JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

JUNGLE TALES |

15 Years of Safaris

March - April 2016

15 YEARS OF SAFARIS | INDABA 2016 | WHAT WE THOUGHT YOU KNEW HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT’S INSIDE

A very warm hello to you all, it is with such great pleasure that I present to you the second issue of our new newsletter -”Jungle Tales.”

In case you’re wondering what’s in store for you, well sit tight and brace yourselves for there is so much the jungle couldn’t wait to tell you. Did you know that Great Lakes Safaris is now 15 years old! Yes, from the humblest of beginnings look how far we’ve come. The true story is in here from the main man himself. And did you know that Kampala is a much safer and better city to live in than Mombasa, Kigali, Nairobi and Dar-es-salaam? From chimp news to updates on our group tours, from our special offers to industry related affairs; get prepared for an informative yet informal dose of news. Enjoy your read.

15 years of safaris and counting…

Is Rwanda “The New Thailand”?

From legal persons to movie stars!

Greetings world nomads…

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

15 years of safaris Great Lakes Safaris Limited was founded in 2001 by Amos Wekesa with the intention of improving the quality of tour operations in Uganda and the Great Lakes region of Africa. Today, 15 years later, it has become one of East Africa’s leading inbound safari/tour operators. In his own words, he paints us a picture of his journey into the wild.

The birth of Great Lakes Safaris

It has been a long walk. I came from being a sweeper earning $10 a month in 1997, to an office messenger, earning $15, and then I became a tour guide earning a dollar a day. In 2001 I set up this company and the rest is history. When we started out it was extremely difficult, but I’d been a tour guide so a lot of people had written online about their experiences with me.

What made us grow as a business was in 2002, when I took out a lady from the World Bank on a tour. She then referred another group, and one of the people on that group enjoyed their trip so much, and he decided to come back. Then on November 22nd 2002 he, Tom Carter, wrote a big article in the Washington Times about us.

“I remember very well my first trip. We had three tourists and we went around for 15 days. We were doing camping. We had to put up tents, had to cook breakfast for the guys, and stir the campfire until the last person finished smoking, maybe 3 am. It was a draining job.”

He included our contacts. And that was the beginning of our business. People came looking for us, and that opened lots of opportunities. The first business was operating safaris then the second was Uganda Lodges. I have branched out over the years but only into areas that didn’t take up my time so I could focus on my passion which is tourism.

We actually recently set up shop in Kigali as well. Great Lakes Safaris Rwanda is now a full-fledged operational entity as we speak.

What does it take to become a reputable and successful tourism company based in Uganda?

I think it’s simply commitment. It’s providing what you say you will provide. You can’t use political influence to grow your business in tourism. You have to use your word. If I say I’m going to pick you up at 7 o’clock on Saturday, I cannot arrive at 9 o’clock. If I say you are going to a five-star hotel but take you to a one-star hotel, it doesn’t work. You have to stick to your word. This has worked very well for us and we have grown into a very familiar and trustworthy company over the years because of that. When I started making money, I went and bought some of the best locations across the country. I have some of the best locations on the Nile, the best locations on Lake Victoria, and the best locations in the national parks. Then I started working with what was available, and what could work in terms of accommodation. All the lodges make money, and now I’m going back to start upgrading them.

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

“My passion is tourism. Shakespeare once said “Every player has a part to play”, it has become abundantly clear that through the various experiences, challenges and blessings, my destiny lies in tourism. The tourism of Uganda where I hail from has yet to be fully realized. As an advocate and tourism lobbyist, I invite you to what Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to as “The Pearl of Africa”.

What should a potential investor know about Uganda?

Uganda is an incredible country. There is so much, but we’re doing so little with it. We have the best weather in the world. We have 1,056 different species of birds, 11 percent of the world’s species of birds. Egypt is known for the Nile, but the source of the Nile is here. We have a unique culture. We have some of the largest mountains in the continent. We are the world capital for primates. We have more gorillas than Rwanda, although Rwanda is better known for them. In life, it doesn’t matter what you have. It matters what you do with it.

There is support from the government, but you have to empower people in business. If I market Uganda I attract other opportunities. Tourism alone can help every other sector grow because investors are not going to invest in a country which they haven’t seen.

Uganda’s tourism sector has been growing steadily. In fact the industry is growing by more than 40 percent per year irrespective of all other factors.

Uganda urgently needs resources and we must use that urgency to invest in areas that can bring in foreign money to the country and tourism is number one. We need to market Uganda to bring in the money. Why do we need go and borrow billions of dollars if we can instead bring in millions of tourists each spending a thousand dollars?

How does Uganda compare to other tourism destinations in the region?

