The Omukama of Tooro Kingdom, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV tracked chimpanzees in the Kibale forest national park, describing it as an amazing experience.
King Oyo tracked the chimps on Wednesday as part of the activities of the maiden Ekyooto Ha Mpango cultural and tourism festival. The festival aims at showcasing the attractions that Tooro and the greater Rwenzori region is endowed with.
The King led guests on a Royal tour of his palace at Karuzika hill in Fort Portal before they proceeded to other key tourism destinations.
His guests included the Tourism Minister, Tom Butime, first daughter, Diana Museveni Kamuntu, UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda, Elsie Attafuah, and the Director of Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC), Marcella Karekye.
The Omukama was also accompanied by his mother, Queen Mother of Tooro, Best Kemigisa.
The tour also featured stop overs at Musandama viewing point which offers travelers scenic views of the Rwenzori ranges.
King Oyo and his guests then proceeded to Sempaya hot springs in the Semliki national park, famous for its unbeatable birding experience.
The delegation later visited the Kibale national park which is home to over 1,400 chimpanzees. For its high concentration of primate species, the park has come to be known as the world’s primate capital.
“On day 2 of the Royal Tour, we visited and tracked the chimpanzees in Kibale national park. It was an amazing experience. Everyone deserves to do this in their lifetime,” King Oyo posted in a tweet.
In one of the photos during the excursion, the King who wore a white tee, black cap, denims and a pair of sneakers, can be seen recording a video of the primates.
The UNDP Resident Rep in Uganda, Elsie Attafuah, recounted the experience in Kibale as “great” adding that Uganda is indeed the Pearl of Africa.
“I am inspired for UNDP to do more to promote biodiversity and climate action through tourism,” Attafuah said in a tweet.
The team also stopped by at Primate Lodge in the national park where they were hosted by the lodge proprietor and tourism campaigner, Amos Wekesa.
