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Gorillas are Not Violent and are Worthy Visiting

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Gorilla Tourism

Have you watched the planet of Apes or the King Kong Movie? After watching some movies you may think that gorillas are violent creatures! Gorillas are not violent and are worthy visitinng in the tropical rain forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo. Gorillas are the dominant primates that fall in ape species. Gorillas are found in ten countries in Africa. They are found in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville among others.

Mountain gorilla tourism is one of the most developed forms of tourism. The major trekking destinations include;Bwindi Forest National park and Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Volcanoes National park in Northern Rwanda. Other parks where you can see other species of gorillas while on safari are;

  • Odzala National Park in the Republic of Congo
  • Kahuzi Biega National Park in Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo

Gorillas are believed to be violent but they are not! They can be violent only when disturbed or when they suspect that there is an enemy. Hardly do gorillas initiate fights but can defend themselves against danger. Within the national parks of the Virunga, gorillas have killed poachers who always come in their natural habitats to smuggle some of the wildlife within the park. Gorillas move in groups which are led by mature male called silver back.  They are humble but become violent when attacked.

Gorillas trekking is known to be the major tourist activity in any country where Gorillas are found. Gorillas earn a lot of foreign exchange – in Rwanda, the Gorilla permit cost US$ 1500, Uganda at US$800 among others.

Meeting Gorillas in their natural habitat is a life time which everyone should enjoy before death.  That is why the number of visitors moving for gorilla safaris increase every day amidst high trekking cost/ expensive Gorilla permits, Air tickets, visas and accommodation costs among others.

Looking into the eyes of the endangered mountain gorillas is memorable. Meeting gorillas in their natural environment enable trekkers to take photos and films up close. Such photos can be uploaded on websites, bill boards and so on hence promoting business.

Gorillas themselves are entertaining or dramatic to amuse trekkers. Gorillas are found jumping from one tree to another to entertain visitors.

Gorillas are intelligent and are capable of using tools like sticks, stones and so on in their routine work. They can slow stones to the enemy, can use sticks to get fruits from trees, they can also build nests to sleep in.

They nurture their young ones just like human beings. The young ones are trained how to jump, climb, hunt, feed, run and so on. They do it to prepare them face future challenges.

Gorillas are among the rare primates which are found in few countries on African continent. They are unique and visiting them is a life time event which every human being should do before going for eternal life.

Gorillas stay in the wild and they stay in groups for security reasons and they fight in groups. Gorillas do not what anybody to challenge them so; trekkers are advised to remain humble when they visit the gentle giants.

Gorillas also communicate amongst themselves and they use different communication sounds in different circumstances. When attacked they make different sound from that when they land on the plenty sources of food.

Gorillas are treasured to extent of being treated by expert primatologist doctors -well known internationally. That testifies why Gorillas are worth visit!

Best Places to See Bonobos in the Wild

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Congo Bonobos

If you are a primate lover planning to travel to Africa to explore some of the most exceptional primate species, then the Bonobos are what you cannot afford to miss on your safari. The Bonobos, scientifically known as Pan Paniscus were originally referred as the Pygmy/Dwarf/gracile chimpanzees. These exceptional creatures have often been mistaken for chimpanzees, but they are different much as they are all sub-species of the Genus “Pan” and share 98% of their DNA with mankind. The Bonobos are eminent for their comparatively longer legs, dark face, pink lips and their tail-tuft in through maturity and scattered long hair on their heads.

These fascinating mammals are found in an area of 500,000 square kilometers (190,000 square miles) of the great Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the Heart of Africa. This means that if you desire to discover these exceptional primates in the wild, you will only have to do it within this wonderful African country. They are listed under the IUCN Red List of endangered species and currently their number is estimated between 30,000 and 50,000 individuals. Therefore, this article brings you some of the spectacular places to see the Wild Bonobos within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve

This Bonobo Reserve is situated in Tshuapa district in the Equatorial Province and was established in 2009 as a Reserve by the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo. This site is a home to the largest population of Bonobos and there are currently four habituated Bonobo groups that can be tracked daily by tourists. Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve covers an area of 4785 square kilometers and is a haven to more than 1000 Wild Bonobos.

Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve

The magnificent Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve (RFLY) is one of the fascinating places where you will see the Bonobos. This Reserve is part of the Maringa Lopori Wamba Forest landscape (MLW) that covers an area of 74,000 square kilometers (29,000 square miles) and situated in North-central Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve was created in 2006 and spans at 3625 square kilometers/1400 square miles.

Lui Kotale

This site was created in 2002 at the Southern edge of Salonga National Park, at the southern side of River Lokoro mainly to conserve the endangered Bonobos and elephant populations. Much as the Bonobos are the stars of the Show in this site, other mammal species exist and they include the Red river hogs, Bongos, elephants, buffaloes, Bongos, Sitatungas, leopards, several species of duikers, the Mangabeys and the Angola colobus among others.

Lac Tumba

The Landscape of this site covers an area of 126,440 square kilometers, shared by two countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville). Besides being a home to the Bonobos, several primates-including Angolan Colobus, the Black Mangabey, the Red-tailed monkeys, the DeBrazza’s monkeys and the Allen’s Swamp monkeys call this site home.

Besides the Bonobos in the wild, tourists taking safaris in DR Congo can see the Bonobos within the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, located just 90 minutes drive from Kinshasa City Center. This sanctuary is the only Bonobos Sanctuary in the World and currently only 60 orphaned Bonobos are found within the place.

In conclusion, if you are someone that enjoys exploring exceptional wildlife and destinations, then Lac Tumba, LuiKotale, Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve and the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve must not miss on your bucket list because they shelter populations of Bonobos in the wild.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda Vs Rwanda

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Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

Have you ever thought about going on a chimpanzee tracking safari in Africa? Chimpanzee Watching is one of the interesting adventures that travelers seek for in East and Central Africa. Chimpanzees are among the known six apes! These primates that share more than 98% of human DNA and thus they are our distant cousins! There are a few destinations where travelers can enjoy chimpanzee tracking and the most popular are Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. Here is a review on chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda vs Uganda;

Uganda is a primate capital of Africa due to the fact that many of the primates colonized the tropical rain forests of Uganda. Apart from gorilla trekking, the next best activity in this country is chimpanzee trekking in the tropical rain forests of Uganda.

In Uganda, there are many forests that host wild chimpanzees and the areas that have habituated chimpanzee communities. Top places visited on Uganda safaris that feature chimpanzee tracking include Kibale Forest National park in western Uganda, Budongo Forest in northern Uganda, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park, Semuliki National Park and Kalinzu ecotourism site. The other exsitu conservation areas where one can see chimpanzees in Uganda include Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and Ngamba Island in Entebbe.

In Rwanda, the chimpanzees are found in Nyungwe forest National Park and in case you get to visit Rwanda, this is the best place to see them.

In Rwanda, a chimpanzee permit costs $ 200 per person per trek and in Uganda, the different places have got different prices. In Kibale, the permit is at $250 per person, in Kyambura Gorge, its costs $150, in Budongo, it’s at $80 and in Kalinzu at $150. At the zoo, you get to pay entry fees and you will have access to the chimpanzees.

In Nyungwe forest, the chimps are semi habituated and this needs the tourists to wake up so early and look for them and in Uganda, the chimps are fully habituated and are used to the people and the experience is so different.

In Uganda, chimp trekking takes up half day while in Nyungwe Forest, you can’t rule how long you will spend looking for the chimps since their movements are so unpredictable.

More so, in Uganda, the chimps live in communities and then divide into small groups that are called the parties due to the efforts of trying to reduce the competition on food. These will then come together in the evening to make up their nests for sleeping. During the trek, you will be briefed and 6 people will trek a given party in order to avoid the congestion, since these parties keep joining and separating, you may also find yourselves separating and joining.

Within Uganda, the guests can enjoy the chimpanzee habituation in Budongo and in Kibale National park. In this activity, the tourists will move with the researchers and also participate in the habituation of new communities. The price for this activity is also higher due to the fact that it takes the whole day and not one hour.

Similarities

Uganda and Rwanda have got a few similar things and the people will visit these two countries either to view the gorillas or the chimpanzees as well as the golden monkeys.

How to Safari in Uganda on Budget

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Ugandan Elephants

Uganda is located in East Africa. It is bordered by Kenya in the east, Tanzania in the south, Rwanda in south west, and DR Congo in the west.

