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Lodges Semuliki National Park Accommodation Uganda Africa

Accommodation:
Accommodation at Kanyanchu is a Kibale Primate Lodge that provides stone cottages up market  tented camp, and a tree house. However, cottages are found at Sebitoli.
Basic meals on order are provided by these campsites.
Also available in the villages of Nkingo and Bigodi near the park are the mid range  accommodations, while Ndali crater area provides a wide range of accommodation facilities which  range from up market Ndali lodge to Chimpanzee Guest House good budget options. Among other  accommodations include those in Fort Portal town and around Lake Nkuruba.

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KIBALE NATIONAL PARK.

Kibale National Park covers an area of 795km2 mostly tropical forest. The park being a tropical  forest calls forest wildlife most especially the primates (13 species) e.g. the chimpanzee.
The forest covers the central parts and Northern parts of the park on a raised Fort Portal  plateau. Kibale stands 1590m above sea level, hence being the highest at the Northern tip of the  park.
Mostly during the rainy seasons of March-May and September-November, the park receives 1700mm of  mean annual rainfall. Temperatures are generally normal, with a range of 140-270C. Temperatures  are highest in the South and the forest’s grassland begins to grow where the terrain drops down  into the hot Rift valley.
Southern Kibale neighbours Queen Elizabeth National Park and the two parks create a 180km-long  corridor for migrating wildlife from Ishasha to Sebitoli forest in Kibale North.

The most rewarding Uganda’s explore areas is Kibale-Fort Portal region. The region offers you a  chance to visit Queen Elizabeth for a half days drive. Other visits include; Semuliki National  Park, Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, as well as the Ndali Kasenda crater area.

How to get there (Access):
The park is situated 26km South east of Fort Portal in western Uganda.
The main centre for tourism is the Kanyanchu River Camp and can be reached via Mubende and Fort  Portal from the North or via Mbarara and Kamwenge from the South all routes coming from Kampala.
With a 300km tarmac road, the Northern route may be shorter, followed by 36km to Kanyanchu.
Another Secondary Centre is the Sebitoli Forest Camp, which can be easily reached on the Kampala  road for 16km before reaching Fort Portal.
Using public means between Kampala and Fort Portal to Sebitoli and Fort Portal and Kamwenge to  Kanyanchu, a daily bus always operates on these routes.

Lodges Semuliki National Park Accommodation Uganda Africa

Accommodation:
A campsite at Bumaga 3km from Sempuya gate is available. However, the space is limited. Other  accommodation facilities are extended to Bundibugyo and Fort Portal.
Preparation of meals at the park is made on order basis. However, one can prepare his or her  food since utensils for cooking are provided on hire basis.

Access:
There are two major roads from Kampala to Mubende to Fort Portal.
(1).    Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal (300km). 4-5 hours drive.
(2).    Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara and Kasese is about 510km (7-8 hours drive).
This route gives you a chance to see Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth
National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park and Kyambura Wildlife
Reserve, than the Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende route.

To Sempuya gate from Fort Portal, its 52km (2 hours drive) on a murram road.
A drive to Sempuya takes you to the lower ranges of Rwenzori Mountain, hence a 4WD vehicle may  be recommended since the road is winding.
On this road, one can view the Rift Valley floor, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Ntandi park  headquarters and Semiliki flats.

Another alternative may be by means of a taxi or bus from Kampala to Fort Portal while at this  point, you may board a taxi for Bundibugyo and stop at Sempaya gate. However, you should avoid  leaving too late by the same means, not to exceeding 4:00pm since you might fail to get  transport back to Kampala.

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Tourist Attractions:
Among the attractions are the primate, birds, butterfly and plants. One will reach a meandering  river when jungle walk is taken.

Visitors will also be able to see the buffalos, leopards, crocodiles, sitatungas, elephants as  well as water and forest birds. For visitors interested in spot fishing along the river should  come with their own fishing facilities.

For marvellous and breathtaking views, try a trip to Semuliki National Park and experience a  thrilling meandering road via the Rwenzori escarpment. Once on the mountain you will also be  able to view River Semuliki, fuming hot springs, Ituri forests in the DRC.

Other attractions include 2 hot springs situated in a pool of hot minerals within the swampland.  Here, visitors can view a two-meter jet of hot water (1300C) and a pool of 12m diameter. This  water boils at 1060C and its good for boiling food fro a few minutes.

