-Ishasha Region, Queen Elizabeth National Park-

Tuesday, 1 May 2012. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha region.

We enjoyed a 2-hour boat launch trip at 0900 down the Kazinga Channel.  Here, hundreds of hippos mingle with other large herbivores coming down to the water’s edge to drink, while the outstanding bird life will impress even non-birders. However, we did not have great game viewing, except for enjoying lots of hippos and crocodiles.

After an early lunch, we drove four hours to the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp offers simple, yet stylish accommodations in this remote area. There is great attention to style and detail.  Guests stay in large twin bedded, East African meru-styled tents situated in a small forest besides the Ntungwe river. Each tent has its own en suite bathroom and dressing area providing “bucket” showers and flushing toilets.

A central thatched dining area provides a comfortable environment for meals, with nightly campfires completing the unique bush experience offered at this camp.

Ishasha is a less-travelled part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, but one which has a sense of exclusivity.  The game densities here are high, and this region has reported some of the largest herds of Elephant anywhere in Uganda.  There is plenty of other plains game too – primarily Topi, Uganda Kob, Buffalo and Hippo. Smaller plains game and a number of primate species means that predators are also in attendance. Spotted Hyena is a common visitor, and Leopard is occasionally sighted.

However, a prime attraction for Ishasha is its large Lion population, and the frequency of  sightings for this magnificent animal is higher here than anywhere else in Uganda.  An added bonus is that the lions here have learned to climb trees to escape the midday heat and insects, and one if usually rewarded by the slightly surreal sight of anything up to six lions relaxing high up in a Fig tree. This is highly unusual – the only other lions to exhibit this behaviour are those in Tanzania’s LakeManyara National Park.

After checking in to the Ishasha Wilderness Camp, we had an evening game drive around the game tracks in Ishasha sector, beginning at 1700 and ending at 1900.

Unfortunately, we did not see the lions or much game….really a disappointment , but that is part of this being a very genuine wildlife experience.  This is a reason it is best to stay at least 2 nights at each lodge so you have more than one outing for game viewing.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, 1 night

Daily Meal Plan: Full Board

Communications: Wifi available, limited mobile telephone coverage available.  My Ugandan MTN doogle did not work well here.

http://www.ishashawildernesscamp.com/

When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE:  My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences.  I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda http://bit.ly/K8rZUI

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1 May 2012

-Queen Elizabeth National Park-

Monday, 30 April, Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, we departed at 0800, and drove 3 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving along the walls of the western Rift Valley with nice views of crater fields and the Rwenzori Mountains.

En route to Queen Elizabeth National Park  we stopped in Rubona and visited the BBC Honey project, where we were shown the traditional local crafts of basket fibre dying and beeswax candle-making.

We then proceed on for lunch inspection visit to the newly opened Volcanoes Gorge Lodge.  This is a stunning “afro-chic” lodge.  I love the playful design and screens on the windows!  There are wonderful in room and outside spaces with each room to relax.

After lunch, we drove to the park, where we were be based at Mweya Safari Lodge. This 54-room lodge is located on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward.  It offers a stunning view out over the park. The outside restaurant balcony and pool in the main building amplify the view, and the lodge is a comfortable base from which to explore the northern part of  the park.

Many of the rooms have air conditioning which is a nice option to have.

NOTE:  In much of the property, the beds are HORRIBLE.   Most are rock hard,  Mine was okay be even a bit too hard for me and I like a firm bed.   Some in our group had mattresses at an angle so they had to sleep at an  angle to avoid all their blood running to their had.  I feel these mattresses are unacceptable and need to be replaced.

THE place to stay at Mweya Safari Lodge is in one of the tent style rooms that are closest to the lake and the deluxe tents have air conditioning.  The tents are lovely and stylish.

Queen Elizabeth National Park,  located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains,  on the floor of the Rift Valley, is defined by rolling savannah and shimmering lakes. The park is continuous with the Virunga National Park in the Congo, and is a migration corridor for elephants that move from the Congo to the Kibale and Kayosha Kitoome Forests.

