Discover Uganda 2016

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discover uganda Š Safari Communications

Come experience the splendour of Uganda, a unique destination that offers adventure travel like you have never experienced it before.

Splash out on the rapids of the Nile waters and experience the world’s greatest rafting adventure; sample the vibrant nightlife in Kampala; experience a wild game safari and cultural experience of our people and retreat to our dense forests for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.

Come Discover Uganda - where adventure lives!

s e t a m i r p king trac

foreword is shining again!

The Pearl of Africa I

am pleased to unveil our second edition of Discover Uganda.

This, at a time when the tourism industry in Uganda continues to show marked growth in spite of the many challenges that have faced the industry both regionally and internationally.

This year, AUTO is celebrating 20 years of existence (dubbed “AUTO@ 20”) and a number of activities have been planned around the anniversary celebrations. The launch was done in Lira on World Tourism Day, next will be a Public Forum in relation to the World Tourism theme this year “1 billion tourists, 1 billion opportunities”.

AUTO members have largely contributed to the growth of the tourism industry in Uganda to the extent of being named number 1 tourism destination in the World in 2012 and subsequently to the recognition by the Government of Uganda.

TOURISM CIRCUITS Tourism in Uganda continues to show so much promise, especially considering the fact that we are still yet to fully develop new circuits across the country away from the traditional primate circuit that has continued to do very well.

Babra A. Vanhelleputte BOARD CHAIR Association of Uganda Tour Operators

Bird-watching is another strong asset that Uganda as a destination offers.

Playing host to more than half of Africa’s bird population, Uganda is one of the best bird-watching destinations in Africa, if not the world. In this issue, we cover this topic from the birding guide perspective.

Moreover, we are indeed pleased with what young Ugandans are doing to help market Uganda as a destination.

Through the power of the social media, they are using their cameras to showcase the very best of Uganda.

They have managed to generate a conversation across the country and online and have at the click of a button helped change the stereotypical perception of Uganda. In other words, they are defining Uganda to Ugandans and the rest of the world.

PEAL OF AFRICA TOURISM EXPO As we continue to showcase the very best of Uganda, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, is pleased to partner with the Uganda Tourism Board and other tourism stakeholders in Uganda as we seek to host the first Peal of Africa Tourism Expo in Kampala. This annual event will go a long way into opening up Uganda to Africa and the rest of the world. We invite our partners in Africa and the rest of the world to come and catch a glimpse of what Uganda has to offer both as a leisure and business destination.

As we launch this second edition of the guide, we anticipate that it will only get better with time through the support and contributions of our members and other stakeholders in the tourism industry, especially from Uganda.

Let us all work together to make this Pearl of Africa bigger and better and let us be brand ambassadors of Uganda wherever we go.

Welcome all to Uganda!

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

5

contents EDITORIAL SECTION

PAGE 20

Expert information on tourism matters in Uganda and the region

PAGE 03

UGANDA DISCOVER

Cover image is an illustration of an African Cheetah focused on its prey.

FOREWORD BY AUTO CHAIRPERSON The Pearl of Africa is shining again

PAGE 08 PUBLISHER’S REMARKS Uganda is on the rebound; Destination East Africa is on

REGULAR FEATURES

PAGE 18 A Publication of the:

Association of Uganda Tour Operators Plot 14 York Terrace Kololo, (near Kololo Airstrip), P.O. Box 73371, Kampala, Uganda Telephone: +256 (0)41 454 2599 Email: admin@auto.or.ug Website: www.auto.or.ug Published by:

Safari Communications Ltd. P. O. Box 13510 Westlands 00800 Nairobi, Kenya Email: media@safari-communications.com Website: www.safari-communications.com Photographs:

WORD FROM THE REGION We are one people; one region - East Africa

Latest news and inforation from AUTO & Uganda

PAGE 11 TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR UGANDA Helpful travel information for Uganda

PAGE 23 WOLF’S WORD A new face of Golf in Uganda

PAGE 12

Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Safari Communications Photo Library, Denis GATHANJU, Charlotte BEAUVOISIN, Shutterstock, Agencies DISCLAIMER: The contents and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, the publisher or any other organization associated with this publication. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this guide, they will not be held responsible for any errors and/or inaccuracies herein.

All Rights Reserved. © Copyright 2015-2016

PAGE 23

NEWS FROM AUTO Get up-to-date information on AUTO & Uganda

PAGE 14 WE ARE #KOIKOIUG Ugandans defining Uganda on social media

MAIN FEATURES

PAGE 38

Experience some of the best tourist attractions across Uganda

PAGE 16 UGANDA IS MY NEW HOME A foreigner’s take on travel in Uganda

PAGE 20 BIRDWATCHING SAFARI IN UGANDA Could Uganda be the ultimate birding destination?

PAGE 34

PAGE 32

BEYOND WILDLIFE TOURISM IN UGANDA Uganda seeks to enhance other forms of tourism

RHINOS MAKE A COMEBACK IN UGANDA Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the home of rhinos in Uganda

PAGE 36 PAGE 32

TRACKING THE BIG CATS To aid wildlife conservation and community tourism

PAGE 38 KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Uganda’s wild west is teeming with wildgame

OUR DIRECTORY A listing of all members of AUTO

jambo

This is Uganda; This is Destination

EAST AFRICA

‘‘ 8

U

IT IS HERE THAT THE MAGICAL EXPERIENCE OF TRAVEL IN THE REGION CAN BE SAMPLED WITH A SPARKLING SHINE FROM THE PEARL OF AFRICA AND FROM THE SOARING HEIGHTS OF A THOUSAND HILLS TO THE DRUMMING BEATS FROM THE VERY HEART AND SOUL OF AFRICA

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

ganda is rising. Its economy is humming once more and its people are forever matching forward towards a brighter future. At the heart of this economy is a growing tourism industry that has over the last couple of years driven to new heights the Ugandan economy.

While the country is not as big in terms of landmass, Uganda makes up with variety. The country boasts an incredible array of landscapes that range from the snowcapped Mountains of the Moon in the west to the jungles of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the south-west to the semi-desert north-east and water-spangled lake districts in between.

WILDLIFE DIVERSITY While its wildlife numbers plummeted from the early 80s, Uganda’s wildlife population growth is today one of the most remarkable on the African continent. Its national parks and protected areas are now teeming with a wide range of wild game and therefore adding to the diversity that the country offers the discerning traveler.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the many national parks in the country, today nurtures healthy populations of elephant, tree lions, hippos and other large mammals. The park is a

major stop on the migratory bird route up the Great Rift Valley. This coupled with the large resident population in the park makes it one of the best bird-watching parks in the country.

Just north of the Queen Elizabeth National Park is the Kibale National Park, one of the best places in Africa where one can get to see chimpanzees in the wild. The park plays host to about 13 primate species.

But, of course, the holy grail of Uganda’s wildlife safari is tracking the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Within this park is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The park sits close to the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) borders and is part of the Virunga transboundary conservation area that includes the Virunga National Park in the DRC and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Currently, the mountain gorilla population within Bwindi registers at a healthy 400 individuals and growing.

TRI-CITY ACTION Away from the tranquil settings of the national parks in Uganda and into the urban areas,

Uganda serves a menu-full of entertainment, city getaways and roaring nightlife.

The sleepy city of Entebbe is the principle air hub into Uganda. The city is set on a peninsula stretching into Lake Victoria and is about as laid back as it gets in this our Africa. However, it is renowned for its popular weekend beach clubs that come to life with over weekends and public holidays.

Ugandans and the resident foreign community in nearby Uganda love this getaway. And it is becoming ever more popular with residents from across the East African region. To the traveller, Entebbe is best described as that little slice of the Caribbean on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Nearby Kampala is the complete opposite of Entebbe. The city is a bustling hub of activity and is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Its sights range from the recently rebuilt royal tombs to a humungous mosque built by former Libyan strongman Moammer Gadhafi.

But it is the vibrant nightlife of Kampala that is ever drawing in the

crowds. The nightlife in this city is amongst the best in East Africa. And it comes in all manner of forms and sizes; from simple dance clubs located in the suburbs to sophisticated jazz venues in posh addresses across the city.

The nearby city of Jinja more or less completes the city-spot triangle in Uganda where the action never seems to stop. Jinja sits on the banks of the mighty Nile River and is being developed as an action adventure hotspot. Here, one of the world’s most thrilling white-water rafting experiences can be sampled. And when you throw in the snoozing Nile crocodiles and hippos in the waters, the experience gets even more adrenaline-pumping.

DESTINATION EAST AFRICA And to cap it all, Uganda is part of the community of nations under the East African Community (EAC) that have come together to make travel across the region much easier and faster.

Together with neighbouring Kenya and Rwanda, Uganda has is part of the single tourism visa regime that further helps enhance the travel experience of

travellers coming into the region.

Moreover, regional tourism policy shapers are working together to ease tourism marketing under one tourism destination – East Africa. This will go a long way into helping create jobs across borders through the value and supply chain and further help standardize service while providing a diversity of experiences for the traveller.

With this, Destination East Africa is on its way to spoiling the traveller for it is here that the magical experience of travel in the region can be sampled with a sparkling shine from the Pearl of Africa and from the soaring heights of a thousand hills to the drumming beats from the very heart and soul of Africa.

Gathanju

This is East Africa; where diversity lives.

Denis GATHANJU,

Publisher, DISCOVER UGANDA

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Kabale Kisoro

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016 10 Rwanda

Tanzania

Tanzania

travelinfo VISAS Ugandan visas are issued at Ugandan High Commissions and Embassies abroad and also at all Entry/Exit Points. The Uganda Visa Policy uses the principle of reciprocity, which means that all nations that require Ugandans to have visas are consequently visa prone in Uganda.

Visa Fees: Single Entry for 3 months US$100.

Uganda also issues the East African Borderless Visa which allows movement in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda unlike the Uganda visa that can

Airlines, RwandAir, South African Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines and Egypt Air.

while taking these motorcycles as they are known to cause numerous accidents many of which have led to serious injury and even death. If you have to take one, better inform the rider to ride slowly.

BY CAR It is possible to overland into Uganda from neighbouring countries. Entry into Uganda from Kenya is via the Busia and Malaba border crossings while from Rwanda is mainly the Gatuna border crossing. A Carnet du Passage is required for private vehicles, including motorcycles. These border points are open 24 hours-a-day.

LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL If using public transport, there are numerous buses and public taxis that connect to Kampala from Nairobi in Kenya, Juba in South Sudan, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Kigali in Rwanda, Bujumbura in Burundi and Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The buses range from luxury coaches to the basic with varying fares.

GET AROUND If local travel has not been pre-arranged with a tour company

BY BUS Uganda has a decent bus commuter system. There are two classes of buses.

The public taxis which are also known as matatus just like in neighbouring Kenya. These are actually minibuses or commuter vans, which run fixed routes.

The actual buses run less frequently within the city of Kampala, but mainly shuttle people to other towns in the provinces. They usually leave Kampala early in the morning. There are many companies which almost all leave from the same general area. Some roads outside of Kampala, especially in the rural areas are not paved.

Domestic bus travel within Uganda is reasonable and cheap between major towns and is a good choice for backpackers with time. However, there are no established bus schedules so proper planning needs to be done for traveling outside Kampala

BY PLANE Domestic flights might be a good and fast alternative to dusty bus rides.

BY TAXI

only be used for travel in Uganda.

based in Uganda, there are plenty of ways of moving around within the major towns and from one town to the

GETTING TO UGANDA: BY PLANE Uganda is a landlocked country and access to the country is via the land borders or via the country’s principal airport at Entebbe International Airport.

The airport is serviced by regional and international airlines that link Uganda to the region and the rest of the world.

Major airlines that fly into Entebbe include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian

next.

BY BODA-BODA Boda bodas are motorcycle taxis. They are found in their hundreds in Kampala and other major tows. They are not only a cheap way of getting around, but also tend to be faster to get from one point of the town to the other.

The best way to get around Kampala and the neighbouring towns is by using minibus-type public taxis or matatus. This is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transportation in Kampala and other towns.

The fares are normally written on the display boards placed on the roofs of the vans. Alternatively, it is recommended asking other passengers what the fare to your destination is to avoid being overcharged by the conductors.

There are also private taxis, which are known to the locals as special hire taxis. They are also available within Kampala and other major towns. They do not have a fixed price and you have to negotiate the fare with the driver before embarking on the journey because private taxis in Uganda are not metered.

However, caution should be exercised Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

11

Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo The Uganda Tourism Board in conjunction with other tourism stakeholders that include the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) has launched its premier tourism, marketing and promotions event that will be held annually in November.

Dubbed the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, the expo will provide opportunities to tourism operators to market the country both domestically and internationally and network.

While welcoming the expo, Mrs. Babra A. Vanhelleputte, the chairperson of the AUTO , said they have not been aggressive in attracting tourists in comparison with the regional neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, but the association had now set apart special rates to attract domestic tourists.

Lira Hosts World Tourism Day Uganda joined other 161 member countries of World Tourism Organisation for the celebrations marking the World Tourism Day. The northern district of Lira hosted the festivities this year.

The event managed to showcase to Ugandans from other regions a glimpse of its diverse culture, food, hospitable people and rich historical contribution to the nation.

