Barn owl by Andy Davis, on Flickr
[PIC_THREAD] Wildlife, Animals, Birds, Zoo
- Thread starter Rojin
- Start date
Barn owl by Andy Davis, on Flickr
From a trip at the weekend to brownsea island
DSCF5059 by Phil watson, on Flickr
DSCF4938 by Phil watson, on Flickr
DSCF5021-3 by Phil watson, on Flickr
DSCF5059 by Phil watson, on FlickrDSCF4938 by Phil watson, on FlickrDSCF5021-3 by Phil watson, on Flickr
Soldato
Some real belters there. Love the crashed out gorilla!
Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Jun 2014
- Posts
- 5,100
Agreed! Some stunning shots there, @sHo0sH. Shoebills are mad-looking!
).Cheers @Random Guy Esq. and @doodah Shoebills are mad indeed! That one tried to mount me as I was bending down taking it's picture! - This shot was with the Tamron 28-75mm FE Lens, all the others were the Sony 100-400mm GM that I rented for the trip.
Full gallery is here if you wanted to see any more https://photos.google.com/u/2/share...?key=QUl5VFdxZEw3cWh0OGV0NXZPU2JDRnJzU0ZmN2FB
Full gallery is here if you wanted to see any more https://photos.google.com/u/2/share...?key=QUl5VFdxZEw3cWh0OGV0NXZPU2JDRnJzU0ZmN2FB
Sweet - a lens I am looking into when I make the jump to mirrorless/A7iii (Tamron) and probably a good solution for owning the 100-400, must cost a bomb to buy.
Thanks for the gallery. Can you tell us a little more about the trip? Safari through a company?
Edit - @sHo0sH - awesome thank you. Already told the Mrs about it as a possible future holiday
.
Thanks for the gallery. Can you tell us a little more about the trip? Safari through a company?
Edit - @sHo0sH - awesome thank you. Already told the Mrs about it as a possible future holiday
.
Last edited:
@doodah
So we found the website www.safaribookings.com and decided to take a punt on one of the quotes that we got from there by a company called Mushra Travel Agency. There were points where I was a bit apprehensive, but it turned out that my worry was definitely misplaced. They provided a great service, and for the money we paid for the trip incredible value for money. The below itinerary was $2200 (USD) each + a flight to Entebbe. This was the mid-range option and included the cost of a gorilla permit @$700 each and a chimp permit @$180 each and was full board including soft drink. We were happy with the majority of the accommodation provided, especially considering it's essentially a third world country.
We had an absolute result with our particular driver/guide as he was a former park ranger and had worked in one of the national parks for 15 years, so knew it like the back of his hand - it was his incredible attitude, and knowledge that helped us get a lot of pictures we wouldn't have otherwise got - including spotting two leopards and the lions. He was saying that some Nat Geo photographers actually hire him each year to drive them around to get pictures which was pretty cool. I took his personal details, as he also does his own Safari's - I would highly recommend him to anyone that would be interested in going.
Itinerary below
So we found the website www.safaribookings.com and decided to take a punt on one of the quotes that we got from there by a company called Mushra Travel Agency. There were points where I was a bit apprehensive, but it turned out that my worry was definitely misplaced. They provided a great service, and for the money we paid for the trip incredible value for money. The below itinerary was $2200 (USD) each + a flight to Entebbe. This was the mid-range option and included the cost of a gorilla permit @$700 each and a chimp permit @$180 each and was full board including soft drink. We were happy with the majority of the accommodation provided, especially considering it's essentially a third world country.
We had an absolute result with our particular driver/guide as he was a former park ranger and had worked in one of the national parks for 15 years, so knew it like the back of his hand - it was his incredible attitude, and knowledge that helped us get a lot of pictures we wouldn't have otherwise got - including spotting two leopards and the lions. He was saying that some Nat Geo photographers actually hire him each year to drive them around to get pictures which was pretty cool. I took his personal details, as he also does his own Safari's - I would highly recommend him to anyone that would be interested in going.
Itinerary below
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by a Mushra Travel Agency staff. Over night at Marie's Royal Hotel (Half board - Bed and Breakfast).
