Kibale Forest National Park offers an outstanding environment for Primate trekking and bird watching. With an area of 560 square kilometers, Kibale is a habitat to notable 13 primate species, including the much localized red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Kibale forest major attention-grabbing activity is the tracking of habituated chimpanzees (1,450 chimpanzees registered). Naturally, chimpanzees are very much interrelated to humans than to any other living creatures and they are admirable to watch as they fall out and engage in amusement in the rich vegetation.
A column of trails sheltered by the forest provides much enjoyment to botanists and butterfly lovers, while bird watchers are in for satisfaction with 335 species recorded including the common Prirogrine’s ground thrush.

There are also 4 species recorded nowhere else in Ugandan national parks: Nahan’s Francolin, blue-headed bee-eater, masked Apalis, and Cassin’s Spinetail. Other bird species are the Red-winged Francolin, White-naped pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, White-bellied Fly-catcher, Red-chested Flufftail, Uganda woodland Warbler, Chestnut-winged Starling, Tiny Sunbirds, Joyful Greenbul, Petit’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey-winged Robin, and Grey-headed Olive-back.
Kibale Forest acquired the National Park status in 1993 and has at least 60 registered mammal species. Among these consist of elephants, buffaloes, bushpigs, duikers and bats. The nine diurnal primates present in Kibale Forest include vervet, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboon, and chimpanzees. The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other worldly animals like the buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species. Kibale is mainly occupied by Batooro and Bakiga who habitually use the forest for food, fuel, building materials and medicines.

Kibale Forest National Park Tourist Activities
The main stimulating tourist activities are available at Kanyanchu River Camp. Here tour guides who are knowledgeable with information about elephants, reptiles, butterflies, amphibians, elephants, chimpanzees, medicinal plants plus many fauna and floras are gladly available to share it with anyone paying attention.

Kibale Primate Walks.
Tourists stride from Kanyanchu River Camp in the morning at 8.00 am or afternoon at 3.00 pm. It’s an exciting walk that lasts between 2 – 4 hours. This primate walk enables you to spot a different plant and animal species in the forest. Four groups of four visitors are entertainment in the morning and similar group sizes in the afternoon.

Chimpanzee Habituation (Training) Experience.
This activity focuses on de-sensitizing chimpanzees to human presence while maintaining their natural behavior. During habituation process, one sees chimps getting-out of the nests between 5.30 am and 6.30 am and keeps follow-up to when building nests for their sleeping between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm in the evening. Habituation starts from Kanyanchu River Camp.

Kibale Forest Hike.
The walking of 12 km is made only during the dry seasons, that from November to February and June to September and gives a visiting opportunity to the diverse park sanctuaries like the tropical rain forest, grassland, swamp and riverine forest. Walking by and large starts at 8.00 am up to when elephant wallow around 2.00 pm. This hiking exposes primates and birds you to many. Taking packed lunch is good for this hike.

Long Distance Walk
Persons who want adventuring and significantly get pleasure from the Forest’s wildlife, a 63 km guide walk from either Sebitoli or Kanyanchu and end at either site as you walk for 2 – 6 days through various sanctuaries and community campsites at Nyakarongo, Nyaibanda and Kinoni where you will enjoy the traditional dance and offered local food dishes is reasonably worthwhile.

Ideal time for visiting Kibale National Park.
One can visit the park during any time of the year.

Accommodation.
1. Primate Lodge Kibale – located in the middle of the forest at where the chimp tracking commences from, it has charming restaurant, bar and fire place for pleasant evenings. Preparations for modern bandas, luxury tents and a comfortable Sky Tree House are underway.

2. Kanyanchu River Camp- excellent accommodation for visitors who stay in the Sky Tree House overlooking the spectacular elephant wallow. The Sky Tree House accommodates 2 people only.

