KIBERA SLUM TOUR EXCURSION

COST: KES 3000 per person. We will require a 40% deposit is due upon booking and balance payable on the day of the tour.
Don’t forget to check out our other exciting excursions / daytrips:https://www.orangeadventures.co.ke/index.php/excursions-in-Nairobi-Kenya

PREPARING FOR THE TOUR
You will receive detailed instructions in your confirmation email, but prepare with these tips:
• Wear covered shoes – sandals aren’t recommended as the walk is hilly and uneven
• Keep photos to a minimum, and always ask for permission first
• Leave passports, backpacks, purses, and large amounts of money at home
• Avoid flashy items such as SLR cameras, iPhones, or miscellaneous electronics
• Avoid brightly colored or exposing clothing
• Avoid giving out money, which furthers the perception that tourists = money
• Enjoy your time and keep an open mind!

WE ALSO, RECOMMEND SUPPORTING KIBERA IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
• Avoid donating cash – instead, consider supporting Kibera initiatives you visit by offering tangible goods such as food or supplies or through the purchase of products and services. This will ensure that the intent of your support is realized immediately. Examples of items for donation include children’s books, fruits, snacks, and other children’s essentials. School supplies such as pencils, pens, crayons, and notebooks.

•Consider supporting through volunteerism – several opportunities are available at the organizations we support, please email info@orangeadventures.co.ke to learn more.
Kibera is located in the southwest of Nairobi about 5 Kilometers (3.1 Miles from the city Centre)

Orange Adventures Tours & Safaris in Nairobi takes you to Kibera in Nairobi, the friendliest slum in the world. Experience a part of Kenya which is unseen by most tourists.
Kibera Slum Excursion in Nairobi is an escorted tour that starts at 9 am from your residence/ hotel from the city Centre and goes through the Ngong road past Uchumi Supermarket, turn left just next to the Nakumatt Supermarket.
You will learn about Kibera’s Slum Land Ownership, Housing, Population, Electricity, Water, Sewage, Medical Facilities (HIV and AIDS) Clinics, Changaa-Cheap Alcoholic Brew, Drugs, Abortion, Unemployment, and Sport.
The tour starts by the DO headquarters through to Bombolulu stage where you start to descend into the three (3) kilometer Main Kibera slum road.
Visit the Soweto Village homesteads, and then continue to the Curio (handcrafts) The workshop where you will witness how those living in the Kibera slums are innovative in making ornaments out of animal bones.
Continue with visits of the Nursery schools and pass by to see the Water vender and the Shower shop as you meet other slum dwellers mingling with you as they carry on with their daily chores.
Turn right past the roadside fish mongers into the Biogas plant, the only one of its kind in Africa which will use human waste as its raw material in the production of Biogas which will be used as cooking gas as well as lighting about 200 households once it is accomplished and commissioned.
Proceed to the Baraka Za Ibrahim School which is a charitable school, run with the donations from well-wishers and caters for lower and upper levels of education starting from Nursery to Secondary level.
It has boarding facilities for few Orphaned boys and girls, a small kitchen and a laboratory not to mention a ramshackle over crowded staff room in the Centre of this tiny overcrowded institution.
Proceed to the other homesteads including those of the tour guides and security team members and witness their lifestyles in the slums. Pass by a popular pub within the slum for a drink, if you so wish, and pass over the bridge unto the Railway line.
You may be lucky to witness the train pass on the railway line amidst the tin-roofed houses with human beings and animals (goats, dogs, chickens crossing the railway line at the same time).
Cross the railway line into the Centre housing the sick and share your moment with these deserving mothers and children of the slum.

BECOME INSPIRED BY THEIR RESILIENCE AND FRIENDLINESS.
You will experience that the people of Kibera will certainly make you feel welcome. A security-guard, well-known in Kibera, will come on the tour to make you feel even safer.
NOTES:
* Price includes pick-up and drop off from your hotel to Kibera
* You can join the tour in the morning or in the afternoon. It will take about 2 to 3-hour walk
* Restricted-picture policy: Pictures are allowed at dedicated places after permission of the guides
* The local guides and safety guards are very well-known in Kibera and are even born and living in Kibera.

KIBERA SLUM EXCURSION NAIROBI HIGHLIGHTS
Visit an Orphanage/ School
An orphanage/school built by ‘mama Tunza’. Meet this impressive woman and look at her work in the children’s home.
Visit a Bead Factory
A bead factory: in Kibera, everything is being reused and so are also the bones from the butcher. See how these bones turn into beads.
Visit a Typical Kibera-House
A typical Kibera-house. Feel welcome in one of the houses in Kibera and ask your questions about the day-to-day live in Kibera.
The Biogas Center
The biogas center: a fantastic view over Kibera and picture-point. You can see that also human waste is not wasted here and much more…
By joining us you will support the people of Kibera. The tour provides local employment and the profits will be used directly for projects to improve the lives of the people of Kibera.

KIBERA SLUM EXCURSION NAIROBI ITINERARY
Our Kibera tour will start from Adams Arcade (Java Coffee House). This will include a short walk over the Toi-market, the biggest second-hand market in Nairobi.
We can also organize the transport to Kibera from your hotel and back at extra costs (depending on the number of people). You can join the tour in the morning or in the afternoon. It will take about 3 to 4 hours, including a 2-3 hour walk.
You’ll join the tour in a small group (Maximum 6 persons). Our guides and safety guards are very well-known in Kibera and are even born and living in Kibera. Restricted-picture policy: Pictures are allowed at dedicated places after permission of the guides. If you have wishes regarding places to visit, please feel free to ask us for a custom-made tour.

KIBERA SLUM NAIROBI INFORMATION
Kibera means “forest” is the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera Slum Nairobi is roughly the same size as New York City’s Central Park, about 1.5 square miles.
At over 1 million people, the population density in Kibera is 30 times that of New York City and Kibera doesn’t have multi-level housing. Most people living in Kibera have little or no access to basic necessities, such as electricity, clean water, toilet facility, and sewage disposal.
The combination of poor nutrition and lack of sanitation accounts for many illnesses and deaths in Kibera slum Nairobi. According to authorities, there are over 50,000 AIDS orphans surviving in Kibera slum Nairobi, often cared for by grandparents, over-crowded orphanages, or completely unattended.
For these and all children in Kibera, schooling is rare and dependent on the ebb and the flow of family finances, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.
Explore the unseen side of Nairobi through Kibera, Africa’s largest slum and home to over 1 million Kenyans, accounting for over 40 tribes and various religions that peacefully co-exist in the 2.5 sq. km. area. Recently visited by President Obama, PM Gordon Brown, and UN Sect General Ban Ki-Moon, Kibera is the subject of countless UN programs targeting poverty, health, infrastructure, and education. During the 2008 post-election violence, the community became an epicenter of activism, exacerbating political and tribal rifts in an otherwise peaceful area. The novel and 2005 film, The Constant Gardener, also popularized Kibera’s health and political issues.
“How are you,” are the common greetings from the children who are eager to meet the outsiders. Kibera is a fascinating place with raw eye-opening, yet encouraging experiences. With an opportunity to explore Kibera with our local native-born and bred in Kibera guides to understand the work within the community
We have offered hundreds of safe responsible tours since 2008
Explore Kibera Tours offers walking tours that cover major points of interest: the main commercial artery, open-air markets, the Kenya-Uganda Railway, a home visit, “the cow-bone jewelers,” local bead makers, the Kigulu orphanage, the UN upgrading projects, schools and places of worship.

