From Canada with Love

Paul Kagwa the Director of Pixey Uganda was recently in Canada to meet up with travel agents with the aim to get the Canadians to notice East Africa and especially Uganda as a choice holiday destination.

He shares the trip here in pictures and agrees that Canada is indeed beautiful and unique just like the destinations in East Africa.

The Lake Victoria Kayak Exhibition - For the spirit of Adventure

 16th November marks the begining of an epic adventure on Lake Victoria as world kayaking champion Francessco Gambela and his Kenyan counterpart Saif Katwe lead an adventure spanning 300 km over 5 days all for a good cause.

Here is why

for the spirit of Adventure

Mission:

Join us to support Drinking Water and prevention of Malaria through AMREF . Reasons of this Expedition  1- to support AMREF www.amref.org to provide safe drinking water and fight malaria through Mosquito net Campaigns. 2- Promote Water Sports Tourism through kayaking in Lake Victoria the largest Inland lake in the World . 3- to bring attention to the Extreme and dangerous type climate change threat facing this lake The Expedition will be 300km over 5 days using surf ski types of kayaks . We hope to collect funds for buying mosquito nets and Drinking water purification tablets. Each Mosquito net is about 5 US $, but it can save a life of child. Each Purification Tablet is less than 10 US cents but it can stop water borne disease like cholera. You can contribute in 2 ways; 1 - Contribute towards Malaria nets. The 3 (15US $) nets per family will be distributed along the route of the expedition in conjunction with AMREF ; www.amref.org 2- Contribute for the water purification tablets ; 10US $ for one box . We will start in Jinja,Uganda on 16th November and Inshallah finish in 21st November in Kisumu, Kenya For more information and support check out the Lake Victoria Kayak Exhibition page on facebook.

So people,let us support this worthy cause,Pixey Uganda is offering  "Nile Adventures"  itinerarys to bring out the adventurer in you.

contact:

pixey_uganda@yahoo.com

Safari Rally

As a young child growing up in East Africa,the safari rally was an important part of the calender. if not an obsession the rally season would see me and my childhood friends camping on rally routes so as not to miss the action which most often would leave us just seeing dirt literally,this was also the season to show off our artistic talents slicing our fingers crafting elaborate toy cars using tins and other bits of scrap and wire we could get our hands on.

Fast forward to 2010 and the safari rally is back,spilt up in two major events on the rally calender in East Africa ,the KCB Rally which is an annual event and the East African classic rally which is set to take place in 2011.

The following is an extract about the rich history of the Safari rally.

Aaccording to a legendary and much-quoted conversation between Eric Cecil and his cousin Neil Vincent, the Safari Rally was apparently born. Vincent was a true motor sport devotee but even so he refused to compete at the newly built Langa Langa circuit. 'I can imagine nothing more boring than driving round and round the same piece of track. But if you will organise an event where we get into our cars, slam the door, go halfway across Africa and back, and the first car home is a winner, I'll be in it.'

The 1965 class winning VW Mohammed Khan & Balbir Singh

Together with Ian Craigie, the Competitions Secretary, Cecil set about trying to encourage the Competitions Committee to agree to organising a long distance rally. Their advance came with the death of King George VI and the coronation of the new Queen, Elizabeth II in June 1953. Their proposal to organise an East African rally to pay tribute to the new Queen was accepted by the Management Committee and the 'Coronation Rally' starting from Nairobi (Kenya) around Lake Victoria through Uganda and Tanganyika and returning back into Kenya was established.

The East African Safari Rally has continued every year thereafter with much interest from international rally federations. In 1957 the Paris based 'Federation Internationale de l' Automobile marked the East African Rally on its international motor sport calendar and there was genuine surprise amongst the REAAA. The date of the event had also moved forward from the end of May to the Easter weekend so as not to interfere with other European events.

In the early 1960's when independence was gained by the three African countries the historic rally route was changed. It would still pass through the Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya however organisers were to rotate the start and finish of the rally to include Kampala and Dar es Salaam.

