PRIME SAFARIS AND TOURS AFRICA

The Rwand a safari destination is destined for touching the sky when the efforts of upgrading Kamembe Airport in the western province materialize. The sum of Rwf 5.1 billion has been already earmarked to facilitate the commencement of this exercise in November, 2014. This is targeting the expansion of the Airport runway from 1.5km to 2.2km in order to enable the big crafts carrying those coming for safaris in Rwanda to land and also to decongest the Airport which will in turn create conducive atmosphere for the Rwanda safari undertakers thus winning their first impression. Tourism is seen as the main reason behind this upgrade in that the government of Rwanda is determined to making the up country tourist sites accessible. With consideration that Rwanda is a land locked country, it is very significant to enhance air travel so as to enable easy transfer of those planning safaris to Rwanda . The sixth month Airport up grading project is to be executed by the China Road...

Tourism is basically a set of activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes. The term usual environment is intended to exclude trips with in the area of usual residence, frequent and regular trips between domicile and the work place and other community trips of routine character. People have been undertaking safaris to Uganda on such purposes thus leading to tourism development in the country. Interestingly to note is that currently, tourism is the leading export earner for Uganda taking over the traditional earners like remittances from abroad and coffee as per the August 2014 monetary policy statement by the Bank of Uganda. This automatically shows that there has been substantial increase in the number of those undertaking Uganda safaris . The tourism sector generated $1.4bn in the financial year 2013/14 rising from $1.1bn fetched in the year 20...

On 27th September, 2014, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Tourism Day – an annual event that is jubilated worldwide. The celebrations were to mark the contribution of those who undertake safaris in Uganda since they form the wheels that keep tourism in Uganda moving. The celebrations were conducted in Mbale with Tourism and Community Development as the theme. This features the contribution of tourism to development of sustainable livelihoods among the locals at the destination. The local communities have to take advantage of tourism that brings for them jobs, market for their produce and cross cultural interaction with Uganda safari undertakers. The celebrations for World Tourism Day in Uganda are arranged on regional basis to enhance community awareness of the significance of tourism and encourage them to exploit their potential so as to benefit from those that plan safaris to Uganda . It is against this background that animals were seen pa...

The Uganda safari National Park of Lake Mburo is located in the traditional rangelands of the Bahima pastoralists who inhabited the area right from the pre-colonial era. The area is comprised of an open savannah landscape dotted with scattered species of acacia wood which provided a perfect grazing ground for the Ankole Long horned Cattle, the unique breed of the Bahima which can be seen while on safari in Uganda . Nshaara area like the whole of Ankole was hit by the Rinder pest epidemic which led to the massive loss of livestock and the resultant famine that claimed the good number of human lives. The decreased grazing pressure that resulted from decrease in cattle numbers led to the regeneration of vegetation and bushes in particular which ultimately resulted in the outbreak of tse tse fly infestation of 1910. The combination of these led to migration of the people particularly the Bahima pastoralists to other areas abandoning their traditional rangeland. As a result...

Positioned in Nkuringo area of the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge is an upmarket facility that has set its self to arrest the worries of the upmarket Uganda gorilla safari undertakers. Standing at 2,000 meters in elevation, the Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge has got the stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes that stretch from Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda to Rwanda famously known to inhabit the world’s endangered mountain gorillas alongside Uganda’s Impenetrable National Park of Bwindi. The clouds mountain gorilla lodge is a distinguished luxurious accommodation unit with magnificent architecture, spacious villas coupled with the ultimate friendly staff, the cozy atmosphere both internal and external all of which combine to satisfy the interests of travellers on gorilla safaris in Uganda .  The modern bar and restaurant serving three course meals, fire place, health spa, spacious lou...

The Virunga massifs that comprise of various volcanic ranges have been set as a gazette of Virunga Conservation Area by interstates of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The area is covered by the National Parks of Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda and Virunga in Democratic Republic of Congo. Not only are these areas known for the populations of mountain gorillas which have formed the base for gorilla trekking , the Virunga area is also known for sheltering the rare and endangered golden monkeys that only exist in this area which have also formed the basis for golden monkey tracking. The golden monkeys are descendants of ancestral monkeys and belong to the group of primates. They are endowed with stunning golden skins and unique nose structure which always leave travellers on safari in Rwanda who wish to do golden monkey tracking in state of happiness. The golden monkeys dwell mostly in the bamboo zone on the slopes of these volcanic highlands ...

