Uganda the pearl of Africa as described by Winston Churchill, is home to various wildlife animals, flora and fauna. A visit to Uganda would enable you to see the mountain gorillas. A gorilla safari permit costs USD 500 per person per trek. You can also visit queen elizabeth national park which has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the whole world.

Othe interesting activities include the Murchison falls wildlife safari, birdwatching at Lake Mburo National Park, white water rafting on the river nile, mountain climbing at the Rwenzoris and Mt. Elgon National Parks and so much more.

Kampala, Established in 1891, Kampala exudes traditional charm, and is certainly the greenest city in Africa. Yet it is also the commercial centre of Uganda, as well as the seat of government. Kampala is a vibrant modern metropolis adorned with gardens and parks providing colourful oases for its citizens and visitors alike.

Entebbe, If you are coming or going by air, this is the location of the International Airport and it is set along the shore of Lake Victoria. Entebbe has several fine hotels, a golf course and splendid colonial-era homes on tree-lined streets, an impressive Botanical Garden and a wildlife orphanage.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, In the south west of the Uganda, on the edge of the Western Rift Valley this 331km² of montane rainforest is home to approximately 300 mountain gorillas, about half of their estimated world population. They live alongside 350 to 400 chimpanzees and this is the only forest in Africa where they occur together. In addition there are another 120 species of mammal, including 10 species of primate and roughly 360 bird species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lying across the equator, this park is bordered by Lake Edward and Lake George with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two. The Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, with almost 100 mammal species and an incredible 606 bird species. The rainforest in the Kyambura Gorge is home to chimpanzees and the remote Ishasha sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions while flamingos provide a stunning splash of colour on the crater lakes.

Kibale Forest National Park, This rainforest, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, supports a rich variety of fauna, 250 species of animal and over 300 birds. There are 13 different primates here, the highest total for any Ugandan National Park, including a large population of chimpanzees

Ngamba Island, On Lake Victoria, 23 kms from Entebbe, this island is home to a good number of orphaned chimpanzees. The boat trip to the island is lots of fun and by visiting the island your entrance and activity fees help cover the costs of the island sanctuary and the well being of the chimpanzees.

Murchison Falls National Park,This is Uganda’s largest National Park and the Nile River, the world’s longest, winds through it. At Murchison Falls the river is forced through narrow gap and falls 43 mtrs to a pool below. These Falls are notable not so much for height as for their immense power. The park is vast and beautiful. Predominantly wooded savannah, at 4,000km² it is home to giraffe, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest and many more.

Lake Mburo National Park, With a varying landscape of open plains, acacia grasslands and marshes this park is home to a huge array of flora and fauna. About 68 different species of mammals can be found within its 260km². The park also has as many as 313 different species of birds including Uganda’s national emblem, the elegant crested crane.

Semliki National Park, This is the place to get to know hot springs, incredible forests and pygmies. Situated within the remote Semliki Valley, both are named for the river that forms the Congolese border. The Park protects an extension of the Congo’s vast Ituri Rainforest – here is where East Africa meets West! It is of particular interest to bird watchers as a high proportion of the 400 bird species recorded here, are thought to occur nowhere else in Uganda (10% are essentially Congolese species). Semliki is also home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, chimps & more.

Kidepo National Park, Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo is a truly stunning park boasting a real sense of wilderness that enchants visitors. The Narus Valley in the southwest and the Kidepo Valley in the northeast break the mountainous terrain of the park. Whilst it covers a large area, most of the wildlife is concentrated within the Narus Valley revealing fantastic panoramic views of vast herds of buffalo with elephant, giraffe, waterbuck and zebra grazing alongside. There are also a number of predators present including lion, cheetah, leopard, and spotted hyena.

Lake Victoria, The source of the Nile, Lake Victoria is best seen in Uganda at Jinja. There are nice beaches on the shore, but parasites (especially bilharzia, which can cause severe liver damage) and diseases in the water have been a problem. The Sese Islands are a collection of 84 beautiful, untouched islands on the lake.

