Uganda Tourism is Thriving

Uganda Tourism

Tourism is now making news every other day in one form or the other. Officially the biggest foreign exchange earner for Uganda in 2013 (over US$1.2b), the sector has overtaken traditional exports like coffee, fish and tea underpinning its significance and impact.

As a dynamic tourism firm, here we review the progress of Uganda’s tourism industry in 2014 and focus on what 2015 will look like.

Being a unique export that is paid for and enjoyed from the source country, Uganda finds itself in a unique position because of the blessings of nature bestowed upon it yet to be exploited.

But good signs started to show for the first time in 2014 after years of under performance when a new team at the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) was put in place. The chief executive, Stephen Asiimwe and his deputy John Ssempebwa backed by the energetic board led by James Tumusiime and Amos Wekesa heading the marketing committee have brought in new energy. To start with, the UTB team has lined up deals with three destination marketing companies in Germany, USA and England that will be tasked with marketing Uganda’s diversity to these high-end markets.

Also, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) got a new leadership team headed by seasoned tour operator, Barbara Adoso. A lot of products were launched which indicates the need to diversify the market going forward to create new and unique attractions for the country. Key among the products was Kampala By Night (https://www.safarisuganda.com/kampala-nightlife/) which provides a structured itinerary for visitors to enjoy and savour Kampala’s rich nightlife, a city which is now East Africa’s entertainment capital.

We also saw renewed efforts in promoting domestic tourism. For decades, our people have thronged neighboring countries for holidays leaving the beauty and allure of Uganda unexplored. This has been partly because of lack of information. But in 2014, we saw a new drive to promote domestic tourism and this can only improve.

Still in 2014, the Africa Travel Association (ATA) World Congress was held in the lakeside Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. It was a resounding success graced by the presence of a US senator and major operators from the United States of America and across Africa. It is already bearing fruits with the arrival of a U.S. model who has climbed the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain – the third highest peak in Africa.

Trainings and formalizing the tourism service industry was taken a notch higher in 2014. From bird guides, operators, drivers, the industry leadership is trying to add professionalism through trainings. The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), the umbrella body of the private sector is leading this drive.

2015- Getting value from the blessings

Despite the Africa tourism industry being battered by the Ebola pandemic, we expect the arrival numbers and earnings to rise in Uganda. Sparked in 2014, domestic tourism will slowly emerge as an anchor of the industry to hedge the local industry in times of global uncertainties like the Ebola epidemic.

Because of more scrutiny and interest, we expect the Ministry of Tourism and the UgandaWildlife Authority to clean up the mess around conservation and infrastructure. Too many elephants are dying as poaching has not been stamped out. Too many roads in the parks are broken and leaving us uncompetitive in terms of time taken to access the diverse products.

And following the above, we expect the number of people reaching the national parks to rise driven by more positive publicity.

At Experience Africa, we can only hope that the industry speaks the same language, unites and forges forward. Disunity and shortsightedness has sometimes shortchanged us. Pulling in the same direction will help the industry maximize its true value. One expert has said that as it stands currently, Uganda has exploited the tourism sector at a mere 20%.

Booking Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permits in Uganda

Mountain Gorilla Travel

Mountain gorilla tracking is an extremely challenging but rewarding experience for our travellers. But what is necessary to come and see the gentle giants, one of the main reasons to come and visit Uganda?

Whether you are first time safari goers or in the Pearl of Africa for the next trip to East Africa, mountain gorilla tracking is always a highlight of a wildlife safari with Safaris Uganda. The close social bonds that exist between gorilla family members enable the apes to live in harmony with nature. You will learn more from your guide as you witness the silverback taking the lead and displaying his authority in his group, feeding habits of the entire family, and the general interaction within the rain forest.

Among Uganda’s 10 world class natural rain forests, mountain gorilla tracking is done in only two. Namely, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi Impenetrable national park allow for a visit to the mountain gorillas. The verdant swathe of Bwindi itself habits more than half of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorilla while the rest living in Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Virunga national park of D.R.Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla national park.

To go mountain gorilla tracking, you need a valid tracking permit which is paid for in advance per person from Uganda Wildlife Authority and is valid for one day with effect from the stipulated tracking dates. This meets all your park entrances fees, guiding fees, one hour with mountain gorillas in the forest, government taxes and local communities adjacent conservation areas support fees.