WE ARE:
• Safe and experienced – Visit with a local. We employ trusted guides who are active in community service. We operate during daytime and within safe public areas. We have had ZERO incidents of injuries, harassment, or any complications.
• Orange Adventure Tours and Safaris – We specialize in Kibera tours vs. large external operators with only surface-level knowledge of the community.
• Responsible – We know what’s appropriate. We live and work in Kibera and will provide guidance around photos, donations, etc.
We are a responsible tour operator for open-minded travelers and benefit Kibera by employing knowledgeable local staff, supporting development projects, and bringing a stream of demand to local artisans. We also work with notable hotels, agencies, film production crews, media, and university researchers to provide best in class experiences.
SERVICES WE RECOMMEND
Mdawida Homestay
Mdawida Homestay can offer you a safe and enjoyable accommodation in Nairobi – in the safe and secure suburb of Langata, just a short distance from the city’s major highlights. The location makes for a superb base for traveling around Kenya! More details.
Our friends
By touring with OATS, you support these type of community projects:
Kigulu Orphanage is one of the many ad-hoc orphanages and schools in Kibera. Run by volunteers, Kigulu provides education and food for all those directly or indirectly affected by HIV/AIDS. EKT donates your school supplies and food to benefit 30+ kids.
Kibera Community Youth Program is a community- based organization (CBO) run by young people in the Kibera slum. Recent projects promoted by OATS have included a solar lamp training and assembly facility designed to reduce costs spent on charcoal for homeowners. Read more at www.kcyp.net.
Jitolee Women’s Group is a collective of local women artisans who design gorgeous bracelets, necklaces, bags, and other jewelry. Jitolee also acts as a support group for its single-mother members. Explore Kibera Tours bracelets (pictured left) are available for sale with all proceeds directly benefitting Jitolee Women’s Group.
The itinerary
Our tours start from a well-populated meeting point (near Royal Nairobi Golf Club), starting at 9 am or 2 pm daily (flexible upon request/availability) and last ~3 hours. Further details are emailed prior to the tour.
Tourist tip: A taxi from anywhere in Nairobi should cost you no more than KES 1200 to arrive at our meeting point.
By the end of the tour, you will understand the cultural, geographical, and political landscape. Our visits usually cover: the main commercial artery, open-air markets, the Kenya-Uganda Railway, a home visit, “the cow-bone jewelers,” local bead makers, the Kigulu orphanage (when open), the UN upgrading projects, KCYP youth center, Kibera Primary School (founded by Queen Elizabeth), the Lainisaba Catholic Church, the Makina Mosque.
Kibera slum Nairobi originated in 1920 as a soldiers’ settlement. The British colonial government of the time allowed them to squat on a hillside outside Nairobi. After Kenyan independence in 1963, however, various forms of housing were made illegal by the government, rendering Kibera unauthorized on the basis of land tenure. Diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid afflict large proportions of Kibera residents.
These diseases are caused by a lack of sanitation facilities in the slum, and often in the case of communicable disease, sickness is spread across large portions of the populace. Sanitation in Kibera is non-existent, open sewers carrying fetid water are everywhere.
Cholera and Typhoid cases in Kibera are a direct result of the lack of proper sewage control and disposal. Both Cholera and Typhoid are very debilitating and can last for weeks at a time, and without treatment can cause death.
As residents of Kibera live in structures without any plumbing facilities, clean water must be accessed from pre-filled water tanks (AKA water points), which are often controlled by landlords, and expensive for residents to use. Since clean water is difficult to obtain, residents are often unable to wash their hands before preparing food or doing other things that can cause diseases to enter their bodies.
Malaria is a severe problem in Kibera, and is particularly damaging to the community because it often causes a person to be so sick that they are unable to work, which may precipitate the loss of a job or business revenue that is vital to their family’s survival.
Malaria is also especially deadly in children and the elderly. The Malaria parasite is transmitted from person to person through the bite of female mosquitoes, which requires blood to nurture her eggs.
There are at least 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally, resulting in more than a million deaths. Around 90% of these deaths occur in Africa, mostly in young children. Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds.
Many children who survive an episode of severe malaria may suffer from learning impairments or brain damage. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable to malaria, which is a major cause of prenatal mortality, low birth weight, and maternal anemia
One of the primary factors in Malaria spread in Kibera is ineffective wastewater drainage’s that runs through the slum. In many parts of Kibera, drainage’s are simply channels dug in the dirt, and they quickly become muddy and clogged with waste.
Residents use the drainage to remove wastewater and solids from their household area. As the drainages are simply made of dirt they do not flow very effectively; pools of water and waste form in these channels once they are clogged, and this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
As drainage’s collect waste, they also become breeding grounds for cholera and typhoid, as well as other diseases, and since these drainages are unprotected from human contact, transmission can occur very easily, especially in children who play nearby. (Above text courtesy of Kibera Slum Foundation)

How Tourism Is Helping Gorillas And Healing Communities In Rwanda

In the world of mountain gorilla conservation, every birth of a new born baby gorilla is a success. According to the 2011 gorilla census report, there are fewer than 900 mountain gorillas left in the whole world, and half of this remaining population is found in the volcanic mountains of the Virunga range shared by Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The rest of the population is found in the impenetrable forests of Bwindi National Park located in south western Uganda.

 

Rwanda has about 10 habituated gorilla groups available for tourism purposes, and many tour operators in Kigali and Kampala offer a wide variety of gorilla safaris to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, making gorilla tourism the leading foreign exchange earner for the country. More importantly, tourism is aiding in wildlife conservation as well as helping to empower local communities. Here’s how:

Kwita Izina

Kwita Izina is an annual Rwandan ceremony that involves giving names to the newly born mountain gorillas of the region. The main objective of Kwita Izina is to assist in monitoring each individual mountain gorilla in their family groups. The ceremony also aims to bring attention both locally and internationally to the importance of protecting these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

 

Through this event, officials help to sensitise the local communities around Volcanoes National Park and beyond about the importance of gorilla tourism as a new hope for this endangered species.

The ceremony attracts many people from different parts of the world and on that day, all accommodation units around the gorilla park are always full. Kwita Izina 2016 recently took place at Kinigi in Musanze, and was attended by thousands of people. This year 22 gorillas were named, a huge step in helping to protect this species.

Gorilla Doctors

The Gorilla Doctors are a dedicated team of professionals tasked with looking after the well-being of the endangered mountain and eastern lowland gorillas in Rwanda and DRC respectively. It is another support team for gorilla tourism, and a new hope for Rwanda’s gorillas. The many duties of the Gorilla Doctors include:

-Monitoring the health of each gorilla and helping to detect any disease or injury.

-Providing treatment to any ill gorilla in the wild.

-Rescuing and providing veterinary care to injured and orphaned gorillas by poachers.

 

-Conducting post-mortem reports of deceased gorillas to find out the cause of their death and learn how to prevent it.

-Preserving biological samples (for example; blood, feces) to be used by researchers investigating primate health issues around the world.

-Offering preventative healthcare to the dedicated park employees who protect the gorillas in the forest, the local community surrounding the gorilla park and their livestock as a strategy to reduce the risk of disease transmission from humans to gorillas.

Gorilla Doctors work hand in hand with the wildlife authorities in Rwanda and Uganda and with international conservation organisations such as International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

Employment opportunities

Gorilla tourism creates employment opportunities for local communities around the gorilla parks including ex-poachers. For instance, people are employed in the park as rangers, park guides, wardens and porters. Others are employed in the hotel sector as waiters, lodge managers, security guards or chefs.

Furthermore, the hotels and lodges near gorilla parks create a market for local agricultural products such as vegetables, bananas, milk, and cattle. This again helps to create local awareness about the importance of gorilla tourism.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

This is a non-profit umbrella organsation with the main objective of improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Volcanoes National Park Rwanda as a way to conserve the mountain gorillas and their natural habitat. This is done through the provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects.

Zanzibar Destination Holidays

Zanzibar holidays have been known to leave travelers with enchanting memories. Sun, sand, spice and vivid history are the essence of this charming destination.

Traditional dhows can be seen sailing to and from Pemba, Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mombasa and even though foreigners are not welcome aboard, looking at these vessels is incredibly therapeutic.

This world’s oldest functioning Swahili city has more than 25 beaches some of which are so remote and serene that the only thing you’ll hear is the splashing of the turquoise waters.

Roads are mostly fringed with palm trees, banana and mangroves and fishing villages are often found.

Zanzibar is derived from the Persian word Zang bar which translates to ‘black coast’ which references the dark skin of the Zanzibari.

It was initially a base for African, Indian and Arabian traders who traded in slaves and spices. For centuries, it was fought over by the Portuguese, Omani, British and Persians.

Zanzibar was ruled by the Sultanate of Oman for years and as a result, the area is almost entirely inhabited by Muslims. It is therefore not a gay-friendly destination, so be cautious.

