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Tea Tree Lodge and Museum - the place to watch primates and elephants
Tea Tree Lodge, Museum and Canopy Walk - gateway to the diverse wildlife and rich culture of the most visited region in Uganda!
The Tea Tree Lodge and Museum will be strategically located on a tea farm and private forest next to Kibale National Park with easy access to four other national wildlife parks. Tooro’s attractions include the Rwenzori Mountains, a World Heritage Site, Queen Elizabeth Park, crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and caves. The region’s wildlife includes elephants, buffalo, hippo, leopard, crocodiles, birds, butterflies, and primates.
Facts
1955
| Two years ago: | 90,000 |
| Last year: | 120,000 |
| This year (forecast): | 128,000 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 130,000 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 135,000 |
| Two years ago: | 25,000 |
| Last year: | 30,000 |
| This year (forecast): | 36,000 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 38,000 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 45,000 |
| Two years ago: | 250 |
| Last year: | 240 |
| This year (forecast): | 235 |
| Year 2 (forecast): | 240 |
| Year 3 (forecast): | 270 |
Finance needed
| Finance needed for fixed assets (buying of machines, buildings, ...) | 700,000 |
| Finance needed for working capital (salaries, stock, rental, leasing, transport, ...) | 100,000 |
| Total finance needed (US$) | 800,000 |
How do you expect this to be financed? Please note: the total amount mentioned here should be equal to the total finance needed at the previous question.
| Own Contribution in cash | 100,000 |
| Loans (debt) | 200,000 |
| Share capital that you seek from investors (equity) | 400,000 |
| Other sources | 100,000 |
| Total finance needed (US$) | 800,000 |
The Business
Currently, Nyakairu Tea Estate produces tea which it supplies to a factory for processing and export. The Estate, which also owns a private forest next to Kibale National Park is diversifying into ecotourism. This new venture will offer a lodge and museum. It will offer good accommodation on a tea farm and wilderness setting in a tropical forest, outdoor activities, nature, wildilfe, community, educational, cultural, agri and ethical tourism.
Mid-priced value for money accommodation - much needed in this most visited region of Uganda, one-stop shop to attractions in the region, exciting activities, community development and environmental protection.
The lodge is designed by a reputable firm to conform to global environmental construction criteria, the museum's artifacts are collected with Ensi women's community based organization, tours are developed with other tourism stakeholders in the region, a forest canopy walk will be the first in Uganda. Part of the profits go to fund for environmental protection and development projects priotised by the community. Tourists invited to give to fund.
The product will be sold through tour operators, the Internet, tourism fairs, travel magazines and directories, specialty magazines e.g. birdwatchers, nature tourists and Google Earth. A customer relationship management database will be used for targeted marketing. In the region, travel agents for international organizations and embassies, and places frequented by foreign residents and high income individuals e.g. hotels, restaurants, museums.
Foreign visitors - currently make up around 90% of visitors to wildlife parks in Uganda
Foreign residents in East Africa - working in embassies and international organizations - particularly for week-end visits
High income East Africans - an increasing tourism market
Corporations - for retreats - particularly those focusing on environmental and community development issues.
Educational institutions
Around 15 hotels, lodges and guest houses in Tooro. Most offer either very costly accommodation or very basic facilities - there is a gap for mid-priced value for money accommodation.
There is no local museum in the area showing the interesting history and culture of the region.
There is no good facility that offers a one-stop shop to visitors who want to visit all the attractions in the region.
There is no forest canopy walk in Uganda.
Cultural aspects - museum not offered by competitors, no other lodge on a tea farm setting, ownership of private forest means tourists can see wildlife without paying high park fees, better marketing experience
Innovative marketing including virtual tours, online bookings and sales, customer relationship marketing databases, and contribution of GPS data so that lodge, museum and parks available on GPS maps used by tour operators and visitors.
Network of foreign and local partners for environmental protection, marketing, and community development and providing total packages to the whole region.
Physical and nline museum a first in region
Good marketing to retain clients and target new clients
Quality innovative service that is unique
Regular reviews to enhance features, products and services based on feedback and emerging trends
Training and capacity building of staff and local community partners to improve level of service, efficiency and effectiveness
Community and environment initiatives to develop region, enhance local goodwill and attract ethical tourists.
The Entrepreneur & Management
Nyakairu Estate has been in operation since 1955. Its main focus has been tea growing but its shareholders' other business and professional competencies include those in the hospitality area, notably, a successful restaurant in Kampala, art and craft shop in Germany and online, marketing Africa in Germany, and a keen interest and knowledge of region's history and culture. The Estate works closely with Ensi women's community based organization.
Long entrepreunerial experience spanning over 50 years
Qualifications and extensive experience in hotel management and restaurant business
Extremely good knowledge of the region - its wildlife, history and culture
Good marketing experience
Extremely wide network of local, national and international partners on all aspects of the venture
A core management team including the hotel and museum managaer and tour operations manager and their staff will spend 100% of their time in the business. The marketing manager will spend 14 hours a week.
Development
The new ecotourism business will
- directly employ at least 30 people from the local community plus those employed during the construction phase.
- use local suppliers for building materials, food suppliers and maintenance of the buildings, vehicles, etc.
- set up a fund for environmental protection and community development projects e.g. education, health, water and sanitation facilties etc.
- offer internships and work experience
SWFI.
Please check out the Sovereign Wealth Fund Initiative as an option for accessing investment funding the website is:
www.swfinitiative.org, should you have interest in exploiting this funding option; please revert to me ASAP.
JB.
info(at)iifg-eu.net