UGANDA’S NATIONAL PARKS www.ugandawildlife.org

I Published by:

Uganda Wildlife Authority 7 Kira Road Kamwokya P.O. Box, Uganda Tel: +256 414 355 000 Fax: +256 414 546 291 Email: [email protected]  www.ugandawildlife.org  ugandawildlifeauthority  ugwildlife ©2018 Uganda Wildlife Authority

II Uganda Wildlife Authority Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was established in August 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute, which merged the Uganda National Parks and the Game Department. It is governed by a Board of trustees appointed by the Minister for Tourism and Antiquities. UWA is responsible for 10 National Parks; 12 Wildlife reserves; 5 Community Wildlife Management Areas; and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries OUR MISSION The Mission of Uganda Wildlife Authority is to conserve and sustainably manage the wildlife and Protected Areas of Uganda in partnership with the neighbouring communities and other stakeholders for the benefit of Uganda and the global community OUR VISION To be a leading self-sustaining wildlife conservation agency that transforms Uganda into one of the best ecotourism destinations in Africa. Uganda National Parks Just 93,000km2 in size – equivalent in area to the United Kingdom or the US state of Oregon - Uganda is a land of dramatic contrasts. Here, the forests of Central Africa merge with East African savanna while hot, open plains sink beneath great lakes and rise to chill, snow-capped mountaintops. Tourist activities in our ten spectacular national parks are also excitingly varied. Track the endangered mountain gorilla through the dense forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the morning, before looking for on the open, rift valley grasslands of nearby Ishasha. Spend the morning following through the shady forests of Kibale National Park prior to a relaxing cruise past yawning hippos on the in nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park. Trek to the summits of the Virunga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a nd up to the snowy peaks of the 5100m Mount Stanley in the National Park. And compare the dark, shady depths of the forested , home to numerous rare Central African , with the vast, semi-arid plains of Kidepo, roamed by big game and punctuated by a multitude of rugged mountains. It is with good reason that Uganda is becoming established as one of Africa’s most varied and memorable tourist destinations.

III National Parks National Park. Uganda’s largest protected area is a 5000km2 expanse 1 formed by Murchison Falls NP and the contiguous and Bugungu wildlife reserves. The traverses this wilderness, dividing grasslands roamed by big game on the northern bank from bush and forest inhabited by birds and primates on the southern side. The centrepiece is the river’s eruption through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls

Mt. Elgon National Park. The 1,145km² Mount Elgon National Park protects the higher 3 slopes of Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano, on the Uganda- Kenya border. The mountain, which measures 80km in diameter, once towered above Kilimanjaro’s current 5900m. Though now reduced to 4321m, still rises 3000m above the hot, dusty plains of Karamoja to provide a cool respite for humans and a refuge for flora and fauna.

Kidepo Valley National Park. Located in Uganda’s distant northeastern corner, close to 5 Kenya and and forming the farthest extremity of the remote, sparsely populated Karamoja region, Kidepo represents one of Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses. Big game favourites, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, , cheetah and ostrich, roam grasslands that extend towards distant mountain ranges in all directions.

Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda’s most popular and diverse conservation area, 7 Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoys a fabulous setting on the rift valley floor, surrounded by lakes, escarpments and the snow-capped Rwenzori mountain. A variety of habitats, including grassland, acacia woodland, forest, wetland and open water, sustains a wide range of mammals while the park’s 604 is a quite remarkable tally for a protected area covering less than 2000km2

Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Africa’s highest mountain range, the 5,109m Rwenzori – 9 or Mountains of the Moon – is the snowy source of the Nile referred to by early geographers, 17 centuries before European explorers marked it on their maps. The high Rwenzori is a montane wonderland, the trails to the snow peaks following glacier-carved valleys filled with fantastically coloured mosses and rare Afro-alpine plants that include giant forms of lobelias, heathers and groundsels.

IV Semuliki National Park. The forested, 220km2 Semuliki National Park occupies an isolated slice of Ugandan territory beyond the Rwenzori 13 mountain on the broad floor of the Valley. Thanks to its great age (it predates the last Ice Age) and links with the Congo-Guinea biome (Semuliki represents the easternmost extent of the Congo’s huge Ituri Forest) the park contains an exceptionally rich and varied biodiversity.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. One of Africa’s oldest forests – being one of few that predate the arid conditions of the last ice age – the 325km2 Bwindi 15 Impenetrable has carpeted the margin of the Albertine Rift Valley for some 25,000 years. During this time it has accumulated a remarkable biodiversity. Species counts include 350 birds, 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals.

Lake Mburo National Park. This compact jewel of a park is ideally placed for an overnight break between Kampala and the protected areas of western 17 Uganda. Herbivores in the seasonal wetland valleys and acacia grasslands that surround Lake Mburo include species such as topi, eland and zebra that are rare or absent from other parks in Uganda.

Kibale National Park. This largely forested park, 795km2 in area, is best known for the number and variety of resident primates. An impressive 19 list of 13 primate species includes Uganda’s largest population of chimpanzees – an estimated 1450. Habituated groups can be tracked with experienced ranger guides at Kanyanchu River Camp.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Though Uganda’s smallest park covers just 38km2, it forms part of a far larger, transboundary protected area that 21 protects wildlife and habitats on the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla enjoys a magnificent setting on the northern slopes of three of the Virunga’s six extinct cones; Mts. Muhuvura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.

V TheMurchison World’s Greatest Falls WaterfallNational Park

Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley where the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment merges into a vast, palm-dotted savannah. Gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and elevated to park status in 1952, it is one of Uganda’s oldest protected areas. It is also the largest. Combined with the contiguous Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserves it covers 5072km2, home to 76 species of mammals and over 451 bird species. The Victoria Nile bisects the national park, racing westwards for 80km over a series of rapids before exploding through a narrow (6m) gap in the remnant rift valley cliffs. This 45m plunge drains the last of the river’s energy transforming the torrent into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor towards . The river below the Falls provides one of Uganda’s finest wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors to the riverbank include elephants, giraffes and buffaloes while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.

