The journey to eastern Uganda; a remarkable odyssey

For many decades people from the east have always been known as the wise men because the sun always comes from the east. The journey from Kampala, the capital city heading to the east through towns of mukono and Lugazi before traversing mabira forest where you feel the breeze of the largest natural forest in Uganda presents a remarkable start on your Uganda safaris and tours.
Continuing on the drive to the cosmopolitan town of Jinja which has great history attached to it as the largest industrial town in Uganda before the Asians were expelled from Uganda by the infamous Idi Amin. The area contains the source of the mystical Nile River which is the longest in the world and highly sought after by travelers on safaris in Uganda.
You are already in Busoga land and thus under the leadership of Kyabazinga, the King of the Basoga. Take time to explore the customs, traditions and practices of the Basoga including the stories of their migration and the emergence of the Kingship that initially was not existing. The stretch of Tirinyi Road is very impressive. It is a flat landscape marked by swamps and plains where the River Mpologoma derives its waters before flowing to empty in Lake Kyoga one of the famous Uganda safari destinations.
Eventually, the journey enters the Masaba land which is the home of the Bagisu people that inhabit the surrounding areas of Elgon Mountain which they also refer to as Masaba noting that it is an embodiment of their founding father. These people are known world over for their mighty traditional circumcision ceremony named Imbalu where the male transit from childhood to manhood. This initially was a tribal practice with less concern for the outsiders and because of its uniqueness it has grown in popularity overtime and now when it is its season world travelers plan safaris to Uganda to be part of it. The ceremonies would be incomplete without Kadodi dance which is among the best traditional dances in Uganda.
From Mbale, the drive is still on until you reach Sipi Area where the famous Sipi Falls is located. The views of the falls from a far or hiking up to its top are all rewarding. Spending an overnight cannot be troublesome considering the range of accommodation units in Sipi Area ranging from affluent Sipi River lodge to the medium Lacam lodge and the Basic Crowns Nest Camp all featuring the views of Sipi falls.
Besides hiking Sipi falls, you could also do a journey break to climb the Elgon Mountain which requires a minimum of four (4) days for the shorter trail. Alternatively, you can undertake a one day hike to explore its foothills. Remember Mount Elgon is the fourth tallest in East Africa but was once the tallest in Africa before the denudation forces did it a disservice. This combines to make the journey to the east a memorable wonder of a life time and worth encountering while in Uganda.

Losing calories while in Uganda is never a problem

When people travel, they are sometimes fearful about the food they will eat and how unhealthy it might make them because many a time they do not find enough time to work off the excess calories because they are often concentrating on the “more important” things of their holidays. Sometimes there is just not much to do than to laze and in the process, vacationers accumulate loads of weight. When they return home to their friends and families, they begin pointing fingers at them because of how unhealthy they have become, in a time so short. But it is a completely different story for Safari and tours guests in Uganda. “It is never a problem; never difficult to lose calories while in Uganda”.
Uganda is not only gifted with an abundance of gorgeous things for tourists to see but a long list of sporting activities that will help vacationers to kept in shape.
While in Kampala, you can choose to just go for an early morning jog or an evening walk through the paved streets as the vehicles drive slowly past you in the mornings and evenings (as people head to or from work). There are normally people walking along the roads for different purposes; some just do not have enough shillings to pay for a matatu (taxi), while others are walking for a cause similar to yours (maintaining a good level of fitness). The security in Kampala is generally topnotch, so you can be assured of enjoying a walk or jog during your Uganda safari; you just have to stay on the pavements and keep an eye out for the traffic.
Tours and Safari guests in Uganda could also choose to go to any of the many parks and fields to kick around a ball with the skillful Ugandan footballers, or they can visit a basketball court to show Ugandan basketball players how good a dribbler or shooter you are. You could also just travel to the field with your jump rope to make a few skips. Tennis lovers can find a court a few minutes’ walk into the Makerere University main gate. There are also several courts for cricket, volleyball, and basketball in the Lugogo sports center; just fifteen minutes from Kampala city center along the road leading to Jinja (on a good day without traffic).For some people, weight lifting or using a gym bike is a better way to lose pounds. There is no need to pack your dumbbells when coming for your Safari to Uganda because there are top-class gyms at almost every corner of Kampala. In the gyms are knowledgeable and friendly therapists who will coach you through some of your favorite and other new exercises. Even when you travel away from Kampala, you can be fortunate to find modern fitness centers in some of the upmarket lodges that are situated in or adjacent to the National Parks.
Keeping your body in shape is often something you get to choose to do; for some it has developed into a habit, while many of us just do a few exercises once in a while to maintain a relatively good level of fitness. When you travel to Uganda, at least add it to the list of things to-do. You should also try not to eat too much junk; there’s a lot of better organic food for you to eat. Enjoy your holiday in Uganda while remaining healthy.