Jinja,On Lake Victoria, Jinja (pop. 45,000) is all about seeing where the White Nile leaves Lake Victoria on its 5590 km (3470 mile) journey to the Mediterranean. While the river can be interesting, don’t expect much of the starting point – it is now the site of Owen Falls Dam and is no longer in its natural state.

The Nile River, Flowing for over 6600 kms from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean, this mighty waterway alternates between a placid, wide river and swirling white water rapids. It traverses an incredible variety of landscapes, a colourful medley of cultures. If you dare, you can challenge this mighty river and raft the Nile near the Bujagali-Falls.

Ruwenzori, The Mountains of the Moon The features of this fascinating mountainous area in the western Rift Valley include geothermal activity, numerous lakes and jagged, volcanic mountains. Astride the mountains sits Ruwenzori National Park. It is a fantastic place to trek.

Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest is ‘Tarzan’s Jungle’ and it is mysterious and awesome! It is filled with dense undergrowth; vines and other vegetation make it almost ‘impenetrable’. The lowland rainforest and montane forest vegetation constantly struggles to reach heights that will allow it to receive more light. Huge trees are festooned with creepers and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the humid atmosphere and, where sunlight breaks though, the elegant heliconia, or lobster claw, spreads
its colourful petals.

The park is located in south western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts It was gazetted in 1991 with an area of 331 sq kms.

Without doubt, your first impression of the dense jungle will be its almost audible silence. Jungle creatures are very, very shy, but, as you pick your way along the trail, through the dense undergrowth, you’ll realise that the jungle is alive. Thousands of living organisms are discreetly watching and waiting whilst you pass through their protective home and, from time to time, the complete tranquillity will be shattered by a darting forest bird or group of chattering monkeys leaping through the stands of ancient trees, disturbing the secretive residents and setting up a chain reaction. Now, the ever-wary jungle comes to colourful and noisy life for a moment, until silence reigns again.

This is one of Africa’s richest ecosystems and at least 120 species of mammal are found here including mountain gorillas, chimpanzee and 8 other species of primate. There are elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog, many species of bats and rodents and at least 346 species of birds including rare forest birds. The numbers go on and on … 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleons at least 202 species of butterfly.

This forest is a sanctuary for almost half the world’s population of mountain gorillas (about 330 of 600). Established as a safe habitat for several families of mountain gorillas it is now the location of an important scientific conservation program.

VISITING THE GORILLA’S

Report to the ranger station at 8.00am where two groups of 6 to 8 travellers meet their local guides and head out into the forest. The trek can take from half an hour to five hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. You sit in the forest among the gorillas listening to them grumble at each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male, the silverback.

You will be told that if the big male silverback charges at you, you should look down and remain exactly where you are in a submissive pose. These words of wisdom are directly opposite to your natural instincts, but luckily a ranger is there to grab you should your feet disobey the instructions. The noise of the silverback pounding his chest during this mock charge is akin to overhead thunder and more than enough to make your knees knock and heart miss a beat. As the gorillas grow more accustomed to human presence, the charges do not happen so often. Each gorilla group is only visited for one hour a day.

Children under 15 cannot visit the gorillas as they are susceptible and usually die of the childhood illnesses (such as chicken pox) that we all endure.

This is a wonderful and especially scenic National Park, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. In addition to the lakes there are volcanic craters, grassy plains, papyrus swamps, open savannahs and tropical forests. As a result of such varied habitats, QENP has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world, with almost 100 mammal species and an incredible 606 bird species.

Much of Uganda’s wildlife was poached out in the past, especially elephants, but now the area is protected and elephants numbers are boosted by those entering the park from the Congo, where poaching is still a problem. The Kazinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos, but interestingly enough not many crocodiles! Other wildlife includes warthogs, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, beautifully horned Uganda kob, topi, waterbuck, elephant and leopard. There are no giraffe, zebra, impala or rhino.

