Tag Archive for: africa

Tips for Solo Travel in Uganda

There are so many reasons why someone would choose to travel solo, it could be work, it could be a need for some “alone time,” or just desire to experience different cities on your own. Traveling solo gives a different vibe from group traveling, one of life’s most inspiring adventures that bring in a renewed passion to understand the world around you.

Traveling solo is an act of self-indulgence, a feeling of complete freedom to go just anywhere and do what you would love to. It empowers a traveler, helps build confidence, and helps you get more connected with the traveler within you.

Traveling solo in Uganda near the Rift Valley Escarpment from Bwera, Kasese

Traveling solo in Uganda near the Rift Valley Escarpment from Bwera, Kasese

Uganda is one of the best destinations for solo travelers, from hiking to volunteering to safaris, the country boasts of some of the most spectacular wildlife and natural landscapes in Africa and the world at large. Traveling alone in Africa can be daunting, especially with the number of misconceptions about this great continent, but in recent years many have done it, so why don’t you try it too?

Uganda is safe; the people here are friendly and ready to help but still, precaution needs to be taken when traveling solo around Uganda, below are some tips.

Speak the Language

The majority of Ugandans are literate and can understand the Queen’s language, English, which is the official language. If you’re not a native English speaker, it would be great to brush up and learn some common phrases to help you out when the need arises.

Managing your Cash 

Always carry just enough cash with you when moving around, a lot of cash attracts thieves easily. Be mindful that ATMs and forex shops are not always available everywhere, so it would be a great move if you keep yourself loaded with some local currency all the time.

Don’t Carry Valuables with You

While traveling solo in Uganda is generally safe, it might turn into a nightmare if you had your lovely watch or necklace stolen amidst traffic. Always keep a copy of your passport and visa backed up on email, leave valuables and jewelry at home if possible, and keep your valuables in a safe place. A travel waist bag could be of help.

Dress Appropriately

Pack light loose clothes in fabrics like cotton, silk, or linen that are easily washed and worn again, it is always good to have an easy-to-carry backpack. Ladies should try not to wear clothes that are too revealing, especially in rural areas, as most people are conservative. 

Bring the Essentials With You

The big cities may have stuff available but if you’re looking forward to experiencing the rural bit of Uganda; then having enough sunscreen, insect repellant with deet, any essential medicines, a travel first aid kit among others. This is because you never know how far you will have to travel to buy any of these.

Plan your Accommodation

Always plan your accommodation in advance. Depending on where you will be staying or visiting, the most disappointing thing is arriving in the locality, and you don’t even know where you will lay your head. It would be good if your first-stop accommodation is booked in advance such that you base from there to plan your next move. Also, always have the location of the hotel you are staying at on your phone. You can find accommodation from guest houses, hostels, or hotels on booking.com, where you can also filter by guest reviews and budget.

Understand How to Travel Around

Local means of transport are cheap to travel solo in Uganda, especially for those on budget. Before you travel using either taxi or boda-boda, make research about the charges to the destination. If you are to use a bus, make sure you make payments in the bookings office of the recommended or preferred bus company, also first get the receipt before handing over your money as it’s common practice to be ripped off by another company. Also, never leave your luggage unattended.

Go with the Flow

Enjoying some solitude in Uganda near the Sezibwa Falls in Mukono

Enjoying some solitude in Uganda near the Sezibwa Falls in Mukono

To have the best experiences comes with flexibility and going with the flow. Uganda is the same too, the more flexible and spontaneity you are, the more you enjoy the country, and also it’s an opportunity for you to try those out of the box/guidebook ideas that locals may recommend because, at the end of the trip, it’s the experiences and memories that matter.

Usually, solo travelers in Uganda are never alone for the entire trip/ tour, they always meet like-minded people, locals or not to join them at one point in time in their pursuit of adventure. As a solo traveler, Uganda should not miss out on your travel bucket list.

Your Ultimate Guide to Yas Island Theme Parks in Abu Dhabi

When it comes to recreation and entertainment, The Yas Island Theme Parks are a destination that’s hard to beat. They encapsulate so many things to do in Abu Dhabi.

What are the Different Yas Island Theme Parks

Yas Island Abu Dhabi is a world-class experience hub. One of the things Yas Island is most known for is having three world-class theme parks.

