KAZINGA CHANNEL IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK Kazinga Channel boat cruise provides a rare opportunity to spot all wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP. It is a wide long natural channel of about 32 km. It… KAZINGA CHANNEL BOAT CRUISE
Wildlife safari expeditions in East Africa are a whole combination of exploration and fun! Safaris in East Africa take travellers through the most stunning landforms one could set their eyes on in a lifetime.
From the dry savanna plains of the Tanzanian Serengeti to the highlands of Kilimanjaro, the captivating sceneries of Masai Mara to the astonishing mountains of Kenya, the remote journeys of Kidepo to the magnificent land of tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and the breathtaking natural wildlife habitats in Rwanda, East Africa is indeed a wonderful safari destination to explore.
East Africa is comprised of a variety of national parks, game reserves and other conservation areas that are home to various wildlife creatures that guests can set their eyes on especially oribis, giraffes, elands, common warthogs, zebras, Springboks, meerkats, aardvark, lions, leopards, jackals, servals, hippos, chimpanzees and gorillas the key spot of the Africa gorilla safaris.
Every country has a variety of national parks and the most astonishing fact is that all countries allow the guests to have the opportunity to observe the big 5 animals. The big five aside, other small sightings make the wildlife safaris in East Africa worthwhile especially having the opportunity to view the African wild dogs, caracals, common genets, spotted hyenas and cheetahs.
Being endowed with countless attractive species of flora and fauna, East Africa has undertaken the use of that opportunity to allow travellers to have the best activities to do while in the natural areas. These activities encompass;
These are exciting exploration activities conducted in the natural areas of East Africa to enable travellers to have a glance at the undomesticated animals. Game drives allow visitors an extraordinary game-viewing experience in the most beautiful parts of the East African region. The game drives are usually conducted in 4×4 vehicles which allow the guests to reach all corners of the National Park and therefore have more sightings of the animals.
The game drives are conducted during the day and night. The night game drives are normally done to target the sightings of the carnivores especially the lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs for an opportunity to watch them make kills. Such moments make the safari more satisfying! They are done under the guidance of an experienced tourist guide who provides information about the animals encountered. However, visitors who wish to go solo are also not barred from their will to explore alone.
Boat cruises are yet another enormous way travelers can get to enjoy wildlife safaris in East Africa. The boat cruises are launched on magnificent water bodies especially lakes, rivers and their tributaries. They allow visitors to explore more of the national park’s endowments as they reach deep ends of the shores where vehicles cannot reach.
Boat cruises are conducted on water bodies such as River Nile, Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo and Kazinga Channel in Uganda, lake Nakuru, Manyara and Mara Rivers in Kenya, lake Ihema in Rwanda, Lake Tanganyika and along the coastal beaches. All these are a great add up for the Africa gorilla safaris.
Guided walking safaris are a great way to immerse oneself in the hidden gems of nature in East Africa. Guests have the opportunity to discover the culture and learn about the history of African societies with the help of a guide. The adventure guide ensures that the guests are equipped with information about all attractions that are seen. It is yet another opportunity to learn interesting facts about the communities in East Africa and hear a bunch of captivating stories about their way of life.
The guided walking safaris take visitors through the breathtaking natural areas especially the thick rainforests, savannah grasslands and other lush vegetation which help the visitors to appreciate nature. Indeed, it’s a reconnection between oneself and nature. The feeling of listening to the natural sounds of wind in the forests, dry savanna plains and sounds of animals is worthwhile.
Hot air ballooning is yet another incredible wildlife experience to look out for when in the captivating East African lands. The exciting activity comes in handy with the experience of floating peacefully in the sky, surrounded by the breathtaking views of savannah grasslands and animals therein. Guests have the opportunity to see the world from a whole new perspective.
The bird-watching adventure is such a delightful tourist activity in East Africa. Bird-watching wildlife safaris are more like a treasure hunt in the natural areas. Visitors have the grand opportunity to observe and appreciate the beauty of countless bird species, especially the great lakes region endemics encompassing shoebills, secretary birds, scavengers, vultures, hammerkops, African fish eagles, great blue turacos, green turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black be- eaters, cinnamons, egrets, yellow-billed ox-peckers and African jacanas. The bird-watching safaris are peaceful and give such a rewarding experience and yes the Africa gorilla safaris on top!
The great wildebeest migration is recognised as the most enjoyed, thrilling and breathtaking wildlife event in the whole world. This lifetime activity involves the migrating of animals in a large population following the rain patterns, searching for enough food and drinking water. This interesting wild event only happens in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.
About 2 million herds of zebras, impalas, wildebeests, Thompson gazelles and grants migrate in a clockwise direction from the southern part of Tanzania in Serengeti National Park to the northern part of Kenya in Masai Mara National Park before returning once again in Serengeti national park.
