Uganda’s Hot springs and their myths

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Hot springs are one of Uganda’s many tourism attractions, what makes them different from other attractions is the common purpose these springs serve. We have a number of Hot springs in Uganda and these include Sempaya hot springs, Kitagata hot springs, Ihimba hot springs, Nyamusizi hot springs, Rwagimba Hot springs and Semliki Hot springs. Semliki rates as the hottest of all the hot springs with water as hot as 98⁰c, however Semliki is not what we are tackling today.3 day masai mara safari reserve

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gorilla trekking safari tours...And In Kibiito Sub County in Kabalore at the footsteps of the mighty Rwenzori is where you will find the Rwagimba healing waters. After a 4 hour mountain climbing and sloping, you will find the 3 hot wells that are said to have belonged to the Mukama (King) of Tooro, the Wife and one for the subjects with Leprosy. However, the King does not us it anymore and there is now a Mukonjwo man how claims to be the King of the Rwagimba Hot springs. Leaving the spring politics aside the springs have healing purposes to the community.uganda gorilla safari tour.

Residents from around this area move from as far as 40KM to visit the springs for its healing powers. Mountain gorilla tour rwanda ...Each gender has it’s own well where they soak themselves and the 3^rd one is for the Spring King and other elders. The water is said to heal an enormous number of diseases, and however wants to be healed just has to soak them selves in the warm well.primate safari rwanda wildlife tour

Bwindi gorilla tracking safari in uganda is still the prime attraction , but there are also some rituals that are periodically carried out at the Hot springs in pursuit of rain, fertility and health harvests.murchison falls safari tours

However, this is not the only purpose this Hot spring serves. It is also a beautiful tourism destination with a lot to see and learn.uganda safari holiday... There are beautiful hills, River, Gaint rocks & valleys, rich culture and lots of vegetation.fishing safari in uganda

If you are planning to Visit Uganda, you should not miss out on a visit to one of these Hot springs.
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Poaching slowly Returning to the Parks

By the Africa safaris guide

Poaching is a serious vice in Africa, unlike other continents which value and protect their wildlife. In some parts of Africa wildlife is seen as a hindrance.bwindi gorilla tracking safari uganda Natives reclaim swamps, clear forests because they do not know their value and would like to use the land for what they think is more productive.Plots for sale kampala

gorilla tracking in uganda .This has not only caused harm on the vegetation but also on the Wild animals that live in these habitats. By destroying their homes these animals get displaced and end up being victimized by the non vegetarians who take them home for dinner.

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Poaching is one of the practices that are of great danger to wildlife survival. This was common in the 1980s during the wars in Uganda and before most parks were gazzetted,honeymoon safari. To this practice we lost big numbers of wild animals that some faced extinction.uganda safari adventure

The gazzetting of uganda national parks and the formation of the Uganda Wildlife Society came up with strategies and punishments to curb poaching. It unfortunate that of late poaching is reported to have taken position again in the communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Game Park. In recent months animal numbers are said to have declined which fact is worrying the authorities.3 day gorilla safaris

gorilla watching in africa.This calls for emergency attention from higher Authorities before its too late, locals need a wide scale sensitization proramme to make them see the importance of wildlife and how it can benefit them as individuals and as communities.Gorilla safari holiday However, it’s a good sign from the ground local authorities to have sat and come u with ideas of encouraging people to invest in traditional art work like handcrafts and other small scale Tourism businesses like Fruit selling and guiding.gorilla tours rwanda

Two new ferry engines launched at Murchison

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The magnificent Murchison Falls national park has yet received Two new ferry engines, these two brand new engines will benefit both the park and the passenger crossing from one river bank to the other.Chimpanzee trekking and gorilla safari

These engines will be installed on the larger ferry with a capacity of 40 people, will also ease communication across Murchison Falls National Park.

These 2 engines have come as a result of the cooperation between the European Union and the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry in conjunction with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to support capacity building and programme development.

The ferry at Murchison falls assists as a means of transport from the Northern to the Southern bank. It transports both the passengers and their vehicle for a reasonable fee. Now with 2 new engines installed on this ferry, crossing is going to be eased a big deal.primate safari rwanda willdife tour

Buganda tourism exhibition

By Uganda safaris guide

The Buganda kingdom is organizing a Tourism Expo slated for July 1st to 5th 2009 at Kabaka’s palace in Lubiri Mengo Kampala.

