The Best Places to Dine in Kampala, Uganda

It is easy to forget that Kampala, Uganda is a truly international city.  Here are Roni Madhvani’s,of Premier Safaris and Marasa Africa. favorite places to eat in Kampala Uganda:

1.   Indian: Khanna Khazana

Acacia Avenue, Kololo

Tel: (041) 4233049   ·

2.  Italian: Mediterraneo Ristorante Pizzeria,      

Kisozi Close, off Nakaerso Lane, Nakasero Tel: 041 4258448   ·

3.  Continental: Emin Pasha

27 Akii Bua Road, Nakasero. PO Box 23825, Kampala, Uganda.

+256 (0) 414 236 977/8/9.   ·

4.  Pizza: Mambo Point Pizza

27 Akii Bua Road, Nakasero.

PO Box 23825, Kampala, Uganda.

Tel: +256 (0) 414 236 977/8/9.   ·

5.  Chinese: Fang Fang 

Plot 9 Ssezibwa Road Kampala.Tel:

+256-414-235 828, and Plot 1,

Colville Street, Roof Terrace Communication House, Kampala.

Tel: +256-414-344 806.

And yes!  We have Ugandan food too on our favorites.

6.  Ugandan- Ekitobero Restaurant

21 Yusuf Lule Road, Kampala, Uganda

Tel:+256)414 346834

The Top Five Historical Sites In Uganda

Top Five Historical Sites In Uganda

Best known for having over half of the world’s mountain gorillas in the Bwindi and Mhaghinga National Parks, Uganda also has a rich history and non-wildlife attractions.  We asked Rukia Mawai of Premier Safaris to share her top 5 historical sites:

1.     The Kasubi Tombs – these royal tombs of the Buganda Kings are a UNESCO World Heritage site and only an hour drive from Uganda’s capital, Kampala.  Regarded as the major spiritual center for the Buganda people, four successive Kabakas (kings) are buried here:

  • Mutesa I (1835 – 1884)
  • Mwanga II (1867 – 1903)
  • Daudi Chwa (1896 – 1939)
  • Sir Edward Mutesa II (1924 – 1969)

Sadly, the Tombs burned in 2010 but are being restored by The Madhavani Group, Uganda’s largest private corporation and parent company of Premier Safaris and Marasa Africa.

 2.    The River Nile – considered to be the world’s longest river, although disputed by some.  Referenced in mythology, Biblical writings and by Ptolemy, the ancient Greek astronomer and geographer, the mighty Nile inspired many early explorers to search for its source.  European adventurer John Speke was the first Westerner to confirm the origins at Lake Victoria in Jinja, Uganda.  Considered to be the birthplace of civilization, the stunning beauty of the Nile has amazed all who have encountered her through the centuries.

Approximately 6400km long, the average discharge is 3.1 million litres (680,000 gallons) per second, making the Nile a world-class destination for white water rafting and kayaking.  In calmer sections, the River Nile is also superb for sport fishing where 200kg Nile perch are the prize.

3.     Fort Pakito – this 136-year-old fort stands atop a hill in Gulu in northern Uganda and is a legacy to Sir Samuel Baker, an explorer and anti-slavery trade campaigner.

4.     Namugongo Martyrs Shrine – known for its beautiful, unique interior and exterior of 22 copper pillars over 100 feet long, this shrine honors the 32 young men, pages of king Mwanga II of Buganda, who were burned to death for their refusal to renounce Christianity.  Hundreds of thousands of Christians from Uganda, Africa and other parts of the world pilgrimage here every June 3rd, to commemorate their deaths.

 5.     Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru – the caves, approximately 10 km from Fort Portal, are known for their quite unusual formations of stunning stalagmites and stalactites that resemble breasts and have a milky like substance that drips every 25 seconds. 