Spice growing forms a major part of Zanzibar’s economy and has been fondly referred to as Spice Island. Today, tourism has overshadowed spice trading as a main form of income but Zanzibar continues to enthral its visitors with its rustic charm.

Must see

Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Servaline genet, Zanzibar leopard, Bush pigs, Sykes monkeys, Aldabra tortoise, Ancient Stone Town, Magnificent beaches, Princess Salme Museum, Darajani Market, Maruhubi Palace, Mbweni Ruins, Dhow building at Nungwi Prison Island, Native sea turtles at Mnarani, Marine Turtle Conservation Pond, Spice plantations outside Zanzibar town, Jozani Forest, Ras Nungwi fishing village, Bottle-nosed dolphins at Kizimkazi fishing village, Kizimkazi mosque Creeper and entwined Shirazi ruins

Must do

Snorkeling at Chumbe Island,Scuba diving, Deep sea fishing, Kayaking, Sail in a traditional dhow, Get lost in Stone Town, Revel in a beach disco at Nungwi and Kendwa, Swim with dolphins at Fumba or Kizimkazi, Sample Indian and Swahili cuisine, Grab a mug of spicy chai on the side of the road, Visit Old Dispensary, Visit the House of Wonders, Visit the Hamamni Persian public baths, Have lunch at Forodhani Gardens, Watch a kaleidoscope of butterflies at Zanzibar Butterfly Center, Take a spice plantation tour, Indulge in a soothing body scrub with local spices at Mvua African Rain Spa and Visit Fumba traditional village.

 

Where to stay when at Zanzibar

Ocean Beach Resort, Uroa Bay Beach Hotel, White Sand Villas, Zanzibar Lodge, Zanzibar Serena, Fumba Beach Lodge, Twisted Palms Lodge, Bahari View Lodge, Mermaids Cove Beach Resort & Spa, Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa,Matemwe Lodge, Blue Earth Beach Bungalow, Zeru Zeru Eco Local Wild Lodge, Zanzi Resort, Reef Beach Resort and Paradise Beach Resort.

When to schedule Zanzibar holidays

Zanzibar’s long rainy season lasts from March to May. During this time, many hotels are closed and beach time is almost impossible thanks to the monsoons that hit the island.

Short rains occur from November to December but are less intense and always make way for clear skies. The island is busiest from July to October and from December to January.

Mid-January to March is fairly quiet although the heat is too much. The best time to schedule Zanzibar holidays would be late June to July and September to October.

You can get to Zanzibar Island by:

Sea:

You can take the high-speed ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and vice versa (which takes 2 hours) and from Zanzibar to Pemba and vice versa. This trip takes 6 hours. All ferries arrive at the passenger ferry terminal gate on Mzingani road. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the passenger ferry terminal or through travel agents in Zanzibar town. There are also boats to choose from and every provider has different charges depending on the speed and make of their vessel. Modern and fast boats tend to be more expensive. High-speed boats take 2 hours.

Air:  This is the most feasible mode of transport to get to Zanzibar Island. Book a short hop flight from Dar es Salaam (There are daily flights to this destination). International flights are however less time consuming and more comfortable. A flight from Arusha will take about 75 minutes. If you’re travelling from Europe, you will probably fly via Nairobi or mainland Tanzania which might be very helpful if you’re planning to merge you Zanzibar holidays with a little safari.

Road: Self-drive within Zanzibar town is rare because most vehicles come with a driver even when you rent one. You will pay for the car, driver and fuel on a daily basis. Alternatively, you can get a 4 seater or 6 seater taxi to carry you and your fellow touring friends to destinations in Zanzibar such as Stone town, Nungwi and Paje. You can then share trip costs with other passengers.

What to pack for Zanzibar holidays

Beachwear

Sunglasses

Sunhat

SandalsFlip flops

Sunscreen

Smart casual clothing for evenings

Camera

Shorts

Beach dresses

Anti-malarial drugs

 

If Spice Island is on your wish list, check out the Zanzibar Holidays available or call an agent to

Car Hire, Rentals, Transfers & Taxi Services

In the business of providing travel solutions through a wide choice of good cars for hire that best suit all travel needs.

Our Policy

Orange Adventures Tours & Safaris has a flexible car  hire policy that is simple and convenient to all our clients. First, the client makes request for reservation at least two days prior . Upon confirmation by our car hire team, a reservation is made in the clients name. You will be required to make a deposit before picking the car. However, the company reserves the right to cancel a booking  upon assessment of the hirer in light of the high risk involved in this business and safety of the customers. Self drive car hire will not be allowed to persons under 23 years and  over 70 years.

Requirements:   

1. A copy and original driving license.

2. A copy and original identification material.

3. Completed rental agreement.

4. Cash deposit.

Our Offer:

We are a car rental specialist known for providing low cost Kenya car hire deals through a wide network of leading suppliers in Kenya. With competitive rental prices, diverse car collection and many number of pick up locations in Nairobi, we let you enjoy your stay in Kenya as as per your schedule and itinerary.

With a fine selection of multipurpose vehicles for 5, 7, 9 passengers up to 25 X seated bus hire to choose from, complete your holiday with a  car hire  today.

Sedan/ Saloon cars:

maximum capacity 5 passengers

Engine capacity 1,500 – 2,000 cc

Average consumption 18 – 20 km/L

Self drive availability Limited   yes    no

Chauffeur driven arrangements Limited   yes    no

Long term leasing facilitation yes   no

Best for family holidays, picknicks over the weekend, back up when your car is not available, international expatriate seeking mobility and start up and SMEs seeking to outsource their travel department. Our rate per day up to the 29th day of hire is KSHs 3,500 (PLUS VAT.) per day; monthly rate of KSH 90,000 (PLUS VAT ). Selection include: Toyota Allion, Toyota NZE, Subaru impreza

Request your reservation: sales@orangeadventures.co.ke or call +254 725289430 or 254 734825127

 

SUVs

Maximum capacity 5-7 passengers

Engine Capacity 2,000 – 2,400 cc

Average Consumption 8 – 12 km/L

Self drive Limited   yes   No

Chauffeur driven arrangements Limited   yes   no

Long term leasing yes   no

Ladies love, four wheel drive sport utility vehicle. Best for picknicks into rough terrain parks, family holidays and for long term leasing by chauffeur driven executives. Daily rate up to the 29th day of hire is KSH 6,500 per day; monthly rate of KSH 180,000 (VAT incl).

 

Request your reservation: sales@orangeadventures.co.ke or call +254 725289430 or Elisha +254 725289430 Selection Includes: Toyota Rav 4, Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Xtrail

Luxury Cruisers

Reservations restricted to chauffeur driven purposes.

Request your reservation:  sales@orangeadventures.co.ke or call +254 725289430 or Elisha +254 725289430

 

Selection includes: Land Cruiser Prado, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover and Limousines. Best for wedding ceremonies, executive travels; daily rates from  KSH 15,000 per day (VAT exclu)

