Among the exciting places to visit on a safari to Rwanda, National Park has increased the excitement of Rwandan excursions. One unique ecosystem that extends to central Africa’s forests is the Gishwati-Mukara. The two kinds of wood have seen long-term degradation due to human encroachment, with Gishwati Forest suffering the most. For instance, the core forest of Gishwati was just 6 km2 in area in 2002, compared to its original size of 700 km2 in the 1930s. Gishwati forest today occupies around 15.70 km2 due to cooperative conservation efforts. In addition, the government resolved in February 2016 to maintain the conservation efforts of the Mukura and Gishwati forests by converting them from forest reserves to national parks. A visit to GMNP Park is a priceless chance to discover the park’s biodiversity, take advantage of locally produced goods, and enjoy hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities on the park’s many paths.
35.58 km2 of Western Province’s Rutsiro and Ngororero Districts make up the Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GMNP). Its mountainous terrain offers stunning topography and a lateral perspective. The Albertine Rift Region’s Congo-Nile Divide has the few remaining natural forests and wildlife hotspots, including GMNP. Eastern chimpanzees, mountain and golden monkeys, servals, genets, civets, small animals, amphibians, reptiles, over 120 species of birds, and over 250 plant species are among its biodiversity.
The GMNP region is home to primates, vibrant birds, and nocturnal, timid creatures. The park’s beauty, which includes magnificent trees and thundering waterfalls inside the forest, is also one of its distinctive features. Exploring the beautiful hilly, tea-planted landscapes and native crafts is quite fascinating. Particularly alluring animal species, the two fascinating wild animals in the GMNP are chimpanzees and golden monkeys. They are the other two primates in the park and the mountain monkey.
Wildlife of Gishwati Mukura Park
The incredible biodiversity of Gishwati Mukura National Park will allow for the unrestricted migration of primates. Numerous animal species can be found in the park, including over 293 reptile species and about 1000 bird species. It is also home to 60 tree species and 5,793 plant species, including native hardwoods and bamboo. They provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife animals, including the southern tree hyrax, black-fronted duikers, Red River hogs, chimpanzees, and other primates, including the mountain monkey, golden monkey, black and white colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys, which can be seen there. One of the best things to do in Gishwati Mukura National Park is go bird-watching. Beautiful bird species may be found in plenty in the forests; 232 species have been spotted in Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, respectively; seven endemic species of the Albertine Rift have been classified on the IUCN, and two more have been as well.
Getting to Gushwati-Mukara National Park
There are various road transportation options to get to the park. There are both public and private restrooms available. Regular buses from Kigali leave from Nyabugogo Bus Station towards Rubavu (Gisenyi town) in three hours or for Karongi in two hours. The Kivu Belt Road (NR11), which connects Goma, Rubavu, Karongi, Rusizi, and Bukavu cities, may be reached from Rubavu or Karongi towns and leads to the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Additionally, travellers can go to the park by boat from any of those towns located on Kivu Lake.
About suitable visiting seasons and weather
Rwanda has a tropical climate that is cool and sunny because of its mountainous terrain. Anytime during the year is an excellent time to visit GMNP. The proper clothing should be chosen for the season. Light clothing is required in the warm, dry season, but a rain-resistant dress is essential in the rainy seasons, which last from October to December and from March to May.
Activities are done on visitation to Gishwati-Mukara National Park
GMNP is open daily during regular business hours. The primary options available to visitors are guided forest treks, primate tracking, and participating in other community-based projects and activities.
Guided nature walk
This is an exciting tour inside the park along the routes that enter less disturbed woodland and darker and more humid places. A certified guide accompanies a maximum of eight people per group. Many massive, frequently blossoming trees, vines, enormous earthworms, flashing birds, vast tree ferns, and breathtaking waterfalls may be found along the walk. You might see adorable chameleons, golden and mountain monkeys, or chimpanzees. Since certain species are nocturnal, night walks are also planned.
Guided chimpanzee and monkey tracking
Primates offer a happy experience. Visitors can learn about their entire way of life in the wild, whether they spend it on the ground while strolling or in the branches of trees while resting, jumping, or even feeding. The park offers one chimpanzee tracking session that begins at 7 a.m. and may last until 10 a.m.
Birds watching
Along with mountainous topography that provides excellent views of the forest canopy, the park offers thrilling possibilities to observe a large diversity of rare bird species from the Albertine Rift. The park is a “Great Birders Destination” since it has over 126 different species of birds. Maps, brochures, and bird-watching trails will be available to you. Tourists interested in bird viewing at Gishwati-Mukara are not subject to any time or guest limit restrictions.
Community-based activities in the parking area
The Gishwati region has better-developed cattle rearing and farm lodging. Cooperatives of farmers exchange best practices. Visitors may learn about many customs and traditions relating to cattle-rearing, such as milking, treating and preserving milk, and caring for cows.
An indigenous population of historically underprivileged people performs live traditional dance near the park (Gishwati region). You are motivated to get up and move by their cultural ensemble, “Indashyikirwa,” as they perform a local dance.
Beekeeping and handcraft production: Several regional cooperatives in the parking area are worth visiting, like UNICOAPIGI for beekeeping and honey processing and COOVAKARU for handcrafts, among others. Meeting cooperative members allows visitors to understand their role in park conservation. Natural honey, baskets, traditional mat and dung art, and vibrant purses are all available. The conversations are facilitated by the guides throughout the course of the one- to two-hour session.

