River Kafu is one of the treasured water bodies that can be explored by tourists who visit Uganda for safaris extending for a length of 180 kilometers and lies within the western side of the country flowing through several districts that include Masindi, Kibaale, Luwero, Hoima, Nakasongola, Kyankwanzi and Nakaseke Districts.
It is said to start from a swamp that is around 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) to the Northeast of Kitoma Village (with coordinates of Latitude:1.1500; Longitude:31.0820) within Kibaale District, western Uganda and drains eastwards before changing its course to the Northwards to pour its waters in the popular Victoria Nile (lying with Latitude:1.1500; Longitude:31.0820) as you will discover during a trip to the Northern side of Uganda.
River Kafu is around 8 kilometers north of Masindi Port within Masindi District and the wetland which the River emerges from is also crossed or drained by River Nkusi much as it is noted to rise from a different location flowing past the swamp and later pouring its waters into Lake Albert with the western border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While at its source, this River rises at an elevation of around 1100 meters (3608 feet) above sea level whereas at its mouth, it stands an elevation of around 1040 meters (3412 feet) above sea level.
This magnificent River has two main tributaries that include Rivers Mayanja and Lugogo that drain through vast permanent Swamps before finally pouring their water into River Kafu. The dominant vegetation around the River is thick bush thickets and papyrus swamps.
Wildlife and Bird Species around River Kafu
The Basin of River Kafu is a home to a wide range of wildlife species including the rare leopards, bush duikers, bushbucks, Bohor reedbucks, sitatunga, Defassa waterbucks, elands, bush pigs, Oribis and many others. You should not miss to encounter all these animals during your safari in Uganda. Birds species such as the Hadada ibis, Marabou storks, grey crowned cranes, Shoebill storks (rare) and the red-faced barbets can be spotted at the Banks of the River or within the surrounding papyrus swamps.
Accommodation Facilities around River Kafu
Mayanja River Lodge (featuring four private luxury Safari Tents with ensuite bathrooms, restaurant and bar) found within the basin of River Kafu (near Ngoma) is one of the beautiful places to spend nights and offers tourists with the opportunities of seeing the elusive sitatunga or several aquatic bird species.
In conclusion, River Kafu is one of the magnificent attractions whose natural beauty and features cannot be missed during a safari in Uganda. Besides its length, surrounding vegetation and general beauty, it is also a haven to some wildlife species including bush duikers, bush-bucks, Bohor reed-bucks, sitatunga, Defassa water bucks, elands, bush pigs, Oribis and many others.
It was established mainly to offer refuge to the rare mountain gorillas that thrive within its tropical rain forest. With time, the park was extended up to the 
The park was gazetted in 1970’s primarily to offer refuge to the Great apes-Grauer’s gorillas. The Lowland gorillas are the largest sub-species of gorillas in Africa. About 284 Grauer’s gorillas are known to thrive in 
The Congolese Institute for Wildlife and Nature Conservation together with other conservation bodies amidst the civil wars, have tirelessly conserved not just the Eastern Lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Biega National Park alone but also several wildlife species within its habitat. With these collective efforts, Eastern Lowland gorilla tourism and conservation at Kahuzi Biega National Park has stood for years as it generates revenue not only to the government of Congo but also the local communities.
The Grauer’s gorilla conservation in the DR Congo has been boosted by continuous efforts and initiatives on habituation of new gorilla groups, establishing a visitor center and accommodation facilities, introduction of more exciting tourism activities especially birding, volcano hiking experiences, empowering the local community members, training and equipping the park rangers so as to ensure longer visitor stay in the park. Like mountain gorilla trekking, Eastern Lowland trekking also allows visitors to spend only one hour with the apes. Permits for this lifetime experience cost $ 400 per person.
The other groups that are still under going habituation include the Mankoto and Mpungwe
With regards to climatic conditions in Uganda, the nation has a tropical climate and its degrees of temperature extend from around 22 to 25 degrees Celsius aside from that the mountainous areas are way cooler due to elevation. For instance, the isolated well-known snow capped Mountain Elgon. Just like other countries the Uganda has both dry and rainy seasons. The driest of the season is the traverse from December to February.
The vast majority trust that tourism in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is just about the mountain gorillas. I used to believe that as well, owing to a severe advertising and reputation these primates have gotten, especially in Rwanda and the Virunga in general. But being with hope of starting a tour company this year, I had to find out everything by myself and my trip to DRC opened my eyes to some of the hidden gem DRC offers.
Visiting Rhinos by foot in Uganda is one of the compelling “added to the list” rhino tracking en-route the most bio-diverse and largest national park in Uganda – The Murchison Falls National Park. Rhinos in the country were wiped out in 1991 when the only surviving Black Rhino was poached up-north of Uganda in a remote wildlife reserve of Kidepo Valley National Park.
The re-introduction of Rhinos in Uganda is now in 3 phases to later have these endangered animals fully in the Uganda wildlife parks. Managed by NGO – The Rhino Fund Uganda is a non-profit organization that initially introduces two Rhinos in the UWEC and later extended by obtaining a 70squar kilometers land in Nakasongola district 180kms from Kampala.
In spite of the fact that the loss of natural habitats still remains an issue and viewed as a threat, poaching is the main threat of these animals conservation in most African nations and East Asia. Rhino poaching is fueled by the high demand of rhino horn in china and Vietnam as a traditional medicine and consequently the Locals are utilized and paid much money to get hold of these Rhino horn. It is not a surprise that the rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary are monitored 24-7 with armed guards around them.
Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale in the eastern part of the country. The waterfalls are found on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park close to the Kenyan border.
