Uganda: Rwenzori Mountain Gets New Routes
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New Vision (Kampala)
28 July 2008
Posted to the web 29 July 2008
Gerald Tenywa
Kampala
THREE tourist routes are being developed on Mt. Rwenzori following an increase in the number of tourists, a senior official in the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has said.
Gerald Tenywa reports that Eunice Duli, the director of tourism and business services, said: "There has been a steady rise in the number of visitors in the last five years."
The prospects were even better because more climbers were getting interested in the mountain.
Duli was speaking after a ceremony in which Julian Monroe Fisher from the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Explorer's Club handed over mountain climbing equipment to UWA. It included a 60-metre climbing rope and solar battery chargers.
Fisher described climbing Mt. Rwenzori a unique experience. He said it was more challenging compared to other mountains like Kilimanjaro and the Himalayas.
Currently, the park gets over 1,000 tourists, up from 203 in 2002, when tourism operations opened after a lull of six years caused by armed conflicts.
Duli said the park would accommodate over 5,000 visitors annually after the construction of the new routes.
She said the Kilembe route, which traverses the southern part of the park, had been given to a private company, Rwenzori Trekking Services, to manage.
The second route known as Kazingo, which will connect to Bundibugyo, will be the shortest, taking three days to cover.
"Those who may not be interested in climbing to the top and want a mountain experience will take Kazingo as an alternative," she said.
The third route will be constructed further south of the mountain to help spread the tourism activities and benefits to communities living near the park, she added.
Previously, the tourists relied on only the central circuit, which is managed by a community company, Rwenzori Mountaineering Services.
Relevant Links
Over the years, USAID and the European Union have assisted the national park to build infrastructure and train guides. The park is being managed under a 10-year plan that started in 2004.
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