Northern Entrance Gates ACCESSIBILITY Murchison Falls National Park can also be reached on the north side of the Nile via the Chobe, Wankwar and Tangi gates. These Roads are all accessed from the Kampala-Pakwach road which crosses A number of routes can be used to reach the Nile at Paraa, the the Nile at Karuma Falls in the north-eastern corner of the park, parks’ main tourism hub, where a vehicle ferry crosses the river 260kms from Kampala. at roughly hourly intervals throughout the day. AIR Southern Entrance Gates Airfield, 19km from North Paraa, can be reached using Two routes lead to Paraa lead from town, which is 305km chartered aircraft from International Airport or from Kampala (a 4 hour drive). The most direct is the 86km airfield near Kampala. Other airfields in the park include Chobe to approach which enters the park through Kichumbanyobo Gate, the east and Bugungu to the south of Paraa. 16km from Masindi. Diversions along the way include the Kaniyo Pabidi section of Budongo Forest, the Heart of Murchison game ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS viewing area and Murchison Falls. A longer but more scenic alternative route from Masindi runs to Paraa via Bulisa (136km). PARAA The route passes through Budongo Forest before a memorable Paraa is the starting point for boat trips to the Falls and the delta descent of the rift valley escarpment with views across Lake and the site of the vehicle ferry crossing. Consequently, most of Albert towards the Blue Mountains of the Democratic Republic the tourist accommodation serving MFNP is also located in the of Congo. The park can be entered through Bugungu or Mubako vicinity, much of it on the riverbank just outside the park, 5km to gates. the west. 1 THE NILE & MURCHISON FALLS Murchison Falls boat cruise The launch voyage upriver from Paraa to see the Murchison Falls exploding through the cliffs at the head of Fajao Gorge is the park’s oldest and most popular excursion. The 3 hour return trip passes a wealth of riverside wildlife on the way, including resident hippos and crocodiles and visiting elephants, buffalo, etc. Top of the Falls Visitors should be sure to visit the Top of the Falls viewpoint to see hear, and feel the Nile thunder through a 6m-wide gorge. The site can be reached by vehicle but it is more rewarding to disembark from the launch to climb up to the Top of the Falls through Fajao Gorge. Delta boat cruises which thanks to substantial herds of Uganda kob, is becoming Boats also run downriver from Paraa to the Nile Delta where a known as a prime location for lions. mosaic of papyrus islands chokes the river’s entrance into Lake FOREST WALKS & TRACKING Albert. These are rich in waterbirds, most notably the . Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Sport Fishing This forest in the south of Murchison Falls Conservation Area The river below Murchison Falls provides an exciting challenge is home to a habituated chimp group that can be tracked with for anglers with the record for Nile perch landed with rod and line experienced forest guides. Kaniyo Pabidi is also an essential standing at a hefty 108kg. birding site due to the presence of Albertine Rift endemics and GAME VIEWING other ‘restricted range’ species including the chocolate-backed Buligi Peninsula kingfisher, white-thighed hornbill and Puvel’s illadopsis. The park’s prime game viewing area lies on the Buligi Peninsula, a triangle of grassland bounded by the Victoria Nile entering Lake BIRDING Albert, and the Albert Nile flowing out if it. Expect to see elephant, Birding activities overlap with the wildlife viewing locations buffalo, antelopes and giraffe and keep your fingers crossed for described above. Highlights include easy sightings of resident and lion and leopard. waterbirds on the cruise to the Falls, thrilling shoebill sightings in Visitors can also take to the air to explore the plains north and the Nile delta and careful searches for rare and restricted range west of Paraa in a hot air balloon. Contact the Jobihani Dream forest species in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. Balloons office at Paraa Safari Lodge CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS Heart of Murchison Energetic dancers from Mubako perform around lodge While much of the southern part of MFNP is covered by bush campfires, making for a magical African experience at dusk. and forest, the heart of the park is covered by a delightful tract of Boomu Womens’ Group offers accommodation, a craft shop and savanna. Vehicle tracks have recently been opened in this area, village tours, revealing the realities of life in this rural community.

2 TheMt. world’s Elgon Largest National Caldera Park

The 1,145 km² Mount Elgon National Park is located on the 4321m-high Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. The border with Kenya bisects the mountain and national parks in both countries protect the flora and fauna on the higher contours. This trans-boundary conservation area has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve. A massive, extinct volcano, 80km in diameter, its vast form rises 3000m above the hot dusty plains of Karamoja to provide a cool respite for humans and a refuge for flora and fauna. Wildlife includes large mammals, including elephant and buffalo (though rarely seen) and 300 species of bird. The curious Afromontane plants peculiar to East Africa’s highest mountains are found on the mountain’s higher slopes. Mount Elgon’s highest peaks lie along a jagged rim that encloses a giant caldera, 8km across. The ‘mountain of illusion’ tag derives from historic confusion regarding the true summit of Mount Elgon. The local Bagisu people named their candidate – as seen from their side of the mountain - as Masaba after their founding deity. European climbers then found Masaba to be a 4165m high volcanic plug on the mountain’s flank, lower even than the 4209m Mubiyi peak named after Masaba’s supposedly diminutive wife. Subsequent expeditions made cases for various high spots along the caldera rim before the 4321m Wagagai, overlooked in the south west corner of the caldera rim, was finally identified as the true summit. ACCESS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS ROADS Tourist activities on the mountain cater for various levels of Mount Elgon National Park lies above Mbale town, 235km east ambition. Visitors can make extended hikes to the summits, of Kampala. The route beyond Mbale is surfaced as far as take day/half day walks through forest on the lower edge of the Kapchorwa town on the northwest flank of the mountain. Dirt park, or simply relax in resorts overlooking delightful waterfalls roads lead off this road to the various trailheads. just outside the park at Sipi. Mount Elgon can also be reached from Kidepo Valley National MOUNTAIN CLIMBING Park in north-east Uganda. The 420km drive is possible in one An ascent of Mount Elgon represents an exciting alternative long day but an overnight stop in Moroto or Pian Upe Wildlife to longer and more strenuous climbs on East Africa’s higher Reserve is recommended. mountains. Elgon offers comparable attractions, including Afromontane botany, with a milder climate and lower elevation.

3 No special equipment or technical experience is required. OUTSIDE THE PARK A number of routes ascend, the summit of Mount Elgon. The Sasa Trail ascends to the 4321m Wagagai peak from the The 7km section of the Sipi Valley immediately outside the small town of Budadiri (1250m a.s.l.) in the Sironko Valley. The national park is improbably scenic as the river plunges over shortest and most direct option, it is possible to reach the three sets of basalt cliffs during its decent to the plains beneath. summit and descend to Budadiri in 3 or (more comfortably) 4 These have given rise to a cluster of tourist lodges and a variety days. The Sipi Trail follows a longer but gentler route, starting of activities. 800 higher than Budadiri at UWA’s Forest Exploration Centre at Mountain Biking Kapkwai (2050m). Mountain bike excursions range from casual exploration of A highlight of any ascent of Mount Elgon is the traverse through many lovely trails in the vicinity, to the challenging Elgon Enduro the distinctive vegetation zones found only on East Africa’s hosted by Sipi River Lodge. highest mountains. The lowest of these zones, between the Rock Climbing park boundary and the 2500m contour is montane forest. This Many of the basalt cliffs around Sipi have been bolted and can gives way to bamboo (2,500-3,000m) followed by groves of safely be climbed. Contact Sipi River Lodge or the Mountain Club giant heather (3000-3500m). Above 3500m, the mountainside of Uganda for details. opens into moorland dotted with outlandish forms of giant lobelias and groundsels. Fly Fishing Fisherman can cast a line for rainbow trout on the Sipi River FOREST WALKS between the park boundary and the highest of the three Trails of varying length explore the forest around the Forest waterfalls at Sipi. Again, contact Sipi River Lodge for details. Exploration Centre passing caves, waterfalls and viewpoints Coffee tour and providing the opportunity to observe birds - including Uganda’s finest coffee is produced from Arabica beans grown African goshawk, Chubb’s cisticola, white-chinned prinia and on Mount Elgon. Take a guided tour of a coffee garden to see African blue flycatcher – and primates. how the beans are grown and ground.

