By Our Reporter
While Uganda is acclaimed as a top tourist destination globally, the tourism uptake locally still remains low. To counter this, there has been a rise in initiatives aimed at encouraging domestic tourism both by the government and private sector.
Recently, several local tour operators have embarked on organizing subsidized adventure trips all year round to different touristic destinations around the country, allowing the masses to also enjoy the beauty that is Uganda.
The latest tour company to also get on this wagon is Tuje Safaris who are organizing an expedition to Murchison Falls national park. Slated for this weekend, adventure seekers will enjoy a 3-day getaway in the wild.
In an interview with Baryamuzura Mikdad Kaddu, the co-founder Tuje Safaris, he explained that the trip is aimed at dispelling the myth that tourism is a reserve for the privileged upper echelons of society and encourage the general citizenry to participate in domestic tourism.
“We want people to start appreciating their own. This is why we are offering subsidized trips,” he relayed. “We want people to change the mindset that tourism events are for the rich. We believe this is what will boost domestic tourism in our country.”
He further revealed they are planning to hold more such trips in future. “We shall have rounds of such trips to almost all physical feature attractions in the country. We shall have the next one at Queen Elizabeth national park later this year.”
Located on the shores of Lake Albert in northwest Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is home to several bird species and wild game. Travellers, who set off on Friday, 2nd November and return Sunday, 4th November, will get to enjoy a game drive, cinema in the wild and a camping experience among others. Trip costs 150K(Single) and 250K(couples).