What to Know about Ecotourism in Uganda – Uganda Safari News

Eco-tourism is a new form of tourism in the world as well as Uganda and it dates back in the 1990’s. It involves such activities like Nature guided Walks, Village/community Walks, Bird Watching, forest walk, sport fishing, mountaineering climbing, butterfly watching, Mountain Gorilla tracking, game viewing, Chimp tracking, boat cruises, canoeing, caving, scenery viewing photography, primate watching, and any other aspects that relate to Natural, Cultural and Rural tourism. The main tourism destinations in Uganda-the pearl of Africa include all the ten protected national parks as well as wildlife and game reserves, forest reserves, events/cultural centers, community wetlands, Theme parks, resorts, and important bird areas.
As many safaris to Uganda to day combine nature and wildlife, it follows that sustainability would be significant issue for visitors exploring the unique Eco-tourism destinations in Uganda. Uganda conservation efforts and tourism have increased in the past years, and currently many Uganda safaris are tailed or organized around different communities and natural environment.
Eco-tourism safari to Uganda

does not mean paying high a mounts for top-of-the-line green products but it involves having affordable Uganda Eco-tourism safaris while still being mindful of conservation efforts. It also involves Visitors traveling with maximum respect of the local cultures and keeping an open mind when planning a safari tour to Uganda.
Currently Uganda is well-known as safe Eco-tourism destination in the world but there is need to plan correctly all the Eco-tourism activities and destination .This can lead to a more personalized experience for travelers as well as one that is authentic to the respective communities they are visiting.
The most significant thing visitors planning for safaris to Uganda should do is to go local when they are under taking safari to Uganda. They should make sure that they use locally owned hotels and services and pay close attention to relevant travel destination news in order to prepare for new regulations or opportunities that may negatively affect the Eco-tourism experience that they would get on Uganda safaris. Ultimately travelers need to do what is best and safest for them, but they must acknowledge how their actions are affecting their destination areas.
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Hotel Africana-Uganda’s Premier Hotel in Kampala-Uganda Safari News

Kampala the Capital City of Uganda has a modern set of premier hotels offering first-class accommodation services to visitors on safari tour to Uganda’s Capital city. Among the many hotels, lodges in Kampala, Hotel African set just 3 minutes’ walk from the city Center, is the only premier hotel where visitors on Uganda safaris should opt to spend night while on their stay in Kampala. The hotel is set in a serene location offering panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding hilltops.
With total of 233 rooms distributed as 5 suites, 103 deluxe rooms and 117 twin bed rooms and 8 Apartments, Hotel African offers wonderful accommodation facilities at fordable prices. Just to note, all the rooms at the hotel are fully equipped with an individually controlled air condition system, attached with a full private bathroom, a balcony overseeing the spectacular view, satellite television, fridge, wire and wireless internet access. The hotel rooms are designed in this way mainly to ensure that visitors on Uganda safaris enjoy their stay in Kampala.
The hotel consists of Restaurant with a seating space of 120 people, fully air-conditioned, well-furnished and ideal venue for dinners and medium-scale wedding receptions. There is a wide choice of tasty dishes ranging from western and traditional African delicacies to oriental. These dishes are served to visitors under splendid atmosphere. At the Coffee shop visitors on safaris in Uganda can enjoy a hot beverage and sample a flavorful variety of snacks and pastries 24 Hours a day.
In regard to conference and events facilities, the hotel has over 14 fully furnished well air-conditioned conference halls with seating capacities ranging from 20 – 3000 participants. The conference rooms are Internet ready with a dedicated high speed wireless connection to the internet and other features in the conference rooms Include Writing pads, flip charts, pens & pencils, overhead projector, internet services, printing & typing services, faxing & binding and much more.
For visitors interested in health fitness services, Hotel Africana boasts of its modern health club comprising of sauna, massage, steam bath, gym and aerobics and all visitors on safaris to Uganda while staying at the hotel are entitled to free access to health facilities apart from massage. The hotel gym equipment is ideal for everyone’s health fitness and the professional instructors ensure you receive total workout satisfaction.
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Bird Watching in Mabira forest – Uganda Safari News

