Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge @ Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

   CLOUDS MOUNTAIN GORILLA LODGE

It is remote. It is beautiful. It is intimate. And at over 2,000 meters above sea level, it is Uganda’s highest lodge.

Bedroom With Double-sided Fireplace

Since it opened, this small, remote lodge continues to win prizes, awards and accolades both internationally and locally.

Picture this: You are sitting up on a ridge, above the clouds, looking across to the Virunga volcanoes. Behind you is the primordial, mysterious and impenetrable forest that is Bwindi. As you sit there, drinking your chilled wine, or your freshly brewed coffee, or your freshly squeezed juice or your amber colored whisky you smile. You smile because you know that your personal butler is lighting the fire in your cottage and setting out your freshly laundered clothes. In the kitchen a gorgeous meal is being prepared, and tomorrow after breakfast you will walk from the lodge to the Nkuringo trailhead and track the gorillas.

Guests at Clouds stay in their own cottage. Built of local volcanic stone, every cottage has a large sitting room with fireplace, vast overstuffed armchairs, and hand-woven carpets. Each individual cottage features the work of one of Uganda’s most respected artists (we call them the ‘Clouds 9’). Their work has been so highly regarded by guests that they have commissioned their own pieces and now the work of these artists graces the walls of homes and offices in New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and London. Tracking gorillas is high on the agenda for many tourists to Uganda. By all means, come to Clouds to track gorillas…but while you’re here, why not stay on a bit and immerse yourself in the relaxed vibe of the lodge, partake in Community activities, indulge in massage and beauty treatments and just enjoy the rarity of being pampered in such a spectacular setting.

The main lodge feels like someplace else – soaring ceilings, massive exposed wooden beams, big picture windows with endless views of treetops, volcanoes and mountains. It feels like a ski chalet in the Alps or a stone palace in the Rocky Mountains. But with the gentle and warm welcome, the quiet dedication of the personal butlers and the smiles on the faces of virtually all the staff, this can only be in Uganda.

Come and stay awhile in the Clouds…                                   

Why Clouds?

• Award-winning lodge

• Your own personal butler

• UNESCO World Heritage Site

• One of the world’s most stunning views

• The highest lodge in Uganda

• The sight of the volcanoes, glowing red through the night sky

• Great afro-alpine bird species (Including at least 10 Bwindi endemics)

• Steps away from the Nkuringo trailhead for gorilla tracking

• Community partnership and involvement

• Fireplaces in every room

• Cozy duvets to ward off the chill

• In partnership with Africa Wildlife Foundation and International Gorilla Conservation Project

• Probably the most comfortable lodge in the Bwindi area

• Great, fresh food, much of it grown in our own organic garden

Buhoma Lodge @ Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

                                                             BUHOMA LODGE  

Buhoma Lodge, a top quality and intimate property, commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla. One of only two lodges situated within the National Park, we’re a short walking distance from the meeting point for gorilla tracking and other activities in the area. An elevated central lounge area, complete with bar, dining and spa facilities, offers a cosy, comfortable environment to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evening Buhoma’s Chalets with a View.

Our ten comfortable chalets have been individually designed and carefully built using locally sourced materials wherever possible, without compromising levels of comfort. Each of your own private verandas allows wonderful views and vistas of the forest canopy of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Inside the spacious chalets you will find large, comfortable beds and everything you need to make yourself at home.  The well-appointed and roomy en-suite bathroom with flush toilet contains a rain shower with a copious supply of hot water and equipped with locally produced natural ranges of complementary bathroom amenities. Some chalets also offer a bath-tub for relaxation and enjoyment after the day’s activities.

Each Chalet is fitted with insect proof window screens, eco-friendly solar lighting, and a secure safe. Our family / honeymoon chalet, in addition to all of the above, also features a separate lounge room with open fire place.

Restaurant and Bar

Our open air lounge and bar area offer uninterrupted views, and whether the eerie mists of the forest envelope you, or your views are crisp and bright, Buhoma offers its own special magic.

After a hard day tracking gorillas, relax around our open fireside, or enjoy a few drinks at the bar. Our four course meals are freshly prepared from local produce, ensuring you take away warm homely memories of your time with us. Our bar has a selection of local and imported beverages and our friendly local staff will attend to your needs. Free WiFi internet and recharging facilities are available in the bar.

Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self service basis, but, are delivered to your chalet with early morning wake up calls as required, allowing you to awake gently and savour the early morning sounds of the forest.

Other Services

Spa treatment room is available to all overnight lodge guests whom are entitled to a complimentary massage by trained in-house masseuse.The Lodge also offer a complimentary laundry and hiking-boot cleaning service, all invaluable after a day of gorilla trekking!

Buhoma Lodge offers arrangements for special occasions; including birthday and other celebrations, private dining, cultural dancing and interaction as well as room service as required which is communicated through our in-house private telephone service available in each chalet.

As part of our commitment as an organization with a responsible tourism policy we have designed the lodge using sustainable local materials wherever possible, with the emphasis being on natural, eco-friendly products, which has in turn given support to the local communities and businesses. Supplies are obtained from as nearby as possible from local sources and staff are also generally recruited locally and trained on site. Our water supply is gravity fed and solar power is used for lighting and power points which are hence limited to the central area for recharging electronic equipment. A curio shop is on site with a range of locally made crafts

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Buhoma Region

                                     SANCTUARY GORILLA FOREST CAMP

Located within Bwindi National Park, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers guests an unrivalled location, including the best bird and wildlife viewing in the Bwindi area.

As the only concessionaire luxury camp within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is the perfect base from which to track the park's most famous resident - the mountain gorilla. The main area features a comfortable lounge and bar area as well as the main dining area while the mini spa offers a wide selection of treatments. Located within the National Park, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers guests an unrivaled location, including the best bird and wildlife viewing in the Bwindi area. In fact Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp often receives regular visits from the gorillas themselves. For the lucky guests in camp at those times, they may have the chance for a gorilla encounter without even leaving Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.

Relax in the Rain forest
The eight tents at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp are stylish and spacious, each featuring two queen sized beds. In addition to the comfortable warm beds, each tent has a huge bathtub that looks straight into the jungle canopy ideal for soaking tired muscles after a day spent observing and meeting gorillas. Observe rare forest species while soaking in the tub, followed by a cocktail on the private viewing deck served by your personal attendant. Facilities of Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.

   Facilities

• Massage

• Spa

• International and local cuisine

 Activities

• Hiking

• Library

• Gorilla trekking

Gorilla Safari Lodge @ Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

                             RUHIJA GORILLA LODGE

Ruhija Gorilla lodge Bwindi is set in the heart of the jungle of Gorilla land, Kabale region. The Lodge is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful, hospitable and comfortable lodges to stay before visiting one of Uganda’s premier safari attraction.

Gorilla lodge is a unique luxury hotel for both upper class and medium classes Ruhija Gorilla Lodge invites you to surround yourself with the splendor of beautiful calm natural environment and forest-fresh air, while experiencing the luxury and serenity of our lodge with a breath taking scenery of the forest, peace and tranquility enjoy the melodies of insects and birds, butterflies, enjoy the surprise visits of monkeys or even gorillas.

