Tanzania Wildlife Safaris To Be Part of This June. Discovery Journeys
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Tanzania Wildlife Safaris To Be Part of This June

Tanzania wildlife safaris are among the best African journeys of Discovery. The country is renowned for its wildlife numbers and diverse ecosystems offering some of the best wildlife safari adventures.

June marks the start of the peak tourist season as many flock to the country for the different Tanzania wildlife safaris. It is a dry month when wildlife viewing is great with minimal rainfall interruptions. Several safari lodges are already fully booked but there is still a chance to book your Tanzania safari tour.

Below are some of the most recommended Tanzania wildlife safaris you can be part of on a visit to the country.

Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Safaris

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain. It stands at an elevation of 5,895 meters above sea level. The mountain is located in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border.

Mount Kilimanjaro is among the few snow-capped mountains in the region. It has several glaciers that are unfortunately receding because of climate change. It is however an incredible mountain to hike because of its diverse ecosystem and vegetation zones.

The mountain zones start with a montane forest at the lower slopes covering about 1,000 square kilometers. This is home to several wildlife species including pushbacks, duikers, forest elephants, and buffaloes. From the montane forests, the vegetation transitions into heath and eventually the glaciers that cover the top mountain zones.

Mount Kilimanjaro hiking takes 5 to 9 days depending on one’s physical fitness. It is ideal for individuals between 15 to 50 years with great hiking experiences. The mountain hike is done exclusively and highly recommended among the best Tanzania wildlife safaris you should be part of.

Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safaris

Serengeti is the most famous national park in Tanzania. It is located in the northern part and is renowned for its wildebeest migration safari.

The wildebeest migration is among Africa’s wildlife wonders. It involves millions of wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, and the topi moving over the Serengeti open plains. These move in search of pastures guided by the rains and changing seasons.

The migrating herds eventually cross the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara where they stay until the end of September when they start crossing to Tanzania again. Serengeti’s wildebeest migration journey is epic and among the most recommended Tanzania wildlife safaris. You can catch up with the migrating herds in the different sectors of Serengeti on our 8-day Serengeti Safari.

Birding safari tours

Tanzania is among the best birding safari destinations on the African continent. It is home to over 1100 bird species including 29 endemics.

Tanzania’s diverse ecosystem makes birding journeys enjoyable. The ecosystem ranges from open savannas to wetlands, woodlands, and more. All these habitats are home to the different bird species Tanzania has.

Tanzania birding safari tours are best enjoyed from November to May. The months of June to September are equally great for birding and overall wildlife viewing. We recommend a 9 to 10-day Tanzania birding tour If one is to explore the best Tanzania birding destinations.

Wild South Fishing Safaris

Southern Tanzania is remote and less crowded when compared to the North. The region is home to several protected areas including Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s largest protected area. Southern Tanzania offers exclusive safari specials like fishing. This is done along the Kilombero, Mnyera & Ruhudji rivers.

Tanzania fishing safaris are adventurous and done in search of the Blue Tiger fish. Fishing safari expeditions are done alongside other Tanzania safari adventures including birding, game drives, and community visits.

Our 5-day Tanzania fishing safari is ideal for those interested. This can be customized further to add in more days to fully explore other southern Tanzania wildlife safaris.

Big Cats Tour adventures

Big cats make up a major component of Tanzania wildlife safaris. These big cats include lions, leopards, and cheetahs that Mainly thrive on herbivores.

Tanzania has one of the highest concentrations of Big Cats in the different protected areas the country has. Serengeti National Park is a lion conservation unit with prides of lions with up to 20 individuals. It also has the highest cheetah and leopard population in northern Tanzania.

Tarangire National Park is famous for tree-climbing lions and has a high leopard population as well. All these are often seen while on game drives on the different trails in the park. Our 9-day Tanzania safari covers the Big cats and it’s ideal for those interested in exploring northern Tanzania.

Contact us now to start customizing your Tanzania wildlife safaris and other Discovery Journeys to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

Rwanda Photography Safari Adventures. Discovery Journeys
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Rwanda Photography Safari Adventures

Rwanda photography safari adventures are incredible for those interested in capturing the land of a thousand hills through lenses. The country is among the fastest-growing tourism destinations in East Africa because of its diversity. Rwanda has Over the years improved its hospitality sector which has seen an increase in lodge and hotel investments. With this, all kinds of Journeys of discovery including Rwanda photography safari adventures are more feasible.

Rwanda is a small landlocked country that is easy to explore. It has four national parks that are the top leading photography safari destinations. Many other places of interest in Rwanda can be featured on photography safari adventures.

Below are our top and most recommended Rwanda photography safari adventures for first-time visitors to the country.

Gorilla Trekking Photography Safaris

Mountain gorillas are rare primates of the apes family. They live in forested mountains in East Africa in two ecosystems that include the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and adjacent Sarambwe Reserve. The Virunga mountains lie along the Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC border. It has 3 Mountain gorilla parks including Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park has the highest mountain gorilla population in the Virunga massif. It is currently the best place for Mountain gorilla trekking and photography safaris. The park has 12 gorilla families open to tourism. Each gorilla family can be visited by only 8 tourists a day. The gorilla trekking experience starts with a briefing at the park headquarters after which you are led to the forested park. It takes 1 to 4 hours of hiking to get to the gorillas. This is adventurous as you encounter several other wildlife species in the park.

You are allowed to stay in the presence of the gorillas for an hour taking photos and getting to know more about them. This time is enough for gorilla photography and an up-close encounter with the rare primates. You can opt for a double gorilla trekking tour if you prefer more time with the gorillas. Our 4-day double gorilla trekking features this and a golden monkey trek.

Birding Safari Adventures

Rwanda is among the best birding destinations in East Africa. The country’s diverse ecosystem is home to several bird species including endemics. Nyungwe forest in southwestern Rwanda is the country’s most important birding area. It lies in the Albertine Rift Valley and is home to birds endemic to the Albertine Rift. Notable ones include the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Appalis, Great Blue Turaco, and Regal Sunbird among others.

Akagera National Park is another incredible Rwanda Birding safari destination. The park protects the region’s largest wetland ecosystem. This is home to several wetland birds including the shoebill stork. Birding Photography safaris in Akagera are rewarding as you get to explore the open savanna bird species as well.

Birding in Rwanda is possible any time of the year. In Nyungwe it is however best enjoyed from March to April when the birds are most vocal. Migratory birds are present in the region from November to May which increases the bird diversity. For the best birding adventure we recommend a 10-day Rwanda safari that features a visit to Nyungwe, Volcanoes, and Akagera National Parks. Birding is among the most rewarding Rwanda Photography safari adventures and we highly recommend it.

