Porters will be carrying your heavy equipments and food, leaving a small pack with rain gear, warm cloths (on higher sections), cameras, water bottle, snacks and lunch.  Purchase your own food (in Kasese or Kampala). Rwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS) can provide cooking utensils and cooks.

The central Circuit Trail : 7 days +2 days to and from=9 days

Day One:
plan to arrive at Rwenzori mountains national park and the Rwenzori mountaineering services (RMS) offices at Nyakalengija in the morning so as to have apple time to arrange equipments and be availed with guides and porters. Hiking begins from the park headquarters 5400 ft (1646meters), walking past typical ‘mud and wattle Bakonzo homes and gradually moving up ward through elephant grass and garden plots. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach the park boundary. The trail then follows the Mubuku River, Crossing recent landside areas (to be negotiated carefully), and involves climbing over rocks and bluff before reaching the Mahoma River in about two and a half hours. After crossing the River, there will be a stiff climb through open bracken fern slopes and podorcarpus up to Nyabitaba hut 8700ft (2652 meters). Total time for an average hiker from Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba is about 5-7hours, and total elevation gained is 4000 ft (1200 meters). Slower hikers could take considerably longer, so insist on leaving park headquarters before noon to avoid being on the trail after dark.

Day Two:
From Nybitaba hut the trail leads westwards for a half a kilometer, then drops steeply to Kurt Shaffer Bridge crossing below the confluence of the Bujuku and Mubuku Rivers. By turning right to the bridge you will begin to climb a simply circuit anti clock wise since the clockwise direction is much more difficult and adds considerable danger for you and your porters. After crossing the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, the muddy, slippery trail climbs steadily up through bamboo forest. After one and a half hours you encounter an area of slippery boulder hopping which some hikers consider the most difficult and dangerous footing of the circuit.

After 5 hours of travel from Nyabitaba, you reach the hut at Nyamuleju and its accompanying rock shelter. If you had a late start or know that there is a large group ahead of you at the next hut you might consider spending the night here. On a rare clear day Mts. Stanley and Speke can be seen from the top of the rock near the hut. Nyamuleju also marks the start of the giant lobelia and groundsel zone, this remarkable vegetation type is found nowhere else in the world except high-altitude tropical African mountains.  The one hour walk to John matte hut (11200ft/ 3414meters) is through a challenging bog, full of extra ordinary plants and the slow pace can be a delightful chance to examine and photograph this unique environment. Typical time to reach John Matte from Nyabitaba is about 7 hours.

Day Three:
Leave John matte hut to cross the Bujukiu River and enter the lower Bigo
Bog, where your first real experience of jumping from tussock to tussock on a grassy bog begins. The trail is muddy and flows the left (southern) edge of lower Bigo bog until eventually it reaches the round metal ‘unipot’ the Bigo hut and its rock shelter. A steep section passed the hut leads to upper Bigo bog. In the last half of this bog, a boardwalk has been constructed. Though some may think it’s an ugly intrusion, it makes walking easier and prevents the hiker from damaging the bog. A beautiful narrow stream at the upper end of this bog makes a good lunch break. An hour and a half beyond the upper bog and after climbing through drier ground and criss-crossing the river, you reach lake Bujuku. The southern end of the lake is in a majestic setting, with Mt Baker to the south, Mt Stanley to the west and Mt Speke to the north. The trail route along lake’s north eastern shore crosses the worse mud on the trip. Beyond the north end of the lake is a rock shelter called cooking pot and a short distance further is Bujuku hut 1300ft (3962 meters), favorably located for parties climbing Mt Speke (which requires technical skills and special equipment). Time to reach Bujuku from John matte is typically 3-5hrs, and the elevation gained is 1800ft(560m). But the long stretches of bog, and the mud along the lake makes this challenging day. If one moved around on a nature walk, the chances of seeing Red duikers are high and at night colds of the rock hyraxes are common.

