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6 Must Do Things in Bwindi Forest

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the must visit places in Africa. Located in South Western Uganda, Bwindi is an ancient rain forest that survived the ice age and it is very famous for being a home for almost half of the world’s remnant population of the mountain gorillas. Travelers travel from the whole world to meet the rare and endangered mountain gorillas in the impenetrable jungles of Bwindi. However despite being known for gorilla trekking, there are many other exciting things to do in the park and here are 6 must do things that you probably be not knowing about.

1. Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the effort needed to reach Bwindi and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and one needs to be reasonably fit before undertaking to venture into the activity. Registration and briefing at Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga visitor receptions commences at 0730 hours with general briefings conducted at 0800 hours. Gorilla tracking starts at 8:30am and can last from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the gorillas were left the previous day.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has gorilla tracking as the major tourist attraction with 4 gorilla tracking trailheads. Visitors can track one of the gorilla families for which we have obtained permits for you. More gorilla families have been habituated for visitors, which means that there are over 100 daily gorilla permits available in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Wear the required clothing for gorilla trekking within the forest. Time taken searching for these gentle giants ranges from 2 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas were left the previous day. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the best safe, secure park in Africa for gorilla trekking, plus the added benefit of lower permit prices.

2. Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga
The gorilla habituation experience differs from gorilla tracking that is to say for gorilla tacking, visitors are strictly given 1 hour to spend with the gorillas whereas in gorilla habituation experience visitors are given a maximum of 4 hours to spend much more time with the gorillas. There is a great opportunity for the visitors to know more about gorillas because the researchers are always there to give as much information as you may need within those 4 hours your to spend with the gorillas. You have the choice of budget, mid-range and luxury lodging and can stay either in Rushaga or scenic Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

3. The Batwa Experience
The Batwa Experience in the Buhoma area and the Buniga Forest Walk, near Southern Bwindi, give you a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the Batwa pygmies. It also restores a bit of their dignity and keeps their cultural practices alive to be passed on to future generations. The Batwa people are pygmies and were the first inhabitants of years; they were hunter-gatherers and lived in the forests of southwest Uganda and beyond. They left a small ecological footprint on the forest and lived in harmony with nature.

4. Hikes and Trails
Forest trails in the park lead to various attractions including rivers, waterfalls, swamps and a high level of wildlife concentration. Trails can be found in Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkruringo. Some of the trails are for birding hikes, while others lead or focus on the beautiful scenery of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A short drive north to Buhoma sits on the Congo border offering wonderful hikes along the hill crests and rivers and rivers to discover waterfalls, glorious views and the traditional lifestyle and folklore of the Kigezi people.

5. Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Birding is another attraction that provides great opportunities to see various Albertine rift endemics such as the short-tailed warbler. A 6hour bamboo trail leads to Rwamunyonyi peak, at 2607m, is the highest peak and notable spot for birding. While a 3 hour descends to Mubwindi swamp could lead a visitor to endemic and localized African green broadbill. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is one of the prime birding destinations in Africa. There are over 347 species of forest birds recorded in the park. Tourists have got a wide platform to spot out some of Africa’s rarest birds and at the same time, they can track mountain gorillas and enjoy other nearby prime birding spots.

6. Mountain Bike Rides in Buhoma and other areas of the park.
Ride for a woman which is a community support group offers mountain bike rentals and guided bike in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma area of the park. You can even do the village walk on a bike with a guide. There are Birding Bike Rides, or simply a ride into the forest such as the Ivy River Trail. The average Bike Ride is 3 hours or longer in length with much to see along the trail or road. The guides are all well-trained, some specialize in birding, others in culture but all known Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which they all love and want to conserve.

How To Go Gorilla Trekking In Africa On Budget

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An encounter with the mountain gorillas in the wild deep in African rain forests is quite ultimate and magical. This experience with the astonishing human like creatures normally lasts for an hour. Mountain gorilla tracking in Africa is only done in three countries inclusive of Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Only an approximate number of 1000 critically endangered mountain gorillas are known to be thriving in the rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park Uganda, Mgahinga national park Uganda, Virunga national park in Congo and volcanoes national park in Rwanda.

