Africa Adventure Vacations Blog

A few years ago in Uganda, the future of the white rhinos was rather bilked but thanks to the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary our children and grandchildren can now have a chance to see them too. On our way to the magnificent Murchison falls national park we decide to have a break at this sanctuary which ...

“For magnificence, for a variety of form and colour for the profusion of brilliant life, -birds, insect, reptiles, beasts-for vast scale- Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa,” said Winston Churchill when he visited Uganda and was quite impressed. Other travellers have experienced the vast beauty of this flourishing land. You too can be a ...

Uganda is not only a country richly blessed with lots of wildlife, birds, weather landscape but we are also blessed with a rich diversity of untapped culture and heritage. With 30 plus tribes, Uganda is definitely a place to die for if you are looking for a diverse cultural experience. From the diverse cultural mosaic ...

 Visiting Uganda for a big game safari to see the big five or to track primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the other 12 species of primates found across The Pearl of Africa sounds just like the only thing one can do, considering the special honors mounted upon the country in recent years by Lonely ...

“For magnificence, for variety of form and color for profusion of brilliant life, -birds, insect, reptiles, beasts-for vast scale- Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa,” said Winston Churchill when he visited Uganda and was quite impressed. Other travellers have experienced the vast beauty of this flourishing land. You too can be a part of ...

Inspite of the scorching afternoon tropical sun we were determined to full fill our mission, we had to end what we had started. And even when the process seemed harder we relied on the hope that lay ahead of us that the views are always best at the top. But as we continued to hike ...

High altitude hiking is one of the most challenging and rewarding outdoor activities that you need to add to your adventure list right now. Hiking at high altitude gives you a unique and unforgettable look at some of the most desolate places in the world. Like any extreme adventure, while you’re picking out the perfect ...

A story of the brutal massacre of forty six courageous young men and boys, who died for their faith: What Kabaka Mwanga thought to be a means of prevention became a watered seed that grew bigger with the largest number of Baganda being Christians. Every year on 3rd June Christian faithful pay pilgrimage to the ...

Buganda is the largest and one of the oldest kingdoms and holds the capital city of Uganda. The history of Buganda and the Baganda who are also the largest population is synonymous with the history of Uganda.  The Lubiri as it is commonly known in the local language is a magnificent, historical piece of architectural ...

Uganda’s secret tropical islands of Ssese In the northwestern corner of Africa’s largest freshwater body, Lake Victoria lays an archipelago of 84 islands with Bugala being the largest of them all. The lush green archipelago is known as Ssese islands and has for long been inaccessible especially for tourists due to the lack of transport. ...

As you may travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may have a tight budget or just don’t want to spend all your travel money on accommodation. The Park has many cheap accommodations for you to choose from. You can choose to stay in a cheap accommodation next to the attraction you are interested in. ...

Tourism is moderately new in Uganda and settlement go is more constrained than some other African goals, with a large number of the cabins being situated close to National Parks to offer nearness and simple entry to natural life. A significant number of the camps and hotels bear the cost of mind blowing sees over Uganda’s cloud woods ...

Arguably one of Uganda’s most beautiful falls, Sipi falls lies about 55km north of Mbale town in the foothills of mountain Elgon- about an hour’s drive from Mbale. The mountain river thrusts over a sequence colossal basalt precipice of the mountain Elgon sides to form a series of three spectacular falls- Sipi falls. The lower ...

Just 3km outside f the bustling Kampala city centre, the Saint Mary’s Cathedral commonly known as the Rubaga cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in Uganda and is also home of the archbishop of the Kampala diocese Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. It one of the many places of worship in Uganda and Kampala in ...

The nucleus of Kampala town: old Kampala Old Kampala hill which rises gently to the immediate west of the city centre ten minutes walk from the new tax park was the original for and capital founded by captain Fredrick Lugard in 1890. The hill is named after the numerous impalas that once lived here and ...

It is among the dozen discrete panels of pre-historic rock art that are known from five different localities in Kumi and Soroti districts. The painting is in most cases monochromatic typically either red or white and the predominant figures are sets of four or five concentric circles, and strange compartmentalized sausage-shaped figures reminiscent of acacia ...

The wondrous trek to the top of Nyakasura hills After a visit to the adjacent Amabere ganyinamwiru, I couldn’t help but think of the magnificence that lay in the small and seemingly insignificant place like that and now with an open mind unlike before the Nyakasura hills were the next target for our next adventure ...

