Sun Destinations Blog - Page 28 of 117 - Sun Destinations Safari

Keeping up with the Kudyelas

The Machaton male lions sired cubs with the Kudyela lionesses, and successfully increased their genetic bloodline in the Balule. These reigning kings sought to produce offspring to ensure their powerful genetics were passed down through the generations. The lion cubs are often spotted on Ezulwini’s traverse, just bumbling around and patrolling boundaries with the older pride females. The 4 Kudyela lionesses birthed the collection cubs, and last night guests were rewarded with sightings of the future legends of the Balule Nature Reserve.

We’ve introduced the Balule lion fan club to the new additions over the past couple of months, and the cubs are still healthy. Last night photographer Em Gatland joined the game drive in the Balule and they came across two of the 10 lion cubs.

The cubs belong to the 4 Kudyela lionesses, and are roughly between 4 – 8 months old (3 cubs, 3 cubs, 2 cubs and 2 cubs). The lionesses are often been spotted on the move, shifting den sites for the cubs. A few of the cubs are now old enough to move around with their natal pride, so we’re speculating that the cubs spotted last night were the older ones.

Cubs are weaned at about 6 months, and right now they are learning a few hunting techniques from the pride elders. Cubs will learn how to stalk, ambush and attack prey while in the pride. Females learn how to hunt when they are much older than their male siblings. Lionesses stay in their birth pride for life (they may breakaway and form split-off prides) and therefore aren’t forced to hunt from an early age. Males are ousted from 2 – 3 years of age, and are therefore forced to hunt at a much earlier age.

We hope you enjoy Em’s lion cub images of the Kudyela cubs!

Umkumbe Male Leopards Declare War. It Gets Rowdy.

In one corner we have virile and agile youngster Nweti, filled with bravado. In the other corner we have the wise gentleman, Inyathini, filled with experience and stamina. These two testosterone fuelled leopards have declared war, and there’s a prickly tensioned filled atmosphere when we’re in the company of these two contestants. We use the word contestants, because really that’s what they are. What we are witnessing on the outskirts of Umkumbe Safari Lodge is typical male leopard behaviour – a fight over land ownership. Ultimately, this is what causes warfare between male leopards. Which is exactly what’s happening between young Nweti and legend Inyathini. Nweti wants Inyathini’s territory. These are interesting times on the Umkumbe traverse!

When a burgeoning young male seeks independence from his mother, he has an innate desire to establish territory of his own. The young males seek a home range to call their own, one that is preferably laden with females and ample prey sources. The dominant male leopard has exclusive breeding rights to the females within his own turf. Unless he is overthrown by another thrill seeking youngster. If under threat, leopards generally flee. But if they’re long established in an area and have the experience of an ageing warlord, they won’t give in without a fight. To make sure leopards from neighbouring regions understand their game plan, the males will scent mark low lying shrubbery, claw parts of trees, and produce guttraal barking calls to advertise their home range. This is what Nweti was doing, but it was on homeground that was ALREADY claimed by aloof legend, Inyathini.

Guides at Umkumbe have witnessed the animosity between these two leopards, with plenty of underlying tension becoming more apparent over the past weeks. We’re pretty sure Miles, Geoff and Tanya are keeping an eye on the leopard shenanigans. Who will stay? Who will flee? Will one of them die in a brutal battle? This we cannot predict!

Inyathini is an enigma. The luminary has been around for years and is the ultimate loner. He has little known history, but we have established that he wandered over from the Kruger National Park and has since settled into the Sabi Sand. He was aggressive at first but is more relaxed nowadays. It’s clear he came from a hidden enclave of the national park with little activity.

Nweti is a young male leopard born and raised in the north west Sabi Sand. He has always been fairly relaxed around vehicles, and oozes confidence. It’s clear that this boy is trying to establish a solid home range. Unfortunately, these things come at a price (ousting others) but it’s a showdown that Nweti is willing to fight.

Nweti encroached on Inyathini’s stomping ground. A home range that was rightfully his for quite sometime. Older males have been known to tolerate coming-of-age youngsters on the boundaries of their personal traverse but there’s an understanding that the newcomer must cower in shame and leave immediately.

Nweti didn’t flee. He stayed. And he even mated with local lass, Ntsumi. A brave move given that he was outside of his jurisdiction.

