Pian Upe: A beauty worth the journey
It is known, a common understanding generally, that world over, the most prized of treasures are not within easy reach. Think of diamond and gold as an example, yeah? It takes lots of resources, time, and dedication before one can have these jewels. But, aren’t they are worth every sweat? Precious jewels aside, did you know Uganda has many of those mostly curved into its boastful tourism sector. One such is Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, a conservancy in Eastern Uganda.
It is the second biggest conservancy in the country after Murchison Falls Reserve—and occupies nine Districts, the most renowned being Nakapirirpirit. It is a beautiful park of undisturbed savannah grass and woodlands. The kind of place which instantly steals one’s heart. The first thing that struck me during my first visit here a few months back was the softness of the air. It is hard to get over the pleasurable sensation with which they caressed my skin. That and the kopjes. I felt like they were hugging me.
Standing atop one of the anthills at the heart of the park, I saw a group of five ostriches wandering in search of food. They were overwhelmingly big and a few inches short of my 5.8ft height. On realizing my presence though, they abandoned their pursuit and spent much of their time staring back at me with very untrusting eyes. From their body language, it was easy to tell that it is not every day that they see tourists. That’s exactly one of the most electrifying things about this park whose name translates in Karamojong as “Friendly Enemy”.
Indeed, going by the visitor registration book at its control center, the park receives minor traffic as it is distant from Kampala. This gives the few visitors who explore it a feeling of privacy and being off the radar. It is partly for that reason that it comes across as a favorite for honeymooners; a good of whom further explore its neighboring pastoral tribes like the Pokot and Karimojong.
Pian Upe’s landscape is graced with resilient vegetation that can withstand the worst extremes of semi-arid weather. Mostly, they are wild and thorny; redwood acacia and desert date. Sustaining this flora is a swampy stretch that flows with life-giving water.
No wonder it comes as no surprise that that one is almost guaranteed of seeing all the species that abound its boundaries all year. In the category of carnivores, these include Jackals, Civets, Spotted hyenas, Servals, leopards, and cheetahs. For higher chances of encountering the latter two, a night game drive is highly recommendable as they are shy and elusive during the day.
Are you a primate lover? Well then, I’ve got four words for you; YOU SHOULD BE THERE!! There are countless Vervet monkeys, Patas monkeys, Olive baboons, and Ungulates looking forward to treating you to their fun side.
But also, herbivores range from Topi, Cape buffalo, Common eland, Roan antelope, Blue and common duiker, Günther’s dik-dik, Klipspringer, Waterbuck, Ugandan kob, Bohor and mountain reedbuck, among others.
Travel Tip
If visiting the park during the months in which the reserve receives high levels of rain like April and June-September, a four-wheel drive is a must. The last 100 kilometers leading to the park is made of marram.
How to explore the park
Though game drives are an ideal way of exploring the park as it is so vast, nature walks off the beaten path offer detailed views/encounters of species. Park entrance is Ush10,000 for Ugandans.
Places to stay
There Four Bandas exist in the park headquarters, each costing roughly Ush30, 000-50,000 per person per night. There are also many lodges located just kilometers from the reserve headquarters.
Directions
Pian Upe headquarters are situated along Mbale-Moroto road, approximately 90kms from Mbale and 11kms north of the reserve’s northern boundary.
Read MoreUganda shines in Uruguay: A rugby story
Uganda’s lan Munyani in action .(pic by the Rubby Union )
For Rugby lovers, telling the whole story is no doubt pertinent, but for those passionate about marketing destination Uganda, this tournament presents a grave opportunity. The news of Uganda’s impressive show in Uruguay is worth the detail, and a report by the African Press Organisation brought with it said details. From the inaugural first March against Jamaica to the last against Zimbabwe; here is the account, match for the match!
Uganda got off to a nightmare start during the second leg of the World Rugby Challenger series in Uruguay when they lost 2 pool games to drop to the 9th place quarter-final but showed great mental strength to win all their games on day 2 to finish 9th in Uruguay. Uganda kicked off their day against Jamaica and barely had possession the entire game. Jamaica scored one try in the first half but missed the conversion to go into the halftime break 5 points ahead.
The second half started pretty much as the first with Jamaica holding onto possession but without anything to show for it. That all changed after Philip Wokorach received a yellow card midway the second half for a late shoulder charge and Jamaica capitalized on their numerical advantage to score an unconverted try and held on to keep Uganda scoreless and ran out 10-00 winners.
Uganda met Brazil in their second game and drew first blood after Ian Munyani plucked the ball out of the air as a Brazilian desperately tried to juggle an offload and sprinted for the try line before being hauled down barely a meter short. The ball was recycled to Pius Ogena who powered over and Philip Wokorach made good with the conversion. Brazil struck back with an unconverted try in the 4th minute but Michael Wokorach scored 2 minutes later after a strong 30-meter run.