The lodge has carefully designed rooms to blend the natural environment which provides with luxury and hospitality. Each of the eight en-suite rooms faces the Forest and allows views of the forest canopy, with breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountain ranges.

The lodge offers superb chalet accommodation, fine dining, an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities, a well-stocked bar, traditional entertainment, a mini library with magazines and books on the beautiful continent of Africa beds with en-suite bathroom, flash toilets, overhead shower that supplies hot and cold water, an extra blanket and a hot water bottle for those cold nights; all rooms are serviced daily by housekeeping.

Guests can also enjoy and relax at the restaurant and bar area as they delight in local and International dishes. Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are served.

The hotel offers a variety of activities such as Mountain gorilla tracking, Village/community walk, Birding, Forest walk, Mountain biking and Scenic viewing.

The hotel is within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Several activities can be done around Ruhija;

Forest and Nature walks

As the only concessionaire luxury camp within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the walk will expose visitors to the forests broad biodiversity with variety of mammal species; primates like L’Hoest’s monkey, black and white Columbus, Chimpanzees, Blue monkey  baboon. The trail will expose you to butterfly and moth species; like African blue Tiger, African monarch Tiger, Green Veined Emperor, White Barred Charaxes, Wandering Donkey, Diadem, Forest Mother-of-Pearl, Scarlet Tip and many more. The walk also exposes you to reptile species; like Battersby’s Green Snake, Cape Wolf Snake, East African Garter Snake, Red Backed Frog, Bocage’s Burrowing Tree frog, Southern Foam Nest Frog, Marcarene Rocket Frog, Galam White-Lipped Frog. Tree species and bamboo forests like Mountain Bamboo, Apple Ring Acacia, Candelabra Euphorbia, Crotons, African Pencil Cedar and many more. Wild Flowers like Pavonia, Abutilon, Buttercup Bush, Giant Morning Glory, Daisy / Wild Marigold, Pom Pom Lily and many more. Visitors can also climb through the bamboo zone to find afro-montane vegetation and a good view of Lake Bunyonyi and Mafuga forest

Bird Watching

Ruhija being the highest peak of the forest offers rear species of birds like gery cuckoo shrike, banded Prinia, Brown chested Alethe, yellow streaked Greenbul, white browned Crombec, mountain Illadopsis, Ludher’s bush shrike and many more other among the 340 species in the park.

Village Walks

Ruhija is great place for these walks, visitors can visit local schools, traditional healers Banana brewery and a combined nature tour towards Kisiizi waterfall.

KISIIZI WATERFALL

Available Rooms

Standard Rooms

Deluxe Rooms

Superior Rooms

Services and Facilities

Parking

Security Guard

Airport Shuttle, Safety Deposit Boxes, House Keeping, Room Service 24 hrs.

A Trip To Mount Elgon National Park

MOUNT ELGON

Mount Elgon National Park is the largest volcanic caldera on the planet Earth and is located in western Uganda straddling the Kenyan border. Mount Elgon was the tallest mountain in East Africa, today this inactive mountain is the fourth tallest in East Africa with 4,321 meters above sea level it boasts the largest base of any extinct volcano in the world, covers a total area of 1279 square kilometers, 69 of which are in Kenya. Mount Elgon was formed many years ago it was formed as a process of vulcanicity. The mountain is divided into four vegetation zones and each vegetation zone has its own attractions, very beautiful. You reach the mountain forest you hear the birds singing in the morning they wake you up. At mount Elgon there about 273 trees and shrub species namely; whistling thorn acacia, wait a bit thorn, grewia, giant cactus, African pencil cedar, spiny tree fern, broad leaved croton, flat top acacia, river acacia, red thorn acacia, black thorn acacia, white-galled acacia, umbrella acacia, red thorn acacia, large leaved albizia, red-hot poker tree(lucky bean tree, flame tree, casuarinas, sycamore fig, teclea, giant heath, large leaved gardenia, gardenia, giant groundsel, giant lobelia, sausage tree, jacaranda, African wild date palm and many others so the eco system is very, very rich.

The major issues affecting Mount Elgon National Park stem from the population pressure, the population density around Mount Elgon is about 600 people per square kilometer and the population is highly dependent on land. So you find that the landholdings per person is very small, so the population look at Mount Elgon National Park as alternative land that can be availed for farming. And therefore the park  has a big problem of encroachment, communities because of land shortage have invaded the national park, cut down the trees and they have established plantations of bananas, cassava maize and many other food crops.

Mount Elgon is a rain forested park and has got very good trees.

Flora and Fauna

Mount Elgon vegetation zones are similar to those of other large East African mountains. The contour of the mountain supports a contagious belt of ever green forest extending over roughly 750 km2 with in Uganda. The forest belt is divided into two broad strata. A tall Afro montane forest below 2500m,  low canopy montane and bamboo between 2500m to 3000m the slopes below the 2000 contour.

The most common species visible to hikers are blue monkey and white and black colobus. A small number of elephants are residents in the forest, animals like Zebras, Buffalos, sitatunga and common duiker(antelopes) and lions. The bird checklist stands at more than 300 species like mustached green thinker bird, red throated, wryneck, hunter’s cisticola, alpine chat, marsh widow bird, weyn’s weaver.

 To Things to Do and See around Mount Elgon and Sipi falls.

     Rock Climbing:

Rock climbing takes place outside the park at Sipi falls. There are 14 climbs requiring various levels of rock scaling techniques, the toughest is a 35m climb while the easiest is 15m. This is guided and supervised activity that is the most enjoyable adventure.

    Birding:

Since a high proportion of the 300 species is highly rewarding for birders. The lovely bronze mannkin, African cuckoo, black and white casqued hornbill, montane oriole, mountain greenbul, golden winged  sunbird, greater honeyguide, taita fscal, barn swallow, red rumped swallow, hunters cisticola and black collared apalis.

Birding at Mount Elgon is remarkable to visitors with a variety of colorful birds and by their relative tameness 

     Sipi falls:

This pretty waterfall is visible for miles as it plunges over a cliff from the direction of bulago village. Tourists focus on the trading centre which lies at an altitude of 1,775monly 40km from Mbale along a good surfaced road.

    The Abayudaya Jews of Uganda:

The isolated community of the Ugandan Jews known as the Abayudaya. The most prominent of these religious dissident was Malaki Musajakawa whose Aficanist Christian sect called Malakities managed to attract up to 100,000 ugandans away from more convectional denominations during its short lived heydays.

      Bagisu Circumcision rights:

The bantu speaking people who live on the slopes of Mount Elgon. Circumcision of the  bagisu takes place in August and December , a man can not married without being circumcised. Travelers who visit Mbale, the Sipi and Kapchorwa during the circumcision are welcome to attend any local ceremonies that take place. Females also come looking at the newly bachelors.

