UGANDA,HER ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT STATE

Uganda’s adorable ambiance generally boasts of attractions ranging from lush forests containing Uganda mountain gorillas, to the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the richly endowed  Lake Victoria.All these avail various opportunities for memorable Uganda safaris/Uganda tours filled with a variety of activities ranging from mountain climbing treks,Uganda gorilla tracking safaris or gorilla treckking safaris,chimpanzee tracking safaris,Uganda bird watching safaris,Uganda wild life safaris(the big five),cultural tours and community walks,Uganda camping safaris,1 day short Uganda tours e.g the Kampala tour and he Jinja white water rafting along the Nile.

On a Safari to Uganda one will discover that Uganda has tremendously developed despite the past history it went through.Notable among this was that during the 14^th century, Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole and Busoge became Uganda’s primary kingdoms. Uganda remained relatively isolated up to the mid 19th century when the Arabic traders and European explorers established contact. After signing the Berlin Treaty Treaty in 1885, Buganda as Uganda had previously been referred to, came under the British protectorate. A loose coalition led to Uganda’s  independence during 1962 bringing into power the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, which was followed by that of Milton Obote who was over thrown by the National Resistance Movement  guerrilla army commanded by Yoweri Museveni.Uganda has however been affected by an overwhelming HIV/AIDS epidemic and an insurgence in Northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army which has seen increased aid and investment flow into Uganda.

Uganda has an approximate population of about 30.3 million. Several traditional ethnic groups still exist today, forming a diverse and complex cultural population ranging from Buganda kingdom down to the Pygmies. Musical histories cant be left unmentioned as they generally prevalent, with various groups having unique musical instruments and histories passed on from generation to generation some of these instruments include drums, the harp and the xylophone and many others.About two-thirds of the population is Christian, notably is that part of the  population still practices animism or Islam,cultism as well as witch craft.Food staffs and meals in Uganda are  generally centered on sauces made from ground nuts beans or meat; beef, mutton and goat are especially common.

The best time to have Uganda safari or safari in Uganda is late December to late February or June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally hot and dry. The climate is generally agreeable, reflecting the combination of medium altitudes based on the equator. Uganda’s main airport is Entebbe international airport located in the southwest of the capital, Kampala at the shores of Lake Victoria. The major port of entry for air travel is Nairobi, Kenya from which one can easily reach Uganda by bus. Within Uganda one can travel easy by bus, air or car.

Any one who has had a Uganda safari or toured Uganda before but embarks on a Uganda tour/Uganda safari to date will testify that Kampala has undergone a great deal of development to become a growing metropolitan city compare to its state in the 1990`s. It now has a wide range of modern amenities and is developing at fast rate among many African cities. In both the reconstructed, old and the newly built buildings , electricity is common and reliable, with a fairly safe clean water system, and all sorts of merchandise are readily available in both street markets and stores. Kampala is now brimming with fine restaurants, high quality shopping malls and hotels, nightclubs and casinos a combination that will certainly let any Uganda safari traveler have a comfortable safari in Uganda .

UGANDA,HER ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT STATE

Uganda’s adorable ambiance generally boasts of attractions ranging from lush forests containing Uganda mountain gorillas, to the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the richly endowed  Lake Victoria.All these avail various opportunities for memorable Uganda safaris/Uganda tours filled with a variety of activities ranging from mountain climbing treks,Uganda gorilla tracking safaris or gorilla treckking safaris,chimpanzee tracking safaris,Uganda bird watching safaris,Uganda wild life safaris(the big five),cultural tours and community walks,Uganda camping safaris,1 day short Uganda tours e.g the Kampala tour and he Jinja white water rafting along the Nile.

On a Safari to Uganda one will discover that Uganda has tremendously developed despite the past history it went through.Notable among this was that during the 14^th century, Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole and Busoge became Uganda’s primary kingdoms. Uganda remained relatively isolated up to the mid 19th century when the Arabic traders and European explorers established contact. After signing the Berlin Treaty Treaty in 1885, Buganda as Uganda had previously been referred to, came under the British protectorate. A loose coalition led to Uganda’s  independence during 1962 bringing into power the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, which was followed by that of Milton Obote who was over thrown by the National Resistance Movement  guerrilla army commanded by Yoweri Museveni.Uganda has however been affected by an overwhelming HIV/AIDS epidemic and an insurgence in Northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army which has seen increased aid and investment flow into Uganda.

