Adventure; a tourism product offers options beyond wildlifeÂ
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Loading... - Ruby Omary
- 23 Jun 2022
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We heard the sound of water hitting the rocks long before we arrived at the rapids. Upon arrival, the spectacle was mesmerising as water bubbled, rose and fell, forming the popular white rapids.
There was an irresistible urge to draw closer for an experience in the middle of River Nile in Jinja, where it swings what looks like its jointless arms, then calmly flows, gains momentum and almost forcefully plunges into a linear-like dip.
Rafting
We were out on a white-water rafting expedition and our eyes had only prepared us for what was to come; our boat propelling us into the rapids, flipping over and giving us a dose of adrenaline.
Rafting is a sweet rush of the adrenaline. It is one of many adventure tourism options in Uganda. Zip-lining in Mabira Central Forest Reserve over Griffin Falls in Lugazi is a much deserved therapy as you rise to treetops and buoyantly sail in the air from one tree to another supported by a strong metallic wire under the guidance of tour guides.
If heights are not your thing, a walk in tropical forests and woodlands is pure connection with nature; as the birds sing, playful monkeys jump from one tree branch to another, frogs croak in their water-logged homes, and more.
Hiking
Mountaineers understand the language of scaling heights in rugged terrains. Adventure junkie, Paul Lumala, says a walk in your hood, before you can stretch your eyes and legs to surmount hills near and far is a good start.
One opportunity to hike and get to see wildlife is in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mghahinga national parks, which are home to Mountain Gorillas.
Dinner in the forest
The adventure niche offers options beyond the wild. You can have dinner in the forest under the stars on a Saturday night, at Bush Baby Lodge in Mukono, where patrons sit, share a meal and narrate stories under the moonlight.
While you enjoy culinary treats, keep your ears open for calls or cries of the night owls, bush baby, nocturnal birds and animals which the guide will identify and track with you. If you love capturing images of birds, Yellow Haven Lodge, situated on the shorelines of Lake Victoria in Ggaba via Bunga, is the place to be.
Camping in a countryside
The other adventurous option is camping in a countryside or urban campsite or the beachline in the Ssese, Buvuma or Koome islands, where Lake Victoria is home to several bird species in addition to watching fishermen go about their search for the day’s catch.
Tourism adventure packages ranges from soft to nature and hard adventure activities, which have the potential to attract more numbers and reduce the pressure on the conventional wildlife tourism attractions. Read More…