Explained Vincent Mugaba, the Uganda Tourism Board’s (UTB) public relations officer: “Every year, we go to different parts of the country.

We want every Ugandan to know that Uganda is different so that even if you haven’t been there, through the celebration you, are able to know about cultures, traditions and natural sights elsewhere.”

12

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

autonews

AUTO

@

T

he Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) is Uganda's leading tourism trade association, representing the interests of the country's leading and experienced professional tour operators.

Presently, the membership is made up of over 150 tour companies.

This year, AUTO is celebrating 20 years of existence (dubbed “AUTO@ 20”) and a number of activities have been planned around the anniversary celebrations. The launch was done in Lira on World Tourism Day, next will be a Public Forum then a Dinner later in the year.

The Membership has risen from less than 30 to over 160. It has been instrumental in lobbying, advocacy, capacity building and redress for the last 2 decades. In the same period it has built relations with partners both in the private sector and the government.

• During the World Tourism Day Celebrations AUTO launched a series of events to mark 20 years of existence. Among the persons present was the media, tour operators and friends of AUTO. • On Saturday 26th, the team took part in the painting of the Zebra Crossing at the Main Market , a Corporate Social Responsibility spearheaded by Uganda Tourism Board. Thereafter, AUTO bought paint and headed to Anai Primary School where it handed over the items to the administrator of the school.

• In the Afternoon at 4pm, AUTO members gathered at the Lira stadium to face off with the Lango

tourism cluster in a friendly soccer match. Unfortunately, the Lango team was ill-prepared and it decided to send "mercenaries" who were beaten 2 -1 by the AUTO team.

• At dusk, the AUTO team assembled at Hotel 291 suites for a Beer Party. It was graced by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Top management of Uganda Tourism Board and staff, Director Tourism and Business Services at Uganda Wildlife Authority, Lango tourism cluster members, area leaders, Miss Tourism Uganda and the media.

• On 27th September, AUTO took part in the World Tourism 2Km March from the Lira Institute of Business to the Main celebrations grounds at the Golf Course.

Amidst Ululations, the AUTO team took position in its tent and was commended by the Guest of Honor Dr. Maria Mutagamba (Minister of Tourism) for the cordial relations with Government tourism agencies.

• Public forum to be held on 27th October from 2:00 pm at Fairway Hotel. This is in relation to the World Tourism theme this year “1 billion tourists, 1 billion opportunities”. The forum will focus on the achievements, challenges and opportunities that exist. Expected attendees include the private sector and Government representatives in regards to the tourism sector.

WHY CELEBRATE? To reflect on the achievements from past, the present and envisage AUTO in the next 30 years.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

13

NTOROKO GAME LODGE Uganda Safari Lodges And Camps

Nt

roko

Game Lodge

N

toroko Game Lodge; Located right at the shores of Lake Albert.It is a luxury tented camp, nestled in the unspoiled beauty and breathtaking wild life.

The only safari lodge with a natural sand beach for that sun tan you’ve been yearning for.

The long beach walks into the sunset‌ just as a safari is meant to be.

A typical out of the movie scene!!

Enjoy the sweet melodies of the birds in the forest. All - so fulfilling.

A perfect combination of luxury, relaxation and a unique safari experience.

Welcome to the hub in paradise!!!

RUHIJA GORILLA LODGE

R

uhija Gorilla Lodge invites you to surround yourself with the splendor of beautiful calm natural environment and forest-fresh air, while experiencing the luxury and serenity of our lodge

www.asyanuttours-safaris.com. www.gorillasafari.travel. www.ntorokogamelodge.com email:info@asyanuttours-safaris.com.

Tel :+256 414 503 065. Cell : 0756 000 598.

Ruhija Gorilla Lodge Bwindi

www.safari-communications.com

#koikoiug

INSTAMEET How young Ugandans are marketing Uganda via social media

K

oikoi is a vernacular term that signals the start of a riddle. In ancient times, elders used this in a game like format to pass on wisdom and teach life lessons to the younger generation. Koikoiug came out of a similar need, to challenge stereotypes by providing information about Uganda on a medium, Instagram, which is accessible by 300million subscribers, and another 1 billion by extension on facebook.

It also was in a bid to teach Ugandans to appreciate their country, the hope was that since a photo cuts out the clutter and allows you to focus on a single thing, we would be reminded that despite of the things that are going on in our country, there was still a lot of beautiful stuff to be proud of, that we were still The Pearl of Africa.

HONEST DEPICTION ABOUT UGANDA Beyond single focus though, the old adage saying that a photo is worth 1000 words is still true today. And with the average attention span dropping to 8 seconds, as of 2013, we wanted a medium that could provide all the necessary information whilst keeping up with the consumption habits of today’s generation.

The drive of the Koikoiug campaign is creating an honest depiction about

of people around Uganda and the rest of the world. Through such Instameets, we are helping draw attention to Uganda as a destination and in the process, we are breaking the stereotypes by showing another vibrant, positive face of Uganda.

Uganda, for Uganda by Ugandans.

The story of our country has either been told just in part, highlighting only big game and our political crisis, or has been told by people who are biased towards a particular endgame or don’t have the whole picture.

THE INSTAMEET BUZZ For instance, we ran an Instameet campaign in Jinja and immediately got contacted by someone seeking details on how he could visit the Sezibwa falls. Now this is the one that came out, for each one, we assume there are 10 more who have visited areas because they were impressed by a photo someone took for Koikoiug.

Kafunda Kreative together with Jovago.com, are committed to encouraging travel to and within Uganda for the whole experience.

We have also partnered with other organizations that include 8 Media Pictures and Kanzu Code with the aim of giving Koikoi that balanced depiction.

From the boda boda life, to the pulsating culture of some of our cities, to ancient forgotten towns, to the diverse wildgame and more than 50 different cultures of the Ugandan people, the Koikoiug tells an honest unadulterated story about Uganda.

GENERATE A CONVERSATION The benefits out of this campaign have been tremendous. We have managed to generate a conversation amongst Ugandans and other people visiting Uganda by sharing stories and images about Uganda. We call these the Koikoiug stories.

Thus far, we now we have more than 1,000 photos of Uganda, its people and their cultures. And these are actively being shared through the social media platform to millions

We believe someone tried one of our delicacies because of a photo, but more so we believe more and more Ugandans are getting invested in actively promoting their country.

‘‘

THE DRIVE OF THE KOIKOIUG CAMPAIGN IS CREATING AN HONEST DEPICTION ABOUT UGANDA; FOR UGANDA;

BY UGANDANS

A good case in point is a song, which is going to become the official song for Koikoiug, although not commissioned by us, musicians Kahiri, Kiracho and Kiremire share with us their project challenging the idea that ‘local’ things are bad things. Game makers at Zimba Uganda are also plugging in to play their part in creating educational and creative games about Uganda, all towards changing perceptions, all towards Koikoi.

We are Ugandans and we are proud to showcase the very best of Uganda to ourselves, our African brothers and sisters and to the outside world.

This is Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

15

Experience Africa Tailored To Your Budget

W

hen I tell people in the UK that I live in Uganda, they may have heard of the country, but they are not really sure why.

“Is that guy still there?” People ask me vaguely. Sometimes they’re referring to Idi Amin, sometimes they’re referring to Joseph Kony. (Wouldn’t it be great one day if those same people were asking after ‘that guy’ megastar musician Jose Chameleone or even ‘that girl’ prize-winning journalist Nancy Kacungira?)

“What about that war - is that still going on?” Eh banange…

Several questions later, I finally get to the bottom of it, they are referring to Rwanda’s genocide of 1994.

Uganda- +256-705-111-943 North America-1613710 1019 UK- +44 (0) 1844290000 www.churchillsafaris.com info@churchillsafaris.com

I think it’s safe to say then that outside East Africa, people don’t really know much about 21st century Uganda! So if general knowledge about the country is so low, how do tourists end up in the Pearl of Africa?

A lot of people arrive here like me, as volunteers or missionaries.

To be honest, you could write what I knew about Uganda on the

back of a stamp. I admit it, I was just like anyone else, I knew very little about this fabulous country - and I was somebody who took an active interest in the African continent.

WHY UGANDA? I did very little research before I came to Uganda. I just let the wave of positive feeling carry me to the Equator: “you will love Uganda. Just go!” My volunteer predecessor told me.

I came to Uganda as a VSO volunteer with the Uganda Conservation Foundation, ostensibly for two years. Uganda felt like home the moment the plane door opened at Entebbe International Airport. I have never looked back.

I didn’t come for the weather, but it’s a great reason to stay! You take it for granted that you can just wear a T-shirt for almost 365 days of the year.

Most tourists come to Uganda to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas. While they are here, they will usually go on safari too. They may go chimp tracking, or take a boat ride on the River

myhome

Uganda?

just go! a mzungu’s diary WRITTEN BY: Charlotte BEAUVOISIN

Nile. Many people will visit more than one national park. The more adventurous will go grade 5 white water rafting (only Zimbabwe can match Uganda’s white water); fish Lake Victoria for huge 150 kg Nile Perch, or watch (join in?) an African dance display. Volunteering and church projects are popular reasons why people come to Uganda too.

Birdwatching - or the modern ‘birding’ - is not just for oldies or ‘twitchers.’ “I’ve never really noticed birds before,” visitors to Uganda tell me. Well, in the UK, that’s not so surprising: we don’t have African Grey Parrots whistling above our gardens in the morning. We are not woken up by the cackle of Hadada Ibis who probes the lawn with their huge curved beak. We don’t have to DUCK when a Marabou Stork with a two metre wingspan swoops low above us as we cross Kampala Road.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR TOURISM IN UGANDA? Uganda has incredible potential.

The roads are improving and new lodges and activities are opening up

everywhere. The most developed tourism is in the national parks, where it’s all about wildlife and birds. Beyond that, Uganda has some of the world’s best hiking: Margherita Peak in the Rwenzori Mountains is a challenging seven to ten day hike. The huge caldera of Mount Elgon, that straddles the Kenya border, is another wonderful climb of four or five days. In southwest Uganda, you can hike to the top of the Virunga volcanoes and swim in crystal clear lakes. You can walk through the jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, before or after the obligatory trip to see the mountain gorillas. You are unlikely to bump into many other tourists on these treks.

Uganda is a particularly appealing country for outdoors types. We Brits love a physical challenge - we also love to sip a sundowner or three in the evenings and enjoy some delicious food! Uganda has something for everyone. I believe Uganda’s time has yet to come: Ugandan welcomes are always unforgettable. The fact everyone

PHOTOS BY: Charlotte BEAUVOISIN

speaks English makes travelling in Uganda so much easier too.

‘‘

In the last few years, Uganda has won dozens of tourism and travel awards, from Lonely Planet No. 1 Destination to Visit, to National Geographic, CNN, the African Bird Club and more. No-one comes to Uganda and has ‘an average time.’

The thing is about Uganda: the country just grabs you - and people like me revisit and tell their friends and family to visit too.

And people like me stay, for seven years - so far.

UGANDA IS A PARTICULARLY APPEALING COUNTRY FOR OUTDOORS TYPES. WE BRITS LOVE A PHYSICAL CHALLENGE

Experience Uganda with Diary of a Muzungu www.diaryofamuzungu.com - adventure, travel, cultural (mis)observations, conservation, safaris, wildlife and birds and life as a 40-something British expat woman trying to get to grips with life in a developing country.

Follow @CharlieBeau on Twitter for more about Uganda.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

17

ourregion

One People; One Destination:

EAST AFRICA

WRITTEN BY: Carmen NIBIGIRA

G

reetings from East Africa.

From the standpoint of the East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP), East Africa is and should be branded, developed and marketed as one destination offering multiple services and products.

East Africa has what it takes to be a destination of choice to large and diverse markets without any doubt. From lovers of nature, those seeking immersion into cultures, those searching for the authentic experience, heritage and more, the countries of the East African Community (EAC) have it all....and more.

‘‘

REGIONAL TOURISM IS POSSIBLE AND IS HAPPENING, WHAT MATTERS NOW IS TO ENVISION TOURISM AS THE CATALYST TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

EAC and the unwavering determination of our leaders both in the public and private sectors, we are experiencing what it means to travel with one single tourist visa.

The single tourist visa is currently used with much success in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, we are looking at expanding this to include Burundi and Tanzania as well as South Sudan.

Residents can now cross borders using their national IDs and students cards, while international residents with valid work and residence permits are enjoying the benefits of using the interstate passes.

We are paving a way for the future destination made of choices, offers and diversity for our domestic, regional and international visitors.

In addition, the e-visa regime is being implemented in Kenya and already working in Rwanda, allowing our region to move into the 21st century, making life easier for our travellers.

SINGLE TOURIST VISA & E-VISA

ONE TOURISM DESTINATION - EAST AFRICA

Not long ago, to travel within East Africa, one would have needed up to five different visas, charged different rates, and thereby making travel within the region both expensive and painstaking trying to acquire visas and complying to different visa requirements.

But today, thanks to the continued partnerships of the member countries of the

The vision is to create one tourism destination where East African citizens are invited to be part of the tourism fabric. We need to change our definition of tourism, embrace tourism based on our culture and traditions; this is East Africa who else can tell our story, except ourselves.

