Uganda is undoubtedly one of the best safari destinations in East Africa. This relatively small country offers unique safari experiences to adventure travelers. From popular gorilla safaris into Bwindi and Mgahinga to classic game drives in less crowded national parks; the country offers something different from popular destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania.  To many travelers, Uganda is still the least explored country in East Africa yet the vastness of its landscapes, primates, savannahs and forests make it an adventure force to reckon with. Here are the five best safari experiences to consider for your Uganda safari:

1. Go Gorilla Trekking

Among the top five safari experiences, Uganda has to offer; gorilla trekking tops the list. The thrill of watching the huge silverback being protective while foraging, infant gorillas playing and the juveniles grooming each other and interacting with their natural surrounding is a second to none experience.  Uganda hosts two national parks that protect the mountain gorillas; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to almost half of the world’s remaining population of the mountain gorillas. Located in southwestern Uganda, the park receives tourists all year round who travel to this remote side of Uganda to experience gorilla safaris in the misty tropical rain forest. Within this 128 square miles forest, over 480 mountain gorillas are protected jealously. About 18 families have been habituated for tourist visits and gorilla watching is conducted in a sustainable manner. Bwindi still edges Mgahinga gorilla national park because of its numerous habituated gorilla families that can visited by tourists. However, unlike the old narrative, it is now very possible to spot gorillas in Mgahinga on any given day.

2. Classic Game Viewing in Less Explored Parks

Uganda safaris offer unique encounters with the tree climbing lions, African elephants, cape buffaloes, Leopards and rhinos. This makes Uganda one of the few African destinations where you can encounter the big five game.

Undertaking a safari in search for the big game is one of the best experiences to do in Uganda. For travelers looking for big game safaris in Uganda, there are several national parks where you can enjoy game drives. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley national park and Lake Mburo National Park are Uganda’s prime destinations for some of the best game drives experiences in Africa.

3. Go Chimpanzee Tracking

Trekking the endangered chimpanzees after gorilla trekking is a perfect idea for primate lovers who can’t just have enough of the Great Apes. The most interesting thing is that all the countries that offer mountain gorilla treks also provide opportunities of trekking one of mankind’s closest (very close) relatives-chimpanzees that share 98.7% DNA with us. Uganda boasts of more than five locations where tourists can track the endangered chimpanzees. However, the best of these is Kibale Forest National Park where over 1500 of the country’s 5000 chimpanzees are protected. Unlike gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking can be done both in the morning and in the afternoon.

KATHMANDU, MAY 30 :  A Sherpa climber from Sangkhuwasabha district scaled Mt Makalu for the third time in 16 days becoming the only climber to make the most ascent of 8485-metre peaks in a single season.  Chang Dawa Sherpa, expedition director at SST, said. Lakpa Sherpa, a senior mountain guide from Seven Summit Treks stood atop the mountain on May 28 making a third consecutive attempt of the mountain in 16 days, As the climbing season ends, Pakistani climber Shehroze Kashif, 20, has also become the youngest climber in the world to scale five mountains above 8,000m as he scaled Mt Makalu on May 28, Sherpa said.   Who became the youngest climber in the world to summit K2 on 27 July 2021, successfully scaled Mt Lhotse on May 16. On May 5, the broad boy also scaled Mt Kanchenjunga, the third tallest mountain in the world.

According to Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Managing Director at Imagine Nepal Treks, Sirbaz Khan from Pakistan also scaled Makalu without using supplemental oxygen this season. “Khan became the only Pakistani climber to complete 11×8000m peaks as he stood atop Makalu on May 28,” he added. Mingma G also made a successful ascent of Mt Makalu without using O2 for the second time.

Kathmandu, May 25th, 2022
Vianet Communications Pvt. Ltd., one of the leading ISPs in Nepal has announced exciting
revisions to its existing Ultra-Fi lineups. The upgraded existing lineup aims to address the
growing needs of customers for high speed and high-quality Internet services at better value
for money.
Vianet customers can now enjoy unbelievable 200 Mbps Internet for just Rs. 999 per month
on a yearly subscription. Customers that want the benefit of 175+ Live TV channels can also
opt into the ViaTV bundle variant of the same plan for Rs. 1,100 per month on a yearly
subscription. With both of these plans, customers can avail of a Dual Band Router for just Rs.
500 along with free installation, and free first set-top-box. Vianet aims to cater to the needs of
two different sets of customers—those looking for high-quality internet without a TV as well
as those who want state-of-the-art IPTV service along with their Internet connection—with
these packages.
Similarly, for customers looking for higher speeds and more TV subscriptions the company
has also announced 250 Mbps with 2 ViaTV and 300 Mbps with 3 ViaTV at just Rs. 1250 and
Rs. 1500 per month respectively on an annual subscription.
The company, as per its standard policy, has already upgraded the existing Ultra-Fi subscribers
to the respective revised Ultra-Fi plans.
With these revisions, Vianet aims to make Ultra-Fi one of the most value-for-money internet
plans available in the market.
For more information regarding Ultra-Fi plans, please visit: https://www.vianet.com.np/ultrafi
Vianet is continually driven by its mission of enriching the lives of its customers by providing
the best digital experience at the best possible value. Vianet is a leading Internet and TV
solution provider in Nepal and has been offering its customers new and innovative internet
solutions for both personal and professional usage.

