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14 Best Tips For Traveling Safe In Uganda

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Discover 14 best tips to travel safely in Uganda. Is it safe to travel to Uganda for a holiday? Here is everything you need to know on how to travel safely in Uganda for the first time or even as a repeat traveler. Uganda is notably the safest destination in the entire East African region thanks to government efforts and general community cooperation.

With decades of prevailing peace and security, Uganda is a safe place for solo travelers, group travelers, self-drive tours, guided safaris, and even business trips. But like any travel destination, there are some precautions anyone needs to observe to keep safe. We have put together a list of the 14 best tips to travel safely as you explore the wonders of Uganda.

14 Best Tips to Travel Safe in Uganda

Know the places to avoid

Be aware that not all places you want to travel to are safe and secure. Some destinations must be avoided and the best source of information is for you to deal with the local tour company. Situations do change and it is unfair to say such and such places should be avoided as of now. But provided that you are in touch with your local operator, being experts on the ground, they will keep you updated throughout the time before you consider traveling to any destination in Uganda.

Have experienced guides

Move with an experienced driver guide or safari guide. These are knowledgeable on the routes and places safe for you to travel for your exploration on Uganda safaris. The beauty of having a driver guide/safari guide take you on your Uganda tour is that you can always engage them. You can freely ask them about the safety of certain places. Besides, they are professionals with vast experience in East African destinations. Before you set off, the safari guide or driver guide can first take you through a briefing about your journey and the destination you will be visiting.

Safety in the wilderness/game parks

Most of the safaris or tours in Uganda are conducted in the national parks with a primary focus on mountain gorillas, wildlife, birds, and other primates like chimpanzees. The local experts are the right team to work with when it comes to wildlife tours or gorilla safaris in Uganda. They have a deep understanding of the destinations.

Avoid moving in isolation

Avoid as much as you can to move in isolation. Have company of your colleagues at least be in a group of 2 or more. And while you move, you can have a local expert around to take you.

Do not move in dark places/corners

Moving in dark corners should be avoided as much as you. Such places are usually full of criminals. In case you arrive at the place a little late, make sure at least you take the path where there are some lights.

Travel early to your destination

Starting your journey early morning is a good thing. This can allow you to reach your destination or accommodation property early enough. Late arrivals are not safe whether you have been to the destination before or first time. And in case you happen to reach the destination late, try as much as you can to reach the team at the accommodation property at the time you are likely to get there.

Inform someone else about your travel plans

It is good practice to start a journey when you have informed a friend, or family member of where you are traveling to. This applies to solo travelers or even those on guided Uganda safaris. By informing someone else about your travel plan, they can make a follow-up to be sure that you are safe in the destination where you are.

Have emergency contact

First, you need a local sim card to use on a trip in Uganda and most importantly, do not forget to have hotlines in case of emergency. The emergency contact for Uganda is 999/112. Besides, do not set off to your destination for a vacation without taking the contact of your tour operator or company.

Dress conservative

Dress in a manner that is respectful to the local cultures. Ladies should consider wearing longer skirts, and shirts that cover their shoulders. Men can have long trousers and also long-sleeved shirts. This doesn’t mean that you should go ahead to completely change your wardrobe but it is a sign that you respect the culture and traditions in the destinations.

Get for yourself a local SIM card

The easiest way to tap the local network in Uganda is by having a local SIM card. You can purchase one at the lowest price for any network of your preference. You can have an MTN or Airtel line to help keep in touch with you even if you are in the remotest part of Uganda.

Be aware of petty crimes and scams

Uganda like any country does register cases of pickpocketing, bag snatching, armed robbery, and scams. This is usually in urban areas like Kampala the capital. While in such places, it is always important to take safe precautions. Have your property safely kept and avoid walking at night.

Avoid carrying large sums of money only what you need to purchase, and avoid wearing expensive items. At the ATMs, always try to be cautious about who is around you. Report any case to the nearest police station or embassy.

Find a safe accommodation

When choosing a place to stay, safety comes first. Be aware that not all lodges or hotels are safe. Know where the lodge or hotel you intend to stay in is located.

Have valid documents

Carry with you valid travel documents to avoid having issues on your road trip with the traffic police. A valid driver’s license or permit is essential for a self drive Uganda tour. Valid passports and visas are required too. Talk to the local expert to know all the relevant travel documents that will be required of you before you set off for your actual exploration in the pearl of Africa.

