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ABOUT FIG TREE TOURS AND TRAVE (FTTT) Fig tree tours and travel is a tour safari company organizing gorilla trekking safaris, wildlife safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo. We offer a wide range of exciting gorilla trekking, bird watching and white water rafting at the source of the Nile. We organize tailor made safaris, honey moon to longer family oriented over land expedition. We are registered as a safari company by government of Uganda and licensed by ministry of tourism of Uganda. Focusing on experience personal service and insurance that no part of itinerary / safari plan is left to chance, we can organize trekking trip for you experience the finest hotels, safari lodges, and other services. We have properties to ensure two ways, five star treatments thought in E.Africa. We thank you very much for visiting our website and we welcome you to Fig Tree Tour and Travel you come as a guest and live as a friend. We have gained remarkable reputation in the industry of tourism in Uganda. We ensure the highest in quality of services throughout your safari. Our mission is bring Africa with it wildlife, landscapes, and cultures closer to you and makes this experience to be done again and again. For further question please feel free to contact us we help with expert and travel advice, weather it is your first holiday maker or experienced. Please send us an E-mail info@trekugandasafaris.com We hope to welcome you soon to this stunning destination, tell your friends about us and come yourself. Visit our website on http//www.trekugandasafaris.com. You can contact us on +256783654766/ +2560392898114 always available 24/7 for inquire. Or log in our face book page @trekugandasafaris.com At Fig Tree Tours and Travel we exceed customer’s expectation

TRAVEl TIPS TO AFRICA Getting there: On arrival to Entebbe international airport, which takes 40kms from the capital city of Kampala, is serviced by a number of international airlines, includes SN Brussels, British airways, south African airways, Kenyan airways, Air Tanzania, Rwanda Express airways, Egypt air ways, Ethiopian Airlines. Uganda can also be reached overland from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. On arrival: Customs and immigration official are polite are efficient, and a visa for those who require one- can be purchased on the spot at Entebbe international airport or at any overland border. Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are available at the airport, which is also serviced by several shops and restaurant. Most midrange to up market hotels in Kampala and Entebbe will arrange airport transfer by request, as will any tour operators based in or around the capital. Local time is GMT+3. Health: A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drug. It is advisable to drink bottled rather than tap water at times its always included in the packages to those companies with customer care. Share the link http//www.trekugandasafaris.com Money: The currency is in Uganda shillings, Kenya shillings, Amafaranga for Rwanda and lastly Tanzanian shillings accord to the specified country of your choice. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preferences, but Euro and pounds sterling are widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureau de change in all large towns, but travelers, cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. Local currency can be drawn against visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in Kampala, at Entebbe international Airport, and in a few other large towns. Language: Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English, which is the official language. Of 30-plus different indigenous languages, Luganda serves as something of a lingua franca. When to visit: Uganda can be visited at any time, though mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains, which generally peak over mid-September` to November and march to May. What to wear: Day time temperature are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of high clothing’s during evening hours temperatures are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who wish to hike on the mountain will be exposed to alpine temperature and should pack accordingly. It is also advisable to come with solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing is ideal for forest walk. Lastly but not the least you should come a long with hats, sun glasses and a water proof jacket. Driving: Driving is on the left side of the road. For the visitors who are not experienced using African roads should hire drivers other than self drive. Foods and drinks: African hotels serve good western style meals, while a wider range of cuisines being available in the capital and some larger towns. Local restaurant serve Uganda dishes, typically Ugali (stiff maize porridge) motooke (cooked banana) eaten with stew. What to buy: A wide selection of local handicrafts is available to be given as souvenirs. These includes musical instruments, such as the hide drums made in the vicinity of mpigi as well as the excellent local basketwork among others. Further information: www.trekugandasafaris.com info@trekugandasafaris.com direct line: +256783654766 facebook@trekugandasafaris.com TRAVE TIPS TO AFRICA Getting there: On arrival to Entebbe international airport, which takes 40kms from the capital city of Kampala, is serviced by a number of international airlines, includes SN Brussels, British airways, south African airways, Kenyan airways, Air Tanzania, Rwanda Express airways, Egypt air ways, Ethiopian Airlines. Uganda can also be reached overland from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. On arrival: Customs and immigration official are polite are efficient, and a visa for those who require one- can be purchased on the spot at Entebbe international airport or at any overland border. Foreign exchange and ATM facilities are available at the airport, which is also serviced by several shops and restaurant. Most midrange to up market hotels in Kampala and Entebbe will arrange airport transfer by request, as will any tour operators based in or around the capital. Local time is GMT+3. Health: A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drug. It is advisable to drink bottled rather than tap water at times its always included in the packages to those companies with customer care. Share the link http//www.trekugandasafaris.com Money: The currency is in Uganda shillings, Kenya shillings, Amafaranga for Rwanda and lastly Tanzanian shillings accord to the specified country of your choice. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preferences, but Euro and pounds sterling are widely accepted. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureau de change in all large towns, but travelers, cheques are not widely accepted outside Kampala. Local currency can be drawn against visa and other major credit cards at selected ATMs in Kampala, at Entebbe international Airport, and in a few other large towns. Language: Educated Ugandans are generally fluent in English, which is the official language. Of 30-plus different indigenous languages, Luganda serves as something of a lingua franca. When to visit: Uganda can be visited at any time, though mountain hikes, gorilla tracking and other forest walks are more challenging during the rains, which generally peak over mid-September` to November and march to May. What to wear: Day time temperature are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of high clothing’s during evening hours temperatures are cooler, especially at high altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too. Those who wish to hike on the mountain will be exposed to alpine temperature and should pack accordingly. It is also advisable to come with solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing is ideal for forest walk. Lastly but not the least you should come a long with hats, sun glasses and a water proof jacket. Driving: Driving is on the left side of the road. For the visitors who are not experienced using African roads should hire drivers other than self drive. Foods and drinks: African hotels serve good western style meals, while a wider range of cuisines being available in the capital and some larger towns. Local restaurant serve Uganda dishes, typically Ugali (stiff maize porridge) motooke (cooked banana) eaten with stew. What to buy: A wide selection of local handicrafts is available to be given as souvenirs. These includes musical instruments, such as the hide drums made in the vicinity of mpigi as well as the excellent local basketwork among others. Further information: www.trekugandasafaris.com info@trekugandasafaris.com direct line: +256783654766 facebook@trekugandasafaris.com

