REACHING Uganda

Biwindi National Park

Biwindi National Park or the Biwindi Impenetrable forest is located in Southwestern Uganda and shares borders with Congo in the west. Biwindi is an afro-montane rainy forest and contains both montane and lowland areas. Biwindi habituates half the world population of endangered Mountain Gorillas (340 approx of which 120 are habituated) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect its biodiversity and integrity. The forest is thick, rugged and is full of stream making way through steep elevations ending all possibilities of car safaris. Walking Safari is the only option. As you walk to trace the majestic Mountainous Gorillas – the biodiversity of Biwindi (Chimpanzees, Monkeys, 348 bird species, 240 butterfly species and amphibian) keeps the adrenal up and pumping. Impenetrable Biwindi experiences 1600 mm of average annual rainfall. Months of March- April and September- November are the peak seasons. It is a complex forest with multiple habitats and only local guides can help you to cut through the forests and get a rare sight of the Gorillas.

ACCESS :

Bwindi is 6 – 7hrs drive from Kampala. Bwindi is well served by three airstrips which make it easily accessible by air from Kampala and other parts of Uganda.

SIZE :

331 square kilo meters

WILDLIFE:

120 species of mammals including Mounain Gorills, primates and 45 small mammal species. 348 species of birds and voted as Africa’s best birding destination by the African Bird Club. 220 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns, which is equivalent to 50% of Africa’s plant species. Biwindi is a permanent forest on any Wildlifer’s itinerary. You will find African Golden Cat, African Civet, African Elephants, Green Broadbill, Giant Forest Hog, Black and White Colobus and Chimpanzee. There are an estimated 350 bird species with 23 endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 recorded nowhere else in Uganda .

ACTIVITIES:

Gorilla Tracking , Birding, Hiking, Nkuringo Walking Safaris, Nature Walks

Murchison National Park

Murchison National Park or Kabarega National Park lies in the Northwestern Uganda. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park which spreads from the inward shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. Four among the Big Five excluding Rhinos can be found here. The park is named after majestic Murchison falls which launches itself through a 23ft narrow gorge and take a 141ft deep down plunge. The Murchison Falls and River Nile are the main attractions where many big to small species walk down to quench their thirst and enjoy the savannah grazing. Major attractions are the hippos and twirling crocodiles along the swampy banks. The Murchison falls are divine scenic beauty and a major tourist spot of Uganda.

ACCESS :

Murchison national Park lies 305 Kilometers northwest of Kampala. It takes approximately 5 hours to reach the park.

SIZE :

3,893 sq. kilometers

WILDLIFE:

Wildlife: Four of the big five- Lions, Buffalos, Elephants and Leopards can be seen in the northern region of Murchison National Park. Rotschild’s Giraffes, Other species that can be viewed include Jackson’s heartebeesr, bushbucks, Uganda kob and waterhogs. Resident crocodiles and hippos, olive baboons, red tailed monkey and black-and-white colobus are also found. In total 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds can be found in Murchison.

ACTIVITIES:

Wildlife Watching, Birding

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP)

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is located in the western Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the oldest and the most visited park of Uganda. Its biodiversity of savannas, lakes, grasslands and plains has given home to around 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. Four of the Big Five (Lion, Leopards, Elephants,).The park has Lake George in the northeast and Lake Edwards in the southeast, these two lakes are connected by the Kazinga Channel which is famous for its boat trips to watch Hippos and Water hogs. The Ishasha sector which lies closer to Lake Edward is a big gaming destination. Tree – climbing Lions and World’s highest concentration of Hippos drive huge crowds to Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth Park. The park has its own network of tracks to trace animals.

ACCESS :

SIZE :

1,978 square kilometres

WILDLIFE:

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the only park to watch lions resting on trees. Commonly called as tree-climbing Lions these beasts of prey are found only in QENP. Expect a great birding and gaming experience as the park is filled with around 95 species of mammals and over 600 species of bird. Watch out for baboons and Monkeys.

ACTIVITIES:

Hiking, Boating, Birding, Game Watching

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park was a log reserve and became a gazetted National Park in the year 1932. Kibale is an evergreen and semi-decidious rainforest of Uganda. In this last remaining expanse to include both montane and lowland forests one can find 13 species of primates and other chimpanzees in abundance. The northern part of the park is the wettest area and witness heavy rainfall. The air would get drier walking down the Southern region and landscape opens to the heart of Queen Elizabeth National park falling into scorching rift valley floor. It is 180 km long migration corridor for Uganda’s wildlife.

ACCESS :

Kibale National Park lies 320 Kilometers west of Kampala. It takes approximately 5 hours to reach the park

SIZE :

795 sq.km

WILDLIFE: The park is famous for its 13 different species of chimpanzees. Kinale have around 1450 chimpanzees, the highest population in Uganda. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, bush baby and potto. An estimated 500elephants are present, along with buffalos, leopards, warthogs, bush pigs, golden cats and duikers. The park is home to more than 375 species of birds.

ACTIVITIES:

Chimpanzee tracking, Trekking, Forest hiking

Lake Mburo National Park:

Lake Mburo National Park: The smallest of Uganda’s National Park shall not be sidelined as this park has miraculous and unique wildlife you can find in Uganda. The park was designated as a National park in the year 1983 and contains 5 lakes in its 500 million years old Precambrian metamorphic rock. The park has a 50km long wetland linked by a swamp. Lake Mburo is the only place in Uganda where Impalas, Bruchell’s Zebra and Eland (in Kidepo) can be found.

ACCESS :

Lake Mburo National Park lies 228 Kilometers west of Kampala. It takes approximately 3.5 hours to reach the park

SIZE :

370 sq.km.

WILDLIFE:

68 species of mammals and 350 recorded bird species. The highlights would be the impalas who only live in Lake Mburo along with Bruchell’s Zebra and Elan which are found only in Kidepo region of the park. Waterbucks, Reedbucks, Leopards and Hyena, Crocodiles and 300 hippos can be spotted around lakes and swamps.

ACTIVITIES:

Game drives, Bird Watching, Nature Walks