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Bwindi Tours Uganda, Expedition, Wildlife Safari Bwindi Forest Attractions Africa

Fauna and Flora:
Bwindi supports a number of biodiversity. This is due to its slopes extending over a wide range  of altitude (1447), which creates room for growth of vegetation of 2600m and a law land forest  at 1160m.

The forest has been in existence since 18000 years ago when almost all Africa’s forests were  reduced down due to arid conditions.

Over the last 25000 years Bwindi’s vegetation has been wearing itself while most of today’s  forests cannot leave for over 12000 years. Bwindi is congested with a number of species, which  stand to include 200 tree species. Over 120 types of mammal including 10 primates, and 8 months  51 reptiles and over 310 species of butterfly. The new comers include chimpanzee, blue and red  tailed monkey L’hoest’s block and white.
Colobus baboons and finally not forgetting the famous mountain gorilla residents.

For bird watchers, this is the right destination in the whole of Africa since the forest is  covered with over 350 species of birds which include ICUN listed red data in a group, while the  90% of Albertine Rift endemics are difficult to see in the whole of Africa.

Lodges Bwindi Forest National Park Accommodation Uganda Africa

Accommodation:
Buhoma:
Visitors are advised to book in advance. For these accommodation which include:
For upmarket and budget visitors.
Up market accommodation.
§    Gorilla Home stead.
§    Gorilla Resort.
§    Mantana Tented Camp.
§    Gorilla Forest Camp.
§    Volcanoes Bwindi Camp.
§    Lake Kitanda Camp.
§    Buhoma Homestead.

Budget locations:
§    Buhoma Community group camp.
§    Bwindi canteen view.
Ruhija:
Through the Headquarters of Uganda wildlife Authority a self-catering guesthouse can be booked.

Local People:
The Bafumbira and the Bakiga are the most local people near the park. Other tribes include the  Batwa locally the pygmies.
Bwindi has 350 people/km2 one of the highest population densities in rural areas in Uganda.

Getting to Bwindi Forest Uganda,Vacation Ideas, Travel and Safari Trip Africa

Location:
Bwindi is located 530km from Kampala in South Western Uganda. By use of road, you can reach the  park from all directions and you can use the following routes: -
(1).    Kampala-Kabale-Kanungu-Buhoma.
This leads you to a 414km tarmac highway to Kabale and can take you about 5 hours.

Another route passes through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo and takes you 4-5 hours.
Here a 4WD is required since the road is covered with winding m arum.

(2).    Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya):
This route passes through Ishasha sector where one can have a chance to see the climbing lions.  Mweya is 160km and Ishasha is just 64km away from Bwindi park.

(3).     Kampala-Kabale-Nkuringo:
This route takes 4 hours from Kabale to Nkuringo for 105km on a murram mountainous road, which  calls for a 4WD vehicle.

Another is Kisoro route 80Km from Kabale, then to Nkuringo and 35km from Kisoro can take just 1 -2 hours dive by a 4WD since the road is winding.

(4).      Kampala-Kabale-Ruhija-Buhoma:
This route covers 95km on murram and can take 3-4 hours. A 4WD could be used on Ruhija route  since the road is in poor condition.

(5). Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri Kihihi-Buhoma:
This is the most frequent used route and shortest from Kampala to Rukungiri, for 390km then you  follow a murram road to Buhoma for 82km.
(6). Other means:
Public transport:
A daily bus to Butogota from Kampala can be used, then one can hire a taxi to Buhoma (17km).  However, a vehicle can be hired in Kisoro since there is no public transport to Nkuringo.

Air transport:
The Kisoro airstrip can be used by planes flying from Kampala and Entebbe. While the Kayonza  airstrip can cater for planes coming from Buhoma.

Queen Elizabeth Tours Uganda, Expedition, Wildlife Safari Queen Elizabeth Attractions Africa

Tourist attractions:
§    Kazinga Channel:
The channel is 40km long, connecting Lake Edward and George. Along the shoreline you can spot a  number of reptiles, mammals and birds, hence providing the loveliest wildlife spectacle. The  park set up Simba and Topi launches between the cruise of the channels entrance and Mweya Jett,  which run from 15:00 and 17:00. Also arranged voyages run at 11:00 and 13:00.

