Welcome to the second part of our 10 best safaris destinations to visit to in 2020 series. In the previous article, we explore 5 out of 10 of these destinations and destinations we saw include  Mala mala game reserve in South Africa, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Etosha in Namibia, Okavango Delta in Botswana. All these conservation areas are all unique and have something magical to give to you when you make an Africa wildlife safari to any of them. In today’s series, we are going to look at the crème de la crème best 5 Africa safari destinations you should really consider to visit in 2020

5. Nyiragongo lava crater lake.

Located in the eastern end of the democratic republic of Congo within the beautiful ranges of Virunga, Nyiragongo is a lava crater that is found on top of the Nyiragongo peak. Often seen glowing red as the hot lava is spewed up into the atmosphere creating a dazzling effect which spectacular to watch especially during clear night skies is a special treat for everyone who braves up the hike to the summit of this beautiful mountain range. Those who usually summit this mountain combine it with a Congo gorilla tour since this mountain is located inside the Virunga national park which is home to 8 gorilla safaris that have been habituated by the park authorities to give you a magical gorilla tour experience.

4. Chobe national park

Chobe national park is located in the northern part of Botswana, Chobe national park is the third largest park in Botswana behind central Kalahari and Gemsbok national park. This is park is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas you will ever find on the plains of Sub Saharan Africa as its home to a wide range of wild animals and bird species. Chobe National Park is highly revered for its big elephant populations which are believed to be numbering over  120000 individuals and the species of elephants in this national park are called the Kalahari elephants which are the biggest of the elephant species on the planet. Beyond the elephants, Chobe is also rich with predators and its famous for its large numbers of lions that are usually encountered by several tourists on their Africa safari journey here while targeting elephant juveniles or subadults. If you have a knack for birds, well a visit to the Serondela area or Chobe riverfront in the northern sector of the park is like taking a stroll into an avian paradise as you have a chance to encounter several of the 450 bird species that reside inside this park such as the carmine bee-eaters, and the season flood season comes with a bounty of water birds species such as a variety storks, spoonbills and ducks. Other animals that you won’t miss on an Africa safari journey here include the rhinos, cape buffaloes, leopards to make it home to all the five big Africa game, Africa wild dogs, wildebeests, hippos,  zebras, and a wide variety of antelope species such as the roan and the sable antelopes.

3 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In this third position is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Located in the southwestern part of Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is highly famous in the world of Africa safari adventures as the home of the magical mountain gorillas, Bwindi together with Serombwe national reserve in Congo are home to about 459 mountain gorillas making his sector to more than half of the world’s gorilla population as speak. The forest of Bwindi have motivated many Uganda safari trekkers to come and visit them and engage in the exciting Uganda gorilla tour adventures as these forests are to 19 habituated gorilla families. These families are located 4 different sectors of this park which include Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the East and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the Southern end of the park. Besides gorilla safaris Bwindi’s also a very interesting place to be if you’re a birder as it is home to close 350 bird species which include 23 albertine rift endemics. For over a period of 3 years, Bwindi forests have voted as the most beautiful place to be by CNN a leading international cable news network for both gorilla trekking as well as enjoying a nature walk.

2. Masai Mara Reserve.

In second place is the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya, Masai Mara is a hotbed of both culture and wildlife. This national reserve is located in the Southern end of Kenya and it is an extension of the greater Serengeti plains of Tanzania into Kenya. Although small in size as compared to other big protected areas in Kenya and Africa in general as it only measures about 1510sqkm, what this national reserve lacks in terms of size, it compensates in terms of biodiversity as it is home to 4 out of the 5 big Africa wild game with only the rhinos missing here. Its only a pretty good birding place to be given its list of over 500 bird species that can be seen within its boundaries. What really makes a safari to Masai mara a special one is a possibility of being in a front-row seat as you watch the exciting wildebeest migration where you get see several of the 2 million wild animals that trek all the way from the southern ends of Serengeti into Masai mara while looking  for greener pastures. Many tourists on a Kenya wildlife safari who visit masai mara are intrigued by the chaotic crossing at the mara river in which these wildebeests plumment themselves oneafter the other into the crocodile infested Mara river as if they don’t care about making it out alive from this river.