You can only imagine what happened next. A war began to brew between the two males. When the fight eventually broke out, Inyathini walk away with bloodied fur and open wounds. And a deflated sense of pride. It became clear that Nweti had won the battle. He proceeded to mark his new kingdom rather vigorously, and not one low-lying bristly shrub went unmarked. With Inyathini seemingly ousted, we were equipped to see less of the legend.

But things are never that black and white in war. While in hiding, Inyathini spent some time nursing his emotional and physical wounds, and came back to claim what was rightfully his land. The old boy looked strong and healthy after his quiet retreat!

As it stands, the leopards are back to square one. A Mexican stand-off of sorts. The calls have been heard and there’s plenty of growling happening in the dead of night. We sense that another war is brewing – but for now we monitor the situation closely to see which leopard will emerge victorious!

The Week in (Festive) Pictures : Predators Still Sleigh in the Storm

There’s a promise of rain hiding beneath the claps of thunder and bolts of lighting assaulting our senses. We’ve waited patiently for sheets of rain to drown our landscape and replenish our arid soils. The intermittent rains have brought a burst of colour and lush greenery to the wild, but we needed more. After threatening sounds from the exquisite cloud cover, the rains came. And we rejoiced! A perfect gift just in time for the festive season. Despite the rather adverse wet conditions, our predators still continue to slay their prey. Nothing will stop those at the top of the food chain from feeding. The festive Week in Pictures is all about storms and those predators still willing to “sleigh” in the challenging conditions.

Chacma Bush Camp

The sky opened and released its wrath on the landscape. The rains pelted down and left no corner of the Maseke parched. When the rains subsided, the birdlife emerged and our waders waddled through deep pools of water. Pachyderms and plains game enjoyed a veritable feast of greens, and the predators were over the moon at the increased presence of potential prey!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Our Klaserie camps took a break from game viewing to enjoy a few festive season celebrations. Cocktail and snack sessions were enjoyed by guests; and our team had plenty of fun designing the festive celebrations. We’ll share a few of these moments towards the end of the week. In other news, the Klaserie team have enjoyed a plethora of wild dog sightings; and there was even a scuffle between the scavenging hyenas and mottled dogs.

The leopards are stealing the big cat show, with Nyaleti taking on centre stage. Last night guides witnessed yet another remarkable moment in the wild. It was a moment that left us feeling torn between laughing and crying. Heartbreakingly hilarious. Nyaleti taunted and teased her latest meal – a young impala lamb. She was swatting and pawing the lamb before attempting to make her kill. Guide Mauritz said she was “playing with her food”!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

The highlight from Umkumbe this week was the sighting of the mega-pack of African wild dogs. There were leopard sightings during the course of the week, but we had to give the award to the wild dogs. They made quite a spectacle on the open road and delighted guests with their typical high-pitched tweets.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

6 Reasons to Visit Motswiri Camp on the Selinda Spillway

The Selinda Spillway, linking the Okavango Delta in the west to the Linyanti Swamps in the east, is one of the last remaining true African wildernesses. We can think of hundreds of reasons to visit this wonderfully wild corner of Botswana, but here are six that might tickle your fancy.

Wild country

Motswiri Camp operates exclusively on a massive 120 000 acres of wilderness on the wildlife-rich Selinda Spillway in Northern Botswana. The Selinda Reserve only allows for a very limited number of people at any given time, which means you’re essentially ensured privacy and exclusivity.

It’s veritably teeming with game and birds, and you will likely not have seen an abundance and variety of wildlife like you are virtually guaranteed to see here – from the luxury of the camp’s deck, no less. Recline on Motswiri’s viewing deck with a G&T in hand and watch as elephants happily slosh and splash through the waterways in front of camp, before sitting down to a starlit dinner, and later repairing to one of five comfortable tented chalets. As you drift off to the smorgasbord of sounds in this vast and untamed wilderness, you’ll feel as though you have Africa to yourself.

Motorised boat safaris

Guests at Motswiri love the game drives, but it’s the boat safaris that see them returning. Gliding over smooth hazel waters, you’re guaranteed to see plenty of game on the banks (and in the water!) – keep an eye out for those hot-tempered hippos and sly crocodiles. Sundowners are always a serene affair on boat safaris here. Drink in hand, listen to the gentle lapping of water against the hull as the sun sinks, and watch pinks, oranges and purples reflect off the Spillway’s glassy surface.

