This morning, you wake up and have an early breakfast in preparation for the 8-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife family tour. After your breakfast, at 6:30 am, your driver and guide will be on hand to help you pack all of your luggage in the safari vehicle and then commence your drive to Murchison Falls National Park. You will make a bathroom break-in Migyera along the Kampala- Gulu highway to also stretch your legs. After the break, you continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Rhino trekking takes about 2 hours in the company of well-trained and knowledgeable local guides. After this great experience, you will head to the restaurant for your lunch. After lunch, embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park.

Comfortable accommodation: – Heritage Safari Lodges.

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Ride.

In the morning, Today, you are up at 6.00 am, have breakfast and head out for a game drive for a chance to view the glorious day-break from across the open savannah, birds and dotted woodland as well as riverine vegetation along the Nile. Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park is among the best in Uganda, garnished with wonderful birdlife that makes the park a wildlife and birders’ paradise. The park is home to 76 mammal species including herds of buffalo, and elephants that are scattered in the savannah woodland areas. The park is also home to a good number of camouflage leopards as well as a good number of lion prides.

The park is also known for the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe. On the Nile’s banks and in the pools, you find hippos and crocodiles. You explore the area and are in search of lions, buffalos, elephants, giraffes, antelope and a lot more. At between 10-11 am, you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, at 2.00 pm, you will head out for the boat launch to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. This three-hour boat cruise climaxes at the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment at which point you will get off the boat and trek to the top of the falls (wear sports shoes while on the boat for ease of trekking to the top). Having worked up a sweat, once at the top, get bathed in the misty spray that the Nile creates as it forces itself into the 7-metre cleft to create the famous Murchison Falls.

You marvel at the powerful falls and get bathed in the misty spray that the falls create as part of the river Nile gets squeezed into a 7-metre cleft to create the falls as the Nile tumbles over the rift valley escarpment at this point. Take lots of pictures. Your guide will be waiting up top to transfer you back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Comfortable accommodation: Red Chilli Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After an early morning breakfast, Roots Tours and Travel driver/guide will brief you on this 7 days’ trip. You will set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through the lush green vegetation of the countryside and big tea plantations. Depending on the time of arrival you may have an evening game drive in the park. Along the way, you will have lunch and a stopover at the Uganda equator for a photographic moment.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for a classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 species of birds.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Boat Ride:

After Breakfast, head out to Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee trekking. Kyambura Gorge is an underground tropical forest which is an extension of the Queen Elizabeth conservation area. The gorge is 100 meters deep. This dense tropical forest is home to many birds and primate species. Return to the lodge in time for lunch.

In the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometre-long natural channel that connects the two Rift Valley lakes of George and Edward. The channel attracts a variety of animals and birds. Enjoy another late afternoon game drive on your way back to the lodge. Most of Queen Elizabeth comprises open grassland and savannah which tends to be moist and woody in the west than the eastern part, Thorny Acacia dominates this savannah habitat with a high concentration of candelabra shrub a cactus that grows along the Kazinga channel and on the kasenyi plains.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 5: Drive to Bwindi/ Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions:

After breakfast, you will drive to the southern part of the park heading to the Ishasha sector. Ishasha is famous for tree climbing Lions. The endless Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob. After Lunch, you will embark on a drive heading to Bwindi’s impenetrable Forest National Park home of mountain Gorillas.

Arrive at your lodge in the evening and have a relaxed evening. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population.

Accommodation: – Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking:

In the morning after having breakfast, Head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the park and the gorilla tracking activity. Then you will embark on the most memorable journey in your life. The time for trekking can be as little as two hours or as long as seven hours. Once you locate the gorilla family you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them.

This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Bwindi is home to at least 200 butterfly species including the eight Albertine rift endemics. Also home to many reptiles.

Accommodation: – Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 6: Drive to Lake Mburo National

In the morning after breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and is underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It’s home to 350 bird species as well as zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before retiring to your lodge for dinner & Overnight.

Accommodation: Eagle’s Nest

Day 7: Drive to Kampala/ Entebbe Airport to end the 8-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife family tour

After breakfast at your lodge, you will head out for a morning game drive. Afterwards, you will embark on your journey heading to Entebbe, either to the Airport or hotel. The drive will take you through the beautiful scenery of the western countryside of Uganda via lush green hills. You will have lunch along the way with a stopover at the Uganda Equator for souvenir shopping and a photo moment as you say goodbye to Uganda.

End of our 8-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife family tour.

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 A journey taking 9-10 hours’ drive through Mbarara from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. The park is covered by both montane rainforest and lowlands, also it is found in Virunga conservation area.