§    Katwe:
BY use of evaporation, salt has been extracted from Lake Katwe, hence leading to the development  of the salt industry up-to-date in Uganda.

Katwe Explosion Craters:
North of Mweya Safari Lodge we find the extinct cluster volcanoes, which can be explored by  crater drive for 27km between the equator gates and the main. This crater drive gives you  options to view a variety of craters, clear lakes, rift valley floor and Rwenzori.

Mweya Peninsula:
Mweya Peninsula offers a variety of accommodation and a number of tourism activities all  seasons, located in the centre of the park.
Among the activities include; the nature walks being arranged at the camp from Mweya Information  Centre, then one is given a guide to explore the Peninsula which over looks Lake Edward’s Katwe  bay and the Rift valley.

§    North Kazinga and Kasenyi:
For game viewing, North Kazinga channel is the main game viewing area. You can easily access  Buffalos and Elephants using the available tracks leading you to North Kazinga Channel covered  with grassland thickets.
However, East of Kasese road on the open Kasenyi plain, lions can be spotted where they prey on  a variety of mammals especially the Uganda kobs. Other activities are; guided game drives  especially in early morning and late afternoon.

§    Ishasha:
Ishasha is located South of Mweya (100km). This provides the park’s wilderness experience and  the true African nature of savannah woodland, Ishasha River as well as Ishasha’s famous wildlife  of tree climbing lions and rare shoebill stork along the Edward flats.

§    The Queen’s Pavilion and the Equator:
At the Northern entrance to the carter drive, there stands the Queen’s Pavilion, which hosted  the Duke of Edinburgh and HM Queen Elizabeth II later in 1954. However, it was a temporary  shelter but a paramount pavilion was built in 1959 for Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother and then  it was restored for the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 2007.
The equator stands along the Kasese road, marked by 2 concrete circles where visitors enjoy  making photos.

§    Kyambura Wildlife Reserve:
The reserve contains four crater lakes hosting a number of flamingos year round.
The Reserve protects the Kazinga Channel in the Southeastern banks.

§    Kyambura Gorge:
Chimpanzees line deep the gotge (100m) across the Kyambura River following the Rift valley floor  near the Kazinga channel.
The search for chimpanzees starts at 8:00 to 14:00, with the help of guides, for 3km from the  Fig tree camp in Kyambura.

§    Maramagambo Forest:
The forest is one of Uganda’s largest tropical rain forests and habitat to lots of birds and  mammals as well as primates.
With Kazinga Channel’s sunny plains around, the forest looks more clear and cool, while around  Lake Nyamusingire is where the trails explore the forest. Other sites include; the
Copper-rich blue lake and a bat cave accompanied with bat-hungry python.

Rwenzori Mountains Hiking Rwenzori Tours Uganda Africa

Central Circuit Trail:
Day 1: Nyakalengija (1615m)-Nyabitaba Hut (2651m).
The Central Circuit starts at Nyakalengija at RMS offices.
Visitors are advised to arrive early morning to meet their guides, porters and rent their  equipments, to save some time for the trail.
The trail starts by moving through a farmland to the boundary of the park, then followed by  Mubuku River. Here you cross the Mahoma tributary and climb up the ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut.
During the trip, you will have a chance of seeing the black and white Colobus, coloured Rwenzori  turaco, blue monkey and the chimpanzee as well.
(The hike takes almost 5 hours).

Day 2: Nyabitaba (2651m)-Mubuku River (2600m). John Matte Hut (3505m).
The trail starts beyond Nyabitaba, a few (100m) where the trail divides.
The right path takes you to Bujuku valley peaks and the left one to the descent occasions.
This trail takes you to Kurt Shafers Bridge crossing the Mubuku valley below the confluence of  the river.

After the river, a slippery muddy trail climbs up through the bamboo forest.
At this point, you meet the groundsel zone and giant Lobelia found only in East Africa’s highest  mountains.

Then you pass through the extra ordinary plants of challenging bog, to John Matte.
The trek takes 7 hours.

Day 3: John Matte (3505m)-Buyuku (3962m):
This route takes you to the Bujuku River where you cross the lower Bigo bog.
To improve walking, aboard walk has been constructed at the upper Bigo bog, reached by climbing  a steep slope at the upper Bigo bog, a stunning view of Mt. Stanely at the top of the glacier- carved valley

After along glacial moraine climb, the trail takes you to Lake Bujuku, after crossing the river.
Past the cooking pot cave to Bujuku Hut is the muddiest stage of the trek.
The Hut is for interested parties climbing Mt. Speke, which stage almost takes 5 hours to the  Hut at Bujuku.