Because of its location and variety of habitats, the park is home to large populations of wildlife.

Between 1600 and 1900 this afternoon and early evening we did  Mongoose Tracking. We went with research teams that have been funded the last 15 years by Exeter University in the UK.  For example, their communal infant rearing practices are studied.  We were fascinated and endless photos were taken…soon to be posted.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge, 1 night

Daily Meal Plan: Full Board

Communications: Wifi not available, mobile telephone coverage available.  My  Ugandan MTN dongle worked here!

http://www.mweyalodge.com/

When I get home,  I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE:  My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences.  I do not recommend staying  one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda http://bit.ly/L7CCph

Please follow my trip on my Blog, Facebook, Linkedin &/or Twitter.
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30 April 2012

-Black and White Colobus-

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL, KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

This morning at 0730, we departed for Kibale Forest National Park, about an hours drive away, where we took a guided walk following the well-marked trails.

Kibale boasts the highest primate density of any area on Earth, and the star attraction are the 1500 Chimpanzees.

With the help of our park ranger, we located a family of Chimpanzees and spend a fascinating hour observing them. The walk lasted about 3 hours.

We had lunch at the nearby Primate Lodge, after which we will visited the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a conservation project managed and operated by the community organization KAFRED (Kibale Association For Rural and Environmental Development). KAFRED was formed in 1992 and through conservation of the swamp has achieved many important community development goals.

The swamp, eight kilometers long and three hundred meters wide, is attached to Kibale Forest at both ends and serves as a vital corridor between the north and south of the park.

On our tour, we saw numerous bird species as well as Black and White Colobus, Red
Colobus, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, Red Tailed Monkey, Vervet Monkey, and L’Hoest’s Monkey.

Other wetlands mammals include Sitatunga (an endangered swamp antelope), Bush Pig, Civet, Mongoose and Bush Buck.

After our visit to Bigodi, at about 1600, we transferred to Ndali Lodge about an hour’s drive away, and set on a 1,000 acre vanilla farm owned and operated by the third generation of the Price/Sturdy family.

The lodge was built using local materials and labor and designed by Mark Price to blend with the landscape using traditional rough-casting and spear-grass thatch. Light, space, simplicity and openness to nature are key qualities.

This lodge is charming and well appointed with a focus on feeling like you are staying at the residence of a colonial farmer. So, it is not perfect but has a comfortable, lived in feel.

In fact, the lodge is the home of Aubrey Price and his wife, Claire. Aubrey is a gracious host and usually dines with guests. He even carved the chicken at the head of the table. We did not meet his American wife, Claire. Claire was born in Uganda, but raised and educated in the US and a graduate of Yale Law School. She met Aubrey in Uganda and they married about 2 years ago. Together, they own and manage.

I loved having a nice bathtub with hot water! Plus, I enjoyed sunrise yoga on their yoga pavilion with stunning views. Before dinner, it was a great treat to relax in their Finnish sauna that they keep nice and hot! The pool water was a bit to chilly to enjoy a swim, but would be welcomed on a hot day.

Overnight: Ndali Lodge, 1 night
Daily Meal Plan: Full Board
Communications: Wifi not available, mobile telephone coverage. My MTN dongle worked here!  http://www.ndalilodge.com/
When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE: My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences. I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#Ndali Lodge #visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda http://bit.ly/Jv6aAJ

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29 April 2012

-Chimpanzee In Kibale Forest National Park-

DAY 6. SATURDAY 28TH APRIL, ENTEBBE – KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

We departed at 0800 and drove 5 hours to our lodge near the Kibale Forest National Park.

The fascinating 766-square-kilometer Kibale Forest is the natural habitat for an amazing 13 primate species.

Here, on a guided forest walk, had quite a tough time finding Chimpanzees. After giving up and heading back to the lodge, we spotting several chimps just along the forest road, got out and spend some time watching them hang out and swing around a bit.

The forest is beautiful with some of the trees 50 to 60 meters (150 to 180 feet) in height. They provide a majestic canopy for the profusion of rain forest life, including 325 bird species.