Respect the traffic rules

For those planning to hire a car in Uganda to hit the roads by themselves, following the traffic rules is a must for a safe and stress-free drive. On your journey to your destination, make sure that you try as much as you can to observe the traffic road rules. When driving, you must keep left and maintain the speed limit as indicated on the signposts.

Has Recent Sub-Saharan African Growth translated into Improved Living Conditions?

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Sub Saharan Africa

By Andy McKay

High rates of African growth reported in many Sub-Saharan African countries raises concerns about living standards for ordinary African people, with many reporting shortages of food and healthcare.  This article assesses changes in living conditions associated with these high levels of growth.

The African growth recovery
The world has woken up to what has been apparent to many of those who live or have been in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past 6-8 years or more: the very impressive recovery of economic growth over recent years.  An estimate of the pattern of evolution of aggregate Sub-Saharan African GDP in constant dollar values since 1960 is summarised in Figure 1.  This shows the well-known period of significant decline from the mid-1970s to the early to mid-1990s; but now the period of subsequent recovery of growth has almost lasted as long, and has taken Sub-Saharan Africa’s per capita aggregate GDP higher than it has ever been since Independence.

Because of the long timescale the chart may appear to suggest that the recovery since the mid-1990s has been modest.  But the whole continent’s per capita GDP grew by more than 30% over the 15 year period since 1995, and this includes some large (and small) countries that have had negative growth over the period.  Growth between 1995 and 2005 was still slower than in the first 15 years since 1960.  But the rate of growth has been particularly fast since 2005, certainly exceeding that of the early post-independence period, even despite the world financial crisis in 2007-08.

But what is much less well known is how much this African growth has translated into better living conditions for ordinary African people.  The comment is frequently made that Africans do not feel the benefits of improved economic performance “in their pocket”.  If there is a concern that commodities have played an important role in this growth this may bring less benefit to ordinary people.

Peace is Good for Business – Entrepreneurship and Violent Conflicts in Africa

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Peace and Business Report

By Tilman Brück, Wim Naudé and Philip Verwimp

Arms flows to sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) are small, at only 1.5 % of the total volume of global arms transfer according to the most recent figures from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Yet even small amounts of arms have a significant impact on stability and security in the region, which in turn has wide implications for development and entrepreneurship.

Still, the details of how violent conflict has an impact, especially on small businesses, are far from being understood. One reason is that any theoretical models naturally assume a state of peace. Another reason is that, within economics, there are still no suitable theories about the causes and consequences of conflict, which is compounded by the difficulty of collecting data in conflict-affected areas, the dominance of macro-level approaches in political science, and the disproportionate concern in the aid community on the impact of violent conflict on multinational enterprises.

The Need for Industrialization and Industrial Policy
Conflict is most often a characteristic, or defining feature of states that have been described as ‘fragile’ states. Fragile states are amongst the poorest, and lack authority, legitimacy and capacity to promote their citizens’ wellbeing – often due to violent conflict but also suffering from violent conflict. Given the widespread occurrence of violent conflicts in Africa, the rising concern about fragile states and their repercussions for global development, the lack of research on the emergence of, and challenges to entrepreneurship and small businesses during violent conflict is a significant lacuna.

Concepts and Definitions
Violent Conflict
Violent conflict refers to the systematic use of violence by armed groups to reach political objectives. The word systematic is important as it indicates that we are focusing here on violent conflict that goes beyond its association with crime, although protracted civil conflicts are accompanied by the rise and spread of organized crime.

Why Every Organization Should Invest in Thought Leadership

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Thought Leadership

By Daniel W Rasmus

Thought leadership is not a science. It is difficult to measure its effects on sales, but large organizations continue to develop it because it creates a context beyond products and sales. It helps organizations connect with customers and community, citizens and investors. Thought leadership contributes to good will and helps establish credibility and trust — but perhaps most importantly, thought leadership pushes an organization to look beyond itself internally and become better.

Just what is Thought Leadership?

At the basic level, thought leadership represents the highest form of marketing content. Thought leadership offers insights, guidance, advice, observations and inspiration. As much as those attributes define thought leadership, it is perhaps through negative examples, that it often proves difficult for sales minded organizations to connect it with a revenue outcome. Thought leadership, for the most part, does not promote a product or even a company. It is an idea, more than anything else that define, thought leadership. Thought leadership usually derives from internal values, beliefs or passions, even when it is executed through partnerships with academic institutions or other researchers. Thought leadership begins with good questions, interesting perspectives that can be researched and proven. The best thought leadership goes on to challenge its own assumptions and transparently share the results with the world.