We have a voice on what defines tourism

in East Africa.

Discovering this vast destination with exciting and endless opportunities require more than one country, the whole region is called to play their part. The private sector is the backbone of the tourism sector.

Through different associations -hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, tour guides and the entire value chain, let us change our narrative and embrace the spirit of collaboration.

LET’S EXPLORE OUR EAST AFRICA We are doing it already at country level, now let us expand it into a bigger and better playground - East Africa. We are serving a region with a population of over 140 million, can we envision a destination of

multiple packages from sea, lakes, desert, and the mountains and many more?

With these resources, we can be on the bucket list for any tourists, visitors in EAC and beyond our shores. Private sector needs to challenge us, when picking next year travel guides, brochures, and browsing online options for our next holidays, conferences, meetings, short weekends that long family holiday, to see what we have not seen yet. Tempt us to stay and spend that tourism dollar in East Africa, create jobs, invest in East Africa; our home.

Whether it is by road, air or waterways, we are demanding our partners to promote regional travel by being competitive, sensitive to a growing market of East African travellers. Connecting across the region should not be out of reach for citizens of EAC. Our call is extended to airlines specifically, the EAC market is huge for trade, travel and business, play your part!

TOURISM AS AN ECONOMIC CATALYST Regional tourism is possible and is happening, what matters now is to envision tourism as the catalyst to sustainable development within the EAC through connectivity; promoting intra and inter-regional tourism will come through ongoing work we are doing through advocacy, marketing, skills development,

research and information sharing.

The mission of creating a vibrant and diverse single tourism destination providing exceptional experiences is possible. Join us in our mission!

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, one of the gateways to East Africa, our home, your tourism destination awaiting to be discovered.

ABOUT CARMEN NIBIGIRA Carmen is the current Regional Co-ordinator of the East African Tourism Platform (EATP).

She has lived and worked in all five countries of the East African Community (EAC) and thus considers herself as a true East African citizen.

She enjoys losing herself to the great outdoors of East Africa and is inspired by the incredible powers of mother nature. Carmen is also a former Director General of the National Tourism Office of Burundi.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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Bird-watching in

UGANDA WRITTEN BY: Samuel RUKUNDO IMAGES: Samuel RUKUNDO, AGENCIES

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DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

ourbirds

its national bird. It is flies proudly on the Ugandan flag.

Many people travel to Uganda to catch sight of the mystical

Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, African Finfoot, Rwenzori Nightjars, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and the Regal Sunbird.

The Albertine Rift is an area of lakes, mountains and forests, which stretches from northern Uganda along its borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Albertine Endemics occur here and are difficult or even impossible to find anywhere else. Uganda also receives various Palearctic immigrants that happen to visit in different seasons of the year and these appear in specific months of the year! It is the only fabulous bird watching nation, an equatorial country of astonishing contrasts; no other area in Africa can match Uganda’s amazing diversity of habitats for birds.

WHEN TO GO BIRDING IN UGANDA

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pending a night in Uganda, its very likely that you won’t be woken up by the ‘irritating’ sound of your alarm clock but by a mixture of myriads of sweet melodies and lyrics from birds in your backyard!

Even in the capital, Kampala, where you would expect to be woken by the ‘annoying’ city bells, you will have in excess of 150 bird species pulling out the best of their vocals to wake you up at dawn especially if you stay in the city suburbs. It is incredibly amazing! No wonder, Uganda uses the Grey Crowned Crane – a bird – as

mountain gorillas living in the dense forests of the Virunga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, yet Uganda’s attractions don’t stop at that.

THE ALBERTINE RIFT However, Uganda provides yet another platform that is as equally exciting - birdwatching. Boasting well over 1,060 bird species (1,064 as of 2015 to be specific), Uganda offers the enthusiatic birder a fantastic opportunity to watch some and common and also some not common birds.

In the Albertine Rift alone, you will be sure to meet 23 endemic birds like the much sought after

Although the peak birding period in Uganda is during the rainy seasons – March to May and September to December when birds are most active and also breeding, Uganda still remains a birder’s finest destination all year round.

ABOUT SAMUEL RUKUNDO Samuel is the founder of “The City Birder” the home of City birding enthusiasts and a CoOwner & General Manager at Silverback Travel Company. He was born and raised in Western Uganda at the boarders of Kibale National Park & Fort Portal town.

After obtaining his first certificate in Bird Watching & Tour guiding under the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), he worked for various travel and tour companies as a freelance birding & cultural safari guide. He continued guiding even after joining Nkumba University to study for his Diploma in Tourism Operations & Management.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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wolf

THE NEW FACE OF GOLF IN UGANDA WRITTEN BY: Wolfgang THOME

G

olf is a popular sport across Eastern Africa and in particular in Kenya have new high quality championship courses sprang up over the past two decades while the rest of the region lagged considerably behind. Kigali and Kampala have only one course to play, not much for capital cities. Nairobi in stark contrast offers golfers a dozen courses to play on including some of Kenya’s most acclaimed like Muthaiga, Windsor or Karen, to name but three.

Developments of new courses range from the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort to the Leisure Lodge Golf Club in Diani and of course Kenya’s latest and already highest ranked, the Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort, which meets the exacting standards of the United States Professional Golfers

Association (USPGA). Several other courses are under development and have been integrated into gated estates – where golfers, from both Kenya and further abroad, had the opportunity to enjoy their game on new facilities purpose built to attract a high spending clientele.

Zanzibar opened a new course in February this year at the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa but that literally ends the list, until that is, a new course in Uganda on the shores of Lake Victoria opened up recently.

LAKE VICTORIA SERENA GOLF RESORT Serena Hotels, regional market leader by some distance in terms of both quality and the sheer number of properties in the wider region, has ventured into new territory with their Lake Victoria Serena Golf

Resort, the first such sports oriented property the group manages but probably not the last one.

The course itself has been planned in conjunction with ‘Mark Wiltshire Golf’, a Mauritius based company specialized in developing courses and then managing them but was designed by Golf Plan with Kevin Ramsey named as principal architect. Sitting on some 83.5 hectares of prime lakeshore land will the par 72 course, when complete, have a length of 6.725 metres and comprise four par five, ten par four and four par three holes. South African Cedric Brummer has been recruited as golf pro and Golf Manager for the course and will be happy to respond to any and all enquiries about the course as well as discussing tournaments with interested parties.

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SERENA HOTELS, REGIONAL MARKET LEADER BY SOME DISTANCE IN TERMS OF BOTH QUALITY AND THE SHEER NUMBER OF PROPERTIES

The presently nine holes – with 18 tees – are being expanded to a full 18 holes and work towards that is ongoing. However, the nine already pose major challenges to golfers as the tight fairways, aligned along ponds and lake inlets, are demanding and the slightest mishit will feed the balls to the fish or frogs.

The resort itself is also home to a small marina which adjoins the main club house, itself extensive enough to cater for the influx of guests for tournaments during the day and the prize giving functions in the evening, and then some more.

Boat excursions are on offer for those who either prefer to watch the play from off shore or rather ‘hunt’ for the extensive variety of birds which make the reed grass and wetlands along many stretches of the Lake Victoria shores their

habitat.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE VILLAS The buildings, architecture and colours alike, resemble a Mediterranean village with the master’s mansion in the centre of it, giving guests that unique feeling to be somewhere else, while of course the lake, and a few islands dotted between shore and horizon, could just as well – especially on a blue skied sunny day – be at an ocean or another lake, though of course it is Lake Victoria.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city is the resort located off the main highway from Kampala to Entebbe. From the Central Business District it is but 20 kilometres while the distance from the international airport is another 30 kilometres. The nearby Kajjansi airfield, home to the Kampala Aero Club, is as the bird flies less than two kilometres away though going there by road will add to the tally.

Set in extensive gardens, which provide a tranquil atmosphere, is the resort also home to dozens of bird species, a bonus for ornithologists who come to play golf when not watching birds of the feathered kind. Fish eagles, flocks of Ibis and Hamerkop but also Casqued Hornbills are among those more vocal, especially at dawn.

THE GOLF COURSE IN UGANDA It was in fact these hornbills, fish eagle and plenty of ibis which calls’ echoed across the resort in the morning, giving notice to the guests that day had broken and for those on a 7 a.m. tee-off time it would be now or else lose the slot, as demand for play on weekends in particular has seen a stellar rise.

After all, this is THE course in Uganda, notwithstanding that presently only nine holes are playable and the members’ register, corporate and individual, is filling up fast. In comparison to the Uganda Golf Union’s course in the centre of Kampala has a serious rival risen to prominence and when complete, no doubt will major national, regional and continental tournaments be held on this scenic course.

The resort of course offers more than ‘just golf’ and guests can enjoy a game of tennis, laze around the swimming pool or else take advantage of the presence of Serena’s Maisha Spa brand in the resort, where a full range of treatments and massages is available for guests. After all it is the purpose of a resort to offer guests literally any activity and pampering option without them having to venture out in search of other locations.

Frankline Nyakundi, who recently took over the resort, and his entire team will be more than happy to respond to enquiries, besides looking after their guests whom they welcome as strangers and bid farewell as friends.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY In (almost) closing a few words about the green credentials of the new resort. It is a core policy of Serena Hotels to be as environmentally friendly as is possible at a given location and the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort is no different. Installed inverter systems reduce the use of diesel propelled generators when the mains power is off and waste management meets modern world standards through exacting separation of items which can be recycled and re-used. Organic food waste goes to local pig farmers making it an all round win-win situation for the environment. The use of pesticides and fertilizers is kept to a bare minimum and annual audits of Serena’s green credential ensure that no corners are cut and policies are translated into real tangible action and results.

HIGHLY RATED PRESIDENTIAL SUITE With only 114 rooms, 8 Executive and 2 Presidential Suites, which includes Uganda’s most highly rated Presidential Suite, is the resort still intimate enough to find some solitude, more so as the two storied accommodation units are generously spaced to allow those who seek it the privacy they require to remain private. Ranked 5star by the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism it is a match to its sister operation in the city, the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Three restaurants, including the one at the club house, offer culinary delights which leave few questions asked by one’s palate unanswered.

A wide range of dishes ranging from Vegetarian over poultry to pork, beef and of course lake fish and seafood.

I had dinner at the clubhouse and the service team, under the watchful eyes of Food & Beverage Manager Mike Wabulo, who moved from the Kampala Serena Hotel to the resort, did they indeed pull out all the stops.

Starter, soup, main course – in my case a 350 gram pepper steak – and desert were perfectly prepared, very well presented and served with a professionalism which is a hallmark for Serena Hotels wherever they are.

My guests were given a full overview of the wines on offer and notably were all the choices also available by glass.

The resort, which has major outdoor function areas including a replica coliseum large enough to have a massive function tent on the inner green and still have plenty of space for large crowds to mingle outdoors, have already made it a favourite for weddings and large corporate events, product launches and even a much in demand spot for TV commercials. General Manager

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AFTER ALL IT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESORT TO OFFER GUESTS LITERALLY ANY ACTIVITY AND PAMPERING OPTION WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO VENTURE OUT IN SEARCH OF OTHER LOCATIONS

Regional airlines flying into Entebbe, like RwandAir and Kenya Airways, were among the first to check out the resort with the aim of putting package deals on the market and no doubt will the Brussels Airlines, KLM, South African Airways, Fastjet and of course Turkish and the major Gulf carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and FlyDubai sit up and take notice of the new resort.

It provides their passengers with yet more reasons why they should visit Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. For sure, this new resort is a pearl in its own right and a perfect addition to Uganda’s leisure offerings.

Time to pay Uganda a visit, for golf, adventures and so much more.

ABOUT WOLFGANG THOME Wolfgang is a travel and aviation writer based in Entebbe, Uganda. He is widely travelled and has a passion for tourism in Africa.

He manages the most-read travel and aviation blog in East and Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Subscribe here: http://wolfganghthome. wordpress.com

Our Next Gen 2 AIRBUS A330 (2016)

2 BOEING 737-800 NG

2 BOMBARDIER CRJ 900 NG

neration Fleet

2 BOEING 737-700 NG

2 BOMBARDIER Q400 NG

serenahotels

Style & Elegance KAMPALA SERENA HOTEL – KAMPALA’S PREMIER HOTEL A member of The Leading Hotels of the World TM group the Serena’s Uganda flagship, the Kampala Serena Hotel is an inspirational blend of five-star polish, pan-African panache, social style and business reliability. Ideally located at the very heart of Kampala, the hotel stands amidst 72 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens.

An oasis of cool and green, encircled by the seven hills of Kampala, this world-class hotel is the focal point of national, regional, business, political and social life.

Inspirationally styled as a showcase for Ugandan art, this unique fivestar hotel offers; an international conference centre, a garden auditorium, a rooftop terrace, a rock-sculptured pool terrace, three restaurants, two bars and the Moorish palace of the ‘Maisha’ Mind Body and Spirit Spa.