Philip Wokorach added another 2 points to take the score to 14-05 and a last-ditch try-saving tackle by Solomon Okia ensured that Uganda went into halftime 9 points clear. A beautiful break by Aaron Ofoyrwoth off the base of the scrum to run 80 meters had Uganda breathing more easily and despite Brazil scoring a converted try in the last minute of the game, it ended at 19-12 and Uganda bagged their first win in Uruguay.
Hong Kong suffocated Uganda of possession in Chile and did the same in Uruguay but made better use of their possession this time. Hong Kong scored 2 converted tries within the first 3 minutes of the game and after Philip Wokorach got a yellow card for slapping the ball forward, Hong Kong ran in 2 more converted tries to take the game out of Uganda’s reach at halftime. Uganda had a good start to the second half after a Hong Kong player was sin-binned for preventing Uganda from taking a quick tap, Uganda made use of their extra player and a strong run from Nobert Okeny and a great offload to Michael Wokorach released him to score. Unfortunately, Aaron Ofoyrwoth received a yellow card for a high tackle and Hong Kong scored 2 more unconverted tries before Nobert Okeny pulled back a try in the corner on the hooter and Philip Wokorach nailed a beautiful touchline conversion to make the final score slightly more respectable at 38-12.
Pius Ogen on trackle (pic by Rugby union )
Uganda finished day 1 third in their pool and dropped to the 9th place quarter-final where they met Paraguay. In order to finish in the overall top 8 and qualify for the World Series qualifier tournament. Uganda had to finish 9th in Uruguay and hope for other results from other teams to go their way. Uganda showed their intent against Paraguay and despite a late second-half yellow card to Michael Wokorach for a high tackle, Uganda ran in 8 tries with Aaron Ofoyrwoth scoring 2 while Pius Ogena, William Nkore, Desire Ayera, Michael Wokorach, Isaac Massanganzira, and Levis Ocen bagging one each. William Nkore converted the first try and Philip Wokorach converting the remaining 7 for a 100% conversion rate. Paraguay managed one try and one conversion in the first half but did not threaten Uganda beyond that so the final score was 56-07 to book a date with Papua New Guinea in the 9th place semifinal.
The 9th place semifinal was a tight affair with PNG scoring and converting in the first 2 minutes.
Uganda struck back straight away through a Pius Ogena break from deep in the Ugandan half and Philip Wokorach added the extras to tie the game. Solomon Okia danced out of a couple of tackles to add a try in the 5th minute and Philip Wokorach also got over the whitewash after the halftime hooter to take the score to 17-07. PNG came out of the blocks faster in the second half and took advantage of lax Ugandan defending to score 2 tries, one of which was converted, to go into a narrow 2 point lead. Isaac Massanganzira, lurking on the wing, was the beneficiary of a long pass from Aaron Ofoyrwoth to score with 3 minutes left on the clock for Uganda to regain the lead and they hung on to win 22-19.
The 9th place final between Uganda and Zimbabwe was a fantastic comeback story with Uganda getting on the score sheet first after Pius Ogena smuggled himself over the try line in the corner despite the close attention of 2 Zimbabweans in the opening minutes of the game. Zimbabwe scored a try of their own shortly after to tie the game. Uganda lost Isaac Massanganzira to the sin bin after a tip tackle and combined Uganda’s woes at receiving the kickoffs this proved costly.
Solomon Okia to a nice finish !(picture by Rugby union
Zimbabwe scored 2 converted tries and looked to be running away with the game with the score at 19-05 at halftime. Solomon Okia took advantage of the extra space on pitch as a Zimbabwe player sat in the sin bin and started Uganda’s comeback in the second half after he rounded the defense line and showed a clean pair of heels to score a try under the posts that was duly converted by Philip Wokorach. Zimbabwe responded a minute later with an unconverted try but Uganda was not done yet and Michael Wokorach and Philip Wokorach both ran 60 meters to score and Philip Wokorach converted both tries to edge Zimbabwe 26-24 and finish in 9th place. Uganda and Zimbabwe tied at 19 series points after both legs with Uganda finishing 7th overall and Zimbabwe 8th overall for both teams to qualify for the World Series qualifiers.
Read MoreBehold, the Kitenge!
Let’s dial back to the 80s and the 90s, shall we? 30 years and above, anyone? Remember how the African wax print (Ankara) locally known as kitenge, was won mostly by old people? It was the ultimate mama and papa look, it just was. Also, it was admired by staunch Catholics because the pictures on the fabric then were known for its supposed ‘baby Jesus and Mary’ print. But not today however, it in fact adorns many faces! See, the pursuit for a fresher, more contemporary, merger between the old the new have seen fashion enthusiasts fall deeply in love with it.
