Have Fun this Christmas on a Uganda Safari
Have you ever been in Uganda? Do you plan to visit Uganda this December? It is a brilliant idea to celebrate this christmas in Uganda and you should do something different either with your beloved family or your partner by taking a Uganda safari this season!
Taking of the many different Uganda safaris, Uganda as a country will give you an adventure you are sure to never forget elsewhere. From visiting the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable, host to more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas, to trekking the Rwenzoris (Mountains of the Moon), enjoying sunset cruises along the Kazinga Channel, taking game drives through the savanna landscapes of the Queen Elizabeth National Park to rafting the mystical Kalagala Falls along the Majestic Nile. There are many opportunities to discover while on a safari adventure in Uganda.
Why Tour Uganda?
- You will travel all through the surrounding areas of Uganda and see all kinds of wildlife in their natural habitat.
- You will be guided by expert highly knowledgeable tour guides and you will be completely safe since they do everything they can to take the necessary precautions.
- You can track gorillas and watch how they interact with each other.
- There are other bird tracking safaris that you can choose from.
- Each safari has a different time set that they can last. Some are a few hours, others are days and some are even weeks, it all depends on what your budget is and of course how comfortable you are with the whole idea.
- These safaris are for those tourists who want to get the full Uganda experience.
Interested in booking last minute discounted safari deals? Contact your local travel agency today for more details.
Read MoreUN-WTO Secretary General Visits Uganda
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Mr. Taleb Rifai has described tourism sector in Uganda as a star in the making waiting to rise to the surface.
Addressing the tourism fraternity at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Sunday on his first official visit to Uganda, Mr. Taleb remarked that tourism is oil that runs the economies and which never runs out if well preserved. He was flanked by the UNWTO regional coordinator for Africa Mr. Ousman Ndiaye and the UN Resident Coordinator Ms Aziakwona Ononchie.
Mr. Taleb implored the political leadership of Uganda to place tourism sector high on the national agenda describing it as the investment for the future. Politically, it is the most effective tool for creation of peace when people travel and rub shoulders, he observed.
The Secretary General noted that travel and tourism play a central role in the socio economic transformation of the country by creating employment and promoting better understanding. He said globally tourism generates 5.2 trillion dollars a year and is the third largest industry. In 2012,on billion tourists crossed borders to visit other countries ,he said adding that it is now time for Uganda to shine.
Mr. Taleb said Uganda is enormously endowed with tourism potential arguing that what “you do with what you have is what matters” .He promised that the UN system in the country will work together to promote and foster tourism growth.
Uganda Vice President Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi said “We appreciate the technical support that UNWTO and UNDP is currently giving Uganda in the review of our tourism policy and development of the tourism master plan and the development of inclusive Markets in Tourism sector Project”.
He added that the purpose of Mr. Taleb’s visit to Uganda is in line with Uganda’s development agenda of the socio economic transformation. He said tourism is one of the sectors driving the agenda of creating employment, and developing a productive and competitive labour force.
The minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Dr. Maria Mutagamba said government is working with UNWTO to define Destination –Pearl of Africa by harnessing her natural and cultural endowments. She hailed the UNWTO for the technical assistance to develop the Tourism Policy and Master plan 2003 which has expired in 2013 and Uganda is embarking on a new ten year plan.
Mr. Taleb was due to meet the President as State House Entebbe and other development partners during a breakfast business meeting.
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Katwe Salt Lake – Uganda’s Tourist Attraction
Salt is one of the basic needs in life and it is widely used in Uganda. Lake Katwe salt industry is the main source of salt and income in the country. People around Lake Katwe are still practicing rudimentary mining of salt which helps them to make a living after selling salt and those employed in the salt industry.
At Lake Katwe, salt is mined from January to March and from July to September when there is much sunshine. Salt traders come from nearby markets in Uganda and from other countries like Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and Tanzania.
It was regarded such an expensive mineral and was exchanged for other item like clothes and even guns which were given the ruler of that time in exchange of slaves.
