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Mistakes to Avoid on Uganda and Rwanda Safaris

Everyone traveling to Uganda or Rwanda wishes to have the best and unforgettable safari experience. Safety, security, comfort and peace of mind are the things most tourists wish for. Therefore, if that is also your wish, then these are the mistakes you should avoid during Uganda and Rwanda safaris.

Avoid moving alone at night

Moving alone in lonely places is risky because of the high rate of theft and robbery in Urban places especially Kampala city. It is therefore advisable to move with someone, preferable a local of the country although it is better and safer to move during daytime during safaris.

Similarly, avoid some nightclubs

Most nightclubs within Kampala are not safe because it is in such places that most tourists are robbed, murdered and get involved in fights. Not only that, never leave your drinks unattended to because you may be dragged and robbed in the process. If you must enjoy the nightlife in these countries, avoid flashing money and valuables, do not use the ATM machines within Bars, don’t leave your mobile phone on the table and avoid “buying” prostitutes because they look beautiful but are “sometimes” either infected with HIV/AIDS or are thieves themselves and make sure top move with a friend (a local who understands the local languages)

Avoid motorcycle taxis or boda-boda transportation

Boda-boda motorcycles are one of the main reasons for the increasing accident cases within Uganda or Rwanda. This means of transport is undeniably faster and efficient but can also be the reason for you losing your valuables and life because some of the riders and robbers. While on  safari in Uganda, it is important to use only safe bodas.

Make sure not to fall sick in Rwanda and Uganda

Try not to fall sick during Uganda and Rwanda safaris. It sounds weird and you are possibly wondering how you can control it but try to prevent some common things than suffering the effects of curing the sickness. Some of the ways to avoid falling sick include immunizing against yellow fever, carry malaria medications, avoid street foods, don’t drink tap water and you will be good to go. Nonetheless, the good news is that most travelers don’t fall sick during Uganda or Rwanda safaris.

Avoid eating street foods

Avoid eating street foods because most of them are contaminated/unhygienic hence increase chances of diarrhea or stomach upset. Therefore you are advised to avoid consuming muchomo (roasted meat), Rolex (chapatti and omelet) and other street snacks. If at all you crave for such food, you can always buy them from restaurants and you will be saving your stomach from diseases.

Do not swim in rivers and Lakes

Swimming in most Uganda or Rwanda Lakes and Rivers increases chances of contracting Bilharzia and encountering wild animals such as Hippos and Nile Crocodiles. However, other Lakes such as Lake Kivu in Rwanda, Uganda’s Lake Bunyonyi and Mutanda are relatively safe for swimming. To be more comfortable, tourists are advised to always swim in the Swimming pools found within most Safari Lodges.

Additionally, you should avoid crossing the road without caution because as earlier mentioned, most road users don’t obey the traffic rules.

Avoid drinking tap water

Do not use tap water or use cubes, locally made juice with un-boiled water because its increases chances of typhoid. Tourists are therefore advised to use bottled (preferable Rwenzori water in Uganda and Inyange water of Rwanda) or thoroughly boiled water even for brushing your teeth.  The good news is that most Hotels offer complimentary water bottles in the rooms.

Do not leave your valuable and cash in the open within the Hotel room

Money, passports and expensive gadgets have to be put in a safe and not suitcase or bags because sometimes even the Hotel/Lodge employees can steal your valuables. Actually, most accommodation facilities will warn you about this.

Do not go on self-drive safaris

If you are a first time visitor to Uganda or Rwanda, avoid going on self-drive safaris because you might not be familiar with the traffic laws of the countries, or may not know the roads because for the case of Uganda, some roads or streets are not labeled. Another reason it is risky to go on self drive safaris is because of the high rate of accidents due to many inexperienced drivers who ignore traffic laws, vehicles of poor mechanical conditions and dilapidated roads. Therefore, you are advised to hire a car with a driver being provided so that you enjoy your safari in comfort.

