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.

Best time to visit Rwanda - Rwanda Safaris

Rwanda has a fairly temperate temperature that favours travel throughout the year.The country is near  the equator at a high altitude,which gives it a natural highland atmosphere and consistent temperature.Variations in the countries climate is due to the difference in the altitude or seasons but not regions.

One of Rwanda's hills

The northeast of Rwanda experiences more rainfall compared to other parts of the country.This is the area with most highlands including the Volcanoes.In other areas, climate does not fluctuate frequently month to month and this makes it steady all year around.

Rwanda has mainly 4 seasons that a visitor should know before planning a visit to this wonderful country.The highland areas are cooler than other areas that have a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius,during daytime.
The capital city of Rwanda (Kigali) has an average temperature that is about 21 degrees Celsius.

Activities between March and Mid May
This is the time when Rwanda experiences a long rainy season which is unrelenting.This season is so serious in the highland areas.Gorilla Safaris during this season is not suitable but chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe area can workout.During this season chimp tracking is possible because the fruits in the forest ripen and the chimpanzees come out in large numbers to eat them.

Activities between  mid May and Mid October
During this period,it is always a dry season in Rwanda and it is the best time for gorilla trackers to visit the country.Gorilla tracking during this time is easy and it is mainly carried out in Volcanoes National Park.
Game viewing is also recommended during this time because wild animals converge at the water sources during day so as to take water.Some of the animals to see in Rwanda at this Time include;Buffaloes,golden monkeys,mountain gorillas and elephants.After taking water ( in the evening),the animals go back to their respective places where they stay and gorillas go back to the rainforest.

Activities between Mid October and November
A short rain period is experienced during this period and it is also known as a birding period.Most trees and plants flower during this period and so different birds gather to eat the fresh seeds.
A birding Safari is advisable during this period.Another activity that can be done during this season is taking photographs at the beautiful hills covered by flowers.The scenery at the highlands is magnificent.

Activities between December and February
This is a short dry season and it is also a suitable period for game viewing.Hiking safaris are also at a peak during this period plus mountain climbing.

Best times to visit Uganda - Uganda Safaris

Also known as the "the pearl of Africa",Uganda is a beautiful country that is well known for harboring the hard-to find mountain gorillas.

Clear view of Kampala city

Although the country has a warm climate throughout the year,there are specific times appropriate for visitors to come to this East African country.

The countries position along the equator leads to an insignificant seasonal temperature variations.A visitor should know Uganda's rainfall pattern before visiting and this is very vital for those interested in Gorilla tracking,Hiking,Birding and game viewing.

April,May,October and November are the wettest months and during this time,some activities such as camping are hard to practice.

It is on record that about 70% of Uganda's visitors are gorilla trackers and therefore there is need to know about the appropriate time to do the activity.Most itineraries drawn follow an established circuit between Kampala and the gorilla parks in the extreme southwest of Uganda.This is the area with the most density of the country's natural attractions and associated infrastructure.

A typical tour in Uganda starts from Kampala and heads west through Fort Portal to Kibale,where chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park is the main attraction.This can be followed by Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) that is found just at the foot of Rwenzori mountains.In the south of QENP,there is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,mostly known for gorillas.

A gorilla at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Game viewing: 
In Uganda's Savannah parks, game viewing is at its best at the end of a dry season,when the wildlife concentrate around water sources to have a sip for cooling their bodies.This is during the months of February,March,September and early October.

Bird watching:
Birding in Uganda is best done between November and April when different migrant bird specie fly into the country.Birders seriously get bored during the extremely wet months between April and May.

Gorilla Tracking:
Gorilla trekking is best done during the 2 country's dry seasons,that is January and February  and from June  to September.

Nyungwe Forest National Park - Rwanda Safaris

Nyungwe Forest National Park extends for 1,000 sq.kilometers across the majestic hills in the southeast of Rwanda.The park is one of the oldest in Africa and its the largest block of the montane forest in central and East Africa

A bird at Nyungwe Forest National Park

The park's richness in floral diversity plus over 250 different types of trees,and a myriad of numerous flowering plants for example,the rare worldly giant lobelia and colourful orchids,makes it a desirable destination to tourists.

Nyungwe Forest National Park has over 13 primate species in total such as the human-like chimpanzees,handsome L'Hoest monkey,owl-faced monkeys,vervet monkeys,Grey-cheeked mangabey,olive baboon,Rwenzori colobus,Den't mona monkey,3 species of bush baby and different troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colobus.

