Uganda Safaris Bucket List Wildlife Experience

Uganda Safaris Bucket List Wildlife Experience 

Exploring the two Giant Mountain Gorilla habitats, four wildlife game reserves, hiking the most scenic, beautiful mystic diverse mountain in Africa and spending a day in the chimpanzee capital that make Uganda one great countries filled to brim with some of the most epic wildlife adventures you will ever like to experience.

Nature gives you a giant hug the minute you go beyond the cities into the land of Savannah plains, rain forests, lakes, islands and remote villages. Be it trekking mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or viewing wildlife in their nature habitats that makes Uganda a unique bucket list destination and Pearl of Africa.

Mountain Gorilla Tracking safaris

Its only in Africa jungle forests in the Albertine Rift valley of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo that the Giant Mountain Gorillas can be seen in their nature wild in the World. Uganda has two parks Bwindi impenetrable Forest Jungle park and Mgahinga park that are habitat to the giant apes. These parks are visited all year round but be ready to carry good hiking shoes especially in the rainy seasons when its more slippery and raining all the time. Some times your lucky to even wake up when they are at the door steps of your cottages in the jungle though they are migratory in search for food and safety, exhibiting human like behaviors amazing to watch. The Silver back male (Gorilla family head) who will do anything to protect his family and aggressive when provoked or feels unsafe moves from trackers, that’s why you have to follow the precautions as advised by the guides. This is a life time experience and memorable as often explained by primate trackers.

Viewing Nature Wildlife

The Savannah plains coupled with forest reserves and trans-versing rivers makes the nature sighting breath taking in all Uganda National parks. Most visited parks include; Murchison Falls National park which is 3-4Hours drive from the Kampala city embracing primates like the chimpanzees and monkey species and the Big Five besides other game and the might River Nile streaming through as it makes its journey to the Mediterranean Ocean via South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt; QueenElizabeth National park famous for the Tree climbing Lions of Ishasha and the Kazinga chanel boat cruise connecting Lake George and Lake Edward shared between Uganda and DR Congo with different game and Big Five sighting besides salt mining and people and culture exploration. Queen Elizabeth park is nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Rain forest Jungle park making it easy to connect. Other parks include Kibaale forest park for primates and birding safaris, Kidepo and Lake Mburo national parks are also amazing destinations to explore the country side.

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzees are the other primates with close genetics to human of about 99% are habited in Uganda Destinations for Chimpanzee trekking include Kibaale National forestpark, Murchison falls park, Queen Elizabeth National park forest reserves of Kalinzu and Kyambura gorge. And besides trekking the chimpanzees, many other primates like monkey species, baboons, birds and other game like leopards, antelopes are sighted in the process. The nature wild habitat is the best places to watch and observe the chimpanzee and other primate behavior characters in untamed manner.

Bird Watching

With over 350 bird species to sight, Uganda wetlands and forest jungles are now a trending bird safari destination in the region. Destinations for bird lovers that will not disappoint include Queen Elizabeth park Kazinga channel which links Lake Edward and Lake George, Bigodi swamp in Kibaale forest park, Lake Mburo, swampy valleys of Warukiri, Miriti road sides, Rwonyo camp. Catch sight of the rare bird species like Shoe bill in Mabanda wetland, Murchison falls, Semuliki park, Kidepo and Entebbe wetlands besides Kampala and Jinja where they can be spotted with ease.

The Hunt for the River Nile origin

River Nile is the longest River in the World with its source on Lake Victoria (Second largest lake in the world) in Jinja as discovered by one of the great British explore John Speke. Jinja is one town treasured by many tourists and you wont be surprised to find many already settled in it and running some businesses in the hospitality industry. Besides sighting the source of the great Nile River, you can also engage in many activities such as boat cruises on the Nile and lake Victoria, Spot fishing, Bungee jumping and white water rafter to check your adrenaline stability and fear and also sight the existing Ntanda water falls on the Nile as the strong hearted water rafters make way through the rough water falls, This is for the string hearted. You can also adventure in kayaking, quad biking and forest walks in the largest Mabira forest of Uganda en route to Jinja town.

 

Travel will define your perception of places and people than exhibited in literature and text books for it makes you feel it to your soul!

Helpful Guide to Planning a #Gorilla Trek in Africa

Helpful Guide to Planning a Gorilla Trek in Africa

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you have been to Uganda before, there are various things to consider before you set off to exploring the most attractive jungle forests in the world’s most exciting continent Africa. Here is our suggestions as Africa gorilla trekking experts about what to pack, hidden gems and how to make most of your time valued on a #gorilla trekking tour .

Planning a Gorilla Trek

You will definitely  have email correspondence with the expert/travel agency in charge of your gorilla trekking tour. However make sure your trip planner visited the area and hotels they are recommending for the top best experience.

