COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA

Gorilla Trekking is an activity that involves searching habituated Gorillas in their natural habitats and have a closer interaction and to learn more about them in the jungle. As a tourist, there are quite many questions that run through your mind when you hear about Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Uganda is the best tourist destination in Africa with over half of the world’s surviving Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The most frequently asked questions have been compiled and we’ll discuss them below.

Gorilla Habituation

Gorilla Habituation is the process of making them get familiar to the sight of human beings. This may take 2-3 years training a group of Gorillas to be cleared for trekking by the visitors.

When is the best time to visit the Mountain Gorillas?

Mountain gorillas can be visited any time of the year depending on the time you wish to have your safari.

Uganda's climate is naturally variable and susceptible to flood and drought events anytime of the day throughout the year. December, January & February – Most of the south has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. It is slightly warmer with daytime temperatures of about 28°C/82°F and morning temperatures of 16°C/61°F. The north has a clear Dry season with little rain.

March, April & May – There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months, with a clear peak in April in the south. The rain makes travel more difficult since dirt roads and forest trails used for gorilla tracking can become challenging to navigate.

June, July & August – June and July are the driest months in most of the south, but it can still rain. Average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. It will be colder at altitudes above 1300m/4265ft, including the gorilla parks and this season is more favorable for GorillaTrekking.

September, October & November – These months are comparable to March, April and May but, on average, there is a bit less rain. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C/82°F.

Basing on the above analysis of weather especially in Uganda, the best time to visit would be in the dry season where we don’t expect heavy rains that may disrupt your trek.

Is it a Guarantee to See Gorillas when you go for Trekking?

There is no guarantee to see the mountain gorillas because they live in their natural habitat, though here has not been a case of a tourist group failing to see a gorilla group during their trek. Tracker normally go into the jungle before tourists to locate the gorilla groups and radio their GPS co-ordinates to the park headquarters, so when you set off on your trek with your guide, you know where you are headed. The trackers stay with the gorillas even if they are moving. All this is done to avoid instances of trekkers failing to meet with the endangered creatures, the mountain Gorillas.

What Sort of Clothing Should I Wear?

There are requirements a number on gorilla trekking trip and here are some of them;

• Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water.
• Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
• Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.
• Carry a camera for some pictures and avoid using flashlight.

How much time will be spent trekking?

The time to spent will up on the day of your trek. Depending on how far your lodge is from the park gates, departure can be between 06:30 and 07:00. Once you arrive you will be briefed by the parks rangers and guides. When the trek begins, there is no pre-determined amount of time you will spend in the forest. Time spent in the jungle is dependent on the movements of the gorillas and where they have slept for the night. Treks can last for 30 minutes or up to 5 hours. Once a gorilla family has been found, you will spend an hour with them.

How much is a Gorilla permit?

You must obtain a gorilla permit issued by the Uganda wild life Authority for you to be able to visit the Mountain Gorillas. Only 8 visitors are allowed to see a gorilla group per day, secure a gorilla permit with Kjong Safaris a trusted tour operator in Uganda at least 4 months before you intend to travel. Gorilla permits for trekking mountain gorillas cost USD 600.00. Though the gorilla permit is intend to change to USD 700.00 with effect from the next financial year.

What are the threats to Mountain Gorillas?

There are a number of threats to mountain gorillas, but the main ones are:

• Human Populations Growing: This contributes to habitat loss and human encroachment. Mountain Gorillas already live in a limited habitat range with human beings, this is puts their habitats under more pressure.
• Poaching: Bush meat is sought after by local communities as a source of protein and mountain gorillas can be poached for their meat, as well as for traditional medicines. This threatens the population of mountain Gorillas all the time.
• Disease: Despite the protection national parks offer, Mountain Gorillas are still susceptible to disease. Gorilla families are subjected to regular visits from trekkers, who can bring in diseases and pathogens. Although we share a similar genetic makeup, a gorilla’s immune system has not evolved to cope with human disease.

Where can they be found?

