Apparently, the tourism sector is the Uganda’s chief foreign exchange earner after taking over from the traditional exports of remittances and coffee indicating that the revenue from the Uganda safari undertakers were over whelming. This unleashed the potential of the tourism sector to turn around the economy of Uganda if given the respective consideration.
At the launch of the ten (10) year tourism plan, the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities an institution that overlooks the process of increasing safari tours to Uganda Hon. Maria Mutagamba revealed that every tourist who transfers through the Entebbe International Airport pays $57 to Civil Aviation Authority and that in 2013, the country got 1.3 million travellers undertaking safaris in Uganda. In turn, she requested that out of $57 paid by each tourist, $2 should be allocated to the Ministry of Tourism to boast its marketing efforts so as to keep at par with the respective competitors.
Now, opinion have it that at least $25 out of the $57 should instead be allocated to tourism unlike the $2 that the Minister had proposed so as to build strong industry that will stand the forces of competition from similar destinations like the neighboring Kenya.
The need to develop product brands that are consistent in the key originating areas and tapping into key global channels that would help to propagate such brand including the National Geographic, Discovery, and History Channel among others requires good financial base that can be acquired through the above means. Addressing the Uganda’s tourism sector bottlenecks like the Public transport, the quality of Uganda’s urban environment, the human resource and product development would see travellers’ opting for Uganda safaris increase and eventually the returns that would lead to realization of the vision 2020.
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Monthly Archives: November 2014
RISING FROM NATURE TOURISM TO BUSINESS TOURISM – GORILLA TREKKING SAFARIS NEWS
Uganda has for long been known for her wildlife safaris centered on her numerous counts of wild game including the Big five of land animals such as the lions, elephants, leopard, buffaloes and Rhinos that thrive in her range of national parks and game reserves along with counts of primates among which include the mountain gorillas that are considered to be critically endangered worldwide forming the ground for gorilla trekking safaris, along with chimpanzees, golden moneys among others.
The dazzling scenery deeming from the snowcapped mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori, the largest tropical lake in world – Lake Victoria, the world’s longest River in the world – River Nile, the geographical setting of the Albertine rift not forgetting the amazing climate has for long put nature tourism at the helm of Uganda safari products.
The range of travellers have undertook safaris to Uganda ranging from the upmarket to back packers, world royals and historic people like the Winston Churchill, the Queen of England, the Duke of Abruzzi among others to ordinary travellers. Some of these have given it crown names according to its beauty including the pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill in 1908. The reason for their coming is attributed to what is listed above along with the warmth of her people, the adventurous encounters along the Nile among others.
Despite the unfavorable political atmosphere in the 1970s and 1980s that made the safari tours to Uganda to decrease dramatically, the country has from 1986 stabilized paving the ground for the renaissance of lucrative tourism. No wonder for the last five years, the Uganda safari undertakers have increased by 53% and the returns from tourism increased to $1.1billion in the last financial year making it the first foreign exchange earner. Apparently, Entebbe International Airport which is the country’s main gateway is served by 17 foreign carriers and the passenger traffic is increasing every year by 10%. With this recovery, the lonely planet accrediting her as the number one tourism spot for 2012 did not happen by mistake.
Interestingly to note is that Uganda as a destination has gone a long way to venture into International Conferences. These range from the 19th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007 to the recent concluded 39th Annual World Congress of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) held on 11th – 16th November, 2014. This implies that Uganda is rising from nature tourism to business tourism to tap into the diverse market of the world travellers so as to increase travellers that undertake safari holidays to Uganda.
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HUMANS AND CHIMPANZEES JOIN CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP – UGANDA SAFARIS
Human – wildlife conflicts in Uganda has been an issue that has existed around most of protected areas some of which are encountered on Uganda safaris for long. This mostly arises from animals encroaching on peoples’ plantations and predators predating on their domestic animals which at times has forced local communities to reiterate by killing them. This has not only affected people’s livelihood but also threatens the existence of a range of this wildlife that are encountered on safaris in Uganda.
With this background, several conservationists and conservation bodies have attempted to harmonize this relationship so as to minimize the scourge of human-wildlife conflict. In this regard, the Chimpanzee Trust reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI) in order to enhance the livelihood of communities that dwell close to wildlife sanctuaries. The memorandum of Understanding was entirely centered on creating harmony amidst wildlife and communities.
