PRIME SAFARIS AND TOURS AFRICA

The lappet-faced vulture scientifically known as Torgos tracheliotos stands as an Old world vulture which belongs to Accipitriformes order that includes kites, eagles, hawks and buzzards most of which are explored on birding safaris in Uganda . This is known to be the lone member of the Torgos genus. This remarkable bird species is noted to be the Africa’s largest vulture dominating other Vultures while feeding and is at times strong enough to chase away the jackal from the kill. The broad-winged bird feature powerful and large beak with the capacity to tear off the hides, the tendons along with any coarse tissue of its scavenged prey something that can be very challenging for smaller scavengers as often viewed on Uganda safaris and tours . The lappet-faced vulture is easily identified by its prominent size, pink-skinned bare head along with skin folds noted as lappets on the neck sides that form the background for its naming. They thrive in two sub species with the Afr...

Akagera National Park is one of the popular Rwanda Safari destinations positioned to the north east of the country close to the Tanzanian border. Akagera combines with the Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park to make the long standing Rwanda wildlife safari circuit. With its diverse habitats, Akagera National Park is a home to a range of wild game, wetland species and highland dwelling fauna and flora. The popular wild game explored in Akagera National Park by the travelers on safaris and tours in Rwanda include; buffalo, elephant, zebra, topi, roan antelope, eland, waterbuck, oribi, duiker, bohor reedbuck, impala, and klipspringer. The primate species such as vervets, olive baboons, secretive blue monkey and bush babies also thrive in the park. Akagera National Park is truly on the journey to revival. This is evidenced by wholesome conservation efforts that are increasingly gaining ground not only in Rwanda but across the international spectrum. The lion...

Akagera National Park is one of the popular Rwanda Safari destinations positioned to the north east of the country close to the Tanzanian border. Akagera combines with the Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park to make the long standing Rwanda wildlife safari circuit. With its diverse habitats, Akagera National Park is a home to a range of wild game, wetland species and highland dwelling fauna and flora. The popular wild game explored in Akagera National Park by the travelers on safaris and tours in Rwanda include; buffalo, elephant, zebra, topi, roan antelope, eland, waterbuck, oribi, duiker, bohor reedbuck, impala, and klipspringer. The primate species such as vervets, olive baboons, secretive blue monkey and bush babies also thrive in the park. Akagera National Park is truly on the journey to revival. This is evidenced by wholesome conservation efforts that are increasingly gaining ground not only in Rwanda but across the international spectrum. The lion...

A range of 419 exhibitors have already expressed interest in participating in the forthcoming Rwanda International Trade Fair. Coming as the 19 th of its kind, this fair also referred to as Expo Rwanda is in high steam and a range of mentioned exhibitors from all over the world will safari to Rwanda to be part of it . According to Stephen Ruzibiza – the Chief Executive Officer of Private Sector Federation, the event comes with immerse opportunity to demonstrate the products especially the Rwanda Safari tour products which are available on the market. Besides the showcasing, the fair is also a perfect avenue for networking. The 19 th Edition of the Rwanda International Trade Fair will commence on July 27 th running through to August 10 th at the famous Gikondo expo grounds. This fortunately comes in at a time when the country is embarking on rigorous positioning of Meetings Incentives Conferences and Events (MICE) programme to the portfolio of Rwanda tour products ca...

The Umbrella that brings together all the operators that package the Uganda Safari and tour products to domestic and international consumption is in the fresh rhythm after securing the new leadership. The Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) features fully constituted board of eight (8) members that are elected in the every annual general meeting. The Board’s position of the Chairperson was maintained by Babra A. Vanhellepute having served in the same capacity for the past two (2) years. In her capacity as the new chairperson, she is aiming at strengthening the systems and structures established in her initial term office and lobbying for improved working environment of the tour operators to ensure that synergies are created to induce more travelers to take up safaris and tours in Uganda . The AUTO General meeting also saw a range of other posts filled accordingly with the competent people that were nominated and voted for by the members themselves including the D...

