Destination Showcase: Uganda Pearl of Africa Uganda Map of Uganda H1 Kampala Serena Hotel EUROPE H2 Jinga Nile Resort H3 Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp AFRICA SUDAN UGANDA Nile River DEMOCRATIC Moroto REPUBLIC OF CONGO Murchison Falls National Park Lake Albert Masindi Lake Kyoga Mbale Fort Portal H2 H1 Jinja KAMPALA Entebbe Equator Airport Queen Elizabeth National Park Lake Edward Masaka Mbarara Lake Victoria KENYA H3 BWINDI Kabale RWANDA TANZANIA Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied but generally equatorial climate. Uganda has two official languages: Swahili and The country is fortunate to harbour Lake Victoria, English. Luganda, a southern language, is widely the second largest lake in the world forming the spoken across the country, and multiple other source of the Nile, the second largest river in the languages are also spoken. Uganda’s currency is world. the Ugandan Shilling. Most famous for its gorilla trekking expeditions, Ecologically, Uganda is where the East African friendly Uganda is also home to classic game savannah meets the West African jungle. Where reserves and is rapidly making a name for itself else but in this uniquely lush destination can as an excellent chimpanzee tracking and bird one observe lions prowling the open plains in watching destination. the morning and track chimpanzees through the rainforest undergrowth the same afternoon, and The country does have a checkered past, then the next day navigate tropical channels however since 1986, the country has initiated teeming with hippos and crocodiles before setting substantial political liberalization and general off into the misty mountains to visit the majestic press freedom, and instituted broad economic mountain gorillas? reforms after consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and donor Uganda has 60 protected areas, including nine governments. Consistently ranked among Africa’s national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National fastest growing economies since 1986, Uganda has Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park (both experienced a steady expansion of infrastructure UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Kibale National and a corresponding increase in international Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo investment and tourism. National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Murchison Falls Proof of this is that Uganda was ranked by Lonely National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Planet as the world’s most preferred tourism Semuliki National Park. destination for the year 2012! Known as the pearl Uganda of Africa, the country continues to grow from strength to strength, offering a wide variety of tourism products suitable for incentives, groups and individual leisure travellers alike. Access Information Entebbe International Airport (EBB) is the principal international airport in Uganda and is located near the town of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria, approximately one hour’s drive from the capital city, Kampala. A variety of international carriers fly into Entebbe, notably; Emirates (7 direct flights a week), Qatar Airways (7 direct flights a week), Turkish Airlines (3 direct flights a week), British Airways (5 direct flights a week), Brussels Airlines (3 direct flights a week) and KLM (6 direct flights a week) African connecting flights: South African Airways (Johannesburg / Entebbe), Kenya Airways (Nairobi / Entebbe), Rwanda Air & Ethiopian Airlines There are no other major airports, apart from airstrips for charter flights. Approximate driving times: Entebbe / Kampala – Jinja (using 4x4 vehicles - 3hrs) Entebbe – Murchison Falls (suggest charter) Entebbe – Queen Elizabeth Park (suggest charter) Entebbe – Bwindi (suggest charter) Uganda Climate Information Uganda experiences a temperate climate even Although it’s regarded as a year-round activity, though the majority of the country is within the the best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking Tropics. Average temperatures are around 21.5°C is during the country’s two dry seasons: January or 71°F, dropping to a minimum of 12°C or 54°F and February and from June to September. Game at night time, with altitude also affecting this. viewing in Uganda’s savannah parks is best at Being on the equator, rainfall ranges between the end of the dry seasons - February and March 1,000 and 2,000 millimetres each year, but and September/early October - when wildlife is depending on time of year these can be short concentrated around water sources. Bird watching bursts which give rise to clearer skies. is fantastic all year round but is at its peak between November and April when migrant species are present. We’d recommend avoiding a Uganda