The interesting roadside vendors along Uganda’s highways – Uganda safari news

Driving along the highways during your safari and tour to Uganda is one of the most fascinating things you could ever think about or experience in the entire world. Uganda’s transportation system is an attraction in itself. From the conditions of the roads to the beauty that you drive past and not forgetting the craziness of the drivers along those highways; Uganda is just an entertaining place to be.
While on your Uganda tour and safari you will discover that along the highways (especially those leading to the most satisfying places like the National Parks) are several stopover points but these are not any ordinary stopovers. These are places to catch some of the tastiest pieces of roasted meat, chicken, cassava, fruits and frigid drinks; mentioning just a few. You might have packed enough food and water for your road trip but the things sold at the stopovers are not something you have ever tasted and  many a time not be readily available in the modern restaurants of Kampala. If they are, they are not this tasty.
For some highways it only takes about 45 minutes until you arrive at one of these stopovers while for others it is an hour plus but you can be assured of driving into one. You might want to inform your driver about your intentions to stop at one of these magical places before setting off for your safari in Uganda.
When you arrive at one of the roadside vending stops, you will not have to call these ambitious sellers to your vehicle but before you even stop, you will see roasted meat mounted on sticks probing through your open windows while some ladies hospitably ask whether you would like some water or soda. What is more interesting is the fact that you might use a dollar or two to get yourself too much food and drink that will take you through the next couple of hours of your road journey.
The most popular stopover points are along the road leading from Kampala to the western National Parks of Uganda through the towns of Masaka and Mbarara at a place called Lukaya. Another famous one is along the road leading to Fort Portal town (where the world’s youngest monarch has his palace) at a place called Mubende. There is another vendor point as you drive towards the source of the Nile in Jinja. These go-getting business men along the Kampala-Jinja highway call their market place “Namawojolo” and when you are here, make sure to ask for some hot “gonja”.
As part of the travel experiences on your Uganda Safari make sure to get yourself some of these delicious items while changing the lives of the people by offering them a living. Uganda is naturally a mind-boggling place to be; everything about this small landlocked country has something interesting about it. You can never run out of things to see, and do while in Uganda.
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Visiting the katwe explosion crater – Uganda safari news

Located in the northern part of the Uganda safari destination of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the south west of Uganda, the Katwe explosion crater has presented itself as an impressive destination that a traveler can encounter.
The excessive volcanic pressures resulted into a series of volcanic eruptions that left a range deep hollows that were to be filled with water forming crater lakes. The Katwe area experienced this earth process and an explosion crater field was formed in an extinct form though some still emit sulphurous gases as encountered on safaris in Uganda.
Visiting the Katwe Explosion crater is by no means ordinary. The people have lived around it as an enclave community within the rolling savannah park of Queen Elizabeth. Including the Katwe area on the list of what to visit while planning safaris to Uganda; is one of the life time decisions that a world traveler would not regret for having undertook. The communities have got rich traditions and their lifestyle is centered on the lakes’ natural offerings. The lakes do not have inlets and outlets and thus have become rich mineral hub especially salt. Lake Katwe is famously known for this and you take time to study the local processes of salt extraction and how they arrange their mining areas.
The processing of these products and eventual distribution process is rewarding too. The Katwe Lake extends to 3,265 feet in depth and is extremely saline. The area was lucrative in the pre-colonial times as salt by then was a valuable mineral. Though its value later reduced, the resource extraction has persisted traditionally for a long period of time. Besides the salt encounter, the lakes are rich habitats to a range of bird species including the unique and beautiful flamingoes which are encountered in safari in Uganda.
Due to its location in the park, the crater field with its rugged landscapes that are a darling to the Baboons and elephants. The drive the crater drive track offers impressive scenic views and the extending to the wider savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth like the Kasenyi makes your visit to the area worth the time and price. The views of the overlooking Rwenzori Mountains dubbed the mountains of the moon also add spice to remarkable memories for your Uganda safari tour.
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The amabere caves and the fort portal crater lake field; a new addition to the tourist product market – Uganda safari news