You can either book your permit at Uganda Wildlife Authority directly or through a locally registered tour operator. The direct booking process to Uganda Wildlife Authority becomes challenging.This can either be due to congestion in the market mostly in the peak seasons or the slow connections in the network more especially when you lack the local knowledge in contacting their reservation desks at the country headquarters in Kampala.

As Instinct safaris, we mind all about such as part of our service. While putting forward safari itineraries to our highly valued potential travellers at a time, an enthusiastic member of staff will be available at our main customer service centre in Switzerland, the central reservation headquarters in Kampala-Uganda or south western gate in Rubuguri, Bwindi south, providing you with all the supportive information as well as easy access to Volcanoes Park Rwanda and D.R Congo’s Virunga during your safari. Each mountain gorilla permits costs 800$ in Uganda except for clients visiting Uganda in the months of April, May and November where Uganda Wildlife Authority provides promotional discounted tracking permits on notice at US$500. This gives clients an opportunity to save up to US$300.

10 Things You Can’t Miss on Safari in Uganda

Uganda Wildlife

We know Uganda is an emerging safari destination and loved by those who have visited the “Pearl of Africa”. What are some of the thousands of activities waiting for you when on safari and what can You not miss by any chance? Experience Africa spills the secrets!


1. Mountain Gorillas – Enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and discover the mountain gorillas in the dense forest. Several gorilla groups are available for tracking from the north, north east, and southern entry point. Only slightly more than 800 individual mountain gorillas exist which makes them a critically endangered species.

2. Mountain Hiking – Hiking in the Kigezi region around Bwindi, the Rwenzoris, Murchison Falls, and Mt. Elgon/Sipi Falls is very rewarding for all sorts of travellers. The Rwenzori mountains are the tallest mountain range in all of Africa and the 5,109 m peak on Mt. Stanley is the third highest in the entire continent.

3. Lake Excursions – Take a swim in one of Uganda’s beautiful lakes. Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda, and Lake Murehe in south western Uganda are very clear and in a breathtaking environmental setting with the Virunga volcanoes on the horizon and the legendary crested cranes flying above you.

4. Kidepo Valley National Park – Discover untouched wilderness in Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda’s remote north eastern parts. Lions, elephants, and countless other wildlife are waiting for you. Instinct Safaris can even organise a plane from Entebbe to bring you to Uganda’s most remote national park of all.

5. Adventure Safari – Bungee jumping, abseiling, and white water rafting – Uganda is well known among adventure travellers. On the white Nile, one can perform a bungee jump into the fresh river or go for white water rafting. In Kapchorwa, our travellers love to hike along the Sipi Falls, but also abseiling is possible from these more than 100 m deep falls.

6. Ugandan Kitchen – Try traditional Ugandan food! Traditional Ugandan kitchen uses ingredients you might have never tasted, before. Kaloo, Matoke, G-Nut sauce, and Chapati are just a very small selection of what can be found in the country, culinarily.

7. Primates and Culture Hiking – Meeting the humans’ closest relative – the Chimp – in Kibale National Park. The park has the highest primate concentration on the entire planet and people from there would love to introduce you to the Bigodi swamp and rainforest on community walks.

8. Dancing Classes – Learn how to dance the different traditional dances of the Ugandan tribes. In Rubuguri village near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, youngsters teach you the most exciting dances from different parts of the country in easy to follow and fun dancing classes!

9. Tree Climbing Lions – Lion monitoring in Queen Elizabeth National Park – it is possible to go along with a veterinarian research team in Queen Elizabeth National Park and check on the big cats.

10. Night Safari Game Walks/Drives – Embark on a night game walk or drive in Murchison Falls National Park or Lake Mburo National Park in order to find leopards and hyena among other nocturnal predators.

And so much more…

A Glimpse at Uganda’s Wildlife

Uganda Hippos

Uganda spreads across both sides of the equator and is truly “gifted by nature” and presents a number of 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves, and 14 wildlife sanctuaries. They all offer wildlife enthusiasts a thrilling opportunity to experience Uganda’s biodiversity, including and going beyond the famous rare mountain gorillas. The country is a habitat to more than 15 species of primates of the diurnal and nocturnal families. For example the Golden monkey, baboons, Blue monkeys, Patas monkey, Debeza’s monkey, l’Hoest’s monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabey monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, and Red colobus monkeys are Diurnal primates. Nocturnal primates include the Bush babies and Pottos.

