Elephants are among the
big fi ve animals at Kidepo Valley National Park
Most of the Uganda’swildlife is concentrated in its protected areas, writes Hope Sande.
Uganda
is a tourist destination arising out of variety of its game stock and scenic
beauty. It is a country with substantial natural resources for tourism with
variety of landscape and ecosystems, climate and culture.
According
to a report released in December 2009, the Uganda Tourism Board, with the
assistance of the European Union, identified several tourism products that can
attract tourists in Uganda.
These
include bird-watching, sport fishing, boating, primate tracking (gorillas and
chimps), trekking, mountaineering and water rafting. However, most of Uganda’s
wildlife is concentrated in its protected areas in three main categories,
national parks, wildlife reserves and forest reserves. Some of the main tourism
attractions include;
This
is the largest National Park in Uganda – covering 3,877 sq.km. It is located in
Masindi district in north western Uganda spreading inland from the shores ofLake Albert around the Victoria Nile. It is sometimes referred to as Kabalega National Park.
Grey
crowned cranes are common at Murchison Falls National Park
At the Murchison Falls, the
River Nile plunges through a narrow crevice and over a 40-metre drop. In the
eastern sector of the park, before the Murchison Falls, are the Karuma Falls, where
the Nile cascades over a breath-taking 23 km of rapids, creating some of the
most exciting white-water rafting opportunities in Africa.
A cruise upstream the Nile to
the falls is an unforgettable experience. On the banks, prolific wildlife
including elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamus, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and
countless antelopes and birds, can be observed.
The Park has been designated a
Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO auspices. The park, in the western arm
of the Great East African Rift Valley, covers 2,056 sq. km and includes a
remarkable variety of ecosystems, from semi-deciduous tropical forest to green
meadows, savannah and swamps.
It is the home of the famous
tree-climbing lion as well as the Uganda Kob, other antelope species,
elephants, baboons, hippos, buffaloes and chimpanzees. Over 500 species of
birds have been recorded, making the park a magnet for bird watchers.
The bird species include the
black bee-eater, 11 types of king fi sher, Shoebill storks and several species
of falcons, eagles and other raptors. In the crater lakes to the north, flocks
of flamingos can be found. A favourite way to view the game is by launch trip
on the Kazinga Channel between Lakes George and Edward.
Located in south western
Uganda, the park, with its dense ground cover of vines and shrubs, is home to
the world famous mountain gorillas, of which they are less than 600 still left
in the entire world. Gorilla permits are required for tracking the gorillas and
it is, therefore, advisable to make reservations at least three months in
advance.
Bwindi is one of the richest
areas for flora in Eastern Africa. The forest is also sanctuary for Columbus
monkeys, chimpanzees and many bird types including some endangered species.
This is yet another haven for
the persecuted mountain gorilla. Located on the slopes of the Virunga
Mountains, in the extreme southwest corner of Uganda, the park has been set
aside to provide a secure habitat for the gorillas.
However, besides the gorillas,
other wildlife may also be viewed including the leopard, giant forest hog,
bushbuck, buffalo, and golden monkey.
The rainforest is situated to
the north east of Queen Elizabeth National Park. In addition to forest, there
are also areas of grassland and swamp. The park is noted for its primate
population – 13 different species inhabit the park including many families of
chimpanzees and several types of columbus monkeys. Bushbucks, waterbucks,
duiker and giant forest hog may also be seen. The forests and the grasslands
support abundant bird life – almost 300 species have been identifi ed and 144
types of butterfly
A man
admires beautiful scenery from the top of Nyero rock in Ngora district.
The Park is located in north
east of Uganda and covers 1,436 sq. km. It is inhabited by various wildlife
including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, various antelope
species, baboon, bush baby and over 200 species of bird.
Two game viewing routes connect
the rest camp with the prime wildlife areas near the Win wing River and the
rock escarpment to the southwest. On the park’s northern borders are the
Kananorok hot springs.
Other
scenic attractions
This is an extinct volcano
located on Uganda’s eastern border. The mountain boasts numerous interesting
features including gorges, ancient caves, water falls and hot springs. Birdlife
is abundant on the mountain although various wildlife may also be encountered.