Most travelers may perceive that Eastern Africa safaris as expensive but Uganda is one of the destinations you can visit for those who want to an ultimate safari but don’t have much to spend. The reason to travel to Uganda on budget is you can find a lot of adventure activities to do, book online budget tour operator who can offer you deals to travel as a group and visit during the low season from March, April to May and October to November.

Choose the places to visit in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a highlight of any trip to Uganda. Make your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda, home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. For adventure travelers wanting to safari on budget, a gorilla permit cost is $600 US but you can find your way out by camping or staying in rest camps outside the national park. Mgahinga National Park offers the best way to camping and gorilla trekking, one of the wildlife experiences on top in East Africa.

Visit national other national parks for wildlife viewing  

If gorilla trekking seems too expensive for your budget safari, Uganda has several national parks where gamer drives cost $20 and boat cruises $30. Some of the parks for wildlife viewing are Lake Mburo, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. You can arrange a safari or depending on your choice, you get to some of these parks by public transport and self driving. To keep costs within your budget, make sure to stay in budget accommodations. Dormitories, self and non self contained bandas, tents, hostels such as Mweya in Queen Elizabeth national park, are extremely affordable starting as low as $10 US per night if compared to lodges that charge over $100 per night. Game viewing starts at early at 06:30 or 07am, so you should be close to the park offices to be on time for game drive with rangers.

Besides game viewing, lots of activities can be done in parks such as hiking, nature walks, birding. Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda is home to 3 dormant volcanoes proving the best volcano hiking trails. Hiking excursions range from take 6-8 hours depending on the volcano you choose to hike. The park has the best campsites starting at $40 per person.

Visit Jinja for thrilling white water rafting and outdoor adventures

The Nile, the world’s longest river has its source in Jinja located eastern Uganda about 1 hour drive from Kampala. The Nile itself is one of the 7 natural world wonders, plus its budget friendly adventures are enough for travelers wanting to safari in Uganda on budge.

Jinja is nicknamed the adventure capital of East Africa with a variety of outdoor adventures to do on a weekend or just for a day trip. Jinja offers outdoor adventure activities such as white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, and quad biking, swimming, cycling, and biking. In addition, Jinja is just along the Nile, it boasts beautiful scenery and weather, affordable guest houses, campsites, restaurants. Also easy to get there by public transport unlike going to some national parks, the highway from Kampala city takes you straight to Jinja. You just need to know the time to particular activities. For instance rafting starts in the morning while the rest can be done any time of the day. Taxis, bus coasters depart Kampala any time of the day. You can hire a car and self drive to Jinja safely.

Accommodations

Staying in affordable accommodation is one of the best ways to safari in Uganda on budget.  Accommodations in Uganda national parks range from budget, mid-range and luxury lodges to community rest camps, guest houses, cottages, dormitories to bandas owned by Uganda wildlife authority. There are options to get where to stay in any national park you choose to visit.

Not all safari lodges are expensive. There are those offering basic accommodation and in their rooms you can find amenities such as, good beds, hot and running water, and flash toilets. Visitors can stay on the basis of bed and breakfast, half or full board. There are also basic huts or large tents with pit latrines, simple beds, bathrooms which are separate and hot water will be heated. For instance in Ishasha sector of queen Elizabeth national park.

In Murchison falls national park, there are also lazy bush camping tented lodges which offer accommodation starting around $70 for those sharing and $80 for single occupancy. These have solar power are mostly located in the bushes along the Nile.

If you opt to stay in tented camps, some provide beds while others require you to pack items for sleeping comfortably.

Botswana – the Ultimate Family Holiday

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Botswana Family Safari

Botswana is fast becoming a popular family destination because of its safety and stability. The good news for families looking to travel to the country is that many lodges and safari companies have relaxed their minimum age requirements and offer discounted rates for children.

If that hasn’t convinced you enough, then allow Botswana Holidays to tell you more as to why you should consider Botswana as your next family holiday destination.

Safety in the bush is an important factor for families, and this is emphasised greatly in pre-trip briefings and lodge orientations. But, it is always the parents who are ultimately responsible for the safety and well-being of their children.

Some activities are restricted for children under 12 years and booking of a private vehicle is often required (and recommended) for families with children between 6-12 years. This allows ultimate flexibility for a family, with no concerns over inconveniencing other guests if your little one gets bored early or needs his fifth toilet break!

