NATIONAL PARKS & TOURIST GUIDE UGANDA - Intek Travel
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NATIONAL PARKS & TOURIST GUIDE UGANDA
THE PEARL OF AFRICA Here, the discerning traveller has the opportunity to venture on an exhila-
rating climb to the Mountain Gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo
Welcome to Nature’s Paradise thickets and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests, alive with
From the days Livingstone explored East Africa and the discoveries by the cacophonous calls of varicoloured birds. Nothing however can
Speke and Burton in search of the Source of the Nile, Uganda has always prepare one for the impact of encountering a Gorilla close up, twice
been recognized as a land of contrast and abundant natural beauty. Its thesize of an average man, yet remarkably gentle and generally tolerant
locale on the second largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Victoria, of human visitors.
with the River Nile twisting its way through the country from south to north
adds to a vista that has tempted countless explorers and adventurers. In addition, one can visit the mist-shrouded Mountains of the Moon,
travel to the famous Murchison Falls National Park, with its massive 43
In Uganda, often described as the Pearl of Africa, one can discover natu- meter falls of boiling water crashing into the wooded country below and
ral wonders not found anywhere else on the planet: Island dotted lakes on to the hazy savannahs of the Kidepo Valley National Park, dappled
with the Virunga Volcanoes as a backdrop in southwestern Uganda, the with an abundance of wildlife. Serene undulating hills of tea plantations,
Mgahinga National Park with the unforgettable opportunity of climbing lush but ordered, give way to tangled jungle and rainforest with the musi-
volcanoes, tracking the endangered Golden Monkeys, experience the cal accompaniment of tropical birds.
cultures and traditions of the ancient Batwa Pygmies or visit the one and
only family of Mountain Gorillas that does not seem to care about visas or There is also the opportunity of tracking Gorillas in their natural territory
borders as they move between Rwanda, Uganda and the DR Congo. in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
due to its expanse of ancient and undisturbed tropical forests dating
back to the last ice age. The lush opportunities for exploration nature has
to offer in Uganda appear almost limitless.
With 10 very distinct national parks to chose from, Uganda is alive with
these contrasts and thrives on diversity: The tiniest sun birds, iridescent
flashes of colour in the morning light; the massive lumbering yet silent
Forest Elephants, disappearing like a mirage in the jumble of a tropical
jungle; Chimpanzees crashing about in the forest canopy; the lugubrious
Gorilla chewing thoughtfully in the bamboo thicket.
From the snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, tracking Chim-
panzees in the Kibale Forest National Park, observing the tree climbing
Lions and Leopards of Ishasha in the Queen Elizabeth National Park to
white water rafting on the river Nile and sandy, freshwater beaches on the
shore lines of Lake Victoria and smiling faces everywhere. It’s all here, a
feast for the senses!
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VISA & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Visiting Uganda is comparatively easy as tourist visa applications can be
obtained online and approval for these is usually granted within a few
days. In case you are from a country that requires specific procedures,
please consult a Ugandan Embassy or High Commission for the required
procedures and as stated on the visa application platform listed below.
At this time, visitors from most European countries can also still obtain a
tourist visa on arrival, however as this will be phased out eventually, we
strongly suggest to utilise the new Online Visa Application Platform in
order to avoid any surprises: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ Of the
options listed there, tourists visiting Uganda should apply for Visa / Permit
Type and thereafter one of the following categories:
Visa - Uganda / Ordinary Tourist Visa
Allows for a single entry into Uganda, is valid for a period of 3 months and
costs US $ 50, payable on arrival and once the online visa application
process has been completed and approved. Please ensure to print the
online visa approval plus all required documentation before travelling to
Uganda.
Visa - East Africa Tourist Visa
A multiple entry East African tourist visa that also allows entry into the
Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda in addition to entering the
Republic of Uganda for tourism purposes. This visa type is also valid for a
period of 3 months and costs US $ 100, payable on arrival and once the
online visa application process has been completed and approved.
Please ensure to print the online visa approval plus all required documen-
tation before travelling to Uganda.
It is important to also note that as of now, a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination
is an obligatory prerequisite and persons arriving without such a valid
international certificate - Yellow Card - will be vaccinated at the airport
against an additional fee of US $ 20.