Thought leadership as a marketing tool

An organization can choose to market itself in a number of ways. Most young companies, and many with single products, concentrate on product-focused marketing, choosing to share unique features and offering a value proposition for the product intended to entice potential customers. As a company matures, expands its product lines and market presence, it moves from simply positioning and selling products, to establishing a brand, and eventually the company. Up-scaling marketing beyond product creates entity with which consumer or citizen can have a relationship. A brand or company it stands for a promise, represents a legal entity and acts as a proxy for a collection of people who work and manage the organization.

5 Things Not to Do on Self Drive While in Africa

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Self Drive in Africa

Do you have any plans to embark on self-drive trip in Uganda or Rwanda and you are not sure which things not to do? A self-drive tour is a memorable experience which involves you to discover new destinations on your own. Embarking on solo tour in Uganda or anyone East African state requires you to be very keen. To have enjoyable self-drive trip in Uganda, make sure that you avoid the following things.

Don’t drive for long

While driving can be enjoyable, spending long hours behind the wheels isn’t good too. Driving for long hours isn’t only tiring but also can lead to road accidents. This doesn’t mean it isn’t possible but, in most cases, it becomes less enjoyable something any solo traveler should avoid on self-drive trip in Uganda or Rwanda. And given the nature of roads that lead to most tourist attractions/destinations in Uganda, it becomes more challenging navigating through them for without rest.

Hiring an unsuitable rental car

While there is need to save something to meet other expenses at the destination, don’t go by a rental car because it is cheaper. Cheaper things tend to be expensive at end. When choosing a rental car for your self-drive tours in Uganda, make sure you select a comfortable car that meets your travel needs. To avoid getting issues while on a road trip in Uganda or Rwanda, the best thing to do is rent one of our classic self-drive safari rental cars. We have wide range of rental cars that suit every solo travelers’ needs and they include among others the 4×4 Toyota Rav4, Land Cruisers, Toyota Corolla and Super Customs.  Hiring anyone of our self-drive safari rental cars gives solo travelers a peace of mind.

Before setting off, don’t forget to carryout thorough check up on the self-drive safari rental you plan to use. Ensure all the tyres, brakes, windows, wipers and others are in better condition. Failure to identify and taking note of any errors prior embarking on your road trip may cost you as it will be counted on you.

Being more adventurous

While self-drive safari tour is more of discovering new tourist destinations, it requires some keenness among solo travelers on Uganda self-drive tour. Most roads or routes that lead visitors to most tourist sites in Uganda are not up to the international standard but they are within East African standards. The marram roads do differ and driving on them may seem challenging for new visitors. When planning a self-drive trip, your comfort does matter a lot and it is exactly what we need our solo travelers to get.

Not knowing where you are heading to

Self-drive tours are more of adventure-you discover new destinations and are routes to your dream destination. Given the nature of this trip, solo travelers need to be well-prepared. In your self-drive safari car, make sure that you have the GPS coverage and in cases where the GPS network may get disrupted, don’t forget to have a good road Atlas. Most importantly, always be in touch with our team and we shall give you any assistance required.

Driving during late hours

You may not be sure what time to get your destination. However, try to get there or hotel early and don’t drive at night. We may not specify what time you should leave to start your road trip to your dream destination but make sure you are there early before it gets dark. Late driving is very risky despite the fact that Uganda is a peaceful country, it is never 100 percent safe just like any country in the world. Or get the hotel management informed what time you are most likely to check in at the hotel.

In summary, self-drive tours in Uganda are exceptional way to discover different destinations on your own and at your pace. For lasting self-drive safari experiences in Uganda, Rwanda simply get in touch with our reservation team and we have your dreams achieved.

Uganda’s Oil Wealth: Development Prospects and Potential Dutch Disease Effects

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Oil Drilling in Uganda

By Lawrence Bategeka and John Mary Matovu

Uganda’s development prospects were greatly enhanced by the country’s discovery of oil deposits in 2006. However, the desired economic transformation can only be realized if government’s spending options of oil revenue supports exports diversification by limiting adverse effects of the dreaded “Dutch Disease”. Using a dynamic Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Model we investigate how different spending options targeted at particular sectors of the economy would affect the competitiveness of the traded goods sector in Uganda.

