SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA’S PEARL
Jan 11, 2007
Uganda is becoming one of Africa’s hottest tourism destinations. For the past five years, tourists from Europe, Asia and America have been spellbound by her unique land forms, spectacular water features, wild animals and intriguing cultural sites. Last year, 670,000 tourists was the highest Ugan
Uganda is becoming one of Africa’s hottest tourism destinations. For the past five years, tourists from Europe, Asia and America have been spellbound by her unique land forms, spectacular water features, wild animals and intriguing cultural sites. Last year, 670,000 tourists was the highest Uganda has ever recorded in a year. It represented a 30% increase from 467,700 tourists in 2005. Raphael Okello checks out the attractions that compelled tourists to journey to Uganda in 2006...
White water rafting
The modern day adventurous tourist loves to flirt with danger, and sometimes with death. In Uganda, white water rafting on River Nile in Jinja, has the ingredients of deadly adventure. Gashing river waters crashing against rocks in the riverbed have created a frightening allure of 10 spectacular rapids on the Nile. For over six hours non-stop, rafters crash into ‘boiling’ rapids as they desperately fight to stay into their rafts. Occasionally, they loose the fight. They are hurled out and submerged into the water as they battle with the most thrilling tourism water sport Uganda has to offer.
The rafting journey starts from Bujagali and ends at Itanda, the world’s largest commercially rafted rapids stretching 200 meters.
In 2005, over 5,000 tourists rafted the Nile while more than 6,000 went rafted in 2006, most of them from the United States.
Gorillas in Bwindi
It is hard to get over the thrill of standing meters away from of some of the world’s existing 600 gentle monsters in the impenetrable forest in Kanungu District. Two family groups have been habituated (made used to people) but the attraction tourists have towards these animals is equally as consuming as the fear of standing next to them. The thirst to see them is unquenchable!
Some tourists have paid $750 to view the gorillas for two consecutive days while others keep returning. A total of 9,240 tourists had viewed the gorillas by November 2006. Despite the decision to increase gorilla tracking permits from $375 to $500 effective July 1, 2007, gorillas will continue to be the most sought-after attraction in the land.
Rwenzori Mountains
There is an enduring mystery and intrigue about the mountains. The enthralling vista of snow peaks in the tropics and abounding tales of a resident spirit (Kitasamba) dwelling in sacred no-go areas for climbers, is all too riveting for tourists. Tourists keen on mountaineering regard the Rwenzoris in Kasese District as one of Africa’s most strenuous mountains that demands psychological and physical preparation. Apparently, the harder it is to climb a mountain, the more appealing it becomes. Ever since the Rwenzoris were reopened in July 2001, after a wave of rebel activities, the number of tourists has been rising steadily.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
For the last three years, this park, in Kasese, has registered the highest number of tourists compared to other parks. By November 2006, 40,580 tourists had visited the park.
There are few places in Uganda where the rift valley left a legacy of breathtaking beauty –– awesome valley slopes, hills, escarpments, crater lakes and dry craters. These have all become part of the grand design of the western rift valley arm.
They are also habitats of wild animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippopotami and crocodiles.
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi and Gulu districts is Uganda’s biggest conservation area covering over 5,000 sq km and with the largest wildlife population, but it is the waterfall, from which it derives its name, that has awed tourists.
Over the years, insecurity has limited the number of tourists visiting the area. However, even during such times, some brave ones risked their lives (against their government plea to avoid the park) to see one of Africa’s most explosive waterfalls. Considering that Murchison has managed to get some tourists, in the previous years, when plagued by insecurity, the status quo may change in 2007, if peace eventually prevails.
Birds
In Uganda and the rest of black Africa, it is hard if not ridiculous, to ask a native to appreciate human attraction to birds. But birds, it turns out, have a religious following in Europe and America.
Uganda, with more than 1,000 bird species stands out as the country with the greatest diversity and concentration of birds in the world.
In 2006, it was a hot spot for bird watchers mostly from Europe. The Shoe Bill stock, numerous water birds, and endemic birds (birds unique to Uganda) like the Rwenzori Turaco, Albertine Rift endemics like Dusky Crimson wing and African Green Broad bill among others, were, and will continue to be the most sought- after bird attractions.
A moderate bird-watcher, travelling in a group of six, pays $5,000 (sh9m) if he or she stays for three weeks.
Birds can be seen anywhere in the urban and rural areas in Uganda but the hottest bird watching spots are Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Mount Rwenzori and Kidepo Valley. With 606 bird species, Queen Elizabeth is said to have the largest number recorded in any protected area in Africa.
Cultural/spiritual attractions
A distinctive and historic chain of attractions in Uganda’s central circuit is the Kabaka trail. The trail includes among other legacies of the ancient Buganda kingdom, the Katereke Prisons, Kasubi Tombs, Wamala tombs, Kabaka’s Lake, Ssezibwa Falls and Bagalayaaze tombs. However, the most visited of all these sites was Kasubi Tombs –– a large grass-thatched mausoleum in which four of Buganda’s kings were buried.