Salt mining as in western Uganda has a strong history as in 1875, an explorer by the names; H.M Stanley was the first white man to make a written report of the history of salt Exploitation at Lake Katwe during his journey in Africa.
It is emphasised that ever since the colonial times salt production at Lake Katwe has been one of the most important sources of revenue for the local administrations in the area. Nowadays, Katwe Kabatoro Town Council is also struggling to get total ownership and administration of the same lake.
Lake Katwe is the largest salt lake in Uganda and have various types of salt produced from the same lake. It has a circumference of 8 km. 21 streams around the lake pour in fresh water every day from the surrounding rocks.
Not only salt mining, Lake katwe is a source of foreign exchange through tourism. Many tourists are seen exploring salt Lake Katwe salt region during their Uganda safaris through Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular national parks. From there, tourists can move to Kibale chimpanzee forest to trek chimpanzees, nature walks, and cultural walks and so on. They can also decide to go to Bwindi Impenetrable forest or Mgahinga Forest National Park to track Gorillas.
Read MoreKarimojong Warrior Dancers wow Namugongo Pilgrims
This year’s annual martyrs celebrations on 3rd June were led by Bishop Giussepe Filippi of Kotido located North Eastern Uganda. He was accompaned by the diocean choir and a troupe of Karimojong warriors donned in traditional garb in a gallantry of hymn, dance and worship to the delight of Pilgrims.
This year attendance hit the one million mark with President Yoweri Museveni being the chief Pilgrim. Also in attendance was Maria Nyerere widow of the founding Father of The Republic of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
The President committed government support to the development of the martyrs shrines into tourism attractions. This will add impetus to efforts by the Uganda Tourism Board in promoting religious tourism that began with a martyrs charity walk dubbed in the Footsteps of The Uganda Martyrs the previous day.
Pilgrims came from as far as Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda,Kenya, the United States of America and Nigeria.
Over 45 martyrs were burnt alive in 1886 on the orders of the reigning kabaka (king) of Buganda following growing dissent in the kings court from the new converts to Christianity at the height of colonial struggle.
Festivities will be held in the same venue on the 18th October to commemorate Golden Jubilee since the canonization of the Catholic martyrs by Pope Paul VI.This shall coincide with the commemoration of the martyrdom of lesser known martyrs Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello from Acholiland in Northern Uganda who were martyred almost 25 years later in Paimol.
Read MoreEyes on Uganda as it’s Declared a Birding Hub
Uganda has been declared a preferred bird watching destination 2013/14 a development expected to promote birding and uphold the country as a major tourist destination.
The declaration by the government was made after Birdlife International, a global programme on conservation and protection of birds and their habitats, and Nature Uganda announced that there were 34 important bird watching areas in Uganda, with diverse bird species.
“Allow me to declare Uganda a preferred bird watching destination as we begin our journey through the next 50 years as we mark the country’s independence jubilee celebrations,” the Minister for Tourism, Ms Maria Mutagamba, said during the launch of the birding campaign that attracted various birders and guides at Kasenge Forest Resort Beach in Mukono District at the weekend.
Ms Mutagamba said they had been priding in the recent accolades by Lonely Planet, which voted Uganda as the best tourism destination for 2012 and Africa Bird Club, which voted Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Africa’s number one birding site.
The minister said the accolades provide an important avenue for showcasing Uganda’s rich bird diversity, accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s total bird species and 50 per cent of Africa’s bird species population.
Tourism boost
The executive director of Uganda Tourism Board, Mr Cuthbert Baguma, said as the year closes in, it was important to start promoting the country as a major bird destination.
Mr Baguma said they were forming a crisis management committee to respond to all negative publicity on either social media as well as other media outlets.
UWA Launches New Tourist Activity in Mount Elgon
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced mountain bike-riding in Mount Elgon National Park as a new tourist activity.