Dining Etiquette

Dining etiquette is one of the most important all time etiquette, as eating is very essential to humans existence.
What differentiates us from animals while eating is simply our manners.
We want to eat and have others eat in a manner that is adorable, therefore dining etiquette is very important for both children and adults.
Arrive at the table on time. “A hungry man is an angry man” you don’t want to keep anyone waiting at the dining.
If you are a guest in someone’s home, remember to bring the host or hostess gift(s) that can be enjoyed later e.g. a bottle of wine, nuts etc. Don’t expect that it must be used as a part of the meal as your host may already have a plan. It just shows a sense of responsibility to bring along something.
Your appearance shouldn’t be a turn off for anyone so ensure you look neat and tidy.
After you are seated, your napkin should be removed from the table and placed across your lap. This is the first thing you should do upon being seated.
You have to wait for your host/hostess to begin eating before you start except the host/hostess ask you to continue without them. Nevertheless, it’s better to wait.
It’s important to understand table setting though they differ based on country, formality, e.t.c., there are still basic settings.
Use your cutlery correctly;
Handle the cutlery firmly holding the fork in your left hand such that the prongs of the fork are facing downwards. While holding a fork, you should keep your index finger straight while the other fingers fold around its handle.
The knife must be in you right hand to enable easy cutting of the food. The fork is held horizontally between the thumb and the index finger to provide an ample support for eating properly.
Ensure that you don’t keep the fork on the table in the intervals during eating; keep it at the side of your plate with the prongs pointing upwards.
If you are having tea, don’t put the tea spoon in your mouth, the teaspoon is basically for you to stir your tea with,  neither should you put your bread knife or any of the knives in your mouth.
Don’t make sandwitches on the table. Imagine a typical English breakfast where your’re served toast bread,  omelette,  tea,  sausage,  etc.  Just cut your bread in little mouth bites and eat.
Don’t eat with your hands unless it’s finger food like puff puff, samosa, etc.
If you’re eating meals like garri and the likes take a cue from the host if you’d rather eat with your hands. A host that’ll tolerate the use of hands will typically give you the option of water to wash your hands.
Remember to maintain good posture.
It is perfectly acceptable for you to rest your forearms on the edge of the table as long as you don’t tip the table. During the meal you can rest your passive hand across your lap.
While eating during the meal always remember to chew with your mouth closed to avoid irritating others with the sight of your partially chewed food.
Never! put your arm across others food, also don’t stretch across for anything you need, ask the person closest to pass it to you.
If someone asks for the salt, pass both salt and pepper at once.
Don’t add salt or any spice to the food without first of all tasting it even if you love your food spicy.  It would show you don’t trust the cook.
“Don’t talk while eating” this simply means “Don’t talk with food in your mouth” it’s not practical to avoid small talks while dining as even many business meetings are held at meal times. However it’s okay to talk but in an orderly, moderate manner. If someone has asked you a question, gesture that you will answer in a moment by raising your hand or finger, signalling that you’ve heard them, then
wait until you have finished chewing and swallowing your bite before you speak.
Avoid controversial topics, you don’t want to be the reason someone lost their appetite.
Endeavor to avoid disruptive behavior such as burping, snorting or singing,  neither should you call attention to the rudeness of others. If a person brings up a topic that is controversial or simply inappropriate at the dining table, simply change the subject to something more appropriate. The rude person will probably get the message.
It’s important to complement your host’s/hostess’s effort, even if you happen not to like the food or it wasn’t as tasty.
Never say someone’s food isn’t nice.
If the host or hostess asks how the meal was, say you enjoyed it.
Ensure the meal isn’t interrupted by your cellphone, you may switch it off or put in silent mode.
It’s rude to get up and leave the table while  others are still eating, you should remain seated if possible. If you need to get up for any reason, you should take permission to be excused. This is a courtesy request from both children and adults as well.
When picking your teeth after a meal,  it’s proper to cover your mouth with your left hand while holding your toothpick on the right hand to avoid spitting particles on others. Always use a toothpick not your hand or tongue.
Always show gratitude by thanking your host at the end meal.
In an informal setting, offer to help your host or hostess, by way of clearing the table or other cleaning tasks as needed. It is rude to eat and run, leaving the host with all the mess.
Always send a thank you note after you’ve left to let your host or hostess know you really appreciated being hosted.
Thank you for reading, I hope you’ve learnt a thing or two.
Etienying Akpanusong.

Uganda The Pearl Of Africa

Culture Name   

Ugandan

Orientation   

Identification. 

Lake Kyoga serves as a rough boundary between Bantu speakers in the south       and Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north. Despite       the division between north and south in political affairs, this linguistic       boundary actually runs roughly from northwest to southeast, near the       course of the Nile. However, many Ugandans live among people who speak       different languages, especially in rural areas. Some sources describe       regional variation in terms of physical characteristics, clothing, bodily       adornment, and mannerisms, but others claim that those differences are       disappearing.

Location and Geography.   

Bantu speakers probably entered southern Uganda by the end of the first       millennium. They had developed centralized kingdoms by the fifteenth or       sixteenth century, and after independence from British rule in 1962, Bantu       speakers constituted roughly two-thirds of the population. They are       classified as either Eastern Lacustrine or Western Lacustrine Bantu. The       Eastern Lacustrine Bantu speakers include the Baganda people whose       language is Luganda, the Basoga, and many smaller societies in Uganda,       Tanzania, and Kenya. The Western Lacustrine Bantu speakers include the       Banyoro, the Bastoro, the Banyankole, and several smaller populations in       Uganda.             Nilotic language speakers probably entered the area from the north       beginning about                 C.E.               1000. Thought to be the first cattle-herding people in the area, they       also relied on crop cultivation. The largest Nilotic populations in Uganda       are the Iteso and Karamojong ethnic groups, who speak Eastern Nilotic       languages, and the Acholi, Langi, and Alur, who speak Western Nilotic       languages. Central Sudanic languages, which arrived in Uganda from the       north over a period of centuries, are spoken by the Lugbara, the Madi, and       a few small groups in the northwestern part of the country.

Demography. 

The population was about twenty-three million in mid-1999. The Eastern       Lacustrine Bantu include the Baganda, the Basoga, and the Bagisu. The       Baganda, the largest ethnic group, account for about 17 percent of the       population, or approximately 3.9 million people. The second largest ethnic       group, the Basoga, make up about 8 percent of the population, or 1.8       million people, while the Bagisu constitute roughly 5 percent of the       population, or just over a million people. The Western Lacustrine       Bantu—the Banyoro, Batoro, and Banyankole people—probably       constitute around 3 percent of the population, or 700,000 people each.             The Eastern Nilotic language groups include the Karamojong cluster, the       Iteso and the Kakwa. The Karamojong account for around 12 percent of the       population (2.8 million), the Iteso amount to about 8 percent (1.8       million), and the Kakwa constitute 1 percent (about 230,000). The Western       Nilotic language groups include the Langi and Acholi as well as the Alur.       Together they account for roughly 15 percent of the population, or about       3.4 million people, with the Langi contributing 6 percent (1.4 million),       the Acholi 4 percent (900,000), and the Alur probably about 2 percent       (460,000).             Central Sudanic languages are spoken by about 6 percent of the population,       mostly in the northwest. The Lugbara (roughly 3.8 percent of the total, or       870,000) and the Madi (roughly 1.2 per cent, or 275,000) are the largest       of these groups, representing the southeastern corner of a belt of Central       Sudanic language speakers stretching from Chad to Sudan.             About 10,000 Ugandans of Sudanese descent are classified as Nubians. They       are descendants of Sudanese military recruits who came in the late       nineteenth century as part of the colonial army. Rwandans, who constituted       almost 6 percent of the                        Uganda                     population (more than one million) in the late 1950s, included Hutu and       Tutsi groups. The government attempted to limit Rwandan influence by       restricting those who lacked Ugandan citizenship to refugee camps and       expelling some to Tanzania. In the late 1980s, more than 120,000 Rwandans       were recognized as refugees. Asians, who in the 1969 census amounted to       some seventy thousand people, mainly of Indian and Pakistani descent, were       officially considered foreigners despite the fact that more than half were       born in Uganda. After independence and especially when the Obote       government threatened to nationalize many industries in 1969, Asians       exported much of their wealth and were accused of graft and tax evasion.       President Idi Amin deported about seventy thousand Asians in 1972, and       only a few returned in the 1980s to claim their expropriated land,       buildings, factories, and estates. In the 1990s, there were about ten       thousand Asians in the country.

Linguistic Affiliation.   

Introduced by the British in the late nineteenth century, English was the       language of colonial administration. After independence, it became the       official language, used in government, commerce, and education. Official       publications and most major newspapers appear in English, which often is       spoken on radio and television. Most residents speak at least one African       language. Swahili and Arabic also are widely spoken.

History and Ethnic Relations

Emergence of the Nation.                  After independence in 1962, ending a period of colonization that began in       1885, there was little indication that the country was headed for social       and political upheaval. Instead, Uganda appeared to be a model of       stability and progress. It had no white settler class attempting to       monopolize the cash crop economy, and there was no legacy of conflict. It       was the African producers who grew the cotton and coffee that brought a       higher standard of living, financed education, and led to high       expectations for the future.             Independence arrived without a national struggle against the British, who       devised a timetable for withdrawal before local groups had organized a       nationalist movement. This near absence of nationalism among the       country’s ethnic groups led to a series of political compromises.

 National Identity.   