The park is also a birding paradise with a wide collection of birds (over 300 bird species), among which 2 dozens are restricted to a few of the Montane forests on the Albertine Rift Valley.
One of the rare-to find bird but found at the park is the great blue turaco. This bird is not easily seen in Africa because it stays in specific places with specific conditions.It is a red and green bird that streams from tree to tree just like a psychedelic turkey.

Activities at the park
-Nature walks: walking through an extensive network of well maintained walking trails as you enjoy the beauty of the vegetation,i s one of the unforgettable adventures that he park provides.These trails lead to various waterfalls and viewing points in different corners of the park.
-Chimp tracking:this is done from the forest and its a guided activity.While tracking,several varieties of other smaller primate species are seen.
-Birding:serious birders may never want to leave Nyungwe Forest National Park due to the diversity of the bird species.With over 300 bird species,birders can spend more than 4 days just looking for some hiding birds.
-Taking photographs:One can take a beautiful photo with a chimp or in the trees of the forest.
Other activities include;scaling Mt. Bigugu,excursions to Lake Kivu and expedition to Kamiranzovu Marsh.

Accommodation at the Park
-Nyungwe Forest Lodge:
This is an Eco-lodge situated in the tea estate that overlooks Nyungwe forest.The lodge has comfortable rooms and health clubs.The rooms have en-suite private bathrooms with warm water.
-Gisakura Guesthouse:this is just 2 km from the park.

Alternatively,one can stay at Uwinka Rest House or ORTPN campsites.

Volcanoes National Park - Rwanda Safaris

Where is the park located?

Volcanoes National Park is found in the northwest of Rwanda,bordering Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Also termed as the home for mountain gorillas,Volcanoes National Park has 5 of the 8 volcanoes of Virunga Mountains including;Bisoke,Gahinga,Sabinyo,Muhabura and Karisibi.

Brief history about the Park
Volcanoes National Park was first gazetted in 1925 and it started as a small park.This was the first National Park to be created in Africa.
The park kept on expanding and by 1929,it had expanded into the Belgian Congo for about 8090 sq.km.
The Park lost its glory during the Rwanda civil war in 1992 and its headquarters were destroyed.However in 1999,after the civil war,the park resumed and it has greatly improved.

Flora and Fauna at the Park
Fauna

A gorilla at the Park

Volcanoes National Park is well known for the hard-to find Mountain Gorillas.These gorillas are a key to the increasing number of visitors that visit the Park leading to an increase in Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda.On top of the gorillas,there are other mammals including the golden monkeys,black-fronted duiker,buffaloes,spotted Hyena and Bushbucks.
On rare occasions,a visitor may also see the elephants in the park.

The park is also a paradise for bird watching with a recorded 178 bird species.Among these,there are 13 species and 16 subspecies that are endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.

Flora
The park is blessed with a stunning collection of vegetation that varies considerably due to the large altitudinal range within the park.There is a montane forest that covers about 30% of the park.
The forest has rare tree species and it is one of the largest Hagenia Abyssinica forests.
The vegetation of Volcanoes National Park covers an area between 3500 to 4200 maters.and it is mainly on the humid slopes in the west and south of the park.

What are some of the activities at the park?
A visitor to Volcanoes National Park is exposed to numerous activities and these include; Gorilla tracking,Golden monkey visits,Mountain Climbing,Tour of Lakes and Caves,Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey,Nature walks,Cultural walks,Game drives and Birding.

What are some of the accommodations at the Park?
Accommodations at Volcanoes National Park include:

-Mountain Gorilla Lodge:This Lodge is situated at the base of Mountain Sabinyo (the Virunga Mountains range),at a place known as Kinigi.The Lodge has 36 cottages and they all have en-suit bathrooms and fireplaces.The rooms are comfortable with hot water.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

-Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge:Located in the foothills of Virunga,this Lodge has modern facilities that offer comfort.There are 2 guest suites,1 family complex and 5 cottages.All guest rooms and suites are strategicaly located to offer a wide view of the park.

-Virunga Lodge:This is an additional to the Volcanoes' eco-lodge and it is found on the stunning hillside offering great views of the park. The Lodge has 8 individual chalets that are strategically located to enable Lake and Volcano views.

Akagera National Park - Rwanda Safaris

Where is it found?
Akagera National Park is found in the East of Rwanda near Kibungu city.Covering an area of about 2500 square kilometers of Savannah the park has a magnificent view of the Kagera River that denotes the frontier with Tanzania.
The park is on Rwanda's border with Tanzania in the east and it is the most standing out site at the place.The park has rolling sandstone hills in the west that are cut by a narrow,deep valley.In the east,there are predominant swamps and flood-plains that are breathtaking.