RWENZORI MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK THE MYSTICAL CHALLENGE

How to get there
The Rwenzori lies a few kilometers north of the equator,rising over 4000m above the floor of the Albertine Rift valley.The park trailed head at Nyakalengija can be reached from Kampala
 to the west via Fort portal (375km) or the south passing through Mbarara to Queen Elizabeth national park (450).
Nyakalengija is 17km off kasese-Fort portal road and 25km north of kasese town.Flight can also be arranged in Kampala to kasese from kajjansi airstrip.
About the accommodation: You should come with your sleeping mats,camping and rooms are always available at the circuit's Nyakalengiji trail head at Ruboni campsites and  Guestroom.Other options are exist in kasese, Fort portal and in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National park.

Kidepo Valley National Park at a glance

A wilderness of the park, dry hot and isolated yet spectacular with magnificent and wilderness waiting you to to discover. The park is travesred  by large sand Rivers renowned for their distinctive composition of wild game  co-existing with the dry mountain Forests, open savanna and hilltops capped by rock koppies.
Enjoy the isolated wilderness dominated by the 2550m Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo valley with the great Narus River.
 Perennial rains may make Kidepo an oasis in the semi desert but its tract of rugged savanna is home to 77 types of mammals species and almost 500 bird species.  Game viewing is so exciting here all the year and so is bird watching, foot safaris and mountain climbing. And even in the dry season it is worth visiting and see the seasonal Kidepo river and stroll along the its 50m wide bed of white sand between banks covered by palm trees.
The 1442km-2 park in Karamajong region of northern Uganda bordering the North west of Kenya.
Climate
 The park has a semi arid climate with just one light rainy season per year between April to September. The valley of the Narus river  in the south of the park receives 890mm  of rain per year while 635mm falls in the in the Kidepo valley in the north. Both are seasonal and dissapear in the dry season.
Accomodation
The park runs a hostel with 21 bandas each with two beds fourteen of which are self contained. Apoka Rest camp managed by the Uganda  Safari company has been renovated into a four star lodge. Adjacent to Apoka  hostels, the camp operaes ten wooded and canvas suits. There are also two campsites in the park , Kakine and Nagusokopire both ideal locations for picnics.

UGANDA’S CULTURAL TOURISM

About Uganda

Uganda the pearl of Africa with friendly and welcoming people who will often greet strangers on public on public transport while working in the rural areas. The greeting comes not with just a simple hullo but also with inquiry into you and how your family is doing – and the interest is genuine. Uganda is well connected by public means of transport and your likely to take a string of buses, minivans, boda boda,  farries and shared cars sometimes all in the same day.

The Ugandan People

We have included some guidelines to be aware of so that you can begin immediately to be culturally sensitive, while also portraying a modest, Christ-honoring attitude and appearance. Smile often and say "thank you" and "forgive me" whenever appropriate. Don't be offended by people who stare usually does not connote rudeness as it does in western culture. People will be curious about you, so they will stare.

