Anew face has eventually egressed allover capital of Uganda. The urban centre's skyline has been remolded and is looking attractively different ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is an understatement.

Within a small radius are hotels, guest houses, motels or inns. Mid-century architecture that has for long symbolised Kampala is fast giving way to futuristic constructions; whose beauty has complemented the equatorial lushness.

On Acacia Avenue alone are two landmark buildings within adjacent to one another. The Kampala Protea Hotel and Metropole Hotel, some yards down the road have added to the magnificence of the already elegant and serene Kitante Golf course.

The illusionary Kampala Protea Hotel with 70 deluxe Suite Hotel may not be that tall to hug the sky, but icovers acres of space, making it hard to pass unnoticed.

The hotel has an gratifying architecture that is more than the usual concrete blocks. It exposes a creative design that uses cutting-age technology. It has brown, smooth and bronzed exterior walls that can only leave you speculative about the interior.

If the golf course's lush greenery is not dazzling enough to warrant one's attention as they drive by, the stylish 60-room Metropole Hotel will do. Not only does the hotel have the space and flexibility to accommodate large numbers of people, but also its design and roofing provides fresh air and natural light that filters through the corridors and the washrooms.

"We intend to establish a reputation for comfort, charm and friendly efficient service and we believe our guests, after getting a feel will return to our delightful retreat," Rahul Sood, the manager, says.

The decor is a clever mix of old and new; art-deco furniture poses comfortably beside stunning modern pieces. Rooms are contemporary, bright and welcoming, a sure way to provide relaxation that can soothe any stress.

Sood reckons that the hotel is the first in Africa with the Voice over Internet Protocol telephony for the guests. The hotel has Internet Protocol phones installed everywhere. It is wireless and guests can browse the high speed Internet anywhere.

That said, the Golf course Hotel is another marvel. The hotel is one of the grandest and historical landmarks.

I believe even some environmentalists who went up in arms during the hotel's infancy days would get impressed by what greets them today.

Pointed and cylindrical roofs, large fountains and an expansive swimming pool in the middle of a canopy of trees all spell a 'cool atmosphere' befitting a queen.

Chinese architecture is most famous for the Great Wall of China. However, The Nanjing restaurant and Motel, on Impala Avenue in the plush Kololo suburb is an architectural marvel. It is proof that there is so much more to Chinese architecture than just that huge Chinese wall.

An aquatic theme runs through the hotel and its design is both visually and functionally cascading. It has a transparent glass 'waterfall' that lights the building as night falls. Calling it 'large and extravagant', 'a pleasure to look at' 'breath-taking and 'detailed to the last drop' best describes, the Nanjing Motel.

In city centre is yet another awesome sight - the Royal Imperial Hotel.

Though said to be built in the road reserve, the hotel is really a spectacle.

It has no extraneous clutter, but the attention to detail is superb. The colours used on the hotel are beguiling and encourage the much clamoured for natural light.inations/mabira-forest-uganda.html

From impotent men looking for the liggwalimu plant (Citropropsis Artituculata) which is believed to fire up potency, to birders, campers, conservationists, students and eco-tourists, Mabira Forest seems to offer something for everybody. Locals from Buvunya village, are likely to warn the Youth Forum delegates from the Commonwealth countries who are scheduled to visit the 312sqkm forest today (Sunday), not to tamper with the liggwalimu unless they have a prescription from the village herbalist. They claim that the western viagra is no match for the thorny plant.

The plant is one of the many highly-valued medicinal plants in Mabira Forest, the only remaining tropical jungle in central Uganda. Neighbouring communities, in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) are trying to conserve it. The forest is located about 50km east of Kampala. Mabira is home to many plant and animal species, including 312 tree and shrub species, 199 species of butterfly, 287 species of birds which constitutes about 30% of the country's birds and about 20 small mammals.