Day 4: Bujuku (3962m-Scott Eliott Pass (4372m) to Kitandara (4023m).
The trail crosses more into mud from Bujuku through giant groundsels forest before a steepy  climb.
To reach the groundsel gully, a metal ladder has to be climbed.
A branch climbs direct to Elena Hut (4430m) above the Gully.
The climb to Mt. Stanely (5109m) needs crampons, ropes, mountain boots and an ice axe.

The final trail leads you to a steep scree slope, this being the highest point on the circuit.  Over Scott Elliot pass superb views of Mt. Stanely and Bujuku valley.

After the pass, the route leads you to Mt. Baker’s massive cliffs. After passing Upper Lake  Kitandara, the hike ends near Lower Lake Kitandara for almost 3-5 hours.

Day 5: Kitandara (4023m)-Fresh Field Pass (4282m)-Guy Yeo man (3505m):
From Kitandara, the hike continues into more mud, to which the long descent to Nyakalengija  begins.
The Guy Yeo man Hut enjoys superb sites for viewing Mt. Baker close to Mubuku River.
(The hike takes around 5 hours).

Day 6: Guy Yeo man (3505m)-Nyamitaba (2651m):
With the early start; the hike can take you down to Nyakalengija where the route descends the  cliffs of Kichuchu below Guy Yeo man. After Kichuchu, the muddy path takes you to Mubuku River.  This takes you round before climbing up to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit for 5 hours.

Day 7: Nyabitaba (2651m)-Nyakalengisa (1615m):
This is the last trail which takes you around 2-3 hours from Nyabitaba to Nyakelengija.

Kilembe Trail:
An alterative route is in plan to be re-opened from Rwenzori near Kasese to Rwenzori.
According to the UWA development plans.

Trail Health and Safety:
Altitude sicknesses such as hypothermia should be familiarized by the hikers, with their  treatment and symptoms.
Irrespective of age, these altitude sicknesses can affect anyone especially above 2500m  altitude. The most effective First Aid is being at lower levels when affected by these  sicknesses. (See Osmaston’s Guidelines).

Huts and Trails Guidelines:
§    Use latrines provided by the huts.
§    It may be necessary to wait more than one night during the period of bad weather, to  ease congestion a head.
§    Follow your guide path to reduce the trails damage.
§    Reduce the use of wood fires which damage the park’s vegetation.
(Gas cookers are provided).
§    Respect others in the hut by talking quietly.
§    Move with all your property with a porter.

Rwenzori Safari Uganda Rwenzori Mountaineering

Flora and Fauna:
Rwenzori Mountain is renown for its flora concentration such as the giant forest hog, bushbuck,  elephant, chimpanzee, elephant’s diminutive cousin, leopard, buffalo and among the primates  include black and white Colobus hyrax and the blue monkey.

Among the 241 bird species include 19 which are not found elsewhere in Uganda unless in  Albertine Rift Valley forests. Search for the malachite sunbird in the alpine zone (Rwenzori  Turaco).

Vegetation zones include;
§    Motane Forest (1500-2500m) above the Bakonzo Farm lands, which gives way to bamboo  stands.
§    Mimulopsis messy tangle zone (2500-3000m).
§    Heather Rapenea zone (3000-4000m) made of big tree heathers. Lichen drab beards and  garishly coloured mosses.
Also first found in this zone are the ground sels (senecio spp) and giant Lobelia (Lobalia spp).

These plants move on up to the Alpine zone (3800-4500m) joined by wiry.

The tussocks of sedge (Carex spp) invaded the Bigo Bogs upper of Bujuku valley by
use of climbers.
Trip plan:
The most attractive months for your trip may be the months of July-August and December-February.  Visitors are attracted to follow the central circuit trail for their magnificent setting  enjoyment.

For this trip, you may need spare warm clothes, rain gear and not forgetting the sleeping bag  since there are limited dry clothes and other equipments.
Other requirements may be the gumboots mainly used in the central circuits.

The Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (R.M.S) is responsible for arranging the central circuit,  which starts from Nyakalengija.

Visitors will be provided with sufficient food, Guides, Cook and Porters, who will carry your  luggages, reducing on your burden to carrying your own camera, rain gear, spare clothes and  snacks.

However, cooking equipments, fuel and food will not be provided and those being rented include  ice axes, ropes, harnesses and crampons.

You can purchase your food in Kasese or Kampala. However, you should bring light weight dried  meals with you to Uganda.
Several companies from Uganda (Adrift Adventure Company) or Internationally. Can arrange the  technical mountaineering guides.
Note: Park fees are separately paid from UWA.

Accommodation Rwenzori Mountains Lodging

Accommodation:
The park provides camping sites and rooms at the trailhead in Nyakalengija as well as mountain  huts for perfect views of the Albertine Rift valley. However, visitors should take their own  sleeping mats and beds.
Other alternatives may be in nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park, Fort Portal and in Kasese.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Uganda

RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The remarkable landscape was referred to as the Mountain of the moon by Alexandrine
a Geographer Ptolemy in AD 150. He also claimed that it was the source of the Nile since it had  snow-capped range on its peak.
However, over along period, the snow faded away to form a mythology. The name (Mountain of the  moon) was assured when John Speke found the existance of the Nile from Lake Victoria.
In1889, it was proved by Henry Stanely that the mountain existed. He then local named it  Rwenjura (rain maker) on its map.

Mountain Rwenzori lies between Uganda and Congo border, then passes through the highest peak of  Mt. Stanely. The landscape is surrounded by Virunga National Park in Congo and Rwenzori  Mountains National Park in Uganda.
Beneath the highest peak along the Bujuku and Mobuku valley on which the trail meanders for 7  days on its explore, a tough trek is created although there are short distances terrain weather  and altitude when combined.

The Ptolemy’s mountains were explored by the mountaineers and found that they are in the high  Rwenzori glaciers and snow peaks, despite being just miles North of the equator, and the highest  springs of the Nile are represented by the melt waters from the snow peak.

A 2500mm of rain/year twinkle downwards into a u-shaped glacial valleys and form great soggy  bogs when they saturate the floors of the broad valley.
These rain and mist form specimens of Africa’s bizarre, vegetation of high altitude and stunted  trees.

A lay out of the Rwenzori peak was established by the Italian Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 during his  attempt of June and July. He photographed, mapped and scaled all the main peaks of Rwenzori  Mountain after succeeding Stanely.

Access:
Rwenzori is 4000m above the Albertine Rift valley floor, few kilometers North of the equator.  From Kampala to Nyakalengija park via Fort Portal from the North is 375km. Another route is  passing through Mbarara and Queen Elizabeth using the Southern  Route, its 450km.
Nyakalengija is 25km North of Kasese town and 17km off Fort Portal road.

Charter flights can as well be arranged from Kampala or Entebbe to Nyakalengija.

Kibale National Park Tours Uganda Chimpanzee Tracking Expedition Africa

Around the park:
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
This allows you to follow the park’s researchers as they follow the Chimpanzees during their  normal activities in order to interact with human beings.
Here you may experience the real life of the chimpanzees as well as seeing their nests. The  experience of the Habituation usually occurs in the season of March, April, May and November,  when tourists are few.
The chimpanzees come out from their nests at around 5:30-06:30, then go back for the night at  around 19:00.
Primate walk:
The walk starts from Kanyanchu visitor centre at 8:00 and ends at 15:00, which might take almost  2-3 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. Other primates may include the red tailed  monkey, grey checked mangabey, black and white Colobus. However, visitors are more interested in  the chimpanzees since they are the most sought after.

The walk is 6 persons per group, with your guide who will take time to explain the traditional  uses of some plant and bird species in the forest.
Its essential to book in advance during the peak seasons.

Kanyanchu River Camp:
The camp hosts a variety of activities, which include the common chimpanzee tracking.
Since 1991, a group of chimpanzees has been habituated and chances of locating them are indeed  very good with the help of a forest guide.

Forest hike:
The 12m hike is restricted to only dry months of November-February and June-September. The hike  passes through the tropical rainforests grassland.

