WalMark Africa Safaris http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:42:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.1 THE KARAMOJONG TRIBES CULTURAL TOUR UGANDA http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/the-karamojong-tribes-cultural-tour-uganda/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/the-karamojong-tribes-cultural-tour-uganda/#respond Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:42:32 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1482 Read More]]> THE KARAMOJONG TRIBES CULTURAL TOUR UGANDA

Distinct and unique, often referred as primitive, backward and conservative by the already evolved societies but traditions still standout and lately has become a great destination for the people & cultural travelers to explore in Uganda. You can compare them to the Amazon or Papua guinea tribes.

The Karamojong are descendants of the Ethiopia (Abyssinia) Omo river valley Nomadic tribes that migrated South around 1600AD in search for grazing land and water for their animal. Some settled in Kenya the now the Masai, Karenjin and Pokot tribes, Others in South Sudan the Toposa and those who settled in Uganda are mainly the Jie and Dodoth tribes among others. In Uganda they are North Eastern districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, Nakapipit and Abim some encircling the Kidepo National Park.

            

The Biggest Manyatta village settlement in East Africa which is home for the Jie tribe is Nakapelimoru village with a population of over 30,000 in one settlement camp so unbelievable and its often referred to as home to the Jie warriors (Fighters). Karamojong manyattas are homestead with high level of hierarchy for Jie families surrounded with dry shrubs or sharp thorns with small entry for people and large entry for their livestock. One Manyatta harbors multiple families and a communal kraal. The women and children stay in the permanent Manyattas while the men and boys often migrate during the dry season in search for grazing pasture and water for their animals. Among the karamojong tribe’s livestock is the yardstick for wealth and any man who owns no livestock is not permitted to speak during cultural ceremonies or marry since it’s the resource for dowry as exchange for the brides.

Karamojongs are still considered backward and primitive because they have held on too long to their culture and traditional norms for instance justice is mannered by tribal elders, adultery and promiscuity is forbidden, education is a grey area to their culture, women are typical traditional house wives, facial and body tattooing is a characteristic of lineage and beauty. All these among others have held them together for so long that it’s often a challenge to front modern and civilized programs as long as elders see them as might be a source of disintegration of families.

Our North Eastern Culture & Nature wildlife tour helps you explore the land less traveled blending people & culture and nature wildlife. Traversing Mt Elgon Sipi falls to the tribal plains of the Jie Nakapelimoru Village in Kotido and the Ik-tribe camp of the Dodoth tribe in Kaabong to the Kidepo National park nature wildlife game to catch the Big five and other wild animals and birds. Access can be by flight or by road depending on itinerary schedules.

 

sunrise beauty in Kidepo National Park, Uganda

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AFRICA TRAVEL EASES AFTER 2YEARS OF COVID http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-eases-after-2years-of-covid/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-eases-after-2years-of-covid/#respond Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:46:21 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1473 Read More]]> AFRICA TRAVEL EASES AFTER 2YEARS OF COVID

If you didn’t know the true meaning of the world being a “Global village”, well we have learned the hard way especially in Africa where industrialization is still low meaning the service sector supports most country economies offering a glimpse of incomes, livelihood and welfare.

The tourism sector is one big sector whose growth was hampered by the COVID disaster, but not all hope is lost. As COVID infection rates drop further coupled with wide vaccination and community hard immunity, we can smile now as all sectors are now opened up and livelihood coming back to normal.

 

Africa Travel restrictions are being eased in most African countries with no mandatory COVID Tests upon arrival at airports as long as a traveler has a negative PCR Test prior to departure from their initial destination. This tremendously reduces the cost of travel in one way another.

We are all exhausted the body and soul needs to revamp and redefine our new direction to the purposeful living and Africa travel might just be your best bet for an escape route. Let your mind dance with the elephants, run like the cheetah in the savannah plains, exhibit the hunting braveness of the Lions for a meal is a meal no matter how fat or intimidating its might be, swing like the Giant primates the Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the Albertine rift thick jungle rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga park, Hike the great Rwenzori and Kilimanjaro mountains in show of strength and finally enjoy your coconut at the coastal beaches as you cool off. So much more awaits in the continent less traversed with warm hospitality welcoming you upon arrival.

Karibu!