DAY TWO: KAMPALA TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will drive through Kampala City center en route to Murchison Falls. It’s a long trip, we will make two stops for snacks, lunch and also make a stop at the Rhino Sanctuary for guided tour of Uganda's only Rhino Park. You will get to Murchison Falls late afternoon. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY THREE: WILDLIFE VIEWING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, the day starts with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile to look for lions, elephants, giraffes, hartebeest and different bird species. In the afternoon, a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing in the afternoon. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FOUR: BIRDING, TOP OF THE FALLS TOURS AND MORE GAME DRIVES
This day will be dedicated to birding, nature walks and tops of the falls hire. At the top you are treated to the breathtaking sight of the Falls. About 300 – 400 cubic meters per second of Nile waters force through a tiny gorge of about 7 meters to plunge into a violent tempest about 42 meters below. It is such a beautiful sight. Incredible picture moments here. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FIVE: MURCHISON FALLS TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. You will be received by a Mushra Travel Agency representative at the lodge. Kyaninga Royal Cottages has breath-taking views of Kibale Forest and crater lakes. Overnight at Kyaninga Royal Cottages ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FIVE: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
The day starts with exciting chimp trekking. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. You will learn about the chimps, follow their daily activities, learn more about their way of life. Overnight at Kyaninga Royal Cottages ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY SIX: KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We drive through beautiful landscapes and see crater lakes. You will start the tour of Queen Elizabeth National Park with a guided tour of Katwe Explosion Crater where traditional salt harvest in various forms has taken place for over 500 years. The guided tour shows you the various ways salt is produced. In ancient times, Salt produced here was seen and treated like precious metal and control of the Lake was fought over by various Kingdoms in Western Uganda. Overnight at Twin Lake Safari Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY SEVEN: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK BOAT CRUISE
Start the morning with a game drive. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for lunch.
In the afternoon, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Watch out for hundreds of bird species that can be sighted, elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Overnight at Twin Lake Safari Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY EIGHT: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we will transfer to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi. You will drive through the parks popular sector Ishasha which is home to climbing lions. You will spend as much time as possible taking pictures and proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening. Overnight at Gorilla Mist Camp ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY NINE: GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, you will head to the Headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for an orientation plus meeting the guides as well as separation into the groups basing on which gorilla group you are to be tracking. From there, you will set off for your thrilling experience of the Gorillas. Hiking within this mysterious and wonderful forest offers quite a lot to see as you make your way to see the Mountain Gorillas.
Look out for additional primates, butterflies, mammals and birds. The trekking will entail thorough climbing before you come face to face with the Mountain Gorillas, watching them only a few meters away. You will see the baby with the mothers, the gorillas partaking their every day routine just right in front of you.
You will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla tracking. With 29 islands in it, the lake is surrounded by terraced hillsides and is a visitation darling of many foreign and domestic tourists. About 200 bird species have been recorded at the lake area since "Bunyonyi" also means "the place of many little birds".
The bird species include the White tailed Blue Monard, grey crowned cranes, the African Harrier Hawk, Herons and egrets, the Levillant cuckoo, the Cardinal Woodpecker and the Rufous-breasted wryneck. Weavers nesting on the Island, include the large golden, slender-billed Baglafetch, as well as the yellow-backed and spectacled weavers. Overnight at Bunyoyi Rock Resort ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY TEN: TRANSFER TO LAKE MBURO
You have an option to go for an early morning boat cruise after breakfast or relax at the lodge. You will depart for Lake Mburo at 11:00am, arriving in the late evening. You will go for your 3 hour game drive with amazing views of the Zebras, Buffaloes, a variety of antelopes, warthogs some time Leopards and so much more.
You will return to the lodge after the game drives. Overnight at Eagles Nest Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY ELEVEN: CULTURE TOUR AND TRANSFER TO KAMPALA / ENTEBBE
You will go for an early morning culture tour and visit a local pastoral community where you will see Africa's endangered long-horned cattle. You will return to the lodge for breakfast and then start the four hour road drive to Kampala or Entebbe. You will make a stopover for lunch and photography at the Equator crossing. Our driver will drive you to the airport in time for your flight.
Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by a Mushra Travel Agency staff. Over night at Marie's Royal Hotel (Half board - Bed and Breakfast).