The mist-shrouded peaks of the
Mountains of the Moon provide a stunning backdrop to this magnifi cent park,
located
on Uganda’s western border. In the centre of the range, some of the peaks are permanently covered in snow and glaciers,
while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests.
on Uganda’s western border. In the centre of the range, some of the peaks are permanently covered in snow and glaciers,
while the lower slopes are covered with dense forests.
Some of the wildlife to be
found in the mountains include the chimpanzees, along with the blue monkey,
hyrax, giant forest hog and many unique bird species such as the Rwenzori
touraco, the francolin and the olive pigeon.
Uganda has been called a land
of lakes because almost a third of the country is covered by water. Lake
Victoria, the largest in Africa, dominates the southern border of the country
while Lakes Edward and Albert lie to the west.
Linked to Lake Edward is the
Kazinga Channel. Lake Mburo, 230 km to the west of Kampala, is the only lake
entirely within a National Park.
In the centre of Uganda, Lakes
Kwania and Kyoga are fed by the waters of the River Nile. Other lakes include
Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale and Lake Bisina in the shadow of Mt. Elgon, as well
as tiny crater lakes high in the mountains. Uganda’s fresh water lakes offer
opportunities for water activities and sports. An example is white water
rafting, pioneered by Adrift, which has caught on as a popular tourist
activity, especially on the River Nile.
The country now attracts 500
rafters every month. Lake Victoria is now also being increasingly used for lake
cruises. Other popular activities include sport fishing and sailing.
This is where the former kings
of Buganda from Kabaka Mutesa I to Edward Mutesa II are buried. A mixture of
treasured artifacts are also kept here.
The Uganda Museum is located in
Kampala. It displays and exhibits ethnological, natural-historical and
traditional life collections of Uganda’s cultural heritage. Among the
collections in the Uganda Museum are playable musical instruments, hunting
equipment, weaponry, archaeology and entomology.
This is where Kabaka Mwanga
burned 20 Christian converts in 1886 who refused to renounce what he called the
“white man’s religion.” Many of them had worked in his palace.
UWEC, located in Entebbe, was
created by the Government of Uganda with the help of the Wildlife Conservation
Centre in New York. The Centre has grown considerably in recent years and hosts
a variety of wildlife.
At the centre, visitors are
able to observe many of the indigenous species to be found in Uganda and also
to receive comprehensive information on the species, their natural habitats and
the complex
ecologies of Uganda.
ecologies of Uganda.
Uganda is a country of
exceptional diversity. It lies at the overlap between tropical East African
savannah and the West African rainforest zones.
Seven of Africa’s 18 plant
kingdoms are represented in Uganda, which is more than any other country on the
continent.
The wildlife on the islands
includes hippos, crocodile, waterbuck, sitatunga antelope, chimpanzees and
monkeys. The islands can be reached by a ninehour steamer trip from Port Bell
or a 45-minute ferry trip from Bukakata.
Located in Mbarara western
Uganda, The museum has several traditional ancient Ankole grass thatched
houses. Cultural things include ebyanzi, efurebe and ekyaahi. There are also
written scripts of history of Ankole, Rukiga, Toro and Bunyoro.
Unwind
at Bunyonyi Overland Resort
A
fully-furnished tent at the resort
Do you want to take some days
out of town just to relax somewhere at the country side? Bunyonyi Overland
Resort is the perfect choice!
The resort is situated on the
shores of Lake Bunyonyi (the deepest in Uganda, home of Otters and crayfish )
in south western Uganda. Bunyonyi Overland Resort is ecologically built with
local materials. It is meant to attract people, who want value for their money
by offering them different services.
There is accommodation in
self-contained cottages and furnished tents, conference facilities and camping
facilities ( hot showers, clean toilets ). Delicious snacks and food are
provided. The menu includes the famous fresh Crayfi sh right from the Lake. The
bar is fullystocked.
There are spacious picnic and
relaxation areas. The breath-taking view of Mt. Muhavura- 4127m can be seen on
a clear day.
Activities include swimming,
canoeing, Jet Ski boats, volley ball, badminton, pool table, and many indoor
games. Outdoor activities include bird-watching, mountain biking and fi shing.
For readers, there is a variety of reading material to choose from.
There is also DSTV, travel
information board, transportation ( car hire and taxi ), laundry service and
24hour security.
By Bruce Amp
No comments:
Post a Comment