Mountain Gorillas are only found in the Virunga Mountains in the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda holds over half of the total mountain gorillas left in the world with about 500 of them residing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi is the most popular place to trek the gorillas in Uganda.

In conclusion, so many questions may be asked about mountain Gorillas and some questions will be answered on site with our highly experienced guides and the game rangers.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi forest

How gorilla trekking is conducted in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is the most famous safari activities in Uganda and the population of mountain gorillas is less than 900 individuals according to the last census conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park. It has been observed that the population of mountain gorillas has increased hence an addition in gorilla families up to 19 families thanks goes to various and government support efforts has put in and nongovernmental body. Gorilla trekking is conducted in only two National Parks in Uganda i.e. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park.

Bwindi National Park is located in south western Uganda in Kigezi region and shared amongst three districts of Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park sites on an area of about 331 square kilometers bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the western side and Rwanda in south which takes about 460 kms from Kampala city of 8 hours drive. As their name implies, Mountain Gorillas live in forests high in the mountains, at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet at an altitude of 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level. Bwindi National Park currently has 19 gorilla families available for trekking which include: Habinyanja, Mubare, Rushegura Katwe, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Oruzoog Mukiza, Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bikyingi, Mucunguzi and Kutu.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda bordering Rwanda in south and Democratic Republic of Congo in West and is the smallest National Park which sites on an area of 33.7km2 making it the best spot ever for golden monkey Park to trek the rare primate species which are over 4000 golden monkeys in the jungle and best place for gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla trekking is mainly found in the mid vegetation on the Virunga volcanoes of Mt Muhabura especially in the open areas of the bamboo zone with only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda every day and 160 gorilla permits are sold every day at $ 600.00 per person per trek, the day for gorilla trekking begins with an early morning breakfast at your lodge or place of resident and then you will drive to the Park headquarters for registration and joining others for a gorilla trekking briefing about the dos and the don’ts during your Uganda Gorilla trekking safari. Once this is done, you will trek through thick forest with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take you from half an hour to six hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. On your trek, you are likely to spot other primates, birds and rare tree species. After finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them before trekking back to the Park headquarter. There after you will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking and thus contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas. Book your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda with Kjong Safaris Uganda

Best time for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Uganda and Rwanda are known as a whole round travel destinations to any tourist planning to visit, being Equatorial pleasant warm and tropical climate with insignificant seasonal variations that makes it good to visit year round. The presence of Lake Victoria and its unique weather patterns to the climate with its strategic location of the Equator has made Uganda as a year-round activity plus its neighbor Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi forest

Best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are both located in southwestern parts of Uganda. While in Rwanda, gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park in the Northeastern province of Rwanda. Mountain gorillas in both countries are trekked all year round, but knowing the best time to visit the mountain gorillas in their natural environment is amazing experience.

Uganda and Rwanda are blessed with climates made up of two rainy seasons, the short season starts from October to November and the long rainy season starts from Mid-march to the end of May. Therefore, the best time for trekking mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda across the year is when you conduct gorilla trekking safaris in June, July, August and September. If that is not possible, January and February should be relatively good to visit the jungle in search of mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking safaris in High season

Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda

The gorilla trekking high season is in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December where there is less rainfall and sometimes even no rains at all. Most travelers choose to travel during this season because of the dry weather and it is because of this that there is a high demand for the gorilla permits in both Uganda and Rwanda during this time. This means travelers have to book their permits well in advance.

The dry season is perfect for trekking mountain gorillas, the mountain gorillas are found in the temperate weathered regions with raised landscapes, this means the climate remains cool all year round hence perfect weather for the trails.

Trekking mountain gorillas a permit in Uganda costs 600USD where as in Rwanda gorilla permit costs 1500USD all year around.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Low season

Bwindi buhoma gorilla trekking briefing center

The gorilla trekking low season is always in the months of March, April, May, October and November, during this time the region receives lots of rain hence making gorilla trekking safaris hard as most of the trails will be slippery and muddy, therefore it won’t be easy to access the jungle in search of mountain gorillas. This also becomes of advantageous to budget travelers as in most cases prices are always relatively low as compared to the pick season, During this season, sometimes Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tends to slightly sale out gorilla trekking permits at a discounted rate of 450USD for non-resident travelers in Uganda while in Rwanda no discount for low season, visiting in this season also means that you will enjoy the jungle with relatively less crowd.