For many decades, big game has been the dominant attraction drawing visitors to Uganda and it still is. However in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people under taking bird watching safaris to Uganda. . A potential for bird watching safari tours in Uganda was established in the late 19th Century by Sir Frederick Jackson, former Governor of the Ugandan Protectorate who nick named Uganda as a “Hidden Eden and a wonderland for birds”.
Today, bird watching is done in different destinations and among the many bird watching areas involves Mabira forest located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja along the highway connecting Kampala to eastern part of Uganda. Mabira Forest is the only largest rain forests left in Central Uganda covering an  estimated area of about 306 square kilometers.
With an estimated total of 315 species of birds including the endangered species like the Nahan’s francolin, Yellow and grey long bills, Tit Hylia, Purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, Illadopsises, Jameson’s wattle eyes, Mabira forest is a true birding destination where visitors on Uganda safaris can enjoy bird watching activities. The forest is endowed with 46% of Uganda’s forest
The interesting bird species in the forest are enjoyed through forest walks through the designed forest trails. During the forest walk, visitors can enjoy the sights and views of different bird species such as Nathan’s francolin, purple-throated cuckoo shrike, paradise fly catcher, and sooty boubou to mention but few.
The forest has well organized trails that include the Red-tailed Monkey, Turaco and the Buttress trails .These are easily by bird lovers on safaris to Uganda to look for Nahan’s Francolin bird species which is an IUCN Red list’ endangered species, White-spotted Flufftail, Afep Pigeon Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, Grey Parrot, Black-shouldered Nightjar as well as Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black-shouldered Nightjar and Sabine’s Spinetail, among other prominent bird species.
In addition to the birds, one can also encounter different species such as butterflies, different tree species as well as unique primate species such as vertvets, gre-cheeked mangabeys as red tailed monkeys among others.
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The schools set to tour the route of Islam in Buganda region – Uganda safari news

This year as the country and the world in general gather to celebrate the lives of Uganda Martyrs one of the iconic Uganda safari tour products, the Uganda Tourism Board has embarked on inviting all institutions with a Muslim foundation along with other well-wishers to undertake walk on the Special Trail that brings out the emergence of Islam in the region of Buganda.
This was made in conjunction between the Uganda Muslim Teachers Association heads and the Uganda Tourism Board in a press conference that was held jointly on May 23rd 2015 at the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) offices in Kololo Kampala. Uganda Tourism Board is charged with the responsibility of promoting Uganda as an ideal destination thus increasing the numbers of travelers undertaking Uganda safaris and tours.
The Islam religion is noted to be the first religion to arrive in Uganda with the Moslems known to have arrived in Buganda from Sudan and Egypt as early as 1832. The traders had started coming to Uganda by that time and they brought with them their religion thus spreading the seeds of Islam in the region. There are a range of historical sites in Kampala that are associated with the coming of Islam in the region among which include the Wamala Tombs where the Kabaka Suuna II welcomed the first Arab traders. Wamala Tombs is also among the cultural and heritage sites in Uganda that attract travelers to plan safaris to Uganda.
The Uganda Tourism Board in coordination with Uganda Muslim Teachers Association and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has gone ahead to identify a range of sites that will form points to connect the trails for Islam in Kampala. The pupils and Students have got a strong role to play towards participating in this trail and raising awareness about the product thus attracting travelers on a safari in Uganda to also participate.
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The Best Sites to Enjoy Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda-Uganda Safari News

