SPECIAL PLACES FOR BIRD WATCHING IN UGANDA BIRDING SAFARIS

Many people are yet to appreciate that bird watching is the fast growing tourism sector that is worth more than $ 5b .From the source of the white Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow capped Rwezonri range,the montane forest of the virunga volcanoes to the desert plains of Karamonja .Uganda is famous for birding uganda safaris an Equatorial country of astonishing contrasts No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this richness is reflected in the ever-burgeoning bird list of over1000 species .Amongst these are many special birds , such as she bill and the numerous spectacular endemics of the albertine rift valley that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. Today many tour operators and guides have included them in their itineraries and travel hemispheres limited is one of the tour operators who use them and some of them includes; Mabira Forest where one can see more than 300 bird species .Within an hour one can see more than 100 birds in the forest. Mabamba at lutembe Bay on lake Victoria , as you head to the air port is ideal. It is home to the shoe bill ,one of the most attractive birds to tourists. It is a small area but is a place where migrant birds rest Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest in the south west offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa and is a key destination for any birder visiting Uganda safaris. Amongst the numerous possibilities are no fewer than 23 of Ugandans 24 Albertine Rift endemics, including spectacular , globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and shelley’s crimsonwing ,many known from no other site in East Africa .some of the birding areas in bwindi are Ruhija and buhoma area. Semliki National Park in the western side known as the true birders haven. Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the white – crested Hornbill Dwarf Hornbill ,piping Hornbill ,Yellow – throated Nicator ,Great blue and Ross’s Turacos .The shoebill stork is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds. Kibale Forest National Park. It boasts 372 bird species of which 60percent are recorded Uganda’s Forest Birds.The forest is superficially similar to Budongo although a number of species are more easily a vailable here.watch for flocks of the rare and localized white – naped pigeon in fight overhead or sunning themselves in the teetops in the early morning .fruiting trees attract aplethora of frugivores including Afep pigeon ,Nrina Trogon and Pied.

POPE FRANCIS’S VISIT TO UGANDA BASED TO PROMOTE UGANDA FAITH TOURISM AND TOURS.

Uganda hosted Pope Francis recently and this has generated several benefits .Infrastructure like Namugongo Road has been renovated and the Catholic Martyrs museum has been refurbished .At the Protestant shrine , a martyrs has been constructed .Ecumenism has been strengthened through enhancing inter- denominational co-operation among Catholics, Muslims and Protestants at Namugongo .The Pope’s visit has given Uganda great publicity as a faith – based tourism destination and will promote uganda safaris if combined. Uganda to be marketded as a land of Martyrs given its status as the land of the Martyrs and other safaris like gorilla tracking by Travel Hemispheres too the destinations. There were also dividends of a re-conciliatory attitude . As Ugandans, we may wish to consider taking these gains a step further .Besides the country’s martyrdom status ,Namugongo could be recognized as a peace ,Reconciliation and conflict resolution centre targeting families , institutions and nations where they could retreat to reflect on their differences and forge an amicable solution for the common good of humanity .In remembrance of Pope Francis ‘s visit ,November 25- 27 could annually be put aside as the for promoting faith – based tourism in Uganda .The commemoration of his visit should , on these days highlight his message of peace, love , forgiveness and care for the disabled. This event could be promoted globally , regionally and domestically in order to generate tourism traffic to Uganda leading business for tour operator and all the other players along the value chain. Uganda’s mission to Rome and the Vatican should be supported to promote Uganda and Namugongo as the land of martyrs through linking up with the Vatican for visibility in their media and publicity programmers which target millions of the catholic faith fuls on the matters regarding the Ugandan to commemorate the lives of pilgrims to Uganda to commemorate the lives of those who have been canonized. The support in promoting tourism may require recruitment of a Vatican based tourism marketing specialist to design packages and messages targeting the millions of pilgrims to the Vatican, production of tourism promotional materials in the languages used in the target market namely Italian, French ,Spanish , etc. Familiarization trips for Italian- based travel writers should be initiated and supported leading tour operator to visit Uganda and generate favourable appeal about the country as the land of the martyrs. The embassy should be staffed with some knowledgeable personnel in tourism promotion and digital marketing for purposes of co- ordinating tourism marketing I Italy and the Vatican .The embassy should be branded to depict Uganda’s unique faith – based touristion destination in which all the Catholic faithful in the world should endeavour to make a pilgrimage to Uganda during their life time, as is the case with other faithful like the Muslims travel to Mecca for the Hijja and Christians to Jerusalem. Since the resource allocation to the Uganda Tourism Board has been significant upscalled coupled with the World Bank Competitiveness Enterprise Development Project loan which also caters for tourism promotion , increased access to this new market should be less cumbersome. Uganda should learn a lesson from Rwanda after going through the genocide of 1994 , the country came with a rebirth of tourism that is almost entirely based of this genocide. Today Rwanda is positioned for this and worldwide through sympathy many people would like to come to Rwanda and share that bad experience the country went through. But in turn the country benefits from these people expenditures.

