Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds
Lake Bunyonyi -A place of many little birds
Lake Bunyonyi is a magical place nestled in the hills of southwestern Uganda. It is said to be the second-deepest lake in Africa and is surrounded by terraced hills that are home to many different species of birds. The name “Bunyonyi” means “place of many little birds,” and it is easy to see why. The lake and its surroundings are home to over 200 species of birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers alike.
The lake is also known for its breathtaking scenery, with 29 islands scattered throughout its waters. Each island has a unique story and history, making a boat ride around the lake an unforgettable experience. Visitors can take a canoe ride to explore the islands or simply enjoy the views from the shores of the lake.
Apart from bird watching and island tours, Lake Bunyonyi also offers many other activities for visitors to enjoy. There are opportunities for hiking in the hills surrounding the lake, visiting local communities to learn about their traditions and culture, and even taking a dip in the lake’s clear and refreshing waters.
For those seeking a more adventurous experience, there are options for zip-lining and high ropes courses that offer a thrilling perspective of the lake and its surroundings. And for those interested in history and archaeology, a visit to the nearby Buhoma village will reveal ancient rock paintings that are over 500 years old.
Lake Bunyonyi is also a great destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The cool mountain air, serene environment, and friendly locals make it a perfect place to unwind and recharge.
Getting to Lake Bunyonyi is easy with Vas Transport. We offer reliable and comfortable transportation services to and from the lake, ensuring that your journey is as enjoyable as your destination. Our experienced drivers and well-maintained vehicles guarantee a smooth and safe ride.
Lake Bunyonyi is a true gem in Uganda’s tourism industry. Its natural beauty, diverse birdlife, and endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Uganda. With Vas Transport, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey to this incredible destination.
Mvule Boat An exciting boat cruise on Lake Victoria
Enjoy an exciting Mvule boat cruise on Lake Victoria.
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the beauty of Lake Victoria, a boat cruise on the Mvule is an excellent choice. The Mvule is a spacious, comfortable boat that offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Here are a few reasons why you should consider a Mvule boat cruise during your visit to Uganda:
- Spectacular Views
The Mvule boat cruise offers incredible views of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. You’ll be able to see the expansive blue waters, the lush green shoreline, and the many islands that dot the lake. The boat is also equipped with a sun deck, giving you an unobstructed view of the beautiful surroundings.
- Comfortable and Spacious
The Mvule is a large, comfortable boat that can accommodate up to 70 passengers. There are plenty of seats and tables for passengers to relax and enjoy the cruise. The boat is also equipped with a bar and a sound system, making it the perfect place to relax and have fun with family and friends.
- Great for Special Occasions
The Mvule boat cruise is an excellent option for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and even weddings. The boat offers a unique and memorable experience that you and your guests will never forget. You can also customize your cruise with decorations, music, and catering to suit your specific needs.
- Wildlife Viewing
Lake Victoria is home to a variety of wildlife, including fish eagles, monitor lizards, otters, and more. During your Mvule boat cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to spot some of these animals in their natural habitat.
- Affordable
Despite its luxurious features, the Mvule boat cruise is surprisingly affordable. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience without breaking the bank.
A Mvule boat cruise is a must-do activity if you’re planning a trip to Uganda. Whether you’re traveling solo, with family or friends, or celebrating a special occasion, the Mvule boat cruise offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Contact Vas Transport today to book your Mvule boat cruise and experience the beauty of Lake Victoria.
Ngamba Island -Chimp viewing and Birding
Chimp viewing and Birding at Ngamba Island
Ngamba Island is a chimpanzee sanctuary.It is home to orphaned chimpanzees.
Ngamba Island
Uganda is home to an abundance of wildlife, including over half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas and a variety of bird species. However, there is one place in Uganda that offers a unique opportunity to see chimpanzees up close and personal: Ngamba Island. Located on Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island is a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees. The island was established in 1998 by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, with the aim of providing a safe and natural environment for orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees to live and thrive. Visitors to Ngamba Island can enjoy a variety of activities, including chimpanzee feeding, forest walks, and even overnight stays in the eco-friendly accommodations on the island. However, one of the most popular activities is chimp viewing and birding. Chimp Viewing The chimpanzees on Ngamba Island are accustomed to human interaction, making them comfortable with visitors. During chimp viewing, visitors can watch these intelligent primates play, groom, and interact with each other in their natural habitat. Visitors can observe the chimps from a raised platform or from a boat, providing unique and unforgettable experiences. Birding Aside from the chimpanzees, Ngamba Island is also a great destination for bird enthusiasts. The island boasts over 120 bird species, including the rare and endemic shoe-billed stork. The best time for birding on the island is early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Getting to Ngamba Island To get to Ngamba Island, visitors must take a boat ride from either Entebbe or Kasenyi landing site. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes and provides stunning views of Lake Victoria and the surrounding islands. A visit to Ngamba Island is a must for anyone interested in wildlife and nature conservation. Not only will you have the opportunity to see chimpanzees up close, but you can also enjoy the stunning views of Lake Victoria and the chance to spot rare bird species. Plan your visit today and experience the beauty of Ngamba Island for yourself. And if you need transportation services, Vas Transport is always ready to help you get there safely and comfortably.
Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa
Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa
The world has over 10,000 bird species,a tenth (est.over 1000 species) are found in Uganda.
Uganda is known as a unique birding destination.In each destination you visit,you will find a different bird specie.
The popular Birding destinations include:
1.Lake Mburo National Park
The birdlife in Lake Mburo is good all year-round. It is home to a variety of birds that includes the endemic African Finfoot. Other key species are the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Saddle-billed Stork, Brown-chested Lapwing, African-wattled Lapwing, Carruther’s Cisticola, Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola, African Scops Owl, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and White-winged Warbler,African Fish eagle.
African Fish Eagle
Saddle-billed Stork
2. Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary.
Mabamba Bay is home to a a variety of bird species over 300, including the elusive Shoe bill Bird. Bird species found in this place include the Blue Swallow, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed Tern and papyrus endemic bird species such as Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Yellow Warbler.Other birds include the Heron, Squacco Heron, Lesser Jacana, Spur-winged Goose. It is a designated Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area .
Shoe Bill
3.Murchison Falls National Park
Is gifted with the powerful Murchison falls, an attractive scenery to visitors. It hosts a number of bird species that includes; the Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters, Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Francolin; Hornbills, Grey heron, Hamerkop,Shrikes; Flycatchers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Crombecs and Warblers, ducks, geese, stilts and plovers.
Malachite Kingfisher
4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Is home to half of the world’s Gorillas (est.400) and a habitat of an estimated 350 bird species. 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Other birds include the Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, African Broadbill, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds.
Cinnamon -chested Bee eater
5. Semuliki Valley National Park
This is a popular destination for migrant birds from west Africa.Birds include Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.
6.Queen Elizabeth National Park
Is home to over 600 species. Key species include the Martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pinkbacked Pelican, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Corncrake, Lesser and Greater Flamingo.
African Skimmer
Semuliki Hot Springs-famous water bubbling attraction
Semuliki Hot springs
The hot springs found in Semuliki are a famous attraction in Uganda. They can be visited all year round. Most prominent of them is the “female hotspring “. It has water bubbling up to about 2 meters high creating a steam cloud. Its’s counterpart the male hotspring steams all year round at Semuliki National Park.
Male Hot spring.
You can visit the park any time throughout the year.It is about 390km away from the Ugandan capital Kampala.
Tourists at the hot springs can boil eggs that get ready in 8 minutes. Enjoy an egg snack later when ready.
Do not miss a chance to take a photograph of yourself or with fellow travellers near the female hot springs.
Birding paradise
Semuliki is also a famous birding habitat with a record of 441 bird species. The species to look for may include, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, , Lemon-bellied Crombec. Other bird species include;Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul ,Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.
Primates
Primates such as the chimpanzee, baboon,grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, blue, red-tailed, de Brazza’s, Vervet monkey, and Dent’s mona monkeys.
The batwa people are the natives of Semuliki who have been recently relocated near the park to give way to this wildlife conservation area. They are naturally hunters and had always sought food, medicine, shelter and working tools from the forest. Their life style is changing since their relocation. However they have maintained their folklore stories and dances that are part of their rich cultural history.
A visit to Semuliki National Park can be combined with other safari destinations to Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks.
Tree Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tree Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most visited tourist destination.It is a habitat of savanna grassland mixed with various kinds of trees and grassy plains,swamps,volcanic cones ,deep craters and tropical rain forest.
It is home to mammals such as hippos,Elephants,Cape Buffaloes, but there are also Warthogs, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi .
Queen Elizabeth National Park is an excellent place to sight large game, track the chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, go bird watching on the Kazinga Channel, and see the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha,southern part of the park is quite a sight in the fig trees ready to attack unsuspecting “meal” targets like the Uganda Kobs (See main photo). Uganda is privileged to be one of the two destinations in the world with tree climbing lions.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari between Lake Edward and George is a two-hour ride where you can see hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, elephant herds, buffaloes, antelopes and many different kinds of water birds.A trip to this national park is worth the experience.Other places that can visited include Katwe Salt Lake .It is here that you can see the natives in salt mining activity which provides them a source of income. If you visited between October to May you will be able to see flamingoes at “Lake Munyanyange” in particular as the main feeding ground.
The recent visit on April 17,2016 by the President of Uganda-Mr.Museveni is a true testimony of its uniqueness.The President was amazed by the hippos in the water while taking a ride on the “Hippo” Launch cruise along Kazinga Channel.He could hardly stay seated during the launch cruise.
I agree with the President who immediately took this opportunity to assure Uganda and the World that Uganda is safe and security is guaranteed for tourists in any part of the country.
-
Uganda the Pearl of Africa should be on your Travel list March 25, 2019 -
Lake Bunyonyi – A place of many little birds March 22, 2019 -
Mvule Boat An exciting boat cruise on Lake Victoria March 18, 2019