RWANDA LAND OF THOUSAND HILLS

RWANDA
Rwanda located between the eco-system of the Congo basin and the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa and thus shares the natural riches of both worlds resulting in a country of exquisite beauty and unsurpassed biodiversity.
The country lies at 2 00 S, 30 00 E, bordered by Uganda to the North, DR Congo to the West, Burundi to the South and Tanzania to the East. To the outside world, it’s well known for the genocide of 1994, but it has recovered from those years of turmoil that characterised the nation in the period 1950-1994
For today, Rwanda is under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwanda is peaceful, prosperous and inviting. In Rwanda are three national parks - Nyungwe Forest Park known for its large size and a vast army of chimps and monkeys; Akagera National park for game, including zebra, giraffe, antelope, buffalo; and Parc National des Volcans where Dian Fossey dedicated her life researching the celebrated gorillas.
Among its many and enduring attractions are the primates, in particular the mountain Gorillas. One of the most awesome wildlife interactions in the world.
Primates Adventure Company is the only company to take you to the gentle giants, our ancestors sharing some 97% of our character, in their natural habitat, the verdant jungle and misty mountains of Rwanda. Our primate trekking safaris, led by professional guides, provide the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Rwanda and its People.
The pygmoid hunter-gatherers are among the first in habitats of Rwanda, ancestral to the modern Twa people who comprise 0.25% of the national population. Some 2,000 years ago, agricultural and pastoralist migrants from the west settled in the area. Oral traditions recall that prior to the 15th century a ruler named Gihanga forged a centralised Rwandan state with similar roots to the Buganda and Bunyoro Empires in neighbouring Uganda. Comprised of a cattle-owning nobility and agriculturist serfdom majority - the precursors respectively of the modern-day Tutsi and Hutu - this powerful state was able to repel all early attempts at European penetration

MORE ABOUT THE VIRUNGA VOLCANOES - (PARC DE NATIONAL)

AN OVERVIEW OF GORILLA NEST ACCOMMODATION
Located a few metres from the main entrance of the Parc National des Volcans, with extraordinary views, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. To one side are Virunga mountains, where Dian Fossey lived a good part of her life (and where she is buried)
The Mgahinga Forest National Park covers the slopes of the three northern Virunga volcanoes and gives the park its name. The volcanic soils are full of lava rocks and the area is inhabited by more than half the world's population of Mountain Gorillas. About the same size as Bwindi, 340 square Km, Mgahinga is a high-altitude savanna woodland, with rich forests of bamboo on the slopes and dwarf heath vegetation found near the summits. The Mountain Gorillas spend most of their time in the hagenia woodlands and bamboo forests. During the rainy season when new bamboo shoots are growing, the gorillas forage at base altitude. The climb to the natural habitat of bamboo forest and Hagenia woodlands offers fantastic views.
DIAN FOSSEY

Dian Fossey is known throughout the world for her pioneering research on Gorillas and their behavior. Born in California in 1937, she saw her first wild gorillas on a trip to Africa in 1963. Later, Louis Leakey encouraged Fossey to conduct a long-term study of the animals in their natural environment.After a brief stay in the Congo, Fossey moved to Rwanda and established a research camp, Karisoke, in 1967. There, she spent years tracking Gorillas up and down the steep slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.

It wasn't until two of her beloved gorillas, Digit and Uncle Bert, were killed in 1978 that she changed from pure scientist to active conversationist, launching an often controversial campaign against poachers. Articles in "National Geographic" magazine, television appearances, and the 1983 publication of her book "Gorillas in the Mist" (which was later made into a popular movie), focused world attention on the he Gorilla's plight, but gave her little protection from the hatred of the poachers.

Fossey was found murdered at Karisoke in 1985 and was buried in the camp's cemetery next to Digit and Uncle Bert. Her epitaph reads, "No one loved gorillas more

AIR UGANDA IN ALANDSLIND ATTEMPT TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES BEYOND DESTINATIONS AS ONE WAY TO PROMOTE TOURISM