It was such a remarkable moment as the region of Tooro – one of the famous Uganda Safari tour hot spots takes on the challenge of selecting the Miss Tourism. In the lush environs of Mountains of the Moon Hotel, the night of Friday July 22 nd was a romantic and yet a tense one as the auditions for Miss Tourism went on. Positioned at a vantage point overlooking the Royal Karuzika palace, the Mountains of the Moon Hotel is one of the popular hotels used by travelers on safaris and tours in Uganda and thus had a credible ground to host a significant audition. The contest which had a count of five (5) people in competition saw Grace Nyakaana emerging as the winner by Midnight. Grace is noted to have become the third ambassador for tourism ever since the preliminary arrangements commenced at regional level three years past. From most of the revelers, it was clear that Grace had locked from the start. The confidence, poise, expert knowledge about the culture of Tooro and the...

Jinja is one of the popular Uganda safari tour destinations famous for a range of things but most of all being the Source of the Nile River. On Saturday July 23 rd , the roads were connecting to Jinja for the Twegaite Source of the Nile run which had the intention of directing the proceeds to the building of the Cancer ward at Jinja Hospital. The run was occurring for the second time following the Twegaite International Initiative a non profit Organization which originated in United States of America in the year 1998 with the intention of connecting friends and Children of Busoga in Uganda and Diaspora to facilitate the development of Busoga region including championing the causes that would increase Uganda tours in Busoga area. The start point for the Marathon was at Source of the Nile Gardens and the end point was at the Jinja Rugby grounds. The participation was priced at 15000/= and the registration was at Igar Cafe Jinja along with Laftaz in Kampala and Jinja. It w...

The Rwandan Government has been called upon by her own senators to work as fast as possible in ensuring that the Rwanda Safari sites including National Museums are focused on specific topics, documentation of local tourist sites’ history to the benefit of the visitors on safaris in Rwanda whereas the protected areas of Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park receive the buffer zones. These recommendations featured in the report made by the senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance regarding the implementation of government programmes in the tourism sector. The committee was chaired by Jacqueline Muhongayire. A range of other recommendations were submitted by these legislators to enhance the transformation of the tourism sector and increase the travelers taking up Rwanda Safaris and tours . Among these include devising tourism master plan for every district and incorporating the development of tourism in their performance contracts every...

  The destination Uganda on the morning of July 22 nd started to issue the Single entry Visa to the visitors including those on Safaris to Uganda at half the price of what it used to cost. The Uganda Visa had been hiked to the price of $100 from the $50 something that was heavily protested by a range of stakeholders especially the tour operators with the argument that the high fees were discouraging the Uganda Safari travel. The country has for the whole of the previous year been bewildered by setbacks in the number of travelers on safaris and tours in Uganda resulting into the low occupancy rates at the safari lodges as well. The high Visa fees added to the 18% VAT made the destination expensive resulting into reduced arrivals. Of course, this situation was worsened by the pre-election speculation where hyper reporting was all over media including International media something that made some of the potential travelers that had interest in taking up tours to Uganda...

The Catholic Church is credited for having made the most recent addition to the religious Uganda Safari tour product chain. The birth place of St. Kizito in the district of Luwero has been unveiled as a significant tourist site with the intention of promoting and preserving the Church history. The Waluleta shrines marked by an ancient Muvule tree are noted to be the playing grounds for St.Kizito – the youngest of all the Uganda Martyrs. This site which has started to attract religious travelers on safaris in Uganda is located in the village of Kigwe, Makulubita Sub county 7km to the West of the town of Wobulenzi. The popularity of this site has not started of recent but rather has been there with the Catholic pilgrims traveling there annually for the past 20 years according to the Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga the Archbishop of Kampala and the Kasana-Luweero Pioneer Bishop. He is noted to have tracked it and pronounced it a Pilgrimage site in 1995.  Upon realizing the ...

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of the closest Uganda Safari sites from Kampala or Entebbe offering a touch of wildlife, adventure, education and recreation. Known for its counts of Orphaned Chimpanzees, Ngamba Island is part of the Lake Victoria Koome Islands and is seated at 23km to the South East of Entebbe along the geographical coordinates 32.39’E and 0.06’S covering a geographical spread of 100 acres of which the 98 are under forest cover as always viewed by visitors on Uganda Safaris and tours . The altitude of Ngamba Island is a flat landscape rising gently towards the south with an estimated elevation of 3800 feet above Sea level.  Prior to the introduction of Chimpanzees, Ngamba Island had a resident fishing community who were evicted by the year 1997. Two (2) acres of forest cover had already been cleared among which the main Island camp site is currently stationed. The rest of the open land is utilized as a feeding ground for Chimpanzees and th...

