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Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex/Whale-headed stork/ boat bill / swamp king) is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda by tourists and birders. Shoebill storks are famous for their shoe-shaped, dinosaur-like appearance, and death stare (motionless) while hunting. Despite the fact that shoe bills are among the birds under the threat of extinction, Uganda happens to be among the few travel destination countries that have become famous for birders who would love to see or sight this amazing bird in their natural habitat in motion. Known for living in large freshwater papyrus swamps and marshes, where they are able to feed on lung fish, frogs, and small reptiles. Below is what you need to know about shoebill tracking in Uganda, or the frequently asked questions about shoebills in Uganda.

What is Shoebill tracking?

Shoebill tracking is a tourist activity done in various travel destinations in Uganda that involves tourists or visitors searching for shoebill birds in their natural habitat. The shoebill tracking activity takes approximately 4 to 5 hours of searching, waiting, and watching in silence.

What is the best place/destination to spot or see shoebills in Uganda?

Uganda is blessed with over 7 different travel destinations where tourists or clients, birders can be able to track and spot shoebills in their natural habitat. These places include Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Entebbe Uganda Wildlife Center (UWEC), Mabamba swamp, Makanga swamp bay, Murchison Falls National Park, Semuliki National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Amongst these travel destinations, the most famous and most visited for shoebill tracking include Mabamba swamp and Murchison Falls National Park.

What is the best time for shoebill tracking in Uganda?

Shoebill tracking can be done or carried out in Uganda throughout the whole year, but the best time to track or search for shoebills in Uganda is during the dry season of the year (December to February and June to September). This is because during this season of the year, the water levels in the swamps are low, and the weather conditions are favorable for the shoebill tracking activity. You should also note or put in consideration that the best time of the day to do a shoebill tracking activity is during the morning hours, because by this time of the day, the shoebills are very active hunting for food in the swamp.

What to pack for a shoebill tracking safari in Uganda?

Just like any other safari, there are specific items or things you should consider packing for safety,and also make sure you have a good experience during the tracking activity. Some of these things or items include,

Insect repellant

Since you will be going into a different or new environment that is covered with different vegetation cover which also happens to be a breeding place for a number of insects, it would be a great thing if you consider packing along insect repellent to protect yourself from insect bites.

Sunscreen

You should also consider packing or bringing along sunscreen to help protect your skin from direct sunlight rays, which may harm it.

Hat or cape

To protect your face and head, that is what either a hat or a cape will do for you once you consider packing either of the two.

A camera and extra batteries

For the purpose of photography, you should pack along a camera and a pair of extra batteries to avoid missing any caption due to dead batteries.

A pair of binoculars

Since you will be tracking or searching for shoebills, it will be best if you come with a pair of binoculars to help you spot the shoebill and other birds from a distance.

Refillable drinking water bottles

In order to practice sustainable tourism, you should consider packing or bringing along a refillable drinking water bottle, which you will fill with drinking water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the shoebill tracking activity.

A raincoat / sweater/ jacket

Since you will be searching for shoebills in the open and you can never know when it will rain, it will be best if you bring along either a raincoat, jacket, or sweater to protect yourself from direct rain in case it rains.

Energy-giving snacks

To help boost your energy, you should consider either packing or buying some energy-giving snacks in the shops or supermarkets of Uganda, which will help boost your energy levels throughout the shoebill tracking activity.

What other tourism activity can be combined with shoebill tracking?

There are a number of tourism activities that you can combine, or our company can combine together with the shoebill tracking activity, and these include Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Gorilla trekking, game drives, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruise, guided nature walks, to name a few.

To have this kind of experience, all you have to do is book with us, and in case of any questions about shoebill tracking in Uganda, hesitate not to contact any of our team of consultants, who will be glad to help in any way.

After the extinction of both the Black and Southern White Rhinos, due to different factors such as poaching and political instability, the White Rhinos were reintroduced under a project aimed at reintroducing them to their former homes and protecting them from extinction. Once a ranch and currently known as Ziwa Rhino sanctuary (Rhino haven), in 2002, the Rhino Fund Uganda joined hands with the Roy family, who were the cattle ranch owners, but it was later turned into a fenced protected area (sanctuary). In the year 2005 – 2006, the White rhino reintroduction project officially kicked off with the introduction of 6 White Rhinos, of which 4 were imported from Kenya in 2005, and the 2 were donated by Disney’s Animal Kingdom (United States of America) in 2006. History was made when the first baby white rhino was given birth to in the year 2009 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district.

The Rhino population has been growing steadily under the protection and conservation policies of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and other partners since then. Towards the end of last year (2025), in partnership with other African National Parks, Uganda received over 8 Rhinos, which were obtained from South Africa. Adding this number to the present Rhino population, this made a total of about 61 rhinos, giving Uganda the stability to start distributing Rhinos in places they once called home but had become extinct. Here is all you need to know about Rhino redistribution/ reintroduction in Uganda.

Where are the rhinos being transferred from and to in Uganda?

