NILE CROCODILES; THE AQUATIC ANIMALS OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Crocodylus niloticus, the Nile crocodiles are one of the popular aquatic species that are always sought after by travellers on Uganda Safaris and Tours.

The Nile crocodile is noted to be the world’s second largest reptile coming in after the salt water crocodile and is spread across the areas of Sub Saharan Africa including Uganda where it is explored during Africa holiday safaris in Uganda.  It thrives in various environments including; Rivers, lakes and marshlands and though it can thrive in saline ecosystems, the Nile crocodiles are seldom live in salt water.

Nile Crocodiles are notably gigantic and a mature male can stretch between 3.5 – 5m in length, 225 to 750kg in weight though specimens with length and weight higher than that given above have also been encountered. They feature sexual dimorphism and the female Nile crocodiles tend to be 30% smaller than the males.

These species are the most aggressive of all crocodile species and as a result, it has the capacity to capture any animal that is within its reach. The Nile crocodile is an Apex predator which gives it an advantage over most of the animals. They consume a range of prey including fish, birds and reptiles along with mammals. It is an ambush predator which waits for considerable hours, days and it can be weeks while anticipating for the perfect time to launch an attack. They use their most powerful bite which is rare in other animals where it inserts sharp conical teeth into the fresh providing for a firm grip that can hardly get loose. Nile crocodiles possess considerable levels of force for a prolonged time period which gives them an advantage in pulling the large prey to drown underwater. Such magical experiences are life time wonders if explored while on boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park or River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park during your Uganda tour holiday.

Nile crocodiles are social creatures and can share large food sources and basking spots. Their hierarchy is determined by size where the old large males are at the top of it with primary access to best basking spots and food. The rest of the members know their positions in the hierarchy and tend to follow it and failure to do so results into bloody clashes.

Just like other reptiles, the Nile Crocodiles lay eggs which are protected by the female and though the hatchlings receive protection from parents, they feed themselves. The sexual maturity is attained at the age of 12 – 16 years and eggs are laid after one (1) or two (2) months following the mate.

Regarding conservation, the Nile Crocodile are facing a serious human wildlife conflict because of their furious attacks on humans. However, they are not endangered and are listed as species of least concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Travellers planning wildlife safaris to Uganda with interest in Nile crocodiles can visit Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

PATAS MONKEY; PRIMATES OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Erythrocebus patas,the Patas Monkey is a notable ground dwelling monkey and one of the rare Uganda Safari tour wildlife products spread in the savannah dry lands of East and West Africa.

The Patas Monkey stretch to 85cm in body length without considering the tail that can stretch up to 75cm. In terms of size, the mature males are visibly larger than females as explored on Safari in Uganda. It is noted to be the fastest runner among all primates reaching up to 55km/h.

Regarding behaviour, the Patas Monkey thrive in multi-female groups with up to sixty (60) members and each group features one male for the greater part of the year. The range of males influx the female groups in the breeding season and when the males reach four (4) years where they attain sexual maturity, they vacate the mother group to join other male groups.

They are known to thrive in open savannah along with semi arid areas and tend to avoid the dense woodlands. The Patas Monkeys can as well live in areas that have been affected by deforestation and in agriculture plantations. No wonder their love for open areas makes them visible in Murchison Falls National Park while on Uganda Safaris.

Regarding diet, the Patas Monkeys are omnivores in nature and as a result, they consume diverse plants along with small animals. They majorly consume acacia fruits, leaves and galls, seasonal fruits, tree gum and flowers. Patas Monkeys also consume lizards, insects and eggs of birds as often viewed on Africa holiday tours in Uganda.

The Predators of Patas Monkeys include; cheetah, leopards and lions while the young ones can as well be hunted by African wild dogs, Hyena, large birds of prey and snakes. People also hunt them for meat and specimens for research.

Regarding conservation, the Patas Monkeys are listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

PATAS MONKEY; PRIMATES OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Erythrocebus patas,the Patas Monkey is a notable ground dwelling monkey and one of the rare Uganda Safari tour wildlife products spread in the savannah dry lands of East and West Africa.

The Patas Monkey stretch to 85cm in body length without considering the tail that can stretch up to 75cm. In terms of size, the mature males are visibly larger than females as explored on Safari in Uganda. It is noted to be the fastest runner among all primates reaching up to 55km/h.

