Park,Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park - Uganda Safaris

Where is the Park located?

Kibale Forest National Park is found in western Uganda in the south of Fort portal town.The Park is in the middle of the Congo basin wet Rain Forest and the drier East African forest.This location supports a rich array of tropical plants and animals from both areas.

What are the great attractions at Kibale Forest National Park?
The Park is a great concentration of different species of monkeys and the hard-to-find Apes in Uganda.
The Park has a wide variety of wild animals including the chimpanzees,elegant elephants,colobus monkeys and buffaloes.

The Park is also a home to numerous bird species including the great blue turaco,narina's trogon,scalt francolin,naped pigeons,blue throated roller and many more.

Both the animals and the birds are easily seen while in the park depending on the timing.Some birds are hard to see during day time because they travel for long distances in search for food.
Wild animals like the chimps and monkeys always hide in leaves of tall tress and keep on jumping from one branch to the other.
The beautiful grasslands at the park are breathtaking all day with birds meandering about the whole place.

What are some of the activities at the Park?
A guest at Kibale Forest National Park is exposed to numerous adventurous activities including;Nature walks through the forest,cultural tours,chimpanzee tracking and game drives.
Meet and greet the local people,and see how they are organised.
You can also take a scenic walk to and visit the Karambi Royal Tombs. Tooro kingdom's royal place.

Where to stay while at the Park?
There are may accommodations near and inside Kibale National Park,where a visitor can stay and at the same time enjoy the great views of the park.Some of the accommodations include;

Ndali Lodge;

This has 8 strategically located comfortable cottages.These cottages are well equipped with modern facilities,an airy bedroom,en-suit bathroom and an a private veranda that offers wonderful views of the park.

Primate Lodge

This Lodge has 8 unique safari tents with African styles.The tents are on raised platforms and a guest can stand at the veranda and have a complete view of the park.

Kibale Tented Camp

It is found just outside the park.It offers tents with en-suite facilities to offer comfort to guests.The tents are also eco friendly. A bar and a central dinning are other facilities found at the Camp.

Other Lodges at the Kibale National Park are;Mid Range Camps and Lodges,Montana Luxury Tented Camp and Rwenzori view guest house.

How to get there
From Kampala,you can take the road to Fort Portal and then to Kamwenge. From here,the park is just 12 km away.