Visiting tea plantations: Visit the plantations to meet the farmers and satiate your interest in the planting, care, and harvesting of tea. In the hills around the park, hundreds of hectares of tea plantations provide a beautiful landscape.
Accommodation at Gishwati-Mukara National Park
Two options for lodging are available close to the park. Around the park are homestays, farm stays, and inexpensive, safe camping options for adventurers. The three base camps are in Gatenga, Satinski Village, and Kinkanda. Researchers can stay at the Sunshine Gishwati Research Center in the Gishwati region. In addition, several hotels are in the nearby towns of Karongi and Rubavu.

Another thrilling moments of Volcanoes National Park is experiencing the hospitality of the people around the park. Just experience the local life presented at certain points. After your long day of trouble and search through the rolling landscapes of the Volcanoes National Park searching for gorillas, then you need something to relief off your load. And this is driving to Iby’Iwacu Cultural village and feel the hospitality of the people of Rwanda.
Beside gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, Volcanic hiking, and birding, all need a lot of energy and visiting the cultural community tunes to another version of experience off the wilderness.
The Iby’Iwacu cultural village safaris was local community project initiated for people who were previously poachers around the park, and now they decided to support conservation and protection of mountain gorillas and other wildlife species with the forest.
The initiative was intended mainly to change poachers mind set from their rusty acts of poaching gorillas and other wild animals in Volcanoes National Park. The conservation efforts now turned to towing these local people support conservation struggles in the park. So, through involving the community to find how they benefit from tourism and support their household than looking at poaching as the only alternative.
Iby’Iwacu Cultural village is situated near Volcanoes National Park and mountain gorillas trekking in the Iby’Iwacu village denotes treasures of our home and heritage. The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village rewards with that unique and rare chance of meeting with local people, in their environment, with a taste of our culture and traditions.

Get welcomed by the community as a special visitor while they proudly present to you aspects of their traditions and beliefs. Here you have a chance to get close to local people, have that unlimited interaction at a moment and also get involved in their daily activities.
The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
This cultural encounters around Volcanoes National Park offers you amazing experiences about the culture of Rwanda. Taking this visit to the cultural village, you will participate in a number of activities like community walks, banana beer making, subsistence farming, and preparation of local dishes, experience a stay for a night in a traditional style Rwandan home.
You can participate in riding a wooden bicycle, grinding millet and sorghum, shooting bows and arrows with the unique Batwa people, be entertained by the Intore dances people and also explore more on banana and sorghum that are used as staple food in Rwanda.
Take the ethno botany safari with traditional healers. This enables you explore important herbs that are used for treatment.

How it looks reaching the cultural Village
The cultural village gives a looks back to a number of years ago when the country had was under the kingdoms. On reaching the cultural village, you will be welcomed by guards protecting a village where you will find a number of huts like in the old times and here you will be in the king’s palace for a day.
You will have an amazing time in the village and if you’re lucky, you will be chosen to the king or queen for the day where you will be dressed in the traditional attire of the king and queens which is quite entertaining. After choosing the king for the day, a fire will be lit just like it was lit during the time when the kingdoms still existed and a medicine man will come in front of you making traditional herbs that were used as medicine a long time ago.
The king and queen will be entertained and also other tourists will be entertained through different cultural dances and plays, traditional marriages will be also be carried out to show how it was done during the old times which is quite interesting once you take part in the activity.
You will also be taught on farming using traditional tools like hand hoes you will be taught how to harvest a number of crops, weeding, you will also be taught how to make banana beer which is a delicious drink that you will have a chance to taste if interested.
Why important to take Cultural experience at Volcanoes National Park
A decision to take a community visit to this cultural village, you become part of the sensitizing and supporting them to realize the importance of tourism towards conservation. The local people get to understand how gorillas and forests around them are indirectly and directly contributing to their society, which is an approach to stop poaching.

Visit Rwanda – A guide on Visiting Rwanda

Visit Rwanda is a global brand that has pattern in sponsorship of world clubs the Paris Saint-Germain Club (PSG) and Arsenal. Maybe it’s a reason for the increasing flooding of travelers to explore tiny beauty that dwells within.

Rwanda is located in central Africa, a reconciliation between the central African rain-tropics and the east African savannahs. Rwanda  bounded by 4 countries Tanzania in the east. Uganda North, Democratic Republic of Congo western and Burundi in north. The beautiful Rwanda is located within the linings of Great Western Rift Valley which has contributed greatly to beauty nature of country.

The geography of Rwanda  characterized by rolling terrains, tropical rainforests across the northern. Western and southern and the western some bits of savannahs. The continuing contours of dormant volcanos especially northwards has named Rwanda. A country of a thousand hills that stature a remarkable experience for travelers opting to visit Rwanda.

Beside the natural magnificence, Rwanda is famous as one of luxury vacationer destination for various reasons. The capital of Kigali is known for being one of Africa’s beautiful and cleanest cities to live in while in Kampala.

The small country has a small population of about 13 million people scattered across the borders. There are three major ethnic tribes in Rwanda who are the Tutsi, Hutu and the Twa who almost have the same practices and commonly speak one language Kinyarwanda. There are four official languages which are used in Rwanda, Kinyarwanda most used, French common in offices, Kiswahili a regional language and English which was introduced recently.

Requirements to visit Rwanda

When planning to visit Rwanda, it’s important to know the basic requirements one should have to be allowed entry. Among the things which should never miss are; passport with a validity of 6month with a blank passport page, tourist visa given by the foreign ministry of Rwanda, as well tourist can use the East African tourist visa which is valid for entry of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Also should carry a yellow fever vaccination if entering from countries where yellow fever is endemic.