3. Sebitoli Forest Centre – this one has a capacity of 11 beds (2 doubles, 3 singles and 2 twins).

4. Mantana Luxury Tented Camp – in the middle of the forest, it’s a bush type comfortable accommodation.

5. Ndali Lodge – a luxury accommodation with thatched cottages overlooking a crater lake.

6. Budget lodges at Bigodi, the crater lakes; an observation tower and a boardwalk that traverses the papyrus beds. The path and boardwalk may be flooded and muddy after heavy rain and gumboots are recommended. They can be hired at the visitor centre. The walk is about 4 km in length, taking 3-4 hours at birding pace. With all proceeds from eco-tourism going back into the community, this is a conservation project well worth supporting.

ACCESSING KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Drive from Kampala to Fort Portal (320kms) then take a road to Kamwenge that commences from near the bridge over the Mpanga River in Fort Portal and is well signposted. Drive turning to left at the junction 12 km from Fort Portal and read the signpost for another 24 km drive to Kanyanchu Tourist Centre.

KIBALE FOREST REGULATIONS
1. Please note that this is not a Zoo so it is a tropical rainforest and sightings depend on factors such as time of the day fruit availability, weather and how quite the primate group is.
2. The maximum number of people in a group is 4 visitors per guided walk
3. The maximum time allowed with the chimps is one hour; however, the time might be shortened under the guide’s discretion to eliminate stressful situations for the chimps
4. When trekking, you are advised to remain in a tight group and follow the guides directions at all times.
5. Please remain at a distance of 8 meters from the chimps or the distance that your guide recommends
6. Under no circumstance shall you chase while they descend or to or walk on higher ground.
7. You are advised not to enter the forest if you are sick as this can put the animals at serious risk
8. Please refrain from eating near the chimps and other primates
9. Please do not shout in the forest
10. It’s advisable to wear long boots that cover your toes and long trousers as there are red ants and slippery trails, also carry along water proof clothing in the rainy season.
11. Children under 15 years are not allowed to view the chimps for safety reasons.
12. If you need to urinate please do so off the trail system.
13. If you need to defecate, please do so off the trail system and bury all in the hole all waste.

Murchison Falls Conservation Area is the biggest protected area in Uganda covering about 5,025 kilometres which comprise of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves and in the Southern part, Budongo Forest. For excellent wildlife safaris in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is a must go.

The expansive Murchison Falls National park is named after the amazing ‘falls’ on River Nile, which meets a gap in the Rift Valley Escarpment, then it changes into bubbles of noisy white water, a rare site in East Africa. At this point, it is where River Nile explodes down to become a composed river whose banks are thronged with buffaloes, hippos, waterbucks and crocodiles. The park vegetation is defined by nice-looking savanna, riverine forest and woodland. Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of Albertine rift valley, where the large Bunyoro escarpment joins together with the vast plains of Acholi region.

Mammals & Bird Species 

The park mammals figure to more than 76 species, which include giraffes, elephants, hartebeests, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, spotted hyenas, kobs, bushbuck, waterbuck, oribis, jackal and many others. There are over 450 bird species.

Tourist Activities in Murchison Falls National Park

At Murchison Falls National Park, the 3-hour launch cruise and back begin from Paraa by the Nile up to the Murchison Falls (17 km), in a move to spot elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bee-eaters, hippos, crocodiles, water birds related cormorants, pelicans, Kingfishers, herons, Ducks, fish eagle, shoebill stork. Trek to “top of the falls”, to see closer from the top the charging and stunning Murchison Falls. Game drives north of river Nile and at Lake Albert Delta’s Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks. Sport fishing (Nile Perch and tiger fish) in river Nile above and down the falls, chimpanzee trekking and birding in Budongo Forest and Kanyiyo Pabidi Forest Reserve are done.

