UGANDA’S MOST FAMOUS NATIONAL PARKS AND WHY

With 10 national parks, Uganda is undoubtedly one of the excellent African destinations with diverse attractions for you to explore while you are on safari in Africa. However, not all these national parks are visited frequently and that why you need to be aware which ones are feature on the top list and why is it so?

Murchison Falls National Park

This park was first gazetted around 1926 and it covers an area of over 3840 square kilometers making it not just Uganda’s largest savanna grassland national park but one of the oldest parks. It first gained its status as a national park in 1952 and it is located northwest of Uganda just along the northern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The park mainly characterized by spectacular savanna and borassus palms, acacia trees and riverine woodland that thrives mainly in the northern part and the woodland and forest patches in the south. It boasts of its over 76 mammal species, 451 bird species and it is divided by the Victoria Nile where the Mighty Murchison Falls squeezes itself in a 8 meter narrow gorge with a powerful roar into the devil’s cauldron that makes up a permanent rainbow. The park is popular for big game especially elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes as well as other wildlife species like hippos, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, chimpanzees, the Nile crocodiles and both resident and migratory bird species. It is mainly visited for birding, game drives, boat cruise and many other exciting activities.

                                 Murchison Falls

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best described as a medley of wonders for many reasons! Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an area of about 1978 square kilometers and it was established around 1952 as Kazinga National Park but later, it was renamed after 2 years in remembrance of Queen Elizabeth the second after her visit at the park. This park offers refuge to more than 95 species of mammals, 620 bird species and the Katwe explosion craters feature as the highest points of the park and stand at altitude 1350 meters and the lowest point at altitude 910 and it is at Lake Edward. It is Uganda’s second largest national park after Murchison Falls National Park and mostly famous for its diverse ecosystem that comprise of spectacular savanna, humid forests, wetlands that make it a significant habitat for exceptional big game, 10 species of primates which include chimpanzees and more than 620 avian species. It lies at the backdrop of the rugged Rwenzori Mountain ranges and because of its strategic location; the park is undeniably one of the most spectacular natural wonders Uganda has in offer for the world. Besides wildlife, there are also several rolling green hills that offer breathtaking views of the Kazinga channel and its banks that come with hippos, elephants, buffaloes as well as endless Ishasha plains that feature fig trees where tree climbing lions usually hide. The park is situated in western Uganda and the leading safari activities for you to enjoy include chimpanzee trekking, game drive through Kasenyi trail, launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, bird watching and others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the semi arid valleys along the Karamoja area northeastern Uganda approximately 700 kilometers away from Kampala which makes it the most isolated protected areas. Despite its isolation, the park still features as one of the most explored national park. It covers an area of about 1442 square kilometers and it was gazetted around 1962. It is a home to more than 75 mammal species, 470 bird species which make it one of Africa’s most exceptional national parks.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

If you are interested in tracking the rare mountain gorillas then Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park shouldn’t miss out in your travel plan. The park is situated in the southwestern side of Uganda and famous for its over 400 mountain gorillas which represent about half of all those that still exist in the world today. Besides, there are more than 350 bird species for you to spot in addition to mountain gorilla tracking. The park also features several accommodation facilities and visitors on Uganda safari have wide range of options to choose the best lodge for a night stay. The other alternative is Mgahinga National Park which features only one habituated gorilla family. Permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda cost $600 per visitor.

Mountain gorillas at Bwindi

 Kibale Forest National Park

This park lies in western Uganda and comprises of 70 mammal species, 13 primate species with over 1500 chimpanzees which makes it one of the excellent destination in African continent where chimpanzees thrive from and where you can track them while in their natural habitat. Other primates for you to look out at this park include blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys, pottos, bush baby, black and white colobus monkeys and many more. Chimpanzee tracking is however a major safari highlight at this park but you can also incorporate it with bird watching where you will have a chance to sight bird species like the blue headed sunbird, black capped apalis, little greenbul, dusky crimson wing, red faced woodland warbler, blue breasted kingfisher, green breasted pitta, yellow spotted nicator black eared ground thrush, yellow rumped tinker bird and others.

