Africa Safari Holiday

Tarangire National Park

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:06:26 +0000

Highlights:
1.    Day Trips to Barabaig and Maasai Villages
2.    Guided Walking safaris
3.    Rock Paintings
4.    Birding
Tarangire National Park is situated in the Rift Valley, near the eastern shore of Lake Manyara. The park occupies about 2,600 km² and is made up of nine various vegetation zones, all sustaining various types of wildlife.
It acquires its name from the river that makes it way via the length of the reserve.
The slowly up and down hills are designed with magnificent Baobab trees, mixed up with open acacia woodland, rivers, and stands of palm trees.
Tarangire National Park is well-known for its great number of wildlife population which is most impressive in the dry period that ocassionary runs between June and September.
In this period, several migratory wildlife species go back to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. This park makes up the biggest population of elephants in the northern circuit. More animals ocassionary seen are include; the wild beast, lion, leopard, kudu, buffalo, giraffe and other predators that congregate at Tarangire River up to the wet season giving the m an opportunity to continue to lush other grazing land.

The river and its environment watering holes also catch the attention of various species of birds to the area. Beyond 550 species of birds have been registered in the park, like the yellow-collared love birds, mouse birds, swallows, green wood hoopoes and cuckoos.

Ngorongoro Crater Trek Tanzania

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:14:32 +0000

Highlights:
1.    Game drives
2.    Crater Lake
3.    Olduvai Gorge
Ngorongoro Crater currently a world heritage site situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It occupies over 8,000 sq km. Ngorongoro is neighbored by Lake Eyasi in the south west and the Gol Mountains in the north.
This crater is taken as part of the natural wonders of the world. At 2,286m above sea level, this crater is the widest unbroken caldera in the world.

The crater is a habitat to about 30,000 animals with approximately half making up the wild beast and zebra. more animals usually seen in the craters floor are the black rhino, elephants, buffalo, hippo, jackal, hyena, lion, bush buck, reed buck, hartebeest, warthogs, huge herds of both Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle.

Mountain forests, lush vegetation, and fresh springs encompass the rim of the crater’s very tall walls, which reach out to an elevation of about 7,500 feet. With its eye-catching natural beauty and the serenity of its environment, Ngorongoro is regularly known as “Africa’s Garden of Eden”.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:28:51 +0000

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Highlights:
1.    Hiking
2.    Birding
3.    Volcanic peaks
4.    Be in Uganda Rwanda and Rwanda all at the same time
5.    Mountain Gorillas – Nyakagezi group
This wonderful park is Uganda’s smallest park, however perhaps the most picturesque. It is situated on the South western tip of the country on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and occupies an area of about 34 sq kms. It covers up the Uganda side of the three Bufumbira Volcanic Mountains of Mgahinga (3400m), Muhavura (4127m) and Sabinyo (3645m) on the boundary with Rwanda and the democratic Republic of Congo.
The National Park is famous for its Mountain Gorilla numbers and was declared a Gorilla sanctuary in 1930, the boundary of which followed about the 2450 m contour and the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) borders. In 1964, the northern boundary was turned out into a lower altitude (2280m) penetrating into highly encroached zones and conserved as a Game reserve which makes up its current area of approximately 47.5km². The game reserve was conserved to its current position of a National Park in 1992.
Three species of primates are famously seen in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and these are; The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei), the Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) and Black and White Colobus (Colobus guereza). Other animals of interest include Buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), Giant Forest Hogs (Hylocchoerus meinertzhageni), Golden Cats (Felis aurata), Elephants (loxodanta Africana) and part of the like bird species the globally threatened Grauer’s Rush Warbler.
Hiking:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park provides three extinct volcanoes for physically fit hikers even if no special mountain gear is needed.
The three volcanoes are: Sabinyo, Mt. Gahinga and Mt. Muhavura.
Sabinyo (3669m) – “Old man’s teeth”.
When you arrive at the top, you will stand at a point in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the same time. The hike is for about 8 hours round trip to envelop the 14 km stretch.

Mt. Gahinga (3474m) – “Small Pile of Stones”.
Search out for small piles of stones during you voyage to the park. The indigenous individuals refer to such a pile “Gahinga”. The hike is for about 6 hours round trip.
Mt. Muhavura (4127m) – “The Guide”.

This volcano is like the guide since it is spotted from al most every where in Kisoro. The climbing takes about 8 hours round trip to round up about the 12 km stretch.
Access:
By Road: Kisoro is approximately 520kms from Kampala through Kabale.
By Air: There is a provision for Chartered planes can be booked for your flight to Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe and afterwards take the road to Mgahinga.
Accommodation:

Kisoro provides a big number range of accommodation facilities starting from basic campsites to luxurious hotels.
Possible hotels and lodges are: Traveler’s Rest Hotel, Mgahinga Safari Lodge and Mt. Gahinga Rest Camp.

