Uganda Tourism Board informs all Uganda safari undertakers both domestic and international that the Health status of the country is okay contrary to some media reports.
On 28th September 2014, one case of the Marburg hemorrhagic fever was reported and the people closest to this individual were immediately quarantined. Results after screening them confirmed negative of the Marburg virus and they still remain under the watch of health professionals. Thus, should not worry those on safari in Uganda.
As a country, we pride in the safety of all our visitors, tourists and nationals both in safety and health issues. To this effect, the Ministry of Health has urged members of the public to avoid unnecessary body contact such as handshakes.
We further wish to reiterate that Uganda is Ebola-free and to-date not a single case has been reported within our borders. This serves to arrest the worries of International travellers that had started to cancel their safaris to Uganda.
Whereas we pledge to keep all our visitors and travelers informed about the situation in the country, we also urge the media to report accurately and encourage visitors to come to our country for gorilla trekking safaris, wildlife safaris and Chimpanzee safaris among other Uganda safari products.
Reference: Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)
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Monthly Archives: October 2014
GORILLA TRACKING REGIONS OF BWINDI – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Uganda is endowed with a range of bio-diversity stretching from wild game like lions, leopard, elephants, Rhinos, giraffe, buffalo, Antelopes and zebras to primates like mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees, monkeys and aquatics like Nile crocodiles and Hippos which are always encountered by Uganda safari undertakers. The majority of this bio-diversity thrives in a number of protected areas including ten (10) national parks of which Bwindi Impenetrable National park the home of the critically endangered mountain gorillas is among.
Mountain gorillas are powerful apes that have got common ancestral backgrounds with Chimpanzees and humans. Unlike their counterparts – the eastern lowland and western lowland gorillas that thrive in expanses of lowland jungles of Democratic Republic of Congo and West Africa in big numbers, the Mountain gorillas only dwell in the Virunga massif and Bwindi Impenetrable national Park which contains 400 out of the 880 mountain gorillas that currently exist in the wild without any member thriving in captivity. It is from this basis, that gorilla safaris in Bwindi do not come by serendipity.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park has 11 gorilla families that have been habituated purposely for gorilla trekking encounter. These 11 families are distributed in four regions of Bwindi including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Though these regions have varying terrain and different experiences, they are all accessible and the gorilla trekking is carried out harmoniously. Buhoma in the northern section of Bwindi has three gorilla families including; Habinyanja, Mubare and Rushegura and is normally liked by travellers on Uganda gorilla safaris due to its proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park, easy connection from Kampala and wide range of accommodation facilities. Ruhija in the eastern section of Bwindi has two gorilla families including Bitukura and Oruzogo. The research group Kyaguriro also thrives in Ruhija sector. Rushaga in the southern section of the park has many gorilla families in the whole of Bwindi. There are 5 gorilla families including; Mishaya, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye and Nshongi. While, Nkuringo in the western part of Bwindi has one gorilla family called Nkuringo. Nkuringo area offers the most strenuous gorilla trekking encounter that you can ever have in Uganda.
The gorilla region to track is indicated on your gorilla trekking permit and if interested in particular region, it is better to let your booking agent know by the time of making a reservation. Its allocation will definitely depend on its availability as eight (8) are only allowed to trek each gorilla family per day.
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By Siima Simon Peter
EAST AFRICA PROMOTES SINGLE TOURIST VISA VIA PHOTO EXHIBITION IN TURKEY – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
The foreign commissions of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya in Ankara, Turkey launched a promotional photo exhibition that is due to take two weeks period featuring flora and fauna in these three countries including those usually encountered on safaris in Uganda.
The initiative is being executed in partnership with YABANCI TV, ANKAmall which is the largest shopping center in Ankara, DEV Belgesel a re-known production company in the field of academia, documentary and content development. The purpose of the photo exhibition is to enhance awareness about tourism, trade, culture and investment in the East African region which can be easily tapped by the introduction of the single tourist visa. Among these include the thrilling gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, wildlife safaris, cultural encounters and the rewarding Chimpanzee trekking.
The embassies are credited for their initiative of continuing to organize a range of activities that would lead to increase in the number of travellers in the region including those that plan safaris to Uganda. Interestingly, the northern border neighbor South Sudan, is also participating in the exhibition. Other exhibitions will be set in other cities of Turkey like Antalya, Istanbul and Eskisehir.
