Of the 144 visitors, 122 were local students. This was a drop from the 152 tourists that were registered during the same period last year.

The figure dipped further to only 40 tourists in April although it rose to 92 in May. But this was still lower than the 98 to 190 tourists who visited the park during the same period last year.

The report noted that most of the foreign tourists who comprise nearly 90% of the park’s visitors, kept away. Regular foreign tourists at the park include Britons, Germans, Americans, Dutch, Israelites and Canadians.

March and April each registered only 27 foreign tourists. However, the figure slightly rose to 37 in May. Save for the 13 German tourists, one Dutch and an American who visited the park in March, the Israelites, British, and Canadian visitors kept away during the tragic month.

Similarly, no tourists from the neighbouring Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania of Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya visited the park in March. “Heavy rains characterised with landslides were occurring on various parts of the mountain. The Bududa landslide scared away many tourists,” Stephen Nyadros, the Budadiri entry point information officer, said.

“About 15 foreign tourists expected to hike on Mt. Elgon through the Budadiri trail cancelled their bookings with us in March. “Fortunately, the trend is steadily picking up again,” Nyadros pointed out.

He disclosed that most of the cancelled bookings had been rescheduled for May to September. The park experiences peak periods from June to September, and December to March, statistics show.

Other prominent visitors to the park comprise scouts and students on holiday from Europe and North America. A total of 2,903 tourists visited the park in 2009, down from 3,844 the previous year.

The main tourist attractions for hikers on the mountain include the wildlife, hotsprings, caves, waterfalls and the Wagagai peak that stands at 4,321 metres above sea level. However, after the Bududa tragedy that claimed over 350 people at the Nametsi trading centre, the Government declared Mt. Elgon prone to more landslides and warned residents to evacuate to the temporal camp at Bulucheke.

To allay fears among tourists, a 16-member-team from The Uganda Tourism Board took a four-day hike on Mt. Elgon through the Budadiri trail in Sironko district from June 15 to 18. Molly Mpiriirwe, the board’s senior information officer, narrated that there was no imminent danger to tourists on the mountain.

“We had a thrilling experience on the mountain. “Throughout our journey, we neither saw cracks nor mini-landslides. “We call on more people to come and tour the park to explore its beauty,” Mpiriirwe said.

Tourism, agriculture and forestry are top on the list of the national primary growth areas of the newly-released National Development Plan. In 2008, tourism contributed 9.2% or $1.2b to the gross domestic product (GDP), while in Kenya, it brought in $3.5b or 10.8% to GDP according to the World tourism and Travel Council.

This variation maybe directly linked to the massive investment that Kenya puts into the sector. According to the draft corporate strategy plan 2009-2012, Kenya spends sh27b in marketing.

Tourism arrivals surged from 512,000 in 2004 to 844,000 in 2008; an increase of 65% boosted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2007.

Uganda is the ultimate fishing destination. With one third of the country covered by water, there is great opportunity for Sport Fishing. Nile perch of up to 108Kgs have been caught below the falls in Murchison Falls National Park.

Other fish you can catch include; Tilapia, Tiger fish, Ferocious fighter, Cat fish and Barbel.
Be part of the reservation now because limited fishing permits are available per annum. Remember that we promote the philosophy of ‘Catch and return’ for conservation purposes.

Where to go for sport fishing

Murchison falls National Park sport fishing
Lake Victoria
Lake Mburo
Ssese

Crested Crane

Uganda has a great variety of habitats, packed into a fairly small area, and has a bird list nearly at par with neighbouring Kenya. It is dotted with state of the art game reserves, including Murchison Falls national park, lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national park, and many less visited ones, such as Kidepo Valley and Semiliki, which offer a good variety of more-widespread African bird species, as well as good variety of large mammals.

Uganda’s main attractions are in her forests and swamps, where species with restricted range can be found. While it only has one ubiquitous species, Fox weaver, which occurs in swamps north of Kampala, it has several species which are denizens of specific habitat areas, shared with other countries.

One such area is the Albertine Rift, an area of lakes, Mountains and Forests, which stretches from Northern Uganda along its boarders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several species endemic to this area are found in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, Semiliki National park, Rwenzori Mountains and Mgahinga. These include; Green Broadbill, Graver’s swamp and Nkumann warblers, Shelley’s and Dusky Crimson wings, yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Strange weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared, Regal purple-breasted and Blue-throated sunbirds, Rwenzori Toraco, Handsome Francolin, Striper breasted Tit Inter-alia.