The Chimpanzee Trust acknowledges that wildlife and humans have often clashed sometimes resulting into the loss of life which is seen as something that should be reversed through altering local peoples’ attitudes towards participating and benefiting from wildlife conservation for example taping revenues from travellers that undertake safari tours in Uganda.
The partnership with Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI) is hoped to form synergies and strengthening these participatory efforts. It is considered as a perfect move towards helping people realize the significance of tourism. It will also look into taping into wildlife that thrives on property that is on private lands including forests that are not under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and National Forestry Authority (NFA) protection. This would widen the scope of tourism products and prompt more travellers to plan safaris to Uganda.
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THE MINISTER OF TOURISM WILDLIFE AND ANTIQUITIES SUSPENDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY OVER MISSING IVORY – UGANDA SAFARIS NEWS
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities an institution that overlooks the issues of tourism, wildlife and heritage of Uganda forming a strong ground for Uganda safari tours – Hon Maria Mutagamba issued a letter on 21st November calling for stepping down of Dr. Andrew Seguya who is the head of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a public body that is charged with the responsibility of taking care of Uganda’s wildlife that thrive in various national parks, wildlife reserves, zoos and sanctuaries where Uganda safaris are undertaken so as to clear the way for uninterrupted investigations of the missing ivory from the government strong rooms.
The letter which was titled the Alleged Ivory Scam was addressed to the Board Chairman of Uganda Wildlife Authority and also copied to the Prime Minister of Uganda, the Commander of UPDF, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, the director of Tourism Business at UWA Raymond Engena and the UWA director Andrew Seguya. This stipulated that Raymond Engena should take over the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority as Andrew Seguya take forced leave to allow smooth investigations into the ivory scam that arises from elephant poaching whose extinction threatens the flourishing of safari tours to Uganda.
The Ivory scam involves the 1,335kg of ivory equivalent to $1.1m or 3billion Uganda Shillings that went missing from the government strong rooms. Ivory is acquired from elephants which constitute the big five of land animals along with leopard, lion, Rhino and Buffaloes which are greatly sought for by travellers undertaking safaris in Uganda.
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A MIDRANGE ACCOMODATION IN THE ALBERTINE RIFT – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Positioned in the village of Katara, Enganzi Lodge is one of the coziest lodges that a traveler would ever spend an overnight while on safari tour in Uganda. The lodge overlooks the open flats of the western rift valley with clear views of Ruwenzori Mountains in the morning. The accommodation is offered in its five (5) cozy cottages crafted in authentic traditional materials that featuring both single and double accomodation that in all means provide a comfortable overnight stay while on Uganda safari tour.
It lies at the boarder of Queen Elizabeth National Park along Mbarara road with spacious environs that equip the guests with enough atmospheres to enjoy their safari holidays in Uganda. The public area features a confortable lounge and restaurant with overlooking views of the Albertine flats and mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori mountains providing a ground for a thrilling breakfast amidst the cool fresh breath from the valley below or a rejuvenating sundowner after an extended wildlife safari and Kazinga Channel launch cruise in the National Park of Queen Elizabeth.
The cottages are raised from the ground with private deck offering undisturbed scenic views of the Albertine flats and beyond. They are equipped with modern washrooms with showers and bath tub. The rooms are equipped with mineral water bottles and the quiet nights offer you the true taste of tradition and serene atmosphere that makes Uganda an ideal safari destination. The wooden beds fitted with modern and comfortable beddings will make this lodge your overnight place while planning your safari holiday to Uganda.
The road to Enganzi Lodge traverses through the local village surrounded with banana plantations, crop gardens and African building style which gives you a perfect start of your journey into the wilderness of Queen Elizabeth marked by rolling savannah dotted with series of Lakes both fresh water and volcanic salty lakes not forgetting the famous Kazinga channel that intersect the park joining Lake Edward and Lake George.
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CASSIA LODGE; A PERFECT OVERNIGHT CENTRE IN KAMPALA – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Situated in close range to the largest fresh water lake in Africa and the second in the world – Lake Victoria, Cassia Lodge is such a thrilling overnight encounter that you will ever have while on Uganda safari. The lodge is positioned on Buziga hill which is one of the Kampala hills along Ggaba road.
