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Explore Livingstone Waterfalls in DR Congo

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If you are looking for a place to visit near Kinshasa, the Livingstone falls is just a stone throw away from you. The Livingstone Falls, also known as the “Chutes de Livingstone” in French was named after the Explorer David Livingstone and comprises of a sequence of rapids on the lower course of the Congo River in the western side of Equatorial Africa, downstream from the Malebo Plunge Pool in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Livingstone falls is comprised of a succession of breathtaking rapids falling at 900 feet (274 meters) in 220 miles (354 kilometers), passing over 32 large and magnificent rapids with a total drop of 260 meters and stops at Matadi in Kongo Central (former Bas-Congo). Did you know that the mighty Congo River has the second largest/fastest flow rate in the World after the Amazon River of Southern America? It is even surprising that the Amazon River has no waterfalls or even rapids, of course except next to its source. This is why you need to visit the Congo River that is the second fastest in the World, but has over 32 large and breathtaking rapids.

The lowest rapids of the mind-blowing Livingstone falls are therefore the World’s largest waterfalls in terms of flow rate, making them appear inform of rapids. When the giant Congo River is squeezed through unbelievably narrow gorge of sometimes less than 260 meters wide and meanders between mountain ranges, it produces the impressive Livingstone waterfalls which are sometimes believed to be rapids because of the appearance.  What even makes the site more impressive is the fact that the Inga waterfalls also belong to the large Livingstone falls and are found on the lower section (of course not the lowest)of the Livingstone falls. It’s even difficult to determine the exact width of the Inga falls because the width of the Congo River fluctuates from less than 260 meters to more than 4 kilometers throughout the rapids. Breathtaking thresholds of the rapids at the sharp bend of the Congo River are approximately 3.6 meters wide.

Livingstone waterfalls for years have hindered the Colonization of the Central African country because the falls were totally impassable and inaccessible with the boats and ships. It is not surprising that the mighty Congo River from more than 10 meters wide whirlpools and there are numerous cliffs and the speed of the stream sometimes reaches 50 kilometers per hour which makes the entire sighting breathtaking. The stream has eroded deep in the rock making it the deepest riverbed in the entire world with depth going beyond 230 meters/754 feet. There are technically deeper Rivers in the world but surprisingly their Riverbeds have been formed by other factors such as glaciers not like the one of River Congo.

There are numerous remarkable underwater waterfalls in some places within the Livingstone falls, and is where the stream passes the rock thresholds before speeding up and falling deeper in the Canyons that are invisible for above the water.

However, with the construction of hydroelectric power plants, some parts of the Congo River or stream don’t reach the Inga waterfalls. It is said that the strength of the stream within Livingstone waterfalls could not cover the electricity needs for the major part of Africa. Even with development, the only hope is for the Government of DRC to preserve the spectacular Inga waterfalls and the entire Livingstone waterfalls.

In conclusion, the Livingstone waterfalls are some of the most breathtaking sites within the Democratic Republic of Congo and Africa in general because of the size and appearance of the falls.

Top 10 Natural Wonders of Africa

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There are lots of interesting natural wonders that one should not miss while in Africa.

1.) Victoria Falls

Located on the Zambezi River at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Victoria Falls are a must-see site in Africa. At 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high, Victoria Falls – also known as “Mosi-o-Tunya,” (the Smoke that Thunders) are the world’s largest curtain of falling waters.

A spectacular feature of the falls is First Gorge – the whole depth of the gap that the water falls. Its depth varies from 80 meters on its western end to 108 meters in its center. Read more on  Victoria Falls.

2.) Kilimanjaro

Located in northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is an extinct volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level. The mountain has three peaks: Shira at 3,962 meters, Mawezi at 5,149 meters and Kibo (also known as Uhuru) at 5,895 meters. Kilimanjaro is also the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.

Thanks to its accessibility to anyone of modest fitness level, Kilimanjaro is extremely popular with both experienced and inexperienced climbers.