    Wanale cliffs:

The waterfall streaked cliffs of wanale ridges dominate Mbale’s eastern skyline, making the end of the 2,348m Nkokonjeru arm a ridge of lava extruded through a parasitic vent on the western flank of Mount Elgon. A 20 km road  from Mbale climbs up on the ridge through a cleft in the cliffs, meandering through superb mountain scenery.

    Fishing:

A stretch of the sipi river above the top of the waterfall near Kapkwai about 20 minutes drive from the Sipi trading centre trout fishing is practiced. the Nile Perch and the cat fish are among the more alluring fish that inhabit sipi river.

     The Nyero Rock Painting:

The finest of several rock art sites scattered around eastern Uganda. The site comprises six discrete painted panels set within a few hundred meters of each prominent granite outcrop called Moru Ikara. The age of the rock is a matter for conjecture, as is the identity of the artist, the Iteso people who have inhabited the region for the last 300 years  reckon that the art has always been there.

Where To Stay

Upmarket

Sipi River Lodge

Set with I the grounds of a unique restored former residence, sipi river lodge consists of main house and seven detached accommodation for the guest. Set I lovely wooded grounds at the foot of the middle waterfall the terrific little lodge is comfortably the best in the Mount Elgon region. The main lodge occupies a transformed bungalow with a cosy lounge, bar and excellent library. Activities include sipi walks, mountain biking, coffee tours, archery ascents of Mount Elgon and fly fishing in the river.

The Sipi Falls region is a hiker’s paradise! Choose from among a series of popular waterfall walks or talk to our guides about custom options to craft the ultimate scenic

Moderate

Lacam Lodge

It’s built on the slopes of mountain Elgon in Eastern Uganda. Enjoy a place of sublime natural beauty and rustic charm. Staying amongst the friendly Sabine people, Perched on the cliff edge with unparalleled views of Sipi falls. So close to that the waterfall is mostly heard than seen. Though the steep cliff below the site will give visitors the willies, the sudden drop makes the view down sipi valley to the Kyoga Basin particularly dramatic   

Services

Accommodation

Restaurant and Bar

Adventure

Relaxation

A place for relaxation or adventure

• Stay in one of our wooden bandas or in your tent.
• Enjoy a four course candle-lit dinner.
• Go hiking, abseiling and rock climbing

Accommodation is provided in;

Wooden Bandas

• Made of local Timber
• Grass thatch is extracted from the plains below.
• 2 double beds in each Banda
• Spacious Verandahs
• En suite shower and toilet

Lacam Lodge also has 3 non self-contained Bandas with shared facilities and are cheaper than the self-contained. The lodge allows self-camping where the guests are allowed to pitch their tents. Lacam Lodge also features a restaurant and bar.

Budget

Noah’s Ark Resort

Noah’s Ark Hotels located on the Mount Elgon Slopes present all category accommodation ranging from Luxury to Midrange and Budget accommodation the Uganda safari undertakers. The Hotel features three branches with the capacity to take more than 100 clients with the price range of $10 – $100 depending on the client’s preference.

Noah’s Ark Hotels offers mid range accommodation to travelers and is situated along the slopes of Mt. Elgon and this varies from luxury-midrange as well as budget depending on how much one has prepared to spend. The hotel has three different divisions and these have the capability to accommodate more than 100 clients from different destinations and fall into the price range of $10 – $100.

The Main Hotel includes;

• Bedroom with Living Room
• DSTV
• Living room
• Bath

Single Bed

• Television
• Bed
• Bathroom

Twin Bedroom

• Bathroom
• 2 beds
• DSTV

Discover the second deepest lake in Africa Lake Bunyonyi

LAKE BUNYONYI

Lake Bunyonyi is in south western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale and it is close the border with Rwanda. The distance from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi is around 486 km. The lake has an area of about 60 km squared with a maximum  depth of 900 meters. The lake was formed about 10,000 years ago when a river was dammed by lava. This is a place of many little birds in one of the safest lake in Africa and has a great number of islands some of them are historical namely;

 Islands on lake bunyonyi

1.     Akampene (Punishment Island)

On this island unmarried pregnant women were left here to starve to death or drown trying to swim to the shores, they were often saved by poor men who could not afford to pay bride price. Sometimes these women were rescued by canoeing fishermen at the lake.

2.     Bwama

In 1914 it was an anti colonial rebel base of a famous leader Katuregye. In 1921, Dr Leonard Sharp, a missionary, founded a leprosy hospital here. After anti leprosy drug were introduced in the 1980s it become a boarding school.

3.     Njuyeera

Dr Leonard‘s family lived on this island when he was not on duty in Kabale hospital. The island’s name itself (white cottage), originates from the house the family built. The island had a boat house, guest cottage tennis court, windmill and garden with guava and lemon trees.

Things to do at Lake Bunyonyi

1. Swimming 
2. Canoeing and Boating
3. Nature walks and hikes 
4. Relax and chill out
5. Birding
6. Mountain biking 
7. Cultural village visits

Some of the bird species at Lake Bunyonyi

1.     Great White Egret

Largest of the white egrets and almost as large as grey heron. This egret is all-white, slender-bodied and long necked. It has along, strong yellow bill and distinctive, thin, black line extending from the gape to the behind the eyes. The legs are all-black. During breeding the bills turn black, the lores become green and long nuptial plumes grow down the back

1.     Red-Chested Sunbird

Male is metallic blue-green on the head, neck and mantle, with a deep-red chest band, a black belly and long, elongated central tail feathers. In good light, a metallic-violet band can be seen across the chest and the rump and upper tail coverts. The female is dark brown above and buffy below, the central tail feathers are not elongated. Habitat; waterside vegetation near lakes, rivers and swamps. 

1.     Water Thick-Knee

A brown plover like-bird with a large head and distinctive large yellow eyes. Plumage streaked grey brown, with a conspicuous, black-edged, pale grey bar across the wings. Feeds in the early evening, at night and in the early morning, singly or in small groups. Spends the day sitting in any available waterside shades. Habitat; river banks, lake shores beaches and mangrove swamps.

Where to stay 

1. Bushara Island camp
2. Heritage Lodge
3. Arcadia Lodge

5 Days Kidepo National Park Wildlife Safari

This five days wildlife safari takes you through kidepo Valley National Park located in the magnificent North Eastern part of Uganda and South Sudan to the northwest and only 5 km from the eastern border with Kenya. It’s one of the country’s alluring safari destination, rugged mountain scenery and a wilderness atmosphere with good gem viewing in the Narus Valley with its dense population of lions, buffaloes, elephants, deffasa water buck antelopes, spotted hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and many small mammals. Five primate species have been recorded including the localized Patas Monkey

Patas monkey

Southern Ground Hornbill

An unmistakable, black, turkey – sized hornbill with a large, black bill, distinctive, bare red skin on the face and the throat and bright red eyes. Sexes similar but female has an additional small, blue patch of bare skin below the bill. Immature is brown-black with a shorter bill. Usually found in pairs or small family parties, walking through the open, looking for snakes, lizards and large insects   the southern ground hornbill is a rare bird species can survive in arid areas and wooded grasslands

RUFOUS- TAILED WEAVER

A very conspicuous and noisy weaver.  The upperparts are brown, with pale edging of the feather, giving it a distinctive, mottled effect. The upper parts are pale, with brown mottling. The eyes are pale blue. Sexes similar, locally occurs in noisy flocks, feeding on the ground. Habitat in dry woodlands and grassland wih scattered trees.

