CategoriesNews By kaije

Auric Air Joins Efforts with Uganda Tourism Board to Advocate Direct Flights to Boost Tourism

As part of this strategic initiative, UTB and Auric Air have been engaging in discussions to facilitate direct international flights to Uganda’s premier tourism spots. This exciting development is poised to revolutionize the travel experience for international tourists and bolster Uganda’s tourism sector.

The Uganda Tourism Board, entrusted with promoting the nation as a prime tourist destination, firmly believes that this progressive step will not only save tourists valuable time and money but also streamline their travel experience. Currently, all international arrivals are required to land at Entebbe International Airport for clearance before proceeding to their intended destinations.

Lilly Ajarova, the dynamic Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board, expressed her optimism about this collaborative effort, asserting that it would expedite tourists’ journeys to their chosen destinations, providing them with unprecedented convenience.

With the success of such an initiative, tourists would be able to fly directly from the Gorilla trekking area of Bwindi Impenetrable forest to the Magnificent Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Read more here.

CategoriesNews By kaije

UNESCO’s newest Transboundary Biosphere Reserve is in Uganda and Kenya

The Mount Elgon conservation area has been designated as one of the 10 new biosphere reserves in the world.

Shared between Uganda and Kenya, the massive peak joins the 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 other transboundary sites.

According to a UNESCO statement announcing the new reserves last June, the Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve provides a range of ecosystem functions that support forests, wildlife, and human livelihoods in the region.

Home to over 300 bird species, the site has an exceptional diversity of ecosystems as well as plant and animal species distributed across four distinct ecological zones characterized by different vegetation types: mixed montane forest, bamboo, and low canopy forest, sub-alpine montane heath, and alpine moorland varying with altitude.

UNESCO says the new transboundary biosphere reserve supports a population of more than 1.1 million people evenly split between Kenya and Uganda. The area is inhabited by a diverse population of Sabaot, Luhya, Teso, and Bagisu as well as other indigenous peoples and local communities.

Several community conservation initiatives and programs have been implemented as a way of securing community support for conserving the ecosystem.

Contact us at info@kaijepearlexpeditions.com to organize a safari to the new UNESCO reserve.

CategoriesNews By kaije

Rhino Baby News

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary celebrates another baby rhino born on 8th September 2023 to adult female KORI. This female calf now brings the total number of Rhinos at Ziwa to 41 healthy individuals. The news comes ahead of this year’s World Rhino Day later this month.

Rhinos are one of the few megaherbivores plant-eaters that weigh more than 2,000 pounds—that still live in the world. Their foraging habits help plants to thrive while their movements and dietary habits also keep habitats in check. They maintain the diverse African grass and woodlands on which countless other species depend.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda is a crucial conservation area dedicated to the protection and preservation of Rhinoceros. The sanctuary covers an area of 70 square kilometers and was established with the primary vision of building a sustainable rhinoceros population and relocating rhinos to their natural habitats in Uganda.

As you embark on a Murchison Falls National Park safari, a stop over at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for white Rhino tracking is highly recommended in order to make the most of every moment of your trip. Wild Trust Africa Safaris has experienced tour guides and tour consultants who will craft the best itinerary for your travels. Contact us at info@kaijepearlexpeditions.com

CategoriesLifestyle By kaije

Activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, it is home to the big five and several other wildlife species,  including elephants, leopards, giraffes, lions, and buffalos. One of the main activities to engage in when visiting Murchison Falls National Park is a wildlife safari and game drive. Game drives allow visitors to explore the park’s savannah plains and witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. The Northern bank of the River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park is particularly ideal for game drives, as it is covered with vast savannah. The Buligi track is a popular route for game drives, offering breathtaking views of the park’s wildlife. It is an opportunity to experience the thrill of being up close with the animals and capture stunning photographs.

