WHY LUTEMBE BAY IS BIRD WATCHERS PARADISE

Situated on the Northern Lake Victoria shore, Lutembe wetland is exceptionally popular for avian safaris in Uganda. It is one of the wetlands that are internationally of great importance for bird enthusiasts. Due to its abundant biodiversity it was designated as a Ramsar site in 2006. This Ramsar site comes with variety of papyrus and vegetation that thrives along its spectacular Islands. It serves as one of the best spots for migratory birdlife which makes it one of the best birding spots for you to catch a glimpse of varied avian species while on Uganda safari. With over 1060 birds that are confined within Uganda, Lutembe bay features both indigenous and million of Palearctic migrants particularly the countless White winged terns and Grey headed gulls. And not to forget other species like the Hottentot teal, Caspian tern, Broad billed sandpiper, Great knot and Temminck’s stint.

Based on the continuous waterfowl counts from 1993, about 108 water birds thrived at the site 26 of which are Palearctic migrants and its ability to support them attained it the status of being Important Birding Area and Ramsar site. It is also famous for 8 out of 12 species of the Lake Victoria basin biome. This stunning site also features shoebill stork, tawny pipit and the Madagascar squacco heron as well as the purple starling, house sparrow, fawn breasted waxbill, brown twin spot, black necked weaver, holub’s golden weaver, African pygmy kingfisher, speckle breasted woodpecker, Grey backed fiscal, black headed gonolek, black kite, scaly francolin, barn swallow, helmeted guinea fowl, wired tailed swallow, yellow fronted canaries, brimstone, little ringed plover, splendid sterling, blue spotted wood dove, pin tailed whydah, collared pratincole, yellow browed camaroptera, Marico sunbird, tree pipit, yellow throated long claw, African queen pigeon, Senegal lapwing, African wattled lapwing, grosbeak weaver, blue breasted bee eater, cape wagtail, brown backed scrub robins, sooty chat, plain backed pipit, tropical boubou, lead colored flycatcher and many more.

Lutembe bay forms part of the mighty Murchison bay which is famous for its abundant plant and wildlife species. It offers construction materials and craft products to the local residents, energy products, medicine, fish and drinking water. The wetland also offers refuge to enormous fish species especially the endangered cichlid fish, lung and clarius fish, and acts as waste water cleaning, transport, retention of pollutants and sediments and defending floods. While on birding safari to this stunning spot, expect more than birds, there are also about 100 butterflies for you to catch a glimpse. The Lutembe wetland is located near Kampala city centre and the Entebbe International Airport and as an important bird area it has a support group headed by the local community in charge conservation and sustainable utilization of the area’s natural resources and the group is called Lutembe Wetland Users Association (LWUA).

Lutembe wetland is such a natural wonder worth visiting for bird watching in Uganda. Over millions of avian species thrive in this bay today as most of them fly in turns at once making a shadow after blocking the sun and then they land again and this makes the site one of the best spots for you catch a glimpse of spectacular birds. Migratory bird species come all the way from Liberia without stopping anywhere but only in Lutembe wetland in Uganda which makes the site to be exceptionally one of the best birding areas in Africa and world at large. The avian species come from Scandinavia, Russia and Europe, where they thrive for 9 months time in Uganda and then fly back to Europe to breed while the rest fly without stopping to or from the popular Caspian Sea. In 2000, Lutembe bay features over 3.5 million birds. The birds are always sighted arriving around September and October and depart around mid February and March.

In conclusion, Lutembe bay is incredibly bird watchers paradise. If you are planning your safari holiday in Uganda, never miss to visit this stunning wetland. A visit to this wetland rewards visitors with amazing bird sightings of lifetime.

BREATHTAKING PLACES FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN UGANDA

Wondering about where to spend your Christmas holiday this year? With Christmas already knocking at our doors, you must be wondering which place can give you that total relaxation experience out of home, but great news is that Uganda is such exceptional destination not to be missed to visit for this Christmas season with your family. There no more need to be stressed or bored or be locked at home throughout your life this Christmas or new year, celebrate a new style with Uganda’s most breathtaking places that will offer you that chilling and relaxation environment with your dear ones. Spending this festive season in any of Uganda’s wilderness destinations offers unforgettable experiences of lifetime. Imagine spending time with the rare tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park or with the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda. Many have already done it and never regretted in life spending their festive season in the remotest protected areas in Uganda. Christmas season in the pearl of Africa comes with ideal weather and climatic conditions that allow our visitors to traverse to the wilderness destinations to catch a glimpse of the country’s various wildlife species. Besides just enjoying the glimpse of the rare mountain gorillas or the big five in the wild, its landscapes, food, nightlife, cultural encounters, religion, safari lodges and accommodations around these protected areas is something exceptional for you to spend a night over. There are various safaris lodges around the parks mostly ranging from budget, moderate to luxury and offers visitors a wide range options to choose from.