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi lets you experience the magical worlds you see only on television. Here, you’ll meet your favorite characters from Metropolis, Gotham City, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch, and Cartoon Junction all in one place — in the state-of-the-art rides, themed attractions and restaurants, and everywhere else in The Park.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

The Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park is world-renowned for officially having the fastest rollercoaster in the world. The Park’s lead attraction is Formula Rossa, a Ferrari supercar-themed rollercoaster that goes from 0 to 149.1 mph in a mere 4.9 seconds.

That’s not all that’s in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. It also has the world’s tallest non-inverted roller coaster loop in the Flying Aces, a biplane-themed wing coaster, which scales 206.7 feet at a 51-degree incline and reaches speeds of up to 74.6 mph.

All in all, there are around 40 rides and attractions at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

The Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is a colossal water playground that provides mild to extreme thrills with more than 40 attractions. It has an enormous wave pool, a crazy river, the world’s largest six-person tornado water coaster, and a multitude of slides, some dropping you from ten stories high. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is indeed the ultimate water park in the UAE.

But your options are not limited to theme parks on Yas Island.

At Yas Island Abu Dhabi, you can also do the following:

  • Take in a show or two at Etihad Park and Etihad Arena
  • Experience the thrill of indoor skydiving and wall climbing at CLYMB Abu Dhabi
  • Watch a Formula One race from the sidelines or drive, drag, drift, ride, or kart at Yas Marina Circuit
  • Go clubbing at MAD Yas Island
  • Shop at Abu Dhabi’s biggest mall, Yas Mall
  • Dine by The Fountains
  • Sunbathe at Yas Beach
  • Play golf at Yas Links

Indeed, Yas Island Abu Dhabi is the ultimate travel destination, as it has something to suit all tastes and preferences. A week at this island hub should let you tick off a slew of must-dos on your travel bucket list. That being said, the three world-class Yas Island theme parks here remain the island’s main draw.

Tips on Getting Great Value From Yas Island Theme Parks in Abu Dhabi

The cost of visiting three Yas Island theme parks adds up, of course. Follow these tips to save and get greater value for your money when you go on a theme-park-hopping tour on Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

1. Bundled Offers

If you buy tickets individually for all three Yas Island theme parks, at current prices, you will spend a total of AED 860 or USD 234. A single-day ticket for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi costs AED 295 or approximately USD 80. It’s the same for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, while it costs AED 270 or around USD 74 for Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

Thus, it’s much more economical to take advantage of the bundled theme park offers if you’re visiting more than one theme park anyway.

You may get either a two-in-one or a three-in-one theme park bundle.

  • One Day, Two Parks

For AED 395 or approximately USD 108, you can visit two Yas Island theme parks in one day. Specifically, you can choose to visit two of these three theme parks: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. However, you do need to complete your visit in one day.

Note that these parks may have different operating hours. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is closed on Sundays and Mondays, while Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is closed on Sundays.

Additionally, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi normally open at 12:00 pm and close at 8:00 pm. In contrast, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi usually opens at 10:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm.

There are also days, especially during the holidays when park operating hours change. Therefore, if you’re getting this bundled offer and planning to visit two Yas Island theme parks in a day, make sure to check park operating hours first on your target visit date before purchasing your tickets.

  • Three Days, Three Parks

This offers the better value among the theme park bundles. Instead of paying AED 860, you’ll pay only AED 545 or approximately USD 148 for access to all three Yas Island theme parks if you get the Three Days, Three Parks bundle.

Unlike the One Day, Two Parks bundle, this allows you to devote one whole day to each park, so you won’t have to feel pressured about maximizing your time on each park visit. You also get thirteen days after your first park visit to visit the remaining two parks in the bundle.

2. Stay at a Yas Island Abu Dhabi Hotel

Certain hotels on the Island come with complimentary theme park access. As such, staying at one of the Yas Island Abu Dhabi hotels could offer excellent value.

For instance, if you stay at WB Hotel Abu Dhabi, you will get complimentary access to a theme park of your choice for every night’s stay at the hotel. If you stay three nights at WB Hotel Abu Dhabi, you will get access to all three Yas Island theme parks.

Moreover, the benefits of staying at a Yas Island Abu Dhabi hotel are not limited to complimentary theme park vouchers.

To illustrate, WB Hotel Abu Dhabi is very conveniently located for theme park visitors. It’s right across Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, a short walk away from Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and a few minutes drive away from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Getting around should also be a breeze when you stay in a Yas Island Abu Dhabi hotel because of the shuttle service that picks up and drops off passengers at key Island destinations.