Is it safe to visit Rwanda?

It’s important to check on the travel advisory site before accessing some parts of Rwanda. But generally Rwanda is safe, one of the few countries on the African continent with limited political violence. However, some areas like the nearing areas around the Democratic Republic of Congo are disturbed with rebels which are active in the Eastern Congo borders. However, other borders of Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania are safe. All tourist destinations in Rwanda are safe for tourists, and national army is working so hard to ensure that the eastern Congo rebel activities don’t reflect in Rwanda.

Why should visit Rwanda

Abundant wildlife

With variation of the geography and vegetation covers, these have facilitated the existence of several wildlife which can listed and recorded in Rwanda. Among the commonly renowned for tourists is the gorillas, chimpanzees, big five, and variety of bird species, golden monkeys and the long list of wildlife species. The wide list of abundant wildlife is one of the major factors why a great number of travelers are making Rwanda their next travel destination.

Lovely and beautiful people

Rwanda has one of mostly rated beautiful people. These are lovely people, peaceful who’re always working towards ensuring your safe stay when in Rwanda. Rwanda  blessed with the list number of ethnic variety

Safe place

Rwanda is one of the limited safe places to visit in Africa. It’s always safe to travel to Rwanda at any time no matter the circulations. All tourist destinations in Rwanda are safe to visit, don’t consider a limit when deciding to have a visit to Rwanda.

Beautiful tourist destinations

Rwanda has several of major tourist destination of which these are mainly natural destinations. Majorly national parks have always acted as the focus for tourist visiting Rwanda. Among the Parks is the Volcanos National Park the most famous for gorilla trekking, then Akagera National Park the most visited park in Rwanda. Also Nyungwe Forest National Park the amazing forest for chimpanzee and the Giswati-Mukara National Park. However, there are several other tourist destinations including L.Kivu white sand beaches, Kigali tours, among others.

Memories of terror

Rwanda experienced and awkward moment of 100 days in 1994, where over 800,000 lives were claimed into the popular Rwanda genocide massacre. There are several museums which were built commemorate such moments and to be a demonstration areas to instill a passionate heart in citizens that this moment don’t happen again. Genocide museums were constructed across the country with the major being the Gisozi genocide museum.

Where to go on a safari visit to Rwanda

Volcanos National Park

Located in northern Rwanda, Volcanos National Park is the most famous tourist destination in Rwanda. Volcanoes  stretch of the great Virunga Conservation  well known as  2^nd gorilla destination. Volcanos Np is one of the most famous gorilla trekking parks and this is famous for being an upmarket gorilla trekking destination. There about 10 habituated gorilla families which are trekked on a daily basis. Other activities done when in Volcanos National Park are; golden monkey tracking, bird watching, nature walks, volcano climbing etc.

Akagera National Park

Rwanda’s most visited National Park located in the eastern region. Through Akagera Rwanda transit from the tropic and volcanic landscapes to a gently flat and savannahs. It’s the only savannah park in this beautiful Rwanda and a trip here lead to exploring the Big Five. Abundant of wildlife of flora and fauna call the park their home. For adventures like game drives, boat cruises into the wild, bird watching and several of adventures, Akagera is the best place for you.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

It’s among the few remaining tropical forests of a kind in the central African region. The tropical forest is a very significant forest accommodating much of flora and fauna. It’s famous for being a center of chimpanzees in Rwanda and accommodating the largest number of primates about 13 species. Chimpanzees  half-habituated, sometimes it is difficult to watch the apes on an up-close encounter. Other adventures done include; primate walks, hill climbing, canopy walks etc.

Kigali City

The Africa’s cleanest city, Kigali capital surely the genesis of all adventures done on a visit to Rwanda. It’s the Central Business Area of Rwanda, with a lot of considerations. Among the mentions things to do in Kigali include city walks, visiting some of the modern local markets in the city of Kigali, museums, and gardens for chilling among others.

Gishwati-Mukara National Park

A new national park confirmed in 2015 after combining both Gishwati and Mukura forest reserves. Gishwati-Mukura National Park established to protect the remnants of Gishwati and Mukura forest. It another spot in Rwanda to watch the chimpanzee, however the forest is a special home for several primate species among which include the endemic golden monkeys, blue and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

Transport means in Rwanda

When to explore Rwanda there are various ways to wander around. Which one would be your best choice? Yes, let’s consider that you take one of the following.

• Fly to your destination – here one can decide not to drive longer journeys of 2 hours into the bumpy roads and decides to take one of the in-land flights which also connects to various tourist destinations. Fly from Kigali to Volcanos, or Akagera for your adventure.
• Full-guided tours – the most common way of how most of travelers explore Rwanda. Visiting Rwanda is perfect when you cruise like a real boss, let everything be handled by your tour operate and you remain with enjoying the moment.
• Hire a car with a driver- It trends but not so much practiced, hire a vehicle and the driver. But remain in charging with decision on your trip.
• Hire a car for self-drive – another most trending traveling style available in Rwanda is hiring a vehicle. And take a self-drive trip to all your next destinations.

The don’t when visited Rwanda

Littering, over speeding, making horn and corrupting traffic offers is are thing should ever forget when on the land of a thousand hills.

All about Rwanda Safaris

All about Rwanda Safaris, Want to travel to Africa on luxurious vacation? Then Rwanda would be your next safari destination. Rwanda  particularly known as a luxurious gorilla trekking destination. It’s one of the things which have made Rwanda safaris one of the thrilling on the continent. The small beautiful country, Rwanda is located on the edge of the central volcanic tropics. Seated within the Great Western Albertine Rift Valley that gives her a named of “A land of a thousand hills.”

