Uganda Flying Safaris with Covid 19 pandemic

Uganda flying safaris with Covid -19 Pandemic

Travel Hemispheres safaris   offer scheduled   special flying tour packages to the Pearl of Africa Uganda. That will help you experience the hospitality of Ugandans both by air and road traveling. Booking and planning tour with us in time will save you the hassle and time to secure a life time experience of Uganda’s beautiful attractions. 

Among these include gorilla tours, wildlife safaris gorilla safaris, bird watching and primate safaris plus lots of game viewing and bird watching.  We now can offer Uganda  flyingsafaris to all Uganda national parks.. Travel Hemispheres will offer special flying safaris to different national parks in the country. In 2007 its when we started offering flying safaris to  delegates While attending CHOGM in 2007, many delegates booked  our  flying safaris and since then we have not looked behind.  We offer many Uganda flying safari to  all Uganda national Parks.

  

While all the world is at lockdown, equally flying safaris to Uganda national parks are at halt. Flying safaris in Uganda were growing at very positive trend where now clients for those who do not have enough time have been taking flying safaris. Now all Uganda national parks , Bwindi impenetrable national park was taking scheduled tour  flying safaris to  Kihihi accessing Buhoma Sector of Bwindi national park. While Kisoro flights have been accessing Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi national park where gorilla trekking flying safaris take place. Morning and afternoon flights have been available. The covid 19 affected all the bookings and we hope that when this is over the industry will slowly pick up.

Also we have taking clients to other national park of Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo national parks.  We offer scheduled flying safaris to these parks. Aerolink flying safari company offer all these scheduled flights.

The Safari Covid19 Hangup for Africa Tourism

As I write here in Uganda the country is at lockdown. By the way is lockdown a new word or it has been created because of this pandemic. Uganda has been safari destination country in Africa featuring mountain gorilla safaris and primate tours . Uganda has e featured in the best magazine among the best destination places by CNN that were likely to feature in 2020 -2022 window.

Today as the world is at bay – stay where your are!  Hang up! No flights and I pity the airline  travel industry being the backbone of the whole tourism industry. Anybody without a back bone cannot stand. Simply the safari and tourism will not be back until the airlines can again fill up the skies .   In Africa an increased flights to our airports  from other continents it meant increased number of tourists to that very country. Say departure of British airlines   from some cities in Africa meant decrease of tourists to that destination loss of revenue and loss of jobs.

As  moments of  days and nights pass and , flights are not hovering above Africa  means a lot to our continent. The tourism industry will get shocks of losses in  jobs , loss of revenue of foreign exchange and will see our local currencies  getting devalued. In most of African economies where safari industry has been booming , was the leading foreign exchange earner in our case in East Africa for Uganda safaris , Kenya safaris , Tanzania and Rwanda tourism was the top foreign exchange earner. What does that one mean if the country cannot receive tourists and we don’t know when this will end.  No vaccine yet discovered nor cure so far got. The airline industry most likely to be back in air , there will be when assurance that you will not fear to sit near Chinese whom you think is still carrying the covid-19 virus. Even the Trump American is equally to  be feared and labeled a carrier as we see lots of Americans are being effected and dying than other parts of the world. At one time  the virus was referred to  be Chinese but now all most all countries of the world have tested the wrath of the virus.  So who is safe? May be Ugandan who has not seen single dead body of covid -19.  Uganda as it could be in other African countries not seeing many effected  its because we travel less.

Between January and  February 2020 those countries that had many nationals booked flights and travelled got more chances  for  interaction  with all other global people that were travelling from one point to another and hence got exposed to this virus.  This increased their chances of  getting in contact with those who were effected without knowing . Who does not know that Americans have the highest numbers of people booked in flights in the travel industry and who were in air travelling from different parts of the world around this period. Hence getting many people dying of this virus. So for Africa we had very few people in air  around this period  and less affected .  An American is our tourist, A British is our tourist,  An Italian is our tourist, etc  if these countries are not yet healed, shall then  tourism industry in Africa get healed too.  The answer is BIG NO.

Here in Africa as we if we a wait  the world to get healed and countries to get out of lockdown , local tourism to be  explored  and promoted. Unfortunately African tourism was built on white foreigner –MUZUNGU  mentality  not African tourist citizen. People in tourism industry need to appreciate that Africans have less income to spend on travelling and hence travel less. However this is the time now we  tour operators in Africa start by taking fellow country men to places where we take white people. The earlier we re- designed our itineraries to favor fellow citizens than we shall keep on waiting for Americans who, yes will come but when will this be? Better adjust early and we start promoting internal tourism rather than relying on foreign tourists. Let us turn Ugandans, Kenyans, Rwandans into tourists in their countries in their regions and overcome the safari covid-19  hang up safari doom. Here at Travel Hemispheres we are encouraging now the to be Newly weds should not spend a lot of their money into partying but set it aside and convert that income /funds into Uganda honeymoon tours that will help them understand their country better , We have good honeymoon packages for Ugandans .  Our tours are educative , informative and cultural rich to benefit newly weds. We give you a mature old person to guide you all  along your tour  who has an experience  in Senga and Kojja aspirations that will build your longtime togetherness of your lifetime marriage.