Ethnic and religious divisions as well as historical emnities and       rivalries contributed to the country’s disintegration in the 1970s.       There was a wide gulf between Nilotic speakers in the north and Bantu       speakers in the south and an economic division between pastoralists in the       drier rangelands of the west and north, and agriculturists, in the       better-watered highland and lakeside regions. There was also a historical       division between the centralized and sometimes despotic rule of the       ancient African kingdoms and the kinship-based politics elsewhere. The       kingdoms were often at odds in regard to the control of land. During the       colonial period, the south had railways, cash crops, a system of Christian       mission education, and the seat of government, seemingly at the expense of       other regions. There also were religious groups that had lost ground to       rivals in the past, for example, the domination of Muslims at the end of       the nineteenth century by Christians allied to British colonialism. All       these divisions precluded the formation of a national culture.

Ethnic Relations.     

After independence, there were conflicting local nationalisms. The       Buganda’s large population, extensive territory in the favored       south, and self-proclaimed superiority created a backlash among other       Ugandan peoples. Nubians shared little sense of identification with other       groups. The closely related peoples of nearby Zaire and the Sudan soon       became embroiled in civil wars in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing in       ethnically related Ugandans. Today relations are relatively harmonious.       However, suspicion remains with the president believing to favor certain       groups from the west of the country over others.

Food and Economy     

Food in Daily Life.                  Most people, except a few who live in urban centers, produce their own       food. Most people eat two meals a day: lunch and supper. Breakfast is       often a cup of tea or porridge. Meals are prepared by women and girls; men       and boys age twelve and above do not sit in the kitchen, which is separate       from the main house. Cooking usually is done on an open wood fire. Popular       dishes include                 matoke               (a staple made from bananas), millet bread, cassava (tapioca or manioc),       sweet potatoes, chicken and beef stews, and freshwater fish. Other foods       include white potatoes, yams, corn, cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes, millet,       peas, sorghum, beans, groundnuts (peanuts), goat meat, and milk. Oranges,       papayas, lemons, and pineapples also are grown and consumed. The national       drink is                 waragi              , a banana gin. Restaurants in large population centers, such as Kampala       (the capital), serve local foods.

  Basic Economy.

Most food is produced domestically. Uganda exports various foodstuffs,       including fish and fish products, corn, coffee, and tea. The environment       provides good grazing land for cattle, sheep, and goats. Agriculture is       the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80 percent of the       workforce. Much production is organized by farmers’ cooperatives.       Smallholder farmers predominated in the 1960s and 1970s but declined as a       result of civil conflict. In the 1980s, the government provided aid to       farmers, and by the middle of the decade nearly a hundred ranches had been       restocked with cattle.             Lakes, rivers and swamps cover about 20 percent of the land surface, and       fishing is an important rural industry. The basic currency is the       shilling.                   Land Tenure and Property.                  At independence, the country was a patchwork of district administrations       subdivided into counties and consolidated into                        Grand Mosque of Kampala. Roughly 15 percent of Ugandans are Muslims                     provinces. As a result of a treaty with the British in 1900, Uganda       retained its monarchy together with a modified version of its government       and a distinctive form of quasi-freehold land tenure. Land was divided       between the protectorate government and the kabaka (king), chiefs, and       other tribal notables. This                 mailo               land quickly became an important element in the colonial farming economy.             Uganda has a long history of diverse laws and social systems governing       land tenure. Since the promulgation of the Land Reform decree of 1975,       only two systems of land tenure exist (leasehold and customary tenure),       but in practice a complex mixture of systems (including customary,       leasehold, and freehold) continue to exist. The government attempted to       simplify and unify the land tenure system. A major development in that       process has been the inclusion of land tenure in the constitution of 1995.       However, issues such as women’s right to own land require further       consideration.

Commercial Activities.

The major goods and services produced for sale are foodstuffs and cash       crops for exportation, with coffee as the major export crop. Uganda       escaped widespread famine in the late 1970s and 1980s because many people,       including urban residents, resorted to subsistence cultivation. Both       commercial and subsistence farming operated         in the monetary and nonmonetary sectors, presenting the government with       problems of organization and taxation. By the late 1980s, government       reports estimated that about 44 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)       originated outside the monetary economy. Most nonmonetary activity was       agricultural.

Major Industries.   

When the present government seized power in 1986, industrial production       was negligible, consisting mostly of the processing of crops and the       production of textiles, wood and paper products, cement, and chemicals.       Industry was a small part of GDP in the late 1980s, operating at       approximately one-third of the level of the early 1970s. Under Museveni,       there has been some industrial rejuvenation, although this has amounted to       not much more than the repair of damage done during the civil war to the       industrial infrastructure. The sugar industry was rehabilitated through       joint ventures involving the private sector and the government. By the       1990s there was a refining capacity of at least 140,000 tons of sugar       annually. Other rehabilitated industries include beer brewing, tobacco,       cotton, and cement. About 4 percent of adults worked in industry by the       1990s. During the 1990s, industrial growth was 13.2 percent.

Trade.                  In 1998, the country exported products worth $575 million. The main       export commodities were coffee (54 percent of the total value), gold, fish       and fish products, cotton, tea, and corn. The countries receiving most of       these products were Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Italy.       The main imports include chemicals, basic manufactured goods, machinery,       and transport equipment.

Division of Labor.                  In the mid-1990s the labor force was estimated to be about 8.5 million,       with more than 85 percent working in agriculture, 4 percent in industry,       and 10 percent in the services sector. Jobs are allocated according to       ability and preference.

Social Stratification 

Classes and Castes.                  Although there are no castes, there is a relatively high degree of social       inequality. In the mid-1990s, 55 percent of the population lived below the       poverty line. The top 10 percent owned about one-third of the available       wealth, while the bottom 10 percent owned 3 percent. Wealth distribution       is governed by class position. The richest people live mostly in the       capital, Kampala.                   Symbols of Social Stratification.                  Social stratification is governed primarily by level of education and       status derived primarily from employment. Among the elites, English is the       language of communication, and these people dress in a modern Western       fashion. Others tend to wear traditional dress.

Political Life   

Government.                  Under the constitution of 1995, legislative power is in the hands of a       unicameral parliament (the National Resistance Council) with 276 members       (214 elected directly and 62 appointed). Executive powers are held by the       president, who is directly elected for a five-year term. On coming to       power in 1986, the government introduced “no-party”       democracy known as the “movement system” with a national       network extending from the capital to the rural areas. Only one political       organization, formerly the National Resistance Movement (or NRM) and now       known as the “Movement,” is recognized; it is the party of       President Museveni. Among the parties that exist but are not allowed to       sponsor candidates, the most important are the Ugandan People’s       Congress (UPC), the Democratic Party (DP), and the Conservative Party       (CP).

Leadership and Political Officials.   

It is alleged that one of the main criteria for advancement in the       current government is whether an individual fought in President       Museveni’s guerrilla army, which was instrumental in bringing the       regime to power in 1986. Those people are said to have achieved their       positions through a combination of hard work, influence peddling, and       corruption.

Social Problems and Control.

After the victory of the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1986, the NRA       assumed responsibility for internal security. The police force was       reorganized and, together with other internal security organs, began to       enforce law and order in all districts except those experiencing rebel       activity. There are two continuing civil wars against the       “Lord’s Resistance Army” and against guerrillas based       in the Sudan. In 1995, the government established a legal system based on       English common law and customary law. There is a court of appeal and a       high court, both with judges appointed by the president. The most common       crimes are theft and, in some parts of the country, banditry.

Military Activity. 

Uganda has an army, a navy, and an air force. The NRA has about seventy       thousand troops. Recruitment is voluntary; there is no fixed term of       service, and both men and women serve. In 1999, Ugandan military forces       supported the rebel forces in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of       Congo.                       Women preparing food in Kampala. All meals are prepared by women in             Uganda; boys over age twelve are banned from the kitchen.

Social Welfare and Change Programs   

In 1987, the government launched a four-year Rehabilitation and       Development Plan to restore the nation’s productive capacity,       especially in industry and agriculture, and rehabilitate the social and       economic infrastructure. The plan targeted industrial and agricultural       production, transportation, and electricity and water services,       envisioning an annual 5 percent growth rate. Transportation would receive       the major share of funding, followed by agriculture, industry and tourism,       social infrastructure, and mining and energy. Although the international       financial community provided debt rescheduling and new loans, the level of       economic recovery was modest. Improved security and private sector       development contributed to economic growth and the rehabilitation of the       social infrastructure in the 1990s, but external shocks, an overvalued       currency, and high government spending limited economic progress.

Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations 

Political conflict and the near disintegration of the state under Milton       Obote and Idi Amin in the 1970s and early 1980s, led to the incorporation       of autonomous self-help organizations and nongovernmental organizations       (NGOs). Foreign and indigenous NGOs concerned with developmental, social,       and political goals have flooded Uganda since the mid-1980s. In general,       NGOs have been effective in addressing the needs of service provision and       alleviating poverty. For groups of traditionally disadvantaged people such       as physically disabled persons and women, NGOs have provided guaranteed       political representation at every level of the society.

Gender Roles and Statuses   

Division of Labor by Gender.                  Traditionally, women’s roles were subordinate to those of men       despite the substantial economic and social responsibilities of women in       traditional Ugandan societies. Women were taught to accede to the wishes       of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and other men and to demonstrate       their subordination to men in public life. Into the 1990s, women in rural       areas of Buganda were expected to kneel when speaking to a man. However,       women had the primary responsibility for child care and subsistence       agriculture while contributing to cash crop agriculture. Many Ugandans       recognized women as important religious leaders who sometimes had led       revolts that                        The people of Kalunga village celebrate the victory of Kintu Musoke             in the 1994 nonpartisan general election in Uganda.                     overthrew the political order dominated by men. In some areas, women       could own land, influence crucial political decisions made by men, and       cultivate cash crops.

The Relative Status of Women and Men.

In the 1970s and 1980s, political violence had a heavy toll on women.       Economic hardship was felt in the home, where women and children lacked       the economic opportunities available to most men. Women’s work       became more time-consuming, and the erosion of public services and       infrastructure reduced access to schools, hospitals, and markets. However,       some Ugandan women believed that the war years strengthened their position       in society, and the Museveni government has pledged to eliminate       discrimination against women. During the civil war, women were active in       the NRA. The government decreed that one women would represent each       district on the National Resistance Council, and the government owned       Uganda Commercial Bank established a rural credit plan to make farm loans       available to women.

 Marriage, Family, and Kinship 

Marriage.                  Family prosperity in rural areas involves the acquisition of wives, which       is accomplished through the exchange of bridewealth. Since the 1950s a       ceiling on bridewealth has been set at five cows and a similar number of       goats. The payment of bridewealth is connected to the fact that men       “rule” women. Polygynous marriages have reinforced some       aspects of male dominance but also have given women an arena for       cooperating to oppose male dominance. A man may grant his senior wife       “male” status, allowing her to behave as an equal toward men       and as a superior toward his other wives. However, polygynous marriages       have left some wives without legal rights to inheritance after divorce or       widowhood.

 Domestic Unit.                  The extended family is augmented by a kin group. Men have authority in       the family; household tasks are divided among women and older girls. Women       are economically dependent on the male next of kin (husband, father, or       brother). Dependence on men deprives women of influence in family and       community matters, and ties them to male relationships for sustenance and       the survival of their children.

  Inheritance.                  Land reform is a continuing aspect of constitutional debate. Suggestions       for a new land policy were part of the draft constitution submitted to the       president of the Constitutional Commission in late 1992, though little       consideration had been given to the issue of women’s right to own       and                        A woman winnowing grain in the Virunga National Park. More than 80             percent of the workforce is employed in agriculture.                     inherit land. Although women make a significant contribution in       agriculture, their tenure rights are fragile. The determination and       protection of property rights have become important issues as a result of       civil war and the impact of AIDS. However, the state’s legal stand       on inheritance recognizes the devolution of property through statutory as       well as customary law.             According to the law, a wife equally with a husband is entitled to 15       percent of the spouse’s estate after death. The practice, though,       is that in the majority of cases a man inherits all of his wife’s       property, while culture dictates that a woman does not inherit from her       husband at all. In other words, regarding inheritance, where there is       conflict between cultural unwritten law and the written modern law, the       cultural laws tend to take precedence.

Kin Groups.                  For many people, clan, lineage, and marriage provide the framework of       daily life and access to the most significant resources. Farming is       largely a family enterprise, and land and labor are available primarily       through kin.

Socialization 

Infant Care.                  Virtually all infant care is undertaken by women and older girls at home.

Child Rearing and Education.                  Mothers bore an average of over seven children in the late 1990s, and the       use of family planning is low. The death of children is commonplace, with       an estimated ninety deaths per one thousand live births. Boys are more       likely to be educated to the primary and secondary levels than are girls.       Among the 62 percent of the population that is literate, nearly       three-quarters are men.

Higher Education.                  Established in 1922, Makerere University in Kampala was the first college       in East Africa. Its primary aim was to train people for government       employment. In the 1980s, it expanded to include colleges of liberal arts       and medicine serving more than five thousand students. In the early 1990s,       there were about nine thousand students. The Islamic University at Mbale,       financed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, opened in 1988.       This college provides Islamic educational services primarily to       English-speaking students from African countries. In 1989, a second       national university campus opened in Mbarara, with a curriculum designed       to serve rural development needs. Development plans for higher education       rely largely on international and private donors. Most residents value       higher education, perceiving it as an essential aspect of national       development.

Etiquette   

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Casual dress is considered       appropriate in the daytime and evening. It is customary to give waiters       and taxi drivers a 10 percent tip. Etiquette is important at family meals.       When a meal is ready, all the members of the household wash their hands       and sit on floor mats. Visitors and neighbors who drop in are expected to       join the family at a meal. Normally a short prayer is said before the       family starts eating. During the meal, children talk only when asked a       question. It is considered impolite to leave the room while others are       eating. Leaning on the left hand or stretching one’s legs at a meal       is a sign of disrespect. When the meal is finished, everyone in turn gives       a compliment to the mother.

Religion   

Religious Beliefs.                  One-third of the population is Roman Catholic, one-third is Protestant,       and 16 percent is Muslim; 18 percent believe in local religions, including       various millenarian religions. World religions and local religions have       coexisted for more than a century, and many people have established a set       of beliefs about the nature of the universe by combining elements of both       types. There is a proliferation of religious discourses centering on       spirits, spirit possession, and witchcraft.

Religious Practitioners.                  Religious identity has economic and political implications: church       membership has influenced opportunities for education, employment, and       social advancement. Religious practitioners thus are expected to provide a       range of benefits for their followers. Leaders of indigenous religions       reinforce group solidarity by providing elements necessary for societal       survival: remembrance of ancestors, means of settling disputes, and       recognition of individual achievement. Another social function of       religious practitioners is helping people cope with pain, suffering, and       defeat by providing an explanation of their causes. Religious beliefs and       practices serve political aims by bolstering the authority of temporal       rulers and allowing new leaders to mobilize political power and implement       political change.

 Rituals and Holy Places.                  In Bantu-speaking societies, many local religions include a belief in a       creator God. Most local religions involve beliefs in ancestral and other       spirits, and people offer prayers and sacrifices to symbolize respect for       the dead and maintain proper relationships among the living. Mbandwa       mediators act on behalf of other believers, using trance or hypnosis and       offering sacrifice and prayer to beseech the spirit world on behalf of the       living.             Uganda has followers of Christianity, Islam, and African traditional       religions. Ugandan Muslims make pilgrimages to Mecca when they can.       Followers of African religions tend to establish shrines to various local       gods and spirits in a variety of locations.

Death and the Afterlife.                  Death is sometimes interpreted in the idiom of witchcraft. A disease or       other cause of death may not be considered the true cause. At a burial, if       the relatives suspect someone of having caused the deceased       person’s death, a spirit medium may call up the spirit of the       deceased and ask who really killed him or her.

Medicine and Health Care   

Health services deteriorated in the 1970s and 1980s, as a result of       government neglect, violence, and civil war. In the 1990s, measles,       respiratory tract infections, and gastro enteritis caused one-half of all       deaths attributed to illness, and malaria, AIDS, anemia, tetanus, whooping       cough, and respiratory tract infections also claimed many lives. Infant       mortality was often caused by low birth weight, premature birth, or       neonatal tetanus. The entire health care system was served by less than a       thousand doctors in the 1990s. Care facilities included community health       centers, maternity clinics, dispensaries, leprosy centers, and aid posts.       Today there is at least one hospital in each district except the southern       district of Rakai. In the sparsely populated northern districts, people       sometimes travel long distances to receive medical care, and facilities       are inferior to those in the south. Those who live far from or cannot       afford modern health care depend on traditional care. Women are prominent       among traditional healers.

