MAMMALS TO SEE ON UGANDAN SAFARI

With more than 340 distinct mammal species, Uganda is undoubtedly that one most endowed safari destination with biodiversity. If you are on African wildlife safari and you wish to catch a glimpse at a huge concentration of mammal species then consider Uganda a must to include in your travel plan.  The notable mammals to explore while on Uganda wildlife safari include;

Lions

Lions are a few creatures that attract most tourists to Africa. They feature among a few big cats and scientifically, they are famously called Panthera Leo. The male lions usually weigh about 250 kilograms and they feature as the second largest living cats just after the tiger. Females have a gestation period of 110 days.  A pride can have like 15 individuals. In Uganda, you can find them in Queen Elizabeth National Park plus the tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector; Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

Panthera leo

Leopards

Scientifically known as Panthera pardus, leopards equally belong to cat family. Females have gestation period of 105 days. They are the smallest compared to other big cats. They come in golden, spotted bodies and graceful. They thrive from 12 to 15 years in the natural habitat and 23 years in the zoo.

Panthera pardus

African elephants

Best popular scientifically as Loxodonta Africana, elephants are a few most exciting mammal species that most visitors on African safari in Uganda look out for. They come in large grey color with long flexible trunk, thick legs and pointed tusks. They are largest land animals and they are bigger than the Asian elephants. The males stretch up to 3.64 meters and do weigh about 5455 kilograms whereas females stand about 3 meters and have weight of about 3636 to 4545 kilograms. 

 

Loxodonta africana

Buffaloes

Buffaloes come in large bodies. They are usually spotted within the woodland savanna areas and forest. They weigh between 500 and 900 kilograms and have a height of 1 to 1.7 meters. While on Uganda safari, you can spot them in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park a mention but a few.

 

Syncerus caffer

Serval cats

These are also known as the leptailurus serval and they come in slender bodies with long legs and fairy short tail. Their heads are small just like bodies, tall and females weigh about 9 to 16 kilograms and males weigh approximately 12 to 26 kilograms. Their life expectancy ranges from 12 to 16 years in the wild and in captivity, they thrive up to 20-25 years. Besides catching rodents, they are also predators whose diet is largely dependent on hares, birds, hyraxes, reptiles, insects, fish, frogs and many others.

Other mammal species to look out while on Uganda safari include;

Uganda Kobs 

      Spotted hyenas

·        Topis

·        Bohor reedbuck

·        Bush duikers

·        Chimpanzees

·        Mountain gorillas at Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park

·        red tailed monkeys

·        Golden monkeys

·        Giraffes

·        Zebras

·        Hippos

·        Cheetahs

·        Banded mongoose

·        Black and white colobus monkeys

·        Hartebeests

·        Oribis a mention but a few.

BWINDI NATIONAL PARK NAMED AMONG THE 23 WORLD'S BEST PLACES FOR HIKING EXPERIENCES

When you talk of experiential hiking adventures, there are traditional destinations that never miss to be mentioned. But if your dream is to get the best of Africa’s most experiential hiking experience then this time round, we have something to give you a smile. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is that one exceptional safari destination that is hardly heard for hiking adventures except its thrilling mountain gorilla trekking adventures. However, this pristine park is exceptionally that one special destination that is worth exploring while you are on African hiking safari. Because of its distinctly exhilarating hiking adventures, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has been named among the world’s 23 best places with the best hiking experiences. For enthusiastic hikers, Bwindi is that one place not to miss out on your bucket list

This spectacular park is set in the southwestern Uganda just at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along the Albertine rift valley. In CNN list, Bwindi National Park features in 15^th position and it is credited for its exceptional hiking trails. According to CNN, wildlife walks are never fascinating but a trip down to the dense rain-forest of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park gets you the best of magical experience with a group of mountain gorillas while they are in their natural habitat. Interestingly, the yellow zebra safaris provides walks in which tourists are taken on a hike across this stunning forest park to get up close with a habituated family of mountain gorillas. These creatures share about 95 percent of their DNA with humans making them our closest relatives. A hike to see them in the wilds gets you a chance to discover more how we (humans) are true relatives or how these cousins are our true cousins. 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a home to about 440 mountain gorillas making it a home to half the total population of mountain gorillas that today still thrive on the planet. This alone makes it a true gorilla highland and exceptionally one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking safaris. About 16 gorilla groups have been habituated and readily set for visitor experience in this park alone and the other group is in Mgahinga National Park. Besides mountain gorillas, Bwindi National Park also inhabits over 350 bird species, 220 butterfly species, 27 frog species, 120 mammal species and many others. This 331 square kilometer conservancy area boasts of its diverse floral species which account for over 1000 flowering plants including the 163 tree species and 104 fern species. There are also chimpanzees and several primate species (including L’Hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons) that share with the rare mountain gorilla the same habitat making this park one of the rich destinations with biodiversity. 