Lake Manyara National Park

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:07:18 +0000

Highlights:
1.    Game drives
2.    Forest Walks
3.    Tree Climbing Lions
4.    Tree Climbing Pythons
5.    Canoeing
6.    Mountain Bike Tours
7.    Cultural Tours
Look out for about 50 km near the bottom of the rusty gold 600 meter high rift valley escarpment; Lake Manyara is a beautiful gem. Lake Manyara National Park is about 330 sq km of which up to 200 sq km is lake when water levels are high. It provides great topographical numbers and plenty wildlife for its quite manageable range, making it perfect for a day trip.

The Forests are made up tamarind, mahogany, and fig in the north and are organized in contrast to the greatly-open grasslands of the park center. The tall trees of the ground water forest are crowded with monkeys on the other hand elephants can be spotted on the slope of the escarpment with in the baobab trees.

More animals to search out for are herds of buffalo, giraffe, hippo, reed buck, wildebeest, zebra, bushbuck, aardvarks and the occasional leopard. In the acacia woodland, lions can be spotted sprawled out in the heat of the day on the heavy branches of the umbrella trees; on the other hand greatly sized hippos cool there bodies in the pools near the lake shore.

Lake Manyara gives the rightful introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. Almost 400 species of birds like the storks, pelicans, flamingo, sacred ibis, Egyptian geese and cormorants have been registered.

Lake Mburo National Park Uganda

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:02:47 +0000

Highlights:
1.    Game drives
2.    Birding
3.    Boat ride on Lake Mburo
4.    Hiking
Lake Mburo National Park was declared a conservation area in 1982 occupying an area of 370 sq km and is located in Mbarara district. It’s position next the Masaka – Mbarara highway makes it easily accessible from Kampala. The park protects a total of 68 mammal species with about two outstanding features. Lake Mburo is the only National Park in Uganda where there are the impala (Aepyceros melampus) and it is part of the few places where is able to see the Eland and Zebra. More species of animals to search for are; buffalos, hippos, hyenas, jackals, topis and leopards.
The bird population includes the rare shoe bill stork, Red faced barbet, papyrus gonolek, Papyrus yellow warbler, bronze tailed starling, crowned crane, bee eaters and the Marabou stork.
Access:
By Road: This Park is approximately 3½ hours’ voyage from Kampala. The park is arrived at from Masaka – Mbarara road at any of the Nshara gate or Sanga gate.
Accommodation:
There is accommodation which ranges from budget to up market facilities. Camping is also available at certain sites in the park even if tourists have come with their own camping equipment.
Required lodges and camps include Mihingo Lodge and Mantana Tented Camp.

Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking Safari Tanzania

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:35 +0000

Mt. Kilimanjaro is famous for being the highest mountain in Africa. No mountaineering experience is needed as any physically fit person is capable of climb it. The climbing of Mt. Kilimanjaro is possible in any month leaving out the months of April and May when long rains are occassionary experienced. From experience, the finest months to hike are from January to March and August to October.
Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro is possible via the Machame or Marangu routes. The Machame route is longer than the Marangu route and also provides some dramatic scenery.

MT KILIMANJARO CLIMB 8 DAYS - MACHAME ROUTE
DAY 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport - Moshi
Reach at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative prior to driving to a hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: Machame Gate (1490m) - Machame Camp (2980m)
wake up early in the morning take breakfast afterwards drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Machame. Begin the trek passing via lush forest to Machame hut. Dinner and overnight sleep at the Camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours - Distance: About 18 km’s - Habitat: Montane forest

DAY 3: Machame Camp (2980m) - Shira Camp (3840m)
Proceed with the hike via a steep ridge then in the open moorlands crossing a large gorge to arrive at Shira hut. Dinner and overnight spend the night at the camp.
Hiking time: 6 hours - Distance: About 9 km’s - Habitat: Moorland

DAY 4: Shira (3840m)-Lava Tower (4630m) - Barranco Camp (3950m)
passing via the eastward route and carry on with the hiking all the way through the dry landscape prior to dropping again to arrive at Barranco hut. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours - Distance: About 15 km’s - Habitat: Semi desert

DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4550m)
vertical trek via the Barranco valley and cross the Karanga valley, afterwards turn north to arrive at Barafu Hut. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours - Distance: About 13 km’s - Habitat: Alpine desert

DAY 6: Barafu Camp (4550m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Mweka (3100m)
SUMMIT ATTEMPT
wake up early and begin your way up. This early rising will help you to arrive in time at the crater ream. Proceed to Uhuru peak that is on record to be the highest peak in Africa. Then move down to Gilman’s point and more down to Horombo hut. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak - 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka - Distance: About 7 km’s ascent - 23 km’s descent - Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

DAY 7:
Proceed more with the descending down via Mandara hut to the gate where you will be transported to your hotel in Moshi for a warm shower. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 8:
Head to Kilimanjaro International Airport from where you will be able to board your return flight (On the other hand, you participate in a safari which is not compulsory).

