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Showing posts from January, 2015

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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For all along the mountain biking adventure has been cherished among the thrilling tourist activities that travellers normally engage in while on their tours. The encounter has grown overtime and other destinations have discovered the need to tap into the rising niche and some of these are in Uganda where biking trails have been set up for travellers on Uganda safaris and tours to have a memorable encounter. This comes at a time when the tourism industry is aiming at diversifying the products that can lure the Uganda safari tour undertakers spend more time in Uganda. Considering the well-structured landscapes of Uganda full of undulating hills, rolling plains, deep valleys, raised mountains, plateaus among other landscapes; the mountain biking encounter can be conducted with ease for travellers on safaris and tours in Uganda to have a product of their wish. Apparently, Mountain biking is well developed in the eastern side of Uganda on the foothills of Mount Elgon - the

VISITING MABIRA FOREST RESERVE – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Covering an area of 306km’s, Mabira Forest Reserve is one of the interesting Uganda safari tour attractions that should be encountered by travellers in Uganda. Positioned along Kampala- Jinja road by branching off at Najjembe trading center, the Mabira Forest Reserve has presented its self as an ideal stop en route to the adventure destination of Jinja where most travellers tend to go while on Uganda safaris and tours . With its counts of 312 species of trees including the endangered species like Warbhugia, Cordia, Mililia Exclesa, and Millenii with medicinal component to cure close to forty ailments along with vulnerable Prunus Africana that cures prostate cancer and known for boasting Human’s Immune system, Mabira Forest presents perfect eco-tours at a close range with the capital city  Kampala. The forest is also a habitat for 315 species of birds including; the Red Headed Blue Bill, the Shining Blue Kingfisher and the Blue headed Crested Monarc, Seed Cracker, Franco

MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK; A SECOND REFUGIUM FOR MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park placed at the extreme end of the south west of Uganda in the district of Kisoro, is one of the famous Uganda safari tour destinations that have made their way to the must visit micro destinations in Uganda. Forming the Ugandan section of the Virunga massif incorporating the ranges of Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the second refigium of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas that only thrive in Bwindi and Virunga massif in the whole world making the region a hot spot for gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda and Rwanda . Stretching over 38km2 of raised landscape, Mgahinga continue to form the border with the countries of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo adjoining the parks of Virunga and Volcanoes which are also haven s for gorilla trekking encounters in their respective countries. The fertile volcanic soils that mark the slopes of the towering volcanoes have facilitated the g

THE BEAUTY OF THE ALBERTINE RIFT – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Stretching from Red sea to the northern lands of Malawi, the great East African Rift Valley is one of those geographical wonders that have ever shaped the continental lands of Africa. The western arm of this East African rift valley commonly referred to as the Albertine rift deriving its name from the long stretching Lake Albert that mark the northern tip of this natural feature, is a great landscape that has inspired a range of world travelers to undertake safari tours to Uganda in the process of encountering it. Stretching from the north western part of Uganda running to the south with the Uganda boarder stopping within Mgahinga National Park that protect the landscapes of the three Virunga volcanoes namely Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura, the Albertine rift has for long become a center of researchers and leisure Uganda safari tour undertakes. The beauty of the Albertine rift cannot be gauged on a single feature as there are wide range of features that make it a must

WHEN IS IT IDEAL FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA AND RWANDA? – GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

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Despite the fact that gorilla trekking encounters in both Uganda and Rwanda can be done all year round, the seasonal changes especially in terms of rainfall tend to create favorable times where the majority world travellers prefer visiting these gorilla destinations on their gorilla trekking safaris . The Months of June to September and December to February are profoundly liked by various Uganda gorilla safari undertakers. The rain which are experienced in the months of March to May and from late September to November present challenging conditions for gorilla trekkers as the hilly landscapes which they are meant to hike become slippery and traversing the dense jungle like the impenetrable forest of Bwindi becomes intensely difficult considering the rate of vegetation growth and down pours that accompany the trekkers during the activity whose duration is not certain but estimated between 2 – 8 hours. However, it should be noted that being tropical Africa, despite the do

