Top Uganda Family Tour Destinations. Discovery Journeys
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

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
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

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
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

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
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

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.

Planning Your Kenya Tour Adventures! Discovery Journeys. Courtesy Photo
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

Planning Your Kenya Tour Adventures!

Kenya Tour Adventures are the best savanna wildlife discovery journeys you can be part of in East Africa. The country has a high savanna wildlife density and diversity. It is because of this that Kenya is among the most visited tour destinations on the continent. Kenya offers a wide range of tour adventures and experiences from wildlife, history, and culture. All these can be experienced any time of the year depending on one’s preference.

Planning Kenya Tour adventures requires time to research the different destinations and experiences. This is because safari tours are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and when you get an opportunity to Visit Kenya it is only right to maximumly utilize it. In today’s guide, we will look at the different Kenya Tour adventures that you can be part of as well as important travel information you might need when planning your Kenya Discovery Journeys.

Top Kenya Tour Adventures

Kenya is the birthplace of safari and has several signature tour adventures you can take on. The wildebeest migration safari in Masai Mara tops the list as you journey with millions of wildebeests and other grazers in Masai Mara. The wildebeest migration is an annual mass movement that happens between Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park. It involves the land’s major grazers searching for fresh pastures over the ecosystem.

The animal numbers involved in this migration are unmatched and high for any safari destination. Savannah’s predators especially the big cats are equally active throughout the migration as they seek hunting opportunities. You therefore stand a chance to see live-action predator hunting and more real-time nature moments when you visit Masai Mara.

Big Five mammal experiences are other top Kenya Tour adventures you must not miss out on. Kenya has all the Big Five mammals occurring in large numbers. They include lions, leopards, buffaloes, Rhinos and elephants. These were listed as the Big Five because they gave trophy hunters a hard time to take down. Unfortunately, they are all threatened because of habitat loss due to human encroachment and a few cases of poaching. Kenya however still stands out as one of the best safari destinations for the Big Five Mammals. Other top Kenya tour adventures you should engage in include balloon safaris, birding, and cultural visits.

Kenya Signature Tour Destinations

Kenya has over 20 protected areas that are diverse offering incredible tour adventures. There are however some signature tour destinations that are a must-visit for the ultimate Kenya Tour adventures. Samburu National Reserve is among the top exclusive Kenya safari destinations. The reserve is located in Northern Kenya about a 6 to 7-hour drive from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city.

Samburu is most famous for its rare wildlife species. These include the Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, Oryx Biesa, and the gerenuk among others. Samburu has many other safari animals including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 400 bird species. It is one of the most remarkable Kenya Tour destinations for exclusive safari experiences.

Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is a must if you are to experience the magic of Kenya Tour adventures. The park is the land of giants most famous for its long-tusked elephants. Amboseli also has other wildlife species including wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, and birds. Kenya Tour adventures to Amboseli are more impressive as you get to also see Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Masai Mara is a safari household name that speaks for itself in terms of safari adventures. Hells Gate National Park, Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, and Aberdare mountains are other top Kenya Signature destinations you should check out.

Best time to Visit

Kenya has two seasons that are the dry and wet season. The dry season starts in June throughout September and from December to March. This is the best time to have your Kenya Tour adventures with minimal rainfall interruption. Photography safaris are on trend and require natural light and golden hour moments that are best experienced in the dry season.

The wet season in Kenya starts in April to May and from October to November. During the wet season, rainfall is unpredictable and can happen at any time of the day. The rains favor the growth of lush vegetation rejuvenating pastures for the grazing herbivores. With this, most safari animals do not move far away from the game drive tails and can therefore be easily spotted. The green vegetation also creates an impressive scenic beauty providing some of the best safari photography moments.

Some game drive trails however become impassable because of the rains. In flat areas like Samburu, rivers blast their banks which cuts off a connection to some safari lodges. Some end up closing and wait for the dry season to open up again. It is important to bear all these in mind when planning your Kenya Tour adventures.

Accommodation Options

Kenya has the highest bed rate in the East African region. The vibrant tourism industry and safari adventure experiences have over the years attracted investors in the hospitality industry. You therefore have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from.

These range from budget tents and lodges to high-end luxurious under-canvas camps. Each of Kenya’s safari destinations is facilitated by several accommodation options that fit all travelers’ budgets. Much as they are many, they get fully booked in the peak tourist season from June to October. It is therefore recommended to book your Kenya safari in advance if you intend to travel then.

Other Discovery Journeys Adventures

Kenya Tour adventures are supplemented with other East African Discovery Journeys. These include primate adventures in Uganda, Rwanda, and Eastern DRC. Mountain gorillas are currently the most sought-after primate species in the region and these live in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. They however live in a restricted ecosystem of the Virunga massif and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and adjacent Sarambwe Reserve.

Mountain gorillas along with chimpanzees are among man’s closest primates with over 95% DNA similar to humans. You can visit them in a normal trek or habituation experience that is more experiential. We have customized several gorilla trekking itineraries that can be combined with Kenya Tour adventures.