3.) The Great Wildebeest Migration

The plains of Masai Mara Game Reserve (Kenya) and Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) are renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration – an annual wildlife show that sees over 2.5 million wildebeest and zebras moving to greener pastures as the seasons change.

Although the event is unpredictable, visitors who tour the Masai Mara between July and September are likely to catch the migration.

4.) Fish River Canyon
Located in the south of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is the world’s second largest canyon after the famous Grand Canyon in Colorado. The spectacular canyon features a mammoth ravine (160km) which is up to 27 km wide and 550 meters deep in some sections.

In the belly of the ravine flows the Fish River, Namibia’s longest interior river. The river flows periodically, flooding in summer and becoming a chain of long narrow pools for the better part of the year.

The Canyon is home to a thriving population of wild animals including kudu, mountain zebra, wild horses as well as a prolific bird life with more than 60 bird species.

5.) Congo Basin
Lying astride the Equator in central Africa, the Congo basin is home to the second largest rain-forest in the world after that of the Amazon. Covering more than one million square kilometers in six countries, it represents about a fifth of the earth’s remaining closed canopy tropical forest. The Congo basin is one of the most popular eco tourism destinations in Africa. The rich flora and fauna and the diverse landscapes make the basin an ideal destination for an African holiday.

6.) Ngorongoro Crater

Located near the Southern Serengeti in Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera measuring 19 km across and 600 meters deep from its rim to its floor.

Ngorongoro Crater has a total floor area of 260 square kilometers and is considered a natural enclosure for wildlife, thanks to the thriving population of animals inhabiting the floor.

7.) Okavango Delta

Situated in northern Botswana within the Kalahari Basin, Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and one of the world’s greatest enigmas of water in a desert.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The delta covers an area of over 17,000 square kilometers and it was formed thousands of years ago after the drying up of Lake Makgadikgadi. The lake used to be fed by the Okavango River, which today empties its water into the sands of the Kalahari desert forming the Okavango Delta – a spectacular labyrinth of inland lagoons, floodplains, waterways and forested islands.

Okavango Delta is considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa due to its diverse flora and fauna. The delta is home to the Nile crocodile, African buffalo, African bush elephant, the black and white rhino among many other animal species. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in the delta.

8.)  Table Mountain

Offering a spectacular backdrop to South Africa’s city of Cape Town, the Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming part of the Table Mountain National Park.

The prominent landmark is one of the most famous mountains in Africa and a significant tourist attraction, offering mountain climbers several trails of varying difficulty.

The mountain is renowned for the sheets of clouds (referred to as table cloth) that pours incessantly down the slopes – attributed (in old women tales) to a smoking competition between the devil and a local pirate called Van Hunks.

Table mountain was named one of the Seven Wonders of Nature  in November 2011.

9.) The Nile River

The Nile River is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa, running for 6,695 kilometers through ten countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The river has two major tributaries: the Blue Nile (source of most water and fertile soil) and the White Nile (the longer tributary). The two tributaries meet near the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, from where the river flows almost entirely through a desert. The Nile river ends in a wide delta that drains into the Mediterranean Sea.

10.) Sahara Desert

Sitting on an area of about 8.6 million square kilometers, the Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert covered by huge areas of sand dunes, gravel plains, salt flats and mountain areas.

One of the striking features of the desert that sometimes gets no rain for several years is the mountain ranges whose peaks offer magnificent snow during the winter season. They include Tibesti in Chad, Hoggar in Algeria and Azbine in Niger.

Sand sheets and dunes are also major attractions of the Sahara Desert and so is the Qattara Depression (Egypt) – the lowest point of the Sahara at 130 meters above the sea level.

A Walk Through Time in Namibia

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Namibia officially the Republic of Namibia is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Although it does not border Zimbabwe, less than 200 metres of riverbed (essentially the Zambia/Botswana border) separates them at their closest points. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek.