Culturally this site is rich with historical lore.  Nyinamwiru was the beautiful daughter of King Bukuku of the Toro and Bunyoro kingdoms.  She refused to marry the man her father chose for her and the punishment was cutting off her breasts.  Although another version says she cut them off herself.  However it happened, her breasts turned into rocks dripping with milk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great News!  Uganda has been chosen as the top country to visit in 2012!  And in my humble opinion Premier Safaris is the best company to travel with!   Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel: top 10 countries for 2012 – travel tips and articles – Lonely Planet – http://bit.ly/rTmBTe

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US TROOPS BASED IN UGANDA TO ADVISE AGAINST INSURGENTS IN OTHER CENTRAL AFRICA COUNTRIES

Questions regarding security in Uganda have recently been raised with the dispatching of 100 US troops by President Barack Obama to that country. Consisting mostly of special operations forces, these troops are in Uganda as advisors in the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army, a guerilla group led by Joseph Kony, accused of widespread atrocities across several countries including the Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Although the US troops will be based in Uganda, they will be there to provide intelligence and technological support to the field operations carried out by Uganda Peoples Defense Force (the Ugandan Army ) and the respective countries that are affected by Kony.

Roni Madhvani, director of marketing for Marasa, a group of game lodges in Uganda and Kenya, explained: “Kony fled Uganda in 2006 but unfortunately, has continued his evil campaign against the local population of the countries mentioned above. Meanwhile, all of Uganda has enjoyed peace and stability, especially Northern Uganda, which had gone through over 20 years of insurgency.

“We are developing game lodges in Uganda as we believe very strongly that tourism is needed in the development of the region. And safety of tourists is foremost. Our lodges, including Mweya Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge; and a new lodge, Chobe Lodge Uganda, have seen a steady growth of visitors who are impressed by the pristine beauty of the country, its lakes and mountains, the friendliness of Ugandans, exceptional wildlife and birds, and comfort in the lodges.

“We applaud the President’s action and look forward to the time when our fellow Africans can live in peace and security.”

www.premiersafaris.com

6 Reasons to visit Jim Corbett National Park in India

A well known park in India,  Jim Corbertt National Park is not as well known in North America.  Here are some reasons to visit this lovely park:

1.  Tigers.  Jim Corbett National Park has the highest denisity of tigers per square km in India — some 162 tigers in total.

2.  Accommodations..  Located in Uttarakhand, northwest of Delhi, it is also, the only park in India that allows visitors to stay inside the park. Named after one of the most famous hunters in India, the park is truly a special place for wildlife. The park has 1318 square kilometers of jungle and virgin forest.  One our our favorite camps in Jim Corbett is Camp Forktail Creek. Set in a moist, decidious forest Sal forest the camp has 9 ensuite very comfortable tents.

3.   Birding.  Close to 600 of the total 1200 species of birds found in the Indian subcontinent are found in Jim Corbett NP, making it a bird-watchers paradise.

4.  Flora. The park has more than 100 tree species and about 450 species of plants. The tree density inside the reserve is much higher in the areas of Sal forests and is the lowest in the Anogeissus-Acacia catechu forests. The total tree cover is greater in the Sal dominated areas of woody vegetation. The flora here is varied with trees such as Sal, Jamun, Shisham, Khair, Mahua, Flame of the forest (Palash) and the Silk Cotton tree (Simal) among others.

5.  Fauna.  There are around 50 mammals, 33 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, 7 species of fish and 37 species of dragonflies in the park. Tigers and elephants are the prime attractions of the park. However, there is a diverse selection of smaller animals such as the Jungle Cat, the Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose and Blacknaped Hare. Sloth bears and wild dogs are spotted occasionally. As many as 580 species of birds have been spotted and recorded in the Corbett National Park. Paradise Flycatcher, Spotted Eagle, Black throated Paya and many more are found in abundance apart from other birds belonging to the vulture, thrush and barbets families.

6.  A Vulture Program.  Jim Corbett is at the vanguard of vulture conservation in Northern India. The Corbett Vulture Conservation organization works to raise awareness of the critical importance of protecting these birds, of which more than 99% have disappeared in India. Much of the decline is due to Diclofenac Sodium, a now-banned drug used for veterinary purposes. The vulture population in Jim Corbett Park, however, is on the rise! Look out for the park’s many vultures, in a variety of species, on one of your tours.

Here are some suggested itineraries that visit Jim Corbett by Royal Expeditions and our partners:

Fact file:  State: Uttarakhand

Prime Wildlife: Tigers, Elephants, Crocodiles

Area: 1,200 sq kms.

Times to visit: November to June

Getting there:

By air: Pantnagar has the closest domestic airport which is about 50 km away. Charter air is also available!

By rail: Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the journey has to be continued by road. Moradabad has greater rail connectivity options.

By road: The park is almost 300km from Delhi, the closest metro and capital. Ramnagar, the nearest town, is 51 km away.