Uganda’s Tilapia to Hit Germany Markets Soon

Uganda’s Tilapia is expected to hit markets in Germany, boosting incomes of commercial fish farmers and local fishermen in Uganda.

Currently Uganda has Nile Perch available in Germany, but demand for Tilapia is on the rise. I am in contact with Germany trading companies to import Tilapia. Not many people know Tilapia in Germany,” said Uganda’s honorary consul to Germany Prof. Nikolaus Schmidt.
This was at a meeting with business leaders at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel recently.

He added that there are plans to link the fisheries sectors of Uganda and Germany to enable the exchange of technical knowledge and strategic investment.

Over 15,500 tonnes of fish were exported mostly to Europe in 2011, earning Uganda about sh212b, with the Nile perch species contributing a larger percentage.

However, demand for the Tilapia species has pushed prices up in recent months.

As honorary consul, Schmidt will also promote Uganda safari adventures and tourism potential in Germany. Ambassador Francis Butagira, a senior presidential advisor, noted that there are many Germans anxious to visit Uganda.

Ambassador James Mugume, the permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry, urged Schmidt to link Uganda with German investors in infrastructure, telecoms, agro-processing and energy.

This is one of the successes that Ugandans  should be proud to have and hence should have a positive attitude towards this project and should get involved - For God and my Country

Going Gorilla Trekking in Africa??? Find useful information here.

A gorilla trekking tour is continuously the highlight of any African safari. The number of mountain gorillas is assessed to be 750-850 from the 2011 registration completed. Mountain Gorilla safaris are expensive, exhausting and even exasperating, but also incomparably inspiring and emotional and always uniquely memorable. If you are able to acquire a gorilla permit you have a 95% chance of trekking any of the available mountain gorilla groups/families, you might as well have an good level of fitness because the trek involves moving long distances of trekking through thick forested areas on steep slopes, however certain times, the Gorillas are viewed in actually few minutes of strolling. Whenever booking your gorilla safari, its truly critical to choose if you need a hard trek or a simple one you will need to consult your local tour operator which gorilla trek could best suite your hobbies, a long time and capabilities most straightforward to achieve, and accord the best following background. In Uganda, you will have a say about the family of gorillas you want to trek if you book your gorilla allow early (up to 15 months after your visit). In Rwanda there is less accentuation on promptly gorilla allow reservations and more on promptly entry for the day of following and the impact of your aide with park powers.

Where to Trek Mountain Gorillas and what’s the best time to do the trek

The Gorilla tracking activity for Rwanda and Uganda is done each day all year round. There are many habituated Mountain Gorilla groups for visitor to track from the distinctive nations, and its advisable to secure your gorilla permit early. The Uganda gorilla tracking age is 15 years and above. The present cost of a gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda is $750 and Uganda is $500 for every individual to use one hour with the gorillas, watching them, taking photographs. 

Is Gorilla trekking difficult? How fit should you be?

The trek includes climbing on unpleasant terrain of the thick rainforests and after the weather is unpredictable; it may be too sweltering or may rain heavily throughout the trek. The gorilla trekking experience needs determination and passion to persevere the trek. All the more seasoned individuals have been able to conclusively see the gorillas. Personal assistants can be employed to carry your daypack and assist you in troublesome areas. The local aides will work to make it as easy as conceivable for you to track and photograph the Mountain Gorillas. We have had various customers in their 70's succeed in reaching their target Mountain Gorilla assemblies. In any case many folks return quite exhausted, sloppy and sore provided that they are not utilized to vigorous trekking. Altitude ailment is not usually a situation, nor is creepy crawlies. You will need a pair of gloves and apparel that secures your arms and legs from thorns and vexes. Exceptional balance is supportive in Gorilla trekking as trails may be dangerous.

Rwanda attractions apart from Mountain Gorillas

Rwanda is a beautiful, green, nation, also called the land of a Thousand Slopes. The genocide of 1994 is effectively memorialized in a museum in Kigali and at different posts around the nation. This is a beautiful interaction worth striving for, in addition to touring the Kigali city, the national museum in Butare. While on a Rwanda safari to trek gorillas in Rwanda, travelers can add it with trekking chimps in Nyugwe forest, Natural life tour in Akagera national park, visit Lake Kivu, tour Golden Monkeys as well as trek to Karisoke where Diane Fossey led her pioneering research.