After many years of extinction, rhinos are finally being reintroduced to their once home in different parts of the country (Uganda). Earlier this year, in January, the first transfer of Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is the only breeding protected area, was done. About 4 southern white rhinos were transferred to Ajai Wild Reserve, which was once their home. These four white rhinos are now under observation to see how they adapt to the living conditions in their new environment. Once they adopt properly, then the initiation of transferring more than 16 southern white rhinos will commence, since the plan is to relocate/ reintroduce a total number of about 20 Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to Ajai Wild Reserve.

The second White Rhino Transfer was done this very year in March from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park, which was also once home. The initial plan is to relocate or transfer about 8 White Rhinos back to Kidepo Valley National Park, but for now, only 2 rhinos were taken, so that they are monitored all the time to see the progress of their adaptation to the new environment. Bring back white rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park was done to turn this travel destination into a Big Five destination (where tourists can spot all the big five at once).

The Uganda Wildlife Authority, along with other partners, has gone ahead to do a number of things/ enforcements to ensure that these wild animals (White Rhinos) are safe, and history does not repeat itself. Some of these enforcements / things include calling upon the nearby communities to report all the poachers seen, educating the nearby communities about the beauty and benefits of these rhinos, putting up more security fences on the park boundaries, deploying more game rangers in the parks, and also monitoring each and every movement of the rhinos with the help of the tracking devices which were put in their horns.

How are the White Rhinos moved?

After a long observation and study, the rhinos to be transferred or relocated are marked, on the day of transfer these rhinos are tricklized and put to a deep sleep, their eyes are covered and ears as well then, they are carried using cranes and put on specifically designed trucks to transfer wildlife which are always accompanied by a team of veterinaries and conservationists or rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Upon arrival at the transfer destination, these rhinos are checked by the group or team of veterinarians, and tracking devices are inserted into their horns, then released into the wild.

So, in case you happen to visit any of the two tourist destinations in Uganda, you are most probably to spot the white rhinos in their new yet were once their homes. In case you are interested in seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitats, all you have to do is book with us or contact us now. In case of any questions, we will be glad to help in any way possible.

Located approximately 38 kilometers from Jinja city (capital city of adventure), Itanda falls is also known as the second strongest water (brother) fall in Uganda after Murchison Falls, which happens to be the strongest water fall in the world. Starting from culture to tourism, Itanda falls has a significant role that it plays in our daily lives, mostly for the people that stay near these falls. For the tourism sector, apart from playing the role of tourist attraction, Itanda falls has several activities that are carried out or done from there. Below is all you need to know (FAQS) about Itanda Falls and what to expect seeing or doing there in case you are planning to visit this amazing tourist attraction in Eastern Uganda. Itanda Falls is commonly known worldwide for being one of the places where the famous Nyege-Nyege festival takes place, where different people from all over the world come together to celebrate culture and music for over four days.

What to do / activities available at Itanda Falls?

There are a variety of tourist activities that can be done or carried out at Itanda falls, and these include,

Tubbing at Itanda Falls

Tubbing at Itanda falls is a tourist activity which involves sailing for approximately 1 to 2 hours on the rapids of the water while seated on an inflatable tube, tied down to it tightly with a belt in the west. Tubing at Itanda falls involves sailing on the water rapids for a distance of about 2 to 3 kilometers with the help or guidance of an experienced guide throughout the whole activity.

Hiking to the top of Itanda Falls

The slopes of Itanda falls are made of rocks that can be easily hiked, hence making the hiking activity to the top of Itanda falls easy for tourists or visitors. When they get to the top of the falls, tourists or visitors get to meet and interact with the locals in the nearby community. Note that the hiking activity should always be done with the help or guidance from a local tour guide because no matter how easy this activity may seem like, this activity may turn out to be risky due to the slippery rocks so, all you have to do is listen and follow every step your local guide because they will know the right rock to touch and step on.

Visiting the source of the Nile

Located approximately 38 kilometers from Itanda Falls, tourists or visitors can also decide to visit the source of the longest river in the world (the River Nile), which starts from Lake Victoria. You will also get to visit the Monument where the grate explore Jhon speak, who discovered the source of the River Nile, and take photos as well, if you want.

Photography at Itanda Falls

The fact that Itanda falls is a very outstanding attraction when it comes to beauty, which makes it a good spot for both photography and videography shooting.

Bird watching at Itanda Falls.

Itanda Falls is also a good bird-spotting destination since a variety of different bird species are always seen flying over the falls and also visiting the bottom to drink water. Some of the birds that you should look forward to seeing or spotting at Itanda Falls include cormorants, pelicans, storks, and kingfishers, to name a few.

Kayaking at Itanda Falls

Yes, kayaking is one of the tourist activities that is done or carried out on Itanda falls; however, this activity is only done by professionals (grade 5) since the rapids are very high and cannot favor the beginners.

What is the best time to visit Itanda Falls?