The forest is a home to over 120 species of mammals of which of 10 are primates including red tailed and blue monkeys, Colobus monkeys, baboons and even chimpanzees, more than 350 bird species and more than 250 species of butterflies. Bwindi is the only park in east and central Africa where chimpanzees and mountain gorillas co-exist in the same environment.

More than a half of the world’s population of rare mountain gorillas is found in Bwindi impenetrable forest about 400 out of 880 individuals, also the park is a home of the indigenous people that is the Batwa whose life Is based on the forest through gathering of fruits, roots and also hunting.

The park is divided into four sectors where gorilla trekking can be taken and these are Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringiro and Rushaga. As part of you Bwindi experience, you will have additional experiences of pristine crystal clear waterfalls, swamps and rivers, Bamboo forests, elephants, colourful butterflies, rare birds, monkeys and of course the mountain gorillas.

History

The Park ca be found in south western Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Before getting a National park status, two blocks of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest were designated as Crown Forest Reserves in 1932 and stretched on an area of about 298Km². Late in 1964, it was changed into an animal sanctuary in order to protect the rare mountain gorillas.

The Rwenzori Mountains Reserve, Impenetrable Forest Reserve, and Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve were designated as a national park and named it the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the Rwenzori Mountains Reserve.

Due to the existence of almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas in 1993, the parks management, the Uganda National Parks (UNP) which later changed into Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) bought a piece of land from the Batwa people-first habitants of Bwindi forest that extended a further 4Km² and was embraced to the park. Its Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants.

Indigenous people around Bwindi forest calls it “Mubwindi bwa nyinamuraki”.The forest has a swamp in the southern sector and one time a family wanted to cross the  swamp but it seemed to be impenetratable because of the thick vegetation. Ugandans believe forest heads are spirits and this family asked permission from the spirits to cross peacefully.

Bwindi impenetrable forest was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.

Bwindi happens to be home to more than half of these gorillas. The gorilla population in Bwindi has steadily risen because of sustained efforts by the Uganda government through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. While the 1997 gorilla census indicated about 300 individuals, the rise was witnessed in 2002 with 320 and again in 2006 with 340 individuals.

What to do in the park

Gorilla trekking and habituation. There are now more than 15 gorilla families that are designated for tourism. These families can be tracked with four major trailheads of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Habituation is a four-hour gorilla interaction where people observe, photograph and learn how gorilla behaviour adapts to human presence. Gorilla habituation is the ultimate as far as your personal experience with gorillas can get. Trekking takes 1-2hours.

Hiking and Nature Walks. With the hilly landscape and pure environment, hiking to any hill or taking a nature walk will fill you up with goodness only mother nature can provide.

Bird watching. It is true that birds of the same feathers flock together. This is even more true in Bwindi with more than 350 species adding beauty to the rich ecosystem.

Cultural Experience. Learn about the old traditions and untold folklore will not only give you a great perspective of their past, but also an appreciation of the future for humans as a species. The Bakiga and Batwa will give offer you the great experience in culture with amazing dances

Community Walks around in the community and get your own first hand feel of the day to day goings-on of the people who live adjacent to this magnificent park. You can also get to purchase locally made handicrafts as souvenirs of your time in Bwindi.

Cycling/Mountain Biking, a well-maintained trail from the park headquarters at Buhoma to the Ivi River which favour mountain biking. Along this 13km trail you may see wildlife such as bushbucks, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys.

When to visit the park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in a mountainous region, where chances of rain are so high and can rain at any time of the day. However, much rainfall is during the night or early in the morning. The sun does come out on most days.

The best time of the year to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest includes the months of January through March, June through October and the last two weeks of December.

Getting there

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a 9 hour plus drive from Entebbe International Airport.  You can break that long drive into smaller drives by incorporating different parks and activities.

Fly into Kigali, Kigali International Airport is the gateway to Southwest Uganda.  A mere 4-hour drive and you are in Rushaga or Nkuringo in the Southern End of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with some of the best Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.

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Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda with a moist evergreen rain forest. It covers 766 square kilometers (296 Sq. mi) in size with diverse array of landscapes. Kibale National park is one of the last remaining areas to harbor both lowland and montane forests in East Africa; it carries the last large portion of the pre-montane forest.

Kibale National Park was gazetted in 1932 and given its status in 1993 to protect a large forest area initially managed as a logged forest reserve; the Forest spreads and joins with Queen Elizabeth National Park which is equally one of the best tourist destinations. The park is recognized for its population of habituated chimpanzees and twelve other species of primates.