DAY TWO: KAMPALA TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will drive through Kampala City center en route to Murchison Falls. It’s a long trip, we will make two stops for snacks, lunch and also make a stop at the Rhino Sanctuary for guided tour of Uganda's only Rhino Park. You will get to Murchison Falls late afternoon. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY THREE: WILDLIFE VIEWING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, the day starts with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile to look for lions, elephants, giraffes, hartebeest and different bird species. In the afternoon, a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing in the afternoon. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FOUR: BIRDING, TOP OF THE FALLS TOURS AND MORE GAME DRIVES
This day will be dedicated to birding, nature walks and tops of the falls hire. At the top you are treated to the breathtaking sight of the Falls. About 300 – 400 cubic meters per second of Nile waters force through a tiny gorge of about 7 meters to plunge into a violent tempest about 42 meters below. It is such a beautiful sight. Incredible picture moments here. Overnight at Murchison Treehouse Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FIVE: MURCHISON FALLS TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. You will be received by a Mushra Travel Agency representative at the lodge. Kyaninga Royal Cottages has breath-taking views of Kibale Forest and crater lakes. Overnight at Kyaninga Royal Cottages ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY FIVE: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
The day starts with exciting chimp trekking. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. You will learn about the chimps, follow their daily activities, learn more about their way of life. Overnight at Kyaninga Royal Cottages ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY SIX: KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We drive through beautiful landscapes and see crater lakes. You will start the tour of Queen Elizabeth National Park with a guided tour of Katwe Explosion Crater where traditional salt harvest in various forms has taken place for over 500 years. The guided tour shows you the various ways salt is produced. In ancient times, Salt produced here was seen and treated like precious metal and control of the Lake was fought over by various Kingdoms in Western Uganda. Overnight at Twin Lake Safari Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY SEVEN: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK BOAT CRUISE
Start the morning with a game drive. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for lunch.
In the afternoon, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Watch out for hundreds of bird species that can be sighted, elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Overnight at Twin Lake Safari Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY EIGHT: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we will transfer to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi. You will drive through the parks popular sector Ishasha which is home to climbing lions. You will spend as much time as possible taking pictures and proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening. Overnight at Gorilla Mist Camp ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY NINE: GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, you will head to the Headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for an orientation plus meeting the guides as well as separation into the groups basing on which gorilla group you are to be tracking. From there, you will set off for your thrilling experience of the Gorillas. Hiking within this mysterious and wonderful forest offers quite a lot to see as you make your way to see the Mountain Gorillas.
Look out for additional primates, butterflies, mammals and birds. The trekking will entail thorough climbing before you come face to face with the Mountain Gorillas, watching them only a few meters away. You will see the baby with the mothers, the gorillas partaking their every day routine just right in front of you.
You will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla tracking. With 29 islands in it, the lake is surrounded by terraced hillsides and is a visitation darling of many foreign and domestic tourists. About 200 bird species have been recorded at the lake area since "Bunyonyi" also means "the place of many little birds".
The bird species include the White tailed Blue Monard, grey crowned cranes, the African Harrier Hawk, Herons and egrets, the Levillant cuckoo, the Cardinal Woodpecker and the Rufous-breasted wryneck. Weavers nesting on the Island, include the large golden, slender-billed Baglafetch, as well as the yellow-backed and spectacled weavers. Overnight at Bunyoyi Rock Resort ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY TEN: TRANSFER TO LAKE MBURO
You have an option to go for an early morning boat cruise after breakfast or relax at the lodge. You will depart for Lake Mburo at 11:00am, arriving in the late evening. You will go for your 3 hour game drive with amazing views of the Zebras, Buffaloes, a variety of antelopes, warthogs some time Leopards and so much more.
You will return to the lodge after the game drives. Overnight at Eagles Nest Lodge ( Full board - Lodging, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
DAY ELEVEN: CULTURE TOUR AND TRANSFER TO KAMPALA / ENTEBBE
You will go for an early morning culture tour and visit a local pastoral community where you will see Africa's endangered long-horned cattle. You will return to the lodge for breakfast and then start the four hour road drive to Kampala or Entebbe. You will make a stopover for lunch and photography at the Equator crossing. Our driver will drive you to the airport in time for your flight.
Associate
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2006
- Posts
- 981
A few from a trip to Uganda. What an incredible country!
Lovely photos.
Brilliant photos!! I love Africa! Im guessing you have a few of these on your wall?
*edit* Just looked at them on the link you posted, that panorama is awesome
Don't have any on the wall yet, but I think I'll get some sorted when I'm not being lazy. It really is an amazing continent, I'm very keen to go back - I really don't see the appeal of beach holidays much anyone at all - it's all about the adventure!
Thanks for the kind words!
Visit to Horsey Gap to watch the seals yesterday, will have to go back when they are pupping.
DSCF6161 by Phil watson, on Flickr
DSCF6285 by Phil watson, on Flickr
DSCF6161 by Phil watson, on FlickrDSCF6285 by Phil watson, on FlickrAmur Leopard
Day out at the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. Hosted by Jessops, pressie from my family.
The Amur leopard is the most critically endangered of all leopards.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amur-leopard
Sony A7RIII, Sony 100-400 GM.
Day out at the Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. Hosted by Jessops, pressie from my family.
The Amur leopard is the most critically endangered of all leopards.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amur-leopard
Sony A7RIII, Sony 100-400 GM.
