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Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Gets Two New Baby Rhinos

2012-01-18T00:11:00.000-08:00

Uganda's wildlife is increasing in certain areas and some which were extinct are being re-introduced and bred into a healthy population. However in certain national parks in Uganda such as Murchison falls national park there is good evidence of poaching. It is easy to find bush meat with in the areas around the national parks. All one has to do is contact the local communities in the areas around the park.

In Queen Elizabeth national park, the number of lions in certain areas have been decimated just as in lake Mburo national park.

Rhinos in Uganda were hunted to extinction during the dictatorial reign of Idi Amin. Then the main reason for killing rhinos was mainly superstition. The people especially soldiers believed that possessing the horn of a rhino would make one invincible.

However, these majestic animals were reintroduced into the Country and are beginning to make a comeback.

Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the only rhino sanctuary in the country and is located in Nakasongola district. The good news is that this month two baby rhinos were born bringing the number to 12 at the Sanctuary.

The rhino was born to twelve year old rhino named Bella which was brought from Kenya in 2004 and both are said to be in very good health.

The Sanctuary has become a common feature for tourists visiting Murchison falls national park in north western Uganda. A Murchison Falls safari offers you the opportunity to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as the sanctuary is enroute the national park.

According to Genade who runs the sanctuary the two rhinos that have been born are both female and were fathered by Taleo who is the dominant male. The birth was such an excitement to the staff at the sanctary. According to Genade, the birth of the rhinos was through natural birth and has seen their numbers more than double since 2009. This put Uganda’s rhinos way ahead of those of the other countries in the region.

Plans are underway to ensure that there is a breeding population of 15 to 20 rhinos in Country according to Genade and they are trying to secure more rhinos.

In Uganda, the rhinos that were found the northern white and black were some of the rarest in the World. However in the 1980’s due to political instability in the Country their population was wiped out.

However the current population being bred in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is the Southern white rhino which is one of the three species of rhinos.

The number of rhinos that was first brought in Uganda in 2004 was 2 – Taleo and Bella at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary however, they were so young to beginning breeding. In the same year other four rhinos were brought in from South Africa.

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Olorgesailie Middle Stone Age - Archaelogical Site in Kenya

2011-12-19T03:14:00.000-08:00

Olorgesailie prehistoric site found in the great right valley floor of Kenya is one of the best is the World. It measures 300 Kilometers square and dates back 1.2 million years according to scientists. The areas is about one hour’s drive south of Nairobi city and has sites such as the butchery originally the a place for hunting expeditions which scientists believe was used by Homo erectus as well an in-situ museum which contains stone age hand axes.

According to Dr. Rick Potts the place has so many prehistoric tools and they can easily be found in sediments when digging through the layers of soil in the area.

The prehistoric site was originally discovered in 1919 by John Walter Gregory and was eventually visited by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1942 that have done great fossil hunting in Kenya over the last century. The area has a gang walk all over the area which was initiated by the first African Archaeology Congress which was held in 1947.

According to Mr. Potts who has studied the area more than any other person in the last 30 years, Olorgesailie has sediments with each layer telling a lot about the history of mankind. He has worked in conjunction with the National Museums of Kenya closely over the years.

The area is full of prehistoric tools and bones as well as fossilized papyrus which are buried deep in the layers of sediment. The papyrus suggests there was a lake in the area, however it is now a dry dusty area with day time temperatures soaring to 40 degrees celcius. The area is buried in dust layers from the volcanic ashes of the nearby Mount Olergesailie and Mount Esakut. Remains of elephus recki which is believed to be closely related to the present day Indian elephant and is larger than the present elephants have been unearthed in the area.

