Author: Munoadmin

Uganda is a beautiful country in East Africa, it is commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa due to its natural composition, the contrast biodiverse environment from the hilly sides of the country side to savannah plantations, and it is bordered by Rwanda, Kenya, democratic republic of Congo and Tanzania. The country is most sought of when it comes to primates commonly for the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas and Chimpanzee. Uganda Visa is the document that is offered to grant you access into the country weather you are flying into Uganda or driving through its land borders.

Uganda visa is given to tourists coming into the country for tourism or any other purposes, Visas are applied for online on the Uganda authority on the ministry of internal affairs, it takes 90 days for it to be approved, after this period of time without response in case the hold is automatically released, requirements for the visa include a valid passport copy, the biodata page has to be valid at least 6 months validity, a tour plan, confirmation itinerary from accommodation , recent passport size photograph, yellow fever vaccination card, return airtickets,Visas are charged $50 for a single entry once you have made payment it is nonrefundable.

When coming to all east African countries, it is wise to buy the east African visa it costs $100 this permits you to travel to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda with the same visa entry, all visas are a must to be applied online as the process is as simple as described online, follow the steps carefully in order to apply for the visa. It is at least wise to apply one month prior to travel to avoid inconveniences, and having cancelations, the online process is not pending but a single application.

Approval letters are only issued by email when traveling it is wise to print every paper you have, for vaccines, see your doctor to advise further on necessary vaccines you might need for your travel to Africa., take note of your application number, Tourist visas are valid for only 45 days this visa can only be acquired only if you don’t have any running visa.

Uganda can be accessed through its main entry point the Entebbe international airport or through borders like the Cyanika border, the Busia border, swam border in eastern Uganda. Once you pass here at the airport, there is available accommodation in the country ranging from Luxury to the best budget.

Uganda can be visited all year round but best during the dry season between December-February and June- September,  it is wise when considering a wildlife safari to Uganda to pack right including waterproof covers for phones and cameras, hiking boots, warm clothes, long sleeved hits and trousers, insect repellants and any other items of personal nature. The best things to do while here include wildlife game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, guided nature walks, night game drives, birding , volcanic climbing among other nice things to do.

What do mountain gorillas eat?

Mountain gorillas are primate species in a few ecosystems of Africa, they are a subspecies of the eastern gorilla’s gorilla beringei beringei living in mountainous areas in Uganda they are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mghainga National Park, in Rwanda they are situated in the volcanoes national park while in the democratic republic of Congo in the Virunga national park, these are the only places of the world to see the critically endangered species, they roam freely in the conservation areas without being captivated. The Bwindi impenetrable national park in the southwestern corner of Uganda hosts half the population of the gorillas they love within the four sectors of the park Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija.

What do gorillas eat? This is a question that lingers so many times, mountain gorillas are mostly herbivores in nature, being the world’s largest primates they need lots of food to survive, they feed on forest plants, dead tree backs, leaves stems, fruits, mushrooms and occasionally insects, since it is a high altitude zone, there is less of fruit and more of plants, the primates are specific on what they want to eat on a particular plant type, for example, they have been sighted stripping plants in order for them to get the inner part of the stem other plants like mimlopsis they take on the leaves. An adult mountain gorilla eats about 18 kilograms of food.

Mountain gorillas are not so water friendly and hence it is hard to drink water however the plants which they feed on are succulent enough for them to have enough water in their bodies for survival. Gorillas do not feed in one point but rather after consuming, they move to the next part to allow the regrow of the vegetation. They live in families of up to 20 members led by a male silverback, baby gorillas are taken care of by their mothers until the age of 2 years. The primates are territorial in nature hence it is hard to find more than 1 silverback in the same group, families consist of blackbacks, juveniles, and females, they nest on the ground which sometimes makes it easy for travelers to know the actual number of the primates as each one of them makes a nest except for the babies who share with females. They are playful jumping from one tree to another.