In terms of biodiversity, no country competes with us in the region. And Uganda’s offerings are very unique. We have more inland waterways than any country in the continent and this is an advantage because if you go to the Masai Mara, or Serengeti, you have a game drive in the morning and a game drive in the afternoon. If you come here, you can do a walk, a boat trip and a game drive. You can have a cruise on the Nile then chimpanzee trekking, all in one national park. The diversity is amazing. No-one can beat us. This is something we need to take advantage of as a country.

What would be your message to Uganda’s potential visitors? “Uganda is the place to be.”

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

Kampala tops East Africa in global quality of life city ranking.

Despite the just concluded

rather heated elections, Kampala has been ranked ahead of Nairobi and Kigali as the best city to live in by a global survey on quality of life. The study by US consultancy Mercer ranks Kenya’s capital Nairobi at position 184 out of 230 global cities while Uganda’s capital Kampala comes in at 169 – which is the best score in East Africa. To rank the cities, the survey examined the levels of traffic congestion, quality of public transport, electricity supply and banking services. Other indicators include crime levels, education, political stability, housing, food availability and entertainment. The rankings offer a sneak preview of a country’s level of development and are used as a tool when setting shop in new countries and paying expatriates. They also guide multinationals in their assessment of the pay for their staff in different countries in which they have operations.

In East Africa, Rwanda’s Kigali came in third behind Kampala and Nairobi at position 191 while Tanzania’s Dar-es-Salaam settled for position 198. Troubled Burundi was not included in the poll. The largest economy in Africa, Nigeria’s capital Lagos took position 211 with the bottom spot on the continent being occupied by war-torn Bangui in Central African Republic at 229.

ORIGINS: The origins of the Kampala city

go back to 1891 the when Kabaka of Buganda had his court on Rubaga and Mengo hills. The town that grew up achieved municipal status in 1950 and became a city' in 1962.

Kampala by night…

The city has retained its traditional charm and remains the greenest in Africa. But today Kampala is the heart of Uganda & center of commercial life and the seat of government. It is a vibrant modern metropolis adorned with gardens & parks providing colorful oases for its citizens & visitors alike, with facilities range from international hotels, with state-of

-the art

conference facilities, accommodation for the more budget-minded. A broad range of cultures in Uganda is reflected in the wide choice of restaurants in town, all featuring the wonderful produce of the fertile country side and fish-filled lakes.

FACTS ABOUT KAMPALA

Kampala is Uganda’s national and commercial capital bordering Africa’s largest fresh water lake, lake Victoria. 7 hills covered with Red-tile villas and trees surround an urban center of contemporary skyscrapers. In this downtown area, the Uganda Museum explores the country’s tribal heritage through an extensive collection of artefacts. On nearby Mengo Hill is Lubiri Palace, the former seat of Buganda kingdom.

KAMPALA IN A NUTSHELL

1950: Achieved municipal status.

1962: Achieved city status upon

independence of Uganda

1981: Kabaka’s center of rule &

administration of Buganda.

ELEVATION: 3,094’

AREA: 72.97 mi2

HOTELS: 3- Star averaging $110,

5- Star averaging $320.

WEATHER: 76 0F (240C)

Winds 7mph (11km/h) 78% Humidity

POPULATION: 3.59million by day

NUMBER OF AIRPORTS: 1

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

Let’s talk business. In true fashion of the annual

bird migrations, the world of travel converges somewhere close to the Cape of Good Hope. And this year, we really hope to see you down in Cape Town or in Durban. Are you an operator dealing in outbound or inbound safaris? Perhaps you’re just a booking agent interested in selling Uganda and Rwanda to the rest of the world, then please come over to our stands and let’s talk business. This year we were represented at the World Travel Market Africa by our partners, Tortilis Marketing.

And in case you missed us at

WTM Africa then please make it a point to come down to Durban and attend the 2016 INDABA! Our CEO Mr. Amos Wekesa will be delighted to meet & discuss any business prospects or partnership options with you at our stand. Alternatively you can also schedule an appointment with us via marketing@greatlakessafaris.com

INDABA brings together a

showcase of African tourism products and services for the international travel trade. Exhibitors’ categories include provincial authorities, provincial products, African countries’ tourism ministries, accommodation service providers, tour operators, game lodges, transport, online travel, media publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors include transport, camping and safari companies.

Venues Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa

Inkosi Convention Centre (Durban ICC)

Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC)

Show Dates Show Days: 7 - 9 May 2016

International Trade Days: 7 - 9 May 2016

Local Trade Days: 7 - 9 May 2016

Our Stall: UTB STAND ICC V 10

INDABA is well established as the biggest and most widely representative gathering of Africa’s tourism and travel sector. It is by far the best platform for exhibitors, ground handlers and international buyers, as well as the media to network and find exciting new opportunities. If you are not one of the 7000 plus expected to attend the INDABA 2016, you are definitely missing out!

