Majority of the tourist who made there African safaris and had Uganda as one of there destination in this year have written marvelous reports about there stay in Uganda in particular.  One of the clients called Clarisa said “I have been to many countries during my holiday but my dream safari has been fulfilled in Uganda. I booked a Uganda Holiday in July but the care, honesty and courtesy I desired to have at the end of my holiday has been granted to me in Uganda. I will live to talk about this dream……” such a statement is one of the few gratuities that Uganda Tours have gained from the rest of the world. This has prompted me to write about the successful year that Uganda has achieved in the tourism sector despite being a year for elections.

Uganda tourism has also gained a step after it was granted its own ministry and that means more funds will be a warded to the sector for better development. Professionalism has been another step taken by Uganda tourism after tour guides were taken to the field for training to gain more skills. Majority have been operating with no license and others learnt from the job. I think Uganda has hope of a better tourism in 2012.

Uganda safaris have brighter tomorrow if the steps taken this year to uplift there existence are left to grow. an applause to the tourism stake holders.

Gorilla Trekking News

Hon Balala said that the growth is higher than the global and regional rate of 4.5% and 4% respectively and if this trend continues, we expect this year to close at about 1.3 million arrivals by air and sea compared to last year’s 1.1 million.

Certainly, the predicted tourism receipts for the period ending October 2011 ended with Kshs. 81.96 Billion compared to Kshs 56.72 Billion in the similar period last year.

Hon. Balala continued to say that if this trend is sustained and taking into account the drop of the Kenya Shilling that the country has been under going, it then means that the country can be able to hit the Kshs 100 billion by the end of the year in terms of tourism earnings. He continued to point out that tourism performance in 2011 has shown positive growth from all source markets with growth from traditional markets experiencing less growth than expected. This, the minister attributed it to the Euro Zone crisis Coming at a time when the country is dealing with its boarder securities, the minister said emerging markets were the driver of the total growth with most of them recording above 40% growth: The markets he noted include UAE (46.8%), Poland (62.9%), Russia (46.6%), Czech Republic (51.6%) and Hungary (42.1%). This the minister observed was a clear indicator that the market diversification efforts were bearing fruit.

As for the general regional tourism markets which include the booking of Uganda safaris, Rwanda Holidays to mention but a few, markets have also shown an incredible growth. Uganda in particular has maintained its lead in the in flow of tourist to the African region, recording 36,030 inbound visitors, 36.5% growth compared to the same period in 2010. Following closely, is South Africa that recorded 31,355 arrivals a 13.5% growth compared to the same period in 2010. Tanzania came in third place, with 28,435 arrivals, a 11.3% growth from the same period in 2010.

Even if 2012 is a year for an election in Kenya, the minister has promised a positive tourism impact on the growth of Kenya’s tourism sector. He mentioned that it will continue to be improved because of the arrival of new chartered and scheduled airlines especially from the new markets. some of the spotted out airlines include Novair (Sweden) and Pegas Touristik (Russia) which have already operating regular flights to Mombasa. Others that have committed themselves to start flying into Kenya from early next year include Air Korea, Southern China Airlines, Jordanian Airlines and Etiha

Gorilla Trekking News

It was noted that hundreds of angry Protestors fought with police on Thursday for more than seven hours and that denied about 300 tourists access to the park through Sekenani Gate.

Locals have for the last three weeks been carrying out demonstrations to oppose the resolution made by the Narok County Council of signing a ten-year contract with Equity Bank to collect revenue at the Reserve on its behalf. These people cut off the busy Narok-Mara road using boulders, trees and burning tyres. They also set to flame the solar panel equipment the bank had fixed at the gate to monitor revenue collection.

One of the demonstrator shouted out that “This will be our daily duty until the deal is cancelled. How can a few individuals decide how our only resource is going to be managed?”

This affected the tourist in return who complained that they had missed game drives and other excursions. They put the blamed to the Government that has taken too long to calm down the situation.

For tourists who still want their tour, are being driven into the reserve amid tight security, as Kenya tour guides appealed to Tourism Minister Najib Balala succumb to the protestor’s demands.

Andrew Mungatana announced that if nothing is done, there will be massive cancellations ahead of the Christmas holidays. The minister should intervene and if the Government finds it fit to reverse the controversial deal, it should do so in the interest of the sector, the Vice Chairman of Tour Guides and Drivers Association.