The main two tribes that reside around this park include the Batooro and Bakiga. This park is of great significance to them since it enables them to find what to eat, fuel and local herbs. It is believed that various benefits from the park such as jobs and market for locally made souvenirs have made the population to greatly increase

The park has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa, such as the endangered chimpanzees, the red colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest’s monkey, and others.

Basing on the most recent research, there are approximately 229 species of trees found within the moist tropical forests of the park, such as Cordia millennial, Entandrophragma angolense, and Lovoa swynnertonnii Forest management.  Also, there is an abundance of tree species that specifically require animal dispersal of their seeds that were far more abundant than non-animal dispersed species in the plot with the longest duration of fire exclusion.

The park protects a large block of rainforest that offers some excellent haven for birding, harbors the greatest variety and concentration of primates found nowhere else apart from Kibale forest. Some of the bird species that can be found include the Red-chested Flufftail, White-naped Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, Grey-winged Robin, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher and others.

In comparison with other destinations, Kibale national park is a unique destination in that tourists have up to 100% chance of sighting the primates. Some of these primates include, Chimpanzees which are the closest relatives of Human beings, Guereza Colobus, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Gentle ( Blue) and Red-tailed Monkeys are more likely to be found in open areas adjacent to the forest. You may find evidence of Elephant, Bush Pig, and Buffalos among others.

It is important to note that there are also some Nocturnal Primates In the park which includes Bush babies and Pottos. It is only possible to encounter these primates while having a nocturnal guided forest walk with spotlights which is unique and rewarding.

The other attraction just opposite the park is the Bigodi swamp, visitors who visit return with a smile since the adventure exposes them to different primates such as the sitatunga, baboons among others.

Hikes and Nature Walks

You can enjoy the different aspects at the park as you hike In and around Kibale National Park, A tourist is taken to the neighboring villages as you enjoy village walk and visit Bigodi Swamp and learn;  a lot of hidden secrets in the magnificent destination.

Visiting the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary

Bigodi is a vast tract of wetland and a bird sanctuary located in the tropical jungle that possesses a variety of natural wonders with amazing primates such as monkeys, baboons, rare birds like the great Blue Turaco, abundant flora, etc.  Bigodi has become a must-visit destination near Kibale Forest.

Primate Trekking and Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

The dominant tourist activity in Kibale National park is chimpanzee tracking. When compared to gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking is very simple and interesting. While in Kibale national park, only individuals above 15 years exercise chimpanzee tours in groups of 8 people in company of very knowledgeable forest guides.

Tracking goes for up to 6 hours depending on visitors’ speed and movements of chimps. It is important to note that visitors are encouraged to wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts to avoid being bitten by insects or being pricked by thorny bushes.

Lodging

There are numerous lodges and safari accommodation that offer classic services to all the guests who come to the park, they range from luxury, mid-range and budget accommodations. Some of the luxury lodges include Primate Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lodge, etc.

Access

A traveler can access Kibale forest national park from Kampala through Fort Portal – Kamwenge districts. From Fort Portal, your journey will start at the bridge over the Mpanga River, us you proceed 12km to the main signpost and Kanyanchu tourist center after 24kms.

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Kidepo national park originates from Kidepo Valley, and the name, when translated using the native language, means “to pick” from down. This park is renowned for its scenic Borassus palm trees, a sturdiness of game and the authentic communities that are beautifully spread all from side to side of the valley.

One thing that you will not want to miss while at kidepo national park is the seasonal Kidepo River that flows north into South Sudan where it meets Narus River before feeding into the White Nile. The vegetation at Kidepo National Park indeed is abundant enabling the safe stay of the vibrant mammal species in all corners of the park.

It is worth noting that during dry season, several games abandon the Kidepo Valley to Narus Valley in search of water and greener pastures. However, this gives the travelers a chance to do nature walks in the valley as they explore and discover the beauty of Uganda’s wilderness.

Kidepo national park has more than two entrance gates to Kidepo valley national park; Nataba gate which is the main entry that connects travelers to the south-east side, travelers from southwestern side of Gulu and Kitgum will be required to use the Lokumoit gate, and those landing by flight at the Lomei airfield get cleared before accessing the park at Apoka, the park’s main offices.

There are several rewarding activities that tourists engage in while at the Park as well as places that tourists can visit;-

Game Drives

When it comes to a very rewarding game drive experience, Kidepo national park is that ultimate destination that is very reliable when it comes to the game because of its flat terrain and grassland base.

Tourists have high chances of spotting numerous wildlife such as; lions, cheetah, leopard, maneless zebras, kudus, buffalos, Oryx, gazelle, elephants, giraffes, elands, roan antelopes, striped hyenas, jackals, hyenas, zebras, reedbucks, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Nile crocodiles, duikers and many more.