Day Four:
from Bujuku hut leave directly to newer trail, which rises and falls twice before finally climbing steeply through magical moss draped groundsel vegetation 14345ft (4372m) to Scot Elliott pass. At the steepest section is a short strong ladder after which a right hand branch will lead to Elena hut 14700ft (4430m). This is a steep, rocky trail which when wet or icy can be slippery. Continuing straight, and a few steps below the pass there a sheltered spot for a break, from here, there a second trail to the right Elena hut. Elena is the best camp for climbing 16763ft (5109m) to Margherita peak in the Mt. Stanley complex, which requires an additional day or two and can only be attempted with an ice axe; mountain boots, crampons, ropes and prior arrangements with RMS guides.  The circuit trail continues to the left over Scot Elliott pass and enters an alpine zone of sparse low vegetation and stark rough boulders more familiar to high altitude climbers from northern latitudes. If the weather is bad here (rain, snow and wind can occur in any season) the conditions for ‘hypothermia’ are ideal. Do not delay your descent towards lake Kitandara as you leave the pass, you may enjoy spectacular views northward of Margherita peak, Elena and Savoia glaciers, and Mt Baker 15889ft (4843m) towering above you to the east (left) of the trail. Having dropped a few hundred feet in elevation from the pass, you cut below massive rock walls at the base of Mt Baker. Here, dramatic ‘impact craters’ have been caused by large rocks falling from above, and your guide may caution you against loud noises! Rising and falling, the trail descents passed upper lake Kitandara through thick mud to lower lake and Kitandara hut 13200ft(4023m), this lovely site is surrounded by towering peaks, but the sun sets early and the nights can be very cold. Time to reach Kitandara hut from Bujuku hut usually take 3-5hrs. The elevation gain to the pass from Bujuku is 1400ft (425m), and because Scot Elliott is the highest point so far, some hikers will be slower due to greater effort required at these altitudes watch carefully for signs of altitude sickness.

Day Five:
An early start is advisable to avoid over heating on the steep but lovely hour-long climb from the lake Kitandara, which is 14050ft (4282m) to the fresh field pass. Viewing westward on clear days leads into neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and northward, Margherita and its glaciers still dominate the horizon. Fresh field is a long flat traverse through beautiful high alpine mossy glades  (and more mud) until after a half- hour, when the trail begins the circuit’s long two-day descent. Mist or rain can make tracing the trail difficult and the one-kilometer here can be very slippery. Rock shelters at Bujongolo and Kabamba are optional over-night stopovers but it is best to push on through the seemly endless mud to newly constructed Guy Yeoman hut 10700ft (3261m) some hikers make the Kitandara- Guy Yeoman trip in 5 hours, but any stops to enjoy the pass but weather on descent and slow   conditions in the last two hours of deep mud can make this a much longer day, which some visitors consider as difficult as day two.

Day Six:
Hikers should begin their journey back early, so as to get to Nyabitaba hut before dark. In any case the path from the Guy Yeoman is quite difficult in some spots. Helping each other and descending very slowly facing the slope instead of facing outward is recommended, especially as you approach Kichunchu where the trail parallels and twice crosses the Mubuku River mostly in deep mud until the last few kilometers of good dry trail. This follows the ridge down Nyabitaba, which completes the circuits. Typical hikers make Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba in 5 hours. Should you decide to continue to Nyakalengija, which is another 2 or 3 hours depending on the conditions of your knees and your desire to reach a comfortable bed and bath! Be especially careful about vines and brush and resist the urge to hurry out of the mountains. Late even walking can be good for watching birds and you may sight the occasional blue tailed monkeys. Sharp eyes can catch a glimpse of the brilliant green but changeable rhino serous chameleon.

Day Seven:
Descend to park headquarters. It can take 2- 3 hours

Flora and Fauna

There are meet four-distinct forest types; the lush montane forest where you will find the Elgon teak, mixed bamboo belt, the fascinating heath and the spectacular moorland

Tourism Activities

Visiting Mt. Elgon National Park presents an exciting setting for extended hikes, interesting and unique flora and fauna, magnificent waterfalls, enormous caves, scenic peaks, gorges and hot springs, which bubble up at 48°c. The best times to visit are during the drier seasons from June to August and December to March. No technical climbing equipment or skills are required, as all major peaks are accessible.

