Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Rwakobo Rock - Lake Mburo National Park

Main Lodge with great views over Lake Mburo National Park
Not far from the Nshara Gate at Lake Mburo National Park, on a large outcrop of rocks is Rwakobo Rock, a newly opened family run lodge and restaurant.  The lodge is 8km off the Masaka/Mbarara Highway and is outside of the park which makes it a convenient place to break up your travels, either for lunch or an overnight stay.

The large main lodge overlooks part of Lake Mburo National Park and the adjacent Ankole cattle ranches and homesteads.  This impressive thatched roof structure has a bar and reception area near the entrance, a hammock strung between two eucalyptus poles and a few sofas and chairs to relax in.  There is also a nook with a glass bottle wall and built in adobe style seating covered with cushions, a nice place to sit and enjoy some of the magazines, books and games that are provided.  At the far end is the dining area with a view of the watering hole that has been constructed to attract birds and wildlife.  At the time of my visit, this sizable main building was sparsely furnished.  I was told that more furniture and furnishings were planned to fill the voids and create a more comfortable atmosphere.  Rwakobo Rock definitely has something to grow into.

View from the Main Lodge into Lake Mburo National Park

There are 8 cottages interconnected to the main lodge by murram pathways. Rwakobo Rock offers rock rooms that look out into the community land and bush rooms that are tucked into the surrounding vegetation.  Our cottage was a rock room and was a few minute walk from the main lodge.  We entered the cottage from the back and inside was a large bed covered by a mosquito net, a chair and an open unit for hanging clothes.  Through an archway was the bathroom with sink, large walk in shower and toilet.  Large netted windows in the bathroom make up the one side of the shower and provide a view outside.  Each room has its own solar water system so we had an ample supply of hot water for showers.  The decor and furniture in our cottage was simple and functional.  We did miss not having a towel bar so had to get a little creative with where to hang our wet towels.  Off the front of our cottage was a small veranda with a couple of chairs and a view that looks onto a large relatively flat expanse of rock that drops off into the bush below.  We had coffee delivered to our room in the morning which we sipped while sitting on the veranda, a great place to start the day and enjoy the sunshine while many species of birds drank and bathed in small pools of water on the rocks.

Our cottage
Inside our cottage
The bathroom

During our two nights stay at Rwakobo Rock we enjoyed a number of served meals.  Our first night the set menu was Mexican.  The starter was red onion soup, followed by a main course of Mexican tortillas, beef, beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and rice served as a mini buffet on our table.  The food was very tasty and satisfying and the portions generous.  Dessert was a real treat!  Pumpkin pie with a dollop of fresh cream.  The second night our starter was pumpkin soup followed by a choice of either pan fried fish or pork chops served with vegetables and rice.  Between the two of us we tried both options and once again were not disappointed.  For dessert we were served pineapple upside down cake.  It didn’t consist of a lot of cake but the pineapple was hot sticky and delicious.  Breakfasts at Rwakobo Rock are cooked to order with a choice of eggs done your way, bacon, sausage, beans and toast alongside juice and coffee or tea.  Accommodation rates are half board which leaves you the option to lunch elsewhere or for an additional cost either arrange a packed lunch or have lunch at the lodge.  The first day we didn’t know that there was a packed lunch option. We were on a safari drive in the park, so we nibbled on snacks that we had brought with us from Kampala.  The next day after a late morning game drive we had lunch at the lodge and were given a choice of burgers or a cold meat and cheese platter.  We both chose the platters which were good, refreshing and light on a hot day.

There is no shortage of things to do around Rwakobo Rock if you’re looking for something more than just relaxing and enjoying the views.  Game drives are an obvious choice.  As we were rather unfamiliar with Lake Mburo, we asked Chris and Katie (the lodge owners) for suggestions.  They recommended that we follow the Research Track in search of game and that a drive up to the Kazuma Hill lookout was a great place for 360 degree views of the surrounding area.  We weren’t disappointed by their suggestions.  The research track was densely populated by game and birdlife and although we arrived on top of Kazuma Hill in the pouring rain, we waited out the storm and when the skies cleared we were astounded by the beauty around us.  Night drives are another popular choice and can be booked through the UWA office in the park or through the lodge.  With the increasing number of leopard being spotted in the park, I would guess that this might be an exciting activity to try.  Boat trips on Lake Mburo are run by the UWA several times a day and if you are a keen birder, you won’t pass up this opportunity to spot the African Finfoot.  Other highlights of the boat trip are hippos and crocodiles.  The lodge has a couple of bicycles for hire which can be used to explore around the lodge outside of the park boundary.  The lodge also offers nature walks. We did a couple of small walks around the lodge and enjoyed both little jaunts which gave us the chance to explore what was around us.