THE LAKE VICTORIA SERENA GOLF RESORT AND SPA - A RESORT FOR ALL SEASONS, A RETREAT FOR RECREATION AND ROMANCE ALIKE Styled to replicate the lines of a classically rustic Roman villa, the four-star Lake Victoria Serena Resort has been positioned so as to offer both a contrast and an extension to the five-star profile of the flagship Kampala Serena Hotel, thus

ensuring that the Serena portfolio embraces all aspects of Uganda’s social and corporate life.

such as the Ngamba Island Tour which takes in Uganda’s famous chimpanzee sanctuary.

Rising above terraced rose gardens, which descend through water cascades and fountains almost to the shores of Lake Victoria the central citadel is encircled by broad café and cocktail terraces, where cushioned sofas invite relaxation.

Above the marble reception, where a Roman fountain plays, whitearched galleries rise to a clear glass atrium, through which shafts of light illuminate the fountained courtyard below.

The Marina is encircled by the immaculate greens of the Resort’s own PGA-affiliated championship golf course.

WELL-DESIGNED GOLF COURSE The 9 –hole (soon to be 18-hole) Lake Victoria Serena Golf Course was designed by the internationally acclaimed golf specialists Golfplan, designers of courses for some of the world’s most famous championship events and features a state of the art closed –circuit television system, a flood-lit driving range, encircled by water and spanned by bridges, this unique course has been rated by the professionals as ‘fast moving, challenging, exhilarating , with a character that changes subtly throughout the day.

The resort offers a choice of rooms including suites, a selection of dining options that include a South East Asian Fusion Restaurant and the Maisha Health Club and Spa.

MARINA & BOAT CRUISES Ever innovative the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa now features a marina which spans over 100 acres of pristine lakeshore, a championship golf course and a Coliseum. Located on a man-made bay which lies directly below the resort complex, the Marina features a channel, yacht basin with moorings for yachts and motorboats.

Leisure options include boat cruises to the nearby islands which offer stunning birdlife, sunset cruises with cocktails, fishing, and tours

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EVER INNOVATIVE THE LAKE VICTORIA SERENA GOLF RESORT AND SPA NOW FEATURES A MARINA

The gracefully Italian inspired Club House which houses a restaurant, bar and a golf shop offers the ideal venue for a wide range of social events, tournaments, weddings and corporate events, offering indoor and outdoor seating, a private function room, and a range of scenic terraces and event spaces.

The Coliseum, built in classic Italian style , complete with its own stage is an ideal venue for weddings, corporate and social events.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

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hinos are coming back to Uganda. The rhino population in Uganda was completely wiped out in the early1980s mainly due to the civil strife the country experienced at the time and also due to widespread poaching.

At the time, Uganda was once the only place in East Africa with both white and black rhinos. They numbered at more than 100 white and 300 black rhinos in northern Uganda alone.

However, as the country continues to make tremendous strides in its economic path to attaining a middleincome status, the rhino is coming back to Uganda. This is happening thanks to the combined efforts of actors both in the public and private sectors keen on replenishing the rhino population in Uganda and also halting the widespread poaching of the rhino that has seen its numbers plummet over the last few decades.

About 180 kilometers north of the Ugandan capital Kampala, lies the privately-owned, non-profit wildlife conservancy area known as Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch.

It is located in the Nakasongola District and is the only place in Uganda where rhinos roam freely in the open grasslands. It measures approximately 7,000 hectares of suitable savannah and native woodlands.

It is here in 2005 that six southern white rhinos were first re-introduced into the area through a collaborative effort of the Rhino Fund Uganda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Today, the sanctuary boasts of

an increasing rhino population that now stands at 15 individuals.

The six original individuals included four rhinos that were brought in from the Solio Ranch in Kenya and another two individuals that were donated to the sanctuary by the Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

The union led to the first recorded birth in 2009, a year after US President Barrack Obama was elected into office. Bearing in mind that Obama’s parents were from Kenya and the US, the newly born rhino was aptly named Obama since it also had one parent from Kenya and another from the US.

MAXIMUM SECURITY Considering the massive threats that rhinos face all across the region and in Africa, it is paramount to protect them. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch leaves nothing to chance. The rhinos here are under a 24-hour protection.

Aside from round-the-clock armed guards within the conservancy, there is a two-meter electric fence that rings around the entire area to keep out poachers and other unwanted persons from the protected area and also to ensure that the rhinos do not roam out of the protected area.

The dedicated team of armed security personnel numbers more than 70 well-trained game rangers. They monitor every movement of the rhinos within the conservancy day and night. The rangers have orders to shoot any intruders of sight.

However, since the establishment of this rhino sanctuary, there have been no recorded intrusions.

RHINO TRACKING Over the last few years, the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch has become a popular stop-over point for tourists travelling to the Murchison Falls from Kampala.

The sanctuary provides trained rangers who will ably guide you through this expedition. You will have the opportunity to observe the rhinos at a very close range, but from a safe distance. While at the sanctuary you will also encounter a range of other wildlife species including Uganda kobs, reed bucks, oribis, rich bucks, hippos and crocodiles.

The world’s black rhino population has greatly reduced from a strong 65,000 animals in the 1970s to a measly 2,800 individuals across Africa and Asia. However, the remaining population faces a major threat from poachers.

With the establishment of the rhino sanctuary at Ziwa, Uganda now joins other nations in Africa such as Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe that have actively taken to keeping rhinos in private wildlife conservancies that are meant to help protect them.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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ourskies

Connecting

to

AFRICA AFRICA WRITTEN BY: Denis GATHANJU

one route at a time

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he skies over Africa are changing – and they are changing faster than you think. This is thanks to the phenomenal growth and expansion of RwandAir, arguably the fastest growing airline on the African continent.

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Based at its principle hub at the Kigali International Airport, RwandAir seeks to enhance air connectivity within Africa by offering a high quality service at the most affordable rates possible. And this is paying off big time.

THE AIRLINE HAS INTRODUCED, AND IS DEVELOPING, A THIRD AVIATION HUB WITHIN THE EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA REGION

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

Year-on-year, the airline continues to register growing passenger and cargo numbers as it also seeks to bring into its network more destinations across Africa. Thanks to this sustained growth, the airline has introduced, and is developing, a third aviation hub within the East and Central Africa region away from the main hubs at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International

Airport and Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport. However, the hub at Kigali is increasingly playing a complimentary role to the two main hubs as a feeder hub.

CONNECTING AFRICA But this is for the time being as the Government of Rwanda is planning on putting up a much bigger airport facility at Bugesera on the outskirts of Kigali. The development of Bugesera will be in line with the government’s vision of tapping into the growing airport-airline hub concept that creates a thriving aviation and allied industry around such facilities.

Today, RwandAir straddles the eastern sea-board of Africa and conveniently connects it to the African Maghreb and further conveniently connects these to southern Africa through South African Airlines from Johannesburg. Dubai remains the only destination outside Africa that

the airline flies to. However, this is bound to change as the airline has already concluded discussions in acquiring two brand new Airbus A330 jets late next year. The widebodied, twin-engine jets are meant to enable the airline not only uplift more passengers, but also open-up new long-haul destinations that cannot be served by its current fleet of short and medium-range jets.

The acquisition of the new Airbus planes will no doubt bolster the airlines’ route expansion programme that will include new destinations to the Indian SubContinent, mainland China and Europe. Flying one of the youngest fleets on the African continent, RwandAir will now operate ten.

Currently, the airline operates a total of eight aircrafts that includes two B737-700NG, two B737-800NG, two CRJ900NextGen and two Q400 NextGen. DRIVING REGIONAL BUSINESS AND TOURISM While the skies over Africa remain turbulent for, mostly African-based carriers, RwandAir has continued to experience not only an increase in the uptake of passengers and cargo, but has also positioned itself to take advantage of the dynamism of

the sector in the region. Currently, the airline enjoys Fifth Freedom rights out of Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport. This allows the airline to conveniently serve the Ugandan market better through convenient connections and best of all, competitive fares for travelers into or out of Uganda.

The Fifth Freedom Rights apply on the lucrative route out of Entebbe to Nairobi – a popular route for business and leisure travelers.

The airline also has rights out of Entebbe to the South Sudan capital, Juba.

five-fold to 1.5 million passengers per annum.

And with the increased number of flights handled by the airport continuing to rise, especially with the increase of frequencies that RwandAir is now operating on the regional routes, the airport’s auxiliary infrastructure is now being expanded. This includes the construction of a new taxiway that will run parallel to the existing runway and the expansion of the apron to accommodation more and bigger aircrafts at the facility.

AIRPORT UPGRADE Aside from the expansion of new routes and acquisition of aircrafts, RwandAir has also greatly benefitted from the recent expansion works at its principle hub at the Kigali International Airport. The airport has recently been expanded to accommodate more passengers while the overall look and feel of the airport’s main terminal building has tremendously improved.

The airport had an installed capacity of 300,000 passengers per annum, but with the expansion works at the terminal building, the installed capacity has increased

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RWANDAIR STRADDLES THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF AFRICA AND CONVENIENTLY CONNECTS IT TO THE AFRICAN MAGHREB

With all the improvements of its hardware, the airline is also working on its software – its people.

The airline is continually training its in-flight staff, technicians and aviators to ensure delivery of the highest service standards while at the same time benchmarking with some of the best players in the airline business from across the world.

With such massive investments, RwandAir is gradually positioning itself as one of the best and safest airlines flying the African skies – and flying the dreams of its passengers and clients to soaring new heights over Africa and beyond.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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communities

Uganda’s journey beyond WILDLIFE TOURISM WRITTEN BY: Elly MWESIGA

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hink of tourism, to some, the mind would think of wildlife but Uganda’s tourism is more than just animals. The industry is growing due to the fact that there are lots of attractions and new tourism resources that are unique.

The growing shift of interest but yet untapped is cultural tourism with few cultural trails that have been developed and are helping the people to fight poverty through selling their food stuffs, arts and crafts and local guides. We recently took a journey to South western Uganda that is mainly known for gorilla tracking but this was not the case, it was instead to find out what else someone can do apart from visiting wildlife areas.

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THE GROWING SHIFT OF INTEREST BUT YET UNTAPPED IS CULTURAL TOURISM WITH FEW CULTURAL TRAILS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AND ARE HELPING THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT POVERTY

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

The journey took us to different areas that involved watching the local people in Mbarara water their animals, discovering our roots through history, experiencing the canoe rides on Lake Bunyonyi among others.

PLACES OF INTEREST We visited Rwenjeru in Mbarara which is a community that has developed activities around their animals. You can watch the herdsmen water their animals and how they respond to the calls even without any training. There is a campsite and other activities that can be done include hill hiking, bicycle riding among others.

A visit to Igongo Cultural center in Biharwe, Mbarara District will remind you of the history of the Bahima and Bairu that is depicted in cultural exhibition, performances, food, art and the books available in the store.

Down further south west is the Bakiga Museum which is replica of a complete Bakiga homestead with collection built in 2002 by Mzee Festo Karwemera, a Kabale elder and a famous fighter for the language and the culture of the Bakiga.

Far out of Kabale town is Lake Bunyonyi which is known for its many islands that total up to 29. Listened to the stories told by the locals about the origin of some islands. Among these is the punishment island that acted as the prison for the girls who would get pregnant before marriage and the wrongdoers. They were dumped there to starve and die.

One of the nights involved a stay at one of the Islands (Habukoni). Tom’s Homestay is a community overnight where you spend a night with Mzee Tom Karemire with camping, have dinner and breakfast with his family and a camp fire.

Heading to Kisoro, you can visit the Batwa community at Rwamahano for a chat on how they used to live. They will offer you a tour back into the forest to show you how they used to live and what they used to do in the

forest. There are different activities that can be integrated on this trail which is the initiative of Gorilla Highlands.

THE PEOPLE’S BENEFIT FROM THIS FORM OF TOURISM The communities that are visited benefit directly because they are the ones who work as guides due to the fact that they know the history and others employed in some establishments.

The food and all supplies used in the hotels and lodges is bought from the communities and they are paid directly by the respective properties.

People have been encouraged to make crafts which are sold to tourists helping them to save some money.

ABOUT ELLY MWESIGA The author is the Operations Manager at Pinnacle Safaris, a tour operator in Kampala, Uganda.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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carnivores

TRACKING LIONS To benefit conservation & communities

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ny game safari

enthusiast will include sightings of the big cats as one of their most anticipated take away.

However, the increasing population densities and lifestyles around national parks and protected areas has continued to exert a lot of pressure on wildgame, especially the big cats.

In Uganda, this is no different.

However, through the Uganda Carnivore Program, this is gradually changing to help first limit the human-wildlife conflict and secondly, to help grow the big cat populations in the wild. The Uganda Carnivore Program works closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to help contact research, monitoring and drive conservation of the big cats, especially the lions, cheetahs, leopards as well as other predators such as the hyenas.

COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMES To achieve this, the Uganda Carnivore Program has incorporated the communities living around national parks and protected areas to help drive the wildlife conservation agenda in Uganda. The UCP works closely with the communities living around the parks by educating them on wildlife protection measures for themselves and their livestock. This has over the years resulted to less human-wildlife conflicts in such areas.

Moreover, under the UCP initiative, the communities further benefit from wildlife tourism and protection since they are able to start communitybased programmes that help them benefit directly from tourism activities in their regions. In turn, the visitors coming to these national parks and protected areas are made aware of what the communities around are doing to help protect the wildgame.

