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  • 5 Places to Experience Walking Safaris

    5 Places to Experience Walking Safaris

    If, like me, you love safari and all things Africa but prefer your experiences in the bush to be filled with authentic encounters through your very own eyes, not an expensive pair of binoculars, a luxury walking safari will be right up your street.

    From living in Africa for over 3 years I’ve become a big fan of swapping the noisy jeep for a back to basics approach of strapping on my walking boots and slowing down the pace. Most importantly, you get a better feel and understanding for the incredible environment you’re in. From a few hours meandering through the bush to back-to-back days guided walking with expert trackers there are more than a few ways to experience a walking safari – I’ve experienced most of them, some of my top picks for anyone interested are below:

    Karisia – Kenya

    A world away from the modern world of glamorous lodges, Karisia is the ultimate place for walking safaris in the Northern wilds of Kenya. Here, days are spent wandering through the bush from camp to camp with local Samburu warriors as your guides in their own land.

    Tafika – South Luangwa – Zambia

    Sitting along the Luangwa River Tafika is in the heart of Zambia’s prime game viewing area. Definitely one for safari purists, here you can take guided walks to visit local villages as well as hunt out the incredibly vast array of wildlife. Walking safaris are a speciality of the Luangwa Valley and a two or three day walking trail to Tafika’s remote bush camps are highly recommended.

    Impala Camp – Selous Game Reserve – Tanzania

    With elephants walking through the camp and hippos grunting in the water below, you don’t always have to trek far in this area to experience the wildlife close up. The early morning walking safaris here are well worth the early alarm clock and perfect for catching Tanzanian wildlife at the breaks of dawn.

    Alex has over 3 years experience of living across Africa and currently advises people on the best spots to holiday at over at Exsus Luxury Holidays.

  • Go Primates Watching in Africa

    Go Primates Watching in Africa

    Very many people do come to this “black continent “for various reasons ranging from business, tourism and investments.However,it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that most of this influx of people to this continent come purposely to view the natural endowments in this continent. The most driving factor as far as tourism is concerned is the availability of primates in this continent. Such kind of primates include; chimpanzees, gorillas and the baboons. So under this chapter, we strive to look at how does one behave when going for primates trekking in Africa.

    Even the most obnoxious been-there-done-that adventurer will admit there is no thrill like standing just a few feet from a 400-pound wild mountain gorilla in his turf looking right into his incredibly human eyes. With fewer than 1000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, gorilla trekking is not just an extraordinary, life-changing adventure, it’s a valuable economic lifeline for these endangered gentle giants. If traveling abroad brings you anywhere near the last remaining habitat of mountain gorillas, do not pass up the opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Africa.

    Gorilla trekking involves hiking deep into the mountain jungles of Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to observe a gorilla family in the wild. On a gorilla safari, you go with guides, national park rangers who monitor the gorillas for conservation record keeping, and help protect them from poachers. They can determine the general area where a gorilla family will be, and are skilled in tracking them.

    The length of the trek is entirely up to the gorillas. Sometimes the guides can track them down in less than two hours, other times it can take much longer. Mountain gorillas are nomadic, traveling the jungle in families and camping out just long enough to clear a wide area of all its fruit, have a nice sleep on nests of leaves, and move on. They don’t follow a clear path, either — so if you’re tracking them, you realize pretty quickly that these big suckers like to meander.

    At times it takes over six hours tramping through dense jungle, on a mat of vines that cling to your feet, to find the gorillas. Sometimes, there are no trails and the onus is on your guides to clear ways with machetes for you to pass and at times you can use passages made by the gorillas themselves. Your trail can switch back and forth, uphill and down, at least once up a sheer cliff face that you have to scale, your heart pounding, clinging to thick jungle vines.

    The first gorillas to be viewed most of the times are mothers holding their babies, with juvenile gorillas playing around them a sight you would see in any playground in the United States or wherever you are coming from except that these were gorillas instead of people. When you approach, the mamas climb up some tall trees with their babies and generally stay high up.

    The younger ones do come barreling over to you, stop just a few feet away and start pounding their chests and hooting. Your guide will obviously tell you that they want you to play with them, and even though they are smaller gorillas, it is still intimidating. That feeling grows tenfold when a 500-pound silverback gorilla come galloping between you and them not threatening, but definitely letting you know that he is keeping an eye on the situation. The younger gorillas will automatically give up trying to play with you and just play with each other — rolling, wrestling, swinging on vines, and pounding their chests, just like in the movies.