From the tropical rain forests to the mesmerizing tracts of thorn bush savannah teeming with antelope, buffalo, and elephants, shimmering lakes and rivers heaving with aquatic life, and the snow caped glacial peaks of Africa’s remarkable Rwenzori mountain range, Uganda has much to offer.

Kidepo Valley National Park:
Located in the far north eastern corner of the country, this area is remote, wild and poorly visited despite the rich wildlife the park has to offer. It provides refugee to along list of dry country species found nowhere else in the country. Some examples include cheetahs and the Greater kudu. Because of the perennial waters of this park, large numbers of elephants especially during the dry season and thousands of strong buffalo herds for a potential game viewing can be found at Kidepo Valley National Park.

Mount Elgon National Park:
Near Mbale town and effective for a Kenya-Uganda multi-border safari or connection to Kidepo valley in the north lies this gem. Mount Elgon National Park encompasses the 4321 meter mountain after which the park is named with the largest base of any extinct volcano in the world. The park presents a lush mosaic of afro montane forests, lobelia elgonensis, grasslands, heath, as well as moorlands. This makes it a highly rewarding destination for hikers as different trails at Sipi Falls, Saswa and Piswa trail, can be taken for a hike of a few days to the mountains.

Murchison Falls National Park:
This is the country’s largest protected area of palm studded grasslands supporting dense population of lions, buffaloes, elephants, and Uganda kob with localised Rothschild’s giraffe and Patas monkey. Hippos are immensely concentrated here as birds can be observed from morning to the afternoon at different sites of the park. Instinct Safaris leads guided trips and launch trips along the magnificient Nile below the spectacular waterfall from which the park derives its name.

Kibale National Park:
Kibale hosts a population of more than 1000 chimpanzees of which one community of 80 chimps has been habituated to daily tourist visits, as well as half dozen readily observed monkeys, including the acrobatic Red colobus and Black and White colobus and l’Hoest’s monkey.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve:
Join Instinct Safaris for this remote park lower lying on a Ugandan extension of the DR Congo’s Ituli rain forest set at the base of the northern Rwenzori mountains. The region is perfect for special birding safaris with a dedicated Instinct Safari bird guide for some 40 Congolese bird species recorded nowhere else in the country. The spectacular Semliki Wildlife Reserve nearby that borders Lake albert is one of the best locations for sightings of the rare swamp dwelling shoebill.

Rwenzori mountains national park:
The Rwenzoris are special with their eastern slopes and the 120 km long glacial peaks and the mountains of the moon. This mountain range provides a world class hiking and mountaineering experience. The significance as a source of the Nile was first made by Alexandrian geographer Ptolemy at around 150 AD. With their highest peaks of Mt. Stanley and Margherita Peak, the Rwenzoris rise from the Rift Valley floor to an elevation of 5109 meters. On the climb, one can see the many different vegetation zones. As Rwenzori means “rain maker”, mossy and lobelia covered ridges make a climb in the Rwenzoris unforgettable.

Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Located in the shadow of the Rwenzoris with flanking lakes Edward and George in the lush savannah provides shelter for prime grazing buffaloes, herds of elephants, and many antelopes. The extraordinary ecological diversity of this park can be seen in the high number of endemic bird species- a checklist of more than 600 bird species has been compiled. Kazinga Channel is one of the most popular destinations within the park. The peninsula offers a golden opportunity to join a morning or evening boat cruise for fantastic game viewing of aquatic, aerial and terrestrial wildlife species.
The Ishasha sector of the park is famous for the mammalian specialities including the elsewhere elusive giant forest hog as well as the legendary tree climbing lions. Kyambura Gorge provides the chance to track the habituated chimpanzees out in the wild on top of a game drive to sight on all what Queen Elizabeth National Park has to offer on your safari.

Lake Mburo National Park:
Centered on a series of swamp fringed lakes lies this savannah reserve. While being the closest to Kampala and easiest to access, Lake Mburo National Park is famous for its rich birdlife, green acacia woodlands, lakes, dense population of zebras, warthogs, buffaloes, impalas, and grazing Ankole long horned cattle.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:
This park is especially known for its superb mountain gorilla trekking activities in the northern sector (Buhoma village) for Rushegura, Mubare, and Habinyanja families, whereas Nkuringo, Kahungye, Mishaya, Nshongi, and Bweza gorilla families can be accessed from the southern sector entrances (Rubuguri/Nkuringo). Orujogo and Bitukura families are trekked in the eastern sector of the national park (Ruhija village). Besides the mountain gorillas, Bwindi also provides refugee to elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys, and various small antelope species as well as 23 bird species restricted to the Albertine Rift, only.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
Nyakagezi mountain gorillas form the main attraction at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. the park protects the Ugandan portion of the Virungas, an imposing string of nine free standing extinct and active volcanoes that runs along the border with Rwanda and the DR Congo. Besides the renowned nature walks, day hikes to the crater lake of Mount Muhabura, the Batwa trail, caving, Golden monkey trekking at the foothill of the volocanoes and visiting the crater swamp at Mount Mgahinga can be done.