And Uganda

Uganda includes a magnificent societies, great untamed life parks and amazing birding. Uganda may be the best safari nation in Africa for an extensive mixture of fowl species and essential birding safari natural surroundings. Dead set birders frequently see more than 400 species on a 12-14 day Uganda birding safari. There are moreover countless different species of primates and untamed life in Ruler Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kibale national park for chimps trekking, Jinja white water rafting and such a variety of alternates. The Rwenzori Mountains welcome more enlarged trekking for a Uganda Tour.

THE FAMOUS BIG 5 THAT TOURISTS NEED TO VISIT IN UGANDA

The big 5 includes Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Rhinos Plus Africa's Best in Uganda comprising of the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees the Forest Elephants and Forest Buffalos and this make the best Uganda safaris ever.

The Big 5 was established by the Big Game Hunters in another time, big 5 was not just the size of the animals but the difficulty of hunting them.  Nowadays the term is used by Tourism companies as well as Safari travelers to Africa and usually the only hunting is with a camera.

Uganda safaris offers travelers not only the Big Five, but Big Five plus including Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants and Forest Buffalos. To be able to see Rhinos, they are found in Zziwa Rhino Reserve on the way to Murchison Falls National Park where you can see most of the big 5.

The Lions in Uganda:  Known as the King of the Animals is found in several Uganda national parks including, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park home to the tree climbing lions in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and a few found in the remote Kidepo Valley National Park and Semuliki National Park.  There have also been sighted in Lake Mburo National Park and the lion is the most sought Big 5.

Leopards in Uganda:  The leopards are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Mount Elgon National Park.  The leopards are mostly nocturnal, but touriats can take a nocturnal Game Drive at Queen Elizabeth Park and might spot some or during an early game drive in some of the above parks.

The Buffalos: Tourists can find the Cape Buffalo and also the smaller more reddish Forest Buffalos here in Uganda.  They are quite powerful and can be found in many of Uganda’s national parks such Lake Mburo Park, Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and Kidepo Valley Park.  The Buffalos are strong animals and no wonder was included on the list of the Bog 5.

Elephants of Uganda:  Uganda comprises of both the savannah Elephants and the Forest Elephants which look bit smaller and hairier than the savannah cousins and you can find them in many Uganda National Parks and various settings such as the savannahs and in near forests.  Elephants of the savannah or Forest variety can be found in all National Parks except Lake Mburo.   The best parks to see Elephants on your Uganda tour include Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Mountain Gorillas in Uganda: These are normally skipped out of the list of the big 5, the Mountain Gorillas are sought out by thousands each year and its featured attraction since it is the only East African country where you can find not only the Mountain Gorillas but a diversity of other African wildlife such as the Big Five.  They are found in  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park.

Chimpanzees in Uganda:  There are lots of chimpanzees found in Uganda and best park to track them is the Kibale Forest. A dense rainforest and a perfect habitant  with more primates than any other place in East Africa.  Tourists can also track chimpanzees in Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls, at the Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth Park and Semiliki Park. You can also partake in a habituation project for chimpanzee that will last all day long.    

Another habitat for Chimpanzees is Ngamba Chimpanzee Island where orphaned Chimpanzees can seen close and actual interaction with chimpanzees can be arranged.  Don't miss out on the Chimpanzees of Uganda.

Uganda, a must visit spot for Adventure Seekers

Why Uganda is recently standing out as a must explore destination on the list of favorite African countries for tourists. Uganda safaris

The answers are numerous, as much as Uganda is just like any other African country with a dark history, but with a rich African identity and culture. As said by Lonely Planet, “Africa condensed into a small country” which is the Perl of Africa. Going for Uganda tours, you will find lush prime rain forests within the Ugandan think Jungle unlike other African countries in the East or South of Africa, not to forget mentioning the snow caped Rwenzori mountains named mountain of the moon by sir Stanley, the river Nile waterfalls,gorilla safaris, the savannah, the lakes, the sandy beaches, the Sesse and Ngamba islands,  rivers, crater lakes, the ever green vegetation and tea plantations in spite of Uganda being a landlocked country.

The Perl of Africa, is more than the scarily terrorism stories of Joseph Kony of the Lord’s Resistance Army, Idi Amin Dada a former Ugandan President but in the past 7 years, Uganda has been one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. It has now merged into a  light and hopeful spotlight  with so many potential travelers finding it as an amazing spot for adventure seekers naming Uganda a Must visit Unique spot for adventure seekers. Even Lonely Planet has put it on its “Must Visit List” by declaring Uganda as Best County to visit in 2012.

The unique spots in Uganda which all travelers must see for there Uganda safari or are planning a gorilla tour.