7 Days Apes Uganda Safari Circuit

7 Days Apes Uganda Safari Circuit D ay 1: Kampala - Bwindi.National Park This Morning, you will be picked from your hotel/residence in Kampala at around 7.00 am and proceed to the south western part of the country. Stop at The equator for land mark photo taking and continue to Mbarara. Break for lunch on the way then proceed to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated to half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within these boundaries shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The drive is long but enjoyable. Proceed south to Buhoma viewing the terraced hills of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa. Arrival at Buhoma will be in the evening. You will then settle in at your lodge of your choice for dinner and over night as you prepare for tomorrow’s event! FB Budget: Buhoma Community Bandas: Bwindi View Bandas: Nkuringo campsite tents or Virunga Hotel or Nkuringo safari centre Middle: Nkuringo camp site: Wagtail Eco lodge: Gorilla Mist Camp: Shongi Gorilla Resort Up market: Lake Kitandara Lodge: Engagi lodge: Mahogany Springs Lodge: Gorilla Resort Camp: Traveler’s Rest Camp: Silver Back Lodge: Gorilla Safari lodge. Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp: Buhoma Lodge: Clouds Lodge: Gahinga: Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Bwindi Morning after breakfast with packed lunch, you will be escorted to the starting point for briefing by your guide. You will be allocated guides to track gorillas with, and then will be off to begin your adventure. A briefing from your local guides and then it’s off! The time taken and the terrain vary (1- 8 hours) this depends on the movement of these gentle giants. The thrill of meeting face to face takes away the pain of some times long and arduous trek. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in delightfully playful manner. After tracking will walk back to your lodge for overnight stay FB. You will need to carry long pants light type, sturdy shoes to help you hiking steep and slippery slopes, long sleeved shirts and blouses to protect your bodies from thorns and itching plants. You may not rule out raining on you and at least a rain coat is needed to protect your bodies and any equipment carried along with like cameras. Also carry insect repellants and sun cream Day 3: Bwindi National park to Ishasha – Queen Elizabeth National park After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions and viewing other wildlife like elephant buffalo, hyena etc. Ishasha sector is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive to Mweya Peninsular all the way to the northern sector of the park arriving in the early afternoon. Then relax at your lodge, dinner and overnight. Budget: Albertine Camp: Farmland Resort. Moderate: Hippo Hill Camp: Simba Safari Lodge: Bufallo Safari Lodge: Bush Lodge Up market: Mweya Lodge standard rooms: Katara Lodge Luxury : Mweya Safari lodge: Jacana safari lodge: Wilderness Safari Camp Day:4: Queen Elizabeth National Park. After breakfast, you will go for Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge where you will see not only the chimpanzee but also other primates like the colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys plus baboons. Then take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where you will see a variety of game mostly marine animals. This waterway joins Lake Edward and Lake George and it is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes, with elephants at the banks and a wonderful diversity of birds. Because of the different habitats of the lakeshores and the broad Savannah, the variety seems endless. Catch a glimpse of water birds diving for fish, the Marabou stork, bee-eater and cheeky bronze-tailed starling as well as the majestic crowned crane. Retire to your lodge for Dinner and Overnight Day 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park- Kibale Forest National Park After breakfast carryout game drive viewing herds of elephants, buffaloes and antelopes and some predators- lion’s leopard’s hyenas etc. Watch different species of birds. Over 500 species have been identified here making it a Mecca for bird -watchers. They include Black-bee eater, 11 different species of Kingfisher, several falcons, eagles and raptors. Depart this interesting unique part of the world and head to Kibale Forest National Park another primate concentrated families. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight. Luxury; Kyaninga Lodge : Ndali Lodge: Primate Lodge Kibale Up market: Fort Motel/Mountains of the moon Lodge: Kibale Guest Cottages Moderate: Ruwenzori view guest house: A taco Budget: Toro Resort: Nyinabulitwa Country Resort Day 6: Kibale forest National park- chimpanzee tracking After an early breakfast you will be driven to Kanyanchu park headquarters. With local guides trek chimps Kibale National Park in their natural habitat nestled in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains (the famed mist shrouded "Mountains of the Moon") Kibale Forest is rich in animal life, including an astonishing 12 species of primates including chimps in this park have been recorded, the very localized red colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys. Tracking the chimpanzee our 'cousin' is a very interesting experience. The way they feed, climb trees, respond to humans, caring for their young ones leaves an imaginative dream to tell. In the afternoon visit the surrounding- Bigodi swamp eco tourist site or enjoy unique view of crater lakes and other volcanic features. Overnight will be at Toro Resort (this provide mid range clean facilities) dinner and overnight : Day 7: Kibale - Kampala - Entebbe After breakfast drive to Kampala or Entebbe via Mubende stopping at interesting forest and swamp spots with lunch on the way. End of Safari. Please Note the safari cost will include: - Meals and accommodation at full board for the agreed dates - Gorilla permits 1 permit per person - Game drive -- Ishasha , park fees, 2 tracking chimpanzee permit, - safari driver /guide and 4x4 vehicle - Park fees - Applicable government taxes - Drinking bottled water while driving on safari Excluded are: - Beverages and bar bills, phone alls, personal insurance and any other services of personal nature like souvenirs, tips, laundry etc

