Mount  Nyamulagira began erupting on November 6 and could continue to do so for days, or even months.

“Last night’s was the most spectacular yet,” spokeswoman LuAnne Chad said Monday from Virunga National Park.

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano attracted tourists earlier this year when a fissure had lava spurting 20m high. In comparison, volcanologist Dario Tedesco estimated that the lava on Mount Nyamulagira in Congo is spewing up to 300m high.

Park wardens have named the latest Nyamulagira eruption “Kimanura,” after the name of the area along the volcano’s flank, spokeswoman Chad said.

Rivers of incandescent lava are flowing slowly north into an uninhabited part of the park, but that the lava flows pose no danger to the park’s critically endangered mountain gorillas, a statement from the park said.

 Virunga Park is home to 200 of the world’s 790 mountain gorillas, as well as lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, okapi, forest elephants and buffalo.

The park has set up a tented camp nearly 1.5km south of the eruption where tourists can spend the night. For $300, the park provides transportation for the hour-long drive from the eastern capital of Goma and wardens to guide visitors on the three- to four-hour hike to the camp.

Virunga is located in eastern Congo, where numerous militia and rebel groups continue to terrorize the population nearly a decade after the country’s civil war ended. Some 360 park rangers protect the park and its wildlife from poachers, rebel groups, illegal miners and land invasions.

Rangers worked through the civil war in eastern Congo’s five parks, with more than 150 killed in the last 10 years.

The 7800sq km Virunga National Park is a World Heritage site containing seven of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga mountain range that sprawls across the borders of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda famous for gorilla safaris. Only two are active – Nyamulagira and, closer to Goma, Mount Nyiragongo.

Nyiragongo erupted destructively in 2002, destroying most of Goma city including 14,000 homes and forcing 350,000 residents to flee.

The government has laid out plans of conducting a census for gorillas to find out their actual numbers. The first census in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in western Uganda was carried out in 1997. It showed that there were 300 gorillas but the number rose to about 320 five years later and 340 in the last census conducted in 2006.

 “It will help us to know whether the animals numbers have lowered for proper solutions to stop them from extinction and diseases that mostly kill them,” Mr Pontius Ezuma, the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust manager, said at the weekend.

The Gorillas of Mghinga , Virunga and Volcanoes national park is believed to have increased from 380 in 2006 t0 480 current. The census in Bwindi impenetrable forest  has been launched  and the numbers are belied to have risen from 340 in 2008 to 400 now.

Bwindi has 28 gorilla families of which 6 are habituated for gorilla tracking  and one on research. Gorilla safaris done by tourist visit the parks contribute a lot to the national income and improve living livelihoods of the communities within the surroundings of theses national parks. Each gorilla permit cost USD 500.

The tests for bacteria that cause diseases to the animals will be done at Makerere University laboratories. Mr Ezuma said the exercise, which is implemented by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, started last month and would end this Saturday.

He said 75 enumerators have been trained to carry out the exercise that involves counting nests where the gorillas sleep, collecting their faecal matter for genetic analysis and placing geographical positioning system points to avoid double counting.

The samples will be taken to Germany for DNA tests for genetic identity of different animals to provide accurate results. “The 2006 census showed 340 gorillas safaris from counting nests, but the genetic analysis showed 302 and it is considered more accurate. This time around we are applying both methods,” said Dr Martha Robbins of Max-Planck Institute in Germany, who is heading the census team. “Results of the census will be tallied to the 480 gorillas counted from Virunga Conservation Area last year,” she added.

The area consists of three national parks: Virunga National Park in DR Congo; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga in Uganda. Uganda currently receives more than 2,400 gorilla-tracking tourists

Ramadhan is a month of prayers, sadaq, forgiveness and cleansing of body and soul. During this month Muslim travel to Mecca for Umra though is for a few people who can afford to travel and across the country to different mosques for Itiqaf (supplementing) especially during the last 10days of the month. This month is believed to change people as they return back their Allah (God) to repent their sins and also ask for forgiveness.

At the end of month, domestic tourism is expected to increase as many people will take there families out to have fan for example to Zoo where most families go, national parks and also other places like amusement parks, hotels, shows, theaters, others travel back their home village to enjoy Idd with their families among others thus travel increases uganda tours as well as increase in transport costs.

When the month ends, we expect many people to travel before school starts again but not during August.

 The industry being the source of foreign exchange for the country, there are several initiatives that have been undertaken to develop the industry but a lot more needs to be done for example though the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is trying to promote domestic tourism, but it is not enough, so the government should increase its spending at the promotion of Uganda as a tourist destination of choice for tourists, providing incentives for investment into the sector, increase on the tourism marketing funds and try to resolve their political wrangles peacefully to avoid political unrest in the country which scares away tourists and impacts on Uganda’s reputation as a safe tourist destination. Coupled with poor infrastructure, it makes domestic tourism relatively low.

