By Michael Kanaabi Dollar

The recently launched Breathtaking Uganda concept to have road trip caravans as was done by early explorers such as Henry Morton Stanley, John Speke, Sir Samuel Baker and Sir Winston Churchill has had its first successful and eventful drive. Dubbed ‘The Big Boys’ Tourism Caravan and with the aim to explore and discover the various little hidden tourism pearls of Uganda, the caravan took many Ugandans by storm. The idea came on the heels of the recently launched Explore Uganda marketing campaign launched by His Excellency President Museveni at Kololo Airstrip, Kampala on 21^st January, 2022.

Explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is the new brand and marketing communication tagline adopted as a nation to sell Uganda as a total global tourist destination, something Breathtaking Uganda has taken to a new level through road trip caravans.

The main objectives of the caravans that were officially launched at Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre on Wednesday 19^th January, 2022 is;  

1-   To showcase through the lenses of our expert photographers such as Peter Hogel, New Vision’s Julius Luwemba as well Tony Muhumuza famously known as Tony Drone Master as well as various travel addicts and influencers such as St. Muhereza Kyamutetera, Barham Kagunga Mukiiga Traveller, Aka Dap, Danny T, Tresh the Party Guy, the authentic Ugandan culture, heritage sites, landscapes, wildlife among other attractions and services that would inspire both the domestic and international tourists to Explore Uganda more so to ensure we bring alive the Brand Destination Uganda’s new tagline Explore Uganda.

2-   Showcase the extensive good road network we now boast of across the country as a result of the effective governance of the NRM government.

3-   Showcase some of the tourism hotspots, cultures, night life, and wildlife in the different parts of Uganda.

4-   Showcase the peace and tranquillity that prevails across the country. Above all we will not only be able to do this in a fun and adventurous manner but also interact with various people in the different tourism hotspots we shall be making stopovers at like some of the major towns/cities.

5-   Using various media techniques pick up experiences through daily evening “Fireplace TV talk show” conversations of some of the most resilient businesses that have managed to stay afloat during the covid pandemic to understand how they did it and what others can learn from them going forward.

As a leading promoter of Uganda as a tourism destination, Isaiah Jobs Rwanyekiro the Breathtaking Uganda CEO says this year they want to also highlight the little known yet amazing hidden gems of Uganda as part of the Big Boys and Girls Caravan trips.

“The Caravan’s first phase was in legs, with 1st leg traversing the rich yet little known areas of Kampala, Kayunga, Lemala Wild Waters, Jinja Adventure city with activities such as bunjee jumping and white water rafting on R. Nile. Later the team went to Sipi-Kapchorwa-Kapkwai and Mt. Elgon.

The second leg having the Big Boys, and girls going to Mbale, Muyembe, Pian-Upe wildlife reserve as well Bokora-Matheniko wildlife reserve going through Moroto, Kotido, Kabong, Karenga, Kidepo Valley National Park. From there we proceeded through Namukora to Kitgum, Acaki Lodge, Gulu City, Nwoya up to Murchison falls National Park. Along the way, we explored several lodges such as Villakazi Safaris Lodge, Tilenga Safari lodge, Ikorom Safari lodge, photographing as well videographing through the expert lenses of Peter Hogel, New Vision’s Julius Luwemba and Tony Muhumuza famously known as Tony Drone Master” Adds Isaiah Jobs.

Also visited in the first phase were the Ndolwe rocks on the new Musita-Lumino-Majanji-Busia and Tororo rocks, the Highlands of Kapchorwa, the wonderful tourism city of Jinja with stop overs at the River Nile and activities like Bungee jumping and tubing explored.

Isaiah says “What stood out on the second phase was the beautiful endless grasslands of North East with the Roan Antelopes, Cheetahs and ostriches in the wild only found in Pian Upe wildlife reserve plus the amazing giant land bird the Ostrich all present in Karamoja sub region.”

On their way back to Kampala to take a break before they headed out to the West and South of the country for the final bit of the caravan, they passed by the great Murchison falls National park traversing it to its outer borders near Pakwach sharing space with many of the great big five of the wild savannah in there.

“It’s been indeed a breathtaking adventure so far with barbecues in the wild, breakfast in the face of the giants in the wild like elephants, buffaloes, leopards, giraffes and lions. Tubing the waters of the Nile, bungee jumping, abseiling at Sipi falls and enjoying the breathtaking scenery and waters there, this round trip adventure is one I would encourage every Ugandan and foreign visitor to take before they die” Isaiah Rwanyekiro Breathtaking Uganda CEO says.

All this has been made possible with support from Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre (UWEC), Vilakazi Safari lodge, Lemala Wild Waters Lodge, Kalagala Falls Overland Camp, Adrift Uganda, Tilenga Safari lodge, Sipi Valley Resort, Ikorom Safari Lodge to mention but a few. The caravan program is a tourism activity aimed at attracting more than 200million participants across the globe and it’s focusing at promoting domestic tourism in a very unique way as well as helping Uganda shake off the Covid 19 pandemic effects that left the tourism sector crippled and lying face down on its belly using all facets of communication but heavily reliant on digital platforms of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat as well as TikTok. 

Breathtaking Uganda is positioning itself as the ultimate adventure company for both domestic and foreign visitors across the country and will organise more caravans and other tour packages in the course of the year to help tourists indulge deeper into the hidden pearls of the Pearl of Africa Rwanyekiro emphasizes as we explore, deepen and widen our knowledge of Uganda as the ultimate African Tourism destination.

Email: michaelkanaabi@gmail.com WhatsApp: +256701133509

Isaiah Jobs Rwanyekiro (isaiah@breathtakinguganda.com/www.breathtakinguganda.com +256776222262)