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AFRICA BUCKETLIST NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA & ZAMBABWE SAFARIS http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-bucketlist-namibia-botswana-zambabwe-safaris/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-bucketlist-namibia-botswana-zambabwe-safaris/#respond Sat, 21 Nov 2020 15:19:51 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1461 Read More]]> AFRICA BUCKETLIST NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA & ZAMBABWE SAFARIS

Often referred to as the memorable southern Africa safari experience by most travelers and worth your Africa travel bucket list. From the Kalahari desert in Namibia coupled with beautiful landscapes, unique cultures to the nature wildlife game contrast of animals widely adapted to the arid desert climate in Etosha national park to those which are not as observed in the Okavango delta and Chobe in Botswana and finally visit the one of the nature wonder of the World- The Victoria falls on Zambezi river shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

NAMIBIA

One of the most beautiful country in Southern Africa blending unique people & culture to ancient structures and wildlife that will leave you wanting to stay much longer. The panoramic landscapes make it one of the big attractions for Africa Travelers not forgetting the relentlessly moving gravel plains and dunes that stretch along the coastline and the beaches.

Dead Vlei Namibia safari

From Windhoek Capital City Christus churches built many decades ago and still standing to Sussusvlei red sand dunes and Swakopmund Atlantic beaches where the desert meets the sea to the Etosha national park full of diversity of game boasting of the “Big Five” and over 100 other mammal species and thousands of birds that flock the massive mineral pan of the Kalahari basin.

walmark africa safari

Must visit destinations in Namibia include; the Fish river canyon largest in Africa with the longest interior river and hot springs, Skeleton coast famous for citing the sailor shipwrecks washed ashore characteristic of the harsh landscape, Dead Vlei often the symbol of Namibia cations shared by most travelers a clan pan characterized by dark, dead camel thorn trees believed to be over 900 years old standing against the white pan floor besides the red sand dunes, Etosha national park with over 100 mammal species and Birds including the big Five.

Himba tribe Namibia safari

BOTSWANA

Famous for the world largest inland Delta- Okavango never to miss boat cruises along the delta besides game sighting. Botswana also hosts the World second largest game reserve- the central Kalahari game reserve, the Chobe national park with diverse game and the Makgadikgadi unhabited pan.

Lion encounter Namibia safari

Botswana is also known for harboring a number of endangered mammals and bird species like the cape vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, wattled crane, kori bustard, wild dog, cheetah and brown hyena. Not forgetting unique people and culture exposures.

Camping safaris Namibia

ZIMBABWE

One of the nature wonders attracting most travelers to Zimbabwe is the Victoria falls on Zambezi river and its often the climax of the Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe safari in Livingstone town. Victoria falls makes a thundering 108m drop into a narrow Batoka gorge and its often referred to as “Mosi- oa-Tunya” meaning the smoke that thunders. Note Victoria falls is shared between two countries Zimbabwe and Zambia thus entry and departures can be in both as flight bookings.

Many water spot activities in Livingstone like white water rafting, Bungee jumping, Devils pool swim for the brave hearted, Helicopter flights over the falls and people and culture interactions among the options to keep travelers busy.

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AFRICA TRAVEL REOPENS TO TOURISM AND BUSINESS http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-reopens-to-tourism-and-business/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-reopens-to-tourism-and-business/#respond Mon, 12 Oct 2020 07:19:02 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1456 Read More]]> AFRICA TRAVEL REOPENS TO TOURISM AND BUSINESS

October 2020 has raised a lot of Hope for most African Countries as most airports open for international travel and tourism after almost 7-8 Months living with fear of the unknown future. But with Faith, Hope is never lost and there is much optimism on the future of Tourism.

Most African countries are less industrialized and Tourism is seen as the main spiral of economic growth linking so many sectors such as agriculture that employs a vast majority of citizens and other foreign investment initiatives. That’s why you can feel the relief that not all is lost.

The Fear among travelers is still strong due to the covid19 impact. Planners and investors expect no drastic rise of the tourism sector more so for the international travelers like it was last year, meaning projections are on the lower scale for now. But more focus has been on the local tourism sector growth for survival.

Good thing precautions and measures are all in place both at the airports, transport, hotels and tourism destinations to control the spread of covid19. Travel agencies are active on informing various stakeholders and partners the various requirements needed before traveling to various countries. For instance, in East Africa countries; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania allows only the negative Covid19 test 72Hours prior to travel and no mandatory quarantine with automated temperature scanners at airports to further compliment symptom checks on arriving and departing guests/travelers.

