1 Day Semuliki Uganda Birding Safari/ 1 Day Birding Watching Safari Uganda to Semuliki National Park

Overview of the 1 Day Semuliki Uganda Birding Safari/ 1 Day Birding Watching Safari Uganda to Semuliki National Park.

 

This 1 day Uganda birding safari/ bird watching safari Uganda presents to you an opportunity to indulge in a spectacular bird watching safari in Semuliki National Park and also do a thrilling nature hike to the hot springs of Sempaya hot springs. This 1day Uganda safari/visit Uganda to Semuliki begins from fort portal town which cuts down the travel distance time from 360km or 5-6 hour drive to only 60km or 1.5 hours and this gives you an opportunity to spend more time to engage in activities.

Semuliki national park is located in the western district of Bundibugyo about 360 km or 5-6 hour drive from Kampala. Semuliki National Park Uganda is highly revered for its rich biodiversity of birds as it has close to over 441 bird species and many of these are Albertine rift and Congo biome endemic species. some of these bird species in Semuliki park include the Nkulengu rial, yellow-throated cuckoo, piping hornbill, black dwarf hornbill, red-billed hornbill, red-rumped tinkerbird, African piculet, white-throated blue swallow, Maxwell’s black weaver, lemon billed crombec, orange checked waxbill and many more.

Highlights of the1 Day Semuliki Birding Safari Uganda Safari / 1 Day Uganda Birding Safari to Semuliki National Park.

Transfer from Fort portal to Semuliki National Park and engage in birding and a hike to Sempaya hot springs.

Detailed itinerary of the 1 Day Semuliki Birding Safari Uganda Safari / 1 Day Uganda Birding Safari to Semuliki National Park.

This 1-day safari Uganda to Semuliki begins with an early morning pick from your hotel in  Fort portal by any of our senior birding guides and embark on an epic Uganda tour road adventure to Semuliki National Park which lasts about 1.5 hours to get there. Although this journey is quite short, it’s stunning while it lasts given the beautiful road sighting that will keep you fascinated throughout this safari in Uganda to Semuliki. The towering foothills of the Rwenzori are uniquely captivating especially on a clear day as they give you an impression of how tall the Margherita peak is. This drive is done in unending corners that will also create an impression on you as these were carved out of huge rocks.  On arrival to Semuliki National park, transfer to the any of the birding spots and start ticking off your bird list the numerous birds that you will encounter on this birding expedition. After about 3-4 hours of birding, transfer to any of the safari lodges here for an African traditional lunch. the end of you nice lunch leads to the start of a hike to the Sempaya hot springs which gives you a Uganda hiking safari experience for about 30-45minutesand during this time, you can decide to continue with your birding adventure as you scan the environment this tropical wilderness for more birds. On reaching these hot springs, you are ushered into the world of unmatched beauty as these hot springs shot up hot water into the sky at your amazement. These springs are boiling hot and to easily prove it, all you need are a few raw eggs that you need to drop into this steaming water just for a few minutes then they will be ready to serve while hot. return to the starting point of this hike and start your return journey back to fort portal and this concludes your short Uganda safari to Semuliki National Park.

In case you still need to engage in a tour in Uganda after this birding experience in Semuliki National Park, all you need is to make a short Uganda wildlife safari visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 120km or 2.5-hour drive away from fort portal. This short Uganda wildlife safari/ Uganda wildlife safari gives you an encounter with the spectacular wild mammals of Queen Elizabeth National Park such as cape buffaloes, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, African bush elephants, and a chance to encounter to see several of the 600 bird species that call Queen Elizabeth National Park their home. You can still decide to extend this Uganda safari tour to Bwindi and have a magical moment with the mountain gorillas. A Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi gives a chance to meet any of the 18 gorilla families that exist here. Gorilla trekking Uganda/Uganda gorilla safaris come in both short Uganda gorilla safaris/short gorilla trek safari and also in long Uganda gorilla trekking safaris/Uganda gorilla trek safari to give the best of Uganda tour memories.