Many lodges have dedicated family rooms which consist of two rooms with a connecting bathroom, or others will offer extra beds/mattresses in the room to accommodate the children. When it comes to meal times, because the lodges in Botswana are so smal,  they are often very flexible and happy to accommodate early dining or special kids meals.

Certain lodges have also devised special “kids programmes” where trained guides show the children how to track, identify spoor, pole a mokoro and share many other bush stories and experiences. For most families, it is a hugely memorable and educational experience that is so totally different from their normal lives that it will be remembered for many years to come.

Certain areas of Botswana work better for children than others and we can recommend the following best options for your family:

The Okavango Delta, Moremi, Savute and Central Kalahari lodges normally have a minimum age of six years, but other lodges in Kasane – a great base for Chobe – have no age restriction, making it the best area for younger families.

Mobile camping safaris also work well for families with children over eight years old, being less expensive and more personal for a family unit. Guides are excellent at showing the children the ‘small five′ and teaching them bush knowledge such as tracking and spoor identification.

For a family safari of a lifetime, consider Botswana as your destination of choice.

Guide to Visiting Kruger National Park

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Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park was South-Africa’s first National Park and was established in 1926 by Paul Kruger.  Covering somewhat 20,000 square kilometers of the lowveld, this park owes its pride to the unsurpassed variety of game, from the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo), to hippo’s cheetahs, hyenas and even the variety of bird life and the beauty of the South-African bushveld.

The park boasts about its great variety of fauna and flora and includes 500 Bird species, 336 different Tree types, 106 Mammal Species, 114 Reptile Species, 40 types of Frogs, 34 species of Snakes, 5 different types of Iguana, 3 species of Tortoise and 49 Fish Species.
Some of the Mammal species include:  1800 Lions, 8834 Elephants, 25000 Buffalo, 1871 White Rhino’s, 220 Black Rhinos, 250-300 Cheetahs, 600-900 Leopards, 2314 Hippos, 4600 Giraffes, 2000 Hyenas, 3150 Kudus, 350 Wild Dogs, 97297 Impalas, 496 Elands and 12723 Blue Wildebeest.

The park has eight public entrance gates, namely: Crocodile Bridge and Malelane gates which are the most southern entrances, Numbi, Paul Kruger, Orpen, Phalaborwa east of the park and finally Punda Maria and Pafuri gates in the Northern part of the Park.

The following methods of payment are generally excepted inside the park:  South-African Rands, Traveller’s Cheques, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express and foreign currencies cab be exchanged at all rest camps.

There are petrol stations at all gates, except Paul Kruger and Malelane gates.  All main camps do have petrol facilities.
The speed limit in the park is 50 kilometers per hour on main (tar) roads, and 40 kilometers per hour on gravel roads.  There are also some picnic stops along the roads where you will be allowed to alight from your vehicle.

All camps have set opening and closing times and are limited to day traveling.  Tourists should ensure that they travel only between these times.  Gate Times are as follows:
Nov-Feb:    Open 5:30 Close 18:30
Mar:        Open 5:30 Close 18:30
Apr-Jul:        Open 6:00 Close 17:30
Aug-Sep:    Open 6:00 Close 18:00
Oct:        Open 5:30 Close 18:00

Main Camps are all equipped with the following facilities:
Electricity, a First Aid Centre, a Shop, Braai and Communal Kitchen Facilities, a Laundromat, Restaurant or Self-Catering Area, Public Telephones.  ATM’s are available at Skukuza and Letaba Camps.  There is also a doctor at Skukuza Camp.
Holiday programs and evening films of wildlife are arranged in many of the rest camps.  Please enquire at reception.

Bush Camps are much smaller and do not have all the facilities that main camps have.  They generally do not cater for the use of any electrical appliances.  Entrances to Bush Camps are also restricted to reserved overnight visitors.  All units have a refrigerator, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and stove and private ablution facilities.

Luxury Bush Camps are also available with a 5 star rating.

There are some really exciting activities inside the Kruger National Park you may want to take part in at an extra cost.  These may include Sunrise drives, Sunset drives, Day drives, Night drives, walking tours at different times of the day.  Bookings can be made in advance or at the Rest Camps upon arrival.  You are also able to book for traditional meals like Bush Braais (Barbeque) or even a traditional South-African Potjie.  These are well worth a try.

To travel inside of the Kruger National park is quite safe but the following tips are important to ensure that you have a pleasant journey and stay.