In the world of birds,  birding in Rwanda are among the first of its kind in Africa. It is very amazing to hear that in this small and densely populated country there are over 1450 species of birds of which 27 are endemic to the Albertine rift valley. The notables to look out for on one’s birding safari tour in Rwanda include the Red faced barbet, Bannett’s Woodpecker, Shoebill Stork, Miombo Wren-Warbler and the Papyrus Gonolek. The three (3) main National Parks of Rwanda still stand as the main birding sites due to protection that is extended to the range of species that thrive there. Rwanda’s position in the Albertine rift presents a stunning ideal landscape for the birding specialists though the levels of birding appeals to even the beginners. Even those who come in for Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris find themselves in the birding mood as they encounter a range of species along their hiking trails in the gorilla highlands. The most significant of all the birding ...

The Arts play a significant function in traditions of the people of Rwanda and form the center of the most authentic products explored on safaris and tours in Rwanda . Their performances range from exhibitions of excellence and bravery to the artistry held in ancient agricultural roots. The Intore Dance Troupes perform the finest displays of the dynamic traditional styles of dance and music in the destination Rwanda . The Intore literally translated as The Chosen Ones feature a great heritage that dates back to a century past as they performed exclusively in the Royal courtyard. These people were taught the jumping techniques and military drills to perfect their dancing style – something that has lived to mesmerize even the contemporary Rwanda safari tour undertakers. The Intore wear grass wigs and hold clutching spears as they move to the beat of the drum making it a magical moment worth exploring. Apparently, these live Intore performances can be viewed at museums like N...

The name Bwindi derives from a local phrase “mubwindi bwa nyinamuraki”, which most originally referred to the mubwindi swamp in the south east of the park rather than the forest itself. The name goes back about a century ago when a family migrating from Kisoro area found them standing at the southern end of a seemingly impenetrable swamp.  The parents asked the swamp spirits for guidance and they were told if only they sacrificed their most beautiful daughter nyinamuraki the family would cross without any mishap. After two days of deliberation, the family decided that they could not turn back south and so they threw the girl into the water to drown and went on their way safely to the other side. When news of sacrifice spread, people began to avoid the swamp calling it mubwindi bwa nyinamuraki – dark place of nyinamuraki. The forest was proclaimed impenetrable forest reserve in 1932, and in 1991 it was gazetted as a national park and named Bwindi. Today, most people ...

In Uganda we have got quite variety of national parks and ideal resorts for tourists to name but a few of them, queen Elizabeth, Murchison falls national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park. These hold out opportunities to travelers for observation of wildlife in their own natural habitat. Visits to all these parks break routine and monotony of daily existence and once plunges our thoughts into mysteries of God’s creation. Travelers on a safari in Uganda face with wild animals whose behaviors are conspicuously revealed to the visitors offering a contrast to the orderliness of human behavior. Visitors then begin to ponder the different characteristics that are displayed by the different animals whilst safely seated in our safari vehicles. The enthralling spectacle experienced at these national parks fills the children and their families with delight and joy that surpasses even their own thrill. Frequent trips to all these places stimulate courage in the timid hea...

Uganda has got variety species of primates which include the mountain gorillas , chimpanzees, monkeys and all these have been divided into many sub-species. Uganda has got a number of unique species of monkeys which one should not miss on a safari in Uganda. Mangabey monkeys are on recent researches which are found within the untouched and undisturbed high forests of Uganda. Besides tracking the grey checked monkeys within Uganda, some other species of monkeys like the Ugandan monkey that is only limited to this magical country and not in any other country in Africa. This new product is one of the main decisions why the government of Uganda through the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities has decided to market it as one of the new tourism product on a safari in Uganda. The Uganda Mangabey or the “Lophocebus Ugandae” has already started attracting more wildlife enthusiasts to come for safaris in Uganda . The major organizations which are responsible for new monke...

From the moment you land at Entebbe international airport, with its breath taking strategic location on the forested shore of island strew in Lake Victoria, it is clear that Uganda is not an ordinary safari destination. Dominated by an expanded golf course leading down to the shores of the Lake Victoria and an old botanical garden with a chatter of acrobatic monkeys and colorful tropical bird species, Entebbe its self is least urban of all compared to the other sized Ugandan towns. At Just 40km distance, sprawled across seven hills lies the capital Kampala city with its bright modern feel of bustling and cosmopolitan city reflects the ongoing economic growth with political stability that has featured in the country. Ecologically, in Uganda is where the East African savannah plains meet the great West African jungle. Where else on this continent but its possible for one to observe lions prowling in the open savannah plains in the morning and on that day track chimpanze...