For any option you choose, gorilla tracking is extraordinary and unforgettable experience though quite costly in some destinations like Rwanda and has been suspended in Congo’ Virunga national park due to insecurities till 2019. This has given Uganda an opportunity to offer luxury and budget gorilla safaris to travelers who find their way into this country.

Below are the ways on how one can trek gorillas in Africa, with reference to Uganda, giving both luxury and budget alternatives.

At first, consider traveling in the low seasons, since gorilla trekking safaris are expensive which is true, consider traveling in the low seasons where almost all players in the industry mostly those in national parks tend to subsidize their services, these include accommodation facilities, destinations / sites, craft centers, among others.

In the months of April, May and November, these are low season months when the country receives few tourists therefore, most safari lodges in Uganda tend to reduce on their room rates, as well as Rwanda which introduced a 30% discount on its permit cost, but on condition that a visitor spends 3 nights and visits any of the 2 other national parks.

For any traveler to have a successful budget gorilla safari. You have to put it in mind that traveling as a group is better than alone, this is very possible since there is sharing of costs in terms of transport, accommodation, fuel, guides or even individual stuff like souvenirs. But one of the best ways to do it is always to inquire from a genuine travel operator for advice or include you in their scheduled group tours.

Usually, the peak season includes months of January, June, July August and December, so if you intend to travel during this season for gorilla tracking, it is advisable to book your gorilla permit earlier. This will help in making necessary arrangements when it’s early enough. This is due to the fact that in peak season lodging facilities tend to get occupied to full capacity and even hike their prices.

In the essence of traveling, it is well and clear that people travelling in groups face limited costs compared to solo travelers; however much are some cost factors which will always remain constant at an individual basis. To go gorilla trekking on a budget it is recommended to join scheduled groups or come along with friends or family members.

Entrance fees. These are some of the costs one will meet when planning to gorilla trekking in Africa as well as accommodation costs and in most cases these are the constant costs and it’s upon the traveler to understand them. Consider lodges outside national parks so you can cut extra costs when relaxing at the lodge or stay at the lodge when not doing any activity in the park.

In order to enjoy a low budget gorilla safari, take up quite some time on considering the number of other activities you would like to spend time in. This includes categories of accommodation that choose to stay in while at the destination, and other activities you would do after tracking gorillas tracking gorillas and ascertain if they are price affordable, for example, boat cruises, nature walks, evening cultural tours, etc.

4 Beautiful But Hidden Safari Parks Not to Miss in Uganda

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Uganda has 10 national parks in the different regions. All the parks have the unique features  that you cannot find in the other. Though the most notable visited national parks are Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison Falls National Park, there are some beautiful but hidden national parks that you should not miss in Uganda. These include Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park to mention but a few. Here is a list of national parks hidden in the far end but with thrilling beauty you would not want to miss out, and these include;

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda sitting at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m in the virunga conservation area, mgahinga is in the foothills of virunga ranges sharing with the neighboring Rwanda and Congo. The Virunga ranges include Mt Gahinga  at 3,473 meters above sea level  covered up by Crater Lake on top, un fortunately it was covered by swamps. Gahinga literally means” a pile of rocks”.

Mount Muhavura as the highest peak at 4,127 meters Seen from far beyond Kisoro town, hiking mount Muhavura takes about 6 hours but with rewarding views of Lake Edward and George in Kasese, Queen Elizabeth national park, Ruwenzori mountain ranges and Bwindi forest.

Mount sabyinyo,” old teeth” it is one of the oldest volcanoes in the Virunga conservation area, the thrilling part of is once you hike it, at the mountain you are physically present in three countries, Uganda Rwanda and Congo. This hike though is a bit a tough and takes about 8 hours.