Remember to take precautions against Malaria.  It is recommended to begin the precautionary medicines before you arrive in the area.  You must consult your General Practitioner for the prescription for the correct medicines.  The highest risk time periods for Malaria is between October and May.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot animals.

Try not to exceed more than 200 kilometers per day, as you may miss a lot of game and struggle to reach your destination camp in time.

Do not alight from your car at any time where it is not permitted.

Drive within the speed limit.  Many animals cross the roads unexpectedly.

Do not feed the animals.

It is great to be able to have your own safari in your own vehicle.  The Kruger National Park gives each one of us that opportunity!  May you have a great experience in one of the most special game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park!

10 Things to Do on Uganda Safari

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Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, the home to the mountain gorillas as well as the source of the Nile. Recently featured a top destination in National Geographic and Lonely Planet, Uganda safari trips cover more than 10 separate destinations.  The common tourist destinations in Uganda include:

  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Murchison Falls National Park
  • Kidepo Valley National Park
  • Lake Mburo National Park
  • Semuliki National Park
  • Mountain Rwenzori National Park
  • Mountain Elgon National Park
  • Mgahinga National Park
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Kibale National Park
  • Kampala city
  • Jinja
  • Entebbe etc

The above tourist destinations offer a variety of tourist activities which you can enjoy on Uganda safaris, see below:

  1. Gorilla trekking – It’s the major and most selling tourist activity in Uganda. You can go on a gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park situated in south western Uganda. The current cost of gorilla trekking is US$800 and US$1500 for Gorilla habituation. Gorilla trekking is the most expensive and most demanded in Uganda.
  1. Chimpanzee tracking – It’s done in Kibale National park, Toro- Semuliki Game reserve, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge. The current cost for chimpanzee trekking ranges from US$30 – US$200. You can go a head to do Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park at US$220.
  1. Game viewing in Uganda – The activity allows visitors to see wild animals and birds up close. Game viewing/ game drives are done in Uganda savannah parks including Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You can explore the Uganda savannah parks on an open safari vehicle to see animals like elephants, Leopards, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Zebras, Giraffes and Lions among others. Expect to see birds like crested crane which is Uganda’s national bird, the rare shoe bill stork, weaverbirds, woodpeckers among others.
  1. Boat trip – Conducted on most of Uganda waters like lakes and Rivers. Popular boat cruises are done on Kazinga channel, Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, River Nile, Victoria Nile, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda and Lake Albert among others. While to boat trip, guests enjoy the thrilling viewing mammals like crocodiles, Hippos, Monitor Lizards among others. Birds like king fishers are commonly seen on most of Uganda water bodies.
  1. Cultural tours – Uganda is not only rich in nature and wildlife, but also has an undiscovered, fascinating cultural heritage. Four major kingdoms and well-established chiefdoms are found in Uganda, all with their own different habits and lifestyles. Our cultural tours – give you the chance to explore the real Africa and learn about the wide, fascinating culture of the tribes in Uganda. Visit Kampala for an introduction with some interesting, historical sites.
  1. White water rafting on River Nile – Commonly done on Uganda’s longest River. It’s done in Jinja and Kangulumira in Kayunga district. Tourists sit in the rafting boat and sail on rapid waters from the upper stage of the rapids to the lowest. It’s the most amazing adventure on River Nile. Contact African Jungle Adventures OR Gorilla Expedition to help make your dream come true.
  1. Mountaineering on Rwenzori and Elgon – Mountain Rwenzori is the highest block mountain in Uganda with the highest peak known as Margherita peak while Mountain Elgon is a volcano with the largest Volcanic base in the world at 4,000km². The hikers spend time climbing Mountains but Mount Rwenzori has the most challenging hike compared to Mt. Elgon.
  1. Hot Air Balloon – Experience the wilderness of Uganda in a new, unique way. Wake up early to catch the sunrise, as you silently fly over the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Admire the herds of buffaloes, elephants and enjoy the serene tranquility of the African bush…

You now have the opportunity to add an exciting hot air balloon ride to your safari. You will take off early at dawn for a flight that lasts for approximately 1 hour. Rise as the sun rises and float in whatever direction the winds of the morning take you.

