Another visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park

A few destinations take my attention like the way Nyungwe forest National Park does, the park covers an area of about 1000sqkm thus being the largest montane rain forest in both East and central Africa. It’s strategically located in the south western Rwanda joining with Kibira Transfrontier National Park in Burundi. This is therefore the largest continuous protected area in Africa.
Nyungwe forest national park is reservoir of water and a place where the continent’s waters dived from including the major springs of water i.e. River Nile and Congo River.
It is this forest that determines the amount of rainfall to be received in either the Nile or Congo basin. Much rainfall is received across these forests with an average annual rainfall of over 2000mm, thus making it one of the wettest places in Africa.

Nyungwe forest was established as a national park in 2014, and since then it is attracting an increasing number of tourists year after year who come its unique biodiversity and one of the first and still the only canopy walk in Africa. The canopy walk was constructed in the same period with the Uwinka Park headquarters which is strategically located along the main road that goes through the park from Heye to Rusizi, previously known as Butare and Cyangugu. The canopy trail is about 70 meters high and 200 meters long that goes through and above treetops, the walk takes about 3 and above hours to complete the trail.
As it is explained earlier, Nyungwe offers more than the canopy walk. More nature trails are offered within the park which can be accesses from either Gisovu or Gisakura side of the forest. The trails range from short ones such as the one which takes less than an hour offering views of a plenty of Colobus monkeys, to hikes of 4-8 hours plus a multi day hike that goes across the entire forest.
The availability of various trails both easier and challenging hikes all over the entire forest attracts more adventure and nature lovers to Nyungwe forest. In addition to the canopy walk, Nyungwe offers other 8 nature trails which are now open plus a 3-4 day Congo Nile Divide trail with basic camping site where hikers can spend an overnight while on this trail. Perhaps, the toughest and most challenging trail is the one with a hike to Mt Bigugu, which goes for about 6-10 hours hike to the highest peak of Nyungwe at 2.950meters and requires a reasonable degree of physical fitness to complete the trail.
While on the trail, inside the forest, tourists are rewarded with sights of the high biodiversity of over 310 species of forest and water birds most of which are endemic to this place, 140 species of orchids, over 13 primate species, more than 240 tree species and 1068 recognized species of plants among which 250 are endemic to the Albertan Graben.

Within the park, accommodations are available in different locations of the park including those in the Rusizi area which is less than an hour drive from the forest also the mora distant Huye but instead close to the Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department which also offer essential overnight stay services at their Gisakura Park sub headquarters.
Take a visit for more information about the guiding services, available campsites and different accommodations at Gisakura. A few kilometers from Gisakura is the Nyungwe Top View hotel which offers magnificent views from the tallest hills in Nyungwe, also the park has a luxurious Nyungwe Forest Lodge which is operated by the Shamwar but managed by the Dubai’s Istithmar. This lodge is located at the boundary of the forest but inside the Gisakura tea plantations with 22 nice rooms plus 2 suites with a spectacular view of the forest.

Visitors who arrive during a hot afternoon are offered ice cold towels and those arriving when temperatures are low, they are offered a warm/ hot towel to wipe the dust from their hands.
Getting to Nyungwe is simplified by the RwandAir’s flight which has a double flight to and from Kigali to Kamembe on a daily basis. Kamembe is in the same vicinity with Nyungwe forest, an hour drive to the park headquarters. Nyungwe forest lodge also arranges airport pickups at a reasonable cost. Near Nyungwe forest Lodge, is a shop for art and craft work where visitors get a chance to buy different art and craft products which memorize their visits to Rwanda after going back home.

Nyungwe Forest National Park can also be reached by the use of a helicopter from Kigali” Kanombe International Airport to a heliport near Nyungwe forest lodge. Currently, most visitors arrive by car from Kigali which is a 225km, 4-5 hour drive depending on the number of stopovers you have made en route. On the way to Nyungwe, a visit to the Nyanza King’s Palace and the National Museum in Huye are highly recommended because of their incredible views they offer to the visitors.

“Nkuringo Gorilla Trek is tough but rewarding”

Uganda offers different gorilla groups to trackers in its only gorilla destination in Bwindi impenetrable forest. Among the groups are the Habinyinja, Bitukula, Mubare, Nkuringo, Mishaya, and Ruhija among others.