All travelers and citizens are advised to be caution and observe the standard operating procedures aimed at averting the spread of the virus such as wearing of masks when in public, sanitizing, washing hands more often and going for medical checkups in case of observed covid19 symptoms.

Africa in general has been less hit by the virus on assumptions that our weather, food diversity and possibly our robust genetics immunity due to exposure to multiple viral infections. So travelers are encouraged to enjoy the local delicacies and fruits to boost their immunity too during their stay and travels.

Let’s stay safe and remember Covid19 is real and we want see the next sunrise again!

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WHAT NEXT WHEN THE STORM CALMS AFRICA http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/what-next-when-the-storm-calms-africa/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/what-next-when-the-storm-calms-africa/#respond Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:10:40 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1449 Read More]]> WHAT NEXT WHEN THE STORM CALMS AFRICA

Did I see it coming… absolutely NO! Did envision I would hate the car brand name “Corona” I once admired while learning how to drive… NO! Did I even think one reckless human would initiate an economic shutdown… absolute Not in this era? The soul goes mute in silence turning to GOD more than before for a miracle.

Globalization changed how we live, relate and connect both physically and remotely and we perceive ourselves to be super humans coupled with the high technology around us. Just wish we acted humanly with compassion, love and care for one another. All components of trade and survival are so interlinked and dependent on one another. Self-isolation/quarantine is absolutely the best alternative to avert the pandemic COVID19 everyone should embrace BUT it’s a test to self-management.

Africa Travel is silent, the nature wildlife is seeing less of humans for now, mountain hike trails are calm, Hotels are quiet with most staff on forced leave lucky if its paid leave, some countries are already closing schools and social events that attract a cloud and the FEAR/STIGMA is real but for how long shall we be held hostage by COVID19. Few cases have been confirmed in the South & Eastern Africa, glad citizens are vigilant and responding to the sensitization and mass mobilization and this era will pass with some lessons, I guess.

HOPE keeps us alive and soon the sun will shine and I will be waking up to the sound of the Ocean waves again!

Itanda falls on River Nile, great white water rafting spot

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AFRICA BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-bucket-list-destinations/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-bucket-list-destinations/#respond Fri, 28 Feb 2020 07:07:44 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1439 Read More]]> AFRICA TRAVEL BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS

Africa is often depicted as an elusive continent because its less traversed and publicized. Most news streaming out is never enticing for most travelers with war and anarchy in some countries being much more publicized than the harmony and progress in others. Now that Google simplified access to information, we shall leverage on that to disseminate relevant updates to guide travelers bucket list drafts. Africa is calling with open warm arms and smiles to ensure your Africa travel is a memorable experience.

Time and resources define how long and how far you can trend but even with limited resources, you will still have a life changing experience at any of these sighted bucket list destinations due to their tourism diversity. Just ask your travel consultant for guidance.

  1. Primate safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo

The giant endangered species primates the Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, White Colubus Monkeys have their nature habitat in the Albertine rift valley think impenetrable jungle forests stretching from Uganda- Bwindi Impenetrable rainforest park/Mgahinga park, Rwanda- Volcanoes park/Nyungwe Forest park and DR Congo- Virunga national park. Often great to trek and observe them in their uncontrolled human influenced environment exhibiting their natural behaviors and interactions. Note there are 1063 Mountain Gorillas left so far as per the 2019 census in the three main tracking national parks of the three countries and more conservation is needed. Governments commit revenue collected to support conservation activities and communities neighboring the parks that you can tour after the tracking to learn more.

Young Silverback Male Gorilla feeding in Mgahinga park Uganda
  • Wildlife Big Five in Serengeti-Tanzania and Masai Mara- Kenya

The Magical plains of Serengeti National park connecting to Ngorongoro craters in Tanzania and Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya is a must destination for nature wildlife lovers. Sight the big five i.e. Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, Rhinos and other game like giraffe, zebra, antelopes, Hippos, jackal’s warthog- famously known as Pumba in Lion King movie and diversity of bird species, reptiles like the giant Nile crocodiles, snakes and so much more.  You might shade tears when the wild is so cruel during your game drive as survival for the fittest is at play as you sight the impala running as fast as it can while the cheetah too runs to catch its next meal or else its energy level dwindles and death might occur if its fails in its hunt. All is nature and only eyes and camera lenses catches all the scenes. So many game parks but these standout in the region besides people & culture encounters and beautiful coastal beaches to cool off after safaris.