Right away after the calving season is when the migrating animals kick off their journey and most of the calves are born during this period around the end of February. By April and May, the migrating animals are already heading North before encountering the Grumeti River around June where the aquatic predators are always waiting to feast for a long and this is when the lives of these animals start to face threats.
The migrating animals are forced to congregate first in large numbers so they can all cross the rivers at once. A large number of them can be seen along the banks of the River still plotting on how to survive the death trap as other predators inform of lions and leopards also plan to play fast on them before they can cross the river.
Watching these migrating animals crossing the river is an unequalled experience yet exciting in the end. The animals are seen struggling for their lives as the Nile crocodiles patiently wait underwater for their long-awaited meal. It is at that point where the young and weak migrating animals as a result of long journeys fall into the predator’s teeth that touches the most.
A big number of these migrating animals will survive to their destination and just a few of them fall into the death trap. But as they struggle out of the river, a feeling of relief catches up with the viewers. From July to September, the migrating animals are welcomed in the Masai Mara National Reserve after encountering another death of the River Mara.
The great wildebeest migration is such a not-to-miss wildlife event that gives such an ultimate full wildlife experience. During the peak seasons especially in dry seasons, the tourism destinations of Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve are almost inaccessible as visitors from across the world flock to these spots with great wildebeest migration first on their bucket list.
Visitors who wish to be part of this lifetime experience are advised to book in advance so they can get space with accommodation and other neighbouring spots.
The two countries of Kenya and Tanzania have attracted international attention and this has seen their tourism sectors and infrastructures progress. Masai Mara National Reserve is therefore the leading popular tourism destination in Kenya and attracts both international and domestic visitors from across the world and generates a lot of tax income for the Kenyan government.
The great wildebeest migration in both Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park can be undertaken throughout the whole year however the dry period of the year remains the best time to undertake this great wildlife activity. During the dry season, visitors can have the most spectacular unremarkable views of the herds of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, impalas and more.
This is because during the dry season of months like December to February and July to September is when the migrating animals gather on the only remaining water sources of the Grumeti and Masai rivers for drinking water.
When all the water is dried up as a result of the prolonged dry season, the migrating animals will seek the only remaining drinking water sources hence all gathering in one spot to give visitors the most remarkable breathtaking wildlife views. The dry season also concedes with the summer holidays of Europe and Western countries hence giving visitors on summer vacations an opportunity to be part of this breathtaking wildlife event. we always advise our travellers to consider the Africa gorilla safaris during the exploration of the pleasing nature.
Its not only the Africa gorilla safaris, we also offer chimpanzee trekking activities, this entails a variety of exploration activities through the thick tropical rainforests of the region. Travelers have the golden opportunity to stare at the human’s closest species sharing up to 94.8% of our DNA.
Chimpanzees are such interesting, iconic animals in the rainforests in East Africa due to the gestures they perform and the sounds they make as they interact with each other. For a chance to observe them, one needs to obtain a chimpanzee tracking permit from the authorities through the registered tour operators and then peacefully embark on the wholesome experiences with them.
Guests get to witness the playful and intelligent behaviours of the chimpanzees in the tree branches up close. The trek through the rainforests itself is an exhilarating experience as it allows one to reconnect with nature and get relieved of the day-to-day noise of the bustling cities. The views of the various lush vegetation, butterflies, birds and other fauna species in the forests make it an experience worthwhile as one hits multiple birds with one stone!
Chimpanzees are scattered all over thick tropical rainforests in the East African region. Several conservation areas have been gazetted to protect them and their habitat from extinction and also give opportunities for exciting activities such as chimpanzee trekking. The most outstanding chimpanzee trekking destinations in East Africa are;
Kibale forest is an enchanting primeval forest in the western part of Uganda. This mysterious forest is perched in the captivating hilly areas in Bundibugyo in the southeast of Fortportal, the tourists’ city. Kibale forest is a renowned home to chimpanzees harboring about 1000 wild chimpanzees with 4 habituated chimpanzee families to enhance the tracking expeditions of guests.
Chimpanzee trekking is done in two shifts that is to say in the morning and afternoon. The morning session begins at 8:00 AM and ends at around midday while the afternoon session begins at 2:00 PM and ends in the evening. The guests on this adventure are accompanied by a team of Rangers to ensure that they are secure in the jungle. The Africa gorilla safaris are spiced by an up of the chimpanzee trekking and savannah exploration.
Budongo is a mysterious forest in Uganda adjacent to the captivating Murchison Falls National Park. The forest is located on an escarpment in the northeast of Lake Albert and covers parts of the Hoima and Kikuube districts. It is seated on an area of roughly 825 square kilometres, covered with thick rainforests with towering canopies which form a favourable home to the chimpanzees.