The  Mountain Gorillas

The Perl of Africa is home to over half of the Mountain Gorilla in the world, there are 10 gorilla family groups which have been habituated for visitations by tourists – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the scenic Mgahinga Gorilla Park within the shadows of the ancient volcanoes provide the perfect setting for gorilla tracking experience.

The Chimpanzees:

Uganda is also home to almost 5000 chimpanzees in its National Parks – Kibale Forest Jungle having a large population of almost 1500 chimpanzees – you can spend one hour or have an all day Chimpanzee Habituation

Wildlife and Primates:

Uganda is an amazing destination for wildlife, primates and birds. One of the beautiful things about game drives in most of Uganda is that you have the lovely opportunity to see the wildlife in large numbers.  You get to see concentrations of wildlife especially during the morning game drive this is especially in places such as Kidepo Valley National Park and the Ishasha Plains of Queen Elizabeth Park.  Uganda is not only home to the big 5 (Rhinos are found in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and you track them on foot) but it is a Big 5 Country Plus Primates such as the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys plus 12 other species of primates – all without the crowds – Uganda is very different in this aspect of an African Safari and therefor shoulld choose for a uganda safari

Birding 

For the Birder Uganda is a must for the Birding Enthusiast. Uganda is the birding paradise of Africa go birding starting in Kampala, on to Entebbe, Mabamba swamp – the list is endless  over 1040 species of birds are found in a country the size of Oregon State and ample of opportunities to see the most sought after  Bird in Africa – the Shoebill Stork.  There are many spectacular endemic species found in the Albertine Rift Valley area that not found elsewhere.  Uganda is truly for the birds and the Pearl of Africa is a must  for birders being the most Bird endowed destination in Africa.

Uganda Adventure Destination:

If you are looking for adventurous tours with a tropical setting, Uganda is a must do for you the Adventure Enthusiast. The Nile that runs through Uganda is the source of many adrenaline pumping activities, level 5 white water rafting, not on any river – but the ancient and historic River Nile. 

Bungee Jumping and diving into the River Nile.  Hiker and Climbers can venture up the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. Climb three of the Virunga Volcanoes at Mgahinga National Park, traverse the length of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and at the end be rewarded with stunning views of the Virunga Volcano Chain in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo that is just the beginning –There is trek of several days up Mount Elgon, that used to be the tallest Mountain until it blew its top – there are Horseback Riding Safaris, All Terrain Quad Vehicle Safaris, that is just the beginning – Uganda is a must visit country for Adventure Enthusiasts. (You can also do Rwenzori Mountains Foothill Hikes which are easier but still give you the Mountains of the Moon).

Very Beautiful Scenery: 

Uganda would be a very nice destination for a Uganda safari because, it has a very breathtaking scenery, the amazing sunset and sunrise, Uganda  has lots of beautiful places where you can simply relax, chill out, swim, walk on a sandy beach, take a boat ride on beautiful lakes, or the sea like – Lake Victoria – the list is endless – just imagine a sundowner cruise on Lake Bunonyi with Volcanoes all around you, or on Lake Victoria at Jinja as the sun drops as a red fireball over the second largest lake in the World…Uganda’s scenery make the Pearl of Africa a must see and must visit country with scenery to live for – simply an amazing to see.

VISITORS BRING DEADLY WEED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

A toxic weed reported in the Uganda about a year ago, has infected Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda, causing danger to thousands of animals and plants. The Queen Elizabeth conservation area manager Mr. TOM OKello said that visitors could have brought the weed into Uganda.

He added that the weed is believed to be a native of Mexico and could have been brought into Uganda about four years ago by some unknown people. The plant is thought to have been introduced into Uganda through Ethiopia and Kenya. Mr. Okello said the weed had been sighted in several parts of the park, including areas around Mweya Safari Lodge.  The weed is poisonous to livestock if consumed in large quantities.

He promised that plans to start uprooting and burning the weed will be finalized by the end of this week. Despite looking beautiful and smelling sweet, the weed is said to be among the world’s 10 most dangerous weeds.

On contact with the human body, it causes a burning effect that makes the skin peel off. Inhaling pollen from the flowers causes an asthma-like illness or persistent flu-like symptoms in humans. Cattle that eat the weed produce foul-smelling milk and may even die. In September, a team led by Dr. Gadi Gumisiriza of the National Agricultural Research Organization said the weed had been detected in 12 districts.