4 TrueKidepo African Valley wilderness National Park

Uganda’s most isolated park is found in the country’s distant north-eastern corner, close to Kenya and South Sudan in the farthest extremity of the remote, sparsely populated Karamoja region. One of East Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses, the Kidepo landscape is one of tremendous drama with grasslands roamed by big game favourites extending towards rugged mountains in all points of the compass. It is also an area of rich cultural interest for the plains around the park are dotted with the manyattas (homesteads) of Karamoja’s fiercely traditional pastoralists. An impressive variety of wildlife species survive in Kidepo’s harsh, semi-arid environment. Grassland, bush and forest habitats in the 1442km2 park support 86 mammal species and 475 bird species - a number second in Uganda only to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s 604 species. Kidepo is the only Ugandan refuge for cheetah, bat-eared fox, striped hyaena and caracal while eland and zebra only occur in Kidepo and Lake Mburo. Elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, lion, leopard, spotted hyaena and black backed and side- striped jackal are also present. A distinctive birdlist includes over 100 ‘dry country’ residents of northern Uganda and Kenya including a number that are endemic to the Kidepo region e.g. rose ringed parakeets, Clapperton’s francolin and Karamoja apalis. Other highlights include the ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustard, red-throated bee-eaters, the Abyssinian roller and the Abyssinian ground hornbill. Kidepo is also notable for 56 raptor species including the rare lappet-faced vulture, lesser kestrel and Denham’s bustard.

ACCESS By air By Road Charter and scheduled flights fly to Kidepo airstrip from Kajjansi A road trip to Kidepo is an exciting adventure with various road and/or Entebbe international airport. conditions so a sound 4WD vehicle is required. The quickest and ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS most popular route from runs via Gulu and Kitgum (571km). NARUS VALLEY GAME DRIVE If travelling via Kitgum, try to return to Kampala through the The southerly Narus Valley contains the park’s only permanent vast, undeveloped Karamoja region (661km) passing through water points and wildlife congregates in this area for much of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and close to Mount Elgon National the year. Look for buffalo and elephant in the swamps along the Park. valley floor, giraffe and eland on the drier slopes above and scan the rock outcrops for lions. 5 KIDEPO VALLEY DRIVE The dry Kidepo Valley is short on big game but massive on scenery. 30km north of the park’s tourism hub at Apoka, the road crosses the dry, sandy bed of the to enter an expansive plain lined to the east by the Morungule mountain range and to the north by the looming, 2975m-high Jebel Lotuke in South Sudan. Mammals are rare in this area but ostriches and secretary birds are often seen. NATURE WALKS Opportunities for guided walks range from short nature walks around Apoka Rest Camp to longer walks through the open grasslands of East Kakine, and a hike along part or all of the 15km Rionomoe Trail which follows the southern side of the Narus valley. The Morungule range, which rises from the plains to the north east of Apoka, can be explored on foot with a ranger guide escort. BIRD WATCHING Experienced ranger guides are available at Apoka to help locate and identify birdlife in the park’s various habitats. COMMUNITY WALKS Community walks outside the park provide the opportunity to learn about life in the local Karamojong manyattas (homesteads) at Kawalakol, Lorukul and Karenga.

6 AQueen medley Elizabeth of wonders National Park

Scenic and biodiverse, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is Uganda’s most popular protected area. Diverse ecosystems, including sprawling savanna, shady forests, sparkling lakes and lush wetlands, provide ideal habitats for classic big game, forest primates, and birds. These varied habitats support a wealth of wildlife with more mammal species (95) than any other Ugandan park and over 600 bird species - a phenomenal number for such a small area. Expect to see safari favourites such as elephants, buffaloes and hippos while the chances of finding lions on the plains of Kasenyi and Ishasha are good. An abundance of magnificent vistas include the jagged backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains; rolling hills pocked with extinct volcanic craters; open, rift valley grasslands at Kasenyi and Ishasha; the hippo-lined Kazinga Channel; and the Mitumbe mountains in Congo rising above the distant, western shore of QENP was initially named Kazinga National Park in 1952, but was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

