The vast plains. The Ngorongoro crater, snow-capped Mount Kilamanjaro, soda lakes pink with flamingos, the Rift Valley and the tribes in their traditional vibrant adornments. The astonishing sight of the wildebeest migration, whether in southern Tanzania in January, collectively giving birth, or running the gauntlet of the crocodiles at river crossings when heading for the succulent new grass of the Masai Mara in Kenya, is a rare and wonderful spectacle. Along with a multitude of bleating wildebeest on the move is the graceful progress of giraffe across the plains, the elegant Maasai warriors striding out, their red shukas billowing behind them, forests of baobabs and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, form some of the images that visitors take home, generally finding that their safari far exceeds their expectations.

Known as the ‘cradle of mankind’ the Rift Valley of East Africa is the site of numerous important fossil discoveries which are of interest to many visitors, and here it is important to have a guide who enjoys visiting the archaeological sites along with traditional safari sites. If the cultural side of East Africa is of special interest, choose a guide with particular knowledge of tribal life.

Uganda, owing to its higher rainfall, has a tropical luxuriance rare in the rest of East Africa. Jungles and forests provide habitats for numerous primates: the chimpanzee, our closest relative, can be found here, along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. A visit to the habituated mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwest Uganda is a very special experience. There are others in the Virunga Mountains of neighbouring Rwanda. These magnificent and greatly endangered creatures need all the help and support they can get from us to ensure their survival.

In northern Uganda, the Murchison Falls National Park runs down the edge of Lake Albert. So many people suffered and died in the 19th century to find this point where the waters of the Nile run out of the lake and travel thousands of miles to the Mediterranean. Nothing has changed. Fishermen ply the waters in their dugout canoes, Uganda cob, giraffe and elephant still quench their thirst at the water`s edge and the mountains rise majestically beyond. This ancient landscape is just as it was when the great explorers Burton and Speke finally arrived here in their quest to find the source of the Nile. It makes you tingle at the thought.

The coastal areas of Kenya and Tanzania are among the loveliest in the world – deserted white sandy beaches for the purists, with coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, or the exotic aromas of eastern spices and the colorful culture of Lamu or the Stone Town in Zanzibar, for the more adventurous. East Africa lives up to its promise.

Among the large mammals to be seen in Tanzania are the the Big Five plus cheetah, wildebeest, giraffe, and a wide variety of antelope. Tanzania’s most well known wildlife attractions are located in the northern part of the country and include the Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. The Serengeti National park encompasses the world-famous Masai Mara region, where great migrations of animals in search of grazing take place according to the seasons.

The north is also home to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which includes the Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera. Lion, hippo, elephant, the endangered black rhinoceros, large herds of wildebeest and zebra inhabit the area. Olduvai Gorge, considered to be the cradle of humanity after the discovery of the earliest known specimens of the human genus lies within the conservation area.

The western part of Tanzania includes the Mahale, Katavi, and Gombe national parks, the latter where Jane Goodall’s study of chimpanzee behaviour begun in 1960, The country is also particularly rich in plant diversity in fact the Tanzania National Parks Authority has an entire national park, the Kitulo National Park, dedicated to wild flowers.

Mount Kilimanjaro
Also known as the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the highest peak in Africa. The mountain (now a dormant volcano) rises approximately 4,877 metres (16,001 ft) from its base to 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level. The mountain is located in the north of the country on the border with Kenya in the town of Moshi and is accessible via Kilimanjaro International Airport. The airport also provides a gateway for tourists to all northern safari circuits. The mountain is part of Kilimanjaro National Park and is the second most popular park in the country. Roughly 20,000 visitors trek the mountain every year as Kilamanjaro is one of the most accessible high peaks in the world.

Game viewing is the most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Wild animals such as lion, buffalo, giraffe, antelope and elephant are common sights in Uganda’s ten national parks. Uganda is one of very few countries where it is possible to get up close to gorillas.

Mountain gorillas are Uganda’s prime tourist attraction. The vast majority are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while others can be seen in the Mgahinga National Park, both in southwestern Uganda. At Bwindi, visitors have viewed mountain gorillas since April 1993. The development of gorilla tourism and the habituation of gorillas to humans is proceeding carefully because of the danger of gorillas contracting human diseases.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to tree climbing lions. Lions do not normally climb trees except when chased by other lions or buffaloes. The tree climbing lions found in QE-NP intentionally climb trees and rest on the branches in the afternoon, when the sun is high. This is a unique phenomenon.

With its prime location in the African Great Lakes region, Uganda has a variety of water bodies that are popular with visitors. White water rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the rapids near the source of the Nile at Jinja.

Boating is popular on Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga Channel, and the River Nile as a way of viewing buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of bird species inhabiting the banks of these water bodies. Sport fishing is another favorite tourist activity. Fish like the Nile perch, and tilapia can be caught in designated areas of Lake Mburo and the banks of the Nile.

UGANDA VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx0ku3nHrvA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4yhqGKYD4U

Located in East Africa, the country has extensive natural beauty. Tour groups are led by experienced guides who specialise in the landscape and wildlife, taking visitors to volcanoes, waterfalls and rainforests where many different African animals reside, among which are the famous mountain gorillas.

Rwanda is also home to the world’s largest natural park for hippos where some 20,000 are believed to live. Although Rwanda is still a developing country, it has a good selection of hotels.

To place Rwanda on the world map as a first-class tourism destination and help grow the country’s tourism industry, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) signed partnership deals with London-based association football team, Arsenal Football Club, and French association football Giant Paris Saint-Saint Germain F.C. This lifted overall tourism numbers by 8% according to Rwandan officials.

Plastic bags are banned in Rwanda, so tourists are requested not to bring them to the country.

Volcanoes National Park
Part of the larger multinational Virunga Conservation Area, Volcanoes National Park is the centre point for all Rwandan gorilla safaris. Just a two-hour drive from Kigali International Airport makes it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world. Sharing a border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the park is home to a growing number of critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Experts estimate that there are about 600 gorillas in the park, which is a significant increase from around 240-250 individuals in 1981. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is also home to golden monkeys, a wide variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects, among other creatures, which make up the complete Rwanda safari package. Volcanoes National Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif; Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, and the highest at 4,507 meters, Karisimbi.

Trekking at Volcanoes National Park typically lasts between four and eight hours, most of which is spent hiking through bamboo forests, meadows, and swampland. Guides from the national park service will eventually lead you to one of the habituated gorilla families. Visitors typically spend an hour observing the creatures as they eat, care for their babies, and interact with each other.