Illegal Human activities eating away River Nile-Uganda Safari News

The famous River Nile is one of Uganda’s major tourist attractions drawing tourists to undertake safaris to Uganda in order to explore the river and also enjoy the different adventurous tourist’s activities. Despite of this, the rivers white waters as well as wildlife that make it so stunning and eye catching to both local and international tourists are in problem because of the different Illegal human activities carried out along the endowed  banks of the river. In order to save the world’s beautiful river and the wonderful natural wildlife, birds which are the main tourist attraction responsible for many Uganda safaris today, government and all other tourism stake holders should take the responsibility to move to the nearby local communities staying in the areas next to River Nile to sensitize them about the benefit of conserving this natural feature.
The Nile Delta which is declared Ramsar sites consisting of different wetlands which are pronounced due to their being habitat to the different eco-systems such as wildlife ,birds as well as plant life and above all sense of cultural and recreational valves to the different travelers who undertake safaris to Uganda. Its however disappointing to hear that some local residents living in the areas of Buliisa District where the river bisects the two districts of Nwoya and Buliisa in the middle are encroaching on the river banks to grow their crops and also poach on endemic fish, hunt the birds as well as animal species when even government resource officers and tourism stake holders are observing without doing something to save the natural resource from being destroyed by the illegal human activities. If Uganda is ready to increase on number of safaris to Uganda and also maintain the name pearl of Africa as well as being number one destination, the government, private tourism stake holders, conservation non-governmental organizations should cooperate and protect the natural wonders such as River Nile and other water bodies, wetlands, forests, swamps, because these resources are irreplaceable once destroyed they cannot be regained. The only appropriate way to protect these resources is by involving local communities near the natural resources through community participation in different beneficial projects, and sensitizing them about the positive and negative importance of protecting natural resources around their areas.
Despite of the fact that River Nile is threaten by human activities, the river remains the best places in Uganda where tourists planning for a safari to Uganda can spend and experience adventurous activities in the pearl of Africa Uganda. Participating in the launch trips in Murchison falls which also offer views of birdlife wildlife, boat cruising in the river Niles in Jinja, bungee jumping, boat ridings and viewing the magnificent water falls in the different parts of the Nile River in water is memorable experience which no visitor on Uganda safaris and tours should miss.
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The world wide fund for nature gets shs 6 billion for conservation – Uganda safari news

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is apparently in a state of happiness after securing 2.1 million Euros approximately 6.3 billion Uganda Shillings from the European Union and French Global Environment Facility to further its cause in the Pearl of Africa Uganda which is always encountered by travelers that undertake Uganda safaris and tours.
Running the campaign to Implement the Sustainable financing of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park project in the landscapes of Rwenzori one of the famous Uganda safari products, the secured money will be used in the districts of  Kabarole ,Ntoroko, Kasese,and Bundibugyo aiming at achieving effective Rwenzori Mountains National Park conservation through enhancement of sustainable financing mechanism that will help to realize the potential value of natural resources with involvement of the private sector.
The project goals include among others improving the incomes of the communities that surround these protected areas. The Rwenzori Mountain can be considered as Uganda’s gold mine which does not require extractive infrastructure, land property conflicts and score for miners but effective park management, enthusiastic people, few lodges where travelers on safaris and tours can sleep and proper marketing to start with. The Head of the European Union Delegation Kristian Schmidt noted that what makes Rwenzori further different from other gold mines is that the rest that will enhance its sustainable use will be self-generated.
The Head also noted that increase in crime towards natural resources is affecting the country’s earning from such resources. For example the increase in population is fueling poaching and encroachment on natural resources some of which are products that prompt world travelers to plan safaris to Uganda.
The project is estimated to cost Euros 2,109,427 and will be financed by the European Union (Euros 1,359,427) and the French Global Environment Facility (Euros 700,000). The private partners are expected to support the project with (Euros 50,000) and it is expected to have been completed in three and a half years.