Rent a Car with Rooftop Tent in Rwanda

Car rentals with rooftop tents offer ultimate wilderness camping experience to holidaymakers on Rwanda safari. Setting up a camp tent each day can be tiresome but here is the best alternative to get yourself relieved from that stress. You can rent a car in Rwanda with a rooftop tent all suitable for game viewing and camping holidays. We have the best full-time 4×4 rental cars in Rwanda with rooftop tents for you to hire.

Our selection of car rentals with rooftop tents are ideal for Rwanda self-drive trips or while you are on driver guided tours. You can also choose from automatic to manual transmission rentals with rooftop tents. Our fleet of rental cars with rooftop tents in Rwanda include among others;

Rooftop tent Land Cruiser

A rooftop tent Land cruiser rental is among our excellent fleet of rental cars in Rwanda worthy hiring for your Rwanda safari holiday. We have the best full-time 4×4 Land cruiser with rooftop tent suitable for camping holidays. Our rooftop tent Land cruiser rentals are equipped with tents that can easily be folded or unfolded and it accommodates 2 people and comes with 2 doors but with no mosquito net, pillow.

Land cruiser GX with rooftop tent

Holidaymakers with a plan to visit Rwanda for a self-drive, renting Land cruiser GX with rooftop tent should be a must-do. This is available with a rooftop ten taking up to about 2 people.

Land Cruiser VX rooftop tent for families

A Rwanda road trip in a Land cruiser VX rooftop tent rental offers travelers lifetime experiences. We have the best Land cruiser VX with capacity of 4pax.

Rooftop tent Nissan Patrol

Hire a comfortable 4×4 Nissan Patrol with rooftop tent and have the best of Rwanda holiday safari. Our full-time 4×4 Nissan Patrol automatic transmission takes 5pax and hiring it is best for camping safaris in Rwanda the Land of a Thousand Hills. Its rooftop tent takes 2 people per night.

Why choose a rental car in Rwanda with a rooftop tent?

• Our car rentals Rwanda with rooftop tents come with adequate leg and luggage room. This guarantees you ultimate comfort on Rwanda holiday safari.
• If camping is your thing, then our rental cars with rooftop tents have you sorted this coming Rwanda camping safari holiday. Our rentals are fitted with tents and this means that you don’t have to stress yourself setting up one on the ground.
• Hiring a rental car in Rwanda with a rooftop tent lets you enjoy, explore and experience Rwanda in a single/double excursion. You have a chance to bundle game viewing together with camping experience.
• Renting a car with rooftop tent is advantageous as holidaymakers stand a chance to cut down on some costs like renting a vehicle and camping gear separately.

Hotel Rwanda – All You Need to Know

The quiet heroism of one man, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Checidle), during the Rwandan Genocide. Directed by Irish film maker Terry George, it was produced in 2004 together with Canadian, British, Italian and South African companies, and the first of its kind-produced together with the rival independent film studios, Lions Gate Films and United Artists. It was filmed mainly in South Africa, with a second edition filming in Kigali, which is the capital city of Rwanda.

Hotel Rwanda has been referred to as an African Schindller’s list. Each movie shows one individual who is not perfect-who uses his social position, interpersonal skills, together with quick wit to rescue thousands of lives form a holocaust. Different from its more popular cousin, Hotel Rwanda failed to win any Oscars, though it was chosen for three, including best Actor (Cheadle), best supporting Actress (Sophie Okonedo) and best original screen play.

Synopsis
The make is based on actual events which happened during the genocidal violent acts, which broke out in Rwanda in 1994, between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, the Hutu military and interahamwe militias put to death approximately one million Tutsis in merely three months. The main culprit is Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a Hutu who owned the four-star Sabena-owned Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali.

Amidst the fast de-generating  confusion of the genocide, and afraid of losing his wife who was a Tutsi, friends and others, he endeavours to keep his luxury hotel as an oasis from the violent acts, changing it to a refuge for as many individuals as it could hold. The remaining part of the world is shown turning its back Rwanda. A well-intended but rather less-resourced UN peacekeeping commander known as Nick Nolte is unable to put to an end the bloodshed, and baffled at the lack of support or concern from outside countries. The harness and failure to provide answers by the international community and the clamorous terror of the genocidal militias and generals, all totally differ from the humble effective life-saving manipulations of Rusesebagina.