The CGE modelling results suggest that there would indeed be winners and losers under these various scenarios depending on what the additional oil resources are used for. As expected, increased oil resources would lead to significant appreciation of the currency in all scenarios. Also, as the theory predicts, we find that the demand for non-tradables (mainly the services sector) increases.

Best Things to See on Self Drive in Kenya

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Self Drive in Kenya

Kenya is a dream destination with an incredible mix of natural wonders. Aside from Kenya’s natural parks, wildlife safaris, snowy mountains, endless grasslands, and gorgeous sandy beaches, Kenya, also has a reputation for traffic being chaotic and roads being full of potholes.

Kenya is an extraordinary country for a self-drive safari and wildlife viewing boasting over 50 National Parks and Reserves. So you will be forgiven if you imagine Kenya to be vast plains littered with wildlife happily grazing on the savannah, lions shrouding in long grass stalking unbeknown to their prey and large herds of elephant gracefully gliding across the valley. This is all true. But this is not all Kenya has to offer the intrepid traveller.

MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS IN KENYA FOR TOURISTS

  1. Nairobi

The capital, Nairobi has changed immensely over the past decade transforming into a cosmopolitan city with western style shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants and specialty stores offering everything from hip designer shoes, traditional German sausages to artisan bakeries. Even with this revolution Nairobi still oozes traditional African charm with colorful local markets selling everything from second hand clothes to pots and pans, flamboyant street peddlers offering “genuine” ray bans and the outgoing fast food vendors hawking everything from boiled eggs to samosa to slices of watermelon.

  1. Masai Mara

Kenya’s number 1 game park is clearly the Masai Mara National Reserve, situated in the south it is an extension of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The Masai Mara National Reserve is the home of the great Wildebeest migration when an incredible 2 million wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara, Talek and San Rivers while crocodiles sit patiently waiting for their chance to feast. While the migration is a spectacular occasion the Masai Mara is an incredible game park all year round with enormous resident herds of antelope, zebra, eland, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest and topi as well as established prides of lions, well fed cheetahs, sleek leopards and shy rhinoceros.

  1. Aberdare

If you prefer to get off the beaten track and explore less visited game parks then Kenya has a great range of options from the dramatic Aberdare National Park with game walks and sensational fly fishing, Kakamega Forest Reserve boasting hundreds of plant and bird species as well 400 types of butterflies and 7 varieties of primates, Saiwa Swamp National Park is home to the rare sitatunga antelope and endangered black and white colobus monkey.

  1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to 3 out of the 4 last Northern White Rhino on the planet as well housing Southern White Rhino and Black Rhino. It also features a Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Big 5 as well as all sorts of wildlife, a range of activities on offer from lion tracking, day and night game drives, bush walks and bird watching. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a perfect destination for families.

  1. Mountain Kenya

Mt Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain at an impressive 5199m (17,057ft) and quite different terrain to Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. There are 3 snow-capped peaks, the highest peaks, Batian and Nelion can only be climbed by experienced mountaineers while the third peak Point Lenana can be trekked by anyone. Allow around 5 days for the trek.

  1. Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana should only to be tackled by the true adventurer, as beautiful as the desert area is there are limited roads which are in exceptionally bad condition. There are few villages and even fewer towns and we highly recommend taking a local guide who knows the area, speaks the language and will be a godsend if you have any mechanical problems (which is more than likely!). However for those who make the journey will be amazed by the barren desert and the spectacular sight of the jade blue lake that seems to go on forever.

  1. Beaches

The Swahili coast is every beach lover’s utopia with beautiful powder white beaches, calm ocean waters and palm trees dotting the coastline this area should not be missed on a self-drive safari in Kenya. Scattered along the coastline are a number of gorgeous beaches with everything from campsites to 6 star luxury resorts. The coastal region is home to a number of historical sites from the Arab trading years and protected marine parks with Tsavo National Park not too far inland. The most popular beaches frequented by international tourists include Diani, Tiwi, Kilifi, Watamu and Malindi.

  1. Lamu Lamu Isand

If it is beach, history and peace you are after then head to Lamu Island. Lamu Island is Kenya’s oldest living town dating back to the 14th century, and little seems to have changed since. The Arab architecture is breath taking; the views over the ocean unbelievable and the people are the friendliest of anyone in Kenya. The island is accessible only by boat and still to this day motorised vehicles are banned on Lamu so donkeys, bicycles and foot remain the only form of transportation.