Uganda birding safari packages

1 Day Mabamba swamp excursion
7 Days Birding safari in Uganda
8 Days Uganda Birding safari
14 Days Uganda Primate birding safari
15 Days Uganda birding safari
19 Days Uganda birding safari
21 Days Birding safari in Uganda Africa

 

Amazing Facts to Look Out for on Your Tanzania safari

One of the first animals everyone learnt about in school was a cow. Just like I was, many of us don’t know how important cattle is, we only think about the meat, milk fertilizers and hides. During your Tanzania safari/Tour in Tanzania, take time and visit the Maasai societies. Trust me you will be wowed by their way of life. The Maasai people are typical pastoralists whose whole life revolves around cattle. Infact it is their measurement of wealth and greeting. “I hope your cattle are well”, they say in greeting.

Among the Massai, cattle are treasured and considered extremely valuable and form a key part of their daily lives. During your safari in Tanzania, with the help of your Tanzania tour guide, visit the Maasai villages and have a close encounter with these proud Africans. To them, cattle are at the center of everything, providing them with food and materials, as well as playing an important role in their rituals and representing their wealth and status. When they give birth to children, they pass on the norms to the new generations as it is paramount for them to understand the Maasai culture and the need to protect and care for their cattle.

How the Maasai culture moves on to the different generations

In one of the interviews with a Maasai, he said that according to their tradition, before they were born, their grandparents had cattle which they left for their parents. And after they were born, they left the cattle to them because it is beneficial to the Maasai culture, as medicine, food, milk as well as prestige.

How important is cattle to them?

In the course of your Tanzania safari tour, you witness the importance of their livestock. Once you step a foot in their homesteads, their love for their cattle is mirrored in the way their homestead is constructed. Their cattle are enclosed in a tree fenced enclosure in the center of their homesteads called a boma with two entry and exit gates.

These bomas vary in size. Its size depends on the number of cattle a family holds. There are those that are quite large and can hold least 500 cattle.

Traditionally, Maasai communities live close to famous Tanzania wildlife safari game areas like Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park that are visited by a number of tourists interested in tours Tanzania/ Tours in Tanzania for Tanzania wildlife safari/wildlife safaris Tanzania. These places are home to the most dangerous wildlife including; predators making their livestock a target to predator attacks yet they have no means of claiming compensation for livestock lost in any predator attack.

These attacks often led to revenge. The Masaai warriors normally hunted and killed lions and hyenas after an attack.

We are experts in tailoring combined Africa safaris therefore you can supplement your  your Africa tour with a Uganda wildlife tour, a Uganda gorilla touror short Uganda gorilla safari, a Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari, Uganda wildlife safaris, Uganda gorilla safaris, Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris, Uganda hiking safaris,Uganda Rwanda cycling safaris, a Jinja city tour/Jinja city tours or 1 Day Jinja city tour, a Kampala city tour/Kampala city tours or a 1-day Kampala city day tour/1 day Kampala day tour, a Uganda cycling safari depending on your choice of safari in Uganda.

Tanzania safari packages

2 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manayara National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Tarangire National Park

3 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara National Park

3 Days Tanzania wildlife safari to Serengeti National Park

5 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara, Serenegti & Ngorongoro

5 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

6 Days Tanznia safari to Serengeti

6 Days Kilimanjaro climbing Adventure

6 Days Tanzania safari tour

6 Days Tanzania Big five safari

6 Days Wildife safari in Tanzania

6 Days Tanzaia wildlife safari

7 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania safari Mara river

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari & Cultural

10 Days Northern Circuit wildlife & birding safari

Cattle Have More Are Importance Than You Know Among The Maasai

Unlike many of us who think cattle are only for meat, milk and hides, on your Tanzania safari during your cultural tour in Tanzania/ safari Tanzania, you will learn that among the Maasai, cattle are there everything from food, medicine, material, culture, ritual. In other words, cattle are life.

Unlike among the Baganda tribe of Uganda, cattle to the Masaai is a symbol of wealth and a source of pride (the more the better), and a person’s entire life revolves around the herds. This alone pressurizes them pasture and care for them, the need to protect them, and the need to move with them in search water.

Traditionally, for a man to have a wife, depended on the number of cows he had. In order to have more cows, the Masaai men resorted to the aggressive nature of relations with their neighbors. The Masaai men often had warfare over land, grazing rights, and cattle raids. War fares were essential in guaranteeing a family’s prosperity, as well as to massage the warrior’s ego and enable him to get married.

