Uganda Listed Among 20 Best Destinations to Visit in 2016

It takes no minute to tell that Uganda is one of Africa’s friendliest country from its hospitality, culture and tradition. You can have several moments to celebrate while in the pearl of Africa starting with the warm welcome at Entebbe international Airport immediately after landing. The scenic drive to your hotel exposes you to great views but Zika forest & Entebbe Botanical gardens, Lake Victoria island shores plus the breath taking beaches are a must. It’s more than clear that Uganda is a great safari destination with all you need for a holiday in Africa having taken a glance at what it has to offer you.

Known as the land of lakes, water adventures & spots ,Boat cruise   are one of Uganda’s most done tourist activity which add value and fun to every guest to the country for a holiday vacation. Besides it’s something you can’t miss out while in Murchison falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National park, Jinja the source of the Nile and Entebbe on Lake Victoria. Other places of tourist interest are the colorful tropical birds, mountain Gorillas at Bwindi forest, Monkeys and chimpanzees in kibale forest, the might falls of Itanda & Murchison, tree climbing lions at Ishasha, wildlife in Uganda’s best game parks, Rwenzori & Elgon mountain, the Uganda culture & its people among others.

Above all its only here that the African Savannah meets the West African Jungle in Uganda a country where hundreds observe lions in open plains in the morning and evening, track chimpanzees through the rain forest on same schedule and also navigate the tropical channels with hippos and crocodiles before heading to the misty forest for the Mountain Gorilla Encounter at Bwindi forest. A wide range of impressive forest primates, plains Scattered with Kobs, giraffes, antelopes,Zebras are the other wildlife that you yet to spot in the pearl of Africa.There is a lot to see and discover more than wildlife and primates like the world ‘s most thrilling white water rafting ,the rewarding hikes and mountaineering mountains of Rwenzori and Elgon, the beautiful islands of lake bunyonyi & Ssese on lake Victoria, the different religious and cultural sites Namugongo shrines, Kasubi tombs, Budo coronation ground, Sezibwa falls among others.

Also the Country city night life is worthy to spend more nights in Uganda since you will have a lot to explore and see from entertainments, shopping, bars and restaurant. If it’s your first time to take a safari to Uganda, the outstanding culture, nature beauty and weather which makes it the pearl of Africa will make you get the very best wonderful holiday throughout your stay.

Uganda Tourism to Tackle Country’s Negative Image

The minister for Tourism in Uganda Hon, Uganda’s Minister for Tourism, has launched a new media unit to tackle challenges and wrong perceptions about Uganda. The media unit aimed will aim at putting positive messages about tourism, culture, and related topics into the public domain.

The so-called Tourism Communications Working Group will be headed by the Ministry’s Head of PR, Mrs. Emma Mugizi, who will be assisted by a further six regular members drawn from across the ministry’s various departments and agencies under its supervision.

From Minister to Permanent Secretary to the head of the working group, the message was unanimous that it was important to provide facts and figures to the global media and promote good news about Uganda’s tourism attractions, parks, and society events.

Uganda in the past often failed to respond adequately and promptly when negative news emerged on international television channels, in newspapers, and magazines. The country that has seen peace for over 25 years now is still having a big problem in marketing its tourism products and the problem is largely the “bad image’ of its past. It is not surprising when you ask about Uganda; many will get the images of the past brutal leader “Idi Amin” killings of Joseph Kony, arsonists and such terrible incidents! The image of the country is a very important factor in the development of tourism and therefore the establishment of such campaigns is an important step in promoting the country.

It is hoped that the new media unit will finally be able to put push more positive information that will work upon creating rather a positive image for the country. The media unit will as well engage with global, regional, and local media organizations and key media individuals so that positive and clear images about Uganda as a destination will be directed into the public domain including TVS, radios, newspapers etc. Deliberate networking with the media in fact must include those using the new age channels like social media and blogs, to create an overall better picture of the country abroad by tapping into all available resources.

Minister Mutagamba called the launch a step into the right direction that will improve the marketability of Uganda as a destination. Uganda is one of the most beautiful places on Africa – an upcoming destination on the African continent. It is the number one spot for <a href=”http://www.ugandagorillatour.com”>gorilla tours</a>, wild adventures where tourists hike within the impenetrable forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park to see the endangered mountain gorillas! Other rewarding experiences in the country include big five game viewing, mountain trekking, white water rafting, primates watching and more.

