LEOPARDS, THE RARE CAT

Leopard in Murchison Falls NP 

The Leopard belongs to the cat family and is rarely found hence making it less studied. It is found in grasslands, mountains, bush land and forests. It’s pug mark spots and the thick white tipped tail makes it different from the Cheetah which is more slender.

Defense

Leopards usually have a deep rough cough which is repeated for 10-15 minutes. The sound is like a saw cutting wood and the male has a distinctly deeper voice than the female, 2-3 short coughs signify the beginning of an aggressive charge. The sawing call is meant to inform others of the leopard's presence in the defended territory and prevent others from trespassing that can ignite destructive territorial fights. Leopards are solitary animals and they inhabit and defend home steads which vary from 1 to 30 square km depending on the food that is available. Both sexes defend their own territories and usually annex territories from members of their own sex. Female territories tend to be smaller and several may surround one male territory. Males often scramble over space and mark trees and logs throughout their territory with claws just at the tree bark and then spray urine.

Gestation

The gestation is about 100 days and females come on heat for a week every 20-50 days. Leopards are solitary breeders and the females attract males in the nearby territory with a sawing call. The honeymoon ends immediately after courtship and mating and the males leave and take no part in raising up the cubs. The young ones are born blind and therefore can't follow the mother until they are 8 weeks old. The cubs are hidden in solitary retreat such as caves and rock crevices and then weaned for 3 months after which they gain independence from the parents in 2 years’ time.

Hunting

Leopards surprise and stealthy capture their prey. They also stalk their prey just like the Cheetahs and Lions but their tree climbing habit is an added advantage, they leap out of the tree onto the prey without much notice. They are carnivorous animals and feed on Antelopes, reptiles, warthogs, monkeys, large birds, rodents, jackals, serval's and primates with Baboons being their favorite.

Seeing the Leopards

Leopards being shy imply that sighting may be rare and if seen will be one of the precious moments you can ever have. However in Uganda, you can have chances of seeing Leopards in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park also offers you a lot to scenery such as the tree climbing lions, hippos, crocodiles, bird species like the African skimmers, martial Eagles, black bee eater among others give you a real birding experience. Boat rides on Kazinga channel will make you relax and appreciate the beauty of this park. Game drives and hot air ballooning gives you an interesting experience on your safari to Uganda. Leopards can also be spotted in Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park.

THE SMART MOBILE AFRICAN BEASTS

African Elephants in Queen Elizabeth NP

Elephants have a very strong memory and are smart mammals in kingdom Animalia in their way of behavior. Their brains weigh about 5 kg (11Ib) and have a highly developed hippo-campus and cerebral cortex responsible for willpower and problem solving. They can remember their friends, family members and even enemies. The  eldest elephant which usually leads the family can remember where water can be got if at all they dug a hole in a particular spot at one point of time. They lead the family to this water spot and also to areas of luscious palatable vegetation. Elephants grieve over the death of their family mate and even do the burying. They do this by scooping dirt using their trunks and tossing it over the dead animal branches are broken off from the tree and laid tenderly over the body until it's completely covered. If they come across already buried elephant, they stop and keep silent for a moment. Greeting friends and relatives is done by rubbing trunks against one another. Elephants don't easily forget their enemies and remember colors very well. 

If you have ever been on an African safari probably a game drive, you must have wondered why the elephants show signs of charging after seeing a particular color of either a tourist van or clothes being put on by the humans near them. It is because they associate that specific color with past events that happened to a member of the family or friend. This could be killing or knocking dead the elephant and therefore revenge has to be taken by drawing nearer to the “perceived " tourist van or humans and then take action. So when the elephants show signs of charging by flapping their ears and stamping the ground, quickly run away with the guidance of the tour guide. 

Elephants mark their territories by urinating or defecating on the desired areas.

Elephants are very huge mammals and therefore require a lot of food to produce sufficient energy for movement. The African bush elephant can weigh up to 6000 kg as compared to an Asian elephant that weights 5400 kg and African forest elephant that weights up to 2700 kg. An elephant eats up to 150-200 kg of vegetation a day. Water is very necessary for digestion and body cooling and the elephant drinks up to 15-20 gallons of water per day. On a hot day, elephants release heat from their bodies by flapping their ears. This increases blood supply around these areas and as a result the body is cooled down. Alternatively if near a water source, elephant’s splash water over their bodies by using their trunks. Elephants have a lifespan of 60 years if not endangered. When in Uganda, you can watch the African elephants at these national parks: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Semuliki National Park. Come and have a real experience with these magnificent mobile beasts whenever you plan your safari holiday in Africa.

