These gracefulgiraffes grace on a hot day at Kidepo National Park
Visitor numbers to the
protected areas has increased by 17.5%, the highest rise ever since the
creation of the Uganda Wildlife Authority two decades ago, according to Barbra
Ameso, UWA’s marketing and research officer.
Ameso attributed the high increase in the numbers to the solar eclipse, an event that attracted many tourists to Murchison Falls National Park.
“Uganda has unmatched attractions like the Mountain gorillas,” said Ameso, adding and the accolades lavished on Uganda by travel magazines including the Lonely Planet catapulted Uganda into the global spotlight.
Kidepo National Park in the north eastern part of the Uganda was last year listed by CNN among the top 10 parks in Africa.
The windswept Kidepo has large herds of buffaloes and a wide uninterrupted landscape surrounded by Karimojong pastoralists who have a rich culture.
Ameso said the visitor numbers increased from 182,149 in 2012 to 213,949 which amounts to 17.5%. She also said that foreigners contributed 43% of the visitors and the rest included Ugandans and East Africans.
Ameso attributed the high increase in the numbers to the solar eclipse, an event that attracted many tourists to Murchison Falls National Park.
“Uganda has unmatched attractions like the Mountain gorillas,” said Ameso, adding and the accolades lavished on Uganda by travel magazines including the Lonely Planet catapulted Uganda into the global spotlight.
Kidepo National Park in the north eastern part of the Uganda was last year listed by CNN among the top 10 parks in Africa.
The windswept Kidepo has large herds of buffaloes and a wide uninterrupted landscape surrounded by Karimojong pastoralists who have a rich culture.
Ameso said the visitor numbers increased from 182,149 in 2012 to 213,949 which amounts to 17.5%. She also said that foreigners contributed 43% of the visitors and the rest included Ugandans and East Africans.
Tourists take
photographs of buffaloes at Kidepo.
Antelopes graze
at Murchison Falls National Park.
A school of
hippopotumes enjoy a moment at Murchinson Falls National Park
Four Topis graze together
at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park
attracted the highest number of visitors, followed by Queen Elizabeth National
Park. Though visitors going to Kidepo have increased, the most pristine park
came third after the most popular parks, Murchison and Queen.
Lake Mburo National Park in Mbarara, which is being developed into a suitable product for domestic tourism, was the least visited park.
The top wildlife agency is working with Africa Wildlife Foundation with the support of USAID to increase the visitor numbers at Mburo.
UWA, which was established in 1996 after the merger of the colonial set up Uganda national parks and the Game Department, manages 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves located in different parts of the country.
Lake Mburo National Park in Mbarara, which is being developed into a suitable product for domestic tourism, was the least visited park.
The top wildlife agency is working with Africa Wildlife Foundation with the support of USAID to increase the visitor numbers at Mburo.
UWA, which was established in 1996 after the merger of the colonial set up Uganda national parks and the Game Department, manages 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves located in different parts of the country.
By Bruce Amp
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