Ik tribe northern Uganda, African mountain tribes

 Cultural encounter with ik tribe, kidepo

Visit the Ik tribe northern Uganda one of the African mountain tribes. An encounter with the ik tribe, kidepo is a very exciting experience while on your Uganda safaris.

The Ik is a tribe in Africa, this group of people, live in Morungole mountain in North-eastern Uganda nearer to the Kidepo valley National park.  the Ik people live in most remote areas in Uganda far away from all the tribes in Africa. These group of people, became famous in 1972 when the British -American anthropologist Colin Turnbull Published his book, ‘’The mountain people’’ the book referred the IK people as the ones who did not love. But the visit to these villages, will surely disapprove what was written about the Ik people. They are loving, caring and very interesting people to live and interact with.

During your safari visit in Kidepo Valley National park, you can also take a tour to the nearby Ik communities. This is one of the unique cultures you ought not to miss. You can do this activity in foot, hiking on steep slopes you will need to be physically feet and energic for this stroll. This activity lasts for the whole day Hiking through the scenic Morungole mountain near the kidepo valley which also the perfect game park for the fascinating wildlife viewing. You can do a game viewing safari in kidepo valley national park, and also take part in a cultural visit to the Ik villages.

A visit to the Ik communities on Mount Morungole, measures about 2,700 meters above sea level is a unique African Cultural Experience and also a moment to prove your physical ability and endurance while hiking on steep and rugged terrain in a semi desert area.

To have the best and enjoy your safari tour in this remote area, a minimum of 5- 6 days is required for you to have a complete safari tour in Kidepo valley National park with a visit to the Ik people in Morungole mountains.

The IK people live high in Morungole mountains, on the boarder to Kenya along the kidepo valley Park Region in North-eastern Uganda.

The Ik tribe northern Uganda have total population of over 10,000 to 11,000 people in number, they were believed to have migrated from the Ethiopia and first settled in Kenya then later migrated to the current Kidepo Valley park. they were mainly hunters and gatherers, they also kept some cattle but due to the constant raids by the Karamojong’s in Uganda, the Turkana of Kenya and the pokot of Kenya and the Tuposa of South Sudan, the constant raids led to the loss of cows thus they have up on cattle keeping and later adopted substance farming, also reared some goats, and bee keeping for honey.

They lived most of their lives in the forest where they gathered and hunted from, but when government came up to gazette all the national parks to protect the animals, they lost their hunting grounds, therefore, they migrated up in to Mount Morungole where they started their life from. Up to date, they have lives on the mountain and its where you can find them in isolation and relatively at peace with one another. They were the first people who migrated to North-eastern Uganda they believed they were the ‘’head of the migration’’.

 Visiting the Ik tribe, Kidepo up on the mountain, is one of the unique experiences with stunning views of the scenery below seen from above is so beautiful and it one of the amazing experiences and adventure you ought not to miss. While here, you can learn about these group of people, their daily lives, the activities they do, cultural norms and beliefs among others. They are polygamous people where by Aman is free to marry as many wives as he can, the many women you had, the more you are respected.

Visiting the Ik Tribe; gives a rare insight in to one of the unique and interesting tribes in Africa with approximately 10,000 people living in the mountains, these group of people, are seen as endangered for its future existence as they try to supplement their living in the mountains. You will also have some of the interesting views of the stunning scenery from the top of the mountain.

Trekking high up on the mountain where these people are found, is not easy it requires some stamina and physical fitness. But there also some trails that were created by the US Forest Service which has made getting to the Ik villages, a lot more simplified. You can also drive to the top which is a short cut for the long hiking, you will be guided by the guide who speaks Ik language for easy communication, the visit to the Ik villages, takes approximately whole day experience ascending and descending the steep mountain.

The peak of Mount Morungole, measures about 2,749 meters above sea level, the trail is 8 kilometres long which is quite a tough climb to the villages, you will need to be physically fit to be able to climb the mountain, carry some water to keep you hydrated. Finally, when you reach the top, you will be amazed by whet you will discover up there, breath-taking scenery, the Valleys below you, and the East African Rift Valley of Kenya.

When you arrive at the Ik villages, you will be welcomed by the locals and they will show case some of their traditional dances among others. They are so welcoming ad friendly people you will love them. The fees paid for these activity, is injected in to the local community which helps in sustaining the continuing existence of the people as well as its for other cultural visits in other regions of the country such as the Batwa community, the Karamojong which are some of the Unique cultures in Uganda and are of interest to the visitors in Uganda.

You can ask the guide for some questions and you will be able to get the answers, you can also donate some money to help these families , life is hard here, there is no better education, raising of the children is different here, feeding is poor here, the life here is beyond what you could imagine. You can also visit them, and put a smile on their faces, have time with them, enjoy some of the local foods and local beer with them.

In case you need this safari visit to the Ik villages, please let us know and we will plan and include the activity  in your safari tour plan so that you will have the best of your safari visit in Kidepo valley national park, and the visit to the Ik communities in mount Morungole.

How to Visit the IK Tribe northern Uganda: is a stand alone activity it requires one full day for the complete adventure, it’s an activity that you can combine safari to one of the best parks in Africa, you can visit the kidepo valley and also the community visit to the IK communities, kidepo valley, is situated far in one of the remote areas in Uganda and takes some time along time getting there but while here, you will definitely enjoy it. One day is enough to visit the Ik villages.

Walking- Hiking safari Advice and Tips for Uganda

There various places in Uganda and beyond where you can enjoy the walking and the Hiking safaris, the walking and Hiking best safari advice in various regions of Uganda and Rwanda, other activities like savannah safaris, forest, jungle safaris, mountain hiking, volcano hikes, trekking among others, Uganda is rich in what to do and see in various regions and national parks in Uganda.  one the best and missed do activity in Uganda, is the visit to the IK people of mount Morungole in Uganda, all you need is to be fit at all times to hike the steep slopes. The hike to the Ik villages, takes about 8 hours to get to the top and to descend down the mountain, this time enables you to know about this group of people.

We recommend that you wear properly, wear proper clothing, hiking boots, and carry enough drinking water and energy giving snacks and packed lunch while hiding out for this activity it’s a bit tiresome but worth it.

 

 

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Top most tourist attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park, has got several attractions that has drawn many tourists in to the park, these attractions, are some of the top most features that travellers come to view and enjoy during their safari visit in Queen Elizabeth national park. queen Elizabeth national park, is the second largest park in Uganda after Murchison national park one of the oldest national park in Uganda, the park is situated in western Uganda in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge, Rukungiri. Queen Elizabeth national park, is one of the most popular and famous for the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector and the best spot for visitors taking part in wildlife safaris. The park is savoured with savannah vegetation which is a home to a lot of animal species ranging from primates such as the chimpanzees that can be trekked in Kalinzu forest and Kyambura Gorge of queen Elizabeth national park, Wildlife species such as the Big five game and other animals , birds, the famous tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector at the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national park. Queen Elizabeth national park, was gazetted in 1954 for conservation of the wildlife species roaming in different forests in Uganda, the park was first known as the Kazinga national park, but later during the visit of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the 11, the park was then named after the Queen of England. The park to date, has become one of the popular tourist destinations for wildlife safaris and many other activities offered in the park including; game drives, boat cruise at the Kazinga channel, lion tracking experience among others.