The Kasese district crop protection officer, Charles Nyamutale, said the killer weed is usually spread by humans, birds and animals. Each plant is capable of producing between 25,000 and 100,000 seeds each season, which can persist in the soil for a long time. Nyamutale said the situation has been worsened because large areas of the park and neighboring cattle grazing areas are also choking with another shrub called lantana camara. Nyamutale said lantana camara. Forms thickets that harbor tsetse flies, which cause nagana in animals and sleeping sickness in humans. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest park in Uganda and brings in about sh2b of the sh17b revenue generated from the country’s national parks  plans to redeem it from this deadly weed are going on.

Compiled by Eunice Musiime  Dianah

Our Uganda Tour November 2nd 2011

We were welcomed by a gentleman named Alpha, who introduced himself as our safari guide and driver. Alpha, a cheerful and sort of shy but a very knowledgeable Ugandan. Alpha greeted each of us with a soft hello and handshake and welcomes us to Uganda, then loaded up our backpacks onto the truck. Being a big group we had a very good safari land cruisers as this made us feel more relaxed since for the start we had very good safari vans ready for our gorilla safari adventure which we had been anxiously waiting for.

The drive from the airport was rather grumpy due to too much pothole on the way to the hotel, but it was a positive experience because if gave us a true feeling of Africa. In our safari itinerary overnight was to be at Serena Lake Victoria a beautiful and relaxing hotel with a very rich view of Lake Victoria. It’s a nice place.

First Destination Queen Elizabeth National Park

Its was very early in the morning when our safari guides picked us from the hotel. We were so anxious about the safari.

By around 11:30 we had a stop over in Fort Portal for a snack for me i rather needed a journey break. This town is a medium sized town with not so many people and rather cool as compare to Kampala, Alpha knows of a good restaurant. We order sandwiches to go, pleased to note that the menu promises them in "only 10 minutes". Thirty minutes later we are all getting antsy. Our sandwiches arrive about seven minutes later and we take off heading south. Actually, our vegetable sandwich is quite good: who knew that sautéed onions and spinach could taste so good. 
 

The road to Queen Elizabeth Park started out in good shape but within a few kilometers we hit road construction, and weren't able to drive on the road. Instead there was a rutted path next to the road that we had to use. What a ride! It also disappeared periodically, so the driver had to figure out which way to go. I'm sure glad we weren't driving our selves.

It was slow going but Alpha tried his best to speed up whenever possible so that we could make the 3:00 PM boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, Mweya and into Lake Edward.

We arrived at the Mweya, Kazinga Channel by 3:30 pm but still had to drive a few km to the boat jetty. We got there when the boat had ready pulled out, but they waited for us. It was great they did because the ride was the very best way to see wildlife at that time of day.  It is recommended not to miss a launch cruise or a boat ride on any Uganda safari that takes you through Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park. During the ride, we passed through a high number of concentration of hippos, herds of water buffalo all lounging in the water near the banks. There were also elephants all along the way, taking baths, eating the marsh grass, and some taking dust baths. We also saw waterbucks, gazelles, two monitor lizards and a baby crocodile.

It was amazing. After the boat tour we made our way to Ihamba safari Lodge and got our rooms ... nicely built cottages with clean rooms, comfortable beds and good mosquito nets, large glass windows with a magnificent view of lake George. After showers, the whole group sat on the patio overlooking the lake, threw down a few Bombay Gin and tonics, and got to know each other better. Dinner at the lodge was great and just the thing to cap off our great day.

The night was cool with the lake breeze inside the mosquito nets, but with plenty of lake flies on the lights. I guess the ride and long day did us in. We arose at 5:30 am for a morning safari at 6:00. When we left it was still quite dim, the sun wasn’t yet above the horizon. But as the sun came out………I realized that Ihamba safari lodge has a very beautiful sunset……… I wish I had carried my art book……because even when I close my eyes I still remember that sun rise……uganda safaris

Facts about Katwe: The salt mining lake

Lake Katwe is about 550 kilometres west of Kampala, in Kasese District Kabatoro/Katwe Town Council. It is one of about 52 explosion crater lakes found in Queen Elizabeth national park Uganda.

The salt mining lake is the chief producer of salt in Uganda. It was formed as a result of volcanic eruption about 10,000 years ago. The lake is about 9km wide and the deepest point is six feet. There is a raised settlement near the lake which people who came from neighbouring areas to buy salt called “aha katwe”. It is from this that the name Katwe was derived.
It is uniquely partitioned into various “plots” called salt pans. The pans are square like, measuring nine feet wide and two metres deep. They are dug using hoes and demarcated using earth and pieces of wood. According to Richardson Ouma, an employee at Katwe Tourism Information Centre, the lake has more than 1,000 salt pans though only 800 are registered by Katwe Town Council. Ouma says some salt pans have existed since the 14th century. There are locals who own as many as 10 to 20 pans.