The Banda Inns positioned at Muyenga Tank Hill along Scops lane off Tank Hill Road following the Lubbobbo close stand as an ideal bed and breakfast accommodation for the low cost travelers on safaris in Uganda . The facility which is 10 – 15 minutes drive from Kampala depending on the traffic and 1 hour from the Uganda’s main gateway – Entebbe International Airport presents  a good base that can be used for overnight of visitors arriving for the Uganda tours or at the end of the their Africa vacation safari in Uganda . Muyenga Tank Hill is an upscale suburb thus free from city commotion and offering a panoramic vantage point of Kampala city. There is enough privacy and tranquil environment presented at an affordable cost that range between EUR30 to EUR 75 inclusive of breakfast wireless internet and laundry services. The accommodation is provided in single and double / twin rooms all of which are self contained / en suite thus selling comfort as well since one ca...

The Kori Bustard is one of the remarkable bird species that have for long drawn a range of international birders to travel to Africa including planning birding safaris to Uganda to explore these gigantic birds. Weighing up to 19kg in size, standing up to 120cm in height and stretching up to 150cm in length, the Kori Bustard is noted to be the heaviest flying bird featuring a long foot marked by three (3) fingers with grey plumage and long neck. The neck, throat and chin appear as creamy white intermingled with black bands. The bird’s under parts are buff colored featuring dark brown vermiculations. The tail feature white and grayish brown bands and these same features appear on the flight feathers while the shoulder features white and black pattern as always viewed on birding safaris and tours in Uganda . Regarding the diet, the Kori Bustard is an Omnivore feeding on both animals like snakes and lizards and the plant like berries. The chicks of the Kori bustard feed g...

The period running from June through to August is dry and most parts of the country receive less rain meaning that the main murram roads and even trails in the Uganda tour National Parks are easily passable. The stretches of the savannah are free from dense vegetation that tend to grow in the rainy season like tall grass and shrubs and this present extended open views of the landscape and the wild game that thrive in them mesmerizing the travelers on safari tour in Uganda visiting such areas. Being a sunny season, the demand for water among the wild game is high which induces them to graze not very far from the water points. The grazers keep within range while the predators are also not very far from their prey. This in turn makes the game viewing during the wildlife safaris in Uganda easier and much better. As for those on Uganda gorilla safaris , the dense jungle of the impenetrable Bwindi is somehow loose and the steep slopes are not all that slippery due to abse...

The gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda form the center of the myriad reasons why people visit the Pearl of Africa. The world travelers spend great deal of time planning their travel to fulfill their dream of spending a moment with their long lost cousins that thrive in the abundant forest cover of Africa. However, to some, the process has at times ended in disappointments other than the great excitement that they held at first. And this has partly been brought by not understanding the Uganda Wildlife Authority policy on gorilla permits. The travelers intending to take up gorilla safaris in Uganda ought to understand the following. The Uganda gorilla permit booking for all the two destinations; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which feature a minimum of 400 mountain gorillas with twelve (12) habituated groups thus capable of supplying 96 gorilla permits and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda’s section of Virunga massif where the remaining 480 mountain g...

Today visitors come on a safari holiday in Rwanda to see the famous mountain gorillas though occasionally add up a uganda safari and stay for 4-6 days and then go back home which is shame because there plenty to see on a safari to Rwanda. With 4 national parks, a thriving Kigali capital city, spectacular highland scenery and diverse wildlife, Rwanda safaris have plenty to occupy on a longer holiday safari and certainly deserves more exploration. The republic of Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in African continent and is one of the friendliest, safest countries on the African continent though most people conjure up images of the genocide of 1994 where over a million people died. The genocide saga is part of its history and today 22 years Rwanda has evolved into a united, optimistic and proud country that warmly welcomes all visitors and provides a truly memorable safaris and inspiring holidays. Where to go on a Rwanda holiday! Volcanoes National Park ...