    This is always a big family of about 35 gorillas and at time more or less than that and you only have an hour in their presence (wearing surgical masks to prevent any diseases being passed back and forth between our species). As you watch them, your guide will be explaining the gorillas’ behavior — which humans can easily interpret as menacing and you will come to realize that they are not threatening at all, and just as curious about you as you are with them. The rangers are always familiar to them. By the time the hour is up, most of the intimidation that you were harboring will be gone and by this time you will be highly equipped with your best photos and videos.

    So if at all you want to go gorilla trekking, there are various steps and requirements that one must fulfill before going on this life time experience and we can highly digest them as below;

    Purchase Your Gorilla Trekking Permit. Permits are sold through national park services, and this income helps the parks in their mission to protect the gorillas from poachers and environmental destruction. Many licensed eco-tourism companies in Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC will help you buy your permit and arrange transportation to and from the start of your jungle trek. Because the parks restrict human interaction with mountain gorillas (for their health and safety), gorilla trekking permits are limited, and sell fast. Buy your permit well in advance, and build your trip around it.

    Get ready for Africa! Get the recommended immunizations and required visas for whatever country or countries you’ll be visiting. The mountain gorillas’ habitat is right at the intersections of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC, making it easy to travel a bit around central Africa before or after the trek.

    Welcome to the Jungle. Having the right equipment is essential for gorilla trekking. The jungle hike can be arduous and take hours. You will need sturdy trekking shoes, wool or moisture-wicking socks, comfortable hiking clothes, rain gear, a first aid kit, and lightweight sports backpack that can carry plenty of water and snacks. A waterproof camera is highly recommended, since nothing ruins a good camera like a jungle downpour.

  • Africa Safaris, an Increasingly Popular Option

    Africa Safaris, an Increasingly Popular Option

    The popularity of safaris grows at a vertiginous rhythm. Businessmen, executives and tourists in general ask for more and more information on this topic.

    Safaris can be organized in different places of Africa and it is very important that you know well the advantages and disadvantages of every area, as well as its attractions and other information that could turn out to be interesting to you.

    The countries we recommend to you to do a safari are Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

    If you enjoy hunting and doing safaris, Africa is the perfect place to spend your vacations (although in Latin America there is also an increasing interest to develop this kind of tourism, so stay close, maybe you could do a safari in Brazil). But now we will visit Africa, there it is advisable to take into account the following things:

    • Make sure that the service you hire has professionals and specialists, persons you could trust in and who speak a language you understand. Some agencies have Masai guides; they know very well their environment, although it would be suitable to organize the safari with prepared persons who apart from knowing the language could be useful in case of any emergency. You should remember that many of the areas you will visit can be remote and in case of any emergency you will need someone prepared for first-aid.
    • The safaris’ options in Africa are sold by many agencies and offers are diverse, hence selecting the correct place according to the relation quality / price is very important, off course, with characteristics that fit to your preferences. In case you have enough money you can hire a trip or a “personalized option”.
    • There are also some options that include adventures and risky destinations. We advise you to evaluate the risks in advance, since many of these destinations are placed in remote areas. It is also advisable to listen to the experts since it could be better to start discovering this fascinating world of safaris through less risky experiences.
    • Probably, hunting will not be the main attraction element in a trip to Africa, although those who have had the privilege of listening to the sounds of an African night consider that it is an unique experience. So now you know, beyond hunting there is an attraction world in the wild heart of Africa.
    • Of course, it is very important to definitely follow and respect the existing norms, even in safaris, parks or national reserves in which only photos are allowed. You must pay attention to your guide or specialist, remember that you will be in direct contact with nature and with wild animals, that’s why discipline is very important in a safari.
  • Gorilla Trekking Safaris – Once in Lifetime Experience

    Gorilla Trekking Safaris – Once in Lifetime Experience

    Planning for a holiday away from the urban environment? Would you like a nature based holiday rated to be among the world’s best in Africa? Why not a safari into Uganda, Rwanda or Congo and meet the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild?