According to Dr. Potts during a conference which was organized by the Prehistory Club and Kenya Museum Society which was held in the National Museums of Kenya, hand axes keep rolling out the layers of sediment in the region and he believes that the tolds which have been used for over 1.5 million years were first used in Africa before the technology was transferred to areas like Asia and Europe. Kenya Safaris

Archaelogist says the olorgesailie sites represent two eras the most recent being the Middle stone-age site which dates back to 500,000 years to 100,000 years ago during which was the time that they used the sophisticate flakes. The flakes are sharp-edged tools which are made from a precise strike on a core stone. The earliest time being the hand axe site is between 1.2 million to 500,000 years ago. However according to Dr. Potts the stones used to make the tools are not found locally and were from 150 kilometers away an indication that people exchanged products even as far back. The Middle Stone age is a time that is characterized by increased social networks, smaller technology and increased use of symbols which corresponds with modern African wildlife.

The Olorgesailie is the largest studied site in the world for the period covering the period of 1.2 million years ago. It is also the oldest known middle Stone Age site in the whole world.

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Olorgesailies archaelogical site

$20 Charge For Mountain Gorilla Killers

2011-09-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

The mountain gorilla killers in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park; Fideli Begumisa, Ronald Byamugisha and Amos Kazongo were recently fined Shs. 50,000 which is approximately $20 dollars. This is peanut is comparison to the money mountain gorillas brings into the economy. A gorilla tracking fee costs $500 per person and this caters also for the park entrance fees as well as the guide fees.

Uganda Wildlife Authority officials, the body charged with taking care of the wildlife in Uganda; have vowed to raise the matter with the office of the Chief Justice. The three culprits were each charged with just under $20 which is no where near what a gorilla permit costs.

Tourism in Uganda has seen a significant growth thanks to the attraction of mountain gorillas which can only be found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national parks in Uganda. In 2009, mountain gorilla tour fees brought in $3m which is a significant amount.

It is not uncommon to find Uganda safari packages involving a gorilla safari to Bwindi. List as critically endangered, there are only about 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild.

If the Country can up the protection afforded to wildlife in the protected areas as well as outside of it. It will greatly help in promoting tourism and preserving our natural heritage.

Killing of Bwindi Black Back Gorilla Sparks Anger

2011-07-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

The Killing of a black back – a male juvenile mountain gorilla in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has sparked a lot of fury among conservationists. Conservationists are calling for more stern measures against poachers in the national park as well as other national parks in the region.

Poaching although it has been reduced is still being carried out in different Uganda national parks and conservationists believe that a strong stand against poachers will help curb the vice.

Mizaano was a black back that belonged to the Habiyanja family of mountain gorillas. However it suffered injuries from poachers who had setup traps in the national parks from which it died.

The police in south western Uganda arrested eh suspects Byamugisha Roland, Begumisa Fidel and Kazonga Amos who are all residents of Mpungu village. Gorilla safari is the leading Uganda tour package bringing 80% of the revenue in tourism.

Mizaano whose name means “Playful” was the only black back – a male juvenile in his family and is thus a great hindrance to the starting up of another family. Black back mountain gorillas go on to become silverbacks – the dominant males in a family.
According to Lillian Nsubaga who is the Uganda Wildlife Authority spokesperson, Makara the dominant silverback in habiyanja family was likely to be succeeded by Mizaano. However it is now going to take a while before the family can recover.

Poaching in Uganda is a major vice, during a recent trip to Murchison falls national park, I happened to interact with many of the locals and was astonished to find out that bush meat from the killing of animals in the park is readily available as long as one understands the language. For hippo bush meat all one has to say is that they want “Makar” which when translated means “charcoal” and you would be available with smoked hippo meat.

Murchison falls safari is one of the leading tour attractions in Uganda as it brings in lots of tourists visiting this majestic falls.

New Gate For Amboseli National Park

2011-04-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

Amboseli national park is to see the construction of a new ultra modern gate complete with an information centre, waiting lounge, computers and the ability for visitors to use electronic cards which is aimed at improving the services being offered by the Kenya Wildlife Services to the visitors.

The Amboseli national park gate is going to cost 21 million Kenya shillings given the high cost of the latest technology according to the Director of Kenya Wildlife Services – KWS Mr. Kipng’etich Julius. The gate will have staff to orient the visitors to Amboseli national park about the birds and wildlife species found in the national park.

