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Tracking Primates in the Wild

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Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

Africa offers a diversity of primate safaris with the chance to track endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Call it a chimpanzee, or chimp, is the common name for one of the two ape species. Four subspecies of chimpanzee exist across Africa; Western, Central, Eastern and Nigerian. The second species in the Pan genus is the Bonobo but there are no subspecies of Bonobo.

Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo offer a great deal of primate diversity, and you can even see rare species such as colobus and golden monkeys in certain areas. These countries also boast unique crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls so that visitors don’t just have to keep an eye out for primates when they’re trekking.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are classified as great apes and share 98% of our genes. Prominent characteristics include long arms, opposable thumbs, a black/brownish fur and bare skin on their face, palms, ears and soles of the feet. Highly sociable primates they move in flexible groups of between 15-80 individuals with one dominant male, and communicate through a series of screams, pant hoots, squeaks and barks. Movement during the day is often on the ground and can either be bipedally (upright) or knuckle walking. They are larger than you might think, with males weighing up to 70 kilos, reaching a height of up to 1.7 metres when standing upright.

On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking is better in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda, or Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, which has elevated walking canopies that are 800 metres from the ground in sections.

Chimpanzee tracking / chimpanzee habituation

Chimpanzees can also be tracked in Tanzania and Uganda, and combined with popular gorilla tracking safaris.People come to Uganda for the Mountain gorillas and chimpanzee tracking.It is one thing to spend an hour with the chimpanzees of Uganda it is another experience to be with them all day long.There are about 4950 chimpanzees within Uganda; Kibale Forest alone has the most with about 1500 Chimpanzees. Most visitors visit the chimpanzees much like the Mountain Gorillas for one hour there is however another option that allows you to be with chimpanzees all day long in the forests of Budongo or Kibale Forest. It is the habituation experience all day with chimpanzees in their natural setting.

Chimpanzee tracking is where by a trekker goes to the forest to view the already habituated chimpanzees. The habituated chimpanzees are normally confined in one area and are not aggressive and stubborn. They are friendly.
Chimpanzee tracking can take 1-3 hours.It’s not only chimpanzees you will see on this habituation experience. You will see a host of other things. In Kibale forest for example; you will see elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, various bird species-the forest has 350 different bird species, and about 12 other kinds of primates. The beauty and richness of the forest is seen in the exotic plants, trees, and butterflies. It is simply amazing. And you need to keep your eyes wide open so you do not miss anything.Kibale forest is the best place to track and habituate chimps in Uganda.

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is not for the faint of heart it means an early breakfast, a packed lunch and you are off before dawn breaks into the forest. You meet your guide and walk to where the chimpanzees built nests the night before. Dawn is just breaking and the chimpanzee community you are going to be with the rest of the day is rising from their sleep.

The full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) works with a chimp community which is undergoing habituation. Early visitors can watch chimps leaving their overnight nests between 6:00 – 6:30am before feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling and displaying until it is time to build new nests around 7pm.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience entails getting the chimpanzees used to the presence of humans (to remove the fear of humans from the group), a process that takes up to two years and today you are part of that process by your all day presence in the forest. Years ago, it used to be that you had a 20% chance of seeing chimpanzees in the wild, today because of the habituation process that has increased to over 90%. Your day will be full, your camera will fill up with quality pictures of the chimpanzees and you will get to learn to identify them as individuals by their markings, sometimes scars and other unique features that make them stand apart from rest. The day ends as the chimpanzees climb into their newly built nests for the evening and you head back to your lodging for the evening.

A chimpanzee safari can be hard work, sometimes lasting up to 9 hours (return trip) through unpredictable terrain, but it is worth it.Chimpanzees share a whopping 98 per cent of our genetic blueprint, and when watching them, their facial expressions, gestures and use of tools ensure that we know it.

Trek through lush forests in search of chimpanzees full of excitement and anticipation, armed with respect for the guides that know the environment and chimpanzee families like the back of their hand and equipped with your newfound knowledge, hear these excitable primates before you see them, their pant-hoots travelling deep through the forest. Following the calls, enter their world and begin your journey. Scrambling over rocks and hiking the steep paths, you feel the chimps are almost laughing affectionately at the contrast between your efforts to follow them through the undergrowth and how easily they traverse this terrain.”

Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda

The mountainous rain forests of Nyungwe National Park in southwest Rwanda are home to approx. 500 chimpanzees and 12 other species of primate including the Colobus and Vervet monkey. The walking and hiking here is excellent, with rich flora and fauna and spectacular views. You may witness young chimps playing; adults feeding high up in the fig trees; others swinging effortlessly between the vines. Once you have found a chimpanzee community, you will have one magical hour to enjoy the company of these fascinating primates. This is a true adventure.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and in Virunga National Park in the DRC. All of these parks are within the great Albertine region, and each has various trekking stations as well as a number of gorilla families. For those looking for shorter trips, a Rwanda gorilla safari can be the best option while for those looking to more experiences like a gorilla trip combines with a traditional wildlife safari, Uganda is the best option to choose.

Searching for primates always involves quite a hike, and all treks start early in the morning after a briefing from the park rangers on how to behave with the apes. It is therefore, important to be in relatively fit and good health before tracking primates.

The dry season is arguably the best time for all primate safaris in Africa as the ground can be muddy and slippery during the rainy season. The periods from June to October and from December to March are the best months, and also the peak periods, which is why advanced bookings are important.

Golden monkey trekking

In East Africa, golden monkeys reside in Uganda and Rwanda and if one wants to trek them, he/she will have to go to volcanoes National in Rwanda or  Mgahinga National Park in Uganda where gold meets silver to give you an everlasting safari experience.

Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins at 7:00am just like gorilla trekking and in Uganda; it starts at 8:00am. One is supposed to be at the park headquarters for briefing about the park while with golden monkeys and thereafter, they trek into the forest to look for them.Golden monkey trekking is a one hour activity. Once you have found the golden monkeys, you will be allowed just one hour to observe their behavior, take photographs and then return back to your lodge.

The price of a permit in Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), a permit to trek golden monkeys costs USD100 (2016) and USD50 in Uganda (Mgahinga National Park). This included, park fees, services of a ranger guide, and spending one hour with habituated golden monkeys. Golden monkey permits can be booked in advance or on ground since there is no limit on the people to trek them. Age limit for those interested in trekking golden monkeys is 12 years much as it is not as strict as gorilla trekking.

Exploring Northern Peru

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Northern Peru

Peru’s north coast could well be described as the Egypt of South America. This is a region of numerous monumental ruins, built by the many highly skilled pre-Inca cultures that once thrived here.

The ground-breaking discovery at Caral is now open to visitors. Not far from Trujillo, Chan Chán was the capital of the Chimú Kingdom; its crumbling remains still represent the largest adobe city in the world. The Huaca de la Luna and the Huaca Cao Viejo of the Moche Empire are revealing fabulous, multicoloured friezes of gods from the first millennium AD. Further north, near Chiclayo, the adobe brick pyramids of Túcume, Sipán and Sicán rise massively from the coastal plains. The wealth from some of their tombs is now displayed in state-of-the-art museums.

But it’s not all pyramids and royal tombs. The elegant city of Trujillo is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in the country. There are charming towns, such as Huanchaco, with its bizarre-looking reed fishing rafts, and Chulucanas, with its famous pottery. Up and down the coast the seafood is wonderful and the hospitality unrivalled. In addition, the northern seaboard enjoys a rain-free climate all year and has Peru’s finest beaches for bathing and surfing. Around Tumbes, the most northerly regional capital, four reserves protect mangroves, equatorial dry forest and tropical forest, each with its share of endangered species. Some of Footprint’s top picks:

Caral

This site may be the oldest city in South America.

Sechín

The 500 monoliths here depict a gruesome battle in graphic detail.

Trujillo

The city’s mansions, with their elaborately carved wooden balconies, are among the finest in Peru.

Huanchaco

Hang out with other travellers at this appealing surfing village.

El Brujo

This ancient complex was a ceremonial centre for up to 10 cultures.

Lambayeque and Ferreñafe

These colonial towns are a good base for exploring the surrounding sites.

Northern beaches

Enjoy some of the best surf and warmest water in Peru.