$304.9 T he Rw an da tou r i sm se c tor c on tin u es to b e t he c o u n tr y’ s l a rge st f ore ign ex c han ge e arn er a ft er fe t ch in g rev en u e re ce i pt s w ort h 3 04 .9 m i l l i on U .S . d o l lar s in 2 014 .

Why Uganda?

47.6% Ug an d a ’s t ou r is m sec t or grew b y a stu n n in g 4 7 .6 % in 2 01 5, c o mp are d to 5 .2 % e con om i c g row t h a c co rd in g to a C NN s u rv e y.

Why Great Lakes Safaris?

With full fledged offices in Kampala & Kigali, numerous awards, a fleet of over 14 safari customized vehicles. After 15 years of operation; our staff boasts over 25 years of work experience in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania & Kenya.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.safari-uganda.com www.visituganda.com

THE 2016 INDABA PROGRAM FACTS & FIGURES

Why Rwanda?

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

9 things you probably didn’t know about Africa.

1. It is massive Africa is a huge continent – larger than the USA, China, India, Japan, Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium & Switzerland all combined. See the aspect montage above of the different constituent maps for proof if you doubt. 2. It is home to the Small Five You may know Africa’s Big Five; lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant – so named because they were regarded as the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot! However, you probably don’t know the Small Five; antlion, leopard tortoise, rhino beetle, buffalo weaver and elephant shrew. There is also an Ugly Five; hyena, hippo, warthog, marabou stork and the vulture. 3. It is home to a mountain fit for any occasion Table Mountain is called so because of its table-flat top. However, what you may not know is that the clouds that hover over the mountain sometimes take the shape of a tablecloth! Another interesting detail about Table Mountain is that you can climb or hike up it and then abseil down (rather than take the more sober option of the cable car).

4. It is home to an unusual river The Okavango River bucks the trend and, instead of flowing to the sea, dissipates in the Kalahari desert in Botswana, creating what is thought to be the most pristine wetland in Africa (and probably in the world). The Okavango Delta extends to about 16,000km² (an area around half the size of Belgium) and was nominated as UNESCO’s 1,000th World Heritage Site.

5. Africa hosts the largest manmade lake in the world Lake Kariba, located on the Zambezi between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the largest manmade lake in the world with a capacity of about 180 cubic kilometers. 6. A sea of sand with a mind of its own exists here Sossusvlei in Namibia is often referred to as the sand ocean, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean & a rocky mountain escarpment. Famous for its enormous sand dunes which have to be seen to be believed, seem to have a life of their own & “walk inland “– a few cm every year!

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

7. A unique feature of Africa’s famous falls At the height of the Zambezi’s flood season (February to May) the spray from the falls rises to about 400 meters and can be seen from as far as 48km away. Hence the name given to it by the locals - Mosi-oa-Tuny - which translates to “the smoke that thunders”.

8. Africa offers camping of a different kind Accommodation in “tented camps” is not necessarily in tents, though these rooms are usually made of canvas. They are normally equipped with an ensuite, as well as air-conditioning & other modern conveniences. Even the term “glamping” is inadequate to describe the comfort level that some of these tented camps can provide – which can go from the basic to the sublime to the completely ridiculous! 9. Africa is where it all began The Cradle of Humankind is located just outside Johannesburg and is so named because artefacts have been found here that indicate that it is the birthplace of humanity. The Maropeng Visitor Centre nearby is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. It’s well worth a visit!

– All content and images in this article are subject to copyright and remain intellectual property of Africa Geographic © 2016

THE 2016 BEST OF UGANDA GLS FAM TRIP.

It is with such great pleasure that Great Lakes Safaris invites you to join us on our annual Uganda FAM Trip for Travel Agents & Tour Operators selling Uganda. This year our aim is to depict the best of Uganda in a short 10day/9 nights itinerary including:

Excellent guiding by top GLS drivers/guides

Regular safari activities like gorilla tracking, game drives and direct cultural interactions

Accommodation in select popular hotels and lodges

Key site inspections and meetings with some end user suppliers

And the now popular visit to our GLS offices to meet with our people.

As last year we shall run 3 tours with Uganda arrival dates as follows:

1. April 20th, 2016 2. May 18th, 2016 and 3. November 16th, 2016

Note that interested persons are free to join this FAM trip at a date of their choice or of their convenience. At the end of the tour agents are expected to be fully familiar with, and comfortable selling tours to Uganda pearl of Africa. We shall also offer optional extensions to the magical Kidepo National Park and also Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda. To make a reservation or a booking please contact our senior tour consultant, Sophie at this email info@safari-uganda.com. She will be more than glad to book your slot. Kindly include your name, company, position as well as any special requirements for our consideration.