Nature walks

Kidepo Valley National Park is a very gigantic area with beautiful plains and exciting features to explore and make discoveries. A nature walk experience into the fascinating Lamoj hills rewards visitors with different wildlife species within the adjacent valleys.

A traveler can also choose to drive a distance away from Apoka to visit and explore the Kanangorok hot springs which are a natural spa in the wilderness.

Matheniko wildlife Reserve

Matheniko Wildlife Reserve covers approximately 1,520km2 and it is situated in Moroto district; this is a section of the great Kidepo Valley Conservation Area though separate from the national park. This wildlife reserve borders kidepo national park from the south-east sitting on the edge of the international borderline with Kenya.

Matheniko Reserve is a semi-arid savanna dominated by the tree species such as the acacia and butterfly pea. You can as well find various unique features such as the cheetah, buffalos, leopards, roan antelope, lesser kudu, elands, mountain reedbuck, wildcats, blue duikers, Bohor reedbuck, striped hyena, waterbucks, Ugandan Kobs, spotted hyenas, civets, vervet monkeys, and others.

It also has countless bird species such as the black-headed plover, thick-billed honeyguide, Verreaux’s Eagle, Egyptian vulture, Ethiopian swallow, Pygmy falcon, the Red-billed Ox-pecker, to mention but a few.

Bokora Wildlife Reserve

Surprisingly, the Bokora wildlife reserve is the second-largest single wildlife protected area in Uganda. It gained prominence as an important component in the ecosystem during the colonial times. Bokora became a wildlife reserve back in 1964 to date.

This reserve borders Matheniko Wildlife reserve in the northeast and Pian Upe wildlife reserve in the southwest. These three reserves are real homes for all the game, bird species and any other wildlife that migrates from mountain Elgon national park.

Mount Morungole

It is true the mount Morungole occupies a very large portion of the south Kidepo valley national park as well as being the source of River Kidepo and Narus River which is a “blood vessel” of wildlife species in the park.

Hiking this mountain is a very rewarding experience for all travelers who make it to this park. The exercise gives you the real view of the kidepo valley and the neighboring features.

Visiting the Ik people

This is an indigenous community that lives on the rugged ranges of Morungole Mountain as their sanctified home.  Basing on the UNESCO rating, the Ik people are numbering thousands of individuals who are endangered especially after losing their ancestral lands to enable wildlife conservation. These people traversed the Karamoja plains in search of game to hunt, gathering edible fruits, leaves, roots, and flowers.

They love honey and so have the skill of detecting the colonies of bees and harvesting honey. The IK people entertain their guests in all unique ways, ranging from performances, storytelling, traditional songs, tasting local cuisine, etc.

Birding

Kidepo Valley national park is a junction where unique bird species from various geographic zones meet. Kidepo valley has approximately 450 bird species and very suitable for bird watching.

The majority out of the 50 birds are of prey species in Uganda and endemic ones include Yellow-billed Hornbill, Egyptian vulture, Kori bustard, Pygmy falcon, Karamoja Apalis, Jackson’s hornbill, and many others.

When to visit?

Kidepo national park is open to visitors all year round; however, the ultimate time to visit is particularly during the dry season between Septembers to March., because when it is dry, the park is less crowded and animals tend to come out of their hiding place in search for food and water.

Yet in April and May, there is a lot of Rain and so the camps and tents tend to close due to the floods and then, from December to February is when the park is partly hot and dusty with amazing opportunities of game viewing.

Apoka tourism center

Apoka tourism center is the heart of tourism and every traveler to Kidepo Valley National Park stops upon arriving at this place. It is at Apoka where park offices are located, a place where travelers make clearance and where most activities start from.

Best way to get to Kidepo national park

Instead of driving for over 11 hours on road to Kidepo national park, there is an alternative of flying with a domestic flight right from Kajjansi or Entebbe to Lomei airfield in Kidepo. Take a step and face the wilderness of Kidepo National Park.

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The attractive 158 square miles’ acacia-dotted savannah of Olea and Boscia is home to 68 mammal species such as hippos, giraffes, African leopards, common eland, African buffalo, jackal, among others. The Park contains an extensive area of wetland and harbours several species of mammals not found anywhere else in Uganda. It is also a home of over 315 bird species include African Fin foot and the rare Shoebill Stork and also Grey-backed Cameroptera, Striped Kingfisher, Yellow Rumped Tinker bird, Fork-tailed Drongo and a Bare-faced Go Away Bird

The park contains 13 other lakes in the area apart from Lake Mburo which forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. The five of these lakes can be located within the park’s borders all over the park. Lake Mburo National Park contains much woodland as there are no elephants to feed the vegetation this means it is covered savannah grass land vegetation. The savannah is scattered with rocky ridges and forested gorges in the western part of the park while covers of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.

