REPTILES IN UGANDA

Reptiles in Uganda are a few most incredible creatures to catch a glimpse at while on African safari. Uganda is a home to countless reptile species a reason it is credited for its distinct biodiversity. Different reptiles in Uganda can be sighted in varied habitats but most commonly spotted in the water bodies, national parks and wildlife reserves. The following are some of the reptiles to see in Uganda;

The Nile crocodiles

The Nile crocodiles are a few most looked for reptile species in Uganda. They dwell in most water bodies in Uganda and depend mostly on fish and mammal species. In Uganda, they can easily be spotted while on a boat cruise and they are commonly sighted along the Victoria Nile at Murchison falls national park, Kazinga channel banks at Queen Elizabeth National Park and shores of Lake Mburo.

Monitor lizards

Lizards make up part of reptile species In Uganda and they exist in varied species including the savanna and aquatic monitor lizards. They can be sighted while on a game drive or launch cruise. The aquatic monitor lizards can be spotted while on a launch cruise along Kazinga channel and in Murchison Falls National Park. The monitor lizards are 2 meters long. The Nile lizards on the other hand are amazing reptile species to catch a glimpse in Uganda and these category can be spotted mostly around Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

Chameleons

There are many chameleons to spot out in Uganda. They include the three horned chameleons, flap necked chameleon-sighted mainly at savanna grassland and wooded areas. The graceful chameleon-these feature both the yellow and green color; white stripe. Giant chameleon is bulky and dark green in color with yellow stripes.

Snakes

Snakes a few reptile species in Uganda. They include the rock python a famous largest snake in Africa. It is 5 meters long and comes with gold on black mottled like skin. Rock pythons are not venomous but they do kill their prey by strangulation, wrapping their bodies around them then swallow it and later take a nap which takes about months. 

Rock pythons do feed on huge rodents, small antelopes and others. The bat cave-Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park is one significant area to spot out these remarkable reptile species. Puff adder-this is the most spotted especially in the savanna national parks of Uganda. They depend mainly on rodents and they do strike especially when they are threatened. Gabon viper-the largest African viper with about 2 meters long and features a heavy build, black and brown skin pattern with a bit of gold on it (spotted within Uganda’s rain-forests). Black mambas-these are the most poisonous snakes and they strike when they are attacked. They are mostly found around eastern Uganda. Others include the green mambas, boom slang, green tree snakes, mole snake, egg eating snakes and many more. Other reptiles to see in Uganda include house gecko, tortoise and terrapins.

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.