Chimpanzees trekking is one of the main tourist’s activity enjoyed by visitors on Uganda safaris and these are mainly done in various destinations such as Ngamba Island out from Entebbe, Kibale Forest national park in south western Uganda near Fort Portal, Kyambura George in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
Ngamba Island suited in Lake Victoria is one of the famous destinations where visitors on chimpanzee trekking safaris to Uganda can enjoy the views of the orphaned chimpanzees protected in the 100 acres forested Ngamba Island. A visit to the sanctuary will offer you a unique chance to watch the chimps when they are being fed.
Kanyio Pabidi eco-tourism site which forms part of Murchison Falls National Park is one of the finest places in Uganda where one can easily trek and watch the sights of chimpanzees. Kanyio Pabidi is habitat to an estimated 500 chimps and a wide –range of birds and butterflies. The forest reserve has been protected in its natural state with no or little impacts of Illegal human activities and hence your chimpanzee trekking safari to the forest will enable you to see the various trees especially mahogany. In addition to Chimpanzee trekking experience, you may also partake in forest walks in order to experience the beautiful natural forest.
Kibale Forest National park situated next to Fort Portal is a fantastic destination in Uganda where visitors on chimpanzee safari tours to Uganda can enjoy the highly rewarding chimpanzee trekking experience. The dominant activity in Kibale starts from Kanyanchu Visitors Center at 08.00. It involves trekkers moving in the thick forest trails of Kibale when searching for the Primates and when they meet the chimpanzees, they are allowed one hour with the primates. During the time of trekking, the experienced ranger guides will show you pittas as well as other bird species and will also explain to you more about the different plant species within the forest.
In addition, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elisabeth National Park is a unique experience above chimpanzee trekking because it goes an extra mile to teach you more about the primates. As you walk down into the George from the flat plains of Queen Elisabeth National Park when searching for chimps, you will meet other interesting primates and bird species. The gorge is 16km long and about 100 meters deep and is natural habitat to chimpanzee, black & white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and variety of birds. In the Center of the gorge, one meets a small river where hippos splash in the clear waters as the blue-bellied kingfisher and black bee-eater flutted above. The riverine forest offers the feeling of a vanished world as one marvel at the different species of birds and animals.
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The Uganda tour companies set to benefit from matching grant facility – Uganda safari news

The Uganda Private Sector Foundation (PSFU) is the body that is charged with the responsibility of overlooking the Private sector operations in country including the tour and travel companies that arrange packages for travelers that wish to undertake safaris in Uganda is setting to benefit Small Medium Enterprises with its Matching Grant Facility.
The PSFU Executive Director Mr. Badagawa Gideon notes that the Matching Grant facility is set to boost the private sector operations especially in the sectors of information and communication Technology, horticulture and Tourism among other sectors. The Matching Grant Facility can be described as a cost sharing arrangement under the umbrella project of Competitiveness and Enterprise Development which aims at enhancing the capacity of the enterprise by extending a hand to the beneficiaries.
The section of the proposed funds will be dedicated to enhancing the branding and product packaging to meet the standards of the European Union. The service industry of which tourism in among has to be developed in terms of capacity to ensue that the travelers on Uganda safaris and tours from Europe have standard services that contribute to their satisfaction.
The matching grant facility which looks at Value Chain and the bottlenecks that are encountered therein, incorporating tourism is one of the wise decisions as it is one of the industries with great value chain and multiplier effect arising from the amount brought in by the Uganda safari undertakers.
The Matching Grant Facility is not a loan in any way and the priority sub sector can acquire up to $100,000 in the duration the depending on whether the funds are available. The private operators set to apply and gain from this initiative have to be fully registered operators. For the sake of tour operators, they need to be licensed by the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities and the members of Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO).
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The zeal to the life time dream; an aged Canadian dies in quest for gorillas – Uganda safari news

The need to fulfill your life time dream is one of those foundations that shape your daily plans to see that you reach there. Getting there may not be all that easy and once you are there, it is a lifetime memory, call it life satisfaction. The gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda is one of the memorable dreams that transform from dreams to reality once attained.
Encountering the critically endangered mountain gorillas on your gorilla safari in Uganda can be narrated well by those that have ever attempted to undertake it. The hills of Bwindi are worthy undertaking providing a thrilling adventure to form a lifetime memory but never ideal for the aged and unhealthy travelers. Yes, these are challenging to hike because of deep valleys and steep slopes. Thus traveler with serious heart complications, extreme blood pressures and serious breathing complications can reserve the hike and may be to be carried by porters to & fro to have a smooth gorilla trekking activity.
It is unfortunate to note that an aged Canadian lost his life in the zeal to achieve his life time dream in the hills of Bwindi. The 75 year old man who was on a gorilla safari in Uganda is noted among those that have lost their lives in the quest of the most rewarding adventures of lifetime. The traveler was on the trek of Bweza Gorilla family in Rushaga sector in the Impenetrable Bwindi where he collapsed and lost his life.
It can be described that such acts have extremely been rare in the previous times and this comes in a shock. And though there is no age limit set by Uganda Wildlife Authority and the tour operators that sell Uganda gorilla safari packages, the rules are clear the a person with health complications should excuse himself from participating in the exercise. The travelers in good health conditions with a considerable physical fitness are the only ones recommended for the gorilla tracking experience.
The Uganda Tourism Fraternity including the Uganda Wildlife Authority has already extended condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and friends.
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What to know about Uganda’s Own Paradise Island-Bulago Island in Lake Victoria-Uganda Safari News

