A group of Indian tour operators were left mesmerized by the unique beauty that Uganda has to offer in terms of tourism.
The 10 tour operators who this week completed their week-long familiarization trip organized by the Ugandan High Commission in India narrated their experience to journalists in Kampala.
Prasad Nagsri one of the tour operators said having landed at Entebbe International Airport, they were taken to Zziwa Rhion Sanctuary in Nakasongola where they walked with rhinos.
“We then headed to Murchison Falls. The falls were absolutely fantastic as you could see nature at its best. The night cruise on the Nile gave us another perspective of what the falls are. The cruise was so relaxing,” Nagsri said.
“It was a lovely three hours.”
The Indian tour operators would later fly to Kasese to among others the Queen Elizabeth National Park
“We couldn’t leave Uganda without doing a game drive in the country’s second largest national park. The lions and cabs were fabulous driving near our jeeps and we took great photos of them. There was funny incident with hippo pooing in the water and was a first for many of us. It was very sweet that we captured it on camera. On the way, we had a photoshoot at the Equator monument and it was a nice memory to take with us.”
“The cruise on Kazinga Channel enabled us see more wildlife like hippos and a number of birds.”
She said the trip to Kibale National Park was something to remember as they trekked chimps.
“We loved the walk and loved the first family of chimps we saw. They were great posers and got fantastic photos. We had a lovely bonfire and sundowner.”
The fam trip ended with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest .
“There was complete change in weather. It was very nice to see that change of weather in highlands and where we had initially been. Gorilla trekking was very nice,” she noted.
She said Bwindi Impenerable Forest lived up to its billing.
“We live in a populous country but meeting such green caught our eye. It was nice to know there are those who want to see gorillas but cant trek for three hours. Having the land helicopter service(stretcher) was very nice.”
“The gorillas were at their best. We were eager to see huge silver back and the kids were cute, spent some time with them. When we started coming back the clouds opened .The experience in Bwindi was the best.”
She said the trip to Bwindi climaxed with a visit to Batwa , whom she said she had only learnt about at school while growing up.
“The visit to Batwa was such an authentic experience I would do every time I come to Uganda.”
Heena Amir said the trip was one of the best she has ever had, noting that they are ready to bring Indian tourists to Uganda to experience the same.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Joyce Kikafunda said the trip was meant to give a firsthand experience to the Indian tour operators of Uganda’s country’s beauty .
“Uganda is abundantly blessed by nature. It is a country rich in biodiversity, stunning landscapes, warm people, and unique attractions — all of which appeal to even the most discerning of travellers. Our goal is to leverage our presence in India to increase tourist arrivals from India by at least 20% over the next two years. We will do this through targeted tourism promotion, partnerships, and investment facilitation in tourism infrastructure,”Kikafunda said.
She noted that with direct flights between Entebbe and Mumbai, the tourists from India can fly directly to Uganda without any hustle.
The Head of International Political Cooperation Department at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elly Kamahungye Kafeero said Uganda has everything that Africa has to offer.
“Uganda is truly Africa compressed into one destination. Yes, mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. But only Uganda offers an extra dimension—our people, our culture, and the unmatched warmth of our communities. The depth of experience our visitors gain here goes beyond wildlife; it touches the soul. Uganda is not just a destination but an emotional connection,” he said.
The Uganda Tourism Board Marketing Manager, Francis Nyende said they want to raise awareness of Uganda as a top travel destination by promoting the country’s diverse tourism experiences tailored to various Indian traveller profiles, build strategic alliances, diversify tourism portfolio and encourage investment in tourism infrastructure.
“We invite Indian investors not just to visit Uganda but to invest in our parks, accommodation facilities, transport services, and other critical infrastructure that supports tourism growth,” Nyende said.
Uganda’s beauty
Uganda is a breathtaking destination where nature, wildlife, and culture seamlessly blend into an unforgettable experience.
Visitors are drawn not just by the scenery, but also by the authentic cultural encounters like visiting the indigenous Batwa people. Uganda’s diverse climate zones, lush greenery, welcoming communities, and abundant biodiversity make it a top-tier destination for discerning global travelers.
