Paraa Lodge Cut Rates
Oct 25, 2002
Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park have slashed their rates by 50% in a bid to attract more visitors.
By Matthias Mugisha
Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park have slashed their rates by 50% in a bid to attract more visitors.
The managing director of the group, Kenneth Mugira while briefing some representatives tour and travel agencies over the weekend, told The New Vision the reduction is aimed at attracting more tourists.
The rates to the beautiful and scenic park came into effect mid September.
Mugira said besides attracting more visitors, the move is also aimed at countering the negative travel advisories from the UK and US embassies warning their nationals not to visit the northern bank of the park because of insecurity.
“Those travel advisories have seriously affected our business. Sometimes we have zero bookings. We are trying to use government to talk to the embassies to lift the ban. The park is safe,†Mugira said.
Mugira also blamed the media for misinforming the public over alleged insecurity in the park.
The hotel has been taking travel and tour operators to the park to see for themselves how secure and safe the place is.
Paraa Safari lodge is located on the northern bank of the River Nile in Gulu district over 150 km from Gulu town.
“It is not true that there are rebels within the park boundaries. No clashes have occurred within 70km from here,†said he.
The director of operations in charge of tourism for Marasa HoldingsLimited, part of the Madhvani Group, Mani Khani, said the travel advisories were unfortunate.
“What is not safe? Even some transporters to West Nile pass through the park because it is safe. We have reduced the rates. So let Ugandans come, experience the peace and see the abundant wild life,†advised Khani.
Under the new rates, bed and breakfast in the luxurious hotel goes for $45 while full board accommodation for two costs $105.
The lodge also operates a special bus and an aircraft to the park at $20 and $85 per person for a one way trip respectively. The bus can transport a minimum of three people while the plane takes a minimum of four.
Murchison Falls National Park warden in charge of security and law enforcement Pascal says the park has never been safer.
“Before tourists go for game drives, the rangers and the UPDF first patrol all the routes as a precautionary measure. Security is guaranteed,†he explained.
The UPDF spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said the travel advisories were speculative.
“We flashed out the tourists who were in Zambia swamps near the park in Apac district. They fled to Aswa County which borders Pader and Lira districts and is very far from the park,†he said.
“Tourists going to Murchison Falls National Park do not pass through these areas. Those who say the terrorists are in the park do not know the map. We have more forces in the area. We have deployed two battalions in the park. It is safe,†Bantariza further maintained.
Ends
Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park have slashed their rates by 50% in a bid to attract more visitors.
The managing director of the group, Kenneth Mugira while briefing some representatives tour and travel agencies over the weekend, told The New Vision the reduction is aimed at attracting more tourists.
The rates to the beautiful and scenic park came into effect mid September.
Mugira said besides attracting more visitors, the move is also aimed at countering the negative travel advisories from the UK and US embassies warning their nationals not to visit the northern bank of the park because of insecurity.
“Those travel advisories have seriously affected our business. Sometimes we have zero bookings. We are trying to use government to talk to the embassies to lift the ban. The park is safe,†Mugira said.
Mugira also blamed the media for misinforming the public over alleged insecurity in the park.
The hotel has been taking travel and tour operators to the park to see for themselves how secure and safe the place is.
Paraa Safari lodge is located on the northern bank of the River Nile in Gulu district over 150 km from Gulu town.
“It is not true that there are rebels within the park boundaries. No clashes have occurred within 70km from here,†said he.
The director of operations in charge of tourism for Marasa HoldingsLimited, part of the Madhvani Group, Mani Khani, said the travel advisories were unfortunate.
“What is not safe? Even some transporters to West Nile pass through the park because it is safe. We have reduced the rates. So let Ugandans come, experience the peace and see the abundant wild life,†advised Khani.
Under the new rates, bed and breakfast in the luxurious hotel goes for $45 while full board accommodation for two costs $105.
The lodge also operates a special bus and an aircraft to the park at $20 and $85 per person for a one way trip respectively. The bus can transport a minimum of three people while the plane takes a minimum of four.
Murchison Falls National Park warden in charge of security and law enforcement Pascal says the park has never been safer.
“Before tourists go for game drives, the rangers and the UPDF first patrol all the routes as a precautionary measure. Security is guaranteed,†he explained.
The UPDF spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said the travel advisories were speculative.
“We flashed out the tourists who were in Zambia swamps near the park in Apac district. They fled to Aswa County which borders Pader and Lira districts and is very far from the park,†he said.
“Tourists going to Murchison Falls National Park do not pass through these areas. Those who say the terrorists are in the park do not know the map. We have more forces in the area. We have deployed two battalions in the park. It is safe,†Bantariza further maintained.
Ends