Nyungwe Primates Adventures

Nyungwe forest has one of the highest primates concentrations in East Africa. It has 13 primates including chimpanzees which is highly of any one protected area. The park is most famous for chimpanzee trekking and the newly established chimpanzee habituation experience. Nyungwe has 3 habituated communities each with over 20 individual chimpanzees.

Other major primates in Nyungwe include l’hoest monkeys, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and olive baboons. These can be trekked to in exclusive primate and photography safari adventures. The primate treks take 2 to 4 hours depending on their movement. Nyungwe primates and overall adventures are incredible as you get to fully explore the jungle.

The park is Rwanda’s only natural World Heritage Site listed because of its diverse ecosystem. Any Rwanda Photography safari adventures are worth the time and experience. We recommend a 3 to 4-night stay if you are to fully explore the primates in the park. Our 5-day Rwanda tour features chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk in the park as well as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Akagera Big Five expeditions

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only Savanna national park located in the Eastern part about a 3-hour drive from Kigali. The park is home to the Big Five Mammals that include Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, leopards and Buffaloes. Rhinos and leopards were just reintroduced after years of extinction. Akagera is among the region’s conservation success stories and it’s amazing to capture this on Rwanda photography safari adventures.

Other safari animals in the park include giraffes, zebras, the topi, and elands. These are best seen on game drives following the different trails in the park. Akagera recently opened up balloon safari adventures that are also ideal for photography. Balloon safaris offer a panoramic view of the ecosystem bringing a unique photography perspective.

Akagera can best be explored on a 3 to 4-night excursion. The Park has several accommodation options for all tourist categories. The 6-day Rwanda tour features a visit to Akagera for a safari and Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

You can check out our other East African Journeys of Discovery for the ultimate photography safari adventures. These include Uganda tour adventures, Kenya wildlife holidays, Tanzania tours, and more.

Must Do Masai Mara Safari Tour Activities. Discovery Journeys
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Must Do Masai Mara Safari Tour Activities

Masai Mara Safari tour activities are top-rated of all Kenya Discovery Journeys experiences. Masai Mara National Reserve is located in Southern Kenya and comprises the Mara Triangle and adjacent Conservancies. The Reserve is a renowned Kenya Safari destination famous for its epic wildlife experiences.

It covers a land area of 1,510 square kilometers of open savanna grassland. This has scattered trees that are evenly distributed all over the ecosystem. Masai Mara has three major Rivers: the Mara, Talek, and Sand Rivers. The reserve has two major seasons, the rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season Starts from April to May with long rains and from November to December favoring the growth of lush vegetation.

June to October are dry months and double as the peak tourist season months. Masai Mara can be visited any time of the year depending on one’s interest. Here are the major safari tour activities you Must do on a visit to the reserve.

Wildebeest Migration Safari

The great wildebeest migration is the leading Masai Mara safari tour adventure. It starts from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park as millions of wildebeest migrate searching for fresh pasture. They are followed by hundreds of zebras, topi, and grant gazelles forming the World’s largest savanna wildlife migration.

The Wildebeest migration starts with the calving period in Southern Serengeti where over 7000 calves are born daily. From here the herds slowly move towards central Serengeti and eventually the North before crossing the Mara River into Masai Mara. The Mara River crossings are among the most anticipated parts of the wildebeest migration. This is because the Mara River is home to high crocodile concentrations that await the migrating herds to take down their prey.

Masai Mara is home to predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs that take advantage of the wildebeest migration to hunt. On Masai Mara Safari tour adventures featuring the wildebeest migration, you therefore journey with the herds and also stand an opportunity to see predator hunting. The wildebeest migration is highly recommended for adventure enthusiasts and those with a keen interest in photography. Our 5-day Kenya Safari features the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara. It can be further customized to allow a longer stay in the reserve for more chances of wildlife viewing.

Balloon Tour Adventures

The open savanna ecosystem of Masai Mara has made it ideal for balloon safari adventures. Ballon safaris are among the recently added African safari expeditions offering impressive panoramic views. Such experiences make more sense in a destination like Masai Mara because of the reserves’ wildlife numbers.

Hot air balloons are flown at reasonably lower altitudes making it easy for one to see the wildlife in the ecosystem. They are however operated with caution and eco-friendly aspects to avoid scaring away the animals.

Ballon safari tours are done early morning or late afternoon. This is when animals are most active and can easily be spotted. During the hot mid-hours of the day, animals find shelter and a balloon safari operated then might not be as fruitful as one done in the morning or evening. Balloon safari tours are listed as optional activities and can be done in addition to game drives.

Open Savanna Safari Tour Experiences

Open savanna safari experiences are the commonly done Masai Mara safari tour activities. These mainly include game drives and nature walks. They can be customized to focus on Big Cats, Big Five Mammals, or the general safari animals in the reserve.

Masai Mara is home to giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, and more. These safari animals occur in large numbers and are easily spotted on game drives. Off-truck driving is allowed and you therefore stand a chance of getting closer to the animals as long you do not threaten them.

Nature walks are done with caution and guided by an armed ranger. They are done in designated areas that are safe and free from predators like lions. Nature walks are impressive of all Masai Mara safari tour activities as they enable you to get close to the wildlife.

Community Visits

Masai Mara is home to the Masai people who are believed to be the guardians of the ecosystem. These have lived alongside the safari animals in the reserve for years even before it was gazetted. The Masai initially depended on the reserve for livelihood but with rampant poaching and then the need for conservation the reserve was gazetted. This put a limit on human activities especially poaching and grazing in Maasai Mara.

Some of the communities were relocated to the reserve outskirts which are safer and can be visited on a community excursion. On Masai community visits you therefore get to meet the Masai people who tell you tales of their history and coexistence with the wildlife in Masai Mara.

They live in Manyatta homesteads that are of a typical extended African family setting. The cattle, goats, and sheep are provided for in the middle of the Manyatta which is safe protecting them from predators and cattle wrestlers. We highly recommend Masai Mara community visits as they give you an insight into the Native people’s ways of life.

Birding Tour Adventures

Masai Mara is a great birding destination. The reserve is home to over 500 bird species 57 of which being raptors. Masai Mara also has a high number of Vultures whose survival is supported by the predator kills that often happen in the ecosystem.

Notable birds you can see on a Masai Mara birding safari tour include the Kori bustards, Secretary Birds, ostriches, Turaco’s, and Silver birds among others. Birding in Masai Mara is doable throughout the year but boosted by the migratory birds that are present from November to May.