Itanda Falls is always open to tourists or visitors throughout the whole year, but the best time or most recommended time to visit is during the dry season of the year (June to August and December to February). The dry season is the best time to visit because during this time of the year, the water levels are low, the weather is more favorable for all the outdoor activities, and Itanda falls is also more accessible during the dry season than the rainy season, where the trails taking you there are filled with mud and slippery.

Accommodation facilities in Jinja near Itanda Falls

There is a variety of accommodation facilities in Jinja where you can stay and have easy access to Itanda Falls. These accommodation facilities range from luxury to budget and some of these include The Haven Eco Lodge, Adrift Overland Camp, Explores River Camp, BN private beach, Lemala wild waters,  Sunset Hotel, Nile Resort Hotel, King Fisher resort, Cool breeze hotel, 2 Friends Guest  House Jinja, Nile Anchor Palace, Dian Will Hotel, Hotel Maria Grant, Billionaire’s Suite Jinja, Tourist Bay Hotel Jinja, New Daneil Hotel, Omega Christian Hotel Jinja, Islet Hotel Jinja, Chel and Vade Hotel Jinja, Nile Discovery Resort Jinja, to name a few.

How to get to Itanda Falls in Jinja.

Itanda Falls can be accessed or reached by road, either using private or public transport. Coming from Kampala, you will use the Kampala- Jinja highway, which takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. When you get to Jinja, you will then proceed to Itanda Falls, which is about 45 minutes away.

Banana experience is one of the most outstanding and interesting activities done or carried out in Uganda, where tourists or visitors get to explore the variety of ways banana-based drinks and meals are prepared. Banana experience or Rest in Banana eatery is found in Bigodi trading center (Kibale National Park). Bananas are not only among the favorite fruits but also among the staple foods in Uganda, which means that they are grown in large numbers in Uganda. Step-by-step experience is what tourists or visitors always receive when they decide to visit the Rest in Banana eatery, and these steps will start right from the garden, followed by different processes of making a variety of banana products. Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions about the Banana experience (rest in the banana experience) or all you need to know about the Banana experience in Bigodi (Kibale National Park).

Where is Kibale National Park located?

Kibale National Park is located in the western part of Uganda, famously known as the primate capital (home to several primates, but mostly chimpanzees), covering about 776 square kilometers spanning across Kamwenge district and Kabarole district.

What is the Banana experience?

As said before, Banana experience is a tourist activity which gives tourists the chance to experience step by step of making different banana products, starting right from the garden. This experience is offered or done in Rest in Banana eatery, which is always filled with a variety of bananas, crafts, and different banana products. The different products made out of bananas include banana juice, banana gin (waragi), and banana snacks.

How is the Banana gin (waragi), alcohol, and juice made?

The banana waraji or gin making starts or begins with collecting the ripe or ready bananas from the garden, which is done by the local guides whom you can as well join. After collecting or harvesting the ripe bananas, you will head back to the eatery and start peeling the bananas while putting them in a different clean container. These bananas are then mashed to form a porridge, and then the banana juice is squeezed out using banana leaves. The banana juice is then ready to be served or packed. The banana juice has a very sweet smell with a sunset color.

For the banana alcohol, yeast is added to the banana juice and is left to ferment for about 24 hours, then the banana alcohol is made and has about 10% alcohol containment.

Banana Alcohol is then boiled under secondary fermentation to come up with the banana waraji(gin), which will contain about 40% -60%. The banana gin (waraji can also be used as a sanitizer to sanitize your hands or dirty surfaces.

What is the best time to go for the banana experience?

Tourists or visitors can opt to go for banana experience in Uganda during any time of the year but the best time to visit is during the dry season of the year because during this time of the year, the weather is more favorable to out door activities such as banana experience and also the roads will be more accessible than during the wet or rainy season where they tend to be muddy and slippery hence hindering accessibility.

What to pack for the Banana experience safari?

The items or things you need to pack for the banana experience include a backpack, a refillable drinking water bottle, a hat or cape, a camera and extra batteries, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable decent clothes, a raincoat or jacket, which will be of use in case it rains, to name a few.

Testing and buying of the banana products will be allowed, but you should not try them out in case you find yourself allergic to the bananas. You can also decide to buy crafts or souvenirs like shirts, sweaters, to name a few. Since this banana experience is also infused with culture, you will also get to have community encounters or get to learn about the history through storytelling.  To have a test of this experience, which is in most cases or goes hand in hand with the chimpanzee trekking activity in Kibale National Park, all you have to do is book with us, and you will get yourself a customized itinerary including all your highlight activities.

Welcome to Uganda the country which is blessed with countless beautiful natural attractions in different parts of the country and this is the main reason why this country is also known as the ‘’Pearl of Africa ‘’ Located in the eastern region of the African Continent, Uganda is a landlocked country bordered by South Sudan in the North, Tanzania in the south, Kenya in the East, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west, and Rwanda in the south west. Uganda is commonly known as a mountain gorilla trekking and habituation travel destination, and this is the main reason why most travelers or tourists tend to visit the country. Uganda is also known for having the starting point of the longest river in the world, the strongest waterfall in the world, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and many other things that Uganda is known for. Are you planning a Uganda safari? Then, below are the answers to the frequently asked questions by most travelers.