Air, UGANDA - Air Uganda has entered into partnership with Belgian Airline, SN Brussels to fly its passengers to European destinations. So as to increase service delivery to tourists all over East Africa, Under the agreement Air Uganda will also fly all SN Brussels airlines passengers some of which are tourists who are traveling to Zanzibar, Entebbe and Juba in south Sudan. Air Uganda is also in talks with the Qatar airlines, to transport Air Uganda passengers to the Middle East while Air Uganda takes Qatar passengers to its regional destinations of Zanzibar, Entebbe and Juba. as this will promote easy movements of tourists .Negotiations are also underway with an undisclosed regional airline to fly Air Uganda passengers through linked flights from Entebbe direct to Khartoum with a stopover in Juba.
When negotiations are finalized, Air Uganda hopes to issue single tickets from either Entebbe or Khartoum that will be honored from Juba for onward connection, thus eliminating the need for different tickets for connected flights.
Speaking at the company’s headquarters in Kampala recently, the airline’s chief executive officer, Peter de Waal said as part of the company’s first anniversary celebrations of operations in Uganda, it was taking into consideration the provision of quality products to exploit the potential that exists in the region, alongside the need to provide a Ugandan carrier for the region.
Air Uganda begun operations on November 14th 2007. Last week they announced a new partner for the Juba-Khartoum Route. Plans are also underway to take the carrier to the Rwanda skies for a more complete coverage of the East African skies, de Waal said. Since inception Air Uganda has flown over 70,000 passengers, introduced and begun operations on new routes, signed landmark agreements with Kenya airways and will soon launch its cargo service, which will be available on all routes that the airline has operations.
The airline’s pay load has also increased by over 50% on some routes while other routes have not registered as high increments as yet. Jennifer Musiime, Air Uganda’s sales and marketing manager, said the Juba route has in the last three months increased from 50% to 70% while the Zanzibar route has increased from 10% to over 50%.
The walk to the one year mark has not been an easy one, at the near completion of Air Uganda’s first year of operations was when Wall Street tumbled and a majority of airlines were affected.
IATA the airlines industry regulator predicated that airline worldwide would suffer a $20 million loss to which the East African region is no exception.
Somewhere in the second quarter of the airline’s operations is when the prices of fuel became unpredictable plus the hostile aviation industry that Air Uganda joined. The Uganda aviation industry is so hostile that sometime the mortality rate is reduced to just six months as was the case with Victoria International Airline.
Musiime also said the airline had over the past few months been in negotiations with several stake holders in the regions’ aviation industry so as to make the airline a regional carrier, despite the troubles that are involved while joining a near market monopoly. Among the new Air Uganda partners are Kenya Airways that has for long been player on the Entebbe-Nairobi route SN Brussels and soon Qatar Ai

EAST FRICA'S HOPES IN OBAMA'S WIN OF THE USA ELECTIONS

How East Africa may benefit from the Obama presidency as way to promote tourism
according to the recent election in the USA where Obama come up with a land slide victory over McCain where by he will be swearing inn officially as USA president .according to my news correspondent its believed that many Americans will flow into East Africa to observe where their current president is coming from so Kenya being ahead of its neighbors interms of tourism its will benefit a lot as many tourists will be flowing inn from various destinations but the major likely part to benefit will be Nakuru where Obama come from
Though its alleged that Uganda being the country with some unique features and attractions ( Mountain gorillas) it also benefit as tourists are likely to extent their visit to these areas in Uganda to see the mountain gorillas of Bwindi

What followed was jubilation in EAC and in various parts of the continent, a sign that the victory resonated well and was received with pride and gratification. All East African leaders congratulated Obama for winning the polls. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki later received a telephone call from the White House bound Barack Obama.

The regional media continues to be awash attributing headlines and lead stories to the famous victory. Nobody wants to miss a piece of the action – including that of his ancestry and roots.

A by-lined frontpage story in a local newspaper in Tanzania recently reported that Mr Obama has Tanzanian blood flowing in his veins as well. According to the story, Obama’s grandmother on his father’s side had hailed from the Kowak Village in Tarime in Tanzania’s Mara Region which borders south western Kenya. His dad Senior Barrack Obama hailed from Kogelo in Kenya now, famously referred to as “Illinois”.

Victory for the 47 year old Barack Obama ushers in true wind of change as he becomes the first Afro-America in White House.

Indeed, EAC will be casting an eye into the period after January 20, 2009, when he formally takes up the control of the world’s economic, military and political powerhouse.

Personally, I believe the easier part has been won. The period ahead is the real test. It portends one to ask what will East Africa gain out of an Obama presidency? After eight years of a Republican government seen as somewhat partial to the region, one is eager to see just how things will change with the Democrats in charge. Perhaps, the notable would be an increase in regional tourism with tourists eager to visit the once sleepy Kogelo and East Africa in general.