Although we did not see them, the park is home to the largest population of Forest Elephant in Uganda, and is also home to Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Genet, Civet, Waterbuck and Bushbuck.

Late afternoon, arrived at Kyaninga Lodge, a fairy-tale-like construction perched on the edge of a cobaltblue volcanic crater lake.

The entire Kyaninga Lodge is constructed in the style of log cabins, and is the result of
six years of labor and love by master carpenter and owner Steve Williams.

The main building is on a rocky ridge, with views from the dining area and rooms over Lake Kyaninga and on to the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance, and is probably the only lodge in Uganda to boast its own croquet lawn.

Steve has done a stunning job with Kyaninga Lodge. I loved may cabin and especially loved the bathtub.

It was great to swim in the lake….highly recommended and refreshing, though there are lots of steps down to the lake.

In fact, there are lots of steps everywhere at Kyaninga Lodge. This is NOT the property for guests who are not comfortable walking lots of steps.

A great plus, the Owner/Manager, Steve, is a charming host, as is his biologist assistant, Matthew.

Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge, 1 night
Communications: Wifi not available, mobile telephone coverage available. The Ugandan MTN dongle worked.

http://www.kyaningalodge.com/

When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE: My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences. I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing .

#KyaningaLodge #visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda http://bit.ly/IUXUex
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28 April 2012

-Chimpanzee in the Tree-

Today we explored Budongo Forest trekking to see Chimpanzees and succeeding wonderfully.

When I am home I will post photos. A adult male Chimpanzee sat and seemed to be posing for us for about 10 minutes. At one point, there were loud calls from the Chimpanzees, referred to as the ‘pant-hoot’ call, a spine-tingling moment. Suddenly, they were on the move and swung down from the trees and went quickly off.

I hope my video captured the loud calls of the chimps. Fantastic!

Budongo Forest is home to 9 different species of primate, including more than 600 Chimpanzees as
well as rare forest bird species such as the Puvel’s Illadopses, endemic to this region.

It is the largest remaining Mahogany forest in East Africa, with trees growing up to 80 meters in height. 115km of trails offer unique opportunities for nature walks, birding, Chimpanzee tracking and habituation.

Our Chimpanzee tracking was on the trail called Kaniyo Pabidi. we are lucky we will hear the group perform the classic

After our Chimpanzee tracking we returned to our vehicle for the drive south to Entebbe…about a 5 hour drive.

We stopped for lunch at the Masindi Hotel.

Although no AC, the Boma Guesthouse is simple, nice and charming. We stayed there for the night.

Overnight: Boma Guesthouse, 1 night
Communications: Wifi available, mobile telephone coverage available. The Ugandan MTN dongle did not work well.

www.boma.co.ug

When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE: My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences. I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda http://bit.ly/KaHOvA

Please follow my trip on my Blog, Facebook, Linkedin &/or Twitter.
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27 April 2012

-Shoebill Rare Bird-

DAY 4, THURSDAY 26TH APRIL, MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Today was our Shoebill day….this is a magnificent and rare bird.  This is a major big deal for birders!

Today we enjoyed the game viewing in the centre of Murchison Falls National Park, before heading to the Southern sector of the park, Budongo Forest.

We departeded the lodge early (at 0630), to enjoy game drives around the rolling savannahs of the Buligi circuit on the of the Nile Delta. We saw Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo and herds of Uganda Kob which are common here, as well as the dainty Oribi.

Unfortunately, we did not see some of the park’s Lion, Leopard or Hyena population.

At the Delta Point where the waters of the Victoria and Albert Nile meet and mingle, we boarded a boat to continue our wildlife-spotting from the water.

It was stunning and some of the best birding and water based wildlife viewing I have ever had.  We glided past Shoebills in the reeds(!!!!….birders will appreciate how rare this is!), with Hippos and Crocodiles lining the shallow water banks.

In the distance local fishermen flung their nets to get the best catch.

Our boat took us back up the Victoria Nile, where we had the chance to see plenty more large herbivores at the water’s edge as we cruise back to Paraa.