The forest plays an important role as a water catchment area because it is located between two international lakes - Victoria and Kyoga and two rivers - the Nile and Ssezibwa. Lake Victoria, measuring 68,800sqkm, is the second biggest fresh water lake in the world and the largest in Africa, while the Nile is the longest river. Mabira has a diversity of plants some of which are used by the community to treat impotence. Other plants like the Prunus Africana are used to treat prostate cancer that is prevalent among old men. In addition, Mabira helps in sinking waste gases from the atmosphere. The forest stores carbon that is worth $315m per year. The forest contributes to the heavy rains that are experienced in the surrounding areas throughout the year.

According to testimonies from farmers, when the forest was encroached upon during the 1970s and 1980s, the amount of rainfall in the area greatly declined, but when they were evicted in 1989, there was a significant increase in the amount of rainfall in the area.

Mabira Forest is an important eco-tourism destination and is one of the most important attractions between Kampala and Jinja, where the River Nile begins its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea.

Hundreds of bird and butterfly species call the forest home. Notable among the endangered bird species are the Nahan's Francolin and the Papyrus Gonolek. The most common birds, which are a must see in the forest, are the Great Blue Turaco and the Black and White casqued hornbill.

The forest also hosts a wide range of animals, including endangered primates. A primatologist working in Mabira Forest announced in February that monkeys in the forest previously thought to be Grey-cheeked Mangabey (Lophocebus albigena) were in fact a new species. There are leopards, antelopes and snakes. Elephants and buffaloes were once plentiful and roamed the forest but became extinct about three decades ago as human intrusion started taking its toll on the forest. The forest is beginning to recover after the current government evicted encroachers.

Former Ugandan President Idi Amin encouraged Ugandans to settle in the forest and grow crops in what was termed "double production." They not only settled here but also built their own capital city known as London in the heart of the jungle. 'London' was razed to the ground when the encroachers were evicted by the Government.

It is claimed that one of its inhabitants - a drunkard - burnt alive in his house. Ironically, Mabira is still the only forest in the country where one finds legal settlements. When it was officially gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932, some people had already got titles for big chunks of land inside the forest. Today, these people's land forms the 27 enclaves (settlements) inside Mabira Forest. Most people mistake, or for political reasons, brand these settlements as encroachment.

Recently, there was a proposal to give away part of the forest to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), a sugar company owned by the Mehta Group, to increase cane production. The company was established by Indian immigrant Nanji Kalidas Mehta. Asian immigrants formed a prosperous trading community in Uganda before they were expelled by Idi Amin in 1972. Many returned following Amin's downfall. One of the arguments the Government fronted was that Mabira had already been heavily encroached upon. The plan sparked off mass demonstrations in which three people lost their lives. The debate continues.

However, the manager of Mabira Forest, Leo Twinomuhangi, does not agree with the encroachment argument when he explains how the forest is managed.

Mabira Forest is nature's seventh heaven. Because of its beauty, location and biodiversity, the jungle is now one of the most visited eco-tourism spots in the country. It is because of this that the Rain Forest Lodge was born. The $2m lodge is a tropical jungle paradise whose owners market it as the place where honeymooners have a high chance of producing twins. Its self-contained cottages blend with natural beauty. The paved walkways evoke a magical spiritual-like charm that points to romance, while the lodge's swimming pool and heavenly beds make it a combination of many centuries. Nights in the forest are marked with the melodious chirping of crickets, hooting of owls and the forest's trademark wails from the tree hyrax. In addition, the NFA also runs an eco-tourism centre with accommodation facilities located in the forest.

The main tourist activities include, bird watching, camping and nature walks. One of the most beautiful sites in Mabira is Griffin Falls, deep inside the jungle. The falls are as exciting as they are dangerous to reach. There is a good camping area near the beautiful waterfalls. If you visit Mabira, you will not have a story to tell if do not see the trees that devour other trees. These deadly trees, known as stranglers, develop around the trunks of their victims and suck life out of them. Over time, they swallow the victim and inherit its size and shape.

As the debate about whether to give away part of the forest for sugarcane growing continues, the proponents of the idea insist that the forest has been overdegraded and what remains is only a strip of trees along the road.

To prove whether the 312sqkm forest is nothing more than a strip of trees along the highway, armed with a compass and a hand-held Global Positioning System device (GPS), we trekked through the forest for 11 days. We got lost on the sixth night inside the forest because of the density of undergrowth in the strict nature reserve zone. Some villagers mistook us for ghosts and nearly brought us offerings.