The Gentle Giants of Bwindi : Mountain Gorillas Apes of Bwindi

Gorillas, Chimpanzees, orangutans and humans all belong to the order of primates .Human share98.4%of their genetic material with gorillas and 98.8% with chimpanzees. Gorillas ,the largest of the great apes are divided into three sub species that include the western lowland gorillas and the Eastern low land gorillas. The Eastern and the Western low land gorillas were identified for science in 1847 and 1877 respectively. The subspecies- the mountain gorilla was identified for scientific purposes in the year 1903 and has gone on to be the Uganda's star attraction. Mountain gorillas are distinct from low land gorillas. They are larger ,have more hair ,a short truck,a broad chest and shoulders and also have a longer and slightly different noise shape. Mountain gorillas are born small, covered with black hair and usually weigh about 2.3 kilograms. Gorillas develop as twice as human babies with the mature female mother also under going a gestation period of nine months. They are unique species ,as a gorilla with an infant may not have another baby not until four years. Male and female gorillas between the ages of three and six years are classified as Juvenile. They increase in size and weight at similar rates for the first six years. On reaching six years most mountain gorillas weigh 68kg and usually four feet tall. The female mountain gorillas stop growing taller at around six years where as the males continue growing both in size and in weight till they reach the age of ten to eleven. Between the ages of six – ten the male ones have black hair and are referred to as the black backs. On reaching maturity which is usually between 10- 12 years, they develop silvery grey hair on their backs therefore referring to them as silver backs. The silver backs usually leave their parental group at the age of 11and then moves alone or in the company of the other males for a few years before managing to attract females from other groups to him hence forming his own family .Gorillas communicate through vocalizations. Twenty- five vocalization have been so far recognized with each one having its own particular meaning. As an element of their socialization ,they communicate through howls ,grunts ,barks and hoots .screams and roars signal alarm or warning and are often produced by silverbacks . They also communicate by beating on their chests or on the ground .This is done to show stature ,prevent fights or even scare opponents . However, even the infants beat their chests as a kind of displacement activity during play perhaps just to copy their elders. Mountain gorilla life is peace full and quite .It is from this that they have come to be Africa's gentle giants which has promoted gorilla safaris and tourism in general These gentle giants are found in the in the areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Ntional park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda while in Rwanda they are confined in Parc des volcans and in Virunga Republic of Congo.

Silver back is a dominant male in a group about 12 or more gorillas that usually include females ,juveniles and other infants. On a good day ,you find them chewing leaves ,laughing and farting not only continuously but with a lot of contentment .They are diumal and nomadic ,sleeping each night in fresh nest built from leaves and branches. Mountin gorillas are primarily vegetarian with their menu composing bamboo, nettles and gallium being some of their favourites. They occasionally eat safari ants which are scooped in huge handfuls to stuff into the mouth until the safari ant bites over power them. Gorillas spend most of their time in travelling and foraging in search for food since plants and trees change with seasons .

Murchison falls National Park of Uganda

Murchison falls National Park is the Largest National park in Uganda . Murchison Falls is composed of  748 square kilometres (289 sq mi) Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and the 720 square kilometres (280 sq mi) Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the park forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA).
The park covers the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi.

Murchison falls/Kabalega Falls

Murchison Falls National Park  (MFNP) comprises of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves. 
This is where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and cascades down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos and crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. 
Here  vegetation is characterised by savannah, riverine forest and woodland. Wildlife includes lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species.
Murchison Falls, also referred to as the Kabalega Falls, is a waterfall found on the course of the great Nile. This the power break ( call it the highest gear that gives a great momentum that powers River Nile water to send to As far Egypt to reach Mediterranean Sea.
This River Nile  actually breaks the stunning Victoria Nile, that flows across Uganda’s northern region from the vast Lake Victoria to the deep Lake Kyoga and continuing to the northern tip of Lake Albert within the western arm of the great East African Rift valley. 
Right on the peak of the Murchison Falls, the waters of the Nile force their way through a small slit within the rocks, which is just 7 meters or 23 feet wide, and topples to 43 meters or 141 feet below with a thunderous roar forming a residual water stray that forms a beautiful rainbow.
The view is very breathtaking. From here it then continues its westward into the stunning Lake Albert.
The Lake Victoria outlet sends about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s of water to these falls and all this volumes squeezed through this gorge that is actually less than 10 meters or 40 feet wide.
These waterfalls are located within the Murchison National park which was actually named after these eye- catching waterfalls. The park is located in the northern region of the Albertine Rift Valley. 
At this area  is where the huge Bunyoro escarpment joins together into the vast Acholi plains. The park is recognized as one of the best National parks in Uganda and as well it is well visited. When you visit Uganda, MFNP is a must go for Uganda safaris. 
In 1926, the park was a game reserve established to shelter the savannah grassland which was pointed out by Winston Church chill in the year 1907 as the grand Kew Gardens together with the wildlife combined on a confined land.
Most of the visitors to this great park often come from various destinations to trek the gorillas within this very country but in another park called Bwindi.  Murchison Falls National Park is featured in African Tour Safaris, CNN, Huffington Post, Newyork Times and so much.