The Uganda Wildlife Authority earlier disclosed the intention to operate transport and Uganda tour packages to National Parks but this has not been welcomed by some stakeholders especially the private Uganda Safari operators. The range of operators holding the negative disposition over the move note that this semi-autonomous government agency has stepped beyond its limit like never before. According to Andrew Seguya, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, the initiative intends boost the domestic Uganda Safaris and tours by focusing on the native Ugandans along with East African community citizens with keen interest to corporate companies, friends and families with a dream of visiting the Uganda National Parks. The body intends to secure ten (10) game drive vehicles along with three (3) double decker boats. The boats will be positioned in the Uganda safari holiday destinations of Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo...

ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFES are  one of the most iconic species encountered on Uganda safaris and tours . This is the tallest mammal in the whole world as they are both wonderful and weird with its long neck and legs long eye lashes, striking coat patterns and an amazing calm demeanor. However as we pride in having these beautiful creatures, we also need to reflect on the fact that the gentle giants are on verge of disappearing in Africa and taking up a safari to Uganda is a lifetime chance to learn more about these species! Giraffe comes from a scientific name giraffa Camelopardalis which is a Latin name. It was derived from an English word which was used to refer to giraffes as camelopard that is a camel and leopard which the giraffe resembles. One of the unknown facts on these fascinating animals is that there are 9 species of giraffes in Africa and these inhabit different countries on this continent. However genetic evidence shows that some may not be different f...

  The mature bull elephant was on June 20 th found dead in the Uganda Safari tour destination of Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Elephants are noted to be members of Big five species thriving in the savannah and forested landscapes of Africa including Uganda presenting an exciting natural beauty crowned by its gigantic body size and precious ivory tusks and indeed its among the prime attractions that continue to pull a range of world travellers to take up safaris and tours to Uganda According to Jossy Muhangi the Public Relations Manager of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the elephant was aged 35 years and its Carcass was identified lying close to a ground transformer with the cables connected to the adjacent electric pole. The elephant had smashed the wire mesh fence enclosing the transformer as it attempted to make its way through the enclosure. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park rangers who were on Patrol identified the carcass after which the Umeme – the po...

Positioned on the hill of Kikaya after branching off from Gayaza road, the Baha’i temple summit is the first of its stature in Africa and one of the iconic religio u s sites worth exploration on cultural safaris and tours in Uganda . This temple boasts of its spacious serene environment that includes a perfume of purity with a sense of peace on experiences while in this place. The Bahai temple is a center of many amazing encounters with its rich history that goes way back in 1957 when it was setup and opened in 1961 officially. This amazing structure has stood quite a ray of time with less innovations and routine cleaning making it a historical Uganda tour attraction. The architectural design of this temple blends with the landscape. Just 2km off Gayaza road, it is on this spot that you get a clear 360 view of the Ntinda suburbs, distant Naguru hills with its attractive height as well as the Muyenga tank hills in the Far East. Besides its beauty, the mother temple is ...

Bamboo is a notable food plant for a range of wildlife thriving in Volcanoes National Park including Mountain gorillas often encountered on gorilla safaris in Rwanda .  Therefore it is such a significant endeavour to monitor the growth of Bamboo every year to ascertain its impact on wildlife and predetermine its distribution. The Dian Fossey Fund International has been undertaking intensive studies from the past on a range of a hundred (100) plots in the dwelling range of Mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys – two popular Rwanda Safari primates in Volcanoes National Park to compare and quantify the production rate and re-generation of the bamboo shoots every season. It can be noted that the zone of Bamboo is positioned on the lower layers of the park close to the park borders and the community agricultural plots. And it being a darling diet for the Mountain gorillas, the season of the bamboo shoots attracts them to this area and at times they range beyond the park...

Positioned to the South West of Uganda, Rubanda is one of the newly created districts which commenced operations on 1 st July 2016. The district shares boundaries with the districts of Kanungu, Kisoro and Kabale. In fact Rubanda was a county under Kabale district but with the government initiative of bringing services close to people, the county turned into a district. Rubanda feature Bakiga majorly as its inhabitants but with a population of the Batwa not forgetting Bafumbira and the Banyarwanda who emanate from the neighboring areas presenting a culturally diverse environment that is worth exploration by travelers on Safaris and tours in Uganda . Sitting at the heart of the famous Switzerland of Africa – the Kigezi Highlands, Rubanda’s beauty is a wonder that have straddled from the ancient to the contemporary times mesmerizing the Uganda safari tour undertakers. The top-pointed hills intercepted by V-shaped Valleys present a magnificent panoramic and scenic beauty wh...