Mother Zebra with her young
Upon our visit to Rwakobo Rock some areas were still under construction and the lodge was still in its infancy stages.  We had an enjoyable stay and would consider Rwakobo Rock a decent option for those looking for mid range accommodation around Lake Mburo.

A few things to bring:
Evenings can get chilly on top of the rock so be sure to bring something warm with you.
A decent flashlight/torch as some of the pathways are narrow and unlit.
A pair of close toed shoes may help out on the murram pathways and other areas as things could get messy in the rain
Binoculars to enjoy the views and birdlife around the lodge

Rates & Booking Information
Chris & Katie
+256 755 211771
info@rwakoborock.com
http://www.rwakoborock.com/

Female Bushbuck

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Kidepo Valley National Park

The Kidepo Valley National Park attracts the attention and curiosity of many.  This remote park in the Karamoja region of northeast Uganda offers outstanding views and gives you a true wilderness feel.  It is Uganda's least explored park but is quickly gaining popularity.  CNN recently named it among the top 10 parks in Africa for its spectacular landscape and its large herd of buffalo.  For those who embark on a Kidepo safari, which can be done by either road or air, you will not regret your decision.  The masses are absent from this park and the all too familiar scene of dozens of cars surrounding an animal certainly don't occur in Kidepo.  In December we made the journey to KVNP for our third time.  As we descended the mountain pass into the Kidepo Valley we instantly remembered why we love this place so much.  The wild remote feel is just too much to keep us away, this is the real Africa, the Africa that seeps deep into your heart!

Looking out over the savannah of the Narus Valley
Kidepo in the local Karamajong language means "to pick".  The valley got its name from the numerous people that came to pick up the fallen fruit from the Borassa Palms for making Palm Beer.  During our time in Kidepo, we stayed at the N'ga Moru Wilderness Camp which is situated just outside of the park and is approximately 4 kilometers from the Katarum park gate.  The camp is a relaxed place with great views of the Narus Valley and surrounding mountains.

WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT TO DO IN KIDEPO:

GAME DRIVES

The Kidepo Valley is not teeming with plains animals so don't go expecting to see large herds of antelope like so many other parks in Uganda.  What you can expect is pretty much everything in between including a few species found nowhere else in Uganda, the greater and lesser kudu, eland and cheetah. Other species found in Kidepo are lion, leopard, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, elephant, Burchell’s zebra, bushpig, warthog, Rothschild’s giraffe, Cape buffalo, bushbuck, bushduiker, Defassa waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi to mention a few of the 77 mammal species in the park.  We spent hours driving around and exploring the many bush tracks, besides spotting plenty of amazing animals we encountered the large herd of Cape buffalo that Kidepo is renowned for, all while enjoying spectacular views and scenery.  Kidepo is abound with stunning views and vistas and sometimes you just need to stop driving, find a scenic spot (not hard) sit there for awhile and enjoy it!  You may also be amazed at what starts to come to life around you.

BIRDING

Kidepo boasts over 475 species of birds, making it the second top national park in Uganda for birding.  The best place to begin is around the Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas at Apoka where you can arrange for a guide/ranger who will accompany you in the park and help to spot and identify many different species.  Although we didn't do a dedicated bird safari, we were happy to see many species that we had never seen in the wild before and gain ourselves a few "ticks" for the bird book.
Abyssinian Roller


  • Common Ostrich
  • Secretary Bird
  • Abyssinian Roller
  • Rufous-crowned Roller
  • White Crested Helmet Shrike
  • Northern White-crowned Shrike
  • Knob Billed Duck
  • White Faced Whistling Duck
  • Ruppells Griffon Vulture
  • Clapperton's Francolin
  • Spotted Redshank
  • Speckled Pigeon
  • Eurasian Hoopoe
  • Jackson's Hornbill
  • Hemprich's Hornbill
  • Nubian Woodpecker
  • Silverbird
  • Fan Tailed Raven
  • Superb Starling

THE KIDEPO RIVER

A visit to the Kidepo River, a seasonal river near the South Sudan border is well worth it.  A UWA ranger will accompany you on the journey as there is little or no mobile phone network in that area.  There isn't a lot of game in this section of the park but it's a nice easy drive. We did manage to see ostrich, zebra, secretary birds, jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. The area is also home to cheetah which managed to elude us. This is also a great opportunity for spotting various bird species that you are unlikely to see in other parts of Kidepo.  Our ranger told us that water flows in the river about three times per year during flash floods and generally flows for only five hours. What a sight that would be.