What is the best time for a Uganda Safari?

Just like any other travel destination, Uganda is always open and can be visited by tourists, travelers, or visitors, but there is a best or most recommended time or period of the year to go for a Uganda safari. Uganda experiences two seasons in a year. These are the wet/ rainy season (Low season) and the dry season (Peak/high season). The wet/rainy season is experienced from the month of March to May and from October to November. The Dry season is experienced starting from the month of June to August and from December to February.  The best time or mostly recommended time for a Uganda safari is during the dry season of the year, and here are some of the reasons why,

• The wildlife animals are more active and can easily be spotted during guided nature walks and guided game drives, unlike when it rains or during the rainy season, when wildlife animals tend to go into hiding in the bushes and trees from the rain.
• The weather conditions during the dry season are more favorable for all the outdoor tourist activities, such as mountain gorilla trekking, guided nature walks, birding, and boat cruises, to name a few.
• The trekking trails and driving routes during the dry season of the year are more accessible than during the rainy season, when they tend to be filled or covered with mud and are slippery.
• Spotting or finding mountain gorillas during the dry season is easier since the trekking trails are more accessible and the gorilla families will be in closer places than during the rainy seasons, when they tend to go deeper into the forest, hiding away from the rain and also the forest gets covered with mist during rainy days.

What to pack for a Uganda Safari?

In the same way, when you’re going somewhere important, there are things or items that you necessarily need to pack or bring along for a successful Uganda safari experience. These items or things vary depending on the highlight activities that you are looking forward to doing or carrying out when you visit Uganda or during any Uganda safari. Here are some of the general items or things you should consider packing or bringing along,

Backpack

You will need a backpack to carry all your handy essential items or things while going for different activities. The backpack will help you carry things like a drinking water bottle, a camera, a first aid kit, and energy snacks, to name a few. This will help you to have your hands free and ease your movements.

Insect repellant

An insect repellent should also be considered when packing, since Uganda is a country covered with a lot of green, which is also a breeding area for all types of insects. So, in order to protect yourself from insect bites, which may sometimes be poisonous to you.

Sun screen

Do not forget to pack or bring along sunscreen since the country you’re heading to is crossed by the equator, so expect high levels of sunlight. The sunscreen will help protect your skin from the direct sunlight rays.

Hat or cape

To help protect yourself from the direct sunlight during outdoor activities, packing or bringing along a hat or cape will be the best solution.

Raincoat or jacket

Just in case it rains or the weather gets cold, if you consider packing or bringing along either a jacket or a raincoat, you will be good to go.

Refillable drinking water bottle

For the sake of sustainability, you should consider packing or bringing along a refillable drinking water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the activities you will be carrying out.

A camera and extra batteries

To capture those beautiful or breath-taking moments or attractions, all you have to do is consider packing a camera and a pair of extra batteries, since you will not have charging stations with you all the time.

Other items you should consider packing for a successful Uganda safari include hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, socks, and hand gloves, to name a few. (These items will be mostly needed for the Mountain gorilla hiking and habituation activity.

Attractions in Uganda

Uganda being a beautiful country blessed with a lot of physical features, this country has a number of tourists attractions that are located in different parts of the country and some of these include mountains (Mountain Rwenzori, Mountain Elgon, etc.), lakes (Lake Victoria, Lake Edward, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, lake Mburo, etc.), forests in Uganda (Bwindi forest, Maghinga forest, Mabira forest, to name a few), wildlife ( Mountain gorillas, antelopes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, to name a few), birds (eagles, shoebill, sunbirds, migratory birds, woodpeckers, weaver birds, Rwenzori blue turaco, to name a few), rivers ( river Nile, Victoria Nile, Albertine Nile, katonga river, to name a few) and many others.

Though the best time to visit for a Uganda safari is during the dry season of the year, you can also as well decide to visit during the rainy season ( low season)since during this season the rates or costs of safaris are always low favoring the low budget travelers, the travel destinations are less crowded which favors people who love privacy, also during this season you can decide to have a combined Uganda and Kenya safari (Masai Mara) since this will be the time for the grate wildebeest migration. To have this experience, all you have to do is book with us, or if you have any pending questions, all you have to do is contact us. We will be glad to help out in any way possible.

Among the variety of attractions found in Uganda as a travel destination are about 20 primate species, and among these are Golden monkeys, which are very eye-catching due to their outstanding golden fur, which is mixed with the color orange. In Uganda, Golden monkeys are only found and trekked in Maghinga National Park, and this is one of the reasons why these species are considered to be an endangered species. Maghinga National Park is located in the south-western part of Uganda in Kisoro district, covering approximately 34 square kilometers, which makes it Uganda’s smallest National Park. Here is all you need to know about golden monkey trekking in Uganda (Maghinga National Park)

What is Golden monkey trekking and Golden monkey habituation?