Mokoro cruises

If you fancy getting even closer to the water, hop in a makoro – a traditional dugout canoe – and let one of the experienced Motswiri guides lead you on a memorable water safari through the snaking canals of the spillway. You’re bound to see even more game and birds as you silently coast the reed-fringed waterways. Keep an eye of the pretty Angolan painted reed frog; they’re brightly coloured but only about 35mm long, so keep your eyes peeled!

Walking trails

Back on terra firma, why not embark on a beautiful, informative bush walk? Walking safaris in the Selinda Reserve tend to serve up all manner of thrilling sightings, and the guides are extremely knowledgeable. You’ll learn plenty about the fauna and flora of the area, and even do a bit of tracking. It’s a great opportunity to indulge in nature/wildlife photography, and for those keen to wet some line, a spot of fishing can be worked into the walking trail, too. Guides can tailor the experience to suit the group’s interests.

Baobab sunsets

Sunsets are a huge deal here, and the staff at Motswiri will make sure you get the best African sundowner experience you’ve ever had. As mentioned, the boat-safari sunsets are rather epic, but there’s a famous spot on the spillway that takes things to the next level. A lone, majestic baobab stands sentinel over a shallow waterlogged area. In the background, elephants bathe contentedly while birds of all shapes and sizes flit about to conclude their business before darkness descends. Under the massive baobab, a table is laid out with the tipple of your choice, ready for you to toast another tough day in Africa. It really is a magical, mystical spot that will take your breath away.

Sleep out

If you’d like to immerse yourself even further in this wild paradise, Motswiri can now set up a ‘fly camp’, which is more rustic than the base camp, but even closer to the water’s edge. Guests are led on a walking safari from main camp, sleep over at the fly camp for a night and are then driven back the next day. Avid fishermen like to spend a night here, as they are much closer to the fishing waters and can cast a line whenever they feel like it. But non-fishing guests also like the change of scenery. It is less Karen Blixen, and more Kingsley Holgate, and that is part of the charm of the fly camp!

How We Celebrate Your Romantic Safari at Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp is a magical destination. It’s the birthplace of many a smitten couple. We’re not sure if that exquisite koppie behind the camp boasts special powers, but we know of a few loved up couples that have strengthened their bond while staying at Chacma. This intimate bush camp has been shot by Cupid’s arrow, and just being at Chacma certainly seems to bring out a more romantic side to its visitors.

The team at Chacma decided to share the spell of love, and have committed to going out of their way for loved-up couples wanting a private or romantic safari experience. In between the big five sightings -and observing elephants drinking at the waterhole in front of camp – our managers secretly set-up private dinner sessions cocooned between the granite boulders on the koppie.

While you’re photographing those handsome Maseke male lions, the team sneak off to set-up a honeymoon sundowner session complete with a tipple of your choice, and a table laden with snacks. Slump back into beautifully appointed Melvill and Moon chairs as you watch the golden glow descend upon the Maseke landscape.

The Chacma team is flexible in terms of creating the idyllic romantic safari experiences. They will need to know your plans and ideas prior to arrival, so that equipment and logistics can be sorted out. Due to erratic weather patterns – and the unpredictable behaviour of wildlife – they may have to abort certain romantic options and opt for an alternative. The Chacma team is always open to ideas you might have in mind for your loved one (within reason!).

For special occasions at Chacma, the following set-ups can be arranged :

Exclusive dining session at either the pool side, or on top of the rocky outcrop behind camp
The full Melvill and Moon honeymoon sundowner set-up (extra cost)
Private sundowners with snacks and a few gins/drinks of choice. Guides will select an open area with superb views for this to take place.

A couple of weeks ago we hosted a lovely English couple called Joely and Trevor, and decided to spoil them with a private dining session for Trevor’s upcoming birthday. Our videographer took a quick video of the table set-up. This lovely couple were treated to the dinner surprise when they returned from game drive.

Gemma said there was also a fantastic honeymoon couple from Germany, who delayed their honeymoon safari because of work commitments. They enjoyed their special romantic sundowners, and were treated to a table laden with cheeseboards, snacks and other delectable delights. Gin and tonics were served because, well, that’s the safari drink of choice!

We have plenty of international lovebirds flocking to the Chacma for a private honeymoon session, and we encourage you to join the pack of die-hard romantics and make the journey. After all, Chacma seems to be a favourite on Cupid’s list.