Part 1 : CNN’s Soni Methu explores the magnificent rock formations and ancient trees dotted all over the Fish River Canyon.

Check it out!

Part 2 : The Formation of Africa’s Biggest Canyon.Soni Methu meets Goldbeck who shares his extensive knowledge of Namibia’s Fish River Canyon.

Part 3 : CNN’s Soni Methu takes a mule trail tour to the bottom of Namibia’s incredible Fish River Canyon.

Photo Credit : Namibia Tourism

For information on Travel to Namibia – practical advise, details of accommodation, attractions, going on the safari etc, please check out Namibia Tourism Website.

How To Go Gorilla Trekking In Africa On Budget

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An encounter with the mountain gorillas in the wild deep in African rain forests is quite ultimate and magical. This experience with the astonishing human like creatures normally lasts for an hour. Mountain gorilla tracking in Africa is only done in three countries inclusive of Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Only an approximate number of 1000 critically endangered mountain gorillas are known to be thriving in the rain forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park Uganda, Mgahinga national park Uganda, Virunga national park in Congo and volcanoes national park in Rwanda.

For any option you choose, gorilla tracking is extraordinary and unforgettable experience though quite costly in some destinations like Rwanda and has been suspended in Congo’ Virunga national park due to insecurities till 2019. This has given Uganda an opportunity to offer luxury and budget gorilla safaris to travelers who find their way into this country.

Below are the ways on how one can trek gorillas in Africa, with reference to Uganda, giving both luxury and budget alternatives.

At first, consider traveling in the low seasons, since gorilla trekking safaris are expensive which is true, consider traveling in the low seasons where almost all players in the industry mostly those in national parks tend to subsidize their services, these include accommodation facilities, destinations / sites, craft centers, among others.

In the months of April, May and November, these are low season months when the country receives few tourists therefore, most safari lodges in Uganda tend to reduce on their room rates, as well as Rwanda which introduced a 30% discount on its permit cost, but on condition that a visitor spends 3 nights and visits any of the 2 other national parks.

For any traveler to have a successful budget gorilla safari. You have to put it in mind that traveling as a group is better than alone, this is very possible since there is sharing of costs in terms of transport, accommodation, fuel, guides or even individual stuff like souvenirs. But one of the best ways to do it is always to inquire from a genuine travel operator for advice or include you in their scheduled group tours.

Usually, the peak season includes months of January, June, July August and December, so if you intend to travel during this season for gorilla tracking, it is advisable to book your gorilla permit earlier. This will help in making necessary arrangements when it’s early enough. This is due to the fact that in peak season lodging facilities tend to get occupied to full capacity and even hike their prices.

In the essence of traveling, it is well and clear that people travelling in groups face limited costs compared to solo travelers; however much are some cost factors which will always remain constant at an individual basis. To go gorilla trekking on a budget it is recommended to join scheduled groups or come along with friends or family members.

Entrance fees. These are some of the costs one will meet when planning to gorilla trekking in Africa as well as accommodation costs and in most cases these are the constant costs and it’s upon the traveler to understand them. Consider lodges outside national parks so you can cut extra costs when relaxing at the lodge or stay at the lodge when not doing any activity in the park.

In order to enjoy a low budget gorilla safari, take up quite some time on considering the number of other activities you would like to spend time in. This includes categories of accommodation that choose to stay in while at the destination, and other activities you would do after tracking gorillas tracking gorillas and ascertain if they are price affordable, for example, boat cruises, nature walks, evening cultural tours, etc.