Semuliki national park

Semuliki National Park cuts across the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of Ruwenzori. The park is dominated by the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin, one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests that survived the ice age 18,000 years ago. The forest includes 305 species of trees recorded, of which 125 species are restricted to this park alone, savannah grassland, swamps and hot springs.

The forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri, Batuku cattle keepers, Bwamba farmers and Bakojo cultivators As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.

The beauty of semuliki national park include 53 species of mammal which have been recorded including the rare and nocturnal and diurnal species like , chimpazees, olive baboons, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and Mona, Blue Monkeys, and Guereza Colobus, De Brazza’s Monkeys. While nocturnal primates include Galagos and Pottos. Other mammal species include, Bush pig, Water Chevrotain, Buffalo, Sitatunga, White-bellied Duiker or Dwarf Antelope, Beecroft’s Anomalure and elephants

Semuliki national park is also home to various bird species, among these include, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinker bird, Spotted, Spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaubs’s Duck, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honey guides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Green-tailed Bristle bill, Forest and Grey Ground Thrushes, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Red-billed Helmet -Shrike, Red-eyed Puff-back, Black-winged Starling, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes, Pale-fronted and Chestnut-breasted Negro finches, Grant’s Bluebill.

Pian Upe reserve

This is the second largest conservation area in the greater regions of karamoja. Pian upe covers an area of about 2,788km2 to the north of mountain Elgon and is managed by Mountain Elgon Conservation department under Uganda wild life authority.

Wild life species in pian upe include wild cats like cheetahs, serval, leopard, civets, and jackals the Primates include patas monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and mammal species like Cape buffalo, topis, giraffes, elands, waterbuck, Ugandan kobs, zebras and so many others.

The reserve is also a birding destination with array of 242 amazing bird species like Jackson’s Hornbill, ostrich white-headed buffalo-weaver and others

Reptiles are also in pretty in the reserve which includes geckos, skinks, rock python, water snakes, lizard, savannah monitors among others.

Kidepo National Park

In the semi-arid region of karamajong lies Kidepo national park, the furthest park but yet with exciting features in the wilderness. The park has rare species like cheetah, hunting dog, ostriches that you will never find in any national park. Kidepo National Park was gazetted in 1962 and it host over 77 mammal species which include elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, giraffes, bush baby, buffalo and much more as well as around 475 bird species including the endemic species like the pygmy Falcon, Varreaux’s Eagle plus , Egyptian Vulture.

The slopes of mountain murongole are occupied by the IK people, who are the tiniest ethnic group found in Uganda, and have their own special culture.

 

Complete Guide to Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

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To the Far East of the war prone Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s oldest National Park, Virunga. It is at Virunga National Park that the world’s largest lava lake and the Nyiragongo volcano can be found. Mount Nyiragongo is located about 20 km away from Lake Kivu and Goma town. As an active volcano, Mount Nyiragongo is prone to frequent eruptions. It is unclear how many times eruptions have occurred in the mountain but about 34 eruptions have been recorded since 1882. The volcano still shows signs of erupting anytime after the most recent which happened as recently as in 2002. These eruptions have often led to the loss of several lives given that the lava floods flow out at great sped of less than an hour. The 1977 eruption claimed the lives of at least 70 people but the most devastating one recorded was recently in 2002. More than 140 people were killed and at least 120,000 more displaced with the volcano releasing great volumes of lava which headed for Goma town and continued up to the airport and Lake Kivu shores. The earthquakes that followed for 3 months left Goma town in great ruin. The volcano is now stable with the bubbling and roaring fires from the lava lake on the mountain summit attracting thousands of tourists who are interested in hiking mount Nyiragongo volcano each year to DR Congo.