This time round, let’s talk about the Nkuringo group. When you get closer to the starting point where trekkers set off for Nkuringo group, it’s only the UWA park grass searched offices with a decent outside toilet just outside near the offices.....use it! Bwindi is an incredible and amazing forest which is not like any other forest you have ever seen! And a home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

It not an easy climb to get to this group, at one point along the trekking trail, you will have to cross some small rivers/ creeks, then walking up huge, steep mountains, then in dark, black, lightless parts of the forest with 7 ft. Ferns, making the trek so adventurous!

There at times when they move very far almost at the edge of the park just 3kilometers from the border of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a total of 7 hours of which 6 hour are spent while having a serious climb in search for these apes and the 1 hr is spent with the gorillas.

There is some small path to climb, but most of the time is spent hiking through the forest with little or no path and making tight-fittings to the steep mountain edge so you didn't slide 1000 ft down the mountain.

A hiking stick and hiring a porter are very important and highly recommended to all trekkers however a USD20 pay is almost nothing to the different times they will save your life several times as you try to slide on a wet, steep and slippery terrain.

It’s well known that this is the most challenging group of gorillas to be trekked however it is liked by many clients who prefer hiking because it has the most difficult terrain to climb.

To add on that, it is the most incredible trek with lots of scenic views of  bwindi impenetrable forest including dramatic views of several tree species, forest elephants, other primates like the black and white colobous monkeys, live baboon, blue checked mangabey and many more.

A point of advice goes to those who are week and more so trekkers who are old aged that is to say 50-60 yrs and above, that they should always opt for the easy groups in the Buhoma side of the park and always do some bodies exercise a month before the trekking day as this will make you fit to complete the trek. Most tourists acknowledge that it is an awesome hike to the gorillas but it’s too fantastic when the rain gets you there along with the gorillas in the wild.

Clients that have visited the Nkuringo gorilla group say that once they where there, they went closer for about 6-8 meters from the silver back of this gorilla group and other 9 gorillas were above in the tree branches. But they where able to capture a video of some which where walking close to them and also took memorable pictures of the others gorillas which were swinging in the tree branches as well as the nearby silverback. They added that “I could have stayed with them all day! The forest is wonderful and very primordial in looking....the gorilla encounter is something few people have ever get to do. It was really a remarkable trek!”

After the gorilla trek, there are several activities you may do among which is a visit to the Batwa/pygmy people just near the staring point of Nkuringo group. This rewards magnificent views along with a chance to explore their unique culture plus a great opportunity of opportunity of interacting with them as your safari guide will be translating for you as you interact with them, learn about their former culture of staying in the forest, their new life on the government.

 "Reservation" and their adjustment to wearing clothing, living in permanent structures now, and changing from hunting to farming.  You will also get to see their craft work which you will admire, cultural dances, demonstrations of their bow/spear technique...making really an amazing tour! It is only a cost of $25 for a visit to these people but it is much more worth it! This Batwa visit is always done a day after the trekking day or in the evening after trekking the gorillas however if all done on the same day, that is to say gorilla trekking with Batwa visit, you really don’t get enough time to explore much more of their culture

You may also take a forest walk in Bwindi impenetrable forest for sights of different bird species as well as the flora and fauna with in this forest.

President Uhuru Kenyatta calls for common East African Community Tourist Visa

President uhuru kenyatta has said East African community (EAC) member states need to move fast to put in place a conducive investment environment that will attract foreign and domestic investors.

On this note, President Uhuru said a quick win that can be put forward and which would have a serious impact to the economies of the member states would be a common EAC Tourist Visa.

“It is my hope that our governments can work on this and other initiatives that will have tangible benefits for our economies and people,” the President said.

He noted that Uganda is a major economic partner to Kenya and gave his personal commitment to ensure Kenya does its part in facilitating trade and investment between the two countries.

He also said “Uganda is Kenya’s largest export destination globally. Kenyan companies are also leading investors in Uganda in the areas of banking, insurance, manufacturing, and agriculture. Also, most Ugandan imports and exports pass through our Port of Mombasa”.