In 1969 the Tanzanian government closed its borders and the rally was no longer allowed to go though Tanzania. Not only were the borders closed but the government refused to let its residents compete which greatly affected many local drivers including the Tanzanian hero Bert Shankland. In 1971 Tanzania once again opened its borders but was insisting that the rally start and finish in Dar es Salaam the next year. That year was also marked with the first ever all-international crew to win the safari rally: Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palman a Ford Escort RS 1600.

Gorilla Country

A trip to Uganda's deep south west,where the borders of Rwanda,Congo and Uganda meet,is a trip not to be forgotten.For it is there that the visitor will meet if they choose to make the trek-the rare and endengered mountain Gorilla.

There are only two mountain gorilla populations in the world-both in this region of Africa-and the gorillas number fewer than 700 all told.there are only four national parks where you can see them,two of which are in Uganda:Mahinga and Bwindi impenetrable national parks.

Although viewing the gorillas is certainly the culmination of any visit to Uganda's south west,it is by no means all there is to see.

Photo by Marco Clerici.


Un viaje al suroeste profundo de Uganda, donde las fronteras de Rwanda, Congo y Uganda se encuentran, es un viaje para no ser olvidado. Ya que precisamente allí el invitado se encontrará si ellos deciden hacer el viaje dificultoso - el Gorila de montaña raro y endengered.

Hay sólo dos poblaciones de gorila de montaña en el mundo - tanto en esta región de África - como el número de gorilas menos de 700 todos told.there son sólo cuatro parques nacionales donde usted puede verlos, dos de los cuales están en Uganda:Mahinga y parques nacionales impenetrables Bwindi.

Aunque la inspección de los gorilas sea seguramente la culminación de cualquier visita al suroeste de Uganda, es de ningún modo todo allí debe ver.

Foto por  Marco Clerici.

Vuelta de los rinocerontes - Return of the Rhinos - Uganda

Rhinos. Once roamed wild in Uganda. By 1970 the population of black rhinos was at 300, living between Murchison falls and kidepo national parks, while an estimated 120 white rhinos resided in Ajai wildlife reserve, some were later relocated to Murchison falls which was thought more secure. But within a decade or so both species had been poached to local extinction.

During the period of lawlessness that ensued after the 1979 war in which Amin was ousted, saw the the last white rhino shot in Murchison falls in 1982 and no black rhino has been observed since 1983.rhino horns are precious on the black market and can fetch as high as one million dollers,these usually end up as dagger handles in the middle east or as an aphrodisiac in parts of Asia.

Rhino fund an NGO dedicated to reintroducing both species to their former habitats was founded in 1998 in collaboration with communities and government institutions responsible for wildlife. Their goal being to breed herds that could be introduced back in the wild. But it was not until December 2001 that a pair of two and a half year old white rhinos bought from the solio ranch in Kenya landed at Entebbe airport to a festive welcome.

Currently there are only 7 rhinos in Uganda living at ziwa rhino sanctuary which also runs an education and awareness program.
Obama became the first rhino calf born in Uganda in the last 28 years and was born on 24th June 2009 at the sanctuary.

Rinocerontes. Una vez naturaleza vagada en Uganda. Hacia 1970 la población de rinocerontes negros estaba en 300, viviendo entre caídas de Murchison y parques nacionales kidepo, mientras aproximadamente 120 rinocerontes blancos residieron en la reserva de fauna Ajai, unos fueron trasladados más tarde a caídas de Murchison que fue pensado más seguro. Pero dentro de una década y tanto ambas especies habían sido hervidas a la extinción local.

Durante el período de anarquía que siguió después de la guerra 1979 con la cual Amin fue expulsado, vio el último tiro de rinoceronte blanco en caídas de Murchison en 1982 y ningún rinoceronte negro ha sido observado desde 1983.rhino los cuernos son preciosos en el mercado negro y pueden traer tan alto como un millón de dollers, éstos por lo general terminan como mangos de daga en el Oriente Medio o como un afrodisíaco en partes de Asia.
El fondo de rinoceronte una organización no gubernamental dedicó a la nueva introducción tanto especies a sus antiguos hábitats fue fundado en 1998 en la colaboración con comunidades como instituciones del gobierno responsables de la fauna. Su objetivo de ser para criar a manadas que podrían ser introducidas atrás en la naturaleza. Pero era no antes del diciembre de 2001 un par de dos años y medio rinocerontes blancos compró del rancho solio en Kenia conseguida en el aeropuerto Entebbe a una bienvenida festiva.