Trekking: trailheads and routes
There are three main trailheads (starting points) that lead to the mountains peak. You may choose to begin your ascend from either Budadiri (Sasa trailhead), forest Exploration Center- Kapkwai (Sipi trailhead) or Kapkwata (Piswa trailhead). Sasa trail is easily accessible from Mbale and is the most direct route to the peaks though steep with rugged climb of over 1600m on the first day. It passes through the parks largest area of bamboo forest. Sipi trial offers the spectacular Tutum cave hidden within extensive forest, while Piswa trial is renowned for the towering podocarpus forest, an excellent place for wildlife viewing. In contrast Sipi and Piswa trials start at much higher elevations with a longer more gradual climb to the peaks.
After visiting the peaks you can either return using the same trials or descend via different route with has camping.

A trained ranger guide is required on all trekking excursion to show you the way and enriches your journey by interpreting the environment and ensuring your safety.
Access
The park can be accessed by Bus via Tirinyi Road to Mbale
OR from Kampala, Tororo Mbale

The local people

There are four ethnic groups living around the park.
The Bamba and Bakonjo are found in the valley floor and mountain slopes respectively and both are agriculturalist depending on coffee, cocoa, and crops i.e. matooke, rice, potatoes etc.
The Batuku who occupy the rift valley floor, north of the park are pastoralists who depend entirely on cattle products which they trade in with their neighbors (in both Uganda and Congo)
The Batwa (pigmies) are hunter-gatherer, Ituri ethnic group who historically depended and still depends on Semuliki forest; their lifestyle is now changing to interaction with other local communities plus the impact of tourism. In 1993, a seventh Adventist church development arm (ADRA) convinced the Batwa and resettled them near Ntandi in a bid to integrate them into local cultural and agricultural life, but the project failed.

Tourist activities
Fantastic scenery, hot springs, forest jungle walk, birding, primate viewing and river semuliki meanders are some of the ideal attractions. Surely, you don’t have to miss but get off the regular tourists circuit and spend three to five days camping and hiking in the only real jungle in east Africa. There are also a wide range of forest and water birds.
Access
By road; there are two major roads from Kampala: Kampala – fort portal via Mubende is about 180km. (4-5 hr drive)
while Kampala via fort portal via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kasese is about 465km (7-8 hr drive

Flora and Fauna

Lake Mburo National park is famous for its richness in biodiversity. It has about 68 different species of mammals. The common ones are zebras, impalas, buffaloes, topis, elands as herbivores not to leave out the rare sighting of Roan antelopes and leopards, hyenas, and jackals as predators. The park also has about b313 different species of birds including the rare shoebill stork and white winged warbler. The woody vegetation of lake Mburo is dominated by Acacia spp, olea spp, and boscai spp.

Location

Lake Mburo National Park is situated in Mbarara district. It is about 3.5hr drive from Kampala. From Masaka-Mbarara road, turn left at 50km (Akageti 13 km past Lyandonde), which brings you through Sanga gate. Both junctions have clearly labeled signposts. It is about 13km from Sanga trading center to Sanga gate, 5km from the main road to Nshara gate and about 20minutes drive from either gates to Rwonyo park headquarters.

Activities
Game drives
The park has a number of tourist tracks that are used when viewing wildlife. Impala track exposes the visitor the visitor to a diverse species of animals. Named after the track, impala is the commonest species viewed along this track although one may not miss to sight a number of waterbucks, warthogs, topis and zebras.

Buffaloes
Other tracks include zebra and Warukiri tracks where harems of burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) are common along with other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. The zebra track leads one to the junction to Ruroko track, a drive through wetlands basin and thick acacia scrub and woodland, with commonly oliv trees and ephorbia species. The kopjes are home elusive klipspringers that believe the rock offers the best habitat.
The Kazuma track takes you through wooded grassland where you cannot miss black-bellied bustards often patrolling the area. For visitors to experience a real exposure of lake Mburo national park, one must climb kazuma hill, which is high enough to enable them see, what they could have missed. The five lakes within the park and the rolling hills become more visible and attractive. Its better seen than read or heard.

Hippos at the lake

Kigambira loop takes you through a wooded country with scattered thicket, while here look out for bushbucks and bush duikers. The lakeside track is specially designed to facilitate viewing of aquatic and other water- loving plants and animals. The park has a diversity of water birds, woodland birds that can be sighted along these tracks.