If you intend to spend your festive season in Uganda, below are some of the exceptional places that you think about for your holiday;

Kampala

Uganda’s magnificent capital city that never sleeps and also features for its spectacular seven (7) hills should be one of the must to visit destination this festive season. During Christmas season, most people leave town and go to the villages and this means that there will be less congestion and noise as most industries also take a break or only have lower production rates. Besides, you have a chance to catch a glimpse of the cultural sites, religious and historical sites, the hospitable people, the national museum and many more exciting this stunning city has in offer for you. As you spend you safari holiday in the city, do not miss to explore the Kasubi tombs, the Buganda cultural centre the traditional burial site for Buganda kings. These tombs are situated a few kilometers from Lubiri king’s palace that also features among the stunning cultural sites in Kampala as it comes with the royal regalia and many more. You will certainly have ample time while on your city tour in Kampala.

Jinja

Jinja is exceptionally described as adrenaline capital of East Africa, offering refuge to the source of the Nile with variety of sport adventures on the Mighty River Nile which include white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, horseback rides, sport fishing, quad biking and many more.  As well, never miss to catch a glimpse of its spectacular waterfalls which include the Bujagali falls, Kyabirwa falls and Itanda falls. For birders, there is a lot more for you to sight at Jinja and you won’t really be left out of choice.

Entebbe

Entebbe is the main gateway of Uganda and it is situated along Lake Victoria. It features more than 20 recreational and relaxation beaches with cool breezes for you and your dear ones, Uganda Reptile Village, Entebbe zoo (Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre) with botanical gardens, primates and a lot more for you to experience this Christmas time.

Kabale

Set off to southwestern Uganda and encounter breathtaking hilly sides with stunning sceneries and its exceptional protected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two national parks offer refuge to critically endangered mountain gorillas and Uganda is proud to be a home to half of the world’s population that is estimated to be 900. There are also several other primates to catch a glimpse for instance the rare golden monkeys at Mgahinga National Park. The also offers refuge to 2 distinct Virunga Mountains for physically well climbers or hikers and they include Mount Sabyinyo which stands at 366 meters and Mount Muhavura at 4127 meters mostly ideal for mountain hiking experiences. There are buffaloes, elephants and bushbucks

In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park alone besides mountain gorilla trekking, there are also red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, bird species including the unique African green broadbill, white tailed blue flycatcher, brown necked parrot and Fraser’s eagle owl and these make up part of the 360 different avian species in the park with 23 of them being endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 not sighted anywhere else in Uganda, 30 forest elephants, 200 butterfly species eight of which are endemic to Albertine rift. Do not forget about 51 reptiles, 88 moths and 120 mammals and others. After your breathtaking adventures in the park, come and relax around the magical Lake Bunyonyi that features 29 islands with distinct birdlife; visit Kahuriro falls at Ijumaga in Kiryanga Sub County or visit the Batwa community and explore their traditional lifestyles.

Kasese

This features spectacular national parks especially Queen Elizabeth National Park which is best for the rare tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards for game drives and boat cruise to the Kazinga channel to spot variety of crocodiles, hippos and birdlife. Rwenzori Mountains National Park for breathtaking mountain hike to highest peak of the mountain and Kibale National Park for mainly chimpanzee of about 1500 that make up part of over 5000 chimpanzees that live in Uganda and not to leave out birding safaris to spot the rare green breasted pitta as well as cultural encounters with Bakonzo. There is also Semuliki National Park that features the one of the most powerful hot springs-Sempaya hot springs. In Fort Portal, you can visit the Nyakasura waterfalls that are connected to the Bachwezi culture

Mbarara

Visit the Sanga cultural site which is found at the Sanga junction near Lake Mburo National Park which allows you to explore more on the Bahima and Banyakole tribes. There are also various Lakes which include Lake Kakyeera, Lake Mburo and Lake Nakivale where you have exciting boat ride as you also catch a glimpse of the stunning bird species in the area. Take game drive via Lake Mburo National Park and spot variety of zebras, giraffes, leopards, impalas and many more.