Golden monkey trekking is a tourist activity which involves tourists, clients or visitors to search for these endangered species (Golden monkeys) in their natural habitat and when found not more than an hour is given to tourists to spend in their presence while Golden monkey habituation also involves the search for Golden monkeys in their natural habitant but in this case when a golden monkey family is found or located, more than an hour is given to tourists or visitors to spend in their presence.

How is Golden monkey trekking conducted?

Golden monkey trekking experience in Maghinga National Park is just one of the primate trekking activities in Uganda. It starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters, where tourists or visitors are given instructions and divided into groups of not more than 8 people led by different tour guides and game rangers. The Golden monkey trekking activity takes approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours of searching, depending on the trekking pace of the tourists, the weather conditions, and the location of the Golden monkey families. When a Golden monkey family is located, not more than an hour is given to clients, tourists, or visitors to spend in the presence of these beautiful endangered species.

What are the facts/characteristics of Golden Monkeys?

Golden monkeys are a very interesting species among the primate family,, starting with their appearance and their way of life.

• Golden monkeys are very playful in nature, always jumping from one bamboo or tree branch to another. This is why you will notice that some have shorter tails than others because their tails get stuck in trees or bamboo branches, hence breaking off, and new tails grow back.
• For food, Golden monkeys eat bamboo shoots mostly, different fruits, bamboo leaves, sprouts, lichens, and small vertebrates, to name a few.
• Golden monkeys live in groups/ troops of approximately 100 individuals, which are led by a dominant male Alpha.
• These species are named after the color of their eye-catching fur, which is a mix of black, gold, and orange.
• Golden monkeys are naturally shy, but with the help of the habituation process, they get used to the presence of human beings, tourists, or visitors.
• Golden monkeys are very photogenic, and unlike other primates, flash cameras can be used to take photos of them.
• Golden monkeys are also known for staying or living in a place for a long period of time, unlike other primates.
• The scientific or the other name of the Golden monkeys is Chlorocebus aethiops.

What is the price/ cost of Golden monkey trekking in Uganda?

The Golden monkey trekking permits in Maghinga National Park cost approximately 60$ for foreign nonresidents, about 50$ For Foreign Residents, and approximately UGX 40,000 for East African citizens. For the Golden monkey habituation experience, the permit rates are approximately 100$ for foreign nonresidents, about 80$ for foreign residents, and approximately UGX 100,000for East African citizens. For booking either Golden monkey trekking or Golden monkey habituation permits, this should be done through trusted licensed tour operators like us, and the earlier you do it, the better, due to the limited number of permits.

What is the best time for Golden monkey trekking or habituation in Uganda?

Golden monkey trekking or Golden monkey habituation in Uganda (Maghinga National Park) can be done or carried out at any time of the year, but the best or recommended time to do it is during the dry season of the year (June, July, August, September, December, January, and February). The dry season is the best time because during this time of the year, the trekking trails are more accessible than during the wet or rainy season, when they tend to be filled with mud and slippery and less accessible. Also, during the rainy season, the Golden monkeys tend to go deep into the forest, which makes it hard to track them.

What to pack or bring along for the Golden Monkey trekking

To ensure you enjoy every moment of the Golden trekking activity in Maghinga National Park, there are some items or things that you should consider packing or bringing along, and some of these include,

• A backpack that helps you carry all you require for the Golden monkey trekking activity, giving your hands the freedom to do other things.
• Refillable drinking water bottle to practice sustainable or eco-tourism, and at the same time keep yourself hydrated all the time.
• A camera and extra batteries to take beautiful photos of the Golden monkeys and other attractions you will encounter.
• Hiking boots, which will help you move with ease while protecting your legs from scratches from tree branches and insect bites.
• Enger is giving snacks since you will be needing all the energy you can get for this activity.
• A hat or a cape to protect your head and face from direct sunlight
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from direct sun rays
• Insect repellent to protect yourself from insect bites, since Maghinga National Park is covered with forests
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect you from insect bites and scratches from tree branches

How to get to Maghinga National Park

Maghinga National Park can be accessed or reached by both road transport and air transport. By road transport, you can get there via the Masaka – Mbarara road, Kable, Kisoro, which takes approximately 6 to 10 hours to get there, depending on the traffic, stopovers, weather, and road accessibility.

You can also decide to use air transport and fly from Kajjansi to Kisoro airstrip, which takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second-largest national park in Uganda, located in the western part of the country. This park covers approximately 1,978 square kilometers spanning across about four districts, which include Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri districts. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a variety of attractions that you should look forward to spotting or seeing once you visit there. Some of the attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park include elephants, antelopes, lions, spotted hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, different bird species, including migratory birds, primates like monkeys, baboons, and chimpanzees. From the various attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, several tourism activities are also conducted or driven from there, and among them is the lion tracking activity. And below are the frequently asked questions about Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or all you need to know about the Lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What is the meaning of lion tracking?

Lion tracking is a tourist activity which involves searching for lions in 4×4 wheel vehicles with the help of trained tour guides and experienced researchers who track down these lions using GPS that are put on the collars which are put around the necks of these lions.  