Lately, the region has also been famously pro-free market allowing it relatively easy access to Bretton Woods’ credit. One would be happier for sure if aid was reduced, and trade on the other side increased to cushion the weakening global economic outlook which smacks of prolonged recession. And it may be in the best interest for Obama to negotiate with the Bretton Woods to pave way in strengthening of financial arena to give more power to the emerging markets in Asia and Africa. The multimillion HIV/AIDS initiatives started by Bush have also received a nod from Obama and therefore one hopes they shall continue to save the millions of deserving lives. New scopes of cooperation in terrorism among other areas may need to be defined or re-defined as well.

But fundamentally, what we as East Africa may gain most from are the lessons learned. The euphoria of an Obama Presidency should lead to more and deeper soul searching for the region. Nigerian President Yar Adua seemed to sum it all up when he intimated that in Africa, votes are cast on basis of ethnic affiliation, patronage opportunities and geography among other things. This may very well be the reason why we do not celebrate our very own leaders as much as we are celebrating Obama, and secondly, why there are few if any, good leaders the region can feel good about.

The whole Obama affair reverberates a new feeling of Africanness and a confident aura to go with it.

The Obama story is one of inspiration that the leadership in East Africa and the continent generally should aspire for. It is a good thing that come January 2009, an African –American or better put one of Africa’s gallant sons will be in the White House. One hopes that it shall be the beginning of serious and careful examination of the heart by the African continent often referred to in the west – and wrongfully so, as the “Black Continent”.

KIGALI, RWANDA AND BURUNDI IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN THE REGION

NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK OF RWANDA AND KIBIRA NATIONAL PARK OF BURUNDI

Rwanda and Burundi have entered into a landslide process to promote tourism in both states , its alleged that both countries have discovered that through enhancing and promotion of tourism among both states it would enable them to acquire direct flow of foreign currency within their economies .Over the recent past few weeks both states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding paving way for mutual protection of two major national parks. (Nyungwe National Park of Rwanda and Kibira National park of Burundi)
The MoU was signed in Rwanda recently by the director general of Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), Ms. Rosette Rugamba and the director of Burundi National Institute for Nature and Environmental Conservation (INECN), Mr. Adelin Ntungumburanye.
The signing of the MoU is a result of the collaboration idea conceived in 2005 by the two countries to initiate joint transboundary protection to achieve sustainable conservation of the ecosystem in Nyungwe National Park of Rwanda and Kibira of Burundi.
Nyungwe National Park extends for 1,000 square Kilometers across the hills of South East Rwanda.
The park has more than 200 different types of tree species and harbours close to 300 bird species.
Kibira National Park is the largest untouched natural area in Burundi situated at the top of Apex DRC-Nile with its 40,000 hectares of preserved forest. It is home to wild life such as chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys.
Burundi, which is just rebuilding after a prolonged civil war has prioritized the tourism sector among other development drives in the pipeline.
Two weeks ago, President Pierre Nkurunziza launched a tourism promotions drive to market the country as a major destination.
Technically, tourism becomes East Africa’s leading sector.
“This is the beginning of a long relationship that will lead to the development of both countries particularly Burundi since our tourism sector has been underdeveloped due to wars but since the war is ending, Rwanda will show us the way,” Ntungumburanye said shortly after signing the document.
Rwanda already has another MoU with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to protect the species and nature in the Albertine Rift.
“We are looking forward to the success of this collaboration and there is no turning back since there is commitment and will which are most important,” Ms. Rugamba said.
The understanding will see the two countries conserve biodiversity, natural resources and associated cultural values, research, monitoring and ecotourism.
They will also lobby for planning and better management to reduce threats affecting the two national parks. The two bodies also agreed on rational sharing of resources and skills development for the sustainable conservation of both areas.
To ensure its successful implementation, the two parties agreed to set up a joint core secretariat comprising of heads of the two institutions and technical advisors and a facilitator from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). They will also develop a strategic plan to define a work plan and various proposals of both areas will be elaborated.
The collaboration will also deal with common challenges to conservation including poaching which led to the extinction of buffalos and elephants, bamboo cutting, cattle movement, fires where 12% of the park has been burnt in the last 12 years, insecurity and poor infrastructure especially on the side of Burundi.
On the side of Rwanda, however, a lot of efforts and initiatives have been put in place to ensure Nyungwe National Park is protected and developed into an amusement park.
Dubai World, an emerging investor in Rwanda is also putting up $3million tent-made lodges in the park to ensure accommodation in the park.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in its Project named ‘Destination Nyngwe’ is setting up other two lodges.
Nyungwe, which is Rwanda’s largest natural forest, was transformed into a national park. Last year alone it was visited by 4,000 tourists who spent US$234,000.