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National

During your safari visit in queen Elizabeth national park, you will be able to view a number of attractions and many other activities to do while in the park, the park has a number of unique attractions that will offer you the best of your visit in queen Elizabeth national park. these include among others.

The primates, Queen Elizabeth national park, is among the other national parks best known to be a home to the primate species, the park harbour a number of primates and serves has one of tourist destination for primate safaris, the park harbours large number of chimpanzees, which has enable chimp trekking at the Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu forest of queen Elizabeth . other primates spotted here include, Black and White colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, Bush baby, Blue monkeys, Pottos among others.

Wildlife species, queen Elizabeth national park is famous for the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector, besides that, queen Elizabeth is a home to 95 mammal species namely the Big four of five wild game, including the lions, Elephants, Leopard and Buffaloes. There many other animals seen around the park besides the big five wild game such as; Warthogs, Bushbucks, Waterbucks, Oribi, hippos, Uganda kob, Mongoose, Giant forest hog, Crocodiles among others.  The animals in park are best spotted during the game drives in park, around the Kasenyi plains, Mweya peninsular these areas, offer the best spots for wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoying the boat cruise in Kazinga channel, will also spot other animals in the water such, the Kazinga channel is known to be harbouring a higher concentration of hippos, Buffaloes, crocodiles, water birds seen around the shores and some animals feeding or drinking water around the channel.

Bird species, Queen Elizabeth national park best bird spotting destinations include, Maramagambo forest, Kyambura forest, Mweya peninsular, Kasenyi plains and long the Kazinga channel spotted during the boat cruise in the channel. The park harbours over 600 bird species some of which are endemics and others are migratory birds, Queen Elizabeth is birding paradise for travellers who are in love with birds, this park is the best place to be for bird watching activities, some of the birds spotted here include among others; African Jacana, African green pigeon, Black-headed batis, Long- tailed Cormorant, yellow warbler, Black bee-eater, African Emerald Cuckoo, Purple headed starling, Speckled tinker bird, Yellow- backed weaver, Pied kingfisher, Wattled plover, open billed stork among others.

The Big cats. The big cats ae one of the best attractions of queen Elizabeth national park, the big cats include, leopards, and the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector in the southern part of queen Elizabeth national park. these lions are mostly found lying on top of the trees as they watch below waiting to catch the pry feeding around the savannah vegetation such as the antelopes among others. Other big cats seen around these areas include; Genal and Civet cats among others seen mostly during the nocturnal game drives along the Mweya Peninsular.

Numerous crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth gives incredible scenery. Having visits at the Nyamununka crater lake, also known as the animal hospital, others frequent the lake to treat their wounds or the aged animals since their waters contain Sulphur. Take a trip to the salt mining craters, Lake Katwe or Lake Bunyampaka. Enjoy the sun set over Lake Edward and Rwenzori’s in the backdrop. Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park is home to the famous tree-climbing lions that choose the branches of acacia trees after the night/early morning hunt they hung on top of the trees looking down on the grazing antelopes. The trees also provide the needed shed from the scotching sun.

The park has a range of habitat for Savannah birds, several crater lakes, wetlands and woods. There are numerous parts in which you go birding, i.e. Region of Kasenyi, peninsula of Mweya, Maramagambo forest and Kazinga.  African mourning dove, Forest flycatcher, Gray headed kingfisher, pin-tailed whydah, slender-tailed nightjar, and collared pratincole are among the bird species to watch out for, also Search for the flamingos in Katwe and Bunyampaka’s salt lakes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park activities- what to do during your visit in Queen Elizabeth national park

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park, takes place in twice a day that is the Early morning or evenings and these are the best times to go game viewing mainly because the sun is not as hot as it can be during the day and the cats prefer to hunt for pry during these times of the day. During the game drives, you will explore mainly the Kasenyi area, which has the largest concentration of animals seen around these areas like the Kobs, warthogs, Topis, Buffalos, Waterbucks, Leopards, Giant Forest hogs, Elephants as they graze through the Savannah among others. These areas are also famous for big cats because of the high population of Uganda Kobs which they prey on. Game drive to Ishasha sector of queen Elizabeth national park, will expose you to the lions, the tree climbing lions lying on top of the trees looking down on the antelopes grazing through the Savannah grass land. The game drives also enable you to view different bird species around the Savannah and the woodlands. The birds seen here include among others, brown-backed, Scrub robin, long-crested eagle, red throat spurfowl, grey crowned crane, White-backed Vulture, grey-backed fiscal and many more. The game drives are in custom-made vehicles for safari where each occupant has access to a window seat and open roof to enable you have clear views of the animals and all the attractions found in the park.

The nocturnal/ Night game drives, Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the best national parks that offer Night game drives, during the night game drives, the visitors move in Vehicle alongside an armed ranger guide and spotlight to help in clear views of the animals, the nocturnal game drives normally happens around the Mweya peninsular and this is the perfect time to view nocturnal animals like the Genal, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Civet, and also a great opportunity to view other animals that you could have missed during the morning game drive.

Boat safaris on Kazinga Channel / Launch trips

The boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National park takes place in the Kazinga channel, this is water body connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga Channel, provides a fantastic game and bird viewing experience, you will have an opportunity to view animal species including, Elephants, Buffalos, Waterbucks, Crocodiles, Bushbucks, monitor lizards seen along the water banks. This are is known for the highest concentration of Hippos as they guard their territories. The Kazinga channel boat cruise, lasts for about 2 hours and starts near the Mweya peninsular. The boats are offered in two shifts that is the morning shift and the afternoon shift. The afternoon boat cruise is the best time for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park, during the boat, you will be able to view large number of animals both in the water such as hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles among others and on the banks of the lake including, Uganda Kob, Elephants, Bushbucks, waterbucks among others. The bird life is excellent with numerous bird species including, African jacana, Yellow-backed weaver, Black bee-eater, Papyrus gonolek, Fish eagle, Martial eagle, Pink-backed pelican, Yellow bellied stork, Long tailed Cormorant, Pied Kingfisher among others. Also, along the banks of the lake, you will spot fishermen preparing their nets for night fishing activity.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, is one of the famous activities in Kyambura Gorge and other site like the kalinzu forest, Kibale forest national park, Budongo forest. Chimpanzee trekking has become one the most popular activity after Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park, chimpanzee trekking involves trekking in the forest in search for the habituated chimpanzee families, habituated meaning that they are used to the sight of humans and will not run away in hiding when you have an encounter with them. Kyambura chimpanzee trekking, takes place in twice in a day that is the morning and the afternoon shift at Kyambura Gorge, also known as the valley of Apes, during chimp trekking, you will be allowed one hour with the chimps in their natural habitat.

 The park is home to the Kyambura gorge, an’ underground’ forest 100 meters below the Kichwaba escarpment that harbours ten primate species, including chimpanzees, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. Tracking chimpanzees must be booked in advance. The odds of seeing the chimpanzees aren’t good, but the experience of walking through the forest is great as you have a lot of things to do and see during the chimpanzee trek.

Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park is a perfect birding attraction in Uganda as it houses 600 species of birds. Lake Munyanyange next to the park is both a wildlife refuge and a migratory location from August to November for the lesser flamingo. There also other bird watching places that include the Kasenyi plateau, the Kazinga Canal Release Cruise, the Kyambura Gorge Mweya Peninsula, the Maramagambo Wilderness, the Katunguru Bridge and numerous lakes in the reserve. Each corner of the park is generally a great place for bird watching. The birds are pretty easy to spot, and as you explore the park and its environment, you should expect great picture photos.

Nature and forest walks

Nature walks id so exciting as you explorer the beauty of the forest with all that lives in it on foot, during the nature walk, you will be guided by the ranger guide for the purpose of safety reasons. The nature walks in queen Elizabeth national park, is done in the Mweya peninsular where you have a great birding and views across Kazinga channel and Lake Edward and some animal species like the Elephants, Mongoose, antelopes, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, among others. with the help of the ranger guide, you have an opportunity to walk along Ishasha River where you have an opportunity to get close to the Hippos, Maramagambo forest, is another famous site where you will be able to spot different bird species, primates, bat cave and some animals like antelopes, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, elephants among others.

C Besides the incredible wildlife, Queen Elizabeth has a rich cultural history with many fishing villages adjacent to the park. Visitors can engage with local communities and enjoy the stories, music and dance. Visitors will interact in local people’s daily activities such as harvesting and cooking a quick meal of vegetables and creating crafts. Community walks and Cultural experiences.

The community initiatives include; Kikongo Women’s Community – for cultural performances of dance, drama, music and fire-making, basket weaving, paper beads.

Nyanzi’ibiri Cave Community – view of scenery around the cave. Historical cave and museum, paddle a canoe, hike to the transparent lake, spot primates and birds among others.

The best time of the year to visit Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth national park is open to visitors through out the year, but the park is best visited during the dry seasons of the year that is from the month of June, July, August, December , January to February, these months receive little or no rainfall at all which has influenced a number of activities to take place including chimpanzee trekking, birding experience, nature walks, boat cruise and others, during this time, the trails are dry and the ground is less slippery  enabling easy access through the  trails and also enables animal viewing since they gather around the water points in the park during the dry season these animal’s, are best spotted during the boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.

Queen Elizabeth National Park can also be visited during the wet season from the month of March, May and September to November since the park is open and all the activities take place regardless of the rain. During the rain season, the park is green with plenty of food and fruits which attracts Many birds and by this time, there will be a lot of Migratory birds.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National park

The park can be reached either by road transport or air transport.

Road transport, using road transport, the drive you can either take public means, private means or through the tour companies who will organise the transport for you to and from the park. The drive time lasts for about 6-7 hours on road via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, Kasese and then you will proceed to the park, the other alternative is from Kampala city to Mubende, fort portal, Kasese route, for the travellers opting to use public means, there are buses that offer transport from Kampala via Mubende, Fort portal to Kasese and then you will hire private car that will drive you up to the park headquarters.

Air transport, for travellers who do not want to spend much time on the road, may also opt for air transport, there domesticated chartered flights that offer transport to the travellers visiting the park, the flight offer services on a daily basis from Entebbe air port or Kajjansi airstrip to Kasese or Mweya airstrip situated in queen Elizabeth national park. the flight takes bout 2 hours to get to the park.

For any traveller planning or having interest in visiting queen Elizabeth national park, you can contact us at adventure in the wild safaris and we will help you with all the information you need and also plan and organise the safari for you. You can also take time and look in to some of our tour packages like 2 days queen Elizabeth national park safari, 3 days Queen Elizabeth national park, 4 days Queen Elizabeth national park, among others these safaris, will help you explore queen Elizabeth with all the attractions and the top activities offered for the visitors visiting the park.

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Bokora Wildlife Reserve

Bokora Coriddor Game Reserve

Also known as Bokora Corridor Game reserve, Bokora Wildlife Reserve is the second wildlife reserve in Uganda. It covers an area of 794 square miles in northeastern Uganda. Bokora wildlife reserve was gazzeted in 1964 and made part of the large Karamoja wildlife conservation region which also consists of Matheniko game reserve and Pian Upe wildlife reserve. The three game reserves in the region were named after the ethnic group that lives close to it, for example the Bokora live near Bokora wildlife reserve, the Matheniko live close to Matheniko wildlife reserve and the Pian and the Upe live close to Pian Upe wildlife reserve.

Bokora wildlife reserve is mainly covered by savannah grasslands and then shrubs, bushes and short trees. The reserve also has swamps like Loporokocho swamp. The northern side of the reserve hosts two moiuntains; Kadam and Napak. The scenery of the entire reserve is beautiful.

Wildlife in Bokora Wildlife reserve

The vegetation in Bokora wildlife reserve is mainly dry and hard because of the semi-arid conditions of the area. The trees and grass in the reserve and the region survive there because they have adaptations that make them stand during the long dry weather conditions. Bokora corridor game reserve is a habitat for a wide variety of animals including buffaloes, elands, gazelles, lesser kudu, Oribi, Roan antelopes, Uganda kobs, Reedbuck, zebra, Hartebeest, Topi, Bright’s gazelle, the Rothschild’s giraffes, spotted hyenas, stripped hyena, cheetah, lions and leopards and many others.

There is a range of bird species in different points of the reserve. Bird lovers get remarkable birding tours after seeing birds such as ostriches, Dusky Turtle, the Thick-billed Honey, Jackson’s hornbill, Eastern bronze pigeon, Hartlaub’s Turaco, White-headed Buffalo weaver, African hill babbler, Black-throated wattle-eye, Grey-cuckoo shrike, Lemon dove, the Alpine chat, the Mountain yellow wabbler and many others. Loporokocho swamp is one of the best bird watching sites in Bokora Wildlife reserve.

Things to do at Bokora Wildlife reserve

The major activities done at the reserve include;

Game drives

Bokora Wildlife reserve has mainly open grasslands that offers clear and spectacular views of vast areas around the reserve. The combination of the vegetation and the weather are perfect for game drives. You can clearly see your sightings such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and other animals like the antelopes.

Birding

Bokora wildlife reserve has a wonderful range of bird species. It is home to the world’s largest bird “the ostrich”. Ostriches are the common and popular birds in Bokora game reserve because the conditions are ideal for them. They can survive in dry weather conditions. The open plains help the ostriches to see predators that want to prey on them as well as animals that want to feed on their eggs.

Visiting the Karamajong

When planning to visit Bokora Wildlife Reserve, endeavor not to miss meeting the Karamajong people who live in this region. They are one of the ethnic groups that have kept their culture original by failing to embrace modernity. The Karamajong are nomadic pastoralists who depend on their cows for milk, meat, blood, hides and manure. They are great entertainers who dance and sing for visitors and their traditional dance involves jumping high in the air.

Accommodation in Bokora wildlife reserve

The reserve doesn’t have standard accommodations. The best option there is camping and good news is that camping is enjoyable and rewarding as the tents are set in areas where you can watch the animals and other features. Those who don’t want to camp can stay in hotels in Kotido and Moroto towns.