According to Mr. Kipng’etich, Kenya Wildlife Services wants the visitors to the park to know as much as possible about the details of the animals in the national park before entering the park as this will help the visitors know the rich wildlife diversity that the park has to offer.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service director, the safari smart cards that will be introduced starting on the 1^st of July 2011 will be able to be used at any supermarket across the Country. They can top it up at any supermarket and this will help them save time as they move from safari park to park.

Amboseli national park is one of the most visited national parks in Kenya contributing 22 percent of the total revenue from Kenya’s safari national parks with Nakuru national park offering 29 percent.

Kenya Wildlife Service’s chairman said that on completion of the ultra modern gate they will then construct curio shops to help the locals in the community peddle their crafts. The chair Mr. Mwiraria David says it will take over 6 months to complete the project.

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Tourists and Tour Guides Say the Road To Masai Mara in Need of Repairs

2011-02-02T04:02:00.000-08:00

Masai Mara is one of the most renown game reserves in the World with it over 2 million wildebeest migration forming one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the World. However, the game reserve despite the huge revenue it generates from the thousands of tourists visiting the Country has been slightly neglected.
The road to the Masai Mara has been neglected for quite some time now and the road is strewn with potholes. My Masai Mara safari holiday was a little blighted by the bumpy ride we experienced as one branches off to the game reserve.
Tour guide drivers have renewed calls to have roads leading to the Masai Mara National Reserve repaired.
Addressing journalists in Narok Town at the weekend, hundreds of drivers said a 40-kilometre stretch of the Narok-Sekenani road was almost impassable.
“The situation has been worsened by rains currently pounding the Mara area. We urge the government to upgrade the roads before the long rains expected in April,” the vice-chairman of the National Tour Drivers Association, Mr Andrew Mungatana said.
He added that tourists were fatigued after using the route and sometimes slept in the wild when vehicles get stuck in the mud.
“We are also incurring high maintenance costs, which are driving us out of business,” Mr Mungatana said.
The drivers said they were also forced to part with a lot of money to youth filling potholes at various sections of the road yet they were paying taxes.
A gift shop owner, Mr Leonard ole Kenta, said business was low since many tourists opted to fly into and out of the Mara. Masai Mara fly in safari
When contacted, Roads minister Franklin Bett said tenders had been issued for the road and that repair works would soon start.
Record earnings
The protest by the drivers came even as the government and Narok County Council predicted record earnings from Kenya tourism industry.
Tourism minister Najib Balala said revenue from the tourism sector was projected to hit a high of Sh100 billion with at least 1.2 million foreign tourists arriving in the country.
Narok County Council clerk Pius Mutemi said the council will reap a record Sh1.5 billion from the Mara this financial year, which is set to surpass the record set in 2007. Kenya safari
He attributed this to aggressive marketing by the council, the Kenya Tourism board and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Mr Mutemi, however, absolved the council from blame on the drivers’ concerns, saying their mandate was to maintain roads within the park, which he said were in good condition.
He projected the earnings will go beyond Sh3 billion after the introduction, later this year, of the smartcard for use in paying bills. Kenya wildlife safari
“This will seal all loopholes and bring out more accountability to the management of this popular destination,” he said.
Narok and Trans Mara county councils earn more than 80 per cent of their revenue from the wildlife resort.
The local authorities gain from the reserve by charging gate entries, royalties in the lodges as well as balloon settings and airplane landings. Masai Mara balloon safari

The Loss of Vegetation is Pushing Wildlife Species to Extinction

2010-11-25T00:40:00.000-08:00

The rapid growth of population is taking its toll on the vegetation which provide food and habitat for many of the wildlife that Africa has been so blessed with. The explosion in the population of East Africa means more demand for land for cultivation as well as housing. Wetlands and forest covers which provide homes for most of the wildlife are quickly dwindling. The influx of tourists to Africa is however beginning to highlight the importance of tourism and conservation of wildlife and vegetation some of which are endemic to certain regions. Take for instance the mountain gorillas which can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Before the Mau forestland rush, the dark- green rain forest was a showcase for the diversity of life. There was hardly a break in the canopy of giant trees, and virtually every acre was alive with all kinds of flora and fauna. Kenya safari information