What to see and do at the park.

1.     Self drive game drives.

2.     Narus valley;

Apoka safari lodge and Rest Camp both lie in the prime game viewing territory of the Narus valley.

3.     Kidepo valley;

It is completely dry for 95% of the year and its 50m wide course in a swathe of white sand. The Karatarok hot spring on the south Sudan border  is a key event

4.     Guided hikes;

Guided walks around the Apoka area in hope of seeing more common species like Elephants, Zebras, Waterbucks and Hartebeest.

5.     Game drives;

Game drives led by highly knowledgeable driver / guides from Adyeri Creations.

 Where to stay

1.     Apoka Safari Lodge

2.     Nga’moru wilderness camp

3.     Apoka resort camp

On a quest for the Shoebill Stork at Murchison Falls National Park

Most of the visitor to the Nile Delta will cruise on the boat in search for mainly the Shoebill Stork which is usually seen in water weed searching for fish to feed on from the moving water in the swamp. The Shoebill Stork stays in the papyrus. Some other birds seen in swampy areas are the Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, Little Stint,  the African Pygmie Goose, African Wattled Plover, Grey Crowned Crane(crested crane) and grey (eastern) white pelican.

In search for Shoebill visitors will be able to see Elephants, Warthogs, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Defassa Waterbuck Antelope, Crocodiles and Hippopotamus.

The bird life is extraordinary, with over 460 species recorded in the park including numerous raptors and the Shoebill stork.

Kabalega Wilderness Lodge

 Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
Kabalega wilderness lodge stands along the southern boundary of Murchison Falls National Park. The name of the lodge comes from the great heritage roots of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom with its famous king omukama Kabalega who resisted against British colonial rule. The accommodation offers luxury that is spread across 7 acres of typical African savannah wilderness that stretch up to the banks of the Nile.                                       
All the lodge structures are made from an architectural balance of mud and wood, and the roof  is thatched with handpicked grass from the rolling plains of the neighboring villages. The walls are plastered African style with mud and wattle with a contemporary twist. The lodge is tastefully decorated with rustic safari furnishings and fixtures handcrafted from carefully selected local and natural materials. The cabins and dinning all feature an open design to offer you a feeling of oneness with nature and breathtaking uninterrupted views of the magnificent and wild surroundings ensuring that your unique Safari experience continues even when at the lodge.

The safari cabins are fitted with timber deck balcony that offers good views of the wilderness .The rooms are self contained with a bathtub and toilet. The lodge has a restaurant and a lounge on the highest point of the River bank with views of the wilderness areas. 
Facilities at Kabalega Wilderness Lodge 
    Bar and Restaurant
    Spacious Thatched Safari Suites
    Swimming Pool
    Bird watching
    Bush Dining
 

A trip to Uganda, is not complete without visiting the River Nile, Bujagali and Upper Nile

Located on the northern shores of lake Victoria above the Ripon falls, the town is one of Uganda's largest towns and lies about 80 km east of Kampala overlooking the point where the Nile flows out of Lake Victoria, and probably, it is the Nile that is attracting more people other than the town itself.

It will take us about 3 hours to get to the Source of the Nile due to the various stops. Explore the Nile and later drive up to Jinja Nile resort hotel for a hearty buffet lunch.
Relax at the hotel and have a quick swim if desired, before driving to the Spectacular Bujagali Falls.
With the biggest rafts on the river, you will see how those who are rafting are able to safely conquer the most challenging rapids, watch the local fishermen and the fantastic bird life. The journey is not complete without a brief tour around Jinja town to have a look at the old beautiful colonial buildings and Jinja market.

In the evening, you can depart for Kampala which is ideally a one and a half hours journey.

https://www.adyeri.co

A Trip down the Kazinga Channel

Lake George or Lake Dweru is a lake in Uganda. It covers a total surface area of 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi) and is a part of Africa's Great Lakes system, although not itself considered one of the Great Lakes. Like the other lakes in the region, it was named after a member of the British royal family, in this case Prince George, later to become King George V of the United Kingdom. Lake George drains to the southwest into Lake Edward through the Kazinga Channel.

Explore Mgahinga National Park for a once in a lifetime Gorilla Tracking experience

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.

As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.

Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery. https://www.adyeri.co/gorilla-tracking-4d3n

Uganda Safari

Kibale National Park

About

Although it’s contiguous with Queen Elizabeth National park to the south west, the 766 square kilometer Kibale National Park is much wetter and contains a unique moist forest habitat with an extremely high diversity of wildlife and flora.

Gazetted in October 1993, Kibale contains what is probably the most accessible of the country’s large forests.

The Park includes what used to be the Kibale Forest Corridor Game Reserve, established in 1964 to allow additional habitat for the then large herds of wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  It also served as an important stop to the migratory routes to game reserves and Murchison Falls National Park further north for the huge herds of elephants that once roamed Uganda’s western frontier.

The altitude ranges from 1590 meters in the north to 1110 in the south, and to a large degree is responsible for the differing vegetation within the park.  It is a medium altitude transitional moist ever green forest occurring at elevations between montane forest and mixed tropical deciduous forest.

Getting there

Kanyanchu, where the park’s visitor centre is located is 35 kilometers south of Fort Portal, 357 Kilometers from Kampala and six Kilometers north of Bigodi village.

When to go

Kibale National Park can be visited at any time of the year, but expect cool nights particularly during the rainy seasons of April-May and October-November.

Where to stay

A wide range of accommodation options exist ranging from budget to luxurious accommodation. Crater Safari Lodge and Kibale Safari Lodge are some of the accommodation facilities on offer at the park.

Sightseeing

From Fort Portal head north east on the Lugard road, turning right on Kamwenge road immediately before you cross over the Mpanga river. The Kamwenge Road follows the river in an easterly direction from a short stretch before it dips sharply south. About 35 kiolmeters from Fort Portal, after crossing through a section of Kibale National park, you arrive at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre.

From Kanyanchu guided walks can be arranged along well marked tracks in search of many types of primates found there including chimpanzees.  The walks last anywhere between two to three hours.

The primates of Kibale have been the object of much research with the forest supporting the highest number of primates in Uganda and one of the highest primate densities in the world. There are twelve species of primates of which three are nocturnal. Red colobus monkeys, as well as the white and black colobus can be found at the park. The red colobus monkey is a rare species in Uganda and is exclusively found in Kibale National Park where it exists at very high density and can usually be seen of the forest walk from Kanyanchu. Guenon’s present include red tailed, blue and L’Hoest’s monkeys with the red tailed most commonly seen in Kanyanchu area. L’Hoest’s monkeys are mainly seen along the Kibale main road.

The most anticipated sighting by visitors to the park however is the chimpanzee.  Several communities of the fascinating primates have been habituated and can often be seen.