    There are a few adventures that are comparable to meeting the wild gorilla face to face in the natural wild. Even those who have ever seen the gorillas in the zoo praise the gorilla treks in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo as something different that they have never experienced elsewhere else! Unlike Pandas, Orangutans, Chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas’ cannot be found or visited in a zoo anywhere in the world, you can only find Mountain Gorillas in three countries in Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Did you know that there are a few mountain gorillas remaining in the world? There are about 880 mountain gorillas in the whole world and can be found only in three countries in East – Central Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you would like to see these gentle giants, just join a trip from one of the local tour operators and go gorilla tracking in the wild. This kind of adventure is a one in a lifetime unforgettable experience. The Mountain Gorillas attract people from around the world. They are the major reason that Safari Travelers come to Uganda and Uganda and venture into the renowned parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Volcanoes National Park. Though a few travelers have embraced the idea of getting to Congo, those who visit Congo the Virunga National park experience the unforgettable adventure of a lifetime!

    Apart from gorilla tours, you can easily create a magical trip to as well include a visit to the rare chimpanzees in Kibale forest or Nyungwe Forest, game viewing in various national parks, mountain hiking and more! If you decide to see the gentle giants in Parc National des Volcanos in Rwanda, you cannot leave the country without taking a visit to the genocide memorial sites. If you decide to go to Virunga National Park in Congo, you should consider hiking the Nyiragongo Volcanoes and see some of the few active volcanoes in Africa.

    The mountain gorillas have become celebrities when the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced them to the world via their “Befriend a Gorilla” campaign. While local tour operators venture tourists to all the different national parks with gorillas depending on the tourists’ area of interest. About half of the mountain gorillas in the world can be found in Uganda in two spots – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. What people may not realize is that unlike seeing lions in the wilds of Uganda, or searching out Giraffes, Elephants, Warthogs, Crocodiles and Hippos, there are a limited number of visitors allowed to view and visit the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda.

    Presently there are 8 groups that have been habituated and two have just been opened for visitation. (Habituation simply means that the Mountain Gorillas are used to Human Beings, a process that can take up to two years) There are over 30 Mountain Gorilla Groups in Uganda in total -both habituated ones and those who are not. Each Mountain Gorilla group can have a maximum of 8 visitors each day for a period of about one hour. Gorilla Groups vary in size from 6 to up to 30 in number.

  • Unforgettable Wildlife Safari Experiences in Uganda

    Unforgettable Wildlife Safari Experiences in Uganda

    Uganda is a greatly gifted nation with both nature and wildlife, hence being one of the top countries in Africa best for safari experiences. Uganda receives a large number of tourists annually, who come with different aspects – some go to Uganda to track the endangered mountain gorillas, well as others go there specifically for viewing the big game as others go there for birding and others are very much interested in the impressive culture that Uganda has got.

    Many people keep on wondering as to why most people go visit this small and third world country – Uganda!! However the fact is that; Uganda attracts a large number of tourists due to its extraordinary features such as; its good climate, varied wildlife, welcoming and friendly people, fantastic cultures, and the endless adventurous places, all which even made it to get the name of ‘’Pearl of Africa’’ which was given to it by Sir Winston Churchill. Below are some of the unforgettable wildlife safari experiences in Uganda;

    1. Gorilla Trekking

    Uganda is one of the only three refuges of the endangered mountain gorillas all over the world and these gentle giant apes attract a substantial number of individuals from all over the world to go trek these primates. The other two mountain gorilla refuges in the world are; Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Uganda is the only country with two national parks protecting the mountain gorillas – Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park, all found in southwestern Uganda.  Meeting these gentle apes is a life changing experience and the activity (gorilla trekking) involves hiking since the mountain gorillas live in mountainous forested areas. The activity is recommendable to only individuals above the age of 15 years and those who are mentally stable and physically fit because it is tiresome at most cases.

    Though tiresome, gorilla trekking is very joyous and memorable and once you meet the gorillas, surely you will forget all the difficulties that you encountered during your primate safari. For you to trek the mountain gorillas in any of Uganda’s two Parks, you are required to have a gorilla permit which costs US$700 in Uganda and the activity of trekking the gorillas is done in groups of 8 individuals per each group trekking. Besides the interesting gorilla trekking activity, Bwindi also offers another fascinating activity about the gorillas – gorilla habituation, where you will come to know more about the mountain gorillas since during the habituation of gorillas you are given much time with them. Gorilla habituation is a process of making the wild gorillas to become used to humans and in this process, you will spend 4 hours with the gorillas instead of the one hour you are given to spend with the gorillas during gorilla trekking. A gorilla habituation permit costs US$1500.