Sitting in the Kidepo River

KANANGOROK HOTSPRINGS

A little further north from the Kidepo River, approximately 11 km from the South Sudan border is a hot spring.  Now to be perfectly honest, the hot spring is nothing more than a couple pools of water on the ground.  You can get up close and dip your hand in to feel the temperature of the water however after a quick look around you're likely to be back in your vehicle.  Despite the anticlimactic nature of the hot springs themselves, we did see a number of birds on the drive between the Kidepo River and the spring, so it is worth checking out.

Kanangorok Hot Springs

CAMPING

Kidepo has three designated camping sites.  There is a campsite at the UWA ranger post in Apoka while the other two are remotely based within the park and require you to be accompanied by a ranger which can be organized from the ranger post in Apoka.  The remote sites are both perched atop a hill with rocky outcrops and have incredible views across the valley. The sites are equipped and supplied with firewood, a couple of open thatched rondovals that provide shade and shelter, water and long drop toilets. I would have to rank these two campsites among the top in Uganda.  Each provides superb 360 degrees views of the Narus Valley.  If you really want to understand and appreciate why Kidepo has been named one of Africa's top 10 parks, take some time to visit these sites.  Even if you don't intend to camp they make a great spot for a lunch stop or sundowners.

Taking some time to enjoy the view from one of the remote campsites

If you are planning a visit to Kidepo Valley National Park, a detailed map of the park can be found here: Kidepo Valley NP Map

Young lioness

Thursday, February 21, 2013

It's Been Awhile!

A big thank you to all of our readers and followers.  We enjoy receiving your feedback about our posts as well as your emails and queries.  Please keep them coming.  We thought we would post to let you all know that we are still here and eager to share our travel and safari experiences with you.  We haven't posted anything in awhile because we've been busy organizing things for 2013.  We will be setting off on a 12 day safari around Uganda with guests from Canada very soon.  It is their first time to visit the continent of Africa so needless to say they are very excited and so are we to have the opportunity to show them around a beautiful country.  We have a second vehicle ready complete with roof top tent for our trip with them.  It is sure to be an amazing trip.  Besides road tripping in Uganda, we also have plans to visit Kenya, so stay tuned for more photos and safari stories from East Africa.

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Murchison River Lodge

Main Lodge - Dining and Bar
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest national park and a favorite destination for safaris.  Murchison River Lodge is a newly opened lodge on the south bank of the Nile River that offers mid range accommodation in thatched cottages and river view tents.  We decided to have a weekend away and spend it at Murchison River Lodge.

The lodge was very easy to find by following the directions provided and as we got near, junctions were well marked with MRL carved wooden signs.  The parking area is located about 100 metres from the main lodge.  The benefit of this is that early morning noise of cars starting, and car doors opening and closing as people leave for game drives is kept to a minimum for guests that are still sleeping.  We strolled from the parking lot along the path to the large thatched bar and dining area.  We were warmly welcomed in the main lodge bar/reception area and took a moment to admire the river view, large papyrus floating islands and hippos splashing in the water near the opposite bank.  What surprised me about the lodge location is the close proximity to the river.

On the veranda of the cottage
Our plan was to spend two nights at the lodge and since we couldn’t decide between the cottages and the tents, we opted for a night in each.  Our first night was spent in a thatched cottage.  With a rear entry the cottages are well laid out and spacious.  They are designed to fit a family of four with two single beds downstairs and a large bed on the mezzanine level all equipped with mosquito nets.  A wooden verandah is suspended off the front of the cottage and looks out over the natural landscape.  The environment gives a real feeling of being in the bush.  Natural vegetation and shrubs surround the cottage but in no way feel unkempt.  As the hot afternoon sun beats down we take time to relax in the hammock and on the sofa while birds chirp and lizards chase each other around.  The furnishings in the room have a lot of character as they have all been constructed using reclaimed timber giving a real rustic safari feel.  The bathroom at the rear of the cottage has a lot of character.  Double sinks set into a chunky slab of timber and a large shower with solar hot water.  We really enjoyed our night in the cottage and felt pampered.