Rwanda has only 4 parks National Parks of Akagera National Park, Volcanos National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Giswati-Mukara National Park. From these parks are amazing encounters topped by gorilla trekking, wildlife game watching, chimpanzee tracking, volcanic climbing, bird watching, canopy walks, wild boat drives and the genocide memorial museums.

Though set as one of the luxurious destination to travel to in East Africa, but all groups of travelers have an ample moment to experience Rwanda. There are super luxurious accommodation offering world classic services. Rwanda right from the bloody 1994 massacre, the country has registered a process development more than any other country in East and central Africa.

Highlights of Rwanda Safari

Going on a gorilla trek

Gorillas trekking is Africa’s most tremendous tourist adventure. Rwanda  among the other unique countries blessed to host the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Volcanos National Park tropical steeps are home to half of the gorillas living in the Virunga Conservation Areas. The park has over 10 habituated gorilla families, meaning over 80 trekker trek gorilla in Rwanda’s volcanos National Park.

The best place to trek gorillas. Rolling into the thick forest, walk through the swampy valleys and bamboos searching is all about gorilla trekking. Made in groups of 8 trekkers, well briefed and roll into the forest with a lead of an armed ranger guide. Spending hours of hiking, sloping you meet the gentle giant and have an hour in their presence.

Volcanos National Park a joint of the great Virunga Conservation Area is home to several gorillas. All gorillas available for trekking  well habituated, to allow an eased process of watching the gorillas in their natural habitat.

Golden monkey tracking

The golden monkeys beautify endangered primates which are endemic to the Central African forests. Golden monkeys live in larger communities and tend to live in high places, however, these beautiful primates  habituated for the close-up encounter.

Chimpanzee tracking

Rwanda boosts over several primates and larger apes, also  well numbered. Chimpanzees likewise to gorilla trekking  undertaken on a rewarding safari to Rwanda. Chimpanzees  residents of Nyungwe Forest National Park and  habituated that travelers can have an ensured close up encounter.

Besides chimpanzee, Nyungwe Forest National Park is home to several primates species among which are the L’Hoesty monkeys which is endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Game viewing

Wildlife game viewing is Africa’s highlight of any adventure. The Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s center for game viewing with the highest number of adventure. A safari vacation to Rwanda without Akagera is an incomplete trip. The adventure is perfect with savannah parks on a game drive, it’s the moment that rewards with the highest concentration of wildlife species.

For adventures of game viewing include, game drives, boat cruise and nature walks all are possible at Akagera National Park. It’s an opportunity to watch Big Five games, herds of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and many animals, also several bird species are perfect view on a game viewing adventure.

Visiting the Genocide museum

Rwanda faced the most miserable time of the 1994, where the massacre of the minority Hutu  declared by the Tutsi.  All about Rwanda Safaris, After the peace restored, several genocide museums constructed to commemorate the innocent that lost lives in the Massacre. Right from Kigali to Musanze, and other en-routes there mass graves and museum that narrate the horrible time that once happened in Rwanda.

These stunning museums  constructed in the memories of over millions of people buried in a single mass grave. The museums farther explains much of how the world experience the unfolding naked and unfilm bloodshed of the 1994 genocide. No rush if decide to dedicate a time, this memorial site serves to educate about how the Genocide against the Tutsi took shape and examines genocide in the 20th century.

Museums include Kigali genocide museum, Nyanza genocide memorial, Camp Kigali Memorial, Eglise St Pierre, and Biserero Genocide Memorial. On a safari throughout Rwanda can have a time to one of the museum and memorial ground.

All National Parks in Rwanda

Rwanda currently has four national parks that are spread across this small edge of the central African region. The National Parks tops on the list of best tourist destinations in the country.

Volcanos National Park

Rwanda top tourist destination, the park is located in the northern side of Rwanda. It’s formed of dormant volcanos and rolling landscape that has statured Rwanda a land of a thousand hills. This beautiful rain tropical volcanic park is a continuation of the Virunga Conservation Areas. One of the most amazing volcanic tropics that harbors some of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in the wild.

The park’s fame started earlier during the times of featured USA Zoologists Dian Fossey who strived to see that gorillas have a next generation. Volcanoes is a rich monatane eco-system and a UNESCO heritage site due to unique central African flora. The park was named after a chain of dormant volcanoes that brands it like the Karisimbi, Bisoke and the Sabinyo which overlooks all the three neighboring countries.

Furthermore the volcanic tropical rainforest home to the endangered mountain gorillas, endemic to the golden monkeys, and as well hosts over 400 bird species, alongside several primate species. Volcanos National Park is a luxury gorilla trekking destination. Other adventures done here are; golden monkey tracking, volcanic hiking, visiting Dian Fossey’s tombs among others.

Nyungwe National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is rated to be among the Africa’s oldest forests, this is attributed to its biodiversity and spectacular beauty. Besides the beauty, it’s the Rwanda’s primate capital with about 13 primate species recorded and chimpanzees are prime. All about Rwanda Safaris, Chimpanzee tracking may seem one of the best attraction at the park, however, chimpanzees here are not fully habituated and a close up encounter may not be a guarantee.

The tallest forests, but a walkway on the canopy for the forest was established beyond several forest encounters. Among the encounters here include, about 1,068 plant species and 140 orchids, at least 120 butterfly species and almost 75 mammals are recorded at Nyungwe forest.

Major tourist activities at Nyungwe Forest National Park are chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, canopy walks, and bird watching.