    2. Bird Watching

    Talking of birding safaris in Africa, definitely Uganda should be the first destination to think about simply because this small-beautiful country comprises of various amazing birding sites including the mighty SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK – ‘the true birders haven’!! In Africa, Semuliki Park is the best destination for serious birders as the Park comprises of almost every African bird species that a birder could want to experience on his/her birding safari. Uganda, at large, comprises of over 1000 bird species in its best birding paradises which include; Semuliki National Park, Budongo forests (Murchison Falls National Park), Kibale Forests National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forests National Park, Mabamba bay wetland, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and others. The most suitable and appropriate time for bird watching are the morning hours and in the late evenings. Among the bird species to spot in Uganda include; the crested Uganda (Uganda’s national bird), shoebill storks, marabou storks, African green broadbill, green-breasted pitta, great blue turaco, standard-winged nightjar, Shelley’s crimsonwing, short-tailed warbler, and many others.

    3. Lion Tracking

    Lion tracking is such a very unique experiential tourism activity whereby a traveler gets a chance to view lions often closer than the usual game drives where you don’t get to learn and understand into detail about the lions. Tracking the lions in their natural habitants in Uganda can only take place in western Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, of which the activity is most suitable in the morning and late afternoon hours and it is done twice in a particular day. The activity is really exceptional and magnificent and many travelers enjoy doing this, therefore if you are also interested to join the researchers in the field as they track the lions in their natural habitats you are highly emphasized to book in advance such that you don’t miss out this awesome activity which others call it breathtaking!! The Lion tracking permit costs US$150.

    4. Rhino Tracking

    Rhinos are among the so called popular ‘African big five’ – Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Buffaloes, and Leopards, and every wildlife lover in Africa would wish to see these popular animals. Unfortunately today the rhinos are on the verge of going extinct due to heavy poaching and in Uganda the animals can only be tracked from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a 3 hours’ drive from Uganda’s capital city (Kampala). Tracking the rhinos in the sanctuary is quite affordable as you will only be required to pay US$ 50 which will help in conservation of the rhinos such that they can be re-introduced back in the national parks.

    5. Cheetah Safaris

    The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth and it is among the three African big cats which include; African lions, African leopard and the African cheetah. Cheetahs are all over the African continent though rarely spotted in Uganda (the pearl of Africa) and the cheetah safaris in Uganda can only be conducted in the northern parts of the country – in the magnificent KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, True African Wilderness. Cheetahs are addicted to the open grasslands, savannas, even hills, and mountains all which Kidepo Valley National Park is composed of. The cheetah safaris in Kidepo can be accompanied with views of other big games such as; lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and various bird species.

  • Gorilla Trekking: Tips Shared by Experts

    Tour highlights on a gorilla trekking safari.

    • Best time to track mount gorillas
    • What to pack
    • How to access permits
    • Getting there
    • Where to spend a night.
    • What to follow.
    • What gorillas feed

    Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda is one of the most popular tour activities that every visitor wish to take part in it. Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park inhabits over 400 gorilla individuals that are known to be half of the other gorillas in Rwanda and Congo. Bwindi and mgahinga lie in southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro district. Uganda wildlife Authority the government body  operates and protects the wildlife parks that are visited by tourists. However gorilla trekking safaris can also be carried out in Rwanda in volcano national park and Congo in virunga national park.

    Best time to track mountain gorillas

    Gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Mgahinga can be done at any time of the year but most visitors prefer in the peak season which is June, July, August, September, November, December and January. Although visitors who track in low season have high chances of getting a discount of mountain gorilla tracking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority the government body unlike Rwanda where permits are expensive.

    What to pack

    • Hiking Boots. One of the most important items that should be included in your gorilla trekking gear is hiking boots.
    • Garden Gloves which protects hands from being injured by the trees.
    • Rain Jacket since Ugandan weather is unpredictable.
    • Long Sleeved Shirts, Blouse and trouser.
    • Energy Giving snacks that is water and food though it’s limited taking it when your with gorillas.
    • Cameras and extra batteries but on a condition of removing flashlights.
    • Hat and Sun Glasses to prevent you from too much sunshine
    • Pair of Binoculars to help you spot birds and animals from a distance.

