Safari to Uganda

Safari packages to Uganda are never totally complete without gorilla tracking included in the itinerary. In Uganda among various Uganda tour operators there are countless opportunities to book gorilla safari tours at great , once in a life time rates. There are packages ranging from aboout 3 days in Uganda , to safari deals of about 15 days or slightly more. Usually about five to seven day  tour packages are ample time enough to learn and truely experience Uganda.Of the travel destination Bwindi impenetrable gorilla park is probably the most popular and prime of all the Uganda national park.According to a gorilla census we have approximately four hundred gorillas in the country.

In Uganda , apart from the popular gorilla trekking activity , the pearl of Africa has a lot to offer.We can take a look at Kibale Forest national Park, also reffered to sometimes as home of the chimpanzee.Another attraction that is great to add to your Uganda gorilla tour.Queen Elizabeth National park and Murchison falls national park are also a prime destination that you cannot afford to leave out in your itinerary.A range of animals that these Uganda national parks have to show are mainly elephants m buffalloes , lions , several antelope species and more.There are also cultural safari trips within the country or other community tours where you get to interact with the locals within the homes of local African settings.Learn the culture and possible some basics in the local languages.

Your safari tour can be made possible with African Secrets limited, which is a fully bonded company , registered and licenced by the ministry of tourism.With over six years experience and dedicated professional staff in Uganda and Kenya  offices , you are bound to be in safe hands.

Hiking Uganda adventures

Hiking expeditions:

Uganda offers the best ultimate Mountain Climbing Adventures on East African Mountains. If you like mountaineering or rwenzori hiking as [part of your Uganda tour packages, then the (5,119 m) high, snow covered Rwenzori Mountains - also known as the ' mountains of the moon ' and protected as Rwenzori Mountains National Park which is also a World Heritage Centre - will offer you the unique experience you've been looking for. The mist-shrouded peaks provide stunning backdrops to this magnificent mountain. Ever since the Rwenzori became known to the World, its features have been changing. Today, the most visible and probably preventable, changes in the Rwenzori are the fragile vegetation along the trails.

A trip into the Rwenzoris is an exhilarating and rewarding experience but one, which must be planned with attention to detail. The key to an enjoyable visit is 'be prepared!' You can do the central circuit in just 7 sevens and our excellent guides will be there to add flavor to your experience. Those took up the challenge to climb this mountain have promised to come back, if you are an excellent hiker, looking for a lifetime adventure; please make your reservation now.

It is not just the Rwenzoris alone that you hike in Uganda; there is the famous Mount Elgon National Park. At Mount Elgon National Park, mountaineering can be experienced on this volcanic mountain which is (4,321 m), the 4th highest mountain in East Africa, located in the eastern part of Uganda on the border with Kenya.

Others are: Mt. Sabyinyo (366m)'Old man's teeth' like an old man, time has eroded Mt. Sabyinyo's crown. This volcano offers 3 challenging peaks to climb. A climb up the mountain takes one up a ridge along the eastern side of the climb to peak. If you are to continue, the climb to the peak 11 involves walking a ridge with breath-taking drops into gorges of Rwanda and Uganda, a dual experience you will achieve here.

Mt. Gahinga (3474m). On your way to the park, look out for small piles of stones in the garden fields. The local people call such a pile a 'Gahinga'. 

Mount Gahinga is quite bigger than the average 'gahinga' but sitting next to Mount Muhavura does make it look small. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest. Gahinga once had a Crater Lake on top but time has changed it into a Lush swamp. Distance to the swamp is 8km.

Mt. Muhavura (4127m)'The Guide'
Seen from all over Kisoro, this volcano acts as a guide. The typical cone-shaped Mountain provides some of the best views in the country. Much of the climb passes a rocky surface covered by grasses and small shrubs. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the view of the Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and the peaks of Rwenzori Mountain. The hike takes approximately 8 hours round trip covering 12km.You are advised to camp at the Muhavura base camp the night before the site has no facilities so you need a tent, water, food and sleeping gear. I