Akagera National Park

The Akagera National Park is a point where the East African savannah stretches to the Central African tropics. The largest and only savannah park in Rwanda located in eastern region bordering Tanzania. The Akagera National Park is a low-lying plain decorated with Savanah, Woodlands, wetlands and several lakes.

Real savannah safari are experienced in areas, Akagera National Park is a perfect idea for game viewing. And chance to watch some of the Big Five Games is only the Akarega savannah plain. One of the richest parks in terms of accommodating several of the species.

This rich eco-system ranges from savannah, woodlands, swamps, several lakes and rivers, and montane forests. Among the water bodies is the Kagera River where the park instigates its name and the Lake Ihema known for several unique adventures in Rwanda.

The best time to visit Rwanda

Rwanda being placed in the tropical-savannah position where the Central African tropics meets with the East African savannah makes Rwanda a country that has a warm climate. The country mainly has two weather conditions drier and wet seasons. Rwanda’s best time for safaris is always the drier season that happens between June to September. The drier season is fittest for watching the mountain gorillas, as trekkers forgo the muddy struggles. However, the country being a warm country into the equatorial realms can be visited all year around.

Uniqueness about Rwanda Safaris

Africa’s Luxury destination

Rwanda was position a luxury gorilla tracking destination considering various factors. Though, gorilla trekking is Rwanda’s most selling adventure activity, it’s important to note that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is not any ones wish. The rates of a permit to trek in Rwanda sometimes is the full budget to some traveler. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda a permit costs $1,500 to trek per day. All about Rwanda Safaris,  It’s over doubles the counterparts like Uganda and DR Congo. Rwanda has over 10 habituated gorilla families, meaning a reasonable number of trekkers surely have a chance. To find the gorillas than any other destination with the Virunga Conservation Area.

World class canopy walks

The world’s best canopy walkway, it’s set above one of the Central African misty tropical rainforest. Nyungwe scoops a position on the top 5 best tourist destinations in Rwanda. Looking out for the best places to enjoy your relished safari trip in Rwanda, then think of walking on the swinging 70m suspension. The old fashioned hyped bridge is a point to watch the hovering mist, over 13 primate species and feeling the melodies of birds under tree branches. The Nyungwe Forest National Park is the perfect destination of watching the endangered chimpanzee species. The all canopy walk starts with hiking down within the sticky grounds for a walk of about an hour, to reach the swinging canopy.

Kwita Izina

Meeting Rwanda’s newly born baby gorilla which are named every year. The Kwita Izina is the brought from the traditional naming custom of the Rwandans children in the presence of families and friends. This is a global event which is organized annually and attracting several iconic ruling, political, and influencing figures. The gorilla Naming event is a unique feature only for Rwanda that celebrates nature. Several iconic features lead the naming session, for example, the Kwita Izina 2022 was led by King Charles III, who by then was a prince.

Gisozi Genocide Memorial

Rwanda’s largest holocaust museum and the largest in East Africa located in the Kigali city, Rwanda’s capital. In 1994, about 500,000 to one million people were killed in a red blood human massacre. The Rwanda holocaust genocide happened when the extremist Hutu government launched a massacre against the minority Tutsi.

This devilish mass killing occurred openly throughout the land of Rwanda in church, schools, government buildings, homes, roads and any gathering places. After this kind of violence, and the set stability. Several museums demonstrating the evil act were built among which is the Gisozi genocide museum. The museum contains several of historical artefacts from the genocide.

One language

Rwanda is almost the only African country in the sub-Sahara region which uses one local language. Not like other African countries that have several languages spoken from different ethnic groups. The Twa, Hutu and Tutsi people all use Kinyarwanda language as their traditional language of communication. However, Rwanda uses two foreign languages, French and English which was added recently.

All about gorilla tours in Uganda

All about gorilla tours in Uganda, Entering into the impenetrable forests, behind armed ranger guides. Rolling through while making your own path in search for the gentle endangered species. This flinches the narration about the gorilla tours which is Africa’s most preferred adventure. Today t of ta bigger number of travelers come to Uganda to trek mountain gorillas which is an amazing encounter.

Mountain gorillas are endemic to only countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Then makes Uganda boost over this thrill of the wild and then availing the best experience ever. The right description of gorilla tours, is setting right from your lodge with all your day pack. And spend almost the full day into the forest searching and spending a full hour with the gorilla.

Gorilla tours  not for the heart fainting, more energy  needed as it involves slopes and hiking in the game of searching for human closest relative. However, aged people of even 90 years have trekked through the Bwindi forest and been able to spend an hour before the gorillas.

Well, when planning for a gorilla tour in Uganda, we got you all that you need to understand before setting. Not like other adventures, besides accommodation challenges, permits to trek gorillas  very limited per day. This makes gorilla tours demanding more time to preparations to ensure you’re set to go.

Then, the end result on gorilla tours is finding the gorillas in their natural habitat, and that moment of an hour before the giant. Uganda hosts the highest population of gorillas within the two endemic tropical forests. And the highest of opportunities of watching. And interacting with gorillas is Uganda’s Bwindi with the highest number of habituated gorillas.

About mountain gorillas

According to International Union for Nature Conservation (IUNC), Mountain Gorillas  listed on the red list of endangered species. Believed there  over 1060 mountain gorillas recorded in the wild according to the last census of 2019. These gentle giants are endemic to only two conservancy zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) shared among Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Mountain gorillas are one of the ape family. Apes are primates without tails including Human, Chimpanzees, Orangutans, Gibbon and Bonobo. It’s a reason why gorillas possess about 98% of the human DNA, called human closest relatives.