Positioned in the area of Fort Portal in the west of Uganda, the Amabere Caves and Fort Portal Crater Lake field has come up as the new additions to the Uganda safari products that can be encountered in the area.
The Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves are ancient breast-like features that have got a lot of both cultural and geographical attachment depending on which angle one wants to view them from. Traditionally, as their name suggests, the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru caves literally translated as the breasts of Nnyinamwiru are noted to have been breasts of the legendary daughter of the self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi named Bukuku who assumed the throne after the disappearance of Ishaza to the underground world while following the beautiful cows that were sent as traps by Nyamiyonga – the King of Underground. Bukuku who was initially a gate keeper and who was left as the care taker of the palace at the departure of Ishaza took over because Ishaza had delayed much and because he knew that he was not from the Royal lineage and thus not supposed to rule, he was very suspicious knowing that anytime he would be overthrown.
The fortune tellers foretold him that he would be overthrown by his own grand child who will be produced by his own daughter Nyinamwiru. And a result, he was bitter with his daughter and opted to remove one eye such that men would not get attracted to her. As if this was not enough, he built a strong enclosure whose only entrance was through the house of Bukuku meaning that no one would pass through his house to enter into the enclosure where Nnyinamwiru was put. However, despite all these efforts, the son of Ishaza named Isimbwa returned from the foreign land where his father had disappeared from and fell in love and thus settled there to abandon his Kingship. Isimbwa came tracing his father’s Kingship and eventually reached at the palace. He was notified of the Bukuku daughter and together with his aide; they built a long ladder which they used to climbing over the enclosure of Nnyinamwiru. He eventually got into the enclosure, slept with Nyinamwiru for some days and left her pregnant. Nnyinamwiru gave birth to a son named Ndahura but her father vowed never to allow the child to survive. After few months to allow the child develop milk teeth as it was abominable to kill a child who has not yet developed teeth, he was put on the banks of the nearby stream to roll himself into it but fortunately the child was rescued by the local porter called Rubimbwa and took care of him until he grew old and speared his grandfather Bukuku to death and eventually regaining his ancestral drum. Ndahura build a great Chwezi empire that covered great parts of the Great lake Africa whose archeological remains can be viewed up to today on Uganda safaris and tours. The discovery of these breast-like features with milky substance dripping from them was accepted by the locals as the breasts of Nnyinamwiru with milk dripping out of them since she had not breastfed her baby. This is a rich traditional history that you would with to hear by adding the Amabere caves to you list of what to encounter while planning safaris to Uganda.
On a geographical perspective, Amabere g’ Nyinmawiru are natural features of stalagmites and stalactites with calcium carbonate dripping on the ground to form the breast like pillars which the locals consider to be breasts.
Besides the caves, there is famous Fort Portal Crater Lake field which has a range of crater hollows some of which are filled with water to form the crater lakes. The lakes of Bikere, Saaka and Kigere form a surrounding chain of remarkable scenery. It is very amazing when one summits the Kyeganywa hill which presents all round views of the area with a panoramic impression of the lakes and the empty hollows in the area not forgetting the legendary mountains of the moon at a close distance on a clear day. This makes encountering this site while on safaris in Uganda rewarding.
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kalinzu forest; a profusion of biodiversity – uganda safari news