Where is lion trekking done in Uganda?

Lion trekking in Uganda is only done in one travel destination or national park, and that is Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Kasenyi plains, located in the northern sector of the park.

How is lion tracking done in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

During the lion trekking experience, a group of not more than 4 tourists guided by trained game rangers, guides, and a group of experienced researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) is driven in a 4×4 wheel vehicle to track down lions with the help of the GPS that is put on the collars around their necks. These lions at times tend to move long distances of approximately 40 kilometers away from the areas where they can easily be spotted in search for food, mostly when preys are scares in the park. The lion tracking activity is done in three sessions or three times a day (Morning session, Midday session, and the Evening session), which sometimes goes up to nighttime. Each session of lion tracking activity takes about 2- 3 hours while driving a round searching for lion prides, which may have approximately 3- 25 lions. You will also get to learn more about the lifestyle of these lions, depending on the data collected by the researchers. After locating or finding a certain lion pride, you will be given time to watch these lions from a safe distance and get to witness how lions behave.

What is the best time to do lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The best time to do or carry out lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is during the dry season of the year (June to August and September to December). This is because during the dry season, the driving trails are dry and more accessible than during the wet season, when the trails tend to be muddy and slippery, which hinders accessibility. Also, during the dry season, the lions tend to be more active and in more open areas than during the wet or rainy season, where they tend to go into hiding from the rain.

Is there an age limit for lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Yes! There is an age limit on the lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is 15 years of age. This means that people or individuals who are 15 years and above are the ones allowed to participate in this activity.

What to pack for a lion tracking experience?

There is nothing special to pack for a lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park; you will have to pack items or things that are packed for game drives on safaris. These items include a pair of binoculars, a refillable drinking water bottle, insect repellent, a personal first aid kit, a camera with extra batteries, sunscreen, a hat or cape, to name a few.

Other activities done in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Apart from Lion tracking, there are other travel activities that are done in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and these include game drives, birding, boat cruises, guided nature walks, and chimpanzee trekking, to name a few.

How much is lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The lion tracking activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs approximately USD $ 100 to $200 for foreign non-residents, $80 to $150 for foreign residents, and about Shs100,000 to Shs200,000 for East African citizens. Those interested in lion tracking, all you have to do is book with a licensed tour operator or company like our and we will be able to make the necessary arrangements, and all you have to do is show up on that day. Always remember to book as soon or early as possible since the lion tracking permits are limited. Here is a sample for a Uganda lion tracking safari.

Uganda is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas (Gentle giants). These endangered species are very interesting to watch in their natural habitat. Home to approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas that are found in two travel destinations (Bwindi Impenetrable and Maghinga National Parks). As a tourist, you would love or like to spot or see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are only two ways or tourist activities that you can engage yourself in to make your dreams come true of encountering the mountain gorillas. These activities include mountain gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla habituation. During either of these activities, you will be able to see the mountain gorillas (gentle giants) in their natural habitats. During any of these activities is where many of you have questions, and one of the most frequently asked questions is how to react when a Mountain gorilla or silverback approaches you. And as you continue to read below, you will find the answers you have been looking for.

What is mountain gorilla trekking?

Mountain gorilla trekking is a tourist activity that involves tourists or visitors searching for mountain gorillas on foot, which takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours, and once they find them, not more than 1 hour is given to them to spend time amidst the mountain gorillas.

What is mountain gorilla habituation?

Mountain gorilla habituation is also a travel or tourist activity that involves or requires tourists or visitors to search for mountain gorillas in their natural habitats while on foot, in the same way as mountain gorilla trekking. The searching takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on where the mountain gorillas are located, the weather conditions, and the trekking pace of the trekkers. Upon finding or encountering a certain mountain gorilla group, unlike mountain gorilla trekking, where you are given not more than an hour in the presence of the gorilla family, here you will be given about 4 hours amidst these gentle giants.

What is a silverback?

A silverback is a fully matured male gorilla that is aged about 12 years old, characterized by a prominent saddle of silver-grey hair on its back, weighing about 300 to 400 pounds, and about 5 to 6 feet tall. A silverback is always the dominant leader of a certain mountain gorilla group that offers protection and guidance to its group members.

How to react when a mountain gorilla or silverback approaches you?

Although not a common incident or case for a mountain gorilla or silverback approaching tourists or visitors, just as they say, forewarned, forearmed, it will be better or good for you to know what to do in case it happens, since we are dealing with nature here that we totally have no control over. When a mountain gorilla or silverback approaches, charges, or triggers on you, the first thing you have to do is stop whatever you’re doing and stand still. Then you will slowly crouch down so that you look less imposing to the gorilla. Having crouched down, you should avoid direct eye contact with the gorilla because when you look directly into its eye, it may see you as a threat since eye contact is one of the forms these creatures use for communication. It will be wise of you to look down since this is interpreted as a sign of respect for them. As scared as you would be, try very much not to run away or make any certain noise. Mountain gorillas are known for their gentle nature and hate noise, which is one of the reasons they prefer living deep down in the forests. If you are to move away, do it slowly, quietly, and with your body as low as possible to avoid being seen as a threat. You should, in the same way, avoid touching it, although it touches you. After doing these things, the mountain gorilla will gently move away from you, and a tour guide or game ranger will come to rescue you.