After lunch at the Lodge (1300-1400), we went on a boat, referred to as a Falls Launch Trip departing at 1430.

This 3-hour cruise to the base of Murchison Falls provided great wildlife viewing – animals congregate
on the banks to benefit from the cooling waters in the heat of the afternoon.

Birdlife is abundant along the river, with Bee-Eaters, Saddle-billed Storks, Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles and many more.

Murchison Falls may only be 43m high, but what they lack in height they make up for in power – three
hundred cubic metres of water per second explodes through a narrow gap in the rocky gorge.

After viewing Murchison Falls from below, we disembarked and hiked up to the Top of the Falls. The ascent is steep but short, taking around 45 minutes. Views along the trail include birds of prey circling in the updraft from
the churning waters below, rainbow effects glistening in the spray and the flora and fauna of the riverine forest around you.

This is not the easiest hike and you must have good hiking boots that can deal with slippery and wet surfaces.  It is best that your hiking boots are waterproofed.

We met our vehicles at the top of Murchison Falls and proceeded for 2 hours to our accommodation for the night – Budongo Eco Lodge, located at Kaniyo Pabidi in the ancient forest of  Budongo. This eco-tourism site consists of comfortably and simply appointed forest cabins with private verandahs, a visitor’s centre and restaurant.  It is done with a bit of style and it most adequate.

Overnight: Budongo Eco Lodge, 1 night
Daily Meal Plan: Full Board
Communications: Wifi not available, mobile telephone coverage not available but my Blackberry emails seemed to come through at times.

www.ugandalodges.com/lodges/budongo/

When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my trip!

NOTE:  My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences.  I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#Shoebill #visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda

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26 April 2012

-Hippopotamus Murchison Falls National Park-

- Murchison Falls-

After our lunch well returnedfor the drive into the park, departing at about 1430. The landscape changed to tropical rainforest, and then into scrubland as we drop down over the Bunyoro escarpment into the Albertine Rift Valley floor, with the Nile river and Lake Albert glinting in the distance.

After an inspection of Nile Safari Camp, we did a sunset cruise upriver to our lodge.  Magical!

This is not only a great way to relax at the end of a day on safari, but also a chance to see some of the park’s wildlife.

We saw over 50 Hippo wallowing in the water, and lots of other herbivores
come to the river to drink.

We arrived at our lodge at about 1830, in time to freshen up for drinks and dinner.

We were be based at Paraa Safari Lodge. Established in 1954, the 52-room lodge is located on the north bank of the Nile, and is ideally located for the start of the river launch trips. It is also a good spot from which to venture out on game drives to the west of the park.

Paraa is very nice with beautiful wood and is currently the best available permanent accommodation in the park.  The views from every room are great.  Many rooms have AC which was a nice treat for me.  They also have a nice, more private 2 bedroom family suite right along the river which is a great option.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park, bisected by the River Nile and containing such diverse ecosystems as tropical rain forest, savannah, wetlands, and open waterways.  It is home to some of the highest game populations in the country.

Wow, we saw amazing game and very few other humans.  What a great day.

Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge, 1 night
Daily Meal Plan: Full Board
Communications: Wifi available, mobile telephone coverage available so I got emails on my Blackberry.

www.paraalodge.com

When I get home, I will upload and post many photos from my trip!

#myuganda

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25 April 2012

-Murchison Falls National Park-

-Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary-

DAY 3, WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL, ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY – MURCHISON  FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Today we started early, at about 0630, with a birding canoe safari on the wetlands of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, accompanied by a specialist birding guide who will help us spot the Shoebill that nest in this area, as well as one of the many other bird species that exist in the Sanctuary.

It was beautiful, but we did not see the rare Shoebill bird…a disappointment for the avid Birders among us.

After a delicious breakfast back at the lodge (with good gluten free rice pancakes!), we transfered from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls National Park, driving north through flat ranchland through the local town of Masindi and onto the Southern Gate of the park.