Tumbes’ natural parks and reserves

Four protected natural areas are home to unique ecosystems.

Welcome to Mali

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Mali

Mali is a landlocked country; in the Sahel region in Africa. Mali is a third world country, but it is very beautiful as well. The country has four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Mali used to earlier be a part of the Ghana Empire, the Mali empire (which is where the country got its name from), and the Songhai empire.

The French later took over Mali and made it a part of French Sudan Later The Sudanese republic was renamed Mali. When Mali got its independence, it was ruled by one party for a long time until coupled to the nation of Mali becoming a democratic multi-party state. After the defeat of the Songhai empire by the Moroccans, Mali became an important trade route. Although when the Europeans found the sea trade routes, Mali lost its significance in this regard.

Mali is the twenty-fourth largest country in the world. And it is almost the size of South Africa. Mali is known for its music culture. Amadou and Mariam are famously known across the globe for combining their music with international artists.

Let us look at some places you could visit when you are in Mali.

Adrar Des lfoghas

This is a sandstone plateau that has rock paintings, salt mines, and amazing wildlife.

Dogon country

You can take a trek into the villages which are adjacent to the cliffs. Do check out the Bandiagare Escarpment; which is a world heritage site.

Djenne

This city is famous for its multi-storeyed mud buildings. This city used to be a religious and commercial competitor of Timbuktu.

Getting around in Mali is quite easy with the many buses that are available, in most large cities. There are many bus companies and these are regularly available throughout the day. You can book your reservations a few days in advance as well. Some of the better bus companies are Bittar, Bani, and Banimonnotie.

Taxis here are available in plenty. You can take them to go wherever a bus doesn’t. Also, you should bargain with them as they would try and overcharge you. You should be clear to the cabbies if you aren’t familiar with the destination you want to go to; as they won’t bother telling you if they don’t know the destination themselves. They would probably be expecting you to guide them, so you should be proactive.

If you’d like; hiring a four-wheel driven SUV or something similar would be the best option, considering the terrain of the country.

You should visit the local markets and shop for the many musical instruments, blankets, silver and leather items. Things like daggers, spears, swords, and other such articles are quite common to be found.

The music in Mali is very creative as some world-class musicians are from Mali

The most famous Malian dish is rice with peanut sauce and some meat or fish. Also, gelatin corn served with a sauce called ‘To’ is a famous dish here. You can get chicken or beef with fries and salad. You can also get Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Lebanese food here. Street shops are the best though. They are cheap and their food is quite fun.

So come to the wonderful land of Mali and explore African culture and hospitality.

6 Great Gorilla Watching Tips You Should Know

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Gorilla Safari

Mountain gorillas are one of the critically endangered and huge animals in the world with fascinating features like fur which help them to live in coldness on the high altitude of mountains and in thick forests. Mountain gorilla trekking is an adventure activity that that involves climbing through the slippery rugged routes to access where the gorillas are residing in the deep forests. Through this amazing journey, you may be able to see very beautiful forest birds, beautiful scenic peaks of the volcanoes, evergreen forest filled with tree species and many more.

Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most loves safari activities that are enjoyed by tourists all over the world. The activity is however not offered all over the world. It is only offered in four locations and only in Africa!. Which is why you must take the chance to carry out an adventurous and a memorable trip to the endowed Africa!. The activity takes place in Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park of Uganda, Virunga National park of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

Mountain gorilla trekking offers the most amazing and ever-fascinating experience which is to be forever memorable to you through the thick forests in search for the precious mountain gorillas.

Before going for a gorilla tour a lot has to be put into consideration including the following;

Know where to go for trekking                                            

Given that the mountain gorillas are only found in four destinations, and in three countries in the world, which is Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, Virunga National park of The Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National park found in Rwanda. Therefore as you’re preparing for a gorilla trekking safaris it is better to know where you want to go gorilla trekking considering the mentioned gorilla trekking destinations. 