Rent a Car for Self Drive in Uganda

After being voted “the best travel destination to visit in 2012″, Uganda is currently receiving an enormous number of tourist arrivals. From gorilla safaris to chimpanzee trekking adventures, many tour packages are on sale being offered by many tour operators and travel agents. With the verdant rainforests that are home to the rare mountain gorillas, thousands of chimpanzees, monkeys as we;; as the interesting wildlife in the Savanna Parks, Uganda Safaris offers one-of-a-kind experience to all those who venture to this wondrous haven that was named the Pearl of Africa by the Sir Winston Churchill, one of the past adventure travelers who visited Uganda in 1902.

What kind of adventure would you like to try out in 2015? Could it be a  high adventure that you seek or deep relaxation. The Pearl of Africa, one of the most beautiful country on the African Continent provides boundless excitement and ultimate pleasure for the vacation of a lifetime.

As more tourists visit Uganda, many travelers are looking for both guided and self drive tour packages so that they can adventure through the Pearl of Africa. From those looking to gorilla watching in the remote southern part of Uganda to those seeking for road trips through various parks, a lot of options are available for travelers!

While traveling in Uganda can be both challenging and fun, one need to organize his or her holiday in time. One of the best ways to enjoy your adventure is to hire a car in Uganda and travel at your convenience! Car Rental Services are available in Kampala and can even be booked online. From small vehicles to 4X4 Safari Vehicle Rentals many cars are available at many car rental companies such as Car Rental Uganda to any traveler interested in taking a self drive vacation that will allow you and your family or friends at the same time to discover the country in so many exciting ways.

How much time it really takes you to travel in the country, really depends on the road conditions, traffic and the weather. Traveling in the dry season is preferable as unpaved roads tend to get washed away during the rainy season. Given the nature of road conditions, tourists looking to self drive options in Uganda should consider great caution and respect for road signs on Ugandan roads. Those who know defensive driving will find less problems given the way the local drivers behave on the road.

Over the past 20 years, Uganda  has tried to develop an excellent transportation system. As the sector grows, more and better service providers are joining the industry and today we can say that the country has good private transport agencies that can offer a good service!

East Africa to Invest in Museums

EAST African governments have resolved to invest in museums so as to preserve historical values of East Africa which will boost the tourism industry. The governments also agreed that member countries establish conference and convention centres in business cities like Kigali, Arusha, Jinja, Mombasa, Bujumbura and Dar-es-Salaam.

This was at the 3rd East African investment conference at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala recently. The conference was held under the theme “Invest in East Africa, where challenges are opportunities.”

Eriya Kategaya, the second deputy prime minister and minister for East African affairs, said countries should enact laws that promote investments, development of efficient infrastructures and the elimination of corruption and red tape.

The conference resolved to set up colleges for hotel and tourism management and to encourage the development of three to five star hotels to cater to business persons and tourists.

Uganda’s Oil Versus Wildlife

The discovery of oil in many African countries has been more of a curse than a blessing. With the discovery of oil in Western Uganda and the continued oil exploration in many other parts of the region, many Ugandans have mixed feelings about its promised benefits.

However, that is not the only problem being posed by the discovery of oil; the oil wells that have been discovered are in the wildlife rich regions of Western Uganda. The oil exploration is being extended into the conservation areas of Murchison Falls National Park.

Due to this Safari Lodge owners, Tour and Travel operators and Conservationists are greatly opposed to the latest plans by Heritage Oil to carry out seven tests within the northern sections of the Murchison Falls National Park. Earlier this year two wells were tested – Giraffe1 and Buffalo1, with the testing of each of these seven wells expected to take approximately three months. Of the seven wells to be tested four are to be situated on either side of the Pakwach – Paraa wildlife track, another called the Hartbeest is going to be situated just close to the Nile Delta whereas two others going to be located at the beginning of one for most popular wildlife tracks – Buligi which leads into the Nile Delta.

This region is teeming with hundreds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and giraffes offering one of the most magnificent biodiverse areas in the world, which makes Murchison Falls National Park so popular among tourists visiting the country.