When looking at a flying gorilla trekking safari, check the private flight schedules and its always cheaper to book your tickets through the company organizing your trek. Before paying any trip deposit decide on what wildlife or scenery you would like to see because not all parks offer all species. For example if your interest is tracking mountain gorillas in #Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest Thick Jungle and you have some extra days on your schedule then you can include Chimpanzee treks and nature wildlife in QueenElizabeth park which is nearby and easy to connect to the parks and these have diversity to sight and experience. 

 

After confirming when you want to travel, inquire about gorilla permit availability and book your air ticket knowing that the trip is on. Get the best value for money by using mid-range accommodation or budget  and some times low end luxury can do.

Gorilla Trekking Safari Budget

There is no amazing trip like that which suit in your budget and gives you value for money. By Saving more on the  budget of air charters you will have more to spend at a destination when you use road transport to connect to the National parks. A gorilla trekking tour to either Bwindi forest or #Mgahinga costs cheap than a flying gorilla trekking tour  to both parks.

If you budget is extremely low, join a group tour or choose to go backpacking and behave like a local. Such trips can be as much as  30-40% cheaper than a private gorilla trekking tour. You can also travel with a friend  and share the costs of transport and accommodation hence cutting down costs of a single traveler. 

Best Time to See Gorillas

 When you’re on a Gorilla safari in Africa the most important moments are those spent with the Gorillas  in there jungle home no matter when you chose to go for the trek. However,since most tourist like trekking the forest during dry season many flock to different gorilla trekking destinations in the month of January February, March, June, July, August, September, October and December . While others  visit in April, May and November the known rainy months of the year but the experience is same for all travelers. So its up to you to decide when you can visit Uganda, Rwanda and Congo the famous gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.

Gorilla permits and Prices

Before choosing a gorilla trekking destination take your senses of budget plan and choose the place that has favorable gorilla permit prices. Just a quick look #Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per a trek, #Uganda gorilla permits $600 and #Congo gorilla permits $400.

What to Pack for the Gorilla trek

Wear long sleeved clothes, carry enough drinking water, gloves, a cape, walking stick, packed lunch, valid passport, and lastly a right date gorilla permit your main gate pass for the day. Keep your valued jewel away and just hold a camera or photo taking device  to make it possible for you to enjoy photography of nature and the general experience in the wild. Many want to find treasured moments of the gorilla trek that you will definitely get during the one hour duration with the gorillas. Due to the hectic treks and Hikes, we often advise trackers to hire a porter to carry your water and other items along not to over exhaust yourself yet it might be a long trek to reach the Gorilla families allocated.

This experience is the Thick Africa Jungle Forests is one in a life time and you will carry memories for the rest of your life!

Spiritual Holy Sites and Shrines in Uganda

Spiritual Holy Sites and Shrines in Uganda
It’s only in Uganda where you can visit several holy places and shrines of Christian values in City tour excursion since all the most holy places are found a few kilometers from Kampala city center. Usually every year on 26th May & June 3rd Christians gather in Namugongo and Munyonyo in memory of the Christian Martyrs who died in Faith. The two holy places made Pope Paul VI & Pope Francis to visit Uganda and witness the reserved grounds of the royal Christian martyrs who teach the whole world how true Christians should behave in real life. During this time of the year millions of people visit the holy shrines for blessings and faith commitment by walking on foot from their homes, fasting and also giving thanks to God the almighty in form of offerings. Since the celebration draw millions to come to Uganda, most foreign tourists who love and believe in Christianity come to the country two a week to the event in order to catch up with both the celebrations. However sites and shrines are accessible throughout the year when you happen to traverse Uganda during your Safari adventure or Business engagements with some volunteers often participating in some activities at the sites.
A lot of issues happen at the shrines on that day including Repentance, Holy Water,Touring, Cleanliness, and Entertainment, Prayers, security, shrines and food. Every pilgrims gets the opportunity to confess their sins before the martyrs day celebrations as a sign of purity and bounding more with the God the creator a reason which make pilgrims to stay at the holy ground for a number of days not only on the martyrs celebration day. Religious leaders and ushers are always available to guide whoever comes at the shrine ground for confession. Though God forgive sins each and every time one admits that and seeks for his forgiveness but doing it here at the holy shrines is more exceptional since it’s a heaven ground and its believed that God hears and forgives faster. Even the Martyrs help to present people’s needs & request to God. It’s always advised to cleanse your soul before standing in God’s presence.
Touring is a must to many pilgrims as a best way to explore the holy shrines and grounds of both Namugongo martyrs shrines & Munyonyo. A visit to the man made Uganda Martyrs Lake, shrines, Martyrs museum, other different sites, plus the holy compound is a must see while on the Kampala city tour excursion. If you visit during around the martyrs day celebration you may miss out to reach in some areas since the holy compound is always filled up with millions of Pilgrims. However, to discover the holy grounds and shrines it’s advisable to visit a few days to the celebrations or after. In most cases it’s very exciting to visit on the very day of the martyr’s day and see be part of the whole event. The two Martyrs shrines in Namugongo- the Catholic and Angelican host prayers and holy services depending on martyrs reminisced. The teaching about the martyrs can be done of different days but the Novenas are said at only the Catholic shrine.
Listening to stories about the martyrs, the cause of their death, the place, date of martyrdom is really entertaining something you shouldn’t miss out while on the holy land of shrines. Bites are everywhere and for those with good appetite, food, drinks; beverages are served in different forms by experts. Get a chance to buy holy rosaries, bibles, martyrs history books for your family and keep the blessing of the holy grounds and shrines in your home. Remember to respects the rules and regulations of the holy shrine especially for the holy lake full of holy water used as a blessing in several ways. Do not bath or swim in the lake but just get a jerican or bottle and draw the water. After the celebration you can visit our attractions and National parks in Uganda for other adventures such as Gorilla tracking, Primate treks, nature wildlife excursions and Game drive to sight the Big Five and other wild animals, conservation centers for endangered species such as Rhinos, chimpanzees and other cultural sites besides city tours and life exposures which seems unique and memorable in Uganda.
  