ENCOUNTERING NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA – RWANDA SAFARIS NEWS

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Nyungwe forest is made up of a variety of habitats including montane forests, bamboos, grasslands, and swamps that are always traversed by travellers on Rwanda safaris and tours . This is a home to 13 primate species such as endangered Golden monkeys, Chimpanzees, Blue Monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkey and grey checked mangabeys which form the ground for existence of various safaris including chimpanzee trekking safaris and tours in Rwanda . There are also about 300 bird species which offer birders’ on Rwanda safari tours a memorable experience. Regardless of primate populations, Nyungwe National Park also has the flagship activity that has been termed as the famous Nyungwe canopy walk. This walk has positioned itself as the first of its nature in East Africa and the third on the continent of Africa which has in turn aroused the interest of world travellers to plan safari and tours to Rwanda to have such an amazing encounter. Besides primate

BIRD WATCHING EXPERIENCE IN UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda, a tiny land locked country is Africa’s most complete bird watching destination supporting more than 1000 bird species which inspire various world birders to undertake birding safari tours to Uganda . Uganda which is the same size as Great Britain can be dubbed as the ‘birder’s Eden’. Specialists  in  birding safaris and tours in Uganda in the western region routinely notch up an incredible tally of 400 species in a two weeks’ period while the starters can come up with 300 species with in the same time. Uganda ‘s prime attraction is the presence of more than 100 west African forest species and therefore a short trip here to soak up the bizarre and mind blowing shoebill is an incredibly rewarding. Bird watching in Uganda is throughout the country but the most key sites that are always encountered by birders on Uganda safaris and tours include; the Semliki National Park which is Uganda’s extension of the Congo’s Ituri rainforest and special interest to ornithologist

ENCOUNTERING SIR SAMUEL BAKER TRAIL – UGANDA SAFARIS NEWS

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Uganda has for long been a land of wonder dating back to the ancient whose great interest was sparked off by the historical Nile River that flowed the continental lands of Africa including the dry lands of Sahara supporting millions and millions of people and livestock making its source a question of the time prompting the great explorers of the time to undertake safari tours to Uganda in search of it. Sir Samuel Baker was among those that set out to find the source of the mighty Nile River that has proved to be longest river in the whole world that is always encountered by travellers while on safaris and tours in Uganda . With his wife Florence Baker, Sir Samuel Baker resolved to grasp the source of the Nile from the North i.e. from its month in Mediterranean Sea following it down stream. Their historical trail still stands in hearts of living explorers and historians and in the world book of records. The 805km about 500 miles across the mountain plateaus and deser

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY AWARDED MRS. RUTH KEESLING WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE OF SCIENCE –GORILLA SAFARIS NEWS

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Makerere University in its batch of 65th graduation ceremony that started on 21st January 2015 incorporated the honoring of one the world’s re-known mountain gorilla conservationist and philanthropist Mrs. Ruth Keesling with a honorary doctor of science for the great work in the world on conservation especially the Uganda’s mountain gorillas that have formed the rich ground for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda . Mrs. Keesling at 84 years of age is credited for having dedicated her efforts for over 30 years including time and finances for the cause of mountain gorilla conservation and enhance the lasting legacy of the world’ re-known mountain gorilla conservationists Dian Fossey. Keesling’s works are exhibited in the recovery of the populations of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas that are highly sought by travellers on Uganda gorilla safaris and tours from about 248 to the current 880 of which a half of these thrive in Uganda. The accreditation an