Best time to visit Bokora wildlife reserve

Bokora Corridor Game Reserve can be visited any time of the year but the dry season is the best because it is easy to access most areas. There are two dry seasons; from December to February and from June to September. The region experiences the rainy season from March to May and October to November. It may become quite hard to maneuver through some roads at the destination during the rainy season because they become slippery. However, during the driest months of January and February, it gets very hot that it may be unbearable. Temperatures rise over 350 C.

The transport infrastructure to and in Bokora Wildlife Reserve is poor, roads are not good which makes them impassable during the rainy season. Accommodation as well needs to be considered in this place so that visitors who wish to enjoy typical wilderness in Uganda have a range of places to visit with convenience.

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Lake Opeta

Lake Opeta Uganda

Lake Opeta is home to interesting wildlife especially birds because of the extensive wetland system which has favorable conditions for the wildlife. It is located in eastern Uganda in Soroti district. Lake Opeta Uganda is a gazetted site, with its swamps and wetlands where bird enthusiasts get thrilled to watch the rare shoebill stork and Uganda’s endemic, the Fox’s weaver.

Lake Opeta is situated in the south of Pian Upe Wildlife reserve and it serves as a refuge for the wildlife from the reserve and the domestic cattle of the Karamajong and Pokot who are nomadic pastoralists from Northeastern Uganda. The lake gets its water from the rains of Mount Elgon and the lake connects to Lake Bisina still through the wetland and both of them drain into Lake Kyoga. During the rainy season, the area floods with lots of water that access becomes quite difficult.

This site has an amazing population of shoebill stork which may not be encountered elsewhere in Africa. Swamps and wetlands around Lake Opeta are comprise of different types of plants including papyrus which hence offering a conducive place for breeding of the Fox’s weaver. The region also has wooded grasslands which also form good habitat for the bird species. This place is being protected so as to rescue the fox’s weaver from getting extinct since it is already threatened due to habitat loss.

Uganda has thirty three (33) Important Bird Areas and Lake Opeta is one of them. Since 2006, this it has been a Ramsar-listed wetland of International importance.

Apart from the fox’s weaver and shoebill stork, Lake Opeta is also a habitat for the papyrus gonolek which is also near-threatened, rufous-bellied heron and over 150 other bird species. This is one of the sites every birder ought to visit. The best time to visit Lake Opeta Uganda for birding and exploration is at the end of the year which is also the dry season and water levels have reduced. However, as its nature of drainage had earlier been described, remember to carry your strong waterproof shoes to ease movement around the area because some parts are muddy.

The lake has narrow waterways which lead you to through marshes that finally take you to wondrous hideouts of several birds. After finding your way through the marshes, it will all be worth it reaching the point where you can spot the Fox’s weaver. You will also learn about other activities done around this lake, for example fishing.

Road distance form Kampala to Lake Opeta takes about 5 hours and a half. It is situated far away for Uganda’s capital Kampala yet in a remote area. Regardless, the site is a beautiful place that has been appreciated by all people who visit it. The tranquility, cool breeze and the green swamps make the site magnificent.

Lake Opeta has been classified as a bird watching site by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. However, it is said that the numbers of the Fox’s weaver are continuously dropping since sighting are low these days. Good news is that Nature Uganda is putting effort in raising its number. It secured a grant from African birding Club to help in inspecting areas around Lake Opeta and learn more about the weaver’s population, density, distribution and threats to save the species.

One of the characteristics of the Fox’s weaver is that it is solitary, and the solitude is seen even in the breeding habits. Its nests exist at less than three nests per square kilometer. The Fox’s weaver commonly breeds from April to September while a few of them breed in November. You can identify it by its size, color and length.

Uganda has a range of sites for bird watching but no other place currently records the Fox’s weaver apart from this region.

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Budget Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Budget Lodges and Camps Queen Elizabeth National Park

Budget Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park –Tourists that visit Queen Elizabeth national park should have nothing to worry about accommodation because there are many lodges all around the park ranging from luxury to budget.  The park covers a total land area of 1978 square kilometers, with varying vegetation which are habitats to a range of wildlife including hippos, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, lions, leopards, hyenas and primates among others.  The park has popular sites where interesting activities such as boat cruises, game drives, searching for tree climbing lions and chimp trekking take place. These attractions and activities are the reasons why queen Elizabeth national is ought not to be missed out on your safari in Uganda.

Regardless of the numbers of tourists to the park there are enough accommodations near close to the different major sites, to offer the best accommodation that fit the travelers’ budgets for the best experience on their Uganda safari. Popular places of Queen Elizabeth national park include Mweya where activities including boat cruise, birding, mangoose tracking and nature walks take place, Kyambura area where visitors do chimp trekking, bird watching, nature walks and scenic viewing, Kasenyi in the north of the park is famous for game drives, Ishasha in the south of the park has the park’s major attraction the tree climbing lions. There are a number of budget accommodations around these areas so that clients will spend their night there and catch their scheduled tour activities on time. Budget accommodations in Queen Elizabeth national park include;

Engiri game lodge

Engiri Game lodge is located in Katunguru withing Queen Elizabeth national park. it is situated about 300 meters off Mbarara-Kasese road, near Kazinga channel which is a home for thousands of hippos. The lodge is near the park’s sites including Mweya, Kasenyi, Kyambura and others and guest can easily connect there and back to the lodge in a short time and have enough time to relax at the lodge. Accommodation at Engiri Game lodge is provided in;

  • Family cottages which are made up of a bedroom with a king bed and twin beds, a living room, kitchen and is self contained with bathrooms and toilets. It accommodates four (4) adults and three (3) children.
  • Basic cottages, they have double or twin beds and bathrooms
  • Basic tents are situated strategically overlooking then gardens of the lodge. The tents do not have beds but mattresses are provided. Each tent accommodates two adults and one child. They have showers.

Other facilities and services at the lodge include;

  • A well stocked bar
  • Restaurant and an English breakfast
  • WiFi in public areas
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Laundry services

Simba safari camp

Simba safari camp is located near the equator crossing area at the border of Queen Elizabeth. It is situated on a hill overlooking the vast savannha of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Kikorongo. Simba safari lodge is near the park’s areas which are famous for their exciting activities; Kasenyi for game drives, Mweya for boat cruise, birding and nature walks, Kyambura for chimp trekking and Kikorongo for a moment at the equator crossing line and birding.

Accommodation is provided in;

  • Family cottages with two bedrooms, king size bed, twin beds, an extra bed, a bathroom, a living room and a wide veranda. It accommodates a maximum of 5 people.
  • En suite rooms, these are double/twin and triple rooms. They have double beds, single beds and twin beds. They are spacious and comfortable with bathroom and toilets and a veranda.
  • Dormitory rooms with comfortable beds on deckers, there are dorms with 3 double deckers, 5 double deckers and 10 double deckers. They have bathrooms with hot and cold running water.
  • Campsite, there is well situated campsite at Simba safari camp where you can saty using your own camping equipment. It offers a lovely night under the bright stars with good security.