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This 5 day Expo will exhibit Buganda’s Cultural aspects of clans, traditions, Norms and other practices. Aside from the Buganda Exhibitions other cultures all around Uganda will also take part in letting the World Know about their rich cultures and tradition. Among the Kingdoms that are likely to exhibit are Bunyoro, Ankole, Busoga, Toro and others.

This time the expo is going to be organized by the Buganda Kingdom Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with the Central Government.

This kind of thing is organized annually as a way of collectively exhibiting Uganda’s different cultures of food, dressing, dances, literature and architecture.

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Buganda as a kingdom has come up with quite a number of things to keep its fire burning. Such things range from Books like the Ntanda ya Buganda, the Kisakate and language competitions that take place every last quarter of the year for the winner to be announced on 31^st December new year eve.

The information minister Buganda government Peter Mayiga welcomes all traditionalists across Uganda to come and take part in the tourism expo 2009 at Lubiri palace.

According o Mayiga the Katikiro(prime Minister) JB Walusimbi will preside over the opening of this expo and the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II will close the Tourism Expo.

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Cont'd -- BEST TIME FOR WILDERBEEST MIGRATION SAFARIS

By April/May the herds embark on moving west and north to the now flourishing grasses and woodlands of the Serengeti’s western Corridor. The rains during this time of year make it difficult to follow the herds at this stage of their migration. Many of Tanzania's smaller camps/accommodations shut down due to impassable/slippery roads.

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By the end of May, as the rainy season comes to an end, the wildebeest and zebra slowly start moving northwards and individual groups begin to gather and form much larger herds. This is also the time the wildebeest mate. Western Serengeti is the best place to watch the migration unfold.

By July the herds reach their first big hindrance, the Grumeti River. The Grumeti River can get deep in places, more so if the rains have been heavy. This is the first of the stunning river crossings you can observe. The depth of the river makes drowning a distinct possibility for many wildebeest and there are a lot of crocodiles to take advantage of their distress. The best places to stay during this stunning experience are the Serengeti Serena, Grumeti River Camp, Migration Camp and Kirawira Camp. Seronera and Moru area campsites are the best for those on a budget. Kleins Camp is also perfectly situated.

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By late July, by this time the herds now head for Kenya, the grasses of the western Serengeti are yellowing and the herds continue north. After crossing the Grumeti River in Tanzania the wildebeest and zebra head to Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle in Kenya. Before they reach the green plains of the Mara, they have to cross the Mara River which is also filled with hungry crocodiles.

The best accommodations to watch from the migrating wildebeest cross the Mara River include CC Africa's Kichwa Tembo and Bataleur Camps, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, and Sayari Mara Camp.

September through November, the Mara plains are packed to capacity with large herds of ungulates, naturally followed by predators.

Best places to stay while the migration is in the Mara include the Governors camps and Mara Serena Safari Lodge. In Tanzania, the Kirawira camp, Migration Camp, and Grumeti River Camp and many other camps in and outside Masai Mara.

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By November/December the rains start in the south (Serengeti) again and the herds embark on their long trek down to the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to have their young (calving). This particular part of the migration can be best watched from Lobo Wildlife Lodge and Klein’s Camp.

According to the wildebeest movement as detailed above, migration safaris can be conducted from December to March in different places and time on the migration circuit.

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By Adrian Ssali for the Kenya safari Packages company

East Africa is a region of all talents with outstanding attractions such as the Might River Nile and its source in Uganda, the Kilimanjaro mountains in Tanzania and the Masai in Kenya. You will explore East Africa but your tour will not be complete if you miss out on the great wildebeest migration.

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Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra (along with other antelope) gather up their young and start their long trek from Tanzania's Serengeti Plains, further north to Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve. This is an annual natural occurrence that takes place in Kenya and Tanzania and is believed to be the greatest wildlife show on planet earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, big herds wildebeest and zebras migrate to palatable pastures as the seasons change. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to feast on weak animals especially the ungulates.

The annual Wildebeest Migration is a very unpredictable and spontaneous as its timing keeps on changing depending on the rains (Weather pattern). It is believed that 450 animal species move for 300 miles in this migration unfortunately a lot of them don’t make it, falling prey to lions, leopards, crocodiles and drowning in the Mara River. This event is like a circle that repeats it self every year.

One of the most breath taking sights of the migration is when the herds congregate to cross the Grumeti River (Tanzania) and the Mara River (Kenya) from July through September. As the herds cross, crocodiles are lying in wait for any puny and feeble ungulates that can't deal with the strong currents or separate from their mothers.