TRANSNATIONAL HELP SOUGHT BY UGANDA IN A BID TO RECOVER THE STOLEN IVORY – UGANDA SAFARIS NEWS

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Elephants are among the big five of the land animals that are normally sought by travellers on safaris and tours in Uganda . They thrive in broad expanses of savannah vegetation and forested landscapes of western Uganda as savannah and forest elephants respectively. The killing of elephants for their ivory is one of the tragic things that have characterized Uganda for years and ivory trade has been a major cause of this anti conversational endeavor that would eventually lead to extinction of these Uganda safari tour products. Of recent, the nation was hit by terrible news of the missing ivory that had been stolen from the Uganda Wildlife Authority strong room close to 1335 Kg something that resulted into suspension of five Uganda Wildlife Authority officials including the executive director Dr. Andrew Seguya calling for the responsible security organs to embark on the investigations to ascertain the root of the problem. Now several months down the road, the government

THE UNITED STATES SUPER MODEL MARLINA MORENO IS WITHIN UGANDA TO EXPLORE ITS TOURISM POTENTIAL – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda is a diverse tourism destination and has continued to draw increasing number of world travellers to undertake safari tours to Uganda. Considering its a wide range of attractions and activities that range from the snowcapped Rwenzori mountains – the hub of mountain trekking adventure in Uganda, the endangered mountain gorillas that form the ground for gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda , wild game including the Big five of land animals which form the ground for wildlife safari tours in Uganda among other attractions, Uganda qualifies as a great destination for world travellers. The United States Super Model Marlina Moreno is with in Uganda dubbed the pearl of Africa to explore its tourism potential. This American star is a celebrity who is known for perfect models that are fancied by multinational organizations including Samsung, NIKE, Virgin Atlantic, Siemens and Canon. She is also a TV host and formerly a National Football League Cheerleader. Her fame is

FLY – SAX AIRLINE LAUNCHES INTO UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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The Fly-Sax Airline with its CRJ Plane that carries 50 passengers including Uganda safari tours undertakes launches flights to and from Entebbe International Airport. The Entebbe International Airport space has been a fancy of many airline carriers most of which are foreign which is in turn help Uganda to connect to outside world. The Fly – Sax is a private carrier which has resolved to launch flights from Nairobi and Mombasa to Entebbe two times every day. This will greatly facilitate travelers that would wish to connect to Uganda to undertake Uganda safaris and tours . The growing demand for low cost carriers in the region with safe and efficient travel especially between Uganda and Kenya has motivated the Fly – Sax carrier to launch this initiative according to Don Smith Founder & CEO of Fly Sax. With the promotion of East Africa as single tourist destination, such low cost carriers will facilitate the easy transfer within the individual destinations. The trave

THE TOURISM BEAUTY QUEENS WELCOMED IN STYLE FROM ABROAD – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda is not only gifted by nature but also a range of beautiful and hospitable people  that has made it a unique destination with in the region for travellers in Uganda safaris and tours . In fact, people have always remarked that they come here wanting to see mountain gorillas and leave talking about people. It is from these people that the country choose the beauty angels to represent the tourism sector and among these include; the Patricia Babirye Ntale, Roberta Jean-Marie Magoba, Aisha Nagudi and Florence Namwase who went ahead to represent Uganda at Miss Tourism International in Malaysia, Miss Tourism World in Caracas, Venezuela, Miss Heritage International in Nepal, and Miss Heritage World in Johannesburg, South Africa with the aim of show casing Uganda and invigorate world travellers to undertake safari tours to Uganda . Though the beauty Queens did not make it to the top, there was a reason to welcome them back in awe. At Ranchers Bar in Kololo, the Ugandans

A REVIEW OF 2014 RWANDA’S AVIATION INDUSTRY; MILESTONES AND CHALLENGES – RWANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Rwanda is one of the prime tourist destinations in the region considering its rich diversity of attractions and activities that range from cultural and heritage tours to gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Rwanda , Chimpanzee trekking safari and tours not forgetting wildlife safari tours in Rwanda. The country’s varied protected areas that are distributed across the country including the Akagera National Park in the east, Volcanoes National Park in the North West and Nyungwe National Park in the south west combine to satisfy the interests of travellers on Rwanda safaris and tours . The Aviation industry is a foundation to Rwanda’s tourism industry. Rwanda is gifted to have one of the successful national carriers in the region – the Rwanda Air. The national carrier has helped to promote Rwanda’s brand worldwide and has facilitated easy transfer of travellers interests  in Rwanda safari tours. Taking account of what transpired in the Rwanda’s aviation sector in the yea