Know which Region your Trekking

Gorilla permits are allocated on the basis of regions, the regions with gorilla families in Bwindi and they are estranged by the long distances. The regions include Ruhija region is located in Eastern part with 3 families like Bitukura, Oruzongo and Kyaguriro.Buhoma region located in the north of the park and its home to 3 families gorilla families, that is Mubare, Rushegura and Habinyanja. There is also Rushaga sector which is located in the south and is home to 5 families including Kahungwe, Mishaya, Nshongi, Bweza and Busingye whereas Nkuringo region is located in the south and has Nuringo gorilla family.

Gorilla Trekking permits

Gorilla permits are a must have while going for gorilla tours in Uganda. The permits should be secured several months(3-6months) before the tour starts to avoid being disappointed on the day for the tour. Visitors are expected to book the Gorilla tracking permits through the travel companies registered with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) in order for you not to be cheated. This will help to make your work easier. In Uganda, permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority through the registered tour operators on a first come first serve basis. The permits should be under your own names and never allow to use permits that are not under your names. The gorilla permit will determin many factors like which accommodation to be booked for you and more.

Know which Season is best for trekking

One should know which is the best season to go for gorilla trekking safaris in. In Uganda, the gorillas are visible in plenty and easily during the dry seasons compared to the rainy seasons where they tend to take shelter and are hard to spot. Therefore the favorable months include june to August, December to February.

Best Hours of Trekking

Since you have travelled all the way to Uganda to have a lifetime experience with the gorillas, the good  gorilla packages will  guarantee you 1 hour of trekking which is recommended. You have 8 hours of the activity and 1 hour of close encounter and you should maximize it.

Accommodation and transport

After u have decided on which country or region where to go for trekking, you now have to decide on a nearby accommodation and consider an affordable transportation. It’s better to ask for advice from the operators since they know better which places will suit your interests. The tour operators will let you know all the levels of accommodation and transportation available so you can make choices and make a budget that suits you, moderate or high end.

Know the gorilla rules and regulations

The mountain gorillas are endangered species and once they feel threatened they will try to defend themselves therefore you should be aware and be in the know of what should be done and what shouldn’t be done while with the gorillas. Your visit to these primates should not bring danger to them but rather improve their lives. Your tour operator will be able to send you the gorilla trekking rules and regulations and how you must conduct yourself while with the mountain gorillas. Some of the rules include using non-flash photography, speaking on low tones and more.

What to pack.

  • Long sleeved shirt with long trousers.
  • Carry a rain jacket for the rainy season.
  • Wear a hat.
  • waterproof hiking boots if you intend to go hiking.
  • A warm sweater
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera for your photography.
  • Insect repellant.
  • Energy giving food.

Visiting Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

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Mountain gorillas fall in the group of primates and they are endangered. They can only be found in Uganda Rwanda and DR Congo. They can be tracked in four National parks; Bwindi National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcano national park in Rwanda and also Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Tracking Mountain Gorillas is by foot that’s why its called tracking. The nature of the Landscape in those parks cannot allow to go with the car. Mountain gorillas live in mountainous areas. naturally.

Each Country charges differently for gorilla tracking but in Uganda. The gorilla permit fee cost 700 USD. It is a day visit and the permit is allocated on the day you prefer to do the activity. Uganda has more than half of the population remaining in wild. The Virunga massif consist of the 3 National parks Mgahinga, Volcano and Virunga and then Bwindi National Park is separate.

The apes live in groups/ families with the leader called the silverback. Mountain gorillas share 98% close to humans. This makes it an intelligent animal and the diseases which can attack humans can attack them too. That’s the reason why visitors with communicable diseases are not supposed to track gorillas.

Tracking mountain gorillas should be on your bucket list when you travel to Uganda. The experience is good to see the close relative of humans. The Itinerary can be 3 Days Bwindi National Park/ Mgahinga national park. It can include more activities for instance 10 Days Uganda magical safari or it can be cross border Itinerary combining Uganda and Rwanda.

Some clients do Double gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda well as others opt to do gorilla habituation. Both Activities are available in Uganda’s gorilla parks. Gorilla Habituation can be done in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can track gorillas any day and when organizing the Itinerary, try not put any other big activity on the day of gorilla tracking. The activity is tiresome and involves Hiking. If you are to include any other activity in the afternoon, it has to be easy and relaxing.