    How to access permits

    When planning a gorilla safari, there are two things a visitor should know the cost of the permit as well as the overall cost of this tour safari. Gorilla tracking permits are issued out by a government body which is Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Uganda, permits are cheaper than Rwanda at US$700 and 1500US Dollars respectfully. Although Congo has the cheapest price of gorilla tracking permits, it’s not safe for visitors due to political wars thus giving chance to Ugandan tourism which is safe and cheap.

    Getting There

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be reached by flights or roads. From Kampala to Kisoro district by road takes over 8-10 hours driving. Due to the fact that it’s a long distance, it’s worth it because a lot of adventurous scenery are spotted like Equator along masaka-mbarara road and the driver can have a stopover for photos, shopping or for a cup of tea. Lake Mburo national park with Zebras and Uganda kobs, then in Kabale visitors are able to spot Lake Bunyonyi and mountainous areas. Flights are quick but with few spotting adventurous sceneries and is expensive to budgeted visitors.

    Where to spend a night?

    Choosing the best safari lodge or accommodation will depend on how much you can afford. Depending on the level of visitors, some lodges charge as high as, $ 500-900 while the budget ones can pocket as low as $ 50-70 for a double room. The services, food, location and so on matters a lot in most lodges.  Some luxury lodges include Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Clouds Lodge and Buhoma Lodge Gahinga Lodge,. Budgeted lodges include Travellers Inn Kisoro Lake Chahafi Resort; mid-range options include Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge. 

    What to follow on gorilla trekking

    • Use cameras on a condition of removing flashlights which threatens the mountain gorillas.
    • Children above 15 years of age are allowed to track mountain gorillas and elders are supported by stretcher chairs.
    • Limited number is 8 members to track mountain gorillas in order to keep gorilla environment calm.
    • Visitors are given one hour visit when they are with mountain gorillas.
    • Visitors are told to keep a 7 meter distance when they are with mountain gorillas.
    • Visitors who are ill aren’t allowed to track mountain gorillas to prevent gorillas from being attacked by the diseases

    How Do Mountain Gorillas Feed?

    These Mountain Gorillas may be seen in Mgahinga Gorilla Park; a stunning park and a component of the Virunga chain of towering volcanoes that extend into the DRC and Rwanda, and then in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park  which is located in south western part of Uganda in Kisoro district neighboring swiz of Africa.

    These parks support 400 Population of Mountain Gorilla.  Bwindi Impenetrable national park is an ancient forest also called the “Place of Darkness” because of thick trees which harbors mountain gorillas.  The tree cover makes it very dark within this forest.  The forest’s altitudes are between 1,160m and 2,607m above sea level. The Bwindi plus Mgahinga each possess varying characteristics as well as similarities. The Bwindi isn’t an extinct volcanic region while the Mgahinga is.

    Due to the fact that mgahinga park is on a high altitude, mountain gorillas move up and feed on some of the afro-montane vegetation. These great apes typically feed on fruits, leaves, roots, bamboo, flowers and shoots in the season. Researchers say that they eat in large quantities.

    Most tour companies such as Africa Tours Adventure do arrange packages to all of these destinations in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. It also has professional guides and the service has no doubt. The company hires cars which are comfortable for long and short route driving at a cheap price and in case you need more information visit our website.

  • Best 5 Wilderness Experiences in Brazil

    Best 5 Wilderness Experiences in Brazil

    Looking for something new to do on your holiday to South America? Brazil is one of the best destinations that you should not miss if you are looking for wilderness expeditions. Here are the best wilderness experiences that are a must not miss!

    Snorkeling and diving off the islands of Brazil’s northeast

    Brazil’s tropical islands are as pretty as any in Southeast Asia and, for now at least, remain free of Bob Marley theme bars and buzzing mopeds. The wildest and most beautiful are off the coast of northeastern Brazil. The Abrolhos are a string of little rocks off southern Bahia with more whales than the Whitsunday Islands. Fernando de Noronha has emerald-green water replete with underwater life. The diving and snorkelling at both is the best in the Atlantic south of the Caribbean.