The park also supports a huge diversity of other wildlife including bushbuck, red duiker, blue duiker, bush pig, Civet Buffalo and giant forest hog.

About 325 species of birds are reported in Kibale, a number of which are endemic. In addition there are more than 144 species of butterflies and a large number of moths and insects.

Uganda Safari

Murchison Falls National Park

About

This park owes its existence to a serious outbreak that decimated Uganda’s human population between 1898 and 1915. As the only effective way known to combat the disease was to evacuate the region between 1907 and 1912.

Murchison falls was gazette in July 1952, a few months after the National Park’s act was passed. The spectacular 3840 sq. km park, the country’s largest is known for its scenic beauty and abundant flora and fauna although it suffered considerably during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, which had a disastrous impact on its once abundant game.  However, with animal population consistently growing, and Murchison falls may soon regain its reputation as one of Africa’s favorite destinations.

Take note that the park was briefly renamed Kabalega Falls National Park, and remains as such on some maps.

Murchison Falls National Park offers some of the wildest and most pristine scenery in Africa. Lush plains are scattered with palms, rich forest and growing herds of animals.
And, of course there are the magnificent Murchison Falls, where the mighty 50 meter wide River Nile squeezes through a six meter cleft in the rocks to drop 43 meters in a cascading thunder of water forming an inevitable mist and beautiful rainbow. The River Nile, in fact is the most prominent feature of the park, bisecting it from East to West. The north most tip of Lake Albert forms western boundary of the park, so the area is extremely well watered and fertile.

Getting there

Using the most direct route, Paraa where Murchison Falls is located is 303 kilometers from Kampala, 86 kilometers from Masindi, 142 kilometers from Hoima and 109 kilometers from Gulu. It is served by road from Kampala most of which is tarmac and can also be reached by air charter, using the all weather airstrip of Pakuba, about 10 kilometers northwest Paraa.

When to go

The park is lovely at any time of the year, but most visitors choose to avoid the rainy seasons of April-May and October-November.

Where to stay

Murchison Falls has experienced an enormous development of accommodation facilities in recent years. At Paraa, the Paraa Safari Lodge is equipped with all that a visitor would ever ask for. There is also the Sambiya River Lodge on the southern bank of the river not far from Paraa. There are also some rustic campsites near the top of the falls, for which you must totally be self sufficient.  Paraa Safari Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge are some of the luxurious lodges on offer at the park.

Sightseeing

From the Old Kampala Road roundabout that circumvents the Gaddafi Mosque, head north on boundary close which becomes Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road. As you travel out of town on this road (which is signpost to Bombo, Luwero and Gulu), you pass the extensive grounds of the prestigious Makerere University on your right. There is nothing much to see of note along the way, although you pass through numerous small towns, each with its own colorful ambience particularly on market day.  After about 119 kilometers you get to the town of Nakasongola where the main tarmac road veers left, following the meandering contours of Lake Kyoga.

The River Nile flows Northwards from Owen Falls Dam into this shallow papyrus and water lily girt lake, which is 100 kilometers long and covers a total area of 4,427 square kilometers. Much of it is Swamp; its one of Africa’s greatest wetland ecosystem with prolific bird and lacustrine life. To take a closer look at the lake, you can make a 23 kilometer detour on the dirt road that leads north of Nakasongola to the Lake’s edge of Lwampanga village
From Nakasongola it is a 98 kilometer drive northwest to Masindi but take care: after 58 kilometers the road forks just after you cross the Kafu River, with a right fork the main tarmac road, north to Gulu and left to Masindi.          
A worthwhile side trip, only 31 kilometers away, is to take the right fork and stay on the tarmac until you get to the village of Rwekunye where you turn right to the town of Masindi port on the banks of the River Nile. The town has a colorful open market, full of hundreds of friendly locals.
To reach Masindi, return to the main road and take the left fork.  You will reach Masindi after driving for 40 kilometers. The land to the west of Masindi known as West Nile region is Uganda’s main tobacco growing area.
While Masindi has nothing much to speak of; it’s a base from which you can visit the historical sites in Hoima and the Budongo Forest Reserve that’s boast of a high density of primates. The Masindi Hotel about a kilometer out of town on the road north to Murchison Falls is the “upper range’ hotel although there are several guest houses. Only five kilometers out of town is the Bunyoro kings palace on Kihande hill which is worth a visit.

The Hoima historical sites and the Budongo Forest Reserve may be visited separately or as part of a circuit drive. To do the latter head south west out of Masindi Town towards Hoima, some 56 kilometers away. About four Kilometers before you reach Hoima town, on the left of the road are the Mparo Tombs, where the Bunyoro King who died in 1923 and several of his successors (including his son Sir Tito Winyi) are buried. The burial site is a large enclosure made of natural materials, while Kabalega’s grave is housed in domed construction similar to that of the Kasubi tombs in Kampala although much smaller. The grave is surrounded with many of King Kabalega’s personal effects. Outside the main enclosure is a plaque where Kabalega met Emin Pasha in 1877. Remember to take off your shoes before entering the main tomb.

It was from Mparo that Kabalega led his raids into the neighboring kingdoms of Tooro and Buganda, although he was driven from his capital by the British in 1891and turned to guerilla warfare. Eventually the British captured him after a series of forts were built in the Lake Albert Region in 1984. You can see of the main fort travelling to Hoima town and turning north on the road leading to Butiaba. After only 3 kilometers you reach Katasiiha where the main fort was. All that remains today is an 8 meter deep trench, now filled in and a cave that was used as an arsenal. The fort like the others the British used in the area was built by General Colville.
Continue your journey north on the Butiaba road. About 32 kilometers west of the town of Kigorobya on the shores of Lake Albert are the Kibiro hot springs and salt works where traditional methods of extracting salt are quite evident. A boat can be hired for a tour of Lake Albert on request.  The Lake particularly the northern near Murchison Falls National Park is a real fishing center with plentiful tilapia, Nile perch and tiger fish.

Uganda Safari

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

About

Close to Mgahinga National Park is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you may even have an even better chance of seeing the rare mountain gorilla, as seven groups are habituated there. As it's name "impenetrable" implies, this park is not quite accessible as Mgahinga, but its well worth the effort of going there.

Like Mgahinga, Bwindi which was gazetted in 1991, is one of the country's newest national parks. It covers 331 square kilometers which makes it the third largest forested area in Uganda and lies on the Democratic Republic of Congo border, adjacent to Parc National des Virungas of Democratic Republic of Congo. Situated on the edge of the western Rift Valley on the highest block of the Rukiga highlands, its one of the largest natural forests in East Africa containing both montane and lowland forest vegetation.

Bwindi ranges in altitude between 1,160 and 2,607 meters. The highlands on which the park sits consist of old (Precambrian) rock, much eroded and altered. Like Mgahinga, much of the vegetation is typically tropical rainforest, with a very dense thick undergrowth hence the name "impenetrable". Make no mistake about it tacking gorillas in this area is strenuous work.