But the river crossings aren't the only scene. Just witnessing thousands of animals on the plains is a sight in itself. It’s so amazing to watch the Lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs follow the herds and give safari goers excellent chances of seeing a kill in action.

The great wildebeest migration is dynamic changing in time and location but the following information can be used as a guideline.

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In December through March large herds of wildebeest, Zebra and other ungulates camp in the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Conservation areas in northern Tanzania. This is time is for calving which term is used for giving birth to the wildebeest young ones (calves). Most of the wildebeest calves are born in just a three week period, usually the beginning of February. Calves attract predators and this is an amazing time of year to watch impressive lion hunts (kills). It's also quite stunning to see almost half a million little wildebeest being born and running together with their mothers.

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During this time you can watch the migration from southern Ndutu and Salei plains. For your accommodation you can stay in Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Camp, Lemala Ndutu Camp and any mobile tented camps in the area. 

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SPORT HUNTING IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

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Sport hurting is a uganda tourism activity that is almost forgotten to most tourists and tour providers. Sometime back in 2001 this activity was introduced in Lake Mburo National park and about 5 ranches around the park under the patronage of a company. This practice was a measure put by Uganda Wildlife Authority under a pilot Sport Hunting Programme to help cab the negative attitude the natives had towards wildlife. This was done in such a way that from the hunting fees paid by the participants in this particular activity the community was given a particular percentage and the person from whose land the animal could be hunted would also get a particular payment.

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For the conservation community were I belong this was no worry because according to UWA it was only the over populated species and the old unproductive individuals that were hunted down in this game. In this game the hunters get trophies in form of skins and heads from their kill.

Unfortunately this pilot sport hunting programme will be ending in October 2009 which will leave the prospective hunters at a loss but not to worry the battle is not lost yet. I have good news for you my dear hunters and the good news is that UWA has future plans for this activity and not only in one area but in rather more than three areas namely, Karenga CWA in Kidepo national Park, Amudat CWA a buffer zone between the Pian Karimojong and the Pokot, Iriri CWA former Bokora Corridor WR that has been degazetted. Rwengara CWA a wetland on the southern shores of Lake Albert Wildlife on private lands, Ranches in Kafu River basin, Ranches in Aswa-Lolim north of Murchison falls, Ssese Islands, Ngenge plains in KapchorwaWildlife Reserves,  Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve in Karamoja, Bokora-Matheniko Wildlife Reserve in Karamoja, Ajai Wildife Reserve in Arua.

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Promoting the sport hunting activities in all these areas will be a big step up for the tourism industry in Uganda as well as the tourism consumers to Uganda as a destination. So big Up UWA for such a prospect.

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Culture a Tourism Jewel

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Culture is known to be beliefs and way of living attached to a specific group of people living together. All people around the global have different cultures that at times may conflict with each other and that’s why it is such a big point to learn and understand other cultures outside your own.

Culture is a very big asset to any Tourism industry all around the world. Uganda is one of the African countries with diverse culture boosting with over 30 ethnic groups in its 56 districts that make up this small country.
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Unlike other tourism attractions, culture is one resource that is not seasonal and neither can it face extinction. Culture is with in the residents of that particular community.

Culture ranges from the local food, dance, architecture, marriage ceremonies, leadership, dress code and many other practices all around the country.

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Blessed with the diverse culture of all the above mentioned, there are also culture sites that a tourist will find very fascinating like the Kasubi tombs in Kampala, Karambi tombs, the Lubiri and Twekobe, Bulange, Nakayima tree, Mabere ga Nyina Mwiru, the Omukama’s seat, Ssezibwa falls, Cultural places like the Ndeere centre where you can be entertained with all sorts of cultural dances and other cultural items in the many culture villages around town.

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Different tribes have different practices like the Imbaru practice for the Bagishu from Eastern Uganda, the Karamajongos brothers to the Masai in neighboring Kenya, the Baganda in the central and the Basoga in Eastern Uganda have a very unique dance that can not leave you the same. The local dishes of Matooke, millet, Malewa (young Bambu) for the gishus and many other delicacies that can be accessed in the many restaurants serving local dishes in town.

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You will not have explored Uganda’s culture if you miss out on the Uganda Museum, this is one place where you get all the literature about the rich Ugandan culture in writing, still pictures and verbal explanations.

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