In both Uganda and Rwanda, mountain gorilla trekking is done every day not minding whether it’s raining or shining. It’s on record that for all the years that gorilla trekking safaris have been conducted, no single day has it ever been cancelled because of bad weather.

Accommodation costs in the low season are also more favorable than during high season, since the occupancy rate is low, low prices are set to attract budget travelers. To add to all the discounted rates and with less people doing gorillas trekking safaris in the low season, the few who trek are allocated to different gorilla families in Uganda, which provide them with closer and more exclusive interactions with them.

Gorilla trekking safari experience in Bwindi forest

Due to availability of Aerolink that domestically runs charter flights with in Uganda, a combined safari that enables you encounter tree climbing lions do gorilla trekking and then fly to Kenya’s Masai Mara for the additional wildlife experience is possible. If you have time restrictions a gorilla trek fly in safari would be awesome for you not to miss out the gorilla trekking experience.

You can do an instant booking by contacting Kjong safaris booking office for a great planning and reservation to your Gorilla trek safari in Uganda or Rwanda.

Tourist attractions in Uganda's hub for classic athletes.

Sipi Falls Uganda

The Sebei region could stretch from as far as Sironko town, Buikwe, Kween, and Kapchorwa, nearly 300 Km from the capital Kampala and 350 Km from Entebbe airport. The main town was originally in Kapchorwa before 4 of the above districts broke off. Do you like sports? Yes, I thought so; this is the place that breeds nearly all the athletes in Uganda. The hilly terrains provide good training ground for the athletes.

The main tourist attraction here is the Sipi falls; the name Sipi comes from a word called “sep”, meaning a wild banana, which was used for treating measles. Kapchorwa means a home of friends (culturally, the friendliness of the natives is undoubtable, the locals are happy to meet new people and the warm hospitality in this region is only a sign of how friendly Uganda is as a nation.

The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up Mt. Elgon; a dormant volcano, it is believed that it first erupted 24 million years ago, and the second eruption took place 4 million years after. Although far fetched, the locals believe that the mountain will erupt again, but like the coming of Jesus, no one knows the time and day. This however isn't a reason for them to live in fear. Mt. Elgon is the largest Caldera in Africa. It’s believed that Mount Elgon was the highest mountain in Africa, however due to its continuous eruption it was reduced to the 4th highest mountain with its peak towering at 4,321 meters above sea level at its highest peak Wagagai.

The features formed during the eruption birthed the Sipi falls, alongside numerous caves, rift Valleys and also slopes. Which explain the reason why subsistence farming is very evident as a result of fertile soils

Sipi falls is a series of 3 water falls, counted in ascending order, with the main one stretching to 100 m high, the second 63 m high and the 3rd waterfall at 85 m high. The water trail feeders originate from the mountain Elgon, some channeled through a hot spring and others from underground tunnels.

The tourist activities done around this region include guided nature walks to the waterfalls, coffee tours (Arabica coffee being the major cash crop). This first coffee breed in Uganda will be a talk for another day, abseiling along the highest falls is one adrenaline rush activity that is slowly gaining momentum, Rock climbing, mountain biking and so many others.

 The tour to the Sipi waterfalls takes about 4 hours, with stunning views of the Karamoja plains to spice up the walk. No specified physical fitness is required; the guides go at your pace.

Accommodation options range from high end, mid-range to budget. High-end accommodation includes Sipi river lodge with accommodation ranging from $132 for single onwards. Sipi falls resort, Lacam lodge and Noahs Arks resort in the town center. Each of these lodges will spoil guests with stunning views, nothing is under lies, with wifi!!