During your Africa safari, visit Uganda for a Uganda safari tour/ cultural safari Uganda in the Ankole region. During this safari Uganda/ tour Uganda, you will learn that the Ankole value cattle just like the Maasai. For a man to marry a girl/woman in this region, the girls’ parents visit the boy/man’s family with the strongest man in the region, he throws a spear to his furthest distance and all cows behind the spear are taken by the girls’ family as bride wealth.

. as wealth among the

Research has it that the Masaai are the wealthiest people in Africa. Each person owns about 14-19 cattle. Therefore, a typical family of about 8-10 people owns between 125-140 heads. These numbers alone produce more than the required litres of milk needed by them for daily subsistence. If they one-time decided to have this in monetary terms, they would easily be the richest tribe in Tanzania if they ever sold all their stock however, they certainly can’t.

In order to waste milk, as a rule, the Maasai keep as many cattle as possible, so that only a portion of the milk is used for human consumption, leaving plenty for their calves. As a result of good feeding, Maasai cattle are generally larger and in better condition than those of their neighbours.

When it comes to milking, the Masaai women milk the cows unless there are no women around, whereas the Masaai men herd and protect them keeping livestock safe from predators and still ensure they are adequately supplied with water and fresh pasturage.

Physical uses of cattle to the Maasai

As a tradition, the Maasai only feed on milk, either fresh or clotted called osaroi, as their staple food. This is often drunk mixed with blood and this is done once a month. The mixture is often referred to as nailang’a. This mixture is commonly done in the dry season when milk yields are low.
How do they collect the blood?

A noose is tightened around a cow’s neck, causing the jugular vein to swell. They then bring a short blunt arrow with a 1cm tip and its shaft bound with twine, is then fired at close range from a loosely-strung bow to puncture the vein. The blood which spurts out is collected in a gourd. The wound is not fatal and is stopped afterwards with a wad of mud and dung to stop the bleeding (this is not that any different from people donating blood). The Maasai believe the blood makes them very strong.

The living animals also provide dung, which is used to plaster houses. The urine has some medicinal and cleansing qualities, and is also used in building.

Cattle are only rarely slaughtered, and this only in times of famine, ritual purposes such as by warriors seeking strength before a raid, or when the animal becomes too old or lame to be of other use. Meat is obtained from large herds of sheep and goats that are around 150-200 per family.

If a cow or bull is slaughtered, the hide serves many purposes: it can be made into mattresses and mats, sandals, slings, clothes and weapon sheaths. Leather is kept supple by rubbing in goat fat.

Social and ritual uses of cattle among the Maasai

Given the many uses of cattle, cattle also hold great importance in ritual and ceremony. Cattle are a major sign of wealth, and are exchanged between a groom and his bride’s family as a symbol of their bond (bride wealth). Essentially, their social use is to create or strengthen ties and loyalties.

They are also used as payment for fines to re-establish social harmony including cases of murder.

They are offered as sacrifices on the most important ritual and ceremonial occasions. These ceremonies include births, deaths, and all the rites of passage. Depending on the occasion, the sex and colour of the cattle is ritually significant.

Tanzania safaris offer one of the best Africa wildlife safaris including Tanzania birding safaris. A Tanzania wildlife safari offers you the chance to visit Africas’ most famous Serengeti National Park while Kenya safaris offer Kenya birding safaris and Kenya wildlife safaris that bid you the chance to visit Masaai Mara National Park.
Book your Uganda birding safaris tour, birding safari Uganda or Bird watching safaris Uganda with us for the best ultimate Africa safari tour memories.

It is also possible to modify this Africa safari tour with a Birding safari in Uganda or Birding tour in Uganda to feature other Africa safari destinations like Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya among the many. Congo safaris or a Congo safari offers you chance enjoy a Congo gorilla safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park to trek lowland gorillas or a Congo gorilla trekking tour in Virunga National Park to trek the famous Mountain gorillas.

