Black bee-eater; birds of Uganda – Uganda safari news

Scientifically referred to as Merops gularis, the Black bee-eater is among the popular bird species explored on birding safaris in Uganda.  Belonging to the Meropidae family, the Black bee-eater thrives in the tropical parts of Sub Saharan Africa majorly at margin of the rain forest and secondary woodland.

The black bee-eater stretches to 20cm in length and features mainly a black color, scarlet throat and chin, pale blue eye brow, streaked breast, under tail coverts and rump, blue belly and rufous primaries as viewed on Uganda birding safaris and tours.

It is distributed in a range of African Countries including Cameroon, Angola, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea- Bissau, Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, Sierra Leone and Uganda where it is always sought after by birders on Safari in Uganda.

Regarding conservation, the black bee-eater is listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Hilton group loses out on pearl of Africa hotel to Rezidor – Uganda safari news

The Hilton Hotel Chain has for all along believed that it would take over the operation of the AYA property once the construction is done. To many people’s surprise, Rezdor Hotel Group has instead taken over this multi-million property that is anticipated to offer accommodation to a range of travelers including those on Safaris in Uganda after opening to operations.

The property which has taken on the name Pearl of Africa Hotel is located on top of Nakasero Hill and enjoys the all round views of Kampala which is currently the major starting and ending point for Uganda tours.

Rezdor Hotel Group is known to be managing a range of luxury hotels globally under the Quorvus Collection brand and by taking over the management of Pearl of Africa Hotel, it joins a range of other International hotel chains already operating in Uganda like Sheraton, Protea, Serena and City Blue serving a great deal of local and international market among which are Uganda Safari undertakers.

The Hotel which is anticipated to open up for business at the beginning of March 2017 has been under construction for over ten (10) years. The construction of this 23-Storey facility commenced in 2006 with the aim of accommodating the delegates of CHOGM in Nov 2007 but things did not go as planned due to funding and administrative challenges.

Pearl of Africa Hotel features about 300 rooms, 740 m² ball room, two (2) board rooms, nine (9) meeting rooms, three (3) food and beverage outlets, business center and Health club which qualifies it as an upmarket hotel with the capacity to serve affluent travelers including those on vacation holidays in Uganda Africa.

Uganda set to celebrate the world wildlife day – Uganda safari news

Uganda will on March 3^rd join the entire world to commemorate the World Wildlife Day which raises the awareness and celebrates the global flora and fauna including that explored on Uganda Safaris and tours.

Running globally under the theme “Listen to the young voices”, the 2017 World Wildlife Day will focus on the global youth with the intention of drawing them to the world of Conservation. The destination Uganda will mark her celebrations at the Uganda National Museum under the theme “Mainstreaming the youth in wildlife conservation”.

The World Wildlife Day Celebrations in Uganda will feature a week long events in which the natives and travelers on Safaris in Uganda can participate in. Among these include; the Wildlife Marathon on Feb 26^th, Wildlife Exhibition at the Uganda Museum from March 1^st –3^rd, Wildlife Street Launch along Kira Road on March 3^rd after which the Official Celebrations will be marked at the National Museum.

About 1.8 billion people which close to the one quarter of the global population is between 10 – 24 years according to the United Nations Population Fund. This is the age category that the United Nations considers to be youth. However, there has been concern about the youth attitude, behavior and beliefs towards environment which threatens the conservation of environment and wildlife in particular. Thus, centering this year’s wildlife celebration among the youth aims at stimulating responsibility and grooming a generation that can safeguard the offers of nature.

The World Wildlife Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 3^rd 2013 and besides celebrating the benefits generated from conservation, the day acts as a reminder towards strengthening the illegal wildlife trade and poaching

Uganda features a range of ten (10) National Parks and over twelve (12) game reserves which support a myriad of wildlife including the critically endangered species like the Mountain Gorillas explored on gorilla safaris in Uganda, classic big game including African Big five and the lush flora.  The country is also home to 1057 bird species comprising 50% of the Africa’s bird species and 11% global species forming a stronghold for birding safaris in Uganda.

Pearl of Africa tourism expo is on – Uganda safari news

Running for the third time, the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo has already kicked off with the pre-expo activities that include familiarization trips for the hosted buyers now on going. This event which is categorized among the MICE Uganda tour products plays a significant role in bringing together a range of tourism sector stake holders to shape the future of individual and destination travel business.

The actual expo which will run for three days from Feb 17^th – 19^th at Kampala Sheraton Hotel Gardens under the Theme “Tourism is everybody’s business” will be showcasing a range of products including Uganda Safaris and tours along with presenting a good platform where the business to business and business to customer networks can be developed.