Rubanga forest

This forest offers a variety conducive habitat for birds’ therefore very attractive place for bird watchers. There are over 40 species of birds recorded in Rubanga forest; with 5 species are the harrier hawk, green pegion, narina’s, trogon, grey backed cameroptera and double toothed barbet. The forest is small but true forest with closed canopy in places. A common tree is Markhamia platycalyx, Sapium, Eythrina and Acacia spp

Boat trips

The presence of Lake Mburo within the Park is a blessing worth mentioning. The lake rich with a diversity of animal and plant species which can only be viewed clearly if you take a boat trip. The crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like pelicans, black crake, heron, cormorant, fish eagle and you may also see the rare shoebill stork and all these will furnish your visit with pride. The duration of each boat cruise is negotiable with the park management.

Guide walks

Nature Trail
The nature trail offers visitor a chance to admire nature insitu. Visitors have the opportunity to walk in the circuit at their pace in company of an armed guide. Information on trials is also available.

Salt lick
A walk to the nearby salt lick is a summary of it all. Strategically located wooden hide  (observation point) offers a chance to see at least 4 different species of animals at any one time while they lick the salty soil. Most interesting to note is that this is done without the animal’s conscience. Visitors may walk to areas of their own choice.
Note: walks inside the park must be in company of an armed park official.

Fishing

Lake Mburo has about 6 species of fish, the common one being tilapia (oreoclcroomis leacosti) but others include Lungfish, Mudfish, Haplochromes. Using hooks visitors can spend time catching fish. A shade is provided at a campsite to ensure maximum relaxation for visitors while at the lake.

Birding

Lake Mburo has a variety of bird species. A lot of savannah woodland and water logged species will be viewed. Taking a boat ride on one of the lakes will help to spot different species.

The most important famous inhabitants of Kibale National park are the chimpanzees with over 1450 individuals are protected within this park. At Kanyanchu a community of chimpanzee has been habituated since 1991 allowing visitors the unique opportunity to view these great apes in their natural setting.

Tourist activities

Kanyanchu River Camp is the center of the major tourism activities. The friendly and experienced tour guides will share their knowledge with you on primates, birds, and medicinal plants and of course the chimpanzees

Chimpanzee habituation Experience
Chimpanzee habituation experience is an on going activity that entails following up the chimpanzees to make them get used to human presence without necessarily altering their natural behaviors. While on habituation, you expect to experience the chimps de-nesting /coming out of their nests between 5:30 to 6:30 am and then follow them up in their daily activities up to nesting/ making nests and going to sleep time between 6:30pm to 7:30pm. A visitor therefore has to be ready to start this activity by 5:30am from Kanyanchu River Camp.

Primate walk

This walk starts from Kanyanchu River Camp at 8:00am or 3:00pm. It lasts for 2-4hours and is the most popular walk, highlighting the diversity of different animals and plant species within the forest. This walk is restricted to four group of visitors each in the morning and the same in the afternoon

Forest Hike

This is a seasonal 12kms hike that is restricted to the dry seasons (mid November to February and June to September). It highlights the diverse habitats of the park including tropical rainforest, riverine forest, swamp and grassland. Visitors will have the chance to see a variety of birds and monkeys and sometimes duikers and bush pigs. The walk begins at 8:00am and ends at the elephant wallow around 2:00pm.

Long distance walk
For the adventures visitors who wants to enjoy more in the forest, you may take a 64km guided walk, which starts from either Kanyanchu or Sebitoli and end at either site, passing through different habitants and local communities over a period of 2-6days, camping at the community camp grounds. Community campsite at Kinoni Nyaibanda and Nyakalongo offer local dishes, traditional dances and walks to community shambas.

Kibale National Park Accommodation Facilities: The park is sorrounded by goos number of lodges: Ndali Lodge, Primate lodge for luxury . Then can stay at Chimp Nest , or in fort portal town at Fort Motel , Mountains of the Moon for up market and middle facilities or at Toro Resort

Game viewing

In the cool early morning before the sun rises too high, you will see plenty of game on the Buligi, Albert and Queens tracks north of the River Nile. At Nyamusika cliffs you can picnic, enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides. Go well prepared for a four-hour game drive. Ensure the guide accompanies you; the best time is 0700 hr and 1600 hr.

