Month: September 2017

Chimpanzee Habituation in Uganda & Congo

Habituating chimpanzees in Uganda and Congo has become a major activity to most of the tourist both on a safari and those on their research, this is considered to be the greatest and the best experiential tour since visitors are allowed to spend the all day participating in habituation activities than the normal trekking preferred by most of the visitors.

In Uganda chimpanzee habituation experience is done in only Kibale National Park and at Ngamba island where chimpanzees with different name can be found doing exercise in their rooms and around the whole island since it was gazzeted for only chimps with a mission of rescuing them from poachers. Chimp habituation in Uganda costs $220 for the foreign non residents. To experience this experience visit www.tourofuganda.com

In DR.Congo habituation is done in Virunga National parks at a cheapest fee of  $100 and visitors here start from Mikeno lodge  and the groups is restricted to only four people  who are led by rangers well armed for protection and guidance to  Tongo forest where these great amazing apes enjoy their environment in terms of habitant .

Many people lack or get half baked experience due to the limited time they give in while tracking them but with habituation, it’s a all day activity where the visitor helps to make chimpanzees get used to the humans. While in Kibale national park, if one is keen enough and has bright and well stretched eyes can enjoy the wilderness as in the process he/she will get an added advantage of watching elephants, bush pigs and buffaloes crossing.

But before going for habituation, one is advised to carry drinking water, a packed lunch which can be got from the lodge where one slept, some snacks like dried fruit or granola bars. Waterproof hiking boots, a hat, light rain jacket, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, insect repellent and binoculars for a nice experience. It’s mandatory to get up very early in the morning as it dawns; this is done in order to track them quickly since they don’t have permanent residential places therefore they keep on moving within the forest as they search for food on a daily basis.

Nature Adventure Africa Safaris limited arranges all the habituation experiences to all the visitors wishing to enjoy the chimpanzees in Uganda and DR.Congo. one doesn’t only do taking care but even some visitors move away when their cameras are full due to the high chances of taking photos for a full day but on a big note, prior preparations is recommended in all the two countries for better experience. Chimpanzees are so amazing in that they almost joke around after seeing visitors in their territories and for real, chimp habituation is not a one day activity but it can take about two years for the chimps to get used to human beings,

Reasons Why it’s Cheaper to Hire a Car with Car Rental Rwanda

Planning to visit Rwanda for a vacation/ holiday, the first thing you need to sort out is a ride/ drive. How are you to fill that gap? Given the improved road infrastructure and good weather conditions, there is a growing number of people interested in self driving Rwanda. Driving in Rwanda is the only quick way to get around in Rwanda, be it for running errands or to get to places of interest including leisure.

While many prefer buying their own cars, it isn’t a great idea unless you’re settling in the Rwanda on a long-term basis. More and more people today are discovering the positives of renting a car in Rwanda through Car Rental Rwanda. It’s better to rent a car in Rwanda than to own one if you don’t want the overheads. If you are not planning to stay in Rwanda for long, we strongly recommend that you sign up a good service rental car company in Rwanda for the period of your stay. This is where car Rental Rwanda comes in to help.

Most people in the region always go with a nice luxury car rentals during their stay as it’s much more affordable here than in their own countries. I know that is not a reason to you as well, However Here are five reasons why renting a car is always cheaper in Rwanda through Car Rental Rwanda.

Public Transport is either too expensive or too slow

While taxis are convenient, they’ do burn a hole in your pocket if you need to zip around a lot. No matter how little a distance you cover, you would be charged with the initial fixed cost as a minimum. And if you happen to travel a large distance, a single ride would cost you as much as renting a high-technology car for the entire day.

Buying a car isn’t always the right decision

Owning a car puts you down with monthly Car loans something you can get rid of and not something you want when you don’t need that car. Say you grew tired of that car or it met with an accident that the warranty wouldn’t fix for good. Times like this the resale value of that car won’t even be enough to payback the rest of your loan amount.

You have the freedom to drive anywhere you want

With a rented car, you can get around to the place of your choice without any issues. Travelling to a distant place via public transport is impossible and more or less illogical. Even if you’ve agreed to shell out the cost of the taxi ride, you might not be able to find a ride back without the extra charge of booking it via the phone i.e. if they can reach you at all. If you live anywhere far from the main town or city, having a car you can drive yourself is quite essential.

No more overhead costs and parking woes when you leave

If you own a car, it is your responsibility to cover all maintenance and the costs of registration, insurance, among other things. If you live in Rwanda and travel abroad often, you’d be paying way more just to have your car parked in the lot. While renting a car online allows you to get the car delivered to you at the airport terminal as you arrive and picked up aligned with your departure time.