Tanzania also offers impressive savanna wildlife experiences. The country is a tourism giant with beautiful wild places including Serengeti, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Crater. All these are habitats for several wildlife species that you get to see while on game drives and balloon safari adventures. You can also combine Kenya Tour adventures with experiences in Tanzania in an epic classic Discovery Journey. For the best of East Africa, you can extend these adventures to Uganda or Rwanda for a moment with primates. Email us now to start planning your safari tour experiences.

Sipi Falls Tour Adventures. Discovery Journeys
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

Sipi Falls Tour Adventures

Sipi Falls Tour Adventures are done to Sipi Falls, a series of waterfall along the Mount Elgon Ridge in Eastern Uganda. The region is among Uganda’s less explored and underrated safari destinations. Sipi Falls are located in Kapchorwa District about a 5 to 6 hours drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. They are strategically located in the Mount Elgon conservation area that covers Mount Elgon, which has the World’s largest Volcanic mountain base.

We recently took a Discovery Journeys adventure to the region. Below are our top pick Sipi Falls Tour Adventures you can consider while on a visit there.

Hiking to Sipi Falls

The falls are the leading tourist attractions in the Sipi area. They include Simba, the smallest waterfall with a drop of 74 meters. Ngasire Falls are a bit uphill with an 85 meters drop and lastly are the Sipi Falls, the largest standing at 95 meters high.

On Sipi Falls Tour Adventures you hike and get up close to all the three water falls amidst sighting of different wildlife species. The hike is done in a true Ugandan countryside with farm lands which offers another amazing tour experience.

Sipi falls Hiking is strenuous and requires a degree of physical fitness. Some of the hiking trails are narrow and can be hectic to maneuver through on a rainy day. There are always young Sabiny vibrant boys you can hire to give you a hand while on the hike.

Coffee Experience

The Sipi area produces one of Uganda’s finest coffee. All this is thanks to the fertile Volcanic soils along the Mount Elgon region. The fertile soils and cool weather favor the growth of Arabic coffee that is widely grown by many homesteads as it is among the major cash crops.

Many of the homesteads have local coffee processing machines and produce coffees ready for consumption. On Coffee Tour you are taken through the coffee growing process right from the nursery till the coffee is fully grown and harvested.

Sipi Falls Tour Adventures featuring coffee experiences are engaging and experiential. They give you an opportunity to taste freshly made and one of the best coffee you can ever have. The coffee experiences can be done any time of the year and last for 1 to 3 hours depending on your preference.

Cycling Tour Adventures

Cycling is an adventurous way to explore Sipi. The Sipi region has some of the most beautiful landscapes and view points that are best got to on cycling expeditions. The landscapes are mostly hilly but the impressive scenic views of the Pian Upe Valley and other open plains are unmatched.

On cycling adventures you also get to closely interact with the native people are very friendly and welcoming. Cycling can be done at any time of the day because of the chill climatic condition of the Sipi region.

Sipi Falls Tour Adventures are more fun with cycling expeditions and we highly recommend them.

Community Visit

Community visit in any safari destination are amazing as they enable you to directly interact with the natives. The Sipi falls region has a mixture of Nilotic and Bantu communities. The Nilotic’s include Kalegins who are both pastoralists and substance farmers. Mount Elgon’s fertile soils favor the growth of different food crops including millet, beans, plantain and different kinds of green vegetables.

The Bantu communities in the region are mainly Bagishu are locally known as the Bamasaba. Bagishu are mountain people who have lived along the Mount Elgon slopes for centuries. They predominantly subsistence farmers who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. On community visits you therefore get to learn more about the different people’s ways of life of the different communities in the Sipi region.

Community visits are the only ways we get to understand our cultural differences and develop appreciation for that.

Cave Tour Adventures

The Sipi region has several natural and man made caves. These were home to the migrating groups of people centuries backs before they permanently established their homes for settlement. Many of these caves have historical paintings that give a narration of the people who lived there.

Caves also have a traditional healing importance to the local people as some are perceived sacred. Some people still make pilgrims to the different caves to isolate themselves while on prayer requests or when seeking for traditional healing and power. On Sipi Falls Tour Adventures you get to visit some of these caves and learn about the history and traditional importance.

Abseiling & Rock Climbing

Rock climbing and abseiling are the most thrilling activities on Sipi Falls Tour Adventures. Abseiling is done along the Sipi Falls Ridge and brings you an up close view and contact of the falls. Rock climbing is also incredible but requires a degree of fitness and experience.

There is also an option of Hiking Mount Elgon that is located a few kilometers from Sipi. Mount Elgon has the world’s largest mountain base and is the second highest mountain Peak in Uganda called Wagagai. This comes after the Rwenzori Mountains Margherita peak that is snow capped standing at 5,109 meters above sea level. All these adventures can be done alongside other Discovery Journeys to Kenya and Tanzania. Our 8-Day Eastern Uganda Safari features Sipi Falls and other less traveled paths in Northern Uganda including Pian Upe and Moroto. It is custom made and suitable for all tourist categories. Book it now and start the epic Sipi Falls Tour Adventures.