Sydney to London nonstop – not really something to look forward to when it comes to wellbeing. Qantas wants to change this. Australian flag carrier Qantas’ plans for a ‘wellbeing zone’ onboard its aircraft, which will give passengers a physical place to meditate, stretch and relax on long-haul flights, could be a gamechanger for full-service carriers looking to differentiate themselves from Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) operating similar long-haul routes, according to GlobalData, a leading data, and analytics company

GlobalData’s Q1 2021 Global Consumer Survey revealed that 57% of respondents said that a product or service that impacts their health and wellbeing either ‘always’ or ‘often’ influences their purchase, highlighting strong demand for health and wellness offerings.

Craig Bradley, Associate Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Centralizing the onboard experience around health and wellness could provide a competitive edge for Full-Service Carriers (FSCs) over LCCs operating long-haul routes such as JetBlue, Jetstar, and Air Asia. In recent years, the economy class product on FSCs has had little differentiation from the LCC in-flight experience due to the unbundling of fares such as luggage and in-flight meals. While operating a wellness zone onboard with other related services will inevitably result in increased fares, it is in line with current consumer sentiment, with a substantial amount of travelers willing to pay more for products that provide health benefits.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant part in enhancing individuals’ awareness of their overall health and mental wellbeing. In a GlobalData Q4 2021 Global Consumer Survey, 54% of respondents said they were either ‘extremely’ or ‘quite’ concerned about their physical fitness and health. A further 48% were also ‘extremely’ or ‘quite’ concerned about their mental health. As a result, Qantas has looked at evolving its in-flight program to fit this sentiment. The wellness zone proposed by Qantas appears to be an expansion of efforts from other airlines that have looked to capitalize on the health and wellness trend.

Bradley concludes: “In previous years we have witnessed airlines partner with various companies in the health and wellness space to enhance inflight experiences. Service enhancements have included mood lighting, wellness cuisines, meditation techniques, and stretching exercises. Qantas’ wellness zone aims to further this, allowing the airline to become a health and wellness leader in long-haul travel.”

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Litmus Cables Sponsors Jersey of Nepali Cricket Team for Bilateral Series between Nepal and Zimbabwe A
Litmus cables, a leading cable brand, has sponsored Jersey of Nepal National Cricket Team for a Bilateral ODI and T20s Series between Nepal vs Zimbabwe (A), which will be played from 30th April to 9th May at Tribhuwan University Cricket Stadium.
According to the schedule of the series, Nepal will play 3 T20’s matches on 1st May, 2nd May, and 3rd May while 3 ODI’s will be played on 6th May, 7th May, and 9th May respectively.
‘Partnering with the national patriots has brought proud and patriotic atmosphere in our team’, said Mr. Rohit Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Ramesh Corp.’ I believe this connection will contribute towards the growth and success of Nepal Cricket. We express best wishes and sincere gratitude to all the hardworking and dedicated team members of Nepal Cricket.’
Established in the year 1977 AD, Lumbini Vidyut Udyog Pvt. Ltd. is the first Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) production company in Nepal. It has been producing the best quality wires and cables for four decades with Advanced German Technology and upgraded infrastructures under the brand name Litmus Cables.
Lumbini Vidyut Udyog P. Ltd. is an entity of the largest private industrial and business groups in Nepal, Ramesh Corp. The company is located in Butwal Industrial Area, Butwal.

ICRA Nepal has upgraded the issuer rating of NMB Bank Limited (NMB) from [ICRANP-IR] A- to [ICRANP-IR] A indicating an adequate degree of safety regarding the timely servicing of financial obligations. Such issuers carry low credit risk. ICRA Nepal Limited, the first credit rating agency of Nepal and licensed by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), is a subsidiary of ICRA Limited (ICRA) of India.

The rating upgradation factors in the bank’s ability to successfully consolidate its business following a series of mergers/acquisitions, as reflected in the recent improvement in asset quality and delinquencies. In the past few years, the bank has improved its market positioning through a strong branch network, adequate market share and large customer base across the country while improving the portfolio granularity in the process. The bank continues to maintain a comfortable capitalization and liquidity position that makes it better positioned to handle credit/liquidity shocks. The upgradation has also derived comfort from the Bank’s adequate track record, good ownership profile, experienced management team, established underwriting and risk management practices.