    Rappelling and canyoning in the Chapadas

    Brazil’s outback interior is dotted with chapadas, time-worn escarpment mountains cut by dozens of rivers and waterfalls. The Cachoeira da Fumaça in Bahia’s Chapada Diamantina National Park drops almost 500 m into a deep blue pool, while the Cachoeira do Poço Encantado in Goiás’s Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park drops over a series of beautiful tiers in pristine cerrado forest.

    Kayaking and boat trips in the Mamirauá reserve

    Bruce Parry may have made it seem remote when he was there for the BBC, but tourists can visit the pristine flooded forests and river villages of Mamirauá too. The wildlife is spectacular, from red-faced uakari monkeys to Amazon manatees and huge black caiman.

    Hiking in Jalapão

    Jalapão is one of Brazil’s least known and least visited wildernesses offering great hiking, wildlife and perhaps the most remote whitewater rafting in Latin America. There are table-top mountains, vast plains with barely a human in sight, giant indigo parrots, maned rust-red wolves and puma, plunging canyons and seas of fiery-orange dunes.
    Wildlife watching in the Pantanal
    There is nowhere better for wildlife in the western hemisphere than the Pantanal. The lakes, rivers and forests of this seasonally flooded wetland cover an area larger than France. And they crawl with wildlife, from packs of hissing spectacled caiman, anaconda as thick as a wrestler’s thigh and more birds than you can imagine. The best way to see them is by kayaking, although walking, horse riding or riding in a jeep are also possible.

    Canopy safaris at Cristalino Jungle Lodge

    Nowhere south of Costa Rica offers more exciting or better organized ecotourism than this jungle lodge on the banks of the clear-water Cristalino river in the northern Mato Grosso. The wildlife is superb, with nesting harpy eagles, dozens of primate species, big cats, and the best bird and butterfly species list in the lowland Amazon. One of the best ways to see the reserve is from the rainforest canopy towers.

  • Renting a Car In Uganda – Things To Consider/Know

    Renting a Car In Uganda – Things To Consider/Know

    Renting a car in Uganda has become the most popular option for tourists to get around but it takes a process for you to hire one. Whether you are renting a car in Uganda for self-drive safari or for driver guided road trips, there are a number of steps you must take to have your car hired. Here are some of the important things you should know about if you opt to rent a car in Uganda;

    When to book your rental car in Uganda

    Car rental services have proven to be the preferred means for Uganda safari travelers to get around the Pearl of Africa. But, the essential question every visitor on safari in Uganda should ask is when is the best time to rent a car in Uganda?

    Renting a car in Uganda is possible at any time but, we advise all our clients to book their vehicles early before actual date of visiting the Pearl of Africa. High demand for rental cars is usually experienced during the peak season/months of the year that is from June, July, August, September, December, January to February.

    The off months or season from March, April, May and October, November attract low number of visitors, but it is also advisable that you book your rental early enough. Always avoid last minute booking because, you may end up getting disappointed when you don’t find your dream rental car deal.

    What steps should I take to hire a car in Uganda

    The key steps you should expect to take in order to hire a car in Uganda include deciding on the type of vehicle you would like to hire. There are hundreds to thousand rental cars in Uganda but, every traveler has his or her choice. Is it manual/automatic, 4×4 rental car you plan to hire etc? Check how many people plan to travel in the vehicle you are hiring?

    Browse on the internet and you will have a long list of different companies with different rental car choices. Deal with a registered, reliable, trustworthy, and reputable car hire company to hire a car in Uganda.

    Different rental cars have different rates

    When renting a car in Uganda, price is one important factor that every traveler should put into consideration. It is however, important to take into account that each rental car is charged a different rate depending on the kind of vehicle. If you are hiring a Toyota Rav4, its rates differ completely from the cost of renting a 4×4 Land Cruiser or Coaster bus.

    Know the fuel type of car

    Different rental cars use different fuel type. Are you planning to rent a car in Uganda that uses diesel or petrol? Once you have figured out your interest, it becomes easier to search for that particular vehicle and you can inform your car hire company of the kind of vehicle you need. This is also helpful when you get to fuel station, you can let the pump attendants of the fuel type you need.

    Insurance cover

    As a traveler, you should be aware of importance of insurance. Find a rental car that is comprehensively insured. This means, all accidents or unplanned costs will be covered and you can ask the car hire company if the vehicle you are renting is insured.