Theme Park Vacation

You can cross out three theme parks off your amusement park UAE bucket list with a trip to Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

Lose yourself in the enchanting, make-believe worlds of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, experience extreme thrills and speeds at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and splash around in the mega water playground of Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. And with a bit of research and planning, you can save money and get greater value from your theme park vacation.

The Best Places for Hiking in Uganda

When traveling in Uganda, there is a myriad of options when deciding how to spend your weekend, vacation, honeymoon, or holiday. One activity that will allow you to stay fit while experiencing the beautiful landscape of the country is hiking in Uganda.

The geography of Uganda features numerous hills and mountains as well as low lands with good hiking areas.

Each of these locations offers different experiences, so depending on your preference, there are vast choices in terms of elevation, the ruggedness of the trail, and the surrounding wildlife and plant life.

To ensure you have a great hiking experience in Uganda, be sure to get the AllTrails app before you go. The app has an extensive list of the best hiking trails in Uganda, with reviews from other hikers to keep you up to date on the latest trail conditions. You can filter by trail difficulty, length, and suitability and download trail maps to help keep you on track even when you’re offline.

Whether you want to explore challenging and beautiful landscapes of the mountains, want to catch sight of wildlife, or just want to meander through plains, hills, and forests, there are hikes in Uganda that will suit all levels and age groups.

Uganda is an amazing country where you can explore the great outdoors, so if you are thinking about exploring the country on foot, or want to learn about its history, beliefs, and cultures, dive into our list of the best places for hiking in Uganda.

Rwenzori Mountains

Discover the Rwenzori Mountains, one of the best hiking spots in Uganda

Discover the Rwenzori Mountains, one of the best spots for hiking in Uganda

The famed “mountains of the moon” are a worthy place to visit, this has the highest peak in Uganda and is usually covered in snow throughout the year. In fact, the snowmelt is the source of rivers and waterfalls in the Rwenzori area.

The Rwenzori Mountain range is one of the best places for hiking in Uganda, and there are several trails through which a ranger guide leads hikers through different vegetation at different heights in the mountain.

It takes about 8-10 days to reach the apex of the mountain, where there’s stunning snow almost year-round. If you don’t have as much time, there are other peaks in the mountain range that take fewer days to ascend.

Most of this mountain region is covered in forests and serves as a home to primates like baboons, monkeys, reptiles, and a variety of birds. As you climb the impressive peaks, you will be able to catch amazing views of rocky cliffs, vast valleys, and towns in the foothills below.

Bwindi Impenetrable Park

Bwindi is a famous destination because of Uganda’s prime tourist activity, Gorilla trekking. It’s possible to do hikes both within and outside the park.

The most famous hike in Bwindi Impenetrable Park is one that goes through the forest to Lake Mutanda, where you can encounter residents of the forest like chimps, gorillas, and a wide variety of birds.

Another famous trail here is the Batwa Trail. The Batwa are the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forest, and they lived there until they were evicted when the forest was transformed into a national park.

While inhabiting the forest, they lived sustainably as hunter-gatherers and never destroyed their surroundings for farming purposes. The cultural values and ways of these people have been kept alive by conducting cultural hikes through the forests to the places where they once lived.

Mabira Forest

Discover untouched nature in the Mabira Forest Reserve

Discover untouched nature in the Mabira Forest Reserve

Mabira is located along the Kampala Jinja highway and is home to a variety of birds and primates among other wildlife.

There are a couple of trails that take you to the innermost parts of the forest, some of these are covered with a canopy where nearly all sunlight is blocked by the thick vegetation. Along with forest hikes, you can also partake in other activities like zip-lining and tree climbing.

This rain forest is well known for being the only place in the country that harbors the rare Gray Cheeked Mangabey; an old-world monkey that dwells in trees and is closely related to the baboon family.

There are three habituated groups in the forest that can be easily tracked with the help of guides. The forest is also home to other species of monkey, like the red-tailed monkey among others.

Kibale forest, the Primate Capital of the world

The Kibale Forest is famed for its great number of primates, including chimps, baboons, and a couple of different species of monkeys. The trails here go through Bigodi Swamp, the top of the world hike where you can view a vast area of the region as well as the nocturnal forest walk.