Uganda has an approximate population of about 30.3 million. Several traditional ethnic groups still exist today, forming a diverse and complex cultural population ranging from Buganda kingdom down to the Pygmies. Musical histories cant be left unmentioned as they generally prevalent, with various groups having unique musical instruments and histories passed on from generation to generation some of these instruments include drums, the harp and the xylophone and many others.About two-thirds of the population is Christian, notably is that part of the  population still practices animism or Islam,cultism as well as witch craft.Food staffs and meals in Uganda are  generally centered on sauces made from ground nuts beans or meat; beef, mutton and goat are especially common.

The best time to have Uganda safari or safari in Uganda is late December to late February or June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally hot and dry. The climate is generally agreeable, reflecting the combination of medium altitudes based on the equator. Uganda’s main airport is Entebbe international airport located in the southwest of the capital, Kampala at the shores of Lake Victoria. The major port of entry for air travel is Nairobi, Kenya from which one can easily reach Uganda by bus. Within Uganda one can travel easy by bus, air or car.

Any one who has had a Uganda safari or toured Uganda before but embarks on a Uganda tour/Uganda safari to date will testify that Kampala has undergone a great deal of development to become a growing metropolitan city compare to its state in the 1990`s. It now has a wide range of modern amenities and is developing at fast rate among many African cities. In both the reconstructed, old and the newly built buildings , electricity is common and reliable, with a fairly safe clean water system, and all sorts of merchandise are readily available in both street markets and stores. Kampala is now brimming with fine restaurants, high quality shopping malls and hotels, nightclubs and casinos a combination that will certainly let any Uganda safari traveler have a comfortable safari in Uganda .

UGANDA,HER ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT STATE

 

Uganda’s adorable ambiance generally boasts of attractions ranging from lush forests containing Uganda mountain gorillas, to the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the richly endowed  Lake Victoria.All these avail various opportunities for memorable Uganda safaris/Uganda tours filled with a variety of activities ranging from mountain climbing treks,Uganda gorilla tracking safaris or gorilla treckking safaris,chimpanzee tracking safaris,Uganda bird watching safaris,Uganda wild life safaris(the big five),cultural tours and community walks,Uganda camping safaris,1 day short Uganda tours e.g the Kampala tour and he Jinja white water rafting along the Nile.

On a Safari to Uganda one will discover that Uganda has tremendously developed despite the past history it went through.Notable among this was that during the 14^th century, Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole and Busoge became Uganda’s primary kingdoms. Uganda remained relatively isolated up to the mid 19th century when the Arabic traders and European explorers established contact. After signing the Berlin Treaty Treaty in 1885, Buganda as Uganda had previously been referred to, came under the British protectorate. A loose coalition led to Uganda’s  independence during 1962 bringing into power the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, which was followed by that of Milton Obote who was over thrown by the National Resistance Movement  guerrilla army commanded by Yoweri Museveni.Uganda has however been affected by an overwhelming HIV/AIDS epidemic and an insurgence in Northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army which has seen increased aid and investment flow into Uganda.

Uganda has an approximate population of about 30.3 million. Several traditional ethnic groups still exist today, forming a diverse and complex cultural population ranging from Buganda kingdom down to the Pygmies. Musical histories cant be left unmentioned as they generally prevalent, with various groups having unique musical instruments and histories passed on from generation to generation some of these instruments include drums, the harp and the xylophone and many others.About two-thirds of the population is Christian, notably is that part of the  population still practices animism or Islam,cultism as well as witch craft.Food staffs and meals in Uganda are  generally centered on sauces made from ground nuts beans or meat; beef, mutton and goat are especially common.

The best time to have Uganda safari or safari in Uganda is late December to late February or June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally hot and dry. The climate is generally agreeable, reflecting the combination of medium altitudes based on the equator. Uganda’s main airport is Entebbe international airport located in the southwest of the capital, Kampala at the shores of Lake Victoria. The major port of entry for air travel is Nairobi, Kenya from which one can easily reach Uganda by bus. Within Uganda one can travel easy by bus, air or car.