The mid range accommodation include crows nest, Moses campsite, coffee land resort and labamba in the town centre. Then budget are numerous with accommodation as low as $7 a night!!!

Getting here. Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. It takes about 5 hours from Entebbe International Airport. Kjong Safaris can easily design a 2 days or 3 days package to explore the region. Please follow link to see pre designed itinerary.

UGANDA’S CLASSIC ATHLETES SINCE INDEPENDENCE

Discovering Uganda's Cuisine

Uganda's Cuisine 

What do you know Uganda for? Is it for its wild game such as the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, tree climbing lions, Leopards, herds of Elephants and Buffaloes, the giant Nile crocodiles or for being a spot where the Great Nile River starts its long journey all the way to the Mediterranean Sea? Well, Uganda is not only about these, it's also about local foods. Most visitors to Uganda come and experience the country's unique nature especially in national parks and miss out the opportunity of tasting the local dishes prepared by the neighboring communities of these national parks. When visiting these parks and probably taking a city tour around the Uganda capital Kampala city do not hesitate to taste the charming food that will really make you feel the experience of the Pearl of Africa.

Game parks such as Kidepo Valley National Park offers an exciting experience of the wilderness. It is prominent for species that are rare from other Ugandan protected areas such as Cheetah, striped Hyena and Ostrich. Near this game park is the Nilotic cattle herding community called the Karamojong. This ethnic group has a unique untamed culture and what is interesting is the food they eat: blood and milk. The blood is drawn from the neck of the cattle without killing them and mixed with milk to form the most popularly eaten meal in Karamojong known as Ekyalakanu. The milk and blood are mainly stored in curdled form. Try milk and blood!!

Are you planning to go on a hiking holiday? Mountain Elgon National Park offers you one of the interesting hiking experience in Uganda. Mountain Elgon is surrounded by forests, inhabited by birds and mammals. It also offers numerous caves, cascading waterfalls that enchant you as you climb up the Wagagai peak. While there, the Bamasaba community offers you their local dish called Malewa which is the most prominent dish among the Bagisu. It is simply young bamboo shoots harvested from the top of Elgon Mountain. The bamboo shoots are dried over a fire place, soaked overnight in water and boiled for half an hour. Water is poured out, the shoots are cut into pieces, pasted with ground nuts and rock salt is added. The sauce is boiled for 30 minutes after which it's served together with Matooke. It is a sauce you should taste while in Bugisu land. Sipi falls in Kapchorwa offers you a memorable experience to do sightseeing as you proceed to tour Sebei land where Uganda's golden athletes originate from and do the training. Kiprotich, Kipsiro who are iconic athletes dwell here.

The rushing waters of the Nile River being forced through a narrow gorge has marveled the world for centuries. Do you really want to see this with your own eyes? Visit Murchison falls national park and you will have this amazing experience. Murchison can't wait to give you many offers. Just before reaching the park is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will view the White Rhinos, have a glimpse of the majestic herds of Giraffes and families of elephants. In the southern part of Murchison falls national park lies the Bagungu community which offers you yet another appetizing local dish, pasted fish with cassava or millet bread. Why fish and not meat? It is because the Bagungu are near Lake Albert and it is very convenient to catch the fish. Have a full taste of Tilapia and Nile perch in this area and continue with your way to Fort Portal a land of unique geographical features like stalagmites. You can also proceed to the northern part of Murchison falls national park where you will meet the Madi community. They predominantly feed on cassava bread plainly or mixed with millet and any other sauce, so you can give a try to taste this.

You might have visited Uganda several times and even had city tour around the capital Kampala but have you ever asked yourself how the city got its name? It sounds interesting and amazing that the city got its name from wild animal called an Impala. The impalas used to feed around the hills of Buganda kingdom and thus the city was given the name. While in Kampala take time to taste the Buganda local dish, Luwombo. You could be wondering what this is. It is simply a stew of either chicken, beef, mushrooms or fish steamed in banana leaves. It is served together with steamed bananas known as matooke. You must really try this!