It trickling in across the continent when Nigeria’s Nollywood tore across our screens and with them came to the Ankara like never seen before. They reinvented it to suit their particular styles; office wear, casual or even glamorous occasions, the kitenge became the in thing. Notice how even the trendy men adore its blazers?
And don’t get me started on the ladies, I could write an entire book about the different kitenge showcase they adorn! People now want the fabric on almost everything. I have seen it beautifully employed as pocket squares on shirts, and hair bands for women.
Every fashion house in town worth its name does a couple of outfits using the fabric. In fact, it is the print mostly sought after. The business side of it, is booming. There are over twenty arcades downtown specialising in this fabric. It has opened doors for many designers who were hitherto unknown. And it has helped them express their creativity in numerous and exhilarating ways.
Going global
This begs the question: Why are we now so attracted to this fabric that was once disregarded by many? “I should say that visually, it is very stimulating. And even the technique used to make it; Batik, is interesting,” Solomon Tazibone, a renowned Stylist retorts.
Once western celebrities like Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Nicky Minaji and Michelle Obama adorned it, the world’s eyes were cast intently on Africa as a serious contender for fashion’s emerging markets. “Initially the styles made out of kitenge were boring,” Solomon observes. “And the young and trendy could not be attracted to them.” He says that very creative people have since come up. “They started making silhouettes, nice dresses, and fitting shirts all in modern cuts. And then the trend spread like a burning fire,” he adds.
Besides that, he argues that the fabric has bold colours and it is comfortable on the body. It is also versatile being that it comes in different designs, patterns, colours, materials, styles and can be customized to fit anyone’s style. In fact, there are not as much ready to wear outfits on the market, because most people love theirs custom made. But also, it’s a good thing for the plus size ladies; they don’t hustle looking for what’s fancy and fitting anymore, the kitenge is flexible!
In fact, Shadia Nandhego, a designer at Rechovot fashion house, says that plus size ladies are her majority of clients. What’s more, and most important is that most people especially the young and trendy, wear the print to pay homage to their roots while looking unique in their own way. Africans are increasingly becoming proud of who they really are. Cultural awareness is on the rise. While some may not necessarily be so much into looking African and cultural, they at least want to have a statement piece somewhere in their wardrobe.
One feels cool and progressive that way. Even though one may not own a kitenge dress or shirt, they will at least have a piece of the fabric strategically tailored onto their t-shirt. The bold ones wear kitenge shoelaces. Phone jackets, laptop bags and neckties are some of the accessories which designers are making out of them.
The message behind the kitenge craze is loud and clear: we are African and we love our colours. Amazingly though cultural identity in fashion did not just start with kitenge. No. “It started with accessories like beads, local pearls, jewellery made from Kazuri stones in Kenya,” says Shadia. She tells me it is sort of a cultural revolution.
To that fact, she takes my mind to the creative changes that have been made to the traditional gomesi. Today, ladies step out on functions dressed in the half gomesi, which before could never have been heard of. There has also come the gomesi dress, whereby you don’t have to look for the kikoyi and the kisibiro (belt for the gomesi). All of these are tailored onto it. It is really interesting.
Ladies love it because it’s easy to wear, unlike the original one which had much work to it. It even has a zipper at the back. All these according to Shadia are a testimony to the desire among people to preserve their cultural identity while remaining stylish and unique. The other thing about the kitenge is that it is readily available, even though it is not made here. Solomon tells me that silk and other synthetic fabrics take time to get here. With the kitenge, within two days a designer would have made for you an eye-catching and timeless masterpiece. And you can be sure not to find any other person wearing the same attire as yours.
Read MoreAfrica Tourism boss interview on ways to make tourism better
After the recently concluded annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE), an interview caught our eyes. At the event organized by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), it was confirmed that at least 200 tourism business managers from nearly 30 countries from a whole four continents. This interview, a Question, and Answer for Daily Monitor’s Prosper Magazine by Justus Lyatuu, also published by the Daily Monitor had Mr. Alain St. Ange, the president of the African Tourism Board exploring Africa’s tourism industry.
What is the role of the African Tourism Board?
It was conceived to bring Africa together; we are 54 states currently competing with each other rather than complementing each other. Here, we have Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda competing yet truly, they should be working for East Africa’s good.
When countries work as an East Africa bloc, they all benefit. But if they go separate ways, they are not working for Africa. So the African Tourism Board was formed to bring Africa together.
At African Tourism Board, we believe that if East Africa is working together, we can improve from the current 6 percent of intra-Africa travels and this will benefit Africa more.
Africa has a big market of over 1.2 billion people which we must exploit to our advantage by increasing intra-trade and intra-travel among us.
How would you rate the performance of Uganda’s tourism sector?
Uganda has unique selling points; it has the political will, something we rarely see in many countries.