safari during the heavy rains of April and May. Averages Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Min Temp°C 15,4 15,8 16,2 16,3 16,1 15,4 14,9 15,2 15,2 15,5 15,5 15,3 Max Temp °C 28,3 28,8 28,3 27 26,4 26,1 25,8 26,2 26,7 27 26,9 27,6 Min Temp°F 59,9 60,6 61,4 61,6 61,1 60 59,1 59,5 59,4 60,1 60 59,5 Max Temp °F 83,2 83,9 83 80,9 79,9 79,2 78,7 79,2 80,3 80,7 80,8 81,8 Rainfall mm 46,3 62,8 116,5 167,9 146,2 80,5 80,3 110,5 122 136,4 129,9 74,7 Uganda Incentive class properties Kampala Serena Hotel | 5* Property | 152 rooms | www.serenahotels.com Serena’s Uganda flagship, the Kampala Serena Hotel is a blend of 5-star polish, pan-African panache, social style and business reliability. Ideally located at the very heart of Kampala, the hotel stands amidst 7.2 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens. An oasis of cool and green, encircled by the seven hills of Kampala, this 152-room hotel is the focal point of national, regional, business, political and social life. Drawing its architectural inspiration from the Inspirationally styled as a showcase for Ugandan abundance of Uganda’s lakes and rivers, the hotel art, the hotel offers three restaurants and two has been created around a central water theme, bars: Bambara Residents’ Lounge with Bedouin which manifests itself both in the extensive Terrace; The Lakes - an all-day brasserie; The Mist water gardens and in the hand-carved panels and - cocktail bar; The Explorer - an Italian bistro; The shimmering mosaics with which it is decorated. Pearl of Africa - a fine-dining experience and The The hotel is situated in central Kampala, 40 Sesse Pool Terrace Bar and Café. kilometres from Entebbe International Airport. This hotel is ideal for large groups and conferences, with the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre seating up to 1,500 guests, a garden auditorium, a roof- top terrace and a rock-sculptured pool terrace available for private events. Additional features include the Maisha Mind Body and Spirit Spa (which houses a 25-metre pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium and cardio studio, Aerobic studio offering workouts to include; cardiovascular, kick boxing, dance, yoga, Tai chi and ‘stretch and sculpture’), an extensive swimming pool area, a running track in the grounds and a golf course nearby. Uganda Incentive class properties Speke Resort & Conference Centre | 5* Property | 335 rooms | www.spekeresort.com Speke Resort & Conference Centre combines luxury accommodation and leisure facilities together with a conference and business meeting centre, all situated in an idyllic setting at Munyonyo on the shore of Lake Victoria. Located 29kms from Entebbe International Airport and 12kms from Kampala city centre. The resort has a variety of room categories including; studio, deluxe rooms, cottages and one and two bedroom apartments. Guests can enjoy a combination of international The conference centre boasts 10 state-of-the- and Rwandan cuisine in the recently renovated art conference rooms including a 1,000-seat Stable Restaurant. A live band plays twice weekly ballroom and 9 multi-function meeting rooms in the hotel bar, allowing guests to relax after a accommodating groups of 10-300. For events, busy day in the capital city. groups can make use of a garden marquee or one of the banquet halls. Resort facilities include an Olympic size pool, gymnasium and sports facilities, equestrian centre, fitness room and a tennis court. The hotel is situated near the Golf Club “Source du Nil”. Uganda Incentive class properties Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa | 5* Standard | 124 rooms | www.serenahotels.com Styled to replicate the lines of a classically rustic Roman villa, Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa is the latest addition to the Serena East Africa Portfolio. On the shores of Lake Victoria in the Kigo District (equidistant between Kampala and Entebbe), the resort is twenty minutes’ drive from Entebbe International Airport and twenty minutes’ drive to the centre of Kampala. NB: the resort does not have direct lake access but does have lovely views. A gracious terracotta and cream palace, the central citadel is encircled by broad café and cocktail terraces, where cushioned sofas invite relaxation. Above the marble reception, where a lavish marble bathroom with walk-in shower. Roman fountain plays, white-arched galleries rise The Executive Suites also feature a spacious living to a clear glass atrium, through which shafts of area with flat-screen TV, work space and a second light illuminate the fountained courtyard below. balcony. Housed in typically Tuscan-style villas, which are The hotel features The Citadel - an all-day widely spaced around the terraced rose gardens, brasserie, and The Kigo - a cocktail bar.