Mount Karisimbi Hike

This dormant volcanic mountain is located in Rwanda in the famous mountain gorilla national park- volcanoes national park along the Rwanda border with Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s the highest in Rwanda, in the Virunga volcanoes and the sixth highest on the African continent at 4,507 meters above sea level. Mount Karisimbi is located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley with snow at its peak- locally known as ‘amasimbi’ by the Rwandese. The mountain is bordered by mount Nyiragongo in the west, mount Mikeno in the north and mount Bisoke in the east.

The mountain has various vegetation types at different zones starting with the dense equatorial rain forests at its foot hills afro-montane and bamboo vegetation and lastly the snow capped peak. The equatorial rainforests are homes to one of the world’s most endangered species the mountain gorilla that can only be found in only three countries in the world but best viewed in Rwanda in the rainforests along the gentle slopes of mount Karisimbi. All tourists going for the mount Karisimbi hike have very many chances of viewing the mountain gorillas plus other major attractions like primates especially chimpanzees and monkeys, different bird and butterfly species.

Hiking mount Karisimbi is not that simple! It requires some fitness and energy but its hike can be very rewarding with unforgettable tourist experiences. The hiking can be done in 2 days with roughly 6 hours of ascending the first day and 6 hours of descending the second day.

On the day of hiking, tourists are expected to be at the Kinigi headquarters for briefing and then take a 16 kilometers ride from the head quarters to the trail head where the road ends at a car park for tourist going for the hike in about 30 minutes. Porters can be got at this point and if a tourist has some luggage and cant carry it on his own; he can hire one at around $20 per day.

The Hiking Process

The adventurous climb starts at the mountain foot hills around 2,600 meters above sea level very early in the morning. The Dian Fossey research center and grave yard is at around 2,067 meters above sea level and any tourist interested can visit the place at an extra cost. Hiking goes on through the various vegetation layers to the camping site and resting place at about 3,700 meters above sea level. Here hikers have an overnight, relax and prepare for the completion of the volcanic hike the next day. While at this camp, one can clearly view mount Bisoke which is at the same attitude plus the spectacular evergreen rain forests down hill.

The next morning, you will be expected to wake up early enough for break fast and then continue to finish the hike. As you go higher, the temperature becomes a little colder with very steep slopes and reduction in visibility. After a few more hours of the hike, you will reach the Karisimbi summit which is very cold because of the snow and the cold breezes from the forests on the mountain slopes.After reaching the final destination-the summit, you will then embark on your descending journey which also takes about 6 hours including resting at the camp which is at 3,700 meters above sea level until you reach again to the car parking area on the foot hills if the mountain.

All those interested in hiking mount Karisimbi are advised to wear enough warmth clothes especially in the higher altitudes to avoid getting sick. Heavy jackets, sweaters, hats plus many other head wearing gears, hand gloves and water proof pants and coats are highly recommended; this is mainly because the mountain has equatorial rain forests with high evaporation rates and therefore high chances of rainfall even in the dry season. While uphill, one is supposed to strictly follow the guides’ instructions and is not supposed to make a lot of noise or leave his fellow hiking group members because it might be insecure.

Hiking mount Karisimbi can be best done during the dry season with minimal and limited chances of rain fall that can increase the hiking duration. Good hiking shoes and a walking stick are very good option to enable easy movement through the muddy slopes especially after it has rained.

For better safety while on the hike, tourists are expected to make earlier preparations and get all the necessary gears they will need on the hike especially clothes and sleeping bags. Those with health complications can first seek for medical personnel’s opinion of their quest; after being approved,they can then proceed for the hike.

Would you like to climb Mount Karisimbi? Hiking permits are available at $175 including guiding services and the hike takes two days. You can also take this hike after your gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park. According to the park management, the hike must be booked atleast two weeks before the date you intend to take the hike.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking – A Charming Ape Encounter

It’s really very difficult to find a word that describes mountain gorilla tracking, looking into the eyes of these giant apes in a very close distance of about 7-10 meters in their natural habitat is a moment in life very difficult to forget. Not like other gorillas species that can be found in zoos, mountain gorillas are only found in their natural environment in the wild and they are regarded endangered species only found in the forests of an extinct volcanic region along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo.