Are you interested in birding? Queen Elizabeth national park provides you this experience with several bird species that are eye catching such as skimmers, kingfishers, fish eagles, saddle bill storks among others. These birds are attracted by the many fish in Kazinga channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. Queen Elizabeth national park also offers game drives, hot air ballooning and boat cruise on Kazinga channel. While in this park you can taste the traditional cuisine of the Bakonjo community. It consists of cassava bread mainly and Sombe sauce mainly it’s a combination of cassava leaves, g-nuts and either with pieces of smoked meat or fish.

If you are interested in peak climbing or mountaineering then Rwenzori mountains national park is a place to have a real experience. Come and climb the snow capped peak, Margherita and discover life at higher altitudes, 5,109 metres. You can also do trekking and nature walks. The park has some unique and rare animal species like the three horned chameleon, the Rwenzori turaco and the purple breasted sun birds provide you a birding experience so don't forget your binoculars. While there, you can taste the dish of the Bakonjo and Bamba which consists of yams, cassava and beans. Fish from lakes Edward and George are supplement to the dish eaten by this local community.

Uganda is well known for Mountain Gorilla Tracking and Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park offers you this great and memorable experience. Being a rich and thick forest it's a habitat to impressive bird species such as the cinnamon chested Bee eaters, White tailed Crested Fly catcher among others so your birding experience cannot be left out. Outside Bwindi forest are community walks that provide an insight into the livelihood of the Bakiga and Batwa (pygmies) people who live beside the forest. This area being so cold favor’s the growing of Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes which is the staple food for this community and you can probably taste this while there.

The Golden monkey is a unique species of primates and in the pearl of Africa you can track it at Mgahinga national park. You can add this to your gorilla experience to have it all!! Alpine Chat, Malachite sun bird, Handsome Francolin and other bird species are there for your birding experience. While there you taste the sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes eaten by the Batwa and Bakiga community who live near this game park.

Semuliki national park is one of the interesting game park you can visit. With Sempaya hot springs you will definitely have a memorable geographical experience .With temperatures reaching 106 degrees Celsius, Sempaya hot springs were formed by the same thrust fault responsible for formation of the nearby Rwenzori Mountains. The Semuliki River provides another of the Park's micro habitats, with Vervet monkeys playing along the river banks and large animals coming to drink water like elephants, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles. The park is a home to 441 recorded bird species of which some them include Blue kingfisher, Black Dwarf Horn bill, Yellow throated Nicator among others that are suitable for your birding experience. When you are at this area you can taste the Bakonjo dish of cassava bread, yams and bean sauce or fish.

Are you a Chimpanzee tracker? Kibale national park is the right park for you to have a real experience of primate tracking. Most of Uganda's chimpanzee population is found here. But it is not all the park has to offer, you can also see the uncommon L’hoest’s monkey, Red Colobus monkey, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Red tailed monkey and white Colobus monkey. Bird species such as Grey throated Flycatcher, Chestnut winged Starling, Red winged Francolin and many others add a birding experience to Chimpanzee tracking. The sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes grown by the Bakiga community near this park can be what you can really taste while there.

Lake Mburo national park conveniently located close to Kampala city is a beautiful park that offers you a great way to view the Impala, Buffalo, Topi and the largest herd of Zebras. The park also has a vast variety of bird life such as African Fin-foot, Papyrus yellow warbler, Brown chested plover, Southern Ground Horn bill among others for your birding safari. The people in the area bordering the park are the traditional, pastoral Bahima people known for their long horned Ankole cattle. Enshabwe and matooke is the food eaten by the Bahima in this area, you could probably have a taste of this.

                                                                                                                                                                                       

THE TREASURES OF LAKE VICTORIA

The treasures of Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is an inland "sea" located in East Africa and it is shared by the three East African countries with Tanzania taking the Lion's share followed by Uganda and Kenya taking the least. This lake is the world's second largest fresh water lake after Lake Superior in Great lakes region of North America, Africa's largest lake and the world's largest tropical lake. It covers a surface area of approximately 68,800 km sq. and depth of 83 metres. Lake Victoria was formed as a result of down warping where the tectonic forces caused an uplift of the adjacent land scape on both sides. The middle piece of land sunk forming a basin that was later filled with water thus forming a lake.

