New Uganda Gorilla Flying Safaris

Why not?  Enjoy Discounted New Uganda Gorilla flying Safari in the months of April and May at reduced price of USD150 per person us . Travel Hemispheres  offers flying safaris to Bwindi to track gorillas on daily basis on scheduled flying safaris and tours.

The recent mountain gorilla census of gorillas showed an improved increase in mountain gorillas where Bwindi now has over 400 number more than a half remaining on earth.  Travel hemispheres conducts schedule flying safaris to Bwindi. This is an opportunity  for many old and young to view these  primates without the long drives – and can take advantage of the gorilla permit discount for April and May  where a permit is reduced to $350.

Gorilla tracking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a fascinating adventure  where you will spend hours  traversing rugged, possibly muddy high-altitude terrain for an up-close view of the rare mountain gorilla in its famously misty rainforest habitat. Some 400 mountain gorillas, roughly half of the entire world’s population of the elusive species, live in the Uganda park.  Uganda offers more than 12 primate species, rare birds such as the Shoebill, and tree-climbing lions.

Below is our gorilla adventure itinerary to follow

UGANDA FLYING SAFARI SCHEDULE 3: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within Bwindi boundaries. Bwindi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country –the Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa.

Bwindi National Park offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The 4 families have been habituated for tourism although trekking may be strenuous the viewing of the gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience long to be savored.. Apart from the gorillas, there are a variety of primates to be seen including the blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black & white colobus monkeys. The great blue touracos are often seen and even for a non bird watcher they are marvelous sight.

UGANDA FLYING SAFARI SCHEDULE 3:

Why not?  Enjoy Discounted New Uganda Gorilla flying Safari in the months of April and May at reduced price of USD150 per person us . Travel Hemispheres  offers flying safaris to Bwindi to track gorillas on daily basis on scheduled flying safaris and tours.

Forget the 10 hour  long drives  to reach Bwindi and have more time  with gorillas at the park and communities in favor of more time for wildlife, tracking and in-country experiences

We are able to offer an almost unprecedented discount on gorilla permits. For April and May   gorilla permits are  priced at $350/ gorilla permit  – a savings of $150/person/day. We hope you can take advantage of this special pricing to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience!  Exploit this chance and track gorillas 2 times and enjoy discount on accommodation

3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Tracking/Trekking Itinerary

Day1: Kampala/ Kajansi/Entebbe to Kayonza /Kihihi Airstrips Morning will be picked from Sheraton or your hotel to our home airstrip in Kanjasi or to Entebbe Airport . Alternatively be met on arrival at Entebbe Airport and be flown to Bwindi. Landing will be at Kayonza air strip some 20km away from Bwindi. Maximum flight time will take 1.50 minutes. At times where a big plane is used landing may be in  Kihihi  where you will be picked and be driven to Bwindi.

Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Forest park

Fly over countryside viewing the beautiful terraced hills of Kigezi commonly referred to as Switzerland of Africa with nice scenery, Mafuga forest for viewing the Virunga mountains of Congo and Rwanda. However this will depend on the weather of the day and the route to take. On arrival will at the airstrip will be picked and be driven to Bwindi. Over night at Gorilla Forest Camp- executive and luxury/ Buhoma Lodge /Sliver Back Lodge /Volcanoes gorilla safari lodge or Kitandara Tented Camp for mid rate

Day2: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Day for gorilla tracking and over night . Gorilla tracking takes about 1 hour to 8 or more depending on the movement of these forest giants at that particular day. The terrain is steep and hilly but with dense forest cover. The thrill of coming face to face with the gorillas will erase the potential strenuous of day’s hiking. Spend one hour with gorillas watching their daily activities and playful manner. Return to your place of stay.

Day3: Bwindi to Kanjansi/Entebbe/Kampala After breakfast will be driven to the airstrip of Kayonza or Kihihi. Be picked by your shceduled /charter flight to Entebbe airport for your  flight. Or to our home landing site Kanjasi to be picked by our vehicle to Kampala.

