There is absolutely no doubt that East Africa region is a hotbed (if I can borrow words from the CNN’s annoying vocabulary) of beauty. This breathtaking beauty has for years fuelled a vibrant tourism industry that pours millions of dollars in the economies of each of the East African Community member states.

Since the tourism industry thrives on information and advertising, countries always put aside substantial amounts of money to spread the word and attract visitors. For ten days, I was part of a team of regional journalists and tour operators from all over the world who were hosted by Uganda Tourism Board and given a glimpse, of what Uganda has to offer when it comes to tourism as part of the second Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo.

The regional journalists were selected by the East African Tourism Platform (EATP). EATP is the private sector body for tourism in East Africa that seeks to promote the interest and participation of the private sector in the East African Community integration process. EATP’s vision is to turn East Africa into this vibrant and diverse single tourism destination.

In a bid to promote intra and inter-regional tourism, the EATP invited journalists from each EAC country to be part of the experience so they can spread the word around and lure other East Africans to destination Uganda.

Efforts like the single tourist visa, open borders and the use of national IDs are some of the milestones that EATP has lobbied for in the recent past in a bid to ease access to tourist sites for the close to 140m fellow East Africans.

My trip started with a flight from Kigali to Entebbe aboard Rwandair, one of the key sponsors of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo. As I sat on the plane trying to suppress weird thoughts about plane crashes and what was expected of me as someone sitting by the emergency exit, I had no idea what awaited me and the rest of the team for the trip.

After checking into our hotel rooms and getting some rest for the day, we all met for a cocktail at Sheraton Kampala where we were briefed about the trips we were to embark on soon. We were also split into two groups. I was initially supposed to be part of the group that was to visit Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest but I opted for the trip that would take me to Kidepo Valley National Park which is the only park in Uganda with Cheetahs and tree climbing lions.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

On the road our first stop was at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary a 7000 hectare private facility that was set up to oversee the reintroduction of Rhinoceros, a highly endangered species, back into the national parks of Uganda through a breeding and release programme. These huge beasts that can weigh up to three tonnes were finished off by poachers by 1983.

The first six rhinos were introduced during 2005 from Kenya and others were brought in from USA. Before we could go and see them, we each had to sign a document that basically spells out the fact that these are wild animals and something could go wrong. Then our guide reminded us that a white rhino can run up to 45km per hour when charging at what it considers an enemy. 

It was interesting to learn that one of the rhinos born at the sanctuary is named Obama because its father is Kenyan while the mother is from USA. I wonder if Barrack Obama knows he has a namesake in Nakasongola. Because of how lucrative the trade in rhino horns is, the rhinos are guarded 24/7 by armed rangers and there is an electric fence around the sanctuary.

After having lunch at Amuka Safari lodge, we drove to the oldest hotels in Uganda, Masindi Hotel for our overnight stay. The hotel was built in 1923 by the now defunct East Africa Railways and Harbours Company and is a historical gem in its own right.

Kaniyo - Pabidi Ecotourism Site

After an early breakfast we then set off for the Budongo Eco lodge, also known as the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site that is located in the heart of Budongo Forest Reserve in Murchison Falls National Park. We went into the rain forest for chimp tracking covering over 4 kilometers and breaking a sweat while at it.

This place has some of the best tour guides I encountered although it was not so funny when they talked about the big snakes they sometimes find in the forest and tales of falling in ditches.

The forest has over 600 chimpanzees and lots of hard wood trees including one Mahogany tree estimated to be over 600 years and the oldest in the region. Do not ask me how the years were counted. Chimpanzees are our closest relatives with whom we share 98.4% DNA. Apart from the legendary mountain gorillas, Uganda hosts 17 other primate species making it a prime destination for primate lovers.

Murchison Falls National Park

The main attraction in this park is none other than the breathtaking sight of the Nile River forcing its way through a narrow gorge only seven metres wide and then tumbles down 43 meters. I am talking about Murchison Falls, also known as Kabalega by the more Pan-African leaning folks like yours truly.

The place is amazingly beautiful and yet one has to be very sober not to step on the slippery rocks and get sucked in and pounded to death by the raging waters.

We later enjoyed a boat ride upstream to see the falls from below while catching glimpses of the lazy hippopotami and their Jacuzzi antics as well as the famous Nile crocodile. We saw one that was about four meters and I remember the goose bumps forming on my arms as I imagined what things would be like if I found myself in a one on one situation with this massive reptile. 

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda measuring approximately 3,840 square kilometres and boasts of over 76 species of mammals and 450 bird species. During the two days we were there we got to see a pride of lions, herds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs and lots of birds. We spent our nights at Pakuba Lodge where you would think giraffes were also part of the staff thanks to the frequent sightings of the gentle tall animals.

After two days, we were driven to Pakuba Airfield where we boarded a chartered flight (Aerolink) to Kidepo Airfield in the North East corner of Uganda.

(To be continued...)