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Experience Jinja & Samuka Island Retreat

Samuka island retreat is a beautiful offshore resort located in Jinja approximately 20 minutes by boat ride from the source of the Nile. Samuka Island offers perfect accommodation in Jinja for both business and leisure travelers. This beautiful resort hotel in Jinja also offers bed and breakfast options for travelers intending to spend one or two nights in Jinja .Samuka island retreat is the perfect get away for honeymoon couples seeking a relaxing, peaceful and yet beautiful destination for your tours in Uganda. Speed boats to Samuka Island via the source of the Nile are available at the Rumours bar located at the source of the Nile.

A paradise away from home! Fantastic customer care. Breath taking beauty! I couldn’t ask for more. The weather is perfect and the place is relaxing. Big island, great food from the friendly chef, this is the perfect getaway. Don’t go alone! Go with your loved one(s) and enjoy the scenic beauty together. The boat ride from Jinja source of the Nile is great in the new boat- awesome!!

Samuka Island Retreat is a boutique lodge within a bird Sanctuary with over 50 species of birds. Samuka Island is just off the shores of Jinja, Uganda, only one and half hours away from Kampala but a world away from the crowd. A gentle boat trip from Rumours at the Source of the Nile in Jinja will take the discerning traveler to Samuka Island. With a spectacular waterfront setting, natural beauty, and the option of relaxing in a secluded spot, all combine to make your stay the perfect way to refresh the mind, body, and delight the senses.

Spending Christmas season and vacation with family members at Samuka is what every family would wish to have ,this place is so naturally beautiful, it has a nice water view ,big compound for the children to run around playing and also beautiful sceneries ,the meals are nice, comfortable cottages and also there swimming pool is nice.

The major attraction in Jinja is the River Nile itself and the series of grade five rapids popular for white water rafting. Jinja is the fourth largest town in Uganda and lies about 50 miles east of Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria.

While on your tour in Uganda including the vacation in Jinja, Wild waters Lodge is a lovely new property situated on an un-spoilt island in the Nile, in the Wild waters Reserve. Nestled amongst lush rain forest vegetation are ten spacious rooms, all of which make the most of the views.

The tented rooms are vast, with wooden floors, thatched roof and a spacious balcony with a double roll top bath. Inside you will find a king-sized four-poster bed with mosquito nets, comfy armchairs and a queen-size daybed as well as an en-suite bathroom with shower. The main lodge and dining area are flanked by the spectacular Hypoxia River rapids to the right and the Kalagala Falls on the left.

There is a lovely swimming pool which also makes the most of these dramatic river views. Other facilities include a day spa, a library with books, games and videos, laundry facilities, and in-room dining. This is a wonderful place to relax for a couple of days, particularly after an exciting safari in Uganda. If you wish to be more active, there is plenty to keep you busy, including guided walks, guided fishing, river rafting, jet boating, kayaking and horse-riding.

It is most exciting to experience white-water rafting on the source of the Nile. It’s easy to arrange a day’s excursion rafting starting at Bujagali Falls and finishing 20 kilometres downstream at Itanda falls. The route includes nine major rapids, of which four are a grade five. In the quieter sections you can float along enjoying the bird life on the shore of the river, and taking a swim at the side of the raft. If you’d rather something a little more relaxing, it’s possible to do a family float trip which avoids the major rapids and takes a slower approach at enjoying the river.

Looking to make the most of a fine day? Enjoy an afternoon outdoors at Source of the Nile River or Bujagali Falls. Breathe in the fresh floral aromas or read the paper in one of these great places. Plan to check out Nile River Explorers, an idyllic place for relaxation. When the sun is shining, this pretty destination is worth the visit. Slip back through the mists of time at Source of the Nile – Speke Monument, one of the most fascinating pockets of history in Jinja.

Consider a guided tour, take photos and learn about some of the significant events that helped shape this region. The Jinja Temple is a glimpse back in time. Linking culture and history, this revered building is well worth your time. Take a little time out to visit Speke Memorial Monument, and learn about this place’s place in the history.

A vacation is no reason to stop working on your game when staying in Jinja. Spend some time at the Jinja Golf Club, where you will find the best greens and the nastiest bunkers in the region. Grab your lucky seven irons and attack the bunkers, then share a story or two with fellow golf fanatics in the clubhouse.

Aero Link Uganda Launches New Flying Routes

Discover a new domestic flight experience in comfort & luxury as you explore almost all Ugandan National Parks. Aero Link Uganda, the new scheduled flight service in Uganda, have just announced they will soon be offering scheduled flights to the remote Kisoro and Kidepo airstrips.

