The first edition of the Ugandan Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya debuted at the Diani Reef Beach Hotel in Kwale, Kilifi County. There are over 500 local and international tourists partaking in this festival. Ugandan culture attracts visitors with its enticing warmth and charm, offering a wealth of diverse customs.
Each ethnic group adds to a fusion of cultural expression; from the multicoloured dances of the Baganda to the complex rhythms of the Acholi. Ugandan culture bursts with flavour with upbeat dances and unique food culture for both vegans and non-vegans. In addition, Ugandans are hospitable and friendly and their family honour is more than admirable.
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About Ugandan Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya
The Ugandan Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya aims to draw more Kenyan tourists to Uganda while showcasing Ugandan culture and food to audiences in Kenya and abroad. Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, the consul general of Uganda in Kenya officially launched the festival in Kwale. He emphasized the importance of the tourism trade between Kenya and Uganda in his speech noting that this festival is a bridge to better days for both countries in the tourism front.
Ugandan Cultural Festival held In Kwale. Photo/Pulse Uganda
About 200,000 Ugandan visitors visited Kenya in 2023 alone, and approximately 500,000 Kenyans travelled to Uganda for business or pleasure the same year. Amb Mukumbya remarked that it was evident Kenya and Uganda have a huge tourism market to explore. He emphasized that the Ugandan Cultural and Culinary Festival’s goal is to encourage more Kenyans to learn about Uganda’s travel options.
According to the Ugandan envoy, Uganda is an inexpensive destination with a lot to offer in every tourism sphere. The festival beautifully highlights this aspect in the hope of promoting intra-tourism between the two nations.
What Do You Need to Enter Uganda as a Kenyan?
If you are not a passport holder but you are a Kenyan citizen, you still can enter Uganda with your national identity card. Moreover, if you have a passport, ensure that it is valid for at least six months after your visit. For short stays of up to 90 days, you do not need a visa to enjoy the width and breadth of Uganda.
An East African tourist visa is available for you to get upon arrival. Make sure to apply for this visa in advance if you plan to stay longer. Even if credit cards are more widely used, it’s still useful to have some Ugandan Shillings on hand for minor transactions.
Will Uganda Hold Festivals in Kenya Often?
The Ugandan Cultural and Culinary Festival in Kenya is the first of many to come. There is a series of these events that will take place in four coastal counties in Kenya. They will be in Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Ocean Beach in Malindi, Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi, and Diani Reef in Kwale. Kwale’s edition offered visitors an enthralling experience.
Renowned Ndere Troupe entertained the guests with traditional dances, and Ugandan comedian Anne Kansiime provided lighthearted entertainment. Traditional Ugandan foods were in plenty and with it came deep lessons on the Ugandan food culture and the role families play in safeguarding it.
Following the festival’s success, tourism players from both countries insist that increasing tourism in East Africa requires regional cooperation. Through the festival, both countries can increase their tourism connections and equally promote their respective tourism markets.
Is Uganda or Kenya Better for Safari?
Ugandan Safari. Photo/Kara-Tungu
Your choice between Uganda and Kenya for safari depends on what you need and what your destination of choice offers. Below are the deliverables for each country.
Kenya
Kenya is the King of classics as far as wildlife safari goes but more expensive compared to Uganda. Large savannahs in Kenya are home to thousands of famous wildlife species. With millions of wildebeest and zebra rushing across the plains, the Great Migration is the reason the Masai Mara is so famous worldwide. There are many antelope species to see, giraffes, cheetahs, the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) and other wild animals.
Most of them are in popular and accessible parks spread out across the country. Bird watching is also popular across Kenya’s breathtaking sceneries dotted by a variety of lodges and tented camps suiting different budgets and tastes.
Uganda
On the other hand, Uganda is more affordable compared to Kenya with exclusive safaris such as the Gorilla trekking that’s not in Kenya. Mountain gorillas specifically live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is famous for treks. Further Kibale National Park also offers memorable times with chimpanzees.
Then, Queen Elizabeth National Park dots with tree-climbing lions, buffalos, leopards, zebras, and giraffes among many other wild animals. Uganda’s diverse landscapes include lush rainforests, dramatic mountain ranges, and Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. While wildlife viewing in the savannas might not be as prolific as in Kenya, boat safaris reveal a fascinating world of hippos, crocodiles, and a stunning variety of birds.