The assistant warden at the national park, Mr Stephen Nyadru, while speaking at the launch on Friday, said the move is aimed at attracting more tourists. He said activities will include traversing of rocks, washouts, and steep declines, on dirt trails, logging roads, and gravel roads that wind along lazy streams through forested valleys or trails that climb up steep mountainsides; and other unpaved environments.
“This is the first time we are introducing this form of tourism. We feel that after climbing the mountain, usually tourists remain dull during descending so this will be able to give them another exercise down the hills as a modern form of tourism in Uganda,” said Mr Nyadru.
He said the specific advantages of mountain bike-riding combines pleasure of being in the mountains with the health advantages of altitude and gradients, significant level of physical exercise and the possibility to cover longer distances.
The tourism official said the new activity complements other old tourists attractions.
They include scenic peaks, gorges, hot-springs, magnificent waterfalls, caves, and flora & fauna.
Others are the talking tree along in Kapkwai, and the caldera and crater lakes/pools. The Mt. Elgon area conservation manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said on the first day of launching, the park earned Shs12 million from Ireland bikers – Concern Worldwide – who were on a tri-adventure of Mt Elgon.
Mr James Mcmanas, the expedition leader of about 17 bikers from Concern worldwide Ireland, said mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB) created for off-road cycling, makes Mt Elgon now a place to go for all bikers
Regional Platform Launched to Promote Tourism Marketing
A multi-stake holder platform comprising eminent Ugandans from the public and private sector has been formed with the main aim of promoting tourism in Kigezi region and Uganda in general.
The Kigezi Tourism Multi stake holder platform was formed at the end of December, 2011 during the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Convention 2011 held at White Horse Inn and was preceded by a Mountain Gorilla Marathon race flagged off by the Bank of Uganda Governor Professor Tumusiime Mutebile.
The founding members of the tourism cluster platform say they recognize the abundant and diverse natural and cultural endowment of the region and fully appreciate the importance of tourism in transforming the socio economic livelihoods of the people of Kigezi.
“We acknowledge that despite the resource endowment , the region has not fully exploited the potential of the tourism industry, it is relatively uncompetitive and that the sector opportunities have not been fully utilized to promote the inclusiveness of all communities to enhance social economic welfare,” says a statement signed by Professor Mutebile as the chairman ICOB Uganda chapter and Dr. Peter Ngategize of the Ministry of Finance as the facilitator.
In recognition of the above factors, adds the statement, the tourism cluster is committed to accomplish the following : To act as an advocacy platform promoting and lobbying for the interests of tourism development in the region, Promote and package the attractions of Kigezi region for domestic, regional and international market, to mobilize and engage Banyakigezi community to appreciate ,conserve and develop the tourism attractions in the region and to Identify tourism opportunities and attract investment in the sector.
To further the said objectives, an interim committee was formed to accomplish a number of tasks including Mobilization and registration of membership for the cluster, formulate a constitution and register the cluster ,linking the cluster with relevant stake holders and institutions furthering its mandate and to organize and structure its administration.
The committee consists of members identified from the public and private sectors with interest and capacity to promote the cluster. They are Dr. Peter Ngategize, Mr. Nicholas Byengoma of Acadia Cottages, Engineer Ivan Mbabazi Batuma,Ms Charlote Kanabahita, Mr. James Garuga Musinguzi,Mr. Seith Byarugaba,Mr. Cuthbert Baguma of the Uganda Tourism Board,Mr. Stephen Masaba of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Lilian Lyazi of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage among others.
Others are Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile,Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda,Ms Monica Ekyogabiirwe, Fidelis Kanyamunyu, representatives from Rural Electrification Agency, Local government representatives from Kigezi region districts, Ministry of ICT and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
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Upcountry Tourism Sites in Uganda to be Developed
The ministry of tourism plans to develop potential tourist sites upcountry. The plan, according to the tourism state minister, Serapio Rukundo, involves establishing world-class facilities for visitors.
The minister, who was inspecting prospective sites in the countryside, told Arua district local leaders on Wednesday that he was waiting for approval from the finance ministry to start implementing the project.