Kyambura (pronounced Chambura) Gorge on the northeast boundary of the Park is real Tarzan territory with thick treetop canopies and vines dangling down to the soft forest floor. The terrain comes complete with chimpanzees that crash about and chatter high up in the branches. If they don’t feel like being seen, they just keep one step ahead of the out-of-breath terrestrial visitors.

The Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kazinga Channel is also home to large numbers of chimps, plus a number of other monkey species.

Some rare and odd birds inhabit this park and keen birders come from all over the world to clock up a sighting of the strange and rare shoebill (or whale-headed) stork. A great way to see both the birds and the mammals is from a boat on the Kasinga Channel.

When looking at some maps of Uganda, you may find yourself a little confused. Several of the National Parks and lakes have changed their names more than once since independence in 1962, and not all maps have kept up with the changes. QENP was called Ruwenzori National Park for many years until it returned to its royal colonial name. Meanwhile the Ruwenzori Mountains to the north of QENP were formed into the new Ruwenzori National Park in 1991.

The capital city of Uganda, Kampala, is spread over ten hills and derives its name from a kiganda expression “kasozi k’empala meaning – the hill of antelopes. The origins of the Kampala go back to 1891 the when King Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo hills.

Today the city views are of magnificent evergreen trees, gently disrupted by red-tiled villas, green iron-roofed bungalows, as well as taller modern city profiles that give way to attractive views of the surrounding countryside and nearby Lake Victoria.

The City has traditional charm, and is certainly the greenest in Africa and yet Kampala is the commercial centre of Uganda, as well as the seat of government. It is a vibrant modern metropolis adorned with gardens and parks providing colourful oases for its citizens and visitors alike. If the National Museum is open & you have time, be sure to see its excellent historical and cultural displays.

The broad range of cultures in Uganda is also reflected in the wide choice of restaurants in the City, all featuring the wonderful produce of the fertile countryside and fish-filled lakes.

The Kibale equatorial rainforest contains the highest concentration of primates in the world – thirteen species live here including about 500 chimpanzees. It is an enchanting forest full of lakes, marshes, patches of grasslands and several distinct types of forest (lowland tropical rainforest, deciduous forest and montane forests), perfect for its arboreal inhabitants.

This includes the Black & White and Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys and Galagos. For the nature lover, the rainforests themselves are a wonder – the trees grow very high and their circumferences are enormous. The bird life is amazing with at least 325 species identified here. The buzz of life is audible, but a silent encounter to take your breath away is standing amongst clouds of fluttering butterflies, of which this park boasts 144 different species!

There is dense undergrowth, through which small streams make their way and occasionally create swamps in open areas where buffaloes and antelopes graze. While the shady wooded slopes hide the elusive forest elephant – smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart.

CHIMP TRACKING

Many of Kibale’s chimps are habituated to human visitors, as a sustainable eco-tourism initiative allowing people to visit has been running since 1992. Whilst wildlife viewing can never be guaranteed, you have an excellent chance of finding chimps when the sticky fruit of the huge fig trees ripen. At other times your guide will have a very good idea where to find them. Be warned however, once the chimps decide to move on at high speed through the branches, keeping up with them can be quite a challenge.

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest National Park and the Nile River, the world’s longest, winds through it. At Murchison Falls the river, about 50 mtrs wide at this point is forced through a 7 mtr (24 ft) gap and falls 43 mtrs to the aptly named ‘Boiling Pot’ below. The river then corkscrews through another small gap to cascade 36 mtrs (120 ft) in a thunderous foaming torrent.

Impressive for power rather than size, the Murchison Falls are a spectacular sight, but there is more to this park than the raging river. There is a diversity of habitat – riverine, grassy plains and savannah woodlands and altitudes that vary from above 500 to 1290 mtrs above sea level (1600 to 4200 ft).

During Idi Amin’s 15-year despotic rule in the 1970′s, the country’s wildlife was almost wiped out by wayward soldiers using animals as target practice. Now 30 years on and in times of peace, Uganda is once again teeming with wildlife and this Park is no exception.