Tanzania Dar es salaam
  • Ethiopia epic destination for people & Culture

This is one of the peaceful countries on the Africa continent, easy to connect with the Ethiopian Airways and a warm reception on landing in Addis Ababa International airport. If you’re a fan of people & culture then Ethiopia definitely be a must visit. The Historical heritage sites in the North, the sceneries including the Blue Nile falls, Simien Mountains, Danakil depression spot where temperatures rise up to 165degrees. The trip to the south Omo valley is a living museum encountering the four major linguistic tribes of Mursi, Karo, Hamar and Kwegu who were initially isolated but now civilization has streamed in but their eccentric culture stands out from the rest of the country ethnic tribes. The cultural cuisine is a must taste besides the Ethiopian coffee. Nothing goes wrong in Ethiopia!

Ethiopia Hamar tribe Women at a cultural engagement in Omo Valley
  • Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia

Victoria falls often known by the locals as “The smoke that Thunders” is one of the seven wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive water plugging into the Zambezi River gorge is speculative to witness. The falls are at the border for both Zambia and Zimbabwe and its one tourism attraction now that Zimbabwe is getting out of their political unrest in the region. Many activities to engage such as bungee jumping, bridge swings, bridge slides, white water rafting, sunset cruise on the Zambezi river. Easy to access Nature wildlife game drives include walking with lions, cultural craft markets and engagement with locals.

Blue Nile River falls Ethiopia an epic sight not to miss
  • Sossusvlei Desert Dunes & San/Himba tribes Namibia/Botswana

Sossusvlei is the most iconic landscape in Namibia and a must visit destination in Southern Africa. Seeing the red dunes, bleached white pans, skeleton trees of Deadvlei to the Deep Blue sky is just memorable. Great for photography and better when the dunes meet the Pacific Ocean oh my God its breath taking to sigh with the sunset sails by. The unique culture in Namibia shouldn’t miss your eyes, the Bantu speaking Ovambo and Herero tribes symbolic of their colorful Victoria dresses, to the Damara minorities and the Nomadic San bushmen.

Up close with a young male lion on Big Five Africa game drive

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AFRICA TRAVEL TRENDING BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS MUST! http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-trending-bucket-list-destinations-must/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/africa-travel-trending-bucket-list-destinations-must/#respond Fri, 06 Sep 2019 14:38:51 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1299 Read More]]> AFRICA TRAVEL TRENDING BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS MUST!

Africa travel is often a blurred picture for most travels due to less information about the continent but with great diversity of life changing adventures and encounters that once explored tends to change your perception and life in general.Globalization and the internet has drastically changed and expanded the knowledge gap that existed and isolated many nations and with social media at play makes all neighbors to be aware whats happening next door or border.

Depending on the time available for your holiday/vacation besides interest at Heart, Africa offers a blend of safari adventures cutting from Primates (Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzees, Monkeys etc) in the Thick jungle untamed nature forests in the Albertine region, to the great Savannah plains of Africa where the Big Five and other nature wildlife game can be sighted as survival for the fittest takes its tale on the slow ones to the Unique people and Culture spanning from the still conservative tribes and heritage ancient monuments and museums to vacation coastal beaches and resorts. Among the destinations not to Miss include:

Africa primate safaris Destinations:
The Unique Giant ape the mountain Gorillas and the chimpanzees and easily sighted in the Thick Jungles forest of the Albertine region of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest parks in Rwanda and Virunga National park of DR Congo in their nature habitats and they are life memorable encounters. Conservation efforts are run along with local communities to protect and preserve the endangered species and build their populations in general. The same Albertine region forests is also home to a diversity of bird species with over 500 species spotted in the region besides other mammals like white colubus and Golden monkeys besides others. These primates share almost 98% similar DNA with us humans and are seen to exhibit behavior characteristics like we do in aspects of family cohesion, hierarchy and father/mother roles. Primate safaris are a must Bucket List for any Africa travel.