The treasures of Lake Victoria are seemingly attractive and are a haven for tourists worldwide, it being the source of the Nile River with the particular spot located in Jinja Uganda’s tourist town. At this place the extreme adventure lovers can do white water rafting which is an interesting and rewarding experience. The catchment areas of the lake such as the swamps are habitats for various bird species, Mabamba wetland for example is a home to the most viewed bird specie the Shoebill. Entebbe Botanical gardens which are a few metres from Entebbe International Airport are a dwelling hub for bird species such as the woodland kingfishers, African fish eagles, Great Blue and Ross's turaco among others. If you are planning a birding safari to Uganda, Mabamba wetland on lake Victoria shores and Entebbe Botanical gardens can be your starting spots to do your birding after which you can proceed to any of the 10 National Parks to watch your favorite bird species; Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Murchison falls National Park, Kidepo valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Mount Elgon National Park and Mount Rwenzori National Park. The Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria is a sanctuary to the endangered Chimpanzees giving you an opportunity to do Chimpanzee Tracking, another place you can track Chimps in Uganda is Kibale forest National Park which can give you a real memorable experience. Boat rides on Lake Victoria at dusk gives you a clear view of the sun touching the western horizon.

On the Tanzanian section of Lake Victoria is the charming Rubondo Island with a National Park covering 258 km sq. It is located in the southwestern tip of the lake and it is a habitat to numerous flora and fauna. The lush vegetation in the island offers you an opportunity to observe natural Lake Fauna, the bird life in Rubondo island National Park is very fabulous comprising birds such as the malachite kingfishers, flycatchers, herons, storks, spoonbills, African fish eagles among others which dwell in the swampy lake shores. Alligators, amphibians and other mammals are also available in this isolated island. At Rubondo island National Park you can have nature walks, boat excursions, sport fishing, canoe trips and Chimp treks. Just get in touch with the tour operators in Tanzania. On the south eastern shores of Lake Victoria boarders the Serengeti National Park which is Tanzania's oldest and most popular park covering 14,763 km sq. While cruising on Lake Victoria you can access the Serengeti National Park at the Serengeti stop over on the eastern shores of the lake. This park offers an interesting game viewing experience with the herds of Buffaloes, African elephants, Topi, impala and other mammals that can offer you remarkable safari. It is from this park that the famous Wilde beast migration usually begins as these great crowds of animals cross over the Masai Mara region of Kenya in search of fresh palatable pastures. It is called the Great Migration and seeing the annual exodus of these Wilde beasts is an amazing experience that you can have. Game drives, hot air ballooning safaris are some of the activities you can do at the Serengeti National Park.

In Kenya, Lake Victoria covers a very small portion and 10km east this lake lies the Ruma National Park. The park covers 120 sq. km and it is famous for the Roan antelope, to access the park from the Lake Victoria side you can use Kisumu port via Homa bay. Apart from viewing the Roan antelope, you can also do Birding, Camping, picnicking and sight-seeing at this park. At the extreme tip of Lake Victoria protruding east wards is the Ndere island National Park covering 4.2 km sq. It is 432 km from Nairobi and its attractions include birds such as African fish eagles, hippos, impalas, crocodiles and other aquatic life. Sport fishing, walking, boat trips and game viewing are the activities you can engage in while at this park. Next to this park is Kisumu impala sanctuary to the north covering not less than 1 km sq. so you can have a brief lake shore walk with the impalas. Hyenas, jackals, leopards can also be spotted in this sanctuary together with over 100 bird species for your birding safari in East Africa. Lake Victoria therefore is a haven for ecotourism!! Why not visit any of these areas covered by this charming lake to have a real experience of the gifts of East Africa?