Bwindi Impenetrable National park Uganda

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is one of the last habitats for the mountain gorilla. It has 350 individuals over half of the surviving mountain gorillas in the world. This park was created in 1992 and it became a World Heritage Site in 1994. Experts believe that the Bwindi mountain gorilla maybe a different species from their cousins in the Virungas. It takes roughly 6 hours to travel from Kampala to the park.
Bwindi is one of the richest areas in Africa for flora and fauna. Besides gorilla tracking, Bwindi national park has a teaming 10 species of primates including the chimpanzee, black and white colobus, and olive baboons. Bwindi also harbors forest elephants, duikers, bush bucks and the rear giant forest hogs. Bird watchers will find this a prime destination with an exciting list of 350 birds. The rarities include 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics and endangered species like the African broad bill. Spotting birds requires the help of field guides as the forest habitant makes it difficult for you to spot one.
There 5 groups of habituated gorillas in Bwindi, 3 within walking distance from Buhoma where the park head office and accommodation for all budget options. The other group Nkuringo has 19 individuals and located to the south of the park easily accessible from Kisoro. The most recent addition is the Nshongi group comprised of 35 individuals with 3 silverbacks. The groups are Mubare 10, Habiyanja 18 and Rushegura with individuals. We organize gorilla tours to Mugahinga, Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virungas in DR Congo as well.
Only 8 tourists per day can visit each family this gives a maximum 40 visitors. Demand usually exceeds supply most of the year and you are adviced to book your gorilla tour well in advance.Gorilla tourist permits cost 500 US dollars. Trips start at 8.30 am, however there is a debriefing session at 8 am. Children below 15 years or anyone with flu or other transmittable disease are not allowed to trek gorillas. Warm clothing is required at night and early morning plus wet weather gear it pours a lot here.

Travel guide to Uganda safaris

HEALTH

Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended and an international traveler we recommend it to avoid unnecessary inconveniences, we also recommend anti-malaria inoculations, especially during the rainy season. Most prescription drugs can be bought affordably and with ease over the counter in Kampala. We advise clients to take their Personal insurance

It is advisable that visitors to Uganda take anti-malarial medication. The use of mosquito repellents and nets are recommended for use especially those taking out camping holidays.

High Factor sun screen & After-Sun

Insect repellent (evening - esp. on the coast)

Diocalm & rehydration sachets

Pain killers

Antiseptic, cotton wool, plasters

Eye-drops (safari lodge charged me over $10!) 

WEATHER

Uganda is sunny most of the year round with temperatures rising above 290C. The heavy rainy season is March –may, light rainy season November-December, though there will always be a few hours of sunshine. 

CURRENCY The national currency for Uganda is the Uganda shilling and it comes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 for coins and paper notes are available in denominations of 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000. There are no restrictions n the movement of currency into or out of Uganda for current transactions.

Clothing:

Some one coming to visit friends or relatives or vacation for cultural tours/city tours will need light but descent clothes and some long sleeves and sweater for some few cold evenings. The adventurous type that will want to visit the Ugandan jungles will need long sleeve shirts for evening Sweatshirt or fleece for evening’s upcountry. Women in rural towns may feel more comfortable wearing clothing that covers their knees and shoulders, but this is not mandatory. It’s usually hot by midday, but evenings are always pleasant. Gorilla tracking will require you to have long pants - Jeans and long sleeved shirts and blouses, rain gear- water proof jacket or rain coat that will protect your cameras from rain. Rain in Bwindi Forest daily is almost a must. The terrain is steep and sturdy shoes are recommended. 

LANGUAGE

The official language spoken in Uganda is English. Luganda and Swahili are also widely spoken.

TRANSPORT

It is possible to charter a light air craft to fly to airstrips around the country. There are quite a number domestic airfields upcountry some of which are in national parks like Kasese.

Road Transport is the most used in Uganda, using this means of transport will require you to go the Taxi Parks (New and Old Taxi parks) in Kampala or the Bus Park for public transport to almost all Destinations in the country. However, one can also use a private car hire or even self drive car hire. There are good roads on the main routes and travel is comfortable and swift. For quick town rounds, one can use a motor cycle locally called Boda Boda or even a bicycle but the bicycles are mostly found in the town outskirts. Car rentals in Uganda are usually between 70 - 100 USD per day for a simple sedan.

LAW AND RESPECT

You will have to abide by the rules and law governing the country, because Visitors are given no exception to violet laws and no country welcomes law breakers. Visitor are expected to respect the people and the leaders of the destination country, be aware of values and practices of the natives ad treat them the same way they would want to be treated.

You should ask you guide for the dos and don’ts of the country in order to stay on the right side of the law.

COMMUNICATION

Telephone services are widely spread allover the country. Some mobile phone companies operate rent- a-phone services for shot periods. Internet and email services can also be found in major towns. We have 5 mobile phone companies namely Uganda Telecom on 071, MTN on 077 and 078, Zain on 075, Warid on 070 and Orange on 079.