Kisoro is the airstrip used by those heading for gorilla trekking in southern Bwindi. Kidepo Valley National Park is a remote Savannah park in the far northeast of the country, previously only practically accessible by private charter until last week – when Fly Uganda announced they would add the destination to their new ‘seat rate’ route. The service has already proved popular, connecting safari visitors to Uganda’s National Parks for more affordable flying safaris. The other destinations on the Aero Link schedule include Kihihi (for northern Bwindi and Ishasha), Kasese (for Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale Forest), and Bugungu and Pakuba in Murchison Falls National Park.

The company also recently confirmed they would be landing at Mweya (Queen Elizabeth National Park) and Chobe (Murchison Falls National Park) on request at no extra cost. If you fancy a journey discovering Kidepo, or anywhere else in Uganda for that matter, there has never been a better time to do in style and fly to the national parks without breaking the bank.

One can note that traversing Uganda on the wings of Aero link is another memorable encounters of its own that a traveler on Uganda safari tours can boast to have had. Aero link is a domestic carrier company that operates both chartered and scheduled flights to various destinations that are encountered by travelers on safaris in Uganda.

Having its ground base at Entebbe International Airport which is the main air point of entry and exist for all travelers to and from Uganda including those on safari tours to Uganda, Aero link capitalizes on its Cessna Grand Caravans to provide flights to re-known destinations of Bwindi (Kisoro and Kihihi airstrips) famous for gorilla trekking safaris, Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya and Kasese Airstrips), Murchison Falls (Pakuba, Chobe and Bugungu Airstrips), Semliki National Park (Semliki airstrip) and Kidepo Valley National Park (Apoka Airstrip) famous for wildlife safaris in Uganda.

Aero link provide lasting encounters as the passengers are enabled to fly with their pilots in a clear glass cockpit thus doubling as transportation and learning adventure. The carrier company enables Uganda safari undertakers to connect to distant places like Bwindi which would take 10 hours if transferred by road to just one hour and fifteen minutes saving them great time and energy.

Musambwa Island (THE SUPERSTITIOUS ISLAND)

There are 3 rocky-islands found approximately 5km from the Kasensero Landing site on Lake Victoria in Rakai District. Musambwa Island is not only a gem of mythical wonders, but also a place where wildlife and nature calls home. The island is a recognized Ramsar site and it’s classified as one of the 6 IBAs (Important Bird Area) in Uganda.

The Island harbors the largest breeding colony of the Grey headed Gull in Africa.

There are over 2000 snakes and reptiles of all sizes as well as enormous bird species. It is a breeding site for the Grey-headed Gulls, Long-tailed Cormorant, Greater Cormorant and Little Egret, all of which breed in internationally significant numbers. It therefore offers opportunities to watch the Grey Headed Gull breeding as well as a chance to watch several other species of birds.

Other birds here include the White-winged Black Tern, Sacred Ibis, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Plover, Black Crake, Cattle Egret, Yellow-billed Duck, Grey Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Moorhen, African Fish Eagle, Pink-backed Pelican, Open-Billed Stork, Water Thick-knee, Common Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Green-backed Heron, Hamerkop, African Marsh Harrier, Black-headed Heron, Pied Kingfisher, and Squacco Heron among others. These can be sighted with ease unlike other birding sites where one has to use binoculars.

Locally, the residents in this place say, two spirits; a male and a female came to the lake and separated each occupying one of the islands. The female musambwa (spirit) is believed by the inhabitants to occupy the smaller, uninhabited twin island and is said to hate women. The male, purportedly went to the busier twin island, and is also said to hate women. As a result, to appease the spirits women and sex on the islands are prohibited.

Interestingly, tourism is regaining with visitors arriving on the island for bird watching, nature walks, boat rides, spot fishing and watching reptiles like rock pythons, cobras, vipers and monitor lizards and how they live together with man harmoniously. These can be easily seen as one takes a walk along the island.  You can’t afford to miss being one of the tourists to discover this superstitious island. Come discover authentic pearl of Africa. Email us at info@terrain-safaris.com for a birding safari or visit their website http://www.terrain-safaris.com for more packages to perfect your trip.

Uganda Eyes $700M from Bird watching Over the Next Decade

Uganda, home to more than half of Africa’s bird population, seeks to earn over $700 million from its rich birding variety over the next decade, government officials said during the Africa Birding Expo held in Entebbe from 18-21 November.

The East African nation hosted the event for the first time at Botanical Gardens in Entebbe and hopes to use the show to increase its tourism revenue. Tourism currently contributes about 10 percent of the country’s GDP.

“We have more birds than U.S. and Europe combined but they earn more than us. We are targeting 100,000 birders who will bring in $700 million a year in the next 10 years,” New Vision quoted Stephen Asiimwe, the chief executive officer of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), saying.

The event which attracted over 100 exhibitors from Africa and across the world, is organized by UTB and Uganda Safari Guides and funded by the World Bank in efforts to showcase the country’s vast bird heritage.