President Kenyatta noted that it is for this reason that he directed the operations at the Port of Mombassa be streamlined with the aim of easing the clearing of cargo.

“In addition, I have directed that the relevant government agencies ensure that the movement of goods from Mombasa to Malaba takes a maximum of five days. Indeed, the current situation where goods take up to eighteen days to get to Kampala from Mombasa is untenable and unsustainable if our businesses are going to compete and transform to global corporations,”   the Head of State said

Speaking on Monday night during a state meeting held in his honor at State House Entebbe, Uganda, President Uhuru noted that regional economic integration is an important component in the development of the East African Community plus being the key to the prosperity of Uganda and Kenya.

President Uhuru raised the need for unity among the political and public service leaders in EAC Member States so as to ensure that the potential of the Community is achieved.

“With a market of over 130 million people, our east African community has the potential for rapid economic growth and massive employment creation,” the President said.

Expressing his commitment to the ideals of EAC, the President noted that his Government is looking forward to achieve the integration agenda which he noted marks the beginning of Africa reconnaissance.

He added that integration agenda can only be achieved by avoiding all non-tariff barriers to trade that may be preventing the movement of goods as well as workers across the different countries.

Further more, Uhuru said that legislatures also need to domesticate all aspects of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols.

Speaking during the function, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni expressed his gratitude to Kenya and other nations for helping Ugandans during their time of need adding that Kenya is home to many Ugandans.

President Uhuru is in Uganda to attend the Infrastructure and Investment Summit who is escorted by Cabinet Secretaries, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, Engineer Michael Kamau, Adan Mohammed and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

Reasons to choose a Luxury Safari in Uganda

Taking a luxury safari to Uganda 

Considering a Luxury safari may scare many people but it comes with a number of advantages such as privacy and exclusivity, time for just you and you in control of your time and Safari in the Ugandan Wilderness.

Choosing to go to Africa from places such as Italy, the USA, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe can be quite an investment.  These Uganda tours can cost a lot more; however you will receive back the difference in cost in added service, added comfort, and personalized service.  Take a look at some of the arguments why a Luxury Safari in Uganda just might be the right choice for you.

• More offer from your Money:  You spend an extra cost, but you receive more.  At your accommodations will be simply the best.  You receive full value for your investment.  You get the best Uganda has to offer in the various parks that you are visiting enhancing your time in the African Wild.
• You’re in Command:  The length of a game drives depends on you, the vehicle is at your disposal, you are in charge of how long you would like to stop taking in a scene or wildlife. There are no other people to consider, it is up to you what you want to do and see.
• You have total privacy: You are in your own vehicle, lots of space and no one else but your driver guide – you do not have to wait for other people – you do not have to listen to the ongoing meaningless chatter of others – you simply have your special time in Africa as you choose. You also have a choice of the kind of vehicle you might want.
• Carefully selected Guides: There to meet your need, one who knows where he is taking you and can answer questions that you might have knowing Uganda and able to tell the story of Uganda – safe driving record and customer service orientated.
• Quality Vehicle:   A luxury safari means the best 4 wheel drives vehicles for your safari in Uganda
• Better accommodations:  The best in accommodations – a touch of class in the Ugandan Wilderness.  You will be amazed at the furnishings and comfort that you can find at a luxury tented camp or lovely intimate lodge in Uganda.  The mistake people make is that they think that the higher the price, the better the quality, totally wrong.  We know what accommodations give you the best experience  for the best price.
• Better Service:  At selected better lodgings, you will find yourself pampered.  People will know your name, you will receive that extra touch and service graced with the Ugandan welcome that will delight you.
• Better Food:  The menu and food will astound you and each meal will be a delightful celebration of your Uganda Safari experience.  Even though one should realize that often it is a bit more difficult to get things to various lodgings in the wilderness.
• Positive Surprises:  Each Place that you will stay at will bring delightful positive surprises that will amaze you.  Recently one of our Safari guests was amazed as to how wonderful his luxury accommodations were in remote Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth Park.  He could watch elephants come to water from the porch of his luxury tent while having a cold drink.
• Lasting and enriching Memories:   A private luxury Safari in Uganda will leave lasting and rich memories of your time on Safari in Africa.