While at Semuliki Park, visitors can as well arrange trips to nearby National Parks like  Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

Local people:
There are different ethnic groups near the park, of which only 4 are common around the park.  Among them are the Bakonjo who live in the mountains and the Bamba who live in the valley. These  two groups are basically agriculturalists depending on cash crops mainly i.e. cocoa, coffee and  not forgetting the food crops i.e. bananas, rice, beans and potatoes.
Another group are the Batwa (Pigmies). These are generally gatherers and hunters and they are  under the Ituri ethnic group. Due to the impact of tourism and intermarriages, their life style  is now changing.

The Adventist Development Relief Agency once convened the Batwa to resettle them into  agricultural and local cultural life near Ntandi. However, the plan failed and some fled back  into the forest to hunt and gather fruits, while others were left in their new homes,  contributing to tourism when they interact with the tourists, as well as assisting the local  communities.

The final group around the park are the Batuku, who settled on the Rift Valley floor. They are  generally pastoralists and depend on cattle products, which they trade with the neighbours.

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Semuliki National Park is a home for only small birds, mammals and butterflies according to the  research carried by the forest department in 1999.
Among the 63 species of mammals, 9 of which have diurnal forest primates which include; Vervet  monkey, chimpanzees, olive baboons and blue monkey as well as the nocturnal primates e.g.  galagos and pottos.

Mammal species include; forest buffalos, beecroft’s flying squirrel, pygmy squirrel, little  collared fruit bat, chevrotaain, target rat and blue duiker.

At least 435 bird species, some of which cant be found else where in East Africa including the  most sought after birds such as the Lyre tailed honey guide, horn bills and many others.

Over 374 butterfly species and moths have been recorded and 46 species of swallow tails and  charaxes.
There are 81 large species of moth, of which 12 are unclassified.
Other species are not only restricted to the forest’s location, but also to the habitats forest  swamps, hot springs, savannah woodland, warm swamp and bush land as well as the savannah  grassland.

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SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK  (SNP).

SNP is located in the far West of Uganda, ear the border of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  and Uganda. The park is surrounded by Rwenzori Mountains in the Southeast, DRC in the West,  Semuliki Flats in the North and within the border of the East African Rift Valley.

The park further extends in the vast Ituri Forest in the DRC, Hence making the park well vast  with enough fauna and flora in the whole of Africa.
The park was gazetted in 1993(October) and covers 220km2 of gently flat undulating land form and  above sea level, it ranges from 670m to 760m.

Due to poor topography and drainage, many areas are flooded especially during the rain season  since all streams and rivers drain through the park.
The park has a 1250mm average annual rainfall, with the highest being in the months of March to  May and September to December and temperatures ranging from 180C to 300C.

Fauna and Flora:
In East Africa, Semuliki is the only tropical rain forest on a low land with poor drainage  landscape.
The park supports a tremendous 336 different species of which, only 24 are not found else where  in Uganda’s parks.
With the neighbouring forests sharing a few species,which include Nesogordonia kabingaensis,  Isolana congolana, and Ejacis guineesis. However, some of the endangered species in Semuliki  include Lovoa surymertonii and Cordia mellenii.

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Gorilla tracking:
Of all activities at the park, Gorilla tracking is the most loveliest and unforgettable move one  makes because of the experience one gets.

Nyakagezi is one of the groups currently available fro tourism and it consists of
11 members, 3 adult females, 4 juveniles, 2 silver backs, 2 infants.
For more up dates contact UWA head quarters or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park office in Kisoro.
To ensure the availability of requested dates, book 3 months in advance.
Tracking starts off at 8:30am, which takes almost 3-8 hours depending on where the gorillas are.  However, you should report to the Registration office at around 7:45am.

What to bring:
§    For those who feel unfamiliar with jungle sounds, bring earplugs.
§    For steepy muddy slopes, wear jungle shoes.
§    Carry packed food.
§    Carry sunscreen lotion, a hat, rain gear and a repellant for insects.
Gorilla Guides and Rules:
§    Never get too close to gorillas within 5 metres.
§    Never split into groups. Stay in a tight group.
§    Never use flash when photographing the gorillas.
§    Never smoke or drink or even eat while within 200 meters close to the gorillas.
§    Turn a way from gorillas is you feel like sneezing or coughing.
§    No one with a communicable disease is allowed in the park i.e. Flu, diarrhea.
§    Never make loud noise within the park.
§    Gorilla tracking is 15 years and above strictly.
§    Never spit on vegetation or soil in the park.