Uganda has over 1,000 bird species but its tourism numbers are about 500 visitors every year, paltry figures compared to other nations like the U.S., which attracts about 17 million bird watchers every year despite its paltry number of species.

The East African nation has about 10 percent of the world’s bird population.

Some of the most sought-after birds in Africa that are found in Uganda include Shoebill, Fox’s weaver, Black bee-eater, Rwenzori Turaco and the Green-breasted pitta, which are mainly found in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Ichuya Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, found in the western region of East Africa’s second biggest economy has over 600 species, the highest for any protected area across the continent, Advantage Safaris Africa reported.

The Ugandan government is increasing its efforts to tap more earnings from this rich bird diversity, through extensive training of its bird guides, developing infrastructure to help tourists access the birds easily and improved marketing of sector as a major tourism attraction product.

110th Anniversary of the Rwenzori Expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi

On the occasion of the celebrations for the 110th anniversary of the historic expedition to Uganda of the Duke of Abruzzi – organized by the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities with the support of the Ugandan Ministry of Defense – and of the first climb to the Margherita peak (5.109mt), the Embassy of Italy has given its patronage to a new Italy-Ugandan expedition. Two Italian military officials from the Alpine Training Centre of Aosta (Marshal Giancarlo Graziosi and Corporal Major Jules Pession) and four officials from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) reached the highest peak of the Rwenzori on the 22^nd of October 2016.

The achievement was made public on the 26^th of October during a press conference held at the Uganda Museum in presence of the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu.

To mark the 110^th Anniversary of the achievement of the Duke of Abruzzi, pictures of the historical expedition of 1906, taken by renowned photographer Vittorio Sella, were exhibited at the residence of the Ambassador of Italy on June 2^nd on the occasion of the Republic Day.

New in Uganda: Jazz on the Island

Ugandans love having a good time; it is quite evident when you see a new festival sprouting up every weekend or so. The best part about most recent events is the ability of the organisers to make them more destination-based hence more appealing to the revellers. Fusing travel with music is a brilliant idea that most event managers are starting to sell as a concept to a certain demographic of Ugandans — the young working class who are hungry for new experiences.

There is something freeing about enjoying music whilst frolicing with nature far away from the hustle and bustle that you have been experiencing every day. There is a feeling of freedom and, even better, meeting new people in celebration of a good weekend.

The newest of these festivals is called “Jazz on The Island”, which promises to treat revellers to great music from some of the most talented instrumentalists the country has to offer.
“We have always organised leisure trips to the island but without any major concept attached to them. This time round the major question was why would I want to go to the island and what kind of crowd am I targeting and that’s why I came up with the idea of Jazz on the Island,” says Noel Agaba, one of the organisers.

The event, which will take place on November 4 at the Ssese Habitat Resort, Ssese Islands, is expected to attract a huge number of jazz and travel enthusiasts who are willing to part with Shs300,000 for a weekend of fun.

The Ssese Islands are a collection of islands on Lake Victoria and they have become some of the best vacation destinations for Ugandans and tourists. The islands have different accommodation choices for visitors, ranging from banda lodges, dorms, B&Bs and actual hotels with good facilities that can give you a relaxing weekend of unwinding.

Accessing the islands is not difficult since you can get a boat or ferry from different locations; starting from Ggaba, Mukono, Luzira, Masaka and Entebbe, which can cost you approximately Shs14,000 per person for a one way trip depending on where you are picked up from.

Jazz is a laid-back genre of music and the fact that it is even better done live makes it more appealing. The genre displays great skill and talent and this can be seen through the artists that were selected to entertain the travellers.

The organisers plan on holding this event after every three months to target a crowd filled with music lovers and ardent travellers. The line-up of artists for this edition include the Jazz Freak Band, Happy K, Michael Kitanda, Allan Toniks and Jackie Akello. These are artists whose immense talent shines through every performance they put up and because people can easily relate with some of their music.

One would wonder how Toniks, an artist most Ugandans have not heard from in awhile, fits into a Jazz event, but it’s an irrefutable fact that his vocal maturity and talent with the guitar places him above some of his peers. Noel Agaba further states that: “Our major aim is to appreciate and promote live jazz music across africa, promote tourism and have some fun.”

On Friday, November 4, the buses will depart from the National Theatre and head to Entebbe from where travellers will board a ferry that will take them straight to the island. Aboard the ferry, travellers will be provided with a fully-stocked bar with entertainment and a BBQ on the house. On arrival, all Guests will be checked into their rooms at the Ssese Habitat Resort where dinner will be served and music played by DJs later on in the night. The rest of the days are planned for excitement and fun for all the guests with activities such as beach games, bike riding, boat cruises, nature walks, quad bikes and board games, to mention but a few.

All this, including transportation, food, entertainment and accommodation fall under a meager price of Shs300,000 for singles and Shs550,000 for couples.