4 Days Kidepo park Uganda flying safaris tour

4 Days Kidepo Flying Safari

Kidepo National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks with a wealth of wildlife and scenic beauty. It lies in the north-eastern horn of Uganda in Karamoja district and covers an area of 1442 sq. kms. Being drier than Uganda’s other parks, it is an altitude range between 914metres and 2,750metres at the highest point which is in Mount. Morongole, Here Uganda safaris is at the best this impressive natural reserve contains a different eco-system from any other area in Uganda, giving visitors a more complete understanding of Uganda’s vast bio-diversity. Its secluded location provides the travellers a certain air of peace and tranquillity in which to relax and enjoy the dramatic scenery and wildlife of northern Uganda. It is miles away from the noise and dust of the city it is a completely different world altogether. Big skies, vast plains, inspiring views and wildlife everywhere you look. It offers breathtaking open savannah which is surrounded by spectacular mountain landscape nowhere to be seen in Africa safari! Kidepo/Karamoja has one rainy season from April to September. Good months are October to March

NOTES : Scheduled flights to Kidepo Valley National park are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Depart Entebbe to Kidepo :

Depart Kidepo to Entebbe :

DAY 1 OF 4 DAYS KIDEPO  UGANDA FLYING SAFARI

By Air: From Entebbe International Airport by scheduled flight on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Will take flight to Kidepo taking 2hours and 15 minutes to Kidepo Valley’s. Will be picked from the airstrip to Apoka Lodge. Check in the lodge, relax a bit or move around as you enjoy the panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and scenic opportunities of the wildlife from the verandah of the lodge. An evening game drive along the Narus River Valley where you will view Elephants, herds of Buffaloes, Jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Klipspringer and possibly Lions and many other mammals.

Will have Dinner and overnight either at :

• Apoka Lodge for the luxury,
• Nga’Moru Camp for mid range facilities accommodation
• or UWA National Park Bandas Apoka Rest Camp for the mid range and Kakine Campsite for basic accommodation.

DAY 2 OF 4 DAYS KIDEPO UGANDA FLYING SAFARI

Take breakfast and go for a sunrise will do game drives heading through the Lamoj Mountains and the splendid Kidepo river valley dominated by borassus palm forest, startling savanna landscape and the stunning view of the Narus valley situated in the southwest of the park. To the north of Sudan at the Lotukei Mountains and the Morongole range which marks the southern boundary of the park and ending the trail at the Kanangorok hot spring with a view of a number of faunas that can be seen wandering around like the tall Ostrich. Get back to the lodge for lunch and use the afternoon for a cultural experience that will get you in touch with the Karimajong people at Karenna and Kapedo. Mix together and have a chat with the local elders and they will show you their animal kraals, the grinding stones and many more exciting items. Go back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Will have Dinner and overnight either at :

• Apoka Lodge for the luxury,
• Nga’Moru Camp for mid range facilities accommodation
• or UWA National Park Bandas for the mid range and Kakine Campsite for basic accommodation.

DAY 3OF 4 DAYS KIDEPO  UGANDA FLYING SAFARI

After breakfast, go for an early morning game drive and bird watching having a chance to see some of the rear bird and animal species like the cheetah and hunting dog, bat-eared fox and stripped hyena. The less common ungulates include klipspringer, dikdik and bride gazelle. Other large ungulates include zebras, Rothschild’s giraffes; antelope species you could encounter include roan antelope, bush buck, eland, and bohor reed buck and jackson hartebees buffaloes, elands, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants and the jackal, among many others. Birds like the Karamoja apalis and the black breasted barbets, black-headed plover, black-bellied bustard, common buttonquail and flappet larks, harriers, red-winged lark, northern red bishops and white-winged widowbird among others. Return to the lodge for lunch.

In the evening you will go for the Cultural tour in the Karamajong community and this will enable you spend some time with Karamajong people where you will get to know more about their culture and ways of life and beliefs. From here you will understand, by the end of the tour, why their pride makes them slow to adapt to the dynamic world and their love for cattle is comparable to the better known Masai of Kenya and Tanzania. Return for dinner and overnight stay at:

• Apoka Lodge for the luxury,
• Nga’Moru Camp for mid range facilities accommodation
• or UWA National Park Bandas for the mid range and Kakine Campsite for basic accommodation.

