WHY ARE CHIMPANZEES IN BWINDI NOT HABITUATED?

When you talk about Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, majority expect to see only mountain gorillas but the latter is not true. Unlike other mountain gorilla destinations, Bwindi National Park is by far the only park where the endangered mountain gorillas and the eastern chimpanzees share the same habitat. However, chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park are not habituated like it is a case with most of the tourist sites where chimpanzee tracking safaris are conducted in Uganda

CHIMPANZEES

Currently, Uganda is a home to over 5050 chimpanzees and about 400 of them are all confined within Buhoma and Nkuringo areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is believed that chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park are more visible than the rare mountain gorillas. Bwindi National Park is one of Uganda’s magical safari destination and it is set suitably in the southwestern districts of Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu

Unlike other East African states, Uganda has several tourist sites with chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking safaris in Uganda are conducted in tourist destinations and they include among Kibale Forest National Park which is a home to over 1500 chimpanzees, Maramagambo Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park. Because these tourist sites consist of a huge concentration of chimpanzees which makes it easier for researchers or trackers, conservationists to habituated most of them and also leave others in their natural status.

Bwindi National Park lies in high elevation compared to other sites with chimpanzees in Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park for instance straddles within the lowland forest and make it easier to habituate these unique creatures. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, habituating chimpanzees in highlands is very challenging. They roam and tracking them in the Bwindi’s jungles is really challenging unlike those in lowland areas like Kibale Forest National Park.

The reason why chimpanzees in Bwindi are not habituated can also be attributed to government priority. Government prefers every region to have variety of tourist attractions and this means habituating chimpanzees in Bwindi National Park may overshadow chimpanzee tracking adventures in other tourist sites like Kibale Forest National Park.

 

Some facts about chimpanzees

Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) are some of the amazing and large primate species in the world. They share about 95 percent of their DNA with humans making them our closet relatives in the wild. They range in forest zones of Africa, especially Guinea, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Rwanda. If your plan is to see the wild chimpanzees then a visit to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania should be a must.

In captivity, chimpanzees live up to 60 years and in the wild about 50 years. They weigh about 25 to 50kgs. Chimpanzees build new nests every day using tree branches, leaves and they live in communities, ranging from 30 to 80 individuals.

In summary, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park remains an exceptional destination for you to strike your imaginations with not only mountain gorillas but also variety of other primate species including chimpanzees.

 

GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK FROM KIGALI

Is it possible to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali Rwanda? Well, it is very possible for you to fly into Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali is relatively pocket friendly unlike if you directly start your gorilla trip from Entebbe International Airport. You will take a flight up to Kigali Airport where you spend about 4 hours to connect to Bwindi National Park to start your gorilla adventure. This is far better than if you took a flight to Entebbe airport then drive to Bwindi which may take you 9 to 10 hours depending on the driver’s speed.

Why go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park from Kigali

Over half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas are confined within the lush jungles of Uganda a good reason you shouldn’t miss to have a magical encounter with some of these massive creatures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

Mountain gorillas

Compared to other gorilla parks, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of about 20 families which have been set for tourism and research purposes. To trek the habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park, visitors start their treks from anyone of the park’s 4 main trailheads; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector. In Buhoma sector, the groups to explore include Habinyanja, Rushegura, Mubare and Katwe; Nkuringo region; the groups to trek include Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho; Ruhija region consists of Kyaguliro, Bitukura, Oruzogo and Mukiza gorilla family whereas Rushaga region comprises of Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Kutu, Rwigi, Mucunguzi and Bikingi.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park from Kigali takes trekkers fewer hours than if they traveled directly from Entebbe Airport. To reach Bwindi from Kigali, you need only 4 hours compared to 8-10 hours if you traveled from Entebbe or Kampala. From Kigali, you will be driven via Chanika or Katuna border area to Bwindi. 