History

In 1933, Lake Mburo was initially gazetted as a controlled hunting area and promoted to a game reserve in 1963. The Banyankole-Bahima residents continued to graze their cattle in the reserve until it was upgraded to national park status in 1983. The government of Obote reformed decision was intended, in part to weaken the Banyankole who supported anti-Obote rebels.

As the evicted pastoralists were not compensated for lost grazing land or assisted with resettling, many remained hostile to the upgrade. The land outside the lake Mburo national park was later subdivided into small ranges and subsistence farming plots.

In 1985, the Obote two government fell and the previous residents of Lake Mburo re-occupied the park’s land, destroying infrastructure, killing wildlife and expelling park staff. This led to the time of the Operation Bonanza massacre of 300,000 people not. In 1986, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government re-gazeted less than half of the original land area of the park.

What to do in the park

Birdwatching, birding spots in the park include swampy valleys and viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest. Species found at these locations include the Rufous-bellied Heron, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin and Brown-chested Lapwing.

Launch Trips in Lake Mburo. The eastern banks of Lake Mburo I rich of wild animals and can be explored during a tranquil two-hour boat tour. Be keen enough to look out for buffalo, crocodiles and hippos as well as hammer kops, colourful Kingfishers and magnificent Fish Eagles with their enormous nests.

Game Drives, the two game drive that is early morning and evening game drives in the east of the park passes a variety of landscape features including rock outcrops, acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides and seasonally flooded valley floors. It will reward you with varsity wildlife such as impalas, zebras, buffalos, antelope family among others. 

Hiking and Nature Walks in Lake Mburo. Regularly, the whole park is open to walkers as long as they are escorted by a park ranger guide. Places include the lake’s banks, the salt lick at Rwonyo, Rubanga Forest and a hilltop with gorgeous lake views.

Sport Fishing, the park contains over six species of fish, the most common being tilapia others are cut fish. The designated fishing spot is at Mazinga.

Horseback safaris are an amazing way to spot wildlife such as eland, buffalo, warthog, topi, impala, duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck and zebra.

When to visit Lake Mburo

Lake Mburo National Park is open year around, but the Dry seasons are two in the year that is from June to August and December to February are the best time for common wildlife sightseeing as animals gather around the lake and other water sources. Wildlife viewing is still fine in the Wet seasons from March to May and from September to November though you maybe affect by slippery roads in the park, destruction from rain that can limit you from viewing the game and at this time the park lush and scenic.

Getting Here

Lake Mburo National Park lies between Masaka and Mbarara in western Uganda, 240 km from Kampala capital city of Uganda taking 4hours and 250km or 300km from Bwindi depending on the sector you are in which takes 6-7hours.

Enter the park from the Mbarara-Kampala road on the two gates, the turning to Nshara Gate is 13kms past Lyantonde while the junction for Sanga Gate is at Sanga trading centre, 27km past Lyantonde. Both junctions are clearly signposted. It takes 20minute drive from either of the two gates to Rwonyo (park headquarters).

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The name of the park comes from “Gahinga” the local word for the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes. And therefore, part of it is located in Virunga conservation region. The park is famous because is a home of the remaining rare mountain gorillas which roam about the whole forest in search for food and therefore, it offers a chance for gorilla trekking.

The diverse habitats are the reason for the variety of wildlife found in this small park. 68 mammals and over 350 species of birds have been recorded here. There is no doubt that Mgahinga Gorilla national park is one of the leading tourism sites in Uganda since it harbours these rare primates.

Not only being dominant for wildlife, the park also has enormous cultural significance in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. The Batwa was the first people to live in the forest and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.

The park was stablished to protect the rare mountain gorillas that roam freely within the Virunga area. The park is bordered by the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1930, it was announced a game sanctuary by the British administration and was gazetted as a national park in 1991. The park has only got one habituated trans- boundary gorilla group. The visitors can also enjoy the Batwa visit which is a much far fascinating tour with the Batwa guide to learn the secrets of the forest.

In 1991, the park was established in an area that used to be a game reserve between the 1930s and 1950, but was partly converted to crop fields in lower altitudes. In 1989, rangers trained, trees planted, biological surveys were initiated and wire traps destroyed. Settlers were relocated to areas outside the national park’s borders in the early 1990s

In 1930 the British administration proclaimed the area a game sanctuary and in 1991, it was gazetted as a National Park.

