AFRICAN SCENIC BEAUTY SAFARIS UGANDA LTD
Scenic basically relates to a pleasing or beautiful view of natural scenery (such as mountains, hills valleys, etc.). On the other hand, scenery refers to the natural features of a landscape. Especially in terms of their appearance, specifically when picturesque. (the attractiveness of a place or building). Uganda’s beautiful scenic views of mountains, escapements, Rift Valleys, hills, lakes, and also rivers green Vegetation. This mainly is both flora and fauna, all these interesting futures derive us to the Name of the company.
The mean minimum and maximum annual temperatures range from 8°C - 35°C respectively. Much of the country receives between 1,000 and 1,500 mm of rainfall per annum. The country's south has two rainfall peaks in April - May and October - November. This pattern however becomes less marked towards the North. Of recent there have been changes in rainfall patterns raining in July, making November dry.
Depending on weather, heat, and your susceptibility to the sun, you could bring a mix of T-shirts and also long-sleeved and lightweight shirts. Similarly, it is OK to wear shorts in most situations, but also light-weight, washable trousers (especially those that convert into shorts by unzipping legs) are recommended. We will be at high altitudes for much of the tour, so evenings and also early mornings could be chilly especially at Ruhiija. A light sweater/sweatshirt for cooler evenings and also a light, easily packable rain shell are advised. Neutral colors (grays, tans, and khakis) are most appropriate for forest birding. Easily washable, quick-drying clothes are more useful. There will be walking on forest trails so some ankle-supporting
walking shoes with a good grip are advised. Bring a sunhat and also sunglasses. Casual clothes are adequate throughout.
Visa are required for Canadian and US citizens. It is easy to obtain them on arrival, but you can choose to get one before you go. Bills with years reading 1999 and earlier are not acceptable in the banks of Uganda.
You can carry your Telescope for easy spotting of birds. A small daypack for carrying your essentials in the vehicles on game drives and on walks is essential. You should bring all the camera
equipment and spare batteries and film you need (especially if still using slide film), as these can at times be difficult and costly to purchase. There should be good photographic opportunities. Bring a small flashlight as some lodges don’t use electricity or may run on generators that may be switched off in the
middle of the night.
Bottled and purified water is available throughout. It is supplied during the day’s activities and is available for purchase with evening meals. You will need sunscreen and a small amount of insect repellant. Though food hygiene and quality is generally good, you may want to bring whatever remedy
you prefer or are prescribed for upset stomach. Moist towelettes can be a pleasant way of keeping refreshed and clean en route. Lodges do have emergency medical kits and some lodge shops stock basic, well-known drugstore remedies for headaches, painkillers etc. However, bring your own supply of any
medical/pharmaceutical items you need or have prescribed, as these may not be available.
SUGGESTED READING:
The following recently published book provides an accurate, complete and up to date reference to all the birds of Uganda:
Stevenson, Terry and John Fanshawe. A Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Academic Press, 2001.
Other books worth considering.
Birds
Byaruhanga, A., P. Kasoma and D. Pomeroy. Important Bird Areas in Uganda
Nature Uganda, 2001. An important addition to Bird Life International’s IBA series. Rossouw, J.D. and M. Sacchi. Where to Watch Birds in Uganda Uganda Tourist Board. This highly recommended and superbly illustrated book provides detailed
information on the birds and birding sites of Uganda. It can be found at
www.rockjumper.co.za Sinclair, I and P. Ryan.(2003) Birds of Africa south of the Sahara, Struik Publishers. A monumental achievement covering most of Africa, well illustrated with good maps, and easily carried in the field. There are many newly described and split species illustrated here. Van Perlo, Ber. Birds of Eastern Africa. Princeton University Press, 2001. The compact size of this book is now it’s only advantage as it is greatly surpassed in every other respect by the previous tome. Zimmerman, Dale A., Donald A. Turner and David J. Pearson. Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999. This well-illustrated and informative book covers 85% of Uganda’s bird species. This book is no longer as useful since the publication of the Stevenson and Fanshawe book. It has also been published in a smaller, paperback edition.
Mammals
Estes, Richard D. (1993) The Safari Companion, a Guide to Watching African Mammals Chelsea Green Publishing Company. A fascinating book if you are interested in learning more about mammal behavior. Kingdom, Jonathan. The Kingdom Field guide to African Mammals Academic Press, 1999. This excellent book covers all of Africa’s mammals. Larger mammals (squirrel size and larger) are covered to species level and smaller mammals to genus level. This is the recommended mammal book. Stuard, Chris and Tilde Stuard Southern, Central and East African Mammals: A Photographic Guide. Chelsea Green, 1998. A useful and compact field guide to most of the mammals we are likely to encounter.
Reptiles and Aphimbians
Channing, Alan. Amphibians of Central and Southern Africa. Comstock, 2001. A useful field guide which illustrates many species likely to be encountered in Uganda, although its coverage does not extend to Uganda. Spawls, Stephen, Kim Howell, Robert C. Drewes and James Ashe. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa Academic Press, 2001. A superb and comprehensive but rather bulky guide to all the species of reptiles occurring in Uganda.
Plants
Blundell, M. Wildflowers of East Africa (Collins Photo Guide). HarperCollins, 1999. A recommended photographic field guide. Dharani N. Field Guide to the Common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa Struik, 2002. A newly published guide to the more common trees and shrubs found in East Africa.
Butterflies
There over 1200 butterfly species on Uganda list, roughly double the number for the whole of South Africa. This introductory guide has 338 photographs showing 238 species, mostly the more common ones that are likely to be encountered in the popular visitor sites.