BIRDERS PARADISE

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE WITH ADVENTURE (ASSOCIATE WITH NATURE)



Birding experience in East Africa takes place in different destinations though in Uganda birding areas include ,Mabamba swamp, Entebbe sanctuary , lake Victoria areas, queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls areas Msambwa island , Samoka island , whereas in Kenya birding safaris are sited mostly at lake Baringo, lake Nakuru Rhino sanctuary ,lake Naivasha, sweet waters sanctuary, Lake Bugoria, Saiwa swamp, kakamega forest, Arabuko sokoke forest and many well, in Uganda . The Entebbe environments hide a variety of swamp/wetland birds as well as water birds that can be seen around the shores of Lake Victoria and the neighboring wetlands. The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre also gives you the chance to see a number of birds which include Ostriches (Struthio camelus), the crested crane, African grey parrots, Helmeted guinea fowl, the beautiful peacock, Egyptian goose among others.The trail of birding can take you to Mabamba swamp, the large accessible wetland where the rare shoebill stork can easily be seen as well as a number of other bird species. The Mabira forest found in Mukono district supports over 300 bird species many of which are difficult to see else where in Uganda. these birds include the Tit Hylia, Forest Ribbons, Snowy headed Robin-Chat, white Flycatcher, Grey capped warbler, Black and Dusky Tit and common Wattle Eye

DREAM DESTINATION S( ZANZIBAR ISLAND)

Zanzibar island the place of great deeds where all tourists interests are vest for one to spend his holiday /vacation in a paradise
Enjoy the warm water of spicy Island, Mnemba Atoll is the best snorkelling point. See lot of colourful fish, corals, at a depth not over 8meters.The best access to atoll is from Nungwi North Coast, and daily boat ride are available either Privat or Sharing per your interest. The island has a lot to offer interms of tourism and nature s the island has the high concentration of birds plus other aquartic animals where by the place is conducieve for every one to spend his holiday / vacation have an experience of your life don’t wait to told enrich your self with nature by bringing the world close to your neath
THE CITY OF ZANZIBAR AS FER BACK AND PRESENT

Zanzibar City, Tanzania-From Arab merchants to Portuguese explorers to Omani ivory-sellers and British missionaries, Zanzibar has had more than its share of visitors over the years. Now, with new direct flights to Nairobi, Kampala and Kigali, as well as several European countries, visitors are flocking to the island like never before. It's no longer spices and slaves they are coming for, but sun and sand.
Before being united with mainland Tanganyika in 1971, Zanzibar - for centuries the most important trading hub on the East African coast - fell under the rule of a succession of foreign powers. When we are greeted at the airport by soldiers in uniforms bearing the name, "The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar", we suspect that perhaps the archipelago has changed hands again. No, we're told, there hasn't been a coup, and the Revolutionary Government is just the island's misleadingly named semi-autonomous administration.
We immediately head to the north of the island to for some rest and relaxation. The beach at Kendwa could hardly be closer to perfect. Clean, fine, white sand rolls into the infinite green of the Indian Ocean and the red sun in the cloudless sky completes the postcard setting.
With its sea-level altitude, Zanzibar is hotter than mainland East Africa and temperatures touch 30C degrees all year round. A dip in the mild ocean waves is the perfect antidote to the midday heat. We pass the days there reading, sleeping, lying in the shade.
Our binges of inactivity are interposed with spells of beach volleyball with other tourists. The games get very competitive, in spite of everybody's lack of skill, and it's only when a serious clash of heads nearly takes my friend's teeth out that everyone decides it's best left to the professionals. While everybody else goes back to the books, I occupy myself with a 20-a-side game of barefoot soccer with the locals.
We depart Kendwa three days later with feet bruised, skin burnt, mouths bloodied and minds thoroughly relaxed.
The next stop is Stone Town, Zanzibar City's historic centre. The diversity of cultural influences is immediately seen in the odd blend of Islamic and British colonial architecture that lines the maze of winding lanes where children play outside the shops their fathers make a living from.
"Hello my friend, where are you from?", is a line tourists visiting Zanzibar will soon grow used to. Sadly, it's not a spontaneous outburst of hospitality but the opening salvo in the well-rehearsed sales pitch of the dozens of touts who approach tourists in Stone Town and try, with varying degrees of persistence, to sell them their services.