What to do in Mgahinga national park

Gorilla trekking. This can take 2-6 hours depending on where and the gorilla family you have trekked. This is the one of the great experience you need not to miss while on your safari to Africa.

Golden monkey trekking. Here trekkers are given a chance to trek the beautiful primates in their natural environment. You will spot a number of primates such as Ruwenzori monkeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkey among others. Remember golden monkeys can be only found in Mgahinga in the whole country.

Cultural Encounters. For many years, Mgahinga forests were home to the indigenous Batwa – hunter-gatherers and fierce warriors who depended on the forest for shelter, food and medicine. Now they lead tourists through the forests and introduce them to their old home and the techniques they used to survive in it.

Birding in Mgahinga forest is another exciting activity which takes place in some of its most beautiful scenery, in the gorge between Mt. Sabinyo and Mt Gahinga, through the montane forest and in bamboo forest, where White-necked raven, Black kite, Pin-tailed whydah, Double-collared sunbird, Ruwenzori Turaco may be observed.

Hiking/nature walks around the edge of Virunga Volcanoes gives you a chance to spot bamboo forests, wild vegetation, forest birds, the Rugezi Swamp, and glorious views of the surrounding lakes and agricultural villages.

When to visit the park

Visiting Mgahinga national park is an all year adventure hence you can visit at any time you like. However, the maximum satisfaction is achieved if the activity is conducted during the 2 dry seasons from December to February and June to September because this is when the hiking trails are not slippery and muddy.

Getting to Mgahinga national park

The Park is 510km from Kampala the most commonly used route passes through Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro. The journey from Kampala to Mgahinga forest national park can take 9-10 hours on a good tarmac road.

An attractive, alternative route leaves the main road at Kabale and follows the shoreline of the superbly scenic Lake Bunyonyi to re-join the Kabale-Kisoro main road at its halfway point at Muko. The main entrance to the Park is 14km from Kisoro town at the end of a dirt road with some steep and rocky sections.

Alternatively, Mgahinga forest national park can also be reached by air using the daily flights from Entebbe/Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airfield.

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The Murchison falls, Uganda’s largest national park is also home to over 450 recorded bird species including the rare shoebill stork. The park also harbors 23 Albertine rift endemics given its position in the western arm of the east African rift valley. Murchison falls birding safaris allow you view many of these species of birds with the help of our expert guides.

In 1862, Murchison falls national park was first visited by James grant and John Speke. It was more exhaustively explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863-1864. The name ‘Murchison Falls’ originated from a geologist Roderick Murchison, the president of the Royal Geographical Society and it was named by Samuel Baker.

Between 1907 and 1912, the inhabitants of an area of about 13,000 sq.km, were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tsetse flies. The Bunyoro Game Reserve was initiated south of the River Nile in 1910. That area roughly corresponds to the part of the MFNP that is in the districts of Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. In 1928, the boundaries were extended north of the river into the modern-day Moya District. The British administration acknowledged the National Parks Act of Uganda in 1952 and became Murchison Falls National Park.

Activities in Murchison falls Park

Games drives. These last for 2-3 hours and can easily be guided by Tour company safari guides. It is advisable to go for two games drives to have better results and expect to see Buffaloes, antelopes, lions, Giraffes, Elephants, leopards, warthogs, Savannah birds and more. The game drives are morning game drive, evening games and nocturnal game drives; nocturnal game drives are carried out at night, several cats can be spotted here like lions, leopards, among others.

Launch cruises on the Nile River. The 2 hour UWA boat cruises/launch cruises are a high light Activities in Murchison Falls Park which operate twice a day i.e. mid-morning and afternoon. The hippos, Nile Crocodiles, elephant, Buffaloes in numbers, antelopes and many water birds.

Top of the falls hike. This is an adventurous trek which is 45-minutes hike up along the falls and be refreshed by the mist, feel the ground shake and vibrate under your feet – one of the most amazing experience in Murchison Falls Park.

Nile Delta Boat Ride, most take the boat safari up to the fall each day; fewer take the boat ride down the Nile Delta where the Nile River merges into Lake Albert. Enjoy birds, and wildlife, hippos, crocodiles you will see on this boat safari down the River Nile.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris, it is the only park where you can take a hot air balloon wildlife Safari.