Mountain gorillas is a sub-species of the eastern gorillas (Gorilla Beringei) which is further splinted into the eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas. Furthermore, the mountain gorillas are splinted into the Virunga mountain gorillas and the Bwindi mountain gorillas. The Virunga mountain gorillas live in the lowland areas of the Virunga Conservation Area.

The Virunga Conservation Area covers three parks of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda, Volcanos National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park of in the Eastern Congo. And the Bwindi Mountian Gorilla dwell in highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Virunga gorilla live in the valleys and slopes of Virunga which are more cold making them grow much fur than the Bwindi gorillas which live in the steeps tropics.

The mountain gorilla once tested on the edge of extinction by 1980s where only about 300 gorillas existed in the forest. The major threats of the mountain gorillas were encroachments and the political instabilities especially in Rwanda and eastern Congo forests.

In the 1990s Uganda government noticed the need to conserve the gorilla. The need prompted the government to cause a deliberate eviction of the People lived in the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga to ensure a future of gorilla. However, their eviction without their consent, without pay and without being resettled made many human right body raising up against act.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about 50% of the mountain gorillas in the wild. Then the rest of the gorillas resides in the Virunga Conservation Area. Mountain gorillas are endemic to only the mentioned forests, these are species which survive under captivity not found in zoos and artificial animal zones.

About gorilla habituation

Before gorillas are ready for trekking, are followed as a way making them familiar with human presence. The following process that starts from where the family is first seen, then followed for a period of about 2yrs. Behavioral wise, gorillas are aggressive giant that can react by attacking in case of any threat. This makes it necessary for gorillas to undergo habituation process.

Gorilla habituation lasts for not beyond two years until when gorillas are ready for trekking. The process involves following the apes, studying their daily activities and behaviors, and even naming the group and individuals of the family.

Uganda is a special destination for all your gorilla tours, the country opened up for trekker to join groups of researchers and undertake gorilla habituation. The gorilla habituation adventure means you join the team of research and spend a full day following the gorillas.

In a group limited to 4 trekkers a day, trekker have to walk along their day pack with enough drinking water and eats. The trek starts by searching for gentle giants from where they were last seen the previous day. Then finding the gorillas, with gorilla habituation you have more 4 hours before the gorillas.

The gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500.

Is it safe to trek gorilla in Uganda?

This is an important point of view, is it safe to trek gorillas in Uganda? Yes, gorilla tours in Uganda are safe considering several constituencies of aspects. We believe the safety of trekkers is so much important than anything else. So, with the ranger guides their major focus remains the safety of trekkers. Then trekking policies and systems that ensure security and safety while tracking the gorillas.

Uganda is the prime gorilla trekking destination considering several aspects. Trekking briefing which is made 30 minutes prior to trekking are very important for the safety order. For the period of over 20 years of gorilla trekking in Uganda, there has not been any cases of security. Uganda Wildlife Authority established a team of armed rangers who are to ensure the safety of trekkers from wild animals and insecurity cases in any.

Best time to trek gorillas in Uganda

In Uganda, gorilla can be trekked throughout the year. However, the dry months/seasons have been the most preferred trekking time. The dry time of June to September is a longer time experiencing limited rain and long dry weather and then perfect for gorilla tours. Also the dry month extends other months from December to February. During these dry periods, the grounds are generally dry to avoid you from the slippery and moist grounds. The other months tend to experience too much rainfall and grounds tends to be slippery, moist, and when can trek amidst day showers.

Where to trek gorillas in Uganda?

There are two gorilla parks in Uganda, these are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in proximity in southwestern Uganda in the Kigezi region. However, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best choice for gorilla trekking than any other gorilla destination in Uganda.

Bwindi forest competes no other destination, over half of the gorillas in the world call the park their home. The park divided into 4 trekking sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Experiences through these sectors tend to vary considering land scape aspects, and Nkuringo is by far the most challenging trekking sector.

Over 18 habituated gorilla families are ready to trek at Bwindi. This avails the highest rate of opportunities to trek gorillas on the daily basis. And another amazing moment is gorilla habituation experience which is only available at Bwindi Park. Mgahinga is a spectacular trekking destinations but only available for 8 trekkers daily with only one habituated gorilla family.

Trekking gorillas in either parks, a permit costs $700. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is the most affordable considering several aspects and best gorilla experiences.

Packing list on your gorilla tour to Uganda

Gorilla tours are challenging matches through the dense forests of rolling landscapes. This trekking is a lifetime adventure experience that can’t be experience just anywhere. Do you opt for the adventure? Then you got to consider the best preparation time for the adventure. There is no clear path when trekking, you need to go through the unmade routes. The trek can last for about 30 minutes to 6 hours before finding the gorillas, this means a long trek through thick tropic, thorny, a walk through valleys, slopes, moist and slippery grounds before finding the gorillas.

This means one must prepare enough for the long trek to avoid embarrassments. Check through the list of packing list of what you need to pack along your gorilla tour in Uganda. A pair of long trouser, dull long shelved shirt, body repellant, enough drinking water, sugary eats, jungle trekking boots, thick shocks, hardy gloves, rain jacket, wide-brim hat, sunscreen, camera, binoculars and anything that can be important for your trekking. In case you have a heavy backpacker, there are porter who aid in carrying your backpacker at $15 for a trek.