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GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE Uganda features a temperate climate especially on the higher elevations
around the Rwenzori Mountains and even though most of the country lies
Situated along the Equator in East Africa, with a population of more than within the tropics, temperatures average between 16 - 26 C from April to
38 million, Uganda is mostly a tropical country. Its land mass covers an November. However, during the dry season from December to March,
area of 236,580 square kilometres between longitudes 29 east / east and temperatures can reach in excess of 30 C on a daily basis.
latitudes 4 north / south with an average altitude of 1,100 meters above
sea level. Its capital city is Kampala and the only international airport is In general, the climate of Uganda is mainly influenced by the dry and hot
located 30 kilometres away in Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria. air masses arising in the semi-arid north / east of Uganda, that further
Other major towns in Uganda include Jinja, also known as the Adventure leads to the predominantly dry weather conditions found in most of that
Capital of Uganda, due to its extensive white water rafting opportunities. region. The presence of Lake Victoria on the other side produces the
moist weather that prevails in the south / west of the country. Indeed,
were it not for a host of major and minor lakes such as Lake Victoria, Lake
Edward, Lake Albert, Lake George as well as the Lake Kyoga region,
Uganda would be a substantially drier country on average.
For further information on what tourism attractions Uganda’s major towns
and cities have to offer, Click on the Photo below to see our comprehen-
sive selection of Uganda City Tours & Short Up Country Excursions:
The country is also situated on Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh
water lake in the world, also the Source of the River Nile, the second long-
est river in the world. Uganda is a land locked country bordered by the Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
Republic of South Sudan in the north, the Republic of Kenya in the east, safari@intektravel.com
the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the west, and the Republic of All safaris can be modified to client requirements
Tanzania as well as the Republic of Rwanda to the south.
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CULTURES & TRADITIONS banana leaves and then cooked with enough water to steam the leaves as
well. The bundle is then removed and mashed to achieve a smooth soft
Situated in the historical and geographical heart of the African continent and golden yellow mash which looks very much like mashed potatoes.
and with a population of more than 38 million, Uganda has long been con-
sidered a cultural melting pot, as represented by the more than 30 differ- Eastern Region
ent indigenous languages, associated with five distinct linguistic groups. The eastern region represents another very diverse region that comprises
The country's most ancient human inhabitants, the Batwa and Bambuti a number of different tribal and ethnic groups including; The Bagisu,
Pygmies, were hunter / gatherer tribes from the hills and forests of South Basamia / Bagwe, Basoga, Bagwere, Iteso, Japadhola, and the Sebei
/ West Uganda, and they still exist in that region of Uganda as well as the among others. Of these, the kingdom of Basoga represents a distinctive
Eastern DRC today. They also left us with a rich legacy of rock paintings, section of eastern Uganda with their king locally known as Kyabazinga.
such as the Nyero Rock Paintings near Kumi.
Traditions: The Basoga are known for the Tamenhaibunga, a kind of social
Central Region dance that literally means ‘good friends drink together but they do not
The central region is dominated by Bantu tribal communities specifically fight each other lest they break the guard (Eibuga) that contains the drink’.
the Buganda Kingdom. The head of state is a king, locally known as the The guard is symbolically used to express the value and fragility of love
Kabaka and the current king of Buganda is HH Ronald Mutebi II who was and friendship. Other dances of the Busoga include Nalufuka, a much
crowned the 36th Kabaka of Buganda in 1993 after his father Sir Edward faster and youthful version of the Tamenhaibuga and the Eirongo, a slower
Mutesa II died in exile. dance performance to cerebrate the birth of twins. Also the Amayebe,
which builds physical stamina, especially for men and the Enswezi, used
The kingdom also constitutes a parliament, the Lukiiko, which comprises to communicate to super naturals and the Ekigwo which is practiced by
of mainly the elders of the 52 clans that make up the Buganda kingdom. wrestlers.
Other important figures of the Buganda, who occupy important positions
in the kingdom, include the Queen (the Nabagereka), the Prime Minister Cuisine: Kamaleewa are tender bamboo shoots which are a delicacy
(the Katikiiro), the royal sister (the Nalinya) and the Queen Mother (the among the Bagisu ethnic groups. After harvest, the bamboo shots are first
Namasole). boiled and then sun dried before cooking. Other delicacies include Atapa,
Akaro and sun dried fish.
Traditions: The Buganda Kingdom is renowned for its distinct ceremonial
occasions organized for the observance of commemorations, inaugura- Northern Region
tions, remembrances or the fulfilment of cultural rituals. Some of the more The northern region is home to a number of important tribal and ethnic
common and highly organised ceremonies include the initiation of twins communities such as the Acholi, Langi in the north, Alur and Madi in the
(Okwalula Abalongo), the introduction (Okwanjula) and the last funeral rite west and the Karamajong in the east of the region. Like most of Uganda,
(Okwabya Olumbe). regional ethnic and tribal communities predominantly depend on agricul-
ture as a means of economic activity, with millet and sorghum serving as
Cuisine: Matoke, the local name for bananas of the plantain type, are a staple foods.
popular local dish among the Baganda. Once peeled they are wrapped in
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Traditions: The Naleyo dance is performed by the Karamajong where
women line up and men strike their breasts with their fingers as they
dance. The Karamajong are a pastoral community in the north eastern
part of Uganda.