Kibale Forest National Park

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:57:21 +0000

Highlights:
1.    Chimpanzee tracking
2.    Birding
3.    Crater lakes
4.    Wet land Walks
Kibale Forest is situated in western Uganda, and occupies an area of over 760 sq kms. This park is part of the most gorgeous and striking forests in Uganda. It is located 35 kms south of Fort Portal and shares a boundary with Queen Elizabeth National Park in the South.
Kibale is the ideal area to experience the actual multiplicity of wildlife and flora spotted in a tropical rainforest. This forest park has part of the greatest number and population of primates in Africa making up to about 13 species for example; chimpanzees, Olive Baboon, Black and white Colobus, blue monkey, the grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkey, pottos and bush babies. More attractions in the park are 229 species of trees and shrubs and other mammals for example the elephant and leopard. The elephant numbers in this park are one of the greatest even if not ocassionary seen.
Access:
Sebitoli Forest centre is located 290 kms from Kampala and 12kms from Fort Portal on the tarmac road to Kampala. A 4 x 4 wheel drive vehicle is greatly suggested principally during the rainy season.
Accommodation:
some potential lodges are Primate Lodge and Ndali Lodge. There are also a more other hotels and lodges in Fort Portal, 35kms north of the par

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:53:58 +0000

4 days – Gorillas in the Mist
Highlights:
•    Gorillas in the mist.
•    Scenic views.
•    Kigali Genocide Memorial and Education centre.
ITINERARY: TEA-R4
Day 1: Kanombe Airport – Kigali
Arrive Kanombe Airport. Meet and greet with a Trek East Africa representative before transferring to Kigali. Dinner and over night stay at Serena Hotel - Kigali.

Day 2: Kigali – Parc National des Volcans
Your driver / guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:00 am from where you will be taken on a tour that includes a visit to the Genocide Memorial site and other craft shops prior to heading to Parc National des Volcans. Dinner and over night stay at Gorilla Nest.

Day 3: Parc National des Volcans
After an early breakfast, head to the park gate where you are expected at 08:00 hours for registration and pre briefing. With the park guides, you will start the search for these rare Mountain Gorillas. The trek through Parc des Volcans can take between 2 and 10 hours depending on the family and the movement of the gorillas. Spend an hour viewing the gorillas upon location. Later return to your lodge for a lunch break.
Later in the afternoon, visit the serene lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Dinner and over night stay at Gorilla Nest.

Day 4: Parc National des Volcans – Kigali – Kanombe Air port
Drive back to Kigali from where you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.

BON VOYAGE

Burundi

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:50:13 +0000

Burundi is a non-coastal country neighbored by Rwanda to its north, Tanzania to the east and south and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Burundi is a generally mountainous country with a height above sea level ranging from 2600-9000 feet (790-2745 m). The only area below 3,000 ft is a narrow strip of plain near the Ruzizi River which makes up the western border north of Lake Tanganyika. The weather in Bujumbura and near the shores of Lake Tanganyika is warm and humid with regular temperatures starting from 64-89° F (218-32° C); frost at times happens at night in the highlands. Dry seasons are June-September and December-January; the principal rainy season is February-May.

The main rivers make the natural boundaries for the majority of the country. The Akanuaru and the Kagera link Burundi to Rwanda near the many parts of the common border. The Kagera and the Ruvuvu are additional southern most tributaries of the great Nile River while the biggest part of Burundi’s southern border is made by the Malagarazi River.
Burundi is made up of only two large cities that include Bujum¬bura and Gitega. It is currently toured more by transit tourists as compared by destination in itself. On the other hand, there are part of the attractions that warrant a small tour, particularly for the prolific chimpanzee and birdlife.

The three main ethnic groups in the country are the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa (pygmy). Hutus are mainly farmers and are made up of more than half the number whilst the Tutsi are a pastoral tribe and made up of less than a quarter of the number; they occupied the region a few hundred years after the Hutus. The Twa (Pygmy) were the first inhabitants even if they currently are made up of less than two percent of the actual population.
The official languages are French and Kirundi even if Swahili is also spoken

Akagera National Park Rwanda

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:47:30 +0000

Highlights:
• Fishing
• Game drives
This park was conserved in 1934 and occupies an area of 90,000 hectares; Akagera National Park is located at a slightly low altitude on the border with Tanzania. This park is spotted by swamps and lakes. Herds of elephants and buffalos can be seen as they make their way to drink at the lakes. The park is also famous for being a habitat to Giraffe, zebra and over a dozen types of antelope like the oribi, bushbuck, cape eland and the handsome chest-coated impala.

More to mention
there is a provision for accommodation and is accessible at Akagera Game Lodge with camping also being attainable at the shores of the lakes in Akagera. It is as well in some of these lakes that part of Africa’s greatest population of water birds could be viewed.