CULTURAL HERITAGE VILLAGE INTRODUCTION

The unique 50 acre open plan site will consist of approximately 60 traditional homesteads with the Participating Kingdoms having their own Main Traditional Buildings promoting their cultural and selling good quality handicrafts. The boundary area of the total land will have security safe perimeter fencing. One main amphitheatre will be constructed. The existing trees will be used.

Travelling to Ugandan Kingdoms by road

The logistical requirements of middle up-market International Cultural Visitors travelling on Uganda’s poor road conditions to visit the various Ugandan cultures are not realistic and too dangerous. The time it would take on the terrible road conditions and most importantly their security is the reason Cultural Tourism promotion efforts internationally have yielded insignificant success in the past. So it is logical to have the Kingdoms is one area which is safe with security perimeter fencing, authentic, pollution free with close proximity to Kampala and Entebbe Airport.

How to get to Ngabo near Wobulenzi from Kampala

Ngabo using the good Bombo Road turning right per our map is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes drive north of Kampala. The Kampala Northern by-pass hopes to be completed by the end of 2008 which will greatly assist travelling by road to CHV.

Creating the Cultural Heritage Village Concept

The creation of the Cultural Heritage Villages at Ngabo will allow visitors an insight into the ancient and diverse rich cultural and intangible heritages of the Kingdoms of Uganda The CHV will create employment; become a major cultural destination in the world. CHV will act as a sophisticated showcase for visitors to sample the hospitality and culture of the Ugandan Kingdoms. It is feasible that the visitors will wish to travel to the regions in Uganda After sampling the different cultures first hand. In Uganda, Jinja and Fort Portal will automatically receive many additional visitors because of the CHV, greatly benefiting from this International Showcase. The requirement of the construction of authentic traditional homesteads and buildings must be to the highest standard. Each Kingdom in the CHV will enable them to show-case their unique elements of ancient architecture, homestead layout, farming, cooking, dressing, art, craft, dance, and drama etc. We would evaluate The Kingdoms requirements on the layout of the Cultural Village and adapting their construction techniques onto the master construction plan. Nominated families from each Kingdom will make their homes in the Heritage Villages they must provide the real culture of their particular Kingdom. All traditional homesteads and units will be built in local materials, reed and banana fibres etc. to the highest standard and will incorporate Solar PV roof panels that blend into the architecture to provide hot water and electricity. The international requirement of middle up-market cultural visitor is bio flush toilets and shower and a comfortable creative bedroom. Uganda has so much diversified Culture, the best in Africa that must be streamlined and presented in authentic separate tribal cultural villages.

Some of the features of the Cultural Heritage Village

Sixty rentable traditional homesteads.
Homesteads for the village chief, family, and staff.
Traditional Cuisine centre (restaurant)
Food storage techniques (granary).
Clay & pottery centre.
Blacksmiths artisans centre.
Woodworks artisan centre.
Cloth making and fashions, customers for specific groups, genders and ceremonies.
Ornaments and jewellery.
Kingdoms art.
Traditional language institute.
Musical instruments production centre.
Centre of herbal medicinal and healing modalities.
Museum, archives and libraries.

Minimum two night packages to a Heritage Village will consist of the following:-

Rentable homestead stays for a minimum of two nights on a full-board all inclusive bases, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, soft drinks and beverages. Two days will allow the culture of the Kingdom to be portrayed to the visitors. the costing based on a minimum 2 night package to be determined. Clients will be told that a donation from their payment will go to the Kingdoms plus a donation to the local community, this would make the visitors happy knowing that a proportion of the payments go to enhance the culture and local community. A cheaper two night mid-week package price will apply for arrivals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays excluding public holidays, the price to be decided. Traditional very well cooked food in clay pots. Guests will be encouraged to opt for traditional wear, whatever the dress code of each village is. De-Luxe framed Kingdom certificate. High speed broadband.

Day visitors pass to Villages

We are evaluating day visitors; the logistics’ of a full day trip with arrivals from 10am departing by 5pm. The price that is affordable for the domestic market of Uganda is being determined plus an International visitor rate.

International guests.
This would impact on car parking at Ngabo.
The main requirement would be pre-booking and proof of country of origin.

Additional income for Kingdoms

Sale of expensive handicraft and paintings. Special events such as Weddings, Conferences etc. Ancient healing advice. Additional certificates and photographs. Possibility that the cultural visitors could make donations for projects important to that Kingdom. They may well be able to deduct this donation from their tax liability in their countries of origin. De-Luxe photographs separate from one with the Chief.

Quality conditions for the Cultural Heritage Villages

The Kingdoms must provide the highest quality of cultural experience. They must plan their buildings with authentic materials from their region. Each homestead will be scrutinized by client’s comments and we have the right to make constructive Suggestions.

The promotion of optional extension packages

It is now abundantly clear that there is a plethora of hotel accommodation in Kampala this project gives the possibility of further night’s accommodation. As a spin off cultural visitors may wish to travel to the area in Uganda they have interest in, this will be an extension of their visit or further trip planned. The Busoga Kingdom will benefit because of Jinja. Optional excursions can be pre-booked before their arrival in Uganda. The CHV is an ideal stopover to or from Murchison Falls National Park. And will create an ideal stopover and create more business for that area. This would create additional nights in Uganda for the Ministry of Tourism.

Conferences, Meetings & Incentives

CHV will be an ideal location to hold small conferences and meetings plus being used for incentive rewards. The potential of constructing a solar roofed conference centre and a solar villa styled hotel is important.

Booking procedure

Solar Green Tourism would control the world wide reservation manifest and appointed bona fide’ travel agents worldwide who will receive a booking fee. Solar Green Tourism will create an electronic booking form request on the web site where cultural visitors anywhere in the world can request their particular package. Payments will be made into an Escrow type of Bank Account with two signatures to obviate any financial problems.

Booking conditions for Global Cultural Village

A comprehensive set of booking conditions will be engrossed. Non refundable deposit of 35% to secure reservation for minimum two nights. In the event of a client cancelling, their initial non-refundable deposit of 35% of the packages is forfeit. Final balances within 60 days prior to arrival. There will be no refunds on cancelled bookings, legitimate cancellations through illness the clients will claim from their travel insurance policy. We will insist to see confirmation of the clients travel insurance. Any services clients do not require they cannot apply for partial refunds.

Kampala, 3rd November 2008