Uganda
Uganda “the pearl of Africa”
The most ecologically diverse country in Africa, this is where the African savannah meets the Equatorial jungle. In this lush country, one can observe lions prowling in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth in the afternoon. Or navigate tropical channels teeming with hippo and crocs before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. Its bird checklist tops the 1,000 mark.
The mighty Nile is the setting for some of the world’s most thrilling commercial white-water rafting while the myriad forest-fringed crater lakes that stud the rift valley floor are idyllic venues. Whether you are a first time safari-goer or a seasoned African traveler, you will find that Uganda’s unique blend of savannah and forest creatures, and its rare wealth of montane and lake habitats – is simply dazzling.
Bwindi Impenetratable Forest
A magnificent, verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest - one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age - is home to roughly half of the world's 600 mountain gorillas.
Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Uganda has to offer. However we should not let this distract us from Bwindi's broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude that span’s from 1,160 to 2,607m.
The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, with the black and white colobus monkey adorned with a lovely flowing white tail, being prominent. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, boasting 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics present.
Useful Links
Bwindi Forest Lodge - www.volcanoessafaris.com/go/ecolodges/bwindi-lodge/
Bwindi Forest resort - http://www.gorillaresort.com/
Buhoma Homestead- http://www.wildfrontiers.co.ug/buhoma.html
Gorilla Forest Camp - http://www.sanctuarylodges.com/gorillaforestcamp.htm
Silverback Lodge Bwindi - http://www.geolodgesafrica.com/silverback_lodge.htm
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Park boasts the highest biodiversity rating in the world ranging from open savannahs to rainforests, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.
Almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 606 bird species makes this superb safari territory, Elephants, a profusion of hippos, the elusive giant forest hog and handsome Uganda kob antelope all are regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula - a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Elsewhere, the remote Ishasha Sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions. The Kyambura Gorge harbors habituated chimps, the Maramagambo Forest is home to an alluring selection of forest monkeys and birds, and flocks of flamingo are resident on the crater lakes.
Useful Links
Mweya Safari Lodge - http://www.mweyalodge.com/
Jacana Safari Lodge - http://www.geolodgesafrica.com/jacana_safari_lodge.htm
Lake Mburo National Park.
An ideal transit point en-route to Gorilla sanctuaries or Queen Elizabeth Park, Lake Mburo lies in one part of Uganda dominated by an extensive coverage of acacia woodland. It’s the best place to see gigantic eland, zebra, topi, as well as several acacia-associated birds.
The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterdirds. A boat ride on Lake Mburo reveals secretive papyrus specialist Sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonolek bushshrikes.
Useful Link
Lake Mburo Mantana Camp - http://www.kimbla-mantanauganda.com/brochure/LakeMburo.pdf
Murchison Falls National Park
Named for the magnificent Murchison falls, where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below.
The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water-birds including the world's most accessible wild population of rare shoebill storks.
The park is home to a variety of big game namely; Cape buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, bohor reedbuck, shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bushpig. Large carnivores include lion, leopard and spotted hyena.
Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found to the southeast in the park while crocodile and hippo are seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the more common birds that can be seen include goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill storks and the rare shoebill stork. A boat cruise to the delta is a highlight for the avid birdwatcher.
Useful Links:
Paraa Safari Lodge - http://www.paraalodge.com/
Nile Safari Lodge - http://www.geolodgesafrica.com/nile_safari_lodge.htm