Bird Watching 

The park has blue-napped mousebird, Spotted Mourning Thrush, Silver Bird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gonolek, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Vitelline Masked Weaver plus the Green-winged Ptyilia are amongst the many bird species seen between Paraa Rest Camp and during the ferry crossing. This is also the most excellent place to see the local white-rumped seed-eater. By and large, the Spotted and Verreaux’s Owls and an excess of impressive Nightjars, like the Long-tailed and Pennat-winged Nightjar (Especially between March-September) and predominantly the night-time species commonly seen in this area. A number of bird species like Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Grey-crowned Crane, Long-toed Plover, whilst African Fish Eagle and African Skimmer are also common in this area. The Fox’s Weaver Uganda’s only common bird is also there. The amazing Standard-winged Nightjar (November-February) and with a portable spotlight, one could organize a night boat trip on the Nile river in search for White-backed Night Heron and Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Game Viewing 

In the blowy early morning on the Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks north of the river Nile before the sun ascend too high, you will notice an abundance of animals. Picnicking, good charming view of elephants and other game watching on the green hillsides and the sand river are among activities at Nyamusika Cliffs. You get set for a four hour drive with the help of an experienced guide.

Launch Cruise on the Nile
One of the most amazing highlights of a trip to Murchison Falls Conservation Area is the launch trip from Paraa to the bottom of Murchison Falls. There are many Hippos and crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and birds like; Herons, Cormorants, Ducks, Bee-eaters, Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, and the dazzling Shoebill. The trip from Paraa to the falls and back takes about three hours. A boat trip to the Delta where the Victoria Nile engorges into Lake Albert leads through papyrus swamps. The trip takes about four to five hours and you will see a similar diversity of animals and birds.

Sport Fishing 

Sport Fishing is largely done at the base of the falls. The fish is either from the rocks on the banks of the river or somewhat lower downstream in the water. Access to the fishing spots is either by boat from a point downstream or by walking down the gorge to the river from the top of the falls. It is a long sharp climb back up for about 45 minutes for a persuasively strong person and hence most people tend to go fishing equipped for the day to avoid climbing up in the heat of the day. Baits can used to catch fish like Nile perch and various species of cat fish. We recommend a rod between 11feet (3 metres) and 8 feet (2.4 metres) together with a fixed spool or multiplier roll.

Nature Trails
Murchison Falls Conservation Area gives one an opportunity to discover and press forward to the wild nature even as on foot. Paraa trailing goes via riverine forest, gullies and short hills. Scores of fauna and flora species are closely, directly and mutely seen along the way. Nature walks are provided at Rabongo Forest, top of the falls and Kaniyo Pabidi.

Top of the Falls
Travelers trail walk to the falls and right up to the water’s edge. There is a chance to trek to the top of the falls from the boat landing and come closer to the narrow gap via which the river pushes through.

Kaniyo Padibi
Kaniyo Pabidi is exceptional for nature walks and hikes for chimpanzee tracking as the fundamentally done activity. Kaniyo Pabidi is on the Masindi – Paraa road, 8 kilometers from Kichumbanyobo gate. It is an area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, perfect for walking under mature mahogany and flatten wood trees. Besides chimps, one can watch many forest birds like the chocolate backed Kingfisher, Hornbill with white thighs and Puvell’s Illadopsis found nowhere else in the East African region apart from here. Kaniyo Pabidi has a campsite with water and firewood for use as one may desire and the place is clandestinely run by the Forestry Department.

Rabongo Forest
Rabongo Forest is admirable for nature walking and primate tracking. It is a place of moist riverine forest in the south-east of the conservation area. It is encircled by savanna plains, an hour and a half drive from Paraa. A nature march in the forest on foot facilitates one spot primates like the black and white Colobus monkeys, the red-tailed monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees plus birds, medicinal plants and trees. At the River Wairingo is a picnic site with a campsite where one can also reside at the well-equipped Ecotourism centre forest cottages.
Murchison Falls NP Accommodation
Murchison Falls National Park offers accommodation at the camp sites on top of the falls plus the traditional and self-contained bandas are made available. Toilets or pit latrines/showers or bathing shelters are also at these sites. Accommodation facilities are of various kinds, like the luxury safari lodges and the basic campsites.

Accommodation Facilities

· Paraa Safari Lodge
· Sambiya River Lodge
· Nile Safari Camp
· Paraa Rest Camp (has nice self-contained bandas).
· Rabongo Eco-Tourism Centre (good cottages)
· Red Chilli Rest Camp
· Kaniyo Padibi Camp
NOTE: Tourists can also sleep in Masindi Town and connect to the park the next morning.

