Uganda offers plenty of impressive wildlife, including mountain gorillas, half of Africa's bird species and the renowned “Big Five;” however, Tourism Uganda is inviting visitors to get involved in conservation programs. These include:
Lion Track With The Uganda Carnivore Program: The country’s carnivorous animals include hyenas, leopards and lions. Through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP) provides groups guided-lion tracking and nocturnal tours in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The UCP seeks to curb diminishing carnivore populations by tracking animal activity near “hot zones,” helping UWA with wildlife relocation and rescue and providing recommendations on carnivore management in national parks. The lion-tracking experience can be booked at the Mweya Visitor Center or by emailing info@ugandawildlife.org. Lion research safaris are also available at properties, such as Kyambura Gorge Lodge, also in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lodge guests can join a local researcher on his daily game drive to assist with locating and recording the behavior of a lion pride he is studying.
Join Gorilla Experts In The Field: Visitors to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can have Gorilla Doctors' veterinarians join them during Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Gorilla Habituation Program—a chance to be with a gorilla family getting introduced to human contact—for four hours. The habituation experience is limited to four participants. Note: Permits must be secured well in advance via a qualified tour operator or the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Visitors can also arrange for members of Gorilla Doctors to visit their lodge to speak about their efforts and day-to-day tasks. Another option is to arrange for conservationist Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Conservation Through Public Health, to accompany gorilla trekking excursions. This organization promotes biodiversity by enabling people, gorillas, and livestock to coexist by improving their health and livelihoods in and around Africa’s protected areas.
Learn About The Evolution Of Animal Societies With The Banded Mongoose Research Project: Visitors to the Mweya Peninsula of Queen Elizabeth National Park can go with researches on the Branded Mongoose Research Project to watch the park’s 400 cat-sized mammals. For one to three hours, the nature-watchers see park areas typically cut off from tourists, register weight, learn habituation calls and study behavior. Local tour companies in Uganda, such as Kabiza Wilderness Safaris, are able to book this experience in Mweya.
Road For Wildlife With The #Awrroarchallenge: The African Wildlife Foundation, in collaboration with Nickelodeon International, is educating children on the importance of wildlife conservation via the Together For Good Wildlife Special. Currently airing across Nickelodeon’s International network, the show features “School of Rock” star Brenna Yda guiding viewers through Uganda and telling the stories of guides, park rangers, detection dogs and their handlers.
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