Bulago Island is an equatorial, tropical island strategically located on the Lake Victoria, only 10 miles east of Entebbe International airport and 18 miles south of Munyonyo, a lakeside perturbation of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. It’s an exceptional island with a wide- range of flora and fauna. The island’s location is ideal for visitors on Uganda Safaris, less than an hour by boat from Kampala or Entebbe or an eight minute flight from Entebbe airport.
The north-east part of this marvelous island is covered by small portion of rainforest and a larger forest is situated along the southern shore. The eastern shores of the island are less fertile and are covered with savannah-like grassland.
The beautiful Island is composed of two hills, one with a thatched viewing point where sun downers on safaris to Uganda can enjoy the safari. The kilometer long airstrip located in the Island can take planes up to caravans in size. There are 12 kilometers of white beaches along the coasts of the island with palm trees that produce delicious coconuts and hence the Island is a safe haven for adventurous tourist on Uganda safari tour. Organic farming thrives throughout the island with citrus, fruit orchards, sweet bananas and flourishing vegetable gardens.
One of the great pleasures of the island which can be enjoyed by visitors on safari tour to Uganda is the sheer range and diversity of walks, runs and bicycle rides along the numerous well-maintained paths and tracks. The views from the two dominating hills are magnificent.
In addition, the Island is also the best site where Bird watchers on safaris to Uganda can enjoy the views of 400 different species which are housed in the Island. Bulago is home to myriad of butterflies, monitor lizards, spotted necked otters, hippos and even the odd porcupine.
Bulago has an Aerodrome licensed by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority; the aerodrome is 20 meters x 900 meters, day VFR only. It was designed so that it could be licensed as a day/night VFR runway and could be lengthened to 1,000 meters easily and out to 1,500 meters if the runway was extended into the lake.
In nut shell, it’s hard to believe that such a strikingly beautiful gem of an island is not located in the Pacific Ocean, but right here in Lake Victoria and hence the best way to explore the island is under taking safaris to Uganda.
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All about the true African Wilderness-Kidepo Valley National Park-Uganda Safari News

Perfectly situated in the rugged, semi-arid valleys of the remote Karamoja region on the extreme border with Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo Valley is Uganda’s most splendid national park, for it ranks among Africa’s true Wildernesses. The Park was Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal species as well as around 475 bird species.
Sprawling on 1,442square kilometers of land, Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park and its seclusion lends the park a certain air of peace and tranquility in which visitors on safari tour to Uganda can enjoy its majestic scenery. Kidepo’s exorbitant vistas, largely unrestrained by woodland and forest, are the sequel of the open tree savannah habitat that covers the largest portion of the park. Hill top areas of the park have been occupied by dry mountain forest while some watercourses support Acacia forests. Many of the hilltops are capped by rock kopjes which provide habitats for klipspringer and give panoramic 360 degrees views.
The park has undoubtedly the most varied fauna of any Uganda safari parks. With over 77 species of mammal, several of which are only found in the Kidepo and Karamoja region, the park also has circumscribed carnivores such as the bat-eared fox, cheetah, striped hyena as well as caracal and aardwolf. Other carnivores supported in the park area are lion, leopard side-striped jackal, spotted hyena, and black-backed. The rarely ungulates species include the lesser and greater kudu, chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer and Guenther’s dikdik among others. Other large ungulates include elephant, Rothschild’s giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Capped buffalo, eland, bushbuck, hartebeest and oribi, Defassa waterbuck, Bohor reedbuck, Jsckson’s hartebeest and oribi. Five pronounced primate species are recorded in the park including the endemic Kavirondo bush baby.
The park has unique record of 475 bird species, making it second only in Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A few species of note, at least in Ugandan standards include the Ostrich, Kori Bustard and Karamoja Apalis, secretary bird, carmine, little green and red-throated bee eater, Abyssinian scimitarbill, yellow-billed and Jackson’s hornbills and the Karamoja apalis. Kidepo is also notable for its birds of prey. Of the 56 species recorded, 14, including Verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon, are believed to be endemic to the Kidepo and Karamoja region. All these explain as to why the park is a safe haven for birders on Uganda safari tour.
The park has a semi-arid climate with one long rainy season which runs from February to June and short rains last from September to December, leaving just three dry months. The rains are rather erratic, though the wettest months are usually April and November. July and August are the hottest months. The average temperature is 27.5°C with daily variations from 21.5°C to 34°C. The valley of the Narus River in the south of the park receives some 89mm of rain per year while just 635mm of rain per year falls in the Kidepo valley to the north. Both rivers are seasonal, and dwindle and disappear in the dry season. During these months, the only water source in the park is situated in remnant pools and wetlands along the southern Narus valley near Apoka and as a result, wildlife is concentrated in this area. This concentration, amalgamated with the valley’s open, savanna habitat, makes it the park’s prime area wher visitor on safaris to Uganda’s Kidepo can enjoy game viewing. Indeed it is possible to sight a wide range of fauna simply by scanning the valley with binoculars from the comfort of the Apoka lodge.
The park is surrounded by Karamojong and Masai people who are pastoralist’s surviving on nomadic life style entirely depending on Cattle. However, these are adapting slowly to changes to their traditional way of life. Interested tourist who under take Uganda safaris to this part of Uganda may be able to explore Karamajong manyattas (homesteads) to see traditional customs, spears, stools, head dresses and knives, bows.
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How much does a Gorilla Safari Cost in Uganda-Uganda Safari News

