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.

GAME DRIVES IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are the best way for you to explore variety of wildlife. Murchison Falls National Park lies in northwestern Uganda about 4-5 hour drive from Kampala capital city. It is the largest park of all the 10 (ten) national parks in Uganda with area coverage of 3840sq.kms. It is a home to African lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, over 451 bird species, primates, buffaloes, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, mongoose, hyenas to mention but a few
 

Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are a great way to explore the diverse wildlife species in Murchison Falls National Park in a comfortable four wheel drive safari car.  On game drive safari in Murchison Falls National Park, expect to see giraffes, buffaloes, bush bucks, duikers, hyenas, elephants, leopards, jackals, Uganda kobs, bird species, hartebeests, warthogs, oribis and many others.

LIONS

Game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park can be done during day (day game drives) or at night (night game drives). Day game drives are best to start in the morning at 6:30am and can last you about 2-3 hours. Visitors on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park embark on game viewing safari in the Northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This area is marked by open savanna grassland and thicket. The Northern sector features range of grazers that can be spotted in the open grassland and predators. 

Murchison Falls National Park consists of about 3 main wildlife trails; Albert, Buligi and Victoria tracks in the northern side of the park. However, in 2015 a new wildlife track (Honeymoon track) was re-opened in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. The northern and southern sectors are separated by the River Nile. The Buligi track in the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park is remarkably one of the most explored trails. It rewards visitors on game drive with exciting view of huge concentration of wildlife including buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes, elephants, hyenas and many others. The Albert track takes you to Lake Albert delta and along the Victoria Nile. This area is not only ideal for game viewing but also it is the best for sport fishing. The Victoria trail is set north of River Nile and Lake Albert Delta and gets travelers the best encounter at varied water birds and other wildlife. The Honeymoon trail is known for its diverse wildlife species including elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, buffaloes, hartebeests and others.

Packing list for game drive safari in Murchison Falls National Park

You need hat, sunscreen glasses, camera, binoculars, walking shoes, insect repellents, first aid/medical kit and many others.

Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is all year round safari destination. For starters, Murchison Falls National Park is best to visit during the dry season which is experienced in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February. But it is also possible to explore it during the wet/rainy season which begins in the months of March, April, May and October, November.

Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park features wide range of accommodation options for visitors on game drive safari to spend a night before and after their exciting experiences. They include Paraa Safari Lodge/Chobe Safari Lodge (Luxury), Heritage Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Red Chili rest camp, Murchison River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge and others.

Getting to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is reachable by road and by air. By road, you need 4-5 hours to drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Luweero-Masindi route and a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle is more preferable. By air, you can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield then land at Chobe, Bugungu and Pakuba airstrips.