Locals believe that ghosts of small stature but large heads known as Nakalanga roam the forest. They probably mean the pygmies that once lived in the forest. They claim that whenever these spirits are angry, they emerge from Mabira, cross the road around Najjembe leaving fatal accidents on the highway in their wake. During our trek, without food and water, we had contemplated drinking our own urine. Fortunately, we were rescued by NFA officials and our adventure through Uganda's most controversial forest continued uninterrupted.

Alpahbets S and T

Safari Eye
Plot 26C Lumumba Avenue, Kampala
PO Box 2972
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 253414
Fax.
Mobile. +256 (0)772 443012
email. info@safarieye.co.ug
Website. safarieye.co.ug
Managing Director: Ronald Mulenzi

Silver Back Safaris
861B Kalungu Road, Bunga, Kampala
PO Box 29769
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)312 270778
Fax.
Mobile. +256 (0)772 874685, (0)772 456366
email. tours@silversafaris.co.ug
Website. silversafaris.co.ug
Managing Director: Immaculate Irumba

Sinai Tours and Travel
Plot 28, Suite 16, Jinja Road, Kampala
P.O Box 11312
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)312 841182, +256 (0)392 841132
Fax.
Mobile. +256 (0)752 931576
email. info@sinaitoursandtravel.com
Website. sinaitoursandtravel.com
Managing Director: Caroline Lwanga

SwanAir Travel and Safaris
Plot4 Kimathi Avenue, Kampala
PO Box 11206, Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 235608, (0)414 250966
Fax. +256 (0)414 250965
Mobile. +256 (0)772 750965
email. swanair@swanairtravel.biz
Website. swanairtravel.biz
Managing Director: Eugene Nsubuga Windt

The Far Horizons Africa Limited
Uganda representative office
Plot 2409 Tank Hill By Pass Road, Kampala
PO Box 9034
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)312 264894/5/7
Fax. +256 (0)414 230254
MObile. +256 (0)772 786999
email. info@thefarhorizons.com
Website. thefarhorizons.com
Managing Director: Patrick Shah

The Uganda Safari Company
17 Kyadondo Road, Nakasero, Kampala
PO Box 23825
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 251182
Fax. +256 (0)414 344653
Mobile. +256 (0)772 489497
email. tusc@africaonline.co.ug
Website. safariuganda.com
Managing Director: Jonathan Wright

Travel Dot Com
Plot 1 Kimathi Avenue United Assurance Bldg
Kampala
P.O Box 33522
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 344221
Fax. +256 (0)414 232977
Mobile.
email. travelcom@spacenet.co.ug
Website.
Managing Director: Sanjay Gokadas Tanna

Travel World International
Baumann House Plot 7,
Ground Floor Suite 209,
Parliament Avenue, Kampala
PO Box 70009
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 261990, (0)414 576243
Fax. +256 (0)312 261991
email. travelworld_international@siticable.co.ug
Managing Director: Albert Ofong

Travelust African Safaris
2244 Buziga road, Buziga Hill, Kampala
PO Box 27943
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 578209
Fax. +256 (0)414 255288
Mobile. +256 (0)772 419238
email. james@travelust.com
Website. travelust.com
Managing Director: James Kateeba

Tropical Link Tours
Plot 12 Luwum street, Kampala
PO Box 22511
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 312 281 233
Fax.+256 41 345803
Mobile. +256 782 207 136
email. info@tropicallinktours.com
Website. tropicallinktours.com
Managing Director: Mr.Magada Moses

Trust Tours &Travel
Wilson Rd, 2nd Floor Room 7,
Kampala
PO Box 1302
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 507689
Fax.
Mobile. +256 (0)712 430804
email. bjoseph@trusttours.co.ug
Website. trusttours.co.ug
Managing Director: Joseph Byamuka

Uganda Tour Operators listed in Alphabetical order

A-B, C D E F, G H I J K L, M N O P Q R, S T, U V W X Y Z

Alphabets U, V, W, X, Y and Z

Ultimate Safaris
345 Makay Road, Kampala
PO Box 21827
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)41 373476
Fax. +256 (0)41 373476
Mobile. +256 (0) 772 512779
email. info@ultimate-safaris.com
Website. ultimate-safaris.com
Managing Director: Ms Harriet Kyomugisha