1. Serengeti National Park

Located in Northern Tanzania, Serengeti national park is with no single doubt the best African safari destination that gives nothing but epic views of the magnificent African wilderness mammals. What makes Serengeti the big dog of Africa wildlife safaris is the sheer number and variety of animals that you will find in this national park which includes the Africa big five mammals which include the mighty and majestic lions, the stubborn cape buffaloes, and the stogy African leopards. Other wild mammals you may encounter here include the Klipspringer, the Dik-dik, the Thomson and grants Gazelles, Impalas, Coke’s Hartebeest Rock Hyrax. On top of it all, these rather seemingly endless plains are ground to one of the natural wonders of the world in its pure and most authentic form the wildebeest migration in which over 2 million animals embark on a journey north to the neighbouring Masai mara plains to look for greener pastures What makes this migration so spectacular to Africa wildlife tour makers to Serengeti National Park is watching the dramatic crossing at Grumeti river in which a spectacle unfold right before your eyes as these seemingly careless wildebeests plunge themselves one after the other as if someone is chasing after them into the Grumeti river which is filled with hundreds of hungry Nile crocodiles that are waiting to devour and feast on these crossing animals. If you have a keen interest for birds well, Serengeti is a good place for you to fancy your chances of encountering several of the African savanna birds as this park is home to over 500 bird species.

 

At Wild Gorilla Safaris, we strive to meet all your Africa safari needs as we have got virtually the safari packages that will give you a memorable Africa safari experience as we offer Africa tours beyond in several sub-Saharan African countries. For anyone interested in Uganda wildlife safaris packages we have got you covered with a wide range of packages that are tailored basing on the number of days you have and the destination you would like to visit on your Uganda safari tour. If you’ve got only a few days, then choose from our short Uganda wildlife safaris which run from 2 days to 5 days such as 2 days Uganda wildlife safari to Murchison falls or 5 days Uganda wildlife safari with chimpanzees and many more. For those that have got more than 5 days, then I suggest pick from our compressive long Uganda wildlife safaris that run from 6 days to as many as 21 days such as

On top of an epic Uganda safari adventure to many of these savanna parks, you have an opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas. Yes, a Uganda gorilla tour experience is very possible when you visit gorilla trekking Uganda destinations Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.  A Uganda gorilla safari to any of these parks gives you an opportunity to meet any of the 19 gorilla families that have been habituated to give you nothing but the ultimate Uganda gorilla tours experience, you can ever think of.

If you’re interested Uganda gorilla safaris these are available in both short Uganda gorilla safari packages such as 3 days gorilla tours in Bwindi and 4 days Bwindi gorilla tour and wildlife in Lake Mburo. There are also long Uganda gorilla tours that run from 6 days to as many as 18 days while featuring many other things along the way to the gorillas. After a magical gorilla tour in Uganda, you can always visit Lake Bunyonyi Uganda and enjoy the stunning views of this magical lake. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi gives you an opportunity to experience a boat ride on Africa’s second deepest lake.

Rwanda is also another gorilla destination you wouldn’t want to miss out on, hence if you are planning for a Rwanda gorilla safari package, check out some of our Rwanda gorilla tours packages which also come in form of short Rwanda gorilla gorilla safaris for those that have got only a few days in Rwanda but those that have got more days, then Long Rwanda gorilla trekking safari packages will do you good as they also give you a chance to visit other Rwanda safari attractions.

Congo as well is another gorilla destination and we have numerous Congo gorilla safari packages that will take you on a Congo gorilla tour adventure to either Virunga National Park for an encounter with mountain gorillas or Kahuzi Beiga National Park where you will encounter Eastern lowland gorillas. Besides gorilla safaris and wildlife encounters in Uganda, you can still explore Uganda’s diversity using any of our wide range of day trips that visit other sites that are near the capital city Kampala or Entebbe international airport such as a Mabamba birding day trip to Mabamba island Kampala city tour day tour Jinja day tour and 1 day Ngamba island chimpanzee safari. Check out our great east Africa safari to such as Kenya safari tours and Tanzania safari tour that take you on an Africa wildlife safari adventure to Kenya and Tanzania respectively.