ACCESS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS ROADS MWEYA PENINSULA AND THE KAZINGA CHANNEL Two routes run from Kampala to Mweya, the primary tourism QENP’s main tourism hub is found on Mweya Peninsula, 22km hub in QENP. The most scenic route passes through Fort Portal west of the Kasese-Mbarara Road. Mweya, which occupies an (410km) and offers detours to Kibale, Semuliki and Rwenzori elevated plateau overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Mountains national parks. The alternative (420km) runs through Edward, is the site of an upmarket lodge; budget UWA run Mbarara and Bushenyi and passes . accommodation; a marina for launch trips on the channel; and a QENP’s southerly Ishasha sector is directly on the main route to/ Visitor Information Centre. from from Buhoma, the main mountain gorilla tracking trailhead LAUNCH CRUISES in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which lies 62km south. Launch trips on the Kazinga Channel provide the most relaxing AIR way to view game in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 2-hour Charter flights can be arranged to airstrips at Kasese, Mweya and return voyage between Mweya and the channel’s entrance into Ishasha. Lake Edward cruises beside banks lined with resident hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds and visiting elephant, buffalo and antelopes. 7 GAME DRIVES (including the forest flycatcher, white-naped pigeon and the Kasenyi plains striking Rwenzori ) and visit the Bat Cave with its resident The open grasslands of Kasenyi provide QENP’s primary game bat-gorged python. viewing area, thanks to resident herds of Uganda kob and the BIRDING Birding activities overlap with the wildlife viewing lions that prey on them. The park’s experienced ranger guides locations described above. Highlights include easy sightings can usually locate lions but predator sightings can be guaranteed of resident and migratory waterbirds on the Kazinga Channel; by signing up for a tour with the Mweya-based Uganda Predator spectacular seasonal congregations of flamingoes on the Project which monitors the movement of lions, leopards and Kyambura and Katwe soda lakes; careful searches for rare and hyaenas fitted with radio collars. restricted range forest species in Maramagambo Forest; and Ishasha memorable shoebill sightings on the remote Lake Edward Flats QENP’s southernmost sector offers a classic game viewing in Ishasha. experience under vast rift valley skies. Expect to see buffaloes, hippos, elephants, topis and more besides. The chance of VOLCANIC EXPLOSION CRATERS sighting lions is particularly good in Ishasha; the local prides Crater Drive obligingly spend their days resting up in the branches of shady Dozens of volcanic craters pock the landscape north of Mweya fig trees. to remind us of the Albertine Rift’s violent tectonic history. The 27km Crater Drive between the Kabatoro and Crater gates follows FOREST WALKS a breathtaking route around the rims of extinct craters filled, Kyambura Gorge variously, with lakes, forest and grassland. The forest-filled Kyambura Gorge extends from the Kichwamba Katwe Salt Lake Escarpment to the Kazinga Channel. Enjoy the giddy viewpoint on The people of Katwe town, 12km from Mweya, have been the edge of the 100m-deep chasm before descending into the extracting salt from the saline Lake Katwe using evaporation pans depths to track chimpanzees with UWA guides. since the 14th century. Local guides will escort visitors down into Maramagambo Forest the crater to see the process. The adjacent Lake Munyanyange At the foot of the Kichwamba Escarpment, the shady is rich in waterbirds, including migrating lesser flamingo between Maramagambo Forest contrasts with the park’s open grasslands. August and November. Guided walks afford sightings of primates and rare birds

8 9 10 TheRwenzori Mystical Mountains Challenge National Park

Back in AD150, the geographer Ptolemy wrote of a snow-capped mountain range in the heart of Africa, which he claimed represented the source of the Nile and which he named Montes Lunae – the Mountains of the Moon. Seventeen centuries passed before the explorer Henry Stanley located such a mountain in western Uganda and established that, though is the primary source of the Nile, the great river is also supplied with equatorial meltwaters. Stanley mapped the range as ‘Rwenzori’, a local name that he recorded as meaning “rain maker” or “cloud-king.” In the years since Stanley’s 1888 visit, the Rwenzori has become established as one of Africa’s great mountaineering adventures, offering the chance to ascend snow peaks and walk on equatorial glaciers that represent the highest and most intriguing source of the Nile. The high Rwenzori consists of six distinct mountains, Stanley, Speke, Baker, Emin, Gessi and Savioa. Mt Stanley’s 5109m Margherita Peak, which stands on the Uganda-Congo border, is the third highest point in Africa. The Ugandan section of the mountain was gazetted as the 995 km² Rwenzori Mountains National Park in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The park is home to 18 mammal species, 217 bird species, 9 species of reptiles and 6 species of amphibians. Large mammals, including elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck, chimpanzee and leopard are present in the forest zone, but are rarely seen. Rwenzori is also home to 217 recorded bird species. ACCESS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the Uganda-Congo border MOUNTAIN TREKKING in western Uganda. The main trailheads are accessed from the tarmac Fort Portal-Kasese road. Kasese, is 375km from Kampala Three routes ascend to the high Rwenzori. Rwenzori Trekking via Fort Portal (which is 300km from Kampala) and 450km Services (RTS) operates the Kilembe Trail which enables nine- passing via Mbarara. The Kilembe Trailhead lies at the head of day expeditions to summit Mount Stanley and a shorter, six the Nyamwamba Valley, 15km west of Kasese. The Central Circuit day option to the more accessible, but equally scenic, Mt. Luigi Trailhead is located in the Mubuku Valley at Mihunga, 22km from da Savoia. The Nyakalengija-based Rwenzori Mountaineering the Fort Portal-Kasese road, 25km north of Kasese. For the Services runs the Central Circuit which reaches and returns from Bukurungu Trail, turn off the main road at Nyakigumba, midway Mount Stanley in seven days. The Bukurungu Trail ascends from between Kasese and Fort Portal, and drive for 6km to the trailhead Kitumba to Mount Gessi. The mountain is best climbed during at Katebwa. Air transport can also be arranged to Kasese from the drier months of January and June-July. Kampala’s or Entebbe International Airport. 11 Peak climbing The highest peaks on the Rwenzori’s six mountains can all be climbed. The most popular is the 5109m Margherita, the highest point on Mount Stanley and the roof of the Rwenzori. Be aware that summiting on Stanley, Speke, and Baker is a physically demanding activity, frequently in bad weather, and for which specialist equipment and technical experience is required. Age is no barrier however; the oldest person to reach the Margherita Peak was Ms Beryl Park, aged 78! An ascent of Mount Stanley requires a minimum of seven days on the mountain. Hiking The real appeal of the Rwenzori is the opportunity to hike through superb mountain scenery enlivened by equatorial snow and outlandish vegetation. With this in mind, shorter hikes are becoming increasingly popular. A detour on the Kilembe Trail reaches the 4627m Mt. Luigi da Savoia which offers afroalpine vegetation, patches of equatorial snow and, weather permitting, grandstand views towards Mount Stanley. Nyakalengija Trailhead offers a two-day hike to the scenic Lake Mahoma in the bamboo forest. The Kazingo Trail enables a day-long traverse of the north Rwenzori ridge between the Fort Portal plateau and Bundibugyo town in the Semliki Valley on the west side of the mountain. FOREST WALKS AND BIRDING The forest zone, which occupies the lower contours of the national park, can be visited as a day walk from the Kilembe and Nyakalengija trailheads. Conveniently for birders, the park’s birdlife is concentrated in this relatively accessible area. Species of interest include the Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, strange weaver, Rwenzori nightjar, Archer's robin-chat and red-throated alethe. Look out for other localized rarities such as the three horned chameleon and Rwenzori colobus monkey.