Any one who has had a Uganda safari or toured Uganda before but embarks on a Uganda tour/Uganda safari to date will testify that Kampala has undergone a great deal of development to become a growing metropolitan city compare to its state in the 1990`s. It now has a wide range of modern amenities and is developing at fast rate among many African cities. In both the reconstructed, old and the newly built buildings , electricity is common and reliable, with a fairly safe clean water system, and all sorts of merchandise are readily available in both street markets and stores. Kampala is now brimming with fine restaurants, high quality shopping malls and hotels, nightclubs and casinos a combination that will certainly let any Uganda safari traveler have a comfortable safari in Uganda .

UGANDA,HER ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT STATE

Uganda’s adorable ambiance generally boasts of attractions ranging from lush forests containing Uganda mountain gorillas, to the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the richly endowed  Lake Victoria.All these avail various opportunities for memorable Uganda safaris/Uganda tours filled with a variety of activities ranging from mountain climbing treks,Uganda gorilla tracking safaris or gorilla treckking safaris,chimpanzee tracking safaris,Uganda bird watching safaris,Uganda wild life safaris(the big five),cultural tours and community walks,Uganda camping safaris,1 day short Uganda tours e.g the Kampala tour and he Jinja white water rafting along the Nile.

On a Safari to Uganda one will discover that Uganda has tremendously developed despite the past history it went through.Notable among this was that during the 14^th century, Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, Ankole and Busoge became Uganda’s primary kingdoms. Uganda remained relatively isolated up to the mid 19th century when the Arabic traders and European explorers established contact. After signing the Berlin Treaty Treaty in 1885, Buganda as Uganda had previously been referred to, came under the British protectorate. A loose coalition led to Uganda’s  independence during 1962 bringing into power the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, which was followed by that of Milton Obote who was over thrown by the National Resistance Movement  guerrilla army commanded by Yoweri Museveni.Uganda has however been affected by an overwhelming HIV/AIDS epidemic and an insurgence in Northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army which has seen increased aid and investment flow into Uganda.

Uganda has an approximate population of about 30.3 million. Several traditional ethnic groups still exist today, forming a diverse and complex cultural population ranging from Buganda kingdom down to the Pygmies. Musical histories cant be left unmentioned as they generally prevalent, with various groups having unique musical instruments and histories passed on from generation to generation some of these instruments include drums, the harp and the xylophone and many others.About two-thirds of the population is Christian, notably is that part of the  population still practices animism or Islam,cultism as well as witch craft.Food staffs and meals in Uganda are  generally centered on sauces made from ground nuts beans or meat; beef, mutton and goat are especially common.

The best time to have Uganda safari or safari in Uganda is late December to late February or June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally hot and dry. The climate is generally agreeable, reflecting the combination of medium altitudes based on the equator. Uganda’s main airport is Entebbe international airport located in the southwest of the capital, Kampala at the shores of Lake Victoria. The major port of entry for air travel is Nairobi, Kenya from which one can easily reach Uganda by bus. Within Uganda one can travel easy by bus, air or car.

Any one who has had a Uganda safari or toured Uganda before but embarks on a Uganda tour/Uganda safari to date will testify that Kampala has undergone a great deal of development to become a growing metropolitan city compare to its state in the 1990`s. It now has a wide range of modern amenities and is developing at fast rate among many African cities. In both the reconstructed, old and the newly built buildings , electricity is common and reliable, with a fairly safe clean water system, and all sorts of merchandise are readily available in both street markets and stores. Kampala is now brimming with fine restaurants, high quality shopping malls and hotels, nightclubs and casinos a combination that will certainly let any Uganda safari traveler have a comfortable safari in Uganda .

POLITICIANS AND POLICE SPEAK OUT ON ILLEGAL TIMBER SALES

Mr.William Kyomya, the LC3 chairperson for Pakanyi sub-county, , said that he gave up dealing in timber because of harassment. He intimated to Saturday Vision in an interview that he gave up trade in timber three years ago because of  being harassed”,yhis how evsr is good news to the Uganda safari/Uganda tour/Uganda safaris industry .