  1. Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Northern Kenya. It attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of forest and grassland vegetation. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here, as well as elephants, buffalo and hippos. The Uaso Nyiro River contains large numbers of Nile crocodile.

  1. Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Due to its size the park was divided into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. The Tsavo West has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape while Tsavo East has more open savannah than its western sibling. Tsavo National Park is the ideal destination in Kenya for people who seek solitude and privacy as well as the chance to explore the wilderness.

  1. Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow lake in central Kenya. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts vast quantities of lesser flamingos, sometimes more than one million at once. Often called the greatest bird spectacle on earth, the flamingos are one of Kenya’s top attractions. Sadly, in recent years the number of flamingos at Lake Nakuru has been decreasing, due to environmental degradation and pollution.

  1. Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is a relatively small park located close to the Tanzania border at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants. Other attractions of the Amboseli National Park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Exploring Uganda, The Pearl of Africa

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Ideal Uganda Safari

For many years Uganda has been ranked among the best tourist destinations in the world. Gifted by nature, Uganda is endowed with beautiful scenery, excellent in flora and fauna, seasonal water bodies, many lakes and rivers with the biggest lake in Africa and a source of the 2nd longest river Nile in the world, sand beaches, entertainment center both cultural and trending. Uganda is one of the destination one interested in natural adventures would not miss out.

Now we wanted to explore Uganda and see the best of the Pearl of Africa’s adventure which covered all kinds of experience for our first time exploring the Pearl. The adventure will include watching wildlife on the game drive, nature walks into dark forests, tracking chimpanzees and the world’s most endangered mountain gorilla’s, boat cruising on the great Nile River, cultural experiences name it.

Now through our adventure for the full trip we covered four national parks in different regions of the country, which are Kidepo Valley National Park at the horn of northern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park in the northwestern region, Kibale Forest National Park in the western region and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south west back to Kampala.

Our first day departing from Kampala after a simple briefing by our guide entirely about the trip, set off for the long journey to Kapchorwa through Jinja, Mbale, had lunch on reaching Kapchorwa and then after lunch refreshments we continue to explore the beauty of Sipi falls hiking the edges of Mount Elgon through the three series of falls, trekking on Elgon slopes through plantations, bushes and villages from one falls to another with the highest phase of 1600 to 1900m tall eastern region the capital Kampala. We had our dinner and overnight at twilight campsite.

On our second day we had our early breakfast then set off for the long journey that goes through Moroto to Kabongo and then finally Kidepo Valley National Park. The bumpy, dusty road and a beautiful scenic view dominated the drive, and we had the opportunity to view the real traditional life of the Kejengo people and their housing hurt style the famous manyatta. Reaching into Kidepo National Park at Apoka camping site our guide had to report our arrival to the park office. We had to prepare our dinner at Apoka campfire site before we relaxed and we had an incredible camping overnight hearing the king of the jungle roaming in the wee hours of the night.

The next morning we were prepared to comprehend what Kidepo can offer led by an armed park ranger on a game drive, it was another chance to exhaust the true African wildness on a game drive in Narus valley, we encounter herds of buffalos, elephants, Jacksons beast, Rothschild giraffes, ostrich, chances 0f seeing satisfied lions after their great hunt of a buffalo in Narus valley, it was not our day to watch a cheetah though is only in Kidepo valley national park where they are found. Counting bird species which will advance on your adventure experience. Philip our park ranger was a great deal of the day who throughout narrated tales of the wildness.

Then we turned to the campsite for lunch after the game drive and refreshed for the next activity visiting the local community at Lorokul village within the park. We had great tme interacting with the kejongos we were told their cultural believes and we participated in the karamajongo traditional dance and selecting your best marriage partner in the midst of the dance jumping higher just parallel to your body then finally we donate a little to the locals and we said bye and then turn back to camp site for dinner and overnight.

We departed the next morning to Murchison falls national park, have a stopover in Gulu town for lunch and after continue to Murchison falls park crossing the Nile on the ferry, then continuing to lodge to relax for the next day trip, having dinner and overnight there.