Actualmente hay sólo 7 rinocerontes en Uganda que vive en el santuario de rinoceronte ziwa que también dirige el programa de conciencia y una educación.
El Obama se hizo el primer ternero de rinoceronte nacido en Uganda en los 28 años pasados y nació el 24 de junio de 2009 en el santuario.

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Safari to East Africa, with Kids?

You and your partner are finally taking your dream vacation. The only thing is, by the time you got around to taking that dream vacation it’s no longer just you and your partner; it’s you, your partner and the kids. It’s not the end of the world. Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be drudgery, but it will require some attitude adjustments, some negotiating and a lot of planning and open communication.

You’ll be best off if, from the beginning, you accept the fact that this is not the same trip you would be having if it were just adults. Not better, not worse, just different. Expectations are premeditated disappointments; so adjust those expectations from the start and you’re more likely to enjoy the experience you’re having instead of longing for the one you’re not.

Remember when you were teaching your children about sharing? You had a bag of sweets, poured it out on the table and doled it out; one for you, one for me, one for you, one for me. Well, it’s time for sharing 202, this time with activities and/or sights. Explain to the kids that this is everyone’s vacation, not just theirs; therefore, everyone gets to choose activities they want to do. When it’s time for the adult activities, they don’t have to love them or for that matter, even like them, but they do have to go along with them and do it without complaining. You, of course, in return, will promise to do the same when it comes time for the activities that they want to do.

Getting kids involved in the planning from the beginning will help create “buy in” for the trip that is being created. If you’re not wedded to a particular vacation site, give them a choice of two or three places that are in the running. If they are older, have them review guidebooks to pick out places of interest they would like to visit. If they are younger, check your local library for videos on the location of choice so that they can watch it and get excited about your upcoming trip.

Assign them specific days that they are in charge of planning: what to do, how to get there, where to eat, etc. Most kids will enjoy the authority that you have placed in their hands and you’ll be the beneficiary of their creativity.

When traveling with kids you will want to do more planning than you might have done were it just you and your partner. Kids like to feel secure in their surroundings and the easiest way to offer that security is to feel secure and confident yourself. With advanced planning you can offer that to them. When you arrive in a city with reservations in place and the knowledge of how to get to that accommodation, the kids don’t have to worry about where they are going to be sleeping that night or if they’ll be lost in transit. They will soon come to trust that Mom and Dad “know what they’re doing” and that they need not fear the unknown.

Also keep in mind that while kids appear to be high energy, they burn out more quickly than adults, as they don’t feel the same drive we might have to “see the sights.” They want to move at a slower pace, see less in a given day and have more down time to play and to relax. If they’re really young, time to nap. Don’t fight their pace but instead embrace it! You may discover that traveling is a lot more relaxing and enjoyable when you’re not pushing yourselves to cover as much territory. You won’t see everything the city has to offer but chances are, even if you push yourself, you still won’t.

While there are things you surely won’t get to do while traveling with your kids, there might just be some incredible things that, had you not been traveling with your kids, you wouldn’t experience. Feeding Giraffes in an animal ophanage in Nairobi would never have been on my list “A” list of activities. But, because of the kids’ interests, that was just an activitiy in my endless trips around East Africa and what amazing adventures they turned out to be.

contact Pixey Uganda for your memorable family vacations
pixey_uganda@yahoo.com
pixeyuganda.6te.net

Destination Jungle

Our grand jungle adventures begins with a trip to the Kidepo Valley National Park  one of Uganda's most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 square kilometres and harbours scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. Tucked into the corner of Uganda's border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizons. A huge latitudinal range and correspondingly wide climatic conditions have evolved an extremely diverse flora. As a result the variety of animal species in the park is equally abundant including many which are found no where else in Uganda.