Besides transport, attractions and accommodation, the Pearl of Africa Expo will also feature ancillary services including Insurance, banking and tourism related technology which is always required to enhance the comfort of travelers on Safaris in Uganda.

The participants will include; tour operators and travel agencies like Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours Ltd, hotels and lodges, National Parks and game reserves under Uganda Wildlife Authority, Conservation Agencies and Airlines among others. The Expo has attracted over 150 hosted buyers, media and exhibitors from various parts of the world including; Austria, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Russia and United Kingdom.  Participants from African continent include; Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria.

The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo will then be crowned with Uganda Tourism Excellence Awards on Feb 19^th at Sheraton Hotel Rwenzori Ball room where individuals and organisations will be recognized for their contribution towards the tourism sector development in Uganda.

African pied wagtail; birds of Uganda – Uganda safari news

The African Pied Wagtail scientifically known as Motacilla aguimp is among the popular bird species explored on Uganda birding safaris belonging to the Motacillidae family.

African Pied Wagtail appears as white and black bird species with black color on the upper parts and the white color on the under parts as viewed on birding safaris in Uganda. The Juvenile birds feature grey color and generally the African Pied wagtails stretch to 20cm in length.

Spread in many countries of Sub Saharan Africa including Uganda where it is explored by birders on Safari in Uganda, the African Pied Kingfisher thrives in tropical and subtropical flooded or seasonally wet low land grassland, fresh water marshes and along rivers.

The African Pied Wagtail is a monogamous bird species and constructs its cup-shaped nest using grass and feathers on convenient tangle of sticks and buildings in settlement areas. An average of 3 – 4 eggs are laid with the female undertaking the incubation but after hatching, the young is fed by both sexes.

The diet of the African Pied Wagtail majorly consists of insects though it extends to include; grass seeds, invertebrates, scraps of human food and small fish.

Regarding Conservation, the African Pied Wagtail is listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Travelers on Uganda Safaris normally view this bird species in a range of protected areas including National Parks like Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park and wetland habitats like Mabamba Swamp.

Ugandan mountain gorilla locks Londoners at Trafalgar square – Uganda gorilla safari news

Bakwate a mimic of a Mountain Gorilla thriving in the Uganda gorilla safari destination of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park appeared at the famous London’s Trafalgar square luring the Londoners into remarkable amusement.

In an effort to encourage world travelers to take Gorilla safaris to Uganda, the Uganda Tourism Board along with KAMAGEO a Public relations firm based in UK arranged the presentation of this historical Silverback at Trafalgar Square – one of the most popular spots in the world.

The Silverback which first emerged from the London based Uganda High Commission frightened the visiting school children but became a point of concentration with even people interacting with it and sharing yellow bananas. An animatronic version of a Mountain Gorilla posed for photos, played with a traffic cone and plucked the bananas from the visitors making the moment exciting and memorable.

Besides the appearance at the Trafalgar Square in a range of shifts, Bakwate is set to also appear at London’s Olympia’s Destinations Travel Show ending on Sunday.  The interaction with the Mountain Gorilla offered the people a chance to experience their own “David Attenborough moment”

It can be noted that gorilla trekking in Uganda has strengthened conservation efforts leading to steady Mountain Gorilla population increase.  In fact, the country has of recent experienced a Mountain Gorilla baby boom evidencing the possible continuity of these species that are recorded to be cortically endangered world over.

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda thrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the destination is noted to be containing a half of their world population currently estimated at 880 since Bwindi alone features a minimum of 400 individuals.

Uganda gorilla safaris can be undertaken all the year-round with the gorilla permit costing $600 for foreign non residents and $450 in the months of April, May and November which is way cheaper compared to the neighboring destination.

where to do night game drives in Uganda – Uganda safari news

The destination Uganda has a range of safari activities that are provided to the satisfaction of those that take up tours to Uganda. Night game drive is recorded to be among those exciting activities and it is great to know where to do it from.

Of all the ten (10) National Parks where many of the Uganda Safari holiday activities are carried out including gorilla trekking safaris, wildlife safaris and mountaineering adventure tours, the Night game drive activity is done in only three of these. These include; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

In Murchison Falls National Park, the Night game drive is undertaken in the open savannah stretches to the north of the Nile River gaining remarkable views of the nocturnal and the cats which tend to do the hunting in the late evening. The view of the Nile River in the moonlight is also rewarding.

In Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Night game drive is undertaken in the famous Mweya peninsular in between the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward. The night game drive is prohibited in the Kasenyi Sector to minimise stress on wildlife since most travellers on Safari in Uganda tend to flock this sector for day game drives.

In Lake Mburo National Park, the night game drive is undertaken in its savannah stretches traversing the acacia woodland gaining possible views of a range of nocturnal species like porcupine, hare, Aardvack, honey badger, white-tailed mongoose, side – stripped jackal, bush pig, serval cat, spotted hyena, jenet cat, civet, black galago and thick – tailed Galago.