Access to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Fall National Park can be reached by air or by road covering about 305 km from Kampala spending 5hours on the way. Charter flights can land at airstrips north of the Nile at Pakuba (19kms from Paraa) and south at Bugungu (13kms from Paraa). Paara covers a distance of about 85km from Masindi town by the shortest route. A longer route will cover an area of about 135km. You can also access Paara from the north through Chobe Gate, Karuma Falls along with Tangi. The Gate, close to Pakwach covers an area of about 25km to Paara in addition to Wankwar Gate close by Purongo.

Whereas Queen Elizabeth national park has almost all mammals that exist in Murchison Falls national park, the latter boasts of the giraffes and the spectacular falls.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has a geographical area of 1,978 sq.km (764 sq. miles) and is 5 times bigger than Lake Mburo national park. As one of the most accepted and admired game reserves for anyone with a keen interest in wildlife safaris, stunning nature and attractive view, Queen Elizabeth National was long-established in 1954 and named after Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom.

Geographically, the park runs from the foothills of the Rwenzori crater in the north to the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, Lake George and Kazinga Channel, combining a widespread diversity of habitats like savanna, wetlands and lowland forests amongst others.

Queen Elizabeth national park (QENP) is prominent for its wildlife like hippopotamuses, elephants, leopards, lions and chimpanzees and many others and it is a dwelling place for over 95 species of mammal and over 600 species of birds. The park is distinguished for its volcanic features, comprising volcanic cones and vast craters, many with crater lakes such as Lake Katwe where a lot of salt is mined.

QENP has different habitats including Maramagambo Forest, the savannah plains of Kasenyi, the Kyambura escarpment and the Kazinga Channel among others. The park borders with Kigezi and the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and Kyambura Game Reserves in the west, Kibale National Park in the East and the Rwenzori  Mountains in the north.

A short synopsis of Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Size: 1978 Square Kilometres

2. It’s found in Kasese, Bushenyi and Rukungiri district

3. Over 600 bird species

4. Best time for touring in the park: December – February

5. Ideal time for the tour, 2-3 days

6. Height above sea level Range: 900 metres on Lake Edward to 1845 metres above sea level at the top of Escarpment of the Western Rift Valley

7. Habitat: Medium elevation humid partly-deciduous forests, moist thicket, riparian forest, riverine bush land, open woodland, open grassland, seasonal and permanent swamps, lakes and rivers.

 Key Bird Species 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a number of Africa birds including the African Mourning Dove, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Swamp Fly-catcher, Grey-capped Warbler, The beautiful Black-headed Gonolek, Collard Pranticles, Pin-tailed Whyda Martial Eagle, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Common Squaco Heron, Shoebill Stork, African Open-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, African Skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Great white and Pink-backed Pelicans, White-winged Terns, among others.

Activities in the Park:

(a) Wildlife safaris/ Game viewing
(b) Boat rides on the Kazinga Channel that links Lake Edward to Lake George.
(c) Bird watching,
(d) Guided nature walks
(e) Chimpanzee trekking

BIRD WATCHING TOURS

The main camp at Mweya is attractively positioned with fine views of the Rwenzori Mountains a number of extensive bush species may be seen in the environs of the airstrip. Along the airstrip, you watch for the African Mourning Dove, Grey-capped Warbler, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Yellow-backed and Lesser Masked Weavers, Swamp Fly-catcher, The Beautiful Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested sunbird, Slender-billed, Pin-tailed Whydah and brimstone Canary, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars.

The Kazinga channel is a crowd-puller for water birds, a launch cruise on the channel exposes bird species like the Great-white and Pink-backed Pelicans, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Common Squaco Heron, African open-billed Strok, White-faced Whistling and Knob-billed Ducks, African Fish Eagle, Black Crake, African Jacana, Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged and African Wattled Plovers, Malachite and Pied kingfishers, Swamp flycatchers and Yellow backed Weavers are all common and conspicuous.