Lodges Mgahinga National Park Accommodation Uganda Africa

Accommodation:
The park offers a variety of accommodation facilities ranging from luxurious full board hotels  and those best on the camp site, which include Sky blue hotel, Mt. Gahinga Rest camp, Virunga  Hotel, Blue Hotel, Mubono hotel and not forgetting Rugingana Campsite. Also present is a “do it  yourself camping site” near the park gate.

Access:
From Kampala Kisoro takes 8 hours drive for about 540kms via Kabale. There are daily transport  services for those who don’t have private vehicles. The bus from Kampala takes off at 7:00am and  when in Kisoro, you can hire a special taxi to the park for 131/2kms from Kisoro town.

Charter flights are also available from Entebbe to Kisoro. Flights are on Mondays and Fridays,  with Eagle Air.

Viewing Plat Form:
The Plat Form is 800m from the park’s entrance. Once on the Plat Form, you will be able to view  the surrounding areas and the park’s natural beauty.
Information about what you can see is displayed on the hill point and a guide may not be  necessary since the activity is for free.

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Volcano climbing:
(1). Mt. Muhavura 4127m (The Guide):
The peak of the cone-shaped mountain provides one of the loveliest views of the country.  Climbing in on a rock surface covered with shrubs. Once on top the reward is views of Lake  Edward, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Park, Virungi volcanoes and not  forgetting Rwenzori Mountains.

Being 12kms covering the round trips the hike takes almost 8 hours.
Visitors are advised to bring their own food, sleeping gear, water and not forgetting the tents  since the camp has no such facilities. Camping at Muhavura base camp the night before the hike  takes on is recommended.
(2). Mt. Sabinyo (3669m) Old man’s teeth.
Mt. Sabinyo offers 3 challenging tasks when climbing its peak. It takes one to the ridge along  the Eastern side of the mountain to Peak 1 to peak 2. It involves walking a ridge with breath  taking drops into Uganda and Rwanda gorges.
One should expect his hands to be dirty since the 3rd steep is very steep.

(3).  You will be at the point in Rwanda, Uganda and DRC once on top of the peak
at the same time.
To cover the 14km stretch it takes up almost 8 hours around the trip.

(4). Mt. Gahinga (347m) small pile of stones:
Gahinga locally means small piles of stone. So when you reach Gahinga, you will come across  small piles of stones around the Gahinga gardens.
Mt. Gahinga is quite large than the real stones “Gahinga” and when you compare it with Mt.  Muhavura, makes it very small. On top of Gahinga, there lived a crater lake. However, with time,  it changed into a lush swamp. A hike at Gahinga takes you about
6 hours for a round trip.

Garoma Cave:
This was a home to the Batwa warriors who fought their neighbours the Bantu. The distance  between the park’s entrance and the cave is just 3km long. The cave is 342m in length and 14m  deep, however, its now home to the bats.
You will be shown how the Batwa lived and fought while out of their caves by the guides.

Bird watching:
Bird watching is available after booking by 10:00am. From 5:00 to 6:00 pm, the guides will take  you along the edge of the park.
Towards the DRC, a stroll along the buffalo wall will take you. Via a wetland area where fire  finch Ibis and speckled mouse bird are found. Among other birds around include wax bills,  yellow-vented bulbul stone chart and grey capped warbler.
A Guide will always be available to take you to the best sports.

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MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK.

The park is the smallest of all in Uganda covering a bout 38 sq km. However, small it may be, it  is very important since it also has the endangered mountain gorillas.

The park is located in Southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district.
The park became one of Virunga Conservation Area when it was gazetted in 1991. The park  neighbours DRC’s Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s volcano.

In the months of February-May the park experiences 2 wet rainy seasons as well as in the months  of September to December.

The maximum amount of rainfall is 250mm in a year and the minimum being 10mm in the month of  October and July respectively.

Local people:
The major ethnic group are the Bafumbira who live most of their life cultivating.
The Batwa (Pygmies) are the minority group and are believed to live in caves and feed on  wildlife.

Kisoro district is heavily populated, with 331 people per sq km. However, due to the UWA the  park is well protected, which controls the people on a few resources than destructing the park.  With the majority staff being from the community, a law established by UWA indicates that 20% of  park entrance fee goes to the development of the surrounding projects near the park.

Flora and Fauna:
The park’s vegetation is generally a fro montane since it’s a mountainous region with a cool  climate with the vegetation being a bamboo (60%), hence being a scare to mountain gorilla.
Among other flora include the Haegenia and the Lobelia, and birds include crowned hornbill,  black kite, crowned crane and Rwenzori turaco.
Examples of animals include elephants, bushbucks, mountain gorillas and buffalos.

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