Masai Mara safari tour activities are remarkable and what you need on your Kenya safari holiday. These can be done alongside other Kenya adventures like mountain hiking or beach holidays. Tanzania is another safari giant offering classic adventures and wildlife journeys. Primate trekking featuring chimpanzees and mountain gorillas can be experienced in Uganda and Rwanda. Contact us now to get started and book your next life-changing Discovery Journey.

Top Uganda Family Tour Destinations. Discovery Journeys
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Top Uganda Family Tour Destinations

Uganda family tour destinations have gained popularity as many travelers prefer Discovery Journeys with their families. Uganda is among the best family tour destinations in East Africa. The country is renowned for primates but has several other open savannas, nature, and cultural destinations ideal for family safari holidays.

Primate trekking adventures in Uganda feature chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and golden monkeys. These however have an age limit of 12 for golden monkeys and 15 for chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking. These primate experiences do not favor individuals with family members below the required age limit. Uganda however has tour experiences and destinations that are family-friendly and open to individuals of all ages.

Below are some of these top recommended Uganda family tour destinations you check out on your visit to Uganda.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is currently Uganda’s largest National Park. It is diverse and among the best Uganda family tour destinations. The park was named after Murchison Falls situated along the Nile River that bisects the park on its journey up north. Murchison Falls are the World’s strongest waterfalls. They can be viewed from the top in a 10-kilometer drive from the main park highway or from the bottom of the falls accessed on a 2-hour boat cruise.

Murchison Falls offers some of the most impressive scenic views in Uganda. The falls form a permanent rainbow on a sunny day seen from the top. All these Murchison Falls excursions are family-friendly and open to people of all ages. It is important to be cautious and keep your distance within the safety perimeter as indicated on the ground to avoid any accidents.

Beyond the magnificent falls, the park has a rich Savanna wildlife ecosystem. It is home to four of the Big Five Mammals including leopards, lions, buffaloes, and Elephants. Other notable safari animals you can spot include giraffes, hyenas, common duikers, Uganda Kobs, hippos, and waterbucks. Murchison Falls can be explored exclusively on a 4-day Murchison Falls Tour or a 10-day Uganda Discovery Journeys.

Jinja

Jinja is Eastern Uganda’s tourism capital. It has the source of the Nile River, the World’s longest River. The Nile River starts its 6,500-kilometer journey to the Mediterranean Sea at Jinja. The source of the Nile is a leading Uganda tour destination. It is family-friendly and can be visited by groups and people of all ages.

The tour to the source of the Nile offers insight and a better understanding of the geography behind the Nile River. Such experiences are important for young ones and those interested in geographical features. The Nile forms several rapids in its early stages and these can be explored on white water rafting adventures. White water rafting is thrilling as you peddle through the different rapids of the Nile. This experience is also family-friendly but requires signed consent.

Other Uganda family tour experiences you can opt for in Jinja include zip lining. This is done in Mabira Forest one of Uganda’s natural forests. Mabira forest has been greatly depleted over the years but still has an intact part you can explore. Quad biking and horse riding are also doable along the Nile in Jinja. These are engaging and user-friendly tour activities for families with young ones.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savanna national park. It is located in Kiruhura District in western Uganda. The park is diverse and ideal for game drives, birding safaris, nature walks, community visits, and a boat cruise.

Lake Mburo National Park covers a network of swamps and lakes. These are home to several wildlife species including hippos, waterbucks, and birds. Notable animal species you can see on a Uganda safari to Lake Mburo include giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, elands, and leopards. The park is believed to have the highest leopard population in Uganda. Leopards are solitary animals and therefore rarely seen unless in early morning or night game drives.

Lake Mburo National Park has several family-friendly tour activities one can engage in. These include horse riding, nature walks, and cycling. Such activities are experiential enabling you to get up close moments with nature. Lake Mburo National Park is best accessed on the way to or from Bwindi National Park. Our 7-day Uganda Wildlife safari features this and other Uganda tour adventures.

CTC Conservation Center

The CTC Conservation Center is among the newly established Uganda family tour destinations. It is located in the Mpigi district about an hour’s drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.

The Conservation center is home to several wildlife species including the African wild dogs. Wildlife Tour experiences to CTC are personalized taking you behind the scenes and closely interacting with the animals there. The center has a zoo-like setting with provisions getting up close and safely directly interacting with animals including lions.

The Center is unique because it has some of the newly introduced wildlife species in Uganda. Notable species here include the lemurs, the Fiji crested iguana, striped hyenas, genet cats, and several snake species. The lion experience is the most enjoyable and adventurous one as you closely interact with the savanna’s most feared Big cats. The CTC Conservation Center can be visited on a day excursion from Kampala or on your way from safari along the western Uganda circuit.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is a lava-dammed lake situated in southwestern Uganda. The Lake is Africa’s second deepest Lake after Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Lake Bunyonyi is a leading honeymoon destination in the region but is also among Uganda’s top family tour destinations.

The Lake has several islands that can be visited on a day excursion. Some of these islands are inhabited by the native Bakiga people who can be visited on a community tour. On community tours, you directly interact with the people getting to know more about their ways of life. One of the islands on Lake Bunyonyi has antelopes and waterbucks that can be seen on a guided nature walk. There is also provision for quad biking, zip lining, and cycling along the lake.

Uganda has many other family tour destinations you can explore on customized journeys of discovery. You can visit these alongside other destinations like Kenya and Tanzania. Contact us now and let us plan your safari tour adventure.

Best Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures. Discovery Journeys
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Best Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures

Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures are peaceful as you explore one of the finest African Safari tour destinations. The country features on the bucket list of adventure travelers because of its outstanding nature and tour experiences. Such safari tour experiences are best enjoyed on solo travel with minimal interruptions in your itinerary.

It is quite a challenge to decide whether to travel solo given the costs involved and safety concerns. Many safari destinations on the African continent are remote and feared to be insecure by solo travelers. Tanzania has many of these less-traveled and exclusive safari destinations that are ideal for safari but might not be preferred by solo safari travelers.

The country is however Safe for all tourist types and offers the ultimate Discovery Journeys adventures. Below are some of the most recommended Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures you can opt for if you choose solo travel.

Wildebeest Migration Safari adventures

The wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park is among the leading Tanzania safari experiences. It involves the movement of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and grant gazelles from Serengeti to Masai Mara. The migration is annual and the largest savanna animal migration on the continent.

The animal numbers of the migration are a wonder given their concentration in one ecosystem. Watching this migration is incredible and engaging even for solo safari travelers. A lot happens during the wildebeest migration cycle from predator hunts to the Calving period. All these natural moments are witnessed live while on game drives leaving one pondering about Mother Nature. Such moments of truth require the utmost attention and these can only be had when on Solo Safari Adventures in Serengeti.