Secular Celebrations 

The major holidays are New Year’s Day, 1 January; Liberation Day,       26 January; International Women’s Day, 8 March; Labor Day, 1 May;       National Heroes Day, 9 June; and Independence Day, 9 October.

The Arts and Humanities 

Support for the Arts.                  Most artists are self-supporting as there is virtually no state support.       Small-scale, local initiatives take place, but it has been                        A farm with terraced fields near Kibale. Coffee, cotton, tea, and             corn are among the most common agriculture exports.                     difficult to establish viable sectors because of the disruptions caused       by long-term political conflict and economic decline.                   Literature.                  The development of literature is at an early stage. It has been held back       by the years of civil war.                   Graphic and Performance Arts.                  Performing arts often are associated with different ethnic groups       throughout the country.

 The State of the Physical and Social Sciences     

The physical and social sciences are generally under-developed as a result       of civil instability and conflict and the development of other priorities       centered on national reconstruction. Makerere University is still in       operation but virtually all expatriate staff, once the backbone of the       teaching staff, have been long gone. Little research is currently       undertaken because of a lack of up-to-date books, journals, or computers.

Bibliography 

Abid, Syed, ed.                 Uganda Women in Development,               1990.             Allen, Tim. “Understanding Alice: Uganda’s Holy Spirit       Movement in Context.”                 Africa               61 (3): 37–39, 1991.             Antrobus, P. “The Empowerment of Women.”                 Women and International Development               1 (2): 189–207, 1989.             Bernt Hansen, Holger, and Michael Twaddle eds.                 Uganda Now: Between Decay and Development,               1988.             ——.                 Developing Uganda,               1998.             Bwegye, F. A. W.                 The Agony of Uganda,               1985.             Dicklich, Susan. “Indigenous NGOs and Political       Participation.” In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael Twaddle, eds.                 Developing Uganda               145–158, 1998.             Furley, Oliver. “Uganda’s Retreat from Turmoil?,”                 Conflict Studies               196, 1986.             Gertzel, Cherry. “Uganda’s Continuing Search for       Peace.”                 Current History               89 (547): 205–228, 231–232, 1990.             Harlow, Vincent, and E. M. Chilver, eds.                 History of East Africa,               1965.             Ingham, Kenneth.                 The Making of Modern Uganda,               1983.             Jorgensen, Jan Jelmert.                 Uganda: A Modern History,               1981.             Kabwegyere, T. B.                 The Politics of State Formation and Destruction in Uganda,               3rd ed. 1995.             Kasfir, Nelson.                 The Shrinking Political Arena: Participation and Ethnicity in African         Politics,               1976.             ——. “Land and Peasants in Western Uganda: Bushenyi       and Mbarara Districts.” In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael Twaddle,       eds.                 Uganda Now: Between Decay and Development,               1988.             Khadiagala, G. M. “State Collapse and Reconstruction in       Uganda.” In William I. Zartman, ed.                 Collapsed States,               1995.             Livingstone, Ian. “Developing Industry in Uganda in the       1990s.” In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael Twaddle, eds.                 Developing Uganda,               1998.             Marquardt, Mark A., and Abby Sabina-Zziwa. “Land Reform in the       Making.” In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael Twaddle, eds.                 Developing Uganda,               1998.             Mbowa, Rose. “Theatre for Development: Empowering Ugandans to       Transform Their Condition.” In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael       Twaddle, eds.                 Developing Uganda,               1998.             Nsibambi, Apolo R. “The Restoration of Traditional Rulers.”       In Holger Bernt Hansen and Michael Twaddle, eds.                 From Chaos to Order: The Politics of Constitution-Making in Uganda,               1996.             Omara-Otunu, Amii.                 Politics and the Military in Uganda,               1987.             ——. “The Dynamics of Conflict in Uganda.” In       Oliver Furley, ed.                 Conflict in Africa,               1995.             Roberts, A. “The Sub-Imperialism of the Baganda.”                 Journal of African History               8 (3): 435–450, 1962.             Sathymurthy, T. V.                 The Political Development of Uganda,               1900–1986, 1986.             Southall, Aidan W. “Social Disorganization in Uganda: Before,       During, and After Amin.”                 Journal of Modern Africa Studies               18 (4): 627–656, 1980.             Tindigarukayo, Jimmy, K. “Uganda, 1979–85: Leadership in       Transition.”                 Journal of Modern African Studies               26 (4): 607–22, 1988.             Twaddle, Michael, ed.                 Expulsion of a Minority,               1975.             Van Zwanenburg, R. M. A, and Anne King.                 An Economic History of Kenya and Uganda,               1800–1970, 1975.             Watson, Catherine. “Uganda’s Women: A Ray of Hope.”                 Africa Report               33 (6): 32–35, 1988.             Welbourn, F. B.                 Religion and Politics in Uganda,               1952–1962, 1965.             Werbner, Richard.                 Ritual Passage, Sacred Journey,               1989.             World Bank.                 Uganda: Towards Stabilization and Economic Recovery,               1988.             ——.                 Uganda: The Economic Impact of AIDS,               1991.             ——.                 Uganda: Agriculture Sector Memorandum,               1991.               —J                EFF               H                AYNES

Read more: http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html#ixzz4Di9mVIir

OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

OUR STORY

Prior to 1970’s, Ol Pejeta was a highly developed and productive cattle ranch in which wildlife presence was thought to undermine the welfare of the cattle by competing for grazing as well as being disease vectors.

Ol Pejeta is now East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary as well as being home to Southern White Rhinos brought in from South Africa and thriving on the fertile open grasslands. It is also the only place in Africa to see Northern White Rhinos, a subspecies that once roamed the grasslands of northern Congo and southern Sudan but now on the brink of extinction. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to four of the last seven of this species left in the world. Our Location on the wildlife migration corridors of Kenya’s northern rangelands has the advantage of making us home to all the “Big Five” and we enjoy one of the highest predator densities in Kenya. We are also the only place in Kenya to see the chimpanzees which are located in a specially designed sanctuary set up by the world famous primatologist JANE GOODALL.

TO PROFIT OR NOT TO PROFIT

While Ol Pejeta is a private conservancy we are considered a “not-for  profit” organization. By virtue of our company constitution, all “profit” must be reinvested into further wildlife conservation and community outreach and cannot be disbursed as a dividend or in the form of director’s benefits. The shareholders and Board of Ol Pejeta work on an entirely Philanthropic  and voluntarily basis.

CONSERVATION …..OUR EXPENSIVE BUSINESS

Safeguarding endangered species is very expensive, the cost of which literally doubles with the presence of Rhinos. We aim to develop the majority of this funding from our tourism operations; however these are susceptible to periodic downturns and we are always looking to develop the funding and partnership relationships necessary to guarantee the security of our wildlife. Considered a leader in conservation innovation, we are constantly evolving new approaches and technologies. The conservancy perimeter fence is completely electrified with game corridors in the northern sector adjoining other conservancies. We also work closely with surrounding communities who provide security in the form of information

 

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH  

The conservancy is committed to building a long term community relationships by empowering people from from neighboring communities to grow. We constantly engage with surrounding communities to identify opportunities for assistance and ensure effective use of donated funds in an entirely accountable manner. Through business enterprises and with the help of willing donors[both large and small], our community outreach program and external conservation program mes have raised and disbursed USD 1,000,000 in the last three years, reflecting our aim to become a real engine for development across the district now and in the future.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy model is increasingly recognized and used by donors as a means to achieve effective community and poverty alleviation.

For more information on Ol Pejeta Conservancy visit:

www.olpejetaconservancy.org

Karen Blixen, Girrafe Centre And David Shedrick Day Trip

Karen Blixen, Giraffe Centre and Daphne Shedrick

$170.00

Visit a giraffe breeding and conservation program and learn about one  of the rarest breeds, the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Stroll  through the former home of Karen Blixen, the illustrious author of the  prominent novel Out of Africa, used in the filming of the Oscar-winning  movie.