Other facilities and services for guests at the lodge include;

  • Delicious meals at the restaurant
  • A well stocked bar
  • A large lounge area
  • WiFi in public areas
  • Security

Pumba safari cottages

Pumba safari lodge is situated in Kyambura area of Queen Elizabeth national park. It consists of self contained cottages with comfortable beds. It offers beautiful views of the park and you can spot some of the animals of the park such as elephants and others.

Facilities and services offered by the lodge include;

  • Tasty food at the restaurant
  • A well stocked bar
  • WiFi in the public areas
  • A coffee shop
  • Laundry services

Tembo safari lodge

Tembo safari lodge is located in Katunguru, Queen Elizabeth national park near Kazinga channel. This is therefore one of the accommodations to stay at if you want to enjoy the spectacular views of Kazinga channel. The lodge offers has basic rooms and cottages. Basic rooms have comfortable beds, private bathrooms and are kept neat by the housekeepers daily. Cottages on the other side has twin rooms that are spacious and self contained.

Other facilities and services at Tembo safari lodge include;

  • Delicious meals at the restaurant
  • Well stocked bar
  • Free internet in public areas
  • Satellite TV

Kazinga channel View resort

Kazinga Channel View resort is located in Katunguru near Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park. The lodge offers accommodation in Bandas. There are single and double cottages which are self contained. It also has a camping site where visitors are required to carry their own camping equipments. The lodge is situated in an area which enables guests to easily access other areas for game drives, boat cruise, chimp trekking, forest walks, bird watching and others. The lodge offers spectacular views of the surrounding including Kazinga channel. Facilities and services offered by Kazinga Channel view include;

  • A restaurant
  • A well stocked bar
  • Free internet
  • Laundry services

Mweya hostels and cottages

Mweya hostels and cottages are located on Mweya peninsular in the heart of Queen Elizabeth. They are under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority and have been made affordable for guests who need budget accommodation on their safari to this wonderful park. Both Mweya safari hostels and the cottages are spacious and self contained with bathrooms and flushing toilets. Mweya safari hostels accommodate families of more than 5 members, with a living room, kitchen and a veranda. Facilities and services offer by the accommodations include

  • A restaurant
  • A well stocked bar
  • Free internet
  • Housekeeping services

River Ishasha lodge

River Ishasha lodge in located in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha, the area where the tree climbing lions are found. Booking to stay at this lodge offers an opportunity to enjoy wilderness in the park. It is situated near River Ishasha which gives a cool relaxation and offers nice views of River Ntungwe. It comprises of self contained cottages with comfortable beds.

Facilities and services offered by the lodge include;

  • Restaurant
  • A well stocked bar
  • A lounge area
  • Relaxing area and camp fire

Topi lodge

Topi lodge is located in the wilderness of Queen Elizabeth, close to the gate to Ishasha where the tree climbing lions live. Topi loge enables tourist to enjoy wilderness and offers spectacular views around the park. The self contained rooms of the lodge are comfortable and spacious.

Other facilities and services at Topi lodge are;

  • A restaurant
  • A bar
  • WiFi
  • Housekeeping services

Budget accommodation in Queen Elizabeth national park offer good facilities and services for their guests and ensure that they offer value for guests’ money. We book for our clients that wish to use budget accommodations with the best accommodation providers around the park.

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Uganda Weather and Climate

Uganda weather by Month

Uganda’s year around Holiday Weather -Is just another Plus for visiting Uganda . The Weather and the Climate of Uganda is conducive and offers the best and pleasant Temperatures

The Uganda Climate and Weather is very conducive making it the best safari destination all year round, because even during the Rainy season, you can still have an opportunity to carry out some other activities in different national parks in Uganda. Uganda climate is characterized as being cold and warm throughout the year, although warm but the temperatures rarely become hot, which as boosted the tourism industry in Uganda ranging from the mountain Gorilla trekking, Hiking like mount Rwenzori hiking, the sandy beaches of the Ssese Islands primate safaris, Uganda offers a lot more to do and see when you visit the country.

Although many of these activities can be done all year round, the best time of the year to do gorilla trekking would be the dry season reason being that these great Apes live in forested high mountains with an elevation of 8,000 to 13,000 feet, there is skin is covered by thick fur which helps them to survive in these areas since the temperatures sometimes drop to below the freezing point. There also several lodges situated in these areas which has facilitated these activities ranging from up-market lodges to budget but for the budget travellers, the low season would be the best time when the upmarket lodges have offered discount on the lodges.

Uganda’s Weather and Climate- Best time of the year to visit Uganda

The Weather and the climate of Uganda is conducive and perfect offering the best times to take park in various activities offered in different national parks and the daily normal life of the local people in the country who take part in various activities. The line of Equator crosses Uganda with many other sceneries such as the lakes and rivers, the abundant forests have helped in regulating the daily temperatures received in the country.

Uganda receives two rainy seasons the short rainy season from November to December and the longer rains are received from March to May and October all through November. During the dry seasons, the temperatures normally drop down and rainfall is received in the wee hours of the morning and during the Night. Later in the day, the sun is still received.

See an incredible Sunrise and Sunset on Safari in Uganda

 Sunrise and Sunset in Uganda offers one of the time to take part in various activities, during your Uganda safari, you can take time and enjoy sunrise with wonderful cup of coffee, there a lot more other activities you can do as you watch the sunrise or the sunset such as the Hot Air Balloon safaris offered in Murchison falls where you will have an opportunity to watch the animals around the park seen below you. The boat safaris, enjoy a sunrise Bush Breakfast as you prepare to take on your safari activity at the park, these activities can be arranged with several lodges during your safari.

The Rainy Season of the Year in Uganda

There two rainy seasons received in Uganda, the short rains and the longer rains. The shorter rains are from April to May accompanied by the thunderstorms, during this month, heavy rainfall is received and after the rain, the longer dry season starts up to September when there is too much rainfall received and this is the longer rain season of the year up to November but when you visit Bwindi impenetrable forest, or Kibale forest, depending on the season of the year , there is no guarantee that their will be no Rainfall received but still rain can be received at any time of the day reason being that Bwindi is tropical dense forests which facilitates rainfall forming, during the dry seasons, you may expect rain during the morning hours and the late evening when the temperatures slightly drop down.

Best Time of the Year to Visit Uganda

The weather and the climate in Uganda, have made it the safaris in different regions of the year an all year-round experience despite the rains, there is sun shine after the rain and still you can take part in various activities. But the best time of the year to visit Uganda, is from December to February, and from June to September although early October when there is little or no rain fall received this is the best time for animal viewing and the best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest.

Uganda weather by Month find out about the Uganda Weather and Climate, best time to visit Uganda for an adventure safari.

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 Uganda Museum

Uganda Museum is located along Kira road, from Kampala city, the distance covered on road from Kampala city to the Museum is approximately 4km via kitintale Hill. The museum is the biggest and oldest museum in Uganda which started way back in 1908, the Uganda Museum is a place that holds most of Uganda’s cultural heritage where one can have a view of historical cultures and treasures of Uganda under one roof. For an incredible journey, the impressive set covers more than two million years of human history, spanning from statues to portraits in deem light spaces.