Bwindi's 120 plus  species of mammals make it one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. Primates are particularly abundant and include the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, L'Hoest's monkey, black and white colobus monkey, baboon, potto and  Demidoff's galago. Other mammals present include the bush pig, giant forest hog, clawless otter, golden cat, side stripped jackal and many species of bats and rodents.

Bird lovers will take delight in the fact that some 346 species are found there of which 184 are typical forest species. In addition Bwindi is home to more than 14 species of snakes , 27 species of frogs and toads, six chameleons and 14 Lizards, skinks and Geckos. You're also bound to notice the incredible variety of butterflies in the park: more than 202 species ave been identified so far.
If  you're more into flora than fauna, you'll be interested to note that there are more than 163 species of trees in Bwindi, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda and 16 of which show a very limited distribution elsewhere in Uganda.

Getting there

Bwindi is located in the South Western part of Uganda with Buhoma from where the gorilla is viewing is conducted is 120 kilometers from Kabale district (through Bulema and Butogota) , 550 kilometers from Kampala city and 267 kilometers from Mbarara district.

When to go

Like Mgahinga, Bwindi National Park is a rainforest and thus is wet all year round, although the course of the rains increase during the seasons of April - May and September - October. Ideally the best time to travel would be during the dry seasons of May - August and December - February.

Where to stay

There is a wide array of accommodation facilities on offer at Bwindi National Park ranging from budget camps to luxurious lodges depending on the Gorilla group that you would like to track.

At Buhoma, visitors can stay in simple bandas or camps using their own tents in a community run campsite.

How much does a Gorilla permit cost?

The prices of Gorilla permits in Uganda are normally fixed and vary depending on the time of the year you wish to track the Gorillas. Peak season Gorilla permits cost 600 USD for foreign non-residents and 400 USD for foreign East African residents.
During the Off Peak season which covers the months of April, May and November; Gorilla permits cost 450 USD.

Gorillas and more

Mountain Gorilla Tracking is the major attraction in Bwindi National Park. There are seven groups and these include;

1. Mubare Group: Habituated in 1991, this group is found in the Buhoma area of the park
2. Rushegura Group:  This group is found in the Buhoma area
3. Habiyanja Group: Habituated in 1997, this group is found in the Buhoma area
4. Mishaya Group: This is is found in the Rushaga area and was originally part of the Nshongi group
5. Nshongi Group: This group is found in the Rushaga region and consists of 25 gorillas
6. Nkuringo Group: This group comprised of 19 gorillas and is found in the Nkuringo area of Bwindi
7. Bitukura Group: This group is found in the Ruhija area

Hiking

As in Mgahinga, there are other things to see in Buhoma area of Bwindi beside the gorillas. There are a number of hiking trails in the park, but visitors must arrange a day in advance for a guide to accompany them. Three trails begin in Buhoma, including the Muyanga River Trail which is an ideal short walk for visitors with little time to spare.
Alternatively, try the Waterfall Trail, which follows the Muyanga River upstream as it tumbles down the steep slopes south-east of Buhoma, flowing through a series of waterfalls before entering the camp area.
The Rushuura Trail will afford you some fantastic views across the western Rift Valley floor with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Park National des Virungas providing a particularly spectacular back drop.

Buhoma is an ideal place from which to watch primates and birds. You'll see many monkeys along the roads, around the periphery of the park, and at the forest edge.
This is also the richest site for birds in the park, with some 190 species on record. Of particular interest are the Kiva ground thrush, white-bellied robin chat, red-throated alethe, collared apalis, short tailed warbler, yellow-eyed black fly catcher, Rwenzori Batis, blue-headed sunbird, strange weaver , and Shelley's crimsonwing.

The Mubwindi swamp in the centre of the park is a three hour hike from Ruhija. The scenic walk passes through a beautiful forest and affords fine views of Virunga volcanoes.

Uganda Safari

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

About

Popularly known as the Mountains of the Moon and was discovered by white explorers in 1889. Everyone from experienced hikers to casual day hikers find the Rwenzori Mountains National Park a magnificent environment, with its non-volcanic mountains capped with snow, massive ice-rime sculptures, awe-inspiring vegetation and unique fauna. The mountains are 120 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide were forced up during the creation of the Great Rift Valley.

At the centre of the range are six snow capped peaks. The highest Mountain of the range, Mount Stanley is the third highest mountain in Africa after Mounk Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.  Mount Stanley’s highest peak, Margherita rises 5,109 meters above sea level. Other peaks in the range include Alexandria, 5,083 meters; Speke, at 4,890 meters; Emin at 4,791; Gessi at 4,715; and Luigi di Savoia at 4,627 meters. Interestingly more people visit the Rwenzoris to explore the vegetation than to climb the glaciers and peaks. Because of the strange evolutionary pattern, common plants grow to absurd proportions. Lobelias weigh in at 60 kilograms while heather shoots upto 10 meters.

The people on the lower slopes of the Rwenzori Mountain are the Bakonjo. Strong and energetic, they are well suited to life in the mountains, which are an integral part of their traditional beliefs.

Over 500,000 Ugandans living below the park boundary are dependent on the park watershed for year round agricultural production. Major crops include coffee, beans, maize, yams, Irish potatoes, and wheat.

Getting there

Ibanda, the nearest town to Nyakalengija Park headquarters (the starting point for climbing in the mountains), is about 69 kilometers from Fort Portal, 25 kilometers from Kasese, and 389 kilometers from Kampala. It is served by a good tarmac road from both Fort Portal and Kasese. The nearest large town Kasese was served in the past by rail from Kampala but has an airstrip in place to accommodate air charters.

When to go

Constant mist covers the mountains all year round. The driest months are usually July and August, and December to February. Visits at any other time might be disappointing.

Where to stay

Along the central hiking circuit, camping sites are available at convenient stopping points. Accommodation is also available in Kasese at the Margherita Hotel and several lodges.

Sightseeing

Head south out of Fort Portal town on Kyebambe road towards Kasese. About 5 kilometers out of town on the left side of the road, stand at the Karambi tombs, where Toro King Kasagama and his son Rukidi II are buried.  There’s not much else to see before the Rwenzori National Park turnoff but the scenery along the way is beautiful, and you pass through several small towns. Some 54 kilometers from Fort Portal you come to the turn off to Ibanda and the Nyakalengija Park headquarters. From there its another 10 kilometers to Ibanda and another 5 kilometers through banana and sugar plantations before you reach Nyakalengija where the hiking trail begins.

The usual trip to Rwenzori Mountains lasts seven to nine days, which is just long enough to hike the well travelled central circuit trail. Shorter trips can also be arranged but they do not reach the high mountains.  It is best to allow a minimum of six days even for shorter trips. No special climbing equipment is necessary unless you attempt one of the summits although you have to keep in mind that hiking is tough work, usually in poor weather and should not be taken lightly. Carry along a map or one of our knowledgeable guides can avail you with one. We recommend you but the Ruwenzori Map and Guide by Andrew Wielochowski.

Before you attempt a climb or high altitude hike, make sure you are aware of the dangers and symptoms of mountain or altitude sickness which can be fatal. These symptoms usually become noticeable after 3000 meters. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, and slight loss of coordination. Severe symptoms include abnormal speech and behavior, severe nausea and headaches and persistent coughing spasms.  If you have any of the severe symptoms, immediately descend to lower altitudes.