In the papyrus swamps around Lake Victoria and other Lakes, the enigmatic shoebill can be found, as swell as specialities including papyrus yellow and white winged warblers, Caruthers’s Cisticola, papyrus Gonolek, wswamp Flycatcher and orange weaver. There are also several highland and lowland forests spread across the country, which offer species which are generally West African. Great Blue and Black-billed Turacos, African Grey parrot, Green breasted Pitta, several woodpeckers, Barbets and Green bulls, and Scarcities such as Weyn’s weaver, Nahan’s and Forest Francolin, all occur. In addition to the bird life, a great attraction is the opportunity for Mountain gorillas trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga, as well as chimpanzees in Kibale.

Even if you are only passing through Uganda, a good range of species can be seen within a few hours of Kampala, in Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Mabamba swamp and Mabira Forest, including several of the sought-after species like the aforementioned.

Wetland Birds

1. Uganda has 30,000 sq. km of wetland.
2. 210 species from the shoe bill and African skimmer to the endemic fox’s weaver.
3. Four papyrus endemics; papyrus Gonolek, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler and papyrus yellow warbler.
4. A white-winged Black Tern roost of 2-3 million birds in the Entebbe area.

Savannahs vary from the remote, semi-desert, dry thorn-scrub region of Karamoja in the Northeast, to the richer fertile savannahs of the Western Rift Valley. Queen Elizabeth National Park has a bird list of 604 species, the highest for any protected area in Africa.

Some of the dry thorn-scrub birds include

1. Pigmy falcon.
2. Quail plover.
3. Fox kestrl.
4. Swallow-tailed kite.
5. Kori, White-bellied and Harttaub’s Bustard.
6. Black-headed plover.
7. Abyssinian Roller.
8. White-crested Turaco.
9. Lichtenstein’s and Four-banded sand grouse.
10. Brown-rumped Bunting.
11. Karamoja Apalis.
12. Pygmy sunbird.
13. Bristle-crowned staring.
14. Yellow-billed shrike.
15. White-bellied Go-away bird.
16. Piapiac
17. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill.

Entebbe and Kampala birds

1. Over 550 species for the region.
2. A suburban garden list of 206 species.
3. One of the largest urban breeding colony of Marabou storks.
4. 212 species listed in 12 hours by 3 people.
5. Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos are common city birds.

Within the Kampala region are two major Forest Reserves, less than an hour’s drive from the city, which hond a variety of very special birds including;

1. Emerald, Red-chested and Black cuckoos.
2. Brown Twinspot.
3. Nahan’s Francolin.
4. Weyn’s weaver.
5. Blue-throated Roller.
6. Crowned Eagle.
7. Tit-Hylia.
8. Cassin’s Hawk Eagle.
9. Grey-rumped and Blue Swallows.

Uganda’s 10 most commonly sought after birds

1. Red-fronted Ant peckers.
2. Karamoja Apalis.
3. The African Jacana.
4. Brown chested plover.
5. Rwenzori Juraco.
6. Purvell’s Illadopsis.
7. Nahan’s Francolin.
8. Green-breasted Broadbill.
9. African Green Broadbill.
10. Black-headed Gonolek.

Some common Urban birds

1. Bat Hawk.
2. Palm-unit vulture.
3. Open-billed stork.
4. African Grey and Brown parrots.
5. White-faced scops Owl.
6. Black and white Casqued, Crowned and pied Hornbills.
7. Wallberg’s Eagle.
8. African Grey and Brown parrots.
9. Red-faced Lovebird.
10. Grey-crowned Crane.
11. Black-headed Gonolek.

Visit the following links for birding safaris Uganda packages: Uganda birding tours and bird watching in Uganda

shoe bill

Uganda is a true African birding destination, located across the equator. Uganda attracts
migratory birds from North and South hemisphere. Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa. It has almost half of the species known on the African continent and over 10% of those recorded throughout the entire world. Over 1,000 species of birds have been recorded to exist in the country. Some of the exciting species you will view include birds of water and land shore, birds of shrub and woodland, forest birds and birds of the open plain.

Most of our National parks have a diversity of birds; however, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls, Bwindi Impenetrable and Semiliki National Parks are the most famous for birding.
If you are a bird lover, Uganda is the ideal destination that will make your dream come true. Our excellent guides will add flavour to your own experience on birds. Be our honoured guest.