Here are some of the best safari packages we offer in Africa

2 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manayara National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro National Park

2 Days Tanzania safari to Tarangire National Park

3 Days Tanzania safari to Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara National Park

3 Days Tanzania wildlife safari to Serengeti National Park

5 Days Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

5 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

6 Days Tanznia safari to Serengeti

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure

6 Days Tanzania safari tour

6 Days Tanzania Big five safari

6 Days Wildlife Safari in Tanzania

6 Days Tanzaia wildlife safari

7 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania safari Mara river

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari

8 Days Tanzania wildlife safari & Cultural

10 Days Northern Circuit wildlife & birding safari

 

 

Welcome to the second segment of the series of our Rwanda safari tip, In our previous series, we looked some of these tips which included, the location of Rwanda, weather of Rwanda, currency used in Rwanda, cultural of Rwanda, driving tips in Rwanda, accessing Rwanda. In our final series, let’s have a round of the remaining travel tips.

Travel documents

Passport

As you prepare to go for your Rwanda gorilla safari or Rwanda tour, you need to have a valid passport which is at least valid for a minimum of 6 months. With your passport in hand, you are now in one step closer to making it Rwanda for your gorilla safari adventure in Rwanda

Visa

Before you finally secure the legality to enter you need a visa, and there are numerous requirements you need to full fill before you finally granted a VISA to enter Rwanda.

Here are some of the pre-conditions you may need to fulfil in order to obtain a Rwanda visa especially if you are coming from European or American countries according to Rwanda government agency.

• An applicant MUST submit a valid passport or another acceptable travel document.
• The document must have a validity of at least 6 months on the day of entry in Rwanda.
• Applicant must provide a photocopy of the passport or travel document.
• Applicant must submit duly completed one (1) visa application formin his/her own hand writing or in type.
• Applicant is required to provide two passport photographs with white background and both ears in view.
• Signed accompanying letter explaining the purpose for travelling to Rwanda.
• An invitation letter with a copy of passport/ID of the inviting party (if your host is Rwandan), or copy of residence permit (if your host is not Rwandan). If you will not have a host in Rwanda, you need to provide a confirmation of hotel accommodation booking.
• Proof of payment (Non-Refundable/Non-Transferable) into High Commission Bank Account
• Return flight confirmation/copy of return itinerary.
• A prepaid, recorded and self-addressed envelope must be included with an application submitted by post. Alternatively, an applicant may arrange collection of their passport by a courier.
• An applicant must have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their stay in Rwanda. Evidence for such funds may be requested at the High Commission or at the entry point.
• UK Travel Document (UN Convention of 1951) holders are requested to provide the above along with proofs of address in the form of a current bank statement or current utility bill.
• A vaccination certificate may be required at the border post. In the event of a major disease outbreak, specific requirements could be set and put to the knowledge of the public.
• The visa process takes 3 working days (4 working days for Travel Documents) for a complete file.
• NOTE: Because of the increased number of applicants, we advise applicants to allow themselves enough time between the date of application and the date of travel.

 

Immunization requirements

Unlike many African countries that require a Yellow fever immunization certificate, Rwanda is, on the other hand, is Yellow fever-free hence it isn’t mandatory for you to immunize yourself against yellow in preparation for a Rwanda gorilla tour. However, if you’re planning on visiting other neighbouring countries of East Africa as part of your travel itinerary then you may still be required to have yourself immunized against yellow fever.

 

What to see when visiting Rwanda.

It is a public secret that Rwanda is a home to the magical gorillas hence most of the tourist who comes to Rwanda are here to engage in a stunning Rwanda gorilla safari to Volcanoes National Park which is Rwanda’s home of the spectacular wild gorillas that are considered endangered since the world has only 1063 of them living in their natural habitat. A Rwanda gorilla trip to Volcanoes national park gives you an opportunity to see any of the 11 gorilla families that have been habituated to give you nothing but a Rwanda gorilla tour experience of a lifetime.