History Of The Shrine The towering pinnacle is quite catchy and as you draw closer to the basilica you will be washed with a special feeling of holiness and serenity. The Shrine is found 15 km east of the Major Kampala business centre. The area has been given a heroic touch with the erection of ...

The tale of Uganda’s oldest cathedral: Namirembe Cathedral This brick red dome is an Anglican cathedral and is also the oldest. The cathedral is also known as the St Paul’s cathedral. It was built in 1890 on the Namirembe/mengo hill one of the major hills of the Kampala city which rises out of the Kampala ...

Nakayima tree: the tree of mystery A beautiful spiritual princess Nakayima who once roamed the hill of Mubende is said to have disappeared in the tree which today is said to have supernatural powers for healing, fertility wealth and good health. Perched on a hill in Mubende district is the Nakayima tree which is believed ...

One of the seven hills of Kampala and the central business district of Kampala Nakasero is the administrative capital of Uganda. The hill derives its name from a group of ladies who used to weave baskets (locally known as ebisero) from this place, which they sold in diverse parts of the continent. Because of this ...

Located on Kira road about 2km from the city centre is Uganda’s display of its culture and heritage in the national museum of Uganda, the oldest in East Africa, and perhaps the best rooted in the ethnographic collection first exhibited in 1905 in a small Greek temple near Luggard’s fort on old Kampala hill. Formerly ...

Located north of the central business district and approximately 5.5k outside of the central business centre the hill overlooks Makerere. It rises 4134 feet (1260m) above sea level. It is one of the 7 original hills on which Kampala was built and like all the other seven hills it bears a landmark that is important ...

Makerere hill is one of the seven major hills on which Kampala was initially built. The hill is located in Kawempe division of Kampala north of Kampala’s central business district (2.5km) by road. Like all the other major hills the hill is occupied by an educational institution an important landmark to the people of Uganda. ...

A dip in Lake Kivu – sand between your toes at the beach We all know Rwanda mostly for the gentle and highly sought after mountain Gorillas. And we can all agree that meeting these gentle giants and staring face to face in their deep brown eyes is a humbling and lifetime experience. However what ...

LAKE BUNYONYI: THE MYSTERIES OF THE PUNISHMENT ISLAND STILL LIVE ON People are always relieved on finally reaching Akampene Island, after paddling for that long. These days when people reach Akampene Island, they feel relief. It was not always like that. The lake is now in tranquil, only disturbed intermittently by the ripples of the odd ...

When water is heated in the earth’s bowels and emerges from the earth’s crust, it forms a hot spring. Let’s take a look into The Kitagata Hot Springs, the most sought after in Uganda and experienced this magnificent work of nature first-hand  There are breathtaking views of panoramic hills and valleys and virgin green vegetation as ...

A GEM IN THE WILD Northeast of Uganda, amidst the jagged scorched Naurus valleys, is the most spectacular pristine wildlife gem there is in Africa.  From the jagged hills, spread with golden grass, open plains dotted with a variety of wildlife against the soft glow of light this is Kidepo and what you see you ...

Erected on one of the historical seven major hills of Kampala, is a magnificent gem overlooking downtown. Kibuli mosque is one of the often ignored attractions even on a city tour perched up on the Kibuli hill. However, it is the home of the Muslims in Uganda and its history and administration are coterminous to ...

Katereke prison ditch Today I set out to experience the story of the tragic, brutal and violent episode of the Buganda Kingdom that is  30minutes away from the capital Kampala. In the university bus, early Sunday morning along with my classmates we made our way to one of Buganda’s rich cultural site that I had ...

Kampala is built on 9major hills which are distributed between the education, religious and medical institutions. However, there are also other several small hills which support Kampala as the capital of Uganda and Uganda as a whole. The Kasubi hill holds a significant UNESCO world heritage site which is also a significant place for the ...

The city of seven hills Uganda’s bustling capital with a population exceeding a million. Kampala is by Uganda’s largest urban centre. The fast growing city has a distinctive setting spread across a series of seven prominent hills close to Lake Victoria. The name Kampala originates from the many impalas that were resent during the 19th ...