Where to go for bird watching in Uganda together with field trips

1. Queen Elizabeth national Park birding tour.
2. Murchison Falls National Park birding safari.
3. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
4. Semiliki National Park.
5. Kibale National park.
6. Mabira Forest
7. Mabamba Wetland
8. Botanical Gardens
9. Lake Mburo
10. Bodongo Forest
11. Mgahinga Forest
12. Bigodi Swamp
13. Kampala bird watching safari

Attractions in Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari Park

Maramagambo Forest walks
There are three guided walks. The trail is a round the Forested shore of Lake Kyasanduka, then the second trail leads to a huge bat cave and python and the third one is around the back of Lake Nyamusingiri, which will give you an opportunity to se snowy-headed robin-chat, Scaly-breasted illadopsis and Chestnut wattle-eye. You will have an opportunity to see monkeys like red-tailed and vervet, black and white Colobus, L’Hoest’s monkey, leopard if lucky, Forest birds and the amazing chimps.

Launch Cruise on Kazinga Channel

In Queen Elizabeth, the launch trip takes place on the Kazinga Channel. The boat usually leaves daily at 09:00hr and 14:00 and takes 2-5 hours tour on the waters. While on the Launch Cruise, the professional guides will be able to give you useful information and answer your queries. With his help, you will have a great opportunity to view the wonderful scenery and variety of animals and birds. One should come with cameras and binoculars.

Game Driving

The game viewing circuit lies on the north side of the Kazinga Channel. With the help of the professional guide, you will have a wonderful opportunity to see Lions, Crocodiles, Hyena, Buffalos, Antelopes, Hippopotamuses, Leopard, Giant Forest hog, Elephant, Cape buffalo, Defassa, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Bushbuck and Topi – in their natural habitat during any wildlife safaris in the region.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

With the help of the professional guide, you will be taken for Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge. The Gorge creates the boarder between the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve and Queen Elizabeth National Park. This Gorge is where you can get a large community of chimps. They can be tracked within the confines of a forested river gorge carved into the surrounding flat savannah. The scientific name of the chimpanzee is
Pan troglodytes. The wild chimpanzee rarely lives past the age of 40, while those in captivity live up to the age of 60 years.

Bird watching

If you are a bird watcher, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most interesting destinations. You can see more than 610 bird species while on the Kazinga Channel Launch and on the Game drives. The park is teeming with a variety of birds like yellow-billed stork, plovers, pink-backed pelicans, white-bellied pelicans, white-bellied Cormorants, black-headed Gonolek Inter-alia. For more on Uganda bird watching

There are various accommodation options in Queen Elizabeth national park. The lodging facilities range from luxurious lodges, medium range to budget accommodation all providing bed and breakfast and dinner if you are spending a night.

Most of the safari lodges are cheap and offer discounts for large groups of travellers. Campsite are there in the park and also hotels for accommodation but far away from the park. The safari lodges and hostels in the park include:

Luxury accommodation
Jacana Safari lodge
Mweya Safari lodge

Medium Accommodation
Kingfisher Safari Resort
Hippo Hill Camp

Budget accommodation and campsites
Mweya Hostel
Institute of Ecology Mweya

Other Packages To Queen Elizabeth National Park

1. Queen Elizabeth national park
2. 3 day Queen Elizabeth national park safari
3. Queen Elizabeth national park safari

Queen Elizabeth National park, which is described as “Uganda’s Great Rift Valley” by Andrew Roberts, is the second largest and it is almost 1,978 sq. km. It is bordered in the West by Lake Edward and in the North by the Rwenzori Mountains, and is divided in two sectors, the North and South. This fertile equatorial area has a very nice scenery comprised of Tropical Rain Forests and two lakes connected by a channel over looked by a high peninsula. The beauty is simply staggering with sprawling cacti, savannah, forests, rivers and lakes.

The Park is a world bio-sphere reserve (UNESCO, 1979), includes a RAMSAR wetland site and is a classified Important Bird Area (IBA) by Bird life International. The park has over 568 of Uganda’s 1017 species of birds (over a quarter of Africa’s bird species), more than any other park in Africa.

In the Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), you may see Crater Lakes filled with huge flocks of Flamingos. You will spot Eagles soaring and Vultures perching.

The park is known for its Fauna, although many animals were filled in the Uganda-Tanzanian war. Many species have recovered, including hippopotamuses, elephants, leopards, chimps and lions. It is now home to 95 species of mammals.

The National Park includes the Maramagambo Forest and boarders the Kigezi and Kyambura Game Reserves, Kibale National Park, and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The town of Kasese lies on the Northwestern edge of the park. The park is verily one of the very few remaining pristine wildlife Sanctuaries in the world.

For More information visit

1. Queen Elizabeth national park tour information
2. Queen Elizabeth national park safari
3. Queen Elizabeth national park tour
4. Uganda safari
5. 3 day Queen Elizabeth national park safari

Semliki National Park is found in Bundibugyo district 50KM west of Fortportal, this park is said to be an extension of Ituri forest. It covers 220m². The park borders the Rwenzori Mountains, Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Albert. Semiliki was gazetted in 1993 and is rated the newest among Ugandan national parks.

