Yes, Great Lakes Safaris has participated this year as well in the MTN Marathon Kampala. This time we ran to support the initiative of MTN to provide safe water to the people of Amuria district, one of the most remote areas with a definite need for access to clean and safe water. We pledge our continuous participation towards such noble causes and train hard to be there again next year!

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From 8th till 10th November 2011, Great Lakes Safaris attended the Travel World Market in London. It was a successful participation, with many interesting meetings and new potential partnerships. We would like to thank everyone who came to see us during the exhibition and for showing interest in Uganda.

If you did not have the opportunity to come and meet us, then try again early next year:

VAKANTIEBEURS in Utrecht, The Netherlands
Date: 10th and 11th January 2012
Location: please contact us to schedule a personal meeting.

FITUR in Madrid, Spain
Date: 18th till 22nd January 2012
Location: Africa Hall, stand 4B22. Celebrate Uganda being Lonely Planet's number 1 destination with us and benefit from our special offers for 2012! Contact us for a free entrance ticket!

Road show in GERMANY
Date: February-March 2012
Location: various cities in Germany. Please contact us to schedule a personal meeting.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Europe!

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2011 was a year full of surprises, with many promising new collaborations, increasing media coverage, international recognition and nominations for prestigious awards.

Our Great Highlights of 2011 are:

      Uganda in the media

World's Best Destinations of 2012 by National Geographic because of the Virunga Mountains with its eight-volcano chain of volcanic ranges in South Eastern Uganda, that we share with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virungas are one of the world's most active volcanic mountains and are surrounded by lush forests that house families of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants and other wildlife. Read more...

Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains were highlighted as one of the world's fifteen best hiking destinations by National Geographic. It is even more important because Uganda was the only African country listed among the fifteen, and the Rwenzoris were ranked ninth. Read more...

At the end of October, Uganda was named by the travel bible of the World, Lonely Planet, as the "Number 1 Destination for 2012". Lonely Planet is the worlds' top referrer of tourists and travelers. Read more...

On 17th November, Uganda tourism featured positively again when the tree climbing lion, which only exists in two places in the world, was highlighted as National Geographic Photo of the Day. It is worth mentioning that the only other country believed to have tree climbing lions is Tanzania, and last recorded a sighting 6 years ago. Read more...

In the same month Amos Wekesa, Managing Director of Great Lakes Safaris, was invited at the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference in Sydney, Australia. Being the only African keynote speaker, the conference offered the opportunity to promote Uganda in a unique way and create awareness for the country as one of the leading eco tourism destinations. Read more...

      10 Years Anniversary

On 23rd April 2011 it was exactly 10 years since Great Lakes Safaris was officially registered as a Ugandan tour operator. This historical milestone was celebrated extensively with a festive function in Kampala. Together with over 200 guests we looked back at the beginning of the company, the past years and the promising future that lies ahead of us. Thank you for making us what we are and we are looking forward to serve you in the next 10 years!

      Top 100 Mid-sized Companies 2011 Award

On Friday 2nd December, Great Lakes Safaris was announced to be among the fastest growing companies in Uganda. Selected from a starting 600 companies in various industries, Great Lakes was ranked number 20. Not only did we receive this important recognition, but we also managed to become the Revenue Growth Champion of 2011-2012! Read more about the awards...

      Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award

Budongo Eco Lodge was one of the three finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Awards 2011. The Awards Ceremony took place in Las Vegas, USA, where Budongo was represented by Amos Wekesa and Dr Peter Apell from the Jane Goodall Institute. We are proud to be one of the few African companies that have ever made it to this prestigious awards ceremony!

On behalf of the management, office team, driver/guides and lodge staff, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continuous support. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Uganda in 2012!

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Looking for a last minute safari to escape the cold winter days? Then book your gorilla permit for 2012 now! We currently have the following permits available:

If you are interested in tracking the gorillas in another period, do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to check for you the current availability. Permits can be booked in combination with a tour to other national parks, completely adapted to your wishes. But book early as competition is high!

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In conjunction with the Uganda Tourism Board, Great Lakes Safaris hosted a delegation of eleven Canadian tour operators in October 2011. They travelled to Bwindi National Park to track the mountain gorillas and continued to Murchison Falls National Park for incredible wildlife viewing. Among them was the Sales Manager for Brussels Airlines Ontario / West Canada. This is how he reflects the safari:

“Our trip to Uganda was very informative, enjoyable and well organized. I must say that I was delighted to see that Uganda has so much to offer. One is pleasantly surprised to discover the remarkable landscapes and diverse possibilities available to the tourist.

Thank you and the entire Uganda team for all your contributions, hard work and time in organizing this trip, thank you very much. Let's hope to see some results in the near future and look forward to doing business with Great Lakes Safaris.”

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