Bush Camping experience in protected Areas of Uganda

Overview

Wild bush camping in Africa originated from the traditional hunting and exploration expeditions of European colonizers and adventurers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They would venture into the wilderness, setting up makeshift camps to hunt, explore, and survive. Over time, this evolved into a form of tourism, allowing travelers to experience the thrill of camping in Africa,

Wilderness bush camping experiences are held in almost all 10 national parks in Uganda.

Wilderness camping in Africa started way back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries by missionaries and explorers who came to discover natural resources. The only way of sheltering was by temporary camping to hunt, discover new attractions, and survive. Over time, this evolved into a form of tourism, allowing travelers to experience the thrill of camping in East Africa.

In Uganda, camping is done in all national parks, i.e., Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In the recent past, camping at Murchison Falls National Park has gained much influence from many travelers, especially eco tourists visiting Uganda.

Murchison Falls National Park:

Named after the waterfall where the Nile River bursts through a narrow gorge, home to lions, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeest, big cats, Rothschild giraffes, and a variety of monkeys, the park has tropical rain forest, Savannah grassland and waterbodies like the river Nile on which the magnificent Murchison falls was formed.

This is Uganda’s biggest national park surrounded by big game reserves like Bugungu game reserve and Karuma Game reserve this park was named after the strongest waterfall where Nile River bursts through a 40m narrow gorge habitant for Hynas, elephants, antelopes, shoe bill stork, lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Giraffes, crocodiles, Hipos. and all types of monkeys, Chimpanzees. This park has tropical rainforests, woodland, and grassland savanna.

While planning for bush camping, there are several other adventure, wildlife, and relaxation activities one can participate in to meet and exceed his or her expectations during the safari. In Uganda, this has not been exploited because of limited knowledge and experience in Bush camping. In the past, bush camping has been affiliated with scouts since this has been taught and trained in school, starting from lower levels of primary up to university level, and also not compulsory for every learner, and that’s why it’s not been popular here in Africa. A scoutman or scout woman is trained to assemble and dismantle camping tents of all types and kinds, This is done during scout camping outdoor activities. So basically, that’s how camping has remained as scout activities for only scouts. With the introduction of tourist bush camping in protected areas like National parks within East African countries, there will be more activities connected to the main activity.

Other Activities That Can be Done Alongside Bush Camping:

Night Game Drives.

Since camping is a temporary structure set to provide shelter for short bush stays, there is always enough time to conduct night game drives, which come with a lot of opportunities to see both nocturnal animals, herbivores, and carnivores as they tend to use the night to attack sleeping prey animals like herbivores. This is the best time to enjoy such an encounter during a night game drive.

Day Nature walks.

Guided nature walks by the armed game/park ranger guarantees life safety as it involves foot walking lead by at least 2 game rangers, this refreshens your soul as you walk in the natural world along side wild animals, the inside fear in you raises a lot of adrenaline coupled with external excitement hence becoming part of the eco system as you breath in and out the same air with wild animals.

Camp Night Fires.

This sound is scary, especially when camping in national parks, which are associated with wild animals. But this shouldn’t be scaring as a burning campfire scares away all sorts of animals, hence becoming one of the best heartbreaking activities you don’t need to miss on all African safaris, Ugandan safari packages

Sunset Dinner

Enjoying your sunset dinner, especially on your honeymoon holiday with your loved one, makes the entire holiday experience unforgettable and a lifetime landmark. For travelers who enjoy hard drinks like whiskies, Gins, beers, bring back memories and endless stories enjoyed by everyone around camp fire.

The purpose of wild bush camping travel comes with objectives like;

1. 1. Connecting with the Natural organic environment; Wild camping helps individuals to directly immerse themselves in the natural virgin environment, causing a deeper appreciation and understanding of the unknown life in the wild.
2. Individual growth and solving life challenges: wild camping usually involves wild survival skills such as stone age fire starting, ordinary construction of shelters, and manual of finding food without cash exchange. This helps to build self-reliance, confidence, hence helping individuals survive and thrive in challenging surroundings.
3. Promotion of Cultures in communities and Teambuilding: Wild camping involves group Camping, emphasizes teamwork, effective communication and bonding among camping members.  During camping, sharing experiences, skills, and responsibilities strengthens relationships and creates lasting bush camping memories.
4. Cost effectiveness:  Most park accommodation facilities are always very expensive and competitive, especially during high tourist seasons, therefore, bush camping is readily available and cheaper to afford, especially for budget tourists and ecotourists who travel to become part of the wild ecosystem and enjoy undisturbed natural environment                       3 Day Murchison Falls Bush Camping Safari.

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park from Kampala via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This tracking will take you 2 hours viewing the Rhinos in their Natural Wild. Proceed to Murchison Falls, view the top of the mighty falls, set off for bush camping at the delta, set up the camp, prepare and have a sunset bush dinner, campfire experience with local storytelling by your local guides under the moonlight or light from the campfire.  After starting your night game drive in search of hunting animals, this will take a few hours by midnight, drive back to your camp, and sleep.

Day 2: Early Sunrise bush breakfast, then transfer from delta campsite, start your morning game drive and morning boat cruise, lunch, and shift to Nyamisika cliff wilderness campsite, sunset experience at the campsite.

Summery

1. Sunrise break first, morning game drive, morning boat cruise, refreshing/shower, lunch, and drive to the cliff bush campsite

2.boat cruise 10am-12:30am

3. Lunch in the park at 1:00 pm-

2:00 pm 

5. Evening game drive, bush camping, sunset campfire, bush dinner, night game drive, and overnight from 3:00 pm- midnight.

Day 3: Sunrise bush break first, nature walk under the cliff, bush lunch at the camp, and transfer from the Murchison Falls bush campsite to the next destination.

Summary:

Nyamisika cliff wilderness campsite

Coffee/tea/breakfast,

Sunrise viewing at 7:00-

Nature walks at 9:30 am inthe  dry river bed of the cliff

Bush lunch at 11:30 am -12:30 pm

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