Cuisine: The Akaro is made from a combination of sorghum, millet and
cassava flour mixed in proportionate quantities of water. And the Malak-
wang is a sour vegetable usually prepared with groundnut paste to form a
typical northern food. Malakwang is best served with sweet potatoes.
Others local delicacies include smoked fish and Ugali.
Western Region
The western region is also rich in tribal communities, primarily the Bakonjo
/ Bamba, Batooro, Bunyoro, Banyankore, Bakiga, Bafumbira and Bach-
wezi. Both the Batooro and Bunyoro have a centralized system of govern-
ment headed by their king, the Omukama. Initially, Toro was part of
Bunyoro, but later broke away to establish the kingdom of Toro.
Traditions: The Entogoro is a cultural dance of the Banyoro and Batooro of
western Uganda. The dance takes its name from the pod rattles (locally
known as Ebinyege) that the boys tie on their legs in order to create differ-
ent rhythms as they dance. And the Ekitagururo is characterized by ener-
getic stamping and tangling rhythms using the feet and aerial arm move-
ments. It is performed by both Banyankole and Bakiga in the south west-
ern regions of Uganda.
Cuisine: The Eshabwe is a traditional Banyankole dish comprising of
ghee, which is skimmed from milk. This is usually combined with the
previously described Akaro. It's a meal one would certainly get
acquainted to on a visit to the western parts of Uganda.
Above cultural descriptions and insights are in part courtesy of the
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
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NATIONAL PARKS SOUTH SUDAN
1. Mount Elgon National Park
Area: 1,145 km2 Habitat: Montane 2
2. Kidepo Valley National Park
Area: 1,442 km2 Habitat: Savannah
3. Murchison Falls National Park WHITE NILE
Area: 3,900 km2 Habitat: Savannah
4. Semuliki National Park GULU
Area: 220 km2 Habitat: Forest
5. Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Area: 996 km2 Habitat: Montane UGANDA
6. Kibale Forest National Park
Area: 766 km2 Habitat: Forest DR CONGO 3
7. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Area: 1,978 km2 Habitat: Savannah LAKE KYOGA
8. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Area: 310 km2 Habitat: Forest LAKE ALBERT
9. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 1
Area: 33 km2 Habitat: Montane
MBALE
KENYA
10. Lake Mburo National Park 4
WHITE NILE
2
Area: 256 km Habitat: Savannah
FORT PORTAL KAMPALA
JINJA
5 6
ENTEBBE
LAKE GEORGE
7
MBARARA
10 LAKE VICTORIA
LAKE EDWARD
8
RWANDA 9 TANZANIA
KABALE
10MOUNT ELGON NP Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
Be sure to visit the majestic Sipi Falls, situated just a few kilometres from
Location & History the Forest Exploration Centre. The falls arise on the upper elevations of
Situated in eastern Uganda and straddling the border with Kenya, the Mt. Mt. Elgon as the Sipi River and cascade down the foothills over 4 minor
Elgon National Park is an extinct volcano that first erupted over 20 million falls first and before culminating in a 100 meter drop at an elevation of
years ago. Mt. Elgon is the eighth highest mountain in Africa (the fourth 1,775 meters. A tour of the Sipi Falls is available from nearby lodges and
highest in East Africa) and rises from the broadest base of any freestand- takes the visitor on an hour long exploration of the falls as well as a nearby
ing mountain in the world. It’s tallest peaks form a jagged circle around the cave complex. And from a wildlife perspective, the dense forests of Mt.
caldera, which at 8 km wide is also one of the largest in the world. The Elgon are home to a variety of primates such as the Black and White Colo-
tallest peak, Wagagai (4,321 m) is situated on the Ugandan side of the bus Monkeys and the Blue Monkey.
border, whereas other major peaks surrounding the caldera are Kiongo
(4,303 m), Mubiyi (4,210 m) and Jackson’s Summit (4,160 m). Bird Watching
The dense montane forest of the lower elevations are home to a variety of
The first European to explore the mountains elevations was Joseph tropical bird species such as African Goshawk, Ross and Hartlaubs Tura-
Tomson, who travelled there from Kenya in 1883. Tomson called the cos, Chubb’s Cisticola, White Chinned Prinia, African Blue Fly Catchers,
mountain Mt. Elgon, which is basically the English adaptation of a name Mackinon’s Fiscal, Doherty’s and Luhder’s Bush Shrikes, Black and White
that Maasai tribes had given to the mountain and its inhabitants. Casqued and Crowned Hornbills to mention but a few.
Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
Mount Elgon National Park presents the visitor with an exciting set of day our detailed 8 Days Mount Elgon & Sipi Falls Safari:
trails or extended hikes. The mountain is not difficult to conquer, aspirant
hikers need to be reasonably fit but require no specialised equipment or
skill level to reach any of the major peaks.
Two of the more popular 3 to 7 day trails taking visitors to the Wagagai
peak are the Sasa Trail out of Budadiri and the Piswa Trail out of Kapk-
wata. Both hikes can be arranged at the Mount Elgon Tourist office in
Mbale or at the respective trail heads of Budadiri, Kapkwata or Kapkwai.
Porters carrying a maximum of 18 kg each can also be arranged at the
same time.
During the day trails ranging from 3 to 11 km, and that can be arranged at
the Forest Exploration Centre, you will experience beautiful waterfalls, Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
ancient mountain caves, pristine montane forest vistas, mist covered safari@intektravel.com
peaks and gorges as well as hot springs bubbling at 48 C. All safaris can be modified to client requirements
1112
KIDEPO VALLEY NP Cultural & Social Experiences
Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures
Location & History Kidepo Valley National Park also offers the discerning traveller with the
Situated in north / east Uganda on the border to South Sudan and Kenya, once in a lifetime visit to the remote mountain villages of the IK People of
Kidepo Valley National Park has consistently been rated as one of the best Karamoja. The Ik People live high in the Morungole Mountains on the
national parks in Africa due to its remote wild charm, big sky views and border with Kenya and number only around 10,000 in total. They are
open lightly wooded savannahs, teeming with wildlife. hunter / gatherers that originally migrated to this area from Ethiopia.
The park covers an area of 1,442 square kilometres at an altitude ranging A day with the Ik People on Morungole Mountain reveals rare cultural
from 914 and 2,750 meters above sea level with the highest point repre- insights, complemented by some of the most stunning scenery Uganda
sented by Mount Morungole. The dominant habitat is open or lightly has to offer and is simply an amazing adventure. Getting to the Ik villages
wooded savannah, interspersed with areas of montane forest, riparian is however no easy feat and requires an all-day venture up and down the
woodland, borassus palms and rocky koppies. The mountainous terrain is steep mountains with guides who speaks their language. You have to be
broken up by two predominant valleys - the Narus Valley and the Kidepo physically fit to climb the mountains - the peak of Mount Murongole is
Valley - which extend from South Sudan into Uganda. 2,750 meters above sea level - on a trail that is 8 kilometres long (16
kilometre round trip) and can at times be quite a tough climb.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
The park shares its name with the famous Kidepo and Narus valleys that For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
stretch across the border into South Sudan and contain one of the most our detailed 5 Days Exclusive Kidepo Valley Safari:
exciting diversity of wildlife of any national park in Uganda, including the
Greater / Lesser Kudu and Eland.
Carnivores include the Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and Black
Backed / Side Striped Jackals. Other large species regularly seen wander-
ing into the park sometimes from as far as South Sudan are Elephant,
Burchell’s Zebra, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Cape Buffalo and Jackson’s Harte-
beest. One of the highlights this park has to offer is the largest group of
Buffalos in Africa counting more than 2,000 animals in one herd.
The park also offers an extensive variety of tropical birds to discover and
with a total of 475 species identified to date, including 86 species of mam-
mals, 56 species of birds of prey, Kidepo Valley National Park is second Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
only to Queen Elizabeth when it comes to its amazing variety of wildlife to safari@intektravel.com
discover. Driving north to the hot springs also gives you the opportunity to All safaris can be modified to client requirements
see Ostriches.
1314
MURCHISON FALLS NP is not found anywhere else in Uganda, while the Ituri Batis, Lemon Bellied
Crombec, White Thighed Hornbill, Black Eared Ground Trush and Chest-
Location & History nut Capped Fly Catcher can be found only in one other East African forest.
Situated along the White Nile in the north / west of Uganda, Murchison
Falls National Park is the largest and oldest gazetted park in the country For more information, Click on the Photos below to review and download
covering 3,900 square kilometres. Today it is part of the even larger Mur- our more detailed 4 Days Murchison Falls Game Safari and 12 Days Magic
chison Falls Protected Area that covers more than 5,072 square kilome- Nature of Uganda Safari:
tres and includes the Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Refuge.
