Mauritian tour operators explore Uganda as regional interest in adventure tourism rises
The Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam, working closely with the Uganda Tourism Board, has launched a week-long familiarisation safari for a visiting delegation of Mauritian tour companies. This initiative marks an important push to deepen Uganda’s presence across the wider Southern African market, a region where appetite for high‑value adventure and wildlife experiences continues to expand at a steady pace.
The group received an enthusiastic welcome from First Secretary and Accounting Officer Laura Kahuga, who highlighted Uganda’s growing appeal and urged participants to immerse themselves fully in the country’s celebrated diversity. Her message emphasised the depth of culture, the warmth of local communities and the rare wildlife encounters that increasingly set the destination apart in Africa’s competitive tourism landscape.
As the delegation arrived in Kampala, their introduction to the country unfolded at the lively Ndere Cultural Centre, where storytelling, traditional dance and music offered a powerful showcase of Uganda’s cultural heartbeat. A spread of signature dishes including matooke, nakati and kalo anchored the evening, revealing the wide gastronomic heritage that often surprises first‑time visitors. For many Mauritian operators, food-driven experiences are becoming an important factor in shaping new African itineraries, making this cultural immersion a strategic opening to the week ahead.
The carefully curated itinerary reflects Uganda’s ambition to present a multi-layered tourism profile. Few countries on the continent offer such close proximity between diverse ecosystems, enabling wildlife, nature, culture and adventure to merge seamlessly within a single journey. The programme begins at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, currently the only place in the country where visitors can track rhinos on foot. The conservation success of Ziwa offers destination partners a practical example of Uganda’s long-term commitment to wildlife protection, a message of increasing relevance to travellers seeking responsible tourism options.
From there, the group travels to the dramatic landscapes surrounding Murchison Falls, a natural highlight that consistently ranks among East Africa’s most powerful scenic attractions. Combining river safaris and game drives, Murchison provides sweeping views of savannah plains, dense woodlands and the thundering point where the Nile forces its way through a narrow rock gap. For Mauritian operators accustomed to promoting island-based leisure holidays, such dramatic inland scenery expands the range of African experiences they can offer their clientele.
The middle portion of the journey highlights Uganda’s strong primate tourism segment, a field in which the country holds a competitive global position. Kibale National Park, home to one of the continent’s most reliable chimpanzee populations, allows visitors to witness behavioural patterns and forest dynamics that appeal to nature enthusiasts, wildlife photographers and researchers alike. As demand for eco-conscious and slow-travel experiences rises across African source markets, primate encounters continue to gain ground as signature components of high-end itineraries.
The familiarisation tour culminates in one of Africa’s most distinctive wildlife experiences: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Long considered a bucket-list encounter, gorilla trekking ranks among Uganda’s strongest drawcards for premium travellers. Small trekking groups, specialised ranger-guides and strict conservation protocols contribute to both exclusivity and sustainability—attributes particularly attractive to visitors seeking meaningful, memorable interaction with the continent’s natural heritage.
Beyond showcasing attractions, the visit serves a broader strategic purpose. The Uganda Tourism Board aims to strengthen commercial links with Mauritian operators by creating opportunities for product development, cross‑regional partnerships and integrated marketing. Mauritius, with its sophisticated hospitality sector and strong air connectivity, has become an increasingly important outbound market for multi‑destination African travel. Ugandan officials view the familiarisation safari as a bridge toward building consistent, long-term cooperation with Mauritian partners.
The High Commission noted that this initiative forms part of a larger movement to expand Uganda’s footprint across key African regions. With international arrivals steadily rising, regional travellers are becoming an essential component of the country’s tourism recovery and diversification strategy. Familiarisation trips have proven effective in reshaping perceptions and encouraging operators to broaden their portfolios, particularly in markets where awareness of East African inland destinations remains limited.
For Africa’s tourism professionals, this collaboration signals a wider trend reshaping the continent’s industry. As more African nations strengthen diplomatic ties and simplify travel flows, cross‑regional tourism is gaining momentum. Operators from island destinations such as Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion increasingly seek inland adventure combinations, not only to diversify their offering but also to meet the shifting expectations of their travellers, who now want richer, more varied African holiday concepts.
Uganda’s emphasis on culture, wildlife and conservation resonates strongly with this shift. The country is positioning itself as a destination where travellers can experience the emotional depth of community encounters, the exhilaration of primate tracking and the tranquillity of forest and savannah landscapes—all within a route accessible for both mid-range and premium markets. For Mauritian professionals, the familiarisation journey opens the door to reimagining how East African itineraries can be packaged for travellers seeking more than beach escapes.
The week ahead is expected to generate valuable insights that will help Mauritian companies refine their Uganda programmes and expand the continent’s intra‑African tourism network. Strengthening these linkages supports wider regional goals, including increased connectivity, greater market resilience and the development of niche specialisations that can benefit multiple destinations simultaneously.
As Uganda continues to assert its identity as the Pearl of Africa, initiatives like this familiarisation safari reinforce the country’s commitment to sharing its landscapes, heritage and conservation successes with new audiences across the continent. For the tourism sector in sub‑Saharan Africa, such collaborations represent building blocks toward a more integrated, competitive and experience‑driven future.