Rwanda: An Amazing Honey Moon Destination

It’s very important to plan your honeymoon on an African continent particularly Rwanda the land of a ‘’Thousand Hills’’. Rwanda is a magnificent beautiful country that offers a perfect honey moon destination in Africa. The country has favorable year round weather which means it can be visited at any month of the year depending on the traveler’s interest, its adventurous filled with scenic wonders, indeed it’s the right country to visit as you begin your marriage safari journey, it’s a perfect location to relax and enjoy Africa at its best.

Rwanda is a country of Choice for those that are looking for a truly unique off the beaten path experience in the heart of Africa, one of Africa’s most scenic. Spending the honey moon deep in the volcanoes national park forest with the most interesting to see endangered mountain gorilla is a memorable moment in life very difficult to forget, these apes are magnificent to watch in their natural habitat, the one hour you are allowed to stay with these animals is a life time experience one should not love to miss especially when you begin your marriage. Nothing is more adventurous than hiking and tracking chimpanzee and other primates in African Amazon the larges African montane forest (Nyungwe forest national park). Sharing the love of gorillas with that of chimps is regarded as a magical experience one should not love to miss on such a life time experience.

Rwanda offers you what is beyond your imagination, it’s one of the smallest countries in the world with no seaport, Lake Kivu offers you Africa inland cost with one of the best lodges beyond your imagination and adventure that gives you long lasting memories, you will enjoy beach activities like swimming, touring to nearby islands among more.

Kigali which is the largest and the capital city of Rwanda is one of the visited incredible Rwanda cleanest safest towns of Africa. Rwanda is known as one of the stable countries and your time here will be without worry of potential safety security problems, so you will be safe during your stay here. Everything in Rwanda superb ranging from the rare mountain gorillas, primates, wildlife, birds to luxury lodging all will meet your needs and beyond.

Depending on your plan, you can also extend your safari to Uganda where you can continue with wildlife viewing, chimpanzee and gorilla tracking, hiking and also white water rafting on the River Nile. Your safari can begin in Kigali and end in Entebbe -Uganda the pearl of Africa without long drive times and enjoy a True Africa beyond your imagination. Book with us we can design your honey moon safari the way you desire it to be, contact us for more information.

Traffic Tips for Driving in Rwanda

Rwanda is relatively safe compared to other countries. Driving in Rwanda is absolutely an exciting experience but requires some braveness while you are behind the wheels. For starters, higher chances are that you will face challenge driving in Rwanda’s roads as most of them are not yet to the standards of say United States or England. To get the best of your self drive experience in Rwanda, take a look at significant road safety rules and traffic tips for driving.

Driving in Rwanda always requires you to keep left and speed limit in town areas shouldn’t be over 40kms per hour and 60kms per hour in provinces.

Plastics are not tolerated, therefore do not dump rubbish anyhow while driving in Rwanda or else you will be penalized. The government of Rwanda banned all non-degradable polyethylene plastic bags in 2008.

Be prepared to drive along several terrains in Rwanda. Driving in Rwanda is amazing since most of its routes have been paved.

To drive in Rwanda, you should be at least 18 years that is for categories A and B and 20 for categories C, D, E and F.

Make sure that you have a valid driver license or international driving permit, car registration documents as well as car insurance certificates.

Do not drive at night in Rwanda-this is dangerous.

Do not drive when you are drunk. The legal blood alcohol level in Rwanda is 0.08 percent and random breath testing is done by police.

Road Safety Rules and Regulations in Rwanda

Before you embark on a self-drive tour or guided tour, be aware of traffic rules to avoid being taken by surprise by presence of traffic officers. Road safety in Rwanda is governed by the traffic and road safety Act.

Drivers should keep left when driving and if you are not familiar with road rules please rent a car and driver and still enjoy your road trip at your own pace.

The speed limit in town areas is 40kms per hour and 60kms per hour in provinces.

To drive in Rwanda, you need a valid local or international driving permit/license.