Chimpanzees

In conclusion, if you are planning to have your next trip in Uganda, then the above listed national parks shouldn’t miss out in your travel plan. However, you can also combine your safaris in these parks with other national parks like Lake Mburo National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, Semuliki Valley National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

DISCOVER THE SECRETS IN KASENGE FOREST

Kasenge Forest is situated in Mukono approximately 30 kilometers off Kampala capital. It covers 60 acres, comprising of Kasenge Forest Resort Beach, small Lakes and streams. Kasenge Forest features variety of tourist activities and due to its strategic location; it serves best for visitors on safari to or from Jinja.

Below is a list of exciting safari activities for you to enjoy in Kasenge Forest Resort Beach;

Birding

When it comes to birding tours, Kasenge Forest is undeniably one of Uganda’s best and safest bird watcher’s paradises. It boasts of over 200 bird species and while on birding adventure at this forest, expect to strike variety of bird species like slender billed green bull, African grey parrot, giant kingfisher, red tailed greenbul, Madagascar bee eater, open billed stork, Great Blue Turaco, hadada ibis, lizard buzzard, cattle egret, western nicator, woodland kingfisher, bronze sunbird, crowned hornbill, green capped Eremomela, Red fronted tinker bird, black headed weaver, bronze manikin, hamerkop, yellow wagtail, pin tailed whydah, red chested cuckoo, tawny eagle, Egyptian geese, willow warbler, yellow wagtail, little bee eater, marsh sandpiper, white headed saw wing, brown throated wattle eye, Jameson’s wattle eye, black and white casqued hornbill, white spotted flat tail, lesser blue eared starling, grey heron, blue Turaco, veillot’s black weaver, African blue flycatcher, dusky flycatcher, pied kingfisher, fork tailed drongo, African thrush, speckled mouse bird and not to forget the rare green hylia (Hylia Prasina). The best areas for you sight most of this forest’s bird species include the Lake and at the extreme side of the forest reserve.

Forest walks/nature walks

To compliment your birding experiences, the Kasenge Forest is also perfect for nature walks. For nature lovers, this is an opportunity for you to explore in depth what this natural wonder holds for the world. While on nature walk, you will be amazed by views of genets, squirrels, various monkeys, butterflies and other unique tourist attractions. Nature walk in this forest involves hiking along its trails to Ssezibwa waterfalls, approximately seven kilometers. The large area around the Lake is also perfect for camping safaris and other functions. This means you can come with your tent or hire one at the resort and interestingly, pay a visit to the Dating Island especially for couples. The Dating Island expands for a few meters and forms part of the larger mysterious Lake at Kasenge Forest Resort Beach in Lama Sub county, Mukono district just a few kilometers away from Mbalala Trading Centre on Kampala-Jinja highway.

Sport fishing

This is another most dramatic water sport that you shouldn’t miss while on safari in Kasenge Forest. Sport fishing at this forest resort is conducted on the Lake. Locals use the Lake as main source for food and income. Other rewarding activities for you to engage at this reserve include canoe rides, camping and boat tours.

In conclusion, Kasenge Forest features among the very few most spectacular natural wonders that wait for you to explore while you are on safari in Uganda especially for bird watching. Interestingly, you can incorporate your birding safari in Mabira forest with Kasenge.

UGANDA’S OLDEST CHIMPANZEE ‘ZAKAYO’ DIES AT 54

The 54 year old male chimpanzee famously called Zakayo who lived at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe unfortunately passed on 26 April 2018 making him the oldest captive chimpanzee. He believed to have died of chronic gastroenteritis also known as stomach flu and because of his old age, he became very susceptible to any kind of infectious disease. Zakayo was a dominant male chimpanzee at UWEC and nurtured 2 (two) Alpha males-Matooke who led the troop till 2013 and Aluma who succeeded from 2013 up to date. He lived at UWEC for about 42 years.