Kigali Genocide memorial

Besides the gorillas, you can also visit the Kigali genocide memorial. This memorial was built to pay tribute to the millions of Rwandese that lost their lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This memorial also is used by the Rwandan people as a constant reminder to them about their troubled history but also a symbol of hope that a new Rwanda emerges from the rumble with a new generation of Rwandese united than never before in order to ensure that this dark side of Rwanda’s history never comes back to haunt them.

Iby’iwacu  cultural village

Iby’iwacu community is a village that is located in Kinigi on the fringes of Rwanda’s iconic Volcanoes national park which is frequented by thousands of Rwanda safari makers who come here to track the magical gorillas as well as the elusive golden monkeys. This cultural village was created to create alternative employment to the locals that were removed from within the park boundaries. The name Iby’iwacu means treasure of cultural heritage, the community displays the cultural heritage of our Rwanda which is done through dance and drama.

Lake Kivu

Located in the Western end of Rwanda, Lake Kivu is considered one of the cleanest lakes in Africa. This lake is Rwanda’s water recreation site which adored by numerous Rwanda tour makers who would wish to enjoy water based leisure activities as it is home and it is home to many water resources

Best time to visit Rwanda

In order to experience the thrill of tracking these adorable giants but shy mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, visit during the dry season months June- October and January – February. The dry season is the best time to track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park because accessibility is quite easy during this time of the year and the trails for gorilla tracking are also navigable. During these dry months, the weather is very fine with temperatures ranging in the mid-20s and there are low chances of rain though it may occasionally rain especially in the afternoon hours. You can also track gorillas during the wet months, as gorilla families tend to stay nearer in the lower slopes of these ranges due to abundance of food in these lower slopes of the ranges hence making the trekking time shorter and quite easy for you but still loaded with a multitude of unimaginable experience.

We have come to the end of our Rwanda Safari tips, I hope this helps you in planning for your Rwanda safari adventure. See you when you get there.

Are you in for a thrilling Rwanda gorilla safari or a Uganda tour? Check out our Rwanda gorilla tracking safaris website. This website gives you a myriad of Rwanda gorilla tour packages. Rwanda gorilla safaris are carried out in Volcanoes National Park, Volcanoes is home to over 10 gorilla families that have been habituated to give you an ultimate Rwanda gorilla tour experience. These gorilla trekking in Rwanda have been classified into short Rwanda gorilla tours and these run between 1- 5 days for example 1 day Rwanda gorilla safari tours and 2 days Rwanda gorilla safaris. There are also long Rwanda safari tours, these run between 6-9 days for example 6 days Rwanda gorilla chimpanzee safaris. Since Uganda is also another fascinating Africa safari destination which shares quite similar attractions like Rwanda has, these attractions in range from savanna wildlife attractions that are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Uganda is also a gorilla destination and Uganda gorilla safaris are carried out either in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which can be visited for a spectacular Uganda gorilla tour experience. After a magical gorilla tour in Uganda, you can always visit Lake Bunyonyi Uganda and enjoy the stunning views of this magical lake. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi gives you an opportunity to experience a boat ride on Africa’s second deepest lake.. Regardless of the length of your stay in Africa, you can enjoy either a short Uganda safari tour or a long Uganda safari tour experience visiting several attractions in Uganda. However, if you don’t want to miss out on experiencing what each country has to offer, you can also have a combined Uganda Rwanda safari tours options which will see you visit the two countries of Uganda and Rwanda in a single safari package such as 5 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

Here are some of the best Rwanda safari packages

• 1 day Rwanda gorilla safari 
• 2 days Rwanda gorilla trekking tour 
• 3 days Rwanda gorilla safari
• 4 days Rwanda gorilla safari with golden monkeys 
• 5 Days Rwanda gorilla safari with Chimpanzees
• 6 days Rwanda Primate safari 
• 8 days Rwanda gorilla trek safari with chimpanzees