Driving Tips before starting a Car Hire

• Check out the blinkers for proper operation.
• Cross check if the tyres are inflated well.
• Prior driving a rental car please do some simple safety check
• Turn on the lights and move around to ascertain if all lights are working.
• When you enter into the car please adjust all mirrors and seats prior starting it.

Driving Tips while your Rental Car is moving

• Turn your head to check no one is coming prior joining the road.
• Take note of traffic lights-green color is always for you to look left and right, straight then left once more prior proceeding.
• Always be on seat belts and put on your seat belt before starting your car
• Make sure that the headlights are on and the car is visible 4 times the distance with its headlights on
• Please indicate in case you need to make a stopover.
• Keep within driving speed limit.

5 Most Popular Safari Locations in Rwanda

If you happen to be a nature lover or a budding photographer then Africa is the ideal destination for you to visit. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. Rwanda tours are a must when you visit Africa for a vacation. According to All About Rwanda, this country has a summer spell during the months of June till august. This area is also famous since it has a large number of beautiful lakes; the landscape of the entire city is absolutely breath taking.

Lake Kivu

I am sure that you will be taken back by its beauty. The largest lake of Africa Lake Kivu is found her as well. There are vast tracks of hills and swamps here. The local essence of Rwanda lies in the simplicity of the place and its people.

Volcanoes National Park

Mountain gorillas are what Rwanda safaris are famous for. The entire belt is known for the large number of gorillas that are found here. There are many treks that follow these gorillas. The volcanoes that are found in the national parks are home to these mountain gorillas. So a trip here will ensure that you go on  Rwanda Gorilla Trek as well.

You could also visit the golden monkey, the mountain gorillas form such an intrinsic part of the people’s lives here that every year in the month of June a ceremony is held to give names to the gorillas that live here. I had the chance to go on this particular safari. And let me tell this experience has left me speechless. It was a great feeling being able to interact with these huge animals.

A trip to this continent would be ideal for a week or two.  You could make this vacation either by road or by the sea. Since there are so many water bodies in Africa traveling by a boat is a fabulous way to get to know the place better. You could also hire a plane and explore the dense jungles of Africa with the help of a pilot and a guide. But a Rwanda safari will ensure that you visit places that have been untouched by man so far and have the beauty of Mother Nature still intact.

Africa has a large number of reserves and wildlife parks that have been very popular amongst tourists. People from all different parts of the world visit this gorgeous place in large numbers every year. If you are a nature lover then you would love hiking on different trails to see the mountain gorillas. A regular hiking tour lasts for about a week. It depends on how much you are ready to spend on it.

These tours are inclusive of accommodation, food and transportation. You must ensure to have a gorilla permit if you are thinking of taking meeting the endangered mountain gorillas. When booking an all inclusive Rwanda safari these permits are also included in your fare. Thus it is a smart and a sensible way to explore the jungles and have a great vacation as well.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: An Unforgettable Experience

As interesting putting food in the mouth, gorilla tracking is one of the safari activities that is not isolated or missed by tourists when they are having a safari of their lifetime as this activity can’t be missed in menu of the various activities they want to explore which will bring you closer to related human beings. Some of the Gorillas families that are tracked include the following: Susa made up of 41 gorillas, Sabyingo, Amahoro etc. Just like in other countries like Uganda, where Gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and in DRC, it is done in Virunga national park. For Rwanda, it is done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwest of Rwanda considered to be the only national park where gorilla trekking can be done. Primate tracking  in Rwanda is done by various touring companies as the packages for this tracking ranges from 2 day gorilla trekking Rwanda to 12 day trekking Rwanda  which gives a wide variety of Gorilla groups to be trekked.

More so, to even start trekking these so called primates in volcanoes national park, a tourism permit must be issued by the body concerned with tourism called Rwanda tourism board. This gives license to the tourists of which type of gorillas to be trekked at that moment. Permits for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking goes for around 750 dollars per day of which some bid of the money goes to the communities around the national park for development and well being of people around it. A primate tracking is most suitable in the dry months of June to September and also December, January and February making this activity easier than ever before as you will see below.