There are only 880 remaining mountain gorillas in the world, and Rwanda is regarded as the leading destination for gorilla safaris in the world and it shares almost half of these giants over 380 live in the volcanoes national park. It’s possible to book a one day gorilla safari to Rwanda, you go and track gorillas and then come back to Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city, since reaching the park is just about 2-3 hours’ drive, however if you sleep in Kigali you are supposed to wake up very first and drive to the park headquarters before 8.00am to get a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with these giants from the park wardens/ranger guides. Rwanda has over 12habituatedgorilla families (habituated means they are used to short visits by humans) 10 gorilla families are ready for tracking and the two are used for research purpose and in each group only eight members are allowed to track which means that 80 people track mountain gorillas every day. You are required to put on tracking gears like the rain jacket, sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots,

Garden gloves for protection against the stinging nettle, bottled water and sometimes packed lunch since tracking is unpredictable it can go from a half to full day in the jungle while searching for our relatives,so a reasonable degree of fitness is called for.

Mountain gorilla facts

Mountain gorillas are regarded as the second close relative of man after the chimps which shares almost 97% of human DNA make up and it’s considered the largest member of the great ape family. An adult male silverback, which age from 12 and above can weigh up to 470 pounds and reach six feet in height.

They live in family groupings which range from 6-35 members and the group consists of a dominant male called a silverback because of the grey hair which grow around its back, it leads the group and it’s the one responsible for any activity in the group including where to sleep the following night, direct the group where to feed from, defends the group against any attack together with other group members and even if meaning losing life a silverback can do in order to defend the group. Other members in a family include few subordinate males and multiple females and kids. They majorly feed on leaves, plants, and fruits aunts and rarely drink water since most of the food they consume contains too much water.

There major threats are human who practice deforestation to generate farmland leaving them homeless and also the act of poaching for trade meat and medicine. Also other wild animals like leopard also attack and kill them, and also snares set for other animals kill gorillas. Eco-tourism, however, has become an important source of revenue for the local people and a vital conservation tool, and not only to the locals but the government too has generated a lot of revenue as over 80% of travelers to Rwanda enjoy this activity, however much a gorillas permit cost usd750 still it attracts more people to go for it. Many travelers in the world can’t wait to go for this magical experience, many have left their homes and offices to come to this small but gifted African country to spend at least one or two days in the wild while watching these rare species in their natural habitat, indeed Rwanda is a must-visit country. Come we take you to wild and enjoy this magical experience with these endangered and attractive to watch species.

Top 10 Things to do in Cape Town

If you are visiting Cape Town and wonder what activities you want to do, or only have so many days to spend in this beautiful city, look no further as these are the Top 10 things to do in Cape Town!

This list contains the funkiest, hippest and coolest activities you can do in Cape Town. Find out the best things to do for real travelers, including opinions and tips.

Top 10 activities for Cape Town:

• Climb Table Mountain
• Take Robben Island Tour
• Go hit the beaches in Cape Town
• Shop at the V/A Waterfront
• Have lunch at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
• Watch the shark feeding at the Two Oceans Aquarium
• Eat out in Cape Town at one of the excellent restaurants
• Party and enjoy Cape Town’s nightlife
• Visit the District Six Museum
• Drive to the Cape of Good Hope

Direct Flights from Cape Town to Mozambique Now Possible

Take a flight from Cape Town to Mozambique and you can watch the sun go down over the Atlantic Ocean, whilst sipping a cocktail at a Camps Bay bar and then watch it come up over the Indian Ocean, whilst eating freshly caught prawns in Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique.

This is now all possible as I have just been informed that SA Express now flies direct from Cape Town to Mozambique. Return flights, including all taxes, are going for as little as ZAR 2,842 pp. Flights to Mozambique go on Mondays and Fridays.

All in all it sounds like a great deal to me, maybe I should drop my boyfriend a hint about being whisked away for an exotic long weekend?

Crossing borders in Africa, SA Green Book is for Go!