Accommodation in Kampala will be arranged at your request in one of good hotels like Serena Hotel, Sheraton Hotel and Grand Imperial Hotel, Africana Hotel ,Imperial Royale, Emerlad Hotel. Or at Boma Hotel in Entebbe, or Protea Hotel  a new luxurius facility  in Entebbe

We can now arrange scheduled flight to Bwindi for you on daily basis  on all the days of the week from Monday to Sunday. This can be either in the morning or in the afternoon.

Morning  flights

Entebbe – Bwindi  : depart  8.30am arrive 10.35am

Bwindi – Entebbe  : depart 10.55am arrive 11.55am

Afternoon flights

Entebbe – Bwindi : depart  12.30pm arrive 13.45pm

Bwindi – Entebbe : depart  14.55pm arrive 15.56pm

Because  there are still few people,  its better to have  your flight fit in either morning or afternoon schedule. Luggage is limited to 15kg.

PRICE

Costs above includes:

-1 goilla permit per person

- 2 nights accommodation at Bwindi at either lodge at fulll board

- return air fair tickets from Entebbe  to Bwindi

- airport transfer on day 1

- air field transfers

- TAKE YOUR SAFARI IN  April May and November and pay less USD $ 150 pp

Cost does not include Kampala/Entebbe  accommodation and this can be arranged on request.

BOOK THIS SAFARI

Serengeti National Park (Senapa) has been hailed as the best natural wonderland and tourist destination in Africa by US-based tour operators. Serengeti national park is located in Tanzania  in East Africa. East Africa is made up of 5 countries Kenya Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

In an exclusive interview with Chanel le Mond, Rick Thomson of Boston-based Thomson Safaris said that many tourists are eager to visit Senapa where currently new camps allow visitors to view the famous spectacle of wildebeest crossing the Mara River.

According to Thomson, the most frequently asked question by clients is “when is the best time to experience the Great Migration.”

And he would respond: “One has to understand that the Great Migration is an ongoing year long cycle of life, and that a visit to the Serengeti at any time of year guarantees the visitor that somewhere along the way they can catch up with Nature’s Greatest Show on Earth….”

He added: “One can see calving with wildebeest being born on the short grass plains and predators trying to get in and take them, or see the rut and the frenzy of males herding up females and fighting other bulls away and trying to mate as territories move due to grazing needs, it is bedlam at these times”.

US-based tour operators specialising in Africa safaris agree with Thomson. Kent Redding, president of Denver-based Africa Adventure Consultants, adds: “No wildlife event compares to Tanzania’s great wildebeest migration, covering hundreds of miles each year in the Serengeti ecosystem. Year after year, our clients send us exciting reports and incredible pictures from the Serengeti.”

Rumit Mehta, Founder of Immersion Journeys, notes: “The migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem is an awe-inspiring spectacle. That is the best way to describe it. It is the circle of life, from conception to birth, from survival to death. For anyone who has witnessed the great migration whether at a distance by hot air balloon or close up from a safari vehicle, will tell you that it leaves them with a better understanding of nature and uncovering the mysteries of a complex and symbiotic eco-system.”

Mark Nolting, president of Africa Adventure Company (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and author of Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries and the African Safari Journal said that visitors are almost always able to see the Great Migration in Tanzania all year round.

Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism, with approximately 28 percent of the land protected by the government, the largest percentage of any country in the world

The decision to award the Chinese company the multibillion deal has been preceded by close to two years of lengthened court battles that saw multiple revocations, sanctions, investigations including a repeat of the technical evaluation processes.

China Gezhouba Group, Salini Constructorri, Sinohydro & CMC Karuma JVC and Vinci Construction Grands, Orascom Industries & Group Five International Consortium are the other companies that participated in the bidding process.

On Friday, the bid was opened at the Ministry of Energy in Kampala. Approximately $1.4 billion (Shs3.4 trillion) was tabled by the Chinese for engineering, procurement and construction of the 600MW dam. Perlite Construction Company Ltd also made it to the final stage.

According to the acting permanent secretary Eng. Paul Mubiru, the project whose cost is estimated at $2.2 billion (Shs5.9 trillion) is behind schedule.