 

Mr.Juma Okungo the Masindi District Police Commander says: “I am new in this place and I do not know anything about Kyomya’s former timber operations.”

 

When he was asked about a case in which a timber dealer, Akim Kabagambe, last month accused the Police of extortion, Mr. Okungo told Saturday Vision that the allegation against two Policemen had resulted into a charge. But Akim withdrew the case and wants the State Attorney to drop it.

 

“Kyomya accused the Policemen of demanding for money by menace,” says Mr.Okungo.

He further said that they have reduced cases of environmental abuse and that what they need is the support of the local people. If they are pro-conservation, the forests will survive and if they bring in politics, they will disappear.” If his prayer is answered then the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris or Uganda tours business will flourish.

 

Mr. Gonza,the acting NFA’s spokesperson , in a separate interview said that the penalties for people found participating in illegal timber deals include confiscation of the timber, a fine may be imposed and a prison sentence not exceeding three years. The illegal timber when confiscated is auctioned by NFA at Bugolobi in Kampala.

 

 

Where does the timber pass to reach the Kampala market?

 

According to a prominent timber trader, these enemies to the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris or Uganda tour sector that ferry most Illegal timber do transport it at night because it helps to ferry the timber when the people who watch for illegal activities are fewer on the road. He further intimated that sometimes sacks of maize and firewood are placed on top to cover and hide the illigal timber.

 

According to reliable sources, mahogany from Budongo and Bugoma (in Masindi) forests are the preferred timber. The two forests are home to endangered chimps and the Nahan’s Francolin bird which a femous Uganda safaris attractions perfererd by many tourists who safari to Uganda.

 

On the way to Kampala, the timber is stoped at a number of Police road blocks, sometimes in the company of forestry officials. According to a dealer who preferred tanonymity, is where they pay bribes ranging from Sh50,000 to Sh500,000 at each stop over. At the moment, the bulk of the timber is felled from Kibaale the home to the Uganda safaris favouright Chimps and Kyenjojo districts.

Davidson Madira, an official of the Department of International Aid, said that

in research undertaken recently by the organisation,  they discovered that most of  the timber from forests on private land and Government managed reserves such as Budongo Forest is ferried to Sudan through Gulu and Nimule to South Sudan.

 

“This is happening, yet it is against the law to export timber,” says Madira, adding that Uganda has a timber shortage. “The illegal timber traders do not pay taxes because exports go tax free. In some cases, the dealers pay some money to the district officials who clear the timber, but the traders under declare the true amount of timber.”The continuity if this dangerous activity will deplit the habitats of many Uganda safaris/Uganda tours attractions that duel in them and form  basis for many travellers to safari to Uganda for a Life time Uganda safari or Uganda tour

 

How Policemen pocket money from illegal timber dealers

 

In Nakasongola district at Kafu Bridge, there was an incident in which the driver folded money and dropped it down on the roadside after being flagged down by a Policeman. When the Policeman noticed the folded notes lying on the groung he waved off the truck carrying the timber and left it go, without checking it.These are also enemies to the Uganda safari business sector as well the climate and the general envirinment.

 

According to sources, this was a regular timber trafficker known to the Policemen, and had probably agreed with the police men how much he has to pay each time he ferries timber across River Kafu.

 

When asked, the Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said this is a matter that deals with the environment and referred Saturday Vision to Idhwege Taire, the commandant of the Environment Protection Force.

 

When contacted, Taire said, “Police road blocks have nothing do with timber,” adding that NFA spent a long time without an executive director, which has created a mess. “NFA has been the sick man of the environment sector, but now they have a head and we are going to rectify the situation.” The sooner this menece is solved,the better the future of the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris business sector in my understanding.

Lack of benefits sharing scheme to blame

 

The head of Nature Uganda, Achilles Byaruhanga, said that previously, forests were looked at as Government business.This is changing how ever, with the local communities getting involved, but timber, which is the most valuable resource from the forest reserves, is not shared with the communities.