Consisting mostly of savannah type habitats, it also contains the Budongo
Forest with its chimpanzee tracking opportunities. The park shares its
name with the famous Murchison Falls, whose massive 43 meter falls of
boiling water - one of the most amazing sights of its kind in East Africa -
are forced through a 7 meter wide gap before crashing into the wooded
countryside below.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
Daily launch trips from various lodges along the Nile offer the opportunity
to see an abundance of Hippos, Crocodiles and an amazing variety of
waterbirds such as the rare and elusive Shoebill. In addition you can see
Elephants, Buffaloes, Water Bucks and birds like Herons, Cormorants,
Egyptian Ducks, Bee Eaters, Kingfishers and Fish Eagles.
Be sure to visit the Budongo Forest Reserve which is one of the most
extensive and ecologically diverse in East Africa, with over 465 plant spe-
cies recorded, most notably a dense area of giant Mahogany trees reach-
ing up to 60 meters tall. Budongo Forest also has a population of nearly
1,000 Chimpanzees, which is the largest concentration of Chimps
anywhere in Uganda. The forest also features other primates, such as the
Red Tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey and the Black and White Colobus.
Bird Watching Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
Budongo Forest is also of great ornithological significance, with more than safari@intektravel.com
350 bird species recorded, including West and Central African bird spe- All safaris can be modified to client requirements
cies not commonly seen in East Africa. Also, the Yellow Footed Flycatcher,
1516
SEMULIKI NP The park also features two geothermal springs in a hot mineral encrusted
swamp. One of the springs - Mumbuga - resembles a geyser with a 0.5 m
Location & History high fountain. These hot springs attract a large number of birds both in
Semuliki National Park is a lowland tropical forest situated in the west of day / nighttime and they are also a source of salt for many animals.
Uganda and is the second smallest of the countries parks, covering just
220 square kilometres. Its location next to the Rwenzori Mountains and Bird Watching
bordering the DRC, also makes it one of the more remote areas to visit. It Semuliki NP is generally considered a birdwatchers paradise due to more
was declared a National Park only in 1993 and is therefore also one of than 400 species recorded; a fair amount of which can only be found in
Uganda's newest parklands, situated as it is next to the original Semuliki this particular region. 216 of these species (66 percent of the country’s
Wildlife Reserve, which was first gazetted in 1932 as the Toro Game total bird species) are true forest birds, including the rare Forest Ground
Reserve and features more of a savannah type habitat. Thrush and Sassi’s Olive Greenbul. The others include some of the
continent’s most sought-after birds such as the Congo Serpent Eagle,
The largest town in the Semuliki Valley is Bundibugyo, which is situated 74 Long Tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black Wattled Hornbill, Lyre Tailed
km from Fort Portal along the breathtaking road that skirts the Rwenzori Honey Guide and both the Standard Winged and Pennant Winged Nigh
Mountains with amazing views of Lake Albert and the Semuliki River. The Jars to mention but a few here. The park also offers the opportunity for
parkland itself qualifies as the eastern end of the vast Ituri Forest that nocturnal bird watching and game driving activities.
covers extensive areas across the border in the Eastern DRC.
For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities our detailed 16 Days Uganda Adventure Safari:
Semuliki NP offers the discerning visitor a rich and diverse flora and fauna,
with over 400 bird and 300 butterfly species recorded. As a lowland tropi-
cal forest, the park is also known for its population of Forest Elephants
and Buffalos; species which are distinctly smaller than their savannah
based relatives. The over 50 species of mammals that can be found in the
park include Leopard, Hippo, Water Chevrotain, Blue Monkey, De
Brazza’s Monkey, Olive Baboon, Chimpanzee, Buffalo, Bush Pig, Sitat-
unga and White Bellied Duiker to mention but a few.
There are many mammals not found elsewhere in Uganda, such as
Zenker’s Flying Squirrel but sightings of wildlife in the park are however
not always easy due to the thick vegetation. Most of the plant and animal
species in the park are also found in the Congo forests across the border, Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
with many of these species reaching the eastern limit of their range in the safari@intektravel.com
Semuliki National Park. All safaris can be modified to client requirements
1718
RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NP Additionally, the park has 89 species of birds, 15 species of butterfly, and
four primate species. Encountering wildlife varies with elevation and its
Location & History species include the Forest Elephant, Chimpanzee, Hyrax, Black and White
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park was gazetted in 1991 and is Colobus and Rwenzori Turaco.