A number of migrants hit the highest point in February and March and are nothing short of incredible with hundreds of thousands of White-winged Terns hovering over the water, millions of common sand Martins and Yellow -wagtails roosting in reed-beds and lesser numbers of palaeartic waders like the Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpipers, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh, common and Wood sandpipers, Spotted Redshank and widespread Greenshank feed along the swampy outer edges.

A number of uncommon species have been recorded from the hippo wallows along the channel including Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Northern Pochard, Mongolian Plover and Jack Snipe. Hundreds of African Skimmers may well be seen roosting on sandbars near the way in to Lake Edward but are migrants from southern tropics and regularly at hand only from December to May. The Kazinga channel may also be viewed from the Katungururu Bridge on the Mbarara-Kasese main road where Pelicans, Terns, Greater Swamp and winged Warblers, Winding and Carruther’s Cisticolas and Papyrus Gonolek may be noticed.

THE ISASHA SECTOR

The Ishasha sector is a part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and boasts of many herbivorous animals. The Ishasha sector is a home to tree-climbing lions that are at times spotted resting in the branches of the huge fig trees in the area. Even though tree lions are not easy to spot, the guides of Queen Elizabeth National Park record sightings on a daily basis, they therefore have a good plan about their whereabouts in the park. The fig trees which the lions climb, stretch out along the roads in the Ishasha sector, offering to you an opportunity of noticing the lions close to the vehicle, giving you a clear platform for taking pictures.

Around the Ishasha Sector, there are accommodation facilities that include; the Wilderness Camp is an special tented camp that offers superior lodging in the natural isolated southern sector of Queen Elizabeth Park, the Ishasha Wilderness Camp is another excellent part for exceptional game viewing opportunities, with a wide variety of buffalo, elephants, kobs, topi and many more.

MARAMAGAMBO FOREST

Maramagambo Forest is among the biggest forests in Uganda with medium altitude humidity. The distinctiveness of such forest is more and more becoming uncommon in Africa. It has very fantastic lakes and craters. It is the single place in the park where one could find Blue Lakes.

Other outstanding attractions in the forest consist of; primates like L’host monkeys, Chimpanzees, bush baby, baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and many more. Owing to its location, Maragambo has a high variety of butterflies. The bat and the hunters cave are the other enjoyable experiences that the forest has and not forgetting the many bird species.

THE NORTHERN CRATER AREA

This place has a scenic area of explosion craters, some containing salt lakes, formed by volcanic activity some thousand years ago. Some of these craters are dry. These characteristic stunning vantage points are waterless during the dry season.

ACCESS 

The journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park is something like 5 to 6 hours drive from Kampala going through Mpigi, Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Bushenyi and is also easy to get to from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The park is easily reached by road or air transport. The Main Camp and Park Headquarters at Mweya is a well-located base for exploring the places in the northern part of the park, at the same time as the road network running from Ishasha Camp and Ranger Post, 80 kms to the south, gives a right of way into the Ishasha Sector.

ACCOMMODATION in Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Mweya Safari Lodge – the 5-star luxury lodge is perfect for relaxation, it has swimming facilities and different bird species can be seen around the area.
2. Jacana Safari Lodge – it is a luxury lodge on the banks of a crater lake and very superb for relaxation and refreshment for paramount relieve.
3. Simba Safari Camp – this safari accommodation is on the hill on the border of the national park giving extraordinary views of Lake George, the Kazinga Channel and the savannah plains.
4. The Institute of Ecology – it is a basic hostel accommodation style.
5. Mweya Hostel – it is a budget accommodation one can use.
6. Camping – this can be done at Mweya, Maramagambo Forest and Ishasha sector. It is wise to take a trip along with camping facilities.

Found in Eastern Uganda near Mbale and lying across the Uganda-Kenya boarder, Mount Elgon National Park is covers 1,145 square kilometers. The is known to be the fourth highest mountain in East Africa and second in having the topmost peak in Uganda, towering up to 4321 meters.