 

Byaruhanga said, “They may not have all the revenue from the timber, but sharing of revenue creates appreciation,” he further added that communities are likely to promote sustainable use of the environment if they feel that they partly own the resource.

 

The extraction of timber is likely to result into plunder of the precious forests such as Budongo, with the bigger rewards going to the middlemen in Kampala a great threat/set back to the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris/Uganda tour or the Uganda tourism sector as commonly known. “If there is no forest, there is nothing to share,” says Byaruhanga.and to me it means to safaris to Uganda or Uganda tours. “Sharing benefits should be tilted in the favour of the local people in order to promote sustainable use of the environment.said Byarugaba.

 

Only then will Budongo continue to survive while helping communities to harvest its wealth and provide rain.”

The law on forestry

 

The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 is the governing law for the forestry sector. It divides the sector into five different forest managers; National Forestry Authority (NFA) to manage the central forest reserves, the District Forestry Services responsible for the local government forests/local forest reserves, community forests managed by the community and forests on private land by the private land owners.

 

The very Act also established a Forest Inspection Division (forestry sector support department) to provide support to both the NFA and the District Forest Services.

 

Uganda safari/Uganda safari news

Prime Uganda Safari & Tours news/articles 2013

POLITICIANS AND POLICE SPEAK OUT ON ILLEGAL TIMBER SALES

Mr.William Kyomya, the LC3 chairperson for Pakanyi sub-county, , said that he gave up dealing in timber because of harassment. He intimated to Saturday Vision in an interview that he gave up trade in timber three years ago because of  being harassed”,yhis how evsr is good news to the Uganda safari/Uganda tour/Uganda safaris industry .

 

Mr.Juma Okungo the Masindi District Police Commander says: “I am new in this place and I do not know anything about Kyomya’s former timber operations.”

 

When he was asked about a case in which a timber dealer, Akim Kabagambe, last month accused the Police of extortion, Mr. Okungo told Saturday Vision that the allegation against two Policemen had resulted into a charge. But Akim withdrew the case and wants the State Attorney to drop it.

 

“Kyomya accused the Policemen of demanding for money by menace,” says Mr.Okungo.

He further said that they have reduced cases of environmental abuse and that what they need is the support of the local people. If they are pro-conservation, the forests will survive and if they bring in politics, they will disappear.” If his prayer is answered then the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris or Uganda tours business will flourish.

 

Mr. Gonza,the acting NFA’s spokesperson , in a separate interview said that the penalties for people found participating in illegal timber deals include confiscation of the timber, a fine may be imposed and a prison sentence not exceeding three years. The illegal timber when confiscated is auctioned by NFA at Bugolobi in Kampala.

 

 

Where does the timber pass to reach the Kampala market?

 

According to a prominent timber trader, these enemies to the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris or Uganda tour sector that ferry most Illegal timber do transport it at night because it helps to ferry the timber when the people who watch for illegal activities are fewer on the road. He further intimated that sometimes sacks of maize and firewood are placed on top to cover and hide the illigal timber.

 

According to reliable sources, mahogany from Budongo and Bugoma (in Masindi) forests are the preferred timber. The two forests are home to endangered chimps and the Nahan’s Francolin bird which a femous Uganda safaris attractions perfererd by many tourists who safari to Uganda.

 

On the way to Kampala, the timber is stoped at a number of Police road blocks, sometimes in the company of forestry officials. According to a dealer who preferred tanonymity, is where they pay bribes ranging from Sh50,000 to Sh500,000 at each stop over. At the moment, the bulk of the timber is felled from Kibaale the home to the Uganda safaris favouright Chimps and Kyenjojo districts.

Davidson Madira, an official of the Department of International Aid, said that

in research undertaken recently by the organisation,  they discovered that most of  the timber from forests on private land and Government managed reserves such as Budongo Forest is ferried to Sudan through Gulu and Nimule to South Sudan.