Uganda Martyrs shrine at Namugongo and the Bahai Temple in Uganda can be visited during your Kampala city tour including the cultural sites. Note culture and religious were kind of intermingled during the ancient and colonial times since its people who drove their growth and popularization depending on their beliefs and conviction with some dieing for the cause.

Cheapest Travel Options for an African Tour

Cheapest Travel Options for an African Tour

Some people think traveling to the world is expensive but not all parts of the world are as expensive as you may think. Besides not every cheap part of the world is for backpacker travel but there are also other facilities which cater for the big spenders (luxury travelers). All contents around the world have cheap parts of travel and in Africa a lot can be seen and discovered while  traveling on a tight budget. However a destination can be expensive or cheap depending on the traveler’s demands and preference. However based on our travel experiences and expertise, you can enjoy your travel adventures, sight of memorable encounters such as Gorilla tracking, chimpanzee/primate treks, wildlife excursions in the typical nature wild under no control of any surrounding but based on survival for the fittest to create natural balance among the prey and predators within your financial means with the guidance of the Tours/Travel consultants at your disposal.

Staying in a low cost lodge, eating in cheap restaurants, booking budget adventures, joining tour groups, using the cheapest transport possible and also visiting only the country’s main attractions not every attraction with in the country doesn’t mean that you cheap so long as it’s done for a big reason. Always you’re your travel expenditures cheap to fit in your pocket but not tearing it apart.

Backpacking is one of the most fun adventures to go on though in some travel destinations require using destinations experts. In such cases it’s good to use experts who offer the very best discounted price offers for the trips than others. It’s good to carry your travel suitcase and embark on a journey to unknown place for fun. See the world in the excellent economical way and enjoy every moment by considering a few aspects in mind.

Book Budget Tours

It’s always good to book the cheapest tour option provided by a tour agent or expert for either individual travel or group. Such Tours enable you explore all destinations in a very economical manner. For example In Uganda you can track Gorillas, View large game, do the primate tour and also short sightseeing tours, white water rafting on a minimal budget. Uganda budget lodges, hostels and campsites are too comfortable with even a swimming pool like the Red chili hide away, Kampala backpacker hostel among others.

Low cost hostels & camps

Almost all cities and areas with different tourist attractions have hostels and campsite to cater for budget travelers. Always trace for then in magazines and country travel guides. In Africa most hostels and campsites cost $5-$20 per night. If your travel destination is East Africa and Uganda in particular please check out some few campsites and hostels which may make your night outstanding while you around. Fat Cats backpacker, Kampala hostel, New city Annex hotel, Nile river campsite, Adrift campsite, Red http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.comchili campsite among others. However, there are also cheap budget accommodations like the Bwindi forest backpacker lodge, Nshongi Gorilla camp Bunyonyi overland, Buhoma rest camp and many others.

Cheap restaurants

In most African countries African countries cheap restaurants always sell the local foods and coffee why not take a chance and dine with locals for a byte. Its an interesting experience which will make you enjoy your stay and even make new friends. This is something you can do after your adventure if you have some few days to spend around foreign country before you departure .You can Identify these good places by asking the hotel staff or the travel expert (tour agency) who arranged your adventure in the country. In Uganda you will not lack a byte any time during the day or at night. Besides taking a walk around to nearby places is also another best way to discover new things on the neighborhood. Travel the world and fall in love with thousands of countries.