Africans believe that to be a ‘tourist’, you have to travel out of Africa. How can we deal with that?
No one is a prophet in their own country, the first thing should be making people appreciate the fauna and flora in the country. As a citizen, you must see that people come from all over the world to see the good fauna and flora. Domestic tourism should be encouraged because people should spend the Ugandan currency here first. Therefore, understanding the country will help to promote tourism; it is the role of the industry players to change people’s minds.
Seychelles is one of the countries with a successful tourism record. How can Uganda borrow a leaf?
Seychelles has done it well; I was a director of tourism and minister of tourism.
The Ministry had political support from the government because tourism is our life; we protected what we have and developed an industry that suits the smallness of Seychelles.
We brought all the citizens on board and made them aware that tourism is our bloodline; that is what Uganda should do and all locals should be involved; not only big investors but small ones also. For instance, in Seychelles, we said a small hotel of 24 rooms should be left for local tourists. That encouraged local investors to make some money and that is what Uganda should do, make Ugandans part and parcel of the industry.
How do conflicts in the world affect tourism in Africa?
There is a saying, “When big countries sneeze, we catch cold,” because we are dependent on their visits. So when they have difficulties, we feel it. Now, let us find a way of doing intra-Africa tourism; this will make us self-reliant; we are 54 states with millions of people; that is a ready market.
Under-funding remains the biggest hitch in Uganda’s tourism industry. What can Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) do to become self-sustaining?
UTB will never be self-sustaining; the Board benefits from an income from the government. So UTB’s role is to bring the people and the percentage of the income from tourism should be given back to the board to continue the work; as long as it brings the tourists, it should be self-sustaining.
Has Africa fully exploited technology in its tourism marketing strategy? If not, how can this be achieved?
Marketing in Africa has taken a leap; today, technology has taken over fully, e-marketing, e-booking. So Uganda should be encouraged to sell through e-sales mediums so that they can benefit from technology.
How can East Africa market its tourism as a block since the features are almost the same?
The East African Community has made big strides in selling themselves; EAC has key assets that go beyond the borders so this should even make marketing easy. From that, we have seen things like EAC visa and other initiatives in a way that will help Africa sell themselves to the world as a block. EAC can use key personalities who have a following in the region so that marketing is made easy.
From the African perspective, what are the challenges in the tourism industry?
African states have different challenges; the bad news of one of the 54 states spreads faster than any good news and any bad news in one country is affects the 54 states for instance Ebola, so Africa must work together to rewrite its own narrative.
Africa cannot continue to let the world ride on its back, the world is writing what they want, and often looking at all the mishaps; all the mistakes and for everything else that is not good about Africa this is a challenge that needs combined efforts to fight.
The political will is there although it varies by country. I think in Uganda it is there but more importantly, we need the African Union to show the political will and it is this that tourism will be able to thrive on the continent.
We still have the visa issue, Uganda had made some progress on e-visa, also African airlines can work together to offer the best flights and reduce the waiting time.
What aggressive strategies do we need to market Uganda better?
First, increase visibility; compile unique selling points. We have things like the Equator, Source of the Nile, Lake Victoria, and the legacy of former President Idd Amin.
Idd Amin is one of the most talked-about Ugandans, there are many films on Amin but is Uganda benefitting from the films? We have to find a way and write that it’s an era that was there and nobody will change that; let us capitalize on that and get the money.
Africa has icons like Nelson Mandela, Idi Amin; things like Saba Saba, you have excellent wildlife; what you need to do is to develop the internal water transport system, specifically in Lake Victoria.
Investment opportunities
Make Uganda visible to the world. Uganda needs to increase her visibility by telling the world Uganda exists; in Uganda, the good news is not news. You need to rewrite your narrative and tell the world how good Uganda is and that there are investment opportunities.
Got Ngetta: Lira’s beautiful treasure
Nestled on a rocky outer edge of Lira town, Got Ngetta is quite the sight. A magnificent solid rock standing at whole 4,500ft above sea level. Imagine that! Legend has it that in the 16th century, the present-day tribes of Teso, Karamojong, Acholi, Langi, Kumam, and Japhadola all belonged to the Langi tribe. A legend many will beg to differ but does in fact hold some water. Because well, Ngetta zone was their home. And who wouldn’t want to have hailed from such beauty?
It is said that on one historic morning, this community awoke to the sight of a fear-provoking Rock that had imposed its self in the heart of their village. It had various fragments with faces that had striking resemblances with beastly creatures, dinosaurs to be exact. Even more confusing was the fact that where it had come from was a mystery.
Interestingly, no herbs, herbalists, or witch doctors could cast a spell that could move it. And, get this, neither could they give a satisfactory account of why it had landed in their community in particular. Many couldn’t help it conclude it was a fragment of the biggest rock in the skies which had broken off. It was that they named it the Got Ngetta; a Luo word to mean ‘the rock which had broken off. Interesting right!