located in south-western Uganda along Uganda's border with the Demo-
cratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Bird Watching
Site. It is situated 25 km (16 mi) from the town of Kasese and covers 996 The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is home to many bird species as
square kilometres with 70 percent of its area exceeding an altitude of well such as the endangered Lammergeier, Rwenzori Turaco, African Long
2,500 metres. The fabled ‘Mountains of the Moon’ are higher than the Alps Eared Owl, Handsome Francolin, Montane (Rwenzori) Nightjar, Oriole
and Mount Margherita Peak is Africa's third highest peak with a height of Finch, Dwarf Honeyguide, Archer’s Robin Chat, Red Throated Alethe, Kivu
5,109 metres. Africa's fourth and fifth highest peaks (Mount Speke and Ground Thrush, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Montane Masked and
Mount Baker) are also located in the park. Collared Apalises, Stripe Breast Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver and
Dusky to mention but a few.
Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures
Climbing this mountain range is a once in a lifetime adventure and All in all, more then 195 bird species have been recorded on the various
rewards the visitor with views of truly breathtaking landscapes and high elevation levels of the mountain range.
altitude plantations, pastures, jungle type forests and wetlands fringed
with swamps and rivers. The Rwenzori Mountain Service provides climb- For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
ing and hiking packages based on 6 days - 7 stages trekking of the Cen- our detailed 14 Days Pearl of Africa Safari:
tral Circuit Trail and includes climbing the tallest peak Mount Margherita.
It is advisable to anticipate additional days on the mountain due to unfore-
seen circumstances or additional peaks of the central circuit climbed.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
There are 5 vegetation zones in the Rwenzori Mountains ranging from
grassland, montane forest, bamboo / mimulopsis zone, heather / rapanea
zone and the afro-alpine moorland zone. The Rwenzori Mountains NP has
many species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift valley system includ-
ing several endangered species. The park also has a high diversity of
plants and trees and is generally noted for its botany, which has been
described as some of the most beautiful in the world.
Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
At higher altitudes, some plants reach an unusually large size, such as safari@intektravel.com
Lobelia and Groundsels. The vegetation in the Rwenzori Mountains is All safaris can be modified to client requirements
unique to equatorial alpine Africa.
1920
KIBALE FOREST NP Bird Watching
Over 300 species have been recorded in the park, and Kibale Forest is
Location & History commonly considered as one of the pre-eminent birding locations in
Gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993, Kibale Forest National Uganda due to its undisturbed natural expanse of topical forest.
Park is situated in south /western Uganda and covers 766 square kilome-
tres of tropical forest that is well known for the opportunity to track Chim- For more information, Click on the Photos below for our detailed 9 Days
panzees in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush green Uganda Express Safari and 11 Days Uganda Essential Safari:
rainforests. The 77% forested section of the park is dominated by medium
altitude evergreen forest in the north and medium altitude semi-deciduous
forest at lower altitudes in the south. The remaining 23% of the parkland
consist of savannah and swamps.
Kibale Forest NP has one of the highest diversity and concentration of
primates in Africa, with more than 1,400 partly habituated Chimpanzees
in addition to other primates such as Black and White as well as Red
Colobus monkeys living in the area. There is also the chance of observing
the rare Forest Elephants and hundreds of tropical bird species.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
Kibale Forest NP has a well established program for the tracking of
habituated Chimpanzee groups and most visitors would chose the park
for that opportunity primarily. Other primates that can also be seen during
the guided tours include Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Guereza Colobus,
Olive Baboon, Red Tailed Monkey and L’Hoest’s Gentle. You may also find
evidence of Forest Elephants, Bush Pigs and Buffalo along the main trails,
whereas Bushbuck, Harvey’s / Peter’s Duickers are shy inhabitants of the
forest interior. Other interesting mammals from the list of over 60 species
identified in this park include Ichneumon, Banded and Marsh Mongooses,
Alexander’s Cusimanse, Swamp Otter, Honey Badger and African Civet.
A visit to the community based Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is highly
recommend as it features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
countless varieties of trees, shrubs and vines. Sitatungas, a rare type of safari@intektravel.com
swamp antelope can also be found. All safaris can be modified to client requirements
2122
QUEEN ELIZABETH NP A visit to the tree climbing Lions of Ishasha is also a top objective to com-
plete while visiting the park. Legends have been built around these Lions
Location & History and spotting one of the cats is a special experience as there are only two
‘Queen E’ as the park is commonly called, is Uganda’s most popular places in the world where you can find tree climbing Lions.