The Cassia Lodge offers accommodation to travellers on safari in Uganda its range of twenty (20) confortable safari form furnished rooms each featuring a satellite TV, telephone, fridge bar, Lake view balcony, en suite bathroom and 24 hour service and a safe deposit box.
The environment of Cassia lodge is very serene and cozy free from Mosquitos and with great scenic views of Lake Victoria thus offering unpaid views to Uganda safari tour undertakers. The lodge features conference facilities, wireless internet, business center, swimming pool and a restaurant with 100 people seat capacity making it ideal for small and moderate events. The bar is positioned adjacent to the restaurant while the terrace has the fresh air out door option and in door option with Air conditioned option.
The Cassia Lodge offers classy meals with optional lunch and dinner while the routine morning and afternoon tea, coffee, biscuits and snack assortments combine to derive memorable satisfaction that will invoke your stimuli to spend another overnight at Cassia Lodge while planning your next safari holiday to Uganda.
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WHERE TO FIND LIONS IN UGANDA – UGANDA SAFARIS News
The famous Uganda safari wildlife – the lion scientifically referred to as Panthera Leo is counted to be among the big five of the land animals that are always sought for by travellers while on Uganda safari tour. Belonging to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Felidae, Sub family Pantherinae, Genus Panthera and Species Panthera Leo, lions have been famously branded as the Kings of the jungle and the epitome of all beats.
The male lions normally stretch to weigh 250kg making it the second largest thriving cat after the famous tiger. These famous species that prompt travellers to plan some travelers to plan safaris to Uganda apparently dwell in the sub Saharan Africa and parts of Asia with other lion types known to have got extinct from South west Asia and North Africa during the historic era. On global scale, the lions were spread widely only second to humans till the late Pleistocene era (10,000 years ago) before they faced a sharp population decline of 30 – 50% for two decades in the 2nd half of the 20th Century with human wildlife cited as major contributor of this especially in their African habitats.
In Uganda, lions dwell in her protected areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo National Park and Murchison Falls National Park which are always encountered by travellers on Uganda safari tours. The lion populations duffer in these regions with Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park characterized by decreasing lion populations at the percentage of 30% and 60% respectively over the last ten (10) years while in Kidepo Valley National Park, the lion populations are characterized by a positive increase from 58 to 132 in the previous decade which is a hopeful trend for Kidepo – one of the wilderness places where authentic Uganda safaris are undertaken.
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MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK; WHERE GOLD MEETS SILVER – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS:
Positioned at the south western tip of Uganda 519km from Kampala and 14km from Kisoro town, Mgahinga National Park is one of the Uganda safari destinations that are famously known for its range and unique tourist attractions and activities. Extending for 33.7km2, Mgahinga National Park saw its first establishment in 1930 as a gorilla game sanctuary and was later upgraded to the national park status in 1991 when other protected areas like Rwenzori and Bwindi that are always sought for while on safari tour in Uganda were being established.
Mgahinga National Park contains the peaks of the three volcanic mountains that adjoin the greater Virunga massif comprising of eight volcanoes. These include; Mount Muhabura (4,127m), Mount Gahinga (3,474m) and Mount Sabyinyo (3,674m). These ranges offer a thrilling scenic encounter to travellers on Uganda safari holiday bordering Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Interesting to note about this protected area is that it is another refigium for the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas that have made the gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda to flourish.
Besides mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is a home to rare and endangered golden monkeys that only thrive in the Virunga massif in the whole world and this has made golden monkey tracking to flourish in Uganda. The combination of mountain gorillas i.e. the Nyakagyezi gorilla family with its dominant silverback Mark and the golden Monkeys that dwell in the Bamboo forests that mark the slopes of the volcanoes qualify Mgahinga National Park as a place where gold meets silver.
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UGANDA HAS THE SMALLEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
At Biku hill, 18km drive from the town of Nebbi in the north west of Uganda there dwells a manmade wonder that can only be encountered while on safari tours in Uganda. The world’s smallest church which stands at a width of approximately 2.5m and a height of 8ft is an artificial marvel that crowns the jaw-dropping beauty of Biku hill.
This tiny worshipping place has the capacity of accommodating three (3) people including the priest. It dates back to 1996 when a Korean national Pastor Song in conjunction with the currently retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda His Lordship Henry Luke Orombi established this amazing structure that have in turn picked the interest of travellers on Uganda safari holidays.
