Month: August 2022

Pack-list for Gorilla Trekking adventures. Things you must carry for your Gorilla Trekking safari – Uganda – Rwanda Gorilla trekking 

Pack-list for Gorilla Trekking adventures 

Pack-list for Gorilla Trekking adventures. Preparing for gorilla is a very crucial and a very important part of the adventure. This is so because, Gorilla trekking is one of the major and most exciting activities that’s shouldn’t be missed by ay traveler on a safari through Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla trekking activity involves tourists moving on foot into the tropical rainforest in search of the mountain gorillas and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.  In Uganda gorilla trekking is done in two destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park while in Rwanda gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes national park.

The Gorilla trekking experience.

In all the gorilla trekking destination, the gorilla trekking adventure starts very early in the morning at the park headquarters with a briefing about the rules and regulations on gorilla trekking. After the briefing is done, tourists are divided into groups of 8 people and each group is then allocated a gorilla family to trek and this is based on the booked sector for your gorilla trekking. After all is done, an experienced park guides well conversant with gorilla trekking trails is then allocated to your group. Gorilla trekking in both destinations can take any time between 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas where last seen the previous day in search of food. While on the trekking journey in search of the gorillas, you will be able to view different bird species, other primates, plant and tree species. Once the mountain gorillas are found, you are allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.

Pack-list for Gorilla Trekking adventures

Below is a list of things you must carry for your gorilla trekking safari.

Light waterproof jacket

Gorilla trekking in all destinations that’s volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable national park, and Mgahinga gorilla national park I Uganda is done in tropical rainforests which means it can rain anytime of the day regardless of the season therefore the light waterproof jacket is very. It will protect you from rainfall during trekking adventure.

Hiking boots

Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is done in tropical rainforests following trails which are usually steep and muddy. Hiking boots will protect your ankles and also keep your feet dry they will help you walk in the forest for long hours without getting stuck or slipping.

Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts

Long sleeved shirt and trousers will keep you warm especially during morning hours as it’s always cold and also protects you from biting insects, thorny plants and stinging nettles that can damage your skin during trekking.

A sweater or Jumper

Gorilla destinations that is Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes national park usually get cold at night while at the lodge and early morning hours during trekking therefore a warm sweater will keep you warm.

Garden gloves

The garden gloves will protect you from germs, stinging nettles and thorny plants during gorilla trekking in that the gorilla trails are usually wet, muddy and slippery especially during the wet season hence you might hold onto plants for support.

A hat

This will help to prevent your hair from getting stuck in tree branches especially the women and also protect you from the sun and rain.

Sunglasses

These will help to protect you from direct sunshine during trekking in the dry season.

Light waterproof backpack

To carry and keep your gorilla trekking items dry during gorilla trekking such as insect repellent, camera, binoculars, energy snacks among others.

Insect repellent

To protect you from biting insects during gorilla trekking and also while at the lodge such as mosquitos and tsetse flies.

Other thins to pack when going for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda include

Camera and extra batteries to take photos during the one hour in the presence of the mountain gorillas. However, when taking photos, the flashlight should be turned off so as to avoid making the mountain gorillas agitated.

A pair of binoculars

A pair of binoculars will help you to have clear view the mountain gorillas at a distance and other wildlife species such as birds, mammals, butterflies among others which will be encountered during your gorilla trekking activity.

Energy snacks

Energy snacks like packed lunch from the lodge and drinking water will keep you hydrated during trekking because gorilla trekking takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located.

Contact us with any Inquiries on how to plan and organize a gorilla trekking safari through Uganda and Rwanda.

The Shoebill Stork Adventure at Mabamba Wetland – Best place to see a shoebill in its natural habitat – Uganda Birding safaris – Shoebill conservation.

Mabamba Shoebill Stork Adventure. The Shoebill stork is one of the most opted for bird for bird lovers seeking to explore Uganda. This incredible bird species can best be sighted in mostly two locations in Uganda, that’s Murchison falls national game park and in the mabamba wetland.

Mabamba wetland.

The Mabamba Bay Wetland found across Lake Victoria in the west of Entebbe town and a few meters fro Entebbe international airport. Mabamba is one of those exceptional places  for bird watching safaris not only for the shoebill stork but for quite a number of other bird species. The wetland is home for around 300 bird species recorded including the Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler and the Blue Swallow, Blue Swallow among others.

The wetland is protected under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971 in Iran for the protection of wetlands.