Then, in the mid-1980s came a horde of settlers, both legal and illegal, slashing and burning huge swathes of the forest to create land for farms and infrastructure. They came to enjoy a promised land, full of milk and honey, but in essence produced a trail of devastation.
Sadly enough, their action is replicated in other parts of the country. Economists might not see a problem with the galloping population increase, but with an additional one million new mouths to feed every year, environmentalists have all the reason to be worried. Kenya wildlife safari
“The country is losing its biodiversity at an alarming rate due to destruction of the natural resources and we have started to pay the price,” says Dr David Western, a former Kenya Wildlife Service Director.
Due to degradation of natural habitats, as a result of population pressure and poor farming practices, the country has lost 50 per cent of its wildlife population in the last 34 years.
Initially, pressure on natural resources was concentrated on the high potential areas, but things have changed in the past decade, with attention turning the arid and semi-arid land (Asal), one of the most suitable habitats for wildlife.
Under threat is the country’s jewel, the tourism sector, the third largest foreign exchange earner, after horticulture and tea exports. Tourism is also cited as one of the critical sectors in Vision 2030, the economic blueprint, which aims to transform Kenya into a middle income country. Kenya safari
However, conservationists are concerned the country is killing the goose laying the golden egg and that the grand targets could turn into a pipe dream if habitat loss continues unabated.
“More and more Asal areas are being opened up for agriculture despite being unsuitable for farming, resulting in the loss of biodiversity,” says Dr Western the chairman of the African Conservation Centre.
Studies conducted by the organisation in Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara Game Reserve, for example, reveal that settlement patterns around the protected areas, have changed from temporary to permanent, with most families opting to grow crops rather than practice pastoralism, suitable for such environment.
As a result, in the Amboseli National Park temperatures have risen by three to four degrees in the last 30 to 40 years, a fact that conservationists blame on loss of vegetation cover. “We have to be careful when preparing for climate change by ensuring we are not degrading our habitat,” adds Dr Western.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is also concerned about the loss of habitat. Patrick Omondi, head of species conservation and management at KWS concurs with Dr Western’s sentiments.
“Land degradation and change in land use coupled by lack of enforcement of land use policy are the country’s top reasons for biodiversity loss,” says Mr Omondi. Zoning as stipulated in the land use policy, for example, has never been enforced, and is the reason why unsuitable land use practices continue in Asal areas.
“Protected areas cannot survive without buffers and if allowed to continue our priceless wildlife will move to neighbouring Tanzania,” he adds. The East African country is one of Kenya’s leading competitors in tourism.
However, Kenya is considered the richest in biodiversity, in East Africa. According to KWS, the country has a total of 407 species of mammals, 1,103 birds, 261 reptiles, 63 amphibians and 314 birds and 6,506 known higher plants.
But these numbers might sharply decline as the country continues to pay little attention to the problem. In fact signs are already beginning to show. Some of the mammals that roamed the expansive Asal areas two decades ago, for example, have declined in numbers and are now confined to conservancies.
Dr Charles Musyoki, senior scientist in charge of species conservation at KWS, says the number of flora and fauna categorised internationally as critically endangered stands at 16. Those considered endangered are 34, while vulnerable ones are 55, bringing the total of threatened species to 107.
Habitat loss is now forcing closely-related mammals to interbreed, raising possibilities of some of the sub-species becoming extinct in the near future. However, there are species considered less endangered at the international level, but critically under threat of extinction in Kenya.
“There is a mismatch between the international list and the local one, which calls for concerted effort by government, organisations and individuals in conserving both,” says Dr Musyoki. Kenya safari
All these problems, can be traced back to habitat loss and land fragmentation due to population pressure and to some extent climate change. “The number one problem facing wildlife species is habitat loss, people moving from high potential areas to marginal areas, where 80 per cent of our wildlife reside,” adds Dr Musyoki.
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Our elephants are quite safe, KWS boss assures

2010-06-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

Poaching of elephants is not on the increase, the Kenya Wildlife Service has said.