Kenya Safaris have been one of the most sought after in East Africa this demonstration  needs to be put down to keep the position it has held for several year.

Gorilla Trekking News

This Hippo has been living for 29-year-old and had been named Elizabeth. The animal has been a victim of pneumonia. This was clearly confirmed by the post-mortem examination report done by a Kenya Wildlife Service veterinarian called Dr Edward Kariuki. He said that the animal was infected by a bacterial at the animal welfare facility.

To keep its memory for those who book Kenya safaris particularly to see this hippo like the way Tourist book Uganda Safaris to see the Mountain gorillas, some of the remains of the animal have been well well-preserved for mounting and stuffing . They are currently kept at the Nairobi Safari Walk museum for future generations. Great hope for Kenya Tourism as other Kenya Safari attractions is added to the list.

The commonly seen specie of hippos is the Nile hippo, which is commonly seen to East Africa, the pygmy hippo is mainly seen in the isolated pockets of West African forests and swamps of the Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and probably Nigeria and Guinea.it is unfortunate that this type of hippo is known to be among the severely threatened species. This is attributed to constant deforestation and bush meat hunting with an approximated 2,000-3,000 individuals still living in the whole world. The World Conservation Union backed up this suspicion. The IUCN also added that the survival of the species in captivity is more assured than in the wild.

What is known about these Pygmy hippos is that, they are usually threatened by loss of habitat, as forests are cut down and turned to farmland, and are also taken as a poaching ground for wild meat and natural predators.

Kenya has struggled to keep up its tourism attractions, hope that this loss has not affected Tourists who book Kenya Safaris with one of their objectives being the desire to see hippos

Gorilla Trekking News

Madeleine Westwood the proprietor and director discovered an affordable, sustainable and eco-friendly way of bringing film to even the smallest of villages and came up with The Pedal-Powered Cinema Project.

Related to other initiatives propping up in cities across the UK, the technology is somewhat basic, with the back wheel of a stationary bike fed into a generator, which then powers the projector and sound system. also by using the pedal-powered cinema standards, the screenings taking place across this part of East Africa are simple affairs, with just two children’s mountain bikes hooked up to the system and a single guitar amp giving out the vocal. This means that the entire cinema can be set up and broken by a team of two in a flash of time. However, its lightweight is enough to carry up to most hilltop villages, yet satisfactorily robust to withstand the bumps and potholes of a real road in country sides of Uganda.

However it’s not only a matter of the bikes being cost friendly or greener to run than a petrol generator. Actually like in London or New York, the victory of the pedal-powered cinema is due in no small part to both its oddness and its ability to give an additional element of audience participation to a screening. In short: hook up a petrol-powered generator in a school in Kisoro district to show a film on Mountain gorillas and most of the school’s pupils will attend. But do the same using pedal power instead and their teachers, parents and grandparents as well as native officials will not only come along as well, but they’ll even congest up for a turn on the bikes.

From the time the project was launched, around 43,000 children in addition to several thousand adults have been able to attend a screening. Several of them saw this for the first time. They got the first chance to see the images of Mountain gorillas, even if live on the outskirts of Bwindi national park which was set up to protect the great apes. The organizer called Westwood said that the screenings are not just fashionable, but they are one of the measures that have been used to spread the conservation gospel to the local community. It is a better way of teaching people about the plight of the Mountain Gorillas and their natural habitat, although the mating scenes tend to be the most interesting to both children and adults.

Incorporating the local community in the conservation initiative is very reasonable and a better idea. The importance of mountain gorillas will be understood by the local community to

Gorilla Trekking News

Dr Sander Gurbuz   the ambassador of Turkey to Tanzania unveiled this  during a farewell party organized by the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) to thank him for his continuous support to the latter country’s tourism sector. He mentioned that he played a great part in convincing his home country to put up an embassy in Tanzania something that helped to attracted several tourists from Turkey to Tanzania.

Dr Sander also said that his tight cooperation with tourism authorities that include TTB and the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) became successful when more Turkish businessmen flew into Tanzania adding on the country’s foreign exchange earnings. He mentioned that with his personal efforts, there are presently direct flights from Istanbul to Dar es Salaam launched in mid last year that have helped to bring the two countries more closer to each other.

In his personal remarks, he said that “personally wanted to stay much longer but I have to go back to my home country and engage in a number of other developmental activities. The relationship with the country will not end here though. I and my government will continue to play a big role in Tanzania’s tourism,” this was a heart felt remark. He added “The country has big tourism potentials. There is no doubt that with a concrete plan to advertise such potentials, the number of tourists eyeing Tanzania will increase simultaneously,” he said.