The Murchison Falls National Park – Worth a Visit?

Murchison Falls of Uganda

One of Uganda’s most famous national parks is located in the far north western corner of the country – Murchison Falls National Park. Known for its rich wildlife as well as the falls giving the park its name, travellers are sometimes not sure whether to visit or not to visit the park formerly known as Kabalega National Park because of the distance from Kampala.

Murchison Falls National Park (also known as Kabalega National Park) is the country’s largest national park with a size of 3877 square kilometres. Being located in Masindi district, the park is far from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, but fairly easy to reach by car. Murchison Falls National Park spreads from the shores of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile.

The Murchison Falls themselves are a rock formation directing the river Nile through a narrow gate of solid rocks over a 40 meter drop. On the popular boat launch, you will be guided near the falls and feel the cool mist coming from these powerful falls. The Karuma Falls are not far from Murchison and mark a passage on the Nile where 23 kilometers of rapids create some extraordinary white water rafting settings. The entire park is known for its rich wildlife including crocodiles, hippos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and birds, as well as elephants. With Instinct Safaris, you have the chance to discover the wildlife of the region on day game drives and even evening game walks.

For those who want to break the trip to Masindi up into two parts, we recommend Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is about half way – or three hours – from Kampala by our Land Rover safari vehicles. With not only mountain gorillas being an endangered species in the region, the Rhino Fund is doing great work protecting rhinos from poaching and the fund delivers educational programmes locally.

So what are you waiting for? Murchison Falls National Park is definitely worth a visit and at least two full days should be used to get the most out of your stay!

Climb the Rwenzori Mountains

Rwenzori Mountains

Are you thinking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania before or after your stay in Uganda for a breathtaking safari? Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) is a local NGO (non governmental organization) entrusted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). They help us to carry out mountaineering in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in western Uganda. With Peaks exceeding 5100 metres (Margherita Peak), we are proud of such a professional partner.

Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) is a local NGO entrusted with a concession won from The Uganda Wildlife Authority to provide trekking tourism services/support on the Central Circuit Trail in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Located between Semliki, Kibale, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, the Rwenzoris are in the epicentre of Uganda’s tourism and easily accessible from the surrounding areas. One can practically see the mountain gorillas on one day, search for the tree climbing lions on the other, and then reach the Rwenzoris (Rainmaker Mountains) in just a few hours for a challenging hike in a surreal natural setting.

When travelling to the Rwenzoris, a strong partner is needed on site to conduct the trekking. The Rwenzori Mountaineering Service has capable staff in place and offers a lot of supporting equipment on site for a safe and fun climb: Gas cooker/fuel, Ropes, Crampons, Harnesses, Ice axe, Sleeping bag, Climbing boots, Cap, Trouser, Jacket /sweaters, Rubber boots, Garters, and Gloves.

The Rwenzori mountains are exceptional and very attractive for climbers who are looking for the next mountain to tackle. Since the Rwenzoris are rarely visited in comparison to Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Kenya, this mountain range is a hidden treasure. Visit the Rwenzori mountains with Instinct Safaris in cooperation with RMS soon. We are looking forward to introduce you to this unique landscape!

Why Uganda is the Ultimate Family Destination

Family Safari in Uganda

Travelling with kids overeats has never been easy but a family trip to Uganda changes the all story by making your holiday wonderful and amazing. Stop looking around for fantastic family holiday spots when Uganda is open for everyone. The country is a treasure of wildlife, lakes, primates and has much more friendly family attractions that put a smile on every ones face. Still it’s one of the most desired family holiday destinations in Africa.

Though its famous for gorilla trekking safaris, Uganda’s natural beauty that offers more than the guide books and travel Television Series, it has classic family trips in a range of national parks, cities and communities. However, Uganda can be best explored by road on a private tailor made tour without flying from each destination and get a chance to unveil each trip detail hence gathering lots of memories and stories to tell. See what makes Uganda Ultimate for family holidays.