Be aware too of the dangers of hypothermia. You have to waterproof most of your items. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature is lowered usually caused by a combination of wet and cold condition.  Note that severe symptoms of hypothermia include disorientation, lethargy and mental confusion.

The central circuit is by far the most popular hike or climb. Like others it begins at Nyakalengija park headquarters and takes you through the Nyabitaba hut at 2,651 meters. It is a fairly easy walk of about four to five hours. On the way you pass through a small coffee plantation and meadow before hitting the bush and later the forest.  Please wear long trousers as the nettles can be nasty.  The trout filled Mubuku River is on your right as you start the journey. You cross a couple of streams and then the Mahoma River before climbing the ridge to Nyabitaba.

From Nyabitaba you can tackle the trail in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

The next day’s hike on the anticlockwise circuit is tough, taking a minimum of seven hours before you reach the next night stop of John Mate Hut, at 3,505 meters. The path takes you down through the forest dropping steeply to Mubuku River, which you cross by the Kurt Schafer Bridge. You then climb up steeply up the bank and walk several kilometers through bamboo followed by another arduous ascent with many rocks on the path. There you begin to enter the Moorland zone and giant tree heathers are everywhere. Giant Groundsels also flourish. You will stop for lunch at the Nyamileju Hut.

From Nyamileju it is another two hours or so to the John Mate Hut through a giant heather forest following the course of the Bujuku River.

An alternative night stop is the Bigo Hut at 3,445 metersanother kilometer or so of tough track through a bog, which often requires wading through deep mud or leap from one grassy patch to the next.

From Bigo the circuit trail heads south west. To continue on the circuit trail from the John Mate Hut on the third day you head towards the Bujuku hut at 3,962 meters. This may take upto siz hours depending on the condition of the Bigo Bog which may be slow going if the mud is deep. You pass through another bog before reaching Lake Bujuku, majestically set against a backdrop of Mount Baker’s scree slopes and affording views of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. If you intend to climb Mount Speke, make this you base, but you have to spend an extra night to do this. To scale the highest point in the Ruwenzoris you need to base yourself at Elena hut which is about two kilometers off the circuit trail and a three to four hour walk from the Bujuku Hut.

From Lake Bujuku head south to Lake Kitandara at 4,023 meters this takes you to the highest point on the circuit trail the Scott Elliot Pass at 4,372 meters. Kitandara Hut close to the foot of Elena Glaciers are positioned on the floor of Lake Kitandara. This idyllic spot is about a four hour walk from Lake Bujuku. 

The following day you begin your descent to the east and head to Guy Yeoman Hut at 3,450 meters. You can also opt to stay the night at the Kabamba Rock Shelter which you reach first.

Plan on about a five hour hike: first a very steep ascent to freshfield pass and then a drop down to Bujongolo, a cliff over hang providing good shelter. After passing through the bog from Kabamba you come across the Yeoman Hut on a ridge above the stiff valley.

The next day which could be you final one on the circuit, you head down the steep valley through bamboo forests and bog across the Mahoma River and two minor streams, to the Nyabitaba Hut. This part of the journey should take about five hours. From there you can push on for another three hours to Nyakalengija base.

In addition to the many unusual plants you see on your journey down the circuit trail, you also may come upon some of the diverse birdlife and animal species that make this their base.

Primates and other mammals in the park include the Chimpanzee, Rwenzori Colobus Monkey, black and white colobus monkey. Blue monkeys, duiker, hyrax and serval.

Some unique birds in the Rwenzori include handsome francolin, olive pigeon, and white-necked raven.

How to survive freak accidents on holiday

They're highly unlikely eventualities, but freak accidents do happen. Your strategy in dealing with a dangerous encounter will depend entirely on the species of beast - a lion, for example, you should back away slowly from but never turn and run
 

While the vast majority of safari expeditions are safe, no drive is ever risk-free when it comes to wild animals. 

Your strategy in dealing with a dangerous encounter will depend entirely on the species of beast.

Find yourself face-to-face with a lion, for example, and you'll need to make direct eye contact and back away very slowly. Never turn your back, never run.

If you endure a stand-off with a leopard, the reverse is true. Here, you'll need to avoid eye-contact at all costs and hope they lose interest.

Elephants may look slow and peaceful, but they can be highly aggressive and very capable of harm. The trick here is to stand your ground and pretend to be brave. You're be hoping they'll make one or two mock charges, then saunter off when unchallenged.

As for a buffalo, there'll be no such warning. You'll never outrun one, nor survive them in combat, so your only option is to get a head start and climb a tree. 

Uganda Safari

Parc National Queen Elizabeth

About

Established in 1952, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's three oldest National Parks, with an area of almost 2000 sq. km of grass Savannah, open bush country, riverine forest, lowland rainforest, wetlands, rivers and lakes.
Bordering Lake Edward and Lake George, as well as the Kazinga Channel in the Western Area of the Great Rift Valley, the park has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve for humanity under the auspices of UNESCO. Despite some setbacks, it remains one of Uganda's national treasures.

The park (parque nacional queen elizabeth uganda) has its origins early in the 20th century, after many people fled the area when a wave of sleeping sickness plagued the country. Between 1925 and 1947, these abandoned area became two game reserves: Lake George and Lake Edward. In 1952, the reserves were merged into Kazinga National Park. Two years later, when Queen Elizabeth of England visited the national park it was renamed in her honor. During the Idi Amin regime the park was renamed Ruwenzori National Park, but it regained its original name in 1991 when the Ruwenzori Mountain National Park was gazetted.

One of the richest and best managed parks in Africa, supporting an astounding density of wildlife, Queen Elizabeth was hard hit by Uganda's wars, when the animal populations there and elsewhere in the country were decimated. After, peace and stability returned to the country the park steadily regained it's past grandeur. It remains one of the best places on the continent to see a high concentration of hippos and often at close quarters especially when you take the renowned boat trip along the Kazinga Channel.

Unlike Uganda's other national parks, Queen Elizabeth was created with several enclave villages within its boundaries. These include Katwe, which exists principally to exploit the natural salt in a highly saline crater lake and the Katunguru which along with a few other villages supports itself mainly through fishing.

Getting there
 

Mweya, the main park headquarters is 41 kilometers from Kasese, 115 kilometers from Fort Portal, 144 kilometers from Mbarara and about 420 kilometers from Kampala (via Masaka and Mbarara). A good tarmac road leads to the main gate turnoff, and from there its a 20 kilometer drive on a dirt road easily negotiated by two-wheel drive vehicles. Nearby Kasese is also served by an Airstrip. There is also a small landing strip near Mweya Safari Lodge for charter aircraft. The drive to Kampala takes about six hours.

When to go

Queen Elizabeth National Park is at its best after the rainy seasons of March-April and October-November. The air is fresh, the grass green, and there is an air of spring time and renewal.