The project will be targeting private sector to promote sustainable funding instruments including payment for ecosystem services and enhancing Eco-tourism for the conservation of biodiversity and generating of extra income of the park and the surrounding communities while aiming at reducing pressure in natural resources.
The process of consultation and regulatory framework adaptation will help to sustain the Payment for Ecosystem services according to David Duli the Country Manager for WWF. National Environmental Management Authority will help to give this move direction. This would even encourage the reviewing of the existing legal and fiscal set up, sensitization of policy makers and lead to drafting of provisions that would see Payment for Ecosystem Services promoted. This project will also strengthen the capacity of the poor people enhancing their knowledge and skill to make informed decisions. This will in turn enable them get access to financial resources including saving and access to credit through the partnerships and linkages with the private sector. The combination of the above endeavors will eventually ensure sustainability of the natural resources which will in turn ensure continued safaris and tours to Uganda.
By Siima Simon Peter
Uganda Safaris / Uganda safari News
Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd

Cultural Encounters in Mt. Elgon in Uganda – Uganda Safaris News

Mt Elgon area is home of mainly two tribes, i.e the Bagisu and the Sabiny, with the marginalized Ndorobos who were forced to live deep within the seek forest of Benet. These tribes living with in the protected area have interesting traditional cultural and historical back ground which is attached to the mountain. For instance the Bagisu tribe famously known as the BaMasaba takes Mount Elgon to be the manifestation of their first father Masaba and hence they call the mountain by this name. Therefore travelers on their Uganda safaris who spend time to travel to mountain Elgon are rewarded with wonderful cultural encounters.
The interesting cultural encounter in mountain Elgon national park is experienced when a visitor is taken to meet the Sipi Widows’ Group-Here one can view the mountain sambas which are an area of cultivated ground full of Arabica coffee and also meet the Bagishu farmers. The Sipi Widows’ Group will take the visitor on a guided walk through the beautiful coffee plantations and the guide will demonstrate the different activities involved in coffee growing such as planting as well as picking, grinding, washing and storing the coffee.
Tourists on Uganda safaris mainly touring mountain Elgon will also learn about life of the local Sabiny as one can meet local residents, and participate in different traditional weaving. Learn about interesting African cuisine through cooking, as well as tasting of local Ugandan dishes. Taking a visit to the local women’s handcraft shop located in the nearby trading Center, where visitors can buy the art and craft made by the local women. From the trading center, visitors are requested to Proceed to other places where coffee trees are maintained, get involved in educative activities such as raising awareness about the negative effects of female circumcision which is the traditional practice done the sabiny local people.
Participating in Budadiri Community Walks enables tourists spending their safaris in Uganda to have Ecotourism Experiences. This community group is situated in Budadiri and it offers accommodation where tourist can spend a night. The community ground also organizes cultural dances and provides guided coffee tours and community nature walks. There is also a trip to Mt Elgon’s popular industry which processes Arabica coffee, which supports local farmers.
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Birding watching in Rwanda –Rwanda Safari News

Rwanda’s strategically location in the Albertine Rift valley and it being endowed with dense forests as well as being surrounded with many mountains craters  and recommendable beautiful natural surrounding where Eco-tourists on their Rwanda safaris can enjoy their trip. Despite of the fact that Rwanda is small land locked country; the country has been gifted with unique bird list estimated to be over 700 individual bird species and the small country is the only country with the second largest number of birds which are endemic to Albertine Rift.
The famous Republic of Rwanda is very significant birding destination in  Africa and the important birding areas which the country boasts of are mainly seven and these involve the three protected national park such as Nyungwe with 300 bird species, Akagera with over 400 bird species as well as the Volcanoes national park with 178 bird species. The other prominent bird watching areas where visitor’s on Rwanda tours and safaris include the Rugezi Swamp as well as Akanyaru, and Nyabarongo plus Cyamudongo. The pronounced wetlands areas especially the ones around Akagera national park are habitat to the endangered elusive Shoebill stork.
In addition , the pronounced Akagera national park favors the survival of combination of papyrus and acacia bird species and this include the rare Red-faced Barbet which only survives in the acacia vegetation, Papyrus Gonolek, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Miombo Wren-Warblers ,Carruther’s and Tabora Cisticolas, White-headed, Black and familiar Chats, White-winged and Broad-tailed Warblers. It is a very rewarding trip for travelers who under take bird watching safari to Rwanda’s Akagera national park because besides the bird life, one can also enjoy the view of big wildlife including even the water inhabitant hippo, wood land giraffes as well as the elephant.
Setting Akagera side, one can have wonderful time when looking for the birds in the large, dense, unexplored motane rainforest of Nyungwe national park. With total of 300 bird species,a traveler on Rwanda birding safaris can enjoy the view of the twenty seven bird species which are regional endemic. Participating in canopy walk enables tourist also to watch the other unique bird life.
The memorable experience is packed in volcanoes national park because tourists on their mountain gorilla safaris in the volcanoes national park have the greatest opportunity to watch the various bird life while hiking and walking in the volcanoes trails when looking for stunning mountain gorillas.
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Gorilla trekking experience in Buhoma Region in Bwindi – Uganda Safaris News