The positive legacy of Kabaka Mwanga ii: the Kabaka’s lake   At the mention of Kabaka Mwanga 11 the first thing that would occur to anyone who knows him will be the notorious ruthless holocaust of the Uganda martyrs. However, like all humankind, we all have a good side to us and so did he. In ...

Experience the wilderness of Uganda in a new, unique way. Wake up early to catch the sunrise, as you silently fly over the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Admire the herds of buffaloes, elephants and enjoy the serene tranquillity of the African bush… You now have the opportunity to add something to your Uganda ...

Meet the fox’s weaver Uganda’s only endemic bird and listed as globally near threatened species. The fox’s weaver, scientifically known as Ploceus spekeoides, belongs to the Ploceidae family and inhabits the moist savanna, subtropical, tropical and seasonally wet swamps around Lira and Soroti districts mostly in the vicinity of Lake Bisina and Opeta and possibly ...

The thrill of driving through the dancing golden green savanna grassland in a luxurious 4×4, breath in the magical fresh air and a bit of the tropical sun along with stunning landscapes, sprinkled with a fresh breeze bursting out into your face on an African safari are unbeatable. Ohhh the liberty and peace it brings ...

Ever wondered what would happen if every person in your community gave up 3 hours once a month for the good of the community what the results would be? Well, the results would be a clean, safe and well built neighbourhood like Rwanda. Very many people wonder why Rwanda is cleaner than all the other ...

You may have been in Bunyoro for a tour or just to visit relatives, but have you explored all that there is to enjoy in this region? I bring you the best of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom The greater Bunyoro kingdom is comprised of the districts of Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Buliisa and Kiryandongo. The current king of ...

Bulange Buganda’s Administration Capital and the Parliament Within a few meters of the Kabaka’s palace on Namirembe hill stands Bulange the parliament and administration structure of the large Buganda kingdom. A straight Kabaka Anjagala road leads directly from the palace’s main gate to the parliament a perfect place to learn the history of Buganda which ...

If you haven’t found a reason to visit Uganda then a boat cruise is a perfect reason for you to visit. They’re a terrific way to see wildlife, without stealth and free from the confines of a vehicle.  The three-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a twisting approximately 32km ribbon of water that connects ...

When one thinks of coming to Uganda, what comes into one’s mind are the gorillas, chimpanzees, birds and probably how to get to Kibaale, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth mention them….. A few people who take tours around Uganda and probably put their emphasis on Kampala will focus on sites like the Kasubi tombs, Gadhafi mosque, ...

Hidden in Sekati, along the Namere-Kiteezi route, at Mpererwe: located in Kawempe Division, in northern Kampala. This location lies approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), by road, north of Kampala’s central business district. It is this forgotten yet richly historical cultural ground, the Bagalayaze Heritage Site. It dates back to as early as 1816 when the palace was constructed. Originally occupying ...

10 kilometers outside of Fort portal town lays the limestone site which is attached to a vast wealth of interesting legends. The Amabere ganyinamwiru cave is a massive even cave roof crypt, dotted with water drops wading in the greatness of normal rainfall. Kabarole district later on fort portal would never have been my choice ...

A safari to Africa or particularly Uganda could have been your bucket list since you were little and time is about now that you have things in place to go on this adventure. Some of the people in your friends and relatives could have just returned home you’re the safari that you dream of and ...

Often time when you speak to people even the native of Uganda and advise them to tour Uganda before any other destinations, one will ask you why Uganda? Today we explore some of the reasons why you should safari in Uganda. Most importantly Uganda is home to half of the only remaining mountain gorillas. You ...

With a variety of natural wonders in Rwanda, it ’s almost impossible not to enjoy an adventurous and exhilarating vacation you’ve always desired. Rwanda was known as ‘land of thousand hills’ is a beautiful country; characterized by fascinating Savannah, beautiful hills and deep valleys, abundant wildlife, and natural aesthetics. The capital, Kigali is picturesque with a ...

Uganda: Very exciting, very adventurous and always interesting. You can get around by driving (Steppes always use 4×4 vehicles) or you can take internal flights for convenience. Either way, there is something new to see at every turn. Roads vary enormously from good tarred roads (around cities) to rough dirt tracks in and around national ...

Uganda is home to one of the most diverse and concentrated ranges of African fauna including endangered gorillas and chimpanzees. Uganda is accessible and affordable. This gives it more of an edge, more authenticity, and less predictability. This does not mean danger, rather greater opportunities for delight — and frustration. This is real Africa, the ...

