Dreaming of a Wild Christmas

The festive season is an ideal time to tour Uganda’s best spots for wildlife viewing. With cut-price offers from safari companies, we show you where to get memorable experience.

It is a great thing that holidays with in the Pearl of Africa have become fashionable. We do need to plunge some of our hard-earned money into indigenous ventures, of which there are plenty these days.
Thankfully, there are also various incentives that make domestic tourism irresistible when one has the time. With the festive season upon us, some people will be off from work until sometime in January. This vacation means families can do many things together. It is a fine time to include a tour of national Parks or wild sanctuary to the holiday activities.

One of these motivating reasons to take a tour of the wild this festive season is the fact Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), in partnership with Tambula Safaris and Routs to Africa have offered tour packages at subsidized rates. For between sh230,000 and sh250,000 per head one can take a weekend tours up to January 11, 2015. This includes transport, accommodation; meals park entrance fees, tour guide services and activities on the respective itineraries. This price is up to three times lower than the usual cost each person incurs on a solo expedition. Inquiries can be made with UTB of Tambula at Equatorial Mall. In the mean time, let us show you what is to be seen in the wild.

PRIMATE GALORE

Primates are among the favorite animals to watch, as they are so much like humans in many ways. Their behavior is often intriguing and displays their interagency. Chimpanzees and gorillas are among those you have to get out of your way to find, at places like. Monkeys and other smaller apes are easier to meet as they are not shy and in fact can be very bold where they are familiar with humans. They can harass people for food in some places like Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) and source of the Nile in Jinja. Though many people find this part of the fun, do take necessary care especially with children.

Kibale National Park with over 13 primate species and BwindiImpenetrable Forest are the best for Chimp and Gorilla Tracking respectively. Other Primates are found there too, but they can be found at UWEC, the source of the Nile and not forgetting naughty baboons in lesser forests like Busitema near Busia District and Mabira.

Chimpanzees communicate to each other through a complex system of voice and facial expressions. When excited they use loud calls called pant-hoots. Obey instructions from the guides or caretakers where there are primates to avoid agitating them unnecessarily. They can turn aggressive especially where they believe their families are in danger.

WILD WESTERN UGANDA

Going west, one is sure to see a lot of mesmerizing wildlife. From the ambling Zebras, and hippos at lake Mburo National Park, to elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of antelope species in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The Jewel in Queen’s Crown is to be found on Ishasha sector where over 40 Tree Climbing Lions remain a favorite curiosity. With their blackish manes, they are not hard to differeciate from other lions. Game drives offer a good chance to view a variety of wildlife across the vast plains of the park.

NORTHERN CONNECTION

 On this route, the star of the Nile will be at Murchison Falls National Park where nature is a director and all sorts of prized wildlife are the main actors with a myriad bird playing supporting roles, as well as supplying the music score. This clean Eden is bordered by the river Nile and provides game viewing both on land and on water. Boart launches are a favorite activity to do here. Beholding the breathtaking Murchison Falls (once known as Kabalega falls) is another awesome experience.

PRIVATE PARKS

Away from the National game parks, there are some smaller and often privately managed animal sanctuaries that can provide similar treat for those seeking a Christmas experience with the wild. Between Kampala, Wakiso and Entebbe, you can find places to see reptiles, small game and birds, at close range.
The government owned UWEC is the front runner of these, but there are others like Kavumba animal Sanctuary, Snake Park and Reptile Village, Rhino Sanctuary in Kiboga and Camp Crocs in Mpigi, off Masaka Road, offer up-close experiences  with Rhinos and Crocodiles, respectively. Find details and directions from local guides

By Bruce Amp