The cost of maintaining a car after a year or so is extensive. While if you have a rental car, the rental car company worries about the wear and tear of the car. They regularly get the car serviced and keep the paperwork such as insurance in check. All you do is pay the monthly cost of the rental and drive stress-free.

you can drive a dream car you cannot buy

You definitely want to gift your loved one a ride of that dream machine s/he is always talking about. Don’t even think of buying a car like that for you can rent it – no strings attached with Car Rental Rwanda. A leisure drive of that to National parks can do.

You don’t need to wait all your life to save up money to feel the ride of luxurious cars. Not anymore. All it takes is a driving license for visitors -more details and you can hire as much as a beautiful sports rental cars from car Rental Rwanda.

For those that don’t want to drive, there’s always the chauffeur-driven option. You can hire a luxury car, Make a spectacular entrance and create an impression wherever you go.  For more information on car rental and renting amazing cars, please contact car Rental Rwanda. We have the best offers and models of cars.

 

Mountain Gorilla Tours in Uganda and Congo

Gorilla trekking is one of the most unique things you can do while traveling around Africa. Gorillas are found in eastern Africa on the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda. The treks are an amazing experience.

Bwindi Forest National Park is inhabited by a population of about 480 individual mountains’ gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), known as the Bwindi population, which makes up almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world. The rest of the worldwide mountain gorilla population is in the nearby Virunga National Park. A 2006 census of the mountain gorilla population in the park showed that its numbers had increased modestly from an estimated 300 individuals in 1997 to 320 individuals in 2002 to 340 individuals in 2006.

There are 11 species of primates, including rare chimpanzee, the monkey variants such as LHoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white Colobus, and olive baboon. Specially, Bwindi is home to about 400 Gorilla, a half of the total remaining world population. There are 346 species of birds registered (Bwindi contains 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics, hard to experience in any other place in East Africa) and 200 species of butterflies.

The gorilla trekking tours are the park’s main tourist experiences. Tourists wishing to track gorillas must first obtain a permit to do so. Selected gorillas families have been habituated to human presence and the number of visitors is tightly controlled to prevent degradation of the habitat and risks to the gorillas.

Tourists can visit the park any time throughout the year, although conditions in the park are more difficult during the rainy season. Available tourist accommodations include lodges, tented camps, and cheaper rooms run by the local community, located near the Buhoma entrance gate. The park is in a remote location, and reaching the park involves a long difficult journey

Within the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which is also a UNESCO Heritage site. This park is located in the eastern side of democratic Republic of Congo and boarders both Uganda and Rwanda. The park covers an area of 7800 km2 and is home to over 200 gorilla individuals mostly situated in the southern part of the park.

Those planning to track mountain gorillas in Virunga national park, you are advised to book with one of the best local tour operators and the Congo gorilla permits costs ($400) per person. The mountain gorillas in Virunga national park can be visited anytime during the year, however some paths are hard to navigate during the wet seasons of (May/April and November & October), in this season, Congo gorilla trekking permits are reduced  to ($350) per person. Other months are okay for gorilla trekking since it’s a dry season.

Gorilla trekking in the Virunga national park has some strict rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed by the trackers on their Congo gorilla safari expeditions. These include; group size, the groups to track per day as well as the time allowed spending with the mountain gorillas. This sis also done to ensure the well being of these endangered animals. This is because the gorillas are susceptible to many human diseases due to the great closeness between the humans and the mountain gorilla.

Self Drive Holidays in Uganda – Africa

Memories are everlasting for real and this makes me wonder the amazing self drive in Uganda holiday we made in Africa particularly in Uganda. Among the major holiday destinations we went to include the Bujagali falls, mountain Elgon national park and Lake Mburo national park far in the western Uganda. We made prior preparations including paying for the activities and lodges we were to sleep plus all other welfare through Moses a tour consultant at 4×4 Car Hire Uganda.

After making payments, in this case we wanted a self drive safari holiday and here we had to drive ourselves to all the destinations we were to go to. Since we had made all the reservations we just boarded to Uganda and we met our partners who had hired us a Toyota land cruiser at an affordable price. At Entebbe airport we were given our car after signing an agreement with them, we were given all that we required entailing tools, spare tyre and all other equipments.

Since we had reached early in the morning, we drove to Lake Mburo national park where we had to do sport fishing and also game drive. On that very day in the evening, we did sport fishing on the lake where we hooked four Nile perches which we smoked at night and this acted as our supper plus some others hard drinks from the nearby bar. This was so interesting since we felt value of our money and even we got experience on how fishermen survive on the lake waters.