Zakayo was rescued on 10^th June 1964 from Semuliki Valley National Park, southwestern Uganda when he was about one year old. He was discovered by a white man in Bundibugyo district who then raised him till his 14^th year when he was handed over to Entebbe Zoo where he survived until he passed on. He was an alpha male from 1970-2011 and then handed over his leadership to Matooke. Zakayo was believed to be a peace maker at Entebbe and passed on as a highly respected member of the 18 UWEC chimpanzees.  The lifespan for chimpanzees at captivity goes up to 60 while those in the wild can live up to 45 years. This is really a big blow to Uganda's tourism sector. May his soul RIP!!

WHY VISIT UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER (UWEC)?

Are you planning for a weekend getaway in Kampala and you do not know which place to go to? Have you ever been to Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)? If you are looking for the best and the most exciting places to spend your next weekend while on Uganda safari then consider Uganda Wildlife Education Center a must to include in your bucket list. UWEC features a number of incredible wildlife species that are worth exploring while you are on your vacation in Uganda. It is one of the perfect places that offer you opportunity to interact with variety of wildlife at close range, explore the way they socialize, eat, play and interact with one another. UWEC was previously established in 1950s to offer refuge to the confiscated and injured wildlife and orphaned wildlife that had been confiscated by smugglers and it is yet to become one of the most significant showcases for most of the wildlife species in Uganda and Africa at large. It was established by Ugandan government mainly to aid the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York and run by a Wildlife Trust. A trip to Uganda Wildlife Education Center offers you opportunity to spot out most of the vervet monkeys and several of the De Brazza monkey species while they play in the hillside forest of this formerly zoo. The notable bird species for you to spot out at Uganda Wildlife Education Center include African fish eagle, the Great Blue Turaco, Hammerkops, giant fisher, the smallest sun birds, speckled mouse bird, pied kingfisher, red eyed dove, grey parrot, white browed coucal, spotted eagle owl, shoebill stork, pelicans, yellow throated greenbul, crowned hornbill, pygmy kingfisher, crowned hornbill, double toothed barbet, dark capped bulbul, snowy headed robin chat, African thrush, grey capped warbler, northern black flycatcher, red faced Cisticola, yellow white eye, black headed weaver, red chested sunbird, black headed gonolek, scarlet chested sunbird and many more. UWEC is a center that incorporates wildlife education with leisure as well as forest walks.

ELUSIVE SHOE BILL STORK

The notable wildlife species for you to come across at Uganda Wildlife Education Center include leopard, lions, giraffe, reed buck, giant forest hogs, warthog, duikers, bush buck, elephant, eland, chimpanzees, buffaloes, baboons, monitor lizards, mud fish and many more. UWEC features the biggest savanna area within its center and mostly represented by the Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park. About 500 species of plants thrive within this wildlife education center, butterflies, Jackson’s Hartebeest, black and white colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, Nile crocodile, Egyptian cobra, African rock python, mash terrapin. This wildlife education center is situated along the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe Municipality and it is one of the frequently visited destinations for visitors on Uganda tour and safaris.

LIONS AT UWEC

In conclusion, Uganda Wildlife Education Center is one of the perfect safari destinations that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit while on your vacation in Uganda. For excursions or weekend getaways in Kampala, count UWEC a must for you to pay a visit and you will certainly be amazed with incredible, exciting and interesting experiences with variety of wildlife.

PRIMATE LODGE

Looking for the best lodge that offers total comfort while you are in the dense African jungle? Ever heard about Primate Lodge? If Kibale Forest National Park is your dream safari destination then consider primate lodge a must for your overnight stay and you will certainly appreciate the comfort thereafter. This lodge serves best for visitors to experience the world famous Ugandan hospitality just within the centre of untouched nature, sceneries and serenity of Kibale Forest National Park. Primate Lodge lies closely to Kanyanchu Visitor Center, Kibale Forest National Park the most popular capital of primates in the world. The park itself boosts of more than 13 distinct primates and several other mammal species, birds, butterflies, that all thrive within this remarkable primate destination. If you are planning to go for chimpanzee adventures in Kibale Forest National Park, the Primate Lodge is conveniently situated within a foot step from the visitor centre. This Eco-lodge offers wide range of accommodation for all travelers on Uganda safari right from luxury, cottages to tents.