An extinct volcano, Mt. Elgon is said to have stood taller than Mountain Kilimanjaro of today during the ancient times. Mount Elgon is beleived to have first erupted more than 24 million years ago. Locally known as Mt. Masaba, Elgon has got three other major peaks which are Kiongo (4303m), Mubiyi (4210m) and Jackson’s summit (4165m). Masaba is the name of the founding ancestor of the Bagisu assumed to have emerged from a cave on its slopes several centuries ago. Masaba’s spirit is believed to be embodied by Jackson’s Summit but may be the taller Kiongo peak.

The mountain is also an important watershed for different rivers including River Sipi that forms the splendid Sipi falls. The mountain slopes support an affluent range of vegetation zones like the montane forest, high open moorland covered by the mature giant lobelia and groundsel plants. The mountain has crater covering about 40kilometres on its top surrounded by a several rocky peaks. Mt. Elgon Park has a large collection of fauna and flora species, for example the Bamboo, heath and moorland zones plus animals such as leopards, Blue and White Colobus monkey, hyena and buffalos. The bird species comprise of the African Goshawk, Mackinon’s Fiscal, the Bablafecht weaver and many others.

Activities:
Bird watching, mountain climbing, trekking, day hikes, forest exploration and camping are among the major activities. A selection of attractions outside the park like lodging facilities and campsites in addition to the splendid Sipi falls placed 66 km from Mbale makes a trip pleasant. Community visits and participation in Imbalu dances, scenery walks from Budadiri trailhead can also be made.

1. Flora and Fauna
As you travel up along Elgon’s slopes, you will go through the chunky montane forest with mixed bamboo belts intensely characterized by a number of bird species. You will then join attractive moorland zones with several interesting endemic plant species like the Giant lobelia and groundsels. Lovers of the natural world will spot primates such as the Black and White Colobus Monkey, Blue Monkey, uncountable captivating bird species like Golden Winged and Tacazze sunbirds, Ross’s and Hartlaubs Turacos, Black and White Casqued and Crowned Hornbills. The defenseless Lammergeier and the Jackson’s Francolin found nowhere in Uganda apart from here will be seen. With a wholehearted watching, you will be able to see buffalo, elusive leopard, duiker and the shy hyena. Attractive to see as well are the forest monkeys that fill up the forest top as the gigantic forest Hog, Bushbuck, Antelope, Civet, Wildcat, Bush Duiker, Jackal, Rock Hyrax and Elephant move around the tropical rain woodland.

2. Birding
Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, White-chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly-catchers, Chin-spot Batis, Mackinon’s Fiscal, Doherty’s and Luhder’s Bush-Shrikes and Baglafecht Weaver are seen at the forest and thick scrub alongside the Chebonet River close to the camp.

3. Trekking in the Routes
The area has two key opening points that show the way to the Elgon peaks.
– Salsa Trail Buddukiro trailhead, this is mainly reachable easily from Mbale and a direct route to the peaks going via the Park’s largest area of bamboo wooded area. But is also a steep and rough ascend of about 1600metres on the opening day.

– Pisa trail/Kapkwata trailhead, a calm climb can cover up 660metres on the first day deciding to climb through here. As you move on this route, you can see the sights of the vast Podocarpus forest, an admirable place for flora and fauna watching. An entire trekking journey to the mountain peaks runs for 4-5 days. It is worthwhile that visitors talk about the trekking options with the information clerks at the Mbale, Budadiri or Kapkwata Visitors’ Centres.

4. Safari Activities
Hiking is the most important tourism activity. Mountain climbing is not so much tedious implying, it can be done by an average and experienced hikers. In addition to the interesting and distinctive plants and animals, one can experience the splendid waterfalls, big caves, beautiful peaks and gorges and the spectacular hot springs which boil up at 48′C. The perfect trip periods are the dry seasons, say from June-August and December-March. But still even during cold months, trekking is practicable and gratifying. Precisely, with or with no mountaineering skills, one can trek to all major peaks with no difficulty.

5. What to come along on the tour.
Come along with tent, sleeping bag, warm clothes, gloves, hat, powerful hiking shoes, flashlight cameras, water bottle, rain gear, first aid kit, food preparation tools and sufficient foodstuffs.

