EAST AFRICA TOURISM PLATFORM
DOMESTIC TOURISM
EAST AFRICA TOURISM PLATFORM EAST AFRICA YEAR OF TRAVEL
Nairobi, November 1, 2016
EAC NEEDS TO AGGRESSIVELY MARKET DOMESTIC TOURISM
• Destination East Africa is composed of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania; which are members of East African Community (Figure 1) with headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. • This region is the fastest growing in Sub-Saharan Africa with an average GDP growth of 7.1%. Additionally, it is one of the largest regional economic blocs in the African continent with a total population of 148 million and a total combined GDP of USD 134 billion (EAC Vision, 2050). •
The Rift Valley cuts the region into as two branches. The western branch contains Lakes Albert, Edward, and Tanganyika, while the eastern branch is bounded by a high escarpment in Western Kenya. The earth movements that formed the rift also raised the high mountains of volcanic origin on either side, notably Mounts Elgon, Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The valley floor is littered with spectacular wildlife sanctuaries and lakes. Some of these, for example Naivasha, contain freshwater and are rich in fish, whereas others – Nakuru, Magadi and Natron – have deposits of salt and soda, which have attracted the attention of conservationists who wish to protect the millions of flamingos that breed there.
• Contrasts of scenery, climate and culture are evident in this region. Most of it consists of an undulating plateau over 1000 metres above sea level. It has also the most spectacular scenery in the African continent. •
The region contains a large variety of wildlife habitats, ranging from semi-deserts in Northern Kenya, which support herds of antelopes and gazelles, to the dense rainforests of the Ruwenzori on the Uganda – Congo border, which shelter the chimpanzee and gorilla. The dominant type of vegetation is thorny scrub in the drier areas, alternating with open plains or savannah where the tall grasses, dotted with umbrella-shaped acacia trees support large herds of grazing animals and the great predators such as lions.
• Most of East Africa has a tropical wet-dry climate but, because of its position astride the Equator, the region has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons. The coast is also influenced by the seasonal shift in wind direction known as the monsoon over the Indian Ocean. • Tourism plays a vital role in development of the region; generating foreign exchange, investment, employment of close to 2 million people and an estimated contribution of 8.9 to the regional GDP (Table 1). • The main tourist seasons for East Africa’s big-game areas are December to early March and July to early October as these correspond to the dry seasons when the animals are concentrated around the water holes and the grass is short, aiding visibility. Travel is also easier at this time. •
The EAC treaty promotes the region as a single tourism destination in line with implementation of the EAC single visa scheme. In this regard, EAC has been working to strengthen the tourism and wildlife sectors, by encouraging collaborations between member states. A number of other initiatives include: single tourist visa between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and harmonization of tourism and wildlife management laws.
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Country Year GDP Tourism Revenue (USD Billion) (USD Billion) % GDP
Tourism numbers growth rate (%)
Tourism trends and key nature-based attractions
Kenya
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
14,900 16,100 18,700 22,500 27,360 30,460 30,580 32,190 36,620
0.480 (3.22) 0.610 (3.79) 0.710(3.80) 0.820(3.65) 0.660(2.41) 0.780(2.85) 0.920(3.00) 1.230(3.82) 1.210(3.60)
1,360,700 1,478,900(8.69) 1,600,000(8.19) 1,817,000(13.56) 1,203,200(-33.78) 952,481(-20.84) 1,095,945(15.06) 1,265,136(15.44) 1,230,000(-2.78)