One of the best ways of achieving this is through the lion tracking experience within the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This can be arranged through tour operators managing your trips.

ourpeople

People of Gorilla

HIGHLANDS WRITTEN BY: Miha LOGAR

PHOTOS: Marcus WESTBERG

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THE ROUTES LEAD TO WELCOMING LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE PROUD TO ENTERTAIN - IN THE WIDEST SENSE OF THE WORD VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

here is a fabulous region in the southwestern corner of Uganda, world-famous for mountain gorillas yet also perfect for hiking, dugout canoeing and cultural encounters.

rainforests. Within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, one can actually follow the Batwa Trail into their history. Finally, Echuya Forest Reserve offers Batwa Today, a mixture of a nature walk and a community visit.

The Gorilla Highlands is a place of stunning volcanoes, mysterious lakes and dense rainforests, linked up by a system of guided trails and boating expeditions.

While Batwa were traditionally hunters and gatherers, the two Bantu peoples, Bakiga and Bafumbira, have always been farmers.

Their terracing has converted the hills of the Gorilla Highlands into striped wonders, one of those few examples where human activity makes the landscapes prettier.

The routes lead to welcoming local people who are proud to entertain - in the widest sense of the word - visitors from around the world.

One ethnic group deserves your special attention: the Batwa “Pygmies”. They are the original inhabitants of these highland forests and hence the experts for everything under their canopy.

Around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a responsible traveller will take part in Batwa Experience of Buhoma or Buniga Forest Walk of Nkuringo, two re-creations of the times when the Batwa ruled the

They use dugout canoes to reach their fields on islands and remote mainland slopes, they are experienced beekeepers and eager growers of sorghum that provides them with local beer.

The Gorilla Highlands initiative, an informal cooperative of everyone who matters in regional tourism, highlights the best that is available and supports locals who have invested in tourism. This shouldn’t be taken too lightly: When people are pleased with tourism, gorillas will thrive as well.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

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kidepo

Discover the wild lands of the

‘‘

FRAMED IN BY RUGGED MOUNTAINS, JAGGED HILLS AND ROLLING VALLEYS, KIDEPO IS A VIRTUAL EDEN

KIDEPO VALLEY K

idepo Valley National Park is, perhaps, Uganda’s best kept secret. The park has over the last few years generated a lot of interest, especially to African safari enthusiasts and other keen travelers interested in discovering and experiencing the wide open spaces that the park offers.

And when coupled with the teeming wildlife whose diversity continues to increase, the park is a must-visit destination in Uganda.

According to Atlanta-based Cable News Network (CNN), one of the leading global cable news stations, Kidepo Valley Park ranks at the very top of some of the best safari destinations in Africa.

places behind Botswana’s Okavango National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.

UNDISCOVERED LOCATION A few years ago, Kidepo largely remained an undiscovered location and very few travelers ventured to the top-right corner of Uganda to experience this vast wilderness of plain beauty.

But thanks to such media mentions and the Kidepo Valley Park is now drawing nature and safari enthusiasts by the numbers.

Framed in by rugged mountains, jagged hills and rolling valleys, Kidepo is a virtual Eden.

And when you throw in the abundant wildlife that includes everything from big herds of elephant and buffaloes to the big cats that include lions and cheetahs, you have one of the most unique safari destinations on the African continent.

The news organization ranks Kidepo two

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

39

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN KIDEPO VALLEY PARK the game drives in Kidepo are unlike any other in East Africa.

NATURE WALKS The vast lands of the Kidepo Valley have remained virtually untouched for decades. This means that the surrounding environment is as natural as it could ever be.

The surroundings are filled of nothing but tranquil silence that is only interrupted by the chirping of birds, the whistling sound of the wind or the roar of a lion at a distant.

Most of the tour companies operating safaris to Kidepo organize such nature walks within the park with experienced and knowledgeable guides.

GAME DRIVES Due to its remote location on the topright corner of Uganda bordering South Sudan to the north and Kenya to the east,

The Karamojong people are some of the immediate neighbours of the Kidepo Valley National Park.

Visiting their tribal villages that dot around the park is a welcome cultural experience.

This greatly enhances the game safari experience in Kidepo Valley.

as it could ever be, it attracts a wide range of birds, especially birds of prey.

COMMUNITY TOURS

The Karamojong are traditional nomadic people. Like the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, they are cattle herders and have also held strongly to their traditional way of life, dressing and customs.

This is largely because of the less vehicular traffic in the park which means that visitors coming here will not have to navigate the rugged terrain of the park while encountering numerous other safari jeeps and vans.

BIRD WATCHING Since the park remains as remote

The Pygmy Falcon, Egyptian Vulture and the Verreaux’s Eagle are amongst the most popular birds of prey that rule the skies over Kidepo. Aside from these, the park hosts numerous resident and migratory birds.

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

41

Gonder

Walia Ibex

Erta Ale Volcano

Blue Nile Falls

Daily to Ethiopian Tourist Destinations www.ethiopianairlines.com

Gheralta Mountains

ADVERTISE IN DISCOVER UGANDA media@safari-communications.com

1000 SHADES OF GREEN TOUR rwilliams@abercrombiekent.co.ke WEBSITE: & SAFARIS CO. LTD

Uganda being a country of many surprises with rolling hills, sparkling crater lakes, abundant wildlife, adrenaline activities and, of course, the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Silverback Travel company has made it simple by offering Safari packages at great rates for both Non – Residents and residents (East Africans). Uganda is still authentically African, lush green and home to the friendliest people on the continent.

We are a unique Tours and Travel Agency specializing in African Wildlife Safaris, Gorilla Trekking, Birding, Cultural, Photographic Expeditions and Experiential Travel. Each African adventure is a personalized excursion into the heart of Africa.

ADDRESS: Plot 11 Portal Ave, Adam House 21142 Kampala TEL: +256 788761007 EMAIL: cmkisitu@gogreensafari.com WEBSITE: www.gogreensafari.com

AA SAFARIS & TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

Rm 4,Sarah Mall Martin rd, Old Kampala P.O. BOX 28921 Kampala TEL: +256 752827492/+256 392883831

EMAIL:

haddy@adventureugandasafari.com; info@gorillas-safaris.com

WEBSITE:

www.adventureugandasafari.com; www.gorillas-safaris.com

Span House, Plot 1 Portal Avenue (Behind Workers House), First Floor Block A, Suite 310.

P.O. BOX 955, Kampala +256 712316101, +256 702246175, +256 703827821 +256 312372885 EMAIL: info@abaglobaltours.com

ABABA UGANDA SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 711 Nambi Irene Hse, Najjanakumbi, Ebb Highway P.O. BOX 27707, Kampala TEL: +256 772502713/+256779872166/ +256 486660228

EMAIL:

info1@ababaugandasafaris.com WEBSITE: www.ababaugandasafaris.com

ABACUS AFRICAN VACATION ADDRESS:

Plot 194, Mobutu road (next to American club) Makindye P.O. BOX 34944 Kampala TEL:+256 772 331332/+256 414232657

EMAIL:

info@abacusvacations.com; robert@abacusvacations.com; brian@abacusvacations.com; robert@ugandasafari.com WEBSITE: www.abacusvacations.com

Photographic Expeditions

Birding Excursions

Other Services African Wildlife Safaris

Experiential Travel

ABERCROMBIE & KENT TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Cultural Experiences

Silverback Travel Company Tel: +256 312 518 447 Mobile: +256 (0) 778364205|+256 771605385 Email: travel@silverbacksafaris.com | Web: www.silverbacksafaris.com

ADDRESS:

Plot 79 Bukoto street kamwokya P.O. BOX 131 Kampala TEL: +256712194515/ +256756966901 +256 414692535/ +256 712194515 EMAIL: lydia@ablesafaris.com; info@ablesafaris.com

WEBSITE:

www.ablesafaris.com

ACACIA SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 351B, Balintuma Rd, Nankulabye P.O. BOX 29493 Kampala TEL: +256 712800004/ +256 414253597 EMAIL: tours@acaciasafari.co.ug; info@acaciasafari.co.ug

ADDRESS:

www.abaglobaltours.com

Boat Cruises

ABLE SAFARI LTD

ABA GLOBAL TOURS & TRAVEL WEBSITE: www.acaciasafari.co.ug LTD

WEBSITE:

Gorilla Trekking

www.abercrombiekent.com

Plot 46A Victoria Loop, 108 Lubowa P.O. BOX 7799 Kampala TEL: +256 414201321

EMAIL:

ACROSS AFRICA HOLIDAYS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 137,block 261, Kizungu, Luthuli, Makindye, Kampala TEL: +256 701630684 EMAIL: manager@across-africa.de WEBSITE: www.gorillareisen.de

ADRIFT EAST AFRICA LTD

ADDRESS: Plot 14, York Terrace Kololo, Kampala P.O. BOX 7681 Kampala TEL: +256 772237438/ +256 414252720, +256 312237438 EMAIL: raft@adrift.ug; info@adrift.ug; bungee@adrift.ug; vivianne@adrift.ug; ronnie@adrift.ug WEBSITE: www.adrift.ug

ADVANCED ADVENTURES LTD

ADDRESS: Plot 13, Nile Avenue, Kampala Serena Conference Centre Suite 05 P.O. BOX 33296 Kampala TEL: +256752448549/ +256414345566 EMAIL: info@advanced-adventures.com WEBSITE: www.advanced-adventures.com

ADVENTURE NATURAL AFRICAN SAFARIS (U) LTD ADDRESS:

72,Mutesa 2 Rd Ntinda P.O. BOX 21611 Kampala TEL: +256772863446/+256 392949157

ourmembers EMAIL:

EMAIL:

safaris.adventure@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.africasafarisug.com

info@africandawnsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.africandawnsafaris.com

ADVENTURE VACATION SAFARIS LTD

AFRICAN PEARL SAFARIS

Busuulwa Farouk +256 414663051/+256 392813391 EMAIL: adventurevacationsafaris@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.adventurevacationsafaris.com Plot 1285 Ndeeba Kabowa Rd. P.O. BOX 4123 Kampala

AFRICA ADVENTURE SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Seven Sisters House Plot 64, Hoima RD, 1st Floor, appt 3.

P.O. BOX 22754 Kampala TEL: +256 701106004, +256 784445444 +256 392834606 EMAIL: info@safarisgorilla.com WEBSITE: www.safarisgorilla.com www.tour-uganda.com

AFRICA RUNNERS CO LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 4 Pilkington Rd P.O. BOX 27751 Kampala TEL: +256 772400701/ +256 312250014

EMAIL:

info@africarunners.co.ug, haddy@africarunners.co.ug; bernard@africarunners.co.ug

WEBSITE:

ADDRESS:

Station H’se, Plot 3, Kla Rd 2nd Floor Rm 8 P.O. BOX 4562 Kampala TEL: +256 772718121/ +256 414233566 /7 EMAIL: apsafari@africaonline.co.ug WEBSITE: www.africanpearlsafaris.com

AFRICAN WHITE RHINO SAFARIS (U) LTD ADDRESS:

Block 4 Butikiro Rd P.O. BOX 843 Kampala TEL: +256 772403766/ +256 414370912

EMAIL:

info@afriwhiterhinos.com; dan_lule@yahoo.com

WEBSITE:

www.afriwhiterhinos.com

AFRICA’S GREAT EXPLORATION (AGE)

Unit F.1.12, First Floor, Acacia Mall, Plot 8a 12a Cooper Road, Kampala P.O. BOX 9021 Kampala

EMAIL: TEL: +256 414662300, +256 392085535 info@agesafaris.com; deborah@agesafaris.com; irene@agesafaris.com; hebertssewajje@agesafaris.com

WEBSITE:

www.africarunners.co.ug

www.agesafaris.com

AFRICAN ADVENTURE TRAVELLERS

AFRIKA TUR LTD

ADDRESS:

Twins Motel Building Zana, Off Entebbe road P.O. BOX 26784 Kampala TEL: +256 782118037/ +256 414597257

EMAIL:

tours@adventure-travellers.com WEBSITE: www.adventure-travellers.com

AFRICAN BIG FIVE SAFARIS

ADDRESS: Plot 4,Pilkington Road,Fami House (Formerly Colline House) 3rd Floor Suite 58 P.O. BOX 27250 Kampala TEL: +256 751901801/ +256 714901801/ +256 414259172 EMAIL:

info@africanbigfivesafaris.com WEBSITE: www.africanbigfivesafaris.com

AFRICAN DAWN SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 4, Parliament Avenue, Eco Bank Plaza Rm1-R Kampala P.O. BOX 26029 Kampala TEL: +256392300434

EMAIL: alom@infocom.co.ug; info@ alphaandomegatours.com WEBSITE:

www.adonaiguesthouse.com Lower Muyenga, Kampala P.O. BOX 886 Kampala

AROUND AFRICA SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 273 Deo Lane, Kyeyagalire road Zzana Makindye Division P.O. BOX 35412 Kampala TEL: +256 782074238,/ +256 773599507, +256 779694798/ +256 414693576 EMAIL: reservations@aroundafricasafari.com; okech@aroundafricasafari.com; okech2004@aroundafricasafari.com

WEBSITE:

www.aroundafricasafari.com

ASANTE TOUR- SAFARIS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

6 Miles Ebb Rd, Seguku P.O. BOX 28115 Kampala TEL: +256 782792248 info@asantetoursafaris.com WEBSITE: www.asantetoursafaris.com

ASYANUT SAFARIS & INCENTIVES ADDRESS:

Plot 349, Katale,Seguku, Entebbe Rd P.O. BOX 33285 Kampala TEL: +256 772464619/ +256312237452 EMAIL: info@afrikatur.org

WEBSITE:

www.afrikatur.org

ALLIANCE SAFARIS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 28/34 Coronation Street UMA Show Grounds First Floor Opposite Madvani Buliding P.O. BOX 863 Kampala TEL: +256 414599335 EMAIL: info@alliancesafaris.com; edward@alliancesafaris.com WEBSITE: www.alliancesafaris.com

ALPHA AND OMEGA TOURS & TRAVEL ADDRESS: TEL: +256 772509798/+256 777201697 +256 414266858

ADDRESS:

Metropole House plot 8-10 Entebbe Road, Office No. G9 P.O. BOX 36671 Kampala TEL: +256 752645005/ +256 414250359, +256 312108052

EMAIL:

bsttravel@utlonline.co.ug; info@beyondtheskytoursug.com WEBSITE: www.beyondtheskytours.com

BIC TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

Mazima/Uchumi Mall opp Quality hill 1st Floor offices Suite No 110-111 Nsambya.