 

“This is happening, yet it is against the law to export timber,” says Madira, adding that Uganda has a timber shortage. “The illegal timber traders do not pay taxes because exports go tax free. In some cases, the dealers pay some money to the district officials who clear the timber, but the traders under declare the true amount of timber.”The continuity if this dangerous activity will deplit the habitats of many Uganda safaris/Uganda tours attractions that duel in them and form  basis for many travellers to safari to Uganda for a Life time Uganda safari or Uganda tour

 

How Policemen pocket money from illegal timber dealers

 

In Nakasongola district at Kafu Bridge, there was an incident in which the driver folded money and dropped it down on the roadside after being flagged down by a Policeman. When the Policeman noticed the folded notes lying on the groung he waved off the truck carrying the timber and left it go, without checking it.These are also enemies to the Uganda safari business sector as well the climate and the general envirinment.

 

According to sources, this was a regular timber trafficker known to the Policemen, and had probably agreed with the police men how much he has to pay each time he ferries timber across River Kafu.

 

When asked, the Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said this is a matter that deals with the environment and referred Saturday Vision to Idhwege Taire, the commandant of the Environment Protection Force.

 

When contacted, Taire said, “Police road blocks have nothing do with timber,” adding that NFA spent a long time without an executive director, which has created a mess. “NFA has been the sick man of the environment sector, but now they have a head and we are going to rectify the situation.” The sooner this menece is solved,the better the future of the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris business sector in my understanding.

Lack of benefits sharing scheme to blame

 

The head of Nature Uganda, Achilles Byaruhanga, said that previously, forests were looked at as Government business.This is changing how ever, with the local communities getting involved, but timber, which is the most valuable resource from the forest reserves, is not shared with the communities.

 

Byaruhanga said, “They may not have all the revenue from the timber, but sharing of revenue creates appreciation,” he further added that communities are likely to promote sustainable use of the environment if they feel that they partly own the resource.

 

The extraction of timber is likely to result into plunder of the precious forests such as Budongo, with the bigger rewards going to the middlemen in Kampala a great threat/set back to the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris/Uganda tour or the Uganda tourism sector as commonly known. “If there is no forest, there is nothing to share,” says Byaruhanga.and to me it means to safaris to Uganda or Uganda tours. “Sharing benefits should be tilted in the favour of the local people in order to promote sustainable use of the environment.said Byarugaba.

 

Only then will Budongo continue to survive while helping communities to harvest its wealth and provide rain.”

The law on forestry

 

The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 is the governing law for the forestry sector. It divides the sector into five different forest managers; National Forestry Authority (NFA) to manage the central forest reserves, the District Forestry Services responsible for the local government forests/local forest reserves, community forests managed by the community and forests on private land by the private land owners.

 

The very Act also established a Forest Inspection Division (forestry sector support department) to provide support to both the NFA and the District Forest Services.

 

Uganda safari/Uganda safari news

Prime Uganda Safari & Tours news/articles 2013

Kajjansi Aero Club now flies direct to Ngamba Island

The year 2013 has seen the Uganda safaris/Uganda safari business have a great deal that will see the visit to Ngamba Island made easy and shorter.

A  memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Kajjansi Aero Club (Fly Uganda) and the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust which will involve this flight firm– Fly Uganda carry ing  tourists on a Uganda safari to the Lake Victoria island famously known for its chimpanzee conservation, as well as the monitor lizard and a variety of bird species.

Purchased from a Japanese Police Force  three years back , this helicopter is yet to be used in Uganda and  help boost the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris and tours business sector as well as other tourism features of the Ngamba  island that include sport fishing and community nature walks as part of eco- tourism.

This chopper carries over  four passengers with a return trip going for $980 for all the four full packages, including access up to the island making a Uganda safari or Uganda tour to the Island known for her Chimps much faster and hustle free as well less riskier.

To ease Uganda safaris/Uganda tours to the island, it has recently been re-furnished and availed with boats as well as motorized vessels only, for the journey lasting an average of 40 minutes. Using a boat, will cost only $80 per person for if you are a minimum of 4 passengers and are foreign nationals as opposed to the $60 paid by East African nationals .

As narrated by Russell Barnes,the director of Fly Uganda ,  during the signing of the memorandum at Kajjansi,This is a natural extension to get more tourists making several Uganda safaris or Uganda tours to Ngamba islands,”  A pilot test flight has already been carried out and the resident chimps reportedly react ed positively as they came closer to watch this chopper perhaps in admiration.