Counting on our fifth day, had breakfast and set off for the game drive in the park and there we had chances of watching some of the big five i.e. elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes plus other animal, and for different species of birds which we were told that the Park has more than 400 bird species notable one including the egrets, horn bills, herons, kingfisher, ibis among others. Return back to the lodge for lunch and relax. In the evening hours the go for boat cruise on the great Nile River for scenery viewing for animals and birds. The cruise will farther lead to viewing the great powerful falls many other wild animals and reptiles of the Nile. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Having breakfast at the lodge in Murchison, then setting off to Kibale Forest Park had lunch in fort portal town and the check in the park and had a simple community visit at KAFRED and see how the locals have involved in conserving the nature and how they are benefiting from it. Then return to fort portal the most beautiful town in the pearl and we had dinner and overnight there.

The next morning after breakfast then heading for the guided forest walk adventurous chimpanzee trekking in kibale forest national park, only here in the world where you find 13 different primate species which include the red and black tailed colobus, baboons, blue monkey, vervet monkey mangebay, the rare red colobus and L’Hoe’s monkey species. Chimpanzee tracking was the highlight activity for bird watching adventures will be a better place for over 100 bird species.

Turn to fort portal town for lunch and prepare for the natural walk and hiking right after visiting the Amabere ga nyina mwiru and hiking just a long the Crater Lake Nyamirima to the highest top of the world and have the most memorable scenic viewing. Turning back to our lodge preparing for last destination and in your mind just imagining on when to reach the destination, getting dinner and overnight

The next morning getting breakfast and the setting off from the western region to the south west for the great mountain gorilla, it’s another full day of traveling having a stopover in Kisoro for lunch and continue to Bwindi impenetrable National Park having dinner and overnight in the forest lodge.

The next morning having breakfast and set off on a guided forest walk in search of the incredible mountain gorillas which started at 8:00clock and the starting point in Buhoma grouped in the group of 8 briefed and given an armed park ranger to take us through the all process of trekking. We trekked Habinyanja family led by Makara the silver back, the family takes some energy to trek it has it took us 6 hours finding them and we were given one hours to interact with the giants taking photos at a distance of 7 meters.  Remember Uganda hosts almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. This is the most adventurous activity and is the highlight all other safari activity in Africa.

Having breakfast in the morning, then we proceeded to Kampala having a stopover in Mbarara town for lunch and at the equator to take photos and finally continued to Kampala with marked the end of our adventurous safari I named the “best of the pearl”.

Note for.  For gorilla tours and chimpanzee tracking book your trekking permits in advance at least three month before your trekking date from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), but for the rest of the activities you can pay at the park office per activity. You can inquire through Gorilla hub tours to book your trekking permit.

Key Benefits of Self Driving in Rwanda

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Self Driven Africa

It has been more than a year that people across the country are staying indoors mostly and going out only when they have some urgent work. Working professionals are working from home, students are attending online classes, and even grocery shopping is carried out through online mode.

Amid all of these happenings, one thing that many of us are longing for is a trip with family or friends. Many would say that trips can be too risky in that case, we can always choose a destination that is thinly crowded and where all the COVID protocols are being maintained. 

Let us also discuss the benefits of self-drive car rental for a road trip.

  1. Affordable

When you going to have a long-distance travel, it means you will need some days out and hiring a car for many days is somehow cheaper where by some car rental agencies offer discounts on clients taking the car for many days and is charged a fixed price for the whole trip the thing which make it cheaper than a public transport where by further you travel the more expenses you incur. And there are some destinations in the country which cannot be accessed by public transport thus a need to use other means of transport like cyclists or taxicab to reach there. When you add up the whole amount you will find that public transport is a bit expensive for a long-distance traveler than hiring a private car.

  1. Exclusive

The car hire services are only and only used by a certain client at that specified time booked. There is nothing like sharing a ride with a stranger. It gives the passenger that luxury of privacy and independence while traveling around Rwanda. Who on earth does not love privacy and independence while traveling? It gives you that peace of mind and hence having a wonderful travel experience.

  1. Flexible

As you take a Rwanda self-drive adventure, you get the flexibility of choosing a time to start the journey and taking as many pit-stops as you want. You do not have to be bothered about the driver who comes along with the cab and many times take breaks in between the journey as per his wish.

  1. Privacy

As you choose a self-drive car hire, it is only you and your favorite people in the car. You do not have to worry about being watched or judged by any outsiders. The fun of a journey gets doubled when you are surrounded only by people that you call your own.

Weekends and late evenings are the only times that we get to spend with family and friends. Imagine the irritation of having an unknown driver snoop over all your conversations, smirk at your dilemmas, and laugh at your jokes. This gets even worse when you rent a cab for a tour outside the city spanning a couple of days.