Mountain gorillas present an opportunity to experience mountain gorillas, trekking is one of the amazing things to do while in Uganda, it takes place beginning at the park headquarters, in groups of 8 you will be allocated a gorilla family to track, it takes 2-8 hours in search depending on how far the gorilla families have moved. Gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity that will need preparation both mentally and physically, upon meeting the primates an hour is allowed while with them later which you return to be awarded a gorilla trekking certificate, for travelers who would like to spend more time with the primate’s gorilla habituation experience is the most ideal thing to do as it allows am all day experience.

SPOT FISHING IN UGANDA

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Spot fishing in Uganda is mainly centered around Lake Victoria which is one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Uganda is not well marketed by the government despite having many water bodies. In fact, a 3^rd of Uganda is covered by water. In Lake Victoria, Uganda has the largest Lake in the African continent. Uganda is the source of the longest river in the world, River Nile. Some of the world’s famous anglers have gone fishing in Uganda. They include Jeremy Wade, John Wilson and Zeb Hogan of the National Geographic Channel.

Uganda has over 350 species of fish. The two major species caught for commercial purposes are the Tilapia and Nile Perch. The other types of fish are the Protopterus, lung fish and cat fish. The Nile perch is arguably the largest fish one can catch in Uganda. They can weigh more than 150kgs. Introduced in Uganda in the early 19^th century, they dominate the waters of Uganda. The Nile Perch is often caught using the smaller tiger fish as a bait. The Tiger fish has beautiful colors of the rainbow but are very resilient with sharp teeth and hard jaws.  Other large fish in Uganda are the lung fish and Tilapia. Tilapia is the most preferred fish eaten in Ugandan homes although the small silver fish is gaining popularity for its nutritious value.

Sport fishing has gained prominence in Uganda since the early 90’s and is among the top things to do in Uganda. The local population and Uganda’s middle class have not fully embraced this amazing activity. Sport fishing is perfect for family bonding or getting together as a group of friends. One does not need to have any prior experience fishing in order to take part in this sport. In most cases, all one needs to do is join the company of experienced anglers who will teach them a thing or two about the sport.

Here are some keys points about spot fishing in Uganda.

SPECIES: The Nile Perch is the most sought-after fish in Lake Victori, other species you might encounter include Tilapia, catfish and Protopterus

LOCATION: Spot fishing is often done near the shores of Lake Victoria or from boats. Popular spot includes: Murchison Falls National Park, Lake mburo, Sipi falls in Kapchorwa and Ssese Islands, Entebbe and Jinja on Lake Victoria. Murchison falls is the most attractive part found in the park. This Murchison Falls form when the Nile water squeezes through a narrow gorge before exploding 40 meters down in a mighty fall. The Murchison Falls National Park is a great place to go for fishing while in Uganda. The turbulent falls are rich in oxygen which attracts huge Nile perch – Some weighing over 90 Kilograms. The largest on record was 108 kilograms. The section of the river Nile flowing through the park is also home to Tilapia, catfish, Tiger fish (Awaka), barbell, Tilapia, ferocious fighter, Angara and yellow fish among other species. Fishing is usually done by boat around the banks of the river although anglers can walk to the base of waterfalls to throw their lines.

EQUIPMENTS: Anglers typically use medium to heavy duty fishing rods and reels, along with live or artificial bait suitable for the targeted fish species.

REGULATIONS:  Fishing in Uganda requires a valid fishing license, which can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). There are also regulations regarding catch limits and sizes to ensure sustainable fishing. Remember to respect local customs and regulations while fishing in Uganda to ensure a positive experience for both you and the local community.

Guides: Hiring a local fishing guide can be beneficial, as they are familiar with the best fishing spots and techniques. They can also assist with obtaining a license and equipment.

SEASON: Fishing is generally good year-round, but the best time for spot fishing is during the dry season (December to February and June to August) when water levels are lower, making fish easier to spot.

SAFETY: Always prioritize safety when fishing. Make sure to wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat and be aware of weather conditions that could affect your fishing trip.

CONCLUSION.

Spot fishing is a very fun and relaxing activity that makes a great time on holiday. Even for someone who has never really been into the whole fishing thing, spot fishing can be quite enjoyable and meditative.