Flying-in gorilla tours in Uganda

The journey to drive from Entebbe Airport to southwestern extreme end of Uganda is very long. Some of the travelers because have come for resting vacations, hate seating into the vehicle and drive for almost a full day. This has been eased, there several local flight feeding airstrips which are spread across the country. Planning fly-in and trek gorillas, instead of the 9 hours’ drive can take almost an hour fly-in from Entebbe airport to Kihihi airstrip in Kisoro. As well arrangement for returning can be made to avoid the long drives which experience is very hectic to some of the travelers.

Fly to Kigali-Rwanda and trek in Uganda

Also flying at Kigali International Airport and drive to trek in Uganda is another trending trekking trial. A drive from Kigali to Uganda’s Bwindi is approximately 4 hours, which is much easier than driving the full day. For the hurried gorilla tour is best with a fly-in plan.

An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris

An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris,  Uganda is a beautiful country that has beautiful places to visit on a safari. The East African interior display safari offers which include gorilla trekking, Big Five games, day and night wildlife game viewing, bird watching chimpanzee tracking, cultural experiences, amazing flora, hiking experiences among others.

Uganda found in Africa and lies staid to the Equator its located in the interior of East Africa, a small country almost to the size of UK. Uganda stands on an area of 241,551 square kilometer formed with amazing features of rolling landscapes with variety of mountains including the once tallest volcanic mountain which is now with the largest caldera in the world to snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains in the west. it Hosts the world longest River Nile, and the Africa’s largest flesh water Lake Victoria, the immense vegetation variation accommodates wildlife, world’s most welcoming hospitable people to mention but a few.

The country seats in the arrays of the equatorial realms, ably displaying one of the perfect weather. The Pearl of Africa experiences a warm and cool climate throughout the year with two variations of wet and sunny. And peddling between the corridor of the Great East and West Rift.

Is Uganda safe for safaris?

The safety of any person traveling to Uganda is important than anything else. One doesn’t need to worry when planning to visit Uganda. Is Uganda safe for tourist? Yes, the country is safe for anyone. About 2 decades ago, the country suffered with rebel activities like the LRA led by Kony especially in northern Uganda and the western areas around the Congo forest. However, the narration has changed. It’s truly safe to travel in Uganda.

Though some insecurity incidences like the 2021 rebel activities in Kampala and surrounding areas. The armed cattle rustling in Karamoja, today are well handled by security operatives. In all Uganda is safe to be your next vacation destination.

The best time to for a safari in Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is the dry season, the dry season is experienced in the months of December to February and June to August. This period is characterized with severe sun shine and sometimes northern Uganda becomes hot up to 33^OC. The dry weather as always been the perfect time to experience what nature offers on Uganda safaris.

Wet seasons is a low traveling season which most travelers have found risky to travel. The wet seasons characterized with limited lightning, thunder, snow and limited storms. However, due climatic changes, sometimes the storms become very strong destroying properties.  An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris, Floods due to continual deforestation keep on disturbing people staying in highlands especially in mountainous areas around Mt. Elgon and Mt. Rwenzori.

The rainy weather is experienced in the months of March to May, and September to November. During these month tourist are few in most of the tourist destinations. So, when opting to travel during the less crowded period, then the months of WET months are better solution.

Adventures to do on a Uganda safari

Gorilla trekking adventure

Gorilla trekking is the highlight of the rest of the adventures in Africa. In facts it’s next to the great Wildebeest migration of Masai Mara and Serengeti. Uganda is the capital of mountain gorillas in the wild with two gorilla forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga. Bwindi tropical rainforests accommodate almost 50% of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.

Gorillas available for trekking in Uganda are fully habituated which enable that amazing close-up encounter. Habituation is a process intended to train gorillas to get used to human presence. Mountain gorillas are larger apes, very aggressive and they intend to attack in case of any threat. The habituation process aim at quenching off the aggressiveness to friendly apes.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda done at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A permit to trek at Bwindi or Mgahinga costs $700. An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris,  The permits are only issued with Uganda Wildlife Authority, a body responsible for the management and conservation of national parks and game reserves.

Wildlife game viewing

Wildlife game viewing is the most reward adventure activity on a safari to Uganda. This is the major activity which should never miss on any of your safari holiday to the Pearl of Africa. Wildlife game viewing involves watching variety of wildlife mainly in Savanna Park. With a total of 10 National Parks, (5) are savannah parks which are; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Semuliki National Park.

With wildlife game viewing, a game drive is the major activity done, and some parks like Queen Elizabeth, Murchison, and L. Mburo a boat cruise very amazing other adventure. Expectations on a wildlife game viewing safari include; Big Five games (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos), herds of antelope (Kobs, elands, Impala, Bushbuck, waterbuck, Oribi, Duiker etc), Rothschild giraffes, zebras, warthogs, hippos, warthogs, fox, among others. The wildlife game viewing as well displays variety of bird species, several primates and overrated nature of flora.

All routes of driving on a safari to Uganda, Wildlife game viewing safaris is possible. Even with the limited time on your safari, at least the two days safari trip itinerary makes you meet wildlife safari experience thrilling offers. Other activities done on a wildlife game viewing adventure include, primates tracking, bird watching, nature walks among others.

Cultural tour experience

The diverse in culture is one blessing of Uganda, with over 50 ethnic groups in Uganda with varying practices. These ethnic groups have been a vital supplement on any safari to Uganda. Traveling across Uganda, difference in practices indeed will surprise you. And a decision to know more about culture in Uganda draws you close to communities and set cultural spots for this encounter.