About 8 Luxury safari tents are available at the lodge, wooden platform with thatch roof which are also environmentally friendly. The verandahs on every tent provide the most stunning views of the enclosed forest.  Inside of the Lodge features a design of African style with nice beds, bathrooms and toilets.

PRIMATE LODGE

Forest cottage

Primate Lodge features 7 (seven) friendly cottages all of which are situated within the jungles. The rooms are large with double beds, sitting room with an African design and standard en-suite bathrooms and toilets.

Sky Tree House

For adventure enthusiasts, there is also Sky Tree House approximately 500 meters inside the forest. This offers you opportunity to chill on top of the huge tree, elevated about 10 meters above the ground over viewing an elephant meadow, as well as the best views of the forest canopy and above all, catch a glimpse at the roaming black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, forest elephants and sometimes chimpanzees. The house features one bedroom and fitted with a single size bunk bed offering comfortable sleeping for 2 people on different bed. Visitors can first dine and refresh in the main lodge dining room and they can be escorted to and fro the Tree House prior dusk and after day break. There is also a nearby campsite and take away restaurant for visitor convenience however, you are required to come with your own camping equipment.

SKY TREE HOUSE

The other additional amenities at Primate Lodge comprise of luxurious dinning terrace, fully stocked bar, complimentary room service, laundry service and free Wi-Fi.

Lounge Area

There is also a lounge area, well furnished with comfortable large chairs, sofas and soft cushion that are suitable for one to relax out in the jungles with several primates as they play in tree branches.

Power supply

Primate Lodge is fully equipped with solar powered electricity and given the kind of environment, the solar system may not charge as required.

As per 2017, the cost of rooms at Primate Lodge includes; The Luxury cottages cost-$300 for double occupancy, during peak season and $180 during the low season. Single occupancy cost $425 (peak season) and $225 (low season) while the extra bed cost $206 (peak season) and $124 (low season). The standard cottages- double occupancy $128-half board, $148 full board (peak season); $84 half board and $99 full board (low season). Single occupancy $189 half board and $204 full board (peak season); $120 half board, $135 full board-(low season). Extra bed $122 half board and $137 full board-(peak season); $80 half board and $95 full board (low season). Note that these prices aren’t the same throughout a fact that they be changed with time!

In conclusion, Primate Lodge is a luxury facility that you should consider spending your overnight stay while on primate safaris in Kibale Forest National Park. A night at this lodge rewards visitors with the most comfortable and unforgettable experiences of lifetime. Enjoy your comfort in the primate capital of the world!

TULAMBULE EASTER PACKAGE LAUNCHED AT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Are you planning to spend your Easter season in Uganda and you do not know which exact places to visit? Have you ever thought of visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park but you were limited by costs of accommodation or transport? Do you want to spend your entire weekend away from the usual environment? Well, Queen Elizabeth National Park is spectacularly one of the most incredible safari destinations that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit while on Easter vacation in Uganda. With Easter package already launched in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you probably have no reason to bury your long time dreams! Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has set off with its campaigns to make tourism pocket friendly across all nationals something that never used to be there before. UWA the conservation organ for all Uganda's national parks, reserves and other related tourism attraction has opened low cost accommodation facilities in Queen Elizabeth National Park for visitors to spend a night while on Uganda safari. With about shs.52000, a visitor can easily have access to a single bed, self contained cottage for his or her night or twin bed cottage at Uganda shs. 82000. A double bed cottage goes at shs.102000. Around 2010, a decision was made to take the park headquarters out of the park to Katunguru as one away to create and the buildings which housed the park headquarters were supposed to be demolished. Uganda Wildlife Authority took initiative to renovate and upgrade the structures into low cost accommodation facilities.

For visitors who wish to spend a vacation with their family members, there are now family units set for you to spend a night in self catering family houses that come with spectacular views of Lake Edward and the Kazinga channel. Most of these family units accommodate around 8 visitors at shs.308000. The family units feature 3 bedrooms plus a master bedroom, dinning and sitting room as well as kitchen which is also fully stocked with cooking gas, tea, sugar and coffee. Schools on tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park, there is a 100 bed student hostels where students can pay at least five thousand each night and the teachers pay shs.25000 each person. There are plans to build a second hostel such that female and male students can spend a night in different blocks.