• World-class diverse protected areas • Beach and Resorts • Large mammals species • Rich cultural tourism • Diverse landscapes and physical features • Trend depends on stability, but positive
Uganda
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
6,340 7,940 9,240 9,980 11,920 14,440 15,800 17,200 16,810
0.330 (4.16) 0.380(3.82) 0.450(4.51) 0.590(4.95) 0.560(3.88) 0.660(4.18) 0.800(4.65) 0.830(4.94)
468,000 539,000(15.17) 642,000(19.11) 844,000(31.46) 806,000(-4.50) 946,000(17.37) 1,151,356(21.71) 986,000(-14.36)
• Diverse protected areas
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
10,280 11,350 14,140 14,330 16,830 20,730 21,370 22,910 23,870
0.760(7.41) 0.820(7.22) 0.990(7.00) 1.120(7.82) 1,290(7.66) 1.160(5.79) 1.260(5.90) 1.400(6.11) 1.730(7.25)
566,667 590,000(4.12) 622,500(5.51) 745,000(19.68) 770,376(0.67) 714,367(-7.27) 783,000(9.61) 867,994(23.63) 1,077,058(24.09)
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
1,800 2,000 2,400 3,110 3,740 4,170 5,260 5,630 6,380
0.044(2.44) 0.049(2.45) 0.031(1.29) 0.065(2.09) 0.202(5.40) 0.218(5.23) 0.227(4.32) 0.252(4.47) 0.282(4.42)
710,000 765,000(7.75) 700,000(-8.50) 665,000(-5.26) 1,089,000(63.76) 1,199,000(10.10)
• Few world-class diverse protected areas • Gorilla tourism • Land of thousan hills • Historical sites tourism
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
0.664 0.801 0.919 0.975 1.097 1.378 2.395 2.030 2.350
0.0018(0.27) 0.0019(0.24) 0.0016(0.21) 0.0023(0.24) 0.0016(0.15) 0.0017(0.12) 0.0021(0.09) 0.0037(0.18) -
133,000 148,000(11.28) 214,000(44.59) 192,000(-10.28) 202,000(5.21) 212,000(4.95) 142,000(-33.09) -
• Few world-class diverse protected areas • Lake Tanganyika • Few large mammals species
Tanzania
Rwanda
Burundi
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• Mountain Gorillas • Large mammals species • Large mammals • Rich cultures • Diverse landscapes and physical features • Trend in tourism numbers stagnant or increasing slowly • World-class diverse protected areas • Beach and Resorts • Mt. Kilimanjaro • Large mammals species • Rich cultural tourism • Diverse landscapes and physical features • Trend increasing slowly
• Diverse landscapes and physical features • Trend in tourism numbers increasing
• Diverse landscapes and physical features • Trend in tourism numbers stagnant or declining
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BURUNDI
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Key facts
Joined EAC: Population: GDP (nominal): Official language: Timezone: Currency:
July 2007 10.5 million US$ 3.1 Billion Kirundi, French GMT + 2hr
Burundi Franc (FBu)
Geography Area: 7,834 sq. km Coastline: none Capital city: Bujumbura
Kirundi and French are the official languages, and Kiswahili and English are widely spoken. Topography Burundi is a country mainly of mountains and plateaus, with a western range of mountains running north-south and continuing into Rwanda. The highest point is Mt. Heha at 2,670 m. The country is popularly known as the ‘the heart of Africa’. Climate
Population density (per sq. km): 374 Description The Republic of Burundi is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Burundi is a part of the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift. The country lies on a rolling plateau in the center of Africa. The source of the Nile River is in Bururi province, and is linked from Lake Victoria to its headwaters via the Ruvyironza River; Lake Victoria is also an important water source, which serves as a fork to the Kagera River, while Lake Tanganyika is located in much of Burundi’s southwestern corner.
Burundi has a moderate tropical climate with average temperatures between 23 and 24ºC, a fortunate average for a country located near the Equatorial area renowned for its heat and humidity. Vegetation Savanna grasslands cover most parts of Burundi with trees concentrating in the regions surrounding the lakes. Wildlife Elephants, hippopotamus, crocodiles, wild boars, lions, antelopes, flying lemurs, game birds such as guinea fowls, partridge, ducks, geese, quails and snipes.