The East Africa single tourist Visa was launched in February, 2014 and it allows the tourists to traverse destinations of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda with only one document. This initiative is seen as a positive move to arrest the worries of travellers in terms of enjoying various cross boarder attractions including Uganda safari products and a move towards saving a great deal of travellers limited time.
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AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK TO POSSESS LIONS BY 2015 – RWANDA SAFARI NEWS
Akagera National Park is one of the famous Rwanda safari parks with a great deal of tourist potential. Found in the eastern side of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a home to a wide range of wild game including elephants, buffaloes, zebras, waterbuck, leopard, kobs and giraffe which make it ideal for wildlife safaris in Rwanda.
However, it can be noted some other prominent land animals like lions currently none exist in the park. The story being their absence dates back to effects of Rwanda civil war of 1990 – 1994 with its genocide. When the Tutsi returned to Rwanda, they encroached the park and threatened the lives of wildlife including lions that proved dangerous to them. Most of the wildlife ran away while others were killed which explains why lions cannot be seen in the park while on safari in Rwanda.
Considering the country’s efforts to maximize her tourism potentials, the recent information from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) indicates that there is an ongoing process to re-stock lions in Akagera National Park by 2015. There have been several attempts to import lions from Kenya though it did not materialize due to opposition from Kenya conservation bodies.
The plan is to have lions with a DNA that can easily blend in the environment of Rwanda and this explains why the efforts to import lions have been rotating with in the region. Apparently, the efforts are featuring Uganda and Botswana. Though the process of transferring wild animals from one country to another is very hard, the Rwanda Development Board is more determined than ever before with the option of buying them from individuals if all fails.
Once the lions are re-introduced, Rwanda will have diverse wildlife and extended tourist products that goes beyond gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking. This will definitely increase safaris to Rwanda.
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UGANDA TO PROMOTE HER DARK HISTORY FOR TOURISM – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Tourism in Uganda has for long been built on aspect of nature. Most Uganda safari undertakers have always been buying packages that feature wildlife safaris and gorilla safaris. This has made other tourist products particularly from culture and heritage to remain untapped.
From this regard, the tourism planning and developing bodies like Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) have identified the dark Uganda’s past as one of the products that can be developed to diversify tourism sector and in particular augment nature tourism which can also be encountered while on safari in Uganda.
The dark history of Uganda that is to be included in this initiative includes; the remains of the reign of Idi Amin Dada, re-known war lord Joseph Kony and the infamous cult leader Joseph Kibwetere. Amin Daada ruled Uganda from 1971 – 1979 and his reign was characterized by great bloodshed and tyranny. He is also known for having expelled the Asians from Uganda within a period of 90 days in 1972. Joseph Kony is a re-known war lord who led the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group that operated in northern Uganda for two decades committing horrible atrocities against humanity. While Joseph Kibwetere is known for his religious cult that hoodwinked people that Jesus Christ was coming back in the year 2000 and thus people should sell off their belongings and assemble at his church awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world.
These three prime dark products have capacity to be included on the lists of those planning safaris to Uganda once they are developed, presented and marketed for tourism. The developing of Amin’s torture chambers both at Nakasero and Lubiri, setting up Joseph Kony memorial and Joseph Kibwetere memorial is one of the strategies through which dark tourism can be maximized in Uganda.
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THE INYAMBO COWS; A RICH HERITAGE OF RWANDA – RWANDA TOURISM NEWS
The traditional Inyambo cows are one of the remaining creatures that live to testify the beauty of Rwandan traditional society which is always fancied by travellers undertaking safaris in Rwanda.
One could be hearing about cows or has ever seen them but the Inyambo cows in the Nyanza King’s palace pose a great distinction from other species. Physically, noticeable by their long horns with different patterns, their cultural and historical significance qualifies them to be included on the must see list while planning your safari to Rwanda.
