Statistically Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is rich in so many other ways!
There are several unique and attractive places that you should not miss while on your Uganda safari adventure. The Pearl of Africa has a lot to offer in terms of its hospitality, leisure, accommodation and its abundant wildlife. Whichever adventure you are longing for, Uganda has the best for you because of its unique natural attractions.
NGAMBA ISLAND
This is a Chimpanzee sanctuary set up and run by the Jane Good all Institute for rehabilitating young Chimpanzees freed from captivity and confiscated from smugglers. It is a day trip by large canoe (20 km) from Entebbe and offers good sightings and a most enjoyable day out.
The Trust established Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in 1998 for the care and welfare of entrusted animals while conserving as far as possible the ecosystem of the island.
Among the activities on the Islands include welfare of individual captive chimpanzees entrusted to its care, long-term management of a sanctuary for confiscated individuals that cannot be returned to the wild, intervention to assist individuals in the wild when deemed necessary, conservation education of the general Ugandan public with particularly emphasis on chimpanzees, ecotourism, community participation.
Bwindi Impenetratable National park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the south-western part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley. The hillsides which are mist-covered are sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied rainforests in Uganda that dates back to more than 25,000 years, comprising of about 400 varied plant species.
Bwindi is habitat to more than half the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas. Actually there are over 400 mountain gorillas living here.
The word “Bwindi” means “darkness” and taking a hike this magnificent forest will certainly unveil to you the reason why the forest was named so. You will as well be in position to fast tell why actually the forest is also regarded as Impenetrable. One requires being realistically physically fit to take part in this mountain gorilla tracking / trekking adventure because it may involve climbing the steep terrain.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a bio diverse, mountainous area in southwest Uganda. It’s a home to many of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, who feed on roots, leaves and fruits from the park. In the park, rough paths weave amid dense forests, which are home to many butterflies and birds.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is Uganda’s second Gorilla Park sits astride the Rwanda and DRC borders in the Virunga volcano chain. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey. This is one of the best destinations for primate safaris in Africa offering you an opportunity to encounter both the golden monkeys and the silverbacked gorillas.
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivalled.
Mgahinga most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.
Additional activities include volcano climbing in which no specialized gear is required; Mt Sabinyo (3669m); Mt Gahinga (3474m) and Mt Muhavura (4127m).
Kibale Forest National Park
The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates to be found in any forest of Africa. The Park also has 320 species of birds including the Yellow spotted Nicator; Green breasted Pita and the African Pita.
Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.
Kibale is famously known for Chimpanzee tracking but is a home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee.
It also contains over 375 species of birds. Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.
The Kibale-Fort Portal area is one of Uganda’s most rewarding destinations to explore. The park lies close to the tranquil Ndali-Kasenda crater area and within half a day’s drive of the Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks, as well as the Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.
Butterflies are also in abundance including the largest African butterfly, African Giant Swallowtail, with a wingspan of 20-23 cm. Guided walks are offered to track the Chimpanzee during the early hours of the morning.
Places to stay:- Ndali Lodge 17 km’s outside the Park features lovely cottages overlooking a crater lake; CVK resort next door to the Park entrance and is an inexpensive option for the budget conscious and provides easy access for the early morning start.
MABIRA FOREST
Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometers in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932.
No matter what your interests are, you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy the beautiful forest. Griffin Falls Camp is conveniently located just 10 km off the highway between Kampala and Jinja. After an amazing experience in the forest, you can feel good about where your money ends up because all the profits from Griffin Falls Camp are put into sustainable development projects in the villages in and around Mabira Forest.