LAKE BUNYONYI IN THE PEARL OF AFRICA

THE BEAUTY OF ASSOCIATED WITH LAKE BUNYONYI
every one would wish to spend his/her holiday/ honey moon in lake bunyonyi the lake is in habited by more than 34 islands where it has alot to offer interms of wild life the lake was formed as result of the tectonic movements that red to its formation as its believed that its the deepest lake in East africa.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

CULTURE IN UGANDA

have an experience of your life time

HOW INTERESTING IT IS TO SEE YOUR SELF AMONG THE GORILLA TREKERS!!! FOR SURE HAVE AN EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE TIME ENJOY THE TREK EITHER IN PARC DE NATIONAL RWANDA OR BWINDI !!!! HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE ? DONT WAIT TO BE TOLD

THE ACTIVITY IS SO ENJOYFUL !!!

HAVE FUN WITH THE GORILLAS!!

DAY 2 DAY LIFE OF THE GORILLAS

GORILLAS CAN ALSO HAVE FUN !!!!
GORILLAS ARE THE LARGEST OF ALL THE GREAT APES AND POSSES 98% OF THE SAME NUCLEAR DNA AS HUMANS AND ARE CLARIFIED UNDER THE SAME FAMILY HOMINIDAE. THEY ARE NON AGGRESSIVE AND CAN LIVE UP TO FIFTY YEARS IN THE WILD IF AT ALONE THERE'S NO EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE WITHIN THIER WILDERNESS. VEGETATION IN NATURE, GORILLAS EAT FRUITS,LEAVES AND SHOOTS AND MAY SUPREMENT THEIR DIET WITH INSECTS AND SMALL ANIMALS. GORILLAS ARE DIURNAL THAT SPEND MOST OF THIER WORKING HOURS ON THE GROUND BUT SLEEP IN THE TREES AND BUILD THIER OWN NESTS EVERY NIGHT USING BRANCHES AND FOLIAGE ,THE FIRST GORILLAS BIRTH WAS REGISTER IN DECEMBER 22ND 1956 IN CAPTIVE AT COLOMBUS ZOO IN OHIO ,GORILLAS ARE OF THE 2 SPECIES WESTERN GORILLAS AND WESTERN GORILLAS ,EASTERN GORILLAS TEND TO HAVE BLACK HAIR THAN THEIR WESTERN COUNTER PART THEN THEY TEND TO BE BROWNER .GORILLAS HAVE HAIR NOT FUR. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS HAVE LONGER HAIR ,LARGER JOES AND TEETH ,SMALLER NOISES AND SHORTER ARMS THAN OTHER GORILLAS. THEIR LARGEST SUBSPECIES OF GORILLAS IS THE GRAVER GORILLAS (EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS) NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE GORILLAS IN AZOOS AROUND THE WORLD IS A MOUNTAIN GORILLAS ,THEY ARE ALL LOW LAND GORILLAS.DIAN FOSSY WAS THE FOREMOST PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ALERTING THE PUBLIC AT LARGE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE MOUNTAIN GORILLA.MOST GORILLAS SEE ON THE SAFARI AT HABITUATED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS(BWINDI SUBSPECIES TOO) GORILLAS LIVE IN FAMILY GROUP OF (6-30)INDIVIDUAL LEED BY 1 OR 2 SILVER BACKS. AGROUP OF GOPRILLAS IS CALLED ATROOP WHILE ASILVER MATURE MALE WITH APATCH OF SILVER GREY)HAIR ON HIS BACK FROM WHENCEHEV DERIVES HIS NAME AND WEIGHYS NEARY THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE AVERAGE MAN UP TO 222 KGS .ADULT MALE MAY HAVE AHIGHT OF 1.7 M AND WEIGH 135-222 KGS AND EATS UPTO 40POUND OF FOOD A DAY ADULT FEMALES ARE NATURALLY SMALLER REACHING AHEIGHT OF 1.5 M AND WEIGH BTN 70-90 KGM IN THE WILD ,GIVE BIRTH ONCE EVERY 4 YEARS NORMALLY TO A SINGLE BABY BUT OCCASIONALLY TO TWINS ,AND HAVE ASMALLER GESTATION PERIOD TO HUMANS BTW 8.5-9MONTHS ADULTS ARMS ARE 20% LONGER THAN LEGS GORILLAS WALK BY USING ALL THE 4 LIMBS SUPORTED BY KNUCKLES (WALKING) GORILLAS CANOT SWIM BUT SOME TIMES WET INTO SWAMPS TO FEED ON AQUATIC PLANTS.THE FEMOUS CHEST BEATING IS USED FOR INTIMIDATING OUTSIDERS AND COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE GROUPS. INSPITE OF ALL THESE PHYSICAL EXPRESSIONS OF EMOTIONS ,GORILLAS ARE SHY AND NOT AGGRESSIVE UNLESS IMPROPERLY DISTURBED