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIROMENTAL SERVICES IN UGANDA

Uganda is blessed with a rich diversity of natural habitats ,species and genetic resources in its forests which has enhanced tourism in form of Uganda gorilla safaris. It is one of the most diverse countries in Africa with ie 11% and 7% of the world’s bird and mammal species .This biodiversity as a great intrinsic valve .It is also important to human health and wealth , for example by providing traditional plant medicines , wild relatives of domestic plants , a variety of ecosystems and species important in the tourism industry which has promoted Uganda safaris. And potential opportunities for Ugandans to adapt to local and global change. The heart of Ugandan’ s approach to habitant and species conservation lies in a protected areas system of National Parks , Wildlife Reserves and forest Reserves. These areas are currently managed under two different administrations (The Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Forestry Department ) , under different Acts (principally the Wildlife Statute and the Forests Act )and generally focus on different components of biodiversity (Wildlife and trees) Uganda’s rich forest biodiversity is under threat from: -Unsustainable harvesting , habitat conservation , the introduction of alien species and pollution. -The illegal trade in plants and animals , including poorly regulated access to genetic resources . -Split administration between the Forestry Department and Uganda Wildlife Authority to address similar management issues (forest protection , beneficiary participation , sustainable utilization ) Forest also provide important environmental services in the protection of watershed and soil .There are increasing pressures on important watersheds due to their high agricultural potential .Poor crop and livestock management practices , including the cultivation and over grazing of steep slopes and riverbanks, have contributed to extensive soil erosion , and in some areas landslides. The destructive harvesting of forest resources in watershed catchment forests is further contributing to soil erosion and sedimentation , and to a reduction in the quantity and quality of water.

Uganda to be among Africa leading Safari destination for year 2016 and beyond.