Tanzania safari packages

2 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manayara National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Tarangire National Park

3 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara National Park

3 Days Tanzania wildlife safari to Serengeti National Park

5 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara, Serenegti & Ngorongoro

5 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

6 Days Tanznia safari to Serengeti

6 Days Kilimanjaro climbing Adventure

6 Days Tanzania safari tour

6 Days Tanzania Big five safari

6 Days Wildife safari in Tanzania

6 Days Tanzaia wildlife safari

7 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania safari Mara river

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari & Cultural

10 Days Northern Circuit wildlife & birding safari

4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale / 4 Days Semuliki Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale

Overview of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale / 4 Days Semuliki Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale

This 4 days Uganda birding safari is aimed at giving you an epic Uganda bird watching safari experience as you get to visit of Uganda’s best birding safari destinations in Uganda Semiliki National Park. A bird watching safari Uganda to Semuliki National Park Uganda gives you an opportunity to meet several of the 441 bird species that are found in Semuliki National Park which include Congo biome and Albertine rift endemic species like Nkulengu rail, yellow-throated cuckoo, piping hornbill, black dwarf hornbill, red-billed hornbill, red-rumped tinkerbird, African piculet, white-throated blue swallow, Maxwell’s black weaver, lemon billed crombec and orange checked waxbill. This Uganda birding tour comes along with a fascinating Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari in the world’s primate capital Kibale Forest National Park which is home to 13 primate species with a 5000 chimpanzee population. Other primates include the L’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys vervet monkeys grey cheked mangabeys. Since you are in love with birds, don miss out on sighting several of the 350bird specifies that exist in Kibale National Park that include specials like the great blue turaco.

Highlights of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale / 4 Days Semuliki Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale

Day 1 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Transfer from Kampala to Fort portal and explore the amabeere ganyina mwiru

Day 2 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Whole day engaging in a birding frenzy

Day 3 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Morning chimpanzee trekking and an evening nature walk in Bigodi wetlands

Day 4 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Morning cycling in Mpanga tea estate and transfer back to Kampala

Detailed itinerary of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale / 4 Days Semuliki Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale

Day 1 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Ready yourself for an early morning pick up from your hotel in either Kampala or Entebbe and commence your tour Uganda road trip to Semuliki which lies in the western region of Uganda about 300km or 5hours drive from Kampala the capital of Uganda. although this Uganda wildlife safari journey seems quite long its captivating as its filled with a lot of incredible road sightings like the lush green scenery of that blankets Uganda’s landscape, on a clear day, you will definitely be warmed up by the really warm sun rays as the sun straddles the eastern horizon to mark the beginning of a new day in the pearl of Africa. As you enjoy this Uganda safari tour ride to Semuliki, feel free to lower your car window and allow yourself to smell the sweet aroma of Uganda’s invisible treasure which is our purely fresh air. On arrival to Uganda’s scenic Fort portal town, have a stop for lunch. After sorting out any hunger issues kick off your first Uganda tour activity of this 4 days safari in Uganda which is an exciting exploration of the amabeere ganyina mwiru caves. These caves have a real ear-catching traditional folklore story beyond their existence which will fascinate you as you get to relate it to reality. Get to hike the scenic fort portal hills and on making it to the top of these hills, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the rolling fort portal hills as well as sights of the Rwenzori ranges in the far distance. Transfer to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon, Nyaika hotel Fort Portal

Mid Range: Mountains of the Moon, Fort Motel,  Fort Fun City Hotel

Budget; Kirumia Guest House, Bumuga Camp Site, UWA Bandas

Day 2 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a nice breakfast then transfer to park to start your short Uganda safari birding here. As you venture out into the Semuliki wilderness, expect to meet several of the 441 bird species that reside here such asNkulengu rail, yellow-throated cuckoo, piping hornbill, black dwarf hornbill, red-billed hornbill, red-rumped tinker bird, African piculet, white-throated blue swallow. After about 3-4 hours of traversing Semuliki as you look for the birds that stay here, take a lunch break as you get to enjoy your packed lunch. begin a second round of Uganda birding safaris experience as you search for more of the 441 bird species. During the afternoon birding session, you can decide to follow the hot springs trail which gives you an opportunity to encounter the Sempaya hot springs. These hot springs are composed of 2 hot springs ie the female hot springs which has a temperature of 106^oc and a male hot spring which has a temperature of 98^oc. Listen out to the captivating local legends that explains their existence. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale, Mountain Of The Moon, Nyaika Fort Hotel