Where to stay

In Mweya, visitors can choose from a wide array of accomodation facilities that include the Mweya Safari Lodge, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge. There is also a campsite at Mweya and some others near the banks of the Kazinga Channel. Campers should travel totally self sufficient with tent, gear and in the case of campsites near the Kazinga Channel, food and drink as well. Near Ishasha, in the southern sector of the park, there are basic campsites and some bandas. Again, carry everything you need.

Sightseeing

From the Ruwenzori National Park turnoff on the main Fort Portal - Kasese road, head south after 10 kilometers you reach Kasese which is a good base from which to explore either the Ruwenzori Mountains National Park or Parc National Queen Elizabeth.

Kasese escaped the looting and destruction that befell so many other Uganda towns, and remains unblemished. It was once important to the Uganda economy because of the nearby Kilembe mines which are now closed. To reach the mines you can hire a bicycle and cycle the 11 kilometers or so to the old copper mine site. Its a long , gradual uphill climb to get there but the downhill return is easy. On the way, keep a lookout for a colony of thousands of fruit bats along the side of the road. Once at Kilembe, you can tour the copper mine site and what remains of the surface equipment free of charge but you are not allowed underground.

Much of the park is open Savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees. It is home to a variety of mammals, including elephants, buffalo, warthog, baboon, lion, leopard, several monkey species, chimpanzees, spotted hyenas, Uganda kob and bushbuck. The interesting Sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope lives in the papyrus swamps around Lake George.

Lake Edward, another of Uganda's large lakes, was "discovered" in 1889 by Henry Morton Stanley and named after the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. The Rutshuru river flows into the lake, which covers 4,000 sq. kms and is 80 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide.

From Mweya, there are a number of well established game viewing circuits which can be explored from the convenience of a vehicle. Hiding in the scrub near Mweya are bushbuck, Defassa waterbuck, banded mongoose and warthog while large herds of the graceful Uganda Kob graze further along the track.

North of the main gate is the crater area, one of the most scenic parts of the park. Head for bamboo cliffs which are surrounded by a series of dramatic craters and are home to buffalo, waterbuck, kob, lions and elephants.
At Lake Katwe, one of the crater lakes in the area, its possible to see salt being mined using rudimentary methods.

To the east of the main tarmac road lie the wetlands of Lake George, a wetland of international importance protected under the Ramsar convetion. Bird watchers will delight in this place, with a large number of species present. You may even see the elusive shoebill stork. On the drive to Kasenyi on the shores of Lake George keep an eye out for Lions hiding in the grass.

One of the major delights of any visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park is the launch trip along the Kazinga Channel from Mweya. Many who experience it consider it the highlight of their entire African Safari. From the relative safety of your boat you can watch hundreds of hippos at close range. From this point of view you can observe buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants and sometimes the Lions and Leopards coming down to drink water at the water's edge and enjoy the tremendous display of bird life.
The many fish in the channel attract a number of waterbirds, such as pelicans, saddlebill storks, fish eagles, cormorants, skimmers and kingfishers. Look closely along the shores and you will see monitor lizards in the grass.
The trip lasts about two hours and there are three trips each day: at 0800 (the best time to go), 1100 and 1500.

Another unforgettable experience to be enjoyed in the north sector of the park is the foot safari through Kyambura Gorge. As you walk quietly through an enchanting rainforest along the river, you're likely to see black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys and chimpanzees.

For those seeking a more individual experience, make your way down the south sector of the park, which has its headquarters at Ishasha. The rugged experience of this area is quite a contrast of the relative comforts of Mweya and its surrounding areas.

The rest camp and game viewing loops are less accessible and more isolated; the topography is open grassland with scattered acacia trees as well as a remarkable floating fig forest along the banks of Lake Albert.

Africa's best national parks

More and more visitors flock each year to the continents' parks and reserves, bearing witness to nature on a grand scale and playing a vital role in generating tourism income.

Here are some of the top picks on the continent.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Maasai Mara National Reserve, which has been honored by the World Travel Awards, is named after its ancestral inhabitants, the Maasai people, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southwest Kenya.

In addition to an impressive population of big cats, rhinos and elephants, it plays host from July through to October each year to one of the world's more spectacular movements of wildebeest known as the Great Migration, the phenomenon involves more than 1 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of gazelles, zebras and other animals, which migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park was established in 1951, making it Tanzania's oldest national park. The park is arguably one of the most famous in the world and covers 5,700 square miles of grassland, riverine forest, woodlands and savannah.

It is famed for its spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and its part in the impressive annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of other animals.

Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Established in 1925, Virunga National Park is Africa's oldest national park and is often considered the crown jewel of parks on the continent. It lies in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The park is known for being the "continent's most biologically diverse protected area" and is home to endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla and the okapi.

In the 1970s, Virunga welcomed an average of 6,500 visitors every year, but it has suffered terribly from armed conflict and poaching. The park is slowly re-establishing itself through international donations.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is home to a multitude of birds, butterflies and endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Some 300 wild gorillas live in the park, accounting for nearly half the world's population
The park also boasts more than 160 species of trees.
The main tourist attraction is gorilla tracking, which generates a steady stream of revenue for the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve in 1898 and is home to a vast number of species, including more than 500 types of bird and more than 100 reptiles. It also boasts a huge diversity of trees and flowers.

The park is also known for big game, as well as more than 255 recorded archeological sites. Several rivers traverse the park from west to east, including the Sabie, Olifants, Crocodile, Letaba, Luvuvhu and Limpopo.

3 Days Gorilla Tour in Volcanoes National Park- Rwanda

Kigali - Volcanoes National Park

With a distance of approximately 80 Kilometers from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park, this drive at most takes 2.5 hours making this safari package ideal for short stay and business travelers to Rwanda. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is not only a fun and thrilling adventure but also a noble cause because a huge sum of the funds collected from the sale of Gorilla permits goes into conservation.

If you want to keep the magic alive a little longer you can add a few days in Masai Mara to your holiday agenda. Masai Mara is one of the most spectacular safari destinatins in the world, Huge herds, big adventures. Once you’ve been on Safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve everywhere else will feel tame by comparison.

DAY 1

Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

Arrival of your international flight. Met by our representative.

Your safari guide will take you around for a tour of Kigali City. Highlights of the Kigali city tour include a visit to the Kigali Memorial Center which is a memorial center in remembrance to the over 800,000 people who lost their lives in the 1994 genocide.

Arrive and check-in.

Dinner and overnight at the selected/available lodge or tented camp.

DAY 2

Volcanoes National Park

06h30: Early morning breakfast at the hotel/lodge then depart for the ORTPN offices for briefing prior to departing into the forest to start trekking the mountain gorillas.

Visit the local community in the afternoon after your lunch and close off the day by visiting the iby’iwacu cultural village for local musical performances by a cultural troupe

Dinner and overnight at the selected/available lodge or tented camp.

DAY 3

Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

06h30: Set off for an early morning mountain gorilla tracking adventure at the Volcanoes National Park

Tracking ideally will last anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on your tour guide of the day
Depart for your homebound international flight at Kigali International Airport.