Buhoma region is one of the famous gorilla trekking areas in Bwindi and it’s perfectly located to the northwest part of the park in Kanungu district. The trekking region faces the dark, wonderful, hilly ever green forests of Bwindi. The region is popularly known by the tourists on their gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda today mainly because the region was the first trekking sector to host the first travelers who under took gorilla trekking safaris and tours to Uganda in the year 1993.Since then up to date, the region has continuously been the most favorable sector where one can easily enjoy the views and sights of stunning mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
Trekking gorillas in the Buhoma region is the most recommendable for tourists on their gorilla tours and safaris in Uganda because the well-known region has three important gorilla groups that can be easily trekked by travelers interested in having a wonderful one hour with the human brothers housed in the dark forests of Bwindi. Among the three habituated gorilla groups in Buhoma region involve even the Mubare gorilla group which was the first gorilla group to be habituated and to be trekked by the first tourists in the year 1993.Mubare group at first had eighteen members but it has drastically lost its members and today it has around five remarkable members.
Besides the first habituated gorilla group, tourists to Uganda’s Buhoma trekking sector will also have memorable encounter with the Habinyanja gorilla Group which is among the oldest group to be habituated and received its first trekkers in the year 1999.The pronounced group in Buhoma region offers visitors on gorilla safaris to Uganda an enjoyable time to spend with the seventeen individual members which constitute the whole Habinyanja group.
In addition to the mentioned two groups, tourists on the mountain gorilla tracking tours in Uganda ‘s Buhoma sector can also spend one magical hour with the Rushegura Group that was first habituated in 2000 and today it’s the only group with the largest number of gorillas in the Buhoma region.
After having gorilla experience, one can also participate in cultural encounters by taking community-run ,village walks to the Bakiga as well as home steads of the Batwa people who are the owners of the land occupied by the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The walk enable visitors on Uganda safaris  to learn the life style of local communities.
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The 2015 zone vi golf championships to be hosted in Uganda – Uganda safari news

Uganda gifted by nature as one her marketing slogans run has got a lot of natural beauty including the remarkable landscapes that is increasingly becoming a darling for golfers prompting them to undertake safaris to Uganda.
The 2015 Africa Zone VI Golf Championship which is scheduled to run from April 14th – 18th 2015 will be hosted at the par 72 Uganda Golf Club in the calm Kitante suburb of Kampala. The event is expected to attract 120 international golfers from 12 countries including Uganda which will be hosting the event. Countries like Kenya, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia with about 100 golfers have already confirmed their golfing safari to Uganda for the regional grand tournament.
The U T B the public body that is responsible for marketing Uganda as a great a destination to attract travelers to undertake safaris in Uganda is proud to be one of the main sponsors of the event. The other partners in funding of the event include Sheraton Kampala Hotel which will provide accommodation for the golfers and others like Uganda Breweries, AAR, NTV and R&A will be contributing in their respective capacities.
U T B will publish a report featuring Uganda safari sites and positioning the image of Uganda as a good destination which will be distributed during the tournament in the Golf Magazine.
The tourism and golfing are considered as closely related and golf can thus be promoted as a tourism activity which can be encountered by travelers in Uganda safaris and tours. It has been realized that golfers are considerable spenders with an influential character and their game has got an impact on the surrounding community. The game supports leisure and hospitality an entertainment which in turn creates jobs and promotes the image of the country which can be replicated here in Uganda.
The favorable all weather for Uganda is good for the golf. The country boasts of 18 golf courses which are positioned close to Uganda safari destinations like National Parks and other scenic spots. The U T B is apparently working with the private sector in the process of marketing Uganda as a golfing destination. The board is looking at the possibility of working with a range of airlines to schedule flights and also offer charter provision to Uganda to be enhanced, the accommodation units to offer discounted rates while the tour operators like Prime  Safaris and Wild gorilla safaris to deign impressive special weekend packages for the golfers while the U GU to arrange more tournaments in the country. This would definitely increase the room occupancy on weekends, gift shops increasingly getting clients, tourism related entities gaining including forex bureaus, transporters, banking an insurance companies not forgetting entertainment spots thus generating increased revenue to the country. The multiplier of this initiative would then spill to other regions of the country as they host tournaments in their respective golf courses. The coming of the celebrity golfers would in return uplift the country’s image though their posts and social media coverage which would increase safaris to Uganda.
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Birding watching in Mt. Elgon national park-Uganda Safari News

