Month: December 2020

Caving is one of the top travel activities on Rwanda safaris. YES, most travelers prefer to add caving on their gorilla trekking and other wildlife experiences in the land of a thousand hills. Are you visiting Rwanda to see gorillas or big five-game in Akagera National Park? Spare time and visit one of the ancient caves in this country. Altogether Rwanda is known to have 52 caves mostly located in the northern province of Rwanda. Most of these caves were formed as a result of Cenozoic volcanic rocks that have turned into tourist attractions in the country. The caves vary in size and length and their wall shelter numerous bats and other birds. A walk through any cave require you to have a torch for light since they are dark inside, walking closed shoes and walking stick since some grounds are slippery. Caving is normally done a gorilla trekking add on in Volcanoes National Park. African Apes Tours is your best guide to explore and enjoy different caves in Rwanda. The popular caves in Rwanda include
1. Ubuvumo Bwibihinga
This is the longest cave in the whole of Rwanda, This caves is comprised of a multi level systems if parallel lava tubes with a length of 4.530m.

2. Musanze caves
Located in the heart of Volcanoes National park in Musanze province. Musanze caves are the most visited caves in Rwanda. The musanze caves are believed to have been formed over 65 millions years ago when the lave flow layers contributed to creation of the Albertine Rift Valley. Musanze caves g has 31 entrances, which gives travelers chance to start and entre from wherever they like. The caves are believed to have been formed by the basaltic layers that collapsed from Bisoke and Sabyinyo volcanoes. Thousands of bats are seen hanging on the walls of Musanze caves. The collapses within the cave have formed different kind of rooms and corridors where one can even hide.

3. Busasamana Cave
This caves stretches 1 kilometer long connecting to a system of other caves, which are Kanzeze and Mudende. These three caves further lead you to Mugongo.
Other caves in Rwanda include Mugongo, Bweza caves and Kabari caves

Other things to see and do in Rwanda
Besides, caving, travelers on Rwanda safaris have many more things to see and do in Rwanda for a memorable experience. These include:
Mountain gorilla trekking: This is the number one travel experience, which bring the highest number of travelers to Rwanda. Gorillas in Rwanda lie in Volcanoes National Park and 10 gorilla families have been habituated for trekking. Volcanoes Park is the most accessible gorilla park located roughly 3 hours drive from Kigali International airport. The ease of access to Volcanoes make it a favorite gorilla park compared to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga in Uganda and Virunga National park in Congo which are located some long distance from the airport. Each gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 for all travelers. Rwanda is therefore a luxury gorilla safari destination but worth it.

• Big five game
Done in Akagera National Park, game viewing is yet another interesting travel experience you should not miss on your Rwanda safari. Guided morning, evening and night game drives offer you chance to see numerous wild animals, which live in this park. Expect to see the “big five”, Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards and Rhinos plus many other animals which include zebras, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Bushbucks, Kobs, Elands, Topis, Bush pigs and wild dogs among others. You will enjoy how predators hint down their preys while herbivores graze and browse in open savannahs.

• Chimpanzee trekking
Go chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park in southern Rwanda. Over 1000 chimpanzees are habituated in Nyungwe Forest for trekking. Chimpanzees share over 99% of human genes which make them man’s close relatives. Interestingly, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest are trekked at a cheaper price $90 which is surely favorable even for budget travelers. Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest can either be done in the main forest or in Cyamudongo Forest.

• Canopy walk
Enjoy a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park for great aerial views of the forest, wildlife, birds and the Virunga Volcanoes.

• Volcano climbing
Hike any of the top volcanoes in Rwanda for a great hiking experience. The most hikes volcanoes in Rwanda include Mt Karisimbi and Mt Bisoke, which are all located in Volcanoes National park. A 2 Days Mt Karisimbi hike takes you up t the summit of the highest volcano in the Virunga Conservation area while 1 Day is enough to hike to the top of Mt Bisoke. African Apes Holidays is your best guide on your Rwanda hiking tour.
Conclusively therefore, caving is a not miss on your Rwanda safari. Book today, visit any one cave in Rwanda and enjoy this magical experience.

Hiring a porter is highly recommended for nay =one going for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Whereas its not a mandate to have one, hiring a porter on your gorilla safaris in Africa is a great deal if you want have  a less tiresome  gorilla watching experience . Often times, travelers coming for a gorilla tour ask whether its necessary to have a porter. The right answer is YES, you surely a need a porter if you want to have a peaceful, less stressing and enjoyable gorilla trekking safari. He trek to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks is not an easy walk! You reach a pint and feel like the mere clothes on your body are heavy for your! Hence a need for a porter. Superfine safaris Limited gives you a guide on why you surely a need a porter for your gorilla tours Arica.

How Much is hiring a porter?

The cost of hiring a porter is not specific. However, it ranges between $15 and $20 in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Porters use this money to improve their standards of living.