The wildebeest migration attracts many travelers including couples and families. With this, you are assured of the right company after a day of journeying with the migrating herds in the open savanna ecosystem.

Tarangire Big Mammals Experiences

Tarangire National Park lies along the Northern Tanzania circuit and is among Tanzania’s most diverse destinations. It is famous for its large elephant herds, tree-climbing lions, and a mini wildlife migration. Tarangire favorably competes with Serengeti in terms of unique wildlife experiences.

It offers the most diverse Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures that are not limited to wildebeests. The park is home to all major savanna mammals including giraffes, zebras, elands, buffaloes, hippos, and gazelles. A safari moment with any of these species is rewarding and enjoyable even when done by a solo traveler. With this, you maximumly utilize your time in the park learning about the ecosystem and the different wildlife species.

Tarangire National Parks’ wildlife migration happens between July and November. This is a dry season spell where several animals migrate into the park in search of fresh pastures and drinking water. All the park’s major grazers gather along the Tarangire River with some wallowing in the mud to cool down. Tarangire also has some rare wildlife species and safari specials including the fringe-eared oryx and the gerenuk. These are best explored on Solo Safari Adventures as you can alter your safari program to add in more time with ease. Our 9-day Tanzania safari features Tarangire and other Northern Tanzania safari destinations.

Zanzibar Beach Getaways

Zanzibar is Tanzania’s most prominent beach holiday getaway destination. It comprises an archipelago of islands that are all exclusive and ideal for Tanzania Solo Safari Adventures. The islands are most renowned for their white sand beaches but also offer marine wildlife experiences.

Marine wildlife experiences feature moments with sea turtles, dolphins, and several fish species. Zanzibar has several coral reefs that act as home to different fish and small sea species. These can be explored on diving expeditions and sea exploration safari adventures. This gives a whole different tour experience compared to open savanna wildlife adventures on the mainland.

Zanzibar is also a rich historical destination regarding East African coastal trade and civilization. Stone town, Zanzibar’s oldest port has the finest example of Swahili coastal trading towns. These were built with architectural inspirations of the African, Arab, Indian, and European cultures. They date back to the 18th Century and depict one of the best cultural integrations on the continent. Stone town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is surely best explored on Solo Safari Adventures.

Southern Tanzania Photography Safari

Southern Tanzania has the best photography destinations ideal for Solo Safari Adventures. The whole south is not fully explored and has Tanzania’s largest protected areas. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) tops the list as the largest and most diverse Tanzania safari destination. It is home to four of the Big Five mammals all occurring in large numbers. The northern part of the park was specifically set aside for photography given its diversity and natural beauty.

Ruaha National Park is another incredible southern Tanzania destination that can be explored by solo travelers. Just like Nyerere, Ruaha National Park is secluded with a variety of savanna wildlife. Notable wildlife species you can see in the park include elephants, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and Buffaloes. Wild dogs are present but rarely seen and so are lions and leopards.

Our 10-day southern Tanzania safari features all the major destinations in the south. It starts with Discovery Journeys in Nyerere National Park which is ideal for photography. From there, you proceed to Mikumi National Park for yet other savanna wildlife experiences. The safari then proceeds to Ruaha via Udzungwa Mountain National Park before returning to Mikumi. This safari can be further customized to add more days or experiences including fishing.

Birding

Birding is a niche and exclusive safari experience by default. The bird kingdom is really wide to include several species and ecosystems from wetlands to woodlands and open savannas. Birding requires attention to detail thus making it ideal for Solo Safari Adventures.

There are bird species that are reasonably big and can easily be spotted while on game drives dedicated to birding. Some other species are however small and spotting them highly depends on calls. This is typical of birds that live in forests and woodland areas. Tanzania has all these ecosystems and offers interesting birding experiences.

Birding in Tanzania is doable throughout the year each season with its advantages. The dry season from June to October is great because of minimal rainfall disturbances. It is the best time to see savanna wildlife birds. The rainy season months are equally great because it is when the migratory birds are in the region. Most birds are also in full plumage and therefore more active and vibrant.

Explore Tanzania and other East African destinations like Rwanda and Uganda on exclusive Solo Safari Adventures.

6 Best Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails. Discovery Journeys
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6 Best Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails

Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails are ideal when exploring Rwanda in up close Discovery Journeys. The small landlocked East African country is hilly with limited but diverse natural attractions. Rwanda is among the fastest-growing wildlife safari destinations as travelers visit the country for adventure discoveries.

The country has a dark past of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi where over a million people lost their lives. This genocide affected Rwanda negatively in all economic, social, and political aspects. Rwanda has managed to positively recover from that and now competes with countries that have never gone through what it went through.

Rwanda has over the years managed to position itself as a sustainable and luxurious wildlife safari destination. This is thanks to the incredible Rwanda wildlife safari trails and attractions. Rwanda is among the most eco-friendly tourism destinations with the major safari activities done with a high regard for nature. Below are some of the best Rwanda wildlife safari trails you can be part of on a visit to the land of a thousand hills.

Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Trails

Chimpanzee trekking is done in Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The park covers one of East Africa’s largest natural forests and water catchment areas. Nyungwe forest covers a land area of 1,019 square kilometers of tropical rainforests, bamboo, and wetlands.

The forest is home to 13 primates including Eastern chimpanzees which are the leading primate attractions. Nyungwe has 3 chimpanzee communities that are habituated and open to tourism. Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails to any of these chimpanzee communities are remarkable. They allow you to hike and meet one of man’s closest primate species in their natural habitats.

Nyungwe Forest currently has provisions for the chimpanzee habituation experience at Kiyovu. In this chimpanzee habituation experience, you follow park rangers on a behind-the-scenes process of habituating chimpanzees. You follow and closely monitor the chimpanzees amidst sightings of other wildlife species. On the habituation experience, you are allowed up to 4 hours in the presence of chimpanzees enabling you to learn and discover more.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking adventures are other amazing Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails you must be part of. These are done in Volcanoes National Park located in North Western Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are rare primates of the apes family that live in the forested mountains of East Africa. They live in the Virunga mountains also known as the Mufumbiro ranges along the Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC borders.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has 5 of the 8 Virunga mountain ranges and the highest mountain gorilla population in that ecosystem. There are 20 habituated gorilla families in the park 12 of which are open for tourism. On Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails in Volcanoes National Park, you therefore hike to one of the habituated gorilla families.