KWS director Julius Kipng’etich said the recent seizure of ivory in Nairobi was not a cause for alarm as the tusks were old and had originated from southern Africa.

“Kenya was just a transit point,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of the Wheelbarrow Race, an event organised to raise funds for conservation, at Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha on Thursday, Dr Kipng’etich said KWS officers were always on high alert.

He also said many of the parks had recovered from the effects of last year’s drought and that the number of wildlife was increasing. (KNA) - Kenya safari vacations
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Eco-warriors form shield for park protection

2010-06-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

An eco-friendly brigade formed a human chain stretching over seven kilometres on Saturday in a campaign to protect the endangered Nairobi National Park.

The “Human Greenline” that was to stretch from Athi River’s Cheetah Gate to just beyond the Carnivore Restaurant was meant to draw attention to threats posed by humans to the park.

No grabbing

“The whole idea today is to tell the world we have had enough grabbing of land, and Kenyans want to conserve their heritage,” said Anoop Shah, who chairs the Nairobi Greenline Steering Committee that is behind the initiative. - Kenya safari packages

Initially, the target was to have the human chain cover the entire 30 km to mark the World Environment Day on Saturday, but the Kenya Wildlife Service said the estimated 5,000 people who turned up stretched out over seven kilometres.

The joint project between the KWS and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers aims to create a 30 km long by 50 m wide forest of indigenous trees to shield the park from the growing metropolis, Mr Shah said.

The Nairobi Greenline, a three-year programme, requires Sh40 million to cover the 30 km belt.

Cover cost

Approximately Sh35 million will go to cover the cost of digging trenches, soil preparation, fencing, sinking boreholes, piping, planting tree nurseries, irrigation, seedling transportation and labour.

The other Sh5 million will go to maintaining and patrolling the Greenline.

The organisers raised Sh16 million from Saturday’s event, Mr Shah said. Corporate organisations that donate Sh1 million will be given a kilometre to plant and maintain.
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Park owners demand permits

2010-06-24T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Kenya Wildlife Service has been accused of frustrating the owners of game sanctuaries by denying them licences.

Proprietors of the parks said they had not benefited from their facilities as they had failed to get permits to operate.

“I have been a snake handler for more than 40 years and yet I have been denied a licence,” said Mr Jackson Iha, whose park is located at Mtwapa.

“We are conservationists and we love animals, that’s why we have invested a lot in these facilities, but without licences we cannot move forward,” said Mr Gerald Macharia ,who runs a snake park near Tsavo East National Park’s Bachuma gate.

They complained that they are not allowed to advertise or receive guests. Such visitors would enable them to meet the cost of running the sanctuaries.

According to Mr Macharia, his snake park would complement Tsavo Park because visitors don’t get to see reptiles during game drives, as well as provide jobs.

Tourism last year earned the exchequer Sh62.46 billion from 950,000 visitors while this year, more than a million visitors are expected. Earnings are expected to hit the Sh80 billion mark.

Frustrating

Mr Arthur Tuda, the KWS senior warden in charge of Coast region, denied that they were frustrating conservationists. Most of the unlicensed sanctuaries did not conform to set standards, he added. Kenya tours

“We wouldn’t want tourists to visit places that do not measure up to the industry,” he said.

However, he said KWS had received proposals they were considering and would soon license those that qualify.

Uganda’s tourism shines in London

2010-01-19T00:25:00.000-08:00

The Ugandan stand at the World Tourism Market in London did not win any award, but one could not fail to notice the unusual organisation, zeal, and traffic at the double-deck stall designed with backcloths.

The eye-catcher were dancers dressed in gorilla costumes performing Runyege, Magunju, Kadodi, among other traditional dances.

The UK based traditional dance troupe entertained the over 5,000 visitors who flocked the double-deck stand designed from the backcloth, and according to Boniface Kitandara, of Lake Kitandara Tours and Travel, it was the best event he has attended because Uganda was able to beat its neighbours almost on all fronts and he signed clients for his company. Uganda safari packages

Mr Edwin Muzahura, the marketing manager of the Uganda Tourism Board said; “Uganda reclaimed its identity as the home of the gorillas, on top of giving visitors a glimpse of what to find in the country.”
“Our tour operators signed deals there and then while in the past some would return without signing anything.”