The wholesalers of Uganda safari products – call them tour operators have petitioned the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga over the building of Isimba Dam project. Under their Umbrella Save Adventure Tourism in Uganda (SATU) – one of the leading associations that are meant to champion the adventure safaris to Uganda , the tour operators have remarked that the project that is to be set up between Jinja and Kayunga districts would greatly impact on the adventure safaris in Uganda. In this regard, the tour operators recognize the significance of electricity generation and its role in the national economic development but also put in consideration the harm that this project could pose to the adventure tourism in Uganda. Thus, to balance the two, the tour operators in their petition propose that the government consider downsizing from the set dam level of 1: 1055 masl to 3: 1043 masl. The  government proposed level would affect the Uganda safar...

The Ssese islands are among the magnificent Uganda safari holiday islands that are found within the fresh waters of Lake Victoria.  Accessing the Ssese islands has been all along by water and the relevance of MV Kalangala ferry cannot be skipped regarding its transfer role. The fate of this ferry that used to transfer travellers undertaking safaris in Uganda to Ssese islands is surrounded by mystery after its grounding for close to one year at Mwanza port in Tanzania. What to worry about is that the ferry was supposed to be there for three months for repairs but unfortunately it is coming to a year without returning home. People allege that the engineers were demanding a lot of money inform of debts from the Government of Uganda prompting their reluctance over the ferry repair. However, the authorities say that the ferry requires more new parts as it had been worn out than the initially expected which prompted the government to first undergo the process of pro...

Positioned in the district of Buyende 30km from the town of Kamuli, the Uganda safari feature of Kagulu hill stands high above other ordinary hills at an elevation of 10,000ft above the sea level. Kagulu hill is such a stunning feature that any traveller on safari in Uganda would be gifted to undertake provided he/she is chanced to know about it. Traditionally standing with in the principality of Bugabula in the Kingdom of Busoga, the huge protruding rock has got a rich cultural significance to the people of Busoga as evidenced by the existence of the caretakers that have lived on its foot hills for centuries past. This Uganda safari adventure site is noted to have been the first settlement center for the migrant Basoga who the folks have it that they entered Uganda via the East. The rock has got some disposition to the Chwezi heritage and sometimes the caretakers receive supernatural interventions from the hill top and get visions to share with other local people which ...

Located in Ruhija region of the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi impenetrable National park, Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge stands in a calm scenic and beautiful natural environment of the pre-historic forest of Bwindi thus providing a perfect overnight stay for travellers on gorilla safari in Uganda. Not only does the Ruhija gorilla safari lodge offer great scenic views of the forest, it is a ground through which any Uganda safari undertaker can enjoy the melodies of birds, insects, butterflies and the unexpected visits of mountain gorillas and monkeys. The lodge is in Ruhija which is about 50 km from Kabale and about 58 km from Buhoma – the northern sector which is another famous region for gorilla tracking in Bwindi . The region is a home to the gorilla groups of oruzogo and Bitukura that are well habituated to track while on gorilla safaris in Uganda thus staying at Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge provides a ground for this lifetime adventure. The lodge has modern faci...

These precious apes that are always encountered on gorilla safaris in Uganda comprise the eponymous genus Gorilla, the large sized primate genus in terms of physical expression. Gorillas are predominantly land dwelling animals which largely forage on vegetation and no wonder they inhabit the forest tracts of Bwindi and the Virunga Volcanoes – the world’s re-known gorilla trekking destinations. Belonging to the Subspecies; Gorilla. beringei beringei, Species; Gorilla beringei, Genus; Gorilla, Family; Hominidae, Order; Primates, Class; Mammalia, Phylum; Chordata, Kingdom; Animalia, Mountain gorillas – the current prime Uganda safari products are posterities of ancestral monkeys and apes that dwelled in the vast lands of Africa and Arabia at the onset of the Oligocene epoch approximately 34 – 24 million years ago. The fossil evidence to support the existence of hominoid apes in East Africa date back to over 18 – 22 million years ago which shows that the flourishing of gor...