The Night game drive activity can be done in Uganda Wildlife Authority Vehicle or Tour Company Vehicle but with the company of an armed ranger along with a Spot light torch.  It is such a unique encounter to explore the wild game and beautiful landscapes under the stars of tropical Africa.

Madhvani group likely to take over Umubano hotel – Rwanda safari news

The Madhvani Group is likely to take over the Umubano Hotel if the privatisation deal is finally inked.

Madhvani is a conglomerate based in Uganda where it owns a range of lodges that accommodate a section of the travelers on Safaris in Uganda but also with interests in ethanol production, sugar processing, floriculture and oil and soap.

Madhvani Group expressed interest in the Umubano Hotel following its liquidation in 2014. The Umubano Hotel which is a four star hotel located at about 5km from the Kigali City center enjoying panoramic views of the city.  The hotel features over 100 rooms and 14 suites not forgetting 4 conference rooms, mini-golf course, tennis court and swimming pool which indicates its capacity to serve well the Rwanda Safari tour undertakers if put under competent management.

The Sales agreement has already been reached by the two parties though still within one month of due diligence. Before the Liquidation, the Umubano was under the ownership of Rwandan Government along with investors from Libya.

Madhvani Group runs high-end lodges including; Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge in the Uganda safari destination of Murchison Falls National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Silverback Lodge in the Uganda gorilla trekking tour destination of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Besides Uganda, Madhvani also owns properties in Kenya including Mara Leisure Camp, Aberdare Country Club and the Ark.

Thus with such wide scope experience, the Madhvani’s takeover of Umubano Hotel will be a step towards right direction as regards revamping the Rwanda’s hospitality sector. Fortunately, this sale is coming at a time when the International brands like Marriot, Radisson Blue and Golden Tulip are also entering the destination Rwanda.

Bateleur; birds of Uganda – Uganda safari news

Scientifically referred to as Terathopius ecaudatus, the Bateleur is a medium-sized eagle belonging to the Accipitridae family closely related to snake eagles. It is recorded to be the only member of Terathopius genus and is limited in small parts of Arabia and various countries of Africa including Uganda where it is explored on Uganda birding safaris and tours.

An average mature Bateleur stretches from 55 – 70cm in length along with a wing span of 186cm. The weight is between 2 – 2.6kg among adult birds. The Bateleur feature short tail and is colourful as always viewed on birding safaris in Uganda. The short tail makes the legs to protrude while in flight.

Bateleur is noted to be sexually dimorphic with both adults featuring black plumage but with red facial skin, legs and the bill.  The female features secondary tawny feathers and at times, with white mantle.

The Bateleur is a diurnal bird species which undertakes the hunting in a range of 250m² territory in a day. They do hunt and scavenge with preference to birds like sandgrouse and pigeons though it can as well attack small mammals along with carrion.

Breeding among the Bateleur normally occurs in December through to March where a well-concealed nest is constructed in trees laying one egg that is incubated by the female for a range of 42 – 43 days. The Bateleurs do the pairing for life and utilize the same nest for a range of years as often encountered by birders on Uganda Safari.

Regarding distribution and habitat, the Bateur thrives in open savannah and woodland in the sub Saharan Africa and to the south west of Arabia.  It is listed as Near Threatened on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Rwanda receives an excellence award at new york expo – Rwanda safari news

 The destination Rwanda secured an excellence award recognizing her for the Best Small Booth at the New York Times Travel Show in the United States of America – one of the main originating areas of Rwanda Safari tour undertakers.

Rwanda’s stand was in the African section and its strength majorly included design and presentation. The traditional Rwandese attire locally referred to as Imicyenyero also complimented her unique stand to generate an award.  This is the third time that the destination Rwanda is participating in this expo showcasing her impressive attractions both natural and manmade with interest of stimulating world travelers to take up Safaris to Rwanda.

RDB welcomes the award which demonstrates the confidence that the destination Rwanda continue to secure from the tourism market globally.  The stand included RDB, tour operators and Airlines who took advantage of the exhibition to network with International buyers and share the tourism experiences.

The New Times Travel Show is among the North America’s longest running travel shows featuring consumer seminars, travel industry conference and always has a range of 500 exhibitors from Asia, Africa, Canada, Australia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, United States and Mexico.

The tourism sector powered majorly by Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris continues to dominate the country’s foreign exchange earnings which has in turn played a significant role in rejuvenating the national economy especially following the bloody genocide of 1994.

Of recent, the destination was listed among the top 17 countries to visit in 2017 by CNN which is an acknowledgement of her potential in the travel world.