Premier Safaris known for providing some of the most
intimate Safari experiences on earth, has launched its Uganda specific
photographic safari trips to give participants a unique glimpse into the “Pearl
of Africa” ensuring not only an informative Safari but also extended access to
remote areas and specialists to ensure a wide range of encounters that can be
captured by the wildlife photographer.
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| Buffalo at sundown close to Mweya Safari lodge Uganda by Corne Schalkwyk |
This unique access provides enhanced photographic
possibilities for photographers to enable them to capture the primate diversity
as well as the behaviour and interactions of the wildlife in Uganda. Premier
Safaris will meet you on arrival at the airport, and assist through customs to
ensure your trip to the microcosm of Africa is a smooth one.
Uganda fast reclaiming its spot as one of the best Safari
destinations offers an astounding amount of diversely different biomes and
encounters for the photographer to capture.
With over 300 mammals, 20 of which are primates, both diurnal and
nocturnal that can be tracked this truly makes for a spectacular photographic
adventure not to be missed.
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| Birding Uganda by Corne Schalkwyk |
Five types of monkeys are found in Uganda including the
colobus, guenons, baboons, patas and mangabeys. Some Guenon species are found
everywhere in the country in addition to those found in the forest. Patas
monkeys have a reddish brown coat, unlike the guenons grey coat and are
restricted to northern Uganda in Kidepo and Murchison falls National Parks.
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| Photo by Albie Venter |
A few of the primates in Uganda, for example the bushbaby
and the potto are never seen by the tourists as they sleep during the day and
are active at night (nocturnal). We have included a guided night walk in the
forests to enhance your chances of spotting these guys as well.
As one can clearly notice, Uganda is a country endowed with
Primates that differ noticeably. Making the country, the number one primate
destination around the world. But what we didn't know about was its incredible mammal species and wildlife game viewing attractions that makes it one of the best all round photographic trips in Africa. Especially as it doesn't attract the crowds, a vital part of the experience is the sense of true wilderness that is a rare commodity indeed.
Some of the key aspects that make this such a great trip for
wildlife photographers:
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| Premier Safaris lion trek by Joe Yogurst |
Get off the beaten path in search of lions
Join the research team of “Uganda carnivore research” in Queen
Elizabeth National park for an in-depth understanding of the conservation
status of lions in Uganda and the challenges that they face.
You will travel with one of the research team as they search
for lion prides in the national park to gather information and track their
activities. This is an ideal photographic opportunity to go off road in search
of lions, and capture their behaviour and interactions.
This exclusive access to remote off road areas of the park
is an incredible way to enhance your knowledge of lions, leopard and Hyena and
increase your chances of spotting and capturing theses amazing creatures while
learning about the different individual’s.
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| Crater Lakes Uganda by Corne Schalkwyk |
The Crater Lakes
Uganda can easily be called the “land of lakes” as almost a
third of this microcosm of Africa is covered by water. For the water lovers
amongst you, this destination in East Africa is pure bliss.
Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, dominates the
southern border of the country while Lakes Edward and Albert lie to the west
but it doesn't end there. Other lakes
and more spectacularly the crater lakes are dotted around Uganda like the
pearls in its spectacular necklace.
These crater lakes are large holes in the ground or a
surface caused by an explosion/volcanic eruption. Lakes located in dormant or extinct volcanoes
tend to have fresh water, and the water clarity in such lakes can be
exceptional due to the lack of in-flowing streams and sediment.
Several extinct volcanoes of a specifically violent type
called the ‘explosion craters’ are found within western Uganda. From your home base at Mweya Safari lodge on the peninsula
you are within easy reach of some of the most spectacular crater lakes Uganda
has on offer.
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| Chimp encounter in Uganda by Corne Schalkwyk |
Chimp trek and night walk
While you venture into the kibale forest, learn how to track
Chimps and the process behind habituation of Chimps. This is a greatly enhanced
opportunity for photographers to capture animal behaviour and interaction
between Chimps.