While on Uganda safari in Bwindi National Park each hiking trail offers distinct sights at varied wildlife thus rewarding travel endeavors with unique experiences. The notable hiking trials to embark on in this UNESCO World Heritage Site include Munyanga River trail which comes with amazing views over its spectacular waterfall, birds, apes as well as tree ferns, orchids, butterflies and many more; Rushura trail, Rusizi river trail, Muzabajiro trail, bamboo trail, waterfall trails, Kashasha river trail, Habinyanja trail, River Ivi trail and many others. 

Other exceptional destinations that ranked include Pennine Way in United Kingdom, Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Appalachian trail in United States, the Dingle Way, Mount Toubkal in Morocco, Basho Wayfarer in Japan, Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral in Argentina, Great Walls of China, Dragon’s Back in Hong Kong, Lechweg Trail, Tergo La Trek, Tahoe Rim Trail in United States, Armenia and the Silk road, Indus Valley, West Coast Trail, Percorsi Occitani, The Balkans, Lares and Royal Inca trail, The Lycian Way, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Cloud Forest Trek, Cape to Cape in western Australia.

5 REASONS WHY UGANDA SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR GORILLA TREKKING

Not sure of which country to visit for gorilla trekking? If yes, then think not beyond Uganda! This is incomparably one of a few most exceptional travel destinations in the world that gets you that great deal to catch a glimpse at the rare mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat. There are only 3 countries in the world where these creatures thrive from and Uganda is one of them. Others include Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite this fact, the choice you make does matter a lot when it comes to this primate adventure and that is why Uganda has a million reasons for you to consider for this life changing experience. In Uganda, they are confined within the dense tropical rain-forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern, Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in eastern DRC. Currently, they remain fewer than 1004 worldwide a significant increase that has been recorded compared to about 254 individuals in 1981.

Below are some of the reasons why you should trek mountain gorillas in Uganda

Home to the largest number of mountain gorillas

About 500-604 mountain gorillas are all confined within Uganda, one reason you need to consider it a must to explore while on gorilla safari in Africa. Due to huge numbers, Uganda also boasts of many habituated gorilla families which have been set for visitors to track each day-one factor that also sets this country apart from other gorilla destinations. Over 17 groups have been habituated in Uganda and readily set for your exploration. Gorilla treks in Uganda the pearl of Africa are conducted within only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is conducted in its 4 main areas (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo) each of these has its own habituated families. Buhoma sector has groups like Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe and Rushegura; Ruhija-Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro; Nkuringo has Nkuringo and Christmas while Rushaga comprises of Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye and Bweza. In Mgahinga, it is only Nyakagezi that is set for visitors on Uganda gorilla safari to track. The continued increase in the number of these creatures in Uganda is attributed to strict conservation measures that have been set for every visitor on gorilla safari to observe while in the wild in search for these special creatures.

Cheaper gorilla permits

If your dream is to trek gorillas in Africa, Uganda should be a must to visit. This magical landlocked country still offers relatively cheaper gorilla permits thus making it a few affordable gorilla destinations. Compared to Rwanda, gorilla permits in Uganda cost $600 per person and this applies for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African residents. You can obtain a permit in Uganda through a trusted, reliable and recognized ground tour operator or through a reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

Support local residents to save mountain gorillas and their habitat

The success in gorilla conservation is entirely a collective effort from all stake holders and if one side is left out then positive results may not be realized and that is why your visit to Uganda matters a lot when it comes to survival these creatures and safety of their habitat. These wild creatures still face several threats one of which is habitat loss which is impacted by various human practices including among others farming, human settlement. This is also as a result of increased poverty and population in the adjacent communities around the parks where these creatures thrive. A visit to Uganda for gorilla trek doesn’t mean only to view gorillas but also for you to take part in a number of activities for instance village walks, cultural encounters especially in the Batwa and Bakiga communities that reward travel endeavors with authentic African cultural experiences.

A trek to see mountain gorillas in Uganda is a lifetime experience

A gorilla trek in Uganda takes you to southwestern side whose landscape or terrain is characterized by terraced hills and rolling volcanic slopes thus rewarding you with magical views over this country’s breathtaking landscape. By embarking on a hike through this challenging terrain while on gorilla safari is undoubtedly a lifetime adventure. To get to your assigned gorilla family on the other hand equally requires some physical wellness in you as it involves hiking through the dense tropical rain-forest and steep slopes while in search for these magnificent creatures.

Visitors have variety to enjoy in Uganda

Uganda best described as the pearl of Africa for many reasons. Ideally, it is a host to nearly all that Africa has to offer to the world. Besides mountain gorillas, you also have a chance to view a number of creatures including L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys as well as chimpanzees at Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest while on safari to Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Besides, don’t miss to catch a glimpse at varied savanna dwellers including the big game-Elephants, buffaloes, lions plus tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, leopards, rhinos as well as giraffes, zebras, warthogs, topis, birds especially shoebill storks, African green breasted pitta, African green broadbill, Great blue turaco and others;