FIRST UGANDAN AVIATION EXPO HOSTED IN JINJA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Aviation is one of the prime components of the tourism industry as it facilitates tourists to travel form distant regions to their destinations for safari tours including safari tours to Uganda . Countries like Uganda that are land locked would heavily depend on Air travel to connect to the overseas world as they are deprived of sea connections. It is thus significant to note that Uganda will have the first ever aviation expo that is directed at interesting young people to develop interest in exploring the careers and opportunities in Aviation which is regarded as an important economy segment. The event which has been termed the Uganda Aviation Expo will stretch from January 15th – 19th at the Kimaka Airfield assisting the public to explore new trends, air crafts, and market developments and acquiring aviation memorabilia. The travellers of Uganda safaris and tours can also attend the event to explore the Uganda’s aviation industry. The head of the Vine Air Mr. Katende

THE FOREIGN RESIDENTS IN UGANDA, RWANDA AND KENYA VISA FEES HAVE BEEN WAIVED – UGANDA TOURISM NEWS

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The three countries under the Northern corridor Integration umbrella have waived off the Visa fees for the foreign residents in these states to freely undertake safaris in different destinations without hassle including safari tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya resolved that these people should stop paying the $100 fee for the Single Tourism Visa for East Africa which is always valid for 90 days starting the 15th date of December last year. This is seen as a perfect move to enable these travellers to explore the range of attractions and activities in these countries including gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda and Rwanda, Wildlife safari tours in Uganda and Kenya, cultural and heritage encounters in Uganda and Rwanda among others depending on their interests. The move is intended at reaching out to the world as a unified destination with diverse experiences. This will be followed by joint marketing efforts like joint road shows and attempt

UGANDA STILL COUNTS AMONG THE TOP 10 DESTINATIONS – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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In 2012, the famous lonely planet ranked Uganda as the number one tourism destination for the year which aroused a lot of interest among world travellers about Uganda and a cross section of them opted to undertake safaris and tours in Uganda . Two years have elapsed and despite various destinations emerging and creating a new image that would be more attractive to the world, Uganda is still counting among the top 10 tourist destinations. According to the Bloom Consulting which is based in Madrid Spain, Uganda is ranked as number 8 for the 2014/2015 travel rankings something that still hails Uganda’s potential as a great destination for travellers that have interest in Uganda safaris and tours . Such position is amazing considering her landlocked position unlike other countries that have got coastal advantage. The Uganda’s advantage like other East African countries lies in natural wonders and safaris. The study also features the branding of the country and her availab

THE AMERICAN MODEL SET TO PROMOTE UGANDA’S TOURISM – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda is by no means an ordinary destination considering its range of attractions and tourist activities which are featured in different safari packages like mountain gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda , wildlife safari tour, chimpanzee trekking safaris and tours and cultural tours in Uganda. However, it should be noted that continuous marketing efforts are needed to fully exploit this potential and enhance the destination image. In this, Marlina Moreno - the American super model is anticipated to undertake a safari tour to Uganda with a group of high profile Americans to trek the 5,109m Margarita peak on the mystical legendary mountains of the moon – the Ruwenzori on 17th Jan, 2015. The Los Angeles based super model, Marlina Moreno is also a TV host and former cheerleader of the National Football League alongside modeling for other companies like NIKE, Canon, Samsung, Siemens and Virgin Atlantic. Therefore her safari tour in Uganda is by means not ordinary.