Cultural tour experiences involves visiting places of cultural significance, listening to stories and narrations, as well enjoying various cultural practices. Cultural communities like Batwa cultural trail experiences, Karamoja cultural tour experiences, Buganda cultural trial, and Toro Kindgom cultural trial. These are well established to supplement on your safari to you respective regions.

Chimpanzee tracking

The amazing encounters with another apes, chimpanzees are considered the most intelligent apes among all the primates. They are the closest human relatives sharing almost 98% of human DNA. With about 107,000 chimpanzees remaining on the African continent, Uganda is estimated to host about 5000 chimpanzees.

The best place to find/track chimpanzees in Africa in their natural habitats is Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking is the wild is among the most attracting adventures done on a safari holiday in Uganda.  An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris,  Chimpanzees available for tracking in Uganda are fully habituated for a close up encounter.

Kibale National Park in western Uganda is the prime chimpanzee tracking destination in African. The Park has several communities of habituated chimpanzees that are available for tracking. Kibale National Park  branded as the world’s primate capital, besides chimpanzees there’re other 13 primates species.

And the other places/forests to track chimpanzees in Uganda include Kyambura gorge east of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Budongo forests. A permit to track chimpanzee’s costs $100.

Top tourist destinations in Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s largest and most visited National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northern region, commonly famous for its might Murchison Falls along the Victoria Nile. Most of the safari routes connects to Murchison falls making the park receiving the highest number of tourist in Uganda. One of the few parks in Uganda that permits a chance to watch a full list of the Big Five Games when connected with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Adventure activities done in Murchison Falls National Park include;

• Wildlife game drive
• Wildlife boat cruise
• Bird watching
• Top of the falls watching
• Nature walks
• Community visits
• Wild camping

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s most popular national park, the second largest and second most visited. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in western Uganda at the foothills of Rwenzori Mountains. It’s seated along the Western Great Albertine Rift, stretching to the DRC’s Virunga Conservation Area. The park is also famous for the Kazinga channel which connects the two lakes Edward and Gorge. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most interesting savannah parks in Uganda. This park has the longest list of safari activities done among the rest of the parks in Uganda.

Adventure activities done at Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Wildlife game drive along Kasenyi section
• Boat cruise done along Kazinga channel
• Tracking tree climbing lions in Ishasha
• Lion tracking experiential
• Mongoose tracking
• Hippo census
• Bird watching, the park hosts the highest number of bird species in the country.
• Community visit
• Exploring lake Katwe and salt mining
• Chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura gorge

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The most exciting tourist destination where nature repeats itself. At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park people tend to track their biological origin dating 400 million years ago. Bwindi Impenetrable is located in southwestern Uganda within the rift valley escapements. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is famous for hosting almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The park offers the highest chances of watching the gentle giants in their natural environment. Gorillas here are fully habituated, a trekking a permit costs $700.

Adventure activities done at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Gorilla trekking
• Bird watching
• Batwa cultural experience
• Mountain biking
• Nature walks

Jinja City,

The East African capital of adrenaline adventures.  Located in eastern, and the largest city in eastern Uganda. The source of the highest voltage of hydro power used in the country and was once an industrial capital of Uganda. Today, Jinja city  popularly known for hosting the source of the World’s longest River Nile. Along the flow of the river, there are various landform features which have turned jinja in a tourism city. Among these landform features include waterfalls and cliff which have facilitated activities like white water rafting on the rapids.

Adventure activities done in Jinja city

• White water rafting
• Bungee jumping
• Water sliding
• Visiting waterfalls like intand falls
• Boat rides
• Horse riding
• Quad biking
• Hill climbing
• Events and happenings like the annual Nyengenye tourism festival.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Uganda’s remotest National Park as it was rated by CNN. Kidepo Valley is located in northeastern Uganda sharing borders with South Sudan and Kenya. It’s the most difficult park to access by road as the drive needs a full day. Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the region which has persisted to its traditions and defiled the civilization trends.  An Ultimate Guide on a Uganda Safaris, The Park is most know to be the remotest and the best savannah park to offer a widest land scape view. The park accessed via Ziwa and Murchison Falls National Park en-route qualifying it for the possibilities of the Big Five games.

Adventure activities done at Kidepo Valley National Park

• Wildlife Game drives
• Karamoja cultural experiences
• Nature walks
• Mountain climbing

Kampala capital city

The most vibrant city in Uganda, and double it with being the capital. Kampala is located in the central region of Uganda approximately 45km from Entebbe international airport. Kampala capital is famous of several tourist experiences among which include; happening like clubbing, various food tastes like Rolex, cultural experiences, religious center, education and administrative capital. There are a number of tourist activities and places which can be visited for various experiences.

Kibale National Park

The world’s capital of primate species. Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda approximately 26km from Fort Portal city. The park’s credibility installed in hosting the highest number of chimpanzees in the East African region. Chimpanzees here are fully habituated and tracker have an opportunity for a close up encounter with the chimpanzees. As well, it’s only at Kibale where trackers have a chance to do chimpanzee habituation and spend with the primates almost a full day.

Adventure activities done at Kibale National Park

• Chimpanzee tracking
• Primate tracking
• Bird watching
• Forest nature walks
• Bogodi community visit

Mountian Rwenzori National Park

Uganda’s highest mountain raised at an elevation of 5109m above sea level. Mountain Rwenzori National Park is located in western Uganda stretching to borders of Uganda and DR Congo. The snowcapped mountain has stood to posse the most challenging hiking experience in Uganda. Though the 3^rd highest mountain in African after Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya but possess the most challenging climbing experience. Hiking to the Margarita peak, the highest point take the maximum of 14 days to and fro.