Touring the Falls
The Nile River calms itself after the Falls and the best way to experience the abundance of animal and bird life along its banks is on a riverboat. In this area the Nile is full of unbelievably large Nile crocodiles that sunbathe on the rocks. Occupying the same waterway are thousands of hippos who take defending their territories seriously and can startle you with a sudden mock charge.

Wildlife safari to Murchison Falls
Buffalo wade nonchalantly through the prolific floating water hyacinth fringing the banks, and huge herds of elephant cool themselves in shallow creeks and graze silently on the lush grasses. The park is also home to giraffe, oribi, hartebeest, waterbuck and Uganda kob.

Murchison Birdwatching safari
The river is, of course, a bird lover’s paradise and a good place to see the rare and bizarre shoebill (or whale-headed) stork.

June to September is the driest time when most animals remain near water. The hot dry time is January to February and this is a good time to visit. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms at any time of the year. October to December and March to May are the wettest months and the roads may become impassable. The Nile’s flow is dam regulated so the water levels remain more or less constant throughout the year.

NGAMBA ISLAND

Ngamba Island is part of the Koome group of islands located on Lake Victoria 23km south of Entebbe, Uganda. It consists of approximately 100 acres, 98 of which are forested and separated from the visitor’s area by an electric fence. Ngamba Island was officially opened to visitors in October 1999 and is currently home to 35-orphaned chimpanzees, 15 of which have been confiscated and brought to the island since it’s opening.

Ngamba Island Safari
Ngamba Island is a project of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), established in 1997 by the Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and it provides these orphaned chimpanzees with a secure home to live out their lives, since a return to their natural habitat is not possible, while educating visitors and local communities about their remarkable species and the importance of conserving their fragile forest habitat.

You can help support this project by visiting. The entrance and activity fees paid goes directly towards helping cover the recurring costs of the island sanctuary and ensuring the well being of the chimpanzees.

African Jungles Safaris
Pilkigton Road, Plot no.4
Colline House, 3rd Floor Suite 58
Tel +256 414 259172, +256 714 901801
E-mail:  info@africanjunglessafaris.com
Website: www.africanjunglessafaris.com

Great Lakes Safaris
We are an indigenous East African safari company based in KAMPALA, UGANDA.
We exist to provide you with the ultimate East African Safari experience, second to none. You can choose to visit all the countries in the Great Lakes Region or see them individually. Whether you search for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda or marvel at the vast national parks of Kenya and Tanzania, you find that one visit to this region is not enough!
Suzie House, Annex.1st Floor, Ggaba Road, Kampala,PO Box 33024,Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 267153, Fax. +256 (0)782 260948, Mobile. +256 (0)772 426368
email. info@safari-uganda.com
Website. www.safari-uganda.com

Asyanut Tours and Safaris

Asyanut Limited trading as Asyanut Tours and Travel (a.k.a. Asyanut Safaris), is an indigenous safari company based in Kampala Uganda conducting Safaris within the East African Region and working closely with our longtime counters in South Africa and Egypt.
Plot 2 Parliament Avenue.M1.3 Jumbo Plaza, Mezanine Floor, Kampala, PO Box 27707,Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 503065, Fax. +256 (0)414 503064, Mobile. +256 (0)712 187411
email. sales@asyanuttours-safaris.com
Website. www.asyanuttours-safaris.com

Volcanoes Safaris

Volcanoes Safaris is a unique safari company that has been creating magical journeys to the very heart of Africa since 1997. Our safaris explore the forgotten treasures of the Great Western Rift Valley on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. In these stunning areas live the mountain gorilla, the chimpanzee, some of the great game of Africa and hundreds of amazing birds.
27 Lumumba Avenue, Nakasero Hill,Kampala, PO Box 22818,Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 346464/5, 0312 263823, Fax. +256 (0)414 341718, Mobile. +256 (0)772 741718
email. salesug@volcanoessafaris.com
Website. www.volcanoessafaris.com

Onyx Safaris

Onyx Safaris (U) Ltd is a tour and travel Company based in Uganda and Kenya offering exciting safaris and tours into the deep wilds of UGANDA, KANYA.We are a dynamic group Africans, who are passionate about their countries, and all we have to offer.
P.O box 28486 Kamukamu plaza
Tel. TEL:+256-782617841 /773109706+256 (0)312 261930
Fax. +256 (0)312 261930,
email. info@onyxsafaris.com
Website. www.onyxsafaris.com

We are located on Plot 1001 Gaba Road (Next to the American Embassy).