How to reach Mount Nyiragongo

Hiking to the peaks of mount Nyiragongo is not for the faint of heart. Those who can brave the hike will be rewarded with beautiful scenery at the very top crowning it all by bearing witness to wonderful sightings of nature at its best. The lava lake at the top of the volcano explodes from side to side looking for the smallest space to explode out. This sighting of the exploding lava lake is considered one of the best in the world.

How do you get to Mount Nyiragongo. The journey usually starts from Rwanda or Uganda because most visitors to Nirgaongo tend to combine Nyiragongo hiking with other activities like gorilla trekking, hiking the Congo Nile Trail, game drives or boat riding in Lake Kivu. The journey from Kigali to Goma in Congo takes about 3 hours. You can take public transport if you are travelling on your own or use the services of a tour operator to transport you all the way to the starting point of the trail in Goma. The journey from Rwanda to Congo is very interesting with the beautiful landscape, great scenery, tea plantations and the Lake Kivu among the things that will catch your eyes. Mount Nyiragongo is less than an hours’ drive from the border with Rwanda. Crossing the Congo Rwanda border involves going through rigorous checking at the checkpoint. You will need to have all your travel documents and most importantly your yellow fever vaccination certificate to be able to cross the border.

Climbing Mount Nyioragongo

Climbing mount Nyiragongo takes approximately five hours and can be strenuous and challenging for one with low levels of fitness. It is important to prepare mentally and physically to deal with the steep sections of the mountain. Porters are available for hire at the starting point and foot of the mountain. The activity usually starts as early as 9am in the morning after breakfast. You start by heading out to the Kibati Ranger post in Virunga National Park for briefing about the activity. There are stops in between the hike to allow climbers refresh and also marvel at the scenery down below. The first part of the trail involves hiking through sections with little gain in altitude. This is where those who have a second thought about their level of fitness and overall ability to complete the hike can decide to quit. The second section is characterized increasing altitude and loose small lava rocks just after the first stop (resting point) that may cause you to slide off balance if you didn’t come with suitable hiking shoes.

In the third segment, speed is reduced and focus is priority. Besides the small lava rocks from the previous section, slippery stones and the higher altitude makes hiking more challenging.

The forth and longest segment of the hike is characterized by a stretch of steeper slopes and higher altitude. The weather gets colder as you hike higher and the rains are common around this segment hence requiring good layering and raincoats.

The fifth and final segment is the shortest but steeper than all the other sections. However the sight of the nearby cabins at the summit is enough motivate any would be hiker to reach the top. Moreover hikers who get to this point are allowed to complete the rest of the journey at their own pace unlike the beginning sections where you have to stick with the group.

The mountain top

There are two sets of cabins adjacent to each other on top of the volcano. Two cabins are built a few feet from the volcano and the other a few feet down the mountain. They are furnished with two small mattresses with pillows.

The top of the mountain has strong winds and is much colder than one would expect leaving you freezing if not well prepared. Warm clothing and a cup of coffee will come in handy while at the top.

After such a tiring ascent to the summit, being able to spot the lava lake and bubbling orange magma will give you a great feeling of accomplishment – an exciting lifetime experience that cannot be described by words or pictures.

Descending the volcano

The descent is rather quick and fast session that on average takes about 3 ½ hours. ut almost challenging as hiking up. The steep segments of sharp rocks require extreme care to avoid stumbling off to the ground. This part of the journey is becomes interesting as you will enjoy the full view of Virunga National Park,  the town of Goma and the extreme end of Lake Kivu in Rwanda.

Tips for hiking Mount Nyiragongo

Hire a porter: Hiking with heavy backpack loads can make it difficult to navigate the steep slopes of the mountain. Porters are used to hiking this mountain and can help with your heavy luggage while also support you climb the tough segments of the hike. Each porter is allowed to carry a 15kg load and hiring costs about $24 per porter.

Know your fitness levels and physical limits: Hiking mount Nyiragongo requires some level of fitness. Ascending to the top can be strenuous and demanding while descending applies pressure to your ankles and knees often causing knee pain at the end of the hike. You need to know how reaction and sensitivity to weather changes as it can get really cold on top of the summit.