At the onset of 2014, the three East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya reached an arrangement to position themselves as a single tourism destination by launching a single tourist Visa though little was detailed on how the line implementers would achieve this. Upon this background, the tour and travel operators met last week in a meeting championed by the leading hotel investor in the region – The Serena Hotels, and the national carrier of Rwanda – Air Rwanda to boost their understanding and knowledge of the attractions in the region including those encountered on Uganda safaris. This was aimed at diversifying the knowledge of the travel and tour agents regarding the safari products that are offered in the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya among which include; gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, Chimpanzee trekking safaris , Wildlife safaris and cultural safaris such that they can expand beyond borders. The single tourist visa stands at $...

Rwanda is one of the African countries that are frequently visited by tourists due to its multitude of attractions and activities that range from gorilla trekking   wildlife safaris. The range of protected areas such as Nyungwe, Akagera and Volcanoes give Rwanda safari undertakers a memorable safari in Rwanda. However, despite of the recorded tourism developments, a lot remain unexploited among which include the rich historic sites such as the Utubindi Twa Rubona. These Rwanda safari offers are situated in Tubindi village, Gatsibo district 4 km off the road to Nyagatare from Kayonza.  The Utubindi Twa Rubona is pot-like holes without necks and rims and appears in cluster form. These amazing features that can be seen while on safari in Rwanda date back to the pre-colonial Rwanda and are thought to have been made by King Ruganzu II Ndoli as he was coming back from Karagwe – northern Tanzania. It is reported that when the King and his entourage reached at this plac...

The eastern region of Uganda is one of the destinations that are always encountered on Uganda safari. There are various tourism products ranging from Mount Elgon National Park with its range of wildlife, amazing landscapes, bird species and vegetation to Sipi falls, the ancient caves that are found in the area; cultural encounters like the Imbalu festival an ancient practice of the Bagisu and the Ndorobos with their bull fighting events all which combine to satisfy the interests of those on safari in Uganda . The tourism week is celebrated worldwide marking the contribution of tourism to the world economy that is expressed in terms of foreign exchange generation, market for local products, job opportunities among other aspects and since Uganda is one of those prime destinations with gorilla safaris , wildlife safaris, Chimpanzee trekking safaris , adventure tours, cultural safaris among others which has made tourism the country’s chief export, it is worth joining other...

Fast Jet one of the re-known African low cost airlines has launched flight links between Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania’s Dar-es Salaam and Entebbe International Airport – the main gateway to Uganda. This is great move towards increasing safaris to Uganda since transport is considered among the main components of travel industry and holiday undertaking. The launch of such low cost carrier to operate a direct link between these two nodes which has not been in existence before at a fare of $50 and can be regarded as a great move to cheap transport for those wishing to undertake safaris in Uganda . Commencing its operations in this month of September, the Fast Jet will be operating two times a week namely; Tuesdays and Thursdays for the start but will subsequently increase to four flights in a week from 29 th September, 2014 thus increasing the transfer of Uganda safari travellers. The launch of Fast Jet is believed to stimulate tourism in the region whi...

The Iby’ iwachu cultural village is a famous Rwanda safari center where the travellers undertaking safaris to Rwanda are able to encounter the Kinyarwanda Culture. Located in Musaze district in the cell of Nyabigoma adjacent to the gorilla trekking haven of        Volcanoes National Park, the Iby’ iwachu cultural village encounter is regarded as an extra activity that is always incorporated in the Rwanda gorilla safari . Established to derive an alternative livelihood for the former poachers and the communities surrounding the Volcanoes National Park while enhancing conservation and cultural preservation, the Iby’ iwachu cultural village has lived to achieve this dream as many people of which some were former poachers are engaged in a range of activities including making of handicrafts, pottery, visitor guiding, among other things of touristic interest which in turn sustains their lives without looking for survival in the adjacent protected ...

Rwanda is located in east central Africa with a blend of Central African Jungle and the East African savannah. Rwanda has three National Parks including; the Volcanoes National Park well known for gorilla trekking safaris , Nyungwe National Park – well known for Chimpanzee trekking safaris and Akagera National Park – well known for wildlife safaris. These National parks are the most hot spots that are always encountered by travellers while undertaking safaris in Rwanda. Lions form the Big 5 land animals and these unique and threatening species used to inhabit the Akagera National Park and used to among the prime Rwanda safari products before they faced extinction whose cause has been a question of the time. It can be noted that by 1990, Rwanda had about 300 lions as noted by An American conservationist, Charlene Jendry who had made a safari to Rwanda during that time. On her return in 1995, Jendry notes that the protected area had changed and the Big cats’ number wa...