  1. Birding – Uganda is a birding paradise boasting a massive bird list of more of than 1073 recorded bird species making up 50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world species. This huge bird list is contained within a small territory of only 90041 square miles (about the size of Britain), hence having one of the highest concentration of birds per square kilometers in Africa. Birding in Uganda rewards with easy spotting of many birds by covering just a small area or birding for a short period of time.
  1. City tours – Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and its where most of the city tours are conducted from. In Kampala, you can visit Kasubi tombs, The Kings Palace, Kabaka’s Lake, Uganda Museum, City malls, Markets and worshiping places among others.

10 Best African Safari Destinations for 2024

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South Africa Safari

Africa is best described as a Mother Continent for many reasons. It features as the oldest continent in the world making it the world’s best travel destination. A visit to this magical continent offers you a great opportunity to discover its hidden gem with great Lakes, beautiful beaches with pearly white sands, amazing flora and fauna species and not to forget the magical mountains around its border areas. With these, Africa is truly a leisure paradise!

Below are some of the exceptional destinations to visit in 2019

Botswana

This is one of Africa’s best safari destinations that you should consider a must to explore this year. A visit to Botswana gets you the best of African safari experience that you have always wished to have in life. This magical country is surrounded by Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and incredibly it features among a few most looked for wilderness paradises on earth. While here, Okavango Delta is that one place you need to pay a visit. It lies just within the Kalahari Basin and gets you the best views over the big game, stunning vegetation and natural beauty. On your trip, don’t miss to explore what the inhabitants in Southern African have for the world-most especially the incredible rock paintings and villages of the San people and Hambukushu at the Tsodilo Hills. For any plans to visit this country for a holiday, you do not need to worry about where to spend a night because accommodation is also at its best. The available lodges for your overnight stay in this country range from budget to luxury and they include Chobe game lodge, Okavango delta camp and others.

Kenya

In case you are looking for that one unique country to explore in East Africa then Kenya should be a must for you to visit. This magical country is a paradise of its own and it comes with diverse wildlife, scenic mountains and islands. Kenya is ideally one of a few perfect safari destinations you need to pay a visit with your dear one. For any plans to explore this magnificent country, the best time for you to pay a visit is between October and March. While on safari in Africa, don’t miss to pay a visit to beautiful Lamu Island that boasts of its rolling dunes, endless beaches and narrow bustling streets. For those of you who need the perfect place to chill and relax, then Watamu and Malindi are such magical places you need to be with your dear one. While here, you get the best of tropical beaches as you relax around the spectacular white sands. These islands feature stunning coral reefs and diversity of marine life and not to forget the historic Gede ruins in Watamu and you will have the best of this island’s history. On the other hand, if you are interested in wilderness experiences then don’t miss to pay a visit to Lake Nakuru for bird watching and wildlife viewing, Amboseli National Park.

South Africa

In case you wish to get the best of summer adventure then South Africa is a place to be. Get to this beautiful country and enjoy the warmth of the Indian Ocean and not to forget its ideal weather within the province of KwaZulu Natal. This province features 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the ISimangaliso wetlands park within St. Lucia where the largest estuarine system, more than 500 avifaunal species and ancient coastal dunes, endless beaches which extend from Maphelane in the south to Kosi bay along the Mozambique border area, UKhahlamba Drakensberg park. The Western Cape on the other side offers excellent nature views with the deep blue waters of the cold Atlantic and lush vegetation as well as several lagoons and lakes on the Garden route.

Rwanda

This dubbed land of a thousand hills is a true primate paradise. What makes a safari in Rwanda complete is gorilla trekking. This landlocked country is a home to a section of world’s rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys which thrive within Volcanoes National Park. It is of no doubt that this African state has become the most sought after destination for gorilla trekking. Besides, it is also ideal for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, game viewing in Akagera National Park which is a home to big five game and as you head off to Lake Kivu, you will have the best of kayaking, sport fishing/boat tours.

Lesotho

Make your trip in Africa a complete one with a visit to Lesotho. This remarkable country features wide range of majestic mountains. This destination is worth exploring as a couple or group and you will have the best of what Africa has in terms of nature. The major tourist attractions in this magical country include mainly its stunning national parks and reserves that include among others Bokong nature reserve, Sehlabathebe national park, Ts’enhlanyane national park and others. Sehlabathebe national park features grassland, wildflowers and variety of birds including the bearded vulture a mention but a few. Ts’enhlanyane national park straddles deep in the front range of the Maluti Mountains just at the foot of the Holomo pass and known for its incredible floral and faunal species. Bokong reserve on the other hand stands at edge of 100 meters cliff over viewing the stunning Lepaqoa waterfall and valley. It is ideal for hiking experiences and for those of who you want to relax.

