True Uganda

Many people think of Africa as one country and those that know Uganda know it because of Idi Amin, HIV and AIDS, and Civil War. Truthfully speaking, there are people who haven’t even heard about the existence of Uganda. Uganda safaris

In July this year I had friends who were coming to Uganda for Charity. Everything was set for them so I though they needed not to worry about anything. I was shocked when I received a mail from them asking me very many question just to be sure that they are safe. uganda safari prices

They wanted to know whether they needed to carry beddings, plates, whether the house where they were going to stay had any windows and Doors. This is because only bad news is news. The good news never reaches the outside world. gorilla safari uganda
What you hear about Uganda is that only deadly diseases make up Uganda. Every insect in Uganda gives you a different disease! The mosquito gives you malaria; the tsetse fly gives you sleeping sickness. Not only insects do harm you. The freshwater snail gives you bilharzia. And if the yellow and dengue fever don’t get you, Aids or any other disease will for sure. gorilla safari rwanda

Uganda has got extraordinary natural richness and cultural diversity, as well as the talents and abilities of the people - all bestowed as a gift to the world. “Nature " is seen as the giver of Uganda’s uniqueness- dependent on human protection to preserve its uniqueness for future generations. gorilla tours uganda Uganda is a beautiful country where lovely, polite, and incredibly humorous people are not so different from other people in other countries. gorilla trekking rwanda

Uganda is home to many of God’s greatest creations. Uganda’s unrivalled collection of protected areas, endless lakes, rivers, waterfalls and wetlands makes it a lush tropical haven. Sprawling across both sides of the equator, a network of 10 National Parks and several other protected areas offers you a thrilling opportunity to experience Uganda’s biodiversity. tanzania safaris

Uganda is one of the continent's most beautiful countries, boasting a wide variety of scenery, culture and wildlife.kenya safari packages

Its reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country' is not only accredited to its likeable people, but also to its redevelopment as an eco-friendly environment, with the enlightened management of 10 national parks, and its introduction of eco-tourism projects, adventure sports and unique gorilla-trekking opportunities that have put the country as a gift to the World. masai mara safari kenya

Promotion of Uganda at international level is required because there is little understanding of a true Uganda.

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River Musamya a victim of drought and encroachment

River Musamya is famously known as “Gold for Bugerere” by residents and native of Kayunga and Mukono because of its numerous values is on the verge of extinction due to encroachment by area residents.Primate safari rwanda

This river is a tributary of River Ssezibwa, it passes through the districts of Mukono and Kayunga to Lake Kyoga. Until 2006 when the river almost dried up due to the long drought, River Musamya was acting as a water catchment’s area and a source of water for irrigation and domestic use for people who live along it. Gorilla trekking uganda bwindi

According to the Kayunga District environment officer, Mr Patrick Musaazi, River Musamya Wetland was among the few areas where the crested crane is found. It was also a source of medicinal plants and raw materials like papyrus for making crafts. Above all, it was a habitat for many rare birds and animals. gorilla trekking rwanda volcanoes safari

Today, the residents from the near by villages which is a big blow to the tourism industry and the falling crest crane numbers.Queen Elizabeth safari

Rhinos - Uganda

By the Uganda safari reporter

Uganda is blessed once again in a row, after the Lions received early this year there is yet another contribution to our rich wildlife from our Kenya Wildlife partners. Kenya is to move some of its Rhinos to 4 countries of Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Rwanda in an effort to conserve the huge creatures. Kenya is blessed with 603 of the 709 rhinos in eastern Africa and Tanzania has almost all the remaining rhinos.gorilla safaris uganda

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Uganda lost a very significant number of its Rhinos to poaching and war in the 1970s and 80s. Like the White Rhino the black Rhino is also almost facing extinction which is the main reason why Kenya is distributing some among 4 neighboring countries to encourage rebreeding so that the Rhino populations can increase.

Uganda has a few black rhinos and only 2 white rhinos at UWEC that were imported from South Africa in the Early 2000. This is a very boosting gesture from Kenya because it will increase chances of the Black Rhino’s survival in Uganda.

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This conservation strategy will help in protecting the Rhinos in case of an epidemic in one country and is also aimed at increasing Rhino number to 3,000 Rhinos by 2039. With such projects coming up there is hope for our wildlife’s survival for many generations to come.