Masaka

Masaka is best described as the Las Vegas of Uganda. There are lots of bars for parties and nightlife experiences as well as classic hotels especially Hotel Lanova, Lastone Hotel and many more. As well, do not miss visiting Lake Nabugabo while on safari in Masaka which offers excellent place for chilling and relaxation, or alternatively set off for beach volleyball, birding and canoeing.

Ssese Islands especially the Kalangala Island

With more than 84 distinct Islands that make up Ssese Islands, Kalangala Island should be of one of a must to visit island this Christmas season for you to catch a glimpse of its incredible green natural vegetation cover filled with palm trees and also comes with butterflies, monkeys, snakes and crocodiles. It also has Kalaya cave a place where the ancient people on Kalangala first lived.

In conclusion, Christmas season is no longer a matter of locking yourself within home, Uganda welcomes you to have a peaceful festive season as you enjoy breathtaking views of wildlife or relax in most of its beaches.

THE MOST INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ZEBRAS IN UGANDA

 Did you know that zebras sleep while standing? When you think about rare creatures in the world, zebras may not even feature in the list. As most wild animals are forced to look for where to sleep at the end of day, zebras and elephants simply sleep as they stand something rare among most wildlife species! If you are planning your wildlife safaris and you are confused about where to go to in Africa, there is no need for you to be confused any more. Uganda is such a gifted wilderness destination for you to catch a glimpse of vast and unique species while in their natural habitat, most of which include the zebras. Zebras are exceptionally stunning with black and white stripped wild creatures. The Uganda zebras are both a beauty queen and at the same time a mystery. Stripes are on the bodies of zebras is another amazing thing that differentiates them from the rest of wildlife, given the fact that no two zebras have the same pattern. You can only get this distinction when you are very close to them.

A DAZZLE OF ZEBRAS

The amazing fact is that stripes have inspired fashion trends across the world today, however for the zebras, it naturally wears them naturally and they are more for protection rather than fashion. These stripes are a camouflage that helps them to hide away from the predators especially the lions and leopards. It is hard for the predators to distinguish zebras from another herd. There is also a belief that these stripes scare off insects. The stripes have for long been a mystery and there are numerous ideas that have been put forward explaining why their skins are stripped. Uganda is incredibly a zebra country. They are found in various national parks that support Uganda safaris and mostly in Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park which offer the most spectacular zebra encounters. Despite Kidepo Valley National Park being the most isolated national park, it provides the best zebra views while you are on safari in Uganda given the large number of zebras that can be sighted while they graze in savanna grasslands. The Burchell’s zebra can be sighted in small groups, within much larger family herds. However, the rare bit of it about zebras is worth exploring while on Uganda safari.

ZEBRAS

Characteristics of zebras

Zebras belong to the horse family; they are single hoofed, social animals that thrive in small or large herds. Bachelor males either stay alone or with groups of other bachelors till they are enough to challenge a breeding stallion. When they are attacked predators a group of zebras huddle together with the foals in the middles while the stallion tries to ward them off.

They sleep while standing up just like the horses and they are fond of grazing together which helps in their grooming process. They depend on grass and also shrubs, twigs, leaves, bark and herbs. Zebras interact with one another at a high pitched barks and whinnying. Their ears symbolize their mood for instance when surveying an area for predators, zebras will stand in an alert posture with ears up and head held high, as they stare. They will snort each time they are tense and will bray or bark loudly when they sight a predator. Females carry their young ones for about 12 to 14 months. The foals contain brown and white color at birth and they are in position to stand up and walk on their own just after they are born. The young ones depend on mother’s milk, in their first year. Zebras become mature at 3 to 6 years and have a lifespan of about 25 years. While females mature faster than the males, a mare may have her first foal by the 3 years and males are not in position to breed till 5/6 years.

They can run up to 65 km per hour in a zigzagging motion and have exceptional stamina especially when they are trying to evade predators that chase them. When they are in a herd, their distinctive stripes merge into a big mass that makes it hard for the predators to single out the individual animals despite the fact that they are poorly camouflaged.

There are 3 zebra species-the Grevy’s, mountain and plains. The plains zebra is divided into 6 sub species while the mountain is divided into 2 (two). Their stripe coats tend to radiate over 70% of the sun heat and the stripes also appear like fingerprint with each individual’s pattern appearing unique.