The area above showcase some of the best spots where you can enjoy spot fishing while on a Ugandan Tour. The good thing is that sportfishing can be added as part of your itinerary. This combines it with other activities such as Gorilla and chimps trekking, wildlife safari, white water rafting, Hiking, Birding and many more.

In cases where you are required to carry your own fishing gear, we will arrange to get you the gear to use at a small extra fee That way, you won’t have to carry or buy new gear just for the trip. More information you can check out in our Travel Blog.

You can visit Uganda for sport fishing at any time of the year. Talk to us and we’ll help you set everything up – to make sure you enjoy every little detail of your fishing safari. Send us a request for a fishing safari and we shall draw up a customized tour itinerary based on your specific needs, schedule and budget.

We appreciate you spending the time here. We can only hope that this information was helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to bring them to our attention.

The Batwa cultural experience takes place along the foothills of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga National Park, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known for the mountain gorilla species, the conservation area is said to have survived over time from the ice age era, it is subdivided into four sectors the Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga and Ruhija, each of these has got habituated gorilla families, while the Mgahinga national park is renowned for golden monkeys and one gorilla group the park extends as part of the great Virunga volcanic mountain region. The Batwa are a special group of people also known as keepers of the forest.

They lived in the forest amicably together with other creatures until they were evicted due to conservation purposes, these have continued living in the surrounding communities, they are the last group of remaining short-structured people in Uganda, they hunted and gathered from the forest however of present they practice a bit of subsistence farming, they engage in community programs and joined the quo of civilization. These have however done a good job of passing their cultures onto the new generations.

Batwa cultural experience will give you a deep understanding of how these locals enjoyed the forest, they will show it to you through their eyes, dance to their traditional music, and make fire without using modern-day matches or lighters, they will also teach you the medicinal purposes of plants and what they treat, guests are allowed to participate too if interested. It is an engaging activity to consider on a visit to Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga National Park, there are chances of walking through the forest as well and meeting a few primate species, for example, the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and whispers from forest birds. A visit to the Batwa will require you to make payments for support which normally costs about $30 per person, it is done in the afternoon hours from 3:00 pm East African time.

Besides the Batwa cultural community, there are other things to do while in the region for example the gorilla trekking from the park headquarters you will be briefed about how to conduct yourself while with the primate species, and the hike through the forest is a tedious one however so rewarding by the end of the day, tracking gorillas takes 2-8 hours depending on how far the mountain gorillas have moved, it sometimes takes entirely the whole day or even not seeing them, however, in such incidents, guests are given a chance to track the following day. Birding in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, it is a rewarding point for birders into the ecosystem, there are over 300 species of birds that have been recorded here to date, some of these are endemics to the region for example the African green broad bill.

There is available accommodation in and around the conservation areas ranging from the best budget to Luxury Examples of facilities include Buhoma lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, and Ichumbi gorilla lodge, to mention few.

Chimpanzees are an exciting primate species inhabiting the Ugandan forests scattered all over the Western and southern parts of the country. Chimpanzee trekking as an outdoor tourism activity allows guests to spend ample time with chimpanzees, learning and unlearning multiple things about the lives of the primates. Chimpanzees are a species of great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. They have 4 genetically confirmed species with a 5th proposed one according to IUCN reports. Chimpanzees can be found in Uganda in the biodiverse tropical rainforests.

Chimpanzee locations in Uganda.

Kibale forest.

Lying on an area of about 795 square kilometers, Kibale National Park spans a thick tropical rainforest harboring up to 13 primate species including chimpanzees. It is blessed with beautiful and most diversified primeval forests in Uganda.

Kibale forest dominates the central and northern parts of the park along the Fort Portal plateau. The Kibale forest lies at the park’s northern tip which elevates up to 1590 metres above sea level. It is known as one of the best safari destinations in Africa and the world all over for chimpanzee trekking and habituation, A reason why it was named “the primate capital of the world”.

Budongo forest.

Budongo forest spans a wide semi-deciduous tropical rainforest located in the Albertine rift on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Park. The forest lies in the northeast of Lake Albert. It stretches to an area of about 825 square kilometers in the western region of Uganda covering some parts of the Hoima and Kikuube districts. Budongo Forest is a renowned home for both diurnal and nocturnal primates including the chimpanzees. It offers chimpanzee trekking activities too. The fact that it provides additional views of the underlying Lake Albert further makes it more beautiful and a place to be for a vacation and getaway from the day-to-day lives of bustling cities.

