Uganda listed among the 20 must see destinations for 2013 by the National Geographic traveler magazine


Despite the fact that Uganda was voted the number one tourist destination country by lonely planet for the year 2012,It  has won international recognition  and has been listed in the top 20 must see destinations in East Africa for 2013 by the National Geographic traveler Magazine this year . Therefore choosing Uganda for your 2013 African wildlife safari is a worth while experience.
The top 20 listed must see destinations for the year 2013 by National Geographic magazine includes:
1- Crimea                                            
2- Marseille city, France
3- Raja Ampat Island, Indonesia
4- Ravenna-
5- Great Bear Rain Forest
6- Lake Malawi
7- Quito city
8- Bagan
9- Cape Breton Island –
10 – Uganda, East Africa
11-Hudson Valley, New York
12-Thessaloniki
13-Grenada, Caribbean Islands
14- Bodo
15-Valparaiso
16- Missouri River Banks – Montana
17-St Augustine- Florida
18-Memphis- Tennessee
19- Kyoto, Japan
20-Jarash islands
 Uganda is well known worldwide as home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas staying in Bwindi Gorilla Park and Mgahinga National park and gorilla tracking is the most thrilling tourist activity in these parks. Bwindi impenetratable national park had also been voted Africa’s number one birding site  by the African bird club
The virunga volcanoes in south western Uganda was also voted a must see place for 2012 among the top places one had to visit in 2012
Further more Uganda’s Ruwenzori Mountains were voted among the top hiking places in Africa and among the top hiking spots in the whole world.
Uganda is credited for its natural endowment and efforts in conservation and development of the tourism industry ranging from exciting natural sceneries to cultural attractions and many more.

BIRDING IN UGANDA


Uganda is immensely endowed with over 1,000 bird species; some of which are endemic to the country mainly in the Albertine region. These constitute 67% of Africa's and 11.1% of the world's total population, making the country a must visit for bird lovers. Some of the most interesting birds include; the crested crane recently named 'Gray crowned crane, Shoebill, Wattled plorer, Africa Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Saddle Billed Stock, Pelican, African Pigmy Geese and Narina's Trogon.
These special birds, such as the Shoebill and the numerous spectacular endemics of the Albertine rift Valley are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. The huge bird list is so remarkable given the small size of the country of over 235,000 sqkm; approximately the size of Great Britain. Making it arguably, the richest African birding destination.Visit Uganda and you will have no regrets.

GROWTH OF A MOUNTAIN GORILLA


A baby Gorilla weighs 2.5kg at birth but its weight grows twice faster the growth of a human baby! And it takes approximately 10 months to walk and slowly gets independent of the mother at 3 years old. At six years a Gorilla is about 1.20 meter tall and weighs almost 70 kg. The females are mature enough at six, though they continue to gain weight up-to 10 years old. Male Gorillas strictly reach maturity at ten years old; their black back starts turning into grey (silver back)  and  it is time for them to leave the parental group. He will move alone or join other males for some time, before attracting females to join them and form their own Gorilla family.

WILDLIFE VIEWING TIPS



Going on a safari l about wildlife spotting, a little preparation and research to help you see more is a worthwhile investment whether you are searching for the big five, or even more elusive little five. These  tips are a guide to wildlife viewing whilst on any safari and will help you gain much from your safari
1. Consider the time of the day
Time of day is probably the most crucial factor in determining animal movements and behaviours. Dawn and dusk tend to be the most active time for most mammals and birds, when there’s some light. Although the middle of the day is usually too hot, reptiles are most visible at this time, and many mammals can be seen in the shades of larger trees.
2. Water sources
Most animals will drink daily when water is available, so make sure that you go near water sources for greater views particularly in the dry season. Hanging out quietly at watering holes, or on stretches of rivers or lakes which offer animals easy access will give you a good chance of spotting game Predators and large herbivores tend to drink at dawn or dusk, whilst antelopes drink in small doses throughout the day. Rhinos favor mid evening drinking sessions from dark until around 10pm. During a hot day, animals like elephants, buffalos, hippos do enjoy water sources and are greatly visible at water points.
3. Sheltering habits of particular specie
Knowing animal’s habitant helps in spotting the wildlife, especially knowing specifically where to look will improve your chances of spotting immensely. Animals like particular places to shelter within a habitat, whether it is under or in trees like the tree climbing lions do, in or on termite mounds, holes in the ground, reeds or grassland etc. Learning the specific sheltering habits of a species makes your viewing simpler.
4. A Guided Tour
Taking a guided safari with a good professional guide gives you the opportunity to chat with your guide while asking him some questions about animals in the field. You will learn a few tricks and after a few hours of spotting you will be able to understand at least some of the animal signs and be able to put it in to good use yourself. This is very important because you can fall in danger and yet you can not interpret animal signs and in the end an animal attacks you.
5. Look for Tracks and animal signs
Even if you don’t see the animals themselves, you may see telltale signs ,tracks, droppings, nests, scrapes etc. Elephants and the larger predators will leave obvious tracks on sand or dirt roads, so check often. As cats and dogs often use roads to hunt, if you see their tracks leaving the road this may mark the spot they left the road to hunt, so keep a watchful eye before they attack you.
6. Have the Right Tools
Having the right equipments greatly enhance your wildlife viewing so remember to pack them before leaving for a trip .A good pair of binoculars will help you to spot animals further away, and give you a better look when you are close up.
 A guide book with pictures and descriptions of the animals of can expect to see will allow you to identify what you are seeing more precisely.
Please do not forget a camera also.
 7. Your Clothing
While you are organizing for any game or wildlife viewing safari, please endevour to pack clothes that will blend with the environment and in most cases non bright colours are encouraged and a silent green colour does best for this matter. Very shouting colours do scare away wildlife species and this gives them chance to attack you because you may look an enemy to them. Environmentally blending colours may not easily be spotted by animals and this gives you a chance of spotting their behavior like eating habits, without them noticing you