The forest are alive with all sorts of other primates and
birding encounters as well as an array of butterflies and mushrooms that make
for interesting and challenging photographic opportunities.
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| Gorilla In Bwindi by Corne Schalkwyk |
Gorillas in your midst
The rain-forest is spectacular, heavily vegetated and dense
landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for trekkers.
This park is best known for the fascinating gorillas as it hosts more than half
the remaining population of the endangered mountain gorillas, where the time
taken and terrain varies according to the movements of these fantastic apes.
The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle
giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long lasting
memories of a truly unique experience.
Some of the areas that are included as part of this once in
a lifetime photographic exploration of Uganda.
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| Kibale forest floor by Corne Schalkwyk |
Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most
varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with
patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the
park on an elevated plateau.The park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most
famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee.
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| Premier Safaris entering Kibale forest |
It also contains over 375 species of birds. Kibale adjoins
Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for
wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth
National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.
The Kibale-Fort Portal area is one of Uganda’s most
rewarding destinations to explore. The park lies close to the tranquil
Ndali-Kasenda crater area and within half a day’s drive of the Queen Elizabeth,
Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks, as well as the Toro-Semliki
Wildlife Reserve.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s
most popular tourist destination. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which include
sprawling savannah, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands,
make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including
chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.
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| Photo by Albie Venter |
Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains,
the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved
dramatically into rolling green hills, panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel
with its banks lined with hippos, buffalo and elephants, and the endless
Ishasha plains, whose fig trees hide lions ready to pounce on herds of
unsuspecting Uganda kob. These famous tree climbing lions are a spectacular
site for photographers that rarely get the chance to photograph lions in trees.
As well as its outstanding wildlife attractions, Queen
Elizabeth National Park has a fascinating cultural history. There are many
opportunities for visitors to meet the local communities and enjoy
storytelling, dance, music and more. The gazetting of the park has ensured the
conservation of its ecosystems, which in turn benefits the surrounding
communities.
Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is truly a Medley of
Wonders!
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| Silverback lodge by John Gibbons |
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in south-western
Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed
by one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which
dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More
famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 400 mountain
gorillas – roughly half of the world’s remaining population, including several
habituated groups, which can be tracked.
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| Young Gorilla by Premier Safaris |
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a
further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and
chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species
of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Your specialist guide
for the June “pearl of Africa” departure.
Albie Venter studied Nature Conservation in Cape Town, and
has been involved in professional wildlife guiding, wildlife management and
eco-tourism for the past twelve years.
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| Photo by Albie Venter |
He has been a member of the Field Guide
Association of South Africa (FGASA) throughout his career, and holds both Level
3 and SKS-DA (special knowledge and skills –Dangerous Animals) qualifications
in addition to Bronze Level Guiding Certificate of the Kenyan Professional
Safari Guides Association (KPSGA). Albie is a registered Field Guide Assessor
for the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa - FGASA.
An avid
Conservationist, he started his career in the pristine Lowveld region of South
Africa’s Limpopo province adjacent to the internationally renowned Kruger
National Park, later moving on to guide at and manage Game Lodges and Safari
Camps in both South and East Africa. Guiding has taken him to many Southern and
East African countries and regions - from the rugged Cederberg Mountains of
South Africa’s Cape floral kingdom interpreting the ancient rock-art of the
legendary Bushman, to leading walking safaris amongst the wildlife herds of
East Africa in pursuit of big game.
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| Photo by Albie Venter |
Albie is a keen photographer with photographs and articles
published in several nature based magazines including Africa Geographic, Africa
Birds and Birding, WILD, Getaway, Southern African Country Life and East
African Travel News.
Several of his images can be seen in Wildlife Photographic
competitions, Calendars and other publications. Albie nurtures an interest in
all aspects of wildlife, from invertebrates to the big and hairies - but birds
hold a special place in his heart.
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| Photo by Albie Venter |
Photo credits: Miguel Angel Pedrera Pomeda, Albie Venter, Corne Schalkwyk, John Gibbons
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