Mount Elgon slopes favors the growth of rich different types of vegetation’s ranging from montane forest to high open moorland vegetation characterized with the rare species of groundsel plants and  giant lobelia life. The vegetation depends on the altitude and the different vegetation zones have acted as habitat to different bird species. This makes the park to be birding destination and hence best birding site for different travellers planning safaris to Uganda.
The botanical diversity of the park avails the tourists on Uganda safaris with an opportunity to enjoy activities such as the tree species identification and among the recommendable plant life include the giant podocarpus found in only high altitude areas, the species of juniper and Elgon olive trees cedar which are only found in mountain elgon, Juniperus procera and pillar wood Cassipourea malosana as well as elder Sambucus adnata, and various orchids. Of the total species of 400 tree species recorded for the area the following are of particular note as they only occur in high altitude broad-leaf montane forest: Ardisiandra
Taking Uganda safari tours to Mountain Elgon enables the bird lover traveler to enjoy the views and sights of an estimated bird list of 300 birds including the 40 restricted bird species. A total of fifty six of the eighty seven bird species of Afro-tropical notably the Alpine Chat, Moorland Francolin as well as Moustached Green and Tinkerbird. The existence of different bird species makes the park an excellent birding area in Uganda and around the parks, the unique bird spotting points include Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center, which has the trail which leads travelers to the thick shrub along the loop trails which stretches to cover Cheptui Falls. The habitat in the park favors the survival of the promienent bird species such as the African Goshawk, African Blue Fly-catcher, Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia as well as , Chinspot Batis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Baglafecht Weaver, Dohertys and Luhders Bush-shrikes, Cinnamon Bee Eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, Black-collared Apalis, Hartloub`s Turaco, Tacazze Sunbird, Olive- and Bronze-naped pigeons,.
Besides birding experience in the park, tourists on their safaris and tours to Uganda can also participate in the memorable hiking experiences in the wonderful hiking trails of mountain Elgon national park and also one can enjoy the cultural encounters with the local people living around mountain Elgon national park.
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Enjoying primate walk in Nyungwe forest – Rwanda Safari News

The famous Nyungwe National Park found in southwestern direction from Rwanda’s Capital city Kigali is the only protected area in the land of thousand hills endowed with largest number of primates and hence this makes the park to be the best destination for tourists on Rwanda safaris but interested in primate walk experience. The cheered Nyungwe national park is positioned in the border between the three neighboring countries of Burundi on the southern part of Rwanda and Lake Kivu as well as Congo on the western part.
The wonderful Nyungwe rainforest national park is considered to be one of the best preserved montane rainforest in the east and Central Africa. Primate trekking safaris in Rwanda is one of the rewarding activities second to gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and this is because the primates in Nyungwe are brothers to the mountain gorilla trekked in the Volcanoes national park. In the present day Rwanda, the unique primate’s species and the loviest montane vegetation found in the Nyungwe national is one of the remarkable attractions accountable for drawing travellers to book safaris and tours to Rwanda.
Tourists on Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris have an added experience to enjoy the wonderful primate walk in the green rainforest vegetation of Nyungwe forest. Nyungwe national park is proud of 13 different primate species and the pronounced park is home to an estimated percentage of 25% of all the primates living in the protected areas of African continent. The remarkable primate’s species in the natural gifted park is the Chimpanzees and hence taking safaris to Rwanda offers unavoidable opportunity for one to spend one magical hour with the human cousins i.e. Chimpanzees living in the forest jungle of Nyungwe.
The other recommendable primate species being housed in the park include the rare Angola colobus which cannot be found in other protected areas of Rwanda, Rwenzori Colobus, white and black monkeys among others. All these primate species can be enjoyed by tourists spending his primate trekking safaris in Rwanda. The primates in Nyungwe are unique other than other primates in other protected area and the uniqueness is expressed I n the way that these primates move in groups consisting of an estimated number of hundred. The habituated group or troop made up of 400 primate species can be easily found in the campsite Rwenzori Colobus is mainly arboreal as well as acrobatic leaf-eater.
The other interesting types of the monkeys in the park involve the L’Hoest’s monkey, Owl faced monkey, Silver monkey as well as golden monkey red tailed monkey, Vervet monkey, Dent’s Mona monkey plus even the crowned monkey and Olive baboon which is considered to be a savanna monkey species and not easily sighted along the road through Nyungwe.
In addition to the mentioned species, one can also enjoy the sights of the four nocturnal primates and these can only be seen by the tourist trekking the primates at night and these species almost look like the lemurs found in Madagascar.
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Mountain gorilla tracking experience in Mgahinga Gorrilla park – Uganda safaris News