4 Beautiful But Hidden Safari Parks Not to Miss in Uganda

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Uganda has 10 national parks in the different regions. All the parks have the unique features  that you cannot find in the other. Though the most notable visited national parks are Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison Falls National Park, there are some beautiful but hidden national parks that you should not miss in Uganda. These include Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park to mention but a few. Here is a list of national parks hidden in the far end but with thrilling beauty you would not want to miss out, and these include;

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda sitting at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m in the virunga conservation area, mgahinga is in the foothills of virunga ranges sharing with the neighboring Rwanda and Congo. The Virunga ranges include Mt Gahinga  at 3,473 meters above sea level  covered up by Crater Lake on top, un fortunately it was covered by swamps. Gahinga literally means” a pile of rocks”.

Mount Muhavura as the highest peak at 4,127 meters Seen from far beyond Kisoro town, hiking mount Muhavura takes about 6 hours but with rewarding views of Lake Edward and George in Kasese, Queen Elizabeth national park, Ruwenzori mountain ranges and Bwindi forest.

Mount sabyinyo,” old teeth” it is one of the oldest volcanoes in the Virunga conservation area, the thrilling part of is once you hike it, at the mountain you are physically present in three countries, Uganda Rwanda and Congo. This hike though is a bit a tough and takes about 8 hours.

Semuliki national park

Semuliki National Park cuts across the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of Ruwenzori. The park is dominated by the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin, one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests that survived the ice age 18,000 years ago. The forest includes 305 species of trees recorded, of which 125 species are restricted to this park alone, savannah grassland, swamps and hot springs.

The forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri, Batuku cattle keepers, Bwamba farmers and Bakojo cultivators As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.

The beauty of semuliki national park include 53 species of mammal which have been recorded including the rare and nocturnal and diurnal species like , chimpazees, olive baboons, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and Mona, Blue Monkeys, and Guereza Colobus, De Brazza’s Monkeys. While nocturnal primates include Galagos and Pottos. Other mammal species include, Bush pig, Water Chevrotain, Buffalo, Sitatunga, White-bellied Duiker or Dwarf Antelope, Beecroft’s Anomalure and elephants

Semuliki national park is also home to various bird species, among these include, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinker bird, Spotted, Spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaubs’s Duck, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honey guides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Green-tailed Bristle bill, Forest and Grey Ground Thrushes, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Red-billed Helmet -Shrike, Red-eyed Puff-back, Black-winged Starling, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes, Pale-fronted and Chestnut-breasted Negro finches, Grant’s Bluebill.

Pian Upe reserve

This is the second largest conservation area in the greater regions of karamoja. Pian upe covers an area of about 2,788km2 to the north of mountain Elgon and is managed by Mountain Elgon Conservation department under Uganda wild life authority.

Wild life species in pian upe include wild cats like cheetahs, serval, leopard, civets, and jackals the Primates include patas monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and mammal species like Cape buffalo, topis, giraffes, elands, waterbuck, Ugandan kobs, zebras and so many others.

The reserve is also a birding destination with array of 242 amazing bird species like Jackson’s Hornbill, ostrich white-headed buffalo-weaver and others

Reptiles are also in pretty in the reserve which includes geckos, skinks, rock python, water snakes, lizard, savannah monitors among others.

Kidepo National Park

In the semi-arid region of karamajong lies Kidepo national park, the furthest park but yet with exciting features in the wilderness. The park has rare species like cheetah, hunting dog, ostriches that you will never find in any national park. Kidepo National Park was gazetted in 1962 and it host over 77 mammal species which include elephants, leopard, bush duiker, jackal, bushbuck, bush pig, giraffes, bush baby, buffalo and much more as well as around 475 bird species including the endemic species like the pygmy Falcon, Varreaux’s Eagle plus , Egyptian Vulture.

The slopes of mountain murongole are occupied by the IK people, who are the tiniest ethnic group found in Uganda, and have their own special culture.

 

Fundraising For Your Africa Trip

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Traveling to Africa can get expensive. One way around that is to create a fundraising page. Many people have raised thousands with online fundraising and it could be your solution to make that trip of a lifetime happen.