As mentioned before, these cases are very rare due to the fact that mountain gorillas are gentle creatures that mean no harm unless triggered by something or when they sense danger. Here are the things you do or avoid doing when carrying out gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation to prevent such circumstances of a gorilla charging or approaching you.

• Avoid making unnecessary noise during the gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation activities.
• Avoid dressing or putting on clothes with bright colors; instead, put on clothes with neutral colors.
• You should always stay in groups or lines whenever you’re in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
• A safety distance of about 7meters (21 feet) is what you are required to have between you and the mountain gorillas while watching, taking photos, or studying them. This is not only meant for your safety but also the safety of the gorillas from human diseases such as flu, since we share about 98% DNA with them.
• Avoid eating or drinking in the presence of these giants to avoid seeking attention from them.
• Always listen to your tour guides and game rangers. Also, make sure to seek permission before doing anything you are not very sure of
• Avoid littering in the environment of the gorillas. This is why you are advised to pack a refillable drinking water bottle to ensure the practice of sustainable tourism.

In conclusion, mountain gorillas are very peaceful and welcoming creatures unless disturbed or triggered, so all you have to do to ensure a safe and enjoyable mountain gorilla trekking or habituation activity is to follow the guidelines that are always given out to visitors or tourists at the park headquarters before the beginning of the activities. Also, ensure that you listen to the instructions of your tour guides and game rangers and to ask questions or seek permission before doing anything. Here is a sample of a Mountain gorilla habituation safari.

Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, also known as the city that never sleeps, due to its vibrant, party-loving people who stay within and near the city. Kampala city happens to be the busiest city in Uganda due to the fact that it is a hot business spot where businessmen and women come to trade. Kampala city is made up of seven hills, which surround it, and these include Mengo Hill, Makerere Hill, Namirembe Hill, Kololo Hill, Rubaga Hill, Nakasero Hill, and Nakulabye Hill. This means that Kampala city is a rift valley and when you hike these hills, you will be rewarded with a 360-breath taking view of Kampala city. Kampala city used to be made of or covered with lush vegetation, which included bushes and forests with a high number of Impalas, which made it a hunting ground for the king of Buganda. From the high number of Impalas that called this place home, this marked the origin of the name Impala hill (Kasozi ke Impala) and was latter after development named Kampala hill which latter become a city. This city is composed of welcoming people of different cultures, a number of historical sites, and religious sites, to mention a few that you can visit during your Kampala city tour. The following is what you should know about Kampala if you are planning to visit or have a Kampala City tour.

Top places to visit in Kampala

Kampala city, as said before, is a city filled with a variety of tourist destinations that will interest you when you happen to go there or visit, and these include,

Cultural and Historical Sites in Kampala

Kasubi Tombs

Kasubi Tombs are a UNESCO World Heritage site, which were built in the year 1882 and were turned into a Royal tomb of the fallen kings of the Buganda kingdom in the year 1884. The Kasubi Tombs were constructed using only local materials, which include principally wood, reed, wattle and daub, and thatch, to name a few. When you visit the Kasubi tombs, you will get a chance to learn about the customs, culture, and also listen to the history of the Buganda kingdom through storytelling, which makes this destination best for culture and history tours.

Mengo Palace

Mengo Palace is another cultural destination or site in Kampala that you can visit during your Kampala city tour. Located on the Mengo hill, Mengo palace is the main palace of the Kabaka (king) of the Buganda kingdom and is open to tourists or visitors who go there to meet some of the Kingdom officials and learn more about the History, culture, and customs of the Buganda kingdom.

Kabaka’s Lake

Made on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in the 1880s to serve as an escape route for the king from the internal conflicts and external conflicts of the kingdom. The Kabaka’s Lake is found or located in Ndeeba in Kampala and is the largest man-made lake in Uganda. Kabaka’s Lake served and still serves a big role in the culture of the Buganda Kingdom. This lake is used to hold the boat competitions among the clans of the Buganda kingdom. The lake is also used to perform cultural rituals.

The Uganda Museum

The Uganda Museum happens to be the oldest in East Africa and was officially established in the year 1908. You can say that the Uganda museum is a summary of all the history, culture, and religion of Uganda at large. This is because a variety of items with cultural, religious, and historical importance or significance were collected and are displayed in the Uganda Museum. These collections tell their own stories, and on top of that, when you visit the museum, a guide is given to you who explains, answers questions, and tells you all the information you need to learn and know about Uganda in terms of Culture, history, and religion.