The birding excursion is done on the canoes through small channels of marsh-filled water and lagoons. The birds are best seen during morning hours though they can be spotted at any time throughout the day. Uganda birding safaris are very popular due to the vast numbers of bird species that can be spotted in any single tour. The shoebill can be spotted at any time either at Mabamba Bay Wetland or Murchison Falls National Park.

Other bird species at Mabamba include; Goliath Herons, Spur-winged White-winged Warbler, Gull-billed Terns, Whiskered Terns, Grey-headed Gulls, Papyrus Gonolek, yellow-backed weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, White-winged Black Terns, Pygmy Geese, Malachite kingfisher, Papyrus Canary, Northern Brown-throated weaver, Carruther’s Cisticola, Blue-headed Coucal among many others.

While on a birding tour to Mabamba Bay area, you can also visit the woodland and savanna trail up to the sand mining quarry where other species of birds are likely to be found.

Booking a bird watching safari in Uganda with a reputable tour company is ideal for any birding enthusiasts looking to make the most of their safari in Uganda without any worry along the way. The local communities around Mabamba Bay Wetland have been trained as tour guides and now work to preserve the wetland.

Contact us with any inquiries about planning and organizing a birding to Uganda and mostly to mabamba for the shoebill stork adventure.

Must Do activities After Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Wildlife safaris – Chimpanzee tracking –  Birding safaris – Community encounters – Golden Monkey tracking.

Activities After Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla trekking is the adventure act that involves visitors moving into the tropical rainforest in search of the gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environments. Gorilla trekking is one of the most opted for activities, the most adventurous and one that attracts the biggest numbers of visitors to the country. In Uganda Gorilla trekking is done in two national parks that is Bwindi impenetrable national park the most popular gorilla trekking destination in Uganda and home to the highest number of the remaining mountain gorillas and Mgahinga gorilla national park. After your gorilla trekking safari in either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park, you can connect to other destinations with the most popular ones including Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale forest national park, Lake Mburo national park, Semuliki national park Kidepo valley national park, lake Bunyonyi among others in which destinations you will engage in different interesting activities.

Some of the most exciting activities tourist can enjoy after gorilla trekking in Uganda include the following.

Cultural and community encounters.

After your gorilla trekking adventure, you can engage in a cultural and community encounters where you will be able to interact with various communities. The most popular cultural communities around the gorilla trekking destinations include the Bakiga and Batwa who used to live in Mgahinga and Bwindi Forest before they were gazetted as a national parks. During the cultural tour, you will be able to learn about their cultural lifestyle, ways of living, visit their homesteads, farmlands, learn how beer is made from bananas, taste their local food, enjoy their traditional entertainment among others.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is done in different destinations. These include Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu forest, Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park, Toro Semuliki wildlife reserve and Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park. Chimpanzee trekking in all destinations starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow where after you will start trekking in the forest with experienced park guides. During chimpanzee trekking which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours, you will be able to view other primate species, birds, mammals, plant species among others.  Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you a chance to learn about their lifestyle, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, fight, play, rest, take photos and record videos.

Nature walks

Nature walking is another interesting activity in Uganda that you can engage in after your gorilla trekking safari. Nature walks will give you an opportunity to explore the national park on foot with the company of armed park rangers and experienced park guides. During the guided nature walk, you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in trees, view colorful butterflies, take beautiful photos, relax your mind, enjoy the cool breeze among others.

Birding

Birding is one of the activating that you can engage in before or after your gorilla trekking safari. Uganda is a home of over 1,085 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemic species, forest birds, endemic birds, water birds, savannah birds and migratory ones. This concentration of bird species makes Uganda the best birding destination in the whole of east Africa. In Uganda, Birding can be done in different areas including Queen Elizabeth national park which harbors the highest number of bird species, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Mabamba swamp, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Lake Mburo national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Semuliki national park among others. During birding, you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including the prehistoric shoebill stork, handsome francolin, swamp flycatcher, African green broadbill, martial eagle among others

Golden monkey trekking

After your gorilla trekking safari, you can engage in an incredible Golden monkey trekking activity where you will move into the forest in search of the unique golden monkeys. Once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Golden monkey trekking is only done in Mgahinga gorilla national park and just like gorilla trekking, it starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Trekking of the golden monkeys takes about 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on their location and during trekking you will enjoy views of different wildlife species. Take photos and record the breathtaking moments.

Wildlife safaris/ game drives.