The Week in Pictures : “All Things Bright and Beautiful”

This week we owe you a bounty of wildlife images, given that we missed last week’s “Week in Pictures” . The usual flurry of activity continues in the Greater Kruger, with the new season bringing with it plenty of promise. The cubs and calves recently born into the reserves seem to be thriving, and we’ve not yet witnessed any majorly heartbreaking moments in the wild. We’re watching the landscape shift gently from the bland colours of winter to the more vibrant colours of summer. Summer migrant birds are arriving, and there’s an elated buzz in the wildlife world. It’s brighter and more energetic out there, but not for our human khaki-clad team on the ground – temperatures are reaching 40 degrees celsius. Frenzy in the wildlife world, and lethargy in the human world!

The lion cubs on the Ezulwini Game Lodges traverse are thriving in their environment. The Kudyela cubs are bumbling about and exploring their backyard. Guests were also rewarded with a sighting of an active hyena den, complete with cubs grappling and play fighting with one another. There was even a report of an unknown leopard with a scrub hare – just a small snack!

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have enjoyed abundant sightings of the ever graceful Nyeleti leopardess, a beguiling stark beauty. There were also noteworthy sightings of a massive tusker enjoying a tree debarking session, wild dogs and plenty of plains game. The Klaserie team decided it was time to begin the holiday festivities early, and set-up a glamorous gin tasting in the midst of the bushveld.

Chacma Bush Camp has been the star of the show this week, with packs of wild dogs and pups trotting around the local waterhole. Of course, that wasn’t the only incredible sighting enjoyed by guests. The highlight? Lions came to the waterhole in front of camp to drink. Guests were settling down and enjoying their dinner when the felines filtered down to the body of water. During the day – and at breakfast time – guests enjoyed plenty of elephant sightings from the comfort of camp!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge is enjoying watching the a few serious leopard events unfolding in the Sabi Sand. On this morning’s game drive miles came across Nweti and Natumi leopards mating, and both leopards have been spotted on a regular basis. Nweti is wanting to dominate Inyatheni’s territory and guides have witnessed the start of what appears to be turf war. There’s plenty of highly charged leopard activity at the moment!

This week we celebrate all things bright and beautiful in the Greater Kruger!

Do the Wild in Style at Walkers Bush Villa

Karen Blixen can eat her heart out. When it comes to style, elegance and unapologetic luxury in the heart of the bush, Walkers Bush Villa is without rival.

If you’ve had a taxing year and feel like you deserve to treat yourself and your nearest to a relaxing, fully catered experience at a private game reserve, then perhaps the lavish five-star Walkers Bush Villa in the midst of the renowned Timbavati Private Game Reserve is just the ticket. The kicker? You don’t have to share this particular lap of luxury with anyone else. It’s the ultimate exclusive bush hideaway where seclusion, privacy and opulence are the order of the day.

The other great benefit of staying at Walkers is that guests can tailor their experience according to their taste and whims, and there’s no rigid schedule that needs to be adhered to. But allow us to describe what a typical day at Walkers Bush Villa might look like:

Wake up at around 5H30 and enjoy a coffee on the lovely patio while listening to the surrounding bush chirp, click and buzz into life. At 6H00, depart on a game drive with an experience guide into the wilds of the Timbavati – make sure to keep an eye out for the big five, including the regularly-sighted Sunset Dam leopard and, of course, the famous white lions of the Timbavati. As the Timbavati shares borders with both the Kruger and the Klaserie, there are no limits to what one might see on a drive, and the best part is that you won’t get traffic at a sighting as you would in the Kruger. Here, you’ll have sightings all to yourself and guests might even be taken off-road on occasion to get closer to game – something not permitted in other parks.

At 9H00, you’ll arrive back at the Villa and tuck straight into a breakfast specially prepared by the private chef at Walkers. Guests then have the choice of how they’d like to spend the rest of their day. Bush walks can be arranged, as well as additional drives, but we’d advise guests to take advantage of the private luxury of the Villa during the day. Make use of several seating areas on the expansive patio, all of which overlooks the surrounding bushveld.

Catch up on some reading or take time to admire some of the handcrafted items and classic art scattered throughout the house, including a few original Dylan Lewis sculptures. Or use the binos to spot birds from the comfort of one of the loungers. Avid birders usually have the time of their lives at Walkers as they delight in the bouquet of birds on show, including a multi-hued variety of robins, chats, shrikes, orioles, larks, coucals and rollers that flit about the bush surrounding the house.