However, money isn’t just going to fall from the sky. You need to make donors want to donate. If you’re going on a trip for social good, then making a fundraising case is fairly easy. However, if it’s just for enjoyment then you really need to offer great rewards in order to get donations coming in.

Offer unique rewards and surprises, based around your African experience to really get people involved. Furthermore, take your campaign offline and think up other fundraising ideas that will help you reach your target.

If done well, you’ll reach your goal in no time.

Complete Guide to Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

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To the Far East of the war prone Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s oldest National Park, Virunga. It is at Virunga National Park that the world’s largest lava lake and the Nyiragongo volcano can be found. Mount Nyiragongo is located about 20 km away from Lake Kivu and Goma town. As an active volcano, Mount Nyiragongo is prone to frequent eruptions. It is unclear how many times eruptions have occurred in the mountain but about 34 eruptions have been recorded since 1882. The volcano still shows signs of erupting anytime after the most recent which happened as recently as in 2002. These eruptions have often led to the loss of several lives given that the lava floods flow out at great sped of less than an hour. The 1977 eruption claimed the lives of at least 70 people but the most devastating one recorded was recently in 2002. More than 140 people were killed and at least 120,000 more displaced with the volcano releasing great volumes of lava which headed for Goma town and continued up to the airport and Lake Kivu shores. The earthquakes that followed for 3 months left Goma town in great ruin. The volcano is now stable with the bubbling and roaring fires from the lava lake on the mountain summit attracting thousands of tourists who are interested in hiking mount Nyiragongo volcano each year to DR Congo.

How to reach Mount Nyiragongo

Hiking to the peaks of mount Nyiragongo is not for the faint of heart. Those who can brave the hike will be rewarded with beautiful scenery at the very top crowning it all by bearing witness to wonderful sightings of nature at its best. The lava lake at the top of the volcano explodes from side to side looking for the smallest space to explode out. This sighting of the exploding lava lake is considered one of the best in the world.

How do you get to Mount Nyiragongo. The journey usually starts from Rwanda or Uganda because most visitors to Nirgaongo tend to combine Nyiragongo hiking with other activities like gorilla trekking, hiking the Congo Nile Trail, game drives or boat riding in Lake Kivu. The journey from Kigali to Goma in Congo takes about 3 hours. You can take public transport if you are travelling on your own or use the services of a tour operator to transport you all the way to the starting point of the trail in Goma. The journey from Rwanda to Congo is very interesting with the beautiful landscape, great scenery, tea plantations and the Lake Kivu among the things that will catch your eyes. Mount Nyiragongo is less than an hours’ drive from the border with Rwanda. Crossing the Congo Rwanda border involves going through rigorous checking at the checkpoint. You will need to have all your travel documents and most importantly your yellow fever vaccination certificate to be able to cross the border.

Climbing Mount Nyioragongo

Climbing mount Nyiragongo takes approximately five hours and can be strenuous and challenging for one with low levels of fitness. It is important to prepare mentally and physically to deal with the steep sections of the mountain. Porters are available for hire at the starting point and foot of the mountain. The activity usually starts as early as 9am in the morning after breakfast. You start by heading out to the Kibati Ranger post in Virunga National Park for briefing about the activity. There are stops in between the hike to allow climbers refresh and also marvel at the scenery down below. The first part of the trail involves hiking through sections with little gain in altitude. This is where those who have a second thought about their level of fitness and overall ability to complete the hike can decide to quit. The second section is characterized increasing altitude and loose small lava rocks just after the first stop (resting point) that may cause you to slide off balance if you didn’t come with suitable hiking shoes.

In the third segment, speed is reduced and focus is priority. Besides the small lava rocks from the previous section, slippery stones and the higher altitude makes hiking more challenging.

The forth and longest segment of the hike is characterized by a stretch of steeper slopes and higher altitude. The weather gets colder as you hike higher and the rains are common around this segment hence requiring good layering and raincoats.