Mental readiness: Being physically fit is great but not enough to successful hike Mount Nyiragongo. You need to come prepared to complete the journey knowing that you will go through some physical challenges. It’s recommended you take a few days getting your body ready for major hikes by having minor hikes. Those who are on a longer safari can achieve this by first going for gorilla trekking or waterfall hikes before embarking on a greater challenge like Nyiragongo.

Have a hiking stick: A walking stick is highly recommended for both ascending the steep slopes and descending down the slope. Hiking sticks will help you remain stable and gain momentum during the hike.

Be property cautious: It’s important to always keep your belongings close to you, especially money, laptops, camera and any other valuable items you might have come along. The cabins on top are not as protected as you would expect.

Carry along a yellow fever certificate: To avoid more expenses while crossing the DR Congo border, try to get the yellow fever vaccination and card.  The card is a requirement before crossing to DR Congo.

Carry warm weather gear: Carry along extra warm clothes to help keep you warm when it gets too cold on top. Mere layering may not be enough. You will also need thicker pants, heavy stockings, a scarf and heavy sweater.

Packing List for Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

  • Good hiking shoes: These should be comfortable (preferably waterproof) walking shoes with rubber soles that would give good grip of the rocky slippery slopes while keeping your feet warm and dry.
  • A rain jacket: This will protect you from any downpour. They should be light weight so as to easily ascend the mountains.
  • Sunscreen and hat: This will help guard you from the suns heat and any downpours.
  • Warm clothes: Layering is vital to keep you warm during the hike. The weather gradually gets colder as you gain altitude and actually gets worse at the top.
  • Camera and Binoculars: A camera is vital to keep records of the amazing lava lake and great scenery around the Virunga ranges. You will need binoculars more especially while descending the volcano to catch the full view of the Virunga National Park along with distant shores of Lake Kivu on the other side of Rwanda.
  • Daypack: A water proof falling backpack is very essential to protect your valuable belongings such as the camera, smart phones and iPads from damage from the rains.
  • Packed lunch and bottled water: Hiking Mount Nyiragongo will make you tired, thirsty and hungry. Moving with something to drink and eat is essential.
  • Portable charger: A charger will help keep your digital devices powered all the time on top of the mountain.
  • Headlamps/flashlights: The mountain top is dark with no power or light supply of any form. Having a flash light can help you when it comes to moving around to the kitchen or toilets.

Note: Hiking mount Nyiragongo is a year round activity but we recommend that you target the dry season that runs through from June to mid September. The other months except for January, February and partly December are coupled by heavy rains that make the mountain steeps more slippery.

Mount Nyiragongo hiking permits go for $300.

Besides Nyiragongo hiking there are other great attractions within Virunga National Park such as Mountain Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, bird watching and wildlife viewing among others.

Enjoy Your Uganda with Stays at Inns of Uganda

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For the discerning tourist, a trip to Inns of Uganda would be ideal to discover the Pearl of Africa’s best-kept open secret. Inns of Uganda, with two camps – Nile Safari Camp and Jacana Safari Lodge – offer the ideal setting. The two camps are accessible by road but guests can fly to Pakuba where Inns of Uganda staff will be on hand to receive them. Visitors can view birds as the y move towards the Nile Safari Camp along the banks of river Nile in north-western Uganda. Nile Safari Camp boasts 12 rooms and a swimming pool with impressive, professionally done interior design. The elaborate and environment –friendly design ensures that a holiday package here adds value and quality to the lives of people who visit the camps.

At Jacana Safari Lodge, in the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park, guests can have a lifetime experience of low-impact water activity on boating trips in which they view birds, chimpanzees, monitor lizards and hippos. This camp shows the visitor the essence of visiting Uganda. The cuisine at the camps blends perfectly with the excellent and pleasant nature of the staff.