A brief history about the Uganda Museum

 The British Protectorate Government founded the Uganda Museum in 1908 after Governor George Wilson called for the procurement of Uganda articles of interest. This was achieved on the former Kampala hill at Fort Lugard. Bishop J. Wilson, E.Lanning, Church Hill, and others performed the exploration and paleontologist studies plus archaeology. The place eventually was small to handle all the experimental works and discoveries, which prompted the museum’s transfer and relocated to Makerere University College’s Margret Trowel School of Fine Art in 1941. Upon raising funds, a permanent home was later built and the museum relocated to its current location on Kitante Hill in 1954.

 With a diverse and well-captioned ethnographic range spanning clothes, fishing, agriculture, pharmacy, faith and leisure, as well as archaeological and natural history exhibits, there is plenty to intrigue you here. Highlights include contemporary musical instruments, some of which you can perform, as well as the fossil remnants of a Napak rhino, a creature that died eight million years ago.

 The Uganda Museum does work and from the 1960s to the current there is a wide range of exhibits. Visitors can see the exhibitions shown in the Natural History or Palaeontology Gallery inside the museum building and open to the public. On the other side, the museum offers learning in the form of outreach programs, presentation lessons classes, during this event, tourists and students are presented with a museum guide that leads them to understand more and explore further insights into the place through and around the house. The tourists will have an opportunity to view the Museum side by side. The museum features areas such as the archaeology department featuring a number of different finds that are part of the old stone age, iron smelting, demonstrating the methods used over a million years ago.

The building also houses the traditional music portion featuring the first equipment to be made locally in the pearl of Africa. The cultural village of huts representing typical lives of citizens in Uganda is situated at the rear of the Uganda Museum building. For tourists wanting to observe the Ugandan people’s traditional practices, a range of traditional resources including wood-based dairy pots, cactus containers, flint knapping, jewellery making, horn work, ceramics, cutlery, leather works, weapons and musical instruments are displayed. The huts are constructed basing on the different tribes in Uganda, like Batooro house, Ankole house, Tooro house, Bahima, among others. The huts displayed are from different regions of the country, that is from the south, western, eastern and the Northern regions of Uganda.

Getting to Uganda Museum

There are several ways and means of transport to reach the Uganda Museum, one can either use the public means which is the taxis and the Motor bikes (boda-boda). These are highly used methods of transport in Kampala city, but also in case a person requires the use of private means, they are also available it all entirely depends on the choose of the client on how he/ she would like to get to the Uganda Museum.

 The museum of Uganda has now become renowned for organizing numerous celebrations and events in Kampala. The blankets and whine, for instance, and also the recently hosted the Rolex festival, ekyoto cultural shows, and many more enjoyable fun factories are being held in the Uganda Museum grounds.  The museum is available from Monday through Saturday, enabling tourists to travel in and out of the museum building in a versatile manner. With the number of guides ready to serve you at any time you will need them.

Accommodations nearer to the Uganda Museum

There are several accommodation facilities situated closer to the Uganda Museum from which visitors to the place can find a comfortable accommodation to stay in while on Kampala city tour and most especially to the Uganda Museum. The lodges include; Golf course Hotel, Fairway Hotel and Spa, Metropole hotel Kampala, Bush pig Backpackers, Arcadia Suites-Kampala among others.

The Uganda Museum in Kampala

The Uganda museum is the biggest and oldest museum in the country and is also one of the oldest in east Africa. It was established in 1908 on behalf of the British Protectorate government. It has different sections that display a variety of ethnographic materials.

It started in a small temple at Fort Lugard found on old Kampala Hill which became too small to accommodate the entire specimens. It was relocated to the Margret Trowel School of Fine Art in 1941 and later on funds were raised so that it would be expanded and situated in a permanent place hence shifting it to its current location in 1954. It is located on Kitante Hill about 5km from Kampala city on plot 5 Kira road towards Kamwokya town. The building of the museum was designed by a German Architect Ernst May and its beauty has been maintained.

The museum displays and exhibits ethnological natural historical and traditional life collections of Uganda’s cultural heritage. It is rare to see traditional African culture tools that were used by the ancient Africans hundreds of years back but this is one of the few areas where you can see them. There are over 3,000 editions of historical maps, periodicals and photographs and about 100,000 objects of historical and cultural values.

Uganda museum collaborates with a number of national and international institutions of higher learning like Makerere University, Mbarara University, Natural History Museum in Paris, College de Franca among others to conduct research across the country in areas like Karamoja region, parts of Eastern Uganda on the foothills of Mt. Elgon and in the western rift to Dellu where fossils of interest in relation to human evolution have been identified by Paleontological research unit.

By visiting the Uganda museum, you are able to see the materials that were used by Africans many years back.

Things found in the Uganda museum

Music galley

The traditional music section displays traditional music instruments from all parts of Uganda. They are organized in different groups. Some of them are xylophones, drums, percussion, flutes among others.

Early history

This is the archeological section that has elements of the Stone Age and Iron Age and this is where you’ll find stone tools that were used about 1,000,000 years ago. There are tools such as spears, horns, arrows among others. It also displays the evolution of man till date.

Science industry sector

This section displays stones, mineral samples such as tin, limestone, phosphate, wolfram and rocks found in different parts of the country.

Cultural village

There is a cultural village just outside the main building of the museum represented by grass thatched huts. These huts display the tradition al lifestyle of the people of Uganda. they contain items that were used by those people including baskets, musical instruments, artwork, pots, vessels and many others. Huts at the museum are Bamba house, Batooro house, Hima house, Ankole house, Kigezi house representing the western region tribes. The eastern part of Uganda is represented by Karamojong house, Jopadhole house, Teso house and Bugisu House. Among the items in the Bugisu house are the circumcision tolls, knives and headgear.

There is a hose representing the central region where you’ll find backcloth, baskets for keeping food in a local way, hunting nets, and drums among others. The Alur house, Acholi house and Madi house representing the northern part of Uganda have bows, arrows among others. This village summarizes the diverse cultures in Uganda and this is how you can get to learn about their differences.

On the ground floor to the back part of the museum are cars that have been driven by former presidents.

There is a large space at the museum where events are organized such as entertainment concerts, cultural events, and culinary events among others.

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Safaris in Uganda

Uganda is one of Africa’s top tourist destinations, Uganda is a diverse country with a number of tourist attraction in various destinations in the country, offering different activities that travellers love to engage in while on their safari in Uganda. Safari in Uganda is something every traveller in planning to come to Uganda, would love to take part in, with the fact that the country has a number of attractions and activities. Uganda is rich in culture with different people, the ha hospitable people where you will able to meet them during your safari visit in Uganda. Not only that, the country is also rich in magnificent sceneries ranging from different savannah vegetations, lakes and rivers, tropical rain forest, snow-capped mountains with a variety of wildlife species living in these areas. There are many national parks in Uganda with a lot of attractions to be viewed during any of your visit in different national parks. During your Uganda safari, you will visit any of the national’s parks depending on the choice of the places you would love to visit in Uganda. While in Uganda, you will visit any of the following places; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, famous for harbouring half of the worlds total of the mountain gorillas and others living in Mgahinga national park both situated in south western Uganda and taking part in gorilla trekking experience with number of visitors received in these areas every year visiting the gorillas. Murchison falls national park, queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park and Lake Mburo national park are popular with wildlife safaris in Uganda. Kibale forest national park, is best known as a home for chimpanzee, the park harbours a lot of chimpanzee some of which are habituated chimpanzee and opened to visitors for visitors taking part in chimpanzee trekking.