Sport fishing

Nile perch and tiger-fish provide and exiting challenge to anglers. Sport fishing is possible in the river sections above and below the falls. Prior booking with the park has to be made, as the number of people doing sport fishing at designated sites at any time has to be regulated. Do bring your own fishing equipments. Some boats are available for hire on prior booking

Launch Trips on the Nile

One of the highlights of a visit to Murchison falls is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of the falls. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and will see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and a variety of birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers, and sometimes the rare shoebill. The launch trip begins from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back. Takes about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the delta (28km) and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar variety of animals and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900hr and 1400hr every day. Any special arrangement can be made with the park management.

Nature walks

Murchison falls protected area offers the opportunity to explode the wild on foot. Animals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are offered at Rabongo forest, top of the falls and Kaniyo pabidi in Budongo forest.

Top of the falls

Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the waters edge. You have the opportunity to hike the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get close to the narrow gorge through which the river explodes into the falls. Campsite, picnic sites and walking safaris are available here.

Kaniyo Pabidi

Kaniyo Pabidi is undisturbed area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve, where you can walk beneath mature mahogany and iron wood trees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity. You certainly see many forest birds; including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thighed hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa. Kaniyo Pabidi is on Masindi-Paraa road, 8kms from Kichumbanyobo gate. There is a campsite where water and firewood are available

Rabongo Forest

Rabongo forest ecotourism center is situated in an island of tropical riverine forest in the southeast of the protected area. The forest is surrounded by savannah grassland and 1and a half hour drive from Paraa. Guides will help you explore the forest on foot, spotting primates like black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons, and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals, birds, medicinal plants and trees. You can picnic and camp by the Wairingo River.

Access

By road From Kampala through Masindi Via Kichumbanyobo gate
By Air: charter services are available to all weather aerodromes at Pakuba about 19 kilometers northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13kilometers from Paraa

Geography

Since its inception, the protected area has grown. Set in the western Rift Valley now covers just over 2500 square kilometers, encompassing Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura wildlife reserve and Kigezi wildlife reserve. This protected area runs from the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains in the north to the Ishasha border post in the south, and falls within 5 district administration: Kabarole, Kasese, Bushenyi, Rukungiri and Kanungu.

The Queen Elizabeth protected area encompasses a wide variety of habitats ranging from savanna and wetlands to riverine and lowland forest. In this wonderfully diverse ecosystem, water is what seems to dominate the landscape, with 250 kilometers of lakeshores. Lake Edward, the kazinga channel, Lake George, the Ishasha River and series of crater lakes provide a rich habitat for both mammals and birds, offering wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities for the visitors, and spectacular scenery and landscape

Mammals and Birds
Queen Elizabeth park has more mammal species than any other park in Uganda, with 95 recorded species, including both savanna and forest species. There are elephant, buffalo, hippo, mongoose and warthog, 10 primate species including chimpanzee, black and white Columbus monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed and vervet monkey, nearly 20 predators species including lions, leopard, spotted hyena and side striped jackal, and numerous antelope species include the Uganda kob, bushbuck, water buck, topi, the shy and elusive semi-aquatic sitatunga and four species of duiker.  The buffalo and elephant found queen Elizabeth are a reflection of two key habitats coming in together. Many of the buffalo are reddish color, which is likely due to interbreeding with the Congolese rainforest sub species, and many of the elephant resemble the smaller forest dwelling species.

Birding
Bird life is abundant in Queen Elizabeth. It is said that the vast bird diversity 611recorded species at last officially count- is among the highest for any national park in the world. The parks location straddles several different ecosystems common to both East and central Africa, and is home to a myriad of species, including Albertine Rift endemics and many migrants. A bird observatory was established in 1997 to study resident and migratory birds in the park, with a particular emphasis on the annual bird migration along the Albertine rift valley.

SECTORS

The Kazinga Channel Area is the main hub of the protected area. The launch for the cruise along the Kazinga channel is situated here, which is a wonderful way to see hippo, buffalo, kob and the occasional Nile crocodile. This trip also offers spectacular bird viewing opportunities. The park authorities head quarters are situated in this sector, as is Mweya Safari Lodge and a number of wildlife trials and tracks.

