Gorillas In The Mist Eco-Hotel

Strictly Confidential

2014

By: Owen Phillip M FDN Ventures Hub

5/1/2014

Strictly Confidential

“Gorillas In The Mist” Safari Lodges

Kaberu, Kitumba Sub County, Kabale District. Uganda

Address: C/O, P.O BOX 710, Voice of Kigezi, Kabale

Tel: +256751918103 Phone: +256775705779

E-mail: fdnuganda@gmail.com

Investment Venture Summary

“Gorillas In The Mist” Ecotourism Hotel

1. Introduction to Project “Gorillas in the Mist” Ecotourism Hotel

In this fast paced world, more and more travellers are seeking nature-based experiences such as an

adventure into the high misty mountains as part of their holidays and “Gorillas in the Mist” will

offer exactly that. “Gorillas in The Mist” Ecotourism Hotel will be a seven million dollars ($7m)

budgeted high-end hotel, planned on 11(eleven) acres of land, located at the prime view point of

Africa‟s second deepest lake “Bunyonyi” and Mt. Muhavura, surrounded by the famous natural

misty forest cover that includes Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mugahinga national park that

accommodated more than half of worlds mountain gorilla population.

Not just with unrivaled world standards 100 room occupancy capacity accommodation, sustainable

Eco lodges, Sports and Recreation, MICE, Business Hub, Cultural and Artesian, beauty Spas, F&B,

Social Hubs, primate museum, among many more competitive facilities, but “Gorillas In The Mist”

will offer excellent hospitality experience, quality ecotourism packages and Ecotourism research

services too, well packaged for High-End leisure seekers, touring, Business and diplomatic clients.

A project destined to be the first of its kind in the entire western and south western region of

Uganda and the entire Virunga tourism catchment area that includes some parts of Rwanda and

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to UBO abstract 2011/2012, the region

contributes 42% of Uganda‟s total tourism potential making it Uganda‟s leading ecotourism hub.

Uganda was among the top 20 “Must See” global tourism destinations in the year 2013, according to

the National Geographic a year after the lonely planet, had named Uganda as the best travel

destination for 2012. Uganda is now ranked top in tourism industry growth in Africa according to

the 2011 tourism review in Africa, Uganda‟s tourism sector grew by 25% in 2011 while that of South

Africa and Tanzania realized growth of 21% and 13.4% respectively and is expected to grow more

with the recent

The hotel industry in Uganda is dynamic in nature, where high end hotels excel with 75% average

occupancy rate as noted in sample cases of Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Serena and Protea, with

upholding growth rate of about 15% according to Ismail Sekandi, the former executive director of

the 240- member Uganda Hotel Owners Association while low-end hotel are strangling with about

30%-40% occupancy rate. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) abstract for 2011/2012 is also

positive about the industry. It states that hotels and restaurants output grew by 20.6% in 2011/12

compared to a decline of 0.7% attained in a year earlier. UBOS attributes the growth to the increase

in the number of visitors in the country. According to the Protea Hospitality group‟s 2013 Africa

Pipeline Study, Uganda could increase its room occupancy by 54% depending on planned

construction projects. Regional integration is another reason Uganda‟s hospitality industry is likely to

thrive mostly the recent signing by East African states to the EAC single tourist Visa, thus making

Uganda‟s tourism and hospitality industry a Gold Mine, with assured value for money and returns

on investment.

2. Ecotourism In Uganda

The South western and western regions distinct stunning beauty at a large extent defines the image

Sir Winston Churchill, describes in his book “My African Journey” to describe the beautiful tourist

attractions of Uganda as he baptized it “The Pearl of Africa”. Many of villages in these mountainous

regions of Uganda are already known for providing “nature-pure” hospitality to the visitors. Yet the

basic essential of high quality accommodation to satisfy the needs of affluent travellers ecotourism

needs is still lucking.

Most of the renowned tourists attraction site in the world offer visitors a completely nature-

integrated, high quality “Ecotourism” fused facilities like Eco Lodges on/inside such places like

Parks, Natural forest, lake sides and more alike attractive areas with a strong environmental building

and operating criteria, optimized waste and energy management, organic food products, and facilities

and services for nature research/education and nature exploration.

Ecotourism is a new phenomenon in the world as is in Uganda. It involves such activities as Nature

guided Walks, Bird Watching, Village/community Walks, forest walk, butterfly watching, sport

fishing, mountaineering/hill climbing, Gorilla tracking, Chimp tracking, game viewing, boat cruises,

canoeing, caving, scenery viewing/nature photography, primate watching/walk, bungee jumping and

any other aspects that relate to Natural, Cultural and Rural tourism and “Gorillas in The Mist“ as an

ecotourism destination in Uganda accommodate all the above and much more.