One of the must-do activities in Murchison Falls National Park is a boat cruise on the River Nile. This allows visitors to get closer to the animals along the riverbanks and capture clear shots of them. Various boat cruises are available, including the Nile Delta Boat Cruise, which offers wildlife viewing opportunities. These cruises provide a unique perspective of the park’s wildlife and offer a peaceful and scenic experience. It is a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The boat ride also provides a view of the magnificent Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Murchison Falls National Park offers opportunities for hiking and nature walks. Hiking to the top of the falls is a popular activity, allowing visitors to witness the sheer power and beauty of the waterfall up close. There are also nature walks available in Kaniyo Pabidi and Rabongo Forests, where visitors can spot primates and birds. These walks provide a chance to immerse oneself in the park’s natural surroundings and appreciate its biodiversity. Additionally, cultural experiences and fishing can be enjoyed in the park. Overall, Murchison Falls National Park offers a range of activities for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.

In conclusion, Murchison Falls National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. From thrilling wildlife safaris and game drives to peaceful boat cruises on the Nile River, there is something for everyone to experience. The park’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Whether you choose to explore the park by land or water, Murchison Falls National Park is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

CategoriesTips & Tricks By kaije

Top 5 Activities to Do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 mammals and over 600 bird species. The Katwe explosion craters mark the park’s highest point at 1.350m above sea level while the lowest point at 910m at Lake Edward. It is located in western Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most popular tourist destination and one of Uganda’s largest protected areas and home to several iconic species such as elephants and lions. The park’s diverse ecosystems which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for the classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees, and over 600 bird species.

Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga channel with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo, and elephants, and the endless Ishasha plains whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of unsuspecting Uganda kob.

As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy storytelling, dance music, and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the conservation of its ecosystem which in turn benefits the surrounding communities.

It truly is a medley of wonders, visitors can enjoy walking through grasslands where zebras graze peacefully on their way home from feeding at dusk every day; see chimpanzee families, watch lions dance with each other during mating season; or meet cheetahs who live alongside buffalo herds as they hunt down antelope for dinner

These are our suggested list of the top 5 activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

1. Game Drives

The major highlight of a visit to the park is the scenic game drives that give you a chance to view even the most elusive of the park’s fauna. The thrilling drives which are best done during the morning hours feature up-close viewing of the wildlife which inhabits the park in the comfort of a vehicle. Your driver guide knows the different trucks in the park intimately and will take you in search of the different wildlife.

During the game drives, you could spot an elephant, the largest land mammal skillfully using its trunk to feed, a lion preying on an antelope or a hyena patiently waiting to devour the lion’s leftovers from a distance. Different groups of animals like Buffalo herds and Uganda kobs traverse the game park all day long. Warthogs, leopards, and the giant forest hog are among the others you are very likely to meet on your game drive.

2. The Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha

Not every day do you see a lion climbing a tree it was considered a safe bet to climb one if you ever found yourself being chased by one. Not while in the Ishasha sector though, a region comprising a portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, lions perched up on acacia and fig trees are an enchanting sight to behold.

Whether it is for a better view of their surroundings including potential prey like the Uganda Kob that grazes in the vicinities, seeking the cool breeze in the trees, or escaping the notorious bites from the tsetse flies on the ground below, the reason for the lions choosing residence up the trees remain an intriguing mystery.

The Ishasha sector where these lions are found is accessible on the journey to or from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as one head or returns from gorilla trekking in the forest. Besides the amazing tree-climbing king of the jungle, the sector is also home to other animals such as herds of buffaloes, large numbers of elephants, warthogs, and antelopes all of which make for a memorable trip to the game park.

3. Boat Trip

The boat trip which takes place on the Kazinga Channel, a long natural water channel linking Lake Edward to Lake George is an exhilarating event for the visitors at the park.

The Kazinga Channel is a 40 km long water channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George both located in Queen Elizabeth national park. Lake George is found in the eastern part of the park and Lake Edward is on the western side of the park shared between Uganda and DR Congo.

During the cruise, one gets to enjoy the various sights and sounds that the park’s rich aquatic life extravagantly offers. Besides the large hippopotamuses taking their dips in the waters, the fierce Nile crocodiles basking lazily on the channel banks for a feel of the warm sun are some of the life experiences you will encounter on the cruise. Not to miss are the Pied Kingfishers attempting to grab a meal.

4. Bird Watching

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s top birding spots. A haven to over 600 bird species, the enthusiastic bird watcher is in for a major delight at the park.