Seychelles

The republic of Seychelles boasts of its stunning 115 islands and if you are looking for a romantic place to be with your dear one then don’t miss to add it in your travel plan. This island state features the most pristine beaches, lonely rock outcrops and untouched habitats for varied wildlife species. The outer island groups for instance the Alphonse and Desroches provide luxurious lodges. This island country is ideal for sailing, diving and fishing.

Morocco

Best described as a distinctly African country on the outskirts of Europe, Morocco is a few most stunning Africa’s states that should be a must in your bucket list. A visit to this country gets you the best of North African culture and above all make your trip complete in this country by exploring the Djemma el Fna in Marrakech. Get authentic experiences of Moroccans by embarking on the Berber tour and you will have the best of nomadic while on camel treks and desert tours. To get the best of traditional pre-Saharan life AitBenhaddou a must to visit and you won’t regret in life.

The other incredible travel destinations include Zanzibar, Reunion Island, Sao Tome and Principe.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Vs. Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking

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Gorilla Watching in Africa

Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, the best adventure you can have is to experience a primate safari to visit the mountain Gorillas & Eastern Lowland gorillas in Africa. 

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa.

From my Experience travelling to the gorilla destinations in Africa, Mountain Gorilla Trekking is expensive compared to the Eastern lowland gorilla trips, this is because the permits are more expensive. Gorilla permits are the only factor that makes gorilla tours expensive compared to wildlife adventures.

Mountain Gorilla trekking destinations are divided into three destinations by Country and National Park. There are 4 Places in different countries that you can experience this and each destination comes with it’s own unique adventure. Mountain Gorillas can be visited only in Uganda, Rwanda & Democratic Republic of Congo, and there are only 880 remaining in the world.

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, it’s diverse landscape encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Uganda is commonly known as the pearl of Africa, and being a British colony the most spoken language is English yet other local Languages are spoken more broadly. Uganda is ranked high when it comes to primate safaris as well as Wildlife sightings and is among the top destination known for a combination of Gorilla & Wildlife Safari.

All Mountain Gorilla Destinations are located in the south western part of Uganda, we call this the Switzerland of Africa. Here there are two destinations for Mountain Gorilla trekking,  Bwindi Forest National Park and the Mgahinga National Park.

Bwindi Forest National Park.

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in south-western Uganda and it is the best destination for Mountain Gorilla Trekking. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which is situated along the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border, next door to the Virunga National Park and also on the edge of the Albertine Rift.

Bwindi Park is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many bird species such as hornbills and turacos. It is most notable for the 480 Bwindi gorillas that live there, this is approximately half of the world’s population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Four habituated mountain gorilla groups are open to tourism: Mubare; Habinyanja; Rushegura near Buhoma; and the Nkuringo group at Nkuringo. An added feature of trekking in Bwindi is that the lodges are located within the jungle.

Population: The number of mountain gorillas has increased from the 2010 estimate of 786 after a count in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a national park in the far south-west of Uganda near the town of Kisoro, it forms part of the Virunga Massif.

Mgahinga National park is located in the Virunga Mountains and is contiguous with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda (about 33.7 km). It is very important as it hosts both the endangered Mountain Gorillas and the Golden Monkey.

Population: There is only one Gorilla Family to be visited in Mgahinga National Park, we can’t estimate the Gorilla population in this region because they are cross boundary Primates.

Costs of the Gorilla Permits

Mountain Gorilla Trekking permits in Uganda are cheaper compared to those in Rwanda for the Volcanoes National Park experience.

The Cost of the trekking permit in Uganda differs depending on whether it is peak season or low season.

The permits costs USD500 for April, May and November and in other months of the year they will costs USD 800.

Time of Travel

Mountain Gorilla Trekking can be done throughout the year, these dense jungle destinations don’t experience dry seasons, it rains throughout the year, meaning gorilla Trekking tours can be done from January all the way through to December.

Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked East African country with a green, mountainous landscape. It is renowned for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the famous Volcanoes National Park, home also to 4,507m-tall Mt. Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. It is also known as the land of thousand hills.

Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda is in the African Great Lakes region and is highly elevated; its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savannah to the east, with a number of lakes throughout the country.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park lies in north western Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. This national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorillas. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), and spans 160 sq km covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.

Cost of the Gorilla permit

The Rwandan Gorilla permit is fixed to USD 750 from January to December due to the fact that they don’t have seasonal discounted prices.

Time of Travel

Gorilla Trekking can be done throughout the year and just be aware that it rains the entire year.

Virunga National Park in Congo

In the Congo you can visit the centre for orphaned gorillas which is located in the Greater Virunga National Park.

Many travel guides will advise you not to visit the Congo as it can be unsafe, but it is ranked as the best experience for mountain gorillas and also offers the opportunity to hike the active Volcano of Nyiragongo which can be summited in just two Days .

In Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo – abbreviated to DRC, is a country located in Central Africa. The DRC borders the Central African Republic, with South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to the east; Zambia and Angola to the south; the Republic of the Congo to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. There are two sites for Lowland gorilla Trekking Adventures in the Congo.

Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega and Maiko National Park

Eastern Lowland gorilla Trekking can be experienced in the Kahuzi biega National Park as well as the Maiko National Park.

The Kahuzi-Biega Park is a protected area near Bukavu town in the eastern area of the DRC. It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Many travellers visiting Kahuzi biega national park use the Ruzizi Border of Rwanda. The park is the best destination for Eastern lowland gorillas and there are a number of Gorilla families that tourists can see.

In Kahuzi Biega National Park the eastern lowland gorilla is a subspecies of eastern gorilla, which is endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Eastern lowland gorillas that live in the Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National are important populations for their species.

Cost of the Gorilla Permit

Congo Gorilla Permits are the cheapest at USD 400 pp.

Don’t miss to the opportunity to see for yourself the difference between these gorillas groups.

Established in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are within its limits. With an area of 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 sq mi), Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in the country. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), which are listed as endangered under the IUCN Red List.

How to Save On Car Rental In Uganda

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4x4 Uganda Car Rental

Ever wondered how you going to save some money while on safari in Uganda? Did you know that you can save some income by simply hiring a car in Uganda at a low cost? Whereas most visitors focus on saving through cheap airfares and online hotel deals, saving on car hire is equally useful. There is usual misunderstanding that car hire prices are all the uniform and there is no point in planning prior the actual travel date, but this is incorrect to believe. Renting a car while on Uganda safari is highly recommended and that is why we offer you some advice on you can get the perfect deal when it comes to hiring one for your tour. Hiring a vehicle for Uganda tours is the perfect choice that you should make for any holiday vacation in the Uganda. There are several options for you to choose whether you need self drive or guided safaris, our car rentals are there to help you make your dream come true.

It is advisable that you make use of coupons

Prior booking any car from any car rental agency, it is normally worthwhile to search for coupons and deals related to car hire. They can be got through online and the perfect side of using them is that you are offered for over and more the discounts you get as a repeat driver.

Join a loyalty program

Loyalty programs are great since signing up is free and there are long term benefits. It can be stressful to understand the procedures initially but who could not mind accessing all those upgrades and perks. As a loyal member, you have a higher opportunity to improve your status. Like repeat flyers have the benefits which come with an airline loyalty program, joining a car hire loyalty program is a big deal to save on car hire in Uganda.

Avoid the airport

Due to convenience, most travelers are bound to pay higher price at the airport. In order for you to save much on a car hire, all our clients are encouraged to this so as to get more time and commute out of the Entebbe Airport surrounding. You will come across many options of offsite companies which would provide great costs. You could then organize your car hire agency to come and pick you up from the airport.

Extend your booking

The longer you hire a car, the lower your base price potentially becomes. An example is weekend prices are usually higher in comparison to week days. Most car hire companies offer a substantial return even if you hand back the car earlier than expected.

In conclusion, hiring a car in Uganda for a safari is the best way for you to save more while on a holiday. Our reliable four by four vehicles are available for you to hire for your perfect and most comfortable safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Our fleets of cars for hire include the Rav4, Land cruiser, Toyota Prado and many more. Contact us and we shall be there to help you plan your safari, book hotel/lodge, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits, GRS, Camping equipment, Airport transfers, 24 hour road assistance and Road map.

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