Kampala City Child Vacations
Kampala is the most popular place to begin any safari tour in Uganda and its another great places for those who travel with kids. Memories of a family tour to freedom city, wonder world, Centenary Park, Nambole stadium are held close to the heart because of the great time spent with your loved ones. Time in Kampala can be filled with various child friendly activities that are enjoyed for both young and old. The city has it all that everyone must enjoy each and every moment. In case you happen have a whole day free, you can as well take your child beyond Kampala to (UWEC) Ugandan Wildlife Education Center located in Entebbe also referred to as the zoo another interesting place for Uganda family holidays and weekend gateways.

Family Safari Tours
Wildlife and primate national parks are one of the finest places to on family safari in Uganda and these places offer your loved ones a great mix of real African adventure with magnificent wildlife, culture, primates and comfortable accommodation. The top places in Uganda for family safari tours include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park,Bwindi Forest National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park,Ngamba Island, Lake Victoria, the Nile etc.Game Viewing, primate watching, Launch cruise, quad biking, fishing, water spots ,canoeing , sightseeing and much more are activities that keep make your stay amazing and wonderful.Also uganda is a good place to see the big five-Elephants, lions, leopards, Buffalo and Rhino.

Family Friendly Lodges & Hotels
All lodges and hotels in Uganda are well built and cater for all kinds of travelers. A Family with children are treated lik e royals a thing that make your holiday simply the best. These lodges also have different child activities that can keep the kids busy incase their parents head out on tough hikes and treks especially gorilla tracking, mountain climbing, hiking etc.Mweya safari lodge, Amuka lodge,wildwaters lodge,Mhingo safari lodge, Katara lodge,paara safari lodge Jacana safari lodge, kingfisher lodge, Chiobe safari lodge,Pineaple bay, birds nest , Mhogany springs, Sanctuary gorilla forest camp ,Buhoma community rest camp etc are some of the good lodges for family safaris in uganda.

Driving a Family
Usually Uganda family tours are designed with short driving distance but with lots of leisure and relaxtion.This helps to keep all members on the trip very relaxed and fresh all through. Perhaps long drives are not good for family tours since minors get very tired and restless.

Uganda Boosts Birding Safaris with 53 New Guides

Uganda is preparing the ground to market the country as birding destination in Africa for bird watchers.
Boasting the largest number and diversity of bird species in Africa – 1,065 on last count, the birds are spread across the country in forests, swamps, savannah grasslands, marshes and along water ways.

A tourist here on a birding safari will view birds from the moment they alight from their flight in Entebbe to Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabamba Shoebill swamp, Murchison Falls National Park etc.

What is curious though is that Uganda – a potential birders’ Mecca, has barely marketed birding to the major source markets like the US, Britain and Australia.
Last week, a group of 53 bird guides were passed out by the Uganda Tourism Board CEO, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe to bring the number of professional bird guides in the country to 130. Of the 53 who attended the training in Kibale Forest National Park, 13 were women. Asiimwe reminded the guides to stay disciplined and professional when guiding tourists who visit to view the birds.
He said bad hospitality due to factors like indiscipline and a lack of professionalism leads to negative referrals given that more than 50 percent of tourists who come to Ugandan are a result of referrals.

According to Asiimwe, birding is a goldmine and assured the guides that they stand to make a lot of money. He said UTB is set to market Uganda as a birding destination as little attention has been paid to the activity because of a lack of professional birding guides.
The two-week birding training was sponsored by the Uganda Tourism Board, United Nations Development Fund and conducted by the Uganda Safari Guides Association.
Latest data from the Bank of Uganda has showed that tourism fetched Uganda US$1.4 billion in forex earnings, up from $1.1 billion last year. As it is, tourism has overtaken the traditional exports of coffee and fish as the biggest foreign exchange earner.

Timothy Kintu Magambo, one of the graduates said that over the two weeks, they learnt about ornithology, which is the study of birds.
“We have learnt various skills of birding ecology. The various habitats, flight actions, feeding habits, species, how to bird on foot, in a car, using a boat and at night,” said Magambo.

The guides learnt about the origin, evolution and ecology in birding, behaviour of birds, birds that are nearing extinction, parasitic birds and migratory birds.
He said they were educated on how birds do co-exist with abiotic and biotic ways, various characteristics of birds, nesting behavior, how birds interdepend on one another, presentation and communication skills and paying attention to bird details and observation skills. Magambo however pointed out that they lack birding equipment’s ranging from binoculars, field guide books, wish lists and pointers.