RUBAGA CATHEDRAL – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Also known as Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral is the main center of the Catholic Church in Uganda and has got a rich heritage and architectural design that makes it worth encountering while on Uganda safari tour . Situated in the west of Kampala , Rubaga cathedral is within Rubaga division 3km from the Kampala city center and lies along the coordinates of 0°18’09.0″N, 32°33’08.0″E. Thus, the site can be visited by travellers on safari in Uganda as they transfer to south western Uganda destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park known for wildlife safaris and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park known for gorilla trekking safaris . The Kabaka Muteesa I the King of Buganda who ruled from 1856 – 1884 abandoned the hill after his palace had been consumed by fire. The land was later to be given freely to catholic missionaries by his son and successor Kabaka Mwanga II in 1889 and by 1914, the catholic missionaries had begun construction which came to an end in

KONTIK HOTEL; A GOOD STOP OVER ACCOMMODATION IN HOIMA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda being a vast country with her tourist attractions spread all over the country, it sometimes poses long transfer distances for Uganda safari undertakers to connect from one destination to another. A case in point is Murchison Falls National Park which is in the North West and Kibale National Park in the west with 441km in between taking approximately nine (9) hours’ drive to connect between the two. This kind of setting requires travellers on safaris in Uganda to have stop overs en route in order to avoid exhaustion on their leisure holidays. That’s why Kontiki Hotel in Hoima has positioned its self to serve this purpose for the comfort of travellers on Uganda safaris and tours . Situated at 2km distance from the Hoima town center, Kontiki Hotel is a calm and cozy accommodation establishment that has got a partial setting similar to other Uganda safari lodges in protected areas which enables the guests to maintain the touch of wilderness. Offering its accommod

MABIRA RAIN FOREST; A VIRGIN UGANDA SAFARI DESTINATION – UGANDA SAFARIS NEWS

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Mabira forest is a mature tropical rain forest that lies along Jinja road with great biodiversity concentration that is usually encountered on Uganda safaris and tours . Stretching to 30,600ha in the districts of Buikwe and Jinja with an altitudinal level of 1,070 – 1,340m above sea level, Mabira rain forest is one of the closest Uganda safari destinations to Kampala which is the country’s capital. The Mabira Rain forest is 60km from Kampala and has got verdant bio-diversity concentration thus offering a perfect escape for both domestic and international travellers on safari tours in Uganda . The forest gets about 62% of the forest reserves’ visiting tourists in Uganda and the trend is increasing. It is also a great water catchment for Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga and River through River Sezibwa and Musamya. Mabira is a unique forest of its size, richness and quality in central Uganda. Mabira has got 315 bird species with 74 of the 144 Guinea-Congo biome species that oc

THE EQUATOR AT KAYABWE; A PERFECT STOP FOR UGANDA SAFARI UNDERTAKERS – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Uganda is indeed gifted by nature as her marketing slogan goes. One may wonder that after having the half of the endangered mountain gorillas that form the basis for gorilla trekking safaris , the amazing wildlife including the Big five that form the ground for wildlife safaris, great counts of common chimpanzees that form the ground for chimpanzee trekking safaris , wide range of cultures in the whole of Africa, great mountains, rift valley and gigantic lakes that form great scenic viewing tours, Uganda goes ahead to have the world’s main latitude – the Equator which divides the world into two parts. At Kayabwe 72km from Kampala along Masaka road, Uganda safari undertakers have chances of encountering the equator crossing. They have the opportunity of engaging themselves in educational geographical experiments where water is used to demonstrate the geographical divide between the south and northern hemispheres. Besides the water experiments, the site has got two cemen