Jacana is built with materials derived from the immediate environment in line with Inns of Uganda’s ecotourism campaign. The lodge has 15 chalets, swimming pool, sauna, sun downer and dinner pontoon. The surroundings fit well with the structures adopted by the two camps. For instance, the lodge literally grows out of the forest with a tree house-like appearance. The scenery and congeniality of the camps’ staff together with Inns of Uganda’s ability to blend the natural environment with the design of the camps offer guests a memorable safari.

Chobe National Park – An African Wonder

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You will be delighted to hear that Chobe National Park is not only the second largest national park in Botswana but also has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. The Park is divided into four sections, the Serondela area, the Savuti Marsh area, the Nogatsaa and Tchinga, and the Linyanti Marsh.

You might think what are you supposed to do in a national park that has four sections. Well the logical thing to do is to view the wildlife and experience the magic of Africa. The first section of the park you want to visit is the Serondela area. This section of Chobe National Park is filled with dense green forests which in turn attract African wildlife like elephants, buffaloes and the famous bee-eater. The Serondela area is the most visited part of Chobe National Park because it is situated near the Victoria Falls. Well if you ever visit Botswana go see the Serondela area in Chobe National Park, it will truly amaze you.

The next section in the park is called the Savuti Marsh area. Long ago, in fact millions of years ago this was a large inland lake whose water was cut by tectonic movements. These days the Savuti marsh is fed by the Savuti Channel, which supplies the marsh with water. The Savuti Marsh is covered with savannahs and grasslands, which attract thousands upon thousands of wild animals every year. During the rainy season you will be able to see an astounding amount of different bird species in the park as well as lions, hyenas and zebras. Now and then you might also be privileged to see a cheetah. If you unable to make the rainy season don’t despair because even in the dry season you will be able to view warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras, wildebeests and the king of the Chobe National Park the elephant. If ever you want to experience a large scale migration of animals you must visit the Savuti Marsh. It is renowned for its annual trek of zebras and predators.

The third section of Chobe National Park is The Linyanti Marsh. This section of Chobe National Park also called the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. This region is shared between a very small number of private camps. Travellers to this region will be able to view the African wildlife privately and exclusively. If you ever end up in Botswana during the dry season, then The Linyanti Marsh is the place to visit. During the dry season huge concentrations of species such as the zebra and elephant can be seen. It is also renowned for lions and hyenas. All bird lovers will find this region of the Chobe National park irresistible.

The last region is the Nogatsaa and Tchinga, a hot and dry hinterland. All that’s known about this area is that it holds water well into the dry season and during this time it’s a great place to spot elands. I only recommended this area to the adventurous traveller. You truly need hair on your teeth if you want to visit this section of Chobe national park.

The true attraction of the Chobe National Park however, is its elephant population. You have not experience the true spirit of Chobe national park, until you see the African elephant.

The Deserts of Africa – Unimaginable Beauty

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Africa – the second largest continent in the world is also home to the largest desert in the world—the Sahara. In fact there are three deserts on the continent—The Sahara, the Namib and the Kalahari. Together these three amazingly vast and diverse land masses cover a large portion of Africa. Beautiful, yet treacherous, these areas of the continent provide a rich geological and cultural history that dates back millions of years.

The Sahara Desert – As inconceivable as it seems, this desert is ever changing, shrinking and growing in size. Satellite photos studied from the early 1980s show that the Sahara’s southern edge is expanding into the Sahel, a dry band that separates the desert from the Savanna. But the mid-1980s saw this area grow green and wet again. A common trade route for many centuries, caravans traveled through the Sahara spending days and weeks traversing the immense landscape. Several desert oases here made trade possible between the ports of North African and the southern Savannah markets.