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Useful Links: Forex Bureau in Kampala

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Bigodi a Million Dollar Swamp

Bigodi is a swamp like any other swamp any where the world over, this swamp that has proved to be people’s sources of livelihood is found in Kibale.

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Many swamps in Uganda have been destroyed by selfish individuals looking at using them for personal gains and as a result the community and the nation at large end up at a loss.

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But this is not the case in Kibale, just next to Kibale Forest National Park is this Swamp called Bigodi, The name Bigodi is derived from a Rutooro word, kugodya, which means to walk unenthusiastically. It is said that when travelers reached Bigodi on foot, they were always too tired to continue into the forest thus resting there.

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Convincing the Bigodi natives to embark on the tourism initiative was not very easy as the elders thought that their sons were planning to rip them of their swamp. This was back in 1992 when the foundation of the now flourishing Bigodi swamp project was dug.

Bigodi wetland is an important area of biodiversity. It hosts eight species of primates and over 200 bird species. The most popular bird for tourists to view is the Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola Cristata). The most common tree species are wild palm, rubber and fig trees and rafia palm which are widely used in making handicrafts. Some of the primates include; the ever elusive Sitatunga bushpig, Bushbuck, Otter Mongoose, Civet Cat and Chimpanzee

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As we talk now the locals are reaping millions of shillings every year from the swamp. It is a tourist site which has significantly improved their livelihood, for this they have a Shs150m Bigodi Secondary School constructed out of the revenue from the project. Added to the Secondary school is a nursery school, bridges, a road and many more business projects that have resulted from the swamp project.

Families have put up accommodation businesses in their homes, craft stalls and groups have come up, and some farmers sell their fresh produces (fruits & vegetables) to the lodges and the tourists which provide them with ready markets. Many of the families in Bigodi have also benefited from sponsorships given to some disadvantaged families by some generous tourists.

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The same swamp produces raw materials for the women group works which they make out of raffia and phoenix palm leaves. They also get color for their products last touches from the swamp, thanks to the Swamp project. They even export their products to Europe.

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Thanks to the good management of the project by Kafred, the locals are supportive of the swamp tourism activities because their children are getting an education and some are even employed by Kafred and the Kibale National Park. Poaching has even stopped because the poachers themselves have turned into guides, who take tourists around through the swamp and the village for community walks.
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This project is encouraging conservation that it has bought an extra-four-acre piece of land to make the primates inside the swamp feel comfortable and also to get the local population live at a distance from the swamp. If other communities that neighbor swamps would adopt such strategies like this one then our wildlife would be

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Uganda and Hospitality

By Adrian Ssali & Betty Nassuna

The word Hospitality has a Latin origin from the word hospes formed out of the word hostis which means stranger. It all comes from an ancient Greek story about Telemachus and Nestor where Telemachus was a total stranger who Nestor hosted and treated with great warmth.

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 A stranger passing outside a Greek house, could be invited inside the house by the family. The host washed the stranger's feet, offered him/her food and wine, and only after he/she was comfortable could be asked to tell his/her name.

 

This same art applies to the Ugandan culture of receiving visitors, a visitor to Uganda will be welcomed with such great appreciation that they will feel like visiting again.

Right at the Airport you will be handled like a queen by the ground handlers responsible for handling your flight. At Entebbe International Airport it will either be Enhas or DAS handling services to help you with all your ground clearances. There is also Civil Aviation Authority staff to offer you information you may require. Your security is taken care of by the Aviation Security team and Aviation Police at the Airport.

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If you did not organize an Airport pick up with your Hotel or Tour operator, there are always Airport shuttles/cabs/Taxis that can drop you to your desired destination with a smile. At you hotel you will be received and handled with this great care and affection, and provided with all your desired available services in time.

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Go onto any street any way in Uganda, as long as the natives understand your language they will provide you with all your desired information and even when they can not speak you language they will try all means possible like sign language.

 

The different cultures have different ways of entertaining people in order to make them feel at home. Before you leave Uganda after any length of stay you will have learnt at least two words in one native Language, at least a greeting. You want a country you can easily fit in? Visit Uganda for Great satisfaction.

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