With Ugandans: Relationships

It is easy to forget that in Africa our thinking and ways of doing things are often different than what we are used to in our home country.

1 Age.            

Show respect for older people,  Stand up and be prepared to give an appropriate greeting or kneel down while greeting. When circulating in a group, always take time to talk with older people.

2. Conversation Style

North Americans tend to talk too much, so be sensitive to whether the nationals might like to express themselves, or whether they want to listen to you.  Some people communicate through hints and metaphors, rather than frankness; some through satirical repartee and over statements; some through stories.  As a rule, well-told stories will be appreciated, including the story of your life in Christ.

3. Time           

Be flexible, not up tight.  Go with the flow of the culture and ministry you're involved in.   The people of East Africa are event oriented rather than time oriented.  The key in all of this is the event, not whether or not the event started and/or ended on time.   This should not give you an excuse to be late.  Try to set a good example by being on time (or early).

4. Groups       

Family, community, and church relationships are very important in the Ugandan culture. Ask nationals about their family and friends and try to get to know them.  Learn to tolerate a crowd.  Likewise, talk positively about your family and be ready to show photos if you have them.

5. Anger         

In many cultures, losing your temper is just about the greatest sin possible.  Keep quiet. Defuse your explosive emotions in your journal or in prayer.

Ask Questions.

If you have questions regarding anything relating to your work, the people, the culture, etc., please ask a veteran missionary before jumping into something that might harm your personal testimony or that of your fellow missionaries. Smiling boy Greetings Ugandans, both men and women, greet each other with a handshake. The people of Uganda are generally very friendly so do not be surprised if strangers come up to shake your hand.  You will be taught special greetings for special circumstances.

Usually older people greet younger people first. Men greet women first. If you are not in a position to shake hands, acknowledge others with a wave. Friendship between two men or two women is often expressed by holding hands. It does not mean that they are gay.

Time Keeping

Africans are event-oriented rather than time-oriented.  They may arrive late for church, prayer meetings, etc.  Do not let this bother you.  If you have an appointment with an Ugandan, wait for awhile before giving up on him/her. Something important may have come up.  Finding a telephone to let you know may be difficult.

Photographs

When taking photographs of a Ugandan, you need to ask their permission as a matter of common courtesy, just as you would ask permission at home.  Usually street scenes, athletic events, church services, and pictures at institutions and homes are welcomed. It is best to take pictures when you arrive and your experience is still fresh.  You may forget or become accustomed to the scenery. It is illegal to take pictures of some government buildings and official personnel unless special permission has been given.

Dating and the Opposite Sex

Ugandans have a different standard for dating and expression of affection in public. Please refrain from kissing and hugging, even your spouse, in public. What we regard as a sign of friendship may mean something different to a Ugandan. Be friendly and hospitable but develop friendships with a number of people. Organize or join group activities. Do not spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex unless he or she is your spouse. The specific use of the word "friend" in many cases has a different meaning.  A man is not a "friend" to a woman and vice-versa.  Women are friends with women.  Men are friends with men.

Beth_and_martha_250_1Choice of Dressing Style We should all be conscious of local sensibilities when choosing the clothes we wear.  It is also good to note that Africans are very neat dressers.  The villagers are more casual depending on what they can afford. Most Africans find it insulting for Westerners to wear scruffy or dirty clothes.  If you are traveling or doing manual work, it is not always possible to look neat but we should try to look as clean and neat as possible.

Ladies Clothing

Ladies generally wear dresses/skirts but loose fitting slacks or Capri's are acceptable in Kampala and the game parks. Pants/slacks on women are not recommended in rural areas. Since Ugandans consider it offensive for a woman to expose her knees and shoulders (although you may see less modest wear on the young adults and in the city), the most acceptable thing to wear is a dress/skirt covering the knees with a modest top - short tops that show your stomach or your back are not acceptable.  A tank or T-shirt which exposes your bra - or more - is definitely not acceptable.  A loose fitting tank top which is at least 4 inches wide at the shoulders is acceptable, but nothing less. And these are only acceptable in Kampala. However, if you are wearing aloose-fitting shirt over the tank, such as a "camp shirt" (meaning button up short-sleeved shirt), this is acceptable. Also keep in mind that the thigh and knee of a woman is considered very sensual so keep them covered in public.  It is absolutely necessary for ladies to wear an underskirt or lining underneath their dress/skirt, unless it is denim or of a similar heavy weight material!

Please note that it is culturally inappropriate for ladies to wear trousers or shorts in many areas of Uganda, especially in the villages.  In such places longer skirts/dresses should be worn.  However, for beach holidays, school activities and trips, one may wear trousers.  Children are not required to wear special clothes although most schools require uniforms that conform to school standards.