Mid range: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Chimpanzee Nest Lodge Rwenzori View Guest Camp

Budget: Kibale Guest Cottages, Kibale Forest Camp, Rweetera Safari Camp

Day 3 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale; Enjoy a nice early morning breakfast and transfer to the visitor information centre. On reaching the visitor information centre in Kanyanchu you will be taken through the various rules and regulations that will guide you as you undertake Uganda chimpanzee trekking tour in Kibale forest. After this brief orientation, kick start your chimpanzee trek safari Uganda in Kibale forest in the company of an experienced park guide to help contextualize all the attractions you will come across while on a chimpanzee trekking tour in Kibale Forest National Park. When you meet these magical species, use your hour with them to enjoy their company and if you find them in a good mood, these great apes will definitely put on a spectacle for you to enjoy as the young ones may even decide to get you involved in their games or laugh with you. At the end of your hour with them, the guide will cut short your visit to these humans of the wild then begin your journey back to the starting point. From here, transfer to one of the safari lodges here to enjoy a nice African lunch

After this fine dining experience on your short Uganda wildlife safari, next on the agenda is a short Uganda wildlife safaris transfer to Bigodi wetland located just at the fringes of Kibale National Park. this nature walk in Bigodi is an exciting Uganda tours activity especially for birders just like you because its gives you the best opportunity to see several of the bird species that call Kibale their home such as the great blue turaco, the African pitta and many more of the 350 bird species of Kibale forest. During this nature hike in Bigodi, you are granted with an opportunity to see more of the 13 primate species of Kibale such as the vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale, Mountain Of The Moon, Nyaika Fort Hotel

Mid range: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Chimpanzee Nest Lodge Rwenzori View Guest Camp

Budget: Kibale Guest Cottages, Kibale Forest Camp, Rweetera Safari Camp

Day 4 of the 4 Days Uganda Birding Safari with Chimpanzees in Kibale: The final day of this Uganda safari tour is quite relaxed as you get to wake up a bit late at 08:00am which gives you the best opportunity to take time off to enjoy the tranquility of the morning sunrise as the sun rays sheer through the windows to light up the your bedroom. Open the windows and listen to nature’s music composed by nature’s best singers the birds as the tweet to the new dawn in this tropical paradise. Have a relaxed breakfast then transfer to Mpanga tea estate for a cycling safari experience following the various trails within the tea plantation. After the cycling experience tag along with the locals as they go out to harvest the tea leaves. Follow the tea processing process to the factory and see how Uganda’s aromatic tea is processed. After this experience return to the lodge, have an early lunch then start on your return journey back to Kampala.

Uganda is a country of diverse beauty and next time you visit this pearl of Africa, you have another Uganda safari experience with a detour to Lake Mburo National Park. Regarded as the true whisperers of the wild, Lake Mburo National Park Uganda is home to a wide biodiversity of wildlife within its domain. Some of the attractions in Lake Mburo National Park Uganda that will definitely allure your attention are the numerous Burchells zebras that roam the vast savanna plains Lake Mburo, you can easily spot some of the big cats here like the leopards and lions. Other Uganda safari attractions in Lake Mburo National Park include giraffes, hippos, Nile water crocodiles, 350 bird species, cape buffaloes and many more. While on Uganda safaris here you got a myriad of Uganda safari activities in Lake Mburo National Park to engage in such as game drives, boat cruise over the Lake Mburo, birding, horse riding biking and many more. On your safari in Uganda to Lake Mburo, you can choose to stay in a variety of Uganda safari accommodations in Lake Mburo National Park such As Mihingo Lodge, Mburo Acardia Cottages, Eagle Nest Camp. How to get to Lake Mburo National Park? Getting to Lake Mburo National park shouldn’t be a worry to you as it lies only 250km or 3 hours journey from Kampala city Uganda’s capital.