Other parks to include on your gorilla safari in Uganda include Murchison falls for Game drives and Cruises, Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking, Mgahinga national park for gorilla tracking and Volcano Hiking, you can also do Golden monkey Tracking here. Golden monkeys are rarely seen elsewhere except in Virunga massif. Other parks include, Lake Mburo National Park, Semliki National Park, Kidepo Valley National parks etc.

Other Destinations include, Jinja for water spot activities like white water rafting, Bungee Jumping, Canoeing, and etc. Jinja can be visited lastly after coming from the long trip. This can be used as a relaxing destination. Entebbe can also be used for relaxing, it has beaches, Botanical gardens and etc.

Mountain gorillas are wild animals even though they are close to humans, you are not supposed to come nearer them or to provoke. Always follow the park guides or rangers’ guidelines when tracking gorillas.  Visitors go with walking sticks; they help while hiking but they are supposed to be left somewhere when you come near the gorillas.

Bwindi and Mgahinga national park are found in the western Uganda and almost a whole day drive to there but there are many restaurants and other attractions along the way. You will go while having stop overs for meals and adventure.

We have good safari Jeeps to take you through the magical Uganda. Our cars are comfortable and have enough leg room to stretch. Our driver guides are knowledgeable about Uganda and East Africa. Our company is reliable and we mind about delivering Quality services to our clients.

Exploring Uganda on a Family Vacation

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Lake Bunyonyi

Planning to have some time off with your family? Uganda is the place to go. There are adventures for both the young and grown children. Here are some of the activities and places where families can visit while in Uganda;

Jinja Town

Jinja is known as the adventure hub of Uganda, but that doesn’t mean it does not have activities suitable for children. While the adults do the ziplines, bungee jumping and white water rafting, the kids can go along when you go for boat cruise, horseback riding, swimming or sightseeing at the Itanda Falls and Source of the River Nile. Ziplining at Griffins Falls Camp is also another exciting activity which teenagers will be allowed to participate so bring them along. Jinja is the loveliest of all towns and it is quite visited by most tourists taking adventure tours in Uganda. Therefore on your bucketlist, this should be a must visit destination.

Mbale Town

Further East lies Mbale Town, an interesting town striding the Mount Elgon National Park. The National Park has numerous beautiful trails for those interested in hiking and nature walks. There are hikes of varying difficulty which allow the whole family to hike together. The activity is tiresome with a few slips and falls if you are not careful but not to worry! The family will always pick/push/carry each other up and that’s why it’s perfect destination for a family.

On the boundaries of the Mount Elgon National Park, there are farming communities who engage the visitors in farming tours. The most famous one, the coffee tours, follows the journey of coffee from the time of planting to the processing, packaging and at the end of the tour you will enjoy a cup of coffee from the fields you just visited. The tours allow the family to visit and do a little farm work. Depending on the season, you will either plant, pick coffee, weed the plantation, sort the coffee or help in packaging. The team work will bound to bring the family together.

Just two hours from Mbale, the Sipi Falls is also a perfect family destination. The trail to hike the three falls takes an entire day and offers some exquisite backdrops from family portraits. The family can camp and do bonfires. In addition, the falls also have abseiling but it is not for the kids or the faint of heart as it involves hanging from a cliff face.

Entebbe

Have kids below 10 years old? Or are you just in the mood to travel long distances? Then Entebbe is the perfect town to visit for you and the family. Just one hour drive from the capital, Kampala, Entebbe is home to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center or the Entebbe Zoo. You will see a number of animals in the zoo at close range in a safe environment. The kids will love it. There are also a number of beach resorts where you can swim, grab a bite or drink or just relax with the family. Entebbe is also on the shores of Lake Victoria and therefore you can get boat cruises or visit the nearby islands. Noticeable among those is the Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the island of Ngamba, which is a one day tour. So no need to worry as you will be back home or the hotel by the time the sun sets.

Ssese Islands

Ssese Islands in the middle of Lake Victoria is a hot destination not only for couples but also family. Most people go for a minimum three day tour to the islands as the ferry ride there is 3 hours and happens once a day to the main island of Bugaala. Those with fear for long ferry rides can drive to the Bukakata landing site, board a 15 minute ferry to the island and drive to the Eastern part of the island where most resorts are found. Once there, the group can participate in beach games, indoor games at some hotels, beach bonfires, quad bikes, golf, canoeing and nature walks winding from palm oil plantations to natural rain forests. There are also untampered islands just a boat ride away which you should visit.