Early in the morning, we did our game drive in the park though it is a summarized one, here we photographed the impala one of the major occupant of the park, zebras, water bucks and antelopes gave us a nice stunning experiential holiday here. The next day we went back to Kampala with our vehicle and we slept at Hotel Africana where we based to go to Jinja the next day.

While at Jinja, we went to the falls where we did white water rafting along the Nile River and in the evening, we toured the source of the Nile including the Ripon where most of the ship from the different routes and countries anchor. We went to crane hotel Jinja where we slept and in the morning, we went to mountain Elgon national park. The major activity we did here was mountain climbing.

We started our activity from Budadiri, this and this was quite a long trail to the top of the wagagi, as we were climbing, we got to interact with the Bamasaba who are the Major settlers of the area who were taking us through their way of life including their banana gardens on the slopes of the mountain. This also gave us an opportunity to view a spectacular view of Sipi falls. This took us five days to reach the peak. This was an exciting phenomenon since we saw the largest caldera on top of the Wagagi.

We spent an overnight up on the hill while enjoying the soothes of the prevailing cold winds in our camping tents. The next day we descended down the mountain passing over the rocks and the rouged terrains of the mountain. In this process, we enhanced our holiday by also visiting the bubbling hot spring located in the park. The next day, we went back to Kampala to catch up our flight after handing over the car to the company representative at the airport.

Affordable Gorilla Photo Tours in Uganda & Congo

When you think of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Congo you think expensive, right? But did you know that you could trek Uganda’s mountain gorillas and Congo at an affordable price? Trekking gorillas in Uganda is done in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The price of mountain gorilla permits in Uganda is reduced to US$450 during the low season – (April, May & November every year) compared to US$600 in peak season the rest of the year.

More you can after trekking in Uganda cross to DRC Congo via Cyanika to Goma border for the affordable Congo gorilla trek & Nyiragongo Hike and here the gorilla permit is more cheap at $ 400 USD peak season and $ 200 USD low season and then the Nyiragongo trek cost $ 300 USD per person inclusive of overnight stay in the Nyiragongo shelters at the Summit.

DRC Congo is now much loved to visited due to the high level of security in the region compared to the previous days and staying at Mikeno Lodge is so much amazing as you are offered to see the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage center and you can too listen to the chimpanzees in the Tango forest that is situated near the lodge. Also if you choose to stay at Bukima point you can get unexpected view of the gorillas at the surrounding environs of the camp.

Trekking in the low season provides travelers with a closer interaction with the gorillas. Fewer people in the parks mean that there is no congestion. Because of this, the number of people allocated to each gorilla family is reduced from eight down to a lower number, giving trekkers a more personal interaction with the gorillas.

Besides the discounted gorilla permit prices, the cost of services in lodges and hotels during the low season are also reduced due to the low occupancy rates. This means that travelers receive high-quality services at a reduced price, which is not always the case in the high season. The same also goes for air tickets as they are also offered at a low rate.

To trek into the rain forest and sit with a family of wild mountain gorillas, to look into the eyes of a huge silver back at close range, watch babies cling to their mothers, laugh at youngsters playing in the trees, is a life-enhancing experience for a wildlife lover. To capture amazing photographs of such encounters lets you relive these rare moments in enduring images. Our Expedition Leader is both a primate naturalist and accomplished photographer whose expertise on both fronts helps you go home with photos you could only dream of beforehand. Your visit with endangered mountain gorillas and other primates in their natural habitat in Uganda and Congo may also be a life-changing experience for these species, as ecotourism is the main hope for protecting their future.

Four separate gorilla tracking expeditions, two each in Uganda and Congo maximize photo opportunities with the last of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. While gorillas are our focus, no nature photographer should come to Africa without a chance to capture images of its iconic big wildlife such as elephants, zebra, giraffe, lions and more.

 

Why Uganda Is the Best Destination for Gorilla Trekking in 2017

No other wildlife encounter in Africa matches the amazing experience of spending time face to face with wild gorillas that put Rwanda and Uganda on map of adventurers and all kinds of travelers across the globe. Gorilla trekking allows you to spend time with gorillas in the wild an experience you can only find in Rwanda, Uganda  and Congo  the three mountain gorilla that share the remains living population.

 Gorilla Permit Prices

Both Uganda and Rwanda are great countries for gorilla safaris in Africa though the fact that Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1500 each while Uganda gorilla permits go for $600 which is a total tour cost for a 3 day Uganda gorilla safari tour to Bwindi forest or Mgahinga national park. In this case one can fly to Rwanda in Kigali international airport and track gorillas in Uganda with an experience in Rwanda for a city tour in Kigali. Rwanda is a beautiful country to not to be explored once in East Africa says one of the tourists who flied in Rwanda and tracked gorillas in Uganda.