Epic Mainland Tanzania Safari Expeditions
CategoriesTravel Guide By Vea-admin

Epic Mainland Tanzania Safari Expeditions

Mainland Tanzania Safari Expeditions are the core of East African Discovery Journeys. Tanzania is the largest of the initial East African community members with a total land area of 947,303 square kilometers. This large size gives the country an advantage of many and large protected areas along with wildlife numbers.

Discovery Journeys to Tanzania are epic and adventures as they feature the diverse ecosystems the country has. There are several Tanzania safari destinations that are still intact despite the big threat of climate change and habitat loss. This makes Tanzania safari expeditions remarkable and more experiential compared to other East African destinations.

Below are epic and exclusive Tanzania safari expeditions you should be part of on a visit to the Vast East African destination.

Mahale Mountains Chimpanzee Trekking

Tanzania is mostly renowned for its open savannas but it also has primates in Mahale Mountains and Gombe National Park. Mahale Mountains are located in North western Tanzania and they over look Lake Tanganyika.

The mountains are home to a high population of eastern chimpanzees, birds and many other wildlife species. Chimpanzees in this forested mountainous park were made famous by Jane Goodall who spent a lot of time in Tanzania and East Africa in general studying chimpanzees. The exclusivity of the park is what makes chimpanzee safari expeditions here remarkable.

Mahale Mountains is among the least visited and accessed protected areas in Tanzania due to its location. With this, you get the very best of your Tanzania primate safari expedition. The chimpanzee trekking experience is done on foot through the thick forest amidst sighting of other wildlife species especially plants and birds.

Wildebeest Migration Safari expeditions

You can not talk about Tanzania safari expeditions and fail to mention the great wildebeest migration. This mass animal migration involves over a million wildebeests, zebras, topi and gazelles moving over the plains of Serengeti and Masai Mara in search for fresh pastures. This in turn attracts the lands major predator big cats that take advantage of the number to hunt.

Serengeti is the core of the great wildebeest migration as it starts and ends there. The wildebeest migration cycle starts with a calving period from November to March when the migrating herds would have returned from Masai Mara. During the calving period over 7000 calves are born a day which rejuvenates that herds. These eventually start drifting slowly through the Ndutu area, to Central and Northern Serengeti where they cross the Mara river to Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Tanzania Safari expeditions featuring the wildebeest migration are surreal. It is unbelievable how one safari destination can have such magnitude of wildlife moving in large number. Serengeti has the highest big cats population especially lions that are seen in pride of over 15 individuals. Witnessing such real time moments makes Tanzania Discovery Journeys unmatched.

Exclusive Ngorongoro Crater safari Tours

The Ngorongoro Crater is natural wildlife wonder and among Tanzania’s exclusive Safari destinations. It is large Volcanic caldera that is believed to have formed million years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed on itself.

Ngorongoro is world’s largest intact Volcanic caldera covering a land area of 8,292 square kilometers. The crater floor covers an area of 260 square kilometers with steep slopes that 610 meters deep. Ngorongoro Crater is an iconic attraction and also has several other attractions and beautiful landscapes. The Crater floor has a lake and Riverine forest that are to several wildlife species.

Savannas Big Five Mammals are present in the crater and can easily be spotted while on game drives. These include lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and Rhinos. Other safari animals you can see on Tanzania safari expeditions to the crater include zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, and cheetahs among others. The Ngorongoro crater being a natural enclosure, it easy to see the different wildlife species grazing or hunting. Ensure to add the crater visit on your Northern Tanzania safari tours.

Wildlife documentary adventures

Tanzania is a perfect destination for savanna wildlife documentary adventures. Wildlife filming and photography has gained momentum over the years because of the digital era and with the improvement in technology. Now some people take on virtual tours to beautiful wild places like the ones Tanzania has. All this is only possible because of wildlife filming and documentary.

The diversity of Tanzania and wildlife abundance makes it an ideal filming destination. Beyond the wildlife Tanzania is culturally diverse and the country’s cultural experiences are also remarkable. There is quite a lot to document on Tanzania safari expeditions from the wildebeest migration, balloon safaris, nature walks and other exclusive Discovery Journeys.

Tanzania wildlife filming can best be done during the dry season from June to October and from December to March when there is minimal rainfall disturbances. The rainy months are equally great for filming and documentary as the rains favor a growth of a lush vegetation. With this, it becomes easy to spot safari animals as they do not move far to get food and water.

Big cats and predator safaris

Savannas Big cats include lions, leopards and cheetahs. These make safari adventures complete as they are sometimes rarely seen in destinations where they are few in number. The situation is however different for Tanzania as the country has the highest Big cats and predator population.

Serengeti National Park alone is a lion conservation unit with over 3000 lions. This high and steady lion population is boosted by the presence of prey for the lions. Leopards are also in plenty and often seen on early morning and evening game drives. Leopards are solitary in nature but are many in Tanzania wild places and ecosystems like Serengeti are open which enables the easy spotting of even the most rare and solitary animal species.

Cheetahs are vulnerable because of the constant reduction of their population. Tanzania still has a reasonable number of these in the different savanna ecosystems. You can never go wrong by choosing Tanzania for Big Cats safari expeditions and overall safari tours. Visit East Africa for these and much more expeditions. If you are more keen to primates especially mountain gorillas you can visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park.