3 Days Tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Chimpanzee Tracking

Safari overview: With our 3 days wildlife safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park will see you visit one of the most popular park in Uganda. It’s famous for beautiful kazinga channel- home to abundance of wildlife, assortment of crater lakes, forested Gorges and Savannah plains. The tour will also take you to Kyambura gorge for spectacular chimpanzee trekking.  Come with us for an exciting wildlife adventure and memorable holiday to Uganda.

Day 1:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park - Afternoon Kyambura Chimpanzee Trekking.

After breakfast you will be picked by your driver/guide ready to transfer you to queen Elizabeth national park for an afternoon chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge and during the trekking you may spot other primates like Vervet and black- and white colobus monkeys, the boldest of all are the baboons be sure to keep your car windows closed to avoid food theft. You will also be able to see some of the many birds found in the forest. Later check in at Either Mweya safari lodge or Kasenyi safari Camp (Luxury option) or Park view lodge or Enganzi game lodge Bush lodge and Ihamba safari lodge (Midrange lodges) or Lazy Camping at Bush lodge for ( Budget option) .Meal plan Lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Queen Elizabeth Morning Game Drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.

Leave the lodge after a cup of hot coffee for an early game drive  for classic African safari experience the tracks through kasenyi area the North of kazinga plains in search for astonishing Hippos, Elephants, Buffalos thriving in its grasslands and shorelines. During the game drive we guarantee you sighting of some of the Africa’s most iconic species. Other common herbivores include warthogs, water bucks, Uganda Kob and Topi as well as the Sitatunga antelope. With an experienced guide in the early morning is the most successful way to track down a pride of lions and maybe even the odd leopard.  Return to the lodge for lunch break and prepare for afternoon 2 hour Kazinga channel boat cruise will give you an opportunity to cruise just meters from Hundreds of enormous hippos and buffaloes while elephants linger on the shores of kazinga channel. During the boat cruise you will have chance to spot different species of birds. Back to the lodge early enough for dinner and overnight at either Mweya safari lodge or Kasenyi safari Camp (Luxury option) or Park view lodge or Enganzi game lodge Bush lodge and Ihamba safari lodge (Midrange lodges) or Lazy Camping at Bush lodge for ( Budget option) .Meal plan  Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Short Game drive and transfer back to Kampala.

After breakfast you will check out of the rooms and head to the park for yet another wildlife experience by doing short game drive before driving back to Kampala via Fort Portal with chances of viewing the Rwenzori Mountains, the beautiful banana plantations as your drive through fort portal and later drop off at your Hotel in Kampala or Entebbe international airport. Meal plan Breakfast and lunch.

Price Person range between

2 People - US$990 Luxury or US$820 Midrange or US$650 for Budget lodging options.

4 people - US$890 Luxury or US$665 Midrange or US$490 for Budget lodging options.

6 people - US$810 Luxury or US$610 Midrange or US$445 for Budget lodging options.

3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari includes;

·        - Accommodation in shared Twin or double room with meals as specified in the trip plan,

·         -Transportation in either safari land cruiser for Luxury optional safari and safari van for Midrange and Budget option,

·         -Park entrance fees,

·         -Two game drives,

·         -Two hour kazinga channel boat cruise,

·        - Chimpanzee trekking permit for each,

·        -Services of experienced driver/guide,

·        - 500mls of mineral water per day.

3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari excludes;

·        - Local and international flights,

·        - Personal Travel insurance

·        - Visa Fees of $50

·        - Drinks and Meals not mentioned in trip plan

·        - Cigarettes

·        - Staff tips

·        - Souvenirs and all expenses of personal

Once, not so long ago, a forgotten land lay in the remote north-eastern corner of Uganda. Today, Kjong Safaris is bringing Kidepo Valley National Park back to life. Voted among the 10 Best national parks in Africa by CNN channel, Kidepo is a sight not to be missed. Let us introduce you to its magnificent landscapes and its unique fauna. This is the only national park in Uganda where cheetahs and ostriches can be found. On this trip, Kjong also offers you the opportunity to meet face-to-face with one of the most distinctive tribes of this country, the Karamajong, who share the same ethnic origin as the Pokot and Masai from Kenya, and after whom the Kjong company was named. Come and experience the fascinating terrain of Kidepo Valley National Park and embrace the traditions of the magical Karamajong people, true jewels of Uganda. Kidepo Valley Group Safari Day 1: Drive to Kitgum with a stop for lunch in Gulu Day 2: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park Day 3: Full day game drive Day 4: Drive to Gulu Day 5: Drive to Kampala Rate for safari Price per person US$510 Camping in 2-person safari tent Minimum 4 people, maximum 8 people Online bookings receive US$80 discount Meal Provisions Day 2: breakfast and dinner Day 3: breakfast, lunch and dinner Day 4: breakfast All other meals are at the expense of the client. Not including personal expenses, entry visa to Uganda, meals not specified in itinerary, international airfares, medical and travel insurance Including 4x4 safari van, English-speaking guide/driver, accommodation as specified in itinerary, 24 hour ranger guide, all meals while in national park, all park entrance fees and activities listed in itinerary

