URBAN BY CITY BLUE KAMPALA; THE MID MARKET ACCOMMODATION IN KAMPALA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Whether one is landing in Kampala either on a business trip or for a Uganda Safari, the Urban by City blue Hotel offers an incredible overnight accommodation within the Uganda’s capital city.

Designed around a garden courtyard and a lush swimming pool, the Urban by City blue Kampala enjoys a very calm atmosphere surprisingly within the close reach of the Kampala city center. This makes its access to the major shopping centers, major Government and Private offices very convenient. Travelers on Safaris in Uganda can as well be easily picked up for the respective trips that normally commence early in the morning.

Its popular Cafe Mamba is situated by the pool side and the guests are treated to mouth watering pizzas. The restaurant also serves other dishes and a wide selection of beverages.

Accommodation at Urban by city blue is offered in a range of categories from which the diverse interests of world travelers including those on Uganda tours are served; These include;

• One (1) Suite marked with cozy lounge, private balcony overlooking the swimming pool, private dining area and lush bathroom with shower and bath tub.
• Four (4) Superior club rooms marked with lush walk in shower and private balcony.
• Six (6) pool side rooms marked with twin beds, balcony and walk in showers
• Three (3) standard twin rooms furnished with walk in power showers
• Twenty three (23) deluxe club rooms equipped with lush walk-in shower and private balcony.

For those interested in conferences and meetings, the Urban by city blue Kampala can host up to thirty (30) people.

The hotel offers a selection of wider facilities and amenities including; gym, free ample parking space, 24h/7 reception, free Wi-Fi, access to iron and ironing board, daily housekeeping and chargeable laundry service, in room safes and mineral water in the rooms, 40 inch TVs in the rooms with local and international channels and complimentary breakfast. All these combine to quality Urban by city blue worth of stay even by those on  Africa Adventure vacation holiday tours in Uganda.

THE GOLIATH HERON; BIRDS OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to Ardea goliath, the Goliath heron is one of the outstanding bird species normally encountered on birding safaris in Uganda.

It is a giant wading bird species belonging to Ardeidae – a family of herons and thrives greatly in sub Saharan Africa including Uganda where it is explored on Uganda safari tours and also in Southwest and South Asia though in small numbers.

The Goliath heron is recorded as the world’s largest heron stretching 120 – 152cm in height, weighing 4 – 5kg and with a wing span of 185 – 230cm. Its bill measures about 24cm from the gape. It features a slow flight with a heavier presentation compared to other herons and its legs are not horizontally stretched.

The male and female have no difference in appearance and they are both marked with slate gray and chest nut feathers, bushy crest on the head, white chin, throat, upper breast and fore neck. The black streaks are visible across the upper breast and the foreneck. The eyes of Goliath heron are yellow while the feet are black as often explored while on Uganda birding safaris and tours.

The Goliath heron is an aquatic bird species and thus thrives close to water points and even prefers flying along the water ways other than land. The main dwelling areas include; swamps and mangrove wetlands, lakes, reefs with little cool water and at times in river deltas.  They forage in the same areas waiting patiently for prey and often dipping its bill under water to attract fish which it then swallows as a whole. Unfortunately, the Goliath herons feature an extended handling time and at times end up losing their prey to other birds like African fish eagle, pelicans and saddle-billed storks. The major food sources of herons include; fish, prawns, frogs, lizards, insects, snakes, among others.

The breeding of Goliath Heron occurs normally at the beginning of the rainy season though it can be all year round in some areas. They lay 2 – 5 pale blue eggs and incubation lasts 24 – 30 days.

Travelers on Safaris in Uganda have chances of viewing the Goliath heron along the swamps of Lake Victoria including Mabamba, the banks of River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda among other areas.

As regards conservation, the Goliath heron is listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature.

BRIEF FACTS ABOUT NILE CROCODILES – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Nile Crocodiles also referred to as Crocodylus niloticus are remarkable water based creatures that always astonish the travelers on Safaris in Uganda Africa.