There have been complaints of irregularity and corruption in the tendering processes that have drew the attention of the Inspector General of Government who directed that the whole process be stayed.

According to some sources in the office of the IGG, the process was compromised and the outcome of the re-evaluation biased.

Last Friday, the Inspectorate of Government wrote to the permanent secretary alleging that some officials in the ministry had been compromised by one of the six bidding firms.

Last November, the High Court stayed the process after some of the bidding companies protested that the evaluating team had been compromised.

According to the IGG, mediation by court had not improved the process because the technical evaluation brought back a company accused of misrepresenting information in its bid.

The IGG’s notice, which the ministry disregarded, is the second halt order—the first having been issued by the High Court months back. The court process was disposed of and the ministry went ahead to evaluate the financial bids before announcing the winner on Friday.

The government hopes the dam’s 600MW will provide security for the country’s growing energy demands although it has been delayed by what many are blaming on politicking. Energy analysts have also given a damning prediction concerning the completion of the project, they say the project will take 10 years to compete.

The project when completed will help Uganda to improve its infrastructure and standard of living. Some of upcountry lodges like Chobe Lodge is not connected to the national grid. They use generators throughout this increases their costs hence rooms rates being expensive. No wonder that vistors have been saying  that Uganda tours is expensive compared to neighouring kenya and Tanzania and one of the reaon is power element.Uganda safaris will increase as infrastracture improves and they become cheap.

Great news for the Uganda tourism sector as one of our own national park which is Kidepo Valley managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority, has been named by the prestigious CNN Travel website as the third best national park in Africa because of its stunning landscapes and animal herds. This scenic park is situated in the far north eastern part of Uganda safaris at the border of Sudan and Kenya; perhaps it is the country’s most stunning and untouched national parks blessed with very many unique sceneries and exceptional wildlife like the huge buffalo herds.

Kidepo National Park with its sprawling savannah plains and soaring mountains in the background makes it Uganda’s most beautiful park that is according to the CNN Travel website with more than 800 contributors. Because of Its remote park with low numbers of visitors, it becomes the perfect destination for an African wilderness safari. Kidepo Valley National Park is in the 3^rd position after Maasai Mara of Kenya famous which has the greatest number of cats’ family animals and great migration as well as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Botswana is the best with its wild limitless desert wilderness and tough Kalahari lions.

There were other African parks that were mentioned as good like the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania in fourth position, Etosha National Park of Namibia(5th),Parks along the Gambia River(6th), the Ahaggar National Park of Algeria(7th),the Kruger National Park of South Africa(8th),the Okavango Delta of Botswana(9th) and then the Perinet Reserve of Madagascar in the 10th position.

Planning a trip to Kidepo, you can expect to see exceptional wildlife like the cheetah which you can hardily find and high level of exclusivity that can rarely be found anywhere else within the region. You can board a chartered flight to Kidepo from Kajjansi but you can also get there by road passing either via Gulu or Moroto however the roads are preferred during the dry seasons as they become very impassable in the rainy season.

Murchison falls national park is largest wildlife park in Uganda. It is located in the north west part of the country. The great River Nile passes through this park and forms thunderous gigantic falls referred to as Murchison falls named By one of the old explorers Henry Stanley Manton. The park is now enrolled among those places where fishermen internationally converge  for fishing  tournaments.

 

Once or twice an specific time of the year is reserved  where anglers converge and compete among themselves to catch the Nile perch specie type of fish.  This type of fish could be the largest one can find in fresh waters. A grown up Nile Perch can weigh up to 300 kg . However the common ones range from  50kg to 150kg.

 

At specific day , the strident blast of the starters whistle at barely- light 6.30am in the morning. All anglers well armed with fishing rods ,lures, gaffs, and  bait , they set off up river the 13 kilometers  towards the falls dodging schools of hippos and massive crocodiles that frequent these wild waters. Even the regular anglers of this park will marvel at the elephants, buffalo, lion, giraffe, that adorn the river banks and the teeming birdlife that squawks and calls in indignation of the strange creatures floating on their river. It is such attractions that make this park unique and  famous for Uganda safaris.

