It’s undeniable that wildlife and beauty are key features for the success of tourism sector in Uganda. Gifted by nature, the pearl of Africa is blessed with a variety of wildlife and beautiful sceneries where something awaits you in all parts of the country. A combination of wild animals, birds, forest, rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, and green vegetation make Uganda safaris exceptional travel experiences.Each day that passes, thousands of travelers visit different tourism spots in Uganda among which are national parks, game reserves, cultural and historical sites which reward them with memorable experiences. At the end of the 11 million dollar five year biodiversity project, the US ambassador in Uganda recognized the contribution of wildlife and beauty in boosting Uganda’s tourism sector. Participants also revised new strategies which promise to attract billions ways to the new conservation based tourism. Also, the US ambassador reveled that the 1.3 billion dollar earned from tourism sector depends on its wildlife and natural beauty situated in all parts of the country.
In order to avoid wildlife conflicts in national parks and all protected areas, Uganda government has initiated various community-based projects in local areas adjacent to national parks. The Budongo community group in Budongo forest adjacent to Murchison falls national park is one of the community based projects, which have been put by the government of Uganda. Local people in Murchison falls national park were given 200 beehives as a way to avoid human wildlife conflicts. Similarly, the government plans to add more 800-bee hives after Budongo community project has registered with the government as a cooperative
Looking at Uganda’s wildlife, Uganda is a home to roughly 480 mountain gorillas, which is half of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas. The pearl of Africa is blessed to be one of the three countries which host the critically endangered mountain gorillas along with Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda shelters 13 habituated gorilla families 12 of which reside in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and 1 in Mgahinga gorilla national park all available for trekking. The high number of gorilla families’ which guarantee travelers availability of gorilla permits even for the first time travelers.
Besides mountain gorillas, Uganda is a home to the rare golden monkeys, which live in Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda. Uganda and Rwanda are the only two countries, which shelter the critically endangered golden monkeys in Mghinga and Volcanoes national parks respectively. Fortunately, golden monkeys are trekked at 100usd that is relatively cheaper compared to mountain gorillas at 600usd.
Kibale forest national park is a home to over 1450 chimpanzees, which offer travelers a memorable chimpanzee trekking experience bringing you close to the close relatives of human beings. More still, kibale national park is a home to a variety of baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colubuses, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, bush babies, grey-cheeked mangabey and pottos among others hence an added advantage for the travelers. Still in kibale, expect to see forest elephants, duikers, and bush pigs hence traveler’s opportunity to interact with wildlife hence a memorable experience.
Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth national park are best for wildlife viewing. The two national parks shelter the highest population of wildlife, which are seen browsing and grazing in the open savannah grasslands. Travelers are blessed to have a close look at herds of elephants, lions, buffalos, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, impalas, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, oribis, Jackson’s heartbeats, hippos and crocodiles among others. Game viewing is a highlight for most if not all travelers coming to Uganda safaris. Besides Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo valley national park in north Eastern Uganda and Lake Mburo national park in Mbarara district.
Sheltering over 1050 bird species, bird watching is Uganda’s best offer which attract thousands of travelers from all parts of the world. Uganda’s popular birding spots include The popular birding the Mabamba bay wetland sanctuary, kazinga channel in queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, semuliki national park, kibale forest national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Budongo forest, Lake Mburo and Rwenzori mountains national park. The spied birds include crested francolin, African fish eagle, lilac-breasted roller, rare African fin foot, cheeky bronze tailed sparkling, long eared owl, golden winged sunbird, Archers’ robin –chat, pied kingfisher, black-collared lovebird, Casiin’s spine tail, African dwarf kingfishers, African open-billed stork, and papyrus gonolek among others. Experience birding guides help travelers in spotting different birds while explaining in details the unique characters of each spotted bird.
Uganda is a best mountain climbing destination in Africa being a home to various mountains, which include the famous mount Rwenzori (mountain of the moon), mount Elgon, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo. The summit of each volcano provides travelers with beautiful sceneries of the local communities, vegetation, rolling hills hence rewarding travelers with memorable experiences.
Conclusively therefore, visit Uganda the pearl of Africa, enjoy wildlife safaris, bird watching, mountain climbing, gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking all rewarding you with a lifetime experience.
