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Rubondo Island National Park

RUBONDO NATIONAL PARK.

Where is Rubondo national park located? Situated on an island in the southwest corner of the world’s second-largest lake, Lake Rubondo Island National Park is one of the only two national parks situated on an… RUBONDO NATIONAL PARK.

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.

Wildlife activities to do in East Africa

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;

Game drives

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

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

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 balloon safaris

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.

 
Bird Watching

 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!

 

Where to find Mountain gorillas

For a great Africa gorilla safari, Mountain gorillas are only  found in the Virunga massive also known as the Virunga conservation area. it is important to remember that it is the only place in the whole world where one can get to observe the endangered mountain gorillas.

The virunga conservation area is shared between three countries – uganda, rwanda and democratic republic of congo with each country having at least a national park responsible for harboring the mountain gorillas including bwindi and mgahinga national parks in uganda, volcanoes national park in rwanda and virunga national park in democratic republic of congo. these national parks were gazetted with the major aim of protecting the gentle giants from the uncouth human behaviors which were leading to habitat loss and diminishing their numbers at a rapid speed.

 the key mountain gorilla destinations popular for providing top notch gorilla trekking tours are;

Rwanda

 Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in the eastern part of Africa in the great rift valley of the great lakes region. the country is just a few degrees south of the equator and experiences a tropical kind of climate. rwanda has some popular safari destinations though the most sounding is that where gorilla tracking is done since it’s the most iconic activity.

For a chance to trek gorillas in rwanda, visitors are required to have a gorilla trekking permit that is obtained through a licensed tour operator at a non-negotiable fee of $1500 per person. rwanda was nicknamed the heart of africa due to her stunning beauty and sensational hospitality showcased by her citizens from time to time.

Uganda

Also known as the pearl of africa, Uganda too is a landlocked country in the east of Africa with a diverse landscape made-up of highlands, lowlands and flat areas. uganda is a home to mountain gorillas and has over half of the world’s total population of them. these live in the southern part of the country in the national parks of bwindi impenetrable and mgahinga.

Uganda is such a great place with thick jungles for one to experience gorilla treks and enjoy other endowments of nature. Uganda really has a lot to offer on the tourism arena and the fact that she’s got extraordinary warmness makes her a favourite spot to take your safari.

National parks where mountain gorilla trekking takes place; –

  1. Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Occupying an area of approximately 331 square kilometers, a paradise of Africa gorilla safaris. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a renowned habitat for beautiful mountain gorillas and hundreds of other species of flora and fauna. it is home to the large and oldest thick tropical rainforest on the african continent which has harbored biodiversity for millenniums. bwindi national park is the pioneer of gorilla tourism in uganda that started way back in 1993 with mubare gorilla family.

Bwindi national park today has 21 gorilla families that are ready for gorilla trekking and one other that’s still undergoing habituation process. bwindi impenetrable national park is a favorite spot for adventure and presents a variety of activities to visitors including cultural encounters with the legendary batwa people, nature walks in the captivating eco friendly area, hiking adventures and sightseeing.

  1. Mgahinga National parkGorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park

Mgahinga is seated in the southern part of uganda and is the smallest national park in the country occupying an area of approximately 33.9 square kilometers. this astonishing national park is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. it is the host to 3 of the 8 virunga mountain ranges – mount muhabura, sabyinyo and gahinga that add up to the beauty of the park due to the stunning scenery they create.

The views of the volcano peaks as they protrude through the clouds is out of this world! these mountain ranges are a habitat to mountain gorillas that occupy thick rainforests at their bases. mgahinga national park has only one gorilla family called nyakagezi. nyakagezi is comprised of 9 individuals characterized by a calm demeanor and playful infants which are adorable to watch.

Nyakagyezi gorilla family is open for gorilla trekking and only eight people are allowed to access it per day. this is to help curb the negative effects of human interference to the gorillas, entire habitat and also regulate exploitation of the area. gorilla trekking aside, mgahinga also presents chances for other exciting activities especially volcano hiking, birding for the Albertine rift endemics, Batwa trail experience, nature walks and golden monkey trekking. This is the reality of Africa gorilla safaris!

 

  1. Volcanoes National Park

Located in the northwest of rwanda, volcanoes national park covers an area of about 160 square kilometers which is characterized by tropical rainforests and hosts five of the eight virunga mountain ranges including mount bisoke, karisimbi, mikeno, nyiragongo and nyamuragira. volcanoes national park is famous for its beauty and is also a one stop center for gorilla tracking in rwanda.

The national park is home to countless biodiversity including other primate species especially golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest’s, chimpanzees and pottos. this astonishing national park is famous for other activities especially canopy walks that present the beautiful view of the eco friendly forests in the region, golden monkey tracking, bird watching and hiking.

Mountain gorillas are unique primates and have exciting facts 

There are only 1063 mountain gorillas left in the world today. these mountain gorillas can be found in the Virunga conservation area in the east of Africa.

Mountain gorillas live in isolated families. these mountain gorilla families are in a form of a human extended family kind of setting.  they are comprised of the dominant silverback – who has the overall responsibility of taking care of the rest of the family members, female adults responsible for taking care of the juveniles and infants.

Mountain gorillas share about 98% of the human dna. this partly explains the resemblance in the limbs and the high level of intelligence the gentle giants showcase.

Mountain gorillas are the biggest and most powerful living primates on the planet. male mountain gorillas have a standing height of 161 to 170 centimeters, a girth of about 138 to 163 centimeters, arm length of 2 to 2.8 meters and weight of about 120 to 191 kilograms. females on the other hand are smaller with a weight of about 70 to 98 kilograms.

mountain gorilla

Mountain gorillas make themselves comfortable beddings every night. they usually make them from roots, leaves and grasses that they get from the forest to make themselves have a cozy night.  they showcase a high level of love for comfort similar to that of human beings.

They can eat all day long. mountain gorillas feed on bamboo shoots, roots of plants, fruits and they also have an appetite for ants and some invertebrates. they usually dig grounds as they look for the invertebrates and ants.

Mountain gorillas are critically endangered species.  they have over the years first day wrath of human beings and some have succumbed to activities such as poaching and encroachment on their habitat for establishments of settlements and farming purposes.

Wild mountain gorillas can only be found in east africa. mountain gorillas inhabit the virunga conservation area which is characterized of a mountainous terrain that is a favorable habitat for the gorillas. it is made-up of thick tropical rainforests and bamboo vegetation on its lower bases where the gorillas feed and live.

What is the best time to do an Africa gorilla safari?

Gorilla trekking adventure entails movement through mountainous regions, thick tropical rainforests, crossing streams and walking through valleys before one gets to meet the gorillas. this activity is a bit hectic in the rainy seasons and is characterized by interruptions from rain and slippery grounds.

The dry seasons therefore are the best times in which travelers can embark on gorilla trekking adventures. dry seasons in the virunga massive are categorized into two – long and short dry seasons. the long dry season runs from early june to september and the short dry season is always on from mid-december to early february.

Dry seasons are the best to embark on gorilla tracking activities because they are characterised with limited interruptions of rain and steady grounds which are good for manoeuvring through the thick tropical rainforests, which makes the Africa gorilla safaris extraordinary. 

kilimanjaro

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