East African parks where wildlife never disappoints

East African parks where wildlife never disappoints

No need to tell stories when the reality is in the open game viewing, the wildebeest migration, dreamy beaches, gorilla & chimpanzee treks are must watch on an East African safari any time of the year to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda. The safaris offer many wild world tour options waiting to be experienced in Tanzania's Serengeti & Ngorogoro crater  is another place where more than 30,000 wildlife  animals graze  in enclosed grassland, Kenya’s  Amboseli, Masai Mara a host ground of the annual Great Migration that occurs as huge herds of wildebeest and zebras follow the fresh grazing in the wake of the annual rains, Uganda& Rwanda the blessed  of great views and scenery  where chimpanzees and mountain gorillas live free in the forests.

Everyone thinks that Rwanda is only for Gorilla trekking but I strongly recommend you   to consider it for a awesome wild life safari to East Africa with so much to offer in Akagera national park & Nyungwe forest national park. It’s very exciting to witness the rich wildlife of East Africa on a wildlife tour through East Africa's greatest parks and reserves, with a visit to the region beaches and islands for leisure activities like sun bathing swimming, walks unlike others. Discover exhilarating East Africa on safaris through renowned national parks and game reserves, including Amboseli, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, the Masai Mara, Bwindi forest, Volcanoes national park, Kidepo national park Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth & lake Mburo national park

Kidepo, Murchison falls & Queen Elizabeth National a park in Uganda

Uganda, the Pearl of Africa has ten national parks displaying the best of East Africa but only a few fulfill the wildlife travelers dreams of viewing wildlife in the wild among which include Kidepo,Queen Elizabeth,Murchison falls Bwindi, Kibaale forest and lake Mburo National park. The park offers thrilling wildlife safaris together with other activities like boat trips on both the kazinga channel and the Murchison falls, forest hikes, mountain climbing which make the tourist wildlife experience more interesting and wonderful in Africa. For those who love wildlife and birds just end the search because the country has over 1000 bird species is among Africa’s best bird watching destination. Another thing which makes Uganda Wildlife Parks very attractive is that you don’t only view wildlife but you can also engage in different tourist adventures as you discover the countries wildlife in depth.

Rare wildlife Africa encounters are found in Uganda like the wild  of Kidepo Valley, Tree climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen, a magical powerful waterfall in murchison falls,the highest number of chimpanzees in Africa in Kibaale and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosting half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Get the most memorable wildlife encounter by visiting the best Uganda wildlife national parks. Plan well and enjoy every moment of your stay. 

Amboseli & Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya

Very few travelers give thanks to the internet which supports all the planning session of a holiday to any destination around the globe but never mind what matters is how does your holiday end? Are your travel dreams fulfilled? Used to wonder why thousand visit Kenya year round especially to Amboseli & Masai Mara but all the answers made make like wildlife animals and even the places where they are found. It only requires a minimum of 5 days to be able to view the great Kenya wildlife in their local environment. You can’t miss to see mountain Kilimanjaro while in Amboseli the land of elephants. Spot the "Big Five" and observe one of nature's greatest spectacles, the Great Migration which takes place in masai mara every year starting from July-October. Charge your camera and also carry a pare battery in order not to miss out any photography. With accommodation there are plenty of lodges, bush camps and hotels for every budget in both parks. You can also visit other parks like Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East and West, Abadare etc.

Ngorogoro Crater & Seregeti in Tanzania

Find Massive wildlife across the Serengeti and Ngorogoro craters reserve all scattered around the wildness area. Tanzania wildlife tours are operated by different tour operators and some tours are always on fixed programs while others are on daily departure. But much flexibility is enjoyed when you doing a private trip. Participating tours are very good, cheap and ideal for travelers on a very tight budget since you get involved in all the camp activities, cooking bed lying, putting up your tent which is a nice thing I loved doing every day since we had surely enough time for everything. However, you can also take on a tailor made private wildlife tour where all things are catered for apart from eating and sleeping.

Above all Tanzania’s premier national park Serengeti is   famous for the spectacular annual migration of around 2 million herbivores across its vast plains. The Serengeti National Park is home to the largest concentration of wildlife in the world covering an impressive 14 763 sq km (5,700 sq miles) in the north-west of Tanzania, extending to south-western Kenya. But all safaris to Serengeti & Ngorogoro crater National Park center on game-viewing in the stunning wilderness area teeming with wildlife. As East Africa has so much to offer and not just the Gorillas, amazing views, conserved wildlife National Parks where you can see the only thousands of wildlife, birds plus the superb lodges, good food and friendly people stable for everyone.

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