In the campaign to develop domestic tourism, tour operators urge the government to ensure that the development of transport network is efficient since it has a direct impact on improving   accessibility to tourists destinations within Uganda. Because of poor road net work, strong vehicles are needed to access national parks  which cannot be  afforded by local people who are willing to travel to visit local tourist sites.  Thus government need to do a lot of marketing, provide incentives to investors, create more tourism awareness within the domestic population and ensure security in the country thus urge domestic tourism will advance the sector in the country.    

By Olyvia

STOCKHOLM: Denmark’s largest and most influential newspaper, Politiken, has placed Rwanda safaris at the top of a list of the World’s tourist destinations that are overlooked, The New Times has learnt.

Politiken credited Rwanda’s placement on the list to “magnificent scenery of tea and coffee plantations, rainforests, volcanoes and lakes”.

The newspaper also said that “African safaris  wildlife is well represented in [Rwanda’s] national parks, from grazing elephants, giraffes and hippos through leopards, lions and hyenas to the world famous mountain gorillas”.

Politiken noted that many people’s default instinct on Rwanda, unfortunately, remained that of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in spite of the way the country “has fought its way back from the brink.”

The Second Counselor at Rwanda’s Embassy to the Nordic Countries, Evode Mudaheranwa said the findings by Politiken portray the efforts by the government and the private sector in Rwanda to speed up growth in the tourism sector.

“Politiken essentially repeated what tourists from Nordic Countries returning from Rwanda have been telling us,” said Mudaheranwa.

“Clearly there is strong potential here. We plan to intensify investment promotion in the Nordic countries while also highlighting the unique experience of travelling to Rwanda,” he added

The other destinations mentioned on the Politiken top 20 list are: Nagaland (India), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bequia (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Tiradentes (Brazil), Blue Ridge Parkway (USA), Nova Scotia (Canada), Isan (Thailand), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Reporoa, (New Zealand), Munzur dalen (Turkey), Caceres (Spain), Vaduz (Liechtenstein), Osel (Estonia), Scala dei Turchi (Sicily), Görlitz (Germany), Lohjanjärvi (Finland), Cancale (France), Angus Glens (Scotland) and Sarajevo ( Bosnia-Hercegovina).

The Nordics; composed of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden is the wealthiest region on earth measured by per capita income.

A combination of the countries’ long and harsh winters, generous mandated paid vacations and relatively high disposable incomes makes the region a rich source for tourists.

Ends

Over 25 drivers are expected to competing in the 2-day 700km event in Rwanda.

Salim Abdulgani, the race organiser confirmed Whyte’s involvement during a press conference held recently in Kigali.

“We expect about 25 drivers to compete in the rally and Whyte is one of them. We are doing our very best to have the best event on Rwandan soil,” Abdulgani said.

Other drivers expected include; Uganda’s Jas Mangat and Suzan Muwonge, Lee Rose of Kenya, Burundian Valery Bukera, former Rwandan champion Rudy Cantanhede, and five-time Kenya champion Ian Duncan. Rwanda safaris will be led by national champion Davite Giancarlo, Fitidis Christakis, and Gracien Rutabingwa.

Whyte leads the ARC standings with 115 points, 55 points ahead of Giancarlo.

With greater stability in protected areas and recent wildlife legislation enacted to ensure the protection of wildlife, Rhino Fund Uganda has created  a sanctuary for the breeding of rhinos and re introduced them back into Uganda wildlife scene. Later they will be re-introduced into Uganda’s protected areas. Rhino Fund  has launched an education and awareness campaign to inform people about the protection of this highly endangered species.

The rhino species of  Black and White rhinoceros were present in Uganda – the Eastern Black in the North and Northwest, and the Northern White in the Northwest on the west bank of the River Nile. After the years of civil unrest, and poaching the rhinos became extinct in Uganda in 1983. The  unstable governments of Amin in 1970s  and Obote II during the 1980s  saw a lot of wildlife poached . National parks became the seat of the rebel activities and wild game was hunted with impunity. Rhinos being popular for their horns so believed that has medicine healing properties most in the Asian world. Many theories have come up with the magic which these horns can do  including curing impotence in manhood.  These theories have led to hunting of these animals and  leading to getting extinct in what used to be their habitats. New measures should be put in place to make sure that the few that are still surviving can multiply to restock the numbers.

In Uganda , a project was hatched  from many meetings resulting from many  discussions between RFU, MTTI and UWA, starting in 1998,  it was mutually agreed and approved that RFU starts and manages the rhino reintroduction program in Uganda.  

 After the necessary feasibility studies were done by rhino specialists and with the support of numerous organizations and independent donors, a 7,000ha breeding sanctuary for black and white rhinoceros was established by RFU.  This sanctuary was named Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and is centrally located in Uganda.  At present, this sanctuary is home to nine Southern White Rhinos. The rhinos were put on Zziwa Ranch, a 70sq. km expanse which later became Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, as a holding ground until UWA prepared a safe place for them in the wild.