The upgrade is a testament to the Bank’s exemplary track record and improvement in overall performance even when the economy is reeling under the impact ofCovid 19 pandemic. ‘The Banker Magazine’ of The Financial Times, London, has awarded NMB Bank with the prestigious Bank of the Year Asia 2021. The bank has also been awarded with Bank of the Year in 2017, 2018, 2020 & 2021. NMB Bank is currently providing its services through 201 branches, 138 ATMs and 11 extension counters.

BEIJING :  More than 200 space activities will be held as the Space Day of China approaches, said an official with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) Thursday. Relevant space exhibitions will be open to the public, and academicians and experts will hold popular-science lectures online and offline for young people, said Lyu Bo, deputy director of the Department of System Engineering of CNSA at a press conference about the Space Day of China, which will fall on April 24.

He noted that the 2022 Space Day of China aims to inspire the public to learn scientific knowledge, generate innovative ideas and carry forward the scientific spirit. Starting in 2016, China has set April 24 as the country’s Space Day to mark the launch of its first satellite “Dongfanghong 1” into space on April 24, 1970.

A DHL Boeing 757-200 cargo plane broke in half after skidding off the runway as it was attempting an emergency landing at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica.  The aircraft lost its tail and went up in smoke during the crash-landing. Juan Santamaria International Airport officials said the accident forced the shutdown of flight operations resulting in at least 32 flights from North, Central and South America being diverted to alternate airports.

Tanzanian environmental law don, Dr. Elifuraha Laltaika, has been nominated for a prestigious global environmental rights award, becoming the first African scholar to receive such a prize, thus raising the continental’s profile high. Dr. Laltaika, a senior lecturer of human rights law and policy at Tumaini University Makumira in northern Tanzania’s safari capital of Arusha, will be recognized for his outstanding impact in law, while painstakingly working to support local communities, particularly marginalized and indigenous groups.

The Svitlana Kravchenko environmental rights award is given to a scholar from anywhere in the world with “exquisite qualities of both head and heart, mixing academic rigor with spirited activism, and speaking truth to power, while exhibiting kindness towards all.” It is named after a Ukrainian law professor who became a citizen of America and the entire world, and it aims at recognizing distinguished individuals who exemplify the ideals and works of Professor Kravchenko who passed away in 2012. She enormously impacted the world but left “unfinished work” that needs continuity. Through their work, award recipients insist, “Environmental rights and human rights are indivisible.”

The award winner is selected by the co-directors of Land, Air and Water after nomination by and in consultation with the staff of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), and Professor John Bonine, the professional partner and husband to the late Professor Kravchenko. The University of Oregon Environmental and Natural Resources Program’s students award the prize during the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) considered the largest environmental gathering in the world.

This year, the conference is in its 40th annual session, and it will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a conference program posted in the official website, this year’s awardee is Dr. Laltaika. The award goes to a person who “makes broad impacts in the law, while working to support local communities.” So far there have been only seven recipients since it was issued for the first time in 2012. Dr. Laltaika, who has guest lectured on the intersection of human rights and the environment in several universities globally, will receive the award during a public interest environmental law conference from March 3-6, 2022, in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

A Fulbright grantee and a former Harvard law school visiting researcher, Dr. Laltaika joins the ranks of such illustrious recipients as Prof. Oliver Houck (USA), Patrick McGinley (USA), Antonio Oposa (Philippines), William Rogers (USA), Raquel Najera (Mexico), and Svitlana Kravchenko (Ukraine/USA).

“It’s a profound honor for me to join highly distinguished past recipients who have made tremendous contributions to protecting the environment and community rights.”

“More importantly, I feel humbled to be associated with Professor Kravchenko’s work. Her academic contribution to the intersection of human rights and the environment is still so insightful,” remarked Dr. Laltaika.

The significance of the award is “to inspire young adults to reach for the stars, while keeping their feet firmly planted in the earth they want to protect, as Svitlana did.” It aims to emphasize that environmental conservation should go hand in hand with respect for human rights. It also stresses that local communities and indigenous peoples have the rights to access and use their natural resources, hence rewards exemplary individuals worldwide who typifies that balance in their work.

Apart from being a Senior Lecturer, Dr. Laltaika is the Director of Research and Consultancy at Tumaini University Makumira. He teaches Natural Resources Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, and Jurisprudence/Philosophy of Law. While at Harvard Law School, Dr. Laltaika examined indigenous peoples and local communities’ rights in extractive industries under international and comparative law.

He has consistently combined activism with academic work. In 2016, the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations appointed him to serve as a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Prior to that, he worked as a senior fellow at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

At the local level, Dr. Laltaika has been at the forefront as a defender of local communities’ rural livelihoods. A public interest lawyer, he has trained high court judges and practicing lawyers on local community’s natural resources rights, and he serves on the boards of several non-for-profit organizations. While working with PINGOs Forum and other organizations, he spent several months among the Barbaig, the Akie, and the Hadza communities to understand their unique vulnerabilities. Recently the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in South Africa engaged Dr. Laltaika to propose innovative legal solutions for protecting hunter-gatherer communal land rights in Africa.