What a visitor should expect at the Park?

Hippos in Akagera River

Akagera National Park is composed of wonderful touch of the wild life due to the presence of rare mammals that roam about the whole area.These mammals and birds are easily seen and a visitor can take clear photos with them.
Some of the wild animals that one cannot miss out on a Safari to this park include;elephants,zebras,buffaloes,bush babies,crocodiles, hippopotamus and many more.Sometimes visitors get a chance to see hiding animals at the park such as lions,leopards and the black rhinos.

Birding is another adventure that the park has to offer with over 150 bird species.These birds are well seen in the morning and evening as they fly few meters from the ground.The park is also known for harboring waterbirds that are rare to find.Some of the birds include;black-headed gonalek,heuglin's robin-chat, gorgeous lilac-breasted roller,giant horn bill,crested barbet, Ross's turaco and many more.

What are some of the activities carried out at the Park?
There are numerous activities that the park can offer and this include the following:
-Game drive:Get a chance to get close to the wild animals and even take photos with them on your game drive at the park.These game drives are guided and are organised both in the morning and evening.While on the drive,many wild animals are seen as they graze and pay in the Savannah.
Strong vehicles are used to get you through this East African wild.

-Birding;Presence of a wide variety of birds at this park offers birders a paradise to embrace.The rare birds that are seen flying and sailing on River Kagera,spices up the safari.

Other activities at the park include;Evening walks,cultural walks,nature walks and boat cruising.

Akagera Lodge

Where to stay 
-Akagera game Lodge:This is the only accommodation in the park.The Lodge is magnificent with great views of the park.At the front of the Lodge,there is a pool where visitors go for sunbathing and relaxing.The Lodge has comfortable rooms and modern facilities.

Alternatively,one can decide to camp at Akagera Camp site.This site overlooks the Akagera River and one can have a wonderful view of the Lake while at his/her tent.

How to get to the Park
The park can be accessed from  Kigali and this is about 12km which takes about 2 hours while using the road,while from Kibungo,it takes 1 hour.
It is advisable to use 4  by 4 vehicles while travelling to this park.

Kidepo Valley National Park - Uganda Safaris

Kidepo Valley National Park is found in the North Eastern corner of Uganda in Karamoja region ( remote region).The park is East Africa's most beautiful park.The park is on the border of Uganda and Sudan and Kenya.

Located about 700km from Kampala,Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1962 and today it is a home to over 85 mammal species and 476 species of birds.

Zebras grazing at Kidepo N.P

The park is isolated in the far North of Uganda but visitors that make that long journey through the wild frontier region,have an adventurous story to tell.The magnificent look and the profusion of big game has led to the world ranking of the park as one of the Africa's finest wilderness.
The Park's nomination as the Africa's leading national park 2013 by World Travel Awards,led to an increase in the number of tourists who visit the park.


Attractions at the Park
The diversity of both the mammal and the birds at the park,is the main reason for the great record of an increase in the number of visitors to the park.
The park has over 85 mammal species of which 25 are restricted to the park and Karamoja areas,such as the localized carnivores Bat eared fox,striped Hyena,Aardwolf,caracal,cheetah and hunting dog.Other special mammals at the park are;leopards,Black-backed and side-striped Jackal,Lions,and Hyenas.
The park also protects 5 primate species such as the Kivirondo bush baby that is endemic to the park.The park is also boasted with large mammals including the elephants,Giraffes,Zebras,Defassa water bucks,Elands,Cape Buffaloes,Jackson's hartebeest and the rare Klipspringer,Mountain Reedbuck,dikdi,lesser and greater Kudu.

The park is also a paradise for birding with over 476 bird species including 56 prey birds like the ostriches,Karamoja Apalis,Kori bustard,Abyssinian roller,Jackson's horn bill Egyptian vulture,Verreux's eagle owl and Pygmy falcon.Presence of these birds has led to an increase in Birding Safaris in Uganda.

Accommodation

Stunning Apoka Lodge

-Private Apoka Lodge:This Lodge is has comfortable rooms for guests who wish to have a wonderful time at the park.
-National Park Bandas:The bandas at Apoka lodge have beddings,hot shwers,mosquito nets,clean drinking water and a magnificent view of the park.
-Kakine Campsite:This has modern facilities that offer comfort to guests.

How to get there
The park can be accessed by using any of the 4 road routes  that are between 570 to 795 kilometers from Kampala, depending on the route used.
However,the park can also be accessed by charter flights.