CNN Travel has named Uganda as one of the top 16 emerging travel destinations in the world for the year 2016. According to the American based news organization, meeting eye to eye with a silverback mountain gorilla across a misty jungle, after an arduous hike through Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, leaves everlasting impressions of arguably the best wildlife uganda safari in the world. “But there's much more to Uganda. Rich in nature, it's an outdoor sanctuary of crater lakes, white-sand beaches on lake islands, thundering waterfalls and national parks,” says CNN’s travel writer Anisha Shah. A top highlight is Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary, where rescued and orphaned chimpanzees live out their days on an island in Lake Victoria. Visitors can cross the equator by boat there, slicing through Africa's largest lake. Besides CNN Travel, LONELY PLANET describes Uganda as follows: "Emerging from the shadows of its dark history, a new dawn of tourism has risen in Uganda, polishing a glint back into the ‘pearl of Africa’. Travellers are streaming in to explore what is basically the best of everything the continent has to offer. For a relatively small country, there’s a lot that’s big about the place. It’s home to the tallest mountain range in Africa Mount Rwenzori that offerbest challenging mountain trekking options, the source that feeds the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake. And with half the remaining mountain gorillas residing here, as well as the Big Five to be ticked off, wildlife watching is huge." River Nile which is the World’s longest river begins its 6,670 Kilometer journey to the Mediterranean Sea through Sudan and Egypt in Eastern Uganda and it is at the spectacular Murchison Falls National Park where this river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. The Nile River has the best white water rafting safari experience in the world. Other notable attractions are Queen Elizabeth National Park, The Rwenzori Mountain - Ptolemy’s fabled “Mountains of the Moon”, Semliki National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park which boasts of untamed African wilderness north of the country. In a nutshell, Uganda is a bird watcher’s paradise with 12 per cent of the world’s bird species found here, half of the World’s Mountain Gorillas inhabit Uganda and so does more than 7% of the world’s mammals. Uganda is an adventurer’s paradise, an explorer’s perfect haven and a country where those keen on Eco- tourism will find the ultimate destination. Please feel free to contact us : Travel Hemispheres:info@travelhemispheres.com for any safari or holiday requests to Uganda, or any information or assistance that you may need in order to understand and start selling this wonderful destination to your client base. Uganda, "The Pearl of Africa" was in December 2015 the proud host to a team of world famous FC Barcelona Football Legends. The delegation, led by former player Rayco Garcia comprised of big names like Patrick Kluivert, Gaizaka Mendieta,"Deco", Edgar Davids, Simao Sabrosa, Ludovic Giuly among others. During their stay, the players coudn't resist the temptation to enjoy an activity which is now arguably in every adventure traveler's bucket list, Gorilla Tracking deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as well as enjoying game drives and a launch cruise at Murchison Falls National Park. The coverage of their visit is definitely going to increase the awareness of the awe inspiring tourist products that the country has, increase demand for leisure travel to Uganda from across the world and hopefully promote sports tourism. Kindly contact us on: info@travelhemispheres.com for more details, bookings or request for more tailor made safari packages to Uganda.

Uganda among 12 emerging top travel destinations that you have to visit in 2016

Uganda has been listed among the top 12 emerging destinations in the world for 2016 tobe visited by tourists.Uganda safaris offer varied attractions including mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Half the world’s wild mountain gorillas inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trekking mountain gorillas is the most darling life time activity to many to see them is a wildlife experience of a lifetime. Uganda has the best and cheapest gorilla trekking gorilla safaris to offer. The larger-than-life, humanlike gorillas and chimps induce an indescribable affection for nature. Uganda sits on the corridor of migration, it’s national parks, Queen Victoria and Kidepo Valley, attracting much wildlife. Gushing Murchison Falls, Jinja’s source of the River Nile and Explosion Crater Lakes turn the landlocked nation into a lush oasis. Head to Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary, an island in Lake Victoria, crossing the equator on the boat there, to meet orphaned and rescued chimps living in a pristine island paradise. Why Now? The country aims to become middle-income by 2040, a plan incentivized further by the Pope’s recent landmark visit. Pope Francis visisted uganda last month of November 2016.Uganda has hosted 3 Popes and the only African country that has done so. Uganda is the land of Matyrs where christian converts were burnt alive for this. One has tovist thecountry to have the experience of matyrs Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/