Lake Bunyonyi

Up for a family road trip? Then you should head west to Lake Bunyonyi. An eight hour journey from the capital, one may think it’s a long journey for the children but with proper planning and sleep overs it’s the ultimate road trip. You will get to visit the Equator as you cross from the North Hemisphere to the South and probably grab a bite and lecture before going to Mbarara. The journey to Lake Bunyonyi is one of the most popular trails for travelers taking Uganda Safaris. Along the way, you may visit the Lake Mburo National Park where you can go for horseback and biking safaris, game drives, boat cruise and cultural excursions either at the park or at Igongo Cultural Center. Leave Mbarara for Lake Bunyonyi. Here, you will visit an adventure park for high ropes, zip lining across the lake, boat cruise, and cultural performances as well as camping. If however, the family are not huge fans for road trips, a chartered flight can be arranged to Kisoro and then have a two hour drive to Lake Bunyonyi.

In conclusion, Uganda has a number of idea destinations for family travel with more cropping up each year. To have the best trip, please contact a travel agent and explain your needs and budget. They will prepare the best family trip as they know all destinations and what is appropriate for the different group interests. It may also be cheaper as the package will be all inclusive as compare to when you book by yourself and are charged expensively. The whole point is you having a holiday and not having to worry about a thing.

Rwanda: Your Gorilla Tourism Destination

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Gorilla Safaris in Rwanda

Rwanda’s unique environment and kind, welcoming people provide one-of-a-kind experiences. This is a country characterized by its impressive biodiversity, volcanoes, and highland rain forests that are home to the gorillas. With over half of the world’s surviving mountain gorilla population, it’s no wonder that most wildlife-enthusiasts come to Rwanda to track and spend time with these critically endangered primates up-close.

Of all nature tours, gorilla trekking in Rwanda ranks as one of the most rewarding wildlife encounters in Africa. Coming eye to eye with a great ape touches a nerve in most of us. A big part of what makes it special, I guess, is that gorillas are so closely related to us humans (the difference in our nuclear DNA is about 1.6%). Mountain gorillas are also very rare.

The Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan portion of the Virunga Volcanoes range and besides the wealth of extraordinary rain forest life it safeguards; the park protects 300 mountain gorillas – around half the world’s existing population. The mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in Volcanoes National Park with gorilla trekking happening all year round.

Because of the high altitude it is generally cold, especially early morning and the evenings, you are advised to carry a light sweater for these times. The park is located only 2 hours’ drive from Kigali in the north of Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park offers several comfortable lodges set in the foothills of the range. Gorilla trekking permits must be arranged before arrival, and potential trekkers should be aware not only of the rigors of hiking through mountainous rainforest but the strict conservation rules governing this once-in-a-lifetime. The Rwanda gorilla safaris will require you to secure the gorilla permit which costs USD 1500 during peak season (June – October, January – March) and the discounted during low season to $1050 from November – May and this is also offered to you when visiting more one or two Rwanda parks. For you to have a secure safari, you have to book in advance.

The visitors are expected to arrive at the Rwanda development board (RDB) offices at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations and later distributed among the different gorilla groups. Once allocated a gorilla group and the briefing is concluded you follow your ranger guide and start your trek in search of these gentle giants.

Your gorilla trek can take anything from a few minutes to 4 – 5 hours depending on the location of the group that you are tracking. Once in sight of the group, you will be able to stay in their presence for only one hour.

Although gorilla safaris are the main reason people come to this park, an encounter with these highly endangered primates is not the only activity on offer. A Volcanoes National Park safari will take you into a forest packed with other creatures which include several types of monkeys and some 180 bird species. Head out on guided nature walks or even a challenging hike to experience one of Central Africa’s most bio-diverse destinations.

The park also hosts the beautiful, rare and endangered golden monkeys only found in the Virunga region. Other animals found in the forest include, rare forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush-bucks and several primates.

