Author: Amakula Africa

Best Family safari with Children: Family safari in Uganda with children; Uganda is one of best tourist destinations that a family can visit with kids as it has great attractions and activities that you can engage in with your kids including game drives, boat cruise, guided nature walks, rhino tracking, horseback riding, quad biking, chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking among others. Best Family safari with Children When planning a family safari in Uganda with kids, there are a number of factors that you should consider for example the national parks to visit and safari activities to engage in because if the kids are 15 years and below, there are some activities that they do not engage in for example gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and chimpanzee trekking. You can also consider the type of accommodation where you will be staying so that if it’s a large family, we book lodges with family rooms, the type of vehicle to use during the safari as super custom safari vehicles are recommended for family safaris because they are comfortable and carry many people and also consider the best time to go on your family safari. There are different national parks in Uganda that offer interesting safari activities that you can engage in during your family safari with kids including, Destinations to visit during your family safari in Uganda with kids Murchison falls national park Murchison falls National Park is the largest national park located in northern part of Uganda. Murchison falls national park is one of the national parks that you can visit as a family due to the fact that it offers activities that kids can engage in for example game drives where you will be able to view different animals like buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest.

Gorilla trekking for the disabled guests. People with disabilities should not wonder whether they can participate in gorilla trekking tours—the answer is yes! Gorilla trekking for the disabled guests is possible and can be carefully organized in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mountain gorillas live. Although gorilla trekking involves navigating mountainous and sometimes challenging terrain, special arrangements can be made to accommodate guests with different mobility needs, including additional support from porters and trackers. With proper planning and advance communication, travelers with disabilities can enjoy this unforgettable and adventurous wildlife experience while safely observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The good news is that even for those travelers who are disabled or not physically fit, they still have a chance to take part in gorilla trekking safaris without any doubt. The physically disabled persons who want to take part in gorilla trekking tours, it is advisable to book earlier with us a registered tour operator so that we can prepare whatever it needs for you to track gorillas seamlessly. Most importantly is a modern sedan chair or traditional stretchers which are hired separately at a cost of USD 500 and USD 350 respectively. Porter-Assisted Gorilla Trekking for Disabled Guests These sedan seats have got handles which the porters use to carry and seat belts that make it more comfortable for the visitor. Porters are responsible for carrying visitors from offices to where the gorillas will be found and be carried back to park offices after trekking. As you hire porters to carry you, you will be contributing much to the community and their families because it is that money that they use to improve their livelihoods. Porters will as well help carry your bags, binoculars, cameras and other things you may need to carry on

Maasai culture Maasai culture is one of the most fascinating and recognizable cultural traditions in Tanzania and East Africa. Tanzania is home to more than 120 ethnic groups, each with its own traditions, languages, and customs, but the Maasai are particularly well known for their distinctive way of life and strong cultural heritage. The Maasai are very tall and spend most of their time tending to their domestic Top attractions in Tanzania animals close to or within national parks in the northern part of the country. Their culture and traditions have remained unchanged despite exposure to modernization. They put on colorful clothing and striking beads. A Maasai men can have as many wives as he wishes as long he can take care of them. A visit to Tanzania is therefore incomplete without encountering this fascinating group. If you cannot meet them in the national parks, you will find the Maasai selling souvenirs/curios in weekly markets all over the country. If you are lucky to meet those in villages close to the parks, then you will be taken for a truly amazing cultural experience. You will have opportunities to enter their traditional huts, listen to stories from their elders, watch cultural performances and participate in their jumping ceremonies. The one who jumps the highest wins an award.

Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park In Rwanda Hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda offers an excellent way to discover the hidden treasures of this natural gem while appreciating its towering trees, diverse wildlife, abundant bird species, and breathtaking forest landscapes. Covering approximately 1,000 square kilometers, Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in southwestern Rwanda and extends toward the borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Lake Kivu nearby. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes through the ancient rainforest while taking memorable photographs and experiencing the remarkable beauty of Rwanda's natural wilderness. There are over 1000 plant species of which 200 are tree species while 140 are Orchids. Of the 80 over mammal species, 13 are primate species. Nyungwe is also one of the best 5 birding spots in Rwanda with over 320 bird species that include over 20 Albertine Rift endemics. If you have plans of venturing into this jungle (known for being the largest Afro-montane rainforest in Africa) and stretch your legs, here are the must-try hiking trails; Buhoro Trail At 1.8 kilometers long, the incredible Buhoro Trail is one of the shortest in this National Park and can be completed in only one and a half hours. This easy Trail is perfect for travelers looking to simply enjoy the cool breeze while appreciating the beauty of Mother Nature. Bigugu Trail Bigugu Trail is over 13.2-kilometer long (for a round trip) and usually starts from Nyabishwati for a distance of over 6 hours. While it is long, there is so much to see and these include flora species, breathtaking hills, phenomenal views of Lake Kivu, and magnificent islands in the DRC side of Lake Kivu. If you choose this trail, be prepared to hike to the highest peak of Nyungwe Forest (Bigugu). The Congo

Tourist attractions in Kenya Tourist attractions in Kenya, Nairobi offers an impressive combination of wildlife experiences, museums, cultural sites, and historic monuments. The city also played an important role during British colonial rule in East Africa, attracting a large European settler population and developing into one of the region’s most influential urban centers. Today, Nairobi provides visitors with a fascinating blend of Kenya’s history, culture, wildlife, and modern city life. Most of the settlers worked as plantation owners while others were and representatives of the Queen in the region. The key tourist attractions in Nairobi are the Nairobi National Park, the Karen Blixen Museum, The Giraffe Center, The Bomas of Kenya and the Nairobi National Museum. The Nairobi National Museum is where you can stop to learn about the history and culture of the people of Kenya. The Karen Blixen Museum was the home of the renowned Danish plantation owner and author Karen Blixen. As we shall find out later, the house was turned into a museum to remember her life and times in Kenya. The Nairobi National Park is the only one in the world that is located so close to a large city. You can spot all of the big five animals without having to drive to the major national parks in the countryside. We will be discussing many of the Nairobi’s attractions separately. Nightclubs and bars If you love having fun up to late in the night, then you won’t be disappointed while visiting Kenya’s capital or any of the other larger cities. Most of the cities host concerts every weekend where both local and international artists are hired to perform for revelers. The atmosphere may be slightly different from that in your home country but the music will be familiar though with a mix of songs

Gorilla Trekking Experience In Uganda And Rwanda What To Expect On Gorilla Trekking Experience In Uganda And Rwanda: From the early morning briefing and forest hike to the unforgettable encounter with a habituated gorilla family, understanding what to expect can help you prepare for an exciting and rewarding adventure. Like all travelers in the past, the next thing to do after making reservations with your tour company is to show up in the country of choice. Your tour company or hotel should pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel or start the journey to the national park. The distance from the airport to the national park varies depending on which country you choose to do the trekking. Travel Routes to Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Rwanda and Congo If you are tracking in Rwanda, the driving time will be 2 hours. If you are tracking in Congo, you need to first land in Kigali international airport and then be driven to the Congo Rwanda border crossing in Goma. From the border you will be driven to the Virunga National Park which is a few kilometers away from the border. Should you decide to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, expect to travel on road for eight hours to either Bwindi of Mgahinga National Park. You can avoid the long travel from Entebbe international airport in Uganda by landing in Kigali (Rwanda) instead and driving for only 3 hours to the national parks in Uganda. If you happen to be traveling with Mission Africa Safaris, the Driver/Guide will pick you up from the airport of a hotel and take you up to your accommodation facility close to the national park. On the day of the trek, the Driver will pick you up very early in the morning from

