Uganda has hosted a delegation of leading tour operators, travel agents and media personalities for a familiarisation trip organised by the Uganda High Commission in Canada in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, its agencies and the tourism private sector.
The visit is the most concerted push Uganda has made to capture the attention of the Canadian travel market and its itinerary reads like a greatest-hits tour of the country’s most spectacular offerings.
The delegation was received by Ambassador Allan Kajik, the Charge’ D’Affaires at the Uganda High Commission in Ottawa, Canada who highlighted the key tourism destinations they will visit during their stay in Uganda.
“We will be starting with the religious tourism tomorrow, followed by a tour in mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee encounters, big-game safaris, white-water rafting at the Source of the Nile and immersive cultural experiences which will take about 10 days in the country,” he said.
He further revealed that the number of tourists from Canada to Uganda has increased from 3900 tourists in 2023 to 9688 in 2025, and they are looking forward to a target of 20,000 tourists visiting Uganda from Canada, adding, “The guests are expected to return to Canada not just inspired, but determined to send their clients here.”
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Lucas Aykroyd appreciated the opportunity to visit Uganda and witness first-hand the diverse tourist attractions.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, Uganda is one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations and this familiarization trip is an opportunity for Canada’s travel industry to witness that first-hand.
From the mountain gorillas of Bwindi to the shores of the Nile, we are confident that our guests will return home as passionate ambassadors for the Pearl ofAfrica.”
This trip commences in Kampala with a cultural immersion, including visits to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, the Gaddafi National Mosque, and the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site; Kasubi Tombs.
The delegation will then head to the southwest for what many will regard as the journey’s centrepiece: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, followed by a Batwa cultural trail and traditional campfire entertainment. From there, participants will move on to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a sunrise game drive and a four-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles, where buffalo, hippos, and a staggering diversity of birds crowd the water’s edge.
A visit to Kibale National Park follows, offering chimpanzee trekking and astop at the Sempaya Hot Springs. The final stretch takes the group to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, where activities at the Source of the Nile include a boat cruise and tubing the Nile.
By bringing influential travel professionals and media voices directly to Uganda, the Ministry is creating the most powerful form of personal advocacy experience.
The trip will conclude on April 18th 2026 with a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Conservationand Education Centre in Entebbe before the delegation flies home.
The initiative is expected to generate significant media coverage across Canada and the North American market, and translate into measurable growth in tourist arrivals in the months that follow from the 10,370 visitors recorded in 2025.
Uganda has been steadily building its international tourism profile in recent years, with mountain gorilla trekking, in particular, drawing visitors from around the globe. Canada, with its large and well-travelled middle class, represents a significant untapped market, and this trip is Uganda’s most deliberate step yet towards changing that.
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