In conclusion, zebras are unique on their own. They largely support wildlife safaris in most of safari destinations in Africa. In Uganda, they can be viewed while you are on safari in Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

WILL UGANDA ATTRACT CHINESE TOURISTS?

Whereas Uganda is credited for its exceptional wildlife and adventure safaris, it has been sighted that for most safaris in the country, rarely can one find a Chinese tourist but the largest number comes mainly for business or because of migration issues. And this is different from what the UN World Tourism Organization indicates that china has been the prime outbound tourism market since 2012. In 20016, Chinese outbound travelers hiked to over 135 million spending a whopping $261 billion.

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the responsible body for marketing Uganda tourist attractions has set forth a strong marketing campaign to lure most Chinese into the country. UTB in this struggle hosted the Vice President and the secretary general of the Guangdong provincial tourism association-Li Jinamo in the strive to create way forward in Uganda’s attempts to lure Chinese holiday makers to par take tours in Uganda’s magnificent destinations. China features more than 1.3 billion people while the province of Guangdong has over 100,000,000 people about thrice Uganda’s population. The Executive Director of UTB appreciated that China has the largest population of outbound tourists in the entire world.

The Uganda Tourism Board in an attempt to fulfill the key tourism objective of boosting the number of international tourists’ par taking tours in Uganda from 1.3 million in 2014 by 50 percent to 1.8 percent in 2016, embarked in engaging in the China International Tourism Mart (CITM) along with the Guangzhou based Ugandan consulate. The Ethiopian Airways provided a free Uganda ticket that was won by Mr. Li Jinamo in the Uganda Night Event. A popularization safari was then arranged by Uganda Tourism Board to help him discover the real Uganda in depth. The step towards luring Chinese to Uganda is sighted as positive move in improving Uganda tour arrivals. Uganda should therefore work towards boosting linkages and that Uganda and the China governments can work towards commencing direct flights between Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport and the China’s province of Guangdong. Currently, there are 4 airline companies that connect Uganda and China. Mr. Li Jinamo kept on sighting that Uganda still has bad roads and the language barrier factor which is worth considering. UTB and Chinese have no direct language connection and it was proposed that it would be better if the media in Guangdong is invited to write more about the Uganda’s spectacular tourist attractions that can be viewed by Chinese while on tour in Uganda. With this engagement sighted some hope of luring more than 2000 Chinese companies that are members of the association.

Uganda is undoubtedly a natural wonder! It is credited for its spectacular and rare mountain gorillas that make up the hugest population out of the total population in the world. 

THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

For interested tourists, Uganda has two incredible areas for you to realize your dreams and these include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern part of the country. These feature 12 habituated gorilla groups that set for tourism and research. Besides, Uganda also offers refuge to the largest population of chimpanzees and there several spots where you can track these stunning creatures in the wild some of which include Kibale Forest National Park which offers refuge to over 1500 chimpanzees that makes up the 13 distinct primate species in the park. When it comes to wildlife safaris, Uganda’s remotest protected areas offers visitors that African wilderness that may not easily be attained anywhere else in the world. It is credited for the big game including the Cape Buffaloes, African Elephants, African Lions, Leopards and Rhinos. If you are interested in thrilling adventures, Uganda still remains as an adventure paradise especially in the Mighty River Nile where you can engage in Bungee jumping, white water rafting, Kayaking, Horse riding and many more. It also features unique butterflies, healing hot springs and spectacular landscape with exceptional flora for you to catch a glimpse.

The biggest challenge remains questionable that how will Uganda’s tourist potential lure the Chinese tourists? Kenya has realized an increase in Chinese tourist with direct flights between Guangzhou and Nairobi. It is sighted that Chinese arrivals to Morocco increased to 450 percent while in Tunisia in Tunisia to about 250 percent in the first half of this year due to visa exemptions for Chinese visitors.

To lure this, marketing strategies in the sector will differ. Chinese tourists may not easily be lured through Facebook, Instagram post. Most of the social media platforms including snapchat, pinterest, WhatsApp, Google may not be accessible in China. This gives Uganda another task to review her marketing strategy in order to tap the Chinese market and mainly focus on millennial groups from 16 to 26 years since they are more likely to copy with conservation attempts.

In conclusion, Uganda has several natural resources that are untapped and this is requires vigorous marketing to lure several tourists within and across borders to come and exploit them.