The forest of Kalinzu has gained the ground to become one of the favorite Uganda safari destinations in the south west of Uganda due its counts of biodiversity and the physical offerings.
The forest which is given as the extension of the Maramagambo forest to the east and covering a geographical spread of 137km presents a remarkable forest cover with mature trees that form an impressive forest canopy ideal to encounter on Uganda safaris and tours.
Like most of the African forests that are verdant in nature, Kalinzu Forest settles with 414 tree species and shrubs among which include Parinari, Prunus Africana and Stroboia. The forest presents an ideal home to six (6) diurnal species of primate including olive baboon, Chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, L’ Hhoest Monkeys, Blue and Red tailed monkeys. The forest also supports a range of pottos and two galago Species which are not explored during night walks not forgetting the tree hyrax.
Apart from primates and trees, the forest of Kalinzu supports 378 species of birds including the Great Blue Turaco, Sun birds, Cockoos, Black and white casket. Butterflies may not be missed too. Fortunately, Kalinzu supports a count of 263 butterflies along with 92 moth species and flowers which have increased the vibrancy of the forest as an ideal tourist destination thus worth encountering while on safaris in Uganda.
Besides the above, Kalinzu Forest Reserve’s popularity has been elevated with its pool of chimpanzees. The census that was conducted in the forest in 2001 gave the total count of chimps at around 200 individuals. However, the forest has two habituated groups of about 70 members which are encountered by researchers and the leisure travelers. As a result of its close connection to Queen Elizabeth National Park, other wildlife including duikers, wild pigs and leopards make occasional visit to the area.
The good network of trails set to traverse the entire forest and its physical offerings like the crater hollows and the escarpments of the Albertine rift presents an ideal provision for a range of activities in the forest. These include; the chimpanzee trekking, the nature walks exploring the forest landscapes, birding, butterfly identification, conservation education and small mammal viewing.
Accessing the forest is quite easy depending on where you are located. From Kampala which is the popular start point for many safaris to Uganda, it takes you around 6 hours to cover 375km passing along the Uganda Equators crossing Kayabwe, traditional rangelands of Ankole and Mbarara town. If in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it takes about 2 hours to connect from Mweya.
Travelers on safari in Uganda wishing to spend an overnight in Kalinzu Forest can utilize the Nkombe campsite or the accommodation units in the neighboring Ishaka or Bushenyi towns. The safari lodges in the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park present an alternative overnight stay for Kalinzu forest.
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The rwenzururu people of the rwenzori mountains – uganda safari news