Men's Clothing

Men must also be conscious of what they wear - or bare! The older generation will look upon you as still being a "boy" if you wear shorts in public. It is considered more respectable to wear trousers and have your legs covered.

Walking around in a public place without a shirt is totally unacceptable.

Be prepared to preach, teach, attend a funeral or wedding by bringing a suit, or dress pants, a sports jacket and tie. (Some consider jeans as very inappropriate.) It is never acceptable for short shorts to be worn - by either male or female!

Special Events

If you attend a baptism, wedding, church dedication or other special event, you will experience cultural habits that are specific to that occasion.  Visitors to special events will be treated in a special manner.  You may be served food when no one else is served, and may be watched the entire time you eat.  The people you are visiting may not eat with you.  In some groups, they will leave you on your own to eat.  In other groups they will sit with you and watch you eat.  If you know ahead of time that you will be attending a special event, ask a missionary what you may expect to see or do.

Africans are very community oriented.  They take care of each other, watch each other's children, and are extremely family-oriented.  The African family not only consists of one's immediate family, but also their extended family.

As well, most East African people groups are male-dominated.  Women and children often do not eat with the men.  Men are served first and are the dominant figure in the family.  Women are, to the western eye, second-class citizens.

Church

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You will probably visit several different types of churches while you are in Uganda.  Each will have its own personality, although there will be some distinct differences.  Music is very much a part of the service, and the singing may go on for an hour at the beginning of the service.

Women will "piga kilele" (eulilate) as part of making a joyful noise.  There will be a lot of hand clapping, and moving during the singing.  If instruments are available, instruments will be used, too.  This is the African way.

Service may be as long as two, three or four hours.  This is due to the fact that many people walk a long way to church.  People enjoy the body of believers while they are there.

Vehicles

Driving in Uganda is challenging here you need to take the left hand side of which is not the same case in Europe. Although there is a highway code, it is often not followed because of inexperience as a driver or lack of proper training. To get through the city streets in rush hour traffic, one needs to drive defensively, but we need to avoid displaying the behavior that we find offensive. Watch out not only for vehicles that will do the unexpected, but also for boda bodas, bicycles and pedestrians that often appear out of nowhere.

Driving Conditions (10 tips)

Driving in Uganda is different from some other countries:

Most of the vehicles have right hand drive and are manual transmissions. Driving is on the left side of the road. Roads are often potholed and rough. Take caution when driving, and learn how to patch a tire. It is illegal to text or talk on your mobile phone while driving.

Seatbelts are required by law. The larger vehicle or the vehicle with the bumper out in front, has the right of way. Cars in the roundabouts have the right of way. Always be on the lookout for vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. On boulevards, right hand turns are made at the second opening. Due to the free style method of driving, you must drive aggressively.  Try not to be overly aggressive and therefore offensive, when driving. Public transportation is available though not always dependable and is sometimes dangerous.  The three main types are listed below.

Taxi (Public commuter transport)

All Taxis [white mini vans] have got  a blue squares on them go to   (Old Taxi Park) for public means. To go to town just wave a taxi down in the direction you want to go. When you get to the taxi park, ask anyone around he/she will be off help to you and move to the next destination. You pay the conductor when you get off. Watch what others pay - you pay the same. Don't let it scare you - the more you use it the easier it gets!

Private Hire

There are several little white cars (with squares on them sometimes) that are always ready and waiting for you. They are more expensive, but the price is negotiable. They take you directly where you want to go. They can be hired for all day - and there are no crowds or taxi parks to deal with.  Be sure to negotiate the price ahead of time, and do not give the fare until you reach your destination.

Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi)

These are for private hire; men driving bikes or mopeds.  Always use caution when riding on a boda boda; they can be very dangerous. Using a helmet is necessary.

Cultural distribution

 Further south in Bwindi, see local communities and projects (gorilla-tracking can be arranged as well) before continuing to Mgahinga. Visit the local Batwa animist communities.

Return to Kampala via Lake Mburo, one of Uganda’s most striking parks, rich in birds, hippo, buffalo, zebra and cultural communities.

Back in Kampala on the Kabaka’s Trail – see the cultures of Buganda and see the preserved lifestyle of their ancient kings.

See Naggalabi Kings’ Crown-ground, Kasubi Royal Tombs, Katereke Royal Prison, King Kamala’s tombs and other cultural visits organized by Heritage Trails Local Project.

Visit the Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine. East of Kampala City where some 22 staunch Catholics were burnt alive in the 19th century, this shrine is also worth visiting.

Visit the Baha’i Temple, the only one in Africa; buy art and crafts. In the east, at Jinja, look at Sezibwa Local Falls and the source of the Nile.

Participants stay in selected homes or lodges of local people who take care of your food, drink and accommodation.