    Mechanically fit

    Not everyone is committed to servicing their vehicles and this is essential if you are hiring a car in Uganda for short or long term. Never get stuck on the road, find a rental car that is fully mechanized meaning you are guaranteed of a smooth journey to and back.

    Hire a car and driver

    If you aren’t familiar with the destination, rent a car in Uganda with a driver. Uganda safari destinations are located far away from Kampala city centre and it means, you have to travel for some kilometers to get there. Being a first-time traveler, you will definitely have challenges because such remotely located areas have the poorest network that you may not connect on google maps.

    If you are visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking, you have 8-10 hours to drive from Kampala and getting there involves navigating through different towns. Not to get lost at the end of the day, hire a car and driver services because they are familiar with routes.

    Hire a car outside the airport

    Yes, upon arrival, you will bump into different car hire service providers at the airport but it is better that you deal with companies outside. The rates are slightly different because those operating at the airport have to pay a fee which cost you may have to cover. You can hire a car in Uganda in advance and upon arrival, find our driver waiting for you for pick up and transfer to your destination.

    Carry relevant documents

    Hiring a car in Uganda for self-drive? You require essential documents, especially a passport, a valid driver’s license, etc. Inquire from your car hire company which documents they require from you so as to rent you a car for your self drive Uganda safari.

  • Best 5 Things to Do in DR Congo

    Best 5 Things to Do in DR Congo

    The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most biodiverse areas in East and Central Africa. The country hosts impressive wildlife that include rare primates like the mountain gorillas and bonobos, lot of wildlife including the rare Okapis. Within Africa’s second largest country, there are lots of amazing wildlife safari experiences. Here are the best five wild experiences that should not miss on your safari in DR Congo;

    Chimpanzee Trekking in Virunga

    Chimpanzee tracking is a lesser known activity which is open to visitors in Virunga. It is organized close to the park headquarters in Rumangabo. There is only one fully habituated group with about twelve individual chimps. Chimpanzee tracking starts at 6am and the probability of seeing them is high. Unlike gorillas, chimps love to spend time on tree tops. They don’t stay in one place for long and you might have to follow them for some time before taking good photos. Chimpanzee permits in Virunga cost $100 per person.

    See Bonobos at Lola Ya Bonobo:

    Lola Ya Bonobo begun as AAC sanctuary Bonobo Sanctuary. At that time, it was located in the middle of Kinshasa. It later changed name to Lola Ya Bonobo and was shifted to its current location in Kimwenza – just outside Kinshasa. Visiting Lola Ya Bonobo is an excellent option for tourists who would love to see primates but cannot visit the Lomako-Yokokala Faunal Reserve or others. It is one of the most visited places in Kinshasa and sits on a 30-hectare forest. Lola Ya Bonobo is the only orphanage for pygmy chimpanzees in the world.

    Bonobos like many of Congo’s wild animals are targeted by not only pet traders but also those who only want bush meat. When an adult bonobo is killed for meat or captured by pet traders, their young are left orphaned. If the infant was not weaned at the time the mother was taken away, it’s chances of survival are minimal. The sanctuary helps rescue these orphaned bonobos. Those that are wounded or traumatized undergo rehabilitation before joining those already at the center. About 60 bonobos can be seen at the sanctuary. They live in similar conditions to their relatives in the wild and can forage on wild fruits or learn how to deal with any dangers lurking in the forest.

    Gorilla Trekking in Virunga

    Mountain gorillas are one of the most fascinating creatures on earth. Virunga National Park allows tourists to have close encounters with these majestic creatures at a relatively cheap price. Permits cost $400 and there are 6 habituated gorilla groups in Virunga National Park. Gorilla trekking in Virunga starts after the briefing at 7:30am. Only 8 trekkers may visit a gorilla group in a day. Tracking the gorillas takes you deep in the forest hence allowing you to see many of the park animals. It takes about 2 hours to find the primates but you are allowed only one hour with them. After observing the primates, you would need another 2 hours to get to the starting point of the trek.

    Meet the Bonobos at Lomako-Yokokala Faunal Reserve

    This reserve is located along the Congo river and a remote part of the country known as Mandaka. Visiting this remote reserve provides the best opportunity to observe wild pygmy chimpanzees (bonobos). Apart from spotting bonobos, the reserve is a birders paradise. A more comprehensive tour could take you along the river to visit remote villages and observe the indigenous people of the area going about with their lives. Visiting the Lomako-Yokokala Faunal Reserve is recommended for those who love adventure and wish to discover the natural beauty of the country even if it involves enduring long journeys to the unknown. In fact, to get to the reserve, you will need to get a domestic flight from Kinshasa to Mbandaka and then endure a 3-day trip by canoe along the Congo river. Once you reach the closest village to the park, you will have to endure 5 hours of working to get to the park offices where activities begin.