You can engage in interesting wild game drives and be able to explore the savannah national parks in a comfortable pop-up safari vehicle in company of a professional driver guide. Exciting Game drives in Uganda are carried out in Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, and Lake Mburo national park. During the game drives which can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon, you will be able to spot different animals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, zebras, oribi, topi, elands, warthogs, giant forest hogs, predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs among others.

Boat rides.

After your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga gorilla national park, you can also engage in a fascinating boat ride done in different areas including Kazinga channel in queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest lake in Uganda, source of the Nile, Lake Mburo national park and Murchison falls national park. During the boat cruise, you will enjoy stunning views of the beautiful scenery, view hippos and Nile crocodiles in water, elephants warthogs, buffaloes, waterbucks among others drinking water along the shores, water birds, view fishermen preparing their fishing nets for night fishing among others.

For any more information about what to do after and before the gorilla trekking adventure, do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website for various safari packages.

Ngamba island – Chimpanzee Sanctuary adventure – Chimpazee trekking – Chimpanzee Conservation – Chimpanzee Habituation.

Ngamba island chimpanzee sanctuary. Ngamba Island is the only place in Uganda that’s a habitant to threatened chimpanzees from across the world. It’s an incredible and magnificent island situated in the district of Mukono in the middle of Uganda’s largest Lake, Victoria. The Lake is shared by the three East African countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Ngamba island was established in 1998 and occupies 100 acres where 98 acres are forested.  It’s a chimpanzee sanctuary which inhabits rescued and orphaned chimpanzees from different parts of the world. Its home to 49 chimpanzees with 22 males, 27 females and all are led by the Alpha male as their top leader.

Getting to Ngamba Island.

The only way to the island is by boat. A boat safari to the island starts with boarding from the shores of Lake Victoria depending on the direction of the country you are in. The most opted for start point is the Uganda Wildlife education center (UWECE) situated on the shores of Lake Victoria just a few meters from the airport and from Entebbe town. On your boat safari to the island, you will get exposed to the amazing sea breeze with a morning mist rising off the placid waters, a view of the distant stunning islands, and fresh greenery surrounding the lake which gives nice pictorial opportunity for nature and photographers. You are at liberty to choose either to use an engine boat or speed boat, depending on the time you would wish to reach the island.

The chimpanzee experience.

A trip at Ngamba island is a life time experience since all questions running through your head about chimps get to be answered. The Island was purposely established to find a sweet and comfortable home to homeless and rescued chimps from smugglers and encroachers as well as poachers. Each of them after being rescued, are taken to the island, each given a home and a suitable name each depending on its back ground and story of rescue. Some are named after the tourists who make contribution to their wellbeing of Chimpanzees like Rupaleria named after Sudhir Rupaleria one of Uganda’s richest business man, and others named according to their merit like Natasha.

Chimpanzees at the island are caged during night and left to roam in the forest during day. The forest is electric fenced to prevent these chimps from escaping from the island to the neighboring villages at times causing a negative impact to the humans but this occasion is rarely seen since the whole sanctuary is sounded with water. Ngamba Island is truly a magical place to visit for a life fulfilling chimpanzee adventure. Excitement will rise in your veins as you watch these creatures welcome you while clapping their small hands and making different sounds.

Chimpanzees are ranked among Uganda’s foremost tourist attraction and one of the world’s remarkable encounters. A trip to this magical place will enable you learn more facts about this primate species such as its life style in the forest, communication skills amongst each other, mating, shelter and the feeding style on fruits, roots and stems. Important to not is that Chimpanzees at Ngamba are feed by the staff with fruits and vegetables. Like pumpkins, jackfruit, watermelon, pine apples among others since they are omnivorous.

With the help of the guide at the sanctuary, you will get adequate information that will enable you collect relevant data. The guide will take you through the back ground of each chimpanzee at the sanctuary, and how it has adopted to the life at the island.

Chimpanzees’ are man’s closest cousin consisting of over 98.5% human genetic code. Chimpanzees are not different from human being since it possesses characters like that of a human. The only difference is that chimpanzees are hairy all over the body and sometimes use its front limbs to move. These chimpanzees are gentile and friendly when they meet tourists.  Those interested in Chimp tracking should not overlook Ngamba Island at the magical world.

Plan an adventurous trip to Ngamba Island where you will invest little and obtain a life time experience. However, their other places where chimp tracking is done and these include Budongo forest in Murchison falls national game park, Kalinzu forest near Queen Elizabeth national game park, Kibale forest national park also termed the primates capital of the world, and in Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Please contact us for a chimpanzee trekking adventure in any part of the country.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino tracking adventure

Tracking Rhinos at the famous Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the perfect stop over for any tourist while on a safari to the famous Murchison Falls National Park.