Convinced that the falling of this feature was a bad omen to their land, they split and went separate ways. In the new settings where they settled, they met different tribes with whom they intermarried and gave birth to new ethnic groups.
Shelve its historical significance for a minute, did you also know that the hill is also home to over 100 vervet monkeys, different bird species, butterflies, and well, snakes? It also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Lango, Acholi and Teso areas. It is the place to be if you are into rock climbing.
Timothy Omara, a guide at the hill says that during the LRA insurgency, the hill’s spacious caves offered refuge/hideout to hundreds of refugees in its neighborhood. This helped in saving lots of lives that would have otherwise fallen victim to the brutality of the rebels. For this reason, it is revered by many Langi as a safe haven.
How to get there
For a minimum of Shs100.000, one can safely travel to and fro Lira, and also get to see this rock, and even book modest accommodation. To get to the Hill, boda-boda rides go for 3000shs and so does the u-turn back to the heart of the town. Budget accommodation in Lira ranges between 20,000shs-100,000shs.
Read MoreUganda’s Chekwel shines in Europe, heads for Japan
About a week after Athlete Joshua Cheptegei breaks a world record, fellow Ugandan Athlete, Juliet Chekwel took the Zurich Marathon by storm. Now its 36th year, the marathon dubbed Zurich Maratón de Sevilla is a World Athletics Gold Label road race that attracts a string of athletes the world over. To beat fellow marathoners present in yesterday’s marathon (23rd-Feb), Chekwel clocked in at an amazing 2:23:13.
Fresh from beating Linet Toroitiche’s record in Humberg last year, the 29-year-old Chekwel had only made her debut in this year’s marathon in Spain and has gone to qualify for the Tokyo-Japan Olympics. Note that the long-distance runner is also the 2015 10.000Meters Rubin Italy record holder.
According to the World Athletics body, both men’s and women’s races had strong depth as seven men finished inside 2:07 and 14 broke the 2:08 barrier, while seven women went sub-2:28, confirming the new course is conducive to fast times. Speaking of the race in detail, they further state that in the final two kilometers, Chekwel was impressive. That she finished strongly to cross the line in 2:23:13, while Ethiopia’s Gada Bontu was second in 2:23:39.
Top 10 (Compiled by World Athletics)
1 Juliet Chekwel (UGA) 2:23:13
2 Gada Bontu (ETH) 2:23:39
3 Sifan Melaku (ETH) 2:23:49
4 Josephine Chepkoech (KEN) 2:24:14
5 Purity Changwony (KEN) 2:24:30
6 Gladys Tejeda (PER) 2:27:07
7 Beji Bekelu (ETH) 2:27:50
8 Melkam Gizaw (ETH) 2:28:05
9 Anja Scherl (GER) 2:28:25
10 Marcela Gómez (ARG) 2:28:58
Got Ngetta: Lira’s beautiful treasure in Uganda
Nestled on the rocky outer edge of Lira town, Got Ngetta is quite the site. A magnificent solid rock standing at whole 4,500ft above sea level. Imagine that! Legend has it that in the 16th century, the present-day tribes of Teso, Karamojong, Acholi, Langi, Kumam, and Japhadola all belonged to the Langi tribe. A legend many will beg to differ but does in fact hold some water. Because well, Ngetta zone was their home. And who wouldn’t want to have hailed from such beauty?
It is said that on one historic morning, this community awoke to the sight of a fear-provoking Rock that had imposed its self in the heart of their village. It had various fragments with faces that had striking resemblances with beastly creatures, dinosaurs to be exact. Even more confusing was the fact that where it had come from was a mystery.
Interestingly, no herbs, herbalists, or witch doctors could cast a spell that could move it. And, get this, neither could they give a satisfactory account of why it had landed in their community in particular. Many couldn’t help it conclude it was a fragment of the biggest rock in the skies which had broken off. It was that they named it the Got Ngetta; a Luo word to mean ‘the rock which had broken off. Interesting right!
Convinced that the falling of this feature was a bad omen to their land, they split and went separate ways. In the new settings where they settled, they met different tribes with whom they intermarried and gave birth to new ethnic groups.
Shelve its historical significance for a minute, did you also know that the hill is also home to over 100 vervet monkeys, different bird species, butterflies, and well, snakes? It also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Lango, Acholi and Teso areas. It is the place to be if you are into rock climbing.
Timothy Omara, a guide at the hill says that during the LRA insurgency, the hill’s spacious caves offered refuge/hideout to hundreds of refugees in its neighborhood. This helped in saving lots of lives that would have otherwise fallen victim to the brutality of the rebels. For this reason, it is revered by many Langi as a safe haven.