The visitors were able to befriend the gorillas’ online, taste Ugandan coffee, and drink Uganda Waragi at the stall.
Also DVDs showing life in Uganda, the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) conference, hotels and tourisM attractions in the country were given out.

Uganda is home to three-quarters of the world’s 720 gorillas but in the past, Rwanda has wooed most tourists interested in mountain gorillas because they had strategically positioned themselves.

This year, during the events celebrating the year of the gorillas, the Uganda government spearheaded a campaign of marketing the country as the preferred destination for gorilla tours, which was climaxed by the visiting of Hollywood film actors and actresses who became gorilla ambassadors in America.

The high morale at the Ugandan stall in London left the East African neighbours speechless, looking caught off guard as groups of tourism agents checked in and out of the stall that was graced by among others Tourism Minister Serapio Rukundo, UK High Commissioner Joan Rwabyomere and France Ambassador Ms Alice Napiok.

Staged annually in London, the World Travel Market is a vibrant four day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and international travel professionals. It is an opportunity for the global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof.

Ms Lilly Ajarova of Ngamba Island was nominated best eco-friendly community based initiative. Ms Ajarova who was conspicuously missing at the global do is the director of Ngamba Island, a chimpanzee sanctuary, which involves the surrounding communities in conserving the animals. She missed the event because she failed to secure a visa to the UK in time.

This did not go down well with Ugandans whose several colleagues at the Uganda Wildlife Centre and Civil Aviation Authority were turned down by UK’s visa section in Nairobi.

Some members of the tourism fraternity have expressed their dissatisfaction to the Foreign Affairs Ministry at the manner in which Britain handles their visa issues and say the problem is costing them marketing opportunities.

“About 10 people failed to secure visas to the UK, partly because the visa office handling Ugandans is far away in Nairobi and one cannot explain to the officers there. By the time they get back to you, probably an opportunity is gone,” an irritated Mr Muzahura said. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should sort out the diplomatic hiccups as it is becoming a hindrance to marketing tourism.”
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Country’s tourism sector struggles to stay afloat amid stormy economic times