    While visiting Lomako-Yokokala Faunal Reserve, you have to forget about all the usual comforts of life. By that we mean learning to use pit latrines and buckets for bathing. There is no electricity, no phone systems or internet in Lomako-Yokokala Faunal Reserve. You can charge your gadgets using solar power but this is not always reliable especially during the rainy season. Tracking the bonobos starts at around 3 or 4am. The Rangers ensure that they know their last nesting site so that they can start the search from there.

    Support Conservation and Meet  the Congo bloodhounds:

    In an effort to curb poaching in Virunga National Park, the management acquired bloodhounds. Bloodhounds are known for possessing a strong sense of smell and can trail humans who enter into the park illegally. The dogs are trained by Dr. Marlene Zahner and have been successfully in tracking mountain gorilla poachers as well as injured rangers. If you happen to be visiting Virunga national park and have some spare time after a morning activity, spare time to meet the Congo bloodhounds. You will learn about their extensive training program and contribution to conservation.

     

  • Going on a Wildlife Safari in Uganda

    Going on a Wildlife Safari in Uganda

    Named the pearl of Africa by sir Winston Church, Uganda is indeed a natural beautiful tourist destination one must visit. Uganda is a land locked country located in East Africa and the source of the great river Nile the longest river on the planet. The country has a number of wildlife attractions that can be explored and enjoyed by tourists searching for true African wildlife adventure.

    A drive from Kampala, Uganda’s main capital city towards the countryside introduces you to the true natural beauty of Uganda as you explore the major wildlife wonders the pearl has to offer. From Kampala to the source of river in Jinja, one goes through the magnificent Mabira forest one of the natural forests in Uganda. Bisected by the Kampala Jinja highway, Mabira forest is an eco tourism destination tourists should not miss visiting. The forest is a home to a number of wildlife species including over 300 bird species, primates like monkeys, baboons, mangabey, a number of butterflies and insects among others. Tourists visiting the Mabira forest reserve can engage in a number of adventure activities like forest walks as they view the different birds, primate tracking, birding and so much more.

    Just after Mabira, you come across the great river at Jinja in its early stages where it forms a number of rapids that adventurous tourists capitalize on as they engage in white water rafting across the five different stages of the rapids including the most thrilling stage where the rafting boat is over turned by the great force of the waters of the Nile. White water rafting is not an activity for the fearful and weak hearted ones but much as its very freaky, its very enjoyable especially to the tourists interested in thriller. While in Jinja, one can also go a boat cruise to the source of river Nile, go for bungee jumping or even horseback riding.

    Exploring Murchison falls national park offers yet another adventure with great scenic of the Murchison falls that forms a permanent rainbow. The falls can be toured while on a launch cruise that takes tourists to the bottom of the falls who later hike to the top for more clear views.

    Being a home to over 75 mammal species and 450 birds, Murchison falls national park is one place in Uganda that offer great opportunity of viewing wildlife. While in this national park, one cannot miss seeing giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, Nile crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, baboons and many others. There are many other savanna national park in the country where one can view other wild animals while on game drives and boat cruises.

    The mountain gorillas in the forests of Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks are other natural wonders one should not miss while in Uganda. These great apes are highly endangered and the total population remaining on the planet is estimated at only 900. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has half of the mountain gorillas (450) with 12 habituated mountain gorilla families that are open to tourist’s visitation. Each mountain gorilla family is visited by a group of 8 tourists a day who trek through the forested in search the allocated mountain gorilla family, which they spend with an hour learning more about them and taking, photographs. Spending time with these great apes on a gorilla safari in their habitats is very remarkable and exciting and it’s truly an experience one should not miss while in Uganda.

    All the wildlife experiences in Uganda can be enjoyed at any time of the year. What makes the wildlife experiences in Uganda are the very hospitable and welcoming people especially the guides who have enough knowledge and information about the major wildlife species and therefore always answer all the burning questions.