Here are some of the Safari Packages in Uganda

• 2 days Murchison falls National Park Uganda wildlife tour
• 2 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari Uganda wildlife tour
• 2 days Uganda wildlife tour lake Mburo National Park
• 3 days chimpanzee trekking safari tour Kibale Forest National Park
• 3 days Kidepo Valley National Park safari Uganda wildlife tour
• 3 days Murchison falls National Park Safari Uganda wildlife tour
• 3 days Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda wildlife tour
• 3 days Bwindi impenetrable gorilla trekking safari Uganda, gorilla tour Uganda
• 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari Bwindi impenetrable Uganda gorilla tour
• 4 days gorilla trekking safari Uganda wildlife safaris tour, Uganda wildlife safari Queen Elizabeth park
• 4 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour lake Mburo
• 5 days Bwindi gorilla trekking safari Uganda wildlife tour lake Mburo
• 5 days primate safari Uganda gorilla safari Bwindi Uganda chimpanzee trekking safari
• 5 days Uganda gorilla trekking tour, gorilla tour Uganda, wildlife safari in Uganda
• 4 days Kidepo valley national park safari Uganda wildlife tour
• 4 days Uganda wildlife tour to queen Elizabeth national park & lake Mburo
• 5 days Uganda wildlife safari Murchison falls park & chimpanzee trekking safaris
• 6 days Uganda gorilla safaris, chimpanzee trekking safari Uganda
• 7 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari chimpanzee & wildlife
• 8 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour Rwanda Wildlife & Chimpanzee Safari
• 8 days gorilla trekking safaris tour Rwanda wildlife & chimpanzee tracking safaris
• 9 days Rwenzori mountains safari Uganda tour
• 9 Days Rwenzori Mountain Safari
• 12 days Uganda Rwanda cycling adventure safari tour
• 10 days Uganda safari tour gorilla trekking Uganda, chimps safari, Uganda wildlife tour

 

Letaba, One of The UWEC Male Lions Dies On the Way from Fort Portal Conservation Education Program

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) together with all sectors for tourism in Uganda are deeply saddened to announce the death of Letaba, one of her male lions, aged 10years- that passed on yesterday on the 13^th September 2019 at 9:00am.

James Musinguzi, the Executive Director of UWEC, reported that Letaba‘s on en route  from Fort Portal Fort Portal with other Uganda wildlife safari/Wildlife safari Uganda/ wildlife tour Uganda/ wildlife tour in Uganda animals. The team had gone out for a Conservation Education Program during Empango celebrations of Toro Kingdom.

How did Letaba Die? / What caused Letaba’s Death?

The Outreach Conservation Education Officer who led the team for this Conservation Education Program activity during the Empango celebrations of Toro Kingdom reported that on their way back from Fort portal at Kalenga village in Mubende district, the transport truck swerved off the road leading to the collision of animal crates. In the process, the lion escaped from his crate to a nearby community animal farm.

Following his escape, the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers (UWA), Uganda Police and community leaders were alerted, and immediately rushed to join the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre staff to start the search for the Lion as a joint team.

After the joint efforts, Letaba, was later on cited in the community on the 13^th September 2019 at round 7:00am. However, the lion was highly charged and had already killed 3 pigs and injured 1 cow. The Veterinary Doctor tried to dart him but all in vain since he was already disturbed, dangerous and threatening human life. After several consultations from all concerned, a painful decision was made and this was to put him out of action at 9:00am. This is how he died.

Thereafter, Letaba’s corpse was transported back to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for postmortem. A detailed report of the postmortem will be made and shared with responsible authorities.

It is a very sad situation on the side of UWEC losing one of our iconic animal species and an ambassador of Conservation Education in Uganda. However, they appreciate the great collaboration of the Uganda police, UWA rangers, community leaders and members who greatly provided support in the tough operation. James Musinguzi thanks God that no human lives were lost in this incidence.

About Letaba

Named Letaba, the fallen hero’s named means “Happiness” in Zulu Language. Letaba was aged 10 at the time he passed on and he was the ambassador of the Conservation Education Program. It is reported that whenever it roared, you would think the clouds on the sky are preparing for rain to fall.

Letaba was donated to Uganda by the director of the South African Lion Park, Mr Mark Fynn, who was impressed with the work of UWEC. Letaba was six-year-old at the time of donation from South Africa sent to replace the deceased Kibonge who passed away last year at 18 years. Kibonge, who passed in November 2014, was Uganda’s oldest lion at the Centre and the only male at UWEC.