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park is relatively cheaper with gorilla permits costing about $600 per person for foreign non-residents; $500 for foreign residents and Ug.shs 250000 for East African citizens although with effect from 1^st July, trekkers will require $700 to secure a gorilla permit in Uganda which still remains pocket friendly compared to Rwanda where gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per person. 

Several of the gorilla safari lodges in Bwindi National Park are accessible from Kigali and they range from budget to luxury which gets everyone covered. They include among others Gorilla Mist Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge.

After your thrilling gorilla trekking experience, you can sum up your trip by embarking on canoe ride along the magical Lake Bunyonyi which consists of 29 scenic islands and free from bilharzias, crocodiles making it ideal for swimmers.

Remarkably, it is possible for you to take a 1 day Bwindi gorilla tour or in Mgahinga National Park. If you plan to spend more days in Bwindi, you have a lot to enjoy ranging from gorilla habituation experience, hiking, biking, Batwa and Bakiga cultural experience, bird watching to mention but a few.

It is also possible for you to embark on a city tour in Kigali with a chance to visit Kigali genocide memorable site for you to learn in depth about what took place during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be done at anytime of the year. However, the dry season is usually more preferable by most trekkers and it begins in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. It is also possible for you to trek gorillas during the wet season which commences in March, April, May and October, November.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

When you think of gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park, how you pack also does matter a lot. In your packing list, you need to consider a number of essential items and most importantly, start with waterproof hiking boots-light and comfortable, bottled water, energy giving snacks, long sleeved shirts/t-shirts, trousers, socks, insect repellents, hat, first aid kit among others.

In summary, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali is a rewarding experience and remarkably one best way to save time while you realize your dreams.

WHY VISIT TESO?

Teso is seemingly forgotten as majority of tourists seem to think a visit to Uganda is only about exploring the western and southern part of the country for game viewing and bird watching. However, a visit to this dubbed land of the wise is worthwhile you are on safari in Uganda especially if you want to get out of usual experiences.

Reasons to visit Teso

Serves as a major stop center for visitors to national parks

Teso is in eastern Uganda and composed of about 3million people. It covers districts like Soroti, Kumi, Serere, Ngora, Katakwi, Amuria, Kaberamaido and Palisa with majority of the people speaking Ateso. It serves as a major stop in Eastern Uganda for visitors on safari to Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Budongo Forest. Because its strategic location, you will be in position to embark on game viewing tour in anyone of the above protected areas. 

Landscape

Whereas Teso may not be as stunning as other areas, its beauty is unique on its own way with a chance for you to have clear view of skies, breathtaking landscape right from the rocky outcrops, swamps, beautiful lakes, hills, traditional homes.

Unique experiences

A visit to Teso gets you a chance to explore two remarkable Important Bird Areas and Ramsar Sites; Lake Bisina and Lake Opeta. The two magical lakes are endowed with variety of bird species, fish, flora and amphibian species to mention but a few.

Lake Opeta-Bisina wetland system is one of the few wetland systems left in Uganda and suitably set between Karamoja regions in the north and wet areas in the south. They are unique sites for birders. The birds to look out in these wetlands include the endemic fox’s weavers, shoebill and white backed ducks among others. 

Bird watching-about 350 distinct bird species do exist in Teso which makes it an ideal birding destination which very few travelers have explored. The birds to look out for while on tour in Teso include the shoebills, northern brown throated weaver, white winged warblers, carruther’s cisticola, papyrus canary, papyrus gonoleks, Abyssinian ground horn bill, woodland kingfisher, yellow breasted apalis, red fronted barbet, black billed barbet, brown babblers, European bee-eaters, little bee-eaters, northern red bishop, yellow crowned bishop, swallow tailed bee-eaters, augur buzzard, lizard buzzard, rattling cisticola, red faced cisticola, black and white cuckoos, egrets, yellow throated greenbul, white browed coucal, African crake, blue spotted wood dove, pin tailed whydahs, African emerald, African cuckoo to mention but a few.

