PRIMATES OF THE GREAT EAST AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY

Primates are the closest family in the wild relative to human, they era common the tropical Africa forests of Uganda. The major primates include; chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, monkeys and bush babies in the major tracking forests like Kibale forest, Budongo forest, kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mabira forest.Kibale forest covers about 560sq.km at an elevation of 1110- 1590 meters above sea level, about 77% of the forest is covered by medium altitude moist semi-deciduous fore at a lower altitude in the south while the remaining 23% is consists of grassland, swamps and some plantations with exotic conifers. The forest is highly populated in the region, harbouring the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa. With the highest population of Chimpanzes in Africa other primates include bush babies, baboons, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkey.

Primates and terrific birds combined with easy access, good infrastructure and a variety of interesting activities make Kibale forest a valuable and favourable destination. Chimp tracking is also done in budongo forest through the Kaniyo-pabidi section in Murchison park area and in Kyambura gorge in the Mweya section of Queen Elizabeth national park.Ngamba Island is another place for chimp tracking; located 23 km offshore from Entebbe It lies on a total land area of 100 acres. The sanctuary provides refuge for 40 orphaned chimpanzees. The Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary is a project which was started in 1997 by Born Free Foundation (UK), International Fund for Animal Welfare (USA), the Jane Goodall Institute (Germany and Uganda), The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Trust (UWECT) and the Zoological Board of New South Wales (Australia) and was officially opened to visitors in October 1999.  It provides a unique opportunity for a close range view of chimpanzees in this habitant since their natural environment cannot easily be restored. Chimps come closer for feeding a short distance to a raised walkway specially designed for easy viewing and excellent photography.

Mountain Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in roggedkigezi highlands of south-western part Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forest is one of the largest natural forests in East Africa,it covers about 321 sq.km at an elevation of 1190-2607 meters above sea level, with medium altitude moist evergreen forest andmontaneforest with pathce of bamboo. About half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas arefound in Bwindi with eight habituated familiesand 8 permits per day are available for each family. The forest being impenetrable in nature and located in the rift valley areas has steep slopes on hills and valleys which your will have to trek through as you track mans closest mammal in the wild. The primate tracking activity is energy demanding and is for those who are physically fit, though tracking may be a challenging adventure, coming face to face with this spectacular human relatives of the wild is an unforgettable experience one will ever have in life. Primate tracking is also arranged by green world safaris to Rwanda’s Volcanoes and D.R.C’s Virunga

AFRICA’S BIRDING HAVEN

Uganda has over 1,000 recorded species of birds, much more than the whole of Europe combined. With Avian-rich habitants ranging from savannas to wetlands, lowland forests to RwenzoriMountains and the shores of Lake Victoria to the rapids of river Nile. Uganda has for a long time been kept  the best secret in its surfeit of birds, the country is ultimately every orthinologist’s dream, it is indeed still a virgin birding destination and this justifies its ranking as the Africa’s birding haven. Uganda is arguably the onlydestination with such a diversity of bird species and yet also with so much more to offer in terms of wildlife, culture, scenery and adventure. Besides, Uganda’s temperate climate is unmatched, no wonder so many birds can survive. With all year conducive climate, Uganda hosts both native and migrant bird species. Thebig 5 species include shoebill (Balaenicepsrex), African Green Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena), Green-breasted pitta (Pitta reichenonowi), Africa finfoot (Podicasenegalensis), Green Blue Turaco (Corytthaeolacristata) these can  be found in some of the major birding spots in the country including areas around Lake Victoria, Mamamba Swamp, Queen Elizabeth Park, Murchison fall national park, Budongo forest, Buhoma and Ruhija in Bwindi for both birds and gorillas (The Gorilla tracking permit in Bwindi is required), Kibale forest park, Lake Mburo National Park and kampala and its environs, like Entebbe.

Birding tours include both long (20 days and above) and short birding safaris ranging from one to two weeks. Birding is done all year round though the wetter months (February May and September November) may be recommended for birding as most birds breed during this time and are more active and vocal. On a safari, birders could see up to 500 bird species, as well as other wildlife primates, game including; chimpanzees, gorillas, hippos, crocodiles, snakes, impala, eland, water-burks, zebras, buffaloes, and Butterflies. Apart from the big five, other bird species which can be seen include some of the following; the snake eagle, fish eagle, the rare shoebill, Egyptian goose, the African darter, shoebill stork, Goliath heron, Red-Naked Falcon, saddle billed stork,African pitta, Abyssinian groundthrush, Crowned eagle, Dusky crimsonwing, Black-capped apalis, Collared apalis, Purple-breasted sunbird, Black bee-eater, Yellow spotted nicator, Little greenbul, Black-eared ground thrush, Brown-chested alethe, Yellow-rumped tinker bird, Blue-breasted kingfisher,Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African Wattled Plover, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Rufous napped Lark, Flappet Lark, White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, ZittingCisticola, Croaking Cisticola, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-lored Babbler, Grey backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Pin-tailed Whydahbirding and many more.        

MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON; SNOW AT THE EQUATOR!

Rwenzori Mountain ranges also known as “mountains of the moon” are known to cover an area of about 996km², the lowest point at the foot hill of the mountains stands at about 1,600meters while the highest peak Margherita rises to 5,109 meters above sea level. Mountain Rwenzori is located astride the Equator 0^o in the tropical Africa, the beauty of the mountains is escalated by the six peaks covered with snow and their way of undulating over a distance of about 120km. Rwenzori is block mountain and the third highest in Africa. Hiking is through the central circuit which can take you six day of ascent peak by peak covering one peak in a day. It is challenging and needs fit people physically; however a Rwenzori short circuit is available for the unfit people and families with children. At park headquarters at Nyakalengija hikers receive briefing from the hiking guides; get hiking equipment and porters before starting the hiking at 1,646meters above sea level through banana plantation belonging to Bakonjo homesteads at the foothills.