How to get there
For a minimum of Shs100.000, one can safely travel to and fro Lira, and also get to see this rock, and even book modest accommodation. To get to the Hill, boda-boda rides go for 3000shs and so does the u-turn back to the heart of the town. Budget accommodation in Lira ranges between 20,000shs-100,000shs.
Read MoreFive spots on the wild and tranquil Ugandan waters
It is a honeymoon? Is it love you want to celebrate? What better way to express this than by taking a boat cruise? Uganda’s lakes and rivers are more than just waters, they come with sceneries to die for. Tranquility takes center, the breeze is soothing, the beauty simply out of this world and the experience sticks to mind. But the wild is magical too. Join the View Uganda team on a five-spot boat cruise.
1. A dreamy Lake Albert awaits.
When the boat docks, we guarantee you will be smiling. For emphasis, we shall repeat: By the end of this two-hour trip, the memories you would have collected will leave you smiling. It starts with encountering of plenty wildlife whilst still ashore; reptiles, birds, you name them, exciting! But that you will soon learn is just a teaser; this entire experience is capped with thought-inducing sunsets and pure relief. A tangle with nature, a sun so soothing you wander into the what-ifs of life. You live and let live whilst on the waters of Lake Albert.
It remains one of the most informative sightseeing tours in Western Uganda. Offering a relaxing way to learn about puzzling tectonic earth movements that led to the formation of the Albertine rift valley. It takes place aboard a wooden boat powered by twin-turbo engines. What a gentle experience this boat, managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority, provides. Arguably the most stable boats on Ugandan waters that boast of comfort so fulfilling it allows for dreams.
The adventure is fun and exciting, but also informative. The guides on site know so much about the area. You will be impressed by how they value the environment, and the special role that each animal in Semuliki National Park has in sustaining its eco-system.
The cruise unfolds at a gentle pace, allowing you to see all types of birds that prey on fish possible. The biggest highlight is spotting Uganda’s most sought-after species, the shoebill. Imagine encountering a pre-historic bird that has defied odds and outlived extinction since the time dinosaurs still walked the earth.
The longevity of the tour is perfect. It is long enough to allow you to see all the animals on your bucket list but also short enough not to make you bored.
Cost: The tour costs roughly 50,000 UGX and can be booked through the luxury lodges in the park. One such lodge is Ntoroko Game Lodge.
It continues tomorrow… who wants to go Sports Fishing on Lake Victoria
2. Canoe cruise on Lake Mulehe, so picturesque!
It captures your heart with intriguing sights and sounds of Lake Mulehe. Found in Kisoro District(South-Western Uganda), it is a scenic crater lake that has a healing effect on the mind, body, and soul.
You will have a calm paddle aboard a dug-out canoe that is small and made for an intimate connection. Be prepared to get award-winning pictures of green hilly landscapes with plantations of Irish potatoes on their faces. The bonus is a mix of dormant and active volcanoes that perfected the beauty of the Virunga region with their sky-hugging summits. In their shadows are well-organized villages of locals, most of whom hail from the Bafumbira tribe.
As the sun rises gloriously, it creates clear blue skies which are beautifully reflected in this lake. This creates a powerful and energizing environment for adventure and re-discovery of one another.
As you ride on, you will encounter lots of birds with soothing music for your soul, like the malachite kingfisher. But that’s half the story. The trip is just what you need to cool off and reflect on how far your relationship has come. Why? As opposed to being powered by a motorized engine which would disturb your peace, the canoe is steered by paddles.
The Kayaking option is equally so much fun, a great physical workout too! There is enough paddling to do. Throughout, you will be in the company of an extremely enthusiastic guide who is knowledgeable about the area.
If you love swimming, you can take advantage of the lake’s bilharzia free state and jump in for a refreshing dip. The fish are quite curious and swim right up to yoo- so cute! You’ll have absolute peace of mind considering lake Mulehe doesn’t have any hippo or crocodile.
Cost: The adventure costs roughly 50,000UGX per person and can be booked through the various safari lodges in Kisoro.
3. The wild Murchison Falls National Park boat ride
Take a boat cruise in Murchison falls National Park, we dare you! Not that it is a bad dare, the thing is, this is more of an exploration of the wild life of this park, and thus more than just a tour. It is no wonder it attracts over 200,000 tourists annually! The cruise takes place on River Nile aboard a big boat with a lower and upper deck. Imagine how electrifying it would be to cruise on the world’s longest river? Yes, a wonder that that started flowing even before Moses freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Imagine that!
This beautiful biodiversity hot-spot is home to tons of birds, reptiles, aquatic species, and mammals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, and giraffes. All these can be easily spotted this a sightseeing boat cruise destined for the mouth of the river. During this two-hour experience, you will ride past small swamps systems with schools of hippos cooling of the heat with a swim.