CULTURAL CUSTOM

It is not possible to list all the characteristics of a culture. However, visitors to Uganda are advised to seek information about some of the Ugandan cultural patterns that the visitors are most likely to encounter in regards to social greetings, eating, manner of dress and some non verbal cues. 

DRESS

Visitors should not walk in towns or public areas in their swimming wear or very short patra shorts as this is against the African culture and you will end up feeling out of place.

WHAT TO AVOID

A void asking for help from stranger because you will not know how a con artist is and how is not.

* The 'tourist look':

- If wearing shorts - avoid socks pulled-up to the knee

- Sun-hat/cap with platitudes ('I Love Uganda' etc)

- Overt bumbag/money bag (keep hidden underneath clothes)

- Walking with map in hand (use with discretion) !

* Expensive accessories:

- Keep jewellery/watch hidden (ideally leave at home)

- Camera - more tricky! - When not in use, keep out of sight

- Don't store 'your world' in ONE bag

- Always have some money/cards back in hotel

Do a Uganda / Rwanda tour by yourself ?

Doing a tour by yourself ?

Do it your self 

This is perceived by many to be an easy and cheap way to self organize a tour/safari.

Organizing a tour requires a lot of paper work which involves tailor making a safari, organizing transport to your destinations, selecting your suitable accommodations, looking for available accommodation and booking/paying for it, booking/paying for permits where applicable, locating your destinations if you have never been to these places.

However, to do this and not be cheated would require you to do serious research on which destinations to visit, when to visit them, which accommodation is available, which accommodation is affordable and which accommodation has what you want. Apart from that you will have to run around looking for transport, a map and gorilla permits if applicable, during this period you are bound to be conned in term of exchange rates or even hiked prices or fares.

Book your tour with the right tour operator and will have saved your self going through all that hassle and will only have to enjoy your dream Uganda safari without remorse. Such a Tour Operator will carry the burden of getting you Accommodation, Transporting to your Destination, designing your itinerary, providing you with an appropriate guide and make sure your tour is a total success.

African Safaris in Kenya

What to Expect on a Kenyan Safari

Interested in a good quality value for Money safari to Kenya ? it dose not have to be a in a dirsty ramshackle vehicle ! our modern day safari packages to Kenya are well modified to make sure it is utterly confortable for any tourist coming to the Magical Kenya. Kenya safari places makes sure that we give you the value for money you are paying for.

Going On A Safari – advice

Within this tourist destination are various Kenya national parks to find the African animals you’ve only seen in zoos or books. Nairobi National Park and Ol Donyo Subuk National Park can give you a glimpse of the colorful birds of the area or of the herds of zebras, hippopotamuses, lions, cheetahs, and more roaming animals. You might also want to go to the Giraffe Center or the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to see your favorite animals up close and personal. 14 Falls is a local waterfall, but if you want a wetter water experience, you can go white water rafting in the Tana River, or even a masai mara budget safari .

For the safest means of transport within the city of Nairobi you may use the Taxis , though they are not really that cheap to use . You may simply choose to walk to the place within the city as it is still safe to do so, and the navigation within the city is not really a problem.

As Spring Festival nears, Tourism market heats up

The Spring Festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. This is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in other parts of the world. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
However, the excitement of the traditional Spring Festival is coming and anticipation is building for the seven-day holiday as many in China begin to finalize their holiday plans. An online study shows that about 60 percent of netizens plan to spend the holiday traveling, according to Yangtze Evening News.

The Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Many customs accompany the Festival like cooking special dishes on particular days, decorating clean rooms, welcoming the new year to mention but a few. Some customs are still followed today, but others have faded out. Also the Chinese government stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year since all the 56 ethnic groups celebrate the festive days and the Minorities celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people, and they have different customs. 

The study was released by a famous domestic online travel agency through online questionnaires. From the effective updated questionnaires, 61 percent of Netizens said they planned to take travels during the Spring Festival. Among domestic cities, Sanya topped the list, followed by Lijiang, Xiamen and Harbin as netizens' top four favorite traveling destinations. In addition, cities such as Beijing, Guilin, Xi'an and Chengdu are also very popular.
Much like the hot domestic tourism market, outbound tourism is also promising this year. Nearly half of those netizens who have plans to travel want to go abroad for vacation. Of the cities outside of China's mainland, Hong Kong got the most votes, followed by Japan, Maldives, Thailand, Australia, Bali, Singapore and some European countries. In addition, the study showed that tourists' preferences now include more diverse locals, such as Egypt, Dubai, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania South Africa, Canada and many others. Have the same interest of travel as that of the Chinese during the Chinese traditional festival.