An encounter with Rwanda mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You hike the forested mountains for 1 to 4 hours until you meet the mountain gorillas. You are required to keep a 7-meter distance away but this is close enough for you to observe and learn more about the rare primates. Our 4-day double gorilla trekking tour features two mountain gorilla treks. On this expedition, you visit the gorillas twice on separate days following different gorilla families. This allows more time and opportunity to study two different gorilla family setups.

Mount Karisimbi Hiking trails

Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the 8 Virunga Mountains standing at an elevation of 4,507 meters above sea level. It lies along the Rwanda and DRC border but can be hiked from the Rwandan side. The Mount Karisimbi Hike is among the most recommended Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails.

It features a journey through the diverse Virunga ecosystems that starts through local farmlands. From there, you hike through the lower slopes of the mountains covered with montane forest. The vegetation transcends into bamboo as you ascend the mountain and then to heath towards the mountain peak.

On this hike, you stand a chance to see the major wildlife species in the park including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The mountain Karisimbi Hike is a long one and can be completed in 2 days. You spend a night in the mountain an opportunity that enables you to enjoy the nightlife of an actual jungle and mountain wilderness.

The Mount Karisimbi hike is completed on day 2 before descending to the bottom. Mount Karisimbi hike requires a Level of physical fitness and mountain climbing experience. It can be done alongside other Rwanda safari adventures like mountain gorillas and golden monkey trekking. Our 5-day Rwanda Safari adventure covers this and more!

Golden Monkey trekking safari trails

Golden monkeys are primate species that are endemic to the Virunga Mountains and some Central African forests. They live alongside Mountain gorillas and other mammals in Volcanoes National Park offering yet other Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trail experiences. They are also found in Nyungwe Forest and Kahuzi Biega National Park in Eastern DRC.

Golden monkeys live in bamboo forest zones and can easily be hiked compared to mountain gorillas. They live in communities comprising females, males, and young ones ranging up to 20 individuals. The golden monkey’s diet mainly comprises bamboo shoots and other edible plant vegetation. Golden monkeys have not been given attention like other primates but are remarkable to watch in the wild.

Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails featuring golden monkeys, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas are the ultimate primate Discovery Journeys. Our 3-day Rwanda Tour, 5-day Rwanda Tour, and 10-day Rwanda Safari feature all three primates. Book them now and get to meet the rare primates in their habitats.

Nyungwe Nature Walks

Nyungwe forest has several nature walks that form a great part of the Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trails. These start from an hour lasting up to 3 or 4 hours all leading to different destinations in the forest. They include a hike to the waterfalls, swamps, and the heart of Nyungwe forest.

Nyungwe forest nature walks are up close and experiential when compared to other Rwanda safari experiences. On these walks, you closely interact with nature getting to see some of the smallest wildlife species like reptiles, butterflies, and plants. They are also ideal for birding journeys in Nyungwe Forest which is Rwanda’s most important bird area.

These nature walks have fixed departures starting early morning, mid-morning, and in the afternoon. Nature walks are the best way to explore any destination and Nyungwe Forest is perfect being a Natural World Heritage Site.

Congo Nile Trails

The Congo Nile Trail features several tour destinations along the Rwanda-Congo Nile divide. This prominent Rwanda Wildlife Safari Trail follows a path along Lake Kivu giving the best of the Rwanda Kivu experience. It covers a distance of over 227 kilometers depending on your presence and starting point.

The trail is customized to start from Nyungwe Forest, Kibuye, or Musanze. It features several Rwanda tour adventures including tea plantation visits, cycling, fishing, and community visits. It is best enjoyed on cycling adventures as this gives you more opportunity to closely interact with the local people.

The Congo Nile Trail can be covered in 7 to 10 days depending on the activities included. It is the best Rwanda Discovery Journey and Safari Trails you can ever be part of in Rwanda. Contact Us to customize this and many other Rwanda safari tours. These can be combined with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania safari adventures.

Where To Go On Your First Kenya Safari Adventure. Discovery Journeys
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

Where To Go On Your First Kenya Safari Adventure

Kenya Safari adventure trips are desired by many first-timer travelers visiting the African continent. Kenya is the birthplace of safari tours because of its diversity and unique ecosystems. The country has over 20 protected areas with over 90% of Kenya’s tourism dominated by wildlife experiences.

Kenya offers a wide range of experiences making it hard to choose the best destinations to visit. In today’s article, we will look at the top destinations you must visit on your first Kenya safari adventure. They include the following.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is the Pearl of all Kenya safari destinations. The park is located in southern Kenya and is most famous for its long-tusked elephants and an incredible view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli has one of the highest elephant populations in Kenya. These live in herds and can easily be spotted while on game drives in the park.

The Park has a collection of several other safari animals including wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and hippos. Amboseli is also an incredible birding safari destination. It currently has a reasonable number of flamingos even when compared to Lake Nakuru. Flamingos migrated from Lake Nakuru to Lake Bogoria after the lake’s water levels increased. This left Amboseli and Bogoria the best places to see flamingos.

Mount Kilimanjaro’s background view makes Kenya Safari adventure experiences to Amboseli even more impressive. The mountain is located in Tanzania but is best seen in Amboseli. On a visit to the park, you can engage in several safari experiences including balloon safaris, game drives, nature walks, and photography adventures. A visit to Amboseli is highly recommended for any first-timer taking on Kenya Safari Adventure experiences.

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is another recommended Kenya Safari Adventure destination for first-timers. The park is also famous for its red dust elephants, other safari animals, and beautiful scenery. It first became famous in the later 1800s during the construction of the Uganda Railway line. Tsavo has a high lion population at the time that often attacked the Indian coolies who were involved in the construction of the Railway.

Much as the lion population reduced, Tsavo is still a great place to see lions and other wildlife species. The park still has some maneless lion species, leopards, gerenuk, and waterbucks. Tsavo has over 500 bird species that are spotted on birding journeys throughout the park.

Kenya safari experiences at Tsavo also feature scenic tours as the park has some of the most impressive landscapes in the country. Tsavo is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. The western part lies in the same tourism circuit as Amboseli and Chyulu hills and can be visited on the same leg of the Kenya safari. Ensure to customize your itinerary to add Tsavo to your Kenya Safari Adventure.

Kilifi

Kilifi is one of the prominent Kenya Coastal destinations. It is located about 56 kilometers North of Mombasa, Kenya’s coastal city. Kilifi borders the Indian Ocean to the East and has some of the finest white sand beaches in Kenya.

It is ideal for beach holidays and romantic getaways that greatly supplement Kenya wildlife safari experiences. Kilifi also has a rich historical background of Coastal trade and civilization. It has several ruins including those at Mnarani dating back to the 14th century.