Languages
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KENYA
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Key facts Joined EAC: July 2000 (Founding Member) Population: 45.6 million GDP: US$ 60.9 Billion Official language: Kiswahili, English Timezone: GMT + 3hr Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh) Geography Area: 582,646 sq. km Coastline: 536 km Capital city: Nairobi Population density (per sq. km): 74 Description Kenya lies astride the equator, extending from the Indian Ocean in the east to Uganda in the west and from the United Republic of Tanzania in the south to Ethiopia and Sudan in the north. On the east and north-east, it borders Somalia. Languages
Topography There are 4 main regions. The North-East plain is arid. The South-East region is fertile along the Tana river, in the coastal strip and in the Taita Hills, which rise to 2,100 metres. The NorthWest is generally low-lying and arid but includes Lake Turkana, 260 km long, and many mountains, including Nyiru (2,800 metres). The southwest quarter, a plateau rising to 3,000 metres, includes some of Africa’s highest mountains: Mount Kenya (5,200 metres), Mount Elgon (4,320 metres) and the Aberdare Range (4,000 metres). The Great Rift Valley runs across the plateau from north to south, 50-65 km wide and 600-1,000 metres deep. West of the Rift, the plateau falls to Lake Victoria. Eastward Rivers Tana and Athi (or Galana downstream) flow into the Indian Ocean. Climate
Kiswahili and English are official languages. Each of its 42 ethnic groups has its own language.
The coastal areas are tropical, with monsoon winds. The lowlands are hot and mainly dry. The highlands are much cooler and have 4 seasons.
Transport
Vegetation
61,950 km of roads, 14% paved, and around 1,920 km of railway. The main railway line runs between Mombasa and Nairobi, and branch lines connect with Taveta on the Tanzanian border in the south and Kisumu on Lake Victoria in the west.
Thornbush and grassland are characteristic of much of the country. Varied forest covers about 13,000 sq km of the south-west quarter, at 2-3,500 metres above sea level. Forest covers 6% of the land area. Arable land comprises ten per cent and permanent cropland one per cent of the total land area.
Mombasa is the chief port for Kenya and an important regional port, handling freight for and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including a substantial volume of food aid. Ferries ply the coast between Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is 13 km south-east of Nairobi. Moi International is 13 km west of Mombasa.
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Wildlife Kenya’s wildlife is probably the most famous in the world. Wild mammals include lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotami, baboons and many kinds of monkeys. There is a rich variety of native birdlife and migrant birds visiting the country, which breed in Europe. Wildlife is protected in reserves extending to 45,500 sq. km, or some 8% of the total land area. 9
RWANDA
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Key facts
Joined EAC: July 2007 Population: 12.1 million GDP: US$ 7.89 Billion Official language: Kinyarwanda, English, French Timezone: GMT + 2hr Currency: Rwandan Franc (Rwfr) Geography Area: 26,338 sq. km Coastline: none Capital city: Kigali Population density (per sq. km): 434 Description: The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country with land borders with four countries: Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (clockwise from the north). Water covers 1,390 sq. km of the country; the largest lakes include Bulera, Ihema, Kivu (straddling the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo), Mugesera and Muhazi, and there are many rivers. Languages Kinyarwanda, English and French are the official languages, and Kiswahili is widely spoken. Transport There are 14,000 km of roads, 19% paved. There is no railway.
International Airport in Kigali. Topography The terrain is rugged with steep hills and deep valleys, rising in the north to the highest peak, Karisimbi (4,519 metres), which lies in a range of volcanoes. The country is popularly known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’. Climate Though the country is close to the Equator, the climate is tempered by altitude; it is hot and humid in the valleys, and drier and cooler in the higher elevations. The rainy seasons are MarchMay and October-November; the hottest season being August-September. Vegetation Thick equatorial rainforest is found in the north and west of the country - forest covering some 18% of the total land area - and savannah in the east. Forest cover has increased at 1.6% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises 49% and permanent cropland 10% of the total land area. Wildlife National parks and game reserves cover some 8% of the country and include the Volcanoes National Park (famous for its mountain gorillas) and Akagera National Park (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras).