The center is aimed at spiritual healing for persons and church groups where by people who visit the site encounter God in a special way, have vision for their future and become bold soldiers for the gospel. The nine prayer points allow people to pray, praise and meditate on the word of God as Africans prefer being on the move. The first prayer point is on top of the hill and is formed of a big cross, the point two is opposite to number one and is a Lilliputian building crafted in commemoration of Jesus Christ with 12 windows in the western and eastern sides demonstrating the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and its where pilgrims pray for the neighboring countries of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya for spiritual peace and revival. This point offers the impressive panoramic views of Namrwodho Falls which is a habitat to the rare shoe bill stork that is always on the lists of travelers while planning safari holidays to Uganda.
The point three is crafted in the map of Africa with two entrances. It features ten (10) windows symbolizing the ten (10) commandments. The point is dedicated for praying for the all African states especially Islamic countries. The points 4, 5 & 6 are positioned with in a spacious calm garden with point four crafted like a heart demonstrating Christ’s love with a cross made of 33 stones signifying the 33 years of Christ Jesus. The point five is in the shape of arrow head signifying the youth speed while prayer point five contain 66 windows that demonstrate 66 books of the bible with 39 windows at the back signifying the books of Old Testament and 27 windows signifying the New Testament. The point has three (3) doors crafted like a standing man demonstrating those who are well equipped with God’s word. The six prayer point is crafted in an alter shape which is a living testimony that church is a living offering to Christ’s mission while the rough stones on the cross justify that Christians are living stones. The point seven (7) is a round structure like the shape of the globe and is located at the back of a towering rock with an open ended cave at its base of which one is obliged to crawl from end to another to have a glimpse of Christ’s suffering where a traveller on Uganda tour would find this five minute crawl through the cave’s darkness terrifying with a thought that the cave might collapse and bury him/her underneath.
At the point eight (8), there comes the world’s smallest church – the Bethel church with 12 windows at its entrance demonstrating the twelve (12) stones on Aaron’s breast plate i.e. the twelve (12) tribes of all the saints. The ceiling contain seven (7) beams demonstrating the seven (7) rainbow colors which demonstrates God’s covenant never to destroy the world with floods again, the eastern window offers sights of cross positioned on the highest peak at point two (2) a view that gives the Christians an opportunity to always look up to Jesus.
What is amazing about this structure is that regardless of its size, it consumed 79 cement bags and was constructed with intention of lasting at minimum 500 years before the weakening of the foundation. The adjacent two remaining points are crafted in a womb shape along with the main chapel that is big enough to accommodate 400 pilgrims thus very impressing to encounter while on safaris in Uganda.
By Siima simon peter
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WHAT DO GORILLAS EAT? – UGANDA SAFARI NEWS
Gorillas are great Ape species that thrive in the tropical rainforests of Africa with sects that thrive in low land ecosystems and mountain ecosystems including the Virunga ranges and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are always conducted. What gorillas eat is a question of interest to various individuals and groups that have a keen desire in gorillas. The gorilla feeds are subject to their habitat and the time of the year.
Mountain gorillas heavily feed on green plant parts which are in contrast of the low land gorillas that enjoy plenty of fruit though during dry spells the fruits tend to plummet forcing these species to enjoy the plenty of seeds and tree barks. Low land gorillas adapt to climbing in order to harvest fruits but this hould be noted that they cannot consume plenty of fruit as orangutans and Chimpanzees do as they can be witnessed while on Uganda Chimpanzee trekking safari. Interestingly, the western low land gorillas have wider food basket stretching to 200 species of plants especially belonging to the families of arrowroot and ginger.
The western lowland gorillas differ from the mountain gorillas that thrive in Virunga and Bwindi well known for Uganda gorilla tracking tours in terms of eating. The mountain gorillas consume up to 30 plant species especially of thistles, gallium, nettles and celery.
The old male gorilla consumes 30kg a day while females consumes 18kg and the strong chewing gorilla muscles of gorillas are used to process these plants along with their teeth that resembles that of human except the long pointed canines which are used for fighting other rival males other than eating. Holding the plants aside, the mountain gorillas can consume soil not only to add minerals that are absent in the plant feeds but also to neutralize poisonous substances that exist in their plant feeds. Mountain gorillas also consume some insects at a small percentage of 0.1% and they do not hunt big game. All this can be explored by planning a gorilla trekking safari tour to Uganda.
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