game reserve - other than pure gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi and
Mgahinga - and offers a variety of unique experiences such as the Kyam- Bird Watching
bura Gorge - known also as the ‘Valley of the Apes’ - and the tree climbing The parks remarkable wildlife diversity is complemented by a truly impres-
Lions of Ishasha. The park was founded in 1952 as the Kazinga National sive list of over bird 550 species, the largest of any protected area in
Park but was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Eng- Africa. Some of the key species are: Great White and Pink Backed Peli-
land's Queen Elizabeth II. cans, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, African Mourning Dove, Grey
Headed Kingfisher, Swamp Fly Catcher, Grey Capped Warbler, Shoebill
Queen Elizabeth National Park occupies an estimated 1,978 square Stork, African Open-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana,
kilometres of mostly savannah type landscape and stretches from the Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, African Skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl,
crater dotted foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in the north, along the Black Bee Eater, White Tailed Lark, White Winged Warbler, Papyrus
shores of Lake Edward, Lake George and the famous Kazinga Channel Gonolek and Papyrus Canary to mention but a few.
connecting both lakes. And it ends at the remote Ishasha River in the
south, therefore incorporating a wide variety of habitats that range from For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
savannahs and wetlands to lowland forests. The park is also famous for its our detailed 5 Days Gorillas & Tree Climbing Lions Safari:
volcanic features, including volcanic cones and crater lakes such as the
type found between the villages of Katwe, Fort George and Kasenyi on the
west side of the Kazinga Channel. For centuries, these craters have been
used by local villages to extract salt.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
The stunning Kyambura Gorge also called the ‘Valley of the Apes’ is
located in the eastern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The gorge
is 1 km across at its widest point and about 100 meters deep and was
actually generated by the river Kyambura. The gorge is also home to a few
Chimpanzees and tracking these trough the gorge is one of the highlights
of any visit to Queen E.
Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
Also not to be missed is a boat ride on the famous ‘Kazinga Channel’, a safari@intektravel.com
32 km long water way connecting Lake Edward and Lake George and that All safaris can be modified to client requirements
is famous for its large populations of Hippos combined with a stunning
variety of tropical birds.
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BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NP There are now four different habituated Gorilla groups that can be visited
in the Bwindi Impenetrable NP and these are:
Location & History
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in south / western Habinyanja Group (23 Gorillas with 2 silverbacks)
Uganda and is part of the larger Bwindi Impenetrable Forest that is Nkuring Group (20 Gorillas with 2 silverbacks)
situated along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mubare Group (16 Gorillas with 1 silverback )
next to the Virunga National Park. Composed of 310 square kilometres of Rushegura Group (9 Gorillas with 1 silverback)
mostly montane and lowland forest, the park is accessible only on foot.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the oldest tropical forests in the 8 Gorilla permits are allocated per day and are sold for each of these
world, complex and biologically rich and is today listed as an UNESCO groups at UWA Headquarters in Kampala. It is wise to book your permit at
World Heritage Site because of its ecological importance. least 4 months in advance as Gorilla permits are bought bulk by major
travel agencies on behalf of their international clients. Also, Gorilla track-
The park provides a habitat for 120 species of mammals, 348 species of ing can be physically demanding even more so in rainy season, so it is
birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of Frogs, Chameleons, good to be well prepared for - under normal circumstances - a minimum
Geckos and many endangered life forms. From an ecological perspective, of 4 to 6 hours of a hiking adventure. For visitors who have a few days to
the park is among the most diverse forests in East Africa, with more than spare in Bwindi, the park also has 4 extensive hiking trails to explore, with
1,000 flowering plant species, including 163 species of trees and 104 spe- over 348 species of birds recorded.
cies of ferns.
For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities our detailed 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Express Safari:
The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is of course most famous for its
groups of Mountain Gorillas which offer the opportunity for the discerning
traveller to venture on a climb to the Gorilla’s natural habitat of shady
bamboo thickets and relish sensational views of lush green rainforests.
There are currently 320 Mountain Gorillas in the park - including a few
habituated families - and they represent roughly half of the worlds total
population.
Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures
A visit to the Mountain Gorillas is of course the main attraction this park
has to offer and although tracking Mountain Gorillas can be conducted all
year round, the best time is from June to September as well as from
December to February. If you prefer to visit during rainy season you can Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
take advantage of substantially lower Gorilla permit fees offered at US $ safari@intektravel.com
450 during the months of May and September compared to US $ 600. All safaris can be modified to client requirements
2526
MGAHINGA GORILLA NP In Mgahinga Gorilla NP, you also have the opportunity to venture into the
forest to track the rare Golden Monkeys. They are considered the smallest
Location & History of the primates, are an endangered species and are named after their
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the south / western corner of golden appearing colour, with black limbs and a crown on their head.