Volcanoes National Park is home to over 200 bird species with a number of Albertine rift endemics for bird watching enthusiasts to enjoy. Birding is the next best thing to do in this park after mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking.

Top 5 Attractions in South America

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Iguazu Falls

South America is a fount of stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, historic cities and architectural masterpieces. Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites await your discovery on this great continent, and below are some of our top choices for must-see destinations. Be sure to add these to your bucket list!

Iguazu National Park (Buenos Aires)

Over 250 feet high and nearly 9,000 feet wide, the magnificent waterfalls at the heart of Iguazu National Park, situated on the border between Argentina and Brazil, emit a thunderous roar as their spectacular cascades crash into the massive river below.

Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (Rio de Janeiro)

From the highest peaks in Tijuca National Park to the shores of the sea, this site includes lush botanical gardens, Corcovado Mountain with its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, and the scenic hills around Guanabara Bay.

Historic Center of the Town of Olinda (Recife)

Dating mostly from the 18th century, the historic center of Olinda is celebrated for its harmonious balance between public and private buildings, accented by beautiful gardens, charming Baroque churches, convents and numerous small chapels.

Peninsula Valdés (Puerto Madryn)

The nearly 250-mile shoreline of Peninsula Valdés supports a diverse ecosystem that is home to a variety of rare and endemic species and is a breeding ground for the endangered southern right whale as well as southern elephant seals and southern sea lions.

Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso (Valparaiso)

One of the first and most important ports on the sea routes along the Pacific Coast of South America, Valparaiso’s historic quarter presents a beautifully preserved example of late 19th century urban architectural design in Latin America.

Uganda Safari Ideas for Extroverts

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Uganda is nicknamed the pearl of Africa for a good reason and it is amazingly a bucket-list destination for all tourists worldwide including extroverts. It is a perfect destination for adventure seekers on Uganda safari adventures to explore and experience. From primate trekking, wildlife, recreational experiences to mountaineering adventures, Uganda boasts of its countless safari ideas thus guaranteeing everyone an option to choose from.

Visit Uganda and enjoy plenty of exhilarating adventures including bungee jumping, hot air balloon tours, mountaineering, horseback riding, Kayaking, boat cruise, zip-lining, jet boating, sport fishing, Quad biking, and others.

The must-do activities on Uganda safari

Bungee jumping

Bungee jumping is one of the adventure experiences that take ones breathe away. If this is the kind of challenging adventure that you are looking for then Uganda is the place to visit this 2023. Bungee jumping is best done at the Source of the Nile in Jinja and you jump from higher elevation on a 44 meter tall structure. It is amazing experience that lets you kiss the Nile water. This adventure is strictly done by visitors above 13 years and acceptable weight range is 235 kgs.

Chimpanzee trekking

Chimpanzee tracking is an absolute primate adventure taking you through incredible exploration of chimpanzees and their behaviors. It comes with a lifetime opportunity to take as many photos as possible. There are many places to visit for a guided chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda including Budongo Forest, Kibale National Park (KNP) with 1500 chimps, Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Kyambura Gorge (Western Uganda) and Kalinzu Forest.

White water rafting

White water rafting is a thrilling adrenaline adventure offered at Jinja, enjoyable on the Source of the Nile River. Visitors can challenge themselves on the different river rapids and grades ranging from one to six. It is a rewarding adventure for adventure junkies on Uganda safaris. Along the lower class rapids, you can experience a relaxed float, swim in the river’s warm pools and those of you who opt for the more challenging class rapids, you will certainly have the breathtaking experience of a lifetime.

The hot air balloon tour

Only 2 locations offer the most thrilling hot air balloon tours in Uganda, and that is Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks. The two destinations are operated by the Dream Balloons, offering unforgettable honeymoon adventures to all adrenaline seekers. Both destinations allow you engage in 2 phases of balloon experiences; the sunrise or post sunrise air balloon tours and sunset balloon expeditions. If you fall within the age bracket of 6 years, and above, you can be part of the thrilling hot air balloon tours.

