Visit Uganda Primates National Parks

It was such a bright morning that we set off to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park from Kampala. This primate safari in Uganda was meant for the primates that reside in Bwindi as well as enjoying the endangered creatures in this park. Day one was a traveling day to the park but it was really a memorable journey, we got a stopover at the equator of Uganda as we were crossing Kayabwe. At this juncture, we were able to take amazing photo shots in all angels of our choice without any limitations making it an enjoyable journey.

What impressed me most was the Igongo cultural centre where we found all sorts of cultural items like neck less, bags, bitengi wears and many more. It was at this centre that we took our lunch with all traditional dishes. Back to our journey where we finally rested at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp. At this point in time, resting was the only solution to refresh for the very early morning primate tracking.

On day two, very early at 5am we are already up taking breakfast to go and meet the endangered girls and boys of Nkuringo family. By 6am sharp, we are in the Nkuringo family because we also wanted to sight the other primates like birds, monkeys, chimpanzee and elephants which disappear very early to look for what to eat. In this forest, fruits are abundant leaving no doubt for the feeding of the Nkuringo family. In this group, we found more nests satisfying where they take a rest be it night or day.

Kibale Forest National Park is the most known park for chimpanzee trekking, though others parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park offer them in some reserves like Kyambura gorge and Budongo forest respectively. This park is accessed from Kampala through Fort portal via Mubende. The trek starts at Kanyanchu the park headquarter, takes four hours covering a distance of 5km. chimps being the star attraction in this park, and they roam free and number in their hundreds. Apart from chimpanzee trekking at $ 150 USD per person, the park offers also the most interesting Chimpanzee habituation experience staying with the chimps for the full day understanding their lifestyle and this costing the $ 220 USD per person.

Unlike Gorillas which sit and mind their own business, the chimpanzees are unpredictable in their mannerisms and a little less approachable. Chimps seem not to be shy and timid, not only agile on their feet but it is also difficult to get close to them. Kibale is also a home for other primates and said to host the highest population of primates in the world hence making Kibale a must visit destination for primate trackers.

Primates such as the red colobus, monkeys, endemic manageable, different bird species, mammals like elephants,bufalloes, antelopes and giant forest hogs hence making this park a well endowered place to be to and explore. I wished to extend this day but it was only God with the powers and I had to follow his commands. It is only Nature Adventure Africa Safaris, Uganda that can offer you the opportunity of exploring the primates in these national parks.

Queen Elizabeth National Park Worth a Gorilla Trek Supplement

A 4-hour unpaved drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park put you into Uganda’s flagship nature reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park. 95 mammal species and more, an astounding over 614 species of birds including migratory ones from Europe have made their homes in its 760 square miles that consist of savannah, woodlands and wetlands. The park sits in the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains (meaning rainmaker), and is decorated with crater lakes, so it’s no wonder the plains are so verdant. Yet Queen Elizabeth National Park retains a serene and modest air.

Our opening exciting night was spent at Jacana Safari Lodge, an intimate lodge that blends sympathetically with its environment on the shores of Lake Nyamusingire, within the tropical Maramagambo rain Forest. An early-morning game drive through the northern Kasenyi Plains revealed herds of buffalo and Uganda kob, the national animal, dotting the landscape like freckles.

A faction of more than 100 topi unique to the south of the park were grazed peacefully, their metallic-effect coats in shades of purple-brown sparkling in the sun. Warthogs and bushbucks ran away from us while baboons rushed up trees, and a vervet monkey with his weird blue genitals looked on guiltily, holding a guinea fowl egg in his hand.

The Kazinga Channel that bisects the park is a 24-mile narrow stretch of water which connects Lakes George and Edward, is a birders’ heaven. In the early hour of our boat trip that started from Mweya area, we saw over 30 different species that ranged from giant goliath herons to tiny yet vivid malachite kingfishers. African Fish eagles perched high on acacia treetops sporting for food while jacanas, known as Jesus birds, seemed to walk on water looking for their lunch. There’s high concentration of mammal life along the channel waterside, too – an elephant aggressively kicked up dirt as our boat passed and a baby hippo belly-flopped gracelessly from a reed-bed, joining the adults bubbling underwater. A hairly waterbuck with twins watched us nervously and buffalo wallowed in the muddy grasses while cow egrets gobbled up the insects like ticks they disturbed.