Visit Nyero Rock Paintings in Ngora. This is one of the amazing sites that you need not to miss to visit while on tour in eastern Uganda. It consists of 3 caves and the paintings depict the ancient fishing, farming and hunting practices. The caves on the other hand served as areas where believers could go to worship and give sacrifices to ancestors in return for blessings during times of need for instance drought.

Hospitable people

The people themselves are warm welcoming and good to interact with. You can engage in a number of community activities or cultural and volunteering experiences. While here, you can visit different community eco-tourism sites for instance Kapir Community Eco-tourism site and Magoro Community Eco-tourism site with a chance to take part in a number of activities that include among others;

• Canoeing and fishing experience
• Canoe ride to Tisai Island along Lake Opeta and Lake Bisina 
•  Shoebill trekking
• Canoe ride to Tisai Island 
•  Visit the ostrich farm
• Cultural or traditional dances or learn about their traditions, norms, way of life among others

Visit the first ever aviation academy (flying school) which is situated in Soroti. It was set up with aim of boosting higher education and also to promote literacy among Ugandans. 

In summary, Teso features wide range of tourist sites and activities that are worth exploring while on Uganda safari. It features among a few places that have not been fully explored both by domestic and international tourists.

GAME DRIVES IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are the best way catch a glimpse at diverse wildlife species while in their natural habitat. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda, about 5-6 hours’ drive away from Kampala. It extends up to about 1978sq.kms and inhabits over 3000 African elephants, 620 bird species, 5000 hippos, 1000 buffaloes as well as several primate species, mongoose, warthogs, Uganda Kobs, water bucks, lions-plus tree climbing lions, topis to mention but a few

GAME DRIVE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

 

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park take you through its exceptional wildlife tracks to view variety of wildlife species. Game viewing safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park are best conducted along Kasenyi track, North Kazinga Plains and Ishasha track. Kasenyi Plains comprise of vast grassland and offer excellent spot for you to view huge concentration of wildlife. Wildlife species to catch a glimpse at while on game viewing along Kasenyi track include elephants, lions, buffaloes, warthogs, birds to mention but a few.

Ishasha sector is in the southern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park and provides incredible wildlife viewing experiences to visitors on Uganda safari. Game drive along Ishasha area gets you a great chance to catch a glimpse at the African elephants, tree climbing lions, buffaloes, topis and many more.

Game viewing activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Lion tracking-This is unique from the usual game drives. Lion tracking is also best described as scientific experiential lion tracking the fact that it is more of research than tourist designed experience. It is conducted by researchers, few other persons. Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is conducted along the savanna plains of Kasenyi and Ishasha track. 

Chimpanzee tracking-This is a thrilling primate adventure and it is conducted around Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

Mongoose tracking-This offers you opportunity to spot out huge concentration of mongooses. Mongoose tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is conducted around the Mweya Peninsular. 

Bird watching-Queen Elizabeth National Park is a home to over 620 bird species making it a birders paradise. The birds to spot out in Queen Elizabeth National Park include martial eagle, shoebill stork, king fisher, pelicans, flamingos to mention but a few.

Other game viewing activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include boat cruise/launch cruise along Kazinga channel-this gets you a chance to catch a glimpse at huge concentration of hippos, crocodiles, water birds and many others; nature walks and others.

Best time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is an all year round safari destination. However, it is best to visit this park during the dry season which starts in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February. But you can also pay a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park during the wet or rainy season especially if you are interested in bird watching. The rainy season in Queen Elizabeth National Park starts in the months of March, April, May and October, November.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park has wide range of accommodation options. They range from budget to luxury and they include Mweya Hostel/Pumba Safari Cottages/Kazinga Channel View Resort (Budget); Bush Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge (Mid-range); Kyambura Game Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge/Hippos Safari Lodge (Luxury).

Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in western Uganda approximately 5-6 hours’ drive away from Kampala or Entebbe. Your journey can start from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Bushenyi route or Kampala-Fort Portal-Kasese. Alternatively, you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Mweya/Kasese airfield.