By Tourism-Review.Com
Published October 8, 2012
Once a war-torn country ravaged by bloody civil war, Uganda is now one of the best places for tourists to visit in Africa.
Tourism contributes about 5% to the country’s GDP.
Dr Nelson Githinji, the Kenya tourism secretary, says the Uganda tourism sector grew by 25% in 2011, a commendable performance compared to other countries like South Africa which recorded only 21% growth.
“One of the primary reasons for this impressive growth was the country’s increasing stability and the guaranteed security it offers to tourists,” Githinji says.
Uganda suffered a civil war during the 1980s when it faced a bush war between 1981 and 1986 that claimed more than 100,000 lives. Although an insurgency is still ongoing in the northern part of the country waged by the Lord’s Resistance Army, most of Uganda have so far experienced relative peace and political stability over the past two decades.
Dr Githinji says Uganda’s tourism growth can be also attributed to the country’s landmarks such as Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elisabeth National Park, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with its world-renowned Mountain Gorillas, the snow-capped Margeritha peak, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhavura, Mount Elgon, and the Mountains of the Moon of Rwenzori National Park.
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Uganda, located in the African Great Lakes Region, afocuses its tourism industry on wildlife and nature destinations. Its national parks draw about 200,000 visitors each year.
The Murchison Falls Park is the country’s largest park covering an area of almost 4,000 square kilometers. Other well-known national parks are the Lake Mburo National Park, and the Kibaale National Park.
Other popular activities include boating along the River Nile and the country’s lakes and hiking and mountain climbing.
Tourists visiting the country often arrive at the country through neighboring Kenya.