If other outside countries have started appreciating Tanzania safaris, Kenya Holidays and Uganda Safaris, then east African tourism is soon going to top the table of the most sought after tourism destinations.

Day 1: Ngamba Island and City Tour

Early in the morning, our safari guide will be ready to welcome you and drive you Entebbe. You will head to the pier to Uganda wildlife Education center (UWEC) who will transfer you to the pier for the boat ride/ boat cruise. Ngamba Island is famous for being a home to orphaned, abandoned and rescued chimpanzees. They are being catered for by the Jane Good all institute. You arrive in time for feeding and you watch the chimpanzees feed from the pier. Later you can walk around the sanctuary or return to the land for a trek through in Uganda wildlife Education Center. Head to your lodge for dinner and overnight at:
Luxury Accommodation: Serena Hotel/ Sheraton Hotel/ Imperial Royale Hotel
Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Africana/Hotel Triangle/Cassia Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Namirembe Guest House/Holiday Express Hotel/ Makerere Guest House

Day 2: Drive To Kibale National Park

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to Kibale National Park. This charming drive lasts approximately 5-6 hours. You will pass via the Kampala fort portal road.  Get a stopover in Fort portal town for lunch prior to heading to the park premises. Kibale National park is the home for chimpanzees which are at times mistaken to be human cousins in the animal kingdom. They live like human beings and behave like them at times. Check in at your lodge and in case time allows, you will go for a guided walk in Bigodi Swamp to search several bird species like the Shining Blue Kingfisher, Blue Throated Roller to mention but a few. Dinner and Overnight at:
Luxury Accommodation:  Ndali Safari Lodge / Primates Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodation: Rwenzori View Guest House / Chimps Nest Lodge
Budget Accommodation: CVK Camp Site Or Its Equivalent

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking

After your early morning breakfast, move to the ranger station for briefing about your next expedition. The chimpanzees keep trekking form one area to another as they search for food and others move in case one member of the family is dead. Your ranger will lead you into the moist forest for the great search and you may get hear the chimpanzees hoot before getting to see them. Use the entire morning to search for the apes in the forest tracking the charming apes. On the way, you may have the chance of meeting other primates like the red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest, blue monkey, grey mangabey, pottos, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons. Birds also meet your eyes.  Come back to the lodge in time for lunch. In case you are not so tied, you may enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organization was started in 1992 with the major aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. In addition, the swamp is a habitat to more than 137 bird species and it is also rich in vegetation, like wild palms, figs and the dominant papyrus. Dinner and overnight at lodge of your choice.

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you get into the park, you may have the chance for meeting animals like buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, elands, waterbucks, bush bucks and so many others. Queen Elizabeth national park was named a biosphere reserve by UNESCO because of the wonderful wildlife that it harbors. The vegetation is incredible ranging from the open Savannah to Rain Forest, dense Papyrus Swamps and brooding Crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.  Enjoy a launch cruise on the Kazinga channel where you may get the chance of viewing some of the listed animals as they congregate around kanzinga channel to quench their thirst warthogs, Hippos, crocodiles, Buffaloes, Spotted Hyena, Elephants, the elusive Giant Forest Hog, the birds always flock the area like cattle egrets, the Swallow Tailed Bee Eaters, Black Chested Eagle, the Martial Eagle, hummer kop, black-rumped buttonquail, Verreaux’s eagle owl and African skimmer, king fisher  to mention but a few. Dinner and overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana Lodge/ Katara Lodge/Kyambura Lodge
Mid- Range Accommodation: Ihamba Lodge/ Hippo Hill Camp/King Fisher Lodge
Budget Accommodation; Simba Safari Camp/ Institute Of Ecology

Day 5: Game Dive and Chimpanzee Trekking

Get up early in the morning for a game drive in the crater lakes region. You will have the chance of seeing animals like hyenas, lions leopards, water bucks, bush bucks, Uganda kobs, bufallos, elephants, warthogs to mention but a few. Return to the lodge for late day breakfast and relax as you wait for your lunch. Head to the kyambura gorge for the great search of the chimpanzees.  These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are amazing to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.

Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Having taken your breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. On your way, you will have a game drive in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park situated in the southern part of the park, renowned for harboring tree climbing lions. Carry on to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for about 3-5 hours drive. This park has a thick forest which is moist and one of the few survivors of the prehistoric period.  The most common species in this park are the Mountain Gorillas. They live in the Montane Forest also with magnificent birds of which, there are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics. Relax as you prepare for the following day expedition.  Dinner and overnight at:
Luxury Accommodation; Gorilla Forest lodge/ Mahogany springs Lodge/ Gorilla Safari lodge
Mid-range Accommodation: Wag tail lodge/ Lake Kitandara camp
Budget accommodation: Buhoma community bandas/ Bwindi view Guest house 

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking.

After your breakfast, carry your tracking gears and packed food then head to the ranger station for a wonderful search. You are advised to wear long trousers and tracking boots because their are stinging nestles in the forest and the ground is quite boggy. After briefing, the ranger guide will be ready into lead you into the forest for the great search. On the way, you will be entertained by other apes like red Colobus monkey, the rare L’Hoest, blue monkey, grey mangabey, pottos, black faced vervet monkeys, baboons and the birds also call out to you as if they are familiar with you. The time you get to meet the mountain gorillas is unpredictable because of their constant movement as they search for food and and others keep playing from the vines especially the young ones. When you get to meet them, you will forget the tedious moments that you have previously and be filled with joy. Spend just an hour of excitement with them and return to your lodge to relax or In case you are not so tired, go for a guided village walk to visit the Local Batwa Community. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.

Day 8: Drive back to Kampala

Following your early morning breakfast, drive return back to Kampala to catch up with your flight back home

In the past, Uganda was taken to be just the source of the great Nile but after discovering its potentials, it is now a destination that one has to visit before he/she dies.  These are great stories to talk about plus interesting features to see in the shortest time. It is only time that separates you from getting what is available. Many of the Uganda Holiday spots are situated in the south western part of Uganda, eastern and the Northern part of Uganda.

As you get ready to enjoy a Uganda Tour the following are some of the places that you are to come across in case you are to stay for some time after or during your Uganda Holiday.

Bwindi National Impenetrable Park where Mountain gorillas live, Murchison falls national park which is a habitat for animals like giraffes, buffalos, waterbucks, bush backs to mention but a few, Queen Elizabeth National park where tree climbing lions are famously spotted, Lake Mburo National park where Zebras can be seen easily, Kibale National park where chimpanzee trekking is the main activity, Kidepo valley national Park where ostriches are commonly seen, Semliki national Park where night game drives are possible and the game reserves.

All of the Uganda Holidays mentioned above give you the chance of enjoying a memorable African safari. It is a matter of time for you to choose which kind of safari you desire and get the best out of your choice. Remember you only carry dreams of the Uganda Safari and leave the destination untouched

When you start your Uganda Safari, it is common to almost all Uganda Safari companies that you are picked from your overnight hotel and driven to the destination by the company’s guide. In case you are traveling to the western part of Uganda, you have a common road that is Kampala- Mbarara road where you have incredibly interesting features to see. Uganda is one of the lucky countries to possess the Equator line and at the point where it is suspected to be crossing Uganda, you may have a stopover for photography, stand in the both sides of the earth and perform the water experiment. You carry on passing the undulating hills that are decorated with green vegetation. The farm lands on the way are very interesting to look at. Finally arrive at the premises of any of the following parks. Bwindi national park, Lake Mburo national Park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Semliki national park, Kibale national park, Rwenzori national park plus some game reserves.

Most of these parks are situated in the forested areas and grass lands where fresh air away from the dusty and starchy smelling urban environment is   a dream. As you move into the parks, the grounds are generally muddy or dusty because the roads are not tarmacked. The vegetation is awesome and wildlife is dotted at almost every part of the park. The majority have crater lakes in there premises and punched grasslands. Those with luxuriant forests are always cool and littered with birds of various species.
What an adventure that awaits you on a Uganda Safari.

Some of the species present include: yellow-backed weaver, blue headed coucal, white winged warbler, papyrus gonolek, northern Brown throated weaver, athe shoe bill stock is mainly found in the sky and down on the marsh, swamp flycatcher, African water rail, common moorhen, lesser jacana, African pygmy, blue reasted bee eater, goliath heron, winding cisticola, black crake, African purple swamphen to mention but a few.

To get the best satisfaction of your Uganda Birding holiday, this area should not miss on the Uganda Safari package.