Herbert Byaruhanga, the president of Uganda Safari Guides Association said they received over 85 applicants for the course but could only take a given number. He advised that Uganda must go into specific tourism product marketing with birding as one of them.
He said the level of education in birding has increased what with over 130 well trained professional bird guides today.

Fastjet introduces low-cost Dar es Salaam-Entebbe flight

FastJet Tanzania

Taking advantage of space afforded to them by the demise of Air Uganda, FastJet, which is emerging as Africa’s low cost airline out of its hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is launching flights between Dar es Salaam and Entebbe.

And you will not believe the price – US$50 or Ush140,000 for a one way ticket before Government taxes. Government taxes in this case will be responsible for that price going up but it must be said that Fastjet’s offer is out of this world.

Government taxes are not clear for an easy computation but for a return ticket, the tax component for a return ticket between Entebbe and Dar es Salaam and vise versa today stand at between $150-$200. Entebbe will be fastjet’s fourth international destination and the new route will be the only direct air link between the two African capitals. Anyone travelling to Dar es Salaam today from Uganda by air uses Kenya Airways or Rwandair meaning they stop-over in either Nairobi or Kigali.

Precision Air was the only airline that offered Ugandans and indeed anyone wanting to travel to Dar es Salaam, a direct flight until they suspended operations into Entebbe for unclear reasons.
According to a statement from fastjet, tickets for the new route went on sale yesterday with fares starting from US$50 one-way, excluding airport and government taxes.
Flights are planned to start on 16 September, and will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the first weeks of September, increasing to four flights a week from 29 September.
fastjet says that since Air Uganda ceased flying, the fares offered by other carriers for flights in and out of the country have risen steadily.

The Chief executive and interim chairman Ed Winter said: “We believe the launch of this route, the only direct air link between Uganda and Tanzania, will stimulate new business and tourism traffic in Uganda. “fastjet is delighted with this opportunity to enter the Ugandan market and the support it has received from the Ugandan government and authorities. We very much look forward to commencing flights and hope this is the beginning of a wider fastjet network from Entebbe.”

There is no doubt the move by fastjet should benefit Uganda’s expanding tourism sector as visitors will be able to easily connect between Tanzania and Uganda to be able to go and see the famed Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi not to mention the other variety Uganda offers as a destination. The entry of fastjet brings into sharper focus the need for the revival of Uganda Airlines if tourism is to grow and Uganda can recapture its lure as a top tourist destination.

Imagine a Uganda Airlines whose number one deliverable is to attract tourists to the country with ticket pricing to specific destinations attractive to the frequent travelers.

Kidepo Valley Nominated as Africa’s Leading National Park

Kidepo Wilderness

With its ten national parks, Uganda is gifted by nature and really has a lot of individual attractions in each of the protected areas. Managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, national parks offer safaris in traditional savannah settings as well as dense rain forests, boat rides, mountain climbing at Mt. Elgon and the Rwenzoris as well as the Virungas.

Uganda is unrivalled in the field of bird watching and more than 1000 different species have been located within Uganda. Furthermore, Uganda is home to the majority of the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees as well as 11 other primate species.

The Kidepo Valley National park, remotely situated in the country’s north east, has been nominated as Africa’s Leading National Park 2013 by the World travel awards. This nomination is a great honour for UWA as well as us as a tour operator working in that region. Now it is us as Instinct Safaris to continue and increase our positive involvement with local communities in the region. Supporting schools with much needed equipment and offering vocational training as in Bwindi under the Kora Project is our goal.

Kidepo Valley National park is situated in Kaabong District. The park can be reached from Kampala after approximately 520 kilometres. Therefore, it is convenient to stop by at Mt. Elgon and the Sipi Falls on the way to Kidepo. The northern boundary of the park runs along the border with South Sudan and abuts against the Kidepo Game Reserve.

The park consists of the two major valley systems of both the Kidepo and Narus Rivers.
Kanangarok is a tepid hot spring in the extreme north of the Park which can also be visited. This spring is the most permanent source of water in the park.

These two valleys vary in their vegetation and fauna because of different levels of rainfall. The Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley are home to 86 mammal species including lion, cheetah, leopard, bat-eared fox, and giraffes. Roughly 500 bird species can be found. Breathtaking scenery with endemic flora guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.

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