The Inyambo cows served a central role in the traditional Rwandan Monarchy particularly in honor of the ruling King. The breeding of the Inyambo cows was unique because of their destined life mission. The Inyambo cows were taken through some traditional practices like submitting them to amazi ahiye – a salt like beverage which ensured that they produce similar calves. The one year old calves were sent for training in the King’s palace by a competent cattle keeper. Inclusive of the training package was listening to the songs of the trainer like amazina y’inka and amahamba not forgetting following his movements. The Inyambo cows would do a stately parade on royal functions and would be decorated in expensive jewellery. This decoration can still be seen today on Rwanda safaris.
Apparently, this traditional exercise is exercised by Rwanda Agriculture Board and from 2008 about 30 Inyambo cows have been sent to the Kings palace in Nyanza which serves as a cradle land of Rwandan traditions. The cows are trained of the similar traditional aspects and thus can parade for those on Safaris in Rwanda though at a fee of Rwf 100,000 and Rwf 200,000 in case of filming. With the introduction of the Inyambo cows in the Kings palace Museum, the visitor arrivals have gradually increased to 32,012 Rwanda safari undertakers. The Inyambo cows fascinate the visitors mostly because of their longhorns and elegance.
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THE INYAMBO COWS; A RICH HERITAGE OF RWANDA – RWANDA TOURISM NEWS
The traditional Inyambo cows are one of the remaining creatures that live to testify the beauty of Rwandan traditional society which is always fancied by travellers undertaking safaris in Rwanda.
One could be hearing about cows or has ever seen them but the Inyambo cows in the Nyanza King’s palace pose a great distinction from other species. Physically, noticeable by their long horns with different patterns, their cultural and historical significance qualifies them to be included on the must see list while planning your safari to Rwanda.
The Inyambo cows served a central role in the traditional Rwandan Monarchy particularly in honor of the ruling King. The breeding of the Inyambo cows was unique because of their destined life mission. The Inyambo cows were taken through some traditional practices like submitting them to amazi ahiye – a salt like beverage which ensured that they produce similar calves. The one year old calves were sent for training in the King’s palace by a competent cattle keeper. Inclusive of the training package was listening to the songs of the trainer like amazina y’inka and amahamba not forgetting following his movements. The Inyambo cows would do a stately parade on royal functions and would be decorated in expensive jewellery. This decoration can still be seen today on Rwanda safaris.
Apparently, this traditional exercise is exercised by Rwanda Agriculture Board and from 2008 about 30 Inyambo cows have been sent to the Kings palace in Nyanza which serves as a cradle land of Rwandan traditions. The cows are trained of the similar traditional aspects and thus can parade for those on Safaris in Rwanda though at a fee of Rwf 100,000 and Rwf 200,000 in case of filming. With the introduction of the Inyambo cows in the Kings palace Museum, the visitor arrivals have gradually increased to 32,012 Rwanda safari undertakers. The Inyambo cows fascinate the visitors mostly because of their longhorns and elegance.
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HOW POWER GENERATION HAS THREATENED TOURISM IN JINJA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Jinja is one of the prime Uganda safari destinations commonly known for its adventure experiences including white water rafting and bungee jumping. Its great product stems from the flowing Nile River that makes its way out of Lake Victoria traversing through varying terrain including impermeable rocks that present an obstruction to the river flow leading to the formation of water falls and rapids. One of re-known features was Bujagali falls here a series of rapids obstructed characterized the Nile forming a perfect ground for adventure activities for tourists on safari in Uganda.
It is quite unfortunate to note that this magnificent feature is no more. As it is believed that man was created to be the master of other creatures, he has continued to exercise his role in modifying the earth landforms. The famous Bujagali falls was altered after the construction of electricity dam that led to the submerging of the falls and rapids. As if that is not enough, the government is planning of doing the same on Isimba water falls – something that has put the adventure Uganda safari products in Jinja at stake.
This does not only rise worries of the adventure tourists planning safaris to Uganda but also threatens the residents of Jinja whose livelihood has been centered on tourism. They had capitalized on the opportunity presented by these features and they had ventured in things like tour guiding, restaurant operation, craft shops, transport, lodging among others. Thus, the initiative of power generation that is steadily consuming all tourist sites is seen as a threat they livelihood.