Uganda Africa Adventure
Plot 127 Albert Cook Road
Mengo, Kampala
PO Box 27645
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)41 270071
Fax.
Mobile. +256 (0)772 414866, (0)772 488778
email. info@ugandafricadventure.net
Website. ugandafricadventure.net
Managing Director: Emanuel Nduwayo

Volcanoes Safaris
27 Lumumba Avenue
Nakasero Hill, Kampala
PO Box 22818
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 346464/5, 0312 263823
Fax. +256 (0)414 341718
Mobile. +256 (0)772 741718
email. salesug@volcanoessafaris.com
Website. volcanoessafaris.com
Managing Director: Praveen Moman

Whistling Duck Tours and Travel
Plot 16 Kisinja Road, Jinja
PO Box 53
Jinja, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)434 122168
Fax. +256 (0)434 122168
Mobile. +256 (0)772 767605
email. whistlingduck@utlonline.co.ug
Website.
Managing Director: Helmut Buttner

Wild Frontiers Uganda
Plot 3 Nsamizi Close, Off Nsamizi Road Entebbe
PO Box 619, Entebbe, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 321479
Fax. +256 (0)414 321479
Mobile. +256 (0)772 502155
email. wildfront@icon.co.za, info@wildfrontiers.co.ug
Website. wildfrontiers.com, wildfrontiers.co.ug
Managing Director: Jane Goldring

World Adventure
UMA Show Grounds, Kampala
PO Box, Kampala, Uganda
Mobile. +256 (0)77 509784
email. worldadventurestours@yahoo.co.uk
Website.
Managing Director: Victor Baitwa

Xplore World Ltd
Property Services Building, Plot 65, Yusuf Lule Rd,
Opposite garden City Complex, Kampala
PO Box 16732, Kampala, Uganda
Tel/Fax. +256 414 236 233
Mobile. +256 752 648 684
email. xploreworld@utlonline.co.ug
Website. xploreworld.ug
Managing Director: Annet Kajubi

Abacus African Vacations
Kimathi Avenue Plot 4
P.O.Box 34944
Tel: +256772331332, +2567013331332, +256752331332
Email:info@abacusvacations.com
Website: www.abacusvacations.com
www.gorilla-safari.com

Uganda Tour Operators listed in Alphabetical order

A-B, C D E F, G H I J K L, M N O P Q R, S T, U V W X Y Z

Alphabets M O P Q R

Magic Safaris / Concord Group
Raja Chambers 1st Floor,
Parliament Avenue, Kampala
PO Box 9805
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 342926
Fax. +256 (0)414 342995
Mobile. +256 0752 742908
email. info@magic-safaris.com
Website: magic-safaris.com
Operations Manager: Mugema

Mantana Africa Safaris
17 Nambi Road, Entebbe
PO Box 11060
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 321552
Fax. +256 (0)414 320152
Mobile. +256 (0)772 525736
email. mantana@africaonline.co.ug
Website: kimbla-mantana.com
General Manager: Simon Wood

Merit Vacations Ltd
Plot 31 Kanjokya Street, Kamwokya, Kampala
PO Box 8512
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 256690
Fax. +256 (0)414 256698
email. meritsafaris@utlonline.co.ug
Website: meritsafaris.com
Managing Director: Recbecca Mugume

Nalubale Rafting
Nakawa Division, Bandali Rise
Bugolobi, (Plot 3 at Catch the Sun Restaurant)
P.O.Box 99999
Kampala, Uganda
Mobile. +256 (0)782 638938
email. bookings@nalubalerafting
Website: nalubalerafting.com
General Manager: Jane

Namirembe Touring Services
Plot 1085 Willis Road ,
Namirembe, Kampala
PO Box 14127
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 273778, (0)414 273981
Fax. +256 (0)414 273904
Mobile. +256 (0)772 434506
email. ngh@utlonline.co.ug
Website: namirembe-guesthouse.com
General Manager: Suzan Tenywa