12 ASemuliki true birders’Haven National Park

The 220km2 Semuliki National Park and the nearby 545km2 Toro- lie on the floor of the Semliki Valley, the 160km-long part of the Albertine Rift Valley between lakes Edward and Albert. The valley, which is shared between Uganda and the Dem. Rep. Congo, contains wildlife from both Central and East Africa. Forest species from the Congo abound in the national park, while classic East African game is found in the wildlife reserve. The Semuliki forest boasts a remarkably rich biodiversity. This is partly because it is extremely old, being one a few patches of forest refugia that predate the arid millennia of the last Ice Age, 12-18,000 years ago. Secondly, it represents the eastern limit of the jungles of the Congo and species from the Congo- Guinea and East African biomes are both found here. The park contains 53 mammal species, including an impressive 11 primates. Dent’s mona monkey, the Central African red colobus, forest buffalo and the water chevrotain, occur nowhere else in East Africa. There also 435 bird species (43% of Uganda’s total), including numerous rift valley endemics and Congo species at the eastern limit of their range. If Semuliki’s species lists have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, the park contains evidence of even older processes: hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years. ACCESS ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES ROADS BIRDING Two major roads lead from Kampala to Fort Portal town, which is The alluring bird list with Albertine Rift endemics, ‘Semliki 60km from Semuliki. specials’ and other ‘restricted range’ specials, makes Semuliki Kampala - Fort Portal via Mubende is 290kms (4-5 hours) an essential destination for serious birders. The 6km public road Kampala - Fort Portal via Mbarara and Kasese is 465kms (7-8 between Sempaya and Ntandi provides clear views into the forest hrs). This route however offers worthwhile diversions to Lake canopy. The 14km Kirumia Trail, which runs through the heart of Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori the forest to the Semuliki River, provides the chance to check Mountains National Park. off plenty of ‘specials.’ Though day walks are possible, this trail is The drive from Fort Portal to Semliki follows the scenic Bwamba most rewarding as an overnight camping trip. Birding highlights Road and takes about an hour. include Albertine Rift Endemics such as the dwarf honey guide AIR and purple-breasted sunbirds; 35 Congo-Guinea biome species Chartered flights can land at an airstrip on Toro Semliki Wildlife found nowhere else in East Africa, including black dwarf hornbill, Reserve Nkulengu rail, Congo serpent eagle, Gabon woodpecker; and other species with very limited ranges such as white-tailed 13 hornbill, capuchin babbler, blue-headed crested flycatcher and the orange weaver. HOT SPRINGS Semuliki’s most famous attraction is the pair of hot springs – ‘male’ and ‘female’ – found near the park office at Sempaya. The female spring, Nyansimbi, which means ‘the female ancestors’, is a boiling geyser that spurts bubbling water and steam up to two metres high. Visitors can buy eggs locally to cook in boiling pools that surround the central spout. Nyansimbi is a short walk from the Sempaya park office. The male spring, known as Bintente, is an hour distant. A broad, steaming pool 12m in diameter, this is found in a large, swampy clearing enclosed by forest and with a striking Rwenzori backdrop. NATURE WALKS A number of short trails around Sempaya cater for nature lovers and birders. Nature and birding walks are available, as well as night hikes into the forest to seek nocturnal primates. Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve GAME DRIVES A small network of game tracks explores the grasslands of the Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. Forest and savannah elephants are both regularly seen along with buffalo, waterbuck, crocodile, warthog and Uganda kob. With luck you may see lion, leopard and bushbabies. PRIMATE/FOREST WALKS The 4-6 hour guided nature walks through the Mugiri River Forest provides the opportunity to find habituated chimpanzees and other primates plus a wealth of birdlife.

14 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park The ultimate gorilla experience

Uganda’s foremost tourist attraction, and indeed one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife encounters, is tracking mountain gorillas across the misty slopes of the remote Bwindi Impenetrable forest of south- western Uganda. These magnificent apes are both rare and endangered; their total population numbers less than 800 divided between the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and the nearby Virunga volcanoes. With fifteen groups habituated for tourism, the Impenetrable Forest is the world’s primary mountain gorilla tracking destination. Due to its great age – some 25,000 years - and an altitudinal range spanning 1400m 1,160m, Bwindi’s forests contain an exceptional variety of flora and fauna. Species counts list 310 butterflies, 88 moths, 200 trees, 51 reptiles and 120 types of mammal. The latter includes several primates, among them chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the mountain gorilla. Birdlife is also exceptionally rich with 357 species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as the short-tailed warbler, Shelley’s crimson wing, African green broadbill and the blue-headed sunbird, and seven IUCN Red Data List species. In order to safeguard this remarkable biodiversity, the 321km² Bwindi forest was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in 1994.

ROADS The main trailhead at Buhoma is about 460kms from Kampala winds through the highlands to Buhoma via Kihihi and Butogota. and can be reached by road from several directions. The main Ruhija trailhead is best accessed from the Kampala-Kisoro road, safari circuit approaches from the north through the Ishasha turning north from the surfaced highway 18km beyond Kabale sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), providing a town. The southerly Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be chance to search for the famous tree-climbing lions. BINP is reached using dirt roads leading west from Muko, midway on 160kms from Mweya in central QENP and 62kms from Ishasha. the surfaced Kabale -Kisoro road, and north from Kisoro town. The most direct route from Kampala follows a surfaced road Note: a 4x4 vehicle is recommended for a Bwindi visit. to Rukungiri via Mbarara and Ntungamo. A slow dirt road then

15 AIR Travellers can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro (for Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija) and to Savanna and Ishasha airstrips (for Buhoma). Prior transport arrangements for transfer to the park are required. TIES AND ATTRACTIONS MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING The highlight of a visit to Bwindi is a magical hour in the company of a family of mountain gorillas. Tracking the gorillas can last from a few hours to a whole day, depending on how far the group has moved since it was observed nesting up the previous evening. Bwindi has fifteen habituated gorilla groups that are tracked from trailheads at Buhoma in northwest Bwindi, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Contact time with the gorillas is restricted to one hour and participants must be aged 15 or over. BIRDING Bwindi’s four trailheads all offer excellent birding opportunities with the prospect of checking off forest rarities. The River Ivi Trail between Buhoma and Nkuringo is recommended, as is Buhoma’s forest-edge Munyaga River Trail. Ruhija’s Bamboo Trail, leading to the 2607m Rwamunyoni peak, and Mubwindi Swamp Trail are renowned for Albertine Rift endemics including the localized green broadbill. NATURE WALKS Though gorilla tracking is the main attraction, other walks provide more relaxed opportunities to explore one of Uganda’s loveliest rainforests. Forest trails lead to scenic waterfalls and ascend to viewpoints for breathtaking views of Bwindi forest, the Albertine Rift Valley and the Virunga volcanoes. COMMUNITY WALKS Community walks through forest edge villages provide insights into the lives of the local Batwa (Pygmy) and Bakiga peoples.