Volcanoes National Park  Rwanda is one of Africa’s premier destinations for mountain gorilla trekking, alongside Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is home to both mountain and lowland gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s renowned mountain gorilla trekking destination, offering visitors the opportunity to encounter these endangered primates in their natural habitat. Ultimately, travelers can choose between mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda and exploring the unique gorilla experiences available in the Democratic Republic of Congo. National Park of the Mountains Rwanda is surrounded by the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This park covers an area of 160sqkm of rain forest and bamboo. Mountain Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park National Park of the Mountains Ten families of endangered mountain gorillas have been confirmed to live in Rwanda, and it is thanks to the country's stringent conservation policies and programs that these montane and bamboo forest ecosystems have remained intact, favoring and supporting the mountain gorilla population growth in Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga highlands, including Mt. Karisimbi, Mt. Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo, in addition to being a shelter for habituated mountain gorillas. In addition to all of that, it has been discovered that Rwanda is home to two habituated endangered Golden monkey troops with over 80 members each. Because of its avian diversity More than 180 different bird species—this park is currently regarded by the majority of Rwandan birders and tourists as a must-visit birding site in Rwanda. Again, Volcanoes National Park is rich with the history of American primatologist and naturalist Dian Fossey, who tragically perished as a result of her unmatched devotion to these apes. The gorillas

Kabaka Tombs (Buganda Kings Burial Grounds): The Kabaka Tombs are located on Kasubi Hill in the Buganda kingdom, which is found near Kampala, a city in central Uganda. As the final resting places for the past four Kabakas (kings) of Buganda and other members of the royal family, the Kabaka tombs, also known as Kasubi tombs, are significant religious, historical, and cultural landmarks in the Buganda kingdom. The Kabaka and his representatives frequently perform significant ceremonies that are connected to the Ganda culture in the Kasubi tombs, which are a living testament to the Ganda traditions. The Kabaka Tombs are a significant monument for the Buganda Kingdom and Uganda because they were included on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 2001. Location of Kabaka Tombs Five kilometers from the city's center, on Kampala-Hoima Road, lie the Kabaka Tombs. On approaching Makerere University from Kampala City Center, you pass by it before driving to Nakulabye, where you turn right into the Hoima Road at the intersection. After driving another mile up the road, you then bear left onto the Masiro Road. When you approach the Kasubi tombs and the northwest coasts of Lake Victoria, you will see the entrance, which is indicated by a thatched tent. History and Culture of the Buganda Kingdom (Kabaka Tombs) The Baganda people belong to the Bantu and their first Kabaka was Kato Kintu Kakulukuku who adopted the name Kintu so as to associate himself with the father of all people because Kintu was the name of the first person on earth in Buganda. Kintu had one wife Nambi Nantutululu and Kintu is said not to have died but to have disappeared into the forest at Magonga. The Baganda Kabakas have always built their palaces on hills, and each

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park Murchison falls is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 451 bird species which include; Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds, and savannah birds. Viewing birds in the scenic landscape and amazing wildlife of Murchison is among the most interesting experiences while on a Ugandan safari. The park is located in the Northwestern part of the country about 305 km from Kampala hence approximately a 4-hours’ drive by road. Birding in Murchison Falls National Park There are very many birds in the park of which some are rare, common, and occasional such as the Gray crowned Crane (Uganda’s National bird), Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard among others. Birds in Murchison can be best spotted while on a game drive, nature walks through the savannah grasslands and on the boat cruise along the Nile and on Lake Albert Delta. Birds like the blue napped mouse birds, silver birds, weavers among others can be spotted near Paraa and Red Chilli in through the dry thorn-shrubs. Nocturnal birds like the nightjars can be seen along the Paraa road and while on the boat on the Nile. While on the boat still very many birds such as the shoebill, Gray crowned cranes, Goliath herons, black headed lapwings among others can be spotted. Best Time For Birding in Murchison Falls National Park Birders can watch birds all year round though best time is during the dry season in months especially from January-March, this time is a low tourist season in Uganda but birding is still plentiful. From December-February the rains begin and birding can still be done. From April-May and from August-October there are heavy rains, which makes it difficult for bird watching since the hiking trails