THE PRIMATES OF KIBALE NATIONAL PARK – UGANDA SAFARIS NEWS

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Dubbed the primate capital of the world, Kibale National Park which is usually encountered on Uganda safaris and tours has got great concentrations of primates in the whole of Africa. Positioned in the west of Uganda, Kibale National Park is 358km about 7 hours of drive from Kampala, the country’s capital. It stretches over 795km2 of land surface most of which is forested land scape. A range of thirteen (13) primate species thrive in Kibale National Park including; the common chimpanzees that have been habituated to form the ground for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda . Besides Chimpanzees, Kibale has got other primate species with roots of Central African monkey and these include; Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae), the L'Hoest's monkey and the Ugandan red colobus (Procolobus tephrosceles) which are also highly sought for by primate travellers on safaris in Uganda . Kibale Forest National Park is also a habitat for other primate species including; the blac

UGANDA MUSEUM; THE CUSTODY OF UGANDA’S HERITAGE – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Established in 1908, the Uganda National museum is the custody of Uganda’s past. It is such a thrilling building that houses a range of artifacts that were collected from different parts of the country overtime making it worthy of encountering while on Uganda safari tours . The Uganda National Museum is positioned along Kiira Road, Kamwokya and forms one the must-visit attractions in Kampala city for travelers undertaking safaris in Uganda . The Museum contains a collection of ethnographic items that feature the traditional and natural-historic life of the native Ugandans along with various developments that the country has gone through up to this far. The music instruments that can be freely played, hunting equipment, entomology, archaeology and weaponry also exist in the museum. Uganda Museum boasts of being the oldest museum in Eat Africa and its creation dates back in 1902 when George Wilkerson called for objects of interest to establish a museum and was official

THE LEGEND BEHIND THE NAMING OF LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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One would wonder about the nomenclature of Lake Mburo National Park which is known for the populations of Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, buffaloes, elands, topis among other wildlife that are encountered in Uganda wildlife safaris along with impressive savannah landscapes marked acacia woodland with protruding ancient Precambrian rocks which combine to make Lake Mburo National Park among the desired sites to encounter by travellers on safaris in Uganda . The naming of Lake Mburo like most of the African areas has got a legendary connotation. Initially, the two brothers, Mburo and Kigarama lived in the low-lying savanna plains that mark the area which is traditionally referred to as Kaaro Karungi – the beautiful land where the counts of the Bahima pastoralists and the King of Ankole converged to graze their magnificent long horned cattle that were bestowed to them by their godlike ancestors – the Chwezi centuries and centuries ago. One night Kigarama, one of the brothers drea

ENCOUNTERING THE TREE CLIMBING LIONS OF ISHASHA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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Dubbed the King of the Jungle, it is one of those memorable life moments to encounter a lion hanging on a tree branch like a monkey but since surprises never cease to happen, Uganda safaris opens your door to this world of amazement. Thriving in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national Park famously known as Ishasha, the tree climbing lions are unique species that only exist in Uganda and Tanzania’s Lake Manyara in the whole world. The Ishasha section which is also endowed with great counts of other wild game including; elephants, buffalos, Kobs among others normally encountered on wildlife safaris in Uganda thriving across the rolling savannah combretum, has got amounts of short fig trees that are scattered all over the section facilitating the climbing of lions which in turn generates remarkable memories by travellers on Uganda safari tours . The cause behind the climbing of lions is not yet clear and various arguments range from escaping the hot ground con

THE GLACIERS OF MOUNT RWENZORI – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

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The Mountains of the moon (Lunae Montes) as described by the Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150AD stand in the west of Uganda marking the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo form one of the epitome attractions that are always visited by travellers on Uganda safaris and tours . The Rwenzori Mountains besides being the third highest mountains in Africa towering to 5,109m above sea level, they are also the highest mountain range in Africa since Mountains; Kilimanjaro and Kenya are stand-alone features. The Rwenzori Mountains have got amazing and unique feature about them. Despite their closeness to the world’s main latitude – the Equator meaning that it close to the sun, the mountains have got dense ice sheets that have for long formed the reservoir for the prominent glaciers which have always left Uganda safari undertakers in a state of wonder. Strolling down the slopes of Rwenzori Mountains marked by world impressive flora that qualified it as a world heritage sit