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is popularly known today due to its ability to house the world’s endangered species of the mountain gorillas and this has made the park to be second to Bwindi in attracting tourists interested in gorilla trekking experiences to undertake gorilla trekking safaris to Uganda. The park’s 33.7 sq. km is occupied with the bamboo vegetation especially in the slopes of the three extinct volcanoes of the virunga massifs. The stunning Virungas are habitat to different ape species and these apes include mountain gorillas which are the most wanted to trek by the visitors on their Uganda safaris and tours.
The habituated gorilla group which can be trekked by tourists on their Uganda gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Mgahinga Park is the Nyakagezi gorilla group, which is made up of nine individual members involving  two silver backs as well as the three adult females and two juveniles and 2 infants. Trekking this mountain group is very interesting because the group is nomadic hence keeps on moving from one side of the park to another and hence the trekkers have to hike the volcanoes and in the process they are rewarded with the views of different primates, plant life and bird species.
Mountain Gorilla tracking tours in Uganda‘s Mgahinga national park proves to be hectic and strenuous. The most recommended activity takes almost the whole day because encountering gorillas in the forest can take trekkers as fast as 30 minutes and as long as 5-6 hours depending on how far the mountain gorilla group moved from their usual habitat. The activity is done under the guidance of an experienced guide ranger and it involves moving through the rugged land scape, forests and hiking the famous three volcanoes found in the park.
Gorilla trekking safari tours in Uganda need travelers who are physically fit, not suffering from any other air borne disease because trekking mountain gorillas is done in mountainous areas of south western part of Uganda. Before tourists start trekking the mountain gorillas, they are divided into groups of eight, and briefed before they set off to start looking for the mountain gorillas. For any visitor who is sick, he or she is not allowed to enter the forest to trek the gorilla because the mountain gorillas are like human beings hence can be affected by the human diseases. When the trekkers meet the mountain gorillas, they are allowed to be with them for one magical hour .This is the most rewarding time because the trekkers come to study the gorillas ,view them face to face and the experience gained is long lasting in the memories of the trekkers. Gorilla trekking experience should be dream of any world traveler and this can be enjoyed only when one confirms safari to Uganda the pearl of Africa.
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Staying at Bush Lodge while on your wild life safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda Safari News

The Bush Lodge is the best base for tourists on wildlife safaris in Uganda’s activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge is perfectly built under ecological principals and the bandas in the lodge are designed in spacious way to offer privacy and endure that visitor on holiday Uganda safaris enjoys comfortable stays in the lodge.
The lodge has unique setting surrounded by the Queen Elizabeth National Park and bordering the Kazinga channel. The lodge has animal’s library room and tourists can enjoy reading different literature about wild life in Africa and Uganda in particular. The Bush Lodge also offers a safari camp which is authentic and affordable to tourists. While at the lodge visitors should expect a great outdoor safari atmosphere and experience which is close to nature experience with excellent local food and friendly service offered by experienced staff working in the lodge.
The lodge Restaurant is situated in one of the tent which is set to overlook the magnificent Kazinga Channel and to have the beautiful sights of Rwenzori mountain range while enjoying the excellent local and internal food served in the restaurant. The lodge offers the excellent service which is really needed by travelers on Uganda safaris and tours. In the evenings especially when weather is favorable, staffs can take visitor’s table outside and arrange a starlit dinner where tourists can enjoy their wonderful evening with all the comfort needed.
Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge provides budget friendly accommodation facilities to budget travelers spending their safari in Uganda’s second largest protected area. The accommodation facilities and services are offered in the 10 non-self-contained tents. These tents are furnished and designed with comfortable beds as well as a bedside table and a power outlet for charging phones, cameras. All tents are set under a grass thatched roof which offers visitor’s private occupancy and provides perfect welcome shade.
For travelers who want to have some privacy and a real Bush experience, The lodge offers two self-contained tents which are located a little distance away from the main lodge. These are Ideal for family travelers planning to spend holiday safaris in Uganda because an extra tent can be placed on the adjacent platform.
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