THE UN EXPECTED APPEARANCE OF STRANGE MALE IN A GROUP MAY CAUSE THE SILVER BACK TO MOUNT AN ELABORATE WARNING DISPLAY ,HE HOOTS EXCITEDLY BUILDING TO AN EAR SPLINTING LOWER TO THE INTRUDER.HAVING RAISED TO ITS FEARFUL HEIGHT ,TEARING AT TWIGS AND BLANCHES,A GORILLA BEATS ITS CHEST WITH ACAPT PALMS OF HIS ARMS, HE MAY TAKE AFEW STEPS AT THE INTRUDER, GROWING AND NURSING HIS TEETH IF THIS DOEST DETER THE STRANGER,THE SILVER BACK MAY BE PROVOKED TO CHARGE,WAIVING HIS ARMS AND SCREAMING WITH RAGE. THE CHARGE USUALLY STOPS SORT OF ACTUAL CONTACT" THE SILVER BACK WITH THRUST ITS FACE RIGHT UP AND ITS NOSE GLORYING EACH OTHER UNTIL ONE OF THE TURNS OR TAKES OFF ANEW GUIDES WEN ON GORILLA SAFARI ASSET MAXIMUM NUMBER OF A GROUP MAY VISIT A GROUP OF HABITUATED GORILLAS IN UGANDA OR RWANDA SO AS TO MINMISE THE BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCE TO THE GORILLA AND RISK OF THEIR EX POSER TO HUMAN BORN DISSES THE GUIDES WILL TAKE YOU TO WHERE THEY OBSERVED THE GORILLAS THE DAY BEFORE YOU WILL FOLLOW THE GORILLA TRAIL TO FIND THEM.LOOK OUT FOR THE GORILLAS ,NESTING SITES ALONG THE WAY AND WASH HANDS BEFORE YOU VISIT THEM AS FIVE MITRES DISTANCE SHOULD BE OBSERVED AT ALL; TIMES 15 MITERS FROM THE GORILLAS .KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN AT ALL TIMES. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK WHILE YOUR NEAR THE GORILLAS. SOME TIMES THE GORILLAS CHARGE,WHEN THEY DO CROUCH WHEN THEY DO DO NOT LOOK THE GORILLAS DIRECTLY IN THE EYES AND WAIT FOR THE ANIMALS TO PASS,DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OR ATTEMPT TO RUN AWAY FRASH PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT PERMITTED WHEN TAKING PICTURES CAREFULLY , DO NOT TOUCH THE GORILLAS DESPITE THEIR CADILY LOOK AND SPEND A MAXIMUM OF 1 HOUR WITH GORILLAS, AFTER THE VISITS ,YOUR VOICES DOWN UNTIL YOUR ARE 200 MITERS AWAY FROM THE GORILLAS

Kenya tourism has recover from the past Election Choas

NAIROBI, KENYA --TOURISMIS BACK ON THE SCENE







The tourism sector is yet to recover from the ravages of post election violence 10 months down the line with a reduction of 30 per cent in earnings in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period last year.



The earnings stood at KSh34.5 billion compared to the KSh49.2 billion registered over the same period last year.

“the post election violence and the after effects have adversely affected revenues to the sector, we lost some Sh14.7 billion as compared to what was achieved over the same period last year," said Ong’ong’a during the release of the sectors third quarter results.

This is despite an estimated KSh350 million having been used in recovery efforts mostly on marketing and advertising in key source markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director Dr. Ong’ong’a Achieng said the recovery efforts will go on until the end of 2009 with the hope that the government will honour its pledge to increase funding to the sector by another Sh1 billion this financial year.

“The recovery programmes are expected to run until the end of 2009 and we expect through this process to reach the 2007 levels," said Ong’ong’a.