Begin your half-day tour with a trip to the Giraffe Center in  Nairobi. Admire the valuable work the non-profit organization is  attempting to stabilize the rare Rothschild’s giraffe population. Learn  how over 50 of the striking creatures have been released into the wild,  and see the young calves currently residing in the 120-acre (49 ha)  site.

Continue to the Karen Blixen Museum, former home of the Danish  novelist and author of Out of Africa. The building still houses many of  the original furnishings and some newer pieces donated by the makers of  the celebrated film. The museum adds further context to the movie,  providing a fascinating glimpse into East African colonial life in the  dying years of the British Empire.

Product details

This includes a visit to the famous Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Center and Daphne Shed-rick

Karen Blixen

– Its located 10km from the city center at the foot of Ngong hills Come and have a memorable experience at the museum

Here  we have guided tours where you will find a museum shop which offers  handicrafts, posters and postcards, the movie out of Africa, books and  other Kenyan souvenirs.

Giraffe Centre

It was established in  order to protect the endangered species of Rothschild giraffe, that is  found only in the grassland of East Africa. The main attraction for  visitors is feeding giraffes from a raised observation platform.

Daphne Shed rick Elephant Orphanage-

I  t was started to protect and rescue elephants. David Shed rick wildlife  trust is located within the Nairobi National Park and the sanctuary  cares for orphaned baby Elephants, tame black and white, Rhinos-calves  and adults. come see, feed and make friends with the elephants. Its an  experience that you never want to miss and one that you will never  forget.

KAZURI BEAD FACTORY & POTTERY CENTRE

The Kazuri  Bead factory and Pottery Centre is a good stop for those interested in  local crafts. The ceramic beads, pottery and leather goods are all  handmade by disadvantaged women. “Kazuri” means “small and beautiful” in  Swahili and was named by the founder when she started the company with  just two Kenyan employees in 1975. The factory now employs more than 300  women, all working hard but with great joy. You can get a tour of the  factory and watch the beads and pots get fired and glazed, it takes  about an hour in total. In the weekends the factory/workshop may be  closed, but the shop is still open, so you can purchase souvenirs. The  Bead Factory is a popular stop en route to, or from, the Karen Blixen  museum, and other sites in the Karen neighbourhood. Opening hours:  Monday – Saturday 8.30am – 6 pm, and Sundays from 9 am – 4 pm.

HIGHLIGHTS

•    Kenya’s wildlife & natural history within Nairobi

•    Insight into Out of Africa—a famous novel by Karen Blixen

•    Sets & scenery used in the distinguished motion picture

•    Effective breeding & conservation center for giraffes

•    Wonderful opportunity to safely interact with the creatures

INCLUSIONS

•    Admission fees

•    Roundtrip transportation to and from your central Nairobi hotel

•    Live tour commentary provided in English

The Great Rift Valley Lakes

The Rift Valley is one of the wonders of the world, stretching from the Middle East, down through Africa, reaching as far as Mozambique. The staggering view, as you approach from Nairobi, Kenya is quite unbelievable. The ground suddenly disappears from under you to show the huge expanse of the great rift, stretching for thousands of miles in either direction.

The first lake approached is the beautiful, deep-green Lake Naivasha.Lake Naivasha Basin holds two small National Parks, both of which are well worth a visit,ie Mount Longonot National Park is based around a young volcano, which rises up to 2,776 meters and Hell’s Gate National Park. Famous for its natural hot geysers, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, obsidian deposits and extinct volcanoes, it is possible to walk, game drive, camp, cycle and rock climb within the park. Beautiful rock gorges and natural steam vents add to the beauty of this tiny, 68 square km. Park. Game to view includes hyrax, buffalo, giraffe, eland, Hartebeest, lion and leopard. As with all of the Rift Valley Parks, Hell’s Gate is also an ornithologist’s dream. The cliffs of Hell’s Gate are the breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux Eagles, Auger Buzzards and thousands of swifts.

Heading further northwest, Lake Nakuru is the next stop. This world famous Park was created to protect its stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn the lake shore pink in color. The park spans an attractive range of wooded and bush grassland around the lake, offering a wide range of Eco-diversity. Notable game within the lake area is hippo and the diverse bird life. Both black and white rhino are now resident in the sanctuary and Rothschild giraffe, buffalo, impala, eland, warthog, Mountain Reedbuck, klipspringers and Black and White Colobus Monkeys are all plentiful. This park is world-renowned and is a beacon for ornithologists, scientists and wildlife filmmakers.

The next lake jewel scattered along the Rift Valley floor is Lake Bogoria. Most of this reserve is covered by the lake itself, which is a spectacular sight, reflecting searing blue skies and the rose pink of flamingo. With over 135 species of bird recorded, the area is of significant ornithological interest. As does Lake Nakuru, Bogoria waters grow rich blue-green algae, which seasonally attracts thousands of flamingos. The surrounding bushed grasslands are home to a number of animals, most notably the very rare Greater Kudu antelope.

The tiny Lake Kamnarok Reserve is the last stop on this circuit. Lake Kamnarok has a diverse landscape centred around a 4,000-foot deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on the sides contrasting with the dry thorn bush at its base. Here you can find bush pigs, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, pelicans and grebes.

As you travel through this small section of the entire Rift Valley with the rising Mau Escarpment on one side, and the Aberdare Mountains on the other, the lush, green forests of these mountain ranges frame the arid landscape of the Valley floor.

With a huge variety of landscapes, activities, accommodation and wildlife, the Rift Valley Lakes area is an excellent part of any safari holiday.

Things To Know About Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari

It is now estimated that about 900 mountain gorillas are left in the world. Your desire for having a closer look at these wonderful primates can be successfully accomplished by making a visit to Uganda. Today numerous visitors from different corners of the world are coming to Uganda for witnessing the great apes in their natural habitat. This has made gorilla tracking as one of the leading tourism activity in Uganda. It is believed that Uganda acts as a home to over 400 gorillas. Before venturing out for gorilla tracking safari in Uganda, you need to be aware about some essential things, which is explained below:

What will be the best time for experiencing Uganda gorilla safari?
Gorilla tracking in Uganda can be successfully conducted at any time of the year. If you are interested in enjoying more adventurous experience then can opt for June to September and December to January- these are considered to be the peak season. At this time traffic to various parks increases; this results in costly gorilla permits compared to low seasons.

Where to enjoy a thrilling experience of gorilla tracking in Uganda?
One can enjoy Uganda gorilla safaris or Uganda gorilla safari tour at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It is found that most visitors prefer Bwindi National Park to enjoy an exhilarating gorilla tracking because its gorillas are consistent.

Most popular destination for Uganda gorilla tracking enthusiasts, Bwindi National Park has the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world. Visitors have the choice of witnessing four habituated mountain gorilla groups like:

•    Mubare

•    Habinyanja

•    Rushegura

•    Nikuringo

Bwindi National Park is located about 500km from Kampala, the distance between Kampala and Bwindi takes about 6 to 8 hours of driving by road. One can also fly to an airstrip at Kisoro from Kampala or Entebbe and then drive to reach the Bwindi National Park.

Wear Smart for a Successful Gorilla Tracking in Uganda:

•    Carry a good pair of walking shoes for enjoying hiking or walking in the dense with an ease.

•    Have a pair of light clothes and make assure to avoid any bright color or shade of clothes.

•    Ensure in having a sunscreen lotion and a hat to escape the sun.

•    Keep some warm and waterproof clothes to deal efficiently with the wet and cold challenges while exploring the habitat of mountain gorillas.

Do Not Forget to Obtain a Gorilla Permit:
Generally the gorilla tracking permits are issued by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority at their offices in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. This may sound a bit tricky or complex process for tourists and visitors. In order to enjoy convenience of obtaining a gorilla permit, you can depend on Orange Adventures. we will obtain the permits in time on behalf of you that will help in avoiding any kind of inconvenience.

Gorilla tracking by Orange Adventures will help you experience a memorable trip with family or friends while witnessing a gorilla family in a breathtaking natural habitat.

For more details, stay social with us on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/orangeadventures/