Religious sites in Kampala

Rubaga cathedral

Rubaga Hill was once the location of the Buganda’s main palace in the years 1856 and 1884. The place was transferred or rebuilt on the closest Mengo hill after it was struck by lightning. At the arrival of the first romans catholic missionaries, who were Frenchmen, Father Lourdel Monpel and Brother Amans, the Rubaga hill land was allocated to them, hence the construction of the St Mary’s Cathedral, which took place between 1914 and the year 1925 with the help of Roman Catholic congregations, and later on, a hospital and a nursing school were also constructed on the Rubaga hill still by the Roman church.

Namirembe cathedral

Namirembe cathedral located on one of the 7 hills that make up Kampala, this cathedral happens to be oldest Anglican church in Uganda, and the Diocese of Namirembe is filled with a lot of history and great architecture.

Other religious and historical sites or places in Kampala include the Ghaddafi Mosque, Bahai temple, the Namugongo shrine, the Kibuli mosque, Hindu’s Temple, the Munyonyo shrine, the Amin Tower chambers, the Independence grounds, and the Uganda parliament, to name a few.

Markets in Kampala

Speaking about markets, the backbone of Uganda is agriculture, so the markets within and around Kampala or across the country always have fresh foodstuffs and fruits to offer to their buyers. You can also decide to pass by any of the markets in Kampala and get yourself fresh fruits, which will leave your mouth watery and wanting more, crafts, and clothes, to name a few. The markets include Nakasero market, Owino market, Bagala craft market, Nankulabye market, and Nakivubo market, to name a few.

Worry not about the food in Kampala because this city favors everyone, including foreign natives or visitors, when it comes to food, because it happens to have hotels and restaurants that cook both local food and international food, which is to die for once you taste it.

During your Kampala city tour, there are things you should keep in mind to ensure your own safety, and these are

• Asking permission from your city guide before doing anything
• Leaving your travel or important documents in your hotel or lodge rooms
• Moving with exchanged money in Uganda currency (shillings UGX)
• Respecting the local people in all ways
• When it comes to street food, you should be keen on what you eat to avoid triggering allergies in case you have any.
• Move lightly on the streets.
• Always stay in your tour group to avoid getting lost.
• Respect the culture and religion mostly when visiting religious and cultural sites. here is a sample of a short Kampala city tour

White Rafting in Jinja (Uganda)

among the tourist attractions in Uganda are water bodies of which one of the them is River Nile (source of the Nile), which tourists visit for various reasons such as seeing the source of the Nile (Longest River in the world), tubing, kayaking, boat cruise, sport fishing, rafting, to name a few. today in this article I am going to write about all you need to know about white water rafting or the frequently asked questions about white water rafting in Jinja (Uganda).

What is white water rafting?

White water rafting is an out-door adventure activity which requires or involves tourists or a group of adventure lovers to navigate or sail on fast flowing water or rapids using specially made inflatable crafts for rafting activities. During the rafting activity, through team work peddles are used to help maneuver or avoid the rocks or obstacles and the challenging water currents.

Does one need experience to do white water rafting?

No! you need to have no experience in order to participate or carry out white water rafting on River Nile (Uganda). If you want to do white water rafting on River Nile all you have to do is have an adventurous or wild heart that is ready to guided through the water rapids by experienced guides. Also, white water rafting on River Nile has different grades or levels starting from grade 1 to grade 5. Each grade determines the level of water rapids that you are going to maneuver.

Is there an age limit for white water rafting on River Nile (Uganda)?

Yes! there is an age limit for white water rafting on River Nile (Uganda) and this depends on the level of rafting you want to do or participate in. The age limit begins at 14 years for grade 1 to grade 4 and for grade 5 the age limit is 16 years.

How is white water rafting done on River Nile (Uganda)?

White water rafting on River Nile always begins with briefing where you are told the rules and regulations of this activity, on this stage you will also be taught the safety precautions of the activity and the first aid skills. After briefing you will be given safety gears to but on (life jacket, helmet, and a wet suite). From gearing up you will head for the Raft and you will be given a specific position to seat with a paddle. You will then set off with your rafting and with team work and following instructions from your guide, you will navigate through the water rapids. And at the end of the rafting activity, you will be rewarded with a bottle of Nile to celebrate your victory over the water rapids.

What should I wear for white water rafting on River Nile?

It will good or a better idea that you wear or put on quick drying clothes with synthetic layers since you will be heading for a battle with water rapids so expect to get wet at all times. For the case of shoes, you should put on strapped sandals or water shoes that are quick to dry and provide traction on slippery surfaces like rocks. 

What should I do when I fall in water during white water rafting?

To avoid such accidents all you have to do is always listen to your guide’s instructions or commands and always have teamwork because this will be very much required of you in order to keep paddling through the water waves. Though not a common occasion, in case you fall into the water, all you have to do is aim to keep your feet down stream or do what is called defensive swimming until you get rescued.

What is the best time to do white water rafting on River Nile?

White water rafting on River Nile is always open to tourists or adventurists throughout the whole year though it is best done during warm weather. This only means that the best time to go for white water Rafting is during the dry season of the year (June to October and December to March)

In order to have a test of this experience on the longest river in the world (River Nile) all you have to do is book with us and include the activity in your itinerary.