8^th - 10^th March, 2025

ITINERARY

A three (3) day post-conference field excursion to the southern Albertine Graben is planned to take delegates through the Semliki Basin and Lake Edward-George basin, with the magnificent Queen Elizabeth National Park.  The field trip will give the delegates the opportunity to observe the spectacular geology of these areas, visit the Sempaya hot springs and enjoy a tour of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

DAY 1: Geology of Semliki basin

Semliki basin is a half graben controlled by Congo master fault. On the Uganda side, a flexural opposing fault system exists. Data that has been acquired by Government of Uganda (gravity and magnetic) and oil companies (seismic and well) show thick sediment accumulations (depocenter) of up to 4km around the southern end of Lake Albert (Ntoroko area). This sediment burial could have generated and migrated hydrocarbons from potential organic rich source rocks into the surrounding structures that have been mapped. The south of the basin is occupied by the Rwenzori mountains which is regarded as the source and/or barrier to sediment escape from Semliki basin. Pickford and Senut (1994) dated surface exposures from this basin to be of Middle Miocene to recent whereas conflicting ages of Early Miocene (Lukaye, 2009) and Early Pliocene (RPS Energy, 2008) have been suggested for the Turaco well sections on the basis of palynomorphs. Subsequent mapping by the Department of Petroleum Exploration and Production indicates that these sediments are fluvial lacustrine deposits that have been grouped into Nyabusosi, Nyakabingo, Nyabugoro, Oluka, Kakara, Kasande and Kisegi Formations based on lithological properties and depositional environment.

Stop 1: Kichwamba observation point and Mungu ni Mukubwa.

Generally, a trip to Semliki has the most marvelous and breath-taking views. You will experience the thrilling meandering Bundibugyo Road through the Rwenzori escarpments. At “Munguna Mukubwa” while in the mountains, the road offers scenic views of the meandering Semliki River, fuming hot springs and the tropical rain forest extending to Ituri forest in the DRC. From this point, you will also enjoy a view of the raised surfaces of relay ramp structures on the other side in the DRC side that resemble the Kaiso Tonya structures of Uganda.

Stop 2: Kibuku road cut and oil seep

Kibuku oil seep is located at the nose of Rwenzori mountains. At Kibuku, a characteristic paraffinic odour fills the atmosphere. The oil comes to surface through coarse to conglomeratic sandstone, which appears oil stained. Oil films cover most part of the Kibuku river and/or water pools during the dry seasons. The delegates will have an opportunity to discuss 120-150m good quality channel complexes exposed by the constructed road.

The medium-coarse grained well sorted sandstone demonstrates good reservoir characteristics within this part of the basin. The top most layer shows greenish-grey claystone. Weathered basement and basal conglomerates are other potential rocks.

Stop 3: Sempaya hot springs

The geothermal gradient within the EARS is obviously high as indicated by a vast number of hot springs. The geothermal gradient for the western arm of EARS is estimated at 67 to 73mW/m2. Estimates from Turaco have given 35oC/km. At Sempaya, hot water jets out at various locations resulting into clouds of steam in the area, at 100oC

Stop 4: Makondo fault

The Makondo fault is a NE-SW trending oblique slip fault dipping to the NW and displaying a transpressional positive flower structures at transfer zones. A horse tail structure is interpreted on Iknois satellite data from Semliki basin corresponding NE termination of Makondo fault.

After stop 4, delegates will drive and spend night in Fort Portal,

Day 2: The Geology of Lakes Edward and George basins

These basins represent the Southern domain of the Albertine graben and trends in the NNE-SSW being the dominant trend and the NNW-SSE trends being minor. The two sub-basins are generally two opposing half grabens with the major boundary fault on the Congo side, the NNE-SSW trending Lubero Fault controlling the area of maximum subsidence coincident with the present-day location of Lake Edward. Lake Edward is connected to lake George by Kazinga channel which is believed to be a remnant of an older river that drained westwards.

Delegates will depart from Fort Portal at 7.00am and drive to Lake Edward-George basins.

Stop 5 and 6: Bunyaruguru crater lakes

The Western arm of the East African rift system is essentially amagmatic. Volcanic provinces are aerially and volumetrically small leaving the majority of the western rift devoid of magmatism. In the Albertine graben, two volcanic provinces of quaternary age have been observed; the Katwe-Kikorongo and Bunyaruguru-Fort portal provinces. At Bunyaruguru, several crater lakes and volcanic ash are evident.