Kyambura gorge.

Kyambura Gorge unveils the extensive valley comprising a thick tropical rainforest. It is a renowned home to chimpanzees and several other primates. Kyambura Gorge showcases the beauty of a forest trapped in a valley on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It extends up to 100 meters deep.

 The gorge is served by the river Kyambura tributaries that contribute to its overall beauty as they help serve it water all year round contributing to its evergreen look. This further makes it a better habitat for the chimpanzees since they do not have to move long distances and leave it in search of water and what to eat.

 Kyambura offers exciting chimpanzee trekking activities throughout the year and therefore travelers seeking to spend time with chimpanzees should always endeavor to check it out.

Cost of chimpanzee trekking per destination.

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda has different prices attached to it depending on the destination where one is going to trek. This is mainly because different destinations offer varied experiences.

 Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park costs a nonnegotiable price of $250 for foreign non-residents, $200.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 180,000 for East African nationals.

In Budongo forest, trekking the chimpanzees goes for $130.00 for foreign non-residents, $120.00 for foreign residents, and $85 for East African citizens.

In Kyambura Gorge, the chimpanzee trekking activity costs $100.00 for foreign non-residents, $80.00 for foreign residents, and Uganda shillings 50,000 for East African citizens.

Favorable time to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

Trekking chimpanzees in Uganda is done throughout the year in all the destinations. The dry seasons however are the most favorable and appropriate times in which tourists can indulge in chimpanzee tourism activities. The dry seasons are characterized by low rainfall which therefore present uninterrupted moments for visitors to trek the chimpanzees, and make their way through the thick rainforests with no hardships. The dry seasons run from June to September and December to February.

Uganda is a beautiful country in East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic republic of Congo, it is most sought of for primates, and many wildlife species distributed in the biodiverse environments of Uganda, there are 10 national parks including Mgahinga national park a home to mountain gorillas, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Semliki national park, Queen Elizabeth national park , Mountain Elgon national park, Rwenzori national park , these are accompanied by the undeniable beauty of the Pearl of Africa from the magnificent rolling hills, Lakes and rivers, it is a beginning place to one of the world’s longest rivers river Nile.

Uganda experiences a good climatic season all year round and can be visited all year round, the angelic country experiences 2 seasons the wet and dry season, the dry season ranges from December , February and January and then June, July, August and September, the wet season on the other hand is in March, April, May, October , November. The dry season is the best time to visit Uganda, during this time there is less rains and more of the sun, the trails within the conservation areas are less slippery and easier to access. The wilderness of the savannah conservation areas gets to have shorter grasses and animals gathering around water sources to get a fresh water drink, it is possible to come across animal species for example leopards, lions, antelopes of different species, warthogs, in the primate destinations you will see the famous Mountain gorillas in the Bwindi impenetrable national park, and the chimpanzee of the Kibale forest national park.

Despite the weather being good, there has been a lot of global warming and climatic change taking place in the world at large hence it can rain anytime even in the dry season, the wet season is equivalently enjoyable, the grasses are greener, it is also a perfect time to go birding there are over 1000 species of  birds most of which are endemics of the great Albertine rift valley region, example species include the African green broadbill, Abyssinian ground hornbill, plover birds, sunbirds, pelicans, Rwenzori Turaco, grey crowned cranes among other species.

How to access Uganda is through the main entry points, from the Entebbe international airport to land borders, it is important to consider having a valid passport to at least 6 moths to the month of expiry, yellow fever vaccination card, passport photographs, a travel plan, and visa, Uganda visas can be acquired from an online portal, single entry visas are charged $50 and multiple entry visas $100.  Our company will assist in arranging ground transfers to the national conservation areas, Uganda safaris have the advantage of seeing most of the ecosystems in a few days, safaris can be 10 days , 2 days , 5 days, or even 15 days depending on the time travelers have to pay a visit to the lovely country