Regarding behaviour, the Patas Monkey thrive in multi-female groups with up to sixty (60) members and each group features one male for the greater part of the year. The range of males influx the female groups in the breeding season and when the males reach four (4) years where they attain sexual maturity, they vacate the mother group to join other male groups.

They are known to thrive in open savannah along with semi arid areas and tend to avoid the dense woodlands. The Patas Monkeys can as well live in areas that have been affected by deforestation and in agriculture plantations. No wonder their love for open areas makes them visible in Murchison Falls National Park while on Uganda Safaris.

Regarding diet, the Patas Monkeys are omnivores in nature and as a result, they consume diverse plants along with small animals. They majorly consume acacia fruits, leaves and galls, seasonal fruits, tree gum and flowers. Patas Monkeys also consume lizards, insects and eggs of birds as often viewed on Africa holiday tours in Uganda.

The Predators of Patas Monkeys include; cheetah, leopards and lions while the young ones can as well be hunted by African wild dogs, Hyena, large birds of prey and snakes. People also hunt them for meat and specimens for research.

Regarding conservation, the Patas Monkeys are listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

HOODED VULTURE; BIRDS OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Necrosyrtes monachus, the Hooded Vulture is a descendant of Old world vulture belonging to the Accipitriformes order just like kites, eagles, hawks and buzzards and is a member of Necrosyrtes genus thriving in the Sub-Saharan Africa where it is explored on Africa birding safaris including birding safaris in Uganda.

The Hooded vulture is a small vulture compared to other vultures featuring a dark brown plumage, bare crown, fore-neck and face and long thin bill as viewed on Uganda birding safaris and tours.  The hooded vultures stretch between 62 – 72cm in length and weigh 1.5 – 2.6kg.

Breeding occurs in their stick nests built in trees where one egg is laid. The incubation of the hooded vulture lasts forty six (46) days. The stick built nest is always 20 – 120 feet high in the tree and is utilized year after year. The male is responsible for providing food to the female and the chick while still young but after three (3) weeks parents start going together to look for food.  The fledging takes 120 days while the entire lifespan ranges from 20 – 25 years but can stretch up to 30 years while in captivity.

Like other Vultures, the hooded vultures are notable scavengers but because of their weak bill and small size, they wait to pick up scraps from the carcass after the larger vultures have had a feast as explored on birding safari in Uganda.  They as well feed at spiny lobsters, mussels and dead fish on the sea shores while in urban centres, they scavenge in gutters and dumps. The hooded vultures also consume grasshoppers, locusts and grubs.

The hooded vulture moves in flock and they can be seen soaring in the sky during the day time in areas where they thrive. But unfortunately, the numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss, poisoning and hunting. In fact the hooded vulture is listed as critically endangered on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The hooded vultures thrive majorly in sub Saharan Africa and their habitat include; savannah, open plains, coastal areas, forests and villages. In Uganda, they mainly thrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

KASENYI SAFARI CAMP ; SAFARI LODGES OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Nestled on the rim of Bunyampaka Lake, the Kasenyi Safari Camp is one of the popular lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park known for providing accommodation for mid-market travelers on safaris and tours in Uganda.

The Kasenyi Safari Camp is marked by a raised thatched dining structure presenting a good view of the lake and park while taking a delicious meal or a soothing drink in the African wilderness while on a Uganda Safari tour.

Accommodation is presented in tents that are positioned on raised platforms featuring canopy roof. The four (4) tents are all en suite marked with an ample living room area along with private decks presenting an opportunity to view Uganda tour wild game at the comfort of your tent.

Amazingly, a range of animals frequent Kasenyi Safari Camp both during the day and night. Depending on the sheer luck that you carried with you to the Ugandan wilderness, the wildlife sights can include; prides of lions, Buffalo, Hippo, waterbuck, elephant, warthog and Hyena. The jungle sounds including those of Hyenas and lions may not be missed at night.

Kasenyi Safari Camp enjoys excellent location and its proximity to Kasenyi sector gives it an advantage in terms of being used as a base for the exciting game drive activity in this part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Therefore, upper level mid-market or close to upmarket travelers planning wildlife Safaris to Uganda and intend to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park can give Kasenyi Safari Camp a consideration thought. Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours will be glad to handle your booking.