 

You do not have to miss this if you are sport fisherman . Will enjoy a lot as many as 20 boats ranging from small to medium boats all will form  frantic activity. Apart from Nile perch, there other fish species like cat fish, angara,  grown up tilapia etc.

 

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the custodian of Uganda national parks should jealously guard this park and take it treasure to Uganda. There are not many national parks in the world where you can legally sport fish and  100kg fish in weight. Provided UWA continues to protect this park as an incredible asset where sport fishermen can catch fish and immediately release all big game alive   this will make tourist flock to Uganda for Uganda tours as well as  providing a good habitat for this unique fish species and wildlife. At the moment , lots of oil have been explored and this park seem to form one the biggest reserves of oil in the near future.  So the wildlife existence  is likely to be in balance at the option of making money from the oil explor.

Fred Bukenya

According the survay done by the Lonely Planet the most  world No1 travel guide  survey. Uganda is going to be among the top destinations to receive more number of tourists in year 2012.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1762023

 Domestic tourism is growing in Eat African countries of Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania,Rwanda and Burundi. East African   tour operators and experts say domestic tourism is slowly catching up . All East African tourism experts and  government agency, reported that in the first half of 2012, the number of domestic tourists was  higher compared to the same period last year.

The number of tourism-related agencies also has grown. There are currently increaing number of organisations with a tourism licensed in all 5 countries in  Eat Africa. With more than Organisations are getting established in the past year. “The licenses are very difficult to obtain, and it is even more difficult to keep up with the competition and stay afloat,”said ome of the  directors of  Travel industry.

 However, according to them, it is worth the risk, because interest is growing and this year has seen the number of customers at his firm jump 25% from last year.
Fred runs his own small travel company, which, in addition to the standard services, offers  city tours, gorilla safaris rwanda safaris in East africa “Generally the city tours are offered on weekends, have a special theme, and are quite affordable,” he said.
His marketing method has also allowed him cheap advertisement. “I advertise the tours on the company’s websit: www.travelhemipheres.com  and on a social network page, and generally the people themselves invite their friends and family so they can spend quality time together,”  Charles  said the marketing director his business has built a solid following.
“I almost never miss a tour organized uganda safaris , and there are many others like me. We even organized a Facebook group of X-places enthusiasts, and as a result people are becoming more interested in the history of our home town and region interest in the history of the region.”
One may wonder, why travel around your own city when you already pay to see it every day from the window of a bus or car. But as it turns out, taking a tour can lead to the discovery of amazing secrets that even a long time city residents.
“I loved history at school, but thanks to these to East African wildlife tours and safaris

I have become interested in historical literature, and in addition, it turns out that the ordinary places that are familiar to me from childhood are in fact historical monuments,” said  Proffesor of History from Makerere  university who added that the tours are appealing because of their low prices.
Small tourism companies and mini-hotels, which successfully blend a European standard of service, oriental flavour and low prices. But we need support from the state,” Rasulev said.Travel companies also noted that problems with obtaining  visas, for example,the number of tourists from abroad are also increasing doing  uganda tours.

Uganda experiences 2 rainy seasons. Usually the September – November  season is the heaviest. At times roads and bridges are washed away and make transport difficult within this period. Uganda is a safari country where roads cut the country across . During this time tourists visiting  Uganda tours also get inconvenienced. Tour operators are advised also to alternate routes in order to allow smooth running of safaris around this period.

 The Government is advised to keep watching these bridges and fix them in time where possible to avoid inconveniencing tourists.

 However thi a very good opportunity to  farmers to plant seasonal crops like millet and cassava as soon as the rains start.This follows forecasts from the meteorology department which predicted a rainy September/ December season.

“Quick-maturing crops like beans, tomatoes and vegetables should be planted as the rains progress,’’ advised water and environment minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu.

He was addressing journalists at the Media Centre. The meteorological department also released weather forecasts that predicted September-December as rainy.

