Chimpanzee tracking at Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda Safaris

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the interesting activities at Murchison Falls National Park with over 100 chimpanzees. Chimp tracking can act as a supplement of a Gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Apart from the chimpanzees, there are; gorillas, elephants, lions, antelopes, monkeys, leopards, buffaloes  hippos and over 200 bird species, offer a wonderful wildlife adventure at the park. The green Savannah also provides a magnificent breath taking atmosphere.

A chimpanzee at Murchison Falls National Park

The park is located in north western Uganda, spreading inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It is named for the Murchison’s waterfall. The park is sometimes referred to as Kabarega national park.

The park is suited in Masindi district in western Uganda and in Nwoya district in northern Uganda, That’s in the northern part of Albertine rift valley. A place where the massive Bunyoro escarpment amalgamated into the enormous plains of Acholi land. It’s well known to be one Uganda’s ancient conservation areas.

         

The park is subjugated by woodland, wetland, Savannah as well as tropical forest that are well known to be a habitat for over 76 mammal species and over 450 different bird species. It’s on a low plain and the temperatures tend to be hot with a maximum of 290c.

 In Murchison there are four of the ‘big five’ that is buffaloes  elephants, lions and leopards. Other mammals include the giraffe, warthog, hartebeest, and the Uganda kob among others. The remarkable Murchison doesn't only have a great diversity of wild animals but also birds, for example the rare shoe-bill stork.

         

Some of the attractions are, the unique Murchison falls (kabarega falls) as well as the river Nile with its streaming hippo and serried ranges of crocodiles along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink and bathe.

          

‘Paraa’ a word from the local Luo language means a place of hippos and this is among the most prominent attractions within the park as it supports the largest concentration of wildlife in the entire park

             

Budongo forest, which is the biggest mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda.

Other attractions include the Karuma falls, the Nile cruise, Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi.

The park has a number of accommodation centers that is, the red chilli rest camp which is mainly for budget travelers, Simbiya safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, and others. It’s better to come and explore this yourself.

Silverback Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Silverback Lodge is found in Bukoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (western Uganda) and it offers a sweeping view of the park.The park is a home to over 355 mountain gorillas,more than 100 mammals,non-habituated chimpanzees,over 346 bird species and 165 tree species.
The lodge overlooks Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and its perched on raised plat form to offer stunning views to visitors on a Uganda Safari.From the front of the lodge,a visitor can watch different species of birds as they roam about the whole area and sometimes primate viewing.

Accommodation
Silverback Lodge has 12 rooms and these include;

• 7 twin rooms
• 4 double rooms
• 1 single room

These locally designed rooms built of local materials are strategically located to offer a wonderful view of the park.The common materials that were used to construct these rooms are:sisal ropes,forest vines and shining slate stones.Each of these rooms has a private en-suite bathroom,a private veranda with comfortable chairs where a visitor can sit and enjoy a wide view of the flora and fauna of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.This makes a Uganda Safari unique compared to others.

Activities
While at Silverback Lodge,a visitor can enjoy numerous activities like:

• Gorilla Trekking:  This is done in Uganda's most visited park (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) which has half of the total number of mountain gorillas in the world.For visitors on a Uganda Gorilla Safari,this  is the best Lodge to stay.
• Nature walks: a visitor at the lodge can enjoy hiking trails that will expose her/him to different primate,birds,tress,butterflies and other organisms.
• Bird watching: This is mainly done in the park which has more than 346 species of birds.
• Cultural Safaris:meet and greet the Batwa people with unique cultural beliefs
• Hiking
• Mountain bikes rides
• The Rushora Trail

Mihingo Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Located in the most peaceful ends of Lake Mburo National Park,Mihingo Lodge offers a comfortable environment for the visitors.While on Gorilla Safari to Uganda,you can stay at this lodge and relax.The lodge has 10 spacious rooms strategically built on wooden platforms with thatched roofs.Mihingo Lodge has a comfortable tent with unique facilities like an en-suite bathroom,showers,Eco-friendly flush toilets and splendid views of the park.
The whole beauty of Lake Mburo National Park can be enjoyed at the lodge's pool and dinning area.

Mihingo Lodge 

Accommodation
The tented rooms are strategically located to provide visitors with a tranquil environment in complete seclusion.Some of these rooms are located on rocky outcrops,in a forest and some near the lake.
There is a main dinning area with enough space built of rocks.