This park has a gentle landscape ranging from 670-760 meters above sea level, it enjoys an average annual rainfall of 1250 mm with peaks from March to May and September and December. The temperature varies from 18^o C – 30^o C with relatively small daily variations. This park has a poor drainage and topography which favors flooding during the rainy season.

53 species of mammal have been recorded from the park, amng these are Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and Mona, Gentle (Blue) Monkeys, Olive Baboon and Guereza Colobus, De Brazza’s Monkeys are rare and Chimpanzees may seldom be heard than seen. While nocturnal primates include Pottos and Galagos. You are also lucky if you glimpse Elephant, Bush pig, Water Chevrotain, Buffalo, Sitatunga, White-bellied Duiker or Dwarf Antelope, Beecroft’s Anomalure or Zenker’s Flying Mouse. You are far more likely to spot the lively and agile squirrels such as Fire-footed Rope or Red-legged Sun Squirrel. Little collard fruit Bat and Target Rat. 30 species of butterflies have been identified, including 46 species of forest Swallowtails and Charaxes (75% of Uganda’s total) and at least 235 species of moths have been classified as restricted.

There are also 305 species of trees recorded, of which 125 species are restricted to this park alone.

Activities in this park cover nature walks, community walks, bird watching, nocturnal bird watching, primate viewing, forest hikes and aquatic visits to the hot springs and the rivers in the park.

Accommodation can be sought in the Semliki Safari lodge, Bundibugyo town and Fortportal sincee there is limited accommodation in the park.

Accessibility to the park is by road for 6-7 hours drive from Kampala, and 52 km from Fort portal town. The terrain requires 4WD vehicle especially during the rainy seasons.

Kibale Forest National Park is a tropical rain forest protected area located in the south of Fortportla town. The national park covers up to 760 square kilometers and is the nearest of the rain forest national parks in Uganda. Kibale in famous for its primate numbers and is most visited for Chimpanzee tracking.

Kibale has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons from December to February and June to September. The average temperature in this park goes up to 25⁰C.

This National park like any other is home to wild life and the residents of this park include  red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, blue monkey, white cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, black, white and red colobus, bushbuck, Harvey’s red duiker, blue duiker, Uganda kob, genet, bush pig, and African civet.
You may as well see buffalo, waterbuck, hippo, warthog, and giant forest hog, Elephants if lucky enough because they have become rare.

While in Kibale Forest National Park you expect to engage in activities like forest hikes, Chimp tracking, primate walk, long distance walk, hiking, bird watching, Chimp Habituation, nocturnal walks, village walks among others.

Tourists to Kibale national park spend their night in the available accommodation units like Primate Lodge, Mantana luxury tented camps, Ndali lodge, Rwenzori view guest house, and others in Fort portal town.

Kibale is accessible by road from Kampala using Public or private mean with  the help of tour operators.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the only 2 national parks that harbor Mountain Gorillas in Uganda. This national park is found 530 kms southwest from Kampala and it takes 8-10 hours. The park is bordered by the western rift valley and the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Virunga National Park). Bwindi covers 331 square Kilometers of Montane and lowland Impenetrable forest. This park is home to almost half of the world’s mountain Gorilla population.

The park is composed of a rugged terrain with rivers, valleys and steep hills, the park’s altitude ranges from 1,190 m to 2,607 m above sea level, with a 2,000 metres elevation covering 60% of the park. Bwindi has a tropical climate with annual mean temperatures ranges from a minimum of 7-15°C to a maximum of 20-27°C. Its annual rainfall ranges from 1,400 to 1,900 mm. Peak rainfall occurs from March-April and September-November.

Bwindi has a diverse ecosystem which provides a home to some 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and many endangered species. The same park is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird species. Among the residents are the mountain Gorillas for which the park is most known. This park is home to340 endangered mountain Gorillas, half the world’s population. There are four habituated Mountain Gorilla groups open to tourism: Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura near Buhoma; and the Nkuringo group at Nkuringo.

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park one can engage in activities like hiking, forest walks, bird watching, local community tours but the most famous activity is Gorilla tracking.

Accomodation in the park can be obtained from Buhoma Homestead, Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsites, Mantana Luxury Tented Camps, Gorilla Nest Camp Site, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp site, Lake Kitandara, Gorilla Resort Camp, and alternatively in the nearby Kabale town.

Bwindi can be accessed by road using public mean or tour vehicle and by charter flights to Ishasha or Kisoro Airfield.