16 LakeWhispers Mb Of uro The NationalWild Park

A compact jewel of a park, Lake Mburo is ideally placed for an overnight break between Kampala and the protected areas of western Uganda. A mosaic of habitats includes rock outcrops, savanna, acacia woodland, bush, forest, swamp and lakes that support a wealth of wildlife including species that are rare or absent from other parks in Uganda. Birding is also rich with papyrus and acacia species being particularly well represented. Visitors need not limit themselves to a game drive; the park can also be explored using mountain bikes, by boat, on foot, and on horseback. Though Lake Mburo’s 370km2 area is small compared to many East African parks it contains an impressive diversity of wildlife with 69 mammal species and 332 bird species. A number of the park’s herbivores are rarely, if at all, found elsewhere in Uganda. Lake Mburo is the only park that contains impalas and the only one in western Uganda with zebra and eland. Topi are only found elsewhere in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The species list was expanded in 2015 when a number of Rothschild’s giraffe were relocated to Lake Mburo from Murchison Falls National Park. Leopards and hyenas are also present and, after years of absence, lions are once more sighted. Hippos and crocodiles live in the park’s five lakes, while the fringing swamps hide secretive wetland creatures such as the sitatunga antelope. The birdlist contains additional ‘swamp specials’ such as the papyrus gonelek, papyrus yellow warbler, white-winged warbler and shoebill.

ACCESS ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES Lake Mburo National Park lies between the towns of Masaka GAME VIEWING and Mbarara close to the main, south-westerly road that links Lake Mburo boat trip Kampala to Bwindi, Kabale and the Rwandan border. The 228km The eastern shores of Lake Mburo can be explored by boat, drive from Kampala takes 3.5 hours. The park can also be departing from a jetty at the lakeside campsite near Rwonyo reached from Kibale National Park, via Ibanda and Rushere, and Rest Camp. Watch out for crocodiles and hippopotamus during from Queen Elizabeth National Park, via Ishaka and Mbarara. the two-hour voyage. You can also sight a variety of birds Three gates enter the park. Kyanyanshara Gate, which lies close including pelicans, herons and fish eagle and perhaps the rare to the upmarket Mihingo Lodge, is 18km south of Akagate finfoot and shoebill. trading centre, which is 14km west of Lyantonde. The 9km dirt road leading to Nshara Gate turns south from the main road, Game drives 500m west of Akagate. The 13km dirt road to Sanga Gate leaves A network of game tracks explores the eastern hinterland of the main road at Sanga trading centre, 13km from Akagate and Lake Mburo, providing the chance to see a variety of savanna 27kms from Lyantonde. animals and birds. 17 Night drives Night drives with a ranger guide provide the chance to see nocturnal animals such as bushbabys, pottos and perhaps even a leopard. Salt Lick Walk Guided walks explore the park around Rwonyo, culminating in a visit to a natural salt lake where wildlife can be viewed from a timber observation platform. Forest Walk This small tract of forest on the western side of Lake Mburo is home to a variety of forest bird species. Rubanga can be explored with a ranger guide. Horseback safaris The grassy ridges in the eastern part of Lake Mburo can be explored on horseback. This activity is operated by Mihingo Lodge. Mountain biking Rwakobo Rock and Leopard Tail Rest Camp both operate mountain biking trips into the national park at Nshara Gate. VIEWPOINTS South of Rwonyo, the Lakeside Track climbs onto Kigarama Hill which provides a panoramic view of Lake Mburo. This lake and seven more can also be seen from the equally dramatic Kazuma Lookout which lies at the top of a rather steep track accessed from the Ruroko Track near the Kazuma/Research Track junction. BIRDING Prime areas for birding in Lake Mburo include the acacia woodland along the Acacia and Research tracks; the wooded shores of Lake Mburo as seen from the Rwonyo launch (ideal territory for the African finfoot) and the lake’s northern fringe of papyrus wetland. 18 PrimateKibale Capital National of the WorldPark

East of the Rwenzori mountain, the landscape is dotted with volcanic crater lakes and carpeted with tea plantations and tropical forest. The largest tract of forest is protected within the 795km2 Kibale National Park. Established as a forest reserve in the 1940s, Kibale was upgraded to national park status in recognition of a biodiversity that includes 350 tree species, 71 species of mammal and 370 bird species. The park is best known for its primates which include Uganda’s largest population of chimpanzees – an estimated 1450 -the localized red colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkey. Other large mammals, such as elephant, buffalo and giant forest hog are present but are rarely seen. The park’s birdlist includes six species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, namely black-capped apalis, collared apalis, blue-headed sunbird, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird and red-faced woodland warbler, Other‘ ‘Kibale specials’ include the African pitta, green breasted pitta, black bee eater, eastern nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, Kibale ground thrush, brown-breasted alethe, blue breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian ground-thrush and the . There are two tourism sites in Kibale NP. The main hub is at Kanyanchu, 35km southeast of Fort Portal on a newly tarmacked road leading to Kamwenge and Ibanda. A secondary site is found at Sebitoli, 16km east of Fort Portal on the Kampala road.

ACCESS ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS ROAD PRIMATE WALK (CHIMPANZEE TRACKING) The main tourism hub at Kanyanchu, on the newly tarmacked Fort The perennially popular primate walk provides the chance to Portal-Ibanda road, can be reached from Kampala by a number observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kanyanchu’s of routes, all on surfaced roads. The most direct (335km) is via groups are accustomed to human presence – some have been Fort Portal, 35km to the north. The park can also be reached from observed for over 25 years – and the chance of locating them is the south via Lyantonde and Ibanda (392km), Mbarara and Ibanda over 90%. (405km) and Mbarara, Kasese and Fort Portal (525km). CHIMPANZEE HABITUATION EXPERIENCE AIR The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) enables visitors Kibale National Park has access to two airstrips: Nyakisharara, to accompany researchers and habituators into the forest. The near Mbarara (100km on tarmac) and Kasese (60km on surfaced chimpanzee groups involved are less accustomed to human and dirt roads). presence than those visited on the Primate Walk and following and viewing them is both exciting and challenging. 19 Green Breasted Pitta NATURE WALKS A Nature Walk is an opportunity to enjoy one of East Africa’s most beautiful and varied forests without pressure to locate chimpanzees or tick off a dozen ‘Kibale specials’ on the birdlist. This is an ideal activity for young visitors unable to accompany relatives on the Primate Walk. NIGHT WALKS Enter the forest after dark to search for nocturnal creatures such as galagos, pottos and bushbabies. BIRDING Kibale’s 372 forest, grassland and swamp species, including local endemics and Central Africa ‘specials’ makes the park a popular birding destination. Forest birds can be sought, with the help of experienced UWA guides, on the forest trails at Kanyanchu and Sebitoli tourism sites. This experience should be combined with a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to add forest edge and swamp specials to the list. This popular, community-run attraction lies just outside the park, 5km south of Kanyanchu.