Transit Time

All visitors to Uganda via Entebbe international Airport need 9-10 hours to Bwindi forest national park or Mgahinga National Park with full day scenic drive. Many stops can be made on the way, one at the Equator, Mbarara town, Igongo cultural Museum, before proceeding to the park Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija or Kisoro town by road the cheapest way to get to the park.

However, If one fly’s to Rwanda at Kigali international Airport, it’s very easy to transfer to Uganda by road and it takes only 3-4 hours to Bwindi forest hence being one of the main reasons for flying to Rwanda and tracking gorillas in Uganda. However, before the increase of Rwanda gorilla permit prices, tourists could fly to Kigali and track gorillas in Volcanoes national park Rwanda in just 1-3 days since Rwanda is one of the top mountain gorillas trekking safari destination in Africa.

Gorilla safari Tour price

Today Uganda gorilla safari tours are more affordable compared to Rwanda gorilla tours yet the trekking experience is the same. Travelers find it cheap to fly to Rwanda and track gorillas in Uganda. Besides, Uganda offers discounts on gorilla permits for April , May and November which makes   travelers  save hence preferring Uganda gorilla tours for Rwanda. Also Rwanda gorilla tour prices are too high for budget travelers and backpackers who can’t put their eyes off Rwanda due to high gorilla safari tour prices. Therefore, budget travelers explore Rwanda other attractions like Nyungwe, Lake kivu, Akagara and Kigali city and track gorillas in Uganda.

Above all tracking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda is the same, treks kick off at 8am local time with a briefing from park rangers on guidelines and how to behave with gorillas  and later the forest search starts that lasts between 2-6 hours  ending with the one hour allowance of tourists to observe the gorillas and also enjoy photography. Same procedure applies in all gorilla tracking parks –Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national Park and Volcanoes National Park.

3 Mind Blowing Things to Do in Bwindi Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned home for the rare mountain gorillas. Many tourists visit Bwindi all year round. Though gorilla tracking is the main tourist activity that attracts most tourists, there are several tour adventures that need nothing like prior training.

In Bwindi impenetrable national park, you absolutely guaranteed to see mountain gorillas and other forest diversities like monkeys, birds, wild elephants, butterflies etc. With the right tour company, guide and a comfortable safari vehicle a three day gorilla safari will very meaningful to explore the park main tourist activities including the main three that will blow you mind and remain surprised for life.

Adding to Bwindi national park gorilla treks, each and every forest adventure is awesome and different no matter how many times you enter the forest to track mountain gorillas. Tracking gorillas twice can be done in the same park sector with two different gorilla families or in two different park sectors with two different habituated mountain gorilla groups. Seeing mountain gorillas in their natural environment is stunning no wonder its Uganda’s prime tourist activity. Here are the top 4 exciting incredible experiences that one can engage in while on a safari to Bwindi.

The Silverback Gorilla & Other Members

Mountain gorillas are certainly the highlight of all trips to Uganda and during the forest trek, it’s the silver back gorilla that shows up first at the gorilla trekking encounter an exciting, surprising and terrific moment for every tourist wondering how huge and giant it looks like. Seeing them interact in the way you only know about through Television channels makes you safari one in a life time. Mountain gorillas spend each day roaming in the forest searching for food and their forest walk and direction is determined by the silverback.

So it’s the reason as to why tourists have to search for them since they wake up hungry just like humans. The Silverback also known as the male giant walks ahead of all other family members clearing their way and also monitoring their safety and wellbeing. The Juvenile gorillas play and jump in tree branches in front of their giant father well assured of security and protection from the parents. The one hour duration with gorillas will change your life forever.

Forest walk to waterfall trail

Exploring the park water fall trail is another way of experience details of the impenetrable forest starting from Buhoma park headquarters to Muyanga river. Several forest creatures wave to you as you proceed to the magical point of the water fall. The cool sounds of the forest walk along with you all through symbolizing natural beauty and true conservation. Other things to catch up with during the forest walk are the different tree species, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, orchids, reptiles, butterflies. Since the park has four different sectors, waterfall trails are only experienced in Buhoma and Rushaga sector. However, the jungle forest experience is fantastic and surprising when you discovering the magical land of gorillas –Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Meeting warm & friendly locals

While in Bwindi forest national park, a village tour will take you straight to the traditional way of life and still many things will blow mind off. How excited the locals get seeing you around their land, the music they play to welcome you and express their joy, dance and drama will make you join the team without notice, the toiling in their farm lands & daily domestic work just impresses, smiles of little children calling you all the way and making you feel recognized in society and much more will make your Uganda gorilla safari tour extremely the best. While in Bwindi it feels like another rare world on the planet but worth exploring in Africa for incredible Africa safaris.