One of the crater lakes in the basin The volcanic rocks mainly tuffs and ashes are beautifully exposed in the vicinity of the recent explosion craters as well as along the
eastern basin margin faults. Some of the tuffs can be seen in some locations to have been folded by later Neogene compression regime. Delegates will depart for a night in Mweya safari lodge.

Day 3:  Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park (8.00-11.00am)

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) covers an area of 770 sq. miles (1995sq.km). Road access from Uganda’s capital city of Kampala is 206 miles (420km). By air, it can be accessed through the landing strip at Mweya Safari Lodge for light aircraft or a larger airstrip at Kasese town. QENP lies in the fertile equatorial area that is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. It also has volcanic craters, grassy plains and tropical forest with high biodiversity rating in the world. Formerly called the Rwenzori national park, QENP returned to its royal colonial name. The wide bio-diversity contains the most astonishing number of species-almost 100types of mammal and 606 different birds, with Kazinga channel alone housing the world’s largest concentration of hippos.

Other wildlife includes; warthogs, buffaloes, rare aquatic sitatunga antelopes, beautifully horned Uganda kob, giant forest hog, waterbuck, topi, elephant, leopard etc. Kyambura (or Cham-bura) gorge on the northern eastern boundary of the park has thick canopies and vines dangling down to the soft forest floor inhibited by chimpanzees. The maramagambo forest, south of the Kazinga channel is the home to large number of chimpanzees plus a number of other monkey species.

The pouting shoebill (or whale-headed) stork and myriad of other birds and mammals are best viewed from a boat on Kazinga channel. Specialties at QENP include a beautiful sunset over the water, warthogs and hippos mowing the lawn at the Mweya Safari Lodge, boat ride on Kazinga channel, chimpanzees in Kyambura/Chambura gorge and beautifully positioned safari lodges.

Delegates will set off for Kampala at 11am

Fees: US$900 per person.

Costs include transport, accommodation, meals and park fees. Delegates should ensure they carry appropriate field gear e.g. field boots.

Contact:

Tonny Sserubiri
Principal Geologist/Exploration
Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Department
21-29 Johnstone Road. P.O. Box 9, Entebbe/Uganda
Office: +256 414 320714
Fax:     +256 414 320437
Mobile:   +256 781163590/703463009
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8^th March, 2025

ITINERARY

Delegates will depart at 09.00 am from Bujumbura to the hydrothermal water of Ruhwa in Cibitoke province. The distance from Bujumbura to that site is 67 km. At the site delegates will view the three hot springs whose temperature can reach 60 to 70°C.

After visitng the Source of the Nile, delegates will visit the faults of Germans and Karera waterfalls in Rutana Province.

After Karera, delegates will then head to Gitega where the distance is about 100km from Bujumbura, the political town of the country which is located in the central region of Burundi, where they will visit two sites: Gitega National Museum and the Traditional drummers at Gishora site.

Delegates will spend the night at Gitega Town.

Fees: US$830 per person.

Cost- will cover local transport, meals, access to Rusizi Park and accommodation.

Contact:

Mr Bigirimana Gérard
Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines
Burundian Mines and Quarries Authority
P.O. Box 745 Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: + 257 79 981 634
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8^th - 11^th March, 2025

A:    Stone Town

Stone Town is a fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa which is UNESCO World Heritage Site. It retains its urban fabric and townscape virtually intact and contains many buildings that has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arabian, Indian, and Europe over more than a millennium. The tour of the Stone Town will pass through major historic and well known landmarks:

i.  The House of Wonders:

Built in 1883 and was the first building to have electricity in Zanzibar and the first in East Africa to use lift.

ii.  Old Fort:

Built in 1669 and was originally used as a garrison. It was later used as prison and as the terminal for Zanzibar railway.

iii.  Old Slave Market:

The old slave market is now situated at The Anglican cathedral of Christ Church, which was built at the end of the 19th century by Edward Steere, third bishop of Zanzibar. The site contains a monument to the slaves and the museum on the history of slavery.

iv.  The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph:

Built in 1897 by French missionaries with the design based on Marseille Cathedral.

v.  The Old Dispensary:

Built in 1894 by a wealthy Indian trader as a charity hospital for the poor. Facing the historic Zanzibar harbor, the old dispensary is one of the most finely decorated buildings of Stone Town with large carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, and neo-classical stucco adornments.

vi.  Royal buildings:

Several buildings used by Zanzibar royals are situated at Stone Town including Palace Museum and Sayyeda Selme house.

vi.  Forodhani Garden Park:

This historic garden is at the sea front in front of major historic buildings and sites. The garden has a “floating” restaurant and a vibrant night life with great choices of local and sea foods.