Location

The Sanctuary is located in the district of Nakasongola in the direction of the famous Murchison Falls National Park, it’s about 176km north of Uganda’s capital Kampala, and about a two hours’ drive from Entebbe international airport. It is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be found in their natural habitat. Rhinos had become extinct in Uganda for about two decades due to wars in the 1970s and poachers who killed many of them to sell their supposedly very valuable horn.

In 2005, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was set up by Rhino Fund Uganda together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to address the plight of the rhinos and ensure their safety, with a goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild. Tracking rhinos takes about one to two hours, depending on the location of the rhinos and is done on foot unlike other typical game drives. There are over 70 park rangers whose job is to ensure the general well-being and safety of the rhinos and assist tourists in spotting the rhinos during tracking. The tracking activity necessitates one to have closed shoes, long pants, water and insect repellent.

There are basic lodging facilities at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for those who might wish to spend a night on their way to or from Murchison Falls National Park.

 The tracking experience.

Tracking rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary can very well be added to any Murchison Falls National Park safari due to the proximity of the sanctuary to the national park.

Apart from rhino tracking, the sanctuary has also become increasingly popular with tourists for bird watching, shoebill stork trek, night walk, nature walk, among other tourist activities. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is protected by 24-hour security and a solar-powered electrical fence. Proceeds from food and accommodation are directed towards the breeding programme of the rhinos, with a plan of releasing them into the wild. Visiting the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a wonderful Uganda safari experience and it brings you in a very close and safe distance to these magnificent creatures.

At Katland Safaris, we can put together a custom-tailored itinerary to enable tourists fully explore the 70 square-kilometer sanctuary.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about Rhino tracking in Uganda and a trip to Murchison falls national game park.

Most Popular destination to visit while on a Safari through Uganda. Bwindi – Murchison falls – Kibale forest – Kidepo valley – Queen Elizabeth – Lake Mburo National park.

Popular destination to visit while on a Safari through Uganda. There is nothing more enthralling in this world than visiting the various national parks of Uganda while on a vacation. Uganda has ten national parks but we shall look at five popular ones that give travelers a whole new experience while on a safari. We shall have them in order of how best to visit following an itinerary;

Most Popular destination to visit while on a Safari through Uganda

Murchison falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park has become the most thought-after tourism destination in Uganda because of the possibility of viewing the African big five. The Park itself has four of the big five animals that is to say lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. The rhinos are found at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district which is within the vicinity of the park. En route to Murchison Falls National Park, most tourists dash off to the rhino sanctuary to track the rhino and then continue to the park to view the other big five animals henceforth completing the whole experience.

Besides the big five animals, Murchison Falls National Park has other tour highlights like a hike to the top of the falls to witness how the Nile forces its way into a narrow gorge to plunge into the basin. This feature is a very beautiful sight and great for photography. Boat rides are also carried out on River Nile in the park. There are two boat trips arranged on the Nile; the first one is to the bottom of the falls where you view the might Murchison falls from the river base and on this cruise, you might as well encounter some water birds, hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards and sometimes elephants and buffaloes n the river banks. The other boat cruise arranged is to the delta area where the major attraction is to view the shoebill. This is one of the places in Uganda where the shoebill can be viewed in the wild.

Kibale Forest National Park

The primates capital of the world. Kibale Forest National Park has the highest concentration of primates in the whole of Africa with 13 different species. Some of the primates found in the park include chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, pottas monkey, blue monkey, black and white colobus, and so forth. Although Kibale has numerous species of primates, tourists mainly visit this natural forest to encounter the chimpanzees. The chimpanzees are very shrewd and interesting animals to interact with. They are capable of using tools like stones, sticks, and other natural surroundings to gather food and also build their shelter. They also show compassion to one another as though they are human beings. The chimpanzees are related to mankind with 95% DNA similarity. And a date with the chimpanzees in Kibale is always a memorable one, plus you have a 98% guarantee of viewing the chimpanzees making Kibale one of the places that you are assured of viewing the chimps in their natural habitat.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park formerly known as Kazinga National Park is one of the oldest wildlife conservation areas in the country. It used to be the most visited national park in Uganda but it lost its glory to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Murchison falls national park due to the Human-animal conflict that has led to a drastic decline in the number of wildlife species in the park. However, it has still got an edge over the others and this is why it is still among the top five popular parks while on a visit to Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park has the best plains to view wild animals and within its short savannah plains, travelers spot wild species like lions, buffaloes, elands, warthogs, antelopes, elephants, oribis, Uganda kobs and so many more.