During the hottest part of the day, cool off in the inviting pool, or catch a few winks in one of four large air-conditioned bedrooms, or relax in one of two comfortably appointed lounges. The patio leads down to lush lawns where the kids can run around to their hearts’ content, and there are also additional kids activities that can be arranged on request.

The afternoon game drive usually departs at 16H30, and generally serves up a host of exciting sightings of animals congregating at waterholes, and, of course, a special sundowner spot is selected where guests happily indulge in a G&T while admiring the view. At around 19H30, upon returning to the Villa, a table would have been set up under the stars in the wonderful boma area, and a delectable dinner is served by the chef.

Bush breakfasts and dinners can also be arranged should the guests wish – it’s all up to how you’d like to spend your days at Walkers! It’s the ideal group- or family getaway, and the Villa sleeps up to 10 people. There’s one master suite, and three standard bedrooms all of which can be reconfigured according to the group’s needs.

For a catered, private, luxurious bush break, there’s simply no beating Walkers Bush Villa…

Photographic Portfolio Showcasing Chacma’s African Wild Dogs

Over the past couple of weeks, the team at Chacma Bush Camp have enjoyed abundant sightings of a resident pack of wild dogs. Wild dogs cover a wide home range and they’re notoriously nomadic, but this pack seems to be quite local and have provided consistent sightings since May this year. The “textbook” sedentary denning period for the dogs is between May – Aug, a period of time where it’s commonplace to see wild dog pups exploring their new found freedom, and a flurry of activity from these co-operative breeders. We don’t know when they will be on the move, but they’ll probably return to the area during the course of next year.

At the end of last week Em Gatland grabbed her bulky lens and headed out into the thickets in search of the dogs. Guides tracked and found the dogs, while Em unobtrusively snapped a few images of these mottled canines engaging in “typical” wild dog behaviour.

These mind-blowing images showcase the various moods of our endangered African wild dogs, and it’s evident that Em has knack for visually documenting the essence of animal behaviour. Fractions of moments frozen in time, giving insight into behaviour. From a few of the images you can see a blur of excitable behaviour synonymous with the haphazard chaos that surrounds the wild dogs’ rather ceremonious greeting style.

Em says, “There are 10 dogs and 6 pups that have been regularly spotted since May this year. They’re always interactive and playful. I love how they’re always all over each other, like naughty siblings. This pack tends to favour the area around the waterhole so we often know where to find them. The pups are exploring their environment and tend to experiment with everything around them – this includes chasing jackals, and even trying to catch vervet monkeys!”

Make it a Double. Gin Tasting While on Safari in the Kruger.

Gin and tonics while on safari go together like a horse and carriage. The age-old drink, initially distilled from juniper berries, is synonymous with safari sundowners. But why? An old wives tale leads us to believe that the quinine in the tonic water repels mosquitoes. Truth be told, you’d actually need vast quantities of quinine to repel those disease-ridden pests. Needless to say, it gave the bushveld locals a reason to throw some gin into the tonic. And boom, you have your safari drink! Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp are renown for pulling out a few surprise events in the middle of the savannah. A couple of days ago the team delighted guests with a recent craft gin tasting session courtesy of Elephant gin, a handcrafted gin that contributes 15% of its profits to various elephant trusts.

South Africans are purveyors of fine gin. We most certainly aren’t the original craftsman of this fragrant spirit, but we do enjoy an excuse to celebrate. The majority of people think that it was the British who were behind the innovative gin idea, but it was actually the Dutch during the 13th century. Gin was called Genever, a hard spirit produced from malt wine. Juniper berries, herbs and other floral scents were added to the strong alcohol to make it more palatable. It was a strong spirit and armies of soldiers would enjoy a quick tipple of the magic juice before heading into battle. It is believed that this is the origin of the popular phrase “Bit of Dutch courage” .

The British popularised the drink and made it more mainstream after encountering it during the 17th century, and distilled their own version. The word was shortened and become the “gin” that we know and love. It became a British thing and up until a few years back we were limited for choice when it came to this elixir. Heavy handed pouring of Bombay Sapphire, sloe gin, Gordons, and Beefeater with mixers such as tonic water or dry lemon seemed to be the choice. We were limited and then some genius went all craft on us. And us South Africans rode the wave like Laird Hamilton back in the day. South African’s cottoned on quickly to the idea of craft gin and have used indigenous botanicals to create a few fragrant masterpieces.