Crossing borders in Africa as a South African traveler is easier in Africa. The South African passport may not be the golden key that magically opens the doors to countries worldwide, but it definitely is your easy ticket to much of Africa.

As many South Africans may well have experienced, travel as a South African national can be a bureaucratic process involving much paperwork and many different sometimes expensive visas. This is not the case for travel on the African continent, where South Africans are largely free to roam without visa hassles.

According to travel experts at Overlanding Africa and Rainbow Nation citizens of South Africa are exempt from visa requirements for:

Buying & Fueling a Car on a Self Drive Uganda

In most certain times when you search the internet for self drive car rentals in Uganda, you will absolutely get a huge number of results about car rental agencies, forums and blogs to mention but a few. You probably go ahead and visit each and every result, the car rental agency, browse through the whole site and actually get what you need. Its very un common for some if not all that mention about the fuel for the cars they rent out.

Usually when you go ahead and ask for a quote of car rental in Uganda, you will probably get the quote for the car hire on daily basis and maybe driver guide quote but you would never get a mention about gas refill information. Usually the agencies leave that for you to decide. However this is a very important aspect in regards car rental in Uganda.

The process of gas refuel in Uganda is almost completely different from America or the UK or middle east. Just like most many fuel stations outside Uganda may be using cards or got billed at the end of the month, its completely different here in Uganda. You short of gas, you drive to the gas station, with a pump attendant there, you will order for the amount of fuel you want in terms of shillings and you will get exactly what you ordered.

However the biggest mistake many tourists on a self drive in Uganda make is forget to keep a look at the pump metre as it counts. They also forget that Uganda is a developing country which of course anyone is trying to earn a living even when it means cheating especially when its a foreigner. These pump attendants earn little monies and are paid at the end of the month which isn’t even enough, so if they get an opportunity to make an extra shilling, they will definitely do.

Very much recommendable that whenever you stop at a gas station, don’t ‘bossy’ around and stay sitted in the drivers seat, get out and get closer to the pump or lower the behind mirror and observe the meter starts counting from zero or the pump was reset otherwise you will fall a victim of cheat.

There are probably thousands of gas stations in Kampala, for each and every corner of the town you will probably get a fuel station which calls for a reasonable price per litre in around Kampala. Usually recommended if you plan a self drive car hire in Uganda, get the first full tank in Kampala, and if you are taking a vehicle with a reserve tank, make use of the reserve tank as this will help you upcountry and you will be in for a big save on gas with your car hire in Uganda.

The price of fuel in Uganda varies from town to town, from one gas station to the other. Here you have to take a closer look so to get a good price by comparing. Expect between $1 and $2 per litre. Its more expensive upcountry than in towns close to Kampala. A small rav4 recommendable for self drive will take you between 650-700kms depending on the nature of driving and the terrain. Maintain an average acceleration to save enough gas with this SUV full time 4W car.

When you are upcountry, try as much as possible to always keep the gas to full tank and not refuel when you have a little distance to finalize your trip. Make sure you do right calculations about the distance remaining and the fuel needed.

There are also very many brands of gas stations in Uganda owned privately by individuals with different gas prices. There is no government intervention in the gas prices in Uganda.

The most recommended gas stations are the French owned Total and the shell gas stations. These gas stations and a few others have good quality gas for your self drive car hire in Uganda. Other gas stations are good as well but others are not that will give you bad fuel and could damage the car engine.

And should you be on a self drive safari in Uganda, make sure you service the car at the recommended gas stations by your car rental agency in Uganda.

Read much about how to save on gas so you can have an incredible self drive safari in Uganda.

Enjoy a Family Safari on Self Drive in Uganda

Going to a vacation in a place you’ve never been before and engage in very many interesting things before is a moment in life very difficult to forget. With interesting national parks like Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, many tourists today take family safaris in Uganda. Did you know that you can take a self drive safari in Uganda and discover amazing sites with your family? Going to a vacation with your family is also good however it’s better to do it with a family car which is safe and comfortable.