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a public body responsible for managing the protected areas and ensuring their sustainable use has announced the amazing discounted gorilla permits for the month of November for the Uganda safari undertakers that could be interested in gorilla trekking safaris . Gorilla trekking permits are a requirement for all gorilla safari undertakers who wish to visit the mountain gorilla havens of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park all in south western Uganda. It is a card issued at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Headquarters on Kira Road, Kampala or at the Park Headquarters for the case of Mgahinga which allows you to participate in the gorilla tracking activities. For all along, the permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda stand at a cost of 600USD each for Foreign Non Resident, 500USD for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. Therefore it is quite interesting to hear that the gorilla safari p...

Tourism is the main export earner for Uganda thus being considered as one of the major drivers of the economic growth and development in Uganda. Tourism takes pride in the number of Uganda safari travellers that undertake various activities like gorilla trekking , wildlife safaris and Chimpanzee trekking . There are various ways through which the government is applying to increase the returns of tourism partly through increasing safaris to Uganda. Getting Miss Tourism Uganda and Miss Tourism in deferent regions is seen as means to develop tourism basing on regional clusters. This Saturday, the regional town of Jinja is in a hot encounter as it hosts the final gala first of its kind regarding Miss Tourism Busoga pageant. This event is one of the lively events that the eastern region will ever have and no wonder it has pulled the interests of Important people such as the Speaker of Ugandan Parliament Rabecca Kadaga who also serves as the Patron of the Busoga Tourism Init...

Nkuringo gorilla family is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – one of the prime destinations highly sought on Uganda safari. The family is found in Nkuringo area and consists of 19 members and 2 silverbacks. It started receiving visitors on gorilla tracking activity in 2004 after 2 years of habituation. It is one of the challenging gorilla families to track while on Uganda gorilla safaris in Bwindi.It is unfortunate that Nkuringo gorilla family has lost one of its family members called Karibu. Karibu, a young silverback is said to have   passed on at the village of Kahurire after sustaining injuries that he acquired after a fight with fellow gorillas as reported by the area porters.From this encounter, Karibu acquired a respiratory infection which wild gorilla doctors administered him with anti-biotics and anti-inflammatory medications before he resorted to solitary life.The name Karibu comes from his behavior of alarming visitors with thumbs on his ches...

The Officials from the Parliament of Japan have promised promotional support to Uganda as an investment and tourism destination provided the nation is willing to alter her image that has been characterized by the ill acts of the LRA rebels  for two decades in northern Uganda that have always affected the number of those undertaking safaris in Uganda . This comes out after the Uganda safari tour that was undertaken by the two Japanese Members of Parliament Mr. Daishiro Yamagiwa and Mr. Asahiko Mihara who acknowledged that Uganda is a rich country full of opportunities and potential. The potential and opportunities were greatly seen in the tourism sector and agribusiness. The Japanese delegation noted that the image of Uganda has been greatly affected by the war in northern Uganda and the terror attacks of the Al shabaab which in return have limited the number of tourists wishing to plan safaris to Uganda . They used an example from their country that if someone m...

The Uganda’s tourism fraternity is in a harmonious contact following the liaising of Uganda Tourism board and the Uganda Tourism Association to turn Uganda into the Mecca of Africa i.e. by increasing safaris to Uganda . This move was exposed during the cocktail celebration to commemorate the launch of the 2014 – 2019 Strategic Plan at Kampala Serena Hotel. Uganda is a great safari destination with various tourist attractions and activities ranging from gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking , wildlife safaris and cultural safaris which always prompt travellers to undertake safaris in Uganda . The five year strategic plan is a great road map that will structure the way for engagement and coordination in the tourism sector since the Private sector led by the Uganda Tourism Association has been equally engaged into the formulation of the strategic plan which will ultimately increase efficiency and the satisfaction of the Uganda safari undertakers. The strategic plan woul...