Uganda heralded as bird-watching hot spot

By Rovianne Matovu Uganda was well represented at the 13th British Bird-watching Fair held at the Anglian Water Bird-watching Centre, Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland in the UK from 17th to 19th August 2001. The Fair was bigger and better this year with more exhibitors. Leading the Uganda delegation was the Chairman of the Uganda Tourist Board, Peter Kamya. The private sector was represented by L. Kitandara Tours and Travel, Mantana African Safaris, Let’s Go Travel, Mweya and Paraa Safari Lodges and the Association of Bird Guides. The three-day event heralded a revived interest in Uganda as a ‘new’ birding holiday destination. Uganda is strategically situated astride the equator on the major bird migratory route from both North to South and South to North. Therefore we can see well over 1,000 species of birds in our country. This recognition of Uganda as the holiday destination for keen birders is a long time in coming and more than well deserved. One can view at least 600 recorded species over a three week birding holiday. Uganda is now on the map for keen birders all over the world. The interest in Uganda as the birding country was demonstrated by the number of UK based tour operators interested in selling birding holidays to Uganda. Last year’s survey at the same bird-watching fair, revealed that only two travel companies featured Uganda in their brochures for bird-watching trips. This year seven companies featured Uganda as viable bird holiday option. These companies are Ornitholiday, Nature Trek, Avian Adventures, Birdquest, Rainbow Tours, Bird-watching Breaks and Wildlife Worldwide. This paves the way for Uganda to enjoy a new influx of bird-holiday makers through these travel companies, beginning December 2001. This is a significant achievement, considering that in the last two years, the Uganda Tourism Industry faced the challenge of persistent insecurity in a number of tourist destinations which deterred potential visitors from all over the world. During the fair, concerns over our security were raised by individuals, tour operators and the press in view of negative travel advice as issued by the Commonwealth Office. Uganda’s substantial attendance helped to correct the negative misinformation, which in the past, led to cancellations of holiday trips to Uganda.