For visitors on Easter vacation to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may not incur costs for accommodation. You only need shs.500000 and your whole weekend will be fully covered as you embark on your Easter safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park using one of UWA’s newly bought executive tourism buses. On 9^th January, 2018 Uganda Wildlife Authority officially opened its executive tour buses to the public. The package given caters for accommodation for 3 nights, game drives, 2 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga channel and Lakes Edward and George and meals. Besides buses, Uganda Wildlife Authority also purchased 3 executive boats each for Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 3 national parks have water bodies and the initiative was intended to enhance Uganda’s tourism experiences.

However, Easter promotion is restricted to Queen Elizabeth National Park and visitors will set off from Uganda Museum in Kampala on Good Friday, 30^th March. Visitors will take the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal-Kasese route. The stopovers will be made at Nakayima shrine in Mubende and Kibale National Park and many other areas. The return journey will be on Easter Monday.

Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an area of about 1978 square kilometers making it the second largest savanna grassland national park in Uganda. It is mainly credited for its distinct savanna wildlife, aquatic life and several forest species as well as over 620 varied bird species. The park is famous for its remarkable tour activities especially game drives along the 200 kilometer well maintained track. The park features 3 distinct game drives-first the Northern crater area game drive, Kasenyi area and Ishasha. The game drives in the park reward visitors with spectacular views of lions (tree climbing lions inclusive), elephants, buffaloes, leopards, topis and many more. The boat cruise also features as the most dramatic water sport experience that thousands of travelers always undertake while on safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The boat cruise is always conducted on Kazinga channel and rewards visitors with amazing views of large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, water bird species and many more.

In conclusion, if you are wondering about which destination to go and spend your Easter holiday in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park should be a must to visit. There is a lot more waiting for you catch a glimpse while on Uganda safari and you won’t regret undertaking a vacation to this spectacular destination.

UGANDA FEATURES THE 5TH BEST EXHIBITOR AT THE 2018 ITB BERLIN TOURISM EXPO

With over 800 participants from Africa, Uganda emerged the 5^th best exhibitor in the African category at the ITB Berlin Travel Expo, 2018. This event was conducted in Berlin capital, Germany as away to meet the set target of over 4 million tourists’ arrivals by 2020. The ITB Berlin Expo is incredibly one of the 4 (Four) main international tourism expos and one of the most significant events to Uganda’s tourism industry as Germany the host country features as the 3^rd source market for most of the visitors to Uganda each year.

UGANDA AT BERLIN TOURISM EXPO

Uganda’s participation at this annual expo started from 7^th to 11^th March and it was planned by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities as well as the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) the national tourism marketing agency in Uganda that facilitated by more than 30 tourism business operators and other stakeholders. UTB had estimated that this year’s expo would see Ugandan firms make deals worth 3 billion Uganda shillings in the week long stay in Berlin. This remarkable event draws various tourism actors across all walks of life with an estimate of over 10000 business participants.

ITB Berlin features as the prime business platform for global tourism offers and exhibitor satisfaction stands at more than 90 percent and this is a sign of effective delivery when it comes to business. Uganda’s tourism today, features among the leading foreign exchange earners contributing about 7 billion Uganda shillings to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Among many natural wonders exhibited at ITB Berlin tourism expo include wildlife (both the big five game in Africa-Lions, Elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos and many other wildlife species), the rare mountain gorillas, adventure products, cultural safaris and many other Uganda packages that were presented by private tour operators, destination management companies and hoteliers.

About 109000 traders and potential visitors who were looking for business opportunities and inspiration for their next vacation came for this expo. ITB the biggest travel exhibitor in the world was officially opened by Germany Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel who also sighted the need for tourism sustainability, the challenges of tourism sector overcrowding and the opportunity which tourism provides in fighting prejudices.

In conclusion, a trip to Uganda is remarkably the perfect way for you to refresh your mind with wilderness experiences and removes the prejudices among travelers. For safari holidays in Africa, Uganda should be a must to visit destination in your travel plan.