This Park also has the highest concentration of birds in Uganda with over 600 species. Queen Elizabeth National Park also offers the most epic boat ride experience in the country. The boat ride operates on a famous and formidable water channel, Kazinga which entwines the two great lakes of Edward and George. The 2 hours’ boat ride at the channel avails lots of thrilling experiences of viewing aquatics like crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks on the banks, water birds, and also other animals like elephants and buffaloes which normally loiter at the banks of the channel quenching off their thirst after a heavy graze.  When you drive south of the park is the Ishasha sector famed for the tree-climbing lions. In this sector in case, you are lucky, you may encounter the tree-climbing lions, leopards, topis, elephants, buffaloes, and countless birds.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This is situated at the southwest edge of Uganda in the Kigezi region. It is one of the most visited national parks in Africa because of being home to one of the most unique wildlife species you can ever imagine, the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the total population of these endangered species in the world. It is one of the few places on this planet to meet up close and personal with these gentle beasts in a gorilla trekking expedition.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is just 9 hours away from Kampala and the road leading to the Kigezi region from Kampala is well paved and direct and hence making a self-drive safari a very viable option for the traveler. Aside from the Mountain Gorillas, this park is often referred to as the bird watchers’ paradise as the forest hosts a number of the Albertine endemics.

Lake Mburo National Park

This is the nearest park to Kampala the capital of Uganda. It is about a 4 to 5 hours drive from Kampala and the same drive time from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is located in the central-western region of Uganda. This is a very nonchalant national park compared to the others. Nonetheless, it has lots of wildlife species and tourism activities to engage in. For instance, a game drive is possible where tourists view animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, elands, and many more. A boat ride at Lake Mburo is also a great experience to get involved in while on a self-drive safari. The boat experience offers sights of different marine animals like hippos, water birds most notably the African Finfoot, and waterbucks.  Lake Mburo National Park is one park, a visitor can either start off or end off with the trip due to its proximity to Kampala and Entebbe, the two start and endpoints of every safari trip in Uganda.

The above parks are the most thought-after parks for clients on a Uganda safari however, on rare occasions, some have included Kidepo Valley National Park, Mount Elgon National Park with a stop at Sipi Falls, then Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Mount Rwenzori National Park. Due to the reliability and beauty of the volcanoes of Mgahinga gorilla National Park, some travelers have visited this area to explore the volcanoes, track the mountain gorillas in the area and also engage in the Batwa Cultural Experience.

Feel free to contact us for a safari to any of the destination above.

The oldest gorilla group leader, Kanyonyi dies. – Gorilla trekking – Gorilla  Conservation  –  Gorilla habituation – Uganda- Rwanda 

The oldest gorilla group leader. Mountain gorillas’ conservation is at the forefront of many conservation initiatives in both Uganda and Rwanda. This is so because, mountain gorillas are among the world’s most endangered species. There are only about 800 remaining mountain Gorillas globally, and all of them left in the Greater Virunga region comprising of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, with Uganda accounting for more than half of the number of all the remaining population of these amazing giants.

After the death of Kanyonyi, leader of the oldest gorilla group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in Uganda the need for the conservation of the mountain gorillas become stronger.

Kanyonyi was the leader of the Mubare mountain gorilla family and died after a brutal fight with a lone wild silverback, only identified as Malaya. Born on November 1, 1996 to Ruhondeza and Kashongo, Kanyonyi passed on at the age of only 21 years. During the same fight, one of his offspring was also brutally torn into pieces, dying instantly.

Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, one of Uganda’s biggest conservationists, the Chief Executive director of Conservation Though Public Health, an organization focused at the conservation of this gentle giants says the death Kanyonyi was such a very unfortunate event.

In her message, Dr Gladys said “Kanyonyi first fell off a tree while harvesting fruits for the family, and while he was recovering after treatment, a lone silverback fought with him because he wanted to take over his group. Kanyonyi in his weakened state was not able to put up a good fight, and sustained many injuries, which though they were healing, left him weaker than usual. When I last visited Kanyonyi he was eating quite well, but still limping and walking slowly, with one adult female gorilla, Karungyi and her baby keeping close by his side”.