They are recorded to be the world’s second largest reptile after the Salt water crocodile. The Nile crocodile thrives across the Sub Saharan Africa including the destination Uganda making it a popular Uganda Safari product.  Its habitats include; Lakes, Rivers and marshlands. And although they thrive in saline environments, the Nile crocodiles hardly live in Salt water.

Nile Crocodiles are huge animal species with males weighing 225 – 750 kg and extending between 3.5 – 5 m in length. Sexual differences are noticeable among the Nile Crocodiles and females are 30% smaller than the male counterparts.

The Nile Crocodiles are known among all species of crocodiles as the most aggressive because it can capture any animal within its reach as often explored on East African Safaris and tours.  Being an Apex predator, the Nile crocodile has an advantage over a range of animal species. Their prey include; mammals, birds, fish and other reptiles.

They are ambush predators and can wait patiently for hours, days and even weeks for that ideal moment to launch an attack. Nile Crocodiles utilize their powerful bite that is not common among other animal species. Their sharp conical teeth are inserted into the fresh exerting very firm grip that is hard to let go. Their capacity to possess an extended force enables them to eventually pull even the powerful prey under water. Such amazing experiences are common during the Great Migration as Millions of Wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of Zebras cross the crocodile infested Mara River and travelers on Safari in Tanzania and Kenya during this period are rewarded with lasting memories!

Nile crocodiles are known to be social creatures that normally share basking spots and large food sources. The size determines the hierarchy of administration putting the male adults on top gaining access to better basking spots and food. The respective members understand their positions in the hierarchy which they follow or else bloody clashes cannot be avoided.

The female Nile crocodiles attain sexual maturity between 12 – 16 years and lay eggs within 1 – 2 months after mating. The hatchlings feed themselves but are protected by both parents.

On safari in Uganda, one can expect to view the Nile crocodiles along the River Nile launch cruise in Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga Channel launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda and in Lake Mburo National Park Uganda.   In the conservation world, the Nile crocodiles are listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature

KLIPSPRINGER ; ANTELOPES OF UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS

Scientifically referred to as Oreotragus oreotragus, the Klipspringer is small antelopes thriving in the southern and Eastern parts of Africa where they are explored on Africa Safari holidays including Uganda safaris and tours.

Noted to be the only members of Genus Oreotragus, Order Artiodactyla and Family Bovidae, the Klipspringer was first detailed by August Wilhelm a German Zoologist in 1783. It appears as a sturdy small antelope with shoulder height of 43 – 60cm and the weight of 8 – 18kg.  The Klipspringer’s coat appearance ranges from yellowish gray to reddish brown which gives it good camouflage in the rocky habitats where it dwells including the ancient Precambrian rocks of Lake Mburo National Park where it is always viewed on Safaris in Uganda. The horns of the Klipspringer are spiky and short stretching from7.5 – 9cm and only exist in males.

The Klipspringers are primarily nocturnal species meaning that they are very active at night and normally take a rest at middle of the day and late night time. They are noted to be selective browsers and feed on flowers, fruit of herbs and shrubs not forgetting soft green shoots. The Klipspringers rarely feed on grass and do not depend on water.

Klipspringers are monogamous to a greater extent compared to other species of antelopes and feature long term pair bonding. The mates are most of the time 5m close to one another. The male Klipspringer creates territory (19 – 121 acres) in which it stays with the partner and the off spring. The gestation period of a klipspringer lasts about six (6) – seven (7) months after which a single calf is produced. The calf separates from its mother after attaining one year of age. This forms part of the themed interpretation about these species by wildlife guides during game drives on a safari in Uganda.

Klipspringers occupy rocky terrain areas marked by sparse vegetation which gives them an advantage in escaping from their predators. The Predators of Klipspringer include; Leopard, Spotted Hyena and the Jackals while the young ones can even be attacked by Baboons and Eagles.

Regarding conservation, the Klipspringers are listed on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as species of least concern. The species have few threats due to the nature of their habitats which are unfavourable for hunting and hardly accessible.