Budongo harbours approximately 600 to 700 chimpanzees with 4 chimpanzee habituated communities that are open for tourism activities and others undergoing habituation processes. This a magical place for both Africa gorilla safaris and chimpanzee trekking experiences.
Kyambura Gorge is a serene forest perched on the outskirts of the breathtaking Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The gorge showcases the beauty of a natural forest engulfed in a valley. The forest therein is a renowned home to chimpanzees with about 80 individuals. There are habituated groups that are up for tracking activities where travellers can have a great time watching the chimpanzees interact in their natural habitat.
The gorge goes up 200 meters deep and gives a wholesome tracking adventure. The breathtaking views of the gorge are an added advantage to the chimpanzee trekking activity making it a favorable spot for sightseeing and photography enthusiasts.
The vibrant Nyungwe forest stands out as one of the oldest rainforests on the African continent. This captivating forest covers an area of roughly 1019 square kilometres in the western and southern parts of Rwanda. It is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site harbouring the endangered chimpanzees and their delicate habitat.
The forest is made up of bogs, bamboo and other Afromontane tree species that make a perfect habitat for the chimpanzees. Nyungwe has about 400 chimpanzees with about 60 habituated and ready to be visited.
It is important to remember that for one to have the opportunity to trek the chimpanzees in all the destinations mentioned above, one ought to have fully paid for and obtained a chimpanzee trekking permit from the authorities. The chimpanzee tracking permits are obtained through registered tour operators. Each country has different prices for their trekking permits and they are;
The Ugandan chimpanzee trekking permits in Kibale forest are priced at a non-negotiable fee of $200 for the foreign non-residents, $150 for the foreign residents and Uganda shillings 150,000 for the East African citizens.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is priced at $120 per person per trek and Kyambura gorge at $50 per person per trek.
Rwanda chimpanzee tracking permits are priced at $150 per person for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African citizens.
Tanzania chimpanzee trekking permits on the other hand in Gombe Stream National Park are priced at $100 per person per trek.
The primate exploration is always key as you consider the Africa gorilla safaris, this is the peak point of understanding the art of nature in the primate world.
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A combined chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience is a memorable adventure and an opportunity to be in chimpanzees’ company. One can do Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda’s national parks like Bwindi, Nyungwe… Combined chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience
What is gorilla trekking? Gorilla trekking refers to a tour activity where tourists are guided into the rain forests by a tracker and a ranger. Upon finding them, spend a restricted amount of time in… IS CHIMPANZEE TREKKING SIMILAR TO GORILLA TREKKING?
A complete guide to a Uganda safari includes all the information you would need to know before and during your safari in Uganda. In summary, a Uganda safari refers to a tour activity in which… A COMPLETE GUIDE TO A UGANDA SAFARI.
How to get a Uganda tourist visa: Uganda tourist visa online.
A Uganda tourist visa can be obtained online by application from your native country.
Choose from a wide range of national parks, cultural centres, and tourism hotspots in the country.
At discover gorillas.com, we shall design tailor-made itineraries that perfect fit your demands. we shall provide all the guidance and information you need before and during your safari.
Apply for your tourist visa via the ministry of internal affairs.
we shall help you make bookings with the best hotels that resonate with your itinerary.
whether for a hike, a trek or game drives, make your final physical and mental preparations. Buy your favourite safari attire and here are our recommendations.
A tourist visa costs USD 50 before bank charges.
3 months (90 days).
A Uganda tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of approval and after that; the applicant is required to re-apply or make a new application
After application, a Uganda tourist visa can take around 5 days.
Uganda visa single entry
A single entry visa allows entry of one person into the country.
Uganda visa multiple entry.
A multiple entry visa allows entry for more than one individual into the country.
A multiple entry tourist visa allows entry for a couple, family of group into the country.
Uganda tourist visa extension
Upon expiry, a short term visa in Uganda can be renewed by a fresh application either online of physically at ministry of internal affairs headquarters
You will be picked up from your area of convenience for shoebill Tracking mabamba swamp, use the boat to connect to Mabamba Swamp, the boat ride takes 30-50 minutes. Upon arrival change boat and jump onto the local motorized canoes. Cruise around the marshes of the swamp as you are searching for the great shoebill. The swamp does not only offer the shoebill but also a great birding spot with both native and migratory birds. High chances of spotting the lesser jacana, Caspian Tern, Papyrus Gonolek, and much more. The swamp is more suitable early morning and evening hours when the weather is calmer and more conducive for photography and spotting. You will be taken back to your starting point or hotel and important to note that the activity takes 1-3 hours and further extensions are appropriate based on the weather and time.