Budget Uganda safaris

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3 days Murchison Fallsnational park express safari

Includes:

·         Ziwa rhino trekking

·         game drive

·         boat cruise

·         Top of Murchison fall

·         4x4 safari vehicles, driver/guide and fuel

·         Park entry fees, activities specified in the programme

·         Accommodation-Fort Murchison lodge

·         Meals as specified in the programme

·         Bottled water in the car

Trip Excludes:

·         All items/services of personal nature, laundry, bar bill/drinks

·         Personal insurance

·         All phone calls

·         Air fare, visa, insurance, water

·         Driver/guide’s gratuity/tips

Price per person:

       USD $ 610 / € 401

Minimum  4 person travelling.

Budget Uganda Safaris

Uganda news......Karamoja connected to national power grid

we welcome this development and we also congratulate the people of  Moroto and Karamoja in general for getting power to there area.

Kidepo Valley National Park
Karamoja connected to national power grid Karamoja
Gorrila Safaris
Karamonja
Safaris to Uganda
Tourism Uganda

WILD CHRISTMAS AT PARAA SAFARI LODGE

WILD CHRISTMAS AT PARAA SAFARI LODGE

Celebrate this Christmas with Kjong safari ltd in Murchison Falls Park’s Paraa safari lodge built in 1954 and hosted a number of celebrities and legendarily like, Britain’s Queen mother, Ernest Hemingway, Katherine Hepburn and Humphery Bogart. Located in the northwest of country and over looking the Nile River as it journeys from Lake Victoria to join the Mediterranean Sea. The lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. The rooms come complete with private balconies and bathroom and decor reminiscent of explorer days and a swimming pool with a great view of the river below giving a chance to view elephants and hippos. The Murchison fall park  is the country’s largest national park named after one of the largest falls on the Nile is home to large population of buffalos, elephants and several species of antelopes, the Rothschild giraffe and the elusive lion and leopard. The launch trip on the river Nile is a nice way to watch the aquatics such as the hippos, crocodiles and both the aquatic and terrestrial birds as you make your way to Baker’s rock to watch the waterfall make their way through six meter cleft while plunging from a forty meter height.

Wild Christmas itinerary   

Day 1: travel to Murchison falls and Ziwa rhino sanctuary

Travel after breakfast to Murchison falls national park, stop over at Ziwa rhino sanctuary to visit the rhino, the private ranch is home to twelve white rhino under the rhino fund international, where a breeding program is under way, with growth in number these will be introduced back in their former range which was Murchison, an hour interaction with a guide to explain the behaviors of the animal, Accommodation Paraa lodge and meal plan breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Day 2: Murchison falls national park and game drives

After breakfast head for morning game drive, the drive is scenic and goes to the delta area where the Victoria Nile joins Lake Albert. Murchison falls park is Uganda’s largest wildlife park the palm straddled grassland supports dense populations of lion, buffalo, elephant and Uganda kob, together  with the localized Rothschild giraffe and patas monkey, Immense concentration of hippos and bird.

Have a leisurely afternoon with at the lodge pool and again head out in the late evening for another game drive each drive give one different animal opportunity and experience with chances seeing cats come out to way lay their prey, Accommodation Paraa lodge and Meal plan breakfast / lunch/ dinner.

 Day 3: Murchison falls national park and afternoon boat

Have a leisurely morning and nice Christmas breakfast spend half of day at the lodge cerebrating have the morning to your selves, after lunch head for the jetty for the afternoon boat cruise on the Nile an opportunity to catch on the aquatics as you head to the foot of the Murchison falls where the Nile thunders through a small gap. The banks of the river are home to crocodiles, hippopotamus, birds and other animals that usually come down to quench their thirty, Accommodation Paraa lodge and meal plan breakfast/lunch/dinner.

 Book Here!!!!