P.O. BOX 29878 Kampala TEL: +256 483 660 347/ +256772582505, +256703246397 EMAIL: info@bic-tours.com; kmugisha2001@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.bic-tours.com

BORDER - LESS TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 563 Naalya Estate, Kampala P.O. BOX 35142 TEL: +256312514516 EMAIL: info@borderless-travel.com

Lubowa Estate, (Next to International School of Uganda); Entebbe Road P.O. BOX 3456 Kampala TEL: +256 712187411/ +256 756000598 +256 414503065; +256 312503065

WEBSITE:

info@asyanuttours-safaris.com; babra@asyanuttours-safaris.com WEBSITE: www.asyanuttours-safaris.com

ADDRESS:

EMAIL:

ADDRESS:

BEYOND THE SKY TOURS & TRAVEL BUREAU LTD

ATLAS AFRICAN SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 13B Kampala Road, Amadinda House (1st Floor) P.O. BOX 12719 Kampala TEL: +256 772749858/ +256 703030549 +256 312516761/ +256 312374008 EMAIL: safari@atlassafarisuganda.com; chriswinyi@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.atlassafaris.com

AUGUR TOURS AND TRAVEL ADDRESS:

Sarah Mall Rm G-14 Martin Rd, Old Kampala P.O. BOX 10964 Kampala TEL: +256772572696/ +256414695693 EMAIL: info@augurtours.com; d.ssebowa@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.augurtours.com

www.borderless-travel.com

BUFFALO SAFARI CAMPS (BUFFALO ROCKS LIMITED) The New Court View Hotel opposite Masindi High Court next to URA Offices on Masindi-Hoima Road P.O. BOX 90 Masindi TEL:+256 782805639/758098428/+256 465420244

EMAIL:

info@buffalosafaricamps.com; roniekitaka@yahoo.com; ovacac@gmail.com

WEBSITE:

www.buffalosafaricamps.com

BUNYONYI OVERLAND RESORT LTD

ADDRESS:

Plot 1, Kazooba road P.O. BOX 710 Kabale TEL: +256 772409510/+256 792409510

EMAIL:

highland@imul.com; resort@ bunyonyioverland.com

WEBSITE:

www.bunyonyioverland.com

BUNYONYI SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Crusader House, Ground Floor 7, Portal Avenue

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

45

P.O. BOX 26905 Kampala TEL: +256 772707311/ +256 312261001/2/ +256414347460

EMAIL:

bunyonyi@utlonline.co.ug; info@ bunyonyisafaris.com; charlotte@ bunyonyisafaris.com; info@bunyonyi.com

WEBSITE:

www.bunyonyisafaris.com

CHEETAH SAFARIS UGANDA ADDRESS:

Kyebando,Nansana Hoima road P.O. BOX 71564 Kampala TEL: +256 772413766 admin@cheetahafricasafaris.com; cheetahsafaris@yahoo.co.uk

WEBSITE:

www.cheetahwilderness.com

CHIGO TOURS AFRICA LTD (KASENYI GAME SAFARIS LTD) ADDRESS:

Akright Road, Namugongo, Janda Muwunda Hse B P.O. BOX 73673, Clocktower Kampala TEL: +256 776 301902

EMAIL:

info@chigotours.com; chigotours@gmail.com

WEBSITE:

www.chigotours.com

CHURCHILL SAFARIS & TRAVEL ADDRESS:

Block 928 B Sir Albert Cook Natete P.O. BOX 28170 Kampala TEL: +256 772671285/ +256 704671285, +256 704671283/ +256 414341815 EMAIL: caasafaris@africaonline.co.ug; ether@churchillsafaris.com; info@churchillsafaris.com; elizabeth@churchillsafaris.com; reservations@churchillsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.churchillsafaris.com

CITADEL TOURING SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Room 55,Tirupati Mazima Mall,Plot 2530 Ggaba Road,Nsambya, Kampala P.O. BOX 8326 Kampala TEL: +256 781236484/ +256 782 795 541

EMAIL:

info@citadelvoyages.com; abimisi@gmail.com; jobibanamu@yahoo.com www.citadelvoyages.com

CLASSIC AFRICA SAFARIS ADDRESS:

77 Eric Magala Road Entebbe, Uganda P.O. BOX 524 Entebbe TEL: +256 772642185/ +256 414320121 EMAIL: mandy@classicafricasafaris.travel; reservations@classicafricasafaris.travel;

46

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

enquiries@classicafricasafaris.travel; mel@classicafricasafaris.travel; mandy.classicafricasafaris@gmail.com; nantumecissy@gmail.com

WEBSITE:

www.classicafricasafaris.travel

CONCORD INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BUREAU (MAGIC SAFARIS) ADDRESS: TEL: +256 752742908/ +256 414342926 EMAIL:

info@magic-safaris.com; uganda@magic-safaris.com WEBSITE: www.magic-safaris.com Parliament Avenue

CRYSTAL SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Off - Barnabus road, Plot 433, Block 244, Kisugu , Muyenga P.O. BOX 9698 Kampala TEL: +256 772470260/ +256 414345742; +256 0414 346 463

Najjanankumbi P.O. BOX 37390 Kampala TEL:+256772424941/ +256 714424941 EMAIL: info@elephantsafaris.co.ug; info@elephantvillage.co.ug WEBSITE: www.elephantsafaris.co.ug

ELLINGTON SAFARIS LIMITED ADDRESS:

Plot 24,centenary Park,Jinja Road.

P.O. BOX 12665 Kampala TEL: +256752993123/794277545 EMAIL: info@ellingtonsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.ellingtonsafaris.com

ENCOUNTER AFRICA SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

christine@crystalsafaris.com; lydia@crystalsafaris.com; info@crystalsafaris.com

Lugard Avenue Ebb P.O. BOX 10121, Kamapala TEL: +256 712 741 015/ +256 414 693 085 EMAIL: info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com www.gorilla-tracking-uganda.com;

www.crystalsafaris.com

www.gorilla-trecking-uganda.com.

EMAIL:

WEBSITE:

WEBSITE:

CYCADS AFRICAN SAFARIS LTD

ERON HOLDINGS LIMITED

Plot 683 Willis Rd, Namirembe, Near Cathedral P.O. BOX 22460 Kampala TEL: +256 772507241/ +256 414573775

Shumuk House ,Colville street,Kampala P.O. BOX 12294 Kampala TEL: +256 778920057 EMAIL: eronsafaris@gmail.com

ADDRESS:

EMAIL:

info@cycadssafaris.com WEBSITE: www.cycadssafaris.com

DAVIDE & FRANCESCO EAST AFRICA LTD ADDRESS:

Kansanga P.O. BOX 7214 Kampala TEL:+256 772957850/+256791217028

EMAIL:

davide_francescotours@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.davidefrancescotours.com

DESTINATION JUNGLE LTD ADDRESS:

Pan African Hse, 5th Floor P.O. BOX 2874 Kampala TEL:+256 712385446(0782)/+256 414232754

EMAIL:

welcome@destinationjungle.com; d.jungle@safaritoeastafrica.com; reservations@destinationjungle.com

ADDRESS:

ESCAPE TOURS & SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Cynthia H’se 22kms to Entebbe P.O. BOX 25543 Kampala TEL: +256 772 407816/ +256 312280584 EMAIL: safari@escapeuganda.com WEBSITE: www.escapeuganda.com

EXQUISITE SAFARIES (U) LTD ADDRESS:

Moil House Wandegeya, Plot 224 Buganda Rd, Opp YMCA. P.O. BOX 9204, Kampala TEL: +256 751650550, +256702220567

EMAIL:

akellobugs@gmail.com; safari@exquisitesafaries.com; exquisitesafaries@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.exquisitesafaries.com

WEBSITE:

www.safaritoeastafrica.com

ELEPHANT SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 269 Kalambi House Ebb Rd,

FABULOUS AFRICA HOLIDAYS AND ADVENTURES-TRADING AS GORILLAS & WILDLIFE SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Suite 15 Hotel Areba Building, Plot 488 Entebbe-Kampala Rd 12 Kms from Ebb Airport TEL:+256 392080994/+256 772 979 425

EMAIL:

info@gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com

WEBSITE:

www.gorillasandwildlifesafaris.com

P.O. BOX 10089 Kampala Uganda

FLY UGANDA KAMPALA AEROCLUB

ADDRESS:

KAFTC, Kajjansi Airfield, Gate 1 P.O. BOX 24305 Kampala TEL:+256 772712557/+256 776236699 +256 772 706107 EMAIL: info@flyuganda.com WEBSITE: www.flyuganda.com

FOOTPRINTS TRAVEL CONSULTANTS

ADDRESS:

3rd Floor, Social Security House 4 Jinja Rd P.O. BOX 4389 Kampala TEL: +256782774005/+256414237751

EMAIL:

bernard@footprintstravel.co.ug; isaac@footprintstravel.co.ug

WEBSITE:

www.footprintstravel.co.ug

FOOTSTEP TRAILS SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 3A2-3A3 Sports Lane Lugogo, Forest Mall, GF8 Block B P.O. BOX 656 Kampala TEL: +256759717029 EMAIL: info@footsteptrails.com; lucky@footsteptrails.com WEBSITE: www.footsteptrails.com

FRIENDSHIP INTERNATIONAL TOURS AND TRAVEL LIMITED ADDRESS:

Mukwano Mall, Rm F-Rashid Khamis Road P.O. BOX 36714 Kamapala TEL: +256787367685, 0775844892 EMAIL: vanee_c@126.com; james.josh62@yahoo.co.uk WEBSITE: www.fsitt.com

G & C TOURS LTD (WILD FRONTIERS) ADDRESS:

Plot 3 Nsamizi Close, Ebb P.O. BOX 619 Entebbe TEL: +256772870354/ +256 414321479, +256772502155

EMAIL:

info@wildfrontiers.co.ug; jane@wildfrontiers.co.ug;

janewildfrontiers@gmail.com; safari@wildfrontiers.co.ug; evelyn@wildfrontiers.co.ug

WEBSITE:

www.wildfrontiers.co.ug

GATE 1 TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 3, Parliament Ave, Raja Chambers Floor 2 room 034 P.O. BOX 28148 Kampala TEL: +256 772870750/+256 414258817

EMAIL:

info@gate1tours.net WEBSITE: www.gate1tours.net

GLOBAL INTERLINK TRAVEL SERVICES ADDRESS:

52, Grand Imperial Hotel - Mall,6 Nile Ave. P.O. BOX 21600 Kampala TEL: +256 772227722/ +256 414235233

EMAIL:

global@global-interlink.org

WEBSITE:

www.global-interlink.org

GO UGANDA SAFARIS (CREDIT UGANDA SAFARIS) ADDRESS:

Nsambya Babies Home P.O. BOX 307888 Kampala TEL: +256 772663066/ +256 31281547

EMAIL:

info@credit-uganda.com; info@ gougandasafaris.com WEBSITE: www.gougandasafaris.com

GORILLA JUNGLE SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Sarah Mall Rm G14 Plot 25 Martin Road.

P.O. BOX 924 Kampala TEL: +256782690248/+256392176845

EMAIL:

info@gorillajunglesafaris.com WEBSITE: www.gorillajunglesafari.com

GORILLA TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 22/23 Quality Shopping Village, Lubowa.

Room Q20 P.O. BOX 29333 Kampala TEL: +256 772370263/+256 414200221

EMAIL:

postmaster@gorillatours.com

WEBSITE:

www.gorillatours.com

GORILLA TREK AFRICA LTD ADDRESS:

Bukomero Seven Sisters Building, Nansna Wakiso District P.O. BOX 22754 Kampala

TEL: +256 776 107004

info@gorillatrekafrica.com WEBSITE: www.gorillatrekafrica.com

GRACIOUS TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 410 Freedon city, office no. FC 50, Namasuba, Ebb road P.O. BOX 5057 Kampala TEL: +256 414580712 EMAIL: info@gracioustours.co.ug; gracebaite25@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.gracioustours.co.ug

GREENLEAF TOURIST CLUB ADDRESS:

Shop No. FF55, 1st Floor, Forest Mall (next to shoprite-Lugogo), Plot 3A2/3A3, Sports Lane, Kampala.