There are several car rental agencies in Uganda that offer comfortable cars which can accommodate you with all your family members. Most of the cars are 4×4 wheel drive (a reuiremement for upcountry roads) and a family car takes up to a maximum of 6 passengers. You can choose from both manual and automatic cars with air conditioner. A family sized supper custom is suitable for both towns running and for afar distanced places. Other family cars include safari land cruiser 4×4 minivans uniquely designed with a pop up roof and classic safari cars come with rooftop mounted tents that you can use for camping. This car can accommodate to up to 8 people and it has enough space for cargo hence making it suitable for family trips.

Choosing a best car can be a truly complicated affair, so if you’re trying to decide which family car you should rent check on our family car review for the best choice for an incredible family vacation and memories that you and your children will treasure forever. When you chose to enjoy with all your family members you don’t want to waste a minute on unforeseen transport delays, weather condition or any other potential bumps in the road, we offer the best cars which will never leave you regretting.

Sites to Explore

When on a Uganda safari with your family, you will enjoy a number of things within Kampala Uganda’s capital and its largest city, you can decide to do Kampala city tour with your children, you can visit traditional sites like the Kasubi tombs where 4 kings of Buganda where buried, visit the Namugongo shrine where the martyrs where buried for failing to renounce their religion, if not that you can decide to go to the beach along Entebbe with your children and enjoy Uganda’s freshest lakes, or you can go to Jinja to visit the source of Nile the longest river in Africa. Not only that but also you can take your family to Uganda’s national parks like Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth N.P, Kibale and Murchison National Parks among other to enjoy various parks activities like game watching, boat cruise, bird watching among other interesting activities.

Book with us a family rental car, it will give you the flexibility to come and go as you pleased. Drive at your own pace taking breaks wherever you want! A self drive in Uganda will give you the most unforgettable time and moments with your loved ones.

Wonderful Wildlife in Rwanda

Rwanda is a small landlocked country and Mountains run down its western side of the large Lake Kivu sitting along the western border. The country is blessed with lakes, waterfalls and ancient forests which boost 200 species of trees, 300 species of orchids, many not documented. However, when it comes to wildlife, Rwanda has variety including the famous mountain Gorillas, chimpanzee, and rare golden monkeys. Animal magic is the best way to sum up the land of thousand views wildlife. The volcano hills, flora and fauna, montane forest of Nyungwe and volcanoes, Akagera National park are present day Rwanda’s wildlife territory which are highlights to several tours to Africa. Thousands come to Africa particularly to Rwanda after browsing all Africa tour destinations and find Rwanda second to none. Are you looking at visiting Rwanda soon? Check out the countries best wildlife spots and make it appoint to at least visit one.

The Volcanoes National park

Africa’s famous park protects steep slopes of Rwanda section of the Virunga Mountain arrange of six extinct and three active volcanoes which straddle the boarder of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes green part offers a beautiful calm forest coloured with massive stands of bamboo and Alpine moorlands dominated by lobelia and Sececio plants similar to those found in Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The park has has at least something for everyone taking a safari in Rwanda including the 50kim forest walking trails, tours to the twin lakes and Caves, Golden monkey trek, bird watching tours, Gorilla tracking adventure, fascinating section of mountain climbs like Karisimbi & Karisoke, culture tours among others.

Among the 880 remaining mountain gorillas in the world over 480 are protected here with only 80 tourists are allowed in their park domain per day many of which book their Gorilla tracking permit in advance. The Park also hosts the world famous Annual Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony the Kwita Izina which attracts many all over the world hence making it the most wildlife haven in Rwanda.

The Oldest Forest in Africa

The largest montane forest in Africa Nyungwe is a home to 13 primate species and the only place to track chimpanzees in Rwanda. Visitors to the forest enjoy extra ordinary birding experience, panoramic view point on the canopy, forest walks without missing out the forest hogs, otters, duikers, civets, and elephants though. It’s a right place to explore the natural beauty of Rwanda’s forests. If time permits you can also combine your visit with gorilla tracking which makes your experience more thrilling and exceptional. The most common tours done are the three days chimpanzee tracking tour with an optional forest walk and the five day Gorillas and chimpanzee trek tour Rwanda.