Letaba was valued at 35 million shillings was donated to the center to help it in breeding more lion species in the country to cater for the dwindling numbers.

A Brief About Kibonge

Kibonge a Kenyan origin was donated to UWEC in 1999 after it was abandoned at Nairobi Park, where he was raised by the animal care givers until he made three years.

Letaba’s relocation process

Letaba was donated in May 2014 before Kibonge passed on but the process of transporting him took long than expected. The problem was compounded when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES tightened the conditions for export of endangered species. However, both the Ugandan and South African authorities completed the process by February 2015 and put in motion the relocation process. Letaba, touched down at 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon aboard South Africa Airways and was handed over to the UWEC management shortly after.

James Musinguzi, the Executive Director UWEC reported that the arrival marked the new era in Lion conservation efforts. He testified that Uganda has less than four hundred lions then and the arrival of the male lion would help boost the numbers at the zoo, which can then be reintroduced in the wild.

UWEC unveiled Letaba following the death of Kibonge that died at the age of 18 in November 2014. The life span of lions is between 10 to 16 years.

Letaba’s life at The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)

Unveiling the heir of Kibonge sparked off blissful moments at the den as it was such an interesting moment and could easily attract one’s attention. The tourists who then were taking their safaris Uganda/ tours Uganda/ Uganda safaris took time to ably look at the new fierce heir Letaba who was acquired from safari packs in South Africa to join the three lionesses.

The huge, muscular and fierce 6 year old Letaba, surprised everyone as it rushed to befriend the lionesses. Letaba then established himself as the boss because he is strong enough and muscular. As soon as it was let out, it started guarding against the hyenas who are always the competitors of the lions by keeping them away while the lionesses where busy feeding, “he said.

Letaba’s consumption rate saying in a day it consumes 10 kilograms of meat unlike the lionesses which consume only 8 kilograms.

Jennifer Nandutu, the animal keeper and head of section for cats and hoof stocks reported that Letaba attracted a number of local and foreign tourists for tours in Uganda/ safaris in Uganda which greatly increases the revenue.

Interested in visiting UWEC, we can organize for you a 1 Day Entebbe city tour/ 1 Day Entebbe city trip/1 Day Entebbe city excursion/ 1 Day Entebbe day tours/ Entebbe city tour for travelers interested activities like the Behind the scenes tour. With the Behind the Scenes Experience, visitors are able to observe the animals at close sight as the animal keepers feed them, carry out health checks. Animals such as Rhinos, Giraffes, Lions, Chimpanzees are popular on the menu. Visitors get the chance to take part in the food preparation, visit the pharmacy among others. The Centre has numerous Conservation education including internship and volunteer programs on and off site for both Ugandans and foreigners.

When you look at a sample of our trip advisor reviews, a good number of tourists who safari to Uganda/ Visit Uganda have a lot of adventure stories to tell about their experiences during their Uganda gorilla safaris/Uganda gorilla tours/ gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris/ chimpanzee trekking tours in Uganda, Uganda birding safaris tour/Uganda birding safaris/ bird watching safaris in Uganda/ bird watching tours in Uganda, Uganda cycling safaris/cycling tours in Uganda, Uganda wildlife safaris/Uganda wildlife tours/wildlife safaris Uganda, wildlife tours in Uganda, Uganda day tours like; 1 day Kampala city tours/ 1 day Kampala city excursions/1 day Kampala day trips/1 day Kampala day tours,1 day Jinja city tours/ 1 day Jinja city excursions/1 day Jinja day trips/1 day Jinja day tours, Ngamba Island day trip/Ngamba Island day tour/ 1 day Ngamba island tour/ 1 day Ngamba day tour, Sipi Falls day tour/Sipi Falls city tour, a Lake Mburo day tour/ 1 day Lake Mburo National Park trip and many more

The Conservation Education Program

The Executive Director UWEC James Musinguzi explained they were seeking for 200 million shillings to set up a conservation center for animals in the cat family. Animals that make up the cat family include the lion, leopard, cheetah among others and are said to be the biggest tourist attractions world over. Letaba died as an ambassador of the Conservation Education Program.

Musinguzi said this was to help them establish a center that would provide more space for the animals and provide opportunity to more Ugandans to see these animals without necessarily visiting the park.

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