During a meeting on the 4^th of August, the stakeholders in the Tourism Industry wanted to know from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) – The body charged by Government to ensure the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country the fate of Buligi wildlife track. They wanted to know whether the track would be closed off to tourists during the testing for oil. This was because during the testing Giraffe1 and Baffaloe1 wells from the months of November 2008 – May 2009, the Buligi track was closed off to tourists.

However, the officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority were able to allay these fears, promising the Safari Lodge owners and Tour Operators that this time round, the wildlife circuit will remain open to tourists who don’t mind the exploration activities taking place in the region. During the exploration there will be stages when the activities could be disruptive to game drives and the effects of the oil spillage cannot be estimated at this moment.

Alternative Wildlife Circuits

However, this would leaves out tourists who want to do game drives and wildlife tracking in undisturbed and pristine environments. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials are considering alternative circuits to this class of tourists.

UWA is considering using the second section of the Buligi track which is still free from oil exploration to run a bridge from Paraa Safari Lodge all along the Nile River to the Buligi circuit.

Another alternative that was being floated is a circuit that connects the Chobe-Pakuba road to Tangi gate

These alternatives would mean that the Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA constructs about 3-4 bridges across the River which would require funds that the body does not have at the moment.

However, these suggested circuits are tracks that were used in the 1960’s and were closed due to the insecurity that was a part of the political instability that the country was facing. However, with the increased number of visitors to the National park and the improved security these circuits will be re-opened.

From 2003 the number of tourist’s visitors to Murchison Falls National Park was 3,000 compared to about 40,000 tourists last year. Mr. Moses Mapesa the Chairman of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said that the increased security and number of visitors to the park has created the possibility of opening up new tourist activities liking white water rafting and sport fishing as well as an increased number of circuits.

The Wildlife Body which was in a catch 22 situation said the oil exploration could be used as leverage to bargain for the fast-tracking of all these other proposed activities for the development of the park.

According to Mr. Moses Mapesa the Wildlife Body together with the oil companies would create a trust fund considering the Oil Companies would have a vested interest and an obligation to support the conservation of will in a transparent and sustainable way.

The Movement of Wildlife

Conservationists on the other hand are worried that the movement of vehicles, lights in the night and noise from the drilling oils would cause a great disturbance to the animals leading to their migration into possibly unprotected areas in the villages around the conservation area. This would jeopardize their population and might incite the villagers into poaching and bush meat hunting.

According to the General Manager of Paraa Safari Lodge Mr. Kenneth Mugira, the earlier explorations of the Baffalo1 and Girraffe1 wells caused the animals to migrate.

They are however, not so sure as which directions the animals might take as there’s the Nile River in West and South. This leaves the East and North villages of Amuru districts where they might wreck havoc as they did earlier in the year. Earlier and late last year there were herds and rogue elephants that terrorized villages to the district, destroying gardens and people’s homes.

Environmental Degradation
The environmental degradation caused by the oil companies is another thing that is worrying conversationists.  Despite the Environment Impact Assessment that was carried out prior to the oil exploration by Heritage at Buffalo1, the area looks like huge abandoned construction site.

Heritage Oil had previously promised to restore the area however, the road that was graded and the clearings for the machinery and trucks parking is still like an open sore in the National park.

The testing of oil at the Buffalo1 site three months ago has left an area the size of about two soccer pitches almost barren although Heritage Oil tried in vain to plant some grass. According to Mr. Mapesa there are a number of issues that the company has to rectify such as soil degradation, toxic waste materials and all.

There is however still a number of unanswered questions such as the possibility of laying oil pipelines across the park should commercial drilling of oil or gas begin once viable amounts of oil have been found. The well at Buffalo1 and Giraffe1 were found to contain more gas than oil.

The is also the question of whether oil trucks or tankers that might be used to transport the oil through the park.
Balancing Tourism and Petroleum

The lure of petrol dollars is way too strong and the Uganda Wildlife Authority has definitely decided that exploration of the oil wells will go ahead. However, the stakeholders in the Tourism industry suggested that this should be done one at a time to mitigate the disturbance that would be caused to the conservation area. This is because each exploration site needs roads, camps and other support infrastructure.