Outside view of a cottage


Inside the cottage (downstairs)

Our second night was spent in a furnished safari tent.  Overlooking the river we had a great view which we could enjoy from our covered veranda.  Inside the tent was a luggage stand for our bags to rest and two single beds with a nightstand between them.  The mesh sides of the tent provided airflow and allowed us to clearly hear all the sounds of the hippos, frogs and other night time noises.  Just behind our tent was a bush shower and a chemical toilet.  The water for the bush shower is not heated but comes from a small black water tank that does heat from the sun so it’s in no way cold.  Time it right at the end of the day and you’ll appreciate the refreshing water.  During the night a large storm rolled in and continued until the morning.  It is a night I will never forget for as long as I live.  Thunder claps loudly from all directions, flashes of lights and the continuous mesmerizing sound of the rain falling on the tent cover.  I have never heard thunder so loud and yet even that didn’t make me budge from the warm cozy comfort of my bed.

The Main Lodge overlooking The Nile River
The main lodge, dining and bar area is a comfortable, peaceful place to hang out and relax.  With views over the river you can get comfortable on a sofa, lie in a hammock or sit around a picnic table and interact with other guests.  A short meander from the lodge is a lookout point over the river.  The perfect spot to take a seat on one of the benches, enjoy a sundowner and watch the setting sun with the river in the foreground.

The food was a stand out part of our stay.  Fresh ingredients combined with homestyle cooking made every meal enjoyable.  The food wasn’t greasy in the slightest.  Freshness all around.  We started the mornings with coffee brought to our veranda.  A press full of Ugandan coffee is a great way to start any day.  Breakfast is made to order with your choice of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and mushrooms served with homemade toasted bread and juice.  The breakfast was great with the best scrambled eggs I’ve had in awhile.  Lunch is served buffet style and consists of cold salads, freshly sliced vegetables and homemade bread.  Refreshing lunch to break up a hot dusty day.  We also tried out a packed lunch to take and eat on our safari drive.  We were given a choice of several sandwiches again on homemade bread accompanied by fresh fruit and juice.  Dinner is a set menu consisting of three courses.  Dietary restrictions and vegetarians can be catered for, you just need to let them know.  Our first night the starter was vegetable sticks and guacamole, followed by steak, roast potatoes and vegetables and finished with a dessert of lemon cake which made me feel like a kid again since it tasted just like my Mom’s recipe.  On night two we started with tomato soup followed by roast chicken with rice and vegetables and a chocolate slice for dessert.  There is nothing I can fault with the food at Murchison River Lodge.

Main lodge looking over The Nile River
On our second night a camp fire was lit and people from the surrounding villages gathered around it to tell stories through songs.  Throughout our meal we could hear humming, singing and traditional stringed instruments being played.  After dinner as we joined in taking seats on the stone bench surrounding the fire, and were welcomed with local songs and introduced to members of the community who invited us to dance with them.  They wore no costumes but came as they were to share their songs.  It’s moments like these that are Africa at its best and we savored every minute of it.

It is evident that a lot of thought and pride has gone into the design and layout of the lodge.  Since the owners have a young child themselves, they have thought of things to make families with children comfortable like a children's play area and swing under a tamarind tree, a children's menu and early dinner times.  Chris one of the owners, was around during our stay and his passion for the place really shows in the way that he interacts with his guests.

Campsite
Although we didn't camp while there I believe that their campsite deserves mention.  Set away from the cottages, it is well thought out and with amenities like camp kitchens, running water, a spacious toilet and shower block and plenty of flat space to set up your tent, any camper should consider this option if planning a trip to Murchison.  The campsite has a real wilderness feel about it but with all the amenities.  They also offer lazy camping in one of their tents as well as camping in your own tent with an option for full board meals.

The drive to the park gate is a mere 5 minutes away and within 20 minutes you can be at the Paraa ferry.  There are two routes to the lodge, the much shorter route takes you through the park and the longer more scenic route skirts the park and avoids park entry costs.

What I enjoyed most about the lodge was it’s rustic wild feel without sparing any comforts, the attention to detail and non pretentious nature of the place.  There is something about the Murchison River Lodge that I can’t quite put my finger on but when you’re there you feel very relaxed and at home.  A place where time matters little and relaxing is foremost.  If you’re planning a safari to Murchison I would highly recommend this little gem.