Kyambura Wildlife Reserve. Kyambura gorge is the natural home of habituated chimpanzees and visitors can partake in daily-guided walks through the gorge.

Ishasha, also known as the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, has been referred to as one of the most alluring game viewing areas in East Africa famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Maramagambo Forest
The Maramagambo forest, stretches up to the eastern escarpment and provides cool respite from the equatorial sun and offers a different sort of wildlife, including wild chimpanzees, enormous pythons and colonies of cave-dwelling fruit bats. Several forest trails have been established for walking and it is possible to rent canoes to paddle on lake Nyamusingiri. Jacana lodge is set on the edge of this lake. This forest is a valuable representative sample of east African medium altitude semi-deciduous forest, which is becoming increasingly scarce.

Wildlife viewing drives
There are a number of trials through the protected area designed for wildlife viewing. It is advisable to drive these trails in the early morning and early evening for the best viewing opportunities

Queen’s mile: Links the channel track to the main road, and intersect the royal circuit and the link track. This route can yield elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck, and leopard

Kasenyi track: is accessible by crossing the main Kampala -Kasese road. This is where the main kob leks (mating grounds) are located which also provides excellent opportunity for viewing lion.
Down in Ishasha, the southern circuit trial is where most of the large fig trees are found, providing the best opportunity for seeing climbing loins. The Northern circuit is similar but longer, and provides beautiful scenery and wonderful bird watching.

Access

There are two main routes from Kampala, both of which work well for visiting queen Elizabeth either as part of longer itinerary or as a stand lone destination.
The first route is the Fort portal road, which goes via Mityana and Mubende. This is also the road to Kibale, Rwenzori and Semliki.
The second is slightly longer via Masaka and Mbarara. This is also the main route for lake Mburo national park, Bwindi and Mgahinga. The park is also accessible from the south, coming through Ishasha from kabala or Bwindi, via Kihihi. For flying safaris, there are two airstrips in Queen. One Ishasha and one in Mweya area.

Location; southwestern Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro districts.

Size; 331 square kilometers

Altitude range; 1160meters (Ishasha gorge) to 2607 meters (Rwamunyonyi peak)

Annual temperatures range; 7-20 degrees Celsius

Coldest period; June- July

Annual precipitation; 1130mm – 2390mm

Rainfall pattern; heaviest rains experienced in March to April and September to November. Other months are generally dry.

Species diversity; 150 species of mammals including 7 diurnal primates and about 30 elephants. There are about 360 species of birds and over 200 species of butterflies. This afromontane forest has dense under storey of fern, vines and scrubs. About 324 tree species have been recorded here, 10 of which occur nowhere else in Uganda.

NATURE WALKS
For the visitors who have 2 or 3 days in Bwindi the park has 4 fantastic hiking trails. On all these trails, you have the opportunities to see and learn about primates, many species of birds, butterflies, trees and other organism. Arrange at the reception for the guide.

The Munyaga River trails; is an ideal short walk for visitors with little time to spare. Here you can see birds and primates of the forest edge. The popular waterfall trail provides an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion of tree ferns, epiphytic ferns, orchids and Bwindi colorful array of butterflies. This trial, which leads to 3 delightful crystal clear waterfalls, typifies the impression of the tropical rain forest.

The Rushura trail commands expansive views across the western rift valley floor. To the west, Congo’s parc Nationale des virungas provides a spectacular backdrop, and on clear days lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountain are visible.

Bird Watching
Bwindi is the bird watchers haven, it holds 348 species of birds and contains 90% of the albertine rift endemics, difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa, and 7 red data book species. An experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species in a day.
Cultural Performances
In the evenings, participate in captivating traditional performances presented by women’s group.
Access
Kampala to Kabale is a distance of 414kms on a preferred surface and takes 6-7hours. An additional 120kms from kabala to Buhoma park headquarters via kanungu and Kanyantoorogo on murram surface takes 3-4 hours. Kabala – Ruhija – Buhoma is 95kms and takes 3hours.