Some of the birds likely to grace your photographic memories include the; Sedge warbles, Papyrus canary, the martial eagle, the ever splendid Pied Kingfisher fishing, Malachite Kingfisher, African skimmer, the Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, and the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, Saddle Bill Stork, African Darters, Black Crake, and Jacana, etc. all which inhabit the park’s expansive grasslands, forests and wetlands. Do not miss the flamingos found at the Katwe and Bunyampaba salt lakes.

5. Chimpanzee Trekking

The Kyambura Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes found in the Northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to chimpanzees. The chimpanzees in Kyambura are habituated meaning they have been accustomed to human presence and this does not deter them from going on with their activities.

The underground rainforest in a gorge makes for excellent protection from the sunshine as one enjoys the immense beauty of nature hidden therein. You will experience lush savannah grasslands leading to the gorge, to the flowing rivers and creeks. Red-tailed monkeys, baboons, butterflies, and different bird species are among other inhabitants of this little paradise worth sighting besides Chimpanzees.

Besides the primates, the forest boasts great hiking trails upon which there is a lot to explore. While walking in the forest, look out for soldier ants as they have such a painful sting. Otherwise, you are in for an exciting experience while trekking one of man’s closest primate relatives.

Conclusion

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular savanna park in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions making it the perfect destination for a Uganda Wildlife Safari. It prides in a great diversity of habitats that include: lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as home to the biggest variety of large mammals in the country.

CategoriesLifestyle By kaije

What to do on a Uganda Safari: 10 Activities to do

Safaris in Uganda can be adventure-filled with memories to last a lifetime. A safari to Uganda could also be underutilized or less adventurous if one doesn’t know what activities to do while there. To make your safari worthwhile, here are ten things you should do.

1. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

There is no doubt that gorilla trekking is the most popular tourist activity in Uganda. This activity offers a unique opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda are home to mountain Gorillas. Half of the World’s remaining mountain gorilla population lives in Uganda. A gorilla trekking trip in Uganda is all about witnessing the renowned mountain gorillas feeding their young or simply being like the grand creatures they are.

Uganda is home to around 13 different primates. You can undertake chimpanzee trekking in several national parks, including Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Budongo Forest to mention but a few. You can also opt to see rescued and orphaned chimpanzees at the wildlife education center and Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. You will get to see chimpanzees grooming one another as part of their daily routines.

It is important to follow your ranger’s instructions and prepare physically for long walks. Gorilla trekking is an exhilarating experience that is well worth your time.

2. Game Drives

A good camera, 4X4 wheels with an open top, and beautiful wildlife. That pretty much entails a game drive. Your tour guide will direct you to the most strategic places to get the best views of the wild in its most natural form. Plenty of animals to see in the wild, like elephants, giraffes, buffalos, the very cunning hyenas, the king of the jungle while they bask up in the trees (Tree climbing lions), the beautiful impalas, and zebras, to mention but a few. Kidepo, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Lake Mburo National Parks provide the best game drives. These beautiful Savannah parks provide the option of morning, evening, or night game drives.

3. Cultural Experiences

The variety of Uganda’s wildlife, plants, and birds is not its only source of diversity. Our culture is colorful and historically rich. Uganda has unique food, language, traditional music, and dance in each tribe and neighborhood. Try the well-known Luwombo, Eshabwe, Atapa, and Malakwang Maleewa from Buganda, Ankole, Teso, Acholi, and Bugisu respectively. You might experience and taste Ugandan culture in Kampala. You can get a sense of Ugandan culture by visiting the Uganda museum, Igongo Cultural Centre, Ndere Center, and national theatre and visiting souvenir stores in Kampala.

4. Hiking Volcanos

Uganda is a land of volcanoes, valleys, beautiful plains, and mountains. Mount Elgon, which is 4,321 meters tall and is east of Uganda, has the largest caldera in the entire globe. The formidable Virunga Ranges, including Mount Mgahinga (3474), Muhavura (4127), and Sabinyo (3645) in the west of Uganda.  A volcano’s hike entails a walk-through dense forest that overflows on the fertile slopes of the volcanoes, seeing gorillas that wander the Virunga Ranges and birds that have made these highlands their home. The accomplishment of ascending a volcano is a test of character and strength, and it makes you feel more confident in your abilities.