P.O. BOX 27139 Kampala TEL: +256 772230461/+256 414230460/1

EMAIL:

IMANI VACATIONS LIMITED

Plot 472 Nsambya Babies home Millennium house Rm 14 upper Floor P.O. BOX 36902 Kampala TEL: +256 774785852/ +256 772978292

ADDRESS:

info@imanivacations.com WEBSITE: www.imanivacations.com

GREAT VALUE SAFARIS LTD

EMAIL:

INSIGHT SAFARI HOLIDAYS ADDRESS:

Plot 19 Bukoto Street P.O. BOX 34639 Kampala TEL: +256 392613687/+256 414580794

EMAIL:

shallon@gvsafaris.co.ug; reservations@gvsafaris.co.ug; info@gvsafaris.co.ug WEBSITE: www.gvsafaris.com

GREEN BREAKS UGANDA LTD ADDRESS:

Topher Road Mbuya P.O. BOX 548 Kampala TEL: +256 772200337/+256712330257 +256 312277128 EMAIL: ignaki@greenbreakssafaris.com; david@greenbreakssafaris.com WEBSITE: www.greenbreaks.co.ug

GREEN JOURNEYS AFRICA ADDRESS:

Krish Mall before Middle East-Bugolobi Ground Floor Rm 9 TEL: +256757982448/ +256414665558

EMAIL:

info@greenjourneysafrica.com; osborn@greenjourneysafrica.com WEBSITE: www.greenjourneysafrica.com

EMAIL:

kabizawildernesssafaris@kabiza.com WEBSITE: www.kabiza.com

KAZINGA TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

Kezironi House, Nawova Close, 406 Makamba Road, Lungujja P.O. BOX 72370 Kampala TEL: +256 772552819/ +256 702469730 +256 414 274 457

EMAIL:

tours@ugandasafari.co.uk WEBSITE: www.ugandasafari.co.uk

mail@kazingatours.com; felex@kazingatours.com; kazingatoursug@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.kazingatours.com

INSTINCT SAFARIS LIMITED

KIBIRA SAFARIS TOURS & TRAVEL LTD

EMAIL:

ADDRESS:

Span House No 108 Plot 1 Portal Ave Behind Tropical Africa Bank TEL: +256 772919818/+256 752 692286 +256 413 47501/ +256 312272236

sales@joycampervansafari.com; paulssebi@gmail.com WEBSITE: www. joycampervansafari.com

ADDRESS:

Mutungo Hill plot 1001 Block 243, Biina Road P.O. BOX 33024 Kampala TEL: +256 772426368/+256 782282791, +256 702426368/ +256 414267153 gls@utlonline.co.ug; info@safari-uganda.com; dancan@safari-uganda.com; amos@safari-uganda.com; angel@safari-uganda.com WEBSITE: www.safari-uganda.com

EMAIL:

KABIZA WILDERNESS SAFARIS LTD

Lugard Avenue Ebb TEL: +256711403307/ +256414693085

EMAIL:

Hotel Equatorial Suite 417 P.O. BOX 5925 Kampala TEL: +256414660427

info@green.co.ug WEBSITE: www.green.co.ug

GREAT LAKES SAFARIS

ADDRESS:

ADDRESS:

ADDRESS:

Kisoro Rubuguri Town Board TEL: +256756712844/+256776101964

EMAIL:

niels@instinctsafaris.com; rabani@instinctsafaris.com; bookings@instinctsafaris.com.

WEBSITE: www.insitinctsafaris.com

JET TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 3 Lumum Street P.O. BOX 5710 Kampala TEL: +256 414345158

EMAIL:

reservations@jettours.co.ug; riohenrietta@yahoo.co.uk WEBSITE: www.jettoursuganda.com

JEWEL SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 4 Kimathi Avenue P.O. BOX 26029 Kampala TEL: +256 772867943/ +256 414344577

EMAIL:

ADDRESS:

Plot 87, Kira Rd, Kamwokya P.O. BOX 20058, Kampala TEL: +256 706 911512/ +256 777 025 826 +256 414695501/ +256 312517544

EMAIL:

info@kibirasafaris.co.ug; shielam@kibirasafaris.co.ug; annab@kibirasafaris.co.ug WEBSITE: www.kibirasafaris.co.ug

KIKOOKO AFRICA SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Bwebajja kitende Busiiro Wakiso District (Near J & M Hotel) P.O. BOX 10719 Kampala TEL: +256 777277136/0704446048

EMAIL:

info@kikooko.travel; WEBSITE: warren@kikooko.travel www.kikooko.travel

KJONG SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

info@jewelsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.jewelsafaris.com www.ugandagorillatours.com

Plot 110 Bukoto Street Kamwokya P.O. BOX 40289 Kampala TEL: +256 772370233/ +256 751646578, +256 776660918/ +256 312111304

JOY SAFARIS LIMITED

kjongugandasafaris@gmail.com; info@kjongsafarisuganda.com

EMAIL:

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

47

WEBSITE: www.kjongsafarisuganda.com

KORI SAFARIS ADDRESS:

AK Building, off Gayaza Road, after Kubiri roundabout.

TEL: +256701600600 EMAIL: info@korisafaris.com WEBSITE: www.korisafaris.com

LAKE BASIN TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 2 Rotary avenue Lugogo by pass P.O. BOX 5991 Kampala TEL: +256 752628757/ +256 414253633

EMAIL:

info@lakebasintours.co.ug; lakebasintours@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.lakebasintours.co.ug

LAKE KITANDARA TOURS AND TRAVEL ADDRESS:

Nakawa Division St Bruno Rd- Luzira Port Bell Plot 102 P.O. BOX 40360 Kampala TEL: +256 772 515672/ +256 782399235, +256 772504621/ +256 312287250

EMAIL:

kitanda@infocom.co.ug; bonifenceb@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.kitandarasafariholidays.com; www.kitandaratrekkingsafaris.com

LETS GO TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 2, Bandali Rise, Bugolobi Kampala P.O. BOX 22851 Kampala TEL: +256 752731525/+256 772222225 +256 414252711

EMAIL:

marinka@letsgosafari-ug.com; kennedy@letsgosafari-ug.com; WEBSITE: www.letsgosafari.com

LIFETIME EXPERIENCE SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Nsambya Rd, Plot 472 Kampala P.O. BOX 22989 Kampala TEL: +256 777201697, +256 701601697 EMAIL: info@lifetimesafaris.com WEBSITE: www.lifetimesafaris.com

LIVINGSTONE AFRICAN SAFARIS

ADDRESS: Plot No.3692 Kabanda Road, Kalema Livingstone Kirinya Kampala P.O. BOX 29023 Kampala

48

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

TEL: +256 772459379/ +256 312292947 EMAIL:

info@livingstonesafaris.org WEBSITE: www.tours-uganda.com

LOVE UGANDA SAFARIS & TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 80, Kyasaka Plaza, Wandegeya 16367, Wandegeya TEL: +256784737486 EMAIL: info@loveugandasafaris.com WEBSITE: www.loveugandasafaris.com

MALACHITE TOUR AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Block 116, Plot 166, Nangabo Road Zone, Masooli, Bombo P.O. BOX 12312 Kampala TEL: +256779601575 /+256712326225 EMAIL: malachitetravel@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.malachitetourandtravel.com

MALISU TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot No 26 Buganda Rd, Park Royal Building, Kampala P.O. BOX 26064 Kampala TEL: +256 775791414/+256 414662573 info@malisutour.com; malisutours@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.malisutour.com

MAMALAND SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Gaba Road, Kansanga Kiwafu P.O. BOX 28645 Kampala TEL: +256 772 482462/ +256 703 514218 info@mamalandsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.mamalandsafaris.com

MANTANA AFRICAN SAFARIS

EMAIL:

info@adventureugandasafaris.com; inquiries@maranathatoursug.net; maranathatours@gmail.com; WEBSITE: www.adventureugandasafaris.com

MATOKE TOURS ADDRESS:

Senfuka Road 1, Muyenga Kampala P.O. BOX 1881 Kampala TEL: +256 782374667/+256 751057863

EMAIL:

matoketours1@gmail.com; matoketours3connie@gmail. com; matoketours3@gmail.com; matokeketours3solomon@gmail.com; info@matoketours.com

WEBSITE:

www.travel-uganda.net

MEERKAT SAFARI LIMITED ADDRESS:

Kampala Serena Conference Centre Suite5 P.O. BOX 34158 Kampala TEL: +256 702133169/ +256414250190

EMAIL:

remboisaiah@yahoo.co.uk; info@meerkatsafari.com

WEBSITE:

www.meerkatsafari.com

MERIT VACATIONS ADDRESS:

Namirembe - Mengo Hill P.O. BOX 26555 Kampala TEL: +256 718506645/+256 702925601/ +256 414256690

EMAIL:

sales@meritsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.meritsafaris.com

MOGAMBO, PASIÓN POR ÁFRICA, LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 93, Nawiro Swamp Rd, Lugonjo, Entebbe P.O. BOX 232 Entebbe TEL: +256 775491492/ +256 414692789 patxi@mogambo.ug; mogambo.iria@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.mogambo.ug

ADDRESS:

Plot 39A, Berkeley Road, Entebbe P.O. BOX 11060 Kampala TEL: +256 772 401391/+256772525736 000520891288/ +256 414321552 mantana@africaonline.co.ug WEBSITE: www.kimbla-mantana.co.ug

MARANATHA TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 194 Makindye Lukuli Kizungu Zone P.O. BOX 686 Kampala TEL: +256779638084, +256772636412 +256 414 231454

NATURE FRIENDLY SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Span House 1st Floor Rm 218, Plot 1 Portal Avenue, Behing Workers Hse, Kampala, P.O. BOX 2051 Kampala TEL: +256704530915/ 712123715/ 79052604/ +256 414692461 info@naturefriendlysafarisug.com WEBSITE: www.naturefriendlysafarisug.com

NATURETRACK EXPEDITIONS (U) LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 9, Berkeley Road, Entebbe P.O. BOX 727 Entebbe TEL: +256 392896754/ +256 774132967

EMAIL:

safari@naturetrack-expeditions.com

WEBSITE:

www.naturetrack-expeditions.com

NETSPAN LTD ADDRESS:

Equatorial Hotel Shop No 42 P.O. BOX 10532 Kampala TEL: +256 772704326/ +256 414348766 EMAIL: netspan101@yahoo.com

NILE RIVER EXPLORERS ADDRESS:

Plot 41 Wilson Ave Jinja P.O. BOX 2155 Jinja TEL: +256 772422373/+256 434120236 EMAIL: rafting@raftafrica.com; leslie@raftafrica.com WEBSITE: www.raftafrica.com

NKURINGO WALKING SAFARIS (U) LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 34 Kitinda, SOS Zone - Entebbe P.O. BOX 10152 Kampala TEL: +256 774805580 EMAIL: info@nkuringowalkingsafaris.com; lydia@nkuringowalkingsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.nkuringowalkingsafaris.com

NSHONGI SAFARI TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 7 Market Street, Kampala P.O. BOX 23119 Kampala TEL: +256 772349 040/+256 701 349040 +256 414 237 775 EMAIL: nshongisafaris@gmail.com; suekaba@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.nshongitours.com

OSTRICH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICES AND SUPPLY ADDRESS:

Raja Chambers, Floor 2 Rm 33, Plot 3 Parliamentary Avenue.