“There is little we can do about the delay in disbursing the promised KSh1 billion, but we are trying our best to work with the little we have. We understand the government has quite a lot on its shoulder but still hope the money will come by," he added.

The results reveal a 30 per cent drop in consolidated tourist arrivals for the lat nine months with the figure standing at 939,791 compared to 1.3 million over the same period last year. This was however a six per cent edge improvement against the second quarter.

The global tourism market has been seriously battered by the prevailing high fuel prices that heightened the cost of travel against a background of unstable financial markets and rising inflation levels.

“High fuel prices for a significant part of the year increased the cost of air travel reducing the demand of long haul destinations from the major source markets. These factors also reduced the level of importance of travel in terms of priorities an extent," he said.

In terms of international arrivals by air and sea, the sector recorded a 36.6 per cent decline standing at 496,056 compared to the 782, 690 registered over the same period last year.

Almost all the arrival categories registered a major decline compared to 2007 with the holiday segment dipping by 55 per cent while the business segment registered a 20.9 per cent drop.

Cross boarder arrivals closed at 443,735 compared to 565,191 during the same period in 2007.

This reflects a 21.5 per cent drop but a 7.5 per cent gain compared to the lat quarter.

The hotel sub sector experienced low bed occupancy in the first half of this year. Whereas the sub sector enjoyed a 75 per cent occupancy in the first half of 2007, such occupancies dropped to between 35-40 per cent this year.

The top performing markets for the first half of 2007 were United Kingdom , 42,763, USA 25,315, Italy 13,105 Germany 11,239 tourists while India was fifth with 7,938 arrivals. These were followed by France and Eastern Europe especially Russia which registered a 4.6 per cent increase.

In the emerging markets segment, Japan which was the leading source market registered a 49 per cent decline from 10,507 arrivals last year to 5,351 arrivals in the first half of 2008.

Ong’ong’a said partnerships with airlines such as Emirates and Virgin Atlantic has increased tourist arrivals from the far eastern markets of Japan, Korea and china. The Chinese source market registered a 21 per cent decline in the first half of 2008.

KTB chairman, Jakes Grieves Cook said a Barrack Obama win the US elections next week could see the travel advisories issued by the US government rescinded which could critically boost tourism earnings.

KLM adds fifth frequency to Entebbe

KLM FLYING BEYOND ALL CORNERS


KLM has introduced a fifth flight to the current direct operations to and from Entebbe - moving its frequencies to Uganda from the current four.AS as this would increase the level of tourist flow in the country since KLm offers the best flight packages to even the budget tourists

This means the carrier's customers will have more choice on when to travel with KLM, more convenient connections and reliability.

The 5th flight will operate on Mondays beginning December 8, 2008 with Airbus A330 equipment.

In addition to the new flight, KLM has introduced extra flights to New York and Washington offering its clients earlier connections which lead to time savings while in transit at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

In June last year, the airline moved from three frequencies a week to four on the back of growing traffic on the route, which was re-introduced in November 2005.

Currently, the airline operates four frequencies a week into Entebbe from the Dutch capital.

As of December 8, KLM will fly into Entebbe every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The schedule will not change as another flight will just be added onto what the airline is doing.

Kenya Airways, a partner with KLM operates two flights to Amsterdam out of Nairobi but the flights go up to three in the summer. In case all the three flights are full, passengers are re-routed through Entebbe. KLM flies to Dar es Salaam daily with a stop in Arusha.

KLM resumed operating direct scheduled services between Amsterdam and Entebbe on November 1, 2005.

KLM's decision to return to Uganda after a 30-year hiatus was prompted by Uganda's booming economy and the growing demand for passenger services to and from Uganda.

Before that, KLM was offering twice-daily services to Entebbe via Nairobi through a code-sharing arrangement with KQ. This flight option has remained available to passengers after KLM launched its direct services to Entebbe.

With the increased frequency, KLM and KQ under their code-share agreement will now offer more than 15 weekly services between Amsterdam, Entebbe and Nairobi. Until the new frequency, the airline has been operating three direct services, plus 11 weekly flights via Nairobi.

The Amsterdam-Entebbe route offers passengers from Uganda non-stop service within the Air France-KLM network.

The new flights, in combination with the successful code-sharing services already offered by KLM and KQ, will further strengthen Air France-KLM's presence on the African continent.

Air France operates a weekly freighter service between Paris and Entebbe via Nairobi.