Spot Fishing is provided by Katona tours Sport fishing permit in Murchison falls.  Expect to catch the Nile Perch, Tilapia among others

Birding watching is done on a nature walk along the Nile or through in the forest. The chances are endless here and there are numerous spots where with a guide you will make some rewarding discoveries and see why the Park is one of the best birding destination in all of Africa.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo Forest is another exciting activity carried out in Murchison falls national park

Best time to visit the park

Are you planning a memorable wildlife safari in Uganda to this park? It is advisable that you first get to know the ideal time for you to take a trip. That said, you need to pay keen attention to seasonality of Uganda if you are to have the memorable and enjoyable safari holiday.

Generally, the Park is best visited from December to February, the high season starts from June to September while the low season starts from March to May and between October and November. The best weather conditions at this park are experienced between June and July while the worst weather is realized between April and May, between August and October.

The dry season entirely features as the most ideal period for one to pay a visit to Murchison Falls National Park while on safari in Uganda. During this season, most routes that lead to the park and wildlife tracks remain dry making it ideal for you to conduct game drives. Its dry season kicks off from June to September and this is usually considered the longest dry season at this park and the second dry spell is realized from December to February and it is a short one.

Getting There

The park can be accessed by road and the journey takes 5hours drive about 282km from the heart of Kampala city. The road to the park is muddy and slippery and therefore, it need to be accessed during dry season.

Alternatively, you can take a flight from Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba which is approximately 19 kilometers away from Paraa and Bugungu that extends for over 13 kilometers off from Paraa.

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Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular tourist destination due to its diverse ecosystems, such as the extensive savanna, humid forests, dazzling lakes and wetlands, these habitats make it a perfect home for the big game, primate species such as chimpanzees and approximately 600 species of birds.

Positioned at the backdrop of the serrated Rwenzori Mountains, the park’ spectacular views include dozens of massive craters carved noticeably into the rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel with its banks hosting several hippos, crocs, elephants and buffalos. The experience doesn’t end until one has encountered the Tree climbing lions at the endless Ishasha plains not forgetting the gullible Uganda kob.

Queen Elizabeth national park was initially known as ‘Kazinga National Park’ before it was renamed in 1954 to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain; The Park is located in the western region of Uganda, shared between districts of Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge and Rukungiri.

It is approximately 400 kilometers by road south-west of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city, the park extends further southwards to include Maramagambo Forest and Kigezi Game Reserve, Kyambura Game Reserve and Kibale National Park on its northern corridor. Other neighboring destinations include Mount Rwenzori and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What to see in Queen Elizabeth national park?

Kazinga channel.

The beauty about the Kazinga channel is that it has two parts, the North Kazinga, and the Kasenyi. It is confirmed that the plain of Kazinga channel is a very important point for game viewing. The area exposes you to the wildlife in their natural habitats. Some of the game you have high chances of spotting include buffalos, elephants, lions and many more, these animals reside in the grassland thickets of the Northern Kazinga close to Mweya.

Ishasha sector.

It is in this sector that tourists encounter the rare tree climbing lions, the meandering Ntungwe river plus other wild game resident in the place. Ishasha is roughly 100km south of Mweya and offers real African wilderness experience at one sight. Some of the habitats in this place such as savannah woodland, Ishasha River and Lake Edward harbor numerous Wildlife species such as the tree climbing lions, rare shoebill stork and many others.

Mweya Peninsular.

While at Queen Elizabeth National park, one treasure every guest ought not to miss out is the Mweya peninsular which is the heart of sightseeing activities with excellent accommodation. As you explore the distant parts of the peninsular which overlooks the fascinating Katwe bay of Lake Edward and souvenir shop full of Uganda safari items that will always remind you of the park.

There are so many captivating activities that a tourist can get involved in while in this destination, including Game drive where you encounter the night and day hunters, namely lions, elephants, buffaloes and so much more.

Kazinga channel boat cruise gives you a chance to refresh as you enjoy the sights of the numerous aquatic animals such as the hippopotamus, crocodiles, and other important mammals and bird species.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National park

A tourist can access queen Elizabeth National park from either Kigali Rwanda or Entebbe international airport and one can either choose to Use a chartered / scheduled flight or road.

In case of a flight, you will need to book your tickets individually or through a travel agent who will make the whole process very easy and fast. Flights the set off from either Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip or from airstrips in other national parks to Mweya airstrip.

When to visit?

This park is open to visitors all year round, though it is advisable to visit during the peak season in June to September since roads are more accessible, clear game tracks and the wildlife is more open.

Though this is one of the oldest National parks in the country, visitor number is still very large; experiences in this destination are incomparable to that offered at any other destination across the globe. Just take a step to be the next in the record of those who have visited Queen Elizabeth National park.