BLACK-BACKED JACKAL ; ANIMALS OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Canis Mesomelas, the black-backed jackal is a notable Africa safari wild game explored by travelers to Africa including those on Uganda Safaris and tours and lives in the two areas on the continent of Africa with approximately 900km in between.  These areas include the southern tip of the continent including Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana and eastern coastline including Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Listed as the species of Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the black-backed jackal features great adaptability and wide spread range despite its persecution as a predator of livestock.  Appearing like a fox-like canid, the Black-backed Jackal is marked with slender body, large ears and long legs. It stretches from 6 – 13kg in terms of weight, 38 – 48cm at the shoulder height and 67.3 – 81.2cm in body length as explored on Safaris in Uganda.

The coat is reddish brown while the black saddle marked with silver hair stretch from the shoulders to the base of the tail. The Black-backed jackal features a bushy tail marked with a black tip. Regarding behaviour, the Black-backed jackal is territorial and monogamous. The territory is defended by marking the boundaries with urine and faeces and the intruders are expelled aggressively.

The Black-backed jackal features a gestation period of sixty (60) days and the mating normally occurs from late May to August and then giving birth occur from July through to October. A range of 1 – 9 pups are normally produced and are all blind under surveillance of their mother as the father and the old off spring provide food. The eyes are open after 8 – 10 days and weaning occurs after 8 – 9 weeks while hunting starts after six (6) months. The sexual maturity among the Black-backs is normally attained after eleven (11) months. All this themed interpretation is always heard from the Uganda Safari Tour guides while undertaking game drive activity in Kidepo Valley National Park where the Black-backed jackals are known to thrive.

The Black-backed jackals are Omnivores feeding majorly on invertebrates like grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, millipedes, termites, scorpions and spiders. They can as well feed on mammals including; hares, rodents along with young antelopes. They at times feed on berries and fruits.

Regarding the habitat, the Black-backed jackal prefers to dwell in open areas marked with little dense vegetation but it thrives in diverse habitats ranging from areas of 2000mm of rainfall to arid coastal deserts traversing savannahs, alpine areas and farmlands

GIRAFFE FACING EXTINCTION THREATS – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Giraffe  the tallest animal in the world and one of the popular Uganda safari tour products is faced with extinction threats following a drastic decline in their numbers with close to 40% noted to have been lost in the past 30 years.

It can be noted that though Giraffe can be commonly encountered in the wilderness while on Africa safari including Safaris in Uganda, zoos and in the media, most of the stakeholders are unaware of the fact that these species are facing a silent extinction. This was disclosed by the co-chair of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Giraffe and Okapi specialist group Julian Fennessy.

These beautiful gentle towering gentle giants seem to be overlooked. The Giraffes are far fewer than African Elephants which are below half a million and known to be in trouble. The former have already got extinct in seven (7) countries.

According to the IUCN, there were between 151,000 and 163,000 Giraffe populations in the year 1985 but twenty (20) years down the road, only 97,562 Giraffes thrive. During this year’s World Conservation Congress held in Cancun Mexico, IUCN increased the level of threat for thirty five (35) species including Giraffes and lowered that of seven (7) species on its Red list of threatened species.

The Giraffe is recorded to be the single mammal that saw change in its conservation status from species of Least Concern to Vulnerable. It is such a touching moment to hear that the animals which once spread in the areas of south and east of Africa with minor populations in west and central of Africa are now sliding to extinction. The trend is attributed to illegal hunting, human wildlife conflict, civil unrest and habitat loss and change due to human activities like mining and agriculture.

The wild Giraffes have already disappeared from seven (7) countries including; Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Nigeria according to Kumpel from the Zoological Society of London.  The destination Uganda still feature the highest count of Giraffes in the whole of East Africa and the travellers on Safari in Uganda can visit Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park if they wish to explore them.

SIPI RIVER LODGE ; THE BASE FOR SIPI FALLS EXPLORATION – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Overlooking the fascinating Sipi Falls, Sipi River Lodge is one of the popular Uganda Safari Lodges spread on 17 acres of private grounds that stretch to cover Kapsurur Falls one of the three (3) Sipi Waterfalls.

