Gifted Uganda set to spread to the world

The 2017 Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) set pace on February 7, with hosted buyers from 18 countries, sampling Uganda’s tourism sites.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) hosted 80 tourism planners and sellers who comprise media personnel and tourism business leaders from 18 countries such as United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Brazil, Poland, Portugal, Tanzania, Russia, and Zambia, among others.

Day one [Crater safari lodge]

This day was pre-occupied by travelling. Tourists were divided into two groups. Group one was to visit the western and south western part of Uganda and the second group was to visit the northern and north eastern part of Uganda. Group two was flown by Aerolink to Kidepo National Park where they had a game drive and nature walk.
Group one, comprising 40 tourists travelled to western Uganda by road and converged at Tourist Hotel in the heart of Fort Portal Town where they were sent to different hotels and lodges such as Fort Motel, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Kyaninga Royal Cottages, and Crater Safari Lodge. I enjoyed my stay at Crater Safari Lodge.
It is a tale to remember. We got there at 11pm and could not clearly see its beauty until 7am. Its wooden architecture is out of the ordinary with beautiful art pieces carefully hugging its ancient walls.
It is refreshing too, with a very close view of the lake. All those who spent the night there did not waste the chance to pose for a collage of photos before heading to Kibale.

Day two [chimp tracking]

I had never seen such a number of thrilled tourists at the announcement that we were visiting Kibale National Park for chimp tracking. The park was a 45-minutes drive from Crater Safari Lodge.
On arrival, the group was divided into three, each led by a ranger. Robert Muhame, a ranger who has treaded the rain forest for five years, seemed to speak the chimps’ language. His group comprising eight tourists found two chimps, Sebo, the second dominant male and Titina (the coward), resting in a tree. The rest of the groups found between eight to 10 chimps. All the same, the excitement was vividly read on the tourists’ faces.
The groups then headed for Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a stopover at the equator where they posed for a number of pictures. They also stopped to view Lake Nyamunuka, the renowned sulphur lake.
This was a travel evening. On arrival to the park, the tourists were split into several groups as hotels and lodges were almost fully occupied. Others spent the two nights at Mweya, Katara, and Kyambura safari lodges, among others.

Day three [Queen Elizabeth Park]
Group two flew with Aerolink to Murchison Falls National Park where they had an evening game drive. Group one headed for a game drive through the Queen Elizabeth National Park after an exotic breakfast with a feel of African cuisines such as matooke and dodo.
They stretched their heads through the roofs of their cars to view animals such as herds of elephants, antelopes, hartebeests, elephants and lions.
At 3pm, they embarked on a boat cruise, which most of the tourists described as one of their most memorable experiences.
The crew got to see more animals and birds than they saw during the game drive.
They saw crocodiles, water bucks, hippopotamuses, and buffalos, among others.

Day four [Gorilla tracking]

While group two went chimpanzee tracking on top of Murchison Falls, this day saw group one transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, southern side in Buhoma and Ruhija, for Gorilla tracking. During the trip, many were thrilled by Kabale’s hilly and breath-taking scenery. They occasionally got out of their cars to take pictures for their tour galleries.
The guests spent a night at Ruhija Lodge where they were treated to both local and exotic cuisines for dinner, while they enjoyed the warmth that was emitted by a well-lit fire place at the dining area.

Day five [certificates]

The crew was offered 47 permits for gorilla tracking in Ruhija and Buhoma parts of Bwindi park. After briefing, they were handed walking sticks that would definitely come in handy during hiking and going down the slope during tracking. The exercise was a success, having the tourists meet more than 26 gorillas. They were rewarded with certificates from Uganda Wildlife Authority at the end. On this day, tourists in group two were enjoying a game drive and boat cruise.

Day six [flying to Entebbe]

This was a travel day for teams from Kisoro and Ruhija to Kihihi Airstrip where they boarded Aerolink and flew to Entebbe airport. The journey by road from Ruhija to Kihihi took about two hours and the flight to Entebbe airport took 45 minutes.
Group two drove to Kampala with a stopover at Ziwa Sanctuary. Both groups were then driven to Sheraton Hotel in the company of armed police. They had a refreshing evening there while they networked with others in the tourism industry. This was their home for the night.

Day seven [Jinja]

The crews went to Jinja where they had a number of activities such as bungee jumping, boat cruise, quad biking, among others. They then headed to Kampala where they were e treated to Ndere Entertainment on February 15.

Day 10 (Serena)

There was site inspection with lunch at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel. The tourists spent the night in Kampala to ready themselves for the long-awaited Expo that ran from February 11 and will end tomorrow at Sheraton gardens. The expo will be concluded with an award giving ceremony.

Grand finale: Bringing Uganda to Kampala

Uganda’s great wildlife, scenic beauty, rich culture, heritage, historical sites, food, great entertainment, will all be showcased during the expo at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel, Jubilee Park from February 17 to 19. Entrance is free.
More than 100 foreign exhibitors, travel trade, media practitioners from more than 25 countries, about 10 tourism boards, five ministers, airlines, hotels, tour and travel companies and insurers will all be there. This is a chance for Ugandans in different spheres to showcase what they have and market them for free.
The Uganda Excellence Awards will take place thereafter with the aim of recognising and appreciating individuals, companies, organisations, and institutions for their efforts in developing Uganda’s tourism industry.

[email protected]