Forests, Swamps and Riverine Forests:
During the hike, you will have a chance of seeing the duiker and bushbuck as well as a number of  primates and a variety of bird species.
The walk starts from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8:00 and ends around 14:00at the Elephant  wallow.

Sebitoli Forest Camp:
Sebitoli is situated 12km from the town of Fort Portal, along the Kampala Fort Portal road. With  a semi-closed canopy in the moist evergreen forest of stratified tree crowns, you will be able  to view a variety of birds as well as a number of primates.

Kihingani Wetland:
These are nature walks outside the National parks near Sebitoli in the Kihingani wetland. Here  you will have a chance of viewing a variety of bird species.

Cultural Heritage:
Cultural Heritage and Nature Trail:
The complete trail takes 2-6 days either starting or ending at Kanyanchu or Sebitoli.
During the day, the trail is conducted while during the night; you sleep in the campsites near  the community villages of Nyakalongo, Nyaibanda and Kikoni. This gives you an opportunity to  interact with the Bakiga and Batoro cultures.

Children’s Activities:
Children who are not allowed to view the chimpanzees (13 years and below), can as well stay and  enjoy educational forest walks for 1-2 hours, with trained ranger guides. The children may learn  the ecosystem and the forest inhabitants followed by a short interesting walk. Other activities  include; batik making, cyanotype pond dipping and photography.

Bigodi wetland Sanctuary:
The Sanctuary is found in Magombe Swamp outside the park’s boundaries.
It offers you a chance to view common primates like the chimpanzee, black and white Colobus, red  tailed monkey and red Colobus.
Among the mammals include the bushbuck, otter, mongoose and the sitatunga.
While on the broad walk trail and open plat forms, you can view a variety of bird species.
The Sanctuary is a community-based initiative aimed at conserving the wetland values and the  surrounding environment.

Chimpanzee tracking Rues and Guides:
§    Never eat near the chimps.
§    Children of 12 years and below are not allowed to view the chimps.
§    Flash photography is not allowed.
§    Never scare the chimps.
§    Never enter the park without a Guide.
§    Never enter the forest if you are sick especially with flu, since you may spread the  disease to the chimps.
§    Keep a distance of about 8 metres away from the chimps.

What to bring:
Warm clothings, camera, binoculars, hat, mosquito repellent enclosed shoes, rain gear since  mornings and evenings may be cool.

Kibale Safari Uganda,Vacation Ideas, Travel and Safari Trip Africa

Flora and Fauna:
Kibale National Park supports a variety of habitat like the Savannah and the wet tropical forest  as well as dry tropical forest in moist semi deciduous.
In the middle of the park (Kanyanchu), the forest contains evergreen trees and a mixture of  deciduous and the evergreen species being common.

Trees grow up to 55m and exhibit stratified tree crowns of a semi-closed canopy.
351 tree species have been recorded, with the undergrowth being dominated by shrubs, common fern  species, herbs and broad-leaved forest grasses.

Among the primates include 13 species of chimpanzee, with the highest population in Uganda  totalling 1450 of the endangered chimpanzee.

Also common in the park are red Colobus monkey, rare l’Hoest’s monkey, blue monkey, white and  black monkey, bush baby, potto, red tailed monkey, olive baboon and the grey cheeked mangabey.

Among the mammals include; Elephants, bush pig, duiker, leopard and buffalo as well as a variety  of colourful butterflies.

The park is also a habitat to a record of 325 bird species including 6 endemic to Albertine Rift  Valley, which include blue-headed sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler, dusky crim son wing,  black-capped apalis, purple-breasted sunbird and collared apalis.

Among other species include green breasted pitta, black bee-eater, African pitta, yellow rumped  tinker bird, blue breasted Kingfisher, Abyssinian ground thrush crowned eagle and brown chested  alethe.

Local People:
The Bakiga and the Batoro are the main people around the park.
The Batoro were the first habitats in this region, followed by the Bakiga who migrated from the  Southwestern densely populated area of Uganda.
The Batoro took over the Toro Kingdom cultural pride in Africa’s Great lakes region. The King  (Omukama) and its Kingdom (Embody) are the traditional and cultural values of the Batoro.  However, their counterparts, the Bakiga still maintain their dance folklore and language  tradition.

The locals have enjoyed forest products such as building materials, medical herbs, fire wood,  coffee as well as food, hence playing a vital role in their lives.

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