Suzie House, Second Floor Suite 21

P. O. Box 10897 Kampala Uganda.

Tel: 0312 110627

Tel: 256 45 437020

Mob: 0751707287

E-mail: contacts@karibusafari.co.ug

www.karibusafari.co.ug

JINJA ON THE NILE
Jinja is a major commercial centre and the second largest city in Uganda. It is located 80km east of Kampala, on the banks of Lake Victoria at the source of the River Nile. While primarily an industrial town, Jinja is a good base from which to explore this central part of Uganda. The surrounding rural areas are prime agricultural country with extensive plantations of sugar cane and tea.

RAFTING THE NILE
The longest river on earth, the Nile flows for 6600 kms from Lake Victoria in the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean and it alternates between a placid, wide river and swirling white water rapids. This great waterway has played a monumental role in history. It traverses an incredible variety of landscapes, a colourful medley of cultures and since the beginning of time has enthralled civilisations with its power and mystery. Ancient Egyptian kings sent armies in search of the source of the great river and explorers from Herodotus to Speke have sought to chart its course. Until very recently no one dared challenge the White Nile at its source – some of the most powerful and sustained rapids on earth.

Today however, you can challenge this mighty river and raft the Nile near the Bujagali-Falls. The historic first descent of the Victoria (White) Nile was in July 1996 and today there are one-day expeditions available almost every day of the year.

The Nile exits Lake Victoria and soon flows over Owen Falls Dam below which it flows freely and quickly to Bujagali Falls – the first major rapid on the river, and the point the rafting action begins. This is white water rafting at its finest – up to ten times the volume of the Zambezi thunders between the heavily forested islands and the river’s banks where excited locals congregate to see the rafts in action.

The one-day trip departs daily from Bujagali Falls and ends at Itanda, 18 kilometres away. The water levels here are subject to very little seasonal variation, so rafting is excellent at any time of year. The constant volume of water guarantees one of the most exciting one-day rafting trips in the world. The legendary rapids ‘Total Gunga’, ‘Overtime’ and ‘Itanda’ will live long in your memory.

During the adventure stop to catch your breath and enjoy a yummy picnic lunch on a forested river island Also available are 2 day trips with an overnight stop on an island.

The Ruwenzori National Park, established in 1993, is 120 kms long and 43 kms wide and includes a fantastic icy world and afro-alpine vegetation.

Located within the Park is Africa’s third highest mountain – Mount Stanley (5109mtrs). It was named after the famous explorer of the same name who was the first outsider to sight the mountain during his 1887 expedition. The word Ruwenzori means “rain-maker” and the mountains bring an average of over 5 mtrs of rainfall to the area each year. Unfortunately the snow covered peaks and glaciers are rarely visible.

The mountains rose due to the formation of the East African Rift Valley system, and – unlike other high mountains such as Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya – are not volcanic mountains.

The Park has a large variety of afro-alpine vegetation, including giant lobelias and groundsels. There is also the chance to view chimps and other primates, elephant, bushbuck, giant forest hog, hyrax and leopard. Some of the unique birds found in the region are the Rwenzori Touraco, Francolin, Olive pigeon and White-necked raven.

Trekking in these mountains is great for both the experienced mountaineer and the casual hiker. During the driest periods (July, August & December to February) visitors can take the Central Circuit Trail, which requires 6-7 days and reaches the higher mountains. Bad weather at other times makes these trips impossible, impractical or disappointing.