On a visit to Kilifi, you stand a chance to see marine wildlife including sea turtles, fish, and dolphins. Kenya coastal safari destinations are remarkable for their marine wildlife offering experiences you will not have in any other Kenya safari destinations. Whether visiting Kenya for a honeymoon or wildlife Discovery Journey for the first time, we highly recommend adding Kilifi to your Must-visit destinations.

Masai Mara

You can not talk about Kenya Safari Adventure destinations and fail to list Masai Mara. Masai Mara is the most prominent Kenya safari destination located in the southern part. The reserve is most famous for the great wildebeest migration that happens annually. This migration starts in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park as migrating herds move over the ecosystem in search of pasture.

Watching the migration is incredible because of the high wildlife numbers. It is very rare to find such a concentration of migrating animals in one destination. The migrating herds also attract Masai Mara’s deadliest predators including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. These big cats take advantage of the wildlife numbers to hunt down their prey.

Masai Mara has one of the highest lion populations in Kenya which is mainly dependent on the abundance of prey. Other notable wildlife species in Masai Mara include elands, hyenas, waterbucks, hippos, and several bird species. Masai Mara safari expeditions are what you need as a first-timer on a Kenya Safari Adventure.

Turkana land

Turkana land is located in Northern Kenya on the less traveled paths. The area was named after Lake Turkana, the World’s largest desert Lake. It covers a land area of 6,405 square kilometers and is also the fourth-largest salt lake on the planet.

The Turkana region is renowned for its archeological discoveries. It is the only place in Kenya where you can experience real-time archeological experiences. Lake Turkana has three national parks that include Sibiloi, and the Central and South Island National Parks. These cover a land area of 161,485 hectares and are home to several wildlife species.

Sibiloi National Park is most famous for its hominid fossils discovered in the 1970s. Other fossil discoveries include that of a giant tortoise dating back over a million years ago. The park also has an elephant fossil site with elephant fossils dating back 1.7 million years ago. It is a great place to see Nile crocodiles with an estimated population of over 10,000. The Central and Southern Island Parks are breeding grounds for snakes, hippos, and crocodiles.

Turkana offers the most exclusive Kenya safari adventure experiences and we highly recommend it for first-timers. Our Kenya tour itineraries can be customized to include any of these destinations. The 10-day Kenya Safari features Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and others. You can visit these and Uganda or Rwanda destinations for mountain gorillas and chimpanzee trekking. Tanzania also offers amazing travel experiences with provision for solo adventures.

5 Unmissable Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences. Discovery Journeys
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

5 Unmissable Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences

Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences are rewarding as you get fully immersed in Discovery Journeys in the country. Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa because of its diversity and natural beauty. The Country is gifted by nature with several tour adventure experiences you can be part of. These range from wildlife to cultural and historical experiences offered authentically.

Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences are suitable for all travelers except primate trekking which has an age limit. Open savanna and cultural experiences can be enjoyed by families, couples, and solo travelers irrespective of their age.

Below are our top five most recommended Uganda safari tour adventures you should be part of.

Gorilla Trekking Tour Adventures

Mountain gorillas are rare primate species living in the forested mountains in Southwestern Uganda. Mountain gorillas live in families of up to 20 individuals. These are led by a dominant male gorilla called Silverback. Silverback was derived from the silver coating on the back of a fully grown adult gorilla. Mountain gorillas are among man’s closest wild animals with over 95% DNA similar to humans. This similarity makes them unique and desirable when compared to other wildlife species.

Because of this, many desire to hike the forested mountains in Bwindi and Mgahinga to meet gorillas in their natural habitats. Uganda has the highest mountain gorilla population of all the 3 countries with gorillas. This makes the country the ultimate mountain gorilla trekking destination.

On Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences featuring gorilla trekking, you can choose between the normal trek and gorilla habituation experience. The normal gorilla trek takes 1 to 4 hours or more with a provision of only staying an hour in the presence of mountain gorillas. The gorilla habituation experience on the other hand takes 1 to 6 hours with the provision of staying in the presence of gorillas for up to 4 hours. Mountain gorilla habituation is when gorillas are accustomed to human beings’ presence. It takes a couple of years and the habituation experience enables you to be part of this process as you closely study Mountain gorillas.

Our 3-day gorilla habituation tour is ideal for those who are specifically interested in the habituation experience. Other Uganda Tour Adventure options that feature gorilla trekking include the 4-day Uganda Wildlife Tour and the 7-Uganda Wildlife Safari.

Birding Uganda Tours

Uganda is one of the best birding destinations on the African continent. There are over 1000 bird species in the country including endemics that do not occur in any other destination. Uganda has a diverse ecosystem ranging from open savannas to wetlands and forested areas. All these are home to the different bird species the country has.

The Mabamba wetland along the shores of Lake Victoria is an iconic Uganda birding tour destination. It covers an area of 16,500 hectares of papyrus, Water Lilies, and other swamp vegetation. Mabamba is home to the prehistoric shoebill stork one of the most sought-after bird species. The wetland is also home to fish eagles, egrets, grey-crowned cranes, and weaver birds.

Semuliki Valley is another incredible Uganda birding safari destination. It is located in western Uganda on the Albertine Rift Valley floor stretching towards the Uganda DRC border. Semuliki has an extension of the Central African forest and some bird species you find there are endemic to Central Africa. It also has a unique and beautiful scenery ideal for Uganda Safari adventure getaways.

Chimpanzee Trekking & Habituation Experiences

Chimpanzee trekking and habituation are other rewarding primate Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences. Uganda has several chimpanzee trekking destinations with Kibale Forest being the most prominent. The park is the primate capital of the world with 13 primates including chimpanzees. Kibale has the region’s highest eastern chimpanzee population. These can be tracked on a chimpanzee trekking tour to the park.

Chimpanzee trekking starts with a briefing at the park headquarters where you are told about the trekking rules and regulations. From there, you are guided into the forest following the chimpanzee trails and hiking until you get to them. On this trek, you are permitted to stay in the presence of chimpanzees for an hour observing and taking photographs.

The chimpanzee habituation experience is more experiential taking you behind the scenes of the habituation process. It involves following chimpanzee communities under habituation and gives you up to 4 hours with them. This is only possible in Kibale Forest and has limited slots of only 4 people a day. Other top Uganda chimpanzee trekking destinations include Kyambura Forest, Budongo Forest, and Kalinzu Forest. Our 10-day Uganda Discovery Journeys feature Kibale forest and can be customized to include chimpanzee trekking and habituation depending on one’s preference.

