| This Park is a great savannah park for spotting many savannah associated species. It is home to one of highest number of bird species of any park in Africa: 650. With respect to big game, Ugandan Kobs are very well represented as well as Buffalos and Waterbucsk. In the southern part, which we did not visit, you can see tree climbing lions and topi's. Queen Elisabeth is also the best place in Uganda to spot leopards. A boat trip on the Kazinga channel is very rewarding with similar species as seen in Murchison Falls. However, we found the boat in MF park more spectacular. |
| As the capital of Uganda Kampala is the biggest city of the country. It can be a hectic city but in general the atmosphere is good. There are some nice markets and musea, and you have plenty of options to have a good night of eating, dancing and drinking. |
| Fort Portal is a nice lively town at the base of the Rwuwensori Mountains. The city is surrounded by rolling hills covered by tea plantations which is one of the major export products of Uganda. In the vicinity of Fort Portal there are many small little crater lakes lined by patches of forest, which are ideal for a day or two of exploration. |
| This Lake is one of the deepest in the world and is very pretty situated in between mountains. It's a perfect place to relax and to take a mokoro (boat) to explore the lake by yourself. If you're lucky you'll be accompanied by some playful otters. On the southwestern shores there are some Batwa pygmee villages which can be visited. They will sing some songs for you and you can have a look in their homes, but it felt a bit uncomfortable. |
| This Park is without doubt the highlight of a visit to Uganda. Bwindi harbours around 350 Mountain gorilla's, which is half of the total world population, although some say these Bwindi gorillas are more closely related to he eastern lowland gorillas in Zaire. To visit the Gorilla's you have to be in possesion of a permit costing $350 in 2006. There are 3 habituated Gorilla groups and every group can be visited only once a day by 8 tourists for a maximum of 1 hour. There is almost a 100% chance you will see the gorilla's, because trackers will first try to track them, before you will head in their direction. It's a exceptional experience to see these beautiful and friendly animals in their natural environment at very very close range. The park is very well managed and you're are only allowed to enter the park with a certified guide. There a couple of wonderful trails through the lush mountain rainforest, ranging from 2 to 8 hours. It's home to many other mammals, although you are only likely to spot blue, red-tailed and l'Hoest monkeys. With 390 birdspecies of which more than 20 are albert-rift endemics it's a birdwatchers paradise. With a very knowlegable guide we were able to spot around 100 species (8 rift endemics) in 1 afternoon. And in a forest that's quite exceptional! If you're not into all of this you can also make a 'village' walk, which includes a visit to the local witchdoctor, primary school, banana beer and gin Brwery and handicrafts market. We can recommend this, since it shows you that the money that the tourists spend on the Gorilla's is not only used to protect the park, but also used to educate the people in the villages surrounding the park about the importance of conservation, and funds new education and health care initiatives. This park is a perfect example of how both wildlife and people profit from tourism. |
| This Park is a great savannah park for spotting many savannah associated species. It is home to one of highest number of bird species of any park in Africa: 650. With respect to big game, the Ugandan Kob is very well represented as well as Buffalo's and Waterbuck. In the southern part, which we did not visit, you can see tree climbing lions and topi's. Queen Elisabeth is also the best place in Uganda to spot a Leopard. A boat trip on the Kazinga channel is very rewarding with similar species see as in Murchison Falls. However, we found the boat in MF park more spectacular. |
| Jinja is famous for two things: First it is founded at the 'origin of the Nile'. There is some debate whether this is the official beginning of the Nile, but at least from Jinja it travels through Uganda, Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. Second, ut is one of the best places in Africa for Wild Water Rafting. In a stretch of some 20 kilometres there around 20 rapids ranging from class I to V. It's a hell of ride!! Close to Jinja is a patch of lowland rainforest, called Mabira, in which several trails have been set out. It harbours around 200 spieces of butterfly and many birds. In addition, there are good chances of spotting red-tailed, black & white colobus and vervet monkeys. |
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| Murchosin Falls NP is the biggest National Park of Uganda, disected by the Nile. The fauna is stil recovering from the paoching that took place during Amin's reign. Luckily there is still a lot to see, not in the least part because of its wonderful scenery. The south of the park is very forested and harbours chimpanzees which are currently under study. The best game drives can be made north of the Nile where savannahs have atken over. You're guaranteed to spot Rothshild's giraffes, elephants, Jackson's Hartebeests, Buffalo's, Oribi's and lions. Birdlife is also very prolific, with a couple a bee-eater species at their most southern range. An absolute highlight is the rare and awkward looking Shoebill, which can be seen standing is the swamps lining lake Albert. A boat trip to the actual Murchison Falls is a must. The riverbanks are dotted with crocs, Hippo's, Waterbucks and many birds. The Falls are also very impressive tumbling through a narrow opening with an enormous power. |
| At the base of Mount Elgon lies Sipi. It's famous for its three succesive falls of which the lowest one drops more than 100m down. They are very pretty and you can make a day trip to all the three falls on foot. On the way you will come across matoke, coffee, and mais fields and you can visit a bat cave. |
| Lake Mburo National Park is relatively small, but is definitively worth a visit, because it's the only place in Uganda where Zebras, klipspringers, Impalas and Elands can be seen. Since lions are extinct in this park you can make a safari by foor under supervision of a ranger. When you stay at a camping site along the lake, watch out for Hippos coming to graze next to your tent at night! |
| Physical activities: eg Walking / Rafting / swimming Nature: eg National Park / Reserve City / Cultural site |
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© Bart Everts
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