Not far from the forest is Fort Portal town, famed as the “Tourism city of Uganda” where you can enjoy a smooth hike to Amabeere Caves and Nyakasura Caves that have a long-standing history in the area.

Once you hike to the top of the hills, you’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the crater lakes that make the region so beautiful.

Mount Morungole

Mount Morungole is one of the most thrilling places for hiking in Uganda and even the world.

The trail here leads you to places where the Ik people live, the only way to meet these indigenous people in their village just outside one of the most beautiful wildernesses in Africa, Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda.

If you desire to hike in isolated places where you are immersed in wilderness trails, then this is the best hike to go for in Uganda.

Mount Elgon

Sipi Falls near Mount Elgon

Sipi Falls near Mount Elgon

Mountain Elgon is the largest solitary extinct volcanic mountain in East Africa. Atop the mountain, you’ll find a collapsed crater caldera which covers more than 40 kilometers at the summit is the largest known natural crater.

It is not very steep and can be climbed even by people who do not have much hiking expertise. Trails here lead past caves, viewpoints, and waterfalls.

Also in the area, you can visit Sipi Falls that can be reached after hiking through some plantations. Hike to the top of the falls for the thrilling experience of seeing the water cascade over the rocks.

Murchison Falls National Park

Top of the Falls hike in the Murchison Falls National Park

Top of the Falls hike in the Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is a waterfall along the mighty River Nile where the Victoria Nile breaks and forces its way through a seven-meter gorge, toppling 43 meters below.

There are various trails to choose from while in the park, the most famous hike leads right to the top of the falls. Other trails are located in forests surrounding the Park, like Budongo and Rabongo. Wildlife sightings here include chimps, birds, monkeys, and baboons among others.

West Nile

The West Nile is the region that is located west of the river Nile in Northern Uganda. The Nile acts as a major border of this region from the rest of the country. The region has its own gems and attractions that make it unique from the rest of Northern Uganda.

Mount Wati is the highest mountain in West Nile, standing at approximately 1250 meters above sea level. Surrounding the mountains, you’ll find the Offude Hills.

This is not just an ordinary mountain but rather a place where mysteries unfold as it is also said to be central to the ancestry of the local Lugbara people.

Fascinating stories are told of this mountain and spending time in this region, you will get to experience a mix of cultural, traditional, and spiritual adventurism in the ancestral world.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Take to the trails in Kyambura Gorge in Western Uganda

Take to the trails in Kyambura Gorge in Western Uganda

This is a region in Uganda with a couple of trails to choose from. The most popular option is The Kyambura George exploration, where you hike and have the opportunity to view chimps in their natural habitat.

Another interesting hike is to explore the Maramagambo Forest, which covers part of the park from Kichwamba escarpment to Lake Edward. The other trails are in the Mweya Peninsula where you can do a Banded Mongoose research hike and the Ishasha river hiking trail that takes you along the river in the Ishasha sector.

Cycad Village Trail

The Cycad Village Trail is a new trail located along Mpanga River Gorge in Kitagwenda district in western Uganda. The village is named after the local cycad, a pre-historic plant species that is believed to date back to the dinosaur age.

Closely related (yet completely different from) palm trees, the large plant is unique for its beautiful appearance and the pleasant aroma of its fruits, which penetrate the entire region. The trail is still under development, but it is still possible to hike in this region to view this beautiful village.

These are what we consider as the best areas for hiking in Uganda, though there are a couple of other good trails not included in this list. Trips to any of these can be organized by Ssamba Safaris. If you want to learn more about Uganda, check out our guide to backpacking in Uganda.

My Field-Tested Packing List for a Safari in Tanzania

We recently returned from 3 weeks in Tanzania where we took a 5-day driving safari. We went with Lion King Adventures on the mid-range private Safari, and thought it was a great value for the money and a wonderful experience.

One of the coolest parts was sleeping in the Serengeti national park for 2 nights. It was an incredible experience to watch a lion walk through camp, and to hear hyenas, buffalo, and zebras just outside our tents during the night.

One of the most difficult parts of preparing for the trip to Tanzania was figuring out my safari packing list. Since I struggled, I wanted to share the final safari packing list for those of you who might make this trip in the future.

This safari packing list has been field-tested during our trip to Tanzania! Once we were actually on safari, there are things I initially thought would be essential which turned out not to be necessary. I also realized that there were a few essential items that should have made it into my suitcase.