Should you look keenly into the water, you will see gigantic crocodiles camouflaging with surrounding rocks. Their eyes are glued to the shoreline to stalk prey that has come to quench its thirst. The guide who will be entrusted with looking after you speaks so much about conservation and sustainable tourism. Their love for the park will make you want to stay there forever.
Like a true climax, the best part of this boat ride is watching the majesty of the Murchison Falls unveiling ever so thunderously in your eyes. This, on top of experiencing wildlife in its habitat, is what makes this boat ride one die for.
Cost: In short, the tour is good value for money and thus highly recommendable. Costs between Shs30,000 -120,000 depending on whether you are an East African, Foreign Resident, or Foreign tourist.
4. Time to go fishing on Lake Victoria
First of all, safety is germane! The entire excursion is a tale of a well-organized and executed affair, complete with attention to safety. Before we delve into it, not that Lake Victoria is one of the very few freshwater bodies in the world that are still lonely save for a lone canoe in a distance. This should allow you to rediscover what you like about each other without feeling like your privacy is compromised.
It helps that the temperature in and around the lake is friendly all year round. Listening to the calm waves gently splashing the side of the boat will heal your mind and soul of whatsoever is troubling it. If sportfishing with Wild Frontiers, your trip will be guided by a two-man team that had done this over 200 times now. They will make sure you are well taken care of from start to finish. Even better, the boat is well suited for deep lake trolling.
At the genesis of this adventure, a briefing about the rules and regulations must be held. This is to ensure that all are versed in the safety and operations of the boat and only then will you get into the nuts and bolts of your mission. To go fishing! The activity is easy as there are not many Dos and Don’ts. The artificial lures are designed in the shape of prey that is a delicacy for giant tilapias and Nile perch.
The ever-so-patient instructors make the activity doable even for a novice. Throughout the excursion, there is no rush to get you back to shore, you will fish until you are were happy to pull in the lines. The crew’s knowledge of the lake is hard to beat. They know where, when, and how to hook the biggest catch. It might take lots of minutes before landing on a good catch, this makes the victory worth a huge celebration like a lottery win. Luckily, there is lots of beer on board. Did I say there was lunch too? Well, you bet there is. The day will end with a brief visit to one of the many islands on the lake whereof the Equator passes. Imagine that!
Costs: An average of $125 with Wild Frontiers, a sports fishing agency based in Entebbe
5. An adrenaline dose from Rafting River Nile.
Are you feeling plain old? Did plain stick maybe? Or you are just bored of the relationship, then this adventure is exactly what you need. In fact, put it on your bucket list for valentine, you will not regret it! It entails overriding 8 major rapids of the river that are well spaced over a scenic 24-kilometer stretch. Imagine that!
This pushes you to the limits and enables you re-discover your strength, or just how good you are at maneuvering through challenges. All that initially seemed impossible will fizzle off. And dare we add, this could go a long way in trivializing all the hurdles that seemed unmovable. And oh, this is regardless of whether you chose the half-day or full-day excursion, you will leave with both physical and emotional rewards.
Over 1,000 who don’t know how to swim have successfully and safely rocked the adventure since its inception over 20 years back. This is partly because safety is the main concern of the rafting agencies and standards of their equipment are second to none.
Before the experience, a breakfast to fill you with sufficient energy ahead of your expedition is served. You will then be split into groups of six people each with similar appetites for adrenaline. Each will be led by a coach who has been rafting for over 10 years. He will ensure you are comfortable but most of all confident to rock the day. Shortly after boarding the raft boat at a calm stretch of the river, he will give you a safety briefing—purposed to enlighten you on how to have a trip that is free of regret and fear.
Having rafted countless times before, the safety crew knows the river very well and will keep you safe throughout. You will swiftly come to your rescue just in case you fall out of your boat after it has hit a high wave. The rapids you will counter are on the bigger side but prior to confronting each, the raft will be consulted to determine which line to pass.
This will limit the number of times your boat flips upside down. The beauty of rafting the Nile unlike an ocean or sea is that its water is not salty, it is fresh. As such, neither your eyes nor skin will be damaged. On the contrary, they will look exquisite and renewed in the end due to the healing effect of the mineral-rich water.
A photography crew will be stationed at different strategic parts of the river to get highlights of your excursion. Halfway into your adventure, you will have a lunch stopover at one of the islands surrounding by exhilarating rapids and a rich concentration of beautiful birds
Costs: The average cost for a full day raft is $125
Read MoreDo you wanna travel with us and enjoy Uganda ?
View Uganda has fantastic offers around Uganda end in luxury.
I imperial group of hotels Entebbe one night half board bed, breakfast lunch or supper.
Brovad sands lodge Kalangala two nights a couple of full board.