Kamuntu advised farmers on highlands to start planting trees and terracing their land to prevent soil erosion and landslides. He asked farmers on lowlands to dig drainage channels.

He said the season favoured growth of crop pests and diseases and, hence, the need for farmers to invest in pesticides.

“Farmers in north-eastern Uganda should plant fast maturing crops. They should also start harvesting root tuber crops like cassava and sweet potatoes to avoid damage by the heavy rains,’’ Kamuntu advised.

The south-western region is likely to have steady rains in October that will continue to mid- December.

The central-western region will have heavy rains in early October that are expected to continue till mid-December. On the other hand, the north-western region will experience heavy rains around mid-October and they continue to early December.

The current on and off rains being experienced in western and central regions will peak around mid-October and continue through to late November-early December.

“Mid-October and November are expected to be wettest months. People have to be cautious about floods, lightning and landslides,” warned Lukiya Tazalika, an assistant commissioner at the meteorological department

The number of tourists coming to Uganda from the UK and Ireland has surpassed previous years’ records despite the recent Ebola outbreak.

A statement from the Uganda High Commission in London said there were increased applications for Uganda immigration entry visas averaging about 50 applications per day. The peak was in May-June when applications reached the 80 per day mark.

The outgoing High Commissioner, Joan Rwabyomere, attributed this to the prevailing peace in the country and the distinctive attraction of Uganda as a tourist destination arising out of the variety of its game stock and its unspoilt scenic beauty and eager to do Uganda safaris.

 She noted that the tourism industry had grown enormously in Uganda with clearly visible features including improved service delivery, facilities and awareness.

Uganda generally has substantial natural resources for tourism with a variety of landscape and ecosystems, climates and cultures Plus losts of national parks for uganda tours .

Rwabyomere added that the Uganda Mission had the capacity to process the high numbers of applications.

 Individual and group applications are processed in one working day with collection being on the next day between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Applications received through the Post take up to a week to be processed.

Tourism in Uganda is an important generator of foreign exchange, high-end employment, and investment.

 According to the World Economic Forum, the sector contributed over shs1.5 trillion ($660m), 8 per cent contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2010.

The Government has therefore encouraged increased investment in tourism, particularly in travel, accommodation and related facilities because this enhances tourists’ experience in the country

Fred

On Saturday 25^th August 2012,it was finally confirmed that suspected Ebola Patients had been tested Negative of the deadly Virus which Kills 9 out of 10 of the Total number of patients it infects.

The good news is that although one of the last 2 Ebola patients at Kagadi Government Hospital had died earlier on Thursday 23^rd 2012,the other Patient later tested free of the virus meaning that she had fully recovered from the virus.

So I think that could be a starting point for further research on this virus, since it is possible that some individuals can develop immunity against it and there is no clear treatment.

This was indeed a great opportunity for Uganda whose Tourism had been dealt with a big blow after the virus was first reported towards the end of July 2012,by that time, a strange “disease” had already killed 17 people, and what was more confusing is that Ebola, which has long been known to be a hemorrhagic illness, this time did not show any signs of blood oozing from all body openings as was earlier known. So it was a complete mystery.

There were lots of Tour and Safari cancellations and business went all time low.

One Tour Operator (Travelhemispheres Limited) alleged that there had never been any single day, which would go without a single Safari Inquiry, but during this period, things became worse or even the worst.

Although it was true that we were experiencing the Ebola Problem, the extent of danger was exaggerated as expected, by foreign media. International news reporters report with bias while reporting on “unfamiliar countries” especially in Africa, Middle East, the Americas and East Asia.

Now, the number of foreign tourists making Safari inquiries is slowly coming up again especially those ones who want Gorilla tracking safaris, flying safaris, wildlife and game viewing.

So now you can go ahead and arrange your Vacation in Uganda without fear or favor because Ebola has been chased from our country and if you want to get all the accurate news about Uganda, it is wise to find out from the news agencies that are found here in Uganda so as to avoid lies from ill-informed reporters or reporters who are after sabotaging Uganda at all costs.