Although Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park  starts from 20 minutes to three quarters of the day in the evening, their some requirements that are needed to do this activity as tourists will go through a couple of challenges like rain, muddy soil, insects e.g. aunts which needs some bid of wearing strong shoes etc. These are some of the requirements needed to trek this amazing Gorillas are as follows.

Tip number one is dressing according to the Safari activity. Wear shirts made of synthetic material which tend to dry faster. This is due to the fact that in most cases, this activity may be done in the rainy season which needs some bid of drying faster to make the tourist more comfortable. Their after you are advised at the bottom to wear long pants made of synthetic material which also tends to dry faster than  other type of clothes making the Safari more sweet and affordable to do . The other clothes like short jeans will make the activity more difficult to do as they will make the tourist uncomfortable and unable to walk properly.

Wear proper foot wear(boots) that is reaches above the ankle, this is because while moving though this good scenery of tropical forests, there will be thorns, sticky plants that may endanger the lives of the tourists most especially the legs.  This will help you to move though the muddy soils, dangerous insects like the aunts that are of a danger to the lives of the human beings. On top of that, wear gators over those boots so that you can cover the remaining space which might be used to enter other staff like water making the tourist unreliable to do. On top of that wear high rubber willies with treads on the boots.

Pack enough food and water before you come for this activity as it mostly takes you a long period of time from morning to the evening hours during the dry months of June to September. This may be in form of snacks, a bottle of water most especially a liter is enough for the all day and it is advisable  for one to bring these items along with him or herself  after all some companies do provide some food to the tourists before proceeding to national park. When you have reached the park in side, you are not allowed to give any food to these gorillas which might endanger the life span of these primates.

Speak about your trekking preferences meaning that you as the tourist will have to communicate to specific company you had booked with to inform them about your fitness level and other diseases you may be facing  plus also what type of Gorilla you might want to see first. This enables the guide to assign you to a group that is in with your range which you can afford to do as some of tracking groups may even track within or  just outside the national park.

Making sure that video camera is working in good conditions and already for use. The first thing is to put in mind is that light from camera shouldn’t be there as long as it does not disturb the movements of the so called primates. These photographs which are made tend to be of a darked exposure because of the so many trees that are situated in the park more so a camera should be kept in a water proof bag so that water does not disturb its settings

Go for Gorilla tracking activity in a dry season is other tip for gorilla tracking meaning that the best months for Gorilla tracking are from June to September and also from December, January and February as these months tend to be dry because in the dry periods, movements of people within the park is much easier than ever before plus also cars are able to move in those roads drive safely. And that is why tourists are advised to come in the dry months although; they can also come in any period of the year. The wet months include the following march, April, May etc.

Practice Gorilla etiquette meaning that you should start and learn to respect the environment of these primates such as their behavior and knowing that you a visitor to them. Don’t be afraid to these primates as they are close friendly to the human beings. More so if they approach you, don’t just run for hide out as they think that you have stolen something from them which marks in the end of the tips for gorilla tracking in Rwanda

Best Bird Watching Places in Rwanda

Rwanda is blessed to have the shelter of the highest population of birds in the world; it’s also ranked among the best 5 destinations in the entire world for tourists searching for the best birding tour in Rwanda. Rwanda is geographically a small land locked nation perched in the Albertine Rift valley with its dense forested and mountainous nature that avail great and long lasting memorable wildlife experiences anyone wouldn’t want to miss in life.

Rwanda with its small size has a staggering 700 bird species that quench the thirst of anyone looking for great birding safaris and experiences in Africa.

Rwanda has 7 favorite important bird watching areas, which include 3 national parks, – Volcanoes national park, Akagera national park, Nyungwe National Park, Rugezi swamp, Akagera swamps, Nyabarongo and Cyamudongo forest. These birds include Grey crowned crane, papyrus Gonoleck, Kungwe apalis, Bennettis wood pecker, stripe breasted tit, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Cinnynis, white-tailed blue fly catcher, shoebill stork, tropical Boubou, regular sunrise bird, bronzy sun bird, among others.