Taking a Uganda wildlife safari is adventurous and will keep you fascinated and at the edge of your seat… It is an amazing experience to take safaris anywhere of course, but they mainly cater to tourists who have a quick vacation for a week and then return to their high paying office jobs. There are ...

In the secluded plains of the popular roiling savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda’s most popular national park and the park with the highest species biodiversity) lays one of natures’ greatness and amazing adaptations. This sector of the park is probably the most remote, located in the Southern part of it –located approximately 90km ...

From the little clean and cozy Kigali city, the rattling plains teeming with abundance of wildlife, chains of dramatic forested volcanoes that safely tuck the mountain gorillas away , the Ancient and largest tropical rainforest in AfricaIn the secluded plains of the popular roiling savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda’s most popular national park ...

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) assures visitors and tourists that the tourism facilities in Kampala and across Uganda are safe. Media reports have sensationalized but the Government and the Police have assured the general public of safety and security Uganda Tourism Board emphasizes that tourist visitation and activity in Uganda over the past weeks has been ...

Uganda launched the e-Visa applications effective June 1, 2016, and unless one has an e-Visa and a subsequent approval printout, s/he may face problems entering the country. But for now, the manual issuance of Visas at the Airport is still possible until further notice. But why would you wait for the hustle of lining up ...

Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary for this trip, and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations for this trip ...

A lifetime dream for many, this is a unique opportunity to spend quality time observing Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat before their group is opened to tourism. This activity only operates in the Rushaga region of Bwindi and is in operation for a limited time only. Although the habituation process has been on-going for ...

Thinking Of Going Gorilla Tracking? Here is what you need to know. When is the best time to go for Gorilla Tracking? Uganda and Rwanda are near the equator, so the climate does not change a huge amount. The short lighter rains are from October to November, whilst the rainy season tends to be from ...

Gorilla trekking is a memorable experience, providing a close encounter with these giants of the forests, in their natural habitat. Trekking can take place either in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo or Republic of Congo. Permits are heavily restricted, so booking early is vital. You need not feel that you are exploiting these animals ...

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is the best option for those yearning for a more comprehensive wildlife experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place you can see gorillas in Uganda. This is an old rainforest so the trekking can be a little tougher than in Rwanda. The fact that Uganda has a diversity of ...

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in the Volcanoes National Park, where Dian Fossey famously carried out her research. There are only about 900 mountain gorillas left in the wild, half of these can be found in Uganda and the rest shared between Rwanda and DRC. Rwanda is still, without a doubt, the best place ...

No matter how well traveled one can be, traveling with young kids and as a family is a very different experience. You will have a lot of questions like: How do you get a passport for a baby? Do you need to get clearance from a doctor before we travel? What do you need to ...

Before people choose to come to Uganda to track Gorillas they always want to find out about these highly sought after mammals. Here we look at some of the things you would want to know about the Endangered Mountain Gorillas. There are about 900 of them left in the world with half of that population ...

If you are planning to do gorillas trekking, I am sure you have a lot of questions about the dos and don’ts thinking about going to meet these mammals that are almost extinct, you will feel that these are some of the protected animals in Africa. Definitely there are lots of dos and don’ts, most ...

The thrill of driving through the dancing golden green savanna grass land in a luxurious 4×4, breath in the magical fresh air and a bite of the tropical sun along with stunning landscapes, sprinkled with a fresh breeze bursting out into your face on an African safari is unbeatable. Oh the liberty and peace it ...

When the name Rwanda is mentioned it evokes the memories of the 1994 horrific genocide that brutalized the country. But today the country is known for its stability and steady growth.  Tourism is now key contributor to the economy. The highlight of a tour to Rwanda is the mountain gorillas that one can track at ...

The best game viewing months in Uganda are during the dry seasons that are June, July and August as well as December, January and February. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Uganda. The habitat of rainforests is, by default, very wet and one can’t avoid rain completely. However, ...

Eyes trained on the canopy, the hunters slipped with speed and agility across the forest floor. Although communication was kept to a minimum everyone seemed certain of their role. Occasionally one of the party turned and shot a glance back at me, sweating and stumbling over branches and roots, far behind. Suddenly, a squeal of ...