Golden Monkey Trekking & Habituation

Golden monkey trekking and habituation are done in Mgahinga Gorilla Park in southwestern Uganda. The park is part of the Virunga massif and conservation area that includes Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Virunga National Park DRC. The Virunga conservation area is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other wildlife species including forest elephants and buffaloes.

Mgahinga Gorilla Park is exclusive of all Uganda primate destinations and highly recommended for Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences featuring golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga massif and Maghinga is the only place in Uganda where you can see them. They are covered with golden fur and live in communities of up to 20 individuals. Golden monkeys have not been extensively studied like other primates. They equally offer great primate experiences and are best to include on your Uganda primate safari expedition.

Our 4-day Mgahinga Gorlla Tour features mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking in the park. This tour is exclusive as the park has only one mountain gorilla family that is restricted to 8 tourists visiting it a day. You can still customize your Mgahinga safari tour to include the golden monkey habituation experience. Other notable adventures to be part of here include mountain hiking, birding, community visits, and the Batwa Trail experience.

Murchison Falls Big Five Experiences

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s most diverse savanna wildlife destination. The park is bisected by the Nile River on its journeys up north. River Nile is the world’s longest river that starts its course at Jinja journeying through northern Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt where it eventually drains its waters into the Mediterranean Sea. The River is in its early stages in Uganda and forms several water rapids and the world’s strongest waterfalls. It is an important water source for the park’s wildlife and ecosystem.

Murchison Falls National Park has four of the Big Five Mammals including elephants, leopards, Buffaloes, and lions. These occur in large numbers and are often spotted on game drives on the different trails in the park. Rhinos, the fifth of the Big Five Mammals live at the Ziwa Rhino Ranch in Nakasongola. The ranch is located a few kilometers from the highway and can be accessed on your way to and from Murchison Falls National Park. A visit to the Rhino Ranch and Murchison Falls National Park gives you the ultimate Big Five safari adventure.

Other notable safari animals you can see on a visit to Murchison Falls National Park include giraffes, waterbucks, hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, and hyenas. Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences to Murchison are what you need on your savanna safari tour to Uganda. You can visit the park on a 4-day Murchison Tour for game drives, boat cruises, and chimpanzee trekking. The park can also be visited alongside other Uganda Safari destinations like Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi.

These and many more Uganda Tour Adventure Experiences make up Uganda Journeys of Discovery. They can be combined with Kenya safaris in Masai Mara for the wildebeest Migration experience. Email us now at info@discovery-journeys.com to book your next adventure.

Top Tanzania Tour Destinations To See Elephants. Discovery Journeys
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

Top Tanzania Tour Destinations To See Elephants

Tanzania Tour Destinations are among the best places to see elephants. These giant land mammals are among Savanna’s Big Five and the world’s largest animals. Elephants are intelligent and have a good memory because of their large brain. The three main elephant species include the African Bush Elephants, the African Forest Elephants, and the Asian Elephant.

African Bush Elephants are common in the different Tanzania Tour destinations and can easily be spotted while on game drives. They were named after their eared-shaped African map. Male and female elephants have tusks unless on rare genetic occasions of not having any or when poachers have cut them off. Elephants are among the most vulnerable and threatened animals because of poaching. They are hunted down because of their Ivory which is perceived to be valuable.

Besides poaching, elephants and other safari animals are threatened because of habitat loss. Population density and tourism development have increased wildlife-protected land encroachment as people set up accommodation facilities. This has created a human-wildlife conflict in many areas as animals including elephants stray in people’s gardens destroying crops.

Tanzania has several protected areas that were gazetted with the primary role of acting as the home of these different animal species. Elephants and many other safari animals freely roam these areas for food and survival. Below are those top Tanzania Tour Destinations where you can see elephants.

Tarangire

Tarangire is among the prominent Tanzania Tour destinations. It is located in Northern Tanzania and covers a land area of 2,850 square kilometers. Tarangire has one of the highest elephant concentrations in East Africa and therefore the top Tanzania Tour destinations to see them.

Elephants live in herds led by a dominant female called a Matriarch. These mainly comprise subordinate females, males, and infant elephants. Male elephants play a role in protecting the herd and young ones. They are however forced to leave the herd after 15 to 20 years of living with their mothers. These join other bachelor males but feed within the territory of the matriarch and are never far.

Tarangire has the best elephant safari experiences and you can learn more about these giants there. Other notable animal species in the park include leopards, Zebras, and giraffes. Tarangire is renowned for its tree-climbing lions a rare occurrence in lions.

Serengeti

Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s iconic and must-visit Tour destination. The park is located in Northern Tanzania stretching towards the Kenya border. It connects with Masai Mara National Reserve forming one of Africa’s best safari ecosystems.

Serengeti’s ecosystem comprises open savanna grasslands, woodlands, and scattered shrubs. This ecosystem is home to several wildlife species including elephants. Serengeti is most famous for the wildebeest migration, an annual mass movement of wildebeests, zebras, topi, and grant gazelles.

Elephants are not involved in the wildebeest migration but exit in large numbers and can easily be seen in herds moving over the Serengeti ecosystem. Serengeti safari adventures are remarkable because of the high numbers of the different wildlife species present in the park. Because of this, Serengeti stands out of all Tanzania Tour Destinations. Our 8-day Serengeti Safari covers the park extensively for the wildebeest migration and Discovery Journeys with elephants.

Nyerere National Park

Nyerere is East Africa’s largest protected area. It is located in southern Tanzania covering a land area of 30,893 square kilometers. The park was initially a reserve (Selous) and upgraded into a National Park in 2019. Nyerere is among Tanzania’s best-reserved safari tour destinations because of its remote location.

Southern Tanzania is generally less explored when compared to northern Tanzania destinations like Serengeti. With this, all southern Tanzania tour destinations Nyerere inclusive offer exclusive safari experiences.

Nyerere National Park is home to several wildlife species including the African wild dog, elephants, zebras, and lions all occurring in large numbers. The park’s large size gives it an advantage of enough space for even the land’s largest mammals. Part of the park was set aside for photography and is best recommended for those interested in wildlife photography and documenting.

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is Worlds largest unfilled caldera. It is also located in Northern Tanzania and is among the top natural wonders on the planet. The crater floor is another top Tanzania tour destination to see elephants. It is home to all the big five mammals including buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards.

Being a natural enclosure, it is easy to spot elephants and all other animal species in the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is best explored on game drives in the morning and late afternoon. It has a riverine swamp with hippos and water birds.

