ECOTOURISM

Ecotourism opportunities are plentiful in the equatorial country of Uganda in Africa, where the industry revolves around a diverse fauna and more than 10 national parks and reserves.

Facts about Uganda Ecotourism

There are a variety of ecotourism opportunities in Uganda. These include among others;

Primate Trekking: Venturing into the jungle in search of apes is among the top tourist activities in Uganda, home to Africa's two remaining populations of the highly endangered mountain gorilla

Game Viewing

Uganda is home to more than 300 species of mammals, including zebras and the gigantic eland antelope, which are prevalent in Lake Mburo National Park.

Birding

More than 60 percent of all African bird species -- approximately 1,000 -- inhabit Uganda.

Geologic Attractions

Hiking is the preferred way to experience the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains, known as the "Mountains of the Moon," where road access is extremely limited.

Mountains

Both eastern and western borders of Uganda are marked by mountains. The Ruwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon). The highest peaks of Mount Stanley, in the Ruwenzoris, are snowcapped.

Rivers and Lakes

Uganda is a well-watered country. Nearly one-fifth of the total area, or 44,000 square kilometers, is open water. Most of the country lies in the watershed of the Nile River.

Highlights includes Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world, which dominates the southeastern corner of the nation.

The Semliki River, DRC/Uganda drains Lake Edward and flows into the southern end of Lake Albert.

 From Lake Albert, the Nile is known as the Albert Nile as it travels roughly 200 kilometers to the Sudan border.

•      Other major rivers include the Achwa River which gathers water from in the northeast via several rivers and jouns the Nile in Sudan

•      Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George occupy troughs in the Albertine Rift.

•      The Katonga River flows slowly eastward from a Katonga Wildlife Refuge into Lake Victoria.  Lake George and Lake Edward are connected by the Kizinga Channel.

ANIMAL TOURISM

Uganda's parks and reserves are ideal retreats for the discerning eco-tourist. The experience takes you back to basics where patience and good game tracking skills are key.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park - Gorilla Tracking,

Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzees,

Lake Mburo National Park - Zebra, Lakes & Rolling Grassland , Murchison Falls National Park – The Nile, Uganda's Largest Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park - Incredible Biodiversity.

Transport, hotel and travel

Public- private sector partnerships to provide more travel accommodation

To address the expected growth in demand, the Ugandan Government plans to continue working with the private sector to boost travel accommodation development in the country.

Investment in niche tourism products attracts high-spending clients

Road transport network requires further investment

More international flights to Uganda

Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve - Uganda's First Protected Area,

Semliki National Park - Hot Springs, Forests and Pygmies;

All these are endowed with a variety of animal species, birds, insects and other living organisms