Fighting amongst free-ranging gorillas for family leadership is considered part of their normal behavior patterns and enables natural group succession. The death of Kanyonyi therefore came as a result of injuries sustained during the fight with Malaya. “Conservation through Public Health participated in the post mortem, which confirmed the major cause of his death to be an infection in the hip joint after the fall. I have known Kanyonyi since he was born 21 years ago”, says Dr Gladys.

Kanyonyi, was a playful young silverback who liked interacting with human visitors. Over the past five years, Kanyonyi kept the Mubare gorilla group together and enabled it to grow through attracting many females to the family.

When the Gorilla Conservation Coffee social enterprise started in 2015 to support farmers living around Bwindi, a decision was made to name the first coffee blend after Kanyonyi who symbolized the gorilla conservation efforts in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park since tourism began in 1993.

The death of Kanyonyi was and still is a big blow to the Mubare family. The death robbed the country of a formidable gorilla group leader that was the backbone of tourism and gorilla tracking in Uganda. The group was on the verge of disintegration when Kanyonyi took over and brought in more members by attracting more females.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, it is not clear what the next step will be because it is very difficult to determine the group dynamics. “The group does not have a ranking male to take on the custodian of the group. However, we also know that there is a wild lone gorilla, Malaya that managed to beat up Kanyonyi and his father, so we hope that gorilla Malaya that is marauding in the forest will take on the reigns. It is still too early to tell, but our rangers are monitoring our rangers are day and night trying to monitor the movements, health and try to see if they will still remain in clusters or disintegrate”, he said.

The history of Mubare Group

Mubare was the first gorilla group to be habituated for tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park beginning in 1991, and following a two-year habituation period the group was officially opened for tourism in 1993 with 12 group members. The group leader at the time of habituation was Ruhondeza who fathered Kanyonyi. In August 1994, Ruhondeza staged one of his major battles in which he recruited six new family members believed to be remnants of the then Katendegyere gorilla family which disintegrated into the DR Congo later in early 1998. Some of Ruhondeza’s unique characters included practice of infanticide of his own male offspring. By the time of Kanyonyi’s birth, about five male baby gorillas born in the Mubare group had been murdered by Ruhondeza.

The birth of Kanyonyi

Ruhondeza was almost 24 years old when he sired Kanyonyi and he demystified the former belief in his infanticide character by allowing Kanyonyi and his male siblings including Muyambi, to live up to maturity. By 2011, Ruhondeza could no longer manage to stage major battles – as he had further advanced in age and some of his group members had to disperse while others succumbed to natural death, reducing the group size to only three members. Ruhondeza died on June 26, 2012 when he was 39 years old.

The oldest gorilla group leader

Kanyonyi’s leadership.

The death of Ruhondeza marked the onset of an era for an enthusiastic young man, ready to demonstrate that he too can lead at a youthful age of just 16 years. Among the few remaining family members were one of Kanyonyi’s sisters (Malaika/Angel) and his only brother (Muyambi/Helper). Beginning October 2012, Kanyonyi, in the company of his younger brother Muyambi embarked on a mission to restore the lost glory of their father’s family through recruitment of new members, and by November 2013 Kanyonyi had recruited three members from the wild into his family thereby increasing the family size to six. He continued to pursue more members and by January 2014 he had five more members, two from Habinyanja and three from Rushegura bringing the numbers to eleven members. During his short tenure, Kanyonyi sired eight infants from eight different females in his group but only four are still alive as the other four died in infancy.

The death of Kanyonyi leaves many conservations organization with questions of what exactly should be done for the multiplication of more gorillas and protection of those that already exist.

Contact us for any more inquiries about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Kalinzu Forest, home of the Chimpanzees – chimpanzee tracking – chimpanzee habituation 

Kalinzu Forest Reserve Located in western Uganda is remarkably one of the most spectacular forest reserves that any nature lover shouldn’t miss to explore while on a safari to Uganda. Kalinzu forest is one of a few natural forests that still thrive in Uganda and it is set around Bushenyi district just near Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo forest. It is about 382 kilometers drive from Kampala and it straddles at elevation of 1400 meters. It extends up to 147 square kilometers and its establishment was mainly to offer refuge to its diverse wildlife.

Kalinzu Forest

What to see in Kalinzu Forest Reserve?

