February 2013 Newsletter

From the Editor

The return of Nyakagezi Gorilla family to its ancestral home range in Mgahinga National Park, the international mention of Kidepo Valley National Park by CNN Travel website as the third best protected area in Africa and the increasing wildlife populations particularly the mammals and mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park, are all good signs of a promising year ahead of us in the conservation and tourism sector.

Eco-tourism continues to be the leading attraction for the majority of the visitors to Uganda and with continued developments and improvements in the tourism infrastructure as well as diversification of products and services in the national parks managed by UWA, the sky will be the limit in 2013.

To enhance our visitor satisfaction, UWA is in advanced stages of rolling out a cashless system, training new staff to further galvanizes wildlife and visitor security, improving trails, developing a wide range of accommodation facilities, promoting Uganda's Pas regionally and internationally and improving communication channels including this newsletter that will be published online on a monthly basis. We welcome your feedback, sharing of your experiences as you visit our parks and we commit to maintaining and guarding our status as the leading eco-tourism destination in Africa. Nice reading!

Large mammal populations up in QENP

A recent aerial wildlife census in QENP was carried out and preliminary results indicate that the populations for most large mammal species in the park have gone up since the last census in 2010. Final results showing the population figures and trends will be released shortly.

UWA develops new strategic plan (2013-2018)

The Strategic planning team meeting in Fort Portal and Kampala has developed strategic objectives, strategies, and management functions. The management functions identified were used to develop UWA staff structure. The draft proposals have already been presented to Senior Management and the entire UWA family for their input

New Reservation Office

For purposes of enhanced corporate image and customer satisfaction, the reservation staff at the headquarters is now occupying a more spacious state of the art office with modern furniture and modern equipment. The customer care staffs also boast of new branded corporate attire.

Tourism Infrastructure

Construction of an 800 metre Board walk at upper Bigo on the Rwenzoris was recently completed to ease hiking as the Bigo bogs have been a pain to all tourists hiking the Rwenzori along the Central Circuit. Besides, new metallic ladders have been constructed at the Stanley plateau to ease the final ascent to Margherita peak.

Re- habituation of Mubare gorilla group

Following the death of the dominant silverback last year, Mubare Gorilla family which had been at a verge of disintegrating has now stabilized and even grown stronger. This follows systematic acquisition of wild gorillas. The professional Bwindi National park staff has successfully re-habituated the group to have it viable for tourism
It is currently one of the most sought after families by the visitors.

MGNP Shorter Batwa Trail picks ups

The shorter Batwa Trail developed ad launched mid last year by UWA in partnership with USAID STAR has attracted remarkable interest from the local and international visitors.

The trail begins at the park headquarters, Ntebeko, through varying vegetation zones as the Batwa guides interpret to the visitors through the history and culture of the first forest people. The climax of the trail is the new look Garama Cave, a volcanic lava tube which used to act the council hall, granary; Batwa kings chambers among other functions.

Inside and outside the Visitors are entertained to by the Batwa dancers and musicians.

Rwenzori mountain Shorter Trail

A new shorter trail to the Rwenzoris (can be one or two days depending on the visitors wish) was constructed with support from USAID STAR. The new trail that goes up to Lake Mahoma is now complete and available for use by tourists.

It is ideal for the nature walks while listening to calls from different bird species, spectacular sceneries and throbbing mountain rivers.