Mgahinga Gorilla 26

Nature Wildlife Game safari in Africa:
This is where Africa Travel sounds more when we talk about dancing with the Elephants and Running along with the cheetahs. Indeed Africa will thrill your encounter and heart beat as you see what survival for the fittest means, sometimes you may shade tears because your so helpless to intervene to save a wild life when another ones survival depends on that meal. From the Big herds of elephants and aggressive Buffalo to the dangerous predators the Lions, Leopards, cheetahs to the large herds of antelopes, giraffe, Hippos, Rhinos, Crocodiles, snakes etc. Main destinations include; Murchison Falls & Queen Elizabeth National Parks in Uganda, Masai Mara game reserves in Kenya, Serengeti National park in Tanzania, Etosha National Park in Namibia, Chobe National Park in Botswana. Here all game sighting is amazing and breath taking in these game parks and some countries have made life easier for foreign travelers by issuing Tourist visas which enable border crossing at discounted rates like the East African Tourist 3 months Visa.

Tree climbing Lions ishasha 3

People and Culture Africa Life changing Destination:
If you’re a traveler and fail to connect with people at your destination then your missing something big. Animals don’t talk as we wish they would but Humans have some much to tell that will leave you feeling you have known it all that’s why I often take time to mingle in this aspect and once in a while live like the locals to feel complete. Main destinations where you will feel people and culture at heart include; Ethiopia with the North safari to the main heritage historical sites before connecting to the south Omo valley tribes the Harma, Mursi and Karo tribes abit conservative and isolated but with an amazing unique heritage and cultural traditions, to the Masai tribes of Kenya and Tanzania living along with the wildlife of Masai mara and Serengeti national parks to the Kalahari desert tribes the Himba and San-Bushmen tribes depicting early man survival skills like hunting and lighting the fires besides the manyatta huts. Trust me this encounter often touches the soul of us often elevated in urban cities and gives you a perspective to real

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Vacation Coastal Beaches and Resort:

Vacation coastal beaches are breathless and will leave you wanting to stick around much longer coupled with water spot activities like swimming with the Dolphins, whale watching, snorkeling, boat cruises on the various coastline or islands. Main cool off destination include, Zanzibar and Dar es salaam in Tanzania, Mombasa-Malindi and Lamu in Kenya, Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. These give you the best relaxation of a life time before you can connect to your next destination.

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Mountain Hiking in Africa
You wont go wrong with Africa Mountain Hikes and they have diversity of spanning vegetation, fauna enroute the rise and at various scales of altitude to cater for every ones energy level. Main destinations include the Great Kilimanjaro with highest peak at 5,895m (19,341ft), Mount Kenya with its highest peak at 5,188m (17,021ft) and Mountain Rwenzori highest peak Magherita 5,109m (16,763ft) and diversity of summits to suite your energy levels and great glacier.

Desert Calling:

Well as the Sahara desert in Northern Africa is the largest on the continent but there is more activity and diversity outlook to people and culture besides nature game wildlife in the south in the great Kalahari desert. the eyes will appreciate the dunes and they glad to touch the ocean and the view is spectacular. meet the tribes surviving the hot desert the San bushmen, the Himba typical with their hair style dreads and beauty and then the game as survival for the fittest takes toll especially in the long drought seasons when water is very scarce and some demise to another life as vultures celebrate easy access to food. Its a beautiful wild Africa and epic encounter to witness in a life time.

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Helpful Guide to Planning a Gorilla Trek in Africa http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/helpful-guide-to-planning-a-gorilla-trek-in-africa/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/helpful-guide-to-planning-a-gorilla-trek-in-africa/#respond Fri, 01 Mar 2019 11:07:43 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1049 Read More]]> Helpful Guide to Planning a Gorilla Trek in Africa

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you have been to the Albertine Forest Thick Jungles of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Rain forest Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and DR Congo’s Virunga Park before, there are various things to consider before you set off to exploring the most attractive jungle forests in the world’s most exciting continent Africa. Here is our travel experts recommendations about what to pack, hidden gems and how to make most of your time valued on a gorilla trekking tour.

Mgahinga Gorilla 12

Planning a Gorilla Trek

Its advisable to ensure Gorilla tracking permits are secured 3-4months in advance if your to track in the best sectors of the various Africa Jungle forest parks. Laize with your travel experts/consultant for the timely booking. Note of late #Uganda has the influx of Budget and Backpacker travelers due to permits being cheaper while Luxury and Mid-range, Rwanda is still their preferred destination. Your travel consultant will advise on which park best suites your budget to enjoy the memorable life experience and encounter up close with the Giant apes the Mountain #Gorillas in their nature habitat.