The fifth and final segment is the shortest but steeper than all the other sections. However the sight of the nearby cabins at the summit is enough motivate any would be hiker to reach the top. Moreover hikers who get to this point are allowed to complete the rest of the journey at their own pace unlike the beginning sections where you have to stick with the group.

The mountain top

There are two sets of cabins adjacent to each other on top of the volcano. Two cabins are built a few feet from the volcano and the other a few feet down the mountain. They are furnished with two small mattresses with pillows.

The top of the mountain has strong winds and is much colder than one would expect leaving you freezing if not well prepared. Warm clothing and a cup of coffee will come in handy while at the top.

After such a tiring ascent to the summit, being able to spot the lava lake and bubbling orange magma will give you a great feeling of accomplishment – an exciting lifetime experience that cannot be described by words or pictures.

Descending the volcano

The descent is rather quick and fast session that on average takes about 3 ½ hours. ut almost challenging as hiking up. The steep segments of sharp rocks require extreme care to avoid stumbling off to the ground. This part of the journey is becomes interesting as you will enjoy the full view of Virunga National Park,  the town of Goma and the extreme end of Lake Kivu in Rwanda.

Tips for hiking Mount Nyiragongo

Hire a porter: Hiking with heavy backpack loads can make it difficult to navigate the steep slopes of the mountain. Porters are used to hiking this mountain and can help with your heavy luggage while also support you climb the tough segments of the hike. Each porter is allowed to carry a 15kg load and hiring costs about $24 per porter.

Know your fitness levels and physical limits: Hiking mount Nyiragongo requires some level of fitness. Ascending to the top can be strenuous and demanding while descending applies pressure to your ankles and knees often causing knee pain at the end of the hike. You need to know how reaction and sensitivity to weather changes as it can get really cold on top of the summit.

Mental readiness: Being physically fit is great but not enough to successful hike Mount Nyiragongo. You need to come prepared to complete the journey knowing that you will go through some physical challenges. It’s recommended you take a few days getting your body ready for major hikes by having minor hikes. Those who are on a longer safari can achieve this by first going for gorilla trekking or waterfall hikes before embarking on a greater challenge like Nyiragongo.

Have a hiking stick: A walking stick is highly recommended for both ascending the steep slopes and descending down the slope. Hiking sticks will help you remain stable and gain momentum during the hike.

Be property cautious: It’s important to always keep your belongings close to you, especially money, laptops, camera and any other valuable items you might have come along. The cabins on top are not as protected as you would expect.

Carry along a yellow fever certificate: To avoid more expenses while crossing the DR Congo border, try to get the yellow fever vaccination and card.  The card is a requirement before crossing to DR Congo.

Carry warm weather gear: Carry along extra warm clothes to help keep you warm when it gets too cold on top. Mere layering may not be enough. You will also need thicker pants, heavy stockings, a scarf and heavy sweater.

Packing List for Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

  • Good hiking shoes: These should be comfortable (preferably waterproof) walking shoes with rubber soles that would give good grip of the rocky slippery slopes while keeping your feet warm and dry.
  • A rain jacket: This will protect you from any downpour. They should be light weight so as to easily ascend the mountains.
  • Sunscreen and hat: This will help guard you from the suns heat and any downpours.
  • Warm clothes: Layering is vital to keep you warm during the hike. The weather gradually gets colder as you gain altitude and actually gets worse at the top.
  • Camera and Binoculars: A camera is vital to keep records of the amazing lava lake and great scenery around the Virunga ranges. You will need binoculars more especially while descending the volcano to catch the full view of the Virunga National Park along with distant shores of Lake Kivu on the other side of Rwanda.
  • Daypack: A water proof falling backpack is very essential to protect your valuable belongings such as the camera, smart phones and iPads from damage from the rains.
  • Packed lunch and bottled water: Hiking Mount Nyiragongo will make you tired, thirsty and hungry. Moving with something to drink and eat is essential.
  • Portable charger: A charger will help keep your digital devices powered all the time on top of the mountain.
  • Headlamps/flashlights: The mountain top is dark with no power or light supply of any form. Having a flash light can help you when it comes to moving around to the kitchen or toilets.