5. Bird Watching

Ugandan birds can be seen singing by Lake Victoria’s shoreline, stomping through marshes on Mabamba Island, and soaring over the Nile River. Considering that Uganda is home to more than 1040 bird species, a safari would be imperfect without a birding excursion. The savanna, lakeshores, marshes, and rainforests are all home to numerous birds. The legendary shoebill, on Mabamba Island, is a must-see. Blue Turaco is one of many other bird species you are bound to see in one of the wetlands.

6. Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi and Boat safaris

As Lake Bunyonyi twists and swirls, 29 islands make up the picturesque landscape. All of the islands are enclosed by carefully terraced gardens. You may see the birds as your eyes wander along hills and far down while kayaking on Lake Bunyonyi and listening to the local folklore surrounding the lake. A conventional dugout boat will serve as your source of transportation as you move from one island to another. You should include canoeing on your to-do list because of the tranquility it offers and the depth of the Bunyonyi region you get to experience.

A boat cruise is gentle and one of the most soothing and calming activities while on safari. Kazinga channel, Murchison falls offers scenic spots for boat safaris. You will delight in the sights of hippos drinking water, and wild creatures sauntering to the shore to quench their thirst.  A boat safari is a leisurely and the best serene way to experience Uganda.

7. White Water Rafting

River Nile has a strong current, exhilarating breeze, and adrenaline-inducing waves. Water rafting is for individuals with wild hearts who are up to some adventurous water sports. It is not for the faint of heart. Grade 5 Extreme Rafting, and Grade 3 Full Day Rafting, are some of the exciting options. On the banks of the Nile, native music, bonfires, grilling, barbeque, and dancing are waiting for you once this exhilarating experience has satisfied your appetite for adventure.

8. Cycling Safaris

Cycling is fast becoming one of the best ways for travelers to intimately experience Uganda’s unique wildlife and amazing scenery. The beauty of this activity is that it also allows you to interact with the people who live in and around the cycling trail, giving you an unrivaled perspective on their way of life. Cycling activities can be carried out in Lake Mburo National Park and there amazing mountain bike trails in South Western Uganda as well as the foothills of Mount Moroto and Mount Kadam in the Karamoja region of Eastern Uganda. Cycling Safaris combine the best mountain bike trails with amazing wildlife viewing and cultural experiences.

9. Experience a hot air balloon flight and a bungee jump into the Nile

Lake Victoria is also known as the Source of the Nile, a river with significant historical and religious significance that travels through Uganda and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. For a thrilling and heart-pounding experience of a lifetime, bungee leap from a platform 150 feet in the air straight down toward the Nile (and splash right into it)
Take advantage of the special opportunity to a hot air balloon ride above Murchison Falls National Park. After watching the park’s sunrise, go to a safari lodge for breakfast.

10. Kampala City Tour

Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is set above 21 hills. Does not matter if you choose to travel by bicycle, car, or foot, a Uganda safari wouldn’t be complete without seeing Kampala, the nation’s capital. The Kasubi Tombs—the resting place of the Buganda Kings—as well as the Martyrs Shrine, Rubaga Cathedral, the Baha’i Temple, and Independence Monument, are just some of Kampala’s landmarks that add to the city’s fame.

CategoriesLifestyle By kaije

CNN names Uganda as one of it’s Travel’s Top Destinations for 2023

According to CNN, Uganda is one of the best and most beautiful places to visit this year. According to its article, “Where to travel in 2023: The best destinations to visit,” CNN cited the country’s expansive shores of Lake Victoria, snowy Rwenzori mountains, and healthy wildlife as some of the reasons to travel to the Pearl of Africa. “Uganda is a beautiful wilderness playground, with opportunities for adventure, including treks through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or up to the craters of the Virunga volcano chain or white water rafting along the Victoria Nile,” CNN states.

Travel restrictions have been lifted in many countries after nearly three years of disruptions and complications caused by the pandemic. There is a large number of people traveling internationally, and there is plenty of pent-up demand to take advantage of.

Aside from the big-ticket businesses that offer wealthy tourists a glimpse of the Big Five or mountain gorillas, Uganda is also promoting its other attributes, including connecting visitors with Ugandan communities, offering a taste of local food, music, and culture, in order to revitalize tourism after COVID.

Read the full article here.