KAMPALA — The Uganda–China Coffee Investment & Destination Tour 2026 has showcased Uganda’s tourism and conservation assets, as a Chinese delegation visited Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park in a familiarisation trip blending investment promotion with wildlife experiences.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The delegation began their tour in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where they participated in a gorilla trekking experience and were welcomed with vibrant cultural performances by the Buhoma Handcraft Women Group.
Park ranger Afande Omax briefed the visitors on the park’s ecological and conservation significance, highlighting its global importance in protecting endangered mountain gorillas.
“Bwindi Impenetrable National Park spans 321 square kilometres, was gazetted in 1991, hosted its first gorilla trekking experience in 1993, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994,” he said.
He noted that Bwindi is part of a rare ecosystem shared by only three countries in the world. “Mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Omax explained. “Bwindi alone hosts 459 of the 1,063 gorillas recorded globally during the last census in 2018.”
Beyond gorilla trekking, he added that the park offers bird watching and nature walks, providing a wider eco-tourism experience.
After the trek, each delegate was awarded a gorilla tracking certificate in recognition of their participation in one of Uganda’s most iconic wildlife experiences.
Queen Elizabeth National Park safari experience
The delegation later proceeded to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest protected area, spanning approximately 1,978 square kilometres across the savannah plains of Kasese.
Guided by Deo, the visitors were taken through the park’s history and ecological diversity. “The park was gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and later renamed in 1954 following a visit by Queen Elizabeth II,” he said.
He described it as Uganda’s only biosphere reserve where communities coexist with wildlife. “It is the only biosphere reserve where humans live alongside wildlife, with about 11 to 12 fishing villages permitted within the park,” Deo noted.
The delegation was introduced to the park’s rich biodiversity, including 95 mammal species, 32 reptile species, and more than 600 bird species.
“We have species ranging from Nile crocodiles to migratory birds like African fish eagles, often referred to as ‘love birds’ because of their strong bonding,” he said.
He also highlighted the park’s elephant population and unique predator behaviour. “The park is home to about 5,000 elephants led by female matriarchs,” he said, adding that “tree-climbing lions in this park can live up to 15 years in the wild.”
Stopover at Lake Nyamunuka and Kazinga Channel cruise
On their way to Mweya for a boat cruise, the delegation made a stop at Lake Nyamunuka, a crater lake known for its strong sulphur smell and medicinal significance for wildlife.
Locally referred to as the “bad smell lake,” it is believed to act as a natural healing site. “Wounded buffaloes often come here to heal,” guides explained during the stop.
The tour concluded with a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, guided by Mr. Lawrence, offering close encounters with Uganda’s aquatic wildlife.
“The Kazinga Channel is a 40-kilometre natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward, with water flowing from Lake George to Lake Edward,” he said.
He described it as one of Africa’s richest wildlife corridors. “The channel hosts kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants, African skimmers, and African fish eagles, among many others,” he said.
The delegation also observed large wildlife populations along the shores. “Queen Elizabeth National Park has about 7,000 hippos, which spend most of the day in water and graze at night,” he added.
They also sighted Nile crocodiles measuring up to five metres and weighing as much as 600 kilograms, alongside monitor lizards and other species.
Boost for tourism and investment cooperation
Officials said the tour is part of efforts to link Uganda’s tourism offerings with broader investment opportunities, including the coffee value chain under Uganda–China cooperation.
The experience provided the delegation with what organisers described as “a vivid showcase of Uganda’s biodiversity, cultural heritage, and investment potential,” reinforcing the country’s positioning as a leading eco-tourism and investment destination in Africa.