B:    Jozani National Park

i.  Jozani National Park:

The largest indigenous forest in Zanzibar with unique plants and species. It constitutes groundwater forest, coastal forest, and grassland, with mangroves and salt marsh at the coast.

Apart from more than 40 species of birds, the forest is home to fantastic wildlife including:

- Aders's duiker: only found in Zanzibar and Kenya
- Zanzibar servaline genet: found only in Zanzibar
- Zanzibar leopard

C:     Spice Farm

The spice farms originate from Zanzibar historic position as “spice islands”.  The spice farms include the fusion of spices from Swahili people, Indian, Persian and Arabian.

Although the spice exportation has a diminished role in recent years, it is still one of the major economic activities in Zanzibar.

D:    Mangapwani caves

The coral caves are one of the major historic and tourist attractions in Zanzibar. The Coral Cave is a profound natural cavern in the coralline rock with a thin passageway and a pool of freshwater which is situated at the lowest level. Water was presumably gathered from here by early occupants of the area.

The caves are close to Mangapwani Slave Chambers built around 1880 from the cave and connected to the seaside 2kms away. It was an important transit point for the captured slaves to be sold to the outside world at the time of the abolishment of slavery in 1873 especial in the middle East. Between 1880-1905, the Slave chamber was being used as a place of concealment of the human cargo pending their disposal.

E:    Kizimkazi Dolphin View

This half a day to full-day tour is one of the most exciting and adventurous tour for Zanzibar visitors. This tour will enable the visitors to experience dolphins in their natural habitats and playful nature.

The brave visitors can even experience playing and swimming with dolphins.

F:    Prison Island

Also known as Changuu Island, it is a 30-40 minutes journey via traditional wooden boats from Stone Town.

The island was used as a slave point and later a prison was built (hence the name) but not utilized. The once intended prison is now a beautiful resort.

The beautiful island with its white sand beach is also home to huge Aldabra turtles which were presented as a gift from the British Governor of Seychelles in the early 1900s.

G:    Safari Blue Tour

A program will start in the morning at 8:30 am, you will be picked from your hotel to Fumba village where you will meet your special boat special Guided safari blue tour Safari blue tour in Zanzibar is a full-day tour that starts and ends at your hotel.

Safari blue Zanzibar, A unique and exclusive experience with your own traditional dhow and crew, touring the beautiful waters & islands around Zanzibar. Bespoke activities, private seafood BBQ, all the trimmings, perfect for the bucket list special occasion Safari blue trip in Zanzibar is one among the best sea adventures on the Zanzibar Island, not only sailing along with the traditional dhow but also you can have snorkeling, swim, and relaxing on a white sandy beach on a sandbank.

In addition to all, there is plenty of seafood who are all waiting for you to be tested, the dhow departs from the Fumba beach at 09:30 am and we get back around 04:30 pm, with your Safari Blue guide, you will explore the mangrove lagoon hidden inside the Kwale Island. Between the snorkeling times, you can stay on the boats, taste fresh seasonal fruits, and end your trip with some fresh grilled seafood BBQ.

Guided Tour Fees: US$60 per person

Contact
Mr. Khamis Juma Khamis
Manager Public Relations Unity
Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority
P.O.BOX 4647 Zanzibar
Call:     +255 777 452670
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8^th - 10^th March, 2025

DAY 1
 

Delegates will depart Kigali Serena Hotel and head southwest to visit Bugarama graben and Hydrothermal manifestations (hot springs and the travertine deposit).

Geothermal energy represents a sustainable, eco-friendly, dependable, and substantial energy reservoir. Rwanda boasts an estimated potential of around 100 MW in geothermal power.

Utilizing geothermal sources could yield electricity at a fraction of the cost compared to dieselgenerated power currently prevalent in Rwanda, potentially replacing oil-based power plant

DAY 2

The next day, the excursion will take place at Nyungwe National Park. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as other species of primate, including Lhotse’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Memorable and photogenic moments will include walking up to the Isumo waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge.

Fees: US$650 per person

Cost- will cover local transport, meals and access to excursion venues

Contact information:

Deogratias Dushime
Senior Petroleum Engineer
Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell-phone : +250785062807