Note: Hiking mount Nyiragongo is a year round activity but we recommend that you target the dry season that runs through from June to mid September. The other months except for January, February and partly December are coupled by heavy rains that make the mountain steeps more slippery.

Mount Nyiragongo hiking permits go for $300.

Besides Nyiragongo hiking there are other great attractions within Virunga National Park such as Mountain Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, bird watching and wildlife viewing among others.

The Pyramid and the Sphinx

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Egypt has long been the source of countless conspiracies, ranging from ancient lost civilizations to extraterrestrial markers. The reason for this focus is likely because Egypt is the most romanticized ancient civilization, and also because it is home to the mystical Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. This article will describe some of the conspiracies surrounding the Sphinx and the Pyramid.

The Riddle of the Sphinx

Most of the conspiracy theories revolving around the Sphinx usually involve its age. The Sphinx is generally accepted to have been built along with the Pyramids of Giza around 2500 BC. It is even accepted that the face of the Sphinx bears the likeness of Khafre (Chephren), the Pharaoh during that time.

However, there was no written record from that era regarding the Sphinx or its construction. In addition, the human head of the Sphinx is small in relation to the rest of the body, indicating that the head bearing Pharaoh Khafre’s likeness could have been carved out of a larger lion’s head. These points led some researchers to believe that the Sphinx could have been built much earlier by a more ancient civilization, thus starting a whole host of conspiracy theories.

Geologist Dr. Robert Schoch and author John Anthony West made a case that the erosion marks on the Sphinx appears not to be made by wind or sand, but by water, such as falling rain. They used evidence of other structures in the Giza area to prove their point. If this were true, the construction of the Sphinx could then be dated back to at least 5000 BC, when the area still received substantial rainfall, in contrast to desert conditions later on.

In his official website, Director of the Giza Monuments Dr. Zahi Hawass provides various points suggesting that the evidence used in proving Dr. Schoch’s theory is flawed.

Adding to the conspiracies surrounding the age of the Sphinx, writers Graham Hancock and Robert Buvaul provide evidence in their book Message of the Sphinx that the creation of the Sphinx and Pyramids can be pushed back as far as 10,500 BC using astronomical data.

Secret of the Pyramids

The Pyramids of Giza have been the objects of many conspiracies over the years. Many people believe that the Pyramids are a link to an ancient lost civilization, and may still contain evidence to prove it. Many conspiracy theories regarding secret chambers and passageways within the pyramids exist to this day.

These conspiracy theories became even more widespread in 1993, when Dr. Zahi Hawass announced that the Great Pyramid of Khufu was to be closed to the public for a year. The reason given for the closure was to facilitate cleaning, conservation and restoration of the interior chambers in the Great Pyramid.

However, conspiracy theorists believe that the Egyptian authorities had uncovered evidence of a lost civilization in the Pyramid, and were secretly excavating it to reveal more information.

During the conservation process in 1993, robots were used to explore the small ventilation shafts leading from the “King’s Chamber” and the lower “Queen’s Chamber” in the Great Pyramid. An intriguing discovery was made: partway through the shafts of the “Queen’s Chamber” were “doors” with handles.

In order to prove the transparency of their work and debunk any conspiracies, Dr. Zahi Hawass decided to partner with National Geographic to explore beyond the “doors”, and provide a live telecast of the exploration to the rest of the world.

After much publicity, the expedition commenced, with footage telecast live around the world. During the last minute of the show, a camera was sent in a hole made in the “door” of the shaft, revealing another “door” behind it. And that was when the show finished. Conspiracy theories started sprouting, asking the following questions: “What’s behind the 2nd door? Why did the show end so abruptly? What are they hiding from us?”