Uganda‟s high-end hospitality brands like Serena Hotel, Hilton, Sheraton, Protea, the considered big

brands within the hotel industry in Uganda are located in town centers thus missing out the valued

asset of beauty in nature that Uganda is exceedingly gifted with, a fact that elevates “Gorillas in the

Mist” competitive advantage much higher. The aspect of ecotourism in this case remains almost

impossible to integrate yet ecotourism is considered to be one of most growing markets within

tourism as economy sector. According to data from World Tourism Organization, its growth rate

amounts 5% per year, and is projected to be 10% in the next 10 years what represents 6% of the

world gross product as well as 11.4% of consumption. The other Eco-fused hotels and safaris are

located in north and western part of Uganda like Chobe Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen

Elizabeth National park. (Western Uganda).

Consistent with our quality tourism strategy and strong sense of our national pride to showcase the

natural wonders of our tourism and hospitality sector in Uganda to well versed world travellers, we

aim to construct a location so specific, fully nature integrated, high quality “Ecotourism hotel” in

accordance to the highest of international hotel and ecotourism excellence standards, the of its kind

in the whole region.

3. Why Invest In Uganda’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry?

„For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life – plant, bird, insect,

reptile, beast – for vast scale… Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa‟ were the words used by Sir

Winston Churchill, in his book “My African Journey” to describe the beautiful tourist attractions of

Uganda. Therefore, Uganda is no ordinary safari destination but an experience worthy living.

Uganda‟s offers the most stunning scenery on the continent that includes sparkling lakes, lofty

mountains, mysterious forests and game parks swarming with game. “The private sector is

encouraged to set up new tourist facilities in these locations bearing in mind the need to blend in

with the contiguous scenery” is Uganda Investment Authority advices.

Key Reasons to Invest In Project “Gorillas in The Mist” Ecotourism hotel and Uganda

tourism sector at large.

Location of the project. It is located at the heart of eco-tourism in Uganda and 8 km from

kabale town a business hub to eastern DRC and Rwanda. Thus market potential for leisure,

touring and business market segment.

Uganda‟s tourism industry growth rate is the among the best in Africa at 25% in 2011/ 2012

Uganda‟s high-end hotels have a high occupancy rate of above 75% and are expected to

grow at 54% in the next year.

Uganda has unique unexploited potential in the form of eco-tourism, bird life, contrasting

scenery and substantial game populations.

Uganda‟s tourism resources are modestly exploited and less commercialized than Kenya,

South Africa or Tanzania thus giving the tourist a true African safari.

The competition among players in the sector is less intense than in other countries meaning

with a creative and innovative business model outsizing them is even much possible.

Uganda with its unique attractions can be marketed both as a long-haul destination and as

part of a regional package including other East African countries.

Uganda ranks 15 out of 102 countries as an attractive destination to make profitable

investment in the world. Six of the top 20 countries in the Baseline Profitability Index (BPI)

that ranks countries by their overall attractiveness as targets for a generic foreign investment

are African; a key indicator of the changing fortunes of the continent.

Only four other African countries: Ghana, Rwanda, Tunisia and Botswana (highest ranked in

Africa) rank higher than Uganda with Rwanda taking the fifth highest position in the list.

Top of the list is Hong Kong in the BPI produced by Foreign Policy magazine. While;

Uganda is number one in the category of ease of repatriation of capital.

Three factors are noted for the ultimate success of a foreign investment. These include: how

much an asset‟s value grows; the preservation of that value while the asset is owned and the

ease of bringing home the proceeds from selling the asset.

An international survey reveals that Uganda ranks highly in “search engine appeal” in the

fields of Tourism and Investment, making the country more likely to attract tourists and

international investors than its African counterparts.

The Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking survey for the year 2013 is based on global

research that measures, among other variables, the number of searches produced every year

by potential tourists and investors about every nation.

In Trade, Uganda is found in the 13th position only second to Tanzania in the 11th position

but better than Kenya in the 15th spot.

When National Geographic recently named Uganda among the world‟s top 20 destinations

for tourists in 2013, it may have not been the first time a ranking of its kind was in favour of

the country. However, the catch line used to describe Uganda spoke volumes. Describing

Uganda as “Africa‟s new frontier” in the rankings, which only had Malawi as the only other

African country, sends out a strong message to neighbours Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda,

who have invested heavily in marketing their countries. The star in Bwindi is the mountain

gorilla, a species down to about 720 animals visible in their tiny habitat.”