P.O. BOX 4693 Kampala TEL: +256 782 519 111/ +256 414 259 370 ostrichtravel@outlook.com WEBSITE: www.ostrichtravel.net

PALMS TRAVEL BUREAU LTD ADDRESS:

Shop 39 Capital Shoppers City-Ntinda P.O. BOX 33792 Kampala TEL: +356782010600

EMAIL:

patrick@palmstravel.com WEBSITE: www.palmstravel.com

PEARL AFRIC TRAVEL BUREAU ADDRESS:

Plot 3 Pilkington Rd Nic Building Phase 3 Annex P.O. BOX 24443 Kampala TEL: +256 752504301/ +256 414232730/ +256 414346168

EMAIL:

innomanda@gmail.com; innomanda@pearlafric.com; info@pearlafric.com WEBSITE: www.pearlafric.com

PICNIC SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 2-4, Kiwana road, Nakumatt Store Bukoto P.O. BOX 40379 Kampala TEL: +256 393515402/ +256393514991

EMAIL:

info@picnicsafaris.com; sbagonza@picnicsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.picnicsafaris.com

PINNACLE AFRICA SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 4,Stensera Rd off Nabunya Rd, Rubaga Kampala P.O. BOX 27903, Kampala TEL: +256 783356181/+256 414 272711 EMAIL: sales@pinnaclesafaris.com; marketing@pinnaclesafaris.com WEBSITE: www.pinnaclesafaris.com

PLATINUM TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Parliament Avenue Amadinda House 1st floor Rm 19 P.O. BOX 8102 Kampala TEL: +256 712841143, +256702500020 EMAIL: info@platinumsafarisug.com; mdplatinum@yahoo.com; mdplatinum76@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.platinumsafarisug.com

PREMIER SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

96-98 5th Street industrial area P.O. BOX 22827 Kampala TEL: +256 772657767/+256 312260260/1, +256 414255992

EMAIL:

operations@premiersafaris.com; gm@premiersafaris.com; gm@premiersafaris.com WEBSITE: www.premiersafaris.com

PRIMATE WATCH

SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Plot 4277 Namasuba-NdejjeRD, off Ebb P.O. BOX 671 Kampala TEL: +256 772616107/+256 414226824 EMAIL: info@primatewatchsafaris.com www.primatewatchsafaris.com

PRIME SAFARIS & TOURS LTD ADDRESS:

A.K. Building, Gayaza Road off Kubili Round About Plot 191,Mobutu Rd P.O. BOX 16373, Wandegeya TEL: +256773912891 EMAIL: info@primeugandasafaris.com; robert.primeugandasafaris@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.primeugandasafaris.com

RAFT SUPREME (NALUBALE RAFTING) ADDRESS: TEL: +256 782638938 EMAIL:

bookings@nalubalerafting.com; thomas@nalubalerafting.com; will@nalubalerafting.com; marketing@nalubalerafting.com WEBSITE: www.nalubalerafting.com

Society TEL: +256 752937532/782832200/ +256 772335726

EMAIL:

ropani.tours@yahoo.co.uk WEBSITE: www.ropani.tours.com

SAFARI 2 GORILLA TOURS ADDRESS:

Plot 2,Cohen A Rd, Tumushabe Amos House, BTN Jopfam Hotel and Kabale Golf Course P.O. BOX 568 Kabale TEL: +256 774608916 EMAIL: info@safari2gorilla.com; safari2gorillatours@gmail.com; mugishaaron@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.safari2gorilla.com www.primatestours.com

SAFARI SKIES ADDRESS:

Lake View Drive, Lubowa and Office Kajjansi Air Field P.O. BOX 63, Kisubi TEL: +256 782 209 186

EMAIL:

mike@safariskies.com; zara@safariskies.com; info@safariskies.com

WEBSITE:

P.O. BOX 40288 Kampala +256 312202903 redchillihideaway@hotmail.com; reservations@redchillihideaway.com WEBSITE: www.redchillihideaway.com

Plot 6, Nsajja Rd, Jinja, Uganda P.O. BOX 1317 Jinja TEL: +256 775201119/ +256 775 201119 EMAIL: operations@safariwildz.com WEBSITE: www.safariwildz.com

ADDRESS:

Ebb Town, Portal Rd, Plot 2A P.O. BOX 27332 Kampala +256758920250 EMAIL: info@renewillstourandtravel.com

WEBSITE:

www.renewillstoursandtravel.com

ROADTRIP UGANDA

ADDRESS:

Grace Musoke Rd, Bukoto Kla P.O. BOX 1881 Kampala Bram Lind TEL: +256 773363012 EMAIL: info@roadtripuganda.com WEBSITE: www.roadtripuganda.com

ROPANI TOURS AND TRAVEL LIMITED ADDRESS:

Acacia Place Kololo, Opp Uganda Law

ADDRESS:

Plot 47 Ntinda Road P.O. BOX 23532 Kampala TEL: +256 782207009; +256 701207009 +256 312294531 EMAIL: info@spekeugandaholidays.com WEBSITE: www.spekeugandaholidays.com

SWAN AIR TRAVEL & SAFARI LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 4 Kimathi Avenue P.O. BOX 11206 Kampala TEL: +256 772750965/ +256 414250966 +256 414235608

EMAIL:

swanair@swanairtravel.biz; eugenie@swanairtravel.biz; tours@swanairtravel.biz; edward@swanairtravel.biz WEBSITE: www.swanairtravel.biz

TERP TRAVEL LTD SAFARI WILDZ

RENEWILLS TOURS AND TRAVEL LTD

SPEKE UGANDA HOLIDAYS

www.safariskies.com

RED CHILLI HIDE AWAY LTD ADDRESS:

Lubowa, off Twins Motel off Entebbe Road P.O. BOX 26784 Kampala TEL: +256 772354691/ +256 414581109 EMAIL: info@africa-expeditions.com WEBSITE: www.africa-expeditions.com

ADDRESS:

SENSE OF AFRICA-UGANDA ADDRESS:

Plot 14 York Terrace Kololo P.O. BOX 7681, Kampala TEL: +256 312 237 348 EMAIL: steven@senseofafrica.com; res@senseofuganda.com WEBSITE: www.tourvestafrica.com

ADDRESS:

Plot 37/41 Portbell P.O. BOX 12339, Kampala +256 702475426/ +256 414220702

EMAIL:

pnamubiru@travel.tomosigroup.ug; info@travel.tomosigroup.com; namubiru.prossie@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.travel.tomosigroup.ug

THE FAR HORIZONS U LTD (DATA POINT) ADDRESS:

Plot 5101/2, Upper Konge, Makindye P.O. BOX 37789 Kampala TEL: +256 772786999, +256 783583923 +256 39364894/5

EMAIL:

info@thefarhorizons.com; peace@thefarhorizons.com WEBSITE: www.thefarhorizons.com

SHOEBILL SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Najjanankumbi, Ebb Rd TEL: +256757642401 EMAIL: tours@shoebillsafaris.com WEBSITE: www.shoebillsafaris.com

SIMBA AFRICA EXPEDITIONS ADDRESS:

THE TOURIST CENTRE ADDRESS:

Plot 2 Main Street-Post Office Building Jinja P.O. BOX 1666 Jinja TEL: +256 434122758

EMAIL:

info@jinjatouristcentre.co.ug; safaris@touristcentresafaris.com WEBSITE: www.jinjatouristcentre.co.ug

THE UGANDA SAFARI

Association of Uganda Tour Operators www.auto.or.ug

49

COMPANY ADDRESS:

Plot 15 Binayomba Road, Luthuli Avenue, Bugolobi, Kampala P.O. BOX 23825 Kampala TEL: +256787433710/+256 414251182

EMAIL:

sales@safariuganda.com; info@wildplacesafrica.com; tamara@safariuganda.com; gary@wildplacesafrica.com; info@safariuganda.com; assistant@safariuganda.com; reservations@wildplacesafrica.com WEBSITE: www.safariuganda.com

TORO’S PRIDE TOURS AND SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Rm 025, Ground Floor, Lugogo Forest Mall, Kampala P.O. BOX 23689 Kampala Uganda TEL: +256392080999 EMAIL: info@toropridetours.co.ug; trudy@toropridetours.co.ug; doreenouchoro@toropridetours.co.ug

WEBSITE:

www.toropridetours.co.ug

TOUR AND TRAVEL CENTER ADDRESS:

Plot 35-Lumumba Ave-Nakasero P.O. BOX 2890 Kampala TEL: +256 414343525

EMAIL:

info@tourandtravelcentre.com, tours@ tourandtravelcentre.com WEBSITE www.tourandtravelcentre.com

TRAVEL 256 LTD ADDRESS:

3rd Floor, Najja Shopping Centre, Ebb Rd, Kampala P.O. BOX 33137 Kampala TEL: +256772367972 EMAIL: info@travel256.com WEBSITE: www.travel256.com

TRAVEL HEMISPHERES LTD ADDRESS:

www.travel2uganda.com

TWENDE EXPEDITIONS LTD ADDRESS:

Craft Africa opposite hotel Triangle, Buganda Road P.O. BOX 694 Kampala TEL: +256772404621 EMAIL: info@twendeexpeditions.com WEBSITE www.twendeexpeditions.com

wildlifescene@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.ugandawildlifescene.com

UTOPIA SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 1001 Gaba Rd Nsambya P.O. BOX 5643 Kampala TEL: +256 0703412511 EMAIL: utopiasafaris@gmail.com

WEBSITE:

www.utopiasafaris.com

UGANDA EXPERIENCE SAFARIS ADDRESS:

Unit 5, Trust House 20 Airport Road Entebbe P.O. BOX 534 Entebbe TEL: +256 774040170/+256414320569, +256414321583 EMAIL: ugexp@aol.com

WEBSITE

www.ugandaexperience.co.uk

UGANDA HOLIDAY & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ADDRESS:

Amber Hse, Grnd Floor P.O. BOX 8329 Kampala TEL: +256 772480931/ +256 312292448 EMAIL: info@holidayinuganda.com; admin@holidayinuganda.com WEBSITE: www.holidayinuganda.com

UGANDA TRAVEL BUREAU 2004 LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 3 Kimathi Ave, Pan Africa House P.O. BOX 5619 Kampala TEL: +256 712890369/ +256772232555 +256 414335335/+256 312232555 EMAIL: deo@utb.co.ug; info@utb.co.ug; deo.lubega@ug.fcm.travel WEBSITE: www.travelUTB.com

UGANDA WILDLIFE SAFARIS LTD ADDRESS:

VENTURE UGANDA LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 155 Semawata Road, Ntinda P.O. BOX 40244 Nakawa TEL: +256 772440899/ +256782735309 +256 393202033

EMAIL:

info@ventureuganda.org; L.harris@ventureuganda.org; michael@ventureuganda.org; philo@ventureuganda.org WEBSITE: www.ventureuganda.org

VINCE TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Teachers H’se,Bombo Rd,Rm 208 P.O. BOX 37053 Kampala TEL: +256 712810666/ +256 414341470

EMAIL:

info@vincetours.com; vincetoursug@gmail.com

WEBSITE:

www.vincetours.com

ADDRESS:

Kisoro P.O. BOX 280 Kisoro, Uganda TEL: +256772435148 EMAIL: info@virungaadventuretours.com WEBSITE: www.virungaadventuretours.com

VOLCANOES SAFARIS ADDRESS:

27 Lumumba Avenue, Nakasero Kampala P.O. BOX 22818 Kampala TEL: +256 772741718/ +256 414346464/ +256 312263823

www.travelhemispheres.com

TRAVEL2UGANDA

www.uganda-wildlife-safaris.com

salesug@volcanoessafaris.com; kevin@volcanoessafaris.com; rebecca@volcanoessafaris.com; marketing@volcanoessafaris.com; john@volcanoessafaris.com WEBSITE: www.volcanoessafaris.com

UGANDA WILDLIFE SCENE SAFARIS

VOYAGER AFRICAN SAFARIS LTD

+256 312284159 EMAIL: info@ugandawildlifescene.com;

Hotel Africana (Office Annex); Voyager Suite Plot 2 – 4 Wampewo Avenue, Kololo P.O. BOX 36453 Kampala

WEBSITE:

WEBSITE:

EMAIL:

ADDRESS:

Kansanga,Gaba Road P.O. BOX 72702 Kampala TEL: +256786292880 EMAIL: gabriella@travel2uganda.com WEBSITE

50

DISCOVER UGANDA 2016

TEL: +256 772434386/ +256 752455064

312 283987

EMAIL:

voyager@discoverafrica.co.ug

WEBSITE:

www.discoverafrica.co.ug

WHISTLING DUCK TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Kisinja Road Plot 16 Jinja P.O. BOX 53 Jinja TEL: +256 751767 605/+256 43122168

EMAIL:

helmut@whistlingduckuganda.com WEBSITE: www.whistlingduckuganda.com

WIJEMA TOURS & TRAVEL LTD ADDRESS:

Plot 13/15 Kamwokya Branch, First Floor opp Acacia Mall. Hqtrs in Mbalwa.

P.O. BOX 7684 Kampala TEL: +256 312270860

EMAIL:

info@wijemagroup.co.ug; w_utingcwinyu@wijemagroup.co.ug

WEBSITE:

www.wijemagroup.co.ug

WILD WHISPERS AFRICA ADDRESS:

Plot 19 Bukoto Street, Kampala Uganda 36566, Kampala TEL: +256 793503426/+256 312 107 945 EMAIL: info@wildwhispersafrica.com WEBSITE: www.wildwhispersafrica.com

VIRUNGA ADVENTURE TOURS

1098 Buziga Rise P.O. BOX 70513, Clock Tower Kampala Plot 643 Semwogere Close Bukoto P.O. BOX 21797 Kampala TEL: +256414501018 EMAIL: christian.weth@uganda-wildlife-safaris. com

Nyanama Rd P.O. BOX 12112 Kampala TEL: +256 772571698/+256 414382357 EMAIL: info@travelhemispheres.com

TEL: +256712441832/+256 414 268675, +256

ADDRESS:

WORLD VENTURE LTD ADDRESS:

National Mosque Headquarters, old kampala Hill plot 23/25 TEL: +256772502037 EMAIL: info@worldventuresltd.com WEBSITE: www.worldventuresltd.com

media@safari-communications.com

www. safari-communications.com

ASSOCIATION OF UGANDA TOUR OPERATORS Plot 14 York Terrace Kololo, (near Kololo Airstrip), P.O. Box 73371, Kampala, Uganda Telephone: +256 (0)41 454 2599 Email: admin@auto.or.ug Website: www.auto.or.ug