Tourism is one of the country’s highest income earners and striking a balance between oil and tourism is definitely a worthwhile effort. Last year the number of tourists visiting the country shot up to 840,000 and considering that each tourist spends on average $750, Government would do well to enable enhance tourism while embarking on oil exploration.

Earlier in the year Mr. Mapesa was accused of blocking the exploration of oil in the Semliki wildlife reserve and Kabwoya game reserve. It was said he resisted efforts to de-gazette these reserves, however, the President later during a meeting defended him saying that oil is not renewal and would be gone in 30 – 50 years however, the animals if managed properly can be with us for years to come, ensuring that we continue to earn revenue for future generations

UWA starts New Tourist Activity in Mount Elgon

Mount Elgon is a major trekking mountain in East Africa. The famed Mount Elgon is a huge volcano with the largest crater peaks in Africa and famously known as one of the major trekking mountains in East Africa. It is less crowded with a few people on the slopes so there are great chances of spotting wildlife, waterfalls on the slopes, and hot springs to soak in inside the crater.

However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced mountain bike riding in Mountain Elgon National Park as a new tourist activity to enable tourists who visit the park to relax as they enjoy being part of the park activities. The assistant warden at the national park, Mr Stephen Nyadru, while speaking at the launch on Friday, said the move is aimed at attracting more tourists. He said activities will include traversing of rocks, washouts, and steep declines, on dirt trails, logging roads, and gravel roads that wind along lazy streams through forested valleys or trails that climb up steep mountainsides; and other unpaved environments.

“This is the first time we are introducing this form of tourism. We feel that after climbing the mountain, usually tourists remain dull during descending so this will be able to give them another exercise down the hills as a modern form of tourism in Uganda,” said Mr Nyadru.He also said that the new activity complements other old tourist’s attractions. They include scenic peaks, gorges, hot-springs, magnificent waterfalls, caves, and flora & fauna.

Others are the talking tree along in Kapkwai, and the caldera and crater lakes/pools. The Mt. Elgon area conservation manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said on the first day of launching, the park earned Shs12 million from Ireland bikers – Concern Worldwide – who were on a tri-adventure of Mt Elgon. Mr James Mcmanas, the expedition leader of about 17 bikers from Concern worldwide Ireland, said mountain bike or mountain bicycle (MTB) created for off-road cycling, makes Mt Elgon now a place to go for all bikers.

Climbing the mountain is an experience not soon forgotten and when you combine it with biking it becomes more interesting. If you enjoy mountaineering, Elgon is a place to be.

Cyclist Killed By Rogue Elephant in Murchison Falls Park

The local community around Murchison Falls National Park has been complaining lately about marauding elephants crossing the park boundaries into their precious gardens to eat and destroy their crops.

During a recent incident when locals were chasing away an elephant that had strayed out of the park into their gardens at around 9pm, a 35 year old cyclist Mr. Charles Okello Otyem was very unfortunate to ram into the elephant as it was crossing the road. According to eye witnesses due to the speed at which Mr. Otyem was riding he died instantly. The incident happened at the village of Gwara as Mr. Otyem was riding from the trading center of Diima to the town of Karuma all of which border Murchison Falls National Reserve.

For a longtime now the local community around the park has been complaining to the Uganda Wildlife Authority about the marauding elephants to no avail. Uganda Wildlife Authority the body charged with protecting wildlife in Uganda has not compensated the locals in any way or managed to control the elephants.

Tom Okello the Chief Warden of the Murchison Falls Game Park told the press the Uganda Wildlife Authority regrets the incident and has given food and a coffin to the family of the deceased to help meet the burial expenses. The Chief Warden also appealed to the local community to help Uganda Wildlife Authority in caring for the wildlife in and around the national park.

The local leaders including the Member of Parliament of Nwoya district Mr. Todwong Richard have appealed to the government to help in compensating the local communities whose property and crops have been destroyed by the marauding elephants.

Murchison Falls is the largest national park in Uganda and one of the most visited by tourists. It has wide range of both plant and animal species. However, there has been a high level of poaching by the local communities around the national park and if left unchecked could adversely affect the high volume of tourists visiting the Park. A Murchison falls tour includes a visit to the top of the falls from which the park derives its name as well as birding watching, sport fishing and wildlife game drives.