In about 30 - 40 minutes of hiking cross the park boundary, along the trail River Mubuku gives stunning scenery before crossing the landslide area, as river Mahoma River awaits ahead. Meet steep slopes, open bluffs and Podocarpus forest before arriving at Nyabitaba at 2,652 meters above sea level where you can rest overnight in a hut having had a 6hours plus hike. Other points to meet on ascent include; John Matte 3410m, Bujuku 3960m, Elena Hut 4541m at the base of the Stanley Glacier, then to the peak of the ranges Margherita 5109m. On descent through Scott-Elliot pass, view the magical Mt Speke and Mt Stanley and continue the descent through Bujangolo rock shelter and to the base camp for the momentous mission which was established in 1906 by the Duke of Abruzzi. The trail leads you to Guy Yeoman 3260m before ending the descent back to park headquarters at Nyakalengija 1600 meters above sea level.

Mt. Elgon is the second hiking place for mountaineers in Uganda. located at the boarder of eastern Uganda and western Kenya, it has the largest surface area of all extinct volcanoes in the world covering a surface area of about 50km by 80km. Mount Elgon first erupted more than 24 million years ago and it is the fourth highest mountain in Eastern Africa, with the second-highest peak in Uganda (Wagagai Peak - 4321 m) after Margherita 5109m. Mt. Elgon contains the largest caldera in the country covering over 40 km at the top of the mountain, surrounded by a series of rugged peaks. A climb on Mt. Elgon’s deserted moorlands unveils a magnificent and uncluttered wilderness without the summit-oriented approach common to many mountains, the ultimate goal on reaching the top of Mt. Elgon is not the final ascent to the 4321m Wagagai Peak, but the descent into the vast 40km² Caldera.

THE WILDERNESS IN THE PEARL

Uganda is an amazingly attractive destination reason why Sir Winston Churchill declared it the pearl of Africa. With Ten (10) national game parks allowing spectacular view of game in the wilderness, Uganda is the best destination for game viewing in the east African region. The “Go Wild go Green” campaign takes to a discovery of unique Afro-Ugandan game which can be viewed in the national game parks of the pearl of Africa. Queen Elizabeth the biggest national park in the country is ideal for elephants, buffaloes, Kobs always reinforced by the a game a launch cruise on kazinga channel  viewing hippos, Crocs and several avian species dousing themselves. The Kazinga channel is an ideal spot for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park (QENP) as most of the animal can be seen on their quest for water in the afternoon. In this park, spotted hyenas are always present while Tree Climbing Lions can be found in the Ishasha section of the park, concealing up in the tree branches. This is usually the climax of a game drive in QENP lasting for a minimum of two days.

Murchison falls game park is not only famous of the Strongest water falls in the region after which the park was named, but also different species of wildlife including hartebeests, elephants, Cape buffalos, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, Oribis, bushbucks, bohor reed bucks, hyenas and lions which can be viewed on a game drive to the northern bank of the African longest river, The Nile. On a launch cruise to the bottom of the spectacular falls you will enjoy cruise as you view fauna in a closer range including hippos and Nile crocodiles. Climb to the top of the falls where you can see the Nile's perfect gorgeousness, and sensation as it compresses and constrict for over a kilometre down through a 7-meter wide chasm.

Lake Mburo national park is located nearest to the capital city (Kampala) along theAnkole-Masaka dry corridor, it is famous for viewing Zebras, Kobs, hippos on both game drives and launch cruises while leopards are usually searched for on an evening game drive with sport-lighted safari vehicle. Mountain Rwenzori and Semuliki national parks are famous for viewing game in the rift valley region. Green world Safaris will organise for you the best of your safari in the African wilderness including the whole of East African region.

Gorilla Trekking, What an Amazing Adventure!

Mountain Gorillas are endangered species of primates in the world, with a few species of about 750 still surviving world over. Uganda the pearl of Africa contains more than half of total world population mountain Gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done in the National parks with habituated gorilla families for tourism; these include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mt, Mgahinga national park. These are found in the western arm of the great East African rift valley. Green world safaris also organise trekking tours in Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park and Democratic republic of Congo’s Virunga Park. The four national parks in the three east African countries are all located in the same mountainous, this makes gorilla trekking an adventure trough rouged terrains, steep slopes and impenetrable tropical forests covering the slopes as it is the case for Bwindi Impenetrable forest park. The nature of slopes, vegetation cover, weather and rugged terrain require physical fitness of the participants sometimes making gorilla trekking a challenging activity, however the beauty of the slopes and the natural atmosphere are stunningly overwhelmed by an hour of interaction with the largest mammal of the world.

Bwindi is a huge forest covering 321sq.km, harbouring about 350 mountain gorilla species. There are three sections open for gorilla trekking including the headquarters at Buhoma, Ruhija and Bwindi south/ Mt .Mgahinga which is accessed through KIsoro. There are eight (8) gorilla families habituated for viewing in Uganda. These include three (3) at buhoma( Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura), Ruhija family in Ruhija section while Nkuringo and Ishongi are found in Bwindi south. Eight tourists are allowed to visit each gorilla family per day this gives a total of 64 tourist (sixty four) tracking gorillas in Uganda per day both in Bwindi and in Mt. Mgahinga. Enjoy gorilla trekking with Green World Safaris.