Cost of the salt pans
It is on rare occasions that one sells one’s pan, but in such transactions, the price ranges from Shs800,000 to Shs2m depending on its size. Most of the pans are inherited. In an effort to conserve the lake, no more salt pans are allowed to be dug up. At the shoreline of the lake, grows a salt-tolerant plant specie called Cyperus Lievitigetus.
It helps in conserving the lake by filtering impurities, such as sediments, from the blowing wind, and rain water, running from the surrounding hills. The grass helps to control the rate at which the impurities get into the lake. Those who cut it use it for making mats.
There are two salt mining activities at the lake: rock salt activity and salt winning. Rock salt activity is done in the main lake by only men whereas salt winning is carried out in the salt pans by both sexes. The salt in the pans forms by a process called fractional crystallisation. The formed salt crystals are scrapped from the bottom of the pan using a curved iron sheet locally called Akabaati. This activity is only carried out during the dry season. This salt is ready for consumption. Its difference from the packed salt we buy from shops is that it has bigger crystals and is low on iodine. 100kgs of this salt goes for Shs40,000.
Rock activity is carried out in the main lake. Beneath the lake, is a “mother rock” of sodium chloride. This type of salt is locally called mahonde or ekisula . It forms at the bottom of the main lake by a process called cementation. The major markets for this salt are Rwanda and Congo. This salt acts as a catalyst in boiling dry beans, preserves hides and skins and enhances milk production when licked by cows. It is also used in dyeing clothes and facilitation of a process called saponification in soap making. 100kgs of rock salt is sold at Shs20,000.
The lake is also a source of a black mud called Trona which is on high demand in Kenya. It is converted into fertiliser and also used in making glass. salt mining, however, has some adverse effects on people’s health and the environment. Constatino Mbusa, who has been working at the mines for the last 10 years, says that salt mining poses a lot of health risks but it is the urge to earn a living that keeps him going.
“When the water enters our reproductive parts, it makes them itchy. Instinctively, you respond by scratching yourself for relief. When you scratch, a small wound develops which widens overtime. Since protective gears are expensive, we wear condoms and fasten them with rubber bands to keep them from slipping off. This way you are safe. The other problem is that most of the activities are carried out while bending so, cases of backache are common,” says Mbusa. A company called Smile Power Foundation from Seattle, Washington, gave men protective gears which they used for a short period and abandoned because they were unbearably hot to work in.

Fate of the female miners
Women are not safe either. However, most of them are shy to share the negative health effects of engaging in salt mining. Constantino says that when the ammonia gas from the water gets into a woman’s reproductive organs, it causes uterus irritation and abdominal pains. The women therefore, heavily pad themselves before entering the salt pans.
However, with the many needs waiting to be met by the meagre income they earn, most of the women find it expensive to buy the pads. Such women opt for pieces of cotton. In Katwe, for one to put up a house, it is advisable to use sand from the neighbouring areas.
The sand in Katwe has a high content of sodium chloride which corrodes the house when used for building. The iron sheets have to be galvanised or painted, or else they get rusted. In the 1970s, Germans from a group called Thysen set up Lake Katwe Salt Company. However, Ouma says that a few years down the road, the sodium chloride had corroded all the pipes which the Germans had put up to transport the salt. “It was expensive for them to bring new ones. So, they decided to close the company,” says Richardson.
Besides salt mining, the lake is a big tourist destination for travelers interested in a uganda safari. Its visitors include students, tourists and researchers. The peak months are June to August and mid October to December. Visitors can only access the lake with the help of a guide after paying a fee at Katwe Tourism Information Centre. The lake can be reached via two routes, that is, the Mbarara – Kasese route or Mubende – Kasese route. For one travelling by public means, the fare fluctuates between Shs25,000 and Shs20,000.
Either route gets you to Kasese town. In the town, there are cabs which can get you to Katwe for Shs5,000. There are a number of places of accommodation such as Rwenzori Salama Hotel in Katunguru, Mweya Safari Lodge and Ihamba safari lodge  in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Sandton Hotel, Executive Inn and Silver Springs Hotel in Kasese town. There are no hotels in Katwe though. But, there are a few fair restaurants and guest houses.