The national parks, harbour abundant attractions such as, Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzee, Tree climbing lions, different bird species, and many other animals seen in 10 national parks in Uganda, among others. Uganda the pearl of Africa, is a bio diversified country with not only wild life in different national parks, but also the favourable climate of the country makes Uganda one of the best regions for settlement, beautiful cultures with hospitable people to make your stay in Uganda during your safari a memorable one of your life time.

Safari tours in Uganda

Gorilla trekking safari, Uganda’s Gorilla trekking safari, has become one of the popular safari activities that many travellers in Uganda have taken part in, gorilla trekking in Uganda, is carried in two famous national parks situated in south western region of the country. Travellers having interest in visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking, will visit the following national parks, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. gorilla trekking in these national parks, is the popular activity in the area where by the trekkers move in the forest searching for the gorillas and mainly the habituated gorilla families because they are used to the sight of humans and will not hide away or become aggressive when you encounter them.

Bwindi national park, has over 19 habituated gorilla families opened to trekkers for gorilla trekking, and one gorilla family is trekked at Mgahinga gorilla national park, Bwindi harbours a lot of gorillas with over half of the world’s population therefore, visitors in Bwindi, have 98% percentage of seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat. during the trek, the exercise may last for quite some time before locating the gorillas depending on the location of the gorillas on that particular day. Finally, when you meet them, you will be allowed one hour with the gorillas, this time will be use to observe their behaviours, feeding habits, female nursing young ones, how they interact with each other among others. This is one of the unique moments when you meet this Apes with the total DNA of 98% making them the closest relatives to humans.

Chimpanzee trekking safari, chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, is yet another activity you do not want to miss during any of your safari visits in Uganda. For chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, is carried out in different tourist destinations in Uganda. Including Kibale forest national park situated in western Uganda and the nearest district in the park is fort portal. The park is covered with the ever-green moist forest, and also comprises of a diverse array of landscapes, Kibale forest, is famous for harbouring the largest number of chimpanzee and more so the habituated chimpanzee families opened for trekking. For travellers combining chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safaris, you can visit Murchison falls national park for wildlife experience, and trek the chimpanzee in the Budongo forest situated in Murchison falls national park or queen Elizabeth national park for a bund ant wildlife safaris, and visit the Kyambura George for chimpanzee trekking or kalinzu forest both found within queen Elizabeth national park. for any person to participate in chimpanzee trekking, you will be required to obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit issued by Uganda wildlife Authority a body managing all national parks in Uganda.

Forest Canopy of Kibale National Park, Uganda

To book the gorilla permit, you will need to specify the destination you will be trekking the chimps, since the permits bare the different locations from which chimpanzee trekking takes place from. Unlike gorilla trekking in Bwindi ang Mgahinga national park, Chimpanzee trekking, in any of the destinations in Uganda, the activity is offered twice in a day that is, the morning shift and the afternoon shift, and lasts for one hour from the time you meet the chimps. Therefore, when booking the permits, you will specify too the time you will be trekking the chimpanzee in Kibale forest, Kyambura George, kalinzu forest and Budongo forest. The morning shift starts at 8:00am and the afternoon shift commence at 2:00pm.

Wildlife Safaris, Uganda, also known as the pearl of Africa, is endowed with several attractions ranging from flora and fauna which harbours different wildlife species distributed in 10 national parks in Uganda. The wildlife in Uganda are seen in the following national park, Murchison falls national park, queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Kibale forest national park, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga national park, lake Mburo national park, Rwenzori national park, Semuliki national park, Mt.Elgon, followed by the different sanctuaries like the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary known as the home for the remaining Rhinos situated Enroute to Murchison falls national park and a number of game reserves. These areas harbour different wildlife species including; the primate species such as the Mountain gorillas, chimpanzee, monkeys which include the black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, red monkeys , baboons and different bird species including the African broadbill ,Black bee-eater, Black-billed turaco, Black-faced rufous warbler, Black faced warbler, Blue-headed sunbird , Many-coloured bush-shrike, Olive-breasted greenbul, Purple- breasted sunbird among others. Queen Elizabeth national park, and Murchison falls national park are a home to the big five wild game including; the Lion, Elephant, Rhinos, Leopard and the Buffaloes and other animals like the Zebras, giraffes, warthogs, antelopes, oribi, Uganda kob, Giant forest hogs among others. These animals are mainly viewed during the game drives around the park, but also, when you visit the habituated gorilla families, you will be able to have face to face interactions with the animals in their natural habitat.

Birding safaris; Uganda is among the best countries in Africa to visit for bird watching experience, with over half of the bird species in Africa, are found here in Uganda some of which are Albertine endemics. For any travellers on Birding safaris in Uganda, you will visit the following top most birding destinations in Africa; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park, known as the paradise of birds and its one of the best spots for birding safaris in Africa, Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kibale forest national park, lake Mburo national park, Kidepo valley national park among others. The most common birds sighted here include the shoe bill stork, African broadbill, Black bee-eater, Black-billed turaco, Black-faced rufous warbler, Black faced warbler, Blue headed sunbird, Many-coloured bush-shrike, Olive-breasted greenbul among others and some of which are not spotted anywhere in Africa. Which will give you the best of your Uganda birding safari.

Murchison falls national park; Murchison falls national park, is one of the biggest national parks in Uganda, the park is situated in south western Uganda and its one of the best regions receiving many tourists every year. The park is blessed with several attractions ranging from flora and fauna, vegetation, primate species wildlife species and the scenic features among others. Which offer various activities for the visitors visiting the park including; chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, boat cruise on the Nile, nature walks, hiking among others which will offer the best time of your tour safari in Uganda full of fun and memorise.

Queen Elizabeth national park; Murchison fall national park, as well as Queen Elizabeth national park, are both famous for harbouring the big five wild game in Africa, the park is located in western Uganda in the districts of Kasese, Kamwenge and Rukungiri district. Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest national park, and also best known as the must visit tourist destination offering wildlife safaris in Uganda. The park also, offers a wide range of activities to the visitors visiting the park including, Kazinga channel boat cruise, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura George and kalinzu forest, Mongoose trekking in Mweya peninsular, Maramagambo forest famous for nature walks, , the crater lake, the park is also famous for the tree climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, viewed at the southern sector of the park, bird watching and many other activities offered in queen Elizabeth national park.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, is located in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu district and its one of the most visited parks in Uganda. Bwindi national park, is famous for harbouring the endangered mountain gorillas, the park is one of the popular regions in Africa for gorilla trekking experience with over half of the worlds population of mountain gorillas living in Bwindi impenetrable forest. Bwindi comprises of four sectors harbouring the habituated gorillas opened for gorilla trekking, the Bwindi sectors include; Buhoma the park headquarters which was the first region where the first habituated gorilla started and the first region where gorilla trekking started from, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo, and Ruhija sectors. The gorilla families are available for trekking every day. Hence, visitors taking part in gorilla trekking, will be required to book the permits depending on the sector you will be trekking the gorillas from according to your preferred dates. Bwindi harbours over 19 habituated gorilla families opened to trekkers for gorilla trekking and one group, is trekked at Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, also offers visitors another opportunity to participate in other activities like gorilla habituation experience which involves trekkers spending more time with the gorillas under habituation, during gorilla habituation, researchers, scientists, rangers and travellers visit an identified gorilla family on a daily basis and the exercise lasts for over 2-3 years until when the gorillas are used to the sight of humans. Gorilla habituation, allows travellers 4 hours with the gorillas, not only that, you also become an active participant in the habituation process, compared to the normal gorilla trekking, where by travellers are given one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat.