Here we visited a local community organization, the Boomu Women’s
Group. The founder showed us how they grow and harvest their traditional crops, culminating in a basket weaving demonstration.  We had a nice lodge there.

We were amused by the imported place mats with bright photos of fruit used for your lunch place settings.  Tourism is young here and we suggested that they use at the table the lovely, natural, place mats that they make and sell.

Overall, this is to me, a charm of being among the early travelers visiting a destination.

When I get home, I will upload and post many photos from my trip!

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda

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25 April 2012

-Rhino Trekking-

DAY 2, TUESDAY 24TH APRIL, ENTEBBE – ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY

In the late afternoon (at about 1600), we drove out to the location of one of the Rhino groups, where we disembarked our LandRover and continued the Rhino tracking on foot.

Accompanied by the Sanctuary’s rangers, we approached the Rhinos carefully and quietly, and enjoyed the thrill of observing these powerful animals up close in the middle of the African bush.

We were up close to Rhino named Obama: his Dad is from Kenya and Mom from USA (donated by Disney!)

We returned to the lodge at about 1800.

It was a wonderful experience to hike with a trained ranger and get within about 100 feet of White Rhino!  This is okay to do with White Rhino but would be dangerous to do with Black Rhino.  The ranger was trained but not the most skilled at presenting/teaching guests.  This will take time in Uganda to cultivate exceptional ranger/guides.

When I get home, I will upload and post many photos from my trip!

This sanctuary is a very valuable example of eco tourism protecting the environment.

Overnight: Amuka Lodge, 1 night
Daily Meal Plan: Full Board
Communications: Wifi not available, we got mobile telephone coverage.  My Blackberry got emails here, most of the time.

www.amukalodgeuganda.com

NOTE:  My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the destination and design the right trip for each client’s preferences.  I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda#myUganda

Please follow my trip on my Blog, Facebook, Linkedin &/or Twitter.
See:

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24 April 2012

-ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY-

DAY 2, TUESDAY 24TH APRIL, ENTEBBE – ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY

After breakfast, we drove North to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, situated in Nakasongola district off the main Gulu highway.   As always on this trip, we are driving through lush, pretty countryside.

The drive was about 4 hours, and we arrived at about 1230 for lunch.

We stayed at Amuka Lodge, a new lodge in the heart of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The lodge has been sensitively constructed using reclaimed wood salvaged from an abandoned timber yard. The bar and dining area overlooks the lodge pool and the surrounding bush. For now, there are just 2 cabins, each family cabins with one room with a double bed and one room with 3 beds.  There is a very nice,  large private bathroom for the 2 family rooms.  It is all tastefully done and solar powered….and everything works!

They are planning to add more cabins.  It is comfortable, basic, yet stylish eco friendly lodge.

Johann from South Africa and his wife and son run and manage the property.  I believe they own it, too.  Johann a very nice character and wonderfully made all of our food gluten free to accommodate my gluten intolerance.  He even made gluten free pancakes that were quite good!

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is managed by Rhino Fund Uganda, a conservation NGO dedicated to reintroducing wild Rhino to Uganda,  after the species became extinct in the wild in the early 1980s.

Rhino Fund Uganda established the 70 km2 Sanctuary after a joint agreement with Ziwa Ranchers in 2002.  Nearly a year was spent building a 2m high solar powered electric fence – designed to keep the Rhinos in and the poachers out – and the first Southern White Rhinos arrived in 2005, from Solio Ranch in Kenya.  Since then the  breeding program has gone from strength to strength,  with four  Rhino calves being born into the wild in Uganda for the first time in more than 25 years, and one more due any day now.

When I get home, I will post more details and many photos from my  trip!

www.amukalodgeuganda.com

NOTE:  My journey is my “DavidTravel Research Trip” to know the  destination and design the right trip for each client’s  preferences.  I do not recommend staying one night at each lodge as I am doing.

#visitUganda2012 #myuganda #Gorillas #Deluxe #Luxury #Rwanda #myUganda

http://bit.ly/II29v7 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for trekking on 24 Apr.

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