Since visiting, we are happy to inform that Murchison River Lodge has started building a swimming pool.

Cottages surrounded by natural vegetation




Thursday, November 1, 2012

Big Birding Day - Results

White Backed Night Heron
This years Big Birding Day in Uganda was the biggest and most successful to date. Although several species seemed to elude us during the 24 hour period, Team Jinja had a great day counting 133 species which put us in 8th place (official results).

Congratulations to all who participated and especially to the winners!

Highlights of the Day

Seeing the White Back Night Heron, a tick for most of the team.

Seeing two Crowned Eagles flying overhead.

Finally finding an African Jacana, a common bird that had eluded us most of the day.

RECORDED SPECIES

Pink Backed Pelican
Long tailed Cormorant
African Darter
Great Cormorant
Little Bittern
White Backed Night Heron
Striated Heron
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Great Egret
Purple Heron
Grey Heron
Black Headed Heron
Yellow Billed Stork
Hamerkop
African Open Billed Stork
Marabou Stork
Sacred Ibis
Hadada Ibis
Black Kite
Palm Nut Vulture
African Fish Eagle
Hooded Vulture
Lizard Buzzard
Shikra
African Harrier Hawk
Long Crested Eagle
African Crowned Eagle
Helmeted Guineafowl
Black Crake
African Jacana
Water Thick Knee
Rock Pratincole
Spurwing Lapwing
Common Sandpiper
Gull Billed Tern
White Winged Tern
Speckled Pigeon
Tambourine Dove
Blue Spotted Wood Dove
Ring Necked Dove
Red Eyed Dove
Laughing Dove
African Grey Parrot
Great Blue Turaco
Eastern Grey Plantain Eater
African Cuckoo
Yellowbill
White Browed Coucal
African Palm Swift
Speckled Mousebird
Pied Kingfisher
Giant Kingfisher
Woodland Kingfisher
Malachite Kingfisher
African Pygmy Kingfisher
Little Bee Eater
White Throated Bee-eater
Crowned Hornbill
Black and White Casqued Hornbill
Yellow Throated Tinkerbird
Speckled Tinkerbird
Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird
Yellow Spotted Barbet
Hairy Breasted Barbet
Double Toothed Barbet
Yellow Billed Barbet
Angola Swallow
Barn Swallow
African Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Common Bulbul
Yellow Whiskered Greenbul
Little Greenbul
Red Tailed Greenbul
Yellow Throated Greenbul
White Throated Greenbul
White Browed Robin Chat
Yellow Longbill
Winding Cisticola
Grey Capped Warbler
Tawny Flanked Prinia
Grey Backed Camaroptera
Buff Throated Apalis
Northern Black Flycatcher
Swamp Flycatcher
Brown Throated Wattle Eye
Chestnut Wattle Eye
Red Bellied Paradise Flycatcher
African Paradise Flycatcher
African Blue Flycatcher
White Shouldered Tit
Yellow White Eye
Olive Bellied Sunbird
Green Throated Sunbird
Green Sunbird
Little Green Sunbird
Scarlet Chested Sunbird
Red Chested Sunbird
Collared Sunbird
Grey Backed Fiscal
Black Headed Gonolek
Northern Puffback
Piapiac
Pied Crow
Western Black Headed Oriole
Ruppell's Long Tailed Starling
Splendid Starling
Grey Headed Sparrow
Black Headed Weaver
Black Necked Weaver
Grosbeak Weaver
Golden Backed Weaver
Slender Billed Weaver
Little Weaver
Yellow Backed Weaver
Orange Weaver
Weynes's Weaver
Yellow Mantled Weaver
Black Bishop
Fan Tailed Widowbird
White Breasted Negrofinch
Grey Headed Negrofinch
Red Cheeked Cordon Bleu
Red Billed Firefinch
African Firefinch
Black Crowned Waxbill
Bronze Mannikin
Black and White Mannikin
Pin Tailed Whydah
Village Indigobird
Brimstone Canary
Yellow Fronted Canary

Sunrise over Bujagali Lake
Striated Heron
On Bujagali Lake
Little Egret
Pied Kingfishers
Birding on Bujagli Lake
Africa Open Billed Stork

Some children we met that were fascinated by our spotting scope

Immature Fish Eagle

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

7 Natural Wonders of Uganda

The "Seven Natural Wonders Organization" is currently asking for the public to cast their votes for what they consider to be the 7 natural wonders of Uganda.  Let's face it, Uganda is a stunning country which boasts a lot of natural beauty but after some careful consideration, we came up with our list.  Here's what we consider to be Uganda's top 7 natural wonders.