He explained that the plan would be supported by the government’s increased funding to the road sector to link major tourism sites across the country.
“While the Government is working on the roads, we have asked them to work on what we have prescribed as tourism roads. So that when a tourist leaves Kampala, they can traverse the country without necessarily going back to the capital,” Rukundo said.
He announced that the ministry had set aside funds to establish at least 10 five-star hotels in different regions and also procure 100 tourism vehicles under a private-public partnership arrangement.
Rukundo said they were also in talks with the finance ministry to waive taxes on cars, which will be bought and given to private tour operators under a hire-purchase system.
Rukundo added on that the Government would ask established hotels such as Serena and Sheraton to open more facilities upcountry. He noted that the country had been divided into tourism zones, the first being Kigezi, with scenic sites at Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi forests for gorilla tracking and Ishasha, with its tree-climbing lions.
The second zone, dubbed the Rift Valley Zone, covers part of Queen Elizabeth national park and the Semiliki reserves. The third zone stretches from Murchison Falls national park through the West Nile region.
The other zone covers the eastern region, with Mt Elgon as one of the main attractions.
Kampala is being developed into a short haul base. Tourists based in Kampala will be able to visit the rhinos and hippos in Nakasongola district or the Ssese Islands and return to Kampala the same day, the minister explained.
Rukundo said that there are also plans that are underway to reintroduce rhinos in the 164 square-kilometer Ajai game reserve.
Read MoreTwo Foreign Firms Want to Operate Uganda Cargo Hub
A US$25 million cargo hub that Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set its sights on in the next phase of developing Entebbe International Airport is generating a lot of interest.
Two groups one from South Africa and another from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed interest in developing the project, which has been designed as a build, operate and transfer project. The CAA’s public affairs manager, Mr. Ignie Igunduura said the airports and aviation body was seeking a joint venture with a private partner like tour operators in Uganda. We have had several groups showing interest. Most of them have made the first contact, Igunduura said. We have given them everything they need to come back with concrete proposals, which we expect any time from now.
The investors who have showed interest are responding to invitations from CAA asking local and international businesses to further assess the financial viability of the project. The cargo centre is provided for under CAA’s 20-year master plan. The centre will have the capacity to hold 500,000 metric tonnes of cargo per annum according the designs, which have been completed.
The holding capacity of the cargo centre is designed to meet anticipated growth in cargo volumes up to 2012. Existing cargo facilities are too small to meet present and future volumes.
A South African company, Africon, has done the designs of the facility, which will occupy six acres at the airport. The proposed cargo centre elements include construction of cargo building (perishable cargo), cargo building (dry cargo), freight forwarders building, customs building, truck off-loading area, vehicle parking area and roads – cargo aircraft apron and taxiways. It also involves construction of an access road to the cargo centre and construction and installation of support utilities.
Mr. Ambrose Akandonda, CAA’s managing director said cargo traffic at Entebbe had risen from 20,000 metric tonnes nine years ago to 64,000 by the turn of last year. The facility will cater for dry and wet cargo and have utilities like chillers and cold storage facilities. “CAA is looking at three options that include involvement of the private sector to build, operate and transfer the facility after an agreed period” Akandonda said at the start of this year when the revelation for the facility was made.
We want to interest the private sector to come into warehousing, which has a turnaround on investment, while CAA provides the aeronautical support infrastructure like paved areas for aircraft, parking and taxi ways.
Airlines are growing their cargo business and Entebbe cannot pull big cargo carriers if such a facility was not in place. One such airline is Emirates, which is rapidly expanding its network. This according to CAA will help Uganda move its cargo to various markets. The Emirates cargo service has increased from a daily flight to four flights a week into Entebbe, signaling significant growth in trade between Uganda and the rest of the world. According to Uganda’s “big push strategy”, the government is looking at turning Uganda into an air cargo centre of excellence in Africa because of its strategic central location.
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