There are around 4 million people or so that dwell in the Sahara, mostly in Mauritania, Western Sahara, Algeria, Libya and Egypt. Additionally there is a fascinating and impressive array of animal life, include gerbil, jerboa, cape hare, desert hedgehog, barbary sheep, oryx, gazelle, deer, wild ass, baboon, hyena, jackal, sand fox, weasel and mongoose. The bird life includes more than 300 species. This vast life and diverse culture comes all in one desert.

The Namib Desert – The sand dunes of the Namib Desert are the highest dunes on Earth. While the Sahara is the largest desert in the world, the Namib is considered the oldest desert, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 80 million years. In the Nama language, Namib means “vast”, and this is no exaggeration. At 50,000 kilometers, the Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world. Wind blows the thirsty Namib Desert sand into sharp ridges. Amazingly there are animals, insects and plants that reside in this beautiful, yet mostly inhospitable region of the world. One of its most unusual inhabitants, the Welwitschia, is a shrub-like plant that grows just two long, strap-shaped leaves continuously throughout its lifetime. It is believed that they are very long-lived, possibly living 1000 years or more. Some individuals may be more than 2000 years old.

The Kalahari Desert – A geological wonder, the Kalahari Desert is part of the huge sand basin that reaches from the Orange River up to Angola, in the west to Namibia and in the east to Zimbabwe. The sand masses of wind-shaped sand that are so common in the Kalahari landscape were created by the erosion of soft stone formations. Thanks to vegetation in the area, the dunes were stabilized 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. Strangely enough, the grasses, thorny shrubs and Acacia trees can survive long drought periods of more than 10 months a year. Some scientists don’t consider the Kalahari a true desert because some parts of the Kalahari receive more than 10 inches of rain in a year. Animals that live in the region include brown hyena, lion, meerkat, several species of antelope, and many types of birds and reptiles.

Big Five Animals in South Africa

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The term ‘Big Five’ originated among the hunters of a bygone era to describe not the largest of the animals that they hunted, but the most dangerous.

These are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. Every one of these animals has a reputation for pursuing its attacker with intent to kill. Perhaps the most persistent is the buffalo, which will ceaselessly pursue his aggressor, making hunting a life-or-death experience for the hunted and the hunter!

All of these mammals are to be found in South Africa, making this country one of the most popular locations for safari style holidays.

Indeed, South Africa has embraced this rich wildlife heritage and welcomes visitors from all around the world who come to experience close encounters with the magnificent beasts. Many of our game lodges offer the most luxurious accommodation and facilities available for ‘bush’ holidays in the world.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in the Mpumalanga province, for example, is arguably the most exclusive game reserve in the country. With no fences existing between the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands, the wildlife roams free between the two reserves. Leopards are the main attraction here, and these awesome creatures are so accustomed to humans that you can even follow them while hunting, in an off-road vehicle. All of the Big Five can be viewed at Sabi Sands.

Other well-known and excellent reserves around the country where one can view the Big Five in South Africa include the world-renowned Kruger Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North Western Province, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Visitors who are confined to the Cape Town area are often under the impression that they will be unable to view the Big Five. However there is a reserve only 90 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Aquila, where one can view four of the Big Five. Self-drive or guided drive tours are available from Cape Town – even one day tours are possible, although you may well wish to stay overnight in the appealing accommodation set in 4500 hectares of pristine Karoo landscape. The terrain is varied – from mountains and valleys to wetlands – ideal for game viewing be it in a 4×4 safari vehicle, on horseback or even by quad-bike. Aquila is home to four of the Big Five animals: lion, buffalo, rhino and the rare Mountain Leopard. You may also spot and giraffe and hippo, not to mention herds of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and other bucks, plus baboon, jackal and the bat-eared fox.

What with the wetlands, you can expect a wealth of bird-life viewing to complete your safari experience – all so close to Cape Town!

Those who can travel as far as the Eastern Cape – a pleasant day’s drive along the beautiful Garden Route – can also view the Big Five and other species of game at the excellent Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve – both well-worth the visit for game lovers.