Samuka Island Jinja two nights a couple of full board
Irungu forest park in Queen Elizabeth two nights full board a couple
Serenada eco-resort two nights full board a couple
Simba safaris camp Queen Elizabeth national park two nights full board for a couple
Buhoma lodge two nights full board for a couple Bwindi National park
Gorilla valley lodge Bwindi National park two nights bed and breakfast
Rushaga gorilla lodge Bwindi national park, bed, and breakfast
Read MoreThe dead Bunyoro kings are not ‘dead ‘
A story is told of a king, a very gutsy king. He remains the greatest king of the Bunyoro Kingdom. Omukama Kabalega, what a king. A man remembered for his incomparable attempts at protecting his people from the British colonialists who had then taken over the Buganda Kingdom.
So when he died in 1923, imagine what his burial ground looked like. Indeed, this is not a story about The Great Kabalega, this is a story about Mparo Royal Tombs, where the Bunyoro-Kitara royalty is laid to rest. A place where the South-Western Kingdom’s culture is preserved and the leaders celebrated in the most authentic of ways.
Mparo Royal Tombs
Baking with an intriguing insight into the culture and traditions of previous Kings of the Bunyoro Dynasty, a kingdom that birthed the Bantu tribes in Uganda, Mparo Royal Tombs is a place to visit. Sitting on an expansive land along Hoima-Masindi Road that used to host the palace of Kabalega, it remains as peaceful, beautiful, and serene as ever.
The tombs, a treasure to the kingdom’s people have designed, befitting cultural royalty. A look at Kabalega’s dome-shaped tomb made up of grass and reeds will affirm this. Boasting of a fairly complex design its decoration is a tale of a culture well-preserved. A step in will reveal regalia that tells of a man whose strength saw the kingdom resist the British rule in the late 1880s. Interestingly, some of these he used while still alive. His spears, drums, baskets, stools, and wooden troughs, you name it, and Mparo would have it.
It’s not just the Kabalega’s regalia that graces the tombs, other fallen kings are well represented too. Each tomb is shielded with barkcloth, a cultural cloth made from cultural trees. The thing about the tombs is that each tomb allows for a different experience. King Sir Winyi IV’s tomb, for example, has a calming effect to it. Towering trees provide all the tranquil there is and of course lots of fresh air. Important to note is that these trees are as old as time and like the kingdom, have stood the test of time.
Forget the type of royal graves you have seen, the Mparo Royal Tombs have found a way to bask in rich history and remain modest. The art, however, the artifacts really and the story behind each piece make Mparo worth the drive.
Well maintained and authentic, these tombs capture the feel of true African royalty. A foot into the dimly lit thatched tombs is nothing short of magical. The history therein oozes through the atmosphere and nothing but culture matters. Besides the trees that stand guard outside, the tombs also allow for more royalty as showcased by a gently fenced off fenced graveyard where other royal members were buried. Not to forget the monument where Kabalega met Emin Pasha in 1871. Amazing!
Going deeper
Hard to miss though would be the consistency with which the number nine is subtly featured. See, the Banyoro consider this a number of luck. Yes, nine! That quickly reminded me of the time I visited the kingdom’s royal regalia chamber at Karuziika. Nafutal Balyemera, a caretaker, explained that almost everything at the palace is in numbers of nine. Some rituals are performed nine times or at times that coincide with nine.
The Banyoro associate this number with luck, prosperity, and positivity. “It is against this background that the king sounded the drum at exactly 3:00 pm, since it is the ninth hour of the day. In other words, the monarch was bidding luck to his kingdom,” Balyemera explains.
And indeed, on exploring the tomb further, you would notice nine traditional hoes holding the cowhide in place. Upon a raised platform in the room sits a legendary nine-legged royal stool covered with bark cloth and leopard skins. It is estimated to have been used for over two centuries now (over 200 years).
Forget the count for a minute and talk about the sin-free atmosphere Mparo maintains. The caretakers will quickly remind you that adultery is not allowed on the grounds. So before you set foot, you must repent, confess first, then repent, or the spirits will know what you did the previous night.
No doubt, marriage is taken quite seriously in the Bunyoro Kingdom. Did you know that even in death, the king remains married? Oh yes, and besides his remains should be his wife, who must cater to his every ‘needs’. It is believed that though dead, the kings that rest at Mparo tombs are never really gone. No Sir!
Should she die, the kingdom must find the king another wife. But also, get this, should a king marry, he marries her entire clan. And just like that, a bond is kick-started between him and this clan. Should be said wife die, a wife will be chosen for him from the same lineage. Yes, even if the king dies and his widows dies years later, the Bunyoro-Kitara people believe their king shouldn’t be left wifeless, not even in death. Therefore, seek out Mparo not just for the artifacts, go and see how the dead kings of Bunyoro are ‘alive’.
Read More