|
I am Uganda, Land of
Opportunity
by Jerry W. Bird
Editor, Africa Travel Magazine
I am Uganda, Land of Opportunity -- a land with
101 shades of green, whose balmy temperatures are
matched only by the warmth and hospitality of its
people. I straddle the equator, yet thanks to an
average altitude of 4,000 ft. above sea level,
instead of blistering days and hot steamy nights,
you'll enjoy an amazingly mild and pleasant climate
all year round. Speaking of people, who else could
have performed such a miracle in the past decade.
Through their faith, dedication and perseverance, I
have become an example of progress, and a showcase
for all of Africa.
My borders are shared with Sudan on the north,
Congo on the west, Tanzania and Rwanda on the south
and Kenya on the east. Immediately south is Lake
Victoria, world's second largest fresh water lake-
and a phenomenal asset for tourism growth. It's
waters teem with fish; its shoreline and islands
are a paradise of wildlife, with an abundance of
boating, watersports and cruise possibilities. This
immense waterway is the major source of the Nile,
world's longest river. From Uganda, the Nile flows
north via Sudan and Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea.
My history as a tourism destination goes back over
a century, being one of the first popular
destinations on the African continent. What do
today's visitors' have to say about me?
Muguette Goufrani of Africa Travel Magazine gave
her impressions:"So many highlights marked our
month in Uganda, one hardly knows where to begin.
The Kampala portion of our visit had its own high
spots, such as a flight by army helicopter to
President Museveni's ranch, followed by dinner at
the State House. During the trip, decisions were
made to hold two more ATA sponsored events in
Uganda, including our International Congress. Some
say that the President knows every one of his
Ankole long-horned cows by name. I wouldn't doubt
it for a minute. At the Skal 10th Anniversary gala,
we shared a table with the newly formed ATA Uganda
Chapter and met many of the country's large
travel-tourism fraternity. The event was held in a
huge tent on the lush grounds of the Nile Hotel
(soon to be the Serena Kampala).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa."
Winston S. Churchill,"My African Journey"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will mention the ATA Cultural Ecotourism
Symposium later. It was truly a winner thanks to
the dedicated group who staged it, and full
government support.
Our flight via American Airlines and SN Brussels
says a lot for their new alliance, which allows
access to Africa from over 30 U.S. locations. We
boarded in Vancouver on Canada's Pacific Coast and
had one of the most perfect, seamless trips ever,
even though we touched down in Dallas and Chicago
en route to Brussels. U.S. customs was cleared in
Vancouver, and our luggage was checked through all
the way to Entebbe, a further convenience."
Among the 20 or more airlines flying to and from
Entebbe International Airport near Kampala are Air
France, Air Tanzania, Anova Air Cargo, British
Airways, Challenge Air, Dair Air Service, Eagle Air
Ltd, East African Airlines, Eqypt Air , Emirates,
Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Martin Air,
Precision Air, Rwanda Air Express, SN Brussels,
South African Airways, West Nile Air and United
Airlines
To be continued ... much more to come
|