2009-12-29T03:59:00.000-08:00

Uganda’s wild animals, cultural heritage and its beautiful scenery are increasingly becoming a lucrative source of foreign exchange income for the country.
Thousands of Ugandans are directly and indirectly involved in a chain of supportive economic activities like guiding, transport, arts and craft making, accommodation and catering.
Last year, the Uganda Wildlife Authority reported, the economy drew Shs1.2 trillion ($560 million) from the tourism sector, placing it in a new league of Uganda’s leading top income earners alongside, remittances from Ugandans working abroad, coffee and fish exports. The amount was realised from a total of 844,000 tourists who visited Uganda during the year.
Despite the numbers, there is little to show, according to industry players, for government’s commitment to help the sector grow even further.
At the 5th Africa-Asia Business Forum that was held in Kampala last week, President Yoweri Museveni said that the tourism industry has the ability to transform Uganda in a developed country - Uganda safari
The President said that his government had recharged the tourism sector in Uganda by making Uganda a secure place to travel to, on top of making tourism sites more accessible.
However, the sector, which has the potential to be Uganda’s leading foreign exchange earner, remains largely underfunded and almost unrecognised when it comes to national budget allocations - Uganda tours
While reading the 2009/10 budget speech, on June 11, Finance Minister Syda Bbumba, allocated Shs2 billion to the sector although she recognised it, “as one of the fastest growing service sectors of the economy and main foreign exchange earner for the country .”
In contrast, on the same day, Kenya, which is East Africa’s number one tourism destination, allocated to the sector an expenditure budget that is 17 times bigger than that of Uganda, despite the fact that the economy is only twice as large as Uganda’s.
In his budget speech, Kenya’s Finance Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta allocated an immense Shs34 billion (Kshs1,200 million), to further boost the country’s tourism sector which has been damaged by both the recession and post election violence that occurred in 2008.
Unlike Ms Bbumba who did not spell out what the money was meant for, Mr Kenyatta highlighted that about Shs23 billion of the total sum would be channeled through the Kenya Tourism Development Corporation to be lent to business enterprises in the sector in order to protect jobs. Ms Bbumba’s counterpart also allocated kshs400 million or Shs11.4 billion for tourism marketing, “targeting the high-end market.”
He also made it clear that the sector was expected to play a key role in the achievement of Kenya’s Vision 2030 objectives the nation’s grand development dreams in all sectors - Kenya safari tours
“Strong actions are required to be taken for the sector to withstand the current challenges and return to its impressive performance that was witnessed prior to post election disturbances,” Mr Kenyatta said as he read his country’s budget that is likely to keep Uganda in its third position, on the ranking of East Africa’s favorite destinations. For carrying out Uganda safari
Ms Bbumba, on the other hand, said a five-year national strategic plan for positioning Uganda as a competitive tourist destination is under preparation. The plan she said; “Will take advantage of Uganda’s diverse rich flora and fauna,” without revealing much.
And like all the other East African states except Burundi’s, the Finance minister proposed to exempt from import duty on all four-wheel drive motor vehicles specially designed and built for tourism.
However, to some officials in Uganda’s tourism industry, the tax exemption was no good news. A source in the industry who preferred not be named because she is not allowed to speak on behalf of her employer’s tour and travel company said the incentive on vehicles was as good as nothing.
“Those vehicles are very expensive and we cannot afford to import them,” she said adding that even the money that the government allocated was very little. “We don’t even know where the money the government has allocated is going.” Even the minister of Tourism could not tell exactly what the money is meant for.
“It is for promotion, ask UTB (Uganda Tourism Board),” Minister Serapio Rukundo said in a telephone interview with Business Power on Friday.
Mr Edwin Muzahura the marketing manager at UTB said, the Shs2 billion which was allocated was meant for marketing Uganda as a tourism destination to travelers in Europe Asia, and the US. He however said the money was too little to change the distorted image of Uganda.
“Shs2 billion can be wiped out in just four months if we are to market Uganda on any TV station in Europe,” he said adding that it is very expensive to change the image of Uganda. “When you mention Uganda everyone recalls Idi Amin’s era.”
He added that because of the small budget allocation, during international tourism exhibitions where Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda show up, Kenya’s marketing campaigns beat Uganda’s by about 18 times. He added that Kenya like other African countries like Botswana, Namibia safari campaigns, Benin and Angola, have powerful marketing strategies in Europe based on their beefy tourism budgets.
“They have presence in European underground trains, and at airports where we are not,” he said. “Putting up a banner at Heathrow Airport (in the UK), costs $100,000 (about Shs219 million),” he said adding that UTB is left with no option but to use cheaper means like road shows, and exhibitions.
Ms Bbumba’s drop in the ocean also means that the tourism board can pin up less than nine million banners a month, if the Shs2 billion has to be spent on air tickets, accommodation and salaries of the people running the campaigns.
As a result of the underfunding Mr Muzahura said, the tourism board was understaffed and cannot attract quality human resource.
“When you are underfunded, it means you cannot attract good people but mediocre staff to do the work,” he said. According to him, the tourism board needs about Shs15 billion annually, to be in position to try and compete favourably with Kenya, Tanzania, and now Rwanda.
At last week’s 5th Africa-Asian Business Forum, the Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ms Seiko Hashimoto, noted that Uganda and the rest of Africa has remained a distant land to many people in Asia due to the negative image that international media has created about Africa.
“In some cases, the negative image caused by lack of information and knowledge, such as unstable security and disease prevalence may prejudice them against Africa,” she said.
“I believe greater efforts should be put into image improvement strategies and equipping all stakeholders with better knowledge about Africa.” She also said there was a need to focus on the improvement of safety and sanitation, the two factors to which tourists attach great importance in choosing destinations to travel to.
“All stakeholders should give utmost attention to these aspects,” Ms Seiko told about 350 delegates at the Forum. On Africa’s part, Mr Rukundo, Uganda’s Tourism minister, called on Asian nations to allow African Airlines to fly directly into their countries so as to boost tourism between the two continents.
For instance, he said Africa would like to have more direct flights into Tokyo (Japan’s capital city) so that fatigue on the routes is reduced.
“I believe, and have no doubt that African countries can make their destinations more desirable and fulfilling,” he said at the forum.
The tourism industry in East Africa is projected to double to $12 billion in 2018 from $6 billion in 2008 while the number of jobs will also rise to over 2.2 million from the current 1.7 million according to a report that was released by the East African community last year.
To benefit from the revenue which is almost four times as big as its current national budget, Uganda can only do better by heavily investing in its tourism sector to match that of its competitors - Uganda safaris blog or Uganda tours