Pope Francis comes to Uganda: Lessons to learn on his maiden 1st appearlence at Basilca Rome

Unaware he would inherit the throne of St Peter, then Cardinal Bergoglio had in his decisive four-minute speech to fellow cardinals cut out the work for Pope Benedict XVI’s successor: He must be a man who helps the Church to go out to the existential peripheries that helps her to be the fruitful mother, who gains life from the sweet and comforting joy of evangelising. The crowd in St Peter’s Square in a drenched evening was frenzied, if not fanatical, when the White Smoke billowed to confirm the election of a new Pope. Cardinal Bergoglio who, upon accepting his election, had taken a papal name to honour Francis of Assisi then moved into the adjacent Sistine Chapel Room of Tears to wear his distinctive cassock and sash. He, against tradition, kept his old black shoes and silver pectoral cross instead of the traditional red and golden papal ones. The account by Austen Ivereigh shows that Francis spurned the ornate chair offered for him to sit on in the chapel, instead standing and embracing each cardinal. He declined to live in the splendour of papal apartments --- cavernous, marble-floored rooms with heavy furniture --- and chose to stay at Casa Santa Marta. “‘My brother cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to give Rome a bishop’, he said when he appeared on the balcony at 8:22pm,” Ivereigh writes, to greet electrified faithful as their new leader. A groundswell of revolution was underway. On his return to Casa Santa Marta, the Pope declined the papal limousine and rode in a bus together with the electors. That night over dinner with cardinals, he said “may God forgive you for what you have done [electing him Pope]”. Four months later, in July 2013, the English and Welsh bishops had an audience with Francis. When he saw Westminster’s now emeritus Archbishop, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor who ran his campaigns, the Pope broke into a wide smile, and joked: “It’s your fault. What have you done to me?” On the first of his pontificate day, he crossed Rome to the Patriarchal Basilica of St Mary Major. On his return, he stopped at the Via della Scrofa to “collect his suite case --- went up and packed his belongings himself --- and to the astonishment of his staff, paid his bills, telling them that as Pope he should set an example”, something he has continued to do. Back at Casa Santa Marta, he against practice papal vested together with the cardinals in the Hall of Blessing the same way before his election. Ivereigh writes that when masters of ceremonies clamoured to guide him on protocols --- what to say, when as Pope -- he replied: “That’s alright; you don’t have to worry about me. I have been saying prayers for 50 years. But stay close, in case I need you. At prayers, he preached standing like priests and not seated like a Pope and rather than read from a prepared text, he spoke spontaneously”. That is the same way in which, while flying back to Rome in January, this year, he announced his six-day, three-nation Africa pastoral visit now underway incluuding Uganda Pope telephones his sister, newspaperman and parishioners In the impromptu manner that has come to define his papacy, Francis telephoned his dentist in Buenos Aires to cancel an earlier appointment, and dialed up to thank his newspaper supplier Daniel del Regno, saying “seriously, it’s Jorge Begoglio, I’m calling from Rome”. And his telephone call to parishioners at Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires was blared on loud speakers and, in the message, he tells them to “care for each other, the young and the old, and the world”. This is how Ivereigh captures the maiden telephone conversation between the new Pope and his sister, Maria Elena Bergoglio. Pope: “Look, it happened, and I accepted”. Maria: “But how are you, how do you feel?” Pope: “…[Francis laughs] ‘I’m fine, relax’.” Maria: “You looked really good on Television, you had a radiant expression. I wish I could give you a hug.” Pope: “We are hugging, we are together. I have you very close to my heart.” Maria to interviewee: “It’s not easy to explain what it is to talk to your brother, and your brother is the Pope […between sobs and laughs …] it’s complicated”. It was a new dawn, different ways of doing things, Vatican officials acknowledged. “We are going to have to get used to a new way of doing things,” Ivereigh quotes Vatican Spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi telling journalists who cover the Vatican. After celebrating his first Mass as Pope, Francis greeted the congregation one by one, prompting the media to christen him “the world’s parish priest”