Uganda is one of the smaller countries on the African continent but it is surprisingly one of the most ethnically diverse places on the globe and probably in the entire universe. Although many of these ethnic groups have some close ties with at least one other group in the country, they each have elements in their cultural fabric that are entirely dissimilar from any other, especially the traditions and dialects or languages. This makes Uganda a top tours and safari destination in the world especially for tourists who are interested in having an entirely new cultural experience.
In the three (3) southwestern districts of Uganda called Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Kasese where the famous “Mountains of the Moon” (the Rwenzoris) are situated; lives a fascinating kingdom called Rwenzururu; one of Uganda’s youngest kingdoms. The Banyarwenzururu (a name given to the people who inhabit the Rwenzururu kingdom) include two subgroups (the Bakonjo and the Amba). The history of Rwenzururu kingdom is described by both times of happiness and sorrows for the Konjo and Amba people.
Originally, the two subgroups (Amba and Konjo) lived peacefully in the Rwenzoris and worshipped a god called Kitasamba who they believed to inhabit the higher places of the legendary mountains while his beautiful wives christened the lower slopes. They trusted in Kitasamba to provide them with food, success in farming, rainfall and to protect them since he made the world and all that is in it. They also believed that the snow which capped the peaks of the Rwenzoris was his frozen semen which melted to form many of the streams which can be seen during a Uganda Safari and tour to the Rwenzoris.
The Amba and Konjo lived peacefully until the British Colonial Government joined them with the greater kingdom of Toro which is found in the district of Kabarole today. Desiring to be independent, the two groups joined efforts to form a secessionist movement called Rwenzururu and in June 1962 they were recognized as an independent cultural entity with Isaya Makirania as their leader; but this was just ceremonial. The soldiers from Toro Kingdom continued to patrol the Rwenzoris and even massacred a great number of Konjo and Amba men, women and children between 1963 and 1964.
This massacre mounted greater disregard for the Toro dominance among the Rwenzururu people and at the fall of Idi Amin in 1979 the agile youthful men of Rwenzururu captured some of the ammunitions from the defeated government and formed a guerilla movement; all geared towards autonomy.
Fortunately, due to the efforts of a number of people including human rights activists and researchers especially from Makerere University; the government of Museveni Kaguta declared Rwenzururu an independent cultural organization on 17th March 2008 in a victorious ceremony which was aired on national television stations.
The Rwenzururu Kingdom which is currently led by Omusinga (a title given to the kings of Rwenzururu) Charles Mumbere, is an interesting group of people to encounter during your Uganda tour and safari. You will be taken through the communities of the Rwenzururu people by the expressive Rwenzururu tour guides and you will be able to see the remains of the historic struggle for independence along the Bulemba-Ihandiro Cultural Trail.
During your safari and tour, you will be fortunate enough to also see spiritual symbols like the “Spiritual Konjo Stool” which is believed to cure people of their illnesses. Visits may also lead to Muhima, the traditional healer who cures people of their illnesses by using natural traditional herbs only. Perhaps the height of your visit will be a traditional musical performance by the energetic Rwenzururu dancers. You are actually welcome to join in with the dancers or to join the drummers in the traditional Rwenzruru social music and dances.
Culture in Uganda is unlimited and the fascinations behind the peoples of Uganda are a reason for the international community to love this country in the heart of Africa.

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The indiginous karimojong visit – Uganda safari news

The indigenous Karimojong thrive high in the mountain of Morungole in the Uganda safari destination of Kidepo Valley National Park to the north east of Uganda. The Indigenous Karimojong are a small group of people that range between 10,000 – 11,000 numbers and are noted to have migrated from Ethiopia first settling in Kenya and then eventually settling in Kidepo Valley National Park.
The Indigenous Karimojong are known to be hunter gather culture but they later abandoned hunting due to continued interference from the Pokot cattle keepers and government interference in the 1960s and as a result, they pushed to the mountainous landscapes of Morungole for harmonious living where they can be found today while on safaris in Uganda.
It is noted that the indigenous Karimojong were the initial tribal group to migrate to the north east of Uganda and to them their naming means the head of migration or the first ones to settle there. Visiting the Indigenous Karimojong in their dwelling place in the mountainous landscapes of Morungole involves and an intensive hike which stretch to a whole day experience on your Uganda safaris and tours.
The tour to the indigenous Karimojong exposes you to in depth encounter of the traditions of the indigenous Karimojong and amazing scenic landscapes of the Morungole Mountains, Karamoja plains and the south Sudan Mountains. The encounter brings you closer to the indigenous Karimjong traditions such as their mode of paying bride wealth where 5 to 10 bee hives are offered other than cattle, how children at their tender age live with their grandmother or with one another, the practice of polygamy and the daily life of the Indigenous Karimojong people deriving remarkable memories on your safari in Uganda.
The indigenous Karimojong practices cultivation and bee-keeping since they stopped keeping cattle to avoid raids from the adjacent pastoralist communities. A tribe with 11,000 members is really considered endangered and as thus requires considerable attention. The exploration to the indigenous has not in any way been easy until the US Forest Service established a trail. There is also a driving option taking about 4 hour ride but it still remains a whole day adventure trekking the mountainous slopes in the company of the guide.
A traveller planning a safari to Uganda would definitely need to have some degree of fitness before including this hike in the itinerary. Mount Morungole towers up to 2,749m above sea level and hiking up to the upper slopes presents a challenging encounter. The Indigenous Karimojong are welcoming and have started to cherish tourism since it generates supplementary income to their community.
Their traditions are still authentic as they have been less disturbed by western values. In fact, the whole tribe has one girl currently at Kampala International University and will break the ground to be the first graduate of the entire tribe. The tour to explore the indigenous Karomojong can be incorporated in your Uganda wildlife safari to Kidepo Valley National Park.
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MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING IN MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK – UGANDA GORILLA SAFARI NEWS