Uganda and includes three of the seven volcanoes that make up the
Virunga Volcanoes Range: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures
m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The park is situated about 10 km south of Apart from the hiking and trekking required to find the famous Mountain
Kisoro on the borders to the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Gorillas, Mgahinga also offers the additional opportunity to climb any - or
Republic of the Congo. Each of the neighbouring countries has declared all - of the three volcanoes on its territory. Mount Muhabura is the second
the adjacent area in their respective countries a protected park as well highest of the volcanoes and represents the border region between
and these are called ‘Parc National des Volcans’ and ‘Parc National des Rwanda and Uganda. It offers fantastic views of at least 5 of the volca-
Virunga’ respectively. The three parks together form the 434 square noes in the area and the climb itself is considered demanding, is often
kilometres of the so called ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ (VCA). very steep and may take a day to achieve. Mount Sabinyo can be
demanding and sometimes difficult, so you need to be fit for a good long
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities climbing session. Mount Gahinga is the smallest of three and therefore
Part of Mgahinga is represented by the forested slopes of three extinct also the easiest and fastest to climb.
volcanoes that are home to a large variety of wildlife, including the world’s
critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. A visit to the Gorillas is also one For more information, Click on the Photo below to review and download
of two primary objectives to achieve and the most thrilling tourist activity our detailed 7 Days Uganda Gorilla Kingdom Safari:
in the park. The other is tracking the Golden Monkeys.
The habituated Gorilla group in this park is called ‘Nyakagezi’ and con-
sists of 9 members - 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2
infants. However, the group is constantly on the move, including crossing
borders into neighbouring countries, and is therefore difficult to track.
That is also the only reason why most of the Gorilla tracking in Uganda
occurs in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gorilla tracking can be strenuous and may take the whole day. The guide
leads you through the Gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology
and behaviour along the way. It would be good to remember that while
you have a very good chance of seeing Gorillas, success is not actually Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routines and finding safari@intektravel.com
them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well All safaris can be modified to client requirements
as a bit of luck.
2728
LAKE MBURO NP Hiking, Climbing & Walking Adventures
The park additionally offers a variety of walking, hiking or horseback
Location & History excursions in addition to boat rides and fishing opportunities.
Lake Mburo National Park is located 30 kilometres east of Mbarara, the
largest city in that part of Uganda. That location is approximately 240 For more information, Click on the Photos below for our detailed 2 Days
kilometres west of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Lake Mburo NP was Lake Mburo Escape and 11 Days Uganda Essential Safari:
originally gazetted in 1933 as a controlled hunting area, which was then
upgraded to a game reserve in 1963 and finally declared a full national
park in 1983.
Wildlife & Tourism Opportunities
Lake Mburo is also the most family friendly park in Uganda primarily due
to the fact that it does not feature any big cats. It is therefore the only park
in Uganda which allows biking, walking and horse back safaris at any
time. The park is part acacia woodland and open savannah and features
a number of wildlife species such as Buffalos, Hippos, Crocodiles, Eland
as well as Burchell’s Zebra, Topi and Impala. Also, the recent transloca-
tion of Rothschild Giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park has added
a species that is well liked all over Africa.
With the absence of big cats, the park is sheltering large counts of Impala,
Burchell’s Zebra and Eland, and presents good wild game viewing possi-
bilities especially with the option of walking or horseback safaris. Addi-
tionally, the park features over 300 bird species, including the rare Shoebill
which can be found around most major lakes in Uganda.
Bird Watching
The park has about 313 different bird species including the rare Shoebill,
Stork and White Winged Warbler. Other species to lookout for are the
Nubian Woodpecker, Crested Francolin, African Grey Hornbill, Emerald
Spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go Away, Red Necked Book Tours & Safaris: +256 392 002 500
Spur, Common Quails, Black Billed Barbet, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue safari@intektravel.com
Napped Mousebird, Trilling Cisticola, Red Necked Spurfowl and Black All safaris can be modified to client requirements
Bellied Bustard to mention but a few here.
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Our commitment to furnish you with the very best in leisure travel man-
agement are defined by the objective to provide exceptional quality, inten-
sive and unforgettable experiences as well as pleasurable moments, that
in every detail and attention to superior services are a feast for the senses.
Your Intek Travel
Tours & Safaris Management Team
Contact Details
HRG Uganda - Intek Travel
25 Balikuddembe Road
P.O. Box 22456
Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, EAU
Telephone +256 392 002 500
safari@intektravel.com
fly@intektravel.com
www.intektravel.com
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