6. Mt. Elgon Camping.
There are 9 campsites placed at different points along the trekking route. It is wise that visitors abide by park rules by staging camps only at gazetted sites. No camping is acceptable in the caldera. The mountain’s camping is ancient and traditional requiring all the important camping tools to be carried by the tourist. But things like tents and sleeping bags are readily offered for hire at the park. Bring a warm jacket and rain gear for unpredictable weather conditions at the mountain for the period of the expedition. A fuel- camp stove is also essential for use to keep away from abusing the firewood of the natural environment.

7. Park Rangers and Porters
Benignly make use of a trained park ranger to direct you on the whole trekking journey since rangers are well-acquainted with the routes, safety measures, communication and cultural histories of all the places hiked. Local porters will be of help in carrying up to 18kilogrammes of your stuff, prepare meals, setting up and removing your camp plus bringing water for use. There are fees for the guide and the porter per stage. The wages cover the guide or porter’s park visitation fee and the cost of adequate food and supplies. Trained ranger guides and local porters are available at all trailheads. Please ask for a guide’s license before hiring to ensure you are dealing with the genuine personality. As an affair of safety, a ranger escort should be hired while visiting the calderas or mounting the peaks. You will meet your ranger guide at Sasa or Piswa patrol hut where you have got to present your park receipt prior to moving forward upwards.

8. Mt. Elgon Day Hikes.
On Mt. Elgon, the Forest Exploration Centre has 3-day trails covering about 3 to 7 kilometres. The trails award a pleasurable experience of the Elgon’s unusual flora and fauna. To get to the huge Tutum Cave, 11 km from the centre, you are facilitated by the fourth trail. The trail goes all the way through a range of vegetation types rendering clear pictures for wildlife such as Black and White Colobus Monkeys and a selection of birds.

9. Attractions outside Mt. Elgon National Park
The spectacular Sipi Falls are found 66 km from Mbale, en-route to the Forest Exploration Centre and Kapkwata. Numerous local trails make day hikes possible through welcoming local villages with stunning farming. Pleasant campsites, lodge facilities, including meal services and hot showers are offered at Crow’s Nest located near the Sipi trading centre. More comfortable accommodation is at the Sipi Falls Resort. Better get a guide to take you steadily through the one and half hour walk to the Forest Exploration Centre. Nagudi rock has 7 open rock-climbing routes, half-way between Mbale and Budadiri. Mountaineers need to carry their own mountain climbing tools because these routes are bolt.

ACCOMMODATION
Easy accommodation facilities are on hand inside the Park at the Kapkwata Rest House and the Forest Exploration Centre at Kapkwai. Prior arrangements through the Mount Elgon National Park Visitors’ office in Mbale are necessary as these facilities do not provide accommodation for large numbers of visitors. Cookery services are offered, but visitors should bring their own food supplies or have money to buy food upon arrival. The Forest Exploration Centre also carries out a four-day environmental program for school groups of up to 30 students which allow children to experience a living forest environment while learning the importance of environmental conservation. There is a dormitory -form rooms and bathing facilities with running water. There is also an up-market lodge at Sipi Falls, Midrange hotels in Mbale plus budget lodging at Sipi Falls, Mbale and Budadiri.

HOW TO GET THERE.
Mount Elgon national park is 235 kilometers from Kampala to the eastern side of Uganda. Driving to the mountain takes you through Mukono, Buikwe, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Palisa to Mbale town at the western stand of the Mount, before climbing to Kapchorwa on the north-western bloc of Mount Elgon. Murram roads show the way off the Mbale Kapchorwa road to get to the various trailheads. In Mbale town, Mount Elgon National Park Information Office is on Plot 19/21 Masaba Road, near Mount Elgon Hotel. This office which is open from 08.00-13:00 and 14, 00-17, 00, Mon-Fri and 09.00-13.00 on Saturdays is available to give you as much as necessary information concerning the park.

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT MOUNT ELGON:
Mount Elgon lower slopes are fine and ideal for visiting throughout the year. And the drier months from June to August, then December to March constitute the most outstanding periods for climbing the mountain.