How much Gorilla Safari Costs, is very vital question which is often asked by most of travelers planning for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and according to our opinion, which is meant to act as guide line when you are planning for your Uganda gorilla safari is that, the total cost for gorilla Safari will require you budgeting the cost of following items;
Cost of Gorilla permit which will give you the opportunity to trek the mountain gorillas. The current cost of each permit is at USD600 during the high season (June to September, December to February) and USD350 during the low season (April, May, November).
In addition to the permit, is the cost of Transport .You need to budget and plan for transport from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla trekking is done. The minimum days to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road are three days. Therefore you need to budget for three days. The first day is for transferring from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi and the next day is for moving around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You need Vehicle to transfer you to and from the starting head trails of your gorilla trek in Bwindi and the third day is to drive back to Entebbe/Kampala. Hence traveler needs to budget for a tourist vehicle with guide per day and then fuel to cater for the long drive distance of 527kilometres from Kampala to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Please kindly contact prime Uganda Safaris and Tours for the best rates of Tourist vehicles for hire. Travelers can as well opt to fly to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as some companies such as Aerolink operate scheduled flights to and from Kihihi which is the nearest Air Field and as such, you need drive transfers from the Air strip to your choice lodge.
When trying to ascertain cost of cost of Gorilla safari, you also need to budget and plan for your accommodation for at least two nights. The first night is when you arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the second night is after your gorilla trekking experience. It is possible to trek mountain gorillas and depart Bwindi to Kampala on the same day but it is highly recommended that tourists on Uganda Gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi budget for additional night after trekking the gorillas as they will never tell whether they will encounter the gorillas after what period of time. The price of the accommodation will depend on the type of lodging facility because all the four gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National have Luxury lodges, Mid-Range and budget. Hence the choice of lodge to stay will depend on traveler.
Traveler to Uganda gorilla trekking safaris are highly recommended to calculate the cost of hiring porters because these individuals help to carry your bags and when you are up-close to gorillas, they will remain with your packed lunch and all the other things you might not need at that time of interaction with the Mountain gorillas.
Besides the ones mentioned, you also need to sum up the Cost of Tips. Tips are an appreciation of good service rendered to you by your safari guide, gorilla trekking guide, waiters and porters. It’s not a must that you have to do this. On top of the above costs, the company puts between 10-20% of the total cost as fixing or service fee.
In conclusion, total gorilla safari cost will require you to budget and plan for gorilla permit, book and pay for you choice accommodation, pay for your transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you also need to budget for porter, among other requirements. In order to make your Uganda gorilla trekking safaris success, you need to contact us the number one gorilla trekking safari planners in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
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