Activities carried out around Mihingo Lodge

• Game Safaris/drives:While at the lodge,a visitor can go for an adventurous game drive within Lake Mburo National Park and enjoy spectacular views of both mammals and vegetation.
• Boat trip:A boat trip on Lake Mburo is assured while at the lodge.This is enjoyed together with spot fishing and splendid views.
• Horse Back Safaris:the lodge offers horse back safaris to visitors and this is done in through valleys and around the lodges.
• Walking safaris near Lake Mburo
• Massage at Mihingo Lodge
• Game walks
• Night game drives
• Playing Tennis

Butterfly watching at Mabira Forest-Uganda - Uganda Safaris

There are many things that make Uganda the pearl of Africa and one of the precious things are the pretty splendid butterflies that dazzle and fly in the region. Mabira forest is found along Kampala-Jinja road and it has the highest number of butterflies with over 600 species of butterflies. These butterflies migrate from different parts of East Africa and converge in this old tropical forest.

Butterflies are forest dwellers and Mabira forest is their number one home in Uganda is host to 70% of African butterfly species but Mabira forest has 50% of the total butterflies in Uganda and some of the species found in this forest are;charaxes and swallowtails.

There are small roads through this thick tropical forest that lead tourists to the best view of the dazzling butterflies as they look for nectar from the flowers. They are best seen in the afternoon as they play in groups searching for friends and nectar.

Apart from Mabira forest, there are other places in Uganda where butterfly watchers can enjoy including;Kibale and Bwindi National parks which are also greatly forested and Serenada Eco Resort that teams with over 15 species of butterflies a day.  

Facts about butterflies

Butterflies are cold-blooded colorful insects whose colors and patterns change depending on the weather (darker during cold times and lighter during hot times).Unlike other insects, butterflies are harmless to crops and farmers don’t mind if they visit their gardens. They always fly in large numbers in the afternoon when it’s warm to make themselves warm since they are cold-blooded. For migrant butterflies, they fly over a long distance to colonize new areas abandoning unproductive habitats. To avoid predators, they sleep beneath leaves at night.

In order to survive, butterflies have learnt tricks in that they fly in jerky patterns making it hard for the predators to hit the target. Some hide in the surrounding vegetation. They also have eyes on their wings to confuse birds letting them to attack from the wrong side.

Though these lovely, harmless butterflies have these tricks, they are preyed upon by birds, reptiles, ants and spiders while their eggs are eaten by hover flies and beetles. Apart fro predators, butterflies are also killed by diseases and bad weather.

It is also noted that larger butterflies double the lifespan of the small ones.

How to get there

We can help you fly into this butterfly world by picking you at Entebbe International Airport and take you to Mabira forest where these butterflies like to stay in huge numbers. Mabira forest is found in the east of Kampala and it is about 30km from town. The journey takes about 90 minutes.

What to do while trekking the Gorillas - Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

Uganda and Rwanda are mostly known for harboring the hard-to find mountain gorillas.This has led to an increase in the number of tourists who travel from different parts of the world to these EastAfrican countries.The gorillas are mainly found in Western Uganda and Eastern Rwanda.These primate species are interesting to look at and therefore a visitor is required to get some briefing about the "does" and "don'ts" before going for trekking.

Gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda

Before setting off for a  gorilla tracking in the morning,you are briefed by the guide who will let you know about your next movements and routes to follow.It is advisable that you carry some drinking water with you as you go for this adventurous trip and a stick to enable you walk freely through the thick forests.

Since trekking requires some degree of fitness,you are advised to make some exercise for about 1 week before going for this activity.This is ideal since you are required to move through thick forests and highlands,climbing mountains and this takes many hours.In case one has a physical disability,there are special solutions and these depend on where you are doing your trekking from.Some National Parks provide stretchers with porters to push the visitor while trekking.

It is advisable that you keep quite once you have entered the forest to avoid scaring away the gorillas.These gorillas are fond of hiding in tree leaves and therefore,it requires one to be quite foe easy viewing.
Once you have seen the gorillas,avoid irritating behaviors that can scare them and in case you want to take photos with them,make sure that your flash light is off.

Visitors taking photos of the Gorillas

It is recommended that you keep a minimum distance of about 6 meters from these gorillas for safety.Gorillas can attack human beings once disturbed and this is the reason why a visitor is advised to avoid irritating behaviors.

Each National Park has its own time period that a visitor can spend with the gorillas but is always about 1 hour.The whole trekking activity can take between 3-8 hours.There are many gorilla groups both in Uganda and Rwanda and this is this is the reason why trekking takes almost the whole day.