The main international airport is Kigali
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TANZANIA
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Key facts Joined EAC: July 2000 (Founding Member) Population: 47.4 million GDP: US$ 49.2 Billion Official language: Kiswahili, English Timezone: GMT + 3hr Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) Geography Area: 945,090 sq. km Coastline: 1,420 km Capital city: Dodoma Population density (per sq. km): 53.5 Description The United Republic of Tanzania borders the Indian Ocean to the East, and has land borders with eight countries: (anti-clockwise from the North) Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (across Lake Tanganyika), Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The country includes Zanzibar (consisting of the main island Unguja, plus Pemba and other smaller islands). Languages Kiswahili and English are the official languages. Transport There are 90,810 km of roads, 15% paved. There are also 2 railway systems, extending to a total of 4,460 km, and running on 2 different gauges. One links Dar es Salaam with Central, Western and Northern Tanzania and Kenya (Tanzania Railways Corporation, gauge one metre, extending to 2,600 km); the other links Dar es Salaam to Zambia (Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority, or Tazara). The main ports are at Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga and Zanzibar. Regular boat services carry passengers and freight between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Ferries provide freight and passenger transport on Lake Victoria. There are 3 international airports (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar) and more than EAST AFRICAN TOURISM PLATFORM | www. ea-tourism-platform.org
50 local airports and airstrips. Because of the size of the country and scattered population, air services have become the most significant form of internal transport for official and business travel. Topography The country comprises several distinct zones: a fertile coastal belt; the Masai Steppe and mountain ranges to the North (with Mt Kilimanjaro rising to 5,895 metres); and a high plateau in the central and southern regions. There is over 61,000 sq. km of inland water. Unguja Island (36 km from the mainland) is fertile, hilly and densely populated on the west side, low and thinly peopled in the east. Climate Varies with geographical zones: tropical on the coast, where it is hot and humid (rainy season March-May); semi- temperate in the mountains (with the short rains in November-December and the long rains in February-May); and drier in the plateau region with considerable seasonal variations in temperature. Vegetation Lush tropical at the coast; the rest of the country, apart from urban areas, is savannah and bush. Forest and woodland cover 37% of the land area, having declined at 1.1% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises 16% and permanent cropland 2% of the total land area. Wildlife The national parks and game reserves cover 16% of the country and include Serengeti National Park (famous for its vast migratory herds of plains animals, notably wildebeest, zebras, elands and kudus). Small bands of chimpanzees are found in the Gombe National Park along Lake Tanganyika. The steep mountain walls of Ngorongoro Park’s volcanic crater have provided protection and a natural enclosure for animals in an environment of great natural beauty. 13
UGANDA
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Key facts
Joined EAC: July 2000 (Founding Member) Population: 38.8 million GDP: US$ 26.3 Billion Official language: Kiswahili, English Timezone: GMT + 3hr Currency: Ugandan Shilling (Ush) Geography Area: 236,000 sq. km Coastline: None Capital city: Kampala
Water, with swampland, covers nearly 20% of the surface area. The largest lakes include Lake George, Lake Kyoga, and parts of Lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward. From its source in Lake Victoria, the White Nile flows Northwards through the country. Mountains include the high Rwenzori range in the west (Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley is 5,110 metres) and Mount Elgon (4,253 meters) in the East. The country is popularly known as the ‘the Pearl of Africa’.
Population density (per sq. km): 173
Climate
Description
Equatorial, tempered with breezes and showers. Cooler in the higher areas. Heavy rain from March to May, and in October and November; little rainfall in the north-east.
Uganda is a landlocked country lying astride the equator. It is bordered (clockwise from North) by Sudan, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Languages The official languages are English and Kiswahili; Kiswahili and Luganda are widely spoken and there are several other African languages. Transport Some 70,750 km of roads radiate from Kampala, 23% of which are paved. The railway network extends over some 260 km. Entebbe International Airport is 35 km southwest of Kampala. Topography
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Vegetation Much of the country, being so well-watered, is richly fertile; there is arid semi-desert in the north-east. Most of the country’s vegetation is savannah with tropical forests in areas of high rainfall. Drought-resistant bush, grasses and succulents grow in the north-east. Forest covers 14% of the land area. Arable land comprises 35% and permanent cropland 11% of the total land area. Wildlife Uganda has 7,200 sq. km of national parks and game reserves with abundant wildlife, reflecting the extraordinary diversity of the country which comprises lakes, swamps, dense grassland, woodland, rolling plains, forests and mountains.
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Destination East Africa
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