The vegetation can best be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition. Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions.

Where to stay
At the Park itself, there are 16 self-contained chalets at Apoka Rest Camp. There is also a hostel comprising of 14 bandas each with two beds; these bandas are not self contained. 

WHAT TO DO:
Game Viewing
The park harbours a great diversity of animal species than other parks. Of the 80 species of mammals listed in 1971, 28 were not known to occur in any other Ugandan park. Carnivore species unique to Kidepo and Karamoja region include the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, cheetah and hunting dog. Less common ungulates include the greater and lesser kudu, Chandlers Mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, dikdik and bright gazelle; beisa oryx and roan antelope have been severely depleted by poachers in the recent years. Among other large ungulates are elephant, burchell's zebra, bush pig, warthog, rothschild giraffe, cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, jackson's hartbeest and oribi. Five species of primate are found in the park of which the Kavirondo bush baby is endemic. Carnivores present include lion, leopard, several small cats, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal. The easiest to see being the jackals.

There are high chances of viewing tree climbing lions that always sits on sauces trees along Narus valley or on rock just as you enter the Apoka Park Headquarter. Other wildlife include elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bush buck, bush pig, kavirondo bush baby, buffalo and much more that are some times seen right from the veranda of Apoka Rest Camp.
The park boasts an extensive avifauna. 465 species have been recorded (three new species were added to the list in 1995). Of particular interest, the ostrich and the Kori bustard are principally associated with arid regions.
The park is outstanding for its birds of prey. Of 58 species recorded 14 are believed to be endemic to Kidepo and the Karamoja region. These include Verreaux's eagle, Egyptian vulture and pygmy falcon. Also of note are four species of hornbills. The redbilled, the yellow-billed and Jackson's hornbill are peculiar to Kidepo, while the giant Abyssinaia ground hornbill is quite common. There is however no comprehensive survey in Kidepo and keen visitors stand a good chance of adding to the current list.
Hiking and Scenery viewing
Hiking can be carried out on Lamoj Mountains just a few kilometers from the Park Headquarters. Visitors can also go to view the splendid Kidepo River Valley dominated by Borassus palm forest; its wide flat bed is dry for most of the year. From Kidepo Valley, you may also visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, which are located only 11 km from Kidepo river valley.

The mountain and Savannah landscape of the park is spectacular. The Narus valley is situated in the South West of the park; the rugged Napore-Nyagia mountain range forms its western boundary. Separating it from the Kidepo Valley in the northeast, are the Natira and Lokayot Hills. To the north in the Sudan are the Lotukei mountains and the Morungole range marks the southern boundary of the park.

Picnic
To add flavor to your visit to Kidepo River, take time and visit the picnic site located on the sand and you won't also miss the sound of palm leaves in constant motion in the wind.
Cultural Performance
The local community has a group of cultural entertainers who on request are always available to perform. The performers have a large menu for you, traditional dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, ethnic groups and Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi are waiting for you. The money that this group earns is used for uplifting their welfare.

Nature Walk
If you are interested in increasing your knowledge on African culture, visits to the Karimajong manyattas (homesteads) and probably kraals to see traditional costume, stools, spears headdress, knives, bows and arrows and jewelry can be arranged. Some of the above mentioned items can be purchased from the park tourist office. It's advisable that you make arrangements for the nature walk two days in advance. This booking can be done from the park headquarters in Apoka or from Uganda Wildlife Authority Headquarters in Kampala.
Visitors who choose to follow the Soroti-Moroto road will be enthralled by the view of the steep volcano of Alekilek about midway Moroti and Soroti. And for those who take the Lira-Kotido road will enjoy the scenery of the Labwor hills and in particular the massive and bare Alerek (Kidi Rwot) rock about 55 km to Kotido.

for more information contact
Pixey Uganda  
pixey_uganda@yahoo.com