A safari holiday to South Africa is often considered incomplete without sightings of the Big Five. These days most people are content to take home photographs of the living animals rather than skins and hunting trophies. However there are legal hunting reserves for those who feel the need.

10 African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go

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A little bit of pre-knowledge can go a long way on an African safari trip. Here are ten indispensable tips that will improve your own safari experience greatly.

1. Take the early morning drives on safari even thought that often means getting up while it’s still dark.
You’ll be very glad you did because your wildlife sightings will improve. The animals are a lot more active in the early morning and late evening because it is cooler and the nocturnal species are either getting up or going to bed so your chances of spotting them are generally much better.

2. A safari is not only about the big game. Take enjoyment from the surroundings and all the wildlife
you see because if you turn it into a “big five” tick list exercise you might be disappointed. There are a multitude of insects, birds and smaller creatures that can be just as interesting if you take the time to look and find out more.

3. A pair of good quality binoculars is absolutely indispensable on a safari so make sure you take your own with. Some safari companies do provide them but they might be a little worse for wear after a lot of use and it can be frustrating to have to pass them along to the next person when you actually still want to look at that lion stalking it’s prey.

4. Wear insect repellent in the evenings to ward of those pesky mosquitoes and make sure you leave as
little skin exposed as possible by wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirts and socks to cover the ankles. During the day they are a lot less active so you don’t have to worry about them then.

5. Any good safari operator will have some form of medication available but you might consider taking some of your own with on a “just in case” basis: Anti malarial pills, anti-diarrhoea medicine, motion sickness medication if you suffer from this, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.

6. If you are taking photos using film, remember to bring at least two rolls for each day that you will be on safari and bring spare batteries for your camera because they will go flat at the worst times and you don’t want to miss those once in a lifetime photo opportunities because of that. You
should be able to recharge batteries in most safari areas. Electricity in Africa is 220 – 240V AC50HZ.

7. When it comes to lions, a lot of patience is called for because they spend most of their time during the day asleep. But if you watch them for awhile you might be rewarded by an impromptu hunt or the appearance of cubs from the undergrowth or a similar drama. Patience is the watchword here.

8. Night drives on safari are a great opportunity to see the nocturnal animals that you will never see
during the day but remember that the powerful spotlight which illuminates the surrounding bush and the glowing eyes also attracts a lot of insects so you might think twice before volunteering to hold it.

9. Generally the dry season is a time when you will be much more successful at spotting game because the vegetation is sparse and the wildlife is forced to congregate in the areas where there is still surface water available.

10. It’s not uncommon for safari vehicles to break down because most of the roads are dirt tracks and the cars take a pounding every day. Any company worth their salt should be carrying spares and the driver or guide should have some mechanical experience.

Witness the Wildebeest Migration 2018

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Wildebeest Migration

Here is an amazing wildlife story from wildebeest hippo encounters in the Masai Mara, Kenya. This incredible story was in Masai Mara National Park involving amazing interactions between an injured wildebeest and some hippo’s during a river crossing in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Nature sure has strange ways and this account of the humane nature of a hippopotamus sheds new light on these often unpredictable animals.

This great spectacle was captured during a wildebeest migration, an amazing annual event that happens when wildebeests and other wildlife cross from the Serengeti Plains to the Masai Mara National Park. If you would like to witness this annual event recorded in even in the Guinness World Book of Records, why not book a wildebeest migration safari from local tour operators. For those who have never witnessed a crossing of Wildebeest during the annual migration through the Masai Mara, the adventure literally mesmerizes! Crossings of wildebeest can contain anywhere between 1,000 – 25,000 animals including a variety of animals – zebras, antelopes, lions chasing their prey crossing through the Mara River where there are crocodiles, hippos and other aquatic animals .

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Africa Safari Blog offers all the practical information you need to get started with planning a safari holiday. Find out the best destinations to visit, top safari experiences to enjoy, list of top things to do, and travel tips to help you explore Africa.
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