  1. Hygienic

The cars on rent provided by Rwanda Car Rental are deep cleaned and thoroughly sanitized before it is delivered to you. Therefore, you can forget about the virus and all the germs that the car may have. Hygiene is a big factor, especially in a time when the pandemic is giving a hard time to the world.

  1. Free maintenance

Maintenance and repairs on car rental service is included in the rental amount that you pay monthly. This is all taken care of by the company, and they will pick up the car for maintenance and servicing once a month and deliver it back to your home once done. Before picking it up from your home, you will get a call from them and the time can be decided at your convenience.

  1. Safety

Another driver problem in India is that of safety. Drivers are one of the least paid and most overworked people in India. So, you can be sure that most of the times, your driver is exhausted, tired and not totally on top of his senses.

  1. Freedom

Going for a self-drive rental car takes out the fuss and irritation of a trip by giving you the freedom to be your own boss. You can get out of the house later than you planned, leave a place early, and stop as and when you please when you are driving your own rental car. There is absolutely no hurry because you do not have to deal with a running meter and a driver who needs to be somewhere else the moment, he is free of you.

  1. Cost Benefits

Apart from all the conveniences of self-drive rental cars, another major plus point in favor of the self-driven rental verses a cab is the cost. Cabs are costly because your driven to your destination and yet self-drive car rental your drive yourself to every destination at a fixed price.

  1. Stress free

Once you make a booking of the car hire services your job is done, the rest will be handled by the driver. The chauffeur will be the one to carry your luggage into the car and also to lead you to the destination you are might to go. It is a hassle-free means of transport. For you as a traveler, you just have to sit at the back seat of the car and let it roll till you reach your destination.

  1. Car Options

You don’t have to be limited to one car during your road trip, a majority of companies offer a wide range of rental cars to choose from. Whether you want a small sedan or a mid-sized van that fits a small group/ family, you can get whatever you ask for just as long as you remember to book early most especially during the high season months. You can book online or visit the offices in person.

Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa

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Gorilla Safari

Of the most popular wildlife viewing experiences in the world, encountering the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Uganda and Rwanda is the best adventure i have ever experienced!

Though i took my first gorilla safari in Rwanda in 2010, the memories of observing the mountain gorillas in their natural wild is still fresh within my head.  A gorilla trek is great way to meet our distant, hairy relatives who share with us 99% of our DNA. When I first took a glance at the endangered mountain gorillas I felt like i was in a strange land! I took their photos in awe and i cant exactly tell the feeling of watching these amazing creatures! I cant imagine standing a mere feet from these powerful animals, the strongest of the ape family. What is surprising is the mountain gorillas are very calm, peaceful and care less about your existence as long as you don’t threaten them.

Where to See the Mountain Gorillas

Did you know that there are only a few mountain gorillas in the wild? There are about 1000 individuals living in three countries in the world; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike the lowland gorillas, there is no mountain gorilla in captivity! I think this is one of the reasons as to why gorilla trekking is an amazing wildlife experience that top the list of the best adventures you can ever take in the wild.

There are four parks where one can see the mountain gorillas;

  • The Volcanoes National Park in northern  Rwanda,
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga national park in Uganda,
  • Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

If you have ever visited the gorillas in the zoo, a gorilla safari in Africa is totally a different experience. You will watch the gorillas in the natural wild and there are no glasses, no bars, no rumbling safari car engine, no squinting through binoculars but you will be just a meters away facing the giants face to face! You will be just humans and gorillas meeting in the forest.

Planning a Gorilla Trek

Anyone intending to take a gorilla safari in Africa should consider planning early enough on a trip!  Planning ahead for a trip is required given that there are always a few gorilla permits available for those who are to take the challenge.

There are several tour operators and travel agents who offer fully inclusive trips to the gorillas. For those planning to travel independently, you will need to arrange booking your gorilla permits in time as well as booking your transportation and accommodation. Please note that public transportation is not available in some rural areas.

Please remember that gorilla trekking requires more active participation than traditional safaris and there fore a considerable degree of fitness is required for hikers.

Prices

To track the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, you must obtain a gorilla permit at US$1500 from the Rwanda Development Board.

For those looking to gorilla tracking in Uganda, a gorilla permit costs US$700 for a foreign traveler, US$600 for an East African Foreign Resident and about US$80 for East African Nationals.

It is important to know that gorilla permits should be booked well in advance due to that there is a set number of visitors that are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day.

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