DAY4 OF 4 DAYS KIDEPO  UGANDA FLYING SAFARI

 Today this morning  will be led by your guide go for a walking safari along a sandy dry river bed fringed with palm trees, climb to the top of a rocky outcrop and take in the views! You move slowly along isolated tracks to fully appreciate what is around you. Look for tracks and signs of the animals’ movements stopping to point and investigate further. Look for lion track, or even cheetah, always surrounded by Zebra, Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Warthogs, Patas monkeys and big herds of Buffalo.

In the afternoon board your scheduled flight to Entebbe departing at 1500 hrs arriving at 1630 at Entebbe where you will be picked to Kampala or continue to connect for your scheduled flight in the evening.

Cost per person:   US$

Note : Cost Includes

2. This excludes expenses of personal nature like Cigarette, telephone , tips, drinks
3. It however includes:

• local air ticket to Kidepo

.           Airstrip transfers

• Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
• Park entrance fees
• Ranger guide

4 Days Uganda Gorilla safari Bwindi National Parks

4 Days Gorilla Uganda  Safari of  Bwindi National Park

 While it’s impossible not to be impressed by the size of the gorillas – A mature mountain gorilla safaris sliver back weighs more than 400 pounds – Today gorillas have been habituated and seem to be impressed by their human visitors when doing Uganda safaris. They spend their days eating bamboo and other plants and the occasional mound of termites. A gorilla silverback can eat up to 60 pounds a day. He needs the energy: Silverback may have over ten adult females in his family, and tries to mate with each of them every day to keep them from wandering off. The silver back will seem unconcerned by the group’s arrival, but he usually wants to make sure the humans knew who’s boss. Twice, when he thought the team get too close, he may charged right way .

Day 1 of 4 days Gorilla safari Bwindi : Airport Transfer to Kampala

A representative from Travel Hemispheres will meet you on your arrival at the airport he will drive you to Entebbe town and overnight at Boma Guest House or to Kampala hotels for dinner and overnight at your Hotel.

Day 2 of 4 days Uganda  Gorilla safari Bwindi  Kampala – Bwindi.National   Park

In the Morning, you will be picked from Kampala at around 7.00 am and proceed to the south western part of the country. Stop at The equator for land mark photo taking and continue to Mbarara. Break for lunch on the way then precede to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated to half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within these boundaries shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The drive is long but enjoyable. Proceed south to Buhoma viewing the terraced hills of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa.

Arrival at Buhoma will be in the evening. You will then settle in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Budget: Buhoma Community Bandas: Bwindi View Bandas: Nkuringo campsite tents: Virunga Hotel: Nkuringo safari centre

Middle: Nkuringo camp site: Wagtail Eco Lodge: similar/Gorilla Mist Camp: Gorilla Resort

Up market: Lake Kitandara Lodge Engagi lodge: Mahogany Springs Lodge: Gorilla Resort Camp: Traveler’s Rest Camp: Silver Back Lodge: Gorilla Safari lodge

Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp: Buhoma Lodge: Clouds Lodge: Gahinga: Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge

Day 3 of 4 days Uganda Gorilla safari Bwindi  Gorilla Tracking

Morning after breakfast with packed lunch, you will be escorted to the starting point for briefing by our guide. You will be allocated guides to track gorillas with, and then will be off to begin your adventure. A briefing from your local guides and then it’s off! The time taken and the terrain vary (1- 8 hours) this depends on the movement of these gentle giants. The thrill of meeting face to face takes away the pain of some times long and arduous trek.  Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in delightfully playful manner.
After tracking will walk back to your lodge for overnight stay FB. You will need to carry long pants like light type, sturdy shoes to help you hiking steep and slippery slopes, long sleeved shirts and blouses to protect your bodies from thorns and itching plants. You may not rule out raining on you and at least a rain coat is needed to protect your bodies and any equipment carried along with like cameras. Also carry insect repellants and sun cream

Day 4  of 4 days Uganda Gorilla safari Bwindi Bwindi –   Kampala

After break   you will depart for Kampala   passing   via plantation of tea and banana   .Arrival will be in the afternoon for your   way back . END OF SAFARI

Please Note the safari cost will include:

1. Meals and accommodation at full board for the agreed dates
2. Gorilla permits 1 permit per person
3. safari driver /guide and 4×4 vehicle
4. Park fees
5. Applicable government taxes
6. Drinking bottled water while driving on safari

Excluded are:

• Beverages and bar bills, phone alls, personal insurance and any other services of personal nature like souvenirs, tips, laundry etc