CNN, one of the world‟s top news groups, also released its rankings that still favoured

Uganda. CNN‟s first list of Africa‟s 10 best national parks had Kidepo Valley national park,

making its debut in the rankings. Kidepo came third after renowned and well-marketed

Maasai Mara (Kenya), and Botswana‟s Central Kalahari game reserve. Another CNN list of

the seven new places ready to be discovered had Uganda in fourth position.

Lonely Planet, the world‟s leading travel magazine, ranked Uganda in 2011 as the world‟s

number one tourism destination for 2012, while Mt Rwenzori was voted among the top

hiking places in Africa. It was the only mountain in Africa that made it to the top 15 best

hiking spots in the world.

Uganda is regarded as Africa‟s best destination for birders. The country, which is the size of

United Kingdom, boasts of over 1,058 bird species, accounting for 11% of the globe‟s total,

and half of Africa‟s.

4. Key Aspects.

Mission, Key Strategies & Goals

“Being the leading, incomparable high-end hotel in Uganda and the entire virunga ecotourism

catchment areas that include parts of Rwanda and eastern DRC, with world class facilities,

exceptional hospitality treat and admirable sustainable ecotourism services and practices” is the

prime mission of project “Gorillas In the Mist” Ecotourism Hotel.

This project is not only about the making a statement in terms of the hi-tech involved in the

architectural planning but the innovative fusion of “Ecotourism” aspect at a world class level too.

Our team will be well equipped with enough resources to plan, research and implement any strategy

to realize the indispensable need to appreciate what the cherished regional ecosystem offers at a pay

worth the value added and more still no at the sacrifice of Uganda‟s biodiversity.

Present Status

Aspect Description

Land 11 acres, comprised of a hill top about 220 square meters and forest covered hill

slopes that on one side has a “Terrace view” of the opposite cultivated hills and

another bigger side, “ Bunyonyi View” facing the biggest part of lake bunyonyi

and its islands.

Facilities Five operational Rooms, Reception area (operation), Bar and lounge (not

operational), open gardens and parking.

Access Road Bunyonyi Road (Not Tarmacked) but well maintained. 8km from kabale town.

Current Asset

value

It is currently valued at about $3m dollars.

Operational

Status

Semi-Operational, It was bought in unfinished state. With only few operational

rooms only.

EIA Status Ok.

Legality Status Ok.

Ownership Sole Ownership

4.1. Vision

Business excellence through finest innovative ideas, continuous research an development in

sustainable Eco lodging practice and emerge as the leading brand for hospitality, Ecotourism

services and ecotourism research in Uganda and neighboring regions of Rwanda and Eastern DRC..

4.2. Mission

To enrich the value in nature and its impact on the surrounding environment through continuous

innovation, research and development and Eco-sustainable business practices.

4.3. Values

Innovation

Sustainable Ecotourism Practices

Profitability

Continuous Research and Development

4.4. Objectives

Business growth

Towards being the leading brand in the hospitality industry within ecotourism enriched

region of Uganda, Rwanda and eastern region of Democratic Republic of Congo

Innovation

Being at the center of innovation in line with the reality of fusing world standard hotel needs

and facilities with sustainable ecotourism practices is one of the foundational objectives.

Global Ecotourism Partnerships

Develop into the center of ecotourism and Eco lodging research in the region and

surrounding regions will be a dream realized through sustainable global partnerships with

renowned ecotourism organizations and agencies. .

Community development

The impact of this project to the surrounding community will be turning point for entire

community in terms of employment opportunities, market for their “agricultural harvests,

crafts”, Community tourism and much more.

5. Our Call

“Gorillas in the Mist” Safari Lodge seeks any of the following:-

1. A venture partnership deal with interested foreign and domestic investors who can invest

about seven million dollars ($7M) to setup an internationally recognized, high end, state‐of‐

the‐art Hotel, with unrivaled eco-sustainable facilities and hospitality experience world over.

2. A Long term Investment Loan from is domestic or foreign commercial bank of money

worth $7 million dollars.

3. Solid global partnerships with International Ecotourism Organizations toward developing a

world standard Ecotourism research center and helping in ensuring that while the state of art

hotel is Eco-fused.

For more detailed discussion and information about the “Gorillas In The Mist” Eco Tourism

business plan please contact the person bellow.

For more Information please:

Contact: Owen Mwesigye

Project Coordinator

Email: fdnuganda@gmail.com

owenphillip.real@gmail.com

Call: +256751918103

+256775705779

Below are few of the Stunning Pictures taken from “Gorillas in the Mist” Safari Lodge where the

project is planned to be implemented.