The gin tasting at Africa on Foot involved the sampling of a gin called “Elephant Gin” , an award winning gin handcrafted from rare African botanicals (14 of them) and handmade in Germany. After an intrepid journey to Africa the founders felt inspired to distill their own gin and combine it with conservation. 15% of profits from each full size bottle sold goes to Big Life Foundation and Space for Elephants, while with each miniature bottle sold, 15% of profits is donated to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

This is the #TheSafariLifestyle. No time to mess around – make mine a double and ensure I have a balance of berries and pink tonic water. Thank you.

Introducing Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

The Sun Destinations collection of camps and lodges has expanded its portfolio to include Uganda, affectionately known as the Pearl of Africa. Our intrepid team set out to explore a country renown for its raw and remarkable beauty. For us, it was unchartered territory and an opportunity to go gorilla trekking in the verdant montane forests of Bwindi, and track chimpanzee in the lush tangled vegetation of Kibale National Park. These are Uganda’s main tourist attractions, but the country has so much more to offer its visitors.

Uganda certainly lives up to its reputation as being the “Pearl of Africa” and has earned its place on the on the list of must-see destinations in the world. Uganda is a developing country straddling the equator in east-central Africa. Bordering South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo in west, Kenya in east, and by Rwanda and Tanzania; landlocked Uganda possesses all the natural and wild beauty of its surrounding countries.

Game viewing, scenery and pristine surrounds means that Uganda offers its visitors an inimitable beauty unsurpassed by many other countries. It’s so rare to find a country that remains completely wild, unspoilt and unmarred by mass tourism. Uganda is home to the world’s longest river (Nile), the third highest snow-capped peak in Africa (Mount Stanley), the source of the Nile (Jinja), wild gorillas, the fascinating jungle Batwa (Pygmy) community, tree climbing lions, the equator, jungles, national parks, forests, over 1066 species of bird, 56 crater lakes, and the deepest lake in Africa (Lake Victoria – the central point of capital city Kampala). And that’s not even the full list.

Uganda truly is a world-in-one. The southern region of Uganda provides ample opportunity to enjoy hiking, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking – the major drawcard for these areas. In addition to chimps and gorillas, there are over 20 species of monkey to spot. The lush forest jungle regions of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (gorillas) and the Kibale Forest National Park (chimps) have the highest number of primates than any other region in the world. The landscape of the national parks greatly contrasts that of the dense jungle terrain. The Queen Elizabeth Park – the most popular game reserve in Uganda – is fantastic for a safari, and you might just spot the tree climbing lions in the southern region of Southern Ishasha sector.

Another national park to visit is the Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. This is where the rare Rothschild’s giraffe can be spotted. Driving through the rural and farming areas of Uganda you’ll notice a plethora of wobbly shacks – evidence that Uganda’s economy is one of great struggle. Despite the circumstances, Ugandans remain friendly, welcoming and humble. A great and proud nation. The hilly and mountainous landscapes are carpeted with tea and coffee plantations, and home to abundant crops.

The soil is volcanic and therefore no fertiliser is needed – there’s not much that doesn’t grow in Uganda. We encourage visitors to sample a few local delicacies such as matoke (steamed bananas), Irish potatoes, chapati, goat stew and groundnut sauce. The hues of green are stark and give away the fact that the country enjoys a tropical climate and plenty of rains. From forest, to jungle, snow-capped mountains and distant volcanoes; Uganda is where the savannah meets the jungle.

Uganda is remote, untouched, pristine and awe inspiringly beautiful.

The country is safe, despite its often corrupt political climate.

People are friendly and welcoming of tourists.

The two official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili.

Entebbe airport is very tight with security.

You may have to remove shoes and belts when going through security scans.

It is customary to hire a driver for the duration of your stay. The roads are mud-soaked, tricky to navigate and there are plenty of hair raising bends up mountain sides.

Do carry cash with you – there are always local crafts to purchase and tips needed.

Malaria and yellow fever prevention is a must.

Uganda is a developing country. Roll with the changes and nuances.

Apply for your Visa online. It should take 3 – 5 working days. It is still possible to purchase a visa at the airport for 50 dollars, but this is subject to change.

There are extremes in temperatures because of the varying degrees of altitude throughout the country.