Kibale forest national park; situated in western Uganda, the park is best known as the primate capital reason being that there are over half of the chimpanzees in Africa living in Kibale forest national park, and over 13 primate species living in the forest. When you visit Kibale forest national park, the popular activity in the park is chimpanzee trekking which is the most done activity by many visitors in the park. Kibale forest national park, also offers an opportunity to visitors who would like to spend more time with the chimps to participate in Chimpanzee habituation experience where by the visitors spend the whole day with the chimps under habituation, compared to chimp trekking which only lasts for one hour from the time you meet the chimps. Chimp trekking involves trekking in the forest in search for the habituated chimpanzee families and when you locate then , you will be given time to watch them study their behaviour, feeding habitats and interactions with one another as you take photos ,  you will also view other primate species lie the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons, bird species and other mammal species.

Lake Mburo national park, is situated in western Uganda, the park is rich in biodiversity despite the fact that it’s the smallest national park in Uganda. The park is famous for wildlife experience which you will view during the game drives in the park, you have an opportunity to view animals like the Zebras, giraffes, Uganda kob, hippos, buffalos, warthogs, impala, giant forest hogs, Eland among others. The park also offers activities like the boat cruise, nature walks, nocturnal game drives, bird waiting activity, horse riding, sports biking among others.

There other famous areas that visitors in Uganda ought not to kiss during any of their safari visits in Uganda these regions are famous with several attractions and activities to so while in the park. Including, kidepo valley national park, lake Mutanda, Ssese Islands, source of the Nile in jinja offers activities like white water rafting, Horse riding, bungee jumping among others, lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest lake offering activities boat cruise, community walk, bird watching, scenic views, swimming among others. The lake is free from Bilharzia and dangerous animals like hippos, crocodiles, thus its ideal for swimming among other places in Uganda.

Best time to go for Uganda safari

Uganda is best visited throughout the year, although the best time of the year to visit is during the dry season/ peak season recorded to be having little or no rainfall at all, the dry season is from the month of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During this time, the ground is dry and there is no rainfall and in case of any, just alight drizzle facilitating many activities around the park by this time, the parks are flooded with tourists and the activities are at its peak. When the ground is dry, travellers find it easy to trek in forest to do activities like chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, game viewing, forest walks, among others, during the  dry season, the grass is short enabling animal viewing and for primate safaris, like chimp trekking and gorilla trekking, the trails will be dry and easy to pass through. Uganda, also experiences the wet season from the month of March, to May, October to November these months are known to receive heavy rainfall which interferes with the activities in the park. like chimp trekking, gorilla trekking among others. But the wets season, is also ideal for bird watching activities, by this time, there will be plenty of food, fruits in which birds feed on hence great time for bird watching activities.

Accommodation facilities in the park to stay in during your Uganda safari tour

Uganda offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, mid-range, and budget lodges. These lodges offer conducive accommodation facilities to travellers to stay in during any of their safari visits in Uganda, the lodges include; in Murchison falls, you find the following lodges, Parra safari lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Red chilli rest camp, heritage safari lodge, Court view Masindi, Amuka lodge, Murchison falls river lodge, Masindi hotel among others, queen Elizabeth national park, they have, Simba safari lodge, elephant Hub lodge, park view safari lodge, Marafiki/  Engazi lodge, Mweya lodge among others. Bwindi impenetrable forest include; Trakkers Tarvern lodge, Rushaga gorilla lodge, Buhoma community, Rushaga gorilla haven lodge, Ichumbi gorilla lodge, Gorilla mist camp, Buhoma Haven lodge, Gorilla mist camp, chameleon hill lodge, Nkuringo gorilla lodge, Ruhija gorilla safari, Mahogany springs among others. Kibale forest include; chimpanzee forest guest house, Kibale forest camp, primate lodge, Crater safari lodge among others. Lake Bunyonyi include; Bunyonyi overland, Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Bird Nest Bunyonyi, Arcadia lodge Bunyonyi among others. Lake Mburo lodges include; Mpogo lodge, Eagle nest lodge, Rwakobo Rock, Mihingo lodge among others.

The Uganda safari has lot more to offer beyond your imagination. Having interest in visiting Uganda, reach to us at adventure in the wild safaris a tour registered company organizing safari tours in Uganda beyond to countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, DR. Congo, Kenya and may other destination in Africa.

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Hirwa Gorilla Family

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Hirwa Gorilla Group

Hirwa Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families well known in volcanoes national park in Rwanda but recently shifted to Uganda’s Mgahinga national park. These two national parks neighbor each other in the Virunga Massif with exactly the same kind of vegetation cover which enables these animals to stay in any of the areas.

Mountain gorillas are critically endangered subspecies of the eastern gorillas. the only place you can find these primates is the Virunga massif (Mgahinga national park, Volcanoes national park and the DRC) and Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. Gorillas are very mobile animals and for quite a long time, Mgahinga and Volcanoes national park have been sharing Nyakagezi gorilla family which roams around the two parks and has been the only habituated gorilla group trekked in Mgahinga. It was however good news to hear that Uganda has received another gorilla family (Hirwa gorilla family) which migrated in august 2019 from the northern part of Volcanoes national park in Kinigi province and settled in the southern part of mgahinga national park. hirwa gorilla family consisted of 17 members at the time they migrated to Uganda but lost 4 of them that were struck by lightning in the forest of Mgahinga.

Uganda Wildlife Authority has been availing only 8 gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga national park daily but this has now increased to 16 permits availed daily until the group migrates again back to Rwanda. we have no idea about when it could move back to Rwanda but all the members are very safe in Uganda as they remain under the Conservation policy of the International Gorilla Conservation Program which is in charge of all gorillas of the Virunga area.

Trekking for gorillas in mgahinga national park

Mgahinga national park is the smallest national park in Uganda. There have always been only 8 permits produced each day for tourists who want to go for gorilla trekking in the park since there was only one gorilla group called Nyakagyezi. Nyakagyezi was joined by an interesting gorilla family from Rwanda in August 2019 increasing the gorilla trekking permits to Mgahinga to 16 per day. Contact us to book for your gorilla trekking permit to trek for Hirwa gorilla family. A gorilla trekking permit costs $700.

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