The facility features limited cottages which makes it a less congested place thus offering tranquil stay for the guests on Safaris in Uganda.  Accommodation at Sipi River Lodge is diverse including the luxury Kapsurur and the Aniet Cottage which are elegant, private and spacious with great views of the falls. They are en suite equipped with double shower, king sized double bed, twin beds along with the lounge and veranda.

Besides the Kapsurur and Aniet, Sipi River Lodge also has Chepkui Cottage and the Annex popularly known as the Seven Dwarfs house. The Chepkui also enjoys magnificent views of the falls, en suite facilities, one master double bed room, separate lounge marked with day bed, sofas and bunk bed making it ideal for families traveling together on Uganda vacation safari holidays. The en suite Annex acts as an extension of Chepkui cottage and if the group is big, some members can use it.

For those interested in a traditional touch, the Sasa and Piswa Bandas provide the best option. The round thatched houses shaped in local architecture have either a double bed or twin beds and enjoy shared bathroom. The secluded Suam Bunkhouse is a simple unit but offers a serene stay for the low cost travelers on tours in Uganda.

The restaurant serves sumptuous food selected from a diversified menu while the well stocked bar present a soothing sun downer drink while enjoying the views of the falls. Sipi River Lodge can thus be used as a base to explore Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon National Park and the Bagisu Community famous for their Imbalu circumcision ceremony and the extensive coffee fields.

 

UGANDAN MOUNTAIN GORILLA GIVES BIRTH IN FRONT OF A TOURIST – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Uganda the home to more than a half of the world’s critically endangered Mountain Gorillas has at many times offered lasting experiences for the Uganda gorilla safari undertakers but the memories gathered by Dina Tamimi will forever be beyond the ordinary.

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park the second destination explored by travelers on gorilla safaris in Uganda after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there thrives one habituated gorilla group named Nyakagyezi and it is in this family that one of the unique Mountain Gorilla experiences occurred.

The female Cyizanie gave birth to a lovely bouncing baby gorilla at such an opportune time when the American citizen traveler based in United Arab Emirates had arrived for Mountain Gorilla viewing as part of her Safari in Uganda. It was a big surprise as it wasn’t known that the female gorilla would give birth. Such unique moment had last occurred in the year 1998.

Led by Mark – the dominant Silverback, Nyakagezi gorilla group now features a count of eleven (11) members. Uganda has had series of births this year in her two Mountain Gorilla habitats namely; Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Rushegura and Bushaho Gorilla Groups have also had most recent birth in the north and south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the prime destination for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda respectively.

It can be noted that a count of 880 Mountain Gorillas are known to be left in the world living in only three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

RWANDA’S BISATE YOUTH BENEFIT FROM THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO CAMP – RWANDA SAFARI NEWS

The group of students in the village of Bisate in Rwanda Africa have had an opportunity to narrate their stories through writing and photography during the Photo camp organised by the National Geographic from 4^th  – 8^th Dec 2016.

Organized in conjunction with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International the non-profit organisation that is concerned with Mountain Gorilla Conservation in the Virunga massif – the destination for Rwanda gorilla safaris and tours, the 2016 Photo Camp has been exciting and educative.

Ronan Donovan and Pete Muller the photographers of National Geographic undertook the mentorship of the fifteen (15) participants in the age range of 14 – 17. The workshop which lasted four (4) days aimed at enhancing the use of photography along with visual storytelling to undertake the documentation of Rwanda Safari wildlife, culture along with the people. The final multimedia student presentation occurred on 8^th Dec in the village of Bisate.

The Deputy Director of Center of Excellence at National Geographic Kaitlin Yarnall noted that the Photo Camp aims at inspiring the new generation of storytellers along with the community members who view their work.  The Rwanda Photo Camp is believed to form a ground for creative outlet from which the unique aspects including the magical sites that can be explored on Safaris in Rwanda would be unveiled.

The National Geographic Photo Camp has organized a range of similar programs since 2003 to over 1,500 young people across 73 locations. The cameras are supplied by the Olympus Imaging America Inc. The Bistate village is home to many community engagement projects of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund founded in commemoration of the legendary Dian Fossey who established the Karisoke Research station in 1967 and contributed significantly to the research and conservation of Mountain Gorillas.