This year, like the previous years, it has been the hottest cultural spot. It features prominently on tour operators’ itineraries. Shockingly, management never knows exactly how many tourists they receive in a year!
White water rafting
The modern day adventurous tourist loves to flirt with danger, and sometimes with death. In Uganda, white water rafting on River Nile in Jinja, has the ingredients of deadly adventure. Gashing river waters crashing against rocks in the riverbed have created a frightening allure of 10 spectacular rapids on the Nile. For over six hours non-stop, rafters crash into ‘boiling’ rapids as they desperately fight to stay into their rafts. Occasionally, they loose the fight. They are hurled out and submerged into the water as they battle with the most thrilling tourism water sport Uganda has to offer.
The rafting journey starts from Bujagali and ends at Itanda, the world’s largest commercially rafted rapids stretching 200 meters.
In 2005, over 5,000 tourists rafted the Nile while more than 6,000 went rafted in 2006, most of them from the United States.
Gorillas in Bwindi
It is hard to get over the thrill of standing meters away from of some of the world’s existing 600 gentle monsters in the impenetrable forest in Kanungu District. Two family groups have been habituated (made used to people) but the attraction tourists have towards these animals is equally as consuming as the fear of standing next to them. The thirst to see them is unquenchable!
Some tourists have paid $750 to view the gorillas for two consecutive days while others keep returning. A total of 9,240 tourists had viewed the gorillas by November 2006. Despite the decision to increase gorilla tracking permits from $375 to $500 effective July 1, 2007, gorillas will continue to be the most sought-after attraction in the land.
Rwenzori Mountains
There is an enduring mystery and intrigue about the mountains. The enthralling vista of snow peaks in the tropics and abounding tales of a resident spirit (Kitasamba) dwelling in sacred no-go areas for climbers, is all too riveting for tourists. Tourists keen on mountaineering regard the Rwenzoris in Kasese District as one of Africa’s most strenuous mountains that demands psychological and physical preparation. Apparently, the harder it is to climb a mountain, the more appealing it becomes. Ever since the Rwenzoris were reopened in July 2001, after a wave of rebel activities, the number of tourists has been rising steadily.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
For the last three years, this park, in Kasese, has registered the highest number of tourists compared to other parks. By November 2006, 40,580 tourists had visited the park.
There are few places in Uganda where the rift valley left a legacy of breathtaking beauty –– awesome valley slopes, hills, escarpments, crater lakes and dry craters. These have all become part of the grand design of the western rift valley arm.
They are also habitats of wild animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippopotami and crocodiles.
Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi and Gulu districts is Uganda’s biggest conservation area covering over 5,000 sq km and with the largest wildlife population, but it is the waterfall, from which it derives its name, that has awed tourists.
Over the years, insecurity has limited the number of tourists visiting the area. However, even during such times, some brave ones risked their lives (against their government plea to avoid the park) to see one of Africa’s most explosive waterfalls. Considering that Murchison has managed to get some tourists, in the previous years, when plagued by insecurity, the status quo may change in 2007, if peace eventually prevails.
Birds
In Uganda and the rest of black Africa, it is hard if not ridiculous, to ask a native to appreciate human attraction to birds. But birds, it turns out, have a religious following in Europe and America.
Uganda, with more than 1,000 bird species stands out as the country with the greatest diversity and concentration of birds in the world.
In 2006, it was a hot spot for bird watchers mostly from Europe. The Shoe Bill stock, numerous water birds, and endemic birds (birds unique to Uganda) like the Rwenzori Turaco, Albertine Rift endemics like Dusky Crimson wing and African Green Broad bill among others, were, and will continue to be the most sought- after bird attractions.
A moderate bird-watcher, travelling in a group of six, pays $5,000 (sh9m) if he or she stays for three weeks.
Birds can be seen anywhere in the urban and rural areas in Uganda but the hottest bird watching spots are Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Mount Rwenzori and Kidepo Valley. With 606 bird species, Queen Elizabeth is said to have the largest number recorded in any protected area in Africa.
Cultural/spiritual attractions
A distinctive and historic chain of attractions in Uganda’s central circuit is the Kabaka trail. The trail includes among other legacies of the ancient Buganda kingdom, the Katereke Prisons, Kasubi Tombs, Wamala tombs, Kabaka’s Lake, Ssezibwa Falls and Bagalayaaze tombs. However, the most visited of all these sites was Kasubi Tombs –– a large grass-thatched mausoleum in which four of Buganda’s kings were buried.
This year, like the previous years, it has been the hottest cultural spot. It features prominently on tour operators’ itineraries. Shockingly, management never knows exactly how many tourists they receive in a year!