20 MgahingaWhere gold meets Gorilla silver National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers the Ugandan slopes of three of the Virunga volcanoes; Muhuvura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. Though small in size, just 33.7km², it adjoins Volcanoes NP in Rwanda and Virunga NP in Congo. Collectively, these three parks form the transboundary Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) which protects half of the world’s 780 mountain gorillas (the rest live in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park). Gorilla conservation on the Virungas dates back to 1925 when the Belgians gazetted the portion of the range in present day Congo and Rwanda as a national park. The British administration declared the Ugandan section as a game sanctuary in 1930. This was upgraded to national park status in 1991. Mgahinga Gorilla NP is home to 76 mammal species, including the endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkey. Other large mammals include elephant, buffalo, leopard and giant forest hog though these are rarely encountered in the dense forest. Though the park’s bird list currently stands at just 115 species, this includes many localized forest birds and Albertine Rift endemics, including the striking Rwenzori turaco.

ACCESS good birding and views of the park’s dramatic volcanic backdrop. Roads GORILLA TRACKING Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 524km from Kampala. A Following a trail of trampled and snapped vegetation across surfaced highway runs via Mbarara and Kabale to Kisoro. The the slopes of the Virungas to spend an hour in the company 80km road between Kabale and Kisoro is a winding drive of a family of mountain gorillas ranks among the world’s through mountainous terrain with steep ascents and descents. most sought after wildlife encounters. Contact time with Beyond Kisoro, a rough, 14km road with steep, rocky sections ascends to the park headquarters at Ntebeko. Mgahinga’s habituated gorilla group is restricted to one hour and participants must be aged 15 or over. Air Mgahinga can also be reached by daily flights from Entebbe GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING International Airport to Kisoro airfield. Mountain gorillas are not the only endangered primates on the Virungas. The volcanoes are the last stronghold of the golden ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES monkey which can be tracked through its bamboo habitat on NTEBEKO VISITOR CENTRE the slopes of Mt. Gahinga. As with gorillas, contact time with The Visitor Centre at Ntebeko is the trailhead for nature walks, this rare primate is limited to an hour. Visitors who sign up volcano climbs, and golden monkey and gorilla tracking. Exhibits for the habituation experience, however, can spend all day inside the building explore themes relating to the Virunga following this striking orange-coated monkey in the company environment. A trail along the adjacent drystone Buffalo Wall of researchers. (built to keep animals out of neighbouring farmland) provides 21 Where gold meets silver

VOLCANO CLIMBING Mgahinga Gorilla NP rises upwards to three of the Virunga’s six volcanic summits, all of which can be climbed in a day. Views from the peaks - into Rwanda and Congo, and towards the rift valley and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - more than justify the effort. The park’s highest peak is Muhavura. The ascent passes through montane forest, bamboo stands and heather groves, before encountering bizarre forms of giant lobelias and groundsels at the summit. The 4,127m summit, which is adorned by a crystal clear crater lake, 40m in diameter, commands panoramic views along the length of the Virunga chain. Mount Gahinga (3,474m) is the smallest of the Virunga volcanoes and its bamboo-covered slopes rise up to a lush, swamp-filled crater, about 180m wide. The jagged crown of Sabinyo bears several summits, the highest of which provides the rare privilege of standing 3,669m high whilst in 3 countries - Uganda, Rwanda and DRC - at once. BIRDING Keen birders can seek rare Albertine Rift endemics and other forest birds in a range of scenic locations that include the Sabinyo Gorge (prime habitat for the beautiful Rwenzori Turaco); the saddle between Mounts Gahinga and Sabinyo; and the Boundary Trail at Ntebeko, with its incomparable volcanic backdrop. THE BATWA TRAIL For generations, Mgahinga’s dense forests were home to the indigenous Batwa Pygmies, hunter-gatherers and warriors, who depended on the forest for shelter, food and medicine. Today, Batwa guides lead visitors through the lower slopes of the forests, introducing them to their old home and demonstrating the skills they used to survive in it. The highlight of the Batwa Trail is the descent into the Garama Cave for a subterranean performance of music and dance. 22 Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve was established as a game reserve in 1926 and was among the first protected areas to be gazetted. The main reason was to protect the large numbers of Uganda Kobs in the area. It covers an area of 542 km2. It is located in western Uganda, within Ntoroko and Kabarole districts.

Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve enjoys a dramatic rift valley setting between the Rwenzori, kijura escarpment and Lake Albert. The dominant vegetation type is the open acacia-combretum woodland and grassy savannah, interspersed with patches of borassus palm forest, significant belts of riparian woodland along the main water courses, as well as some extensive swamps towards Lake Albert. The reserve itself is topographically unremarkable, set at a relatively low altitude starting from around 700m above sea level, but on a clear day the setting is truly awesome, with the sheer rift valley escarpment rising sharply from the eastern shore of Lake Albert, the 2500m-high Congolese Blue mountains on the western horizon and the mighty glacial peaks of the Rwenzori visible to the south west.

LOCAL PEOPLE covering approximately 4 km2 has now been excised from the There are four communities living around the reserve. reserve and gazetted as a Wildlife Sanctuary to offer protection KARUGUTU-KYABANDARA COMMUNITY: of any wildlife that interface in this area. The Ntoroko community This community is situated in the south of the reserve, about depends mainly on fishing. 18 km from Fort Portal town. The area is mainly inhabited by the KASESENGE–KYAKABASEKE COMMUNITY: Bakonjo who are traditional cultivators. The most important crops This community is located on the eastern escarpment of the grown are maize, cassava, beans,soya beans, rice and bananas rift valley. The majority of them are the Bakiga migrants who some of which is sold in Rwebisengo and Ntoroko markets originally came to work in the tea estates in 1960s. During the RWEBISENGO COMMUNITY: good economic times, tea provided stable income. As the prices This community is located on the west and north western of tea deteriorated, they resorted to crop cultivation mainly beans, edge of the reserve in the Semliki Flats. The community mainly groundnuts, maize and bananas. comprises the Batuku (Batoro-Bahuma), who are predominantly GETTING TO THERE pastoralists. The Batuku are believed to be descendants of the Kampala Fort Portal via Mubende is 290 km and Kampala–Fort Abarusula who were the royal army of the king Kabalega of Portal via Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese is about 465 km. Follow Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom the route to Semuliki National Park from Fort Portal for the first NTOROKO FISHING COMMUNITY: 28 km before turning right at Karugutu trading centre. The reserve This community is situated at the south-eastern tip of Lake boundary is 3 km further on and the turn off to Semliki Safari Albert between the estuaries of Wasa and Muzizi rivers. The area, Lodge is 26 km further on just beyond the bridge over the river