Lovely Lake Kivu

Lake kivu is a Rwanda extension holiday option of several tourists covering a total surface area of some 2730 km² and stands at a height of 1463 m above sea level. The tropical gardens, beach sandy and an open plan of the Serena hotel makes it indeed a lovely place for beach, honey moon and weekend gateways. Besides the ringed hills, hot springs and the sandy beaches offer excellent lakeside resorts, water sports and Island tours to guests who visit the place. Sun bathing, swimming, walking, fishing, rural village tours, boat ride are other leisure activities which can keep you busy through your stay. With Lake Kivu accommodation you can chose to sleep with in or in the nearby town of Kibuye and changugu.However, other Rwanda wildlife casts include a wide range of antelopes, Zebras,Buffalloes,Giraffes, Hipos,Lions,Leopards,spotted hynas, golden cats and giant forest hogs mosty spoted in Akagera National park. Having traveled extensively in Africa I learnt that Rwanda prides it selves in having the best wildlife and this is a guarantee to you.

Best 3 Cheapest Safaris in East Africa

Africa the most attractive world tourist hub offers endless tour options to its visitors year round starting with the stocked landscape, the Nile, The tallest mountain Kilimanjaro, Savannah plains, Sahara desert, the Medina & medieval cities, Mountain Gorillas,Wildebeest,Wildlife the stunning cities of cape town & Dubai ,sandy beaches, Egypt pyramids etc. Due to various attractions, African tour operators join different tourist attractions for incredible magical experience as a way of fulfilling their client’s interest.

Sometimes this is designed depending on the traveler’s desires and interest. The tour packages only differ in accommodation and duration for example the one day tour excursion can’t cost same like the 3 days wildlife tour. Even the   Budget safari holiday never cost same like that of luxury holiday though the experience is the same since you visit the same places and catch up with same attractions.

All safari tour holidays in Africa are good but most travellers prefer the cheapest tour options for reasons of saving and not drying their pockets for just a mere vacation. In expensive ventures like Gorilla tracking in both Uganda and Rwanda, Many travellers book tours with friends or join Group tours organized by tour agents on particular days and months in order to cut costs though others do it privately in a budget way.

However, several safari tours can be done in Africa on a tight budget including Large game viewing, primate tours, sightseeing, white water rafting, historical tours, cultural tours, Gorilla tracking, out climbing/hiking tours, Birding tours, fishing tours unlike others. Bellow are Cheap Africa safari options which one can arrange as long as you around Uganda, Rwanda,Kenya and Tanzania. Most of them start and end in the countries Capital cities that’s Dar-es slam & Arusha for Tanzania, Kampala, Jinja & Entebbe for Uganda, Kigali for Rwanda and Nairobi for Kenya.

Three day Budget Gorilla tracking safari in Uganda

A gorilla safari in Uganda is more cheap compared to that of Rwanda in terms of Gorilla permits being $600 & $750 for Rwanda though you need full three days which isn’t the case in Rwanda. While in Kigali you can do a o1-2 days gorilla tracking safari in volcanoes national park and a suitable option for visitors with limited time though other visitors take on a three days gorilla tracking safari in Rwanda which enable them to trek the Golden monkeys, visit the Dian Fossey tomb & research centre and also do some hikes of Bisoke and Karisimbi.

Apart from time duration in Uganda, you can also get affordable Gorilla permits during the months of April, May and November. Budget accommodation options are many around Bwindi Impenetrable park for all budgets like Buhoma rest camp, Bwindi view bandas, wagtail eco lodge, Gift of nature, Nshongi gorilla resort etc.If you travelling on a tight budget why not go in for the trek during the discounted permit month time of the year and fulfill your Gorilla tracking dream by spending a full 1hr of photography watching the gorillas and their young ones in their natural environment. Cheap Gorilla tours cost from $700 during April, May and November, including transport by road from Kampala, two nights’ accommodation on full board basis at your lodge/campsite, a day of gorilla tracking and gorilla permit. The Gorilla tracking experience is the same either in Rwanda or Uganda but you can do both trek for more lifetime memories.