Translocation began in 2002. Two White rhinos were successfully translocated from Kenya These two rhinos are at UWEC in Entebbe for educational purposes. 4 Southern White Rhino arrived from Solio ranch in Kenya in July 2005. 2 Southern White Rhino arrived from Disney Animal Kingdom in Florida, USA in September 2006. An during 2009 and 2010 three rhino calves were born on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

 The objective of the project is to re introduce big numbers in the wild once the numbers are many. When this breeding is  successfully at rhino on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary takes place and the numbers bred at this  sanctuary and the herd is large enough (20 breeding rhino), then releasing  excess rhinos back into the National Parks in Uganda will start. Having achieved all this  this will contribute to the Uganda safaris  being done in the country now. At this time many tourists on their way to Murchison falls national park tour  visit this sanctuary for rhino viewing. This is done  by offering on foot rhino tracking.  This has increased tourist numbers in the country Uganda.

 The success of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will play the key role in the eventual re-introduction of rhino back into the wild in Uganda’s National Parks for Uganda safaris. This will boost tourism on a National level, as it will provide facilities to attract tourists and visitors, enhancing Uganda as a tourist destination. Being one of the Big Five, the rhinoceros represents a welcome addition to safari itineraries.

 Rhinos need good security since they are prone to poaching. Rhino poaching statistics in South Africa alone at 333 rhino poached in 2010 and over 140 rhino poached up to end April 2011, it is not possible to just leave rhino on a piece of land.  Sanctuaries  has well trained rangers that monitor the rhino 24 hours a day and this project is run with good management and solid structures.  As RFU does not receive Government or UWA funding and rely on International and other funding, on foot rhino tracking has become an activity that tour operators have added onto their itineraries which tourists enjoy.  The income from the rhino tracking assists RFU with their annual operating costs.

The Rhinos have since been left on the ranch which has grown into a full-fledged tourist destination with the rhinos attracting foreign visitors, according to information availed to the public.  Well done for the good job done by Rhino Fund Uganda(RFU).

 Facts about Rhinos

• There are five species of rhino in the world – two in Africa, three in Asia – all endangered
• Currently there are about 11500 Southern White Rhino’s and 3100 black rhino’s living in Africa
• The Northern White rhinoceros is at the edge of bacoming extinct. The only wild population in Garamba NP in DRC, counting over 30 individuals two years ago, is now back to approx. 10 animals, due to heavy poaching
• In 1968 more than 100 Northern White Rhino lived in Uganda. The last rhino was seen in 1983
• The rhino had its origin millions of years ago and only in the past 15-20 years have they been hunted to the point of extinction
• The rhino ‘horn’ is not a real horn but thickly mated hair, consisting of Keratin; the same chemical substance as our finger nails
• Rhinos are slow breeders, giving birth to one calf every two to four years
• In prehistoric times, the rhino roamed in north America

 Fred Bukenya

Fred Bukenya 

By Fred Bukenya

With two moves happening at the same time – the recent commencement of the EAC Common market freedoms of movement of people, capital and trade, and the envisioned single visa provision for tourists coming to the EAC countries of  Uganda Kenya , Rwanda Tanzania and Burundi. This achievement is definitely a welcome plus to tourists coming to do east african safaris.

Both EAC travelers and foreigners will be able to plan and budget for their travel expenses based on room rates and quality of services provided wherever they may be.

This evaluating and awarding of ‘stars’ protects the consumers of hotels services, and also provides an incentive to hotel owners and management to improve their quality into to raise the rates of its services and attract visitors. This stars awarding exercise comes on the heels of another categorization of EAC game parks to provide tourists a choice of quality destinations and know the same classification applies in the whole EAC. Prior to this EAC realization and effecting of this hospitality measure many hotels self-awarded stars, generously, some as five-star hotels.

The grading process is in line with the November 2006, the EAC Council of Ministers’ approval for classification and standardization in the EAC partner states to lure more capital in the region by ensuring high quality tourism facilities and better management of the hospitality industry.

According to 2008 hotels’ inventory Tanzania has 339 hotels with 10,790 rooms. Dar City has only 66 qualified for star categories, whilst in Rwanda, Kigali has 21 hotels which are recommended for travelers. However, it is only the Kigali Serena Hotel which is rated at five-star level. Bujumbura, Burundi, where 12 hotels are recommended for travelers and tourists, it’s only the Novotel Bujumbura which has been rated at four-star level.

Kampala, with 36 hotels suitable for tourists and travelers, and Entebbe – 16 hotels, only Kampala Serena Hotel has been rated at five-star level, while in Kenya, Nairobi city has 59 hotels recommended for business tourists and travelers. Categorized as five-star tells in Nairobi are Nairobi Serena Hotel, Fairmont, The Norfolk, Intercontinental Nairobi and LAICO Regency Hotel. This timely move deserves to be applauded by travelers and tourists because it puts the EAC on world tourism map, although posing a challenge to hotels owners to keep improving their hospitality facilities.