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This National park got its status in October 1993; it covers 194 km2 (75 sq mi) of East Africa’s only lowland tropical rainforest and one of the richest areas of flora and fauna diversity in Africa, with a diverse species of birds. The Park is now under the control and management of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Semuliki National Park experiences an average rainfall of 1,250 mm (49 in), with peaks in rainfall from March to May and from September to December.  Unfortunately, during the Dry season, many parts of the park have a challenge of floods.  The park temperature varies from 18 to 30 °C (64 to 86 °F)

Initially, from 1932 to 1993, Semuliki National Park was managed as a forest reserve by the colonial government, and later on by the Ugandan government’s Forest Department before upgrading to a national park in 1993 to protect the forest as part of the western Rift Valley.

It is also important to note that Semuliki National Park covers a distinct ecosystem within the larger Albertine Rift ecosystem, with several climatic and ecological zones. This makes it carry a diversity of plants, animal species, and many microhabitats. Several plant and animal species in the park are also found in the Congo Basin forests, with many of these species sprawling up to the eastern border of Semuliki National Park.

Vegetation

Semuliki National Park’s vegetation is mainly made up of medium-altitude evergreen forest, the dominant plant species being Cynometra alexandri tree.  Also, Semuliki National park is a habitat to approximately 400 bird species, including both Rwenzori and Albertine rift endemics. These include lyre-tailed honey guide, up to nine species of hornbills, rare Forest Ground Thrush (Turdus oberlaenderi) and Sassi’s Olive Greenbul (Phyllastrephus Lorenzi).

Wildlife

Considering the most recent records, Semuliki National park also has over 60 mammal species such as the forest buffalos, leopards, hippos, Mona monkeys, water chevrotains, bush babies, civets, elephants, pygmy flying squirrel (Adieus Zenker). Besides, there are roughly nine species of duikers recorded such as the bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis). Also eight primate species and over 460 butterfly species.

Cultural tours in Semuliki

There are four discrete ethnic groups who reside around the park; these include the Bwamba farmers who are found at the base of the Rwenzori, Bakonjo cultivators, Batuku cattle keepers who inhabit the open plains and Bambuti pygmies who are remarkably the oldest culture on earth and have traditionally lived as hunters and gatherers at the edge of Ituri forest, along Uganda-D.R. Congo border.

What to see in Semuliki

The Semuliki Valley contains abundant features connected to the central rather than eastern Africa. Most of the thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; in addition, Semliki River which forms the park’s international boundary is a mini description of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species and the local population around the forest are ever ready to welcome all guests with very interesting performances and offering a real African authentic experience, majority of the guests who visit this park in most cases testify of the tasty local cuisines offered to them during the cultural encounters. Some of the neighboring communities include the Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri forest, among many others.

Hot springs

Although Semuliki National Park has carried a diversity of different wildlife species, its unforgettable attraction confirming the evidence of older geo-thermal processes is the Hot springs. The fascinating bubbles from this hot spring demonstrate the unique subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.

It is after sighting the magical Sempaya hot springs in Semuliki national park that a traveler gets to accept the real beauty in the pearl of Africa, there are the two main Hot Springs –the male hot-spring which is called Bitende which is roughly 12 meters in diameter, and the female hot spring called Nyasimbi with a boiling geyser which spurts out bubbling water and steam about 2 meters into the air. It is a rare discovery that the people locals boil eggs in the hot-spring pools and after eating, so Why not be the next person to confirm by moving along with an egg

Tourist activities / experiences

There are several rewarding activities a tourist can get involved in while at Semuliki National Park due to the numerous wild game, primates, bird species, amazing hot springs at Sempaya, swampy, montane and lowland vegetation species and the unique culture of the Batwa and Bambuti pygmies.

Some of the activities include; hiking and nature walks, game viewing, bird watching, hot spring tour, monkey trail, River trails and ultimate cultural experiences.

Getting there

From the capital Kampala to Fort Portal, you can choose one of the two major routes: from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende or Kampala to Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kasese. When you reach Fort portal, it is just 59km to Semuliki National Park and 6km to the Park headquarters at Ntandi.

Via Mubende, it is roughly 380km drive (about 4-5 hours) compared to the second one that has 465km (7-8 hours) although it offers travelers amazing views of the countryside.

Accommodation

Semuliki National park does not possess so many accommodations in and around the park. However, a tourist can as well get very suitable safari lodges that offer serene and cosy atmosphere for all guests. The main luxury accommodation found in the park is the Semuliki Safari lodge and Ntoroko game lodge. Other lodging options are available in Fort portal which is 59km away from the park.

Though Semuliki national park is not so widely known, the experience every tourist gets from it is very unique and does not furnish from a tourist mind. Just don’t hesitate to take a step and book your next trip to the pearl of Africa.

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