Enjoy Your Uganda with Stays at Inns of Uganda

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For the discerning tourist, a trip to Inns of Uganda would be ideal to discover the Pearl of Africa’s best-kept open secret. Inns of Uganda, with two camps – Nile Safari Camp and Jacana Safari Lodge – offer the ideal setting. The two camps are accessible by road but guests can fly to Pakuba where Inns of Uganda staff will be on hand to receive them. Visitors can view birds as the y move towards the Nile Safari Camp along the banks of river Nile in north-western Uganda. Nile Safari Camp boasts 12 rooms and a swimming pool with impressive, professionally done interior design. The elaborate and environment –friendly design ensures that a holiday package here adds value and quality to the lives of people who visit the camps.

At Jacana Safari Lodge, in the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park, guests can have a lifetime experience of low-impact water activity on boating trips in which they view birds, chimpanzees, monitor lizards and hippos. This camp shows the visitor the essence of visiting Uganda. The cuisine at the camps blends perfectly with the excellent and pleasant nature of the staff.

Jacana is built with materials derived from the immediate environment in line with Inns of Uganda’s ecotourism campaign. The lodge has 15 chalets, swimming pool, sauna, sun downer and dinner pontoon. The surroundings fit well with the structures adopted by the two camps. For instance, the lodge literally grows out of the forest with a tree house-like appearance. The scenery and congeniality of the camps’ staff together with Inns of Uganda’s ability to blend the natural environment with the design of the camps offer guests a memorable safari.

Chobe National Park – An African Wonder

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You will be delighted to hear that Chobe National Park is not only the second largest national park in Botswana but also has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. The Park is divided into four sections, the Serondela area, the Savuti Marsh area, the Nogatsaa and Tchinga, and the Linyanti Marsh.

You might think what are you supposed to do in a national park that has four sections. Well the logical thing to do is to view the wildlife and experience the magic of Africa. The first section of the park you want to visit is the Serondela area. This section of Chobe National Park is filled with dense green forests which in turn attract African wildlife like elephants, buffaloes and the famous bee-eater. The Serondela area is the most visited part of Chobe National Park because it is situated near the Victoria Falls. Well if you ever visit Botswana go see the Serondela area in Chobe National Park, it will truly amaze you.

The next section in the park is called the Savuti Marsh area. Long ago, in fact millions of years ago this was a large inland lake whose water was cut by tectonic movements. These days the Savuti marsh is fed by the Savuti Channel, which supplies the marsh with water. The Savuti Marsh is covered with savannahs and grasslands, which attract thousands upon thousands of wild animals every year. During the rainy season you will be able to see an astounding amount of different bird species in the park as well as lions, hyenas and zebras. Now and then you might also be privileged to see a cheetah. If you unable to make the rainy season don’t despair because even in the dry season you will be able to view warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras, wildebeests and the king of the Chobe National Park the elephant. If ever you want to experience a large scale migration of animals you must visit the Savuti Marsh. It is renowned for its annual trek of zebras and predators.

The third section of Chobe National Park is The Linyanti Marsh. This section of Chobe National Park also called the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. This region is shared between a very small number of private camps. Travellers to this region will be able to view the African wildlife privately and exclusively. If you ever end up in Botswana during the dry season, then The Linyanti Marsh is the place to visit. During the dry season huge concentrations of species such as the zebra and elephant can be seen. It is also renowned for lions and hyenas. All bird lovers will find this region of the Chobe National park irresistible.

The last region is the Nogatsaa and Tchinga, a hot and dry hinterland. All that’s known about this area is that it holds water well into the dry season and during this time it’s a great place to spot elands. I only recommended this area to the adventurous traveller. You truly need hair on your teeth if you want to visit this section of Chobe national park.

The true attraction of the Chobe National Park however, is its elephant population. You have not experience the true spirit of Chobe national park, until you see the African elephant.

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