Birding At Lake Ihema, Akagera National Park

Akagera national park is a small piece of paradise perched on the Rwanda-Tanzania that provides wildlife safaris in Rwanda that travellers long for. The Park stands as Rwanda’s most spectacular site for birders as it habours several endemic as well as migratory bird species and other unique wildlife species. It is home to over 520 species of birds that dominate this place, including forest, savannah, wetlands, and montane species.

Lake Ihema is home to the rare shoe bill stork; therefore this place gives a clear view of these beautiful birds since it habours a mixture of different acacia and papyrus species, including the olive back.

Other species common in Akagera national park include; the gorgeous black headed Gonolek, the grey hornbill, lilac-breasted roller, the crested barbet, Heuglin’s robin-chat and Ross’s Turaco, among others.

Birding In Nyungwe Forest National Park

This is Rwanda’s most fabulous bird watching site, and it is home to approximately 310 bird species that have been recorded, reflecting a wide habitat diversity and altitudinal range due to its dense forested nature. It’s very famous for its vegetation cover as well as being a home to many different bird species as compared to other national parks.

This wonderful birding area lies west of Butare, with the Butare to Cyangugu road passing straight through the middle, providing excellent roadside birding adventure.

Nyungwe habours a variety of Albertine Rift endemics, including seven of the 12 species of Soricidae, one species of bat – Rousettus lanosus, 5 of 12 species of Muridae and the chameleon Chamaeleo johnstoni, two species of squirrels,- Funisciurus carruthersi and Heliosciurus ruwenzori. And an amphibian that is endemic to Nyungwe – the caecilian Boulengerula fischeri. Two species of butterfly are endemic to Nyungwe – Bebearia dowsetti and Acraea turlini while Papilio leucotaenia restricted to a small area of the Albertine Rift occurs commonly in Nyungwe.

Birding In Nyabarongo River

It’s a protected area in Rwanda, covering 142.62km2, located in the south east of the country, south of Kigali, and includes swamps and marshes in parts of flood plain of river Nyabarongo, the longest river in Rwanda. It provides a safe haven for some of the globally threatened bird species namely; the Madagascar Squacco heron, papyrus Gonolek, Carruthers, Sisticola, white- winged scrub-warbler.

Other places where these birds can be found are; Cyamudongo forest, Rugezi among others, for anyone who wants to get an unforgettable biding experience in Rwanda.

Rwanda Launches New Festival ‘NYANZA TWATARAMYE’

Rwanda’s tourism is growing fast thanks to the creative stakeholders in its tourism industry. Renowned mostly for mountain gorillas, Rwanda is not only the best destination for gorilla safaris but also for an amazing cultural encounter with the local African people. If you would like to interact with the locals, learn about the culture of the African people, Rwanda is fast becoming a favorite destination to travelers. After successfully promoting the Kwita Izina, a gorilla naming ceremony held in July, the country is yet to launch another festival on the 26th, December, 2014.

The Nyanza District, home to some of the country’s most impressive historical and cultural sites from the past kingdom, has partnered with the National Institute for Museums and others to launch a culture festival held for the first time this year on Boxing Day, 26th of December. The Rwesero Art Museum has been selected as the venue for the inaugural event which will become part of Rwanda’s annual calendar of festivals.

There are several things that are to be showcased to travelers from traditional songs, poetry, art and crafts, etc. At the centre, tourists will learn about the traditional food preparations, live stock grazing, milking and other daily activities engaged in by the Rwandan people which will form the core of the various activities for the day, aimed to bring closer the country’s rich history to not only tourists but also the present day generation. The festival targets not only foreign tourists but also Rwandans as well as visitors from Eastern Africa. Tourists traversing the country can use this opportunity to stop by and enjoy some of the performances.

Rwanda’s tourism industry and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has in recent years diversified their offerings, from what once was an almost exclusive gorilla tracking destination to include the country’s two other national parks, Akagera and Nyungwe Forest, the 224 kilometre long Congo Nile Trail from Kamembe to Gisenyi, which runs along some of the country’s most scenic sites along Lake Kivu, bird watching areas, the National Museums and of course the annual naming of gorilla babies, Kwita Izina.