Experience Uganda’s cultures and traditions

Uganda has the most welcoming and interactive people. Your interaction also includes visiting communities and experience the different ways of life, traditions, cultures and practices of locals. This can be accompanied by dances and music performances, and the must visit communities for unusual cultural experience include the Batwa community, Ndere cultural group, Bugisu communities, Kasubi tomb site, Kabaka’s palace, and others.

Mountaineering

Mountaineering opportunities in Uganda are enormous and most importantly, adventure seekers get to challenge themselves in the highest mountain ranges of Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon and the 3 Virunga Volcanoes (Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura). Climbing Mt. Rwenzori is possible along the designated trails including Muhoma Loop which takes 3 days, the Central circuit 8 days or more, Kilembe trail and Chimpanzee trail. Rwenzori Mountains consists of six snow-capped block mountain ranges: Mount Stanley (5109m), Speke (4889m), Emin (4791m), Luigi de Savio (4626m), Baker (4843m) and Gess (4797m).

Other amazing safari activities include horseback riding, cycling, kayaking, boat cruise, birding, hiking, river boarding/surfing on the Nile River, sport fishing, zip lining, golden monkey tracking, gorilla habituation experience and more.

The best Uganda safari destinations to visit

If you are visiting Uganda mainly to see mountain gorillas, then consider booking a gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mountain climbing –the best locations to explore include Mgahinga National Park for you to hike the 3 Virunga Volcanoes –Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo; or visit Mount Elgon, a vast volcano in Eastern border of Uganda and Kenya. For more exhilarating mountaineering adventures, consider booking mountaineering tours in Mt. Rwenzori National Park.

Visit Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills

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Rwanda the Land of a thousand hills

Rwanda is one of the smallest countries with highly population density, and its located in the central Africa, it neighbors countries like Burundi in the south, Uganda in the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the West and Tanzania in the East.

Rwanda is majorly a hilly country with very many hills, that’s why it’s referred to as a country with ‘’a thousand Hills’’ even the capital city Kigali is built on a hill. The country is under a democratic political system of governance and the current president of Rwanda is known as Paul Kagame.

The country suffered a lot during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide where over 1 million people lost their lives and a thousand seek refuge to the nearby countries like Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania among others. The economy went down and infrastructures were destroyed. However the country has recovered and its now considered one of the safest countries not only in Africa but also in the whole world. Infrastructure are re-built and Kigali is now one of the beautiful and cleanest cities in Africa with very many beautiful flowers and trees making the city attractive. No visitor can leave Rwanda without a Kigali city tour.

Things to Do

Rwanda has attracted a number of travelers to this small country, given the fact that it’s gifted with very many incredible wonders some of which are waiting for you to explore.

Go Birding

Rwanda is sometimes known as a bird’s paradise, this due to very many bird species that inhabit the country some of which can’t be found elsewhere and many are Albertine rift endemic. These species of birds are spotted in Rwanda’s protected national parks and game reserves. Birding is possible at any time of the year.

Game Viewing

Game viewing is superb since Rwanda is a home to over 105 species of mammals and game drives activities are dome to spot these species of mammals. Game viewing is done every day at Akagera national park, a protected park with a wide diversity of several species of mammals including buffaloes, elephant, giraffe, lion, zebra, various species of antelopes, just to mention but a few.

Chimpanzee Tracking

For primate lovers, Rwanda is the only country to go. It houses our closest cousins the chimps who shares almost 98% of human genes. They are fabulous to watch when jumping from tree to tree. These species of primates are inhabited in Rwanda’s protected park Nyungwe forest national park in the south -western part of Rwanda. Tracking these apes is done every day at the park starting in the morning.

Meet the Primates

The park is also home to other species of primates like the black and white colobus monkey, baboons, civet monkey, mona monkey and many more plus various species of mammals, all these can be seen during the process of chimpanzee tracking, tracking sessions lasts for only one hour.

Mountain Gorillas

However Rwanda is much known for inhabiting the endangered mountain gorillas, few countries in the world habituates these giant apes, they can only be seen here in Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. Visit Rwanda the best provider of tracking activities and known as the best mountain gorilla safaris destination in the world.

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Journeys Magazine is a travel publication with In-depth features on best destinations to visit, things to see. tips and advice to help you travel around the world.
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