Russel Barnes further explained that the longer tourists stay in Uganda, the more money they are likely to spend and have the best Uganda safari or Uganda tour experience and the more positive reviews about the Uganda safari experience as well as Uganda as a country at large.

Lilly Ajarova, the executive director of CSWCT ,explained that Ngamba lslands is home to rescued endangered chimpanzees. This helps preserve some of the world’s rare species to prevent cases like that of West Africa, where all chimp s are  already extinct in four states.Having them in Ngamba is therefore a blessing to the Uganda safari Indusrty but also to tourists that visist the sanctuary on their Uganda safaris and tours

Ajarova further narrated that these chimps are mostly orphans whose mothers were killed and were brought to the island as babies. Some were brought back from Europe after being traced back to Uganda. There has to be a deliberate move to see they that continue surviving and in turn boost the Uganda safari sector.

This chimpanzee sanctuary receives over 4,000 international tourists who take a Uganda safari annually.

“It is a destination showcasing the magnificent Uganda safari experience because tourists include a lot of other destinations,” said Ajarova.

She further narrated that a monitoring system has been setup to check for any negative drastic effect from the helicopter that can affect the chimpanzees, although the test flight showed there isn’t any so far.

“There have been inquiries for quicker (transport) means to the islands, this will also provide a chance for medical evacuation,” said Ajarova.

Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours article 2013

A 3 days Uganda Gorilla Safari

3 Days Uganda Gorilla  safari tour- Bwindi Gorilla tracking Safari -Tour, Uganda Safaris, Uganda Gorilla Tours
Having 326 Gorillas, gorilla trekking tours & safaris form the major tourist activity/attraction in Bwindi. On daily basis more than two gorilla groups are usually available for tourists to trek. The Mubare group comprising of 16 gorillas with1 Silver back, this group was officially opened for tourism in 1993.The other group being the Habinyanja group which comprises of 23 gorillas with 2 silver backs and was readily opened in July 1998. The last and third group of gorillas comprising of 17 gorillas with 2 silver back, is yet to be open for tourism.
Note that;
-All Uganda gorilla tracking safari permits are sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at the Headquarters in Kampala with only 8 gorilla permits per day being sold for each of the 2 Gorilla groups. Advance booking- at least 3 months in advance is recommended to prevent missing out.
– The Uganda  Gorilla tracking activity starts at 8:30 am local time and lasts the whole day.
-Gorillas are supposed to be met for only an hour once they have been tracked.
– The Gorilla Tracking activity in Bwindi is tedious in this regard tourists are therefore urged to be physically fit and carry jungle boots and rain jackets along with them because the forest is always wet

Our 3 day Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi offered at discounted rates staying in self contained and clean budget accommodations.

Safari highlights;

Day 1: Leave Kampala city to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 2: Gorilla Tracking -Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 3: Vacate Bwindi back to Kampala

End of Safari

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1:  Kampala to Bwindi Gorilla Forest

Have breakfast from your Kampala hotel, embark on your Uganda gorilla safari, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest park / Mgahinga national park depending on if gorilla permits are available at a particular time. You will spend your night at Gorilla Forest Camp or Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Day 2: Trek Gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park

After your breakfast you Uganda safari guide will drive you to the UWA offices, a game ranger will brief you then lead you, through the gorilla paths in the thick Bwindi rain forests searching for the giant mountain Gorillas/trekking the gorillas.  Once tracked, you shall be given an hour to spend interacting with these beautiful primates and taking photographs. Get back your lodge for a late lunch but later take a community walk to visit the native Batwa community to have a cultural entertainment. You will have your second night at  Buhoma Community Rest / Gorilla Forest Camp/ still.

Day 3: Leave Bwindi National Park for Kampala
Have breakfast early morning, after get briefed by your guide before driving heading to Kampala. You may have lunch en route in Mbarara or Masaka. You may have an optional stop over at the equator for a educative experiments, a photo shoot or to buy a souvenir.But you may stop at Mpabire and have a talk with the local drum makers. Arrive in Kampala late evening which marks the end of this Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
Your overnight shall be at The Lodge-Lweza for your quick and jam free air port transfer at your chosen time. N.B you  may  personally choose your accommodation if you desire.