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is noted to be among the new parks that were formed in the early 1990s and for it; the main motive was to protect the mountain gorillas which are always encountered on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.
Positioned at the extreme south western tip of Uganda, Mgahinga protects the Ugandan side of the three Virunga Volcanoes that adjoin the eight Virunga mountain chain where 480 mountain gorillas are known to be thriving presenting remarkable gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Mountain Gorillas dwell in the forested landscapes of Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo and one group Nyakagyezi has been habituated and it is the only one gorilla family that can encountered while trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The gorilla trekking in Mgahinga requires one to secure permits on ground from Uganda Wildlife Authority branch in Kisoro as they are not booked at the headquarters in Kampala. The start point for the trek is either Ntebeko Visitor Center or the Muhabura side depending on location of the gorilla group by the time you undertake a gorilla safari in Uganda.
The gorilla permit for Mgahinga is the same as that of Bwindi and is given at $600 for the nonresident foreigner and the duration for gorilla trekking also ranges from 2 – 8 hours commencing in the morning at 8am local time.
Trekking Mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park is supplemented by tracking golden monkeys which tend to dwell in the Bamboo zone on the slopes of the Volcanoes, the Volcano Climbing where you can summit any of the three Volcanoes and the Batwa heritage trail to explore the Batwa traditions. This combines primate tracking, adventure and culture to generate ultimate Africa Safari memories.
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Encountering sipi falls – Uganda safari news

Sipi falls located in the east of Uganda is one of the famous Uganda safari attractions appearing in its natural picturesque overlooking the Elgon Mountain and the close to the boarder of Kenya. The Sipi Falls is positioned in the Kapchorwa district which is in the north east of Mbale and Sironko.
The Sipi falls Area is a popular starting point for a range of hikes on Mount Elgon which is the fourth tallest in East Africa and the eighth on African continent. The famous route which commences at Budadiri following Sasa Trail heading to the summit before descending down the Sipi trail and then back to Sipi Falls is within the Sipi fall and offers travelers on safaris in Uganda a considerable hiking experience.
The hiking encounters around Sipi falls offer impressive views of the plains of Karamoja, Mount Elgon slopes and the gigantic Lake Kyoga which is the second largest fresh water lake in Uganda. The adventure exploration to Sipi Falls by travelers planning safaris to Uganda can be arranged through private tour operators including Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd and Wild gorilla Safaris or by arranging it yourself.
The Sipi Falls Area is gifted with a range of accommodation units that feature Luxury to Midrange and Budget arrangement to suit various categories of travelers on Uganda safaris and tours. Some of these include; Lacam Lodge, Sipi River Lodge, Crown’s Nest Camp site, Rose’s Last Chance among others. The cool climatic conditions that exist in the Sipi Area presents an ideal environment for relaxation, unwinding, relaxing and a perfect chill from the bustling urban life.
As a result of its position which is perched on the foothills of Elgon Mountain, there are a range of her alternative tourist activities that people can engage while visiting the area. There is Rob’s Rolling Rock which is a local outfit that was trained by climbers of Italian origin offering abseiling along the main Sipi waterfall that is 100m high along with fourteen (14) bolted sports routes with difficulty. A traveler on safari in Uganda can also visit the surrounding communities and other local waterfalls.
The River Sipi which is named after the plant Species named Sep found on the banks of the Sipi falls. It is a medicinal plant that resemble wild banana and it is locally used to treat measles and fever.
The extensive Bagisu farmlands dotted with Arabica coffee present impressive scenic views of the area and the local community. The Arabica coffee thrives at 1,600 and 1,900 m. There are organized coffee tours that can offer a traveler on Uganda safari tour a detailed themed interpretation of coffee farming and processing.
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