The reasons for hiring a porter include:

Porters are experienced
The fact that porters are local people who grew up trekking through these  gorilla forests in search for firewood and going to their gardens, they are surely experienced in hiking. More so, porters have the knowledge of the terrain and know where to pass. Incase of slippery grounds, porters can hold your hands preventing you from falling.

To carry your baggage
You need a porter who will carry your baggage to and from gorilla trekking. A porter saves you the burden of carrying your bag, which contain packed lunch, camera and other essentials you need for the trek. This eases your movements through the jungle forest, which at times require you to crawl on your knees when t becomes to steep and tough. The porter will be with you all through the trekking session making your gorilla encounter less stressing and more enjoyable.

Indirect support to local communities
Hiring a porter is an indirect support of local livelihoods. Porters are local people who earn a living from pottering. Giving him/her a job therefore helps him/her to earn a living to support their families and improve their standards of living. A porter is hired for between $15 to $20 for a day but the services and help they offer is surely worth it. Porters use the money they earn to pay school fees for their children, build houses, and buy basic needs for their families

Promoting Conservation
Some porters are former poachers who transformed into conservationists. Therefore hiring them is an indirect way of promoting gorilla conservation in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pottering has reduced the rate of poaching in gorilla national parks, which has seen the population of the endangered mountain gorillas grow steadily over time.

Do I need to book for a porter in advance?
No, you will ask for a porter on the day of gorilla trekking. Porters are normally around each day of gorilla trekking. You do not need to book for a porter in advance. Just tell the park ranger and he/she will get for you the best porter.

What of a walking stick?
After hiring a porter, the next thing you need for your gorilla trek is a walking stick. The stick eases your movement up and down hill through the jungle in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. You can get a walking stick from your hotel/lodge or from the park headquarters and return it after the trek.

Guide to gorilla trekking in Africa
Besides hiring a porter and walking stick, Gorilla Safaris in Arica brings you a more detailed guide for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. This guide entails when to visit, gorilla permit, what to pack and the rules of gorilla trekking in Africa.

1. Book and secure your permit in time
Endeavor to book for your gorilla permit as early as 6 months before the trekking date. At the time of booking, you will pay 30% deposit so that its removed from the available permits lists. The balance is required at least 45 days to the trekking day. A gorilla permit is a must have, a password to see the gorillas without which you cant see the endangered gorillas,. Each gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 paid by all nationals. In Uganda, a single permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African residents.

2. Do physical exercises
Physical fitness is essential for anyone visiting the endangered species. Try to do physical exercises to prepare you for a tough gorilla encounter. Hiking through the jungle in search of the endangered gorillas is not a walk away adventure. It entails hiking up and downhill in the jungle forests of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga and Volcanoes National park. A physically fit traveler will have no any worries of trekking gorillas unlike the unfit one.

3. Dress right for the jungle
Make sure you wear the right attire for the jungle. Your packing list should include walking/hiking boots, gardening gloves, long pants, long sleeved shirts, long sleeved blouses, rain jackets, hat, sun glasses, sweaters and scarf. More so, remember to carry insect repellants to protect you from dangerous insect bites.

People also ask; 

How much does it cost to trek with gorillas?

The cost of trekking gorillas in different n each country. In Uganda, gorilla trekking cost is $800, In Rwanda its $1500 while in Congo it costs $450.  The cost of gorilla trekking  becomes higher depending on the number of days, the other activities included, the type of accommodation booked

How do i book a gorilla trek?

You can book for a gorilla trek through any trusted travel operator licensed by the government t run safaris. Also, you can book directly with responsible government conservation bodies in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Superfine Safaris is your trusted gorilla safari company to book  your gorilla tour in Africa

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?

The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreign non residents, $700 for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. If you want to engage in the four hours gorilla habituation experience, the permit costs$1500. All gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority

Grab the chance for discounted prices in Uganda as a welcome back from close to 6 months of tourism closure in the Pearl of Africa. YES, Uganda Wildlife Authority is offering promotional festive season pricing between December 2020 and March 2021. The slashed prices are meant to revamp and bring back tourism industry that was hit hard by the deadly covid 19 pandemic.
The closure of national parks led to cancellation of all gorilla tours to Bwindi forest/Mgahinga, chimpanzee safaris to Kibale Forest and game viewing experiences in savannah parks. Travel operators were badly affected to the extent of closing business down due to loss of business and no money to sustain the workers.

Discounts are on gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, bird watching fees and park entrance fees to savannah parks all over the country. In March 2020, Uganda safaris for mountain gorilla trekking, game viewing and all other tourism activities were put on hold for close to 6 months with no visits to all national parks and other protected areas in the country.

However, all parks are now open and travelers are welcomed everyday. African Apes Holidays help you book and secure a discounted gorilla permits and arrange other special offers at a very low cost.

Conclusively, Uganda is a premier travel destination in Africa. The Pearl of Africa is naturally blessed with natural attractions including lakes, rivers, mountains, and wildlife including the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, big game and birds which together make a complete safari package. Contact Superfine Safaris limited, book your discounted Uganda pricing and explore the beauty of Uganda