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda. The park is situated about 30 kilometres east of Mbarara town. Lake Mburo is the largest of the five lakes which, together with the nearby wetlands, make up 20% of the park’s surface area of 260 square kilometers. However, having an area of 260 square kilometers only, makes it the smallest of the Uganda’s savanna National Parks. This type of nature makes this park very perfect and thrilling for bird watching (over 310 species) throughout the year. Lake Mburo has a variety of habitats, dry hillside, rocky outcrops, bushes thickets, open and the savanna forests, lakes and swamps which are homes to a range of plants and animals.

Mburo accommodates several species of mammals like antelopes Zebras, Impala, Buffaloes and many bird species including the bill storks. The park’s landscape has softly sloping green hills and enjoyable lake shores with various habitats in the forest galleries, seasonal and permanent swamps and rich acacia wood valleys which all provide a wealth of flora and fauna. The park is the only place in Uganda where the impala still live and it is the most exceptional place to see the eland, Africa’s biggest antelope. Bigger buffalo and zebra herds are common in this park. The western part of the park consists of Savannah intermingled with rock-strewn ridges and forested gorges, while pieces of papyrus swamp and small bands of green riparian woodland make the edges of the different lakes.

Lake Mburo National Park Safari Activities.
Lake Mburo National Park is amongst Uganda’s most charming wildlife destinations and exceptionally enjoyable for game viewing tours, birding safaris, forest walks (on foot in Rubanga forest), guided nature walks, boat trips, fishing, salt licks as well as game hunting.

1. Bird Watching
There are about 313 various bird species encompassing the rare Shoebill stork and White-winged Warbler in Lake Mburo National Park. Other bird species are the Crested Francolin, common Quails, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Greenwood Hoopoe, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go-away bird, Blue-napped Mousebird, Red necked Spur, Black-billed Barbet, Lilac-breasted Roller, African-grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola a drive towards Rwonyo camp may show Coqui Francolin, Red necked spur fowl, Black Bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African-wattle Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufuos chested Swallow, Southern Red Bishop and Yellow-throated Long claw.

2. Forest walk
Forest Walk is done through Rubanga Forest; a walk in this small forest on the western side of Lake Mburo gives an understanding of a tropical elevated forest with sunshade and a watch of a collection of good-looking bird species (40 bird species). Birding in the park is done superlatively with the guiding services of a park warden.

3. Lake Mburo Boat trips
Lake Mburo is rich in fauna and flora species spotted flawlessly from a boat ride starting from a lakeside campsite near Rwonyo. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, Cormorant, Fish Eagle and the rare shoebill stork among the fauna that can be seen in a two-hour boat cruise. The interval of each boat cruise is to be discussed with the park administration.

4. Salt Lick Guided walks, one explores the park around Rwonyo, leading to a visit to a natural salt lick regularly visited by animals. This kind of viewing is facilitated by a timber watching stand. From a platform made of wood, visitors have an opportunity to see at least four different species of animals at any one time as they lick the saline ground. This is made to the animal’s unawareness since the wooden podium works as a disguise.

5. Nature trail
On the trail, a visitor gets a chance to understand the natural world, walking with supreme liberty in the company of an armed guide.

6. Fishing
Lake Mburo has about six fish species, common there consist of tilapia, lung fish, mud fish, haplochromes and others fished by means of hooks. Shades for rest for visitors are open at the campsite near the lake.

ACCOMMODATION
The park has accommodation facilities in form of tents at Rwonyo park headquarters and at three public camp sites. Another luxury accommodation is at the tented Mantana Luxury Camp and Mihingo Lodge. Travelers from Kampala can make a stopover and sleep at the various Lyantonde Hotels or those coming from western Uganda can stay in Mbarara town after leaving or before going on to the national park.

ACCESSING LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo National Park is in Mbarara district. It is a 3 to 4 hours drive from Kampala. Then turn left at 13 km at Akageti after Lyantonde town taking you to Sanga gate. The road is tarmac from Kampala with some comfort. Another drive of 13 kms from Sanga trading center of Sanga gate, then 5 kms from the main road to Nshara gate and a 20-minute drive from Rwonyo Park Head Quarters.