We really look forward to hosting you in Uganda and to having a lasting and fruitful business relationship as we endeavor to prove to the world that Uganda is indeed one of, if not the best tour destination in the world! A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TEN DAY BEST OF UGANDA SAFARI

Rhino tracking at the Zziwa Sanctuary

Boat safari to the Murchison Falls

Chimp tracking in Kibale National Park

Game- viewing drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Ultimate Gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park

Night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation in intimate and remote safari lodges

IF YOU’RE AN AGENT SELLING UGANDA, MISS ONLY IF YOU MUST!!!

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

“Rwanda is the new Thailand for Indian

travellers…” TRAVEL NEWS RWANDA

A few years back not many

Indians were aware of a country called Rwanda. But last year, Indian tourist numbers to the picturesque country in East Africa grew by more than 30-fold! From just 400 vacationers in 2014, the country hosted 14,000 Indian tourists last year!

Rwanda is among the list of new countries that Indians are exploring. A small but growing number of Indian travellers are exploring destinations beyond Dubai, Singapore & Thailand. For instance, Romania did not maintain any data of Indian holidaymakers until 2014, but last year, the country recorded 9,000 Indian tourist arrivals & expects the number to rise by more than 10% this year. India is the 2nd target tourist destination after China and recognizing the potential, the Rwanda Tourism Department has been promoting their offerings in India in a big way,” said Joseph Kabakeza, first counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda.

“Technology, digital marketing and social media are helping tourism boards from across the globe to connect with interested tourists in India,” said Sanjiv Agarwal, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fairfest Media Ltd.

LET US SHOW YOU RWANDA

Did you know that Great Lakes Safaris has recently extended its wings into the Land of a Thousand Hills? With a fully-fledged office, a dedicated team and comfortable vehicles, we look forward to taking you on a journey through the rainforests, valleys, hills, mountains and into the wild!

We now arrange safaris throughout Rwanda including the 3 National Parks; Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park and

the Nyungwe National Park. We also conduct history & cultural tours plus trips to other scenic places like Gisenyi & Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu. If you want to experience the beauty & hospitality of this gem, contact us.

JUNGLE TALES | 15 YEARS OF SAFARIS

The Ultimate Experience!

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has introduced a mountain gorilla habituation experience – the very first of its kind in the world.

With two new gorilla families being habituated in the Rushaga sector of southern Bwindi. Typical gorilla trekking is restricted to only one hour under circumstances that one cannot always fully control. However, in this experience you will be moving with researchers who habituate Gorillas. Spend 4 hours with the gorillas to see how they are habituated.

For those interested in photography or primate behavior, this is a must! Please note that only four guests are allowed on each trek and larger groups can be accommodated on alternate days.

Cost: USD 1,500 per person.

INTERNATIONAL CHIMP NEWS

Unlocking The Cage: Remember Hercules & Leo, the two chimps we

featured in Issue 1 of Jungle Tales that were awarded human status? As it turns out evolution went up a notch and they are now movie stars! The Hollywood Reporter says in its review of the film that, “’Unlocking the Cage’ makes its case for re-evaluation of non-human animals’ legal status in crisp, convincing fashion. Filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker mix interviews with an array of testimonies from medical and scientific experts and intersperse clips of animal abuses. The film delineates the lengthy creative and legal crusade that Wise and his team, the Nonhuman Rights Project, have undertaken.”

The reach of the film is expanding by the day. After premiering to great interest and acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival this year, the film is being accepted to a growing number of film festivals around the world, and will begin a theatrical release later this year. The film will eventually run on HBO, BBC, as well French, Dutch, Swedish, and German national television. The goal of the film has long been to take the fight for animal rights to the global stage and partner with others who want to see a more just and equitable world for humans and nonhumans alike. The work of the Nonhuman Rights Project began 30 years ago and is the product of tens of thousands of hours of volunteer research. We recognize this is a big fight, and we are in it for the long haul. As Steven Wise said in his TED talk last year, quoting Winston Churchill, our lawsuits are not the end of the battle, they are not even the beginning of the end; but they are indeed, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

2016 GROUP TOURS UPDATES

You might want to consider joining one of these available group departures for our new group tours

5th Nov - 7 day Discover Uganda : 2 Bookings

14th Aug -10 day Luxury Primate Safari : 1 Booking

24th Oct - 7 day Discover Uganda : 1 Booking

OUR CONTACTS

Great Lakes Safaris Ltd Mutungo Hill, Plot 1001

P.O Box 33024, Kampala (U) Email: info@safari-uganda.com

Office: +256 414 267153 | +256 312 267153 Direct 24/7 Mobile: +256 772 426 368

www.safari-uganda.com www.greatlakessafaris.com