New Jack Tours and Travel
Suite 5 Airways House,
Plot 6 Colville Street,
Suite 5 Airways House, Kampala
PO Box 27139
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 230460
Fax. +256 (0)414 230464
Mobile. +256 (0)772 230464
email. info@newjack.co.ug
Website: newjack.co.ug
Managing Director: Jack Wada

Nile River Explorers
Plot 41 Wilson Avenue, Jinja
PO Box 2155
Jinja, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)434 120236
Mobile. +256 (0)772 422373
email. rafting@starcom.co.ug
Website: raftafrica.com
Managing Director: Jon Dale

Nissi Holidays
Plot 2A, Opposite Commercial Plaza
Kampala Road, 3rd Floor, Kampala
PO Box 2866
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)312 280182
Mobile. +256 (0)772 609131
email. info@nissiholidays.com
Website: nissiholidays.com
Mangaing Director: Dorothy Nasozi

O Sole Mio Ltd
Kyabuima point
Kalangala, Ssese Islands
PO Box 5622
Kampala, Uganda
Mobile. +256(0)782 691562, (0)782 756810
email. info@ugandasafari.it
Website: ugandasafari.it
Managing Director: Giulio Molfese

Paradise Excursions Tours & Travel Ltd
Plot 4 Johnson Street, Kampala
PO Box 24997
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 236740
Fax. +256 (0)414 236740
Mobile. +256 (0)774 444848
email. paradiseexecu_safari@yahoo.com
Internet: paradiseexecu-tours.co.ug
Managing Director: Florence Nekesa

Pearl Afric Tours and Travel Bureau
Plot No:3 pilkington Road,NIC Building Phase 111 Annex
Kampala
PO Box 1102
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 346168
Mobile. +256 (0)752 504301
email. pearlafric@yahoo.com
Website: pearlafric.com
Tours Manager: Innocent Manda

Pearl of Africa Tours and Travel
Plot 13/15 No 2,
Kimathi Ave Impala House, Kampala
PO Box
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 346766, (0)414 236255
Fax. +256 (0)414 236255
Mobile. +256 (0)772 403614
email. pearlatt@africaonline.co.ug
Website: pearlofafricatours.com
Managing Director: Kelly MacTavish-Mungar

Pearl Tours and Travel Ltd
Plot 8 Luwum Street, UNIVERSAL HOUSE
Kampala
PO Box 619
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 255906
Mobile. +256 (0)712 493779
email. nsylivia@pearltoursug.com
Website: pearltoursug.com
Tours Manager: Sylivia Namugenyi

Real Africa Excursions
2nd Floor, Room 2:4, Suzie House
Annex Building
Plot 1001 Gaba Road, Kampala
(Adjacent the American Embassy)
P.O Box 25395,
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414 268421
Fax. +256 (0)414 268421
Mobile. +256 (0)712 884041
email. realafrica@utlonline.co.ug
email. web.info@real-africa.co.uk
Website: real-africa.co.uk
General Manager: Ivan Kakooza

Uganda Tour Operators listed in Alphabetical order

Travel Directory of Uganda - free online catalog of relevant and useful web sites. Free submit a site to Uganda web directory and link exchange.

A-B, C D E F, G H I J K L, M N O P Q R, S T, U V W X Y Z

Great Lakes Safaris
Susie H'se Rm 5, Ggaba Rd
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414-267153
Fax. +256-414-267153
Mobile. +256(0)782-282791
email. info@safari-uganda.com
Website: www.safari-uganda.com
We offer Uganda safaris, birding, mountaineering, mountain gorilla tracking, trekking, wildlife tours
Managing Director: Amos Wekesa

Great Lakes Safaris: Mountain Gorilla Safaris
Susie H'se Rm 5, Ggaba Rd
Kampala, Uganda
Tel. +256 (0)414-267153
Fax. +256-414-267153
Mobile. +256(0)782-282791
email. info@safari-gorilla.com
Website: www.safari-gorilla.com
We offer mountain gorilla tracking, trekking, wildlife tours, primates tours
Managing Director: Amos Wekesa