Despite this diverse and enormous wildlife, this park is best-known for the amazing tree-climbing lions that are regular in its southern Ishasha Plains. Having started our game drive in the warm late morning for a better chance to see them cooling in the shade, Kenny, our guide, spotted three silhouettes from a distance in an old but leafy fig tree.

But when we got closer, we discovered not three but rather four lions, one a tiny cub probably two months old, lying in its boughs. They were mesmerising sleepy nonchalantly in the shadows, occasionally stirring to yawn or stretch, now and then peeping down on us. We stayed with them for an hour, watching and taking good pictures in complete silence, not wanting to spoil the moment.

If you come here with high expectations to see lions’ paws and tails dripping from every fig tree, you may be disappointed when you fail completely. We were lucky. Returning to the beautifully peaceful Ishasha Wilderness Camp on the banks of Ntungwe River, we learnt that no one had seen lions in the previous two days.

“This isn’t a zoo,” Kenny said. “People seem to forget that they’re wild animals.” As with the gorillas, we were seeing them on their terms, not ours as there are many factors that may lead to their absence such as weather, time of the day among others.

Another uniqueness of the park is the Crater Lake experience; if you follow the crater truck you will find quite a number including the dry up ones during dry seasons while others are salt lakes. Salt lakes are breading grounds for the rare flamingos that migrate from Lake Nakuru in Kenya during breading seasons. There is also salt mining along salt lakes

Top 5 Nature Based Tourism Attractions in Uganda

Known as “The Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is a place to find all kinds of wonderful attractions in the world. The mountain gorillas are one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country along with chimpanzees, wildlife, lakes, mountains, Birds, Rivers and the warm friendly people. However some of Uganda’s best secrets are in natural conserved locations regardless of the many attractions in the country.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The most famous chimpanzee viewing and feeding spots on Lake Victoria islands. Ngamba Island Sanctuary is home to orphanage chimpanzees and is a charming location for primate lovers especially those who want to view chimpanzees as well as participate in process chimpanzee monitoring and feeding. The island can be accessed by boat that sets off every day from Entebbe in the morning and return back to the very point in evening to drop off day visitors.

Source of the Nile

Find this natural unique attraction in Jinja a famous adventure capital of Uganda and a home to not only the longest river in the world but also various waterfalls –Itanda falls, Kalagala falls, Kyabirwa falls and  Bujagali falls. Given the wide range of lakes and rivers it’s very difficult to leave Jinja without enjoying the great water spots –white water rafting, boat cruise, bungee jumping, kayaking. The length of the Nile and the rare water nature at its source is something that amazes every traveler to Uganda.

Stunning Murchison Falls

The top ranked mighty fall of the Nile that produce a relaxing roaring sound all day, fighting waters and the most scenic amazing views of the Nile and its amazing habitants. Murchison falls consist variety of wildlife, birds, primates and it’s one of the great wildlife safari parks in Africa. Other attractions of the park include the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, top of the falls, chimpanzees, nature walks and the well-built safari lodges that cater for all budgets.

Untamed Bwindi Forest

Located in south western Uganda, Bwindi Forest National Park a known gorilla safari park due to its wonderful gorilla trekking experience. The Park is most famous for its highest number of mountain gorillas. Once a major hunting ground for the forest peoples also known as the Batwa, it is now a well conserved home for the endangered species. There is a lot to do enjoy in Bwindi forest including gorilla trekking, bird watching, nature walks, cycling, riding a bicycle for women, hiking, waterfall walks, community excursions, forest trail walks among others. However, if your interest is to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys or hike volcanoes, Mghainga National Park is another gorilla trekking park in Uganda.

Kidepo Valley

Kidepo Valley National Park was chosen one of the top wildlife game reserves in Africa. It’s also known as Uganda’s most loved wildlife safari attraction and the land where ancient traditions still reign. The Big five, other wildlife plus the Karamojong culture is something that visitors enjoy in this park. Every morning visitors keep themselves busy viewing early risers and game viewing is the main tourist activity in the park.