However, most travelers prefer merging the Gorilla tracking with other primates like the #Chimpanzees since their habitats are close just to feel the whole primate trek and if time allows, you can  further explore the nature wildlife in the proximity National parks. Advise your travel planner on the time and resources available so that he/she can tailor make an itinerary to give you a glimpse of why #Africatravel should be your bucket list destination away from home.

Gorilla Trekking Safari Budget

There is no amazing trip like that which suit in your budget and gives you value for money. By Saving more on the  budget of air charters you will have more to spend at a destination when you use road transport to connect to the National parks. A gorilla trekking tour to either #Bwindi forest or #Mgahinga costs cheap than a flying gorilla trekking tour  to both parks.

If you budget is extremely low, join a group tour or choose to go backpacking and behave like a local. Such trips can be as much as  30-40% cheaper than a private gorilla trekking tour. You can also travel with a friend  and share the costs of transport and accommodation hence cutting down costs of a single traveler.

Hotel cottages

Best Time to See Gorillas

When you’re on a Gorilla safari in Africa the most important moments are those spent with the Gorillas  in there jungle home no matter when you chose to go for the trek. However,since most tourist like trekking the forest during dry season many flock to different gorilla trekking destinations in the month of January February, March, June, July, August, September, October and December . While others  visit in April, May and November the known rainy months of the year but the experience is same for all travelers. So its up to you to decide when you can visit Uganda, Rwanda and Congo the famous gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.

Gorilla permits and Prices

Before choosing a gorilla trekking destination take your senses of budget plan and choose the place that has favorable gorilla permit prices. Just a quick look Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1500 per a trek, Uganda gorilla permits $600 and Congo gorilla permits $400-500.

Tree climbing Lions ishasha 6

What to Pack for the Gorilla trek

Wear long sleeved clothes, carry enough drinking water, gloves, cap/hat, walking stick, packed lunch, valid passport, and lastly a right date gorilla permit your main gate pass for the day. Keep your valued jewel away and just hold a camera or photo taking device  to make it possible for you to enjoy photography of nature and the general experience in the wild. Many want to find treasured moments of the gorilla trek that you will definitely get during the one hour duration with the gorillas. Due to the hectic treks and Hikes, we often advise trackers to hire a porter to carry your water and other items along not to exhaust yourself yet it might be a long trek to reach the Gorilla families allocated.

 

This experience is the Thick Africa Jungle Forests is one in a life time and you will carry memories for the rest of your life!

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ETHIOPIA BEAUTY $ HISTORICAL TREASURES MAKE IT AFRICA BUCKETLIST DESTINATION http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/ethiopia-beauty-historical-treasures-make-it-africa-bucketlist-destination/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/ethiopia-beauty-historical-treasures-make-it-africa-bucketlist-destination/#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2018 09:00:22 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=1017 Read More]]> ETHIOPIA BEAUTY $ HISTORICAL TREASURES MAKE IT AFRICA BUCKETLIST DESTINATION

Streaming from the jagged Simien Mountains to the searing desert of the Danakil Depression in the North, the Blue Nile River falls in Bahir Dar, to the free roaming Southern Omo River Valley, exhibits a unique diversity of terrains, people and culture that even books cant detail in explanations.

Ethiopia has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its rich cultural past, endowed with many mysterical churches carved in rock and ancient capitals such as Lalibela probably the largest monolithic church in the world, Aksum the ancient royal capital of the early Ethiopian kingdom and #Gondar a site featuring many ruined castles that are spectacular to see. A Northern by air or road safari will enable you see it all and carry memories of a life time.

women in Addis ababa

If you’re a fan of people and culture than Omo River Valley is a must destination during your holiday. The customs and lifestyles of the isolated pastoral communities of the Omo tribes have changed little over centuries. Watching the Karo tribe men naked but with cloths just around their waist and single upright ostrich feather on their head, white color body painting, leopard-spotted face markings, beads and bracelets is breath taking to the eyes and how they cherish their culture and belonging.

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The lower Omo Valley lies along the borders of South Sudan and Kenya with few people able to speak the Ethiopian National Language “Amharic” and can hardly name the capital city Addis Ababa which is 350Km in the North or any other country on the African continent. So closed and isolated.

Ethiopia has a unique ethnic diversity as you trend from the Northern Highlands to the lower valleys of the South. Ethiopians of the highlands, are light skinned and custodians of one of the oldest alphabetic s and many trace their heritage to the ancient civilization of Aksum, to the King Solomon and to the Queen Sheba thus the large Orthodox religion and mysterical churches.