The Ngorongoro Crater is an impressive attraction in itself. It has beautiful scenic views of the different landscapes it has. Such a combination of landscapes and animal species including the African elephants is perfect for safari. It is the right experience you need on your Tanzania Discovery Journeys adventure. Ngorongoro can be visited alongside other Northern Tanzania Tour destinations in a 7 or 9-day Tanzania safari.

Mikumi

Mikumi National Park is located in southern Tanzania about a 4-hour drive from Dar-es-Salaam. It is among the less traveled paths in Tanzania perfect for viewing elephants. The park is home to rare antelope species like the greater Kudus and Sable antelopes. It is a major stopover for those visiting Ruaha and other southern Tanzania safari destinations.

The elephant population in Mikumi is stable and elephants are commonly seen while on game drives. Such moments enable you to closely observe and learn more about elephants and other animal species. The exclusive experiences in the park are the most underrated moments as you enjoy your safari with minimal interruption.

Our 10-day southern Tanzania safari features Mikumi, Ruaha, and Nyerere National Parks. It is among our top-selling Tanzania safaris that are ideal for honeymooners, photographers, and families. Beyond Tanzania are other Discovery Journeys experiences including gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda.

Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures & Guidelines. Discovery Journeys
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Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures & Guidelines

Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures features Discovery Journeys and primate safari experiences in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is among the only three countries on the planet with mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are rare primate species of the apes family living in the forested mountains of East and Central Africa. They are limited to the Virunga Massif ecosystem and that of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and adjacent Sarambwe Reserve.

The mountain gorilla population is currently estimated at only 1100 individuals in the wild. With this, they are among the threatened wildlife species per the IUCN guidelines since they are nearly extinct. This population has only increased over the years thanks to the great conservation efforts of different stakeholders. At the moment, mountain gorillas remain among the most rare and sought-after primates. Because of this, many adventure travelers visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking tour adventures.

Below is some information you might need to know about Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures and guidelines.

Rwanda Gorilla Families

Mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park which lies in the Virunga massif. The park has over 200 mountain gorillas which is the highest of all the gorilla parks in the Virunga Massif and conservation area. Volcanoes National Park currently has 24 habituated gorilla families 12 of which are open to tourism. The others are still under habituation and some are set aside for research purposes.

Mountain gorilla habituation is the process in which gorillas are accustomed to human beings’ presence. It takes a long process of monitoring and closely interacting with the gorillas for them to be fully habituated. This work is done by a team of well-knowledgeable rangers who have studied the gorillas for years.

Some of the gorilla families you can encounter on Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures include Sabyinyo, Hirwa, Amahoro, Titus, Susa, Kwitonda, Umubano, and Karisimbi among others. These have up to 10 or 20 individuals comprising of females, infants, juveniles, Blackbacks, and silverbacks. Each mountain gorilla family is led by a dominant male gorilla called Silverback that fights any contenders to retain its top position. You can learn about these and many more gorilla attributes on Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures and Discovery Journeys.

Gorilla Trekking Permits & Fees

Only 8 tourists are allowed to track a mountain gorilla family a day. This means that Rwanda has 96 gorilla permits available per day since only 12 gorilla families are fully habituated and open to tourism. The number might seem high but Rwanda gorilla permits get fully booked a couple of months in advance.

Each gorilla permit costs $1500 for International visitors, $500 for African Citizens, and $200 for East African citizens Rwandans included. Part of the money collected is reinvested in gorilla conservation. The rest is used to develop local communities around the park as well as overall government programs. When you track gorillas you therefore directly contribute to all the above and make a life-changing impact.

There is provision for gorilla filming for those who would prefer to document the rare primates. You are however required to book all gorilla permits of the family you intend to visit and pay filming fees as an add-on. This gives you exclusive access to that gorilla family and time to get the content you desire. You however do so following set guidelines.

Gorilla Trekking Guidelines

Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures are done following set trekking rules and regulations. This was done to protect the gorillas given their status and to also ensure the safety of the people visiting. One is required to keep a 7-meter distance away from the gorillas while in their presence. This is because gorillas charge and can easily attack you when you encroach on their territory. The restriction of only 8 people trekking to a gorilla family a day is strictly followed. It is aimed at reducing the exposure of gorillas to human behavior as they can easily adapt.

Mountain gorillas have over 95% DNA similar to humans which makes them susceptible to change with exposure. One is also not allowed to make noise while in the presence of gorillas. Flash photography is prohibited as it can irritate the gorillas. Other general regulations include avoiding dumping in the forest and straying away from the ranger guides as you can easily get lost.

All these guidelines are communicated at the briefing point ahead of the Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures. On the day of the gorilla trek, you are expected at the park headquarters by 7:00 am for this briefing and allocation of the gorilla family.

The Gorilla Naming Ceremony

Rwanda has a prominent gorilla naming ceremony known as Kwita Izina. It is done every year in September to name baby gorillas that would have been born within a year. Kwiti Izina is one way of monitoring the gorilla population and newborns to ensure their survival. Important to note is that Mountain gorillas are still threatened by poaching and habitat encroachment which leaves babies prone to danger.

In every Kwita Izina, an update is given about the baby gorillas that would have been named the previous year, and then new ones a named. This enables the rangers and conservation teams involved to keep fast track of all the gorillas in the park.

The dates of this year’s Kwita Izina have not yet been communicated but we are looking forward to them.

Rwanda Gorilla Discovery Journeys

We have curated several itineraries that feature Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures. These range from a one-day tour that starts with a 4:30 am pick-up from Kigali. This is so because one is expected at the park headquarters by 7:00 am to catch up with the briefing before going for the gorilla trek. Our 2-day gorilla tour is a bit relaxed with a provision of an overnight near the park. On this 2-day tour, you can visit the Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and have a cultural visit as well.

The 3-day gorilla tour has a 2-night stay near the park and features mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga Massif and Volcanoes National Park is among the best places to see them. Those who desire more time with the gorillas can opt for double gorilla trekking tours. This is done following two different gorilla families and can be included in the 3 or 4-day tours.

Our 5-day Rwanda Tour features chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest. Nyungwe is home to 12 primates which is the highest of any one forested protected area. While at Nyungwe you can engage in chimpanzee trekking, a canopy walk, nature walks, and other primate treks. From there you transfer to Volcanoes National Park for your anticipated gorilla trek ending with the golden monkey adventure. The 10-day Rwanda Discovery Journeys is more extensive including a visit to Nyungwe, Akagera, and Volcanoes National Parks. Akagera is Rwanda’s only savanna park and is home to all the big five mammals and other safari animals.

You can combine Rwanda Gorilla Tour Adventures with other East African Discovery Journeys including Kenya Tours in Masai Mara. Tanzania adventures are equally rewarding. Contact Us now to get started.