Jinja has grade five rapids thus offering world class rafting that is unavailable in other neighboring countries. It is noted that kayaking and rafting attracted over 19,300 Uganda safari travellers. Thus, it can be stated that the tourist activities in Jinja provide a perfect complimentary to the Uganda’s primary products of gorilla safaris, wildlife safaris and Chimpanzee trekking safaris. They provide a competitive advantage over other countries like Rwanda and Kenya which have got gorillas and wildlife respectively.
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UGANDA AT 52 YEARS; THE FATE OF TOURISM INDUSTRY – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
It is 9th October, a day when Uganda celebrates her independence from the colonial rule. It was the same date when Uganda was declared independent by the British colonialists in 1962 after a series of negotiations and struggles by Ugandans who had offered themselves to fight for the independence of their country. This is an all-round event that features not only the political aspects of the society but also the economic and socio-cultural aspects. The national celebrations are always held at Kololo grounds which attract many revelers including those undertaking safaris in Uganda.
Uganda is a country that is gifted by nature considering its rich natural wonders that range from scenery and wildlife not forgetting her most hospitable people that surpass the expectations of Uganda safari undertakers. The natural offerings like the endangered mountain gorillas, large populations of habituated Chimpanzees, snowcapped Rwenzori mountains, source of the World’s longest River Nile , powerful Murchison falls and the world’s largest mountain caldera on mount Elgon have generated a range of leisure activities including gorilla safaris in uganda, adventure tours among others.
Uganda at 52 years has seen a gradual transformation in all national aspects and the tourism industry in particular. Apparently, the tourism sector is the largest foreign exchange earner for Uganda topping remittances from abroad and coffee which had traditionally dominated the scene. This shows that there has been an increase in the quality and quantity of those who plan safaris to Uganda. With the current stability in the country both politically and socially, one can project that the tourism industry is still holding the mantle until the recent discovered oil riches are exploited. Government, private bodies and other players are working tirelessly to advance on the country’s infrastructure and facilities so as to ensure the satisfaction of those that undertake safari in Uganda.
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LAKE ALBERT SAFARI LODGE; A NEW GEM ON LAKE ALBERT – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Dating back from the earlier explorers who undertook safaris in Uganda in search of the natural wonders particularly the source of River Nile, Lake Albert got its name from Sir Samuel Baker who named it after Prince Albert the consort of Queen Victoria in 1864. Lake Albert which has passed through a series of nomenclature including; Albert Nyanza and Lake Mobutu Sese Seko is by no means an ordinary lake. It is the seventh largest lake in Africa and holds 27th position in the whole world by volume which makes it stand among Africa’s great lakes playing a significant political role because of its boundary position between Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Lake Albert 160km in length and 30km in width is the first lake in the Albertine rift valley that contains a range of endemic species including the critically endangered mountain gorillas which have provided the base for gorilla safaris in Uganda. It forms the joining point between the Victoria Nile and Albert Nile and acts a destination for River Semuliki waters.
Besides national parks that are always encountered on Uganda safaris like Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale which is famous for Chimpanzee trekking, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National park among others, Uganda also has a number wildlife, game and community reserves with a lot of flora and fauna like Kabwoya wildlife reserve that lie on the shores of Lake Albert. Kabwoya has thousands of Kobs among other wildlife that make travellers on Uganda safari to get mesmerized with enormous Kob congregations with their ears quivering before taking off .taking along with them bushbucks, duikers and range of birds. Buffaloes also exist in numbers while over 460 bird species including bee-eaters, sun birds and birds of prey exist in the reserve.
It is with in these environs that Lake Albert Safari Lodge with its 12 cottages is perched. The Safari lodge overlooks the lake and the Congo’s Blue Mountains. Its rooms are not heavily furnished featuring double, twin and option for extra bed. Mosquito nets are available and inverter batteries provide the lighting while hot water is generated by solar water heaters. Wi-Fi internet is available at the lounge with a swimming pool in the gardens. The meeting room though small arrests the worries of business Uganda safari travellers while meals are prepared at the lodge. The flat screen is available while night fires are lit to have perfect African nights.
With its position which is 1 hour drive from Hoima, 3 ½ from Murchison as well as Fort Portal and 5 ½ from Queen Elizabeth, Lake Albert Safari Lodge provides a perfect overnight stop over or even day lunch break between these destinations which makes it suitable to be included on the list of those planning safaris to Uganda.
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