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration

2009-12-21T04:47:00.000-08:00

Wildebeest Migration - Kenya And Tanzania

The greatest wildlife spectacle is played out in the endless settings of the East African plains. Annual almost 2 million wildebeest migrate from to and from the plains of the Masai Mara national park in Kenya and the Serengeti national park in Tanzania. Tourists doing Masai Mara tour as well as many wildlife scientists have described this as one of the wonders of the World. Over 2 million animals consisting of wildebeest, Zebras (approximately 200,000) and gazelle make their way from the plains of the Masai Mara to the vast Serengeti plains in a clockwise fashion. These animals are run through a gauntlet of Africa’s greatest predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and crocodiles lurking in the murky waters of the Mara river and the different rivers that they have to cross as they search for fresh grasslands that have sprung up with the new rains. - Kenya safari

From the time a wildebeest is born, it is destined to make these endless journeys in search of water and food. The wildebeest have their young – approximately 400,000 in all, during a period of six weeks at the beginning of each year in from late January to the middle of March.

Below is a list of the months and places where you can expect to see these magnificent scenes.

Around September 1: Here the wildebeest are usually found in the Serengeti national park areas of northern Tanzania and partly in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve. It is during this time that they are found to be crossing the Mara River and the best location are the Migration Camps in the Serengeti and the Governor’s Camp in the Mara of Kenya.

Around November 1: During this time the wildebeest have grazed the Mara plains all through the month October which is usually characterized by cool mornings which get warmer during the day. With the Serengeti receiving abundant showers of rain at around this time, the wildebeest and Zebras have began their migration back to the Serengeti’s north and Central regions. It is not uncommon to see the herds stretching from the Lobo to the plains of the Tagora and Seronera. However, since the rains are unpredictable at this time, the wildebeest and Zebras which had crossed the Mara river in droves sometimes head back north till the proper rainy season starts in the Serengeti – Serengeti Safari

Around January 1: The wildebeest mega-herd that have spent most the time grazing in the plains of Ndutu travel through the plains of Kusini and Naabi hills found around the borders of the Ngorongoro crater Conservation Area and Serengeti national parks. They then migrate to the Ngorongoro crater area where the rains often begin to fall around this time of the year. Ngorongoro crater safari.

Around March 1: The lack of rains sometimes in the month of February force the mega-herd to migrate the game reserves of Maswa. However, when the rains begin they move back to the Ndutu areas where they begin to calf.

Around May 1: Around this time the heavy rains have started in the Serengeti national park and the Wildebeest herds have migrated to the Gol, Ndutu and southern Loliondo. However around this time the Masai worriors also water their cattle around here and with the return of the rains they move back to their homesteads allowing the zebras and wildebeests to graze more freely.

Around July 1: Here the wildebeest and Zebras are still found in the Serengeti national parks in Tanzania in the areas of the Musabi areas right upto Grumeti. They can also be found in the areas of Lobo. The grass is usually still relatively green and the herds of zebras and wildebeest spend time grazing here.

Around August 1: Here the mega-herd of wildebeest make their way back to the Masai Mara national park.

Around October 1: Here the wildebeest are usually scattered through Tanzania’s western corridor, Kenya’s Masai Mara and northern Serengeti. The tourists in the region experience the wildebeest crossing the Masai Mara again – Masai Mara Safari