Lalibela 3

Among the #Omo valley tribes are the Karo tribe known for their white clay body painting, the Mursi tribe whose women stretch their bottom lips with clay discs and the Hamer tribe who create stunning beaded clothing.

#Addis Ababa the capital city has lot to explore starting with a visit to Lucy at the great National Museum, the Merketo market which is a must visit with diversity of crafts and cultural items to shop or you can check out the Entoto mountain besides driving through the old and new Addis Ababa capital areas to compare modernization trends of civilized order. Embrace the coffee delicacy and dinner of the cultural restaurants as you enjoy the cultural dances and Ethiopian music.

PENTAX Image

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MUST BE AFRICA TRAVEL BUCKET LIST http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/must-be-africa-travel-bucket-list/ http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/must-be-africa-travel-bucket-list/#respond Mon, 12 Mar 2018 08:57:11 +0000 http://www.walmarkafricasafaris.com/?p=999 Read More]]> MUST BE AFRICA TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Better to let go the wishful thinking in travel for this era is much more simplified than in the old times and can be cheap based on your comfort travel category, flexibility with value for money.

Africa safaris aint a smooth ride thus the slogan the Jungle continent but of late with multiple investments in various countries, the rides are getting much better and cheaper for travelers to traverse the continent. Out of experience and exposure in the tours and travel industry, these are the must adopt Bucket List for Travelers visiting Africa;

  • Mountain Gorilla Tracking: Visiting the Giant apes in the thick African Rain forest Jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Rain forest Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo in their untamed nature habitat. This encounter is a life memorable and changing experience. Giants apes shy on sight but aggressive if threatened and exhibiting human like family behavior characteristics. Beautiful to watch and observe.
  • Gorilla Safari 7
  • The Big Five: Well this is one of the Main prioritized Bucket List adventure for Africa, driving in its Savannah plains to sight the predators as they hunt with one rule of the game “Survival for the Fittest”. If you can run faster after your borne then you might never see another sun rise again. Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Leopards and Rhinoceros make the mighty Big Five but more diversity of game exists to ply your eyes on. Main Destinations include; Serengeti Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara in Kenya, Kruger game reserve in South Africa though you will still see the Big five in other countries like Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia in case you cant traverse the continent.Lion Climber friend in Ishaaha queen Elizabeth
  • People & Culture: Often less explored but I never leave any destination without connecting with my hosts and visiting cultural historical sites and religious sites will offer you more insight on how we have evolved in terms of civilization and norms binding people together and why we seem so different in many ways even in the era of globalization. Note people & cultural tourism is the cheapest and sometimes free if you can have a minute more to explore the details. Explore the Ganda heritage & Culture in Uganda, Masai’s in Kenya & Tanzania, The Zulu’s of South Africa & Swaziland, the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert in Namibia, Hamar tribe in Ethiopia. All these have rich history worth exploring when you visit rather than just reading about it in books.In 191
  • Sleep in the Tented Camps in Africa: I recall my American Friend once said it was unimaginable to even get sleep with a roaring Lion or Hyena near the flapable tent before he finally visited Africa and he changed his mind. Don’t worry Hyena’s wont pull your legs off as long as the tents are knitted to perfection by the guides or lodge staff. It feels like sleeping under the stars and the moon in the wild worth an experience to try.
  • Mounting Hiking in Africa: Well such challenges are good for your health and fitness check coupled with the daily routines we are accustomed too of driving and seating in our offices or living room. Try some thing new to hike and trek on Africa unique mountains. Main destinations in Africa include; Kilimanjaro hikes in Tanzania, Mt Rwenzori & Mt Elgon in Uganda, Mt Kenya in Kenya and Nyiragongo Hike in DR Congo with organized group or private hikes available at your disposal. The Gorilla tracking hikes in the thick Jungle mountains is also an example to check your fitness.
  • Water Rafting & Bungee Jumping: This often separates the brave and the cowards but it’s a nerve check exercise and all the fear will elude your body after engaging. Africa gifted with beautiful falls and rivers for such and it’s a trending adventure for most young generation.Main destinations include: Rafting and Bungee jumping on River Nile in Uganda and Rafting on the Zambezi river in Zambia with Bungee jumping at the Victoria falls. Don’t worry there are soft spots for those not sure of their guts so the guides will be helpful in advising what challenge to take on.Water rafting on River Nile

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