Kalinzu forest is famous for its Chimpanzee tracking experience that allows trackers to spend at least one hour with primates that are 98.7% related to mankind. Kalinzu is one of the best places for primate watching safaris in Uganda. Out of the 220 chimpanzees in this Forest reserve, 70 of them were habituated by Japanese Researchers to make them used to the presence of humans, hence are open for tracking. Just like chimpanzee tracking in other places, tourists need to carry packed lunch, enough drinking water (of at least 2 liters), wear long sleeved shirts, have to be at least 12 years to be allowed to track these primates, have to wear long trousers, sturdy hiking boots, light rain jacket and a hat.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve is popular for its over 414 tree species including shrubs; primates like 220 chimpanzees, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, more than 380 bird species thus making it a true birder’s paradise (includes the black and white casket, Great blue turaco and many others); over 100 months and 270 butterflies, reptiles. The key wildlife species to catch a glimpse while you are on Uganda safari at this nature reserve include elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, leopards, wild pigs, lions and many others which can be spotted along the savanna grassland side of this nature reserve.

Tourists travelling to Kalinzu Forest Reserve have to note that there are no lodging facilities in the Reserve, but camping will offer the most interesting wilderness accommodation. However, tourists who are not comfortable with camping can drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (is about 3-4 hours’ drive).

A visit to this forest takes you through its distinct trails each of which rewards you with unique experiences. They include;

The Valley trail

This trail takes you about 2 hours to hike through it. This spectacular trail is a three and a half circular loop and rewards tourists with the fascinating views of the steep deep valley, hence the name Valley trail. This trail involves hiking along the ridge and transverse several interesting tree species such as the renowned “Mutragyne rubrostipuleta”-commonly known as the Viagra tree that boosts sexual performance in men.

The river trail

River trail is a short trail and a hike through it takes you about 1 hour. It takes you through River Kajojo or elephant waterway.  While here, you have a chance to come across several primate species. This is the shortest of all the trails in Kalinzu Forest Reserve and takes only one hour to complete but is very rewarding. The main attraction along this short trail is River Kajojo-locally translated as the Elephant River, because the elephants used to bathe in the river hence the name “Kajojo”. This interesting trail also introduces tourists to some of the species of “Parinari excelsa” that is the Climax tree within Kalinzu Forest reserve and a giant strangler figure. You will also see several primate species such as the chimpanzees, the black and white Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys and the L’Hoest’s monkeys along this trail.

The Palm trails

This is a 5 kilometers’ trail which takes you about 2 hours depending on your hiking speed. You will wind through its woodland trees and get to fire tree a unique tree species in this reserve. This 5-kilometer round trip lasts between one and a half hours to 2 hours and crosses through a comparatively flat terrain. While on this trail, tourists are rewarded with wonderful tree species found along the path, the popular and interesting one being the Flame tree known for its vast, red tulip-like flames which are believed to increase Libido in Women, the magnificent Dragon tree and the Raphia Palm tree commonly used to make mats among others

Waterfall trail

The waterfall trail is 11 kilometers and takes you about 5 hours and while here, you will have magical views over stunning Kilyantama waterfall. This trail is an 11 Kilometer round trip that takes between 4 and 5 hours and involves tourists trans versing through some hilly areas and wet terrains. This hiking trail allows tourists to see the breathtaking Kilyantama waterfall that will welcome the visitors with its roaring sounds and serene environment.

What to do in Kalizu forest reserve

While on Uganda safari, the notable safari activities to take part in this forest reserve include chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, forest walks, butterfly identification and many others.

Where to stay in Kalinzu forest reserve

The accommodation options in this nature reserve take you camping at forest station at Nkombe. This means, you have to have your own tents.  But the nearby accommodation options include Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Kichuwamba/Katara Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge and many others.

How to get to Kalinzu Forest

This forest reserve is set in western Uganda about 5 hours’ drive from Kampala. You can drive from Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara and then to Bushenyi. A visit to Kalinzu forest can be combined with wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park which gets you the best of thrilling African experiences.

Feel free to contact us for any details concerning a chimpanzee tracking safari to Kalinzu forest and to Queen Elizabeth national park.

Exploring Murchison falls with tourist activities – Wildlife safaris Uganda.

Exploring Murchison falls. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and one of the most visited national parks in Uganda covering approximately 3,893 square kilometers. It is located in north-western Uganda, at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley from the shores of Lake Albert up to the Karuma Falls and is bisected by the Victoria Nile. Notable among the many tourist attractions is the magnificent Murchison Falls where River Nile waters plunge 43 meters down after flowing through a narrow gorge of 7 meters width creating one of Uganda’s most beautiful sightings.