23 wasa. Branch to the right 3km to the Lodge. Lake Albert is further COMMUNITY TOURISM on 25 km ahead at Ntoroko fishing village where UWA manages The Karugutu Community Conservation Association (KCCA) is a bandas, a campsite and a canteen. There is an air field managed community based association whose objective is conservation by UWA so visitors can charter planes and land at Semliki Safari education through Music Dance and Drama (MDD). They Lodge where the air field is situated organize traditional dances for the visitors and they have a shop for handcrafts at the entrance of the reserve which they sell to visitors. Members of the KCCA perform for visitors BOAT RIDE: This is conducted on Lake Albert and the main attractions are , African Pygmy Goose, Blue-breasted and Blue- Cheeked Bee-eaters and Blue-headed Coucal. HIKE TO NYABUROGO GORGE: This is an ideal walk for birders that starts right at the Reserve Head quarters. It is a 7 km hike that goes through a diversity of habitats including savanna, woodland and a forest in the gorge. Common birds sighted include: Arrow marked Babbler, Tropical Boubal, Black-headed Bushrike, Luhdrers Bushrike and primates including Black and White Colobus, Baboons, vervets and occasionary the Chimpanzees. WILDLIFE HABITATS The Toro Semliki plain is predominantly grassy savanna and acacia-combretum woodland echoeing Murchison Falls National Park at the northern end of Lake Albert. Stands of borassus palms,lake shore marshland and broad river valleys filled with beautiful galley forest all add variety. Lake Albert lies outside the reserve but can be visited for canoing and bird watching. WILDLIFE IN TORO SEMLIKI ACTIVITIES Toro semliki contains the same key species as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks; Elephant, Buffalo, Uganda PRIMATE WALK: Kob, Waterbuck, Warthog, Giant Forest Hog, Hippopotamus. This walk takes 3 to 4 hours and is conducted near Semliki Safari Primates include Chimpanzees, Baboons and Monkeys including Lodge where you will meet our experienced ranger guides. Key Vervet, Red-tailed and Black and White Colobus. Uniquely, the primate species on this walk include chimpanzees, Red-tailed, 200 strong Elephant population includes savanah and forest vervet, Black and white colobus monkeys, Baboons. Angulates Elephant plus a hybrid form from inter-breeding. Researchers encountered are Waterbucks, Warthogs, Bush bucks, Buffaloes, from the University of Indiana have been studying chimpanzees Uganda Kobs, and Elephants. in the reverine forest at Mugiri close to Semliki Safari Lodge. There are chances of encountering the chimpanzees when you GAME DRIVES: take a primate walk. There are three tracks across the savannah grassland of Toro The reserve boosts of 440 bird species including Red-necked Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Smaller forest and larger savannah falcon, Black-billed Barbet and the turkey like Abyssinian Ground- elephants are regularly seen, along with Buffalo, Waterbucks, hornbill. The Shoebill is usually sighted in the marshes of Lake Warthog, and Uganda Kob. With luck, you may even see leopard Albert. and elusive Bushbabies. Game drives in the wildlife reserve are done in the morning, afternoon, and at night. After dark, visitors ACCOMMODATION may come across curious nocturnal species such as the white There is a campsite and budget bandas run by UWA on the shores tailed mongoose. of Lake Albert at Ntoroko, these have to be booked in advance. Meals are prepared at the canteen at the campsite. NATURE WALK: Another campsite is at the reserve headquarters in Karugutu. This takes 3 hours and it goes through a variety of habitats ranging Semliki Safari Lodge run by a private concessionaire The Uganda from savannah woodland to riverine forest. Species encountered Safari Company offers upmarket tented camp. on this walk include; Ground Hornbills, Warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Ntoroko Game Lodge offers luxury tented camps and a campsite baboons, Black and White Colobus and Vervet Monkeys. at Ntoroko Landing site.

24 UGANDA FACTS ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS TOPOGRAPHY 111 districts across four administrative regions Central Uganda is covered by a plateau around 1000-1200m above sea level. Scenery is most dramatic along the western AREA and eastern borders. The Western Rift Valley runs from north 93,065km2 (land: 76,101 sq km; water 16,965km2) to south along the Uganda-Congo border. Uganda’s highest BORDERS point, the 5110m Mount Rwenzori, is found in this area. The Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and eastern (Kenyan) frontier is lined by the 4321m Mount Elgon South Sudan and other volcanic mountains. BANKING HOURS HYDROLOGY Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 6.00 pm; Sat 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Uganda is a landlocked country with numerous freshwater lakes, notably Lake Victoria which covers much of the south BUSINESS HOURS eastern part of the country, Lake Kyoya, which lies in the middle Mon to Fri 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. of the central plateau, and two , Albert and CAPITAL Edward, in the west. Kampala. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLIMATE 1st January New Year’s Day Tropical. Rainy seasons, March to May, and September to 26th January Liberation Day November. Dry seasons, December to February and mid 16th February Luwum Day June to mid August. Mean annual temperatures range 8th March International Womens Day from about 16°C (61°F) in the southwestern highlands Easter Days Good Friday, Easter Monday to 25°C (77°F) in the northwest. In the northeast, 1st May Labour Day temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F) about 254 days per 3rd June Martyrs’ Day year. 9th June National Heroes’ Day 30th August Eid al-Fitr/End of Ramadan CURRENCY 9th October Independence Day Uganda Shilling (Ush). U$1 = Ush3650 (March 2018) 6th November Eid al-Adha/ Feast of the Sacrifice ELEVATIONS 25th December Christmas Day Highest point Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley at 5,110 26th December Boxing Day metres. ELECTRICITY 240 volts AC 50 Hz. Three prong square-pin plugs mostly used. HISTORY Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, maintaining its Commonwealth membership. INDUSTRIES Cotton, coffee, tea, sugar, tobacco and textiles. LANGUAGES The official language is English, although many local languages are also spoken. POPULATION 42 million (2018 estimate) INTERNATIONAL DIALLING CODE +256 TIME GMT +3. RELIGIONS Christian 84 per cent, Muslim 14 per cent, other 1.6 per cent, none 0.2 per cent. 25 PHOTO CREDITS Musiime P. Muramura of UWA : Front cover, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14 Sherry Mckelvie: 7 Matthias Mugisha: 10, 11, 15 Nogogo Chimpanzee Project: 20 Robert Brierley of Photoafrica: Back inner cover Sebastian Ahlqvist: Back inner cover Andrew Roberts, www.ugandamaps.co.ug: Map of Uganda:

26 UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY Plot 7 Kira Road, P.O.Box 3530, Kampala, Uganda

  @ugandawildlife  ugandawildlifeauthority  [email protected]  +256 414 355 000

27