So without further ado, here is my 5-day safari packing list:

Safari Clothing Packing List for a 5-day Safari in Tanzania

Neutral Color Shirts

  • 3-4 lightweight but long-sleeved tops in a neutral, earth-tone color. Olive, gray, and khaki are recommended since they won’t disturb the animals as you’re touring around. Just be sure to avoid dark blue or black since these attract the tsetse flies! White is fine and won’t distract the animals, but it will get dirty. Even in the hot season, you will want long sleeves to protect against the sun, just be sure to get light-weight fabric.

Comfortable Pants

  • 2-3 comfortable pants for Safari days. Color is less important since you’ll be in the jeep the whole time and your bottom half will be hidden. However, safaris involve hours upon hours of driving, so the important thing is that you are comfortable!
Safari Packing List

Driving for hours pays off!

Outerwear

  • Neutral color bandana or Buff to block the dust
  • A wind and rainproof jacket
  • If traveling in the colder season, add a fleece, a warm hat, and thick socks. The evenings can get chilly!

Sun Protection

  • A brimmed hat to protect your face and neck from the strong sun. Be sure it has a drawstring so that it doesn’t fly away when the jeep takes off!
  • Polarized sunglasses. The Tanzanian sun is brutal and polarized lenses are a must!
  • Lip balm with SPF. Between the wind and sun, our lips got really chapped. We would have loved to have had soothing SPF lip balm with us!

Shoes

  • A pair of comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You won’t be doing much walking on a typical driving safari, but you might encounter muddy paths to/from your accommodation.
  • Rubber shower sandals

Comfortable Clothes for the Evenings

  • Your safari packing list should include a couple of sets of comfortable clothes for the evenings in your accommodation. Don’t worry about looks, even in the luxury encampments it’s comfort over fashion!
  • Don’t forget undies, socks, and pajamas
It's comfort over fashion even in the luxury tented camps

It’s comfort over fashion even in the luxury tented camps

Medication and Toiletries to bring on Safari in Tanzania

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ibuprofen
  • Anti-diarrhea meds like Immodium
  • Rehydration powder
  • Sunscreen
  • Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel. Some accommodations provide this, but you may want your own set
  • Insect repellent with DEET. Don’t leave home without it!

Electronics and Accessories Safari Packing List

Binoculars

We didn’t have a fancy zoom-lens camera, but were able to take some pretty epic shots by aiming our smartphones through the binoculars! Our safari company provided us with binoculars upon request, but I would have liked to have our own high-quality set beforehand. It would have been such a different experience without the binoculars! Even when the animals are close up, we loved watching them through the lens. We could see the whites of their eyes and every facial expression. Mesmerizing. If you can, get a pair of binoculars that has a smartphone attachment, it would have saved us lots of hassle trying to align the smartphone camera perfectly with the binoculars.

Available on Amazon

 

Headlamp or flash light

We were happy to have a source of light aside from our phones in the camps at night. A headlamp is convenient and allows you to go hands-free in case you have to carry any of your belongings.

Available on Amazon

 

 

 

DSLR Camera

If you’re skilled in photography, don’t forget your point and shoot camera. It’s also worth taking an outdoor or wildlife photography refresher course to make sure you will get the best pictures on this once in a lifetime experience! If you’re bringing a nice camera, don’t forget to take an extra SD Card. You will be taking tons of photos and it’s a good idea to have a backup.

Available on Amazon

 

 

Other Small Electronics

  • Charging cables. The jeeps have charging stations in them so that you can charge while you drive.
  • Extra power bank for your phone. Just in case.
  • A travel adapter for your electronics. Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania have the same plugs as the UK. If you’re going on Safari in South Africa, they have their own plug styles which are hard to find before you go. But you’ll be able to find cheap adapters once you arrive.
5 day safari packing list binoculars

Binoculars are a game changer

Luggage for your Safari

Our safari company in Tanzania requested that we bring a soft duffle bag, and most companies will do the same. A large backpacking backpack will work. They just want to make sure they can easily stash everyone’s luggage in the jeeps. It’s best to leave breakable items behind, but if you must take anything fragile with you, be sure to wrap it in its own protective case.

As you can see, even though it’s safari in Tanzania is the adventure of a lifetime, it’s a pretty basic packing list! Don’t worry about going on a shopping spree for a head-to-toe khaki ensemble. The basic idea is to stick to solid colors that appear in nature. Enjoy your safari!