#1 - Murchison Falls

The Nile River is a natural beauty on its own but there is no mistaking that to see the mighty river force its way through a 7 metre gap in the rocks and fall 43 metres is a sight to behold.  From the top of Murchison Falls the water violently thunders past crashing and surging, blowing a fine mist high into the sky filled with dancing rainbows.  The view from a boat below also gives a sensational view of the majestic falls, while surrounded by crocodiles, hippos and other game. Truly a stunner!

Murchison Falls

#2 - Rwenzori Mountains

The Rwenzori Mountains sometimes referred to as the Mountains of the Moon climb high from the Albertine Rift Valley floor and provide a stunning backdrop to the Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The highest peaks are permanently snow capped and although they are often surrounded by clouds, you do get the rare opportunity to see their massive existence in full.  The Rwenzoris are host to the widest variety of mountain flora in Africa and for this reason, is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.  The Rwenzori mountains are popular with climbers who trek through rainforest and alpine meadows to the snowcapped Margherita summit at 5109 metres. Some of the many streams high up are also home to trout.

The Rwenzori Moutains

#3 - Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha

In the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park along the Democratic Republic of Congo border, resident lions have taken to a curious habit, climbing into giant fig trees and Acacia trees to laze about.  It is not fully understood why they do this but it's clear they enjoy hanging around in the trees which makes for a rare treat for safari goers. 

A lioness in a tree in Ishasha, southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

#4 - Gorillas

Uganda is one a few places in the world to trek the critically endangered mountain gorilla.  The opportunity to get up close and personal with these giants that live high in the impenetrable forest is a truly magical experience.  The trek up the steep mountain hillsides can be a real challenge for many however the reward of seeing them and spending an hour of your life with them is a reward that one remembers for a lifetime.

Mountain Gorilla

#5 - Birds

Uganda is one of the most popular birding destinations in Africa.  The country boasts 1061 species of birds a number of which are endemic.  Given the concentration of so many bird species in the relatively small country of Uganda means that serious birders can travel to many birding locations throughout the country with relative ease in the attempt to check off as many species as possible and enjoy the scenic countryside along the way. 

Birds of Uganda

#6 - Explosion Craters

There are a large number of extinct volcanoes known as explosion craters that dot the landscape of Western Uganda.  The craters are concentrated in three areas, the Katwe Explosion Craters within the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Bunyaraguru Crater Field near the Kichwamba escarpment and the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Field located near Kibale National Park. Many of the craters are home to freshwater lakes and in the Katwe area a couple craters have saline lakes.  The explosion craters are very scenic and offer great views from the rim.  The areas around the craters are generally lush and full of thriving vegetation.  A wonder that has evolved from such violent beginnings.

Kyemengo Crater

#7 - Lake Bunyonyi

In the south west of Uganda lies one of the deepest lakes in Africa.  Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda's deepest lake at 2950+ feet (900+ metres) deep.  The landscape around the lake is indicative of its depth with steep slopes covered with lush green vegetation protruding from the water's edge.  Bunyonyi means "place of many little birds" and as the name suggests, there is plenty of bird life around the lake.  The lake also plays host to freshwater crayfish, one of the few places in Uganda they can be found.  With many resorts on the lake shores and on the many islands in the lake, there are plenty of spots to enjoy this beautiful lake from.

Lake Bunyonyi

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Big Birding Day Uganda

The 2012 Big Birding Day to take place in Uganda is nearly here with this years event set for October 20th. Birders from all around the country are getting ready to record as many species as they can within the 24 hour period.  The main purpose of Big Birding Day is to raise awareness of bird species within Uganda and to promote the country as one of the best birding destinations in the world.


This is the first year that we are involved in the event.  We will be doing our species count from the Jinja area and will be joined by several other birders to compete as "TEAM JINJA" in Big Birding Day 2012.  The event should be a lot of fun and we're excited to see just how many species we will be able to record.  We will post a full report after the event.  Stay tuned and happy birding!


To register your own team contact Nature Uganda
http://www.natureuganda.org/bbd2012.php

For news and updates on Big Birding Day, follow the hash tag #BBD on Twitter