End of your Uganda gorilla trekking safari/Uganda gorilla tour

Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours article 2013

TIMBER’S UNHOLY JOURNEY TO THE MARKET PLACES

In Budongo Forest, Masindi district illegal tree cutters are usually very suspicious of any new face that comes in the area be it on a Uganda safari despite seeing many tourists going there on various Uganda safaris for Chimpanzee tracking safaris and birding safaris as well as nature walks.

According to Gerald Tenywa, some high-ranking Uganda Government officials and timber dealers have made a fortune from the increasing illegal timber sales. Despite these deals the residents around affected forests like Budongo and Mabira who steal the timber and sell it to these dealers reducing the various Uganda safari activities, are still poor.

The dusty road to Budongo forest narrows into a path as it ushers you into the domant Nyakafunjo village in Masindi district after a 300km journey, northwest of Kampala making it hard to get to this woulb be great Uganda safari attraction that would attract many Uganda safaris activities had the raods been in a good state perharps.

Mahogany, a rare hardwood species is the most sought-after and cut tree in Budongo Forest Reserve and ferried to different parts of Uganda and her neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and Kenya.

According to Moses Andama, a resident in the village, it is not that the youth in this village want to cut down trees but it is because there is too much poverty in this village and unemployed. People therefore go to the forest due to lack of an alternative income earning activity, and this hence has turned into their garden from which to harvest something to eat.

A Uganda safari to Budongo Forest, which an estimated 800 chimps call home,

Exporses you to a site that looks like a devil’s workshop, a smell of death and amd makes one feel like crying after seeing the wreckage of the world`s most appreciated trees in one of Uganda’s most treasured forests.

 Mahogany Sold for beer & salt 

Despite the cumbersome work of cutting down the trees, splitting the logs into timber, ferrying it out of the forest and the risk of being arrested, timber cutters (The youth ) get some little money earn barely enough to buy salt, soap and beer and this seems like a lot of money to them because they can use it to buy a few essentials.

The youth in the area own no land and most of the land is under plantations of sugarcane and tobacco.Therefore the quick way the youth can meet their daily material needs is to cut down and trade the forest.

The local people in this area care not about the negative effects of their actions to the Uganda safari industry as well as the general climaten because they see the forest existing every day and can not think it will deplit one day.

As the illegal timber leaves for the urban centres where it rakes in billions of shillings, the businessmen and transporters have a way of buying themselves out of trouble when they are intercepted by Government officials.This has greatly affects the Uganda safari/Uganda tour sector as many travellers that have visited Uganda on sever Uganda tours and Safaris in affected areas always witness the change in climate as well the beauty in these deforested areas.

According to Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment`s (ACODE)  report, The illigal timber trade includes bribing policemen, forestry officials or using highly placed people in Government to offer them protect from the law.

ACODE`s  survey conducted in a recent report estimates that the timber cutters retain less than 2% of the proceeds and pit sawyers get about 3%, while the transporters take 4% of the earnings.   Middlemen make 28% and Kampala traders take the lion’s share of 34%. The private forest owners share 21% and individuals who sell trees get 6%. Other actors take the remaining 4%.

According to ACODE’s report,while the rural poor earn least out of the timber, the middlemen get a bigger reward without owning the timber or adding value to it. They have control over the trade by having access to market information and credit and their connections or relations with other business actors (including law enforcement personnel).

If this vice continues in Uganda`s major forests,the famous Uganda gorilla trekking safari /Gorilla tracking safari/Gorilla tours or simply call it tracking gorillas in Uganda a leading Uganda safari activity bringing in Uganda`s major foreign exchange together with Chimpanzee tracking as well as the general Uganda safaris/Uganda tourism sector will go into extinction.

It is on that preamble that all concerned Ugandas as well outsiders should get up in unity to fight this illigal timber business than has not only deadly effects on the Uganda safari/Uganda safaris business,but risks Uganda`s environment,climate,history,as well as Uganda`s agriculture but also what Uganda and her culture is.

Prime Uganda Safari article 2013.

.