Travel News, African Safari Updates

At recently held conference for business development in Kampala , an official of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ; Geoffrey Masaba the business Development Manager,   in Kampala last week said  that national parks of Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth Have received over 70,000 visitors.  Masaba said Murchison falls And Queen Elizabeth national parks are the top destinations for both local and foreign tourists with Kidepo National Park being the least visited destination.

 

“It is not true that we have ignored local tourism. In fact our nationals and foreign residents dominate the entries into our parks. We are both inward looking and outward looking in attracting tourists to visit these heritage destinations which we are proud to conserve” Masaba said.

 

He said that there is growing trend of tourists visiting Uganda and hopes that by end of the year, the figures will be much more impressive than last year or the year before. In 2008 over 130,000 tourists visited our parks  compared to over 120,000 tourists in the year 2007 we see an appreciation trend which we are excited about and we believe that by end of the year we shall post impressive results he added Uganda has 12 national parks  with  unique fauna and flora .These Include Queen Elizabeth National park ,Rwenzori  mountain National park,  Lake Mburo National park, Bwindi  Impenetrable  National park, Kibale Forest Reserve, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve and Mghahinga Forest National park   all in Western Uganda . Others are Kidepo National park in the north bordering Sudan and Kenya Mount Elgon National park Katonga Game reserve Murchison Falls National parks and Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.

 

Uganda tours have a lot to offer when you combine the above parks. Will find that Uganda safaris include gorilla safaris, primate  tours , wildlife safaris and many more attraction  ranging from sight seeing , culture and eco tourism services. Gorilla safaris are offered in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. Of recent new gorilla families have been  habituated and this has helped to solve the scarcity of gorilla permits.

 

By Fred Bukeya  www.travelhemispheres.com

 

 

 

 

Rwenzori  Trekking Services will develop a climbing trail from Kilembe in Kasese district western Uganda up to and including the main peaks of Margherita and Alexanderia on the Rwenzori  Mountain ranges .

 

This will be the second trail after the only existing trail developed and managed by Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) a local company whose base is at Nyakalengijo also in Kasese District.

 

At present there is no existing climbing trail but beginning now  after sighing this agreement and the impact assessment by National Environment Management  Authority , we shall immediately develop a world class trail up to the highest peak of the mountain said John Russell Hunwick the proprietor of Rwenzori Tracking Services.

 

The agreement was witnessed by the state Minister for tourism Sarapio Rukundo in the Uwa Boardroom in Kampala on Friday last week. Present  at the signing ceremony on behalf of UWA was Mr Joseph Tibijuka the Director of Finance  Mr Stephen Masaba the Development manager and Mark Kamanzi the UWA legal manager and an official from NEMA

 

As RTS we want to build excellent trails that lessen the steep climb and the erosion of the trails we shall also constructed insulated and comfortable  accommodation facilities as tourists enjoy the tranquility of the  Rwenzori Mountains without suffering stress poor accommodation and services  Russell aid.

 

He added that RTS will be involved in training mountain guides to high levels of leader ship and climber safety from Australia Canada and other partner willing to make this the best climbing experience.

Russell said the signing has come after along struggle and some of his development partners were beginning to reconsider if they should after all go with the project.

 

The minister warned government authorities not to frustrate investors like Rwenzori Trekking Services who would bring in huge sums of revenue. He challenged UWA park managers to develop comprehensive proposals on how they would want to see these parks generate revenue and send him a copy by the end of June.

 

Tour operators offring Uganda safari of mountain climbing willhave choice to choose from.Originally it was monopolly of one mountain trekking company that at times its services would leave gaps calling for improvement.Rwenzori  Mountain climbing is so adventurous  trek and treats most even to the professional  and experienced mountain climbers a challenge that they do not get some where else. Uganda has lot to offer to those interested in treking tours. First Uganda is  famous for gorilla treking safaris.Hence the mountain gorillas  which exist in the Bwindi and Mgahing national park  All these parks are above 2000ft above sea level.  The country alsohas more volcanoe mountains of Elgon, Muhavura and many more challing blocks that will give a nice experience likin Kabale district around lake Bunyonyi.

By Fred Bukenya

 

Gorilla revenues have risen from zero shilling in 1990 to Ug Shs 6.6 billion (about$3.3 million) from gorilla permits alone in 2008, accounting for 50.4% of the internally generated revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority.

 

While launching the year of the Gorilla 2009 last Friday UWA Executive Director Moses Mapesa said the figures are bound to rise to UShs 10 billion (about $5.1 million )  when they add a new gorilla groups to be habituated .The tourism industry contributed over US$450 million in 2008 of which gorilla tourism alone  was responsible for $225 million. Mapesa warned communities in the gorilla areas of south western Uganda to stop adopting the touristic animals as domestic pets.

 

Uganda gorillas   have proven to be playing a strong role in tourism development and have marketed the country as a globally competitive tourist destination .At the moment the industry accounts for 17% of available job opportunities countrywide.

 

Officiating at the function Uganda’s state minister for Trade and Tourism Mr GaggawalaWambuzi said there s no effective legal framework to ensure that gorillas are protected  Wambuzi said gorilla habitats are surrounded by communities (people )who still think they can improve their lives  economically through destroying the environment . Gorillas are also vulnerable to human diseases which have posed a major threat to the most valuable animal in the tourism industry. The reason for celebrating The Year Of The  Gorillas stems from the fact that they are globally endangered live in a fragile habitat are vulnerable to human disease infections and are often adversely affected by armed conflicts.   

Uganda has more than 50%  of mountain gorillas still surviving in the wild. These can be viewed in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  and Mgahinga national parks all located in the southern west of the country.

By Fred Bukenya