What a visitor should carry on a gorilla safari?
Some of the things that a visitor should carry on a gorilla safari include;enough money for personal expenses,walking boots and long socks suitable for passing through thick forests,clothes with wildlife adapted colors ( Khaki clothes),long-sleeved shirts,rain gears,slippers,sun protection,sweater,sunglasses,hat,sun cream,photo/video camera,films and torch,insect repellants,glove to grip vegetation and binoculars.

What to you should wear on gorilla safari?
A visitor is advised to wear fitting,relaxed and loose clothes to enable him/her feel flexible while trekking.Avoid carrying unnecessary amount of clothes with you to avoid inconveniences.

Acquiring a gorilla permit
Gorilla permits are highly demanded and you are advised to book and pay in advance.To avoid inconveniences and disappointments,book for permits in time with the relevant authorities.

"A day spent trekking the gorillas can never be forgotten"

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is in the village known as Nkuringo.The lodge's location in one of the world's leading homes of the hard-to find primates (mountain Gorillas) makes it an adventurous place to stay.The lodge has a gorgeous architecture which makes it both a comfortable and a luxurious place to stay.

The lodge's villas

While at the lodge,different sounds from birds of different species are heard accompanied by volcano panoramas and great views.The Lodge offers a conducive environment for visitors on a gorilla Safari to Uganda.There is a enough trained staff to ensure that visitors enjoy their stay in the wild.For visitors interested in gorilla tracking,Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is one of the best lodges to stay.This is because of its strategic location of the specious villas in the forest.These villas are nestled with wide clear windows to enable a visitor enjoy a wide view of the park at ease.

The lodge has a restaurant where a wide variety of meals are served including a hearty breakfast which is served to start your day in the forest.Apart from the restaurant,there is a well stocked bar with all sorts of drinks,cosy fires and free internet services which enables you to update the people you left at home about what is happening on your safari.

At the lodge,maximum security is maintained and a visitor can enjoy his stay without any inconvenience.This security is  backed by the local people since the lodge is owned by the local village.Among the surrounding people are the Batwa and Bakiga each with its own unique beliefs and customs.

Accommodation
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has 8 spacious cottages strategically located in the forest.Among these cottages,2 are double-roomed family suites.Each cottage has enough area,garden lounge,fireplace,an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda for wonderful views of the park.
Family have got enough space to accommodate more than 3 people,1 twin bedroom,an open fire place and a communal lounge area.

Facilities
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has the following facilities

• Bar and restaurant
• Curi shop
• Wireless internet access
• Message spa
• Fireplace and sofas

Activities carried out at the Lodge

• Gorilla Safaris/ tracking
• Nature walks
• Cultura walks
• Birding
• Community tours
• Bush breakfast

Murchison River Lodge - Uganda Safaris

Murchison River Lodge is located in the south of River Nile and it sits on the Nile's boundaries overlooking Murchison Falls National Park.The lodge's awesome environment that is spiced up with a breathtaking atmosphere that promote relaxation,are one the great experiences at the lodge.
The lodge's location just a few meters from Murchison Falls National Park enables the visitors to easily access the park at any time.While at the lodge,great views of the park are enjoyed that are accompanied by sounds from different bird species.

Tourist having a good time at Murchison River Lodge

Accommodation

• Thatched Cottages:the lodge has 4 thatched cottages that are well furnished and attractive.Each cottage has a double bed,2 single beds,en-suite bathroom and a private veranda.Facilities found in these cottages include;solar lights,towels,bed linen,mosquito nets,en-suite shower and toilet and hot water.
• Thatched Safari tents:These  tents are strategically located in the bush near River Nile and are equipped with safari tables and chairs.Some of these tents (4) are twin shared and are located near the water providing a breathtaking atmosphere and fresh air.Each  tent is self contained with its private en-suite bathroom and toilet.Facilities in these tents include;solar lights,towels,bed linen,mosquito nets and private showers and toilets.
• Camp tents:There are 5 comfortable camp tents strategically located in the bush to enable the visitor enjoy a wild feel of Africa.These are not self contained but have special facilities like solar lights,towels,bed linen and mosquito nets.
• Campsite:There is enough camping ground at the lodge and those visitors with their own camping equipments,are provided with a conducive environment.This site is situated in the bush with enough parking space,2 simple kitchen,numerous tree species and a fire place.

Facilities at the Lodge

• Swimming Pool
• Restaurant and Bar
• Craft Shop

Activities carried out at the Lodge

•  Bird watching
• Visiting Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Chimp Trekking
• Cultural safaris
• Boat cruise to the Delta
• Spot Fishing
• Viewing the Murchison Falls