Saturday September 27th 2008 was World Tourism Day, and Uganda Wildlife Authority together with the Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry, marked it in style with the launching of new and exciting tourism products. The new products will enhance the tourists’ experience when they visit Uganda, which still ranks as one of Africa’s premier destinations mainly because of its unique attractions such as the mountain gorillas and the mystic Rwenzori Mountains. The new tourism products that were launched include:

The Kilembe Trail in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park
A new gorilla family called Bitukura in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Quad bikes and Arcadia Cottages in Lake Mburo National Park
The Kilembe Trail in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Uganda Wildlife Authority has always had the desire to open up new trails in The Rwenzori Mountains. Launching the Kilembe trail on 27th September 2008 therefore was the realization of a long-term dream to provide mountain climbers with alternative routes for exploring the alluring beauty and mystery of the Rwenzori Mountains. The new trail, which leads up to the peaks, was launched by the Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Serapio Rukundo, who called on the local communities to ensure they work closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the concessionaire to give tourists the best experience when climbing the mountain.

The Rwenzori Mountains are a designated a World Heritage Site supporting a wide variety of plant and animal life, and offering tourists scenic views of the lakes, rivers and wetlands up in the mountains. The Kilembe Trail will be managed under a concession with Rwenzori Trek Services (U) Ltd.

A new gorilla family called Bitukura in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Launching of the Bitukura gorilla family was preceded by an expedition into the forest for a gorilla tracking experience led by the Chairman of the UWA Board of Trustees, Mr. Andrew Kasirye. Comprising 13 members, three of whom are full grown silverbacks, the Bitukura family will boost availability of tracking permits, which are on very high demand. The new family was launched by Mr. Kasirye amidst a lot of fanfare, which was mostly created by the communities as they danced and sang songs of appreciation of the new group. Local leaders such as the LC5 Vice Chairman for Kabale District, Mr. Silver Baguma appreciated UWA for allowing them to access the resources within the park such as water and honey. He was also thankful for the participatory planning that UWA practices and the employment opportunities that have been created.

“We believe in eco-existence with the park; the park should not hurt us and we should not hurt the park,” Mr. Baguma said.

The Ag Executive Director, Mrs. Euncie Duli Mahoro said she was pleased that UWA had finally fulfilled the community’s dream to have a tourism gorilla group, which is expected to boost household incomes through increased employment opportunities and a guaranteed market for their agricultural products and handicrafts.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Kasirye said the new gorilla group will improve revenues for UWA and Uganda as a whole. “Gorilla tourism is at the apex of tourism in Uganda; we receive about 10, 000 visitors in Bwindi every year most of whom come to track the gorillas,” he observed. He noted that the local leaders play a leading role in tourism, and they will therefore determine the success of tourism in the area.

Quad bikes and Arcadia Cottages in Lake Mburo National Park

Quad bikes were also launched in Lake Mburo National Park. The quad bikes are managed by Peter Knight of African ATV Safaris, and only operate on the Eland Track and the Ruroko Track within Lake Mburo National Park. During the launch, which took place on 30th September 2008, Mr. Knight said that the safety of tourists is paramount, and each tourist is individually given clear instructions on how to operate the bikes before starting a game-viewing trip. Quad bikes are four-wheeled miniature topless cars with a bike-like seat, and can only carry one passenger at a time. Two quad-bike trips are done every day, and this has already raised the popularity of the park, which is the nearest to the capital city.

Knight also explained that he wanted people to see the park without being tied up in a car; but they always advise people not to smile too much when riding the bikes and to slow down when approaching road-bumps. (NB: Please visit Lake Mburo National Park to find out why tourists should not smile too much when on the quad bikes).

In addition to the quad bikes, UWA launched a new accommodation facility in Lake Mburo National Park called Arcadia Cottages, which currently has a capacity of six well-furnished cottages and a sprawling dining room large enough to sit more than 30 people at a go.

The quad bikes and cottages were launched by the Chairman Board of Trustees of Uganda Wildlife Authority, Mr. Andrew Kasirye who challenged the private sector to deliver services efficiently and effectively because they are Uganda’s ambassadors among the tourists. “UWA recognizes the importance of expanding our tourism products so that we can have a lot more to offer the tourists; and we are planning to invite new investors to join the sector with guidance from our General Management Plans,” he said.

The Ag Executive Director, Mrs. Eunice Mahoro appealed to the communities and their leaders to support the park’s activities because it can greatly enhance their livelihoods. “We have developed new tourism products to make Lake Mburo National Park attractive. We are also developing cultural tourism outside the park, which will blend conservation values with the community’s cultural values,” she revealed, further observing that UWA expects this to increase the park’s appeal among tourists.