The Wildlife budget safari in Masai Mara Kenya

Enjoy great wildlife in Masai Mara best known as the African wildlife homeland in East Africa and a must visit for many visitors to Africa. Also best tour destination for animal lovers. Many visit the park year round but those on budget wildlife safari are always many compared to the other since luxury camps around the park are somehow expensive.Diffrent Kenya tour operators organize affordable tours to the park and very easy to join even at last minute. Get a chance to observe wildlife including lions, elephants, cheetah, wildebeest, antelope and many other species during the great migration which is on every year from July and October .Other months of the year are also fine though the wildlife won’t be concentrated like that of the wildebeest. Spare some dollars and also visit Lake Nakuru a lovely park famous for pink birds “the Famingos” & wildlife. A budget tour to Masai Mara can cost $300-$500 depending on the number of people in the group and accommodation. The price includes all game drives, two nights’ accommodation, and park entrance, pick up and drop from your hotel of residence in Nairobi, and an English speaking driver guide .But it’s more fun if you take on the Balloon safari ride in the morning and make your wildlife viewing more exceptional.

A short 3-4 day Camping Game viewing safari to Serengeti &the Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania

The land of Endless plains offers the most unforgettable wildlife viewing experience in the world as thousands of animals flock the plains and savannah woodlands starting from may every year though the concentration can either be in south, north or east of the plains as time goes by since animals move to a direction with fertile land. A visit to Serengeti or Ngorongoro will expose you to the big five and awesome camping safaris which are the order of the day though there some lodges built around the plains. The tour cost include multiple game drives, accommodation , transfers to and from Arusha, camping gears, park entrance, the driver guide etc.

There other Budget African safari tours which you can take on which include, Wildlife safari to Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth, lake Mburo National park, a trip to Sippi falls, white water rafting and bungee jumping tour in Jinja, Beach holidays to islands of Ssese , Zanzibar , Mombasa & Lake Kivu,chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest and Nyungwe national park, Birding safaris to Uganda wetlands , lake Victoria showers and parks, wildlife safari to Amboseli a park of elephants and Kilimanjaro view etc.Contact a local tour agent for best deals and arrangement and they will take care of everything as you explore Africa safari attractions at first hand.

Go Fishing along Lake Victoria in Uganda

Uganda boasts of the 2^nd largest fresh water lake in Africa – Lake Victoria. This lake offers great opportunities to both locals and tourists who want to go fishing. The lake is a great place to unwind or rewind and its islands are among the most beautiful tropical inland beaches in Africa. Looking for a relaxing holiday on the lake shores. The lake Victoria shores are very good and sky blue beaches will rejuvenate your brain from the usual tussle and hustles.

How to Get There

would you like to go fishing? Whether you take a fully inclusive guided safari or take an independent self drive in Uganda, you will have the best of your time in Uganda. There are many local tour operators who offer a guided fishing safari in Uganda as well as local car rental agencies who will reserve a good and reliable car for you.

On the day of this trip, you will wake up very early in the morning and have a cup of tea. Then at exactly 7:00 am, you will start your ignition and drive for about 40km from the Kmapala city Centre to Entebbe on Lugard Avenue just outside Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. You will park your vehicle here and walk just a stone’s throw to the pier from where you will take a boat to this lake.

These boats are equipped with an overhead sun canopy, rain suits (there can be a certain amount of spray when the lake is rough), mobile phone, life jackets, basic first aid box and fire extinguisher on board for your safety. Some even have a cooler box on board for cold drink storage.

For fishing, there are two sessions- one that is conducted in the morning which commences at 9:00 Am and goes on up to 11 Am and another one that runs from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.However,you can opt for a full day fishing trip which is approximately 8 hours on the water and a half day around 4 hours. Fishing is done around local islands about a 45 minute boat trip from Entebbe.

The areas fished will depend upon the weather and how the fish are biting. At certain times of the year the lake can be very rough with large swells and so then you utilize the sheltered bays for fishing.

You will carry your picnic lunch and a cool box of beers, mineral water and sodas as well as tea and coffee. You will leave this lake very late in the evening and drive back to your hotel of residence in either Kampala or Entebbe and this will mark the end of your one day self-drive fishing vacation to L.Victoria.