The National Park is home to over 76 species of mammals and about 450 bird species. Animal species in the park include; giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, among others and some of these can be seen while on a boat ride along the river Nile. The River Nile supports animal life as well as it does birdlife in Murchison Falls National Park and the bird species include; Goliath heron, the rare shoebill, white-thighed hornbill, dwarf kingfisher, great blue turaco among others. Rhinos were once extinguished in the park due to poaching but they are now being taken care of at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, south of Murchison Falls National Park. All the “big five”; buffaloes, elephants, lions and leopards can be found in the park.

Exploring Murchison falls.

Tourist activities in Murchison Falls National Park.

Birdwatching

Birding is among the most rewarding activities to be done by any tourist visiting Murchison falls National Park. The Park is home to over 300 bird species which can be seen during launch trips, guided nature walks and game drives. While in the park, birders will get to see a number of bird species from the endemic migratory and a number of water birds given that where you will see a number of birds species. During birding in the park you will also get to see bird species like the endangered shoe bill stork however there are other bird species that can be seen within the park and these include; the Marabou Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Birds, Black-bellied Bustards, Open-billed Storks and Widow Bird, the Swallow-tailed bee eater, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Francolin, Hornbills, Grey heron, Hamerkop, Shrikes, Flycatchers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers; Crombecs and Warblers. The riverbanks are also home to ducks, geese, stilts and plovers.

Game Drives

Game drives are among the most popular activities in Murchison Falls National Park that will offer you rewarding experiences during your Uganda Safaris. The Park is a home to a number of attractions including the famous Murchison falls, four of the big five animals including the lions, elephants, buffalos and the leopard and these are just among the 76 mammal species in the park. Game drives in this park are carried out in the Buligi peninsula where you will have exceptional views of lake Albert and the Victoria Nile and interesting about the area is the fact that lions in the park are commonly sighted in the area hunting for prey which is commonly the Uganda Kobs.

Ballooning Safaris

Exploring Murchison falls. There are a number of activities in the park that will ensure you have an amazing time engaging in them but among them, you should not kiss out on participating in the hot air ballooning which involves having the chance to see the park from an aerial view after you book your hot air balloon. This incredible activity will give you the opportunity to see different animal species in the park like common duiker, defassa waterbuck, oribi reedbucks, impalas, buffalos, bush pigs, giraffes, eland, and zebras, Uganda kobs, bird species like  Blue Quails, he Lesser and Great Swamp Warblers, Chubb’s and  Caruthers’s Cisticola Black Crake, Common Squacco, Striated, Black-headed,  Herons White-headed and Black-billed Barbet, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-breasted Shining-blue Kingfishers can also be seen flying over the hot air balloons which will be rewarding while in the park which will be quite memorable in the park.

Boat Rides/ Launch Trips

Boat rides are some of the amazing activities in Murchison falls. You will have the chance to see rewarding views and attractions for instance during the upstream launch trip from Paraa for example you will see a number of animal species grazing in the plains of the park like the buffaloes, elephants, zebras among other animal species frontal views of the falls in the park where you can take pictures of the attractions and the numerous bird species in the park and during the sundowners launch trip, you will have an amazing experience watching the sunset as you watch a number of animal species catching their last bite of the day as the carnivores in the park come out from their hiding spots to catch prey for dinner.

Spot Fishing

Sportfishing is another rewarding activity in Murchison falls national park that tourist can engage in during their Uganda safari and this is carried out at the base of the falls where a number of fish species can be caught more especially the Nile Perch, Cat fish, Tiger Fish, electric cat fish, Nile tilapia among other fish types. After the activity you will get to keep the fish caught as a reward for your participation in the activity.  While on the activity, you’ll get the chance to see a number of bird species like Black-headed, and Black-billed Barbet, Blue Quails, Great Swamp Warblers, Herons White-headed, Chubb’s and Caruthers’s Cisticola Black Crake, Common Squacco, Striated, , Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-breasted Shining-blue Kingfishers, you will also get to see a number of animal species quenching their thirst from the shores and river banks,

Hiking/ Nature Walks

Nature walks are among the memorable activities in Murchison falls national park carried out along the different trails that lead to  Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests where you will see a number of attractions within the park like a number of primate species like the black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey, mona monkey, Dent’s Monkey, silver monkeys among other primate species during the nature walks  along the Nile delta, you will also